September 13, 2016 Meeting
held at Nanaimo Golf Club
Visiting Rotarians: District Governor Joanne Croghan & Don Mannino, Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island; Bev Hilton, Assistant Governor, Rotary Club of Nanaimo Oceanside.
Guests: Exchange students Man Chaijit, from Thailand and Evan Baksaas, from Norway.
DG Joanne with Evan and Man. picture by Don Dempson
Paul Harris Award
Jim Turley received his 3rd Paul Harris pin from DG Joanne. image by Don Dempson
Announcements:
Community Breakfast - Jim reported that it was a busy day with 250 meals served.
Student Exchange Program - Paul attended the exchange student orientation meeting in Seabeck Washington last weekend.
Next Wednesday, September 21st there will be an information meeting at Beban Park for students interested to apply for next year.
Rotary Foundation Centennial - Derek contacted Foundation Chairs from neighboring clubs, developing plans for a joint centennial celebration.
Rotaract - the first meeting was held this week; Alicia Mark is the club president.
Bill Robinson mentioned that he is now on the board for Literacy Central VI which is planning a major fundraiser next week.
Program: AG Bev Hilton introduced DG Joanne Croghan.
This is a great year for each of us to be a member of Rotary. It is the centennial—the 100th Anniversary of our Rotary Foundation. Our Foundation began in 1917 when there was $26.50 left over from a Rotary International Convention.
The list of Rotary projects throughout the world that have been funded by the Rotary Foundation seems almost endless.
Joanne challenged us to develop a project to fill a need that we see.
100 years of generosity by Rotarians and friends has grown the Foundation from the $26.50 initial deposit to a fund that now has an annual budget in excess of 250 million dollars. This multi-million dollar Foundation works to alleviate poverty, improve health, expand educational opportunities, and promote peace in every corner of the world.
In this, our 100th Anniversary year, please consider a contribution to the Rotary Foundation at whatever level is right for you.
When we share the stories of what we have accomplished in Rotary and what Rotarians throughout the world are accomplishing, and all that is available through Rotary, I would think that everyone would want to join.
Next May, D5020 has scheduled a Conference combined with a District Training Assembly in a new “state-of-the-art” Conference center in Suquamish, across the Sound from Seattle. There will be one day of training on Friday and the Conference all day Saturday. There is nothing planned for Sunday. One event, one weekend, one place. Plan to bring the family and enjoy the area. The facility runs a free bus almost every hour to the ferry where in just 30 minutes you could be right in downtown Seattle without having to deal with traffic or parking. A bus will be available for Canadians to travel from the Port Angeles ferry terminal to the resort.
In June of 2017 the RI convention will be held in Atlanta, GA. There are over 10,000 hotel rooms within a 10 minute walk from the Convention center. If you have always thought you might like to attend a RI Convention, this is the one to seriously consider.
Next week: Rowan Somerville will speak on his exchange year experiences.
