Each month in the Rotary calendar has a specific focus. For the month of March, Water and Sanitation was the focus. For the month of March, it is the Environment.  I found a very good Q & A on the RI website devoted to this topic, from which I’m going to borrow freely.

 

The environment isn’t one of Rotary’s six areas of focus, but it’s deeply intertwined with each of them. Rotarian senior staff writer Diana Schoberg sat down with RI Past President Barry Rassin to talk about why and how Rotarians should put the welfare of the planet on their agendas.

 

His response: “We’re people who care about our world. We want our world to be a better place, and it’s not just about the six specific areas of focus. It’s broader than that. We have to look at the world as a whole and how we can make it a better place. If we’re losing countries due to sea level changes, if stronger storms are disrupting water supplies or destroying people’s livelihoods, that’s more people who are going to be disadvantaged. So caring about the environment goes toward our ultimate mission, and we should give it the importance it deserves. As a humanitarian organization, we’re obligated to talk about it. We need to have the conversation. “ 

 

He went on to say, “Our strengths are that we’re in 200-some countries and geographical areas around the world, and our members are people who are connected to the right people. You look at our polio eradication program: It’s successful not because we’ve provided vaccines. It’s because Rotarians were able to talk to the right people, to give the right support, to do the right thing. If we did that with the environment, governments would listen to us. “

 

Maybe he’s idealistic and unrealistic, but his words give me hope. As an individual, I’ve felt powerless in the face of a problem of such magnitude. What difference can I make? Alone, not much. But as a member of a global organization of millions of well-meaning individuals, if we choose to direct our focus toward the problem … ? Maybe, but even a maybe gives me hope and a reason to try to be heard on a topic of overwhelming importance.

 

Like most of you, I’ve been thinking a lot about our friends Reg and Barry, both exemplary Rotarians, both honored by our club as Rotarian of the Decade – Reg in 2012 and Barry in 2022. They have each made lasting contributions to our club, for which we are truly grateful. Gentlemen, thank you for your service!

 

Yours In Rotary,

29 members in person and 3 on Zoom were in attendance. President Lyn opened the meeting with the Rotary song, O'Canada, and David Hawkins orated the Rotary Grace. 

Health of members:  Everyone was happy to see Barry Davidson who attended by zoom from his hospital bed.  Peter gave an update of Geoff Telling's health (doing well and taking care of his wife, Sue who is at Quinte Gardens)

Pres. Lyn read out the correspondences received, which included thank-you notes from donee recipients, including the PEC bird observertory.

Pres. Lyn provided the Treasurer's report in Yvonne's absence.  All financials are in order, bottle depot revenues are on track for the year,  and all revenues, expenses, donations made were reported upon.  Mike Lattner motioned to accept the report, William Mulholland seconded.  All were in favour.

The event of the Blue Zone presentation by the Wellness committee was briefly discussed.  Trudy questioned whether we had a budget for this initiative. Ken reminded that the budget of $2000 was approved and voted on last month.  It was revealed that the event's cost will over-run the budget.   David McKinnon provided some insights into the Wellness committee's thinking and asked members to think about whether and how we might want to see the future endeavours of the wellness initiative.

Pres. Lyn announced that David Robinet has successfully completed digitizing all our archive materials and he has properly indexed them for easy retrieval.  Everyone thanked David R. for his hard work.

Fundraising:  

1. Norm reported that the electronic recycling event yielded over $1700.
2. D&D books are now available for sale. 
3. Maple syrup is now sold out. 
4. Annual Golf event will be in June.  24 people have already registered, cost yet to be determined. 
5. Spring yard sale will be held on May 25-26 at Yvonne and Chris' yard, in collaboration with and contribution to the foodbank.

Communications: Christine

1. New pictures in photo album on our website.
2. Linda Downy received the Ontario Volunteer Service Award, for which we nominated her

1. Spelling Bee -  Dawn is looking for addtional volunteers for April 16.  For the April 5th event in Athol, Trudy will be the Bee.  Norm & Christine
2. Free Reading Program - Norm has had the school board assess its suitability for grades 4,5,&6.  but since it is not approved by the Ministry of Ed program, we will not take its adoption further.  Liz suggested we should continue to promote it in the community
3. Story Book Walk - stands have been repaired and repainted.  to be installed soon
4. Summer Camps -  we will get it going soon for this summer.

1. One candidate for new member  in the pipeline
2. Peter floated the idea that since costs from RI and other sundry costs have gone up we may need to be raising membership dues in the coming year.  Current fees are $200

1. To coincide with the Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup our beach cleanup day will be April 27.  Will invite Friends of Rotary and have a BBQ afterwards  Need volunteers to handle lunch arrangements.
2. Fellowship:  Norm indicated that Pierre and Connie have volunteered to host a BBQ at their place once the pool is open.

1. Beach Mat Update - Project is a 'go'. Corona donating $40thousand . We have 4 other clubs pledged for total of $4thousand. Qualifies us for a District Grant.  Waiting to receive the funds before we finalize our order for the storage shed.
2. Shawn Ellis exploring grant opportunity to beautify the downtown.  deadline is March 31.  Shawn will be meeting with Evan Nash of Business Association and Peta Hall to cooridinate in the next couple of weeks.

1. The Board recommend that the club donate $1000 to Quinte Sailability to support their summer sailing development program.  Mike Lattner moved, Bill Pennell seconded. All were in favour. Trudy reminded that the funds should come from the Foundation since Quinte Sailability is a registered charity.