The Buzz - October 19, 2015

 
This week was our club assembly where we were updated on a number of committee activities - including the potential to participate in an International project in Tanzania.
 
 
The Buzz – October 19, 2015   By Ray Hook
  
   1.         President Tony called the meeting to order at 11:45 am. Today is a Club Assembly
  
   2.        Today’s only guest was newly installed Honorary Life Member Ken Roberts. A formal presentation will be made later.
  
   3.         Health of the Club – No report
 
   4.      Announcements:
            a.         District Governor’s Visit Monday Oct 26th  -  David S will meet Tim and Sally at hotel on Sunday afternoon for a tour, and then meet the Club Exec at 0930 Monday morning before the meeting.
            b.         A reminder to all of the work party mentioned in Tony’s e-mail – this Thursday at CAFCL.
            c.         For anyone who wasn’t able to pay for the lunch on October 5th, because of the unfortunate mix-up, please do so.
            d.         Executive Committee meeting this Thursday.
            e.         Now that the 50/50 draw cards have been sorted out, Randall made his long awaited draw, and was not lucky. The pot grows again…
 
5.         Club Assembly
 
  1. At the last meeting before Thanksgiving, a Notice of Motion was proposed and duly seconded. Today’s meeting was open for discussion around the motion. Roy W then spoke to the motion, giving a very good insight into the reasons behind this project and the exploratory work done to date by the Committee. Although the Club’s Executive Committee had earlier approved the motion (authorizing travel expenses of $1000 for a maximum of four committee members ($4000 max) to travel to Tanzania for a detailed look at what is involved.
  1. The project, to be shared with a local club in Tanzania and other clubs ion our District is to set up  an International Surgeon’s school at the university. As our Belize project wound down, our International projects committee went looking for a suitable project and came up with this one. Leroy and Roy have kept this project examination going for a year or two and are now ready to get into the details. The original estimate put the cost of the project at about $25- $30,000, but after more examination and diligent checking by a local Rotarian engineer, the cost now sits closer to $60k. David T has started checking with other District clubs for a few other partners to share the cost, as it now exceeds our budget and capacity as a sole partner with Tanzania.
  2. The Committee has decided to take a look “on the ground” and will bear most of the cost personally, but did ask the Club for some help. Although the Club does not have a clearly defined policy on such expenses, we have offered such assistance to other worthy projects. The cost per member would be approx. $3500, and that was assuming local Rotarian hospitality for room and board. There are sufficient funds in this year’s budget to cover this travel expense, and as this project will develop over the next few years, our budget is capable of handling this item.
  3. Following some very passionate and well-meaning discussion, President Tony called for the vote (by ballot). Yeas were 13, Nays were 9. Motion carried.
  4. President Tony then called on the International Committee to develop a suitable policy to cover such financial support in the future.
6.         Greeters.  Al R and Jim R called for happy bucks – responses from Sheila, Roy, Paul, Roger, Dawn, Shirley, Dave S, Don R, Ray, Bonnie, Dan M and Jim.     
7.      Other business – Dan M advised that the license is approved for next year’s “Rotary Cares” raffle, and tickets are being printed now. Sheila advised that our Club’s nominated candidate for next year’s Student Exchange is Ashley White – our prize winning Air Cadet! The last step is District approval after her interview.
 
8.       50/50 draw winner today was Tony, and he failed to draw the big card. He did lead us in the 4 Way Test before adjourning the meeting.
 
9.         Next week – District Governor Tim Schilds visit.
 
 
NOVEMBER 2 MEETING
 
Monday, Novemer 2 at 1145am in the Regal II Ballroom of the Best Western Plus Camrose Resort Casino
 
Guest Speaker - Nicole Banack from the Camrose Public Library
 
Greeters - David Taylor and Randal Nickel