Rotary Bulletin
February 19, 2015
Submitted by Janet
Catherine called our meeting to order and introduced the theme for next week’s meeting-that being Tropical Thursday. No one is to wear black, grey or dark colours and we were encouraged to bring in a tropical fruit as a donation to the Breakfast Programs. She also reminded us to purchase a ticket to the RI President luncheon being held Tuesday March 24th. Tickets are $25.00 and we will not have a meeting on Thursday that week.
Guests introduced by Jim B.
Victor Lesnicki- Burlington North Club
Lizanne Rowe, Burlington Community Foundation
Fred Sweeney, Burlington North Club
Barb Hislop, guest of Rob. S
Kyle Hislop, guest of Karmel S
Colleen Mulholland- Burlington Community Foundation
Juliette- our lovely exchange student
Business:
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Sheila updated us on RILA and encouraged us to nominate a deserving candidate between the ages of 19-24 years of age. Please contact her directly if you would like additional details. Also, planning for Lakeside a la Carte, Sat. Aug. 9 has begun. If you are interested in committee work please attend a meeting Sat. March 7, 9:30 a.m.
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“Best Gourmet Potluck in Town!” takes place Sat. Feb. 28 at Liuna Station. Please visit their website
www.BFO-Hamiltonburlington.on.ca for information and tickets.
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Juliette had a great week skating, playing hockey, tubing and hiking. Highlight was a cooking class about maple syrup-including salad dressing and soup! She encouraged us to attend the outbound exchange event March 1 to share the excitement on who is going where.
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Happy New Year’s Lawrence. Hope you enjoy the Year of the Sheep and appreciate the many attributes of David B. who we learned is a Ram
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The Community Services Award are May 14 at 7 a.m. Committee is seeking corporate and single nominations. A special guest speaker is planned. Tickets are $25.00
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Rene, SAA, auctioned off an August 1982 Life Magazine that featured Marilyn Munroe. Richard P gladly paid $50.00. Andrew G. was proud recipient of a January 2000 newspaper at $25 (sorry I did not hear the title).
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Rene informed us that Kathy T. joined our club Feb. 1, 1996 (19 years ago) as did Rick H. and Bill C. on Feb. 1, 1992
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Happy/sad dollars- Bill M. (wonderful to see you!) enjoyed a dinner with Jo-Ann and Elizabeth; Anthony F-J informed us about the Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk in support of the Open Doors program, St. Christopher’s Church. It is not too late to make a donation to this great community cause; Richard P is ecstatic he is in her new Waterdown location; Bob M. had a great trip to Quebec City and his experience reaffirmed that travel to Quebec bolsters the strength of the country; Happy belated birthday Gerry!; and congrats to Mike M. our ticket winner.
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Guest speaker, Colleen Mulholland, Burlington Community Foundation (BCF) was welcomed and introduced by Nancy B. The essence of the foundation is people working together to help people in need in our community. 2014 saw the 15th Anniversary of BCF which is one of 191 foundations across Canada. Most are small, volunteer-led and initiated by prominent people in a community, like Diana and Murray Hogarth. The key focus includes:
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Endowment Funds-74 were made in support of long term solutions; 2.8 million grants to the community
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Leadership- 55 volunteers
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Supporting community- the most recent example being the Flood Disaster Relief which raised $900K resulting in $2.7 million due to the provincial matching initiative.
Colleen encouraged Rotarians to read the Vital Signs Report that is a third party researched report, posted on their website (
www.burlingtonfoundation.org) and that informs community involvement i.e. poverty, youth and mental health, their Grant Making Focus. Our House, Open Doors, Inspiring Women’s Initiative, and the Philanthropist of the Year Program are examples and $500,000 was given last year.
Alarming information like 7.6% of Burlingtonians are in a low income household (3400 children under the age of 18) and a serious mental health issue that often involves a two year waiting period. Good news is that a 2014 Forum, held in round table format with the topic of mental health. Their key actions for Mental Health include education, integration of services and advocacy. Anthony agreed about the integration focus, stating that the 55 agencies providing services need to come together.
Colleen was thanked by Roy C. noting her points were important to us as Rotarians-especially mental health. She became another proud recipient of our Community, Friendship, and Hospitality pineapple.
And, as we were remiss in asking Wayne G. to state the 4 Way Test, is became a great closing to our meeting and week ahead-not to mention- that we were also celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the first Rotary meeting held worldwide.
