23 members today were present in person and 2 by Zoom.

President Ken solicited three members to drive John Heeringa to his cancer treatment in Kingston.

Norm described the D&D book project of the six Rotary clubs with our moneys going to the ECG machine at the hospital. He thanked Ken, Chris & Yvonne for doing the distribution at the meeting this morning. He asked that book sales not start until March 18 and money collected be held until his return April 4.

Our guest speakers, Art Knight and Matt Smith from PEFAC, described how their pre-COVID membership of 1,150 had dropped 50% during COVID, was still down 25%, but coming back. PEFAC will have an operating deficit this year, but are trending favourably for next year. They have been in business since 2005 and appreciate the financial support that The Rotary Club of Wellington has provided them in past years. Rotary has supported the Membership Assistance Program and the guests hope that it will continue. This Program supports currently 9 adults and four families, lower since COVID, with $5 to $55/month. Their application for assistance is screened by General Manager Melanie Crandall.

Art described the features available as an updated cardio weight room, the studio for Dance & Tone classes, Keep Fit classes and more, two squash courts, a 25 m X 6 lane pool for group & private lessons, a yoga room, 10 cycle bikes and a Marshall arts room for karate & jujitsu . The sauna is open.

Free one-day passes were given out to the Rotary members who wanted them.

Ken’s enquiry about reserving spaces for summer camps were to be directed to Melanie to arrange. Ken and Trudy will talk to her.

Matt provided details of their finances:

• Total operating budget = $700,000
• PECounty provides             50,000
• PEFAC fees = 90% of the difference ($650,000 x 0.9 = $585,000)
• The balance ($650,000-$585,000=$65,000) comes from donations.
• The County also provides $20,000 annually to upgrade capital assets.

Club Business

Trudy advised that she is taking orders on behalf of the Lion’s Club for $5 chocolate Easter bunnies. Members who give her this week how many they want, milk or dark chocolate, she will bring to the meeting next week (March 21).

David MacKinnon gave an update to the Wellness Project of nurse practitioners. The Belleville Clinic is down two nurses and they are trying to replace them. They may place one of the replacements in Wellington but they may not find any candidates until new classes graduate in May or October. An update to the number of orphans people without a medical practitioner is estimated to be 9,000 in two years. Yvonne knows a nurse practitioner in Brantford who is willing to advertise the County’s needs to help us recruit. With her contact info, David will connect her to the Belleville head of the clinic. He requested anyone else who has a contact to tell him.

Bill Pennell reminds our dinner/dance volunteers that the committee will meet next week after the members’ meeting.

Ken reminded members who have not paid their $15 for the March breakfasts to do so next meeting.

Yvonne announced that only 73 bottles of maple syrup remain unsold. Bottling of this crop will start Monday.

John Inwood reported that he attended the County’s review of the Parks & Rec Long Range Plan on behalf of Rotary, and Barry for the Trail. All the facilities have been tabulated and feedback was requested on their current performance and expectations for the next five years. Most mentioned was a need for pickkleball courts.

Margo reported on a successful party for the Syrian families last Friday. Trudy reported that $3,400 was donated then with more envelopes that had been received since. The Foundation Board would meet after the members’ meeting to discuss how the money is to be distributed.

Lana repeated the invitation for all members to support the Curlathon in Picton from 12 noon this Saturday to 12 noon Sunday to support Back the Build.

Today, Mike’s number was drawn for the 50:50 but he did not draw the ace of spades.