What is the Rotary emphasis this month? Kathi Dick noted that it was Literacy, and this is why we collected children’s books at the Conference, and are able to distribute 350 books to children.
Ernie Ginsler was the first of many to congratulate DG Kathi on a successful Conference. He had a table at the House of Friendship and was pleased with the many Rotarians who dropped by to increase their knowledge of the Peace Initiative supported by our Cluster. He believes that he will receive a number of requests for visits to explain the program in greater detail. Although it will not initially have the Rotary name, he advised us that as of next September the U of W will have a Peace Centre. He also has a brochure that expand on the program.
Louise Gardiner also attended the Conference and remarked on the great spirit initiated by RI Representative Jeffry Cadorette and the youth involvement.
Howard Pell informed us that his sister-in-law has completed her chemo, and will be undergoing stem cell surgery in London. As a result, he and his wife will be spending most of October in London.
Adrian DeCoo highlighted the plowing match (rain on Tuesday and closed on Wednesday), but good sales the rest of the week. A thank you to BarryMacLeod for allowing us to use his Walton house as a drop off point for the keys and pouch.
Lew Ford had the pleasure of sharing the Market Car Draw booth on Saturday with a KidsAbility Ambassador.
Jim Phillips reminded us that we are 5 weeks from the On-Line Auction launch. He noted that we have business cards available, which promotes the event. He also advised that the Burlington North Club has also joined, bring our numbers to five clubs.
PDG Bill Proctor reminded us that the early bird draw will be on October 16. Make sure to get your stubs in and remember that there is no meeting on the previous week – Thanksgiving.
Howard Pell advised that there are only 10 Market days left, of which 4 are spoken for. On two of those days you will be joined by a KidsAbility Ambassador.
DG Kathi Dick was our guest speaker, and was introduced by Assistant Governor Todd.
Kathi is an 11 year member from Cambridge North, and has been a real estate broker for 33 years. She noted that her clear highlight has been visiting a Club project in Tanzania.
She began her address by thanking Club members who assisted her on the Conference (Howard Pell, Ray Taylor, Bill Proctor, Aidrian DeCoo, Hubert Singh, Candi Harrington), as well as President Dave.
Kathi mentioned several times that Ian Riseley’s theme this year is “Making a Difference”.
With that in mind, Kathi related her story of a young child she met in Tanzania. In that country Swahili is the primary language, and the one that is used to teach in schools. However, many family speak a different language. An individual set up a “school” in her thatch roofed building to teach very young children this language so that they could go to school. Unfortunately the building was destroyed every year. With the help of Rotary a brick school was built to that this girl and others to learn the language. Rotary made a difference in this girl’s life.
At the Atlanta Convention the Canadian government pledged $100 million US over three year, and the Gates Foundation another $450 million. In total $1.2 billion has been pledged to finally eradicate polio.
District is in the process of updating its Strategic Plan. This should be finalized by the end of 2017.
There is NO MEETING on October 9th and Monday October 16th is the Early Bird car draw at Victoria Star Motors. REMEMBER TO GET ALL YOUR SOLD TICKETS IN. Bring them to next weeks meeting or make sure they get delivered to the office at Kids Ability.
ON LINE AUCTION is quickly approaching!!! Let's all secure items and sponsors! Also, the committee is in need of a warehouse and distribution location. Get in touch with Neil Swayze if you have any space or contacts.
