Posted by Nick Aroutzidis on Feb 03, 2018
February 8, 2018: John Eberhart - “Hiati project London Club”, our speaker will be introduced by Harry Brightwell and Doug Thompson will thank our speaker.

Head Table:  Our President Linda Bathe, invites, Harry Brightwell, Gezahgn Wordofa, Gary Wreford, John Wright, Jim Young and Katelyb Aitcheson, to join her at the head table.
 
This Week: February 1, 2018: Today, Katherine Hahn, shared her experiences from her recent trip to India. She, along with her son Evan, travelled to Agra, via New Delhi, to participate in the Rotary Club Agra Tajmahal Initiative,  District 3110, Mega Polio Free India Campaign, From 200,000 Cases a Year to Zero,  held January 5-7, 2018. 
 
Katherine started with the traditional Hindu greeting of 'Namaste', which, roughly translated means, "I bow to the God within you" or "The Spirit within me salutes the Spirit in you" - an acknowledgment that we are all made from the same divine consciousness.
 
They arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, following a 13-hour flight and were greeted by terrible smog. New Delhi’s air quality is consistently ranked among the world’s worst. Several problems are raising the pollution to deadly levels. Farmers who have harvested crops in neighbouring states are illegally burning their fields, sending smoke into the air. Construction projects and pollution from vehicles in a city that lacks adequate public transportation are making things worse. Some parts of the city have pollution 40 times the World Health Organization-recommended safe level. Katherine made the comment that the tastes of the spices and smog, remain with her today. 
 
She provided some background on the country of 1.2 billion people, representing 17.5% of the world's population. While growing economically, the gap between rich and poor is extremely wide, with the country having the highest concentration of poor in the world. Despite this, there was hope. Katherine spoke about spending time with Ahika, a delightful young girl whom she described as "India's future". 
 
"The chance to give a child two drops of vaccine that could change their life." As they visited a small village in order to participate in the local vaccination program, Katherine and Evan were greeted warmly. She was nervous while dispensing the vaccine but was touched deeply by the experience. They met two local boys suffering from the effects of Polio, while 8 years old, they appeared much younger, a sad reminder of the fact that this disease is still present and a threat. 
 
Problems in the fight against Polio remain.  A lack of hygienic living conditions and poor nutrition for too many. Around 7% of the population refuse Polio and other, vaccinations. However, local Rotary clubs have been leading the way and have been very generous in their contributions to their communities, in the fight against Polio, as well as in other areas. Scholarships, improving toilets for the children along with many other projects. 
 
They enjoyed visiting the Taj Mahal. Katherine and Evan made many friends on their trip to India. She looks forward to reuniting with some of them at this year's Rotary International Convention in Toronto. 
 
 
Robert Ritz introduced, and Mark Smith thanked our speaker.
 
Scribe: Philip Schroeder
Guests:  Today we welcomed: Helen Mussell, Steve Weed, Robbin Hewitt, Jessie and Sheldon Hahn, Ingra Ingle, Wendy Wilkinson and Lora Pogson (FCRC).
 
 
Draw: The prize this week was donated by an anonymous donor (Gift certificate from Downie Street Burger), and won by Jim Young.
 
Rotary Announcements February 1, 2018
 
Michael Fox: Update on the Rotary Short Story Contest. Thanks to everyone who has stepped up to help, one more judge is required but they must have a literary background.  The Avon Maitland District School Board and the Huron Perth Catholic School board will promote the contest in their schools so we should have a greater participation in the 19 and under category.
 
Wendy Anderson:  Plans are well underway for this year’s Rural-Urban Dinner on April 19, 2018.  The speaker is going to be Andrew Pyper, a novelist, raised in Stratford and son of a good Rotarian.  Ticket price is $35 which will go on sale at the beginning of March. (advanced ticket sales only).
 
Gerry Thuss—Update on Catch the Ace—We are still alive going into week 12.  The month of February sign-up sheet is on Club Runner so please take a look at that and help out where you can.
 
Charlene Gordon---Club Photos—If you would like a printed copy of the club photo please let Charlene know.  The price for an 8.5x11 is $12 including HST.
                  --Stratford Home and Leisure Show.  The show is 65 to 70% sold.  They are doing more promotion on social media and hoping for a successful show.  There will be a volunteer list circulated about the middle of March.  The dates are April 13 to 15th.
 
President’s Corner:
 
Our thoughts are with Paul Siberry and his family due to the recent passing of his mother Dorothy. Visitation and service will be held on Feb 10th and an obituary can be found on the Young’s Funeral Home Web Site.
 
Congratulations to Elizabeth Gaffney for winning the dinner of the monthly draw for January. This is a fundraiser for the Festival City Rotary Club with the proceeds going to the Hospice.  Tickets are still on sale $20 each or 6 for $100
 
After roaming around the city, the past 3 weeks it is time to discuss our future meeting place.
 
First I would like the club to express our appreciation for Charlene and all the work she has put into researching our options over the past 11 months. (Appreciation extended to Gerry Thuss and Katherine Hahn who helped as well).
 
Hopefully, everyone has had a chance to read the chart Charlene has produced.
 
We will open the floor for questions and comments.
 
Has the ANAF determined if we can use the boardroom for our board meetings?
 
Not yet but Charlene will follow up and let us know in the next couple days.
 
Do we have to sign a contract with any of these places for a minimum number of weeks?
 
We have been working on a 36-month arrangement operating on a handshake understanding.  Eventually, there will be an MOU signed.  Any MOU would have an escape clause with appropriate notice.  The ANAF wants to do a 3-month trial before locking into a more permanent contract.  Comment:  Any location we choose should be on a 3-month trial basis.
 
What will we do for meeting rooms for committees?
 
All sites have said that short committee meetings can be held before or after the meeting on Thursdays right on site. For other meetings, we have not done extensive research but other rooms could be sourced in the community.
 
Were there any problems with the meeting at The Festival Motor Inn?
 
There were no problems with the meeting, room size or the meal at the Festival Motor Inn.
 
Net Prices are as follows:
Knights of Columbus: $16
Festival Motor Inn:  $18
ANAF : $17
That does include price increases for 2018.
 
Do any of the sites offer anything to Rotary, advertising, donations etc…?
No
Comment:  L&M donates all the food we sell and profit from at the Craft Show each year.
Our vote will be at next week’s meeting.  We will be using paper ballots and you will have a chance to indicate your first and second choice.  Instructions for email votes will be sent out in the next couple days.
 
Make-ups: no report
 
February’s Attendance Committee: Michael Fox (I/C), Shawn Malvern, Ryan Erb, Bob Malcolmson, Rick Orr, Elizabeth Gaffney, Dan Kane, Wendy Anderson, Debra Swan, John Woollatt
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