Announcements: Jim Force said that Kid’s Kits are 90% complete. See his e-mail for still needed items. Donna Carrigan reported that tickets are still available for the talk on March 14 by Wilf Wilkerson, president elect of Rotary International (Note that he is only the second Canadian to serve in the position). So far, five Oak Bay members are attending. . Tricia Timmermans announced that the Oak Bay Interact Club will hold a fund-raiser fashion show and silent auction next Tuesday at 6PM at the Victoria Events Centre, 1415 Broad St. Email Tricia for tickets. There are a few left. The Interact students would appreciate items for their Silent Auction.

Guest Speaker, introduced by Angele Munro

This week’s speaker was Marnie Ainsley a Rotary Exchange student who told the club about her year at school in Japan with a slide talk illustrating some of her adventures. She learned to make sushi because one of the families she stayed with had a sushi restaurant. Another family she stayed with cares for a Shinto shrine and Marnie became a Shinto precept.

On request Marnie answered some questions from club members in what sounded like very fluent Japanese. In one slide, she showed all the other exchange students she met in Japan, and, of them, she was the only one who had learned Japanese before going there. And didn’t she look stunning in her summer kimona? Marnie made some very close friends and intends to move to Tokyo when she graduates.

Marnie was thanked by Les Canty, who had been in Japan many years ago; she was presented with an Oak Bay Rotary mug by President Tav, who voiced the opinion of all that she was a very worthy representative of Oak Bay and all of Canada.

New Member Proposal: Bill Phelan has been sponsored by Barry Mutter and his membership has been approved by the Board in the classification of Director, Provincial Government. Full details were sent to all members in an e-mail from Secretary Leslie.