Meeting: September 5, 2023
Glynis led us in O Canada and Sheila gave the Invocation.
We had a full house. Nice to see so many members at the meeting.
Colin's Rotary Foundation Minute:
HEALTH, HUNGER AND HUMANITY GRANTS.
In 1978, Rotary launched its most comprehensive humanitarian service activity with the Health, Hunger and Humanity Program. The 3-H Program is designed to undertake large-scale service projects beyond the capacity of individual Rotary clubs or groups of clubs. By 1994, more than 135 different 3-H projects had been approved and undertaken in 49 different countries, with an appropriation of more than $37 million. The objective of these projects is to improve health, alleviate hunger and enhance human, cultural and social development among peoples of the world. The ultimate goal is to advance international understanding, goodwill and peace. The first 3-H project was the immunization of 6 million children in the Philippines against polio. As 3-H progressed, new programs were added to help people in developing areas of the world. Now, in addition to the mass polio immunization of over 100 million children in various countries, 3-H has promoted nutrition programs, vocational education, and improved irrigation to increase food production, polio victim rehabilitation and other activities which benefit large numbers of people in developing countries. All 3-H projects are supported by the voluntary contributions of Rotarians through The Rotary Foundation. In years to come the 3-H Program may well be considered Rotary's finest service activity, showing how Rotarians care and are concerned about people in need, wherever they may be.
Guests: Wendy Ehman
Announcements:
- Roger Northwood is now in NRGH as he is having trouble standing.
- The Garage Sale is this weekend stuff can be brought to the location on Thursday evening as Jim has the key. More volunteers are needed for Friday am and for Sunday pm...contact Ed.
- The Beer and Burger fundraiser will be on November 7 at the Golf Club. Jim is looking for items for the silent auction.
- There were only 3 volunteers at the last Loaves and Fishes evening - possibly many members were on holiday.
- The latest suggestion for a Community breakfast has been opposed by residents of the neighbourhood. Rob will talk to the School Foundation about helping out with school meals.
- Caleb Summerfelt, our District Governor will be coming to Nanaimo on September 27. Daybreak and Lantzville have arranged to meet at the Golf Club at 7.00 am - we can join them.
- Our new member Radek Wojtal and his fiancee Laurel are getting married on September 8th. Congratulations Radek and Laurel.
Birthdays: Cara (lucky girl) was serenaded
Membership Anniversaries: Keith - 1 year Jim -48 years
Program:
Derek introduced Dr. Bill Ehman and Rebecca Chesman the Nanaimo founders of an early literacy program Roots to Read.
Dr Bill explained how after many years of delivering babies in his family practice in Nanaimo he felt the need to promote early reading. Established in March 2022, the program is implemented by perinatal staff as part of caregiver teaching. It includes:
- Provision of Roots to Read book bag to every newborn at NRGH that includes:
- 2 carefully curated new books that encourage “serve and return” interactions between caregiver and newborn
- Early Words educational cards for simple quick caregiver reference
- One page Tips for Parents with Babies flyer
- Information about local library access
- The Roots to Read program is fully dependent on donations.
The objectives of the program are:
To provide resources to families while in hospital that will:
- Promote and support an understanding of the importance and benefit of early childhood literacy
- Promote parental reading, speaking and singing as well as “serve and return” interactions with their newborns.
- Assist in sustaining literacy activities that are interactive, reciprocal, shared and connected to a family’s culture
- Provide examples of reading materials appropriate to the child/family
- Link the family and child to literacy programs in the community and public library.
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