Thanks to the Ghirra’s for everything they do for the community and the Club.

Thanks to Peter and Chris M. for the purchase of the Canopy and everyone who donated.

The Rotary International Convention is in Houston in June 2022. Let Pat know if will be going.

Our next meeting December 2 will be a club business meeting.

Happy Hanukka

Visitors DG Lorne Calder and his wife Sue, ADG Dean Hsieh, and Susan’s Friend 

Lorene Yonemura, who has been a supporter of Richmond Sunrise for many years and a community minded Richmond resident.

Debbie S. ex-prez, says she is most proud of the Clubs ability to pivot during covid times with zoom meetings, the on line auction, sale of the hanging baskets and poinsettias.

Melinda prez to be, (or not to be?) managed to get her tongue untied enough to tell us she is looking forward to the experience of President to get used to speaking in front of a group. She has also scheduled a projects meeting for next week to look into the best ways to help the flood victims.

Sandra, our Secretary, keeper of attendance writer of minutes.

Carolyn the Treasurer, cracks the whip on members to get the money in. Ouch Kal that must have hurt!

Marg our administrator monitors a  super active and great group, he reported modestly.

Debbie M., our Foundation Chair, is also proud of our club. She reported that we have 50% of the club as monthly donors and 6 polio plus society members. She is working on the district foundation dinner and nominees for external Paul Harris and internal Paul Harris.

Mary Lou, membership, once again invited Oscar, reported that we have 35 active members with  over 50% female. This year is the best attendance in history because of the options to members to attend.

Peter Levelton, AC, was pleased with our new canopy displayed at the meeting because of very generous donors in the club. We were able to buy two of them in a matter of minutes. Peter has the proud distinction of not presiding over two auctions(a new record) cancelled by covid. We are planning and hoping to have an auction on May 6, 2022.

Sam embodies the youth of our club and happens to be our Youth Chair(what a coincidence). The Club is like a second family for Sam as he was born into the Club and if the mythe is correct Shelly delivered Sam during a Sergeant at Arms. Sam reported that we are involved in a year long exchange next September and the Interact club has a virtual exchange with an individual from Peru.

Gordon is in charge of international service and grants. He reported that we have received good support from district with local grants including the latest for "Story Walk". The Club is involved projects that align with main goals of Rotary including water, maternity, and education. 

Susan is helping to facilitate peace conversations and building relations with indigenous communities.

Bill blah blah blah and reminded Sam and the rest of us that we have a grade 12 student participating in a virtual exchange right now. So BLAH!

Elena has been a director of  RWHN since it started with our club as one of the organizers. RWHN has shipped containers of medical supplies and books and 7 containers recently were delivered to countries in south Africa. To date RWHN has delivered $145 million to 61 different countries.

I had my one minute of fame pre empted by the DG and his wife. 

Ron thanks the directors and chairs for their work and does not drive when it rains or in the dark.

Belinda reminded us about Richmond Homeless Connect that has delivered food and clothing items in the past. If we have gently used clothes that you no longer use in particular shoes and sweaters bring them Sunday to the luncheon and she will deliver them.

Dick says his eyes are not better than Rons. Also Canada's east coast is getting hit with bad weather as well.

Danny is proud to be a member by zoom.

Debbie T. going to Hawaii Saturday hoping warm weather will help her aching back.

Bobby reported on the Richmond Cares and toy drive at Lansdowne Mall on the weekend with Rotary Tents which ours will join next year. Bobby is amazed when we get his name right. At least no one calls him Dale!🙄

Larry belongs to a wonderful club(is he two timing us????)will miss our luncheon as the priority is grandson’s birthday. A busy week at work with five funerals on Monday.

Chris M. as PR chair says the hardest thing is keeping up with wonderful things our club does and when she said we should have tents, within 24 hours there was enough donated to purchase two tents.

Judy very busy weekend combined with a birthday dinner and pro D Monday so hosted a sleep over for the boys and granddaughter let's see that is five in total.🤯 Exhausted the next day and enjoyed some quiet time at home. Judy bought a new car upgraded to Infinity.(did anyone see the $20 for the S at A?) Has received parenting from her kids. Like why do you need a new car. Bonus came with an installed dash cam.

Kal very happy about conviction of the three, dare we say racists, even in Georgia, even with a mostly white jury.

Michael welcomed the guests. He says we are a second family. Enjoyed a weekend in Whistler with wife, kids, mother and mother and law. Netflix report now watching Tiger King. Apparently they can grow to 11 feet and 900 pounds.

Carolyn’s Financial Presentation which is excellent. 

Lorne Calder our DG reminded us of the goals of this years Rotary Year which is "Each one bring one." He also quoted our current International President:

"Service is the rent I pay to occupy my space on this earth, and I want to be a good tenant."

Lorne's main goal is membership, membership, membership, including retention of members and attracting new members. He then provided us with numbers to remind us how Rotary impacts globally. Currently there are only two countries with four cases of polio. Amazingly the Taliban are allowing vaccinations to continue in Afghanistan. There have been over 2.5 billion vaccinations over the years. The program started with a club in the Philippines and taken on globally in 1985.

Rotary helped found United Nations and is continuing the charge toward a peaceful world with it's peace initiative and Peace Fellows. RI is working on global wellness and health in 194 countries to eradicate cervical cancer with a vaccine and a Malaria vaccine. Rotary has sponsored 40,000 heart operations and $40 million in grants to fight the pandemic. Lorne's District Goals are:

1. Membership
2. Foundation
3. Public image
4. Days of service
5. District conference May 20, 2022
6. World conference – Houston June 2022

He encouraged us to let people know what we do. We had last year a net loss of members. Every district in North America lost member last year. The goal is to grow from 1.2 to 1.3 million members. The District goal is to increase from 1277 to 1400 members. 

He said last year foundation giving was almost a record but it was a new record per Rotarian. Lorne reminded us to join the Polio Plus Society minimum of $100 per year until polio is eradicated. Have a chance to win two weeks in Mazatlan.

Lorne estimated that Rotary has an economic impact of $3 - 4 Billion per year with  Volunteer Hours of $1.18 billion, Project Fundraising 1 – 1.8 billion, Foundation 135 million, Polio Plus 51 million matched is 151 million.

Lorne estimates that district 5040's impact is $4 million. 

He showed us the Certificates of Appreciation for raising funds for Annual Fund and Polio Plus of at least $10,000. Lorne encouraged the clubs to get involved in Strategic Planning to help set goals and Key Performance Indicators.

Everyone in the club needed to get Criminal Records Check as the minimum standard for helping youth and elderly.

Dean’s goal is to get all clubs in Richmond working together.

In recognition of all the Women Entreprenuers in our club and Seafair Gourmet Meats nomination for the Small Business Award of Excellence by the Richmond Chamber of Commerce we celebrate (belatedly) Women's Enterpreneurship Day. Here is the Wikipedia description. 

Women's Entrepreneurship Day was founded and implemented by Pet Pioneer, Animal Fair Media Founder Wendy Diamond after volunteering with the Adelante Foundation who provides microcredit to low income women in Honduras. Upon her return to the US she decided she wanted to develop something to help this and similar philanthropic causes. The first day was held on November 19, 2014, and was observed in 144 countries that year. It was described by Fortune Magazine as “a global movement to celebrate and support female founders and shed light on some of their challenges.” Forbes wrote that the intention was also “to mobilize a global network of female business owners, entrepreneurs, and change-makers who support and empower this community of women entrepreneurs and their businesses.” November 19 was proclaimed an “official day” and is celebrated annually at the United Nations and around the globe. The U.S. House of Representatives also annually recognizes the WEDO movement November 19 as “A Day in Honor of Women Entrepreneurs”.