The Rotary Club of Langley’s 401st regular meeting of this Rotary year was held via Zoom on May 7, 2020.  After allowing a fifteen minute social time for members and guests to log in and exchange pleasantries, president Wayne called the meeting to order and asked if club members would like to sing O Canada, our traditional opening when we meet in person.  Before long we were singing, not all in unison, but mostly with the same words, and we could recognize the song. 
 
    Welcome from Wayne:   Our Rotary theme this year is Rotary Connects
the World.  In the news yesterday we heard that slowly we will be able to move a little way towards the connections we had before this virus struck.  It will not be the same, and likely will never be the same.  Now we have a new meaning for “remembering the good old days.”  Rotarians will prevail, though, and we will continue to do good in our world.  Our new district grant project is the latest example for us.
     We welcomed guest speakers Susan Cairns and Michelle Bisson-Somerville, and special guest Pauline Buck, president of the Rotary Club of Aldergrove. 
 
     Announcements included having two benches installed in what we call David’s bird garden at the arboretum, and the possibility of installing the Rotary wheel there instead of in front of the Rotary Interpretive Centre building.  We will have 100+ varieties for the azalea garden.  Members were asked to review the Four Way Test as questions will be asked at our next meeting.  Pauline shared information about her club and projects they have underway.
 
     Susan and Michelle brought us information about the garden tower project in our schools, one we have supported by buying six (?) towers for the program.  The food program in the schools is supplemented by the vegetables these towers produce.
 
     Dr. John Brynjolfson brought us information about medical marijuana and the benefits and cautions that come along with it.  Interest was expressed in the gummy bears, but John recommends the liquid for superior quality assurance.
 
     This was our first online meeting with speakers presenting to us, and it worked quite well.  We collected happy and sad dollars for Polio Plus (at the request of several members, Wayne is now collecting IOU dollars), and closed with a toast to Canada. For more pictures visit May 7, 2020.