Lucheon Dec 15,2016

The last meeting of 2016, and it was a full, fun one!

Guests included Rotarians Randy and Sheila Graham from Edmonton (looking to relocate here?), Richard from the Times and Vaughn in his first meeting as an Honorary Rotarian.

Pres Brian introduced our exchange student Carlo Geat as our luncheon speaker. I have been heard to say that YE is the best thing that Rotary does and Carlo clearly exemplifies that notion. He is a confident, well spoken, thoughtful young man with a great sense of humour. He is thriving in SOSS, his host families and within his YE cohort in 5060. 

Carlo spoke of his home city of Trento in NE Italy, near the Austrian border, a valley city of some 100m people and of his family there, comprised of 3 doctors and a literature scholar. Carlo's own career interest at this stage is in economics which may lead him into the business sector. 

He compared the two school systems and they appeared to be quite different but he talked to the merits of both. Carlo's outdoor hobbies included hiking/climbing, skiing and sailing but his passion is studying the violin and he is very good at that as demonstrated at our Christmas party. 

Carlo pursued the exchange program on his own initiative and chose Rotary through research and word of mouth from rebound students. We are so pleased he landed in Osoyoos and we look forward to hearing in June about his exchange year.

Remember to include Carlo in your plans in the new year.

Harold spoke about Kim and the ongoing help that he is spearheading with the Club to assist her through the holidays as a single parent with 2 autistic boys. Money has been raised and she will be on the Christmas hamper list but Harold is asking that we help their season with baked goods and any donations can be added to what he has by dropping them off at the Osoyoos Times office before next Thursday. Well done!

Jim reminded everyone so visit our 'most excellent' tree in the Festival of Trees (ours is in the Watermark foyer) and vote for it for $2...the proceeds go to Children's hospital.

The next board meeting will be at 11am on Jan 12th and we will be deciding on our funding for a community project at that time. Information on the choices will be distributed to the membership shortly.

Jim was the high bidder for concert series tickets and that money went to Kim.

Doug was the 50/50 winner....suspect the proceeds will go to his stocking fund!

Next meeting is Jan 5th and Roger will be presenting his Honduran project.

Merry Christmas everyone!