Arden Holmes and Brian Clifford gave a very informative program on the programs offered by the Hospice Society in the Kimberley area and on needs for the future.

 

Arden's wish was that a an attractive Hospice Building could be built in Kimberley and that Rotary would take on the challenge of administrating the project.  Maybe it could be housed on the third floor of the old Kimberley Hospital.  With our small number of members at present it seems beyond our ability level but is something we will continue to consider.

Our January 10th guest speaker Troy Pollock brought us up to date on Kimberley's Official Community Plan.

 

Troy explained to how the old OCP was reviewed and policy gaps analysed.

Community consultation was undertaken

An Infrastructure overview has taken place

Community reviews of draft policies is underway

A public hearing and bylaw process is set to formalize the Plan

 

The communities vision was refreshed and confirmed

Improved mapping and layout conducted

Content was reduced and land use simplified

Land use policy and asset management and infrastructure planning aligned

A clear framework for implementation and tracking put in place

 

The Plan supports a variety of of housing types, sizes and diversity

It encourages diverse tenure options

It supports age-friendly and accessible design

It increases options for walking, cycling and transit

 

Formal bylaw process for the OCP is underway

Dec. 11th  1st reading

Jan. 22nd  2nd reading proposed

Feb. 19th proposed date for Public Hearing at McKim Theatre

3rd reading date yet to be decided

 

Thanks Troy for sharing and answering questions from the floor.  Mark your calendar for Feb. 19th and attend the Public Hearing. 

 

 

 

Our Guest Speaker on November 22nd was Carol Fairhust from CBAL (the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy).  Carol explained that CBAL has had 16 yrs experience working in partnership with schools, colleges, libraries, and community organizations to plan and provide literacy services in the Kimberley area.  The Kimberley office is across the highway from the Royal Bank.  The staff include a Community Literacy Coordinator, a Settlement Worker, an ESL instructor, Program Facilitators, a Community Literacy Planning Committee - volunteers, and a number of Tutor volunteers.

Carol explained that there are a number of Family Programs including: StrongStart, Baby Goose & Baby Steps, Healthy and Affordable, Cooking, Summer Play and Learn, Special Event programs, Ready Set Learn events at schools, and children's tutoring programs.  There are also 5 Adult Programs which include: Digital Learning, Financial Literacy, a Writing Program and a Multicultural program.  Since Literacy is one of the goals of Rotary we need to consider what we might be able to do to help reach this goal.

 

  

The Greeters were there.  The video was ready.  The Snacks looked great.  We were even ready with a free drink. But we were all alone. 

 

Guess we need a different plan next time.  

 

Thanks to all of you who worked on this venture.

 

 

Congratulations Jaret on reaching your next Paul Harris level.  Your donation to the Rotary Foundation will definitely help Rotary International fund one of their great programs.

Another great year at the Fall Fair for Rotary and ShelterBox.

 

 

This year's ShelterBox Display and donation site at the Fall Fair was a joint Kimberley/Cranbrook Sunrise event.

It was a first major ShelterBox event for the Cranbrook club and Kimberley donors showed them want to expect.  A total of $4,650 was raised at the Fair and another $2,000 deposited in the Kootenay Savings Credit Union office in Kimberley during the weekend.  Special thanks to the great turn out of volunteers from Kimberley and Cranbrook and the very helpful behind the scenes support by Graham and Gerda.  Once again Grubsteak Pizza provided coupons for all donors and we were able to distribute a number of Melody Motors coupons as well.  Thanks to all for a job well done.   We are paid up for a Booth for next year - see you there.  Also planning is underway for a possible Christmas ShelterBox event.

Barb and Daryl Houser gave the program at the Sept. 13th Rotary luncheon.

 

Since the percentage of people who will die in Canada is 100%, planning ahead for the inevitable will make things easier for those you love.

 

The Housers described the service they can offer.  A no-obligation consultation on the steps you should be taking to prepare and ways to pay for your funeral in advance.

 

In an approx. 1 hour consultation, they can share with you:

1.  A Planning Guide Booklet on steps you should take to prepare.  Information for your executor and family.

2.  How to plan for funeral expenses.  "It is best to do this when you are well and not stressed"

3.  Information about the hours of "paper work" that need to be completed after a death.  Even a way to hire a company to do this all for you.

 

Members were invited to fill in a form for a consultation.  If you were not at the meeting or have now decided to do this, the contact for Barb and Daryl is:

email:  darylbarbhouser@telus.net     or phone Toll Free  1.888.579.2233

 

 

 

District Governor Jerri Anderson brought the club up to date on the District's initiatives for the Rotary Year.

 

Jerri congratulated the club on all they are doing and presented a couple of awards.

 

The Gold hero award for the club's success with the Shelter Box campaign (thanks Graham).

 

An award for 100% participation by members to the Rotary Foundation with an average of over $100.00 per member.

 

Mark your calendar for June 1-3 for the Rotary District Conference in Sandpoint Idaho.

 

 

Special thanks to Desiree and Jaret for hosting our club members and guests for a fantastic BBQ and Potluck Social on August 30th at their beautiful home on the ski hill.

 

It was great to also have a special guest join us.   Our past exchange student from Belgium, Joanna and her husband and baby girl, Junon, were guests of Mike and Judy Cave - one of her host families when she was on her full year exchange to Kimberley.  Joanna was in town with her family for the week and visited a number of the friends she made during her year in Kimberley. 

 

Thanks also to all the members, and their partners, who brought delicious appetizers, salads and desserts.