Luncheon April 27,2017

Today's lunch was a business meeting preceded by a Board Meeting so no speaker. Instead lots of discussion and information exchange around our goals and upcoming Rotary events.

Our guests included Mary Bellemare, a 9 year Rotarian from Dauphin, Manitoba. Mary shared an upcoming fundraiser for their Club that raised some $40,000 last year...the Manitoba MudRun. It is a 10km obstacle mud run in August in which we would be more than welcome to participate. Only an 18 hour drive from Osoyoos!

Jim shared that we are 94% there against our Foundation goal of $3000 and looking like we will make our Polio goal as well.  He led a discussion on community projects and the notion of taking on any more park projects would be put on hold until the natural playground is completed. There was strong support for trail projects identified around Osoyoos though, likely 2018/19  before we tackle them. 

Harold updated us on Save the Rhino backpack project with 5 of the 20 backpacks now funded at $300 each. Only 13 to go! He left the meeting to attend the District Conference in Kelowna at which he will man a booth to attract other club's support. The Chris Bromage 'concert' at JoJo's last week raised funds for more than 1 pack, in addition to being an incredibly well received/ entertaining performance.

In YE, the club needs to decide on the exchange program in 2018/19...we will not have an inbound in 2017/18. The process to allow this starts this June so think about whether we want it and how it will be supported and we will make a club decision in the upcoming weeks. 

That led to a discussion about chairs and co-chair volunteers. We need a chairperson for YE, co-chairs for LOTB, golf and pancake breakfasts. Members might want to think about taking on one before Lynda assigns them in her year!

Our Club will be hosting the YE students as they pass through Osoyoos on their week long bus trip through District 5060 and that translates into hosting lunch for them at the Golf Club next Thursday. So, no meeting at noon as we will share the time with the students...a more detailed message will follow.

Vaughn shared that Osoyoos Desert Society is holding a fundraiser for their much needed building project on May 6th. It is a Beer and Burger night at Sage Pub for $20 and will include a silent auction. He had tickets so let him know.

Ken let us know that the Area 27 racetrack has their grand opening on June 2-4th...more information to come.

Doug advised that the June Golf tournament is officially our top priority for the next 6 weeks. Sponsorships, auction items and participants require our attention and he will be emailing needs and updates regularly. Each member is expected to round up a foursome so lets get that one attended to first!

Most folk's happy bucks wished for warmer days - no surprise! Mike won the 50/50 and will assign that massive windfall to Rotary Foundation. 

Have some fun!