The meeting was called to order by President Roger at 7:07 am. 31 Rotarians were present with 3 guests (speaker Peta Hall, Liz Bosma’s friend Sally, and guest Kathleen Meaney).
Mary Camp provided her ‘Rotary moment’. She reflected on her earliest memories of Rotary. Specifically she remembers selling Rotary peanuts door to door when she was 8 years old. She also became friends with a Rotary exchange student from Australia when she was in high school. She confesses that she thought that Rotary was an ‘old boys club for businessmen’. However her perceptions changed in the summer of 2023 when she attended a community appreciation barbecue in Wellington which was hosted by the Rotary Club of Wellington. She saw Lana, Ted Nash and Howard at the event and spoke with them about joining the club. Since becoming a member she has come to appreciate all that Rotary does, both at a local and international level. Mary commented that the more she has become involved in club events (such as the Wellness Committee initiatives and the maple syrup fundraiser) the better she understands the positive impact the club has on our community. She looks forward each week to the friendship and fellowship that the Tuesday morning meetings bring.
‘O’ Canada’ was sung. David Hawkins recited an invocation. Breakfast was served.
Roger enquired about the health of members. Tim noted that Geoff Telling attended the bottle depot on the weekend. He reminded everyone that there will be a celebration of life for his wife Sue on April 11 at 11 am at St. Andrew’s Church. Lyn noted that Pierre’s wife Connie is undergoing hip surgery tomorrow.
Michelle introduced guest speaker Peta Hall. She noted that Peta and her share a passion for pottery. Michelle complimented Peta on the great work she has done in Ghana.
Peta reported that she recently returned from two months in Ghana. She wished to review and update all members on two main projects.
First Peta spoke about the Atorkor Graduate Program. She noted the success of the high school with a student body of 580 directed by a wonderful head mistress. She indicated that the school is powered primarily by solar energy. Given the proximity to the ocean, sand which accumulates on the school solar panels needs to be swept off every month.
In 2022, Peta established the Atorkor Graduate Program which was designed to link high school graduates with skilled trade programs. There are currently 19 students in this graduate program. Graduate students who receive a loan are required to repay 50% of the loan upon graduation. Furthermore the students must provide progress reports at the end of each semester. Prudence Lumorvi is the graduate student that our club is currently sponsoring. He works as a mason and bartender to help support 12 siblings. He is ultimately interested in becoming a surveyor. Peta is asking our club for $600 to support another graduate student in the coming year.
Peta also spoke about the ‘Good for Girls’ program. This program is designed to keep female students in school by providing feminine hygiene products to girls. Specifically, washable reusable homemade sanitary cloth napkins are manufactured by local seamstresses. The plan is to make 3,500 sanitary napkins and distribute them to 700 local schoolgirls together with an informational health and wellness program. Peta emphasized that all donations have no administrative costs.
Mary Camp thanked Peta for her presentation and provided her with a bottle of our Wellington Rotary maple syrup. Peta addressed several questions from the audience.
Business
Tim noted that the food bank is in need of boxes. Anyone working at the bottle depot are asked to save boxes.
Yvonne briefly reported on her president-elect training and the recent weekend trip to Chicago for lectures and fellowship events. Yvonne noted that 23 Rotarians from District 7070 were in attendance. The Rotary International logo for the coming year is ‘unite for good’.
Dawn reminded all volunteers of the upcoming spelling bee events (including the inter-club competition in Trenton). She thanked all who are participating.
Norm thanked all who assisted at the electronic recycling event this past Sunday (yes Howard, that means you too!)
Roger noted that Earth Day is April 22 and we will be getting together on April 26 for our annual beach cleanup and barbecue. A participation list was circulated.
Ken discussed the comments that John Inwood had forwarded regarding proposed amendments to the club bylaws. John wished to clarify the process whereby an urgent issue could be brought forward for a vote at a club meeting prior to board deliberation. This process requires the vote of 2/3 of the total club membership (and not 2/3 of members in attendance at the meeting). Ken will circulate these comments for any further feedback.
Bill provided a brief update from the Dinner-Dance committee. This year’s event will have a ‘Canadiana’ theme. Bill polled the group’s preference with regards to the event (ie DJ, band, comedian etc). The consensus was comedian/improv followed by DJ dance.
Peter noted upcoming Alzheimer fundraising walks in Picton and Belleville – he thought it would be a good idea for our club members to participate in this event.
Roger told his joke of the week. The happy toonie jar was passed around.
Robynne’s ticket was drawn for the 50/50 draw – everyone was rooting for her but, alas, she failed to pull the ace of spades. The meeting concluded with the 4-way test.
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President Elect Yvonne Goes to Evanston (Rotary HQ)!
As part of her President Elect training (indoctrination), Yvonne made the journey to Evanston to learn more about everything Rotary International. Below is a picture of the group in attendance, as well as PE Yvonne greeting the statue of Paul Harris...
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Congratulations to the Electronic Recycling Crew!
Another successful session
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