1) Mute your microphone if you aren't already muted. Background noise is distracting.
2) If you are not engaged in the presentation, turn off your camera.
3) Chat function should only be used to address the speaker, not for Club member remarks during the presentation
4) Unmute when harassing the Sergeant at Arms or taking your turn during Sergeant at Arms.
5)Gerrymander your county
Please direct any questions or concerns to the President or a board member of yourchoosing and the board will discuss any and all questions or concerns during a board meeting. Also please refer to the members committee anyone who may be interested in attending a meeting or joining the club.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
"No one has ever become poor by giving." - Anne Frank
"It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." - Mother Teresa
"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill
Four in one from Marylou, I hope no one was hoping to use one of these when it's their turn. Or you could just say "Ditto"
VISITORS
Jeff Golby
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND
CLUB BUSINESS
Jeff was presented with a $5,000 cheque for the Water Works program and an external Paul Harris award for his outstanding contribution to his international project. (Or whatever it was Gordon said - which is actually summarized better by ChatGPT below.)
Speaker
This Week’s Speaker: Jeff Golby – Rethinking Philanthropy with WellFunded
This morning, we welcomed back a familiar face — Jeff Golby, former CEO of Acts for Water, whose clean water projects our club has proudly supported. While Jeff has recently stepped into a full-time volunteer role with Acts for Water, he’s also been busy tackling a much bigger challenge: fixing the inefficiencies in the philanthropic sector.
The Problem: Philanthropy’s “Hedonic Treadmill”
Jeff’s fundraising career has shown him that while generosity is abundant, the system for connecting donors to charities is… exhausting. His friend Peter, a generous retired pastor, once told him he was overwhelmed: more causes, more requests, more forms — and no easy way to know who’s doing the best work.
The numbers tell the story:
$557 billion was given to charity in North America last year.
$115 billion of that was spent just to raise it.
Major donors, foundations, and donor-advised funds accounted for $70 billion in fundraising costs — not counting volunteer time.
On the other side, $11 billion was spent by philanthropists simply managing the process of giving money away.
500,000 grant applications go out to foundations in Canada every day — a number AI will likely explode.
The result? A treadmill where both donors and charities spend huge amounts of time and money on administration, rather than impact. And, as Jeff pointed out, the best fundraisers often get the most funding — regardless of whether they deliver the most results.
The Solution: WellFunded and CommonGrant.ca
Out of hundreds of conversations with donors, Jeff and a small group of partners created WellFunded.io — an AI-powered platform to make grant-making faster, fairer, and more transparent.
How it works:
Charities complete a common grant application, uploading leadership details, mission, values, financials, project goals, and metrics — all tied to CRA-verified data.
Donors and foundations can search, review, and connect with charities directly, without endless form-filling or redundant applications.
Banks and donor-advised funds can integrate the tool, allowing clients to pledge to vetted charities without a mountain of paperwork.
In just 7 months:
Nearly $500 million in assets under management is using the platform.
400 charities have complete profiles, with another 1,000 partial profiles in place.
The goal isn’t to make giving impersonal — relationships will always matter — but to dramatically cut the administrative waste that slows down impact. For now, CommonGrant.ca is focused on Canadian registered charities, with plans to expand beyond 2026.
Wrapping Up
Jeff’s presentation combined insight, wit, and just the right amount of data to make us feel both concerned about the current system — and optimistic that it can be fixed.
To cap off the morning, our club presented Jeff with a Paul Harris Fellow Award in recognition of his leadership and impact. He accepted with genuine appreciation, proving that while technology may improve philanthropy, heartfelt human connection is still at the core of giving.
SERGEANT At Arms Tidbits
Lawrence Parenting update: The great “New Foods” experiment continues! His 10-year-old’s fruit list has now expanded to peaches and pineapple, each met with a scientific 7/10 rating. Slow but steady progress for this pint-sized picky eater.
John Apple season is in full swing in Ladner — and the ground is practically paved with them. If you’re in the mood for a green-apple pie, just look under any tree. Next week, he and Sandy are escaping to the Island to dodge home renos.
Mary Lou Living proof of the “sandwich generation,” Mary Lou spent last Thursday juggling Science World Lego time with Allan while hand-filling 17 pages of archaic hospital transfer paperwork for her aunt… for the third time. Capped it off with a quick cooler unload, a shower, dinner, The Mousetrap, and celebrating a friend’s 70th.
Chris P. On technology, Chris is worried about folks being left behind in the digital age — and is always game to bridge the gap. On bravery, she survived not one but two guest spots on The Mortgage Broker Podcast (the first of which she’d prefer we all pretend doesn’t exist). And if you see her wearing the same outfit in both videos… shhh.
Dalbir Found a care home for a friend’s stubborn older brother — a retired Vegas card dealer still convinced he’s in the mob. Plans to bring the BC Lions mascot (Larry in orange) for a visit.
Peter Medical update: An antibiotic reaction is finally cleared up. Even better news — a plastic surgeon will graft skin from his thigh to speed healing of a stubborn wound the size of a deck of cards. Surgery is booked for August 26, and the pain is mild unless he pokes it… so he’s simply not poking it.
Debbie M. Paddled with friends to Keats Island and hosted the winners of a club charity auction paddling trip (Larry’s friends — they almost capsized, but everyone had fun). Miles is in Kelowna on repeat trips, still thinking he’s 25.
Judy Two peaceful solo days in Birch Bay, then Chris joined for a night. Came home and baked six dozen cookies plus a variety of squares to fuel a big family week in Oliver. The kids are bringing friends, the tents are going up, and Judy’s planning to dodge the annual water fight. (Chicken)
Kal Applauded young advocates for public defibrillators. Kept it short and sweet.
Marg Home canning queen — 32 jars of beans a day and now applesauce. Tech skills on par with Kal’s, but bravely buying an Apple Watch despite fearing it might talk back. Fitbit once mistook a paddle knock for a “significant fall.”
Bobby Announced an August 19 backpack giveaway for 75 kids — a great family activity. Next week he’s off to Calgary for his stepson Ryan’s small, intimate wedding.
Chris M. Painted her “new old” house to match the one next door, rallying friends and family to finish in six days. Life runs on “baby time” now, with mornings delayed by her granddaughter’s tea parties and stroller-dog parades.
Pat House painting nearly complete — just the fence left. Took a sunny week in Palm Springs for a break.
Elena Coordinated the loading of a 40-foot container of donated hospital equipment to the Philippines — part of her ongoing work connecting Rotary clubs around the world. Also gearing up for her multicultural community event this Saturday on Victoria Drive, featuring more than 10 countries and a lineup of politicians.
Debbie S. Two calls from AI asking for money — her tip: tell them a joke; robots have no sense of humour. Spent Sunfest weekend watching family play ball, caring for granddaughter Avery, and starring as “the big cheese” in the Newman’s parade alongside a pig, a cow, bacon, a barbecue, and yes… a fork.
Melinda Parade candy is expensive — and mostly eaten by her granddaughter — but still worth it. Took in 200-mph races at Mission Speedway, and is off to “Hot August Nights” in Reno instead of Arizona, to fulfil a family friend’s final wish to see classic cars.
Sandra Prepping for a September trip, nervously watching Air Canada updates. Celebrated her anniversary with a local wine tour, discovering a blueberry wine, enjoying dinner at Lash (formerly Sockeye City), and spotting “Beans” the sports car on the way home.
Garth Tried visiting grandkids in Abbotsford, but plans were derailed when his son-in-law was hospitalized with colitis.
Amanda Loves being back in person. Thanked everyone for responding to the gala survey (detective work was required to ID the anonymous ones). This weekend she’s packing in wine tastings, high tea, and a ghost tour with her sister and brother-in-law, who won the gala’s Victoria trip.
Gordon Recovering from fatigue caused by medication. Tests are ongoing, but enjoying the good weather and glad to be back among friends.
Michael Vegas trip of a lifetime thanks to Larry and Steve’s insider tips — including the $50 “card trick” that landed him a Strip-view room at the Aria. Highlights included a Grand Canyon helicopter ride, the sensory wonder of The Sphere, and a chat with a lifelike AI robot named Aura. Notes that Vegas feels quieter these days, with the economy shifting.
Brian Post-divorce home renovations are done, family therapy’s paying off, and jokes are landing again. Almost managed to keep a comment about a certain ex-wife missing stair railings to himself. Almost. (Not like the robotic AI asking for money. )
Peachy Former community health nurse from the Philippines, she’s thrilled that a container of donated hospital equipment is en route to her home city — the first public hospital there in 30 years.
Larry Birthday week was a marathon — parties every night and a return trip from Birch Bay for a joint dinner celebrating his, Steve’s, and his son’s birthdays. Proud to report no falls this year, despite his watch’s keen monitoring.
Debbie T. The 40-foot container loading was a sight to behold — the food and equipment just kept coming, and the loader kept stacking it higher. Pride parade was shorter this year but still full of energy, with the club’s big electric school bus decked out downtown. But the week’s real comedy came when she borrowed Curtis’s car for a trip to the River Rock car wash barbecue. Drew tagged along, only to step outside onto some treacherous pavement, trip, and — in a move worthy of Superman: The Musical — execute a full flying leap into the side of the car. The car is fine.
*******
MEANDERINGS
Members have been clamoring for this information for weeks now. Notice how the magnetic North Pole is very close to the Geographic North Pole now. Does Santa live at the magnetic North Pole or the Geographic North Pole? 🤔
The Earth's North Magnetic Pole is on the move, driven by changes in the planet's molten iron core.
After centuries of gradual northwest drift toward Siberia, its movement has sped up dramatically since the 20th century, now rapidly approaching Russia.
By studying old compass readings, volcanic rocks, and satellite data, scientists track its daily wobbles within an oval path, revealing the dynamic nature of Earth's magnetic field in contrast to its fixed geographic poles.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Third Thursday of every month will be a projects meeting.
Friday, May 1st, 2026; Rotary Gala.
TODAY'S CHUCKLEs
I know every digit of pi; I'm just not sure about the order.
I had to wrest the jar of peanut butter off him before he went nuts.
He knew something was afoot way before he started his podiatry career.
