This Club Forum opened on time with 29 members in person and David Smith & Tim Cox joining by Zoom. MPres Trudy first up-dated the Club on Bill Hurst’s situation - still stuck in Vancouver due to the meteorological disaster being suffered in B.C.

After completing the usual formalities of Rotary song and O'Canada, MPres Trudy informed the Club of the deliberations of the monthly Board meeting including correspondence from Betsy Sinclair regarding the Memorial Garden & Ceremony, and that Sec Lyn had managed to track down the CML Snyder scholarship winners. In her monthly report, Treasurer Yvonne  showed how well the bottle depot had done, once again, and was at 64% of budget, gave more information on the Golf Tournament’s financials and explained how some funds were unspent because of Covid restrictions. (All the figures are available for members to view through the Clubrunner portal). Treas Yvonne & MPres Trudy shared that the Club’s goal of raising $400,000 for Back the Build was all-but achieved, well within the deadline that had been set and that there will be a presentation from the PEMH Foundation on Jan 18th as more support will continue to be needed for equipment etc. Linda Donnville continues to engage with the County regarding the Storywalks project and discussion is continuing with the Children’s Foundation re summer camp opportunities.  A request to volunteer at a County cycling event was declined for logistical reasons.  The question of how the Club might resume having breakfast of some sort again was raised and the decision made to strike a committee to investigate possibilities. Three members volunteered. The Club unanimously supported a resolution to repeat the maple syrup fund-raiser in the Spring of 2022.

PP Howard presented the composition of the in-coming Board for 2022-23 with their designations-to-be: Pres Ken, PP Trudy, PElect Lyn, Treas Yvonne, Sec Chris, and Dirs. Linda, Dave R, Christine & Peter. Prospective new member Norm Dodgson was approved by the Board. Member ratification will be sought. Proposals on requests for $500 for Quinte Sailability and $1,000 to PEFAC were passed unanimously and for up to $2,000 for the IPCC education bursaries was also carried after some discussion. Apart from volunteer help with Christmas hampers, the Storehouse Foodbank is, fortunately, not in any immediate need of our financial support. Its profile as a local charity has been considerably raised in the last few years, thankfully. Pierre raised the question of assistance for the victims of the landslides and floods in B.C., which, after considerable discussion including of Ken Robertson’s Rules of procedure, concluded with a vote to send $5,000 to the Red Cross which will be matched at both the Federal and Provincial levels. This initiative will be publicized locally. MPres Trudy announced that she would reach out to our fellow Club in Picton for a County Rotary response to hospital needs for colonoscopy equipment and possible assistance with the RYE Program.

In other Club Business, Bill’s bottle needs were addressed and Pres Elect Ken forewarned of volunteer needs for vaccination clinics, going forward. Christine advised the Club of the arrangements for the Anniversary/Christmas Party on the 7th, including the gift ‘exchange’ and when set-up volunteers are needed.

$250 was agreed for the usual advert for the Bottle Depot in the new D & D books. After congratulating Barry & Reg Gemmell on their birthdays and Bill Mitchell on his wedding anniversary, the meeting closed at 8.08.