Meeting of July 24 reported by John Edgell
President Jack called the meeting to order and asked Jan Stirling
to play O Canada and Lorna Curtis to recite grace.
Visiting Rotarians & Guests, introduced by Irene Davie:
Marguerite Trussler, Edmonton Downtown;
Barbara Cameron, Saanich, Educational Services;
Bruce Willats, Laguna Beach, Higher Ed.,
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| Tom & Judy Long, Monterey Sunrise & Retired;
Carmel Valley & Non-Profit, respectively. |
Betty Pitt was the guest of Vicky Pitt.
Announcements:
Lynn Murray talked about the need for Rotarian families to host our inbound student, Ola Chajecka. Lynn and Nels will take her for the first period.
Our outbound student is Sierra Anima.
Dave Maxwell read a letter of thanks from Jordan Williams for sponsoring him to attend the Comox Jazz Festival.
Lorna Curtis renewed her request for Golf Tournament gifts and donations. She also encouraged everyone to participate in the golf game itself.
PLANNED SOCIAL EVENT:
September 22nd, Saturday, Titanic Exhibiton and Imax Film, with possible pub dinner to follow.
Brian Lamb, Sergeant-at-Arms, fined the following:
Margaret Patrick – missed sign in and lost her badge;
Carl Jackson – was late.
Several members were fined for making their cheques out to Oak Bay Rotary
NOTE: Lunch Cheques must be made out to Oak Bay Municipality.
Joan Peggs – shouldn’t think of cutting the lunch line;
Joan Firkins – got caught at long distance by Vaughn Palmer’s article on lawn bowling;
Those who had not bought the Harry Potter book had to pay a dollar, as did those who have not made a donation to the Golf Tournament.
Birthdays: Ron Cooley and Giles Bixler; Bill & Jean Sharlow celebrate an anniversary
(Editor suspects it to be their 66th. Congratulations!).
Happy Dollars: Joan Peggs – moved from one decade to another; Ron Cooley had a great fishing trip with his brother and made a donation of $100; Mary Canty was happy that Les lost his voice (he has since regained it).
Draw: Vicky Pitt had the number but couldn’t find the white marble.
Guest Speaker:
Joan Firkins introduced Gil Parker as the speaker. He has a long history in Rotary and spoke about Rotary in Russia. His latest book called LOOKING THROUGH GLASNOST
was the basis of his talk. He started in 1984 on a project to bring Rotary to Russia. On a business trip to Moscow he attempted a direct approach but was rebuffed. Subsequently,
by making contacts from outside Russia, he was able to open a dialogue about the establishment of Rotary in Russia. His impression of Russia at that time was that the country was in a serious period of stagnation and the population was very unhappy. On one of his trips with a group, including Victoria Rotarians, they travelled to Moscow and then went on to Tashkent, then Samarkand, then Volgogard (Stalingrad) and Minsk. They formed the impression that Russia was a destroyed country. The bombed and burned buildings
were still evident from the Second World War. For contrast his group attended the Bolshoi Ballet which was fabulous.
The trip included the city of Khavarovsk in Eastern Russia. This city is the sister city of Victoria. The trip back to Moscow from Khavarovsk took seven hours. The Russian team visited Canada several months later and it was a great success. At that time the exchange was both encouraged and discouraged by various levels of Rotary. |
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The result of all of this activity was the chartering of a Rotary club in Khavarovsk by our local Harbourside Club in the 1990’s.
Over the years Gil has made 16 trips to Russia and he is adamant that Intercultural and Youth exchanges are very important areas for development of relations between the two countries.
Ross McLaughlin thanked the speaker on behalf of the club. |
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
2007-08
MEMBERSHIP
ROSTER
Please email
David Sills with changes/ additions
to the Roster.
He needs:
Your Name
(& Nickname)
Business Name
Business Address
Business Phone/Fax
Residentail Address
(including Post Code)
Email address
Phone/Fax/ numbers
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