Meeting Notes for Friday 22 March 2019
by John Shillabeer
President-Elect Janeane Coutu announced to much applause that she would chair the meeting in the absence of President Charles. After the members sang O Canada, Carlene Shaw gave the invocation. She expressed thanks for our clean air, beautiful and peaceful surroundings, ability to speak freely and work with good Rotary friends to make the world a better place.
There were no visiting Rotarians and no guests of Rotarians this week.
Health of the Club
Lynne Pankratz reported that honorary member Bob McDougall had broken his hip, but was out of hospital and at home.
Club Business
At this week’s board meeting the Directors regretfully accepted Peggy Richardson’s resignation from the Board. Fortunately Peggy will remain a member of the Club.
Dave Hammond attended the board meeting to give an update on the status of the Centennial Project. The Parks and Recreation report on our project will be brought before Nanaimo City Council on Monday 25th March for approval. Dave and President Charles will be on hand and ready to address council. At this time the project is looking good: the cost estimate is within our range, planning, design and documentation is well in hand and we have the support of Parks staff. Construction is expected to start in the fall and be completed ready for the official dedication in May 2020. Members can expect a project presentation in the near future.
Announcements
Brent Barootes reminded members that next week’s meeting will be at VIU. The agenda will include an update on the RESP joint project with VIU, a tour of the new science building and lunch. For catering purposes, members must let Brent know by email if they plan to attend. He will reply with directions to the venue and parking instructions.
Joan Ryan gave out unique and irreplaceable prizes earned at the recent bowling night:
Brent Stetar for the most strikes in the evening.
Janeane for the highest score of any bowler.
Dawn, Joan, Behzad, Shirin and Charles for the highest scoring team.
Wayne, Barb, Corrie, Gayle and Janeane for winning the most strings of beads.
Motion
Doug Cowling presented a motion on behalf of the Community Grants Committee to donate $5,000 to the Nanaimo Schools Foundation for the food program at Bayview School. The motion was seconded by John Heisterman. Doug explained that the initiative had been approved by the Board; this was an emergency request as the school had lost government funding because the province has changed its funding model. They expect to be properly funded again in the fall. The committee is not proposing to change its basic policy about not donating food. There were no objections from the floor to waiving the normal two weeks’ notice of motion. The motion was carried unanimously on a show of hands to much applause.
Coming Events
The Five Club Social will be on 11 April at the Rotary Field House, entrance will be by donation. RSVP.
Earth Day is on April 27 at John Barsby School and all five clubs will be sponsoring a display .
The Silly Boat Regatta will be on July 14 and we will have the winningest entry!
Sergeant-at-Arms
Sgt Dave Hammond held a timely quiz about spring to celebrate the change of season this week and made a few bucks in the process.
Happy Bucks
Geoff Clay was happy to be home from Las Vegas for a short while. He missed us!
Wayne Anderson was happy that his daughter’s teaching contract had been renewed.
Joan Ryan was happy because she retired yesterday.
The Draw
Dave Hammond had the winning ticket for the table stakes and Geoff Clay just missed picking the ace of spades by one card.