Meeting & Program Notes
The meeting began with O Canada followed by the Inspiration by Brent Stetar and introduction of guests by Rebecca Taylor. There were no visiting Rotarians and one guest, Gwen O’Mahony who 
is relatively new to Nanaimo but has past experience with Rotaract back in Metro Vancouver a number of years ago.
Celebrations
Carey McIver and Annabel Kirby are celebrating their 13th anniversary on September 16 but Carey indicated that they have been together longer – 25 years.
Rebecca Taylor’s birthday is celebrating a birthday on September 19th.
Lila Tanner is celebrating 18 years with Rotary and Bob Wilson is celebrating 25 years with the club.
Flashback Project
This week’s flashback is of the Nanaimo Child Development Centre (CDC). It was established in 1967 and their mandate is to provide individualized services for children with developmental needs, from birth to age 19, and their families that promote optimum child development.
The CDC serves 1,800 children and their families from Ladysmith to Lantzville and over to Gabriola Island. In 2007, Rotary Club of Nanaimo got a $25,000 grant from Ronald McDonald charities to support the CDC. Our more recent support was through participation in the Silly Boat Regata that is organized by and benefits the CDC. Thanks again to Denise Wittkofski for being the lead organizer and Behzad Forghani Targhi for being the team captain.
They recently expanded their daycare to accommodate 30 children, up from 15. Island West Coast Developments donated everything for the project. When Janeane asked if there was something Rotary could do to help such as painting, they indicated that was already being looked after by volunteers.
Janeane has spoken with the Executive Director and thinks it’s an organization that we could do a project with again in the future as opportunities arise.
Announcements
Janeane reminded members that the District is offering membership & public image training and website training sessions on October 12th in Victoria and on January 11th in Qualicum Beach. Please refer to the email from Katie Coard District 5020 Public Image Chair that was sent on September 11th or on the District website at https://rotary5020.org/events. The sessions are free to attend and you can register online.
She also thanked all the club members in the Fellowship Committee who helped organize and those who attended the BBQ at Bowen Park.
Rebecca Taylor invited members to bring a Teddy Bear or other stuffed toy to the October 11th 
meeting as Janice Perrino, CEO of the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation is speaking that day and they are currently looking for stuffed toys to give to children in hospital. Thank you to Ross White for donating the first toy! Toys must be new due to infection control protocols and ideally have soft eyes, noses etc. so that they can be given to children of all ages. It is also great if they have arms so that a pressure reading cuff can be wrapped around as the medical staff often demonstrate procedures on a stuffed toy to help put children at ease. Animals such as pandas with large black eyes should be avoided as they can be frightening for some patients, especially those who are being seen by medical staff from VISCAN (Vancouver Island Suspected Child Abuse & Neglect program). Over 1,000 stuffed toys are given out to children through Emergency, Paediatrics, NICU and other departments.
Denise Wittkofski reminded everyone about the RESP Project on October 5th and that there is a volunteer sign up sheet for helping out in advance and on the day. Please connect with Denise if you are interested.
Jason Bradley reminded everyone there is a Youth Exchange information session at Bowen Park coming up. Please contact him for the details.
The Book Sale is coming up in October and a sign up sheet will be circulated soon.
The Centennial logo has been approved and is now available for use. Please contact Douglas Anderson if you need a copy of it.
Janeane circulated a feedback sheet for members to complete and return to her. The Board would like everyone’s feedback so we can determine the best way to reinvigorate the club and better engage members. Attendance is low and the Board would like to know why. Please let them know what’s working, what’s not, what do you like, not like etc.
Club members provided feedback as to the different reasons as to why they have been unable to attend some meetings with work obligations being a common obstacle. Cost, format and lack of variety were also mentioned.
One of the goals of the District is to increase female membership and the Rotary Club of Nanaimo has done quite well in this regard. We currently have a ratio of 40% women and 60% men. She also encourages everyone to update their member profile through the club website so we can have a better idea of how many members we have in each of the age groups.
Some additional discussion was had and then Debbie Narver lead the members in a brainstorming activity. 
The Community Partnerships Committee asked for members’ ideas as to different hands-on projects the committee could potentially look at. Each table worked together to come up with suggestions that were then shared with all members. There were a lot of different ideas that involved a variety of different groups in Nanaimo from children to seniors and wide ranging activities. The committee will review the ideas and get back to members with feedback.
Table Stakes and Chase the Ace were not done this week. They will be done at the next meeting. The meeting was concluded with the toast to the Queen and Rotary.