HOT STUFF!

Hardy Rotarians braved the cold of a clear, moonlit Saturday night to do a little fund-raising by selling hot chocolate to the masses of folks who surged down Beacon Avenue to watch the Lighted Sailpast after the Sidney Sparkles parade. Thanks to Judy for making sure that we all had what we needed to keep the hot chocolate flying over the counter as fast as we could make it! Maria and Meredith got great facials, working over the steaming pots mixing up the hot chocolate. Highly recommended—with a bonus of aromatherapy from the effects of inhaling the scent of chocolate! Judy sent along the following:

Jinny did the numbers on the hot chocolate and we pulled in $664.65 I would like to thank Maria, Meredith, Horst, John Bardsley, Jinny, Fraser, Theresa Scrivens, Marie and the two main electrical and hot water managers—Jim and Rick.

PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS

Joan Firkins was our guest speaker on November 22nd -- speaking to us about—what else?—the Rotary Foundation. Joan is our former District Governor, and currently the District's champion of the Rotary Foundation. She gave us a great presentation about the kinds of projects the Foundation supports around the world, and also shared with us her deeply personal connection to a few of them, including Polio Plus in particular.

We took advantage of Joan's presence to have her present a number of Paul Harris Fellowships to some terrific SBS Rotarians. This was particularly appropriate, given that November is Rotary Foundation month.

Paul Harris recipients Stuart Lang, Del Wergeland, District Rotary Foundation Chair Joan Firkins, John Bardsley, John's wife Ann Doran, and Jinny Hambly.

Jinny Hambly receives her Paul Harris. Jinny's husband Lou Sontra was on hand to help her celebrate.

We were very pleased to have Del Wergeland come back to visit us and receive her Paul Harris from Joan. We hope that once she's a little less strapped for time, she'll be able to once again join us on Thursday mornings.

Stuart Lang receives his Paul Harris from Joan. Stuart's wife Hilda joined us for breakfast to see Stuart honoured.

Joan presented John Bardsley with his Paul Harris, but it was his wife, Ann, who did the honours when it came time to "pin" John—after she had us all (including John) getting a bit teary-eyed relating the story about how she fell in love with the heart and soul of this fine man.

More on the BBQ

From Marie:

A big thank you is in order for those Rotarians who braved the wind and rain to serve up those delicious M & M hamburgers and hotdogs...it was a miserable day but a fun time for the guys and girls who came out to support the opening of the new M & M store who 's owner Dave Lansdale ( a former Rotarian) now residing in Calgary. This is his fourth store, to be managed by his daughters. He's going to present $1500.00 to our Club to be used towards the children's water spray park at Tulista. A special thank you to Kenny Podmore for co-ordinating the event and for putting in all those extra hours. Well done....Kenny, John Bardsley, Marie Rosko, Stuart Lang, Don Bateman, Judy Smith, Vic Swan, Karen and Tim, Lloyd Kruger, Jinny Hambly, Marilyn Loveless, Bert Stevens and John Treleaven. Another "Service above Self" happening!

Cooking up a Water Spray Park

SBS Rotarians didn't let a little rain keep them from their appointed tasks, working the BBQ for the Grand Opening of the new M&M Meat Shop in Sidney. The store's owners are supporting our fund-raising efforts for the water spray park.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmeF3IAWO7s

CLUB SERVICE REPORT

Chairperson: Lianne Macdonald

Vocational:
RCSBS has applied to send local high school students to the Rotary Adventure in Citizenship event April 27th through 30th, 2008 in Ottawa, and also the 5020 Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly March 6th through 9th,2008, in Tacoma, WA. The Adventures in Citizenship scholarship provides a unique opportunity for a selected group of young Canadians to come together and gain a better understanding of our country. Through meetings with political leaders, senior officials, and others, they learn a great deal about the workings of our democratic institutions. Through meeting one another and having discussions amongst themselves, the students learn to appreciate the diversity of Canada and the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship. The Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly scholarship is a training program for young leaders. It emphasizes leadership, citizenship and personal growth and provides high school juniors and seniors with a unique opportunity to experience a wide range of top notch leaders, motivational speakers and leadership styles.

Youth Exchange and Youth Programs:

• Interact: Rick Patterson and the student assigned teacher Ann McLean continue to liaise with Interact Students. Their meetings are Mondays at 11:20 a.m. and all Rotarians are welcome to drop in any time. Members are encouraged to keep abreast of the workings of the Interact kids as they are our future Rotarians.
• Youth Protection and Youth Protection Officer: Our Club has adopted the Rotary District 5020 Youth Exchange Abuse and Harassment Guidelines. We have appointed a Rotary Youth Protection Officer - Judy Smith. In this role, Judy must ensure that those of us who have continued contact with youth sign a Youth Volunteer Affidavit and submit to a Criminal Records search prior to carrying out our volunteer duties. Additionally, Judy is trained to respond in the event a youth alleges that a Rotarian has been abusive, harassing, or otherwise inappropriate. At present, no Club members need to register with Judy, as our contact with youth is classified as 'casual' conduct only. These rules will come in to play if our Club elects to have a Rotary Exchange Student in the future.
  

Community Service:

• Water Spray Park Work: The Nutcracker committee is working hard to complete RCSBS's commitment to this fund raising concert for our water spray park. Things are going well. Nearly all sponsors are arranged and membership should watch for advertisements of the event and plan to attend with friends and family. The Water Spray Park Committee has been expanded and includes the following members: Lianne Macdonald, Marie Rosko, Peter Guerra, Don Bateman, Vic Swan, Noel Currie, Jim Scrivens, John Bardsley, Stuart Lang, Bruce Burns, Pat Bonser, John Treleaven, Ken Podmore, and Dave Douglas (don't think I've forgotten anyone). While we raise the last of our funds, the Committee is working hard to update our budget, review the applicable health regulations, determine the appropriate type of drainage, ascertain the operating costs, and determine a construction time line for the work.
• Reverse Draw - - Final Numbers. We made $19,001.46!!!!!!!!! Congratulations and thanks to all for your work.

World Community Service Projects:

• This new committee was formed just this month and is headed up by Bruce Burns and Don Bateman. It will continue to support Project Unity initiative and identify appropriate WCS activity for RCSBS. A budget will be identified for the Committee's good works and international projects for our Club will be identified. Funds from our upcoming social at Don Batemans will likely for the seed money for the works of this Committee.

Sad News - Allotment Garden
It is with some sadness that we must report that the Saanich Peninsula Allotment Garden Society has been dissolved. The Board of the society donated back to the Club all funds that they had in their possession (just over $700) before dissolving. Apparently, after their relationship with land owner Annie Scoons was terminated, they were unable to find a new location from which to operate. This should stand as a lesson for our Club that we should not expend significant capital amounts and efforts to improve the lands of private property owners, however well intentioned.

CLUB ADMINISTRATION REPORT

Marie Rosko, Chair
Pat Bonser, Administrative Assistant
Marilyn Loveless, Administrative Assistant

• Hein Moes: Treasurer Assistant
• Isabel Connor: Fall Fair Ice Cream Supervisor
• Maria Kirley: Community Dinner/Canada Day/Bingo, with the assistance of John Bardsley and Horst Wiebe
• Meredith Reeve: pamphlets/programs/posters/tickets; website
• Noel Currie/John Bardsley/Bert Stevens: Sgt. at Arms
• John Bruce: Fellowship/Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
• Michele Holmes: curling and Kits for Kids
• Pat Bonser: Penny jar
• Jinny Hambly: poinsettias, with Marie

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• Christmas Dinner: Hein Moes, John Bardsley
• Family Christmas Party: Karen Morgan
• Sailpast Hot Chocolate: Judy Smith
• Smile Cards: Judy Smith
• Reverse Draw: Marie Rosko/Lianne Macdonald
• Travel Raffle: Marie Rosko/Jinny Hambly
• Guest Speakers: Linda Edgell
• Bar Management: Hein Moes, Karen Morgan
• Salvation Army Kettles: Vic Swan
• Fireside Chats: Don Bateman
• Pub Night: Michele Holmes
• SHOAL Centre Liaison: Jinny Hambly
• Sick & Visiting Coordinator: Pat Bonser
• Val-U Books: Kenny Podmore

Membership Madness!

"N" is for November—and also for NEW members!

At our November 1st meeting, we welcomed three new members to the Sidney by the Sea Rotary Club: Horst Weibe, Lloyd Gale and Kenny Podmore. So many fresh blossoms on our membership vine! Thanks to their sponsors for introducing them to the SBS Rotary Club: Lloyd Kruger proposed Kenny (who returns to SBS after an interlude at the Sidney Club); Judy Smith proposed Horst, and Kenny proposed Lloyd Gale.

We're not sure why they're all looking so glum...perhaps because they weren't yet members of the club???

Ah, the gang starts to relax: Lloyd and Kenny are all smiles after President Peter finishes the installation ceremony.

New member Kenny pins new member Lloyd Gale.

Judy completes the multi-member pinning extravaganza by collaring Horst.