Visiting Rotarians and Guests introduced by Anne Sims:

Don Dudley, Brighton ON., Eng. Tech.;
Bill LeSourd, S. Calgary, Oil & Gas Explor.,
Burt Kenney, Winnipeg, S/A.
Claire Rettie & Vicky Austin, of the Victoria Read Society, were guests of the Club; Bonnie Sayers was a guest of John Snively;
Laura Sharpham was a guest of Rod Sim;
Sarah Murphy was a guest of Irene;
Shannon Hellyer was a guest of Jack.

Messages from the new Secretary, Victoria Pitt.
1. We have received a proposal for Gary Smith, a Coast Claims Insurance Adjuster, to join the club. This proposal has been approved by the Directors. If any members have any comments or concerns can they please speak with Jack or Vicky within the next week?
2. Did you know that members’ attendance is reviewed at every Director’s Meeting? If you find that you are unable to attend regularly due to work pressures or some other reason, you can request a leave of absence from the Club. For those of you with excellent attendance, keep up the good work!
Editor’s Note: those of advanced age plus service to Rotary, if unable to attend regularly, should apply to the Board for exemption from attendance requirements.

Announcements:
Lori McLeod made an announcement about the Annual Golf Tournament which is to be held on August 22. She also informed us that the Eldercare Foundation would be holding a Senior Celebration Festival on March 14.

It was announced that Mark Bedford is very much improved and will be returning to Victoria
shortly.

The President made a presentation about Rotary Music and Dance which is to be held on April 26 as part of Rotarians at Work Day. It is a celebration of Music and Dance with a number of performing artists (co-sponsored by Newport Realty) and will be held in Alice Gooden Hall. Later in the program Jack treated us to a short video of his Victoria Soul Gospel Choir in full voice, loud enough, said Jack, that even your hearing challenged Editor should be able to hear.

Guest Speaker:

The speaker, Vicki Austin was introduced by John Snively. Ms. Austin, who made the presentation, was accompanied by her colleague Claire Rettie . She commenced with an example of a typical child assisted by the Society—a non-reading child with a speech impediment—who has overcome his handicaps. The Society was started in 1976 as a non-profit with initial emphasis on homework support. Programs are now directed at children, adults and those in ESL offered in four locations in the Greater Victoria region. The Society provdes help to low income families where there is a need for access to its resources. Those who apply to the Society go through a two step orientation. The first is an assessment of the client’s reading level. The second is the development of an individualized plan for a 10 month program. Some 50-60 children a year are put through the program. Over the years the Society has supported some 1,600 children with funding coming from both private and public sources. Costs per client are on an ability to pay basis with a minimum family contribution of $10 per month. The actual cost for a child to attend classes twice per week is approximately $320 per month. The speaker pointed out that many children are referred to them by the school system. She applied the Rotary 4 way test to Read Victoria and found the fit to be very good. The presentation concluded with a slide show including comments from students about the benefits they received in improved reading skills.

The speaker was thanked by Wynn Taylor.

PROGRAMS FOR MEETINGS 2008

DUTY ROSTER March/April 2008

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