April is Rotary’s Environment Month, which includes Earth Day

Earth Day was first held on April 22, 1970 in the USA and is now  is an annual event around the world to demonstrate support for environmental protction.

On the first Earth Day an estimated 20 million Americans took part in rallies, marches, and teach-ins calling for environmental reform. Earth Day is now observed in 192 countries, and coordinated by the nonprofit Earthday.org and is now "the largest secular day of protest in the world, and more than a billion people participate in Earth Day actions every year."

The first Canadian Earth Day was held on Thursday, September 11, 1980 and was organized by a graduate student in Engineering Physics/Solar Engineering at Queen's University. Earth Day Week was formerly opened on September 6, 1980, with a ceremonial tree planting. Members of Parliament across the country were encouraged to declare a cross-Canada annual Earth Day. The principal activities taking place on the first Earth Day included educational lectures given by experts in various environmental fields, garbage and litter pick-up by students along city roads and highways, and tree plantings to replace the trees killed by Dutch Elm Diseaase.

In Nanaimo the Rotary Clubs of Nanaimo and Lantzville celebrate Earth Day and Environment month by organizing and participating in the Annual Trash Pickup. This year it will be on Saturday April 18. Participants meet at Bowen Park east parking lot on Wall Street and are then sent out to a pre-determined location to pick up trash. Gloves, trash bags, and some picker-uppers are provided. Participants must sign a waiver which cn be found at www.rotaryinnanaimo.com website.

 

Jim gave a Cinco de Mayo update
Ticket sales to be handled the same we do for the Beer and Burger. Ed will track the ticket sales and provide a list for the door at the event. Each paid attendee will receive a ticket to be used to get their meal. The bar is a no host bar so attendees will pay the bartender for their drinks.
Don, Sue and Moin will determine the decorating scheme.
The evening will start at 5:30 with the buffet starting at 6:15PM. The activities will conclude at 9:30PM. Sheila, Bob and Greg will come up with the schedule of activities.
Promotion has started. A poster and a short write up was submitted to the Harbour City Scoop on April 6. A short write up is being submitted to the Coffee News as well as the What’s up section in the News Bulletin. Members are asked to distribute Don’s 4th version of the poster. If anyone has other ideas of free or low-cost promotion opportunities, please let Jim know.
The buffet will be set up in our meeting room and attendees can either serve themselves or have a staff help them.
Thanks to Paul for getting his friend Fez to be the DJ.

 

The Club received a card from our Project Amigo student - a hand drawn picture of Comala Church. This was to thank us for the T-shirt which Sheila took to Mexico to give to Jose Carlos. His message says "I send you all a big hug and thanks you for the support which you have given me at this time - in truth many many thanks, love Jose Carlos." 

Ian introduced Donna Hais ( who really neded no introduction). Donna was wearing her Fair Care Alliance hat and brought us up to date on what is happening ( or not) with regard to improving our hospital services. The Cancer Clinic is underway but despite the promises given 2 years ago nothing has happenined to progress a new hospital tower and Cath Lab. Donna is a relentless advocate for NRGH and the population living north of the Malahat. She described conversations with Members of Parliament as well as BC politicians.  The movement to get funding is community based and has the support of doctors, health care workers and local politicians. We need to keep being loud and pressing our demands for Fair Health Care.