In a style reminiscent (though quieter) of one of our older members, Allan tapped his watch indicating to Stephen that it was past time to start the meeting. “What was that, Les?” he was asked.
Following the call to order and O Canada (“Very nice. Excellent rendition”), Stephen called for introductions of our guests. Brad Geddes, Wayne King, Nancy Rathgeber, Rick Davis, and Kate Ludlum joined Rotarians Rudy, Wayne, Stephen, John, Allan, Brendan, Nora, Nav, Anthony, Manjit, Leon, Bob and Lana this evening.
He then asked for any Rotary business. We may have missed Bob Lukie’s birthday on April 1st, and were advised of upcoming anniversaries for Anthony and Stephen. Wayne shared information about the scholarship evaluations, and Allan and Rudy volunteered to assist with them. Rudy mentioned an email from FOAM Fest looking for our assistance in finding them a location for their event. It doesn’t appear that we have any contacts with such facilities. Rudy served as a judge at the recent SASSY Awards interviews, with the actual ceremony planned for May 4 at Chief Sepass Theatre. He also reminded us about the District Conference being held in Surrey from May 5-7. Who will be attending from our club this year?
Ribfest Update
Rick Davis announced that Otter Coop and Angry Otter Liquor have signed on as major sponsors of Ribfest and have made a three-year commitment. That’s great news. Byron is serving as marketing coordinator and Rudy and Merle are also on the Ribfest committee. Rick asked us to follow the Ribfest Facebook page: the event will be at McLeod Park on August 18-20. Volunteers are needed and he wants us to have time to enjoy all the event has to offer.
Langley Seniors Resource Centre Update
Next we heard from Kate Ludlum, the new ED for Langley Seniors Resource Centre. She provided some updated information and is optimistic that things will improve post-COVID (they lost 66 seniors to COVID). She advised that people are looking for LSRC to provide leadership in the community and will be celebrating Seniors Week in June. She invited us to visit them and she offered to give us a tour and treat us to lunch. Kate spoke about some of the same programs and sevices that Wayne King had told us about, including outreach, income tax clinic, library, thrift shop, pool room and cafeteria. She refers to LSRC as a hidden gem, the largest seniors centre in B.C.
Guest Speaker - Brad Geddes
Brad Geddes then addressed the club, telling about his life and some of the difficulties living with cerebral palsy. Being disabled does not mean that he isn’t able. He says he has eyes on the community and alerts police when he sees trouble brewing. A short Q&Q followed his talk.
Rotary Moment with Wayne
Next we were on to the Foundation Moment provided by Jack Rae.
WHAT IS A GLOBAL GRANT FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING?
Vocational training teams are groups of professionals who travel to another country, either to learn more about their profession or to teach local professionals more about it.
The Rotary Foundation funds some vocational training teams in our areas of focus through global grants. This training is often carried out in conjunction with a humanitarian project.
A team should include at least three people. The team leader needs to be a Rotary member, while the other participants can be members or nonmembers who have experience in the area of focus.
Rotary previously had a program called Group Study Exchange, which promoted international understanding and offered person-to-person opportunities for participants to learn how their vocation was practiced in other countries. It was phased out when we updated our grant model and placed this activity within global grants.
Think about whether you could join a vocational training team, or know a nonmember who could participate.
The Light Touch
Rather than telling a humourous story, Wayne suggested sharing a number of short jokes, which prompted a “suitable for you” response from Rudy. Wayne asked him if he wanted to hear a roof joke, and when he nodded, added, “The first one’s on the house.” Here are the others.
A cement mixer and a prison bus crashed on the highway. Police are looking for a group of hardened criminals.
I saw a movie about how ships are put together. It was riveting.
And for those with a mathematical mind: What do you get when you pour root beer into a square cup? Beer.
Other updates
Happy and sad dollars ($33) were pledged for: happy to be at the meeting, but sorry for being late to arrive; spending time at LMH (bleeding into a stainless steel bowl brought fast action in the emergency ward); presentations from our guests; sharing credit card fraud concerns; seeing Leon back and our wonderful guest speakers; wonderful adventures in Yuma; more credit card fraud stories; the camaraderie shown at the meeting; and sitting between two roses.
Next week we’ll be meeting at RIC and having guest speakers from LCSS, so turn out in person to hear them. An executive meeting will follow.
.png)
