• Elena has left for the Philippines for humanitarian work and has received gifts from our club.  Maybe we could think about giving more support.
• Carolyn spoke about the Peace Scholarships:  We fund 50 people to do full Master’s programs in universities around the world for Peace Studies.  In Sweden, they have a centre for Holocaust and Genocide.  There are 80 scholarships for people working in peace development around the world and we funded one of the recipients last year.  The committee team was four PDGs, with Carolyn, that review applications before the last step in selection.  The message that is coming through clearly is that there is hope in the world, but there is also heartbreak.  This year Carolyn learned about conflict and crises in Africa, about people working on the ground doing tremendous and horrendous work, with hope.  They put their lives on the line and some of the scholarship candidates are in danger daily.  But this is how they have grown up, wishing for peaceful resolutions for solving conflict rather than gun barrels.  This year what stood out was that the crisis in the Ukraine has diverted attention from countries like Afghanistan who are still in need because of daily crises.  Global support is down.  In the horn of Africa, the whole area has had major drought and have lost over 3 million cattle, which is what their economy is based on.  They are facing mass starvation and women have to decide which child to feed as there is not enough to go around. Rain, when it came, didn’t soak into the soil, but ran off, as there is no infrastructure in place.  While the crisis in the Ukraine is strong, we mustn’t forget the other crises in the world.  It was a powerful experience to sit comfortably on her deck with coffee and think about the rest of the world.  Thanks to Gordon and to rotary for the opportunity and support. 
• Gordon’s annual 22 page report on the Rotary Foundation VTT project in Canada and Kenya – bringing education to teachers there, a 21^st C education, integrating technology into curriculum.  Covid interrupted, but our teachers went to Kenya and we were hoping to receive the Kenyan teachers here.  We are starting to get back to it.  Rotary Foundation granted $110 000 US for the program.  They have moved to online delivery.  About a dozen teachers were supposed to come here, but with Zoom we could have 62 teachers – a hidden covid benefit.  There will be a monthly zoom program, then more intense sessions in small groups.   We will put a note on our website and link it to the report.   Interestingly, very few of the Kenyan teachers had heard of Google, Zoom, how to use google docs, what’s an app, etc.  This much initial learning was not expected.  Another surprise was a textbook that talked about questioning techniques, and in a culture where the teacher knows all and is not to be questioned, this 21^st c education perspective is novel.  They are not accustomed to being challenged or queried and it took several months to get this new message across, but now they are becoming more comfortable with it.  They are adopting the methods and realize that they can be used in many contexts.  The Foundation money contributed is being well used, and there is still have about $60 000 left to use. 
• Pat reminds us about the inaccurate and unfair article that was published re. the Paul Harris External Awards and is waiting for DG Calder to respond.  In the meantime, we have submitted amended articles with correct information.  
• The External Paul Harris debrief meeting was productive and we have recommendations for next time
• Thanks to our committees for being such people of action.
• Poinsettias, hanging baskets and auction gala fundraising was great
• Thanks for the President’s dinner, and for the gift certificate to the restaurant and the bouquet.  Pat has sent an email to all to thank them. 
• Thanks to Bobby and Michael and the team for setting up the Ballroom every morning.
• It was a pleasure and an honour to be president.  Thanks for going easy at the roast last week.
• Congratulations to Melinda and the incoming board. 

“Today, we celebrate the country we love, and the people we share it with. Canada is home to over 38 million people: Canadians who live in cities and towns – big and small; people who are indigenous to this land; and those who’ve been here for weeks, months, years, or for generations.

“Canada is strong because of our diversity. No matter what our faith is, where we were born, what colour our skin is, what language we speak, or who we love – we are all equal members of this great country.

“Today, we celebrate the place we all call home. I know for some, our country’s historic wrongs can make that difficult. But while we can’t change history, we can put in the work to build a better future; one that reflects our values of hope, resilience, kindness, respect, and generosity.

“Generation after generation, Canadians have shown that we can deliver on those values. We did it when we adopted our charter in 1982, we did it when we took care of each other during the pandemic, and we do it every day when we welcome refugees with open arms.

“Today is an opportunity for us all to recommit ourselves to those values – values that the Maple Leaf represents. Because our flag is more than a symbol, it’s also a promise. A promise of opportunity. A promise of safety for those fleeing violence and war. And a promise of a better life.

“As we come together today, let’s think about what this country means to us – and tomorrow, let’s challenge ourselves to find new ways to live up to the great promise of Canada. From my family to yours, Happy Canada Day!”