Chris Loat, Rotarian & Humanitarian Girls Helping Girls, Uganda
Chris will be speaking about a very successful project our club helped fund, Girls Helping Girls Stay in School that was established as a not-for-profit social enterprise the Rotary Hygiene and Sanitation Social Enterprise ROSSEL in Kampala Uganda for menstrual hygiene management training and the production of sanitary pads and the RC Bulindo WASH program which is providing water and sanitation for a school and local community in Kira township Uganda.
UPCOMING MEETING MAR 22, 2022
Gary Chomyn, Rotarian & Project Chair Strathcona Rotary Youth Leadership Hoop-a-thon
Gary Chomyn has been the chair of the annual hoop-a-thon fundraiser since 2012. The event has grown to become a partnership of Rotarians from eight Rotary Clubs, Rotoractors, and Interactors. The project supports kids in East Vancouver by awarding scholarships for post secondary education. Money raised also supports Strathcona’s Youth Leadership Programs and the Strathcona Community Centre's Basketball Program.
Since its inception in 2007 the Hoop-A-Thon has raised over $460,000 for kids at risk.
Gary is an active member of the Rotary Club of Vancouver Sunrise.
The count down is on to have everything in for inclusion in the auction. We are so excited at the quality of items donated thus far! It is going to be a great event.
Last chance to help out by donating -- and it doesn't need to be something that costs money. Consider sharing your experience, e.g., one of our items is learning flyfishing or how to refurbish an antique car. Contact Joan Posivy by next Tuesday, March 15th with any questions or donations.
With your help, we will create a super-fun, successful event that will ensure continued service and support to our youth. Thanks in advance for your support!!!
Due notice having been given; the following individual member has been declared elected as a member of the Club.
Lulu Wang
Education
Proposer: Alvin Zhao
Seconder: Franz Gehiger
Michael Woolnough Mar 12
Jack ZaleskiMar 12
at our Club
none this week
wedding
none this week
Last Meeting Mar 08, 2022
Wayne Fraser, President, chaired the meeting
Nadja Gehriger, Secretary, hosted the ZOOM meeting
Jill Pennefather, Sergeant at Arms, introduced our guests
Miya Otake played O Canada on the harp via video
President’s Announcements:
Thank you to all of you who came to today’s meeting. It is wonderful to see you all, both those in person and those attending virtually.
We are all concerned with the situation in Ukraine. As Paul McCrea mentioned, we were one of the sponsoring clubs in 1991 for a Kiev Rotary Club. We are therefore tied together as family. A meeting is scheduled for Thursday March 10th with Presidents from a variety of clubs, including those from Ukraine and Poland, to discuss how best we can provide support. The outcomes of this meeting will be shared with everyone.
There are many options to provide support through any number of paths. We want to choose something that will get the help there that is wanted in a timely fashion. We will find a way.
We had our Board meeting last week. A few highlights:
Our updated website is about 1/2 done. We will be announcing the launch date as soon as one is set.
All of our committees are tracking well to meet the strategic goals for the year so far.
Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening, otherwise known as RYLA, will take place this year with it being virtual only for the South (end of March) and North (end of April). In person for Lakelse in July.
If anyone is interested in learning about Grant Management, there is a training available for which we need at least 2 club members to complete. If this is something for you contact Wayne.
We approved a funding request from the International Service Committee for a library at the Debre-Zeit Hibret Primary School in Ethiopia. This is an initiative brought forward by Mekdes Gete.
A shout out to all the women in the room, just shy of 1/2 the attendees (14 of 29) in celebration of International Women's Day.
Secretary's announcements:
reminders of upcoming events/meetings (see above)
birthdays, member club anniversaries, wedding anniversaries (see above)
Special announcements and members' moments:
Nadja Gehriger confirmed the date of the next Business Networking Event to be March 31st. As soon as all the details are finalized a notice will go out to all. Please consider attending - space is limited to 35, and bring a friend who may be a potential Rotarian. Note, that some of our most recent inductees came to Rotary through this event.
Wayne Fraser updated that the RCoV Business Directory is in its final stages. If you'd like to advertise in it, please contact Ryan Crean asap.
Joan Posivy updated that the Youth Committee Auction planning is proceeding nicely. Thanks to all those who have already generously and creatively donated to the auction. The number of items has now exceeded 20, they are looking for closer to 40 so a ways to go. Some examples of what they've already got: gift baskets & cards, shortbread, new expresso machine, high quality liquor, vacations, flyfishing/antique car restoration experience, and just in (a repeat from last year), a VPD canine experience. In order to get everything in order in time, all donations need to be in within a week - so target for deadline of Tuesday March 15th or latest, end of week. Remember all funds raised will support youth programs and initiatives.
Kendall Jessiman let us know that John Hayto's son, Justin, is doing well, attending classes at Oxford University. Remarkable considering the severity of the accident he experienced.
Kendall also updated that the two youth we had lined up for the next youth exchange program have both backed out. So we do not have any participants for this year. Focussing on next so if anyone knows of youth, 15-18 years old, who would make good candidates, contact Kendall or John Hayto.
There is still a short window to include youth for STEP (short term exchange program) for this year. It is a 1 month exchange. Camps are also available. Again, contact Kendall or John if anyone comes to mind.
The youth who participate do not need to be involved in Rotary, nor do their families. The net can be widely cast.
Mukhtar Latif is working on a project on the downtown eastside whereby they have a lot of supplies they need to get rid of as they prepare for demolition and rebuild. All of which Rotary World Help would probably be most interested in. Gerry Glazier will help sort it out.
Program:
Jim Evans introduced guest speaker, Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay, QPC, Conservative MP for South Surry - Whiterock, and lawyer.
Kerry-Lynne was a member of the Rotary Club of Vancouver in the past, having been inducted as the 3rd or 4th woman when the membership opened to women in 1989/90. She is currently a member, though not as active as she would like due to other commitments, of the Semiahmoo Rotary Club. As a true Rotarian Kerry-Lynne believes that giving back to our communities should be at the top of our priorities as Canadians.
Her life in Ottawa is very busy. CLICK HERE to see how many current roles she has as listed on the House of Commons, Members of Parliament website – quite astounding. She is constantly working for women, supporting them and providing an example of what women can achieve.
Kerry-Lynne spoke about current issues facing parliament in a factual and balanced way. Her belief that the best and most sustainable solution to conflict is through dialogue not force came through clearly.
Kerry-Lynne's talk was informative and engaging. She is a light and shining example of what a woman can achieve on this International Women's Day.
To learn more about her work on Parliament Hill, CLICK HERE.
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