RoteNotes Sept 8, 2022 (Sep 08, 2022)

Hybrid meetings...

With Past President Wayne chairing the meeting, we had an entertaining evening at the Timms Centre. Wayne, John, Anthony, Nora, Byron, Bob and Rudy were joined by Merle Fisher, a guest who would like to become involved with our club. Lana, Veronica and Gertrude joined in via zoom. We had no-one tuning in from Ireland or Russia.

Jeff Morfitt will be stepping down as Ribfest chair (he had announced this some time ago) after a very successful event. Rudy estimates that the profit could reach $300 000, and we eagerly wait for the final details. Merle Fisher is a fairly recent arrival in Langley who moved here from South Africa. She is a grandmother living in Milner Heights who would like to become involved in her new community.

We conducted our Annual General Meeting and proceeded through the approved agenda with precision and speed. Anthony outlined the financial situation and the budget for the 2022-2023 year was approved. Details will be shared when the Minutes are distributed.

An introduction to Byron Cooke

We returned to the regular meeting and welcomed our guest speaker, Byron Cooke. As our newest member, Byron shared his story with us. Rather than paraphrase, here is the message in his own words.

“I was born in Winnipeg Manitoba of Caribbean descent. My mom is from Antigua and my dad is from Jamaica. I have 5 siblings: 1 sister by blood, 2 half sisters, and 2 half brothers from my dad's side.

I moved to Vancouver in 1996 and this is where I attained my education. I completed my Bachelor's in Business Administration from Capilano University and Corporate Finance from BCIT which led me to a career in bookkeeping, accounting, and taxation for over 20+ years. At first I was working with a small accounting firm and later started my own small business working on short and long term financial contracts.

In my spare time I love, learning, yoga, and anything outdoors (hiking, running, kayaking, swimming). I also love attending and putting on live comedy shows and music events.

I joined the Rotary Club because I was looking for an organization to join to be able to give back to the community and also to meet people and learn more about Langley, because I just recently moved to Langley from New Westminster BC in November 2021. Luckily I heard about the Rotary Club through a conversation with a former president of the White Rock Rotary Club that I met on the bus, sparked by me inquiring about the Rotary Club symbol on his work bag.

I look forward to being a member and contribute any way I can to serve the local and international community. Thank you for accepting me as a new member.”

Then Byron had to face the hard questions, including which CFL team he cheered for. After living in Winnipeg, Toronto, and now BC he had three to choose from. Sadly, he chose the Blue Bombers as his favourite team. Well, he certainly chose a winner!

Other updates

We heard about a meeting at the arboretum where a cheque for $10 000 from the Aldergrove Legion (Poppy Fund) was presented to finish the Korean Garden around the memorial stone next to the RIC. We shared stories about Doug Hadley, an Aldergrove Rotarian and softball umpire, and several umpiring anecdotes. We talked about the World Help Network and the loading of a container on Saturday headed for Cuba.

Seven members pledged happy or sad dollars for Polio Plus. These were donated for the following reasons: our successful AGM; our Queen dying; our club receiving approval to be at the Heritage Apple Day festivities; Byron’s world adventures; Byron’s talk and the Queen’s passing; a wife suffering from COVID; and a good friend passing away, a single father with three children. A sad note to close the meeting.

We then raised our glasses or mugs in a toast to Canada and wished each other a good evening. We will continue with hybrid meetings and encourage more members to attend in person again. Next week Gertrude will be giving her classification talk.

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Rotary Club of Langley