Meeting Recording
A recording of Today’s Meeting can be found
here.
President's Comments
President Adrian welcomed everyone to our meeting today in this, the 43rd week of our Anniversary year. He also acknowledged and thanked members for several of the events and activities that have taken place over the past few weeks:
- The State of The Region Address that was delivered by Regional Chair and club member Karen Redman last Friday. Bryn Jones, Hubert Singh and Madu Kingsley were thanked for their support in organizing and staffing a Rotary booth. Adrian was able to speak to the invited guests about Rotary and our long-time association with KidsAbility in particular. A recodring of the event can be seen at the Region of Waterloo YouTube channel.
- Our Dom Cardillo Trail Clean Up took place on Thursday April 21. Appreciation for their support was expressed to all 14 members who participated in the cleanup and Peter Gray and Boyd Pendleton were thanked for organizing the event.
- Fazia Mazhar was thanked for hosting a very enjoyable Dine-A-Round event, with a Ramadan feast that began precisely at sun down on April 23.
President Adrian also spoke on the passing of Stephen Scott, who played a significant role in our Rotary projects to provide humanitarian aid in Matangewe Kenya.
With great sadness, we announce the sudden passing of Stephen Benjamin Juma Obiero Scott, at the age of 73. With his wife and children by his side, Stephen was called to be with the Lord while in Kenya. Devoted husband to Sylvia Adoyo and loving father to Christine (Racil), Sarah (Isaac), Joshua, and Rachel. Stephen especially cared for his grandchildren Noah, Lily, and Alexander. Fondly known as Chief, his many friends, colleagues, and community members will miss Stephen's presence.
Stephen came to Canada in 1969. He earned three degrees at the Ontario Bible College, Wilfred Laurier University, and the University of Toronto.
Guests
Jeff Willmer, guest speaker from A Better Tent City
Oksana Tereshchenko, guest of Lumi Mironescu
Happy Jar
Lumi Mironescu was very happy that Oksana was able to join us today and that she now has a job offer and accommodation is being arranged.
Cheryl Ewing was delighted to be able to organize an online Shared Dance event for over 1,000 students in Halifax last Friday. She rearranged a popular line dance so it could be performed by students, siting at their desks, or standing beside their desks.
Louise Gardiner is happy to be getting over her bout of COVID and that even, though Graham has tested positive he is not showing any symptoms.
Marissa Watkin is pleased to have been involved in the hosting of the bi-annual dinner for Children of Promise Canada that raised over $15,000.
Club Announcements
100th Anniversary Club Clothing
A previously announce items of clothing such as T-Shirts, Long Sleeved Shirts, Golf Shirts, Pullovers, and Hats with our 100
th Anniversary Logo are now available. To see the full list and to order go to https://www.youwear.ca/rok/. Any questions can be directed to club member
Jess Perucho,
jessperucho@yahoo.com. An accurate sizing guide is available on line but if you would like to see actual items in a sizing kit, contact club secretary
Bill Proctor, bill.proctor@bell.net.
Catch the Ace
Our weekly winner of Catch the Ace was Gerald B. of Mississauga. After winning in week 23 Gerald B. reinvested some of his winnings and had the good fortune to win again in week 24. This week he picked card #42, revealing the 2 of Hearts. He won the weekly prize of $255.
When you buy tickets you have a chance to win the weekly prize and if your card is the Ace of Spades you will also win the Progressive Prize which has exceeded $10,000 this week. The next weekly draw is on Thursday May 5th.
The deadline to get your tickets as always is Wednesday at Midnight. Don't forget that you have to purchase a ticket the week of the draw to qualify for both the weekly and progressive jackpot!
When you play Catch the Ace not only do you have a chance to win great prizes but you also win by knowing that the net proceeds will all be going to
KidsAbility.
Notice of Proposed Memberships
The board has approved the following two Membership Proposals for our club. Any member wanting to challenge either or both of these is to indicate so in writing to club secretary - Bill Proctor (bill.proctor@bell.net), no later than Wednesday, May 11.
Simenpal Kainth, 25 Haylock Drive, Brampton, sponsored by Hubert Singh in the classification of Associate Lawyer. Simenpal is an associate lawyer with Kraemer LLP, 904 – 50 Queen Street North, Kitchener.
Emma Marriott, 61 Belwood Crescent, Kitchener, sponsored by Louise Gardiner, in the classification of Director: People and Culture. She is the Director of People and Culture at Multiplex Genomics, 574 Hanlon Creek Boulevard, Guelph, ON N1C 1G4. Emma is a past Rotary Exchange Student in District 6330.
Membership Survey Results
Cheryl Ewing reviewed the results of our recent Membership Survey that has been sent to all members. The responses will be used by the board in planning future meetings and events and in considering any organizational changes for the club. Any member wishing to receive a copy of the results again or with questions can contact Cheryl or Louise
Program Highlights
Our guest speaker today was Jeff Willmer from A Better Tent City, introduced by Neil Swayze.
Jeff Willmer is the chair of A Better Tent City's Board of Directors; he has been a resident of Waterloo for over 40 years. He served with the City of Kitchener as an urban planner since 1989, was the City's Director of Planning starting in 2002 and later served as Chief Administration Officer until his retirement in 2017. Along with the late Ron Doyle; Jeff is co-founder of A Better Tent City and is president of A Better Tent City's inaugural board.
A Better Tent City (ABTC) is an initiative that provides tiny homes for homeless people who were living unsheltered in Kitchener Waterloo. ABTC now has 50 residents living in 43 cabins. The capital costs were covered through donations and the operating costs are paid for by the residence. The shared facilities include washrooms, showers, and laundry; a kitchen/dining area is under construction and nearing completion. Volunteers are a critical factor in the success of the operation of ABTC and, among many other tasks, do provided daily meals. The interactions with the volunteers also help to develop connections between the residents and the rest of society helping them to realize that people do care and that there is hope for a better future.
ABTC has provided stability and given hope to people who were living in isolation. They have also now formed a community with each other and with the many volunteers.
While the initiative is not perfect, it is far better than leaving these people to fend for themselves in the back alleys, or local parks and woodlots. Citizen groups in other communities have taken notice and are working towards establishing similar projects in other Ontario cities.
In addition to providing an actual living area for the residents, one of the significant benefits to the arrangement is that by having the former homeless people now in a safe, fixed and known location it facilitates many support services being offered such as those provide through Sanguen Health Centre. Now a doctor visits the site once a week and a pharmacist visits daily. Addiction and other counselling services are provided and soon a Restorative Justice program will be offered. Another benefit is that, again, with a safer and more stable environment relatives of the residence and beginning to reach out to them and provide additional support.
Closing Remarks & Reminders
President Adrian reminded members that the meeting next week will be on Zoom with Mayor Berry Vrbanovic.
