Last weeks meeting
Repeat from last week: Thanks to the Ghirra's for providing the venue and the continental breakfast. Please do not sing O Canada at the Rotary meeting as it increases the likelihood of the spread of the virus. Also please social distance while at the meetings not only for all of the members health but we could be closed down.
Presidents Report
The President's Dinner is cancelled because of the issue of member safety and the desire to have an event that can include all members.
Let's all keep each other safe by following the protocols below when attending our morning meetings:
1. Use hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the meeting
2. Maximum of 3 people per table
3. Maintain physical distancing of 2 meters at all times (including when at the buffet)
4. No singing of O'Canada
5. No passing around of sign up sheets, cards, etc
6. No money will be accepted during Sergeant at Arms
(The Board strongly encourages members to annually e-transfer a minimum of $102/Rotarian to cover S@A contributions for the year)
President Debbie also advised that if you wish to contact a board member or if someone you know wants to join they can go to our web site and click on any of the names of the executive and send them an email. Good to know.
Secretary Sandra announced that the Club mail box is closed so if you pay by cheque please bring your cheque to our meetings or you can pay by etransfer at sunriserotary.5040@gmail.com. Carolyn has sent an email with instruction on how to e-transfer. The Clubs email address is rotaryrichmondsunrise@gmail.com.
Elena advised that she has 32 pallets of cleaner looking for a home. She is going to contact Balinda to see if Coastal Health can use it. If you can use it or know some one who could please contact Elena.
Please direct any questions to me or a board member of your choosing and we will discuss any and all questions or concerns during our board meeting.
Be kind and be calm...
be socially distant and don't sing!
Visitors
10 Zoomers
Sergeant At Arms Tidbits
Mary Lou thanked Sandra for hosting the Board meeting. She had been golfing in the heat but no mention of whether her golfing was also hot or what?
Chris M. was cleaning up the lot next to her property so she could host her sisters 60th birthday party of 20 people with appropriate social distancing.
Bill's friend Jack Berman sadly passed away from Covid 19 after spending 100 days in ICU. Very sad our condolences. Bill and Shelly are off to Summerland.
Dick thanked Ron for reminding Dick to carry a mask.
Kathy had good news that she was not treasurer any more but went to celebrate at Ketch restaurant and thank husband Don for his help. She has had terrible hip pain and had massage therapy. Garth recommended CBD and claimed the THC had been removed while giggling as he made this claim.
Gordon had to be awakened by the crowd and discovered it was Thursday zoom day.
Debbie T. cannot go back to the gym yet but is off to enjoy Victoria even though the hot tub will not be open. Drew in a hot tub!!! Too much information.
Susan reported live from the Costco parking lot that she was contacted by BCIT Alumni and has joined a book club for the first time ever. Son Ryan is learning how to drive a tractor.
Carolyn's family is coming home so the end of peace and quiet. She thanked Kathy and husband for the hours of work done on the Clubs books.
Amanda worked until 2 AM and is booked until the December and will no longer be known as Ananda, we all need to adjust.
Garth reported that there is something wrong with his ears as his mask keeps falling off. Nothing to do with CBD or TCH maybe.
Dalbir is attending a Covid safe first birthday for his granddaughter. He also went downtown for the first time and reported that there is nobody on the street and near his building is a complete construction zone.
Marg's surgery is a week away and she canned 57 jars of blueberry marmalade. Ron said he had an empty mason jar for her in the car.
Sandra said she had a zoom Notte Bene wine tasting and if you want a zoom meeting to go quickly just do a wine tasting and the time flies by.
Joyce had a nice visit with brother and sister in law and watched a yacht with an "L" on the aft end as the Yachtsman attempted to back into the dock - several times.
Michael would have spent his Monday off as usual at Cultus Lake but there were about 10 times the number of people on the beach so he and the family came home and the trip also took about 10 times as long.
Peter after convincing Jane to take CBD for her pain has also become her supplier. With Dr. approval of course.
Ron has been spending 4.5 hours a day in his garden. He brought some zucchini in his car for club members. The rest grew to be too large and became chicken feed. He has five restaurants as tenants and they have recently returned to full rent but there is still a lot of uncertainty.
Pat was going to have a new telus door bell but ended up with a front door camera instead? Somehow?
Elena went camping with family for a week and took most of her kitchen with her - possibly even the kitchen sink. She entertained the family with her guitar playing.
Justin did not give permission to me to publish Sam's report in the bulletin. Let's just say it involved Justin taking an overdose of ex-lax and Sam calling 811. Sam then left Justin alone with his "thoughts" for the day. Justin is still with us. The Jury is out on Sam still being with us.
President Debbie thanked Sandra for hosting the board meeting and making dinner. She suggested two ways to help cope with covid. You need someone to love and second, arrange events to have something to look forward to. She loves her Rotarians and others and urged us to schedule events to have something to look forward to.
spEAKER
Christine M. spoke to us about coping with Covid in education. On March 17th just as spring break was starting they were told that schools would not be reopening creating a lot of anxiety and stress. March 30th was the first day no one was back at school although set up to take the children of health care workers. In April teachers were getting on line to try and help the most vulnerable students. They also contacted every single student by May and started to roll out the on line program. The teachers and staff wanted no student left behind. Chris showed us a schedule for one of her teachers and the students and it was packed full of to dos and activities for the kids. In mid May they were told the children would be back in school June 1st. The school was disinfected, classes were set up to be social distance and every second activity on the schedule for the children was washing hands. The first couple of weeks dealt with health and safety protocols and constant sterilization. Many teachers stayed at home and less than a third of children attended. During the last part of June there were grad ceremonies and meeting the new kindergarten children but it was without the usual good emotions that were present in previous years. Chris gave us examples of children and family reaction. One child stopped coming even before the lock down. Some children became stars and some could not cope. Some still needed lots of support and the educational assistants would service their needs. There was a student who required an E/A at school but became a star at home. Teachers coped differently as well as some were already on line and others struggled to adjust. It was also difficult to deliver the right amount of curriculum and to keep the students engaged. This experience showed how attending school helped level the playing field because of the diversity outside the home in parent support and technical resources. Chris wanted to emphasis the silver linings. The adjustments were meant to build community on line by connectivity, creativity, organization, fun, inclusivity and shared experience. The teachers and staff worked hard to support the school community through their flexibility, creativity determination, hard work and humour. They will be ready in the fall for what ever is required.
Thank you Chris and your staff for your effort and for caring so much about what you do!
Meanderings
The SaRS-CoV - 2 virus that causes Covid 19 is 29,900 base genomes long which are the building blocks of RNA and DNA. Influenza has about 13,300 bases and the common cold virus is about 8,000 pairs. The SaRS-CoV-2 virus can proof read and correct copies as it replicates. This length is highly unusual and may be why it can fend off our immune system. The virus can camouflage itself with sugar molecules and block anti bodies. It is also suspected the viruses proteins can block sensor proteins from sending a message to the immune system.
Alexander Pushkin, a Russian Poet, was quarantined twice during Cholera epidemics in Russia in the early 1800s. He had a surge of creativity during these times.
Our Christine M. has also had a surge of creativity in her work and also shared this poem with us that was written I think by her sister for her sisters birthday.
The Pandemic Party
We live in a time of COVID-19,
The craziest time that we’ve ever seen.
An odd time for birthdays, that is for sure,
But here are some rules, until there’s a cure:
No birthday bumps (thank God) for me
And maybe no hugs, just hip hip horee?
Masks aren’t a must but an option, you see,
Depends how you follow Doctor Bonnie.
Distance is good, the physical kind,
But we’re socially close . . . I hope you won’t mind.
Two yards are yours in the Mercer Compound.
So, space galore can always be found.
No bowls of chips, no bowls of dip,
And at your own risk from others’ glasses you sip.
A candle will be lit, it is a birthday,
But I won’t blow on the cake and infect you this way!
We’re bringing together many bubbles ‘tis true,
But it wouldn’t be a birthday without all of you!
Upcoming Events.
July meetings will be at 14431 Knox Way behind the Grand Ballroom or by Zoom.
September 11th 2020 President's Dinner - NOT
Committee (and other) Updates
On Line Fund Raisers being planned.
The Projects Committee approved a $2,500 donation to the FeedUcate Program to provide vulnerable students with a bag of groceries in the fall.
Today's Chuckle
There are two types of people who complain about taxes - men and women!
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