Edition: June 15, 2021
wellingtonrotary.ca Chartered November 22, 2002
Rotarian of the Year (2020-2021):
David Robinet & Phyo Kyi
Club Bulletin for week of June 15, 2021
Speaker: Debbie Moynes
(Community Care for Seniors)
President's Message
The Community is “in the know” that the Bottle Depot has re-opened. Last Saturday, June 12th we did one of the highest volumes in returns. A big Thank-You to all our volunteers, customers, and all who donate their returns.
A tremendous thank you and congratulations to the amazing Flying Bottles Squad of Mike, Kim, Ted, Phyo, and Trudy who spent about 2.5 hours on Tuesday, June 8th handling a special opening of the Depot to process a number of large deliveries. Mike was first on the site to open the doors for what was likely our largest volume day.
Reminder:
Reminder that club membership dues are due by the end of June. Thank you to those members who have paid their dues for the coming Rotary year starting July 1st. You can mail in your cheque or drop it off (or cash) with me at the Bottles Depot. I’ll be there on Saturdays.
District Items:
At the June 7th District’s presidents and presidents-elect meeting, a number of topics were covered including the June 26th District Conference which will be conducted on a conferencing platform that’s better suited to this type of event than ZOOM. DG Mark Chipman then encouraged presidents to speak about some highlights in their areas, of note:
Cobourg Rotary has been doing an incredible job arranging volunteers for their region’s vaccination centre. They are operating 6 days per week; and are now developing a mobile clinic to go out to larger businesses to vaccinate staff (and their families) that are unable to get to a regular clinic.
Ajax Rotary is looking for volunteers to help out at their annual Ribfest; this year’s will be a drive-through arrangement.
Peter Hernandez and John Currie spoke about Project 215 as a way of sponsoring youth to attend the Honouring Indigenous Peoples Youth to Youth (Y2Y) Engagement. More to come on this item, but Project 215 is a contribution of $215 in memory of the 215 children whose bodies were found at the Kamloops Residential School
President Howard Ziedenberg
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Last Week: Charles Dowdall (PEC Affordable Housing Corp.)
The meeting opened at 7.07 with 34 present by Zoom. All present were well. Bill P introduced the guest speaker, Charles (Chuck) Dowdall, who has been the Director of the Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation since 2020. The latter part of Chuck’s career was spent working for non-profit agencies, having been involved in the financial sevices industry previously. He received his MBA from Queen’s University.
Chuck began his presentation with a reference to the fact that the June edition of Maclean’s included a detailed article on the housing situation in the County. He then went on to present an alarming picture of the way that existing conditions and Covid had resulted in an even more desperate situation for many more people in need of affordable housing of any kind. One of his most graphic and powerful facts was that no one earning less than $20 per hour can afford to live in the County, even if it were possible to find anywhere to rent or buy.
Chuck did go on to outline a range of solutions that PECAHC is currently working on from the conversion of the former Dukedome and alternatives to traditional housing such as modular units and tiny homes. He also explained how PECAHC was partnering with developers to meet some of the need. Surplus buildings such as former churches and schools can also be a source of affordable accommodation. He concluded by explaining how the support of community partners, like Rotary, can assist, including with financial aid to the non-subsidized organisation. He fielded questions from members, including David S, Phyo & Bill H. He was thanked by John H.
President Howard has shared Chuck’s presentation which includes all the details that are key to understanding his message.
In Club business, Bill’s bottle returns depot needs were addressed. President Howard reminded volunteers to watch out for vaccination clinic changes. Club Dues are due.
David M shared the fact that he will soon be retiring from his role at Quinte Health after fulfilling his nine-year term and thanked the Club and individual members for the support he had received over that time. He feels that he is leaving the position with the health authority in a much stronger place and well-prepared to meet future challenges.
Geoffrey Telling
VFCS (View From the Cheap Seats): Affordable Housing & Homelessness
Last week's presentation by Charles Dowdall on the affordable housing situation in Prince Edward County was one of the most interesting and sobering presentations we've had recently. The thought that Wellington might become an economically segregated community where an individual earning minimum wage is welcome to work here for service jobs, but not able to afford to live here, is tragic. Are we to become a community like those in LA, San Fran, or the GTA? I hope not. Most of us moved to PEC, and locals remained in PEC, because of its rural setting, its nice pace of life, and its friendly and helpful community.
The only sure fire way to combat this calamity is by applying the law of supply and demand. If there was more supply of appropriate type of housing, affordability should take care of itself. And that is why we as the Rotary Club should be helping folks like Charles Dowdall and the PECAH Corp to achieve their objective of creating more housing geared for young families, workers, and seniors on fixed incomes, who need affordable and practical homes.
While on this topic, last Wednesday June 09, a group of Rotarians visited Kate's Rest, which is a place for homeless individuals to seek shelter and a sense of community. The property is located on Big Island and consists of the main house and six small cabins. The visit was eye-opening for us as we saw first-hand how one individual opened up his home to 19 homeless people to provide a lending hand and a chance of survival. Kate's Rest is currently at a cross-roads, where their organic and fairly unstructured growth has attracted attention of the authorities and they are now required to make remedial improvements to their facilities. There are various groups (including the PECAH Corp and the County Foundation) who are helping them apply for charitable status and affordable housing grants. Our group's visit was exploratory to understand how we might be able to help. Stay tuned for our group's report to the club in the coming weeks.
Phyo Kyi
Bottle Depot Volunteers Schedule for This Week
Wednesday June 16, 2021
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: John Inwood, Ken Robertson, Ted Nash, Shawn Ellis
O Lord and giver of all good
We thank thee for our day food
May Rotary friends and Rotary ways
Help us to serve thee all our days.
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Four Way Test
Of the things we think, say, and do:
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and better
FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all
concerned?
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Rotary Song
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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