Rotary Rays – May 6, 2013

      1.    Call to Order

President Melissa called the meeting to order at 12:10 p.m.

2.  Invocation

      Olga McKeller delivered the invocation in the stead of Robert Reid

3. Birthdays and Anniversaries

     Lynn Beath will celebrate her birthday on May 10^th

      Larry Lake and Gwen will celebrate their 53^rd anniversary on May 8^th

      Phil Laitar has been a member of the club for three (3) years    

4.  Sick and Visiting

      None

5.  50/50 Draw

      Ron Fraser conducted the draw. Cheryl Ewing drew the winning ticket.

      Winner: Robin Ferro

      Card Drawn:  Ace of Spades 

6.  Seargent-at-Arms

      Robin Ferro acted as Seargent-at-Arms

      Those wearing shorts (Don Fulkerson, Fred Fenton, Vanessa Page and Ted Exley) were            asked to come to the front of the room. The wearer of shorts with the best legs was      chosen by applause. The winner: Vanessa Page

          a) Fines:

·         Robert Reid was fined for being late and not knowing who delivered the invocation in his absence.

·         Lisa Wells paid a fine for having forgotten to attend the fireside chat.

           b) Happy Bucks

·         Lynn Beath is happy it is her birthday and that she just returned from a pleasant vacation to Hilton Head. Great golfing.

·         Liam Mc Creery was happy to have attended the fireside chat

·         Richard Holmes is happy that David Simonetti is now staying at his house and that he a great help with the gardening.

·         David Simonetti is happy that his soccer team won on Friday and that he will be playing soccer today

·         Larry Lake is happy he survived the weekend, attended Woodstock Day at the Rogers Centre on Saturday and attended a family gathering in London on Sunday.

·         Vanessa Page is happy that she won the “legs” contest

·         Chris Cunningham is happy that she had a pleasant trip to Napa. Great wine.

·         Melissa Pike is happy the Ron Fraser relieved her of her duties at the Stars Concert on Friday so she could get home to Lyla who was missing her very much.

 7.  Committee Reports

 a)   Board of Directors

The Board has approved spending approximately $9000.00 to send a local girl with a learning disability to a summer camp. President Melissa reported that attending the camp can be a life-changing experience. The girl’s grandfather will attend a meeting in the fall to report on the experience.

b)   Music Festival

     Gary Baumbach reported that the Music Festival concluded with the Stars concert on Friday evening. He thanked President Melissa Pike and incoming President Ron Fraser for handing out the trophies and scholarships. He also  thanked Larry Lake, Olga McKeller and Hazel Powell for taking care of the front-   of-house.

 c)   Fireside Chat

      Rick Shaheen reported that twelve (12) people attended the fireside chat at this    house. It was a good evening.

d)   Peace Dinner

      Ron Fraser reported that time is closing in quickly on the Rotary Cluster Peace    Dinner on May 29^th at the Quality Inn. The Peace Dinner is in support of “Walk a          Mile Her Shoes” and other domestic support agencies. Tickets are $30.00 and       are available from Ron and Barb Wright. The tickets are selling well at the other           clubs.

e) Dragon Boats

                        President Melissa noted that Dave Harris has sent an e-mail asking for                                         assistance with the Dragon Boats.

9.  Guest Speaker

                  Vanessa Page introduced Cheryl Ewing from the Kitchener Rotary Club who                          spoke about the Shoebox trip to Nogales Mexico.

·         She noted that this initiative has really expanded and should be called “Shoebox and Beyond,” the power of working together

·         She has been going on trips for nine (9) years.

·         About twelve (12) people went from her district.

·         It was a Wednesday to Monday trip.

·         She reported that they now take the cash to Mexico and buy what is needed locally

·         This is good for the local economy.

·         Groceries were added three (3) years ago.

·         Blankets have also been added as the climate is cold. Nogales had snow this past year.

·         40% of residents do not have heat, electricity or indoor plumbing.

·         Some notable achievements:

                        Building of trust with the local community through partnerships

                        Building a baseball diamond

                        Finishing an orphanage

                        Shipping two (2) ambulances from Waterloo Ontario

                        Providing equipment for local firefighters

                        Providing wheelchairs

                        Socks and mittens which are purchased locally

                        Filtered water for twenty-two (22) schools

               Vanessa thanked the speaker.

 President Melissa adjourned the meeting at 1:30 p.m.