Kentville Rotary: Zoom meeting

 

Due to changes in NS gathering limits, today’s meeting was only available by ZOOM and Facebook live.

 

 

O Canada led by Sue

Chris welcomed everyone to the meeting including guest speakers Charlene Milne and Khayriye Hayani.

 

 

Rick and John are happy about the Miami Dolphins win.

 

Carl is happy for a successful hip surgery last Tuesday (Feb 2, 2021) His hip pain is gone and he is walking around the house with the use of a cane and walker. Only 6 weeks to recovery. He is thankful for Vivian’s assistance.

 

 

Bill gave an update on the face-to-face meeting status. Please watch your emails for details. We are expected to be back in person for the Feb 22, 2021 meeting.

 

Secretary’s Report:  We will close the loop with the DG Ian re. resuming in-person meetings..

 

Illnesses: Joe is getting better everyday. It’s 3 weeks down and 3 to go for Heather. Carl has 6 weeks left on his recovery. Randy is continuing to heal. Lots of broken bones and knee/hip surgeries on the mend!!! Perhaps it’s time for a spousal support group?

 

 

Chris introduced Charlene. She is a wife and mother. Charlene works for the CFIA and is passionate about Human Rights issues. She is a recipient of the Paul Harris award for her support and service in helping the Khatibs to settle in Kentville.

 

Charlene thanked the club for inviting her to speak with us. Five years ago this month we welcomed the Khatib’s to Nova Scotia. The have very much become an extended family to the Milnes. As a part of the Baptist Church Refugee Committee, they are currently working on reuniting Khayrire with her mother (Amina), brother (Hamez) and sister (Aya).

 

Amina, Hamez and Aya are currently living in Turkey having left their home in Syria in 2013 because of violence. Their journey to Turkey was not an easy one – walking for several miles and bussing for several hours. However to stay in Syria was dangerous and very unsafe. They feared for their lives. They are looking forward to coming to Canada and being reunited with family.

 

Their immigration application is complete – they have passed their medicals and interviews. It is only a matter of time before they are able to come to Canada and ultimately Kentville.  The Kentville Baptist Church Refugee committee acknowledges and thanks Rotary for all their help in the past and their continuing support. The Khatib children made a short video, however due to technology issues, we are unable to share it. The video was to thank our club.

 

The Khatib family has settled into Kentville, both Jiab and Khayrire have their drivers license. Jiab has a full time job, Khayrire is starting a home base catering business, the kids are all Canadian citizens and Jiab and Khayrire are working towards their citizenship. They are excited about the potential reunification with family.

 

Phyllis thanked Charlene for speaking with us today. Its great to learn that things are going well with Amina, Hamzeh and Aya’s immigration applications. We look forward to meeting the family when they arrive and COVID allows.

 

 

Valley Faces of Business (Phil) From the earlier emails ~$50,000 have signed again for 2021-22. Please follow-up and get as many contracts signed as possible. The theme for the new book is under consideration. Floating to the top is a thanks and tribute to first responders. Please let the committee know if you have any comments or other ideas.

 

Special Events: Sue reminded the club of our upcoming “Wine Survivor COVID Style” event happening on Feb 13^th.

 

Rotary Foundation Minute: (Phyllis) WHAT IS A ROTARY FOUNDATION GLOBAL GRANT FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING?

Established in 1965-66, the Group Study Exchange Program was an educational program that promoted international understanding through organized travel and personal contact. The program evolved as Rotary updated its grant model and placed this activity within global grants. Vocational training under global grants builds skills within a community by offering local training or by supporting groups of professionals traveling abroad for rigorous study in their profession or to teach local professionals about a particular field. This type of training is often effective in conjunction with a humanitarian project.

You can volunteer to be a vocational training team leader or nominate a non-Rotarian vocational team member – which will it be?

 

 

Chase the Ace: None today because of the switch to ZOOM only.

 

The meeting adjourned following the Four Way Test led by Chris.