UPCOMING MEETING NOVEMBER 22, 2022
Robert (Bud) White, BASc (MechEng), MBA
Retired RCAF/CF Engineering Test Pilot
Robert Allan (Bud) White was inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 1974. Per their website, "His record can be matched only by those airmen of high endeavour and professional calling who have devoted their lives and skills to the benefit of the free world, and whose contributions have substantially benefited Canadian aviation."
Joan Posivy will be interviewing our speaker, Robert 'Bud' White. Bud is a retired RCAF officer who was a test pilot in Germany during the height of the cold war, the leader of the Canadian team who attempted to break Russia's altitude record and in doing so broke the Canadian record, and was in charge of Canada's underground CFB North Bay facility (did you know there's an underground base in Canada?) Bud has a wealth of life experience coming up to his 95th birthday. Come out and hear his thoughts about his military experience, his sporting experiences, his time in industry, and his opinions about lost opportunities he's seen along the way.
UPCOMING MEETING NOVEMBER 29, 2022
Alyn Edwards, Partner Peak Communications Issues Management & Crisis Communication
There is no company in the world who is impervious to serious issues requiring careful communication to mitigate negative outfalls. Issues and crisis management is very challenging. Alyn will speak to the necessity of having a plan in place, what it includes and how to do it. His expertise is in the areas of media training, media relations, issues and crisis communications, video production following a 30 year career as newspaper and TV reporter, followed by 18 years in PR
* come in person to celebrate with Purdy's chocolates!!
Last Meeting November 15, 2022
Kendall Jessiman, President, chaired the meeting and gave the invocation.
Joan Posivy, Acting Secretary, hosted the Zoom portion of the meeting
Peter Clarke, Sergeant at Arms, introduced guests
Miya Otake played O Canada on her harp via video
President’s Announcements:
Thank you to all of you who came to enjoy the companionship of your fellow club Rotarians.
RC Arbutus has invited us to join them for the Christmas lunch, however, unfortunately it's on the same date and time as ours, December 13th.
We have received an invitation for our members to participate in the International Motorcycle Ride / Drive event - Ride for Rotary, in India. This year’s event will be held from 13th to 28th January, 2023. The 15-day event will start-off from Mahabalipuram (India) and can either be a motorcycle ride, or a four wheeler drive. Please visit the website: www.rideforrotary.com for more details. Deadline to register is November 30, 2022.
Notes from the Board:
Young Leaders: the discount on dues will be reduced from the current 40% to 30% as of January 1st 2023
Reminder to all that for all other than R85 members, opting out of the quarterly meal fees will no longer be an option as of January 1st. Everyone is expected to pay the full amount. Should this be difficult for you contact Carolyn to discuss payment options.
At the request of YSC, funding Dictionary Project, Norquay Elementary & Britannia School
Secretary's announcements:
reminders of upcoming events/meetings (see above)
birthdays, member club anniversaries, wedding anniversaries (see above)
Special announcements and Members' Moments:
A reminder to all that it is important to RSVP if you are going to attend the meeting. Though we'd rather you attend even if it's not possible to let us know, versus not attending. Thing is that we get charged an overage fee per person over the number we have guaranteed and we'd rather use that money for projects if possible.
Parisa Adrangi – at this moment we take for granted how we can live in peace in Canada. Last week we remembered our fallen soldiers contributing to today’s peace. It was with tears that she observed the Iranian flag raised in Barry Ontario in honour of the young women fighting desperately for their freedom. Canada is standing strong for truth and justice. Parisa is proud to be an adopted Canadian, proud that her country is standing by Ukraine, and those who need support in Iran. The EU is working hard to bring awareness of the Iranian situation to the world. Currently there are 15K protestors detained – 15,000, mostly under 20 years old, who are now threatened with mass death. Please don’t take the freedoms we have in Canada for granted.
Olesia Kloster let us know that the evening social of drinks at Joey One Bentall on Nov 24th has been cancelled due to conflicts of scheduling. The event at Reflections – Rosewood Hotel Georgia is on Dec. 6th, 5:00 p.m. There is increased capacity to 15 so if you’re lucky there may be a spot or two available.
Kendall Jessiman – applaud the fun committee for upcoming plans. He will reach out to John Hayto to see if we can organize a Whistler ski weekend in the new year. Any curlers, wonderful to either (a) weekend of curling in Squamish, and/or (b) an evening of lessons. If you have an idea, get stuck in, and organize it. We are happy to rejuvenate the fellowship activities of our club.
Program:
Jim Evans introduced speaker Patrick ‘Crazy P’ Thomas, for his 1st public speaking engagement.
Patrick runs around with his drum and gets the crowd super excited, supporting the home team. The players and everyone get into the spirit. It’s all about family… building community.
(from the Sooke News Mirror article by Devon Bidal)
“He’s made unique friendships with folks young and old that have spanned decades. People tell him about their lives and know he truly cares.
Thomas has several buddies who he makes sure to stop and say hello to at each game. One young fan has travelled from the Sunshine Coast for games with her family since she was a toddler and Thomas makes sure to catch up with them at least once a year. Another one of Thomas’ buddies, Ethan Kenney – a 19-year-old B.C. Lions fan with cerebral palsy – told him that people often treat him like a child or ignore him, but that Thomas makes him feel seen.
Thomas explained that he and his fellow superfans have a close bond and that they’ve had an impact each other’s lives.”
“We’re friends, we’re family,” he said emotionally. “They mean absolutely everything to me.”
Last week he attended 4 Canucks games, and a BC Lions game. It’s busy. Patrick’s philosophy is that living is giving. The fans he meets are amazing. He’s been working with the BC Lions since 2005; he was on the field when they won the grey cup. He was asked to work the 2010 Vancouver Olympic crowds, and he did!
It means everything to participate and bring the community together through sport. "How much you make, what you look like, your social background, what colour you are, what religion — it does not matter," Thomas said. "There's all shapes and sizes and colours and walks of life in that stadium, and they all come together with one common goal." The bonds he makes with his fans, kids and adults alike, is life giving.
Patrick works with all kinds of people and groups to support anyone who needs it. Charitable work is his passion. Life is so short, he is grateful for his ability to give back to others, inspire others to live their best life, to love unconditionally. That’s all he’s doing, trying to hand out love in the stadium.
Easy to cheer when things are going well, need to keep it going even through the tough times. It’s not always possible to be on the winning side. People are unforgiving; fans are unforgiving. Comments globally are often unfriendly. It’s much better to use energy in positive ways supporting one another rather than tearing down.
