Rotary Club of Nanaimo
Meeting Notes for Friday 22 February 2019
By John Shillabeer
Susie Stephens gave the inspiration after President Charles Ramos opened the meeting and the members singing O Canada. Susie spoke of being members of the “sandwich generation”, caring for generations before and after ourselves , all of which is line with Rotary’s ethos.
Guests
Dave Hammond introduced Craig Gillis, our district governor who lives in Campbell River. Mikel Knuttson introduced his guest, Lt Dave Ruel of the Canadian cadet force.
Presentations
Wendy Pratt presented a cheque for $1,500 to Lt Ruel as a contribution from the Club towards the cost of thirteen local cadets’ planned visit to Holland and France for the seventy-fifth anniversary of the D–Day landings. Lt Ruel said that our grant will help the cadets make a ten day visit to first and Second World War sites in and around Amsterdam and Normandy. The itinerary will include the National Holocaust Museum, the Vimy memorial, Ypres, other memorials and Juno Beach. It will be an educational experience learning about Canada’s role in both World Wars. The cadets are paying for themselves and raising funds as much as they can from the community. The cost is about $4,000 per cadet.
District Governor Craig Gillis dropped by to make a short presentation to advocate attending the District Training Conference which will take place 9 to11 May in Victoria. This will be a great venue to share project ideas, be inspired, network and have fun. For more information see the video on the District website. Note that the Club will reimburse a member’s expenses up to $200.
Craig asked the members to write a short note about a person who inspired them. These would then be taken to the District Conference and placed on the talbes for attendees to read.
Announcements
On behalf of the Fellowship Committee, Dave Hammond invited all members and spouses to his house on Thursday from 5:00 pm onwards for appies and drinks. Members should bring a plate of appetizers to share and BYOB.
The fellowship committee has tentatively booked bowling for the evening of 15 March; details to follow.
On behalf of the Community Grants Committee, John Shillabeer gave notice of a motion to be voted on in two weeks to donate $4,000 to Brechin Elementary School for extracurricular activities to enhance the life-skills, activities, opportunities and health of the students. Brechin serves one of the most economically disadvantaged areas of the School District.
Sgt-At-Arms
Sgt Dave Hammond and Brent Stetar kicked off the proceedings by each confessing to still getting the words wrong when singing O Canada.
Happy and Sad Bucks
Peggy Richardson was happy to boast that it was warmer today in Nanaimo than Las Vegas where husband Geoff is freezing.
Craig Gillis was happy to have visited with the exchange students at their retreat in Comox and was also happy to report that Jason Bradley managed to behave himself!
Douglas Anderson was happy that the piano accompaniment in the O Canada recording reminded him of the late past president Bob Pulleyblank.
Wendy Pratt was happy and looking forward to going to the District Training Conference , which will be her first.
The Draw
Ed Borisenko won the table stakes and Lynne Pankratz just missed the Ace of Spades.