PP Mike took the stage to lead this morning's meeting. Wanted to fine Karmel $30.00 for interrupting him but that was quickly shot down!  Nice anthem this morning- can't say the same about the 4-way test. Kathleen proposed changes to the standard to cover up her gaff and paid for that later!

Guest this morning were Abraham, our guest speaker Krista Craig from the Good Shepherd and making his last appearance as a guest Keith Williams!

We moved quickly to an always lovely moment in Rotary- the induction of a new member.

Keith was introduced to us by Joe who has worked with Keith for several years now at PCL. Keith hails from Wales-I'm a poet and don't even know it!!- where he spent the first 10 years of his life being taught in Welsh. At the age of 10 he attended a boarding school in Liverpool that backed on to Penny Lane. He attended the University of Liverpool where he became a Civil Engineer.  He was initially posted to Northeast England and at the age of 24 worked in Saudi Arabia where he met his soon to be wife who was an O/R nurse. They moved to Birmingham where he obtained his P. Eng.

 After vacationing in Canada in 1988 they decided to cross the ocean where they settled initially in the Beaches.  In 1990 while working for AECON  they moved to Burlington. His children attended school in Aldershot and they still live here in Garden Trails. He and his wife have two children- a son originally a chef is pursuing a career in Construction at Mohawk and a daughter who is a landscape designer.

In 2010 he joined PCL and has worked with Joe on many projects together. According to Joe he wears the white hat and Keith wears the black hat. I am assuming it is the good cop bad cop scenario where Joe gives them all the lovely details of the project and Keith gets to tell them how much it is going to cost them! But hey what are friends for???

Keiths interests include photography- he has a website -www.500px.com/kwilliams, hiking, and music. Joe described him as a first class gentleman who never loses his cool and can be depended on to get things done.  I think we can all agree on that. Randy Smallbone is his mentor.

Welcome Keith- we are delighted and proud to welcome you as a member.

Abraham seemed to have a bit of a quieter week than we are used to hearing about with one exception. He had a wonderful 16th birthday party at Nima and Owen's- his first birthday party ever and followed up the celebrations by eating a ton of food over Easter. Good lad though- he followed that up with a trip to the gym.  Hmmmmm..I should of thought of that! Not.......

Rod reminded us of the Rotary dinner at Fionne Barr next Wednesday night the 11th. We are trying to frequent our Lakeside participants to show our appreciation. Please let Rod know if you are planning on attending.

The date for the Presidential Induction dinner has been set in stone. It is June the 14th at the Club. Details to follow.

Peter reminded us of the Seniors breakfast  this Saturday.

April 14th is District training-details on the district website.

SAA Terry started out by fining anyone without a pin and any table where there weren't both sexes seated.  A few bucks there!

Happy $$

Wayne  has just returned from a wonderful trip to the South of France.

Mike Molloy has sold his house of 23 years and is moving to Ancaster but not leaving the club.

Bob's firm Martin and Hillyard  for coining the phrase  "Making a Difference" and loaning it to Rotary. 

Catherine for a fantastic girls weekend in North Bay at the Women's World Curling Championship . A trip to McDonalds  drive-thru in a taxi at 1:50 a.m. on Saturday morning pretty well sums up the weekend!

Joe  for happily extending the warranty on his car before receiving a bill for 14K for two new turbo chargers!!!

Our guest speaker Krista Craig from the Good Shepherd took us on a virtual tour of the services they offer. Krista is the Stewardship Coordinator and was here to thank us for our contribution and give us an over view..  Many of us know them as the operators of the Men's Shelter in downtown Hamilton and the providers of the Christmas dinner's every year for hundreds in need but indeed their reach extends well into the community. They are the largest provider of social services in Hamilton.

Their mantra is health, housing and reestablishment into the community for youth, families and single men and women.

They serve 1200 people a day at 26 locations and have 900 transitional housing units in Hamilton.

They operate food banks, offer career training, operate emergency shelters and have a 24 hour crisis line.

They began in 1961 with a men's shelter that could accommodate 60 men.

They provide a daily hot meal program that feeds 5000 people per month.

A brief synopsis of their Centres.

The Venture Centre- offering food and clothing in a supermarket environment to preserve the dignity of those in need

The Family Centre- 20 Self contained family units to keep families together during crisis .

They offer counselling, medical and financial aid and child care services for before and after school .

Martha's House  offers 40 beds to women and children fleeing form domestic abuse . Unfortunately it is usual 98% full at anytime. 

Mary's Place offers the same safe haven to single women and helps them wit safety planning and resources to escape dangerous situations.

Notre Dame house is a safe haven for youth on the street and its goal is to get to you at risk  between 48 and 72 hours after being on the street. If they can get to them then the chances of re-establishment in a home environment increases and the risk of engagement with not so lovely street environment decreases. They have 21 beds and their is no limit to  the length of stay.

If you have read this far send me an e-mail and you will be entered into a draw for a bottle of wine! cabrady60@gmail.com

Regina's Place offers support to young Mom's and children offering education opportunities for Mom while and safe child care while completing their education.

Brennan House offers help to 14- 18 year olds with serious mental health issues. 
The have access to professional services and there is  2 week wait list. They served 251 youth in 2017

Similarly Barret Centre offers the same services for adults with mental health issues.

They also offer day programs for seniors at risk providing meals and socialization.

Finally Emmanuel House is a hospice offering end of life care and dignity.

Good Shepherd operates as a not for profit and relies on the help of over 700 volunteers per month as their programs require 500 people a month to operate.

Many of left this morning with a whole new understanding of the width and breadth of the services of the Good Shepherd organization. Very sad that all of these services are in such high demand but reassuring to know that such support exists for those not quite so lucky as all of us.

Thank you Krista.

 Peter thanked her and the meeting was adjourned.

Next week's speaker is Carly O'brien for Intrique Media Solutions talking to us about digital marketing. See ya' then!

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