 O Canada was performed by Canada's own three-time Grammy Award Winner, Sarah McLachlan.InspirationToday's inspiration, provided by Carey McIver, was an eloquent reminder of the vast array of reasons we have chosen to be Rotarians. Carey originally presented this in 2011 and we are all grateful to experience these inspirational words once again. Announcements Assistant District Governor Wayne Anderson invited Tracy Makarenko to introduce the club’s newest inductee, Melanie McDonald. Melanie grew up in Toronto and moved to Nanaimo in August 2020, attending VIU where she is taking her MBA. In her spare time, Melanie enjoys painting and playing the guitar. Wayne noted that Melanie’s application has been approved as classification MBA Student. Tracy is Melanie’s sponsor and mentor. President Bob welcomed Melanie on behalf of all club members.  Lucie Gosselin expressed her pleasure at introducing the latest Paul Harris Fellow Award recipients. Lucie reminded the club members how far a Canadian dollar goes in developing countries. The Rotary Foundation has been recognized for the 13th year in a row by Charity Navigator, receiving the highest recommendation possible for a charitable organization. The newest Paul Harris recipients include Carlene Shaw (first time), President Bob Janes (second), Joyce Smith (second) and John Heisterman was presented with his fifth award.  Lucie reminded us that President Bob has a goal of having all club members contribute a minimum of $35 to the Foundation during his year as President. To date, there are only 13 members needed for our club to meet this goal! Board meeting reminder Tuesday, February 9 at 5:30 p.m. Dawn Hawkins reminded everyone that our next social event is on February 19 at 5 p.m. via zoom. Everyone is invited to join Behzad Forghani and Shirin Younessian for a cooking lesson, dancing may be involved! Participants can either cook along or simply view the fun and shenanigans! Dawn also advised that another order for Centennial shirts is being placed. If you would like a shirt added to the order, please contact Dawn or Tracy. The price is $65.  Guest Speaker
Doug Cowling introduced our guest speaker, Anthony Maki from Nanaimo Youth Services Association (NYSA). Anthony has worked for the NYSA for 15 years and currently holds the position of Job Coach and Job Developer. He has worked in the Youth Skills training program for 11 years. Anthony works with other NYSA staff to ensure health and safety protocols are being met during COVID. Anthony is married with two children and is a part-time musician and a paid, on-call firefighter on Protection Island where he resides.  During the last five months, since gathering with club members at a BBQ, many projects have been wrapped up and many new initiatives have been planned. This is NYSA’s 53rd anniversary. In July a 3-year contract program of Youth Employment Skills training was completed. Federal Funding metrics were exceeded throughout this program. Of 196 youth served, 154 became employed, 10 returned to school or specialized training, with only 29 not become employed. In 2019 a partnership with Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN) was launched. The vast majority of SFN Youth went on to work at Saysutshun (Newcastle Island) preparing the island for campers and “staycationers”.  The Diverse Futures Program has run two intakes, one of which is currently for work experience. The Bladerunners program has run 46 groups (470 participants) of Bladerunners in the past three years and boasts a 77% employment rate for youth who have completed the program. NYSA has partnered with Loaves and Fishes, Coast Capital and Khalsa Aid to procure, assemble and distribute grab and go bags and boxes to youth clients and families in need. They assisted in feeding 74 youth per week as well as their families who were impacted by lockdown due to COVID.  Supportive Living Program (SLP) provides life skills support to youth who are referred by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. The goal is to assist youth to be responsible and successful while living independently. NYSA also has youth housing from two facilities for youth and families between the ages of 19 and 30. NYSA has renewed a formal 3-year partnership with Snuneymuxw First Nation, which will involve training SFN youth in Life and Employment Skills and Industry Focused training as required. In the fall of 2019, NYSA also partnered with Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society to offer its Diverse Futures Program to youth who are newcomers to Canada as well as to local youth. The goal is to offer six intakes between 2020 and 2023.  NYSA is in the late planning stages of a driving practice program called L2N. The program is for youth who have their L permit but don’t have the ability or the means to practice for the N requirement. The goal of this program is to assist with youth being licensed to acquire employment that requires the ability to drive. This program is an initiative in partnership with SFN and NYSA. NYSA has a variety of partnerships including pandemic related initiatives. Volunteer Nanaimo provides no-cost income tax preparation. Local counsellors and psychologists are also offering no-fee counselling Anthony acknowledged the importance of the generosity of the Rotary Club of Nanaimo's donation of much-needed laptops. A 3-day course called RentSmart allows youth to learn their rights and responsibilities as renters and assists with getting a good referral if required to obtain rental housing. Another new initiative trains indigenous youth in the National Canadian Coaching Program to work as recreational coaches in their home communities.  Wendy Pratt thanked our guest speaker for his inspiring presentation and for giving youth hope and for providing practical support and empowering youth to become leaders.Sergeant-at-ArmsSergeant-at-Arms Dave Hammond acknowledged Anthony for the great work at NYSA and passed on a warm welcome to our newest club member, Melanie and all the Paul Harris Fellow recipients. Happy Bucks Wayne Anderson advised that he received his driver’s license when he paid $2.50 at the local hardware store. Wendy Pratt is donating a happy buck to welcome Melanie to the club and wishes we were at The Coast Bastion where Melanie would receive a real warm Rotary welcome. Wendy also expressed kudos to Lucie for the great job she does raising funds for the Foundation. Paul Manly will contribute a few bucks in honour of Jason Bradley's background screen on Zoom. President Bob is donating happy bucks to celebrate the birth of his fifth granddaughter. Birthdays and AnniversariesBruce Gordon (book sorter) celebrates a birthday on February 5. Egon Holzworth on February 7. Happy Birthday to Janeane Coutu on February 11. Carmon Henderson is celebrating 24 years with our Club, along with John and Dawn Hankins celebrating two years. President Bob closed the meeting expressing gratitude to all those who contributed to the meeting.
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Bowen Park is named after a pair of brothers, George and James Bowen, owners of the San Francisco-based Western Fuel Company. In 1918, the company donated the parkland to the City of Nanaimo with a condition that it be used for park purposes only.
