There were 31 members in attendance and three on Zoom for the Club Forum.

President Lyn initiated our newest member. Robyn Smith, into the Club.

Chris announced the correspondence received:

• Picton hospital thanked us for the donation of $15,462 from our dinner/dance/auction proceeds.
• County Reads thanked us for our $1,500 donation to their program.
• The Legion thanked us for the $2,000 donation to the Joe Sweeney program to help veterans.
• The Rotary Club of East York advised us of a program to help homelessness that they have initiated.
• A Rotary Club in India congratulated us on our charter day.
• The Rotary Club of Picton has donated $4,000 to our beach mat project.

Yvonne presented the October financial statement. Full details are available on our website.

• The bottle depot returns are exceeding budget. After 33% of the year, we have 40% of budget.
• Balances for the The General Fund, The Foundation Fund were reported. Details in the financial statement.
• The Hospital Fund is $16,040. This will go towards the purchase of a ventilator whose total cost is to be determined. Once this donation has been made, the separate hospital account will be closed. Future donations to the hospital will come from the General Fund.Mike moved that the financial report be accepted, Liz seconded it, carried.

Norm reported:

• The new story for the Storybook Walk has been chosen. The stands will be repaired over the winter and repositioned on the Trail in April.
• The Free Reading program is working by liaising with the individual schools. The attempt to work through the district education office is not working.
• Contact has been made with some disadvantaged youths to get them into some programs.
• The D&D book solicitation is finished.
• As reported last week, the next electronic drop-off day will be January 21, 10-2 pm at the Picton Hardware.
• Our scholarship program is being moved from the public school level to the high school level. A motion was made by Norm, seconded by Roger, carried.

Christine reported that the Electronic day in January and the Family Day in February will be advertised in “What’s On”.

Peter reported that our membership total now is 43.

Dave Robinet asked how many members would prefer the breakfast to be made with sausage instead of bacon. The response was six which he will order for next week.

Ken reported that for the Board elections for next year, there is no candidate yet for the Public Image position (Communications +).

Roger announced a new initiative - Fellowship Dinners that will start in Jan-Feb. Member volunteers will be asked to host a dinner, supplying the main, and other members coming to bring the rest of the meal. They are designed to include new members and partners to learn more about all of us and build community.

Lyn announced that Barry’s suggestion to include a “Land Acknowledgement” statement in our proceedings has been accepted. It will be given at our first meeting each fiscal year and on the day of Truth & Reconciliation each year.

Lyn announced that our new initiative, the Mobility Beach Mat, has garnered support from two other clubs and the District and she is looking for more clubs. The County has to approve a small expenditure on their part to grade the beach appropriately.

From the Wellness Committee, David MacKinnon announced:

• December 20 is the date that the province will announce whether or not we get the funding for the nurse practitioners for the County service.
• Our Committee is discussing the nature of wellness otherwise. A new book, “How To Live To Be 100” highlights the importance of health and structure of communities.
• He and Dawn are meeting this week with the new head of the Family Health Team (FHT) to develop a working relationship, regardless of the Dec 20 outcome.

Lyn announced the result of funding requests:

• Rotary Club of Iqualuit of $250 for a literacy program.
• The Storehouse Foodbank Christmas gifts program. After discussion, Ken moved and Pierre seconded a motion that the Club provide up to $1,000 for kids’ gifts, net of individual donations. The motion carried. Lana and Mary are buying the requested gifts.
• Margo moved that Kate’s Rest be given $100 to buy some Christmas gifts for their boarders, Lana seconded, carried.

With Linda downey’s retirement from the Storehouse Foodbank, a discussion was held on how to acknowledge her great contribution to the community. Any gifts that we might propose would be donated by her back to the foodbank. David Smith suggested that application be made on her behalf for an Order of Ontario award. David MacKinnon said that he had been involved in the approval of such awards in the past and there are several provincial awards of this type. He is willing to help David Smith develop a proposal to our MPP for provincial recognition.

Bill Pennell thanked donors to his Movember fund raising event that raised $1,500.

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

   50/50 Draw - $308