Meeting: October 7, 2025
18 members present. Jim led us in O Canada and Larry gave the invocation.
Member Fun Fact: Which member had a pet water turtle for 10 years? Brenda! Rob eventually gave the correct answer.
Guests: Vicki Parkhill, Val Grace, Julia and Josephine ( exchange students from Germany and Sweden)
Colin's Rotary Minute:
Nearly 1.4 billion employed people live on less than $1.25 a day.
Economic and community development is one of Rotary’s six areas of focus. Unemployment, underemployment, lack of economic opportunity, lack of appropriate training, and the absence of social safety nets lie at the core of poverty.
For the poor, labor is often the only asset available to improve well-being. Creating productive employment opportunities is essential for reducing poverty and achieving sustainable economic and social development, and for providing income
security and empowerment especially for women, people with
disabilities, youth, and the extremely poor. Like education and health strategies, generating income and creating opportunities for a productive workforce and entrepreneurship are essential for reducing poverty. Consider these facts:
1. Every 1% increase in agricultural income per capita reduces the number of people living in extreme poverty by between 0.6% and 1.8%.
2. Studies find strong evidence that access to microcredit leads to reduced vulnerability, in the sense of a lower threat of fluctuations in income or consumption.
3. In Nigeria, studies show that a mere 1% investment in human resources such as education and training will lead to a more than
66% decrease in poverty.
4. Women in low value-added sectors lack skills to access other higher value-added sectors. As shown in countries such as Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia, an increase in vocational
training is a precondition for countries to make the transition from low to high value-added production
Announcements:
Jim reminded us of the Garage Sale :
Volunteers neededas follows:
Friday Oct 24
11AM to 2PM Jim’s Locker 452 Milton Street
11AM to 2PM 7187 Lantzville Road
2PM to 5PM 7187 Lantzville Road
Saturday October 25
8AM to 11AM 7187 Lantzville Road
11AM to 2PM 7187 Lantzville Road
2PM to 5PM 7187 Lantzville Road
Donation of saleable items. Please send requests to your networks looking for Household items, tools, sports equipment, small furniture items, automotive, gardening, and other saleable items. Jim has room in his locker to store items until the sale or they can drop off items to 7187 Lantzville Road on Friday October
24 between 11AM and 5PM. NO LARGE PIECES OF FURNITURE, please.
Promotion
Jim has small posters to place around town. Distribute the electronic version of Don’s poster to your social media circle.
A Beer and Burger Night has been booked for November 23 at the Lantzville Pub. Looking for silent auction items and gift cards/certificates for the raffle. Please start promoting the event with your social circle.
Bob Moss asked us to look for Exchange Student applicants for the 2026/27 year. This is the first time that only one student has applied. Here is the link to the information. Please hand the information out to friends, family and neighbours.
Rob thanked those of us who had attended the Social Night at SimonHolt and participated in the Truth and Reconcilliation Quiz.
Ed and Rob are going to look at the work required by Haven Society to repair their old Transition House.
Sheila again reminded everyone of our club account at the Bottle Return Depot. If you want your empty bottles, cans , tetra packs etc picked up that can be arranged or you can deliver them to the meeting or to Sheila's house and Pat will take them to the Depot. If everyone does this it will result in some useful funds for the club.
Sheila reported that she had been the sole club representative at the Joint Club Social on Sepember 20h. You all missed a great meal, good company and a chance to exchange ideas with other Nanaimo Rotarians.
Program: Derek introduced Mike Hooper - Regional Director with Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
Mike gave an indepth report on what was happening with treaty negotiations and other efforts being made to include first nations. It is complicated! And from what we were told we have a very long way to go!
Moin thanked the speaker.
(EDITOR comment: Apologies for the quality of the photos, taken with my phone as Don was not at the meeting.)
Birthdays: Some of us tried to sing happy birthday properly to Derek!
Ann Northwood has a Roger's Rotary vest which she would like a Rotarian to have rather than it be given to the Thrift Store. It is size medium. Anyone interested please contact Ann.(address and telephone no. are in the Roster)
No member profile this week - next time!
