February 22, 2016
Past President Dan opened the meeting with the singing of O’Canada, Rotary Grace and a toast to the Queen.
Guests: Jennifer Miles and Rebekah Corbeau from Jr. Achievement.
Humorist: Charlie told a tale of two brothers, one of whom was more saintly than the other.
Duties for next week Feb 29, 2016
Sgt at Arms: Marcus Tully and Rohan Wijesinghe
Thanker/Finemaster: Neil Young
Greeter/Prize: Sharon Chambers
Humorist: Dan Donaldson
Today’s Door Prize was won by: Lynda Rickard
Business announcements: Treasurer John Bennett put out a final request for membership dues. Pay up by March 1st or else!
Happy Bucks:
Marlene started off her duty by asking the significance of today. Ron Cork successfully answered that it was the opening of spring training. Everyone else had to pay a buck. Scooter bucks were collected from Charlie Currie, Michelle Gage and John Hunter. Other happy bucks were collected as follows: Bernie bought tickets for future Blue Jay games, Christine lost a treasured family member but now has a new tradition of Sunday dinners with the family, Sharon has had a mastectomy to deal with the recurrence of breast cancer which was identified quickly due to the persistence of a radiologist at Ross Memorial, Dan gave a fist full of “laundered” bucks for the passing of Harper Lee, the opening of Blue Jays camp, and a rant about Nelly Furtado, Justin Bieber and 1st annual Shamrock Sprint.
Program: Jennifer Miles was our guest speaker from Junior Achievement (JA). JA has been in Canada since 1955 and since then over 4 million students have taken part in the program. Over the years a lot of business curriculum has been dropped from high school studies so JA ensures that this is covered. Their motto is Prepare – Empower – Inspire. There are two JA programs currently operating in local schools The Company Program and the Entrepreneur Program. In the Company Program students start their own business and sell shares to raise their venture capital. An example given was of a candy business “Fun Floss” started up in an area high school. The Company program is run with donations and mentors. So far the Lindsay program has raised $1250 but is looking to raise $1750 more. They are also looking for mentors for the Be Entrepreneurial program which involves participation in four classes, daytime or evening. The impact on students who participate in JA programming includes: increased personal prosperity in that individuals save more and borrow less. Participants are more likely to create jobs through their businesses and 50% more likely to open their own business. For more information or to get involved contact Jennifer Miles at jmiles@ja-plm.ca
50/50 Draw: Gary Burns was called up to the podium but did not draw the joker. The pot lives on!
Dan’s thought for the Week was from Groucho Marx. “The Secret to life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that you have it made.”
Your scribe,
Carol Timlin
