February 29, 2016
Past President Dan filled in for President John
Guests: Our speakers today, Sarah and Karl Repka
Humour presented by: Dan Donaldson
Announcements:
Showcase 2016 will be held May 12 at Fenelon Falls Community Centre/Rotary Club
All Rotanza ticket money goes to Anthony Polito – SELL SELL SELL *See Paul at Polito Ford if you have tickets/money to hand in or pick up
Meeting of May 2nd will move to Thursday May 5 – to set-up for Rotanza **GUESTS ARE WELCOME**
March 7th –Fred Mandryk from the R/C of Bowmanville
Fred is the organizer of the Food Packing project that we will be taking part in on April 2, at the Wellness Center in Peterborough. It is hoped that we can pack about 1,000,000 meals, although possibly a little unrealistic, but what is packed will be distributed as follows, 50% to Haiti, 25% to Ontario First Nations which is a priority of our District and 25% to Kawartha Food Share, which mirrors our Kawartha Lakes Food Source. Next years distribution will be the same with the exception of our Food Source instead of the Food Share. There will be five clubs participating in this project, Our Club has already contributed our financial obligation. Fred will be giving an in depth talk to this project and I am sure that you will be wowed.
With the financial commitments, these meals will cost .26 each to do and that has to be very reasonable considering that they will stay fresh for two years.
Annual Club Dues are overdue. Are you delinquent? See John Bennett or he’ll be after you.
Rohan keeps track of birthdays and anniversaries for us all. But one person in the club does not receive any greeting for a birthday or anniversary.
Rohan and Indira celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary on March 3rd!
Duty Roster March 7:
Sgt. at Arms: Al Goard and David Harvie
Greeter/Prize: John Bennett
Thanker/Fine Master: Lynda Rickard
Humorist: Rohan?
Today’s Door Prize Winner: Charlie Currie
50/50: Sharon Chambers drew the 5 of diamonds.
Happy Bucks: Ian Crockford
Jason – visitors and son won all finals with hockey team
Jim – grandson scored 6 goals and the goalie was actually in the crease for some of them
Charlie – granddaughter chosen to go to RYLA
Bernie – happy to have Sarah and Karl here
Marlene – pleased to have Sarah and Karl here
Michelle – t.v. show finished filming and will be airing on the network on Sunday night March 13 8:30pm “A Taste of the Country at South Pond Farms”
Anthony – daughter age 16, is racing at OFSSA at Blue Mountain (alpine skiing)
Fines:
None because Anthony put in 5 bucks!
Program:
Sarah and Karl Repka – a project that they are doing for the Syrian Refugees
Karl works with Counterpoint Engineering.
Sarah is an Assistant Crown Attorney and serves on Academy Theatre Board, plays the flute, and is the Chair of this new organization that is supporting Syrian Refugees.
Sarah went to a Citizen weekend in Ottawa and attended RYLA many years ago.
Three key aspects of the refugee sponsorship efforts.
Why and how we got sponsored:
At the end of 2014 with the North American coverage of the issues, a group of 25 people assembled at Cambridge Street United Church, and got together to discuss sponsoring a family.
Refugees are identified by the UN or Canadian Government.
Recent Sponsorship Efforts:
First sponsored a couple from Ethiopia. Arrived /spring summer 2015. Responsible for assisting with all needs (setting up bank accounts, day to day life, getting connected with services). They have since moved to western Canada to connect with some distant relatives.
Have sponsored a family of 6 from Syria. Couple and 4 kids (ages 8-15). Arrived in January. The first day they arrived in Lindsay they went sledding for the first time.
The first few weeks are the busiest – getting things set up with them and teaching them new things (i.e. How to put on a seat belt, getting enrolled in ESL language programs, children enrolled in school).
Family Reunification – so the families that have arrived, still have family back in Lebanon. A group in Woodville has agreed to sponsor the brother’s family.
People have extended their home to the families from our community.
The Community’s response:
Started as a lone operation. There are now 10 local groups now in the works of sponsoring families.
Feeling a lot of support from the community. Multiple speaking engagements at other groups to spread the word.
The cost for a couple was about $15,000, which covers half the year. It is in the range of 30K for a family of 6. The United Church gave a $5k sponsorship grant.
Four families have arrived in Kawartha Lakes
The goal of sponsorship is to enable the family to become self sufficient within a year (i.e. learn the language, find employment, etc.).
It is hoped that when we have some Syrian’s living in the area, when new families come, it makes it easier for them to connect with existing Syrian’s who can assist with their transition in their own micro-climate.
Ian Crockford thanked Sarah and Karl for their talk and efforts in the community.
Sunday afternoon Sarah will be playing her flute at Cambridge Street United Church (Dan will be there playing also).
David Broadfoot: Never pick a fight with an ugly person; they have nothing to lose.
Scribe: Jill Sadler
