Happy Birthday Pablo!

Past President Tav Macpherson brought the club to attention with ten clangs on the bell. He then welcomed everyone to the last meeting of Foundation Month, and reminded us “We are one of the best Foundation Clubs in the District.”

Celebrations Master

Dr Perry Bamji, Celebrations Master, had fun extracting fines from probably all of us.
Joan Peggs was the last person to come to the meeting, even though she protested she was on time. Fined. Jerry McLean was observed not facing the flag last week, nor again this week during the national anthem. Toonie. Anyone not bringing a guest this month garnered a lot of loonies. Anyone not buying a poinsetta, Fined. Anyone not buying a ticket for tomorrow’s Christmas concert ticket. Fined.

Eugen Bannerman gave a happy buck to thank Tricia Timmermans for including a CHRISTMAS FLASH video of The Hallelujah Chorus sung in a Shopping Mall in last week’s bulletin. If you missed it you can catch it here.

Jim Force won the 50/50 draw, but didn’t draw the white marble.

NEWS JUST IN!

Will Carter sent me some photos taken at the Rotary Christmas Concert, which Peter Lawrie described in an email: We had a wonderful event last night with lots of positive comments. It really was a premier seasonal event for Victoria! Even the sophisticated concert goers were surprised and impressed and enjoyed it. Jack did a superb job as MC! Great face and voice for Rotary!! We found out, by fortuitous accident, that it was also Pablo’s birthday. We all sang happy birthday at the end and  we organized for a cake!! Pablo, quite overwhelmed by the response of the audience and his musicians, told everyone it was the best birthday he had ever had!! It was really touching.

Thanks Pete, Joan F., John E., the Concert planning Team (especially Pablo) and the wonderfully generous sponsors, donors, and antendees, for all you have contributed to the success of the concert.

Tuesday's meeting:

Guest Speaker
Giles Bixler introduced our very own Joan Firkins, a Past President and Past District Governor, and speaker of the hour on the topic of Rotarians For Fighting Aids (RFFA).

Joan’s involvement with the AIDS crisis began in 2005. She organized a fund-raising dinner with Stephen Lewis as the featured speaker, raising $30,000 for the Stephen Lewis Foundation to assist in the fight against AIDS in Africa. She then joined the RFFA and became a board member, helping to organize action groups for AIDS-related projects. She reported to us on a major one she supports called “Orphan Rescue,” aimed at helping children orphaned by the disease. She encouraged us to contribute, explaining how a contribution of $450 pays for food, housing and education, including school uniforms and school fees, for one child for one year. Joan showed a video of the RFFA story featuring Marion Bunch, the founder of the organization, and an appealing bright schoolboy named Reagan who has been helped by RFFA. “Its all about kids,” Joan said, to end her presentation. “They are the ones that touch our hearts.” She concluded by reminding us that tomorrow is AIDS DAY worldwide. Jack Petrie thanked Joan for making us stop and think about our purpose as Rotarians and for inviting us to participate in the RFFA project. “I often think," he said, "she is so great; we should get Joan to join our Rotary Club, and then I remember… she is already in the club.” He presented Joan with three necklaces, one in blue, one in green, and one in gold “for a better sunrise.”

Tav closed the meeting at 1:20 p.m.

Jack Petrie

Introduced by Anne Sims

Steve Sharlow, Risk Management, visiting from Nepean Kanata.
Guests included Mike Sharlow, hosted by Steve Sharlow;
Lloyd Mildon and Gary Smith, hosted by Jack Petrie;
Jessica Vanderveen, hosted by Corey Burger.

Announcements
Peter Lawrie announced the final push is on for tomorrow night's Rotary Christmas Concert at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church on Douglas St.

John Jordan showed us a Grandmother’s Gift Catalogue for Rawanda.

Joan Peggs said the poinsettia sales were very successful. She brought along a few in case there was someone who could take one home. Great job, Joan.

Rod Sim passed a sign-up sheet for the spaces still left in the Rotary Christmas Kettle jingle event throughout December. Thanks, Rod, for organizing this.