Sunrise bulletin for the week of July 10, 2013
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We were 20 members at this morning's Rotary meeting, a great turnout for the middle of summer, plus guest Steve McGrandle and soon-to-be-new-member Valerie Saunier. Gary Chomyn led a participatory version of the 4-Way Test as a prelude to our buffet breakfast.
Rotary moment
John Haley gave us a brief history of The Rotarian magazine, starting in 1911 with a different name. Sorry, John, but some of us are younger and don't recall things that happened in 1911, so it's good to have your first-hand memories. Now, the magazine is distributed in 20 languages. President Ann-Shirley Goodell encouraged us to read the current issue for an introduction to the new RI President, Ron Burton.
New member!
President Ann-Shirley inducted Valerie Saunier as our newest member. She had been introduced to Rotary by Jose Rigas, was recommended by the Membership Committee and approved by the board. Valerie is a therapist and life coach with Divine Center, which offers meditation, yoga and chrystals healing. And, she adds to our growing French contingent in the club. Welcome to Rotary, Valerie
Announcements
The Nominating Committee has nominated Lawrence Bicknell as President-Elect and the board has approved this selection. Lawrence will start his term as Club President in July 2014. The next step is to select a volunteer to replace him as Secretary, starting early in 2014. There's only one opening, so be sure to volunteer early to improve your chances of selection.
Sheila Anderson reported that the board is embarked on a new project to help a school for refugees in Colombia. This fits with Rotary's emphasis on literacy and our club's goal is to raise $7,000 in a Fiesta evening next March. Volunteers are needed to organize this event, so let Sheila know of your interest in helping. More info on this project in the separate article, below.
Our traditional "Rotary at the Racetrack" social event will be on September 8. Because it's a special day at Hastings Park, we are limited to 20 attending. Reservations are on a first-come basis.
The BBQ social to welcome Luisa de Godoy to Vancouver is confirmed for Friday evening, August 23, at Abigail Turner's home in North Vancouver. Details to follow.
Program
Our speaker today was Georgina Hargreaves, our outbound Youth Exchange student, who leaves for a year in Sweden at the end of this month. Didn't she look great in her brand-new Canadian red blazer?
Georgina told us about her interests and activities at King George Secondary School, in her West End neighbourhood and beyond. In school she was part of the Technology Immersion Group in Grades 8 and 9, and plays on the basketball team. She's been active in Guides for 9 years, lately as a Ranger and counselor for younger girls. And she and some friends formed a band called "Bring Back the Kingdom" which performs at school and local events with her as singer. She works part-time with her mother, who is a costume designer for the movies.
Georgina will be hosted in Falkenberg, a small city of about 20,000 population, on the southwest coast of Sweden. She's been in touch with her first host mother, who is an English teacher and a Scout leader (no Guides in Sweden). Her first host father is an administrator at the school she'll attend and she'll have several host brothers and sisters (which will be new for her as an only child).
Abigail Turner will be Georgina's club counselor while she's in Sweden, so we'll hope to have frequent updates on how everything is going. Best of luck, Georgina, for a fabulous year and a memorable adventure. We all wish we could go with you!
Next week will be a business meeting, with committee chairs outlining their plans for the year ahead. Be thinking about which activities or committees you'd like to help.
Rob