Sunrise newsletter for the week of July 25, 2012
Posted by Rob Goodell
on Jul 25, 2012
The changeover of club officers and directors was accomplished on Sunday, July 22, with all the pomp and ceremony for which Vancouver Sunrise is famous. That means we had nearly 3 hours of good food and excellent fellowship in the party suite at Diana Theman's condo building in Coal Harbour, followed by a few minutes of organizational shuffling. Outgoing President Matthew Lynam thanked last year's executive for an excellent Rotary year, Secretary Lawrence Bicknell catalogued the club's recent accomplishments and introduced the new cast of characters. Julie Mantle, the new Character-in-Chief, having just returned from a frenzied shopping trip around the Mediterranean, outlined a few priorities for the coming year, and Matthew received a diamond-studded Past President's pin. All within a few minutes. And we even heard a brief spiel about district affairs from new Assistant Governor Tom Smith. Then, back to the food and fellowship.
This morning's meeting opened with Julie fully in command, joined by 12 members and Luis Yanguas, a visiting Rotarian from Madrid, Spain. Luis plans to be a frequent visitor for a few months, until his wife's employment in Vancouver is made permanent, after which he may be a candidate to join our club. Welcome, Luis, and we look forward to getting to know you better.
Rotary moment
Sheila Anderson told us how she became a Rotarian in Nanaimo, which had to do with an arm-wrestling competition with the three male lawyers in her office. But, she showed them, as she went on to become the first female president of that club. Julie suggests that we have a different member share a brief statement of his or her peak Rotary experience, perhaps about once a month or when John Haley will be away. Bill Sheddy volunteered to do so next week.
Personal stuff
Our new Prez claims she bought no new shoes during her recent cruise in Europe, a statement which everyone is convinced fails the 4-Way Test. Several leather jackets, yes, but no shoes.
It was announced today that Robert French has resigned from the club. He's been a big contributor to our club's success in recent years, and a good friend, and we'll miss him.
David Parsons quoted a 7-year-old who had just visited his grandparents as deciding that, "When I grow up, I want to be RETIRED!" Smart kid.
Today's program: the President speaks
Julie brouight up a number of future club opportunities for consideration. The Vancouver club is creating a video/film to celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Vancouver. Each club is asked to contribute $200 and provide a description of a recent project for inclusion in the video. Our club executive has chosen to highlight the Hoop-a-Thon for our portion of the video and Sheila will draft some text to describe this successful event.
Our club's goal for the Annual Programs Fund of The Rotary Foundation is $100 per member this Rotary year, or $2,200 in total. We may have a computer available at breakfast some Wednesday so members can sign up to contribute as they wish.
The Vancouver South club, with help from other nearby clubs, is embarked on a ambitious project to provide a new playground for an eastside elementary school. On Saturday, August 25, they will need 200 volunteers to help install the playground equipment. If you can help, please let Julie know.
Bill advises that the August date chosen for the club's annual Rotary Day at Hastings Racetrack conflicts with the opening of the PNE, so a new date in September will be selected.
Jim Clarke is arranging a party to raise funds for our special-ed school project in Leon, Mexico. The party will be Saturday, September 22, at the Iron Works on Main Street. See Jim for details.
Ann-Shirley Goodell has learned that Alison MacLean will pack her video cameras and the protective gear our club provided, and leave for Afghanistan on August 12. In addition to delivering the equipment for the women police cadets, she will film these brave women at work for a video to be aired on TV in Canada, the US and Britain during International Women's Week next March.
And, finally, Julie announced that the new board will meet on Tuesday, July 31. Please let her know whether or not you can attend.
Future meetings
On August 8, our speaker will be Alexander Hoffman, a current Rotary Scholar, who will give us his views on today's Germany. Sounds interesting.
Have a good week, enjoy the sunshine, and we'll see you on Wednesday.
Rob
This morning's meeting opened with Julie fully in command, joined by 12 members and Luis Yanguas, a visiting Rotarian from Madrid, Spain. Luis plans to be a frequent visitor for a few months, until his wife's employment in Vancouver is made permanent, after which he may be a candidate to join our club. Welcome, Luis, and we look forward to getting to know you better.
Rotary moment
Sheila Anderson told us how she became a Rotarian in Nanaimo, which had to do with an arm-wrestling competition with the three male lawyers in her office. But, she showed them, as she went on to become the first female president of that club. Julie suggests that we have a different member share a brief statement of his or her peak Rotary experience, perhaps about once a month or when John Haley will be away. Bill Sheddy volunteered to do so next week.
Personal stuff
Our new Prez claims she bought no new shoes during her recent cruise in Europe, a statement which everyone is convinced fails the 4-Way Test. Several leather jackets, yes, but no shoes.
It was announced today that Robert French has resigned from the club. He's been a big contributor to our club's success in recent years, and a good friend, and we'll miss him.
David Parsons quoted a 7-year-old who had just visited his grandparents as deciding that, "When I grow up, I want to be RETIRED!" Smart kid.
Today's program: the President speaks
Julie brouight up a number of future club opportunities for consideration. The Vancouver club is creating a video/film to celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Vancouver. Each club is asked to contribute $200 and provide a description of a recent project for inclusion in the video. Our club executive has chosen to highlight the Hoop-a-Thon for our portion of the video and Sheila will draft some text to describe this successful event.
Our club's goal for the Annual Programs Fund of The Rotary Foundation is $100 per member this Rotary year, or $2,200 in total. We may have a computer available at breakfast some Wednesday so members can sign up to contribute as they wish.
The Vancouver South club, with help from other nearby clubs, is embarked on a ambitious project to provide a new playground for an eastside elementary school. On Saturday, August 25, they will need 200 volunteers to help install the playground equipment. If you can help, please let Julie know.
Bill advises that the August date chosen for the club's annual Rotary Day at Hastings Racetrack conflicts with the opening of the PNE, so a new date in September will be selected.
Jim Clarke is arranging a party to raise funds for our special-ed school project in Leon, Mexico. The party will be Saturday, September 22, at the Iron Works on Main Street. See Jim for details.
Ann-Shirley Goodell has learned that Alison MacLean will pack her video cameras and the protective gear our club provided, and leave for Afghanistan on August 12. In addition to delivering the equipment for the women police cadets, she will film these brave women at work for a video to be aired on TV in Canada, the US and Britain during International Women's Week next March.
And, finally, Julie announced that the new board will meet on Tuesday, July 31. Please let her know whether or not you can attend.
Future meetings
On August 8, our speaker will be Alexander Hoffman, a current Rotary Scholar, who will give us his views on today's Germany. Sounds interesting.
Have a good week, enjoy the sunshine, and we'll see you on Wednesday.
Rob