President Tav reminded us that September is New Generation month and advised us to think of the young people who have been involved in various Rotary activities, such as Interact, Exchange Students, etc. They are potential members. Also, he called attention to the article (including Tricia’s image) in the latest Rotarian, page 47, on the Oak Bay Interact Club. O Canada was sung a cappella and Leslie Warnock said grace.		PRINT VERSION
Visiting Rotarians & Guests, introduced by David Sills Troy Alexander, Royal Oak, Mortgage Broker; Conrad LeDrew, Harbourside, Retail Specialist; Gary Nazay, Calgary S., Oil/Gas; Pat Elias, Zanzibar Stone Town, Dir./Education; Fred Allen, Calgary Centennial, CA. Don Rogers, Father of Leslie Warnock, was her guest; Christine Wenman, Speaker, was guest of the Club; Candace Van Dinther, was a guest of Lorna.		Guest Speaker Chris Wenman

Sergeant-at-Arms Sergeant-At-Arms, Mark Bedford, started off by fining himself because his office phone number in the Roster has not been in service for the last 2 years. He continued on by extracting fines from Brian Lamb for misspelling Joan Firkins name in the Duty Roster. He attempted to fine a few members who were not at the meeting, so be prepared to be doubly fined when you show up. Leslie was fined for losing her cell phone and all those who had not paid a happy dollar over the past three months were fined for not being happy enough. A pair of missing sunglasses were auctioned off to the owner, Brian Lamb. Then Mark went all out and fined Ben Andersen for not controlling the improper parking in Oak Bay. Ben thought that Mark should be fined for playing a Deputy Police Officer without the proper authority to do so. Heather paid Happy Dollars for the wonderful Rotary Park at Carnarvon. She thanked all those involved in assisting in making the park a great place for kids to enjoy. John Edgell paid $12 happy dollars for being able to assist his son and another $3 to commemorate his daughter being accepted into the Victoria Rotary Club. Therese was happy that the Public Hearing for the hotel was going ahead on next Tuesday. She encouraged all members to come and support the proposal. Leslie paid up for going on holidays for the next 3 weeks in Parksville and Tofino. Tom Croft had 4 sad dollars because his daughter had all 4 wisdom teeth removed but one big happy dollar because she has a job as an engineer and will be moving out! Cards were presented to Neil M. and Carl for their anniversaries. David Philip won the draw and also won the jackpot (amount unknown).

The Oak Bay Beach Hotel will close on Nov. 6 The Club will meet after October at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre 1975 Bee Street (250) 595-SWIM (7946) Click here for Map of Oak Bay/Victoria showing Rec Centre location

Guest Speaker

Tom Croft introduced our guest speaker, Christine Wenman.
Christine has been interning in Tlamacazapa Mexico, funded by CIDA, for the past 11 months, since graduating from University of Ottawa with a B.Sc. in Environmental Science. She will be returning for another year this month.
Christine has been working with an organization called Caminamos Juntos (CJ) which is a non-profit, non-governmental organization working in Tlamacazapa since 1997. Tlamacazapa is an indigenous village high in the mountains of Guerro. The closest city is Taxco. The villagers earn a meagre living by weaving palm baskets. The majority of children are malnourished and most adults are illiterate. Major health related problems include: insufficient water that is contaminated with bacteria and arsenic and lead; non-existent sanitation; alcoholism and domestic violence.

CJ has focused its efforts on 4 programs to assist the people of Tlamacazapa
1) Family Health-Training of Health Promoters and midwives
2) Special Needs and Nutrition Program
3) Women’s Basketweaving Program to improve the quality of the baskets to generate more income.
4) Water and Sanitation-Monitor water and soil quality, clean water alternatives, and construction
of dry toilet facilities.

Christine explained how the dry toilet systems work using 2 separate vaults-one in use and the other inactive. The roofs of the toilets also have cisterns that collect rainwater that provide an alternative source of water. The villagers are being trained in the construction and operation of these facilities.
The goal and objectives of these programs is to not only provide better sanitation facilities and clean water but also give a sense of pride of accomplishment to the people by involving all family members and not to be as reliant on outsiders for assistance.
Wynn Taylor thanked Christine for her excellent presentation and outlining the balance of not only the physical problems but also the psychological ones that the people of Tlamacazapa
face.