The Rotary Club of Oak Bay

Program for February 27, 2007, reported by Irene Davie

President Tav presided and called on Tom Lidkea to play for O Canada and Wynn Taylor to recite grace.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests, introduced by Lorna Curtis:
Burton Kennedy, Winnipeg, S/A;
Gary Nazar, Calgary S, Oil/Gas;
Ross McLaughlin, Harbourside;
Gordon Stuart & Kathleen Gibson, Speakers, were guests of the Club;
Liz Rodiles, Exch. Student, guest of the Club;
Derek Greer of Ben Andersen, Michele Shea guest of Ted Harrison;
Hazel Meredith, guest of Jack Petrie/Steve Harthill.

Sergeant-at-Arms: Mark Bedford
was in ‘ fine ‘ form! He noted that both Joe Prentice and Lorna Curtis were late. Lorna was fined $2 since she was also late for her Greeter duties. Mark fined Jack Petrie for causing our meetings to be dull and quiet in his absence. He complimented Tricia for her great work with all her pictures from Africa. Anyone who hadn’t viewed the photographs was fined $2. The Club was in an uproar when Mark fined Dallas $2 for wearing her “ Breastplate of Righteousness for Modesty”! Mark also fined Irene and Ted C. for having a mysterious tete a tete! Dave Maxwell and Ron Cooley were fined for continuing to talk after President Tav started the meeting. Our editor was fined when Mark discovered that Neil’s wife, Laura, found a birthday & get well card from the Club to Bert Whan Tong in their car SIX months after the event!
HAPPY DOLLARS
Angele paid a happy dollar for having her mailing list up to date at last. Vicki was pleased to note that St David’s day had been noted and a leek dish was served for lunch. Joe was very happy he had decided NOT to go to the Yukon - the weather was very cold! Tricia was very happy - she’s off sailing with her family for two months in Guatemala.
BIRTHDAY/ANNIVERSARIES
Everyone sang Happy Birthday to Wynn to celebrate his Birthday on February 23. Anne and Cedric weren’t at the meeting to receive their cards. President Tav astounded the Club by winning the Draw for the third time in four weeks! He asked to have another ticket drawn and this time Hazel Meredith won but, unfortunately, not the white marble!

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Joe Prentice requested help with the upcoming Group Study Exchange visit, particularly with billets and entertainment. David Maxwell announced that Joe Prentice was the latest Club member to become a Benefactor to The Rotary Foundation. See image below.

Joan reminded us that next week she’ll be giving us each an envelope in the hope that everyone will donate at least $15 for the Polio Campaign. Joan informs your editor that tax receipts will be given for donations to R.I. of $50 or more.
President Tav noted that some members were unable to attend the DLTA due to their tardiness but he reminded everyone about the Luncheon on March 14th with Wilf Wilkinson. Donna has tickets for the event.
Jack announced that Smile Cards were going well and Derek Greer from Victims Services thanked us for our support.
Jack also announced that a Fireside meeting will be held in the small Lounge at the OB Rec Centre on Wed March 21 at 7:00 pm. Appetizers will be served.

Induction of New Member: Hazel Meredith has been sponsored by Steve Harthill. As related by Jack Petrie, she moved to Victoria from Winnipeg in June, 2006. There she has worked for 15 years as a service provider in mental health in clinical and administrative positions. The positions spanned crisis, residential treatment, employment counselling and running an Evaluation and Training centre/Employment Agency for people with mental health issues for five years. Her education includes a Batchelor’s degree in Psychology & Conflict Resolution Studies from the Univ. of Winnipeg as well as graduate studies at Royal Roads. Here she is Exec. Dir. of the B.C. Schizophrenia Society, Victoria Branch, where she has already initiated new and exciting projects. After this introduction she was inducted by President Tav. A hearty welcome from all members!

Tav inducts Hazel Meredith

Guest Speaker
John Edgell introduced Gordon Stuart from the Faith in Action Coalition. Gordon was a guest of the Club along with his colleague Kathleen Gibson. Gordon is a Computer Science Instructor at Camosun College. He described himself as a frustrated charity worker who decided to explore the root cause of homelessness. He provided a range of statistics to support his claim that the policy changes introduced in BC in 2002 were designed to deny assistance to a wide range of people. Housing costs are up, food costs are up and yet the number of people eligible for assistance is down. One of the direct results is homelessness since many people are functionally unable to use the electronic systems now in place. Gordon encouraged club members to write to various people to try to have things changed and he handed out a package of information. This package included a web site where you can view the entire report from the Faith in Action group which provides all the data that Gordon summarized: www.bcfaithinaction.ca/. Sample letters to the appropriate ministers are also included.

Pablo then thanked the speaker and President Tav noted that we need action since homelessness is unacceptable.