John Gilvesy, District Governor, Rotary Club of Tillsonburg and Lesley Barmania, District Governor Elect, Rotary Club of Meadowvale.

It was mentioned that with our Area District Governor present today – Janet Canavan, we were being over governed at this meeting.

 

Dave Beckett reported that over $50,000 was raised at the golf tournament.  He stated that the Food Bank were great partners with plenty of volunteers helping out.

The Rutty get together has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances at the Rutty household.

396 tickets have been sold for Lakeside a la Carte towards the upper limit of 550. This is 100 more than this time last year.  28 restaurants are involved.  You heard this here – the weather is going to be better than at the golf tournament!!

 

Lawrence reported that so far 20 people have registered of the 29 or 30 needed for the Heart & Stroke Big Bike ride on August 15^th.  Cost is $50/pp.

August 16^th is the Bar B Q at Jamie’s place on the lake.  Tickets have to be bought beforehand.  Previous members and Rotaract members are being invited. There is no meeting at the BG&CC that morning.

 

Mae designated Roy Cooper as Rotarian of the Week for the fine Rotarian things he has done each and every week throughout the year.  Several fines were levied.

 

 

John has been a Rotarian since 1987.  He lives on a farm, is a Professional Engineer and has been involved in various organizations, mostly at the Executive level.

John reiterated the Rotary Theme of “Be the Inspiration” and used that theme to suggest that we give Communities what they need instead of what we think they need.  There are 1.2 million Rotarians in 3500 clubs in the world and together we can unite to inspire those we interact with. Each member has something to add and make a difference and we must rely on each member’s skill set to give back to the community and communities in the world. We must be excited in what we do.

 

 

He outlined a system of Citations where 3 factors are considered.  First, will be a focus on increasing membership of Rotarians. One example will be looking at Rotaract members as a source of new membership.  Look at family and past members as potential members.  He suggested inviting these people to our events.  He gave us a target of 5 - to recruit 5 more members to our club. Second, increase the public image of Rotary. Post information on Facebook as to what we do and are doing.  He mentioned using such publicity as the video “Together We” to publicize what Rotary does. Also hosting Rotary days is another way to spread awareness. Thirdly, John feels we need to increase humanitarian service. He stated that he feels the current refugee crisis is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to world humanitarian need. From this he led into a Global Grant Project in Honduras where each club in the District is expected to provide $1500.  The objective of this cash is to use it along with the various leverage tools in Rotary to provide a loan fund to micro finance entrepreneurs in Honduras who would employ people and improve their well being by helping them to be employed and thereby improve themselves.  This is all being done through one or more local Rotary clubs.

 

John concluded his presentation by stating that we have more in relation to the rest of the world and have money and time to give back.