Kentville Rotary: Meeting in-person at Paddy’s, via Zoom and partially Live on Facebook

 

Welcome back to Paddy’s!!! We are back to blended meetings. We have limited in person capacity and you can join us via Zoom or watch the Facebook Live feed in our Private Group. If you missed this meeting continue reading below for highlights. Due to technical difficulties only the first 8 minutes are available on our live feed.

 

 

O Canada led by Sue

 

Greg welcomed everyone to the meeting including guest Rotarian Russ Sanche (Mud Creek)

 

 

Sue: Happy to be leaving Thursday morning to drive to Ottawa to see her son's family, especially the Grand kids.

 

Brian: Happy to have the $$ to pay for last week’s happy $$!

 

Carl: Happy to be back in person.

 

Elva: Delighted to be back to Paddy’s in person

 

John: Sorry he was unable to make Rotary last week to witness Matt’s induction. Happy to be here today.

 

Greg: Happy to see two grand kids graduate high school and to wish Peter Clarke a happy birthday (though he is currently in Newfoundland and unable to receive the best wishes in person.)

 

 

Bill welcomed everyone and our guest speaker Russ Sanche. He acknowledged we have begun a new Rotary year. Bill is pleased that we are able to start the new year back in person at Paddy’s and welcomed back Rotarians that haven’t been around in a while due to the Pandemic.

 

Secretary Report: Nothing new to report

 

Illnesses: none to report

 

Guest Speaker: Welcome Russ from The Portal. Russ is well known to our club and is here today to provide an update on the progress at the Portal.

 

Homeless no more and the Portal have made great strides since our last check-in. So many exciting things are happening. Though COVID-19 has added challenges, the Portal was able to work through them and move forward on their goals, with much credit going to the community who have gone above and beyond with their support. School closures made it difficult for many families who rely on the school breakfast program and lunches to help feed their children.

 

The community and businesses have found ways to support the Portal. One such example is the Church Brewery that donates $1 from select meals – with others doing the same. Boston Pizza has come forward to donate pizza for Portal functions. Something is changing and the community wants to be part of this.

 

In the midst of a housing crisis, the Portal has been able to find needed accommodation for youth with thanks going to landlords and the community. They have helped more than 20 youth find housing. With Government assistance they have been able to purchase three houses (one in each of three counties: Middleton, Windsor and just outside Kentville). The NS government has committed funds to assist with the purchase, renovation and on-going operational expenses of these homes. Additional funds will come from the individual’s income assistance (where a percentage is earmarked for housing).

 

Affordable housing is an issue in NS. The Affordable Housing Commission has produced a report with several actions. You are encouraged to read the report which can be found by clicking this link: https://beta.novascotia.ca/documents/affordable-housing-report-spring-2021

 

The Portal has retooled and their focus over the next three years will be in prevention, housing and community/community capacity.

 

 

CALL TO ACTION: Russ challenged Rotary to think about opportunities to be part of this success. How can we connect with the house in our community? What does it look like? What do we see? There are many ways we can continue our support.

 

 

Wally thanked Russ for his informative presentation. Very happy to see that the Portal is doing so well and making positive changes in our community. It’s rewarding to see our Rotary dollars at work.

 

 

 

Tulip Ambassador (Phil): Kentville has pulled into first place with tulip sales … with special thanks going to Shelley F. She has some extra boxes if you or someone you know would like to purchase these. Please go directly to Shelley for these.

 

Valley Faces (Phil): The goal is $140,000 in sales to reach maintain our current projects budget. Please get out and finalize your contracts.

 

Special Events (Sue): The current date for the Polio Fund Raiser is Aug 21. Save the date!!!

 

 

 

 

Over the next year, we will be sharing a short weekly message about The Rotary Foundation, its programs and the need for your support. Today, I have a quote from Paulo Costa, Past President of Rotary International in 1990-1991.  “Rotary International’s masterpiece is The Rotary Foundation. It transforms our dreams into splendid realities . . . it is the most generous expression of Rotarian generosity - a generosity that not only brings benefits but also brings help and cooperation to solve the problems that affect mankind. The Rotary Foundation achieves the best that mankind can possibly achieve.”

 

 

Birthdays: Katie M, Kim M, Peter C, Sheldon M, Heather L and Pierre H

Anniversaries: Al and Edna Mutch (66 years) Joop and Sue Ueffing (48 years), Wally and Phyllis Jarvis (15 years), Leah and Craig White (9 years)

Rotary Anniversaries: Leah W (7 years)

 

Chase the Ace – Only 7 cards left. This week Elva held lucky ticket 254 and she drew the 6 of spades …. It’s another roll over.

 

The Four Way Test was led by Greg followed by the meeting adjournment.