1. Martin Jones was happy to return after three weeks from his trip to Kenya where he not only toured wildlife preserves but got to meet several of the student women who are part of the African Women's fund that our Foundation helps with their university education.

 

2. Dave Chatson was also happy to be back from holidays and to be sitting with fellow colleagues at the tables while President Richard handled the meeting.
 

All the members that were able to attend the envelop stuffing for the Car  Draw last week at KidsAbility and the committee who organized the special lunch.

 

Q: What is the 'Four Way Test' for Rotarians?

Ans: Truth, Fair for All, Build Goodwill & Friendships and Beneficial to all concerned.

1. Adrian made members aware that with all the slots [16 to 18 per month] covered for the summer months of July & August; it was accomplished by only 13 members. So if we have 48 active members then more need to offer their time to cover the next two months, September and October. Please sign up for a half day or full day slot by going online or email Howie.

 

2. Bill Proctor reminded members of the Cluster meeting on Fri. Nov. 2 with guest Steve Paikin from TVO. He needs to either accept or decline your attendance by September 24th. He will resend email.

 

3. Ray Taylor spoke to members about the up and coming 'Online Auction" which takes place on Nov. 3 to 17th. Our goals this year are:
A) to cover expenses of approximately $2500.00 by securing 10 sponsors for $250 each, so please ask employers, friends, family or neighbours if their businesses would like to sponsor us.
B) Our net profit over the last three years has risen by 12% and 17%, so our target is a 20% increase from $8,400.00 to $10,500. What that means is with a 60% return rate the retail value we must be between $16,000 and $17,000 worth of product. So we are requesting that each member try to obtain enough donated items that equals $500. That could be five $100 gift certificates; ten $50 gift certificates or one large item like a BBQ. More will be outlined in a series of meeting announcements for September.
 

The two members, Paul and Russ, and one guest, Susan Woodman, who had their numbers drawn all had no luck. The pot is at $214.00 for next meeting.

 

Today's speaker was Sam Kamminga. He was introduced by Brent DeKoning, our active RASCK member, who also mentioned how the satellite club is still looking for its identity and a direction they wish to choose. He felt that Sam might give them that direction by his "neighbourhood advocacy" approach when trying to get things done in his neighbourhood.

 

Sam spoke on how he has built relationships with his neighbours in order to get things done. He felt that because the Traynor neighbourhood is mainly a lower income area with a high immigrant population who were at a loss on how to get the powers-that-be to help them with a new playground park area. The issue was that the city removed  playground equipment from Traynor Park but replaced it with a hydro station so the children had no where to play. Sam acted as their voice by getting them to express what they wanted and needed to him then he advocated to city hall on their behalf. He and his neighbours were able to get the city to create a new playground with equipment in a city owned parkette area. Next came the issue with the LRT fencing off their access to local grocery store and plaza nearby. Without Sam's advocacy, the issue would not have been looked at. So they organized a rally to get media coverage for their issue. Now the region, city and the LRT are looking at a level crossing at an appropriate location so people can cross the LRT tracks safely. It is to be installed next spring. He also discovered that many of the immigrant population would like to have a community garden so they could grow their own vegetables etc., so they are working towards that happening as well. He is looking at developing a group of neighbours who will facilitate building relationships with others in the neighbourhood so they can create their own voice and advocate for themselves. But with a transient population and little contact between these individuals many were afraid to become involved for fear of being noticed by criminal elements or being deported by Canadian officals since that has been their experience in their home countries or other areas. Sam feels that with these past events and successes many people are now speaking with neighbours, building relationships and changing the environment to one of a safe community.

 

Our president Richard thanked Sam on our behalf for his great talk on neighbourhood advocacy and presented him with our certificate for immunizing 100 children in his name.

 

Closing Remarks & Reminders