Meeting: July 14, 2026
Only 11 members in attendance in our nice new meeting room. ( and Moin's first meeting as President)
Guests: Vicki Parkhill and Dilan Rickwood
Colin's Rotary Minute:
ROTARY FRIENDSHIP EXCHANGE
An interesting Rotary program of fellowship is the Rotary Friendship Exchange. This activity, originally recommended in 1981, is intended to encourage Rotarians and spouses to visit with Rotarian families in other parts of the world. It may be conducted on a club-to-club or district-to-district basis.
The idea is for several Rotarian couples to travel to another country on the Rotary Friendship Exchange. Later the hospitality is reversed when the visit is exchanged. After a successful pilot experiment, the Rotary Friendship Exchange has become a permanent program of Rotary.
The Rotary Friendship Exchange is frequently compared to the Group Study Exchange program of The Rotary Foundation, except that it involves Rotarian couples who personally pay for all expenses of their inter-country experience. Doors of friendship are opened in a way which could not be duplicated except in Rotary.
Rotarians seeking an unusual vacation and fellowship experience should learn more about the Rotary Friendship Exchange. Some unusual Rotary adventures are awaiting you!
FYI Nanaimo is hosting an exchange group of 5 couples from Turkey September 21-24. Joce Smith of the Nanaimo club is helping co-ordinate the visit. They need one more host for the 3 nights, Contact Joyce is you are interested. If you want to now more about the exchange contact Graham Calder the Charir of the District 5020 Exchange Committee at: jgrahamrotary@gmail.com
Reports:
Jim. - Fund raising
The committee will be meeting on Wednesday July 22 at 2PM at Ed’s place. The agenda includes planning for a fall beer and burger, a fall garage sale and some discussion on a new fund raising opportunity. There will also be consideration for a funding request from Dreams Take Flight Society. The committee will also be discussing the request presented to the club this evening made by Gerry from the Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary thrift store. This involves funding and operating an occasional hot dog sale in front of their store. All members are invited to attend the meeting.
We have received three community involvement opportunities. There is a Dragon Boat festival at Westwood Lake this weekend July 18-19. They are looking for people that have Serve it right
designation to work in the beer garden. Let Jim know if you have a current liscence and would like to help. The Haven Society is holding a fundraising event at Bowen Park on Sunday August 30. It is called “Hike for Haven” and volunteers are needed for a number of jobs. Again if you are interested in helping
please contact Jim.
Larry - Our Loaves and Fishes night is now the 3rd Tuesday of the month - next week. If you are interested please sign up online. If you need more info contact Larry.
Derek - The annual Youth Exchange BBQ will be held at the Curling Club on August 27 at 6:00 pm. Our club has been asked to organize the Silent Auction. Contact Derek if you would like to help. Also please donte items for the auction.
Paul Harris Award -- Perry presented Bill with his 5th PH - well done Bill!
Program:
Gerry Denis, the new manager of the Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary spoke to us as a result of his request to support a BBQ outside the Thrift Store on a Wednesday or Saturday during the summer. Gerry explained that he had partnered with Rotary and Kiwanis previously in Port Alberni. The club would provide the food ( hamburgers, hotdogs popcorn, fries etc from 11 am to 3 pm generating more money for the Hospital Auxiliary. We would of course get exposure and publicity. The Fund Raising Committee is discussing this on July 22. If you want to be involved be there.
That's it - if you were not there you missed an interesting meeting and a good evening of fellowship.
PS. We meet at the Legion, which is celebrating its 100th birthday. You can join for free this year and get cheaper meals . They are also celebrating at the Bathtub weekend.
