Chartered November 22, 2002
Rotarian of theYear-Barry Davidson www.wellingtonrotary.ca
Club Bulletin
Today: Club Forum
February 25, 2020 Club #60346 District 7070
President's Message
These days, when you read or listen or watch the news, it seems there are significant conflicting priorities in our daily lives. Each party advocating certain causes believe they are absolutely right, and the opposing party is wrong. There seems to be no middle ground and no compromising.
The energy industry in Canada believes that pipelines are the most efficient and safe way to transport their crude oil or liquid natural gas. The Indigenous Peoples believe pipelines will ruin their natural habitat or that pipelines should not go onto their lands. So they protest and block access to rail transportation, which adversely impacts our economy and movement of goods across the country, which angers our farmers and manufacturers. The Climate Emergency Advocates believe we should all stop using fossil fuels immediately, yet we have no real alternative for our energy consumption. The problem is that, taken individually, each party is absolutely right in feeling the way they feel. If you disregard the perspectives of all your neighbours and countrymen, and get exactly what you want, then you are always right.
The challenge is that we live in a community of diverse individuals and interests and we must try to see the world through the lens of our neighbours and countrymen and try to understand each other's perspectives, and ask, "Is it the Truth? Is is Fair to All Concerned? Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships? Will it be Beneficial to All?" I think we should recruit the Indigenous Peoples to be Rotarians, we should recruit the Climate Emergency Advocates to be Rotarians, we should recruit the Energy Industry titans to be Rotarians, we should recruit EVERYONE to be Rotarians!!
Phyo Kyi, Past President
Last Week: John Hirsch
South Shore Joint Initiative
John Hirsch from the South Shore Joint Initiative provided an update on the group's latest activities and initiatives.
South Shore Joint Initiative (SSJI) is a coalition of individual members and partner organizations working to protect the Prince Edward County South Shore Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in order to maintain or increase the biodiversity of its terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
The area around the south shore of the County is owned by various parties, either organizations or individuals, and SSJI works with all parties to ensure the preservations of the natural habitat of the area. Their aim is to discourage any further development of the area, but allow proper use of the trails and natural landscape of the area. Recently, SSJI has assumed custody of an historic log house on the former Moses Hudgin farm, and have undertaken to restore it. Insurance premiums for the Hudgin Log House is proving to be a challenge for SSJI budget, and they would welcome any help from the Rotary Club in support of this initiative.
Club Business:
In terms of significant club business, Colin provided an update for plans for the Rotary Golf Day. Previously, the committee had investigated alternate courses since WoTL GC was thought to be not available, but now that the sale of the GC has fallen through, it is back in play. The committee is currently weighing the pros & cons of different venues.
Past President Phyo provided a short synopsis of the situation about the humanitarian crisis for bombing victims in Idlib Syria, some of whom are immediate family of Adnan Mustafa, a resident of Wellington. Phyo indicated that it is understandable that the Rotary Club would not donate directly to Adnan since the way the funds would be sent is not well established, but we have sent an email to a Rotary Club in Turkey to see if we can work through them. Also, another way to support this would be to buy the Hummus and Garlic Spreads from Adnan so that he can use the proceeds to help his relatives in Syria. A few people expressed interest, so Phyo will pass around an order form.
R-O-T-A-R-Y, that spells Rotary.
R-O-T-A-R-Y, is known on land and sea.
From north to south, and east to west,
They profit most who serve the best,
R-O-T-A-R-Y, that spells Rotary.
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