President, John called the meeting to order at 12:30. He acknowledged and thanked our local Member of Parliament and Honourary member, Raj Saini for being our guest speaker today. He then announced that on January 16 we will be having another special political guest, the Honourable Charles Sousa, Ontario Minister of Finance. We plan to open this event up to other Rotarians and to the general public. To ensure that we have accurate numbers to provide to the hotel, members planning on attending will be asked to register. The event will soon be posted and members will receive an online invitation and are encouraged to respond quickly when it comes.
John then reported on our recent Card Draw fundraiser. Although we have fewer members than last year the members sales were a bit higher this year but the overall receipts were a bit short of our goal. Any member wishing to help out with a direct donation will be greatly appreciated for the contribution.
Dec 5th: Visiting Rotarian Harry Levine of the Oakville West Club and exchange student Elle Yodsanga
Dec. 12th: the Holiday Party, many spouses and significant others.
Dec. 19th: Guest speaker and Honorary Member, Raj Saini MP, visiting Rotarian Ed Broeders of the Bolton Club.Jill Melanson, guest of Candi Harrington, Judy Proctor guest of DG Bill Proctor, and exchange student Elle.
President John announced that all members who were part of the very successful Pie Auction - bakers and buyers, as well as added donors were this week's Bell Ringers!.
Our usual 50/50 Draw was back in operation this week with a total pot of $287 which will only get bigger in the New Year as none of Russ St. Louis, Karen Redman, nor Shawky Fahel were able to find the Jack of Hearts.
While doing some cleaning out of some old Rotary files this past weekend, Martin Jones was very pleased to find an enveloped marked "Buns Sales" containing $37 which he turned over to Treasurer Ray.
Barry MacLeod is pleased to be heading off to Florida again within the next few days for his annual winter sojourn to the sun where he will be happily riding his bicycle and watching the Blue Jays but not necessarily at the same time.
Russ St. Louis was delighted to report on the birth of his eight grandchild and indicator that his daughter and new son are doing fine.
Shawky Fahel is happy that his new project in Waterloo is now being occupied and his project in Cambridge is moving along on schedule.
President John was most pleased to report that after 345 days he has now reached his weight loss goal.
Cheryl Ewing informed members that there is a change to the function we will be performing at City Hall on News Year's Eve this year. Rather than running a food stand we will be operating a Hot Chocolate Decorating Station from just 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., but it will be outside. Members willing and able to assist are asked to contact Cheryl directly as soon as possible.
Cam Yule provided some information for members wearing two of his many club hats. First he announced that plans for this year's In Vino Caritas event are moving ahead very well. It will be on April 27 at the Tannery. He encouraged members to begin letting friends and colleagues know about the event and to start selling tickets. He acknowledged Russ St. Louis for already selling 22 tickets to friends and for Louise Gardiner for getting club members to commit to 45 tickets at our Holiday Social last week and challenged all members to follow suit! He then put on his Nogales hat and let members know that he will be participating in the trip again this year. And, as he has done in the past he asked for donations to his "Soccer Ball" fund having made a very heartfelt comment on the positive impact these simple gifts can make in the lives of children from the ages of 5 to 20. [Cam collected close to $500.]
Our guest today was local Member of Parliament and fellow Rotarian, Raj Saini who was introduced by Hubert Singh.
"A proud resident of Kitchener-Waterloo, Raj Saini has owned and operated the award-winning Greenbrook Pharmacy for nearly 20 years. His success as a small business owner comes from his focus on helping people achieve their health goals, using evidence-based protocols, to enable healing and encourage healthy lifestyles. A committed and active supporter of local organizations, Raj works tirelessly to engage his community in politics and international affairs.
He is a proud Rotarian of many years, a Board member of the Canadian International Council, Waterloo Region branch and a long-time champion of Liberal values. He is passionate about improving the local economy, creating jobs and promoting the health and well being of Kitchener Centre's residents through intelligent, fiscally responsible environmental and health policy.
Raj earned his Bachelors of Science in Chemistry from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor's of Science in Pharmacy from Boston's Northeastern University.
Regarding Rotary, for reasons that are not clear to me, I have always been that one elected to reach out to Raj for support of this club's various fund raising endeavours and I can confirm that, without exception, Raj has always been very generous with his giving to this club. Please join with me in welcoming our Member of Parliament, Raj Saini."
Raj then proceeded to provide some information on his and the governments goals and achievements. here are some of the highlights:
ECONOMICS
The world is facing an economic challenges that we have not seen before and we have been in a period of economic stagnation since the economic crisis of 2008.
However, interest rates are at their lowest levels in years and inflation is les than 1%, as a result it is the best time for the country to invest.
We are investing in Public Transit, Social Infrastructure, Clean Technology and the Environment. The IMF has concluded that our approach should go viral.
SYRIAN REFUGEES
This has truly been a national project and we have settled 31,000 in Canada with more than 1200 right here in Waterloo Region
Our approach has become a model for the country.
Over 100 local agencies are involved in this effort.
COMMITTEES
I serve on 2 Parliamentary Committees, one of which is Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics
We reviewed the Information Act which had not been done in 30 years
We reviewed the Privacy Act which also had not been done in 30 years
We are making significant changes to better serve and protect Canadians
The second committee on which I serve is the Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee and I am very proud of my work on this committee
Undertook 2 large studies, the first of which was in the area of "Women, Peace, and Security"
We now better understand that for any durable peace and security in the world women and girls have to be at the centre
We heard many stories from witnesses that once women are brought into the peace process the chances of success are much greater
We have led by example in having the first cabinet in the world that has equal men and women
The second study analyzed how we deliver aid:
Currently our approach has been based on need, poverty reduction, and alignment with trade
We have to decide whether we want to be one of the top 3 or be part of the top10
I was pleased to attend a replenishment conference where we contributed 780 million and raised 13 billion to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Polio
Rotary has a great record in helping to fight Polio and need to leverage their ability in other areas
We have learned that we must create an ecosystem to involve all sectors of society in the solution
CONCLUSION
I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve
I have learned so much about our great community
I have heard from foreign dignitaries about how much the world needs more Canada
Raj then responded to several questions and was thanked by Karen Redman who presented Raj with a certificate for immunizing 100 children against Polio in his name.
Make Up and Make Friends
Can’t make a meeting? Use it as an opportunity to meet fellow Rotarians at another local Club or online! If you attend another meeting within two weeks before or after the missed meeting, be sure to let our Club Secretary know.
Club Meeting Location Monday
6:30 p.m. Guelph Wellington Guelph Golf and Country Club
Tuesday
07:15 a.m. Kitchener Grand River Walper Hotel
6:30 p.m.* Waterloo Granite Club *meets alternating Tuesdays
Wednesday
07:30 a.m. Guelph Trillium Cutten Fields
12:15 p.m. Cambridge North Galt Country Club
12:15 p.m. Kitchener Westmount Crowne Plaza
Thursday
07:15 a.m. Centre Wellington Elora Gorge Family Restuarant
07:30 a.m. Wellington South Springfield Golf and Country Club
12:15 p.m. Preston Hespeler Galt Country Club
Friday
07:15 a.m. Cambridge Sunrise Galt Country Club
12:15 p.m. Kitchener Conestoga Westmount Golf Club
12:15 p.m. Guelph Italian-Canadian Club
TRAVELLING?
Extend the exploration of your trip by visiting one of Rotary’s 34,000 clubs spanning more than 200 countries and geographical areas. You can find a Club online at https://www.rotary.org/en/search/club-finder.
Please remember to advise Bill Proctor of situations which would require some acknowledgement from the club - special anniversaries, illness, celebrations, hospitalizations etc.
You are the eyes and ears for the club and without your notification to Bill situations and circumstances will go unnoticed. Bill can be contacted at 519-570-2119 or bill.proctor@bell.net
