Chair:   Phyllis Jarvis

O Canada:   Susan Ueffing 

Grace:  Wally Jarvis

Phyllis welcomed guests and visiting Rotarians:  Ian Campbell, Bert Kamsteeg, Sheila Nickerson

Happy $$:

Susan Ueffing:  Susan was $70 happy thanks to her birthday celebration with visitors from Cuba, Ontario, Florida and Aruba including her 4 beautiful grandchildren.  As well, she and Joe travelled to Houston, Texas to attend Rotary International Convention.  Susan reported the convention was excellent and she and Joe will be sharing some of the inspiration in a future Rotary meeting.

Craig MacMullen: was happy to share that Greg Trefry was recognized for his contributions to business and our community by the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

President’s Report:

Bill reminded everyone of the Lobster “Doo” on June 24.  He shared a message from Phil that tulips are still available to purchase to support Rotary and have a beautiful garden next spring.  And now is the final push for VFB. 

Secretary’s Report:  Rick shared a thank you card from Kings County Academy for a donation made by the Persons with Disability committee.

Guest Speaker One:  Ian Campbell, Vice Principal at Northeast Kings Education Centre (NKEC)

Please see the slides below.  Ian began his talk thanking the Rotary Club of Kentville for past contributions including the Titan Bus partially funded by the Rotary Club of Kings County Charitable Foundation, the Interact Club (which has been in hiatus since Covid began), Adventures in Citizenship, and the Breakfast Program.

He reported the bus is used to frequently and most recently to take the NKEC band to Aldershot School to entertain students at the elementary school as well as servicing the learning centre.  The bus costs the school 50 cents per kilometer for the driver and mileage.  Based on the 80,000 km now on the bus, Ian translated having their own bus to a $100,000 savings from having to rent transportation.

Ian had been asked by Brian Hermiston, chair of the breakfast program baking nights to share his thoughts about food security issues/challenges at NKEC.  Ian reported that NKEC represents one of the poorest demographics compared to other schools in Nova Scotia.

Presentation 2: Rotary Club of Aruba - Water Coolers in Schools

President Bill Denyar and Bert Kamsteeg from the Rotary Club of Aruba trade club
banners

RI Minute was shared by Doug Hill

Through Rotary’s Shared Efforts, ‘Peace will Come’ By Olha Paliychuk, Rotary Club of Cherkasky, Ukraine, who spoke at the Rotary International Convention in Houston I live and work in central Ukraine, not far from Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv. It was a long journey getting to convention: first by bus to the border of Poland, and then across the border and taking a long flight. But all the efforts are worth it.  As we say in Ukraine, “To see a friend, no road is too long.”  In February, when the war against my country began ravaging our families and communities, you – my fellow Rotary members around the world sprang into action.  You have not only donated and shipped medical supplies and other daily essentials to those of us inside Ukraine, but also provided shelter to those who have fled. Your help has saved lives, giving us hope and inspiring Ukrainians like me to stand up, to help our people, and protect our homeland. My city of Cherkasy is located a few hundred miles south of where the Chernobyl nuclear accident happened in 1986. Nearly 40 years later, we still feel the terrible legacy of the nuclear disaster. Many children grew up with their bodies decimated by cancer and abnormalities. As a gynecologist oncologist, I work at a hospital where many young cancer patients come to receive treatment. Over the past three months, those patients who are struggling for their very lives -are facing another type of danger – brutal Russian military attacks. Our work is constantly disrupted by the loud explosions of bombs and rockets. We treat our patients in an atmosphere of fear. When will the next bomb strike, we ask ourselves? At the same time, hospitals across Ukraine such as mine now treat serious wounds, and bullet injuries, for both civilians and soldiers. When we do surgeries on women and children or treat newborn babies, we don’t even have access to the basic medical supplies and equipment such as patient monitors, operating tables, lamps, or mobile incubators. My fellow Rotarians, along with my family members, are inspiring me to devote myself to helping others. One of the unique things about Rotary is that we have volunteers working on the frontline. I want to tell you proudly that our Rotary networks in Ukraine are doing an amazing job. Our district holds special online meetings twice daily to identify needs inside Ukraine and coordinate humanitarian aid with clubs in our neighboring countries. As the international community of Rotary reaches out to help Ukraine, we are helping to build strong connections and friendships. As the war drags on, Ukraine will need your continued support. I hope to deepen our bonds and to plan for the future. With our shared efforts, peace will come.

Committee Reports:

Phyllis reported if you would like to make a donation to the Rotary Clubs of Kings County Charitable Foundation in memory of Fred Falconer, please forward a cheque or e-transfer to Phyllis, Chair of the RCKCCF board.

Phil Warren reported sales are going well.

Meeting closed with the 4-Way Test. 

See you next week!