Meeting: May 16th. 2023
Ian led us in O Canada and Roger gave the invocation.
Larry's Club History:
In our 50 years as a club, it stands out that youth has been a major focus with 36% of the $1.7million dollars that we have donated going to programs and projects involving youth and children.
We have seen more than 40 inbound exchange students come through our club teaching us their culture while learning ours. An equal number of our local youth were outbound to many of the same countries getting an education that will enrich their lives forever.
Our School District 68 and VIU scholarships have assisted more than 200 students to further their education.
We have sent more than 20 local youth to the Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly or RYLA as it is known. Club members who have participated as chaperones will tell you it is not the same youth returning that you took down with you. There is now a Vancouver Island version of RYLA that is gaining popularity.
We have also sponsored youth to attend:
Adventures in Citizenship
Encounters with Canada
Adventures in Technology
All of which developed not only the academic skills, but the soft skills needed to communicate knowledge.
We have also supported our local children and youth through donations to:
- Boy’s and Girl’s Club
- Big Brother’s, Big Sister’s
- Nanaimo Youth Services Association
- Child Development Centre
- High School Music Programs
- Children’s Book Festival
Many of the youth that we have supported over the past 50 years have gone on to become leaders in the community. I am certain this focus will continue over the next 50 years.
Guests: Jo-Ann Tremblay, Anne Northwood, Moin Edraki ( for the last time as a guest) and Penny Edraki.
MOTION
Ed made the motion, previous circulated to everyone by email, "That we donate $5,000 of Gaming Funds to the Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island to be used for the purpose of purchase/construction of the 16 room house planned for Nanaimo." Paul seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved by the members.
Induction of new member:
Rod presented Moin Edraki to the Club. Moin and his wife Penny moved to Nanaimo 7 years ago to retire. However Moin is a workaholic and started a new career as a realtor. His leisure activities include, nature walks, travelling and art ( painting, sculpting, designing and creating). Moin and Penny have 2 grown sons, one in Calgary and the other in Toronto. Moin is passionate about helping others and that is why he wanted to become a Rotarian. Moin was sponsored by Ian who presented Moin with his Rotary pin. Welcome to Rotary Moin!
Announcements
Garage Sale - Jim is looking for tables and another vehicle to transport stuff from storage to the sale site
The Saturday Breakfast is again cancelled as the Sally Ann are still working on how to use the kitchen at the old White Spot and get the food to downtown.
Birthdays: May 18, Sheila was the recipient of the usual off key rendering of the birthday song!
Anniversaries: Rob and Barb on May 29.
Happy/Sad:
Jim updated us on Gill's health.
Paul reported that the Exchange Students would not be at the Conference as the hotel had required that each room have a person 19 or over. They eventually backed down from this requirement but it was too late to re-organize the students.
Program:
Mike Hurry who is a Rotarian from Sarnia, talked to us via Zoom. He is currently on a bike ride from Victoria to Sarnia to raise funds for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sarnia-Lambton.
He is a very active and adventurous Rotarian as was demonstrated by his slides.
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