Meeting: September 17th, 2024
President elect, Cara, was in charge of the meeting. Ian led us in O Canada and Sheila gave the invocation. There were 18 members and 2 guests in attendance.
Larry’s Membership Minute:
When going through our archives for our 50th Anniversary, there were many interesting discoveries.
How many total members were in our club for the first 50 years?We had 295 pass through the doors. 40 stayed for 1 year and 32 for 2 years.154 members stayed for between 1 and 5 years.The average length of time members stayed was 8.2 years. 15 members liked us so much they joined twice.
Sort of useless information except it tells us that we lost 24% of new members within the first 2 years. In the early years larger companies moved their management personnel around so we lost quite a few to relocation, but likely we lost the majority because we did not engage them in the club activities.
Today, we have 30 members. We had 33 Charter members when the club was formed. None were retired. Today 57% of our club is made up of retirees. We need younger members who are working in the community.
When the club was formed the focus was on vocations, and only one of each was permitted. We had the following classifications:
Federal Government Customs Service: Linen Rentals:
Mutual Funds: Wholesale Grocery:
Oil Distribution Wholesale: Dentistry – Dental Hygienist:
Boat Pumps - Logging Equipment: Judiciary:
Wood Pulp - Manufacturing: Moving–Storage Service:
Nurseries: Trailers – Distribution: Engineer – Electrical:
Chartered Accountant: Grocery Retail: Telephone Service:
Anesthesiology: Automobiles Retail: Stationery – Retail:
Truck Service: Express and Freight: Heating Oil Retail:
Insurance Adjusting: Oil Burner Service:
General Practice Medicine: Compressed Gasses:
Plumbing Heating Contractor: Banking – Commercial
Many of these classifications still exist in our community but there are many vocations out there that were not even dreamt of in 1972.
We need to have some of these vocations represented for diversity in the membership and to keep us abreast of what is happening in the community.
Cara is the Membership Chair and the committee is made up of Jim Turley, Kalila Wilkinson and myself. In reality, all members of Nanaimo North Rotary are members of the membership committee. It is our responsibility to encourage others to join us, make them feel welcome when they do join us, and engage them in our activities and projects.
Spread the word!
Guests: Bill Robinson and Cathy Hargreaves.
Announcements:
Ian advised that our next Social will be on October 29 at the Rugby Club ....an October Weenfest!!
Rob reported on the Bayview Family dinner. Attendance was still disappointing with 31 attending. Next dinner will be at Fairview on October 8.
Ed reminded us that our next fundraiser is a Beer and Burger night at the Lantzville Pub and he is looking for gift cards.
He also confirmed that we will be hosting the Family Fun Day next year on Sunday August 31.
Larry advised that next Tuesday is our night for Loaves and Fishes.
Paul talked about the NRGH Staff appreciation breakfast on September 21st. Volunteer schedule will be going out soon.
Derek advised that he had lined up speakers until February but wants members to give short personal stories (Baby Talks) which can be added to any meeting agenda.
Program:
Derek introduced our Speaker, Price Carlson, who started Makerspace in Nanaimo 10 years ago.
Makerspace Nanaimo, ".. an open community lab: a blend of workshop, studio space, social hub and educational facility where members can share tools, resources and knowledge to build just about anything."
Membership is open to the community for only $50 per month or $500 p.a. and tools include 3D design, woodworking, metal welding, a paint room and an opportunity every month to bring kids in to STEM activities. For more info visit the website: https://makerspacenanaimo.org
.png)
