20 members turned out to discuss the Club's options for meetings after the Golf Club has made it too expensive to continue meeting there.

Rob led us in O Canada and Cara gave a thoughtful message to start the New Year.

The mystery member question was wihch member had grandparents who were immigrant farmers in the Abobtsford area. The answer was Derek.

FUNCTIONAL LITERACY PROGRAM.
It has been estimated that a billion people -- one-fourth of the world's population -- are unable to read. Illiteracy of adults and children is global and is a concern in both highly industrialized nations and in developing countries. The number of adult illiterates in the world is increasing by 25 million each year! In the United States, one quarter of the entire population is considered functionally illiterate.
The tragedy of illiteracy is that those who cannot read lose personal independence and become victims of unscrupulous manipulation, poverty and the loss of human feelings which give meaning to life. Illiteracy is demeaning. It is a major obstacle for economic, political, social and personal development. Illiteracy is a barrier to international understanding, cooperation and peace in the world.
Literacy education was considered a program priority by Rotary's original Health, Hunger and Humanity Committee in 1978. An early 3-H grant led to the preparation of an excellent source book on the issues of literacy in the world. 
Many Rotary clubs are thoughtfully surveying the needs of their community for literacy training. Some clubs provide basic books for teaching reading. Others establish and support reading and language clinics, provide volunteer tutorial assistance and purchase reading materials. Rotarians can play a vitally important part in their community and in developing countries by promoting projects to open opportunities which come from the ability to read. ( Ed's note - this was a subject of considerable further discussion at our table). 

 

There will be a Garage Sale in May, same location as before but please don't bring anything to Jim yet - he has no room to store anything.

 

Ed and Bob L. will be in charge of the team sprucing up the old Haven House on Saturday Jan 10.

There will also be pressure washing and paintng at Hospice House - contact Ed.

 

 

Jim then presented meeting location options:

There were others  - Oliver Woods Community Centre and Rotary Field House.

Jim explained the pros and cons of each and has recommended to the members that we choose between:

Branch 256 Legion .  They have two rooms available, the smaller room could easily hold 25 for a meal and has audio/visual equipment.  We can order drinks from the bar and they have a menu we can order from.  They also have a storage area where we can store our meeting items.  The  rental for the room is $50 per visit.  There is ample parking in their lot and the lot at Quarterway school across the street.

Simon Holt Restaurant. They have a separate room that would easily accommodate us with audio/visual in that room and storage for our items.  There is no room rental however the total of all food and drink orders must be $600.00 or more.  However they did mention that the amount is open to negotiation.  There is ample parking at their location.

The meeting room at the Terraces at 6301 Redonda Place.   It is a good facility with a complete kitchen and a large smart TV that is easily visible throughout the room.  There are tables and chairs for 50 people and a patio with a gas BBQ.  The charge for the room is $40.00 for the evening.  We would have to provide our own drinks and food if desired.  Parking would be on Applecross and Dover and would be enough for our numbers.  If this is our choice we will have to determine if we are going to provide a meal or have those that want to eat to bring their own.  The same would be for beverages.  We would also have to set up the table and chairs and to clean up after the meeting.

 

Information followed on what it would mean to be a Passport Club or a Satellite Club.

 

Satellite clubs offer members and prospective members a way to create a new club experience together, as a smaller group supported by an established local club. This club type needs fewer members to get started and helps people get exactly what they want out of Rotary. All satellite clubs begin as an offshoot of one or more Rotary or Rotaract clubs. They have a sponsor club that serves as the governing body of the satellite club. Some satellite clubs eventually become independent Rotary or Rotaract
clubs, while others enjoy the support of their sponsor club and prefer to remain a satellite club. moe info is available but beoing a Satellite club would mean giving up or charter and really becoming a part ( a minor part) of another club.

Passport ClubsA passport club is a Rotary club that gives its members a more flexible club experience by:
• Encouraging its members to visit other clubs and participate in their club activities regularly
• Relaxing the attendance policy
• Offering a variety of meeting formats
New and existing clubs can decide to implement the passport club model. The clubs may adopt all of the options listed above or choose just the ones that work for them. A club’s name does not need to include the descriptor “passport club,” but the club’s bylaws do need to be updated accordingly. Because they are Rotary clubs, passport clubs have a club president, board, and
committees. The president-elect and other incoming officers attend training seminars like PETS and the district training assembly. And members are encouraged to attend district and international events and to get involved in ways that are
meaningful to them. ( Ed's comment - this might be of interest to   us).

There followed a lengthy discussion with a variety of members expressing their views.  However the most urgent decision is where we are going to meet from February 3rd. 

Please respond to Jim's email as soon as possible.

 

 

It was a long, but necessary, meeting. (Ed - I hope I got all of the info right!)