NEXT MEETING (JANUARY 23) IS A VOCATIONAL VISIT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF CANADA WEST
950 Kings Road (Click here for map)
!! CONTACT BOB BEAUVAIS TO CONFIRM ATTENDANCE !!

CLUB MEMBERS: Click here for Roster and Speaker Information

Program for January 16, 2007, reported by Lori McLeod

President Tav opened the meeting by calling on Jan Stirling to play for O Canada and Hans Ockermueller to say grace.

Visiting Rotarian & Guests, introduced by Don O’Coffey:

Georgina Wong, Rotary Club of Victoria, Banking.
Luis Merin was the guest of Pablo Diemecke
Bill Phelan was the guest of Barry Mutter.

Sergeant-at-Arms Mark Bedford

Sergeant at Arms, Mark Bedford, congratulated all Realtors on their bountiful year by fining them each $2. Jack Petrie was fined $2 for “sucking up” last week to get the club to applaud him. John Snively’s table was fined for not naming our 2 new club members and, to make our new members feel welcome, Sergeant Mark fined both Margaret Patrick and Donna Carrigan too. Brian Lamb’s and Joan Firkin’s tables were both fined for not knowing that money and volunteers were quoted as the 2 godsends to civilization. Lynn Murray knew though! Sergeant Mark noted that he saw Donna Carrigan running to work towing a tire behind her and proceeded to fine all members who are currently sporting a tire around their waists. All homeowners who failed to shovel their sidewalks were fined as were all Rotarians who failed to wear their name tag or pin to the meeting. Rod Sim, Ted Harrison and Barbara Bristol were fined for being late. Happy $: Nels Granewall is happy for the arrival of a new baby, aptly named Nels. David Philip is happy for Robbie Burns celebrations and advised everyone to read the wonderful book “How the Scots Invented Western Civilization”. Draw: Lucky winner of $15 was Giles Bixler; black marble :( Birthdays: January 17th: Jack Petrie. The Club members sang a wonderfully in-tune Happy Birthday to Jack. Joan Firkins demanded to know why Jack’s song was so much better than the pathetic rendition she was treated to last week.

Salvation Army Kettles: Mark Bedford thanked members for their outstanding help and reported that we raised $2306, or $72 per shift. President Tav congratulated him and presented him with a bookmark; and also key fobs to Joan Peggs & Barry (new members). Golf Tourney: David Maxwell, along with co-chair Lori Macleod, took the podium. David thanked members and also the Eldercare Foundation for making this a fabulous day. Almost $20,000 was raised. David presented Eldercare President, Georgina Wong, with a check for half the proceeds: $9,600. Lori thanked Ron Cooley for his excellent work on the sponsorships and noted that he has now collected 100% of the pledges. Health of the Club: Mary Canty reported that David Maxwell’s father-in-law had died at 90. Doug McDougall slipped and broke his arm; a card was circulated. Interact Update: Therese Eley advised that there are 15-20 active members and they are currently raising money for an Aids Orphanage in Africa. They hope to raise $9,000 from t-shirt sales and an additional $7,000 from a fashion show. The fashion show will have a silent auction component and Club members were asked to donate items. The fashion show is set for Feb 20th at the Victoria Events Centre on Broad Street. Tickets will be $15 and Therese will let Club members know when tickets are available. She then auctioned off a t-shirt which went to Jack Petrie for $65. She also circulated a list for t-shirt orders. New Member Recruit: Barry Mutter introduced his friend Bill Phelan who has been approved to proceed through our new member process. Bill was formerly a member of Harbourside and is a Director with the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Way to go Barry...another member soon to be inducted...another key fob for you! Barry pictured here with soon-to-be Oak Bay Rotary member, Bill Phelan Members please note that this is notice of a new member nomination.

Important Dates: President Tav noted that on March 13 & 14 R.I. President Elect Wilfrid Wilkinson will be in town; he is the first Canadian in that post in 55 years.
A luncheon will be held on March 14.

February 24-25 is the District Leadership Training Assembly (DLTA).
June 1-3 is the District Conference in Washington.
June 17-20 the R.I. Conference in Salt Lake City.

Executive Committee Reports:
President Tav congratulated the Club Executive for exceeding their goals and meeting them in style with a high level of energy. He noted that objectives for the current year are posted on the website and invited the Executives to give their reports as follows:

Foundation Director Dave Maxwell reported that we are at the half-way point in the year and that have already exceeded Foundation goals. Yearly Benefactors goal of 10 and we have 10; Bequest Society goal 2 and we have 4; Paul Harris will be up to 16 when the next ones are awarded and our $8,000 target is actually realized at $18,000. Dave and Neil Rawnsley will be holding another tax auction later in the year too.

Club Administration’s Barry Mutter reported that we are booked with speakers until the end of March. He thanked Club members for their assistance this year and noted that next week’s vocational visit at the University Canada West will include lunch and a tour. A map will be sent to help you arrive at the right spot next week.

Jack Petrie’s Membership report was brief: “We had goals; We met them; Thank you very much.” He then commented on the Times Colonist article regarding the potential elimination of handshakes due to health risk. Joan & Jack demonstrated our club’s new “handshake”.

Director of Public Relations Tricia Timmermans reported that there is a great new PR committee and the special “Rotary In Action” feature will be a wonderful awareness piece. JANUARY is our club’s month so check the e-mail she sent if you haven’t already. The website is updated weekly and Tricia encouraged everyone to let her know if additions, deletions or corrections are needed.

Community Service: - both Chairs, Jim Force and Dallas Chapple, were absent. President Tav gave a brief update on the International portfolio on behalf of Jim Force. He advised of a number of projects underway: Malawi Girls School project - Tav and Tricia sit on that committee with a number of other Rotary Clubs; Approved in principle is a contribution to an initiative brought forward by Joan Firkins for a bus in Africa; A $750 contribution to Kyle’s clinic was made last week; support is being provided for a hospital in Mexico for burn children which is an initiative brought forward by Pablo Diemecke. President Tav also noted the water project, part of the International total budget of $8.000.

To close the meeting, Irene Davie read from the works of Robert Burns and the Victoria Gaelic Choir sang several songs. They were presented with a “wee dram” by Jack Petrie (courtesy of Barry Mutter).