Visitors and guests –
Transition House – Catherine White, Diane Keast, Executive Director.
Saimi
Steve Blakely, assistant district governor
 
President-elect Bob Clark’s report:
Bob’s trial run as Connie is away – he is trying something new an e-mail Club announcement before the meeting. So far the feedback has been good.
Quote of the day “Because things are the way they are, things won’t stay they are.”
• March 31 is Last day for the reduced rate for the Rotary International Conference in Korea.
• Rotary Learning Institute (RLI) April 23 – Seneca College A great way to learn about Rotary and the fee for new members is paid by District.
• New Membership Seminar – Saturday April 2 at the Whitby Library
A great way to share membership experience with other clubs and receive information and resources available from District to encourage new members and retain existing members.
 • District 7070 Training Assembly – May 14 – BMO Centre in TorontoThe
• Monday, May 30 is the golf tourney – players and volunteers needed.
 
From the Board:
Karen O -
Port Hope Parks and Recreation invited us to a clean up on April 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Meet at the Fish ladder off Jocelyn Street.
Cathy – almost all tickets are gone for Men who cook, the club fundraiser is on April 30. If you took tickets but didn’t sell them, please bring them back.
Scott – no birthdays or anniversary but it seems like some people don’t have them listed. Please add them but don’t give year.
Linda Goldie – Community service committee met last week and decided to give $500 to Swim for Independence, a water therapy program for people post stroke, arthritis and other ailments. It is held at the Jack Burger Sport Complex.
They are also bring a $1000 donation to the Paddle All program out of Cobourg Harbour to the club members for a vote. The program helps youth with physical challenges in paddle programs. The need a couple of new racing kayaks, which are $3,000 each. Dave first, Larry seconded the motion. It will go to a vote next week.
 
Happy Bucks:
Steve B – always happy to join Sunrise’s meetings.
Larry – had a milestone moment on the weekend. After he turned 70 years old in July, he realized it was about time he went to a major concert so he went to the Garth Brooks concert. It was a wonderful experience, 1,900 people went and he ran into Patricia Houston. It was spectacular -- great level of energy for 2.5 hours.
Cathy – on vacation this week and she is doing nothing but gearing up for year-end.
Ron S. – Spring is his favourite time of year, also his fourth grandchild just arrived.
Blake – Joked to Larry that you know you are getting older when you opt for the 7 p.m. concert (there was also a 10:30 show)
Saimi – felt like she was only at school for 10 days in March with Easter and the March break. She got a prom dress but had a hard time choosing.
Bob – he sold flowers on King St. caught up with Rotarians.
 
Guest speakers – Transition House, Catherine White and Diane Keast,
Diane gave a brief history of Transition House. It first opened on George Street in 1999. It was originally for single women and women with children.  In 2003 the county asked Transition House to expand to serve all homeless people in the community.  It was the original goal but not so soon. They had to buy a new home –and obtained the current location on 10 Chapel St, Cobourg. Now they can house up to 24 individuals with six rooms, dorms and family rooms.
They are currently seeing a shift in the age range. There used to be younger. Now more than half are over 26 years old.
There are more people with mental health and addictions issues.
Transition House is a zero tolerance residence – can’t drink or do drugs because there are children in the residence.
The shelter started with a base of volunteers but after a Trillium grant, they now have a staff of eight.
Days at the shelter are structured with wake up calls at 7 am – breakfast, chores and a set time for bed 11 pm or midnight. During the day residents look for permanent housing
The whole purpose of the house is to teach life skills. There are workshops, which the staff create and facilitate.
There is a new program in mid-April - Art therapy.
Finding affordable housing is a huge issue. Usually the house lets people stay 90 days but now staying for six months because there is nothing out there.
 
Catherine, chair of board
The operating budget is $300,000 a year
Housing and homeless is a local level responsibility – so 85 per cent of funding comes through Northumberland County.
The remained of funds comes from community donations and a homelessness grant. The grant was not accepted for the next three years and Catherine said they will now have a shortfall of about $80,000.
Now have look at other opportunities for other sponsors and partners.
Large part of the funding goes to staffing who all have social service certificates and are not well paid.
 
50/50 draw
Dan, Linda Goldie, Doug had winning tickets but no Queen of diamonds so no winner.