Rotary Club of Sackville Bulletin July 14, 2016
Posted by Wayne Harper on Jul 17, 2016
For many members, today was one of sadness as our Rotary Youth Exchange student was attending his last Club meeting, and he returns to Belgium on Friday. Arguably, Louis Alsteems was one of the most loved exchange students we have ever had. Ever smiling, always respectful and forever volunteering, he will be missed. We wish Louis a great life and hope he will, one day, come back for a visit. Louis - you Rock! 
After a three week absence, Bill took to the Chairperson's role today. Chairperson Bio's are no longer required. In it's place, Chairperson's are free to talk, for 3 minutes, on any subject they think the members would enjoy hearing about. Today, Bill updated us on the plight of the first refugee family coming to Sackville. This family is actually coming from Beirut, Lebanon and will arrive next week. They are a young couple with one child. 
Another family, from the Congo, will arrive in the coming weeks. The volunteer committee is glad that all their preparations should make for an easier transition for the families.
Another family, from the Congo, will arrive in the coming weeks. The volunteer committee is glad that all their preparations should make for an easier transition for the families.There were no guests today but visiting Rotarian Bill McLeish, from Ottawa attended.
Makeup were had by the by the Gold Mine committee, Pam met Rotarians for a Pin Pal story after finishing two marathons and Mary claimed to be 21 again. Happy birthday Mary.
No surprise that George's 
ticket was once again, drawn for the 50-50 draw. No surprise that the outcome was the same as before. Looking for the 9 
, he drew the ace of 
and missed out on $48.
ticket was once again, drawn for the 50-50 draw. No surprise that the outcome was the same as before. Looking for the 9 , he drew the ace of and missed out on $48. One of our Gold Mine winners was present to collect their winnings. Sandy harper is shown presenting a cheque for $524.50 to Jerry Hicks on behalf of the Tantramar Adult Learning Center.
Similar to last week, members were in a happy mood and a few were sad. Bill was happy that a few weeks ago a member bailed him out (dollar wize) when he was happy but had no money...........Susan F. was sad that her snow plowing machine was leaving - that is, Louis is going back to Belgium on Friday............
Louis was also sad as he thanked the club members for their friendship over the past year. He vowed to visit some day...............Susan P. was happy to offer a PSA for the upcoming Cape Jourimain breakfast. Profits will be used to pay for the moving of the recently acquire lighthouse. After the $50K for the move, another $18K will be needed for renovations.............Wayne was happy that Bill McLeish, a visiting Rotarian whom he met at the farmer's market recently, came to today's meeting...............Trish was happy that the annual Dock, Decks and Drinks is about to start..........Ove was sad to announce that Pat's brother died, but was happy that son Christian came home from Montreal in is wonder $200 car............Dianne was somewhat sad that her father is in hospital in Miramichi and happy that she had a good golf game the other night, was happy that Edna threw a dinner for the hosting families of the RYE exchange and congratulated Dale for a good job coordinating the purchase of the motorized scooter as described last week..........Edna was sad that her son was leaving soon............Wynn was happy that he and Sharon will be going to Oakville, Ontario for the RBC Canadian Open Golf Tournament as volunteers and he was happy that we didn't screw up the National Anthem this morning.
Louis was also sad as he thanked the club members for their friendship over the past year. He vowed to visit some day...............Susan P. was happy to offer a PSA for the upcoming Cape Jourimain breakfast. Profits will be used to pay for the moving of the recently acquire lighthouse. After the $50K for the move, another $18K will be needed for renovations.............Wayne was happy that Bill McLeish, a visiting Rotarian whom he met at the farmer's market recently, came to today's meeting...............Trish was happy that the annual Dock, Decks and Drinks is about to start..........Ove was sad to announce that Pat's brother died, but was happy that son Christian came home from Montreal in is wonder $200 car............Dianne was somewhat sad that her father is in hospital in Miramichi and happy that she had a good golf game the other night, was happy that Edna threw a dinner for the hosting families of the RYE exchange and congratulated Dale for a good job coordinating the purchase of the motorized scooter as described last week..........Edna was sad that her son was leaving soon............Wynn was happy that he and Sharon will be going to Oakville, Ontario for the RBC Canadian Open Golf Tournament as volunteers and he was happy that we didn't screw up the National Anthem this morning.Duty Roster for Next Week
Chairperson Charlie Greeter Jamie
Introducer Gayle Thanker Joyce
Speaker - David Fleming - Hunting for Arsenic in Unexpected Places
There are no committee meetings scheduled for this week. The Foundation Committee met to decide a 100th Anniversary project. They decided on giving water bottles to potential Rotaract students at this year's corn boil...........Susan F. of the Youth Services Committee reported that our outbound RYE student, Adam Niles, is back and will give a presentation to the club on July 28th. Bonnie Russell, out Adventures in Citizenship student, will also give a presentation that day.
President Josh reminded members of the District Conference at the end of August. There are club funds available to assist members who wish to attend. He invited members to the Annual Lobster Party on August 25th at Louise's.
Wayne introduced today's speaker, Michael Fox, a professor of Geography at MTA. Mike's topic was Sackville Schools 2020. 
The Provincial Government has said many times that money is tight and decisions unpopular have to be made. Such was the announcement last year that Dorchester school was to close. Many community members of Sackville decided that they needed to review our school situation. A working group came together last summer (2015) in response to a DEC request to the province to fund a “combining study” for schools in Sackville after an initial decision to close Dorchester School. They concluded that rather than spending millions of dollars on aging school infrastructure…we create a new, 21st century learning environment for Sackville’s students. They then spent many months and many hundreds of hours, aided by many generous people, trying to determine how to make this a reality. They began working with award-winning C21 Group; national council focused on bringing 21st century education to Canadian (and other) students. The group presented a request to the DEC that the outcome of school infrastructure review should be creating a 21st century learning environment in Sackville. This would require a new facility: combining TRHS & Marshview would not deliver this result the community desires. They requested that Sackville Schools 2020 be a part of the school review process. The group imagined…..the opportunity for a larger, multi stakeholder project, anchored by a new school development, emerged (new schools, library, seniors services/residences, social services, athletic facilities, Mount A, NBCC); imagined… a full-scale, integrated community education model where all educational functions and facilities worked together.
The Provincial Government has said many times that money is tight and decisions unpopular have to be made. Such was the announcement last year that Dorchester school was to close. Many community members of Sackville decided that they needed to review our school situation. A working group came together last summer (2015) in response to a DEC request to the province to fund a “combining study” for schools in Sackville after an initial decision to close Dorchester School. They concluded that rather than spending millions of dollars on aging school infrastructure…we create a new, 21st century learning environment for Sackville’s students. They then spent many months and many hundreds of hours, aided by many generous people, trying to determine how to make this a reality. They began working with award-winning C21 Group; national council focused on bringing 21st century education to Canadian (and other) students. The group presented a request to the DEC that the outcome of school infrastructure review should be creating a 21st century learning environment in Sackville. This would require a new facility: combining TRHS & Marshview would not deliver this result the community desires. They requested that Sackville Schools 2020 be a part of the school review process. The group imagined…..the opportunity for a larger, multi stakeholder project, anchored by a new school development, emerged (new schools, library, seniors services/residences, social services, athletic facilities, Mount A, NBCC); imagined… a full-scale, integrated community education model where all educational functions and facilities worked together.Why Now is the Right Time? Sackville is about to embark on its next Community Strategic Plan. The group has met with Mayor & Council to ask for education to be the economic and cultural focus of our community (recognize what already exists and strengthen it!) Education is already the single largest economic engine in the town – 600 jobs, millions of $$$ in salaries and investments. Sackville Schools 2020 recommends making an integrated, multi-use 21st century educational facility the centerpiece of new plan: – community access – shared services – meeting spaces – new library Create a community development corporation to execute upon this vision – athletic facilities – public health – seniors housing.
Michael was thanked by Josh and presented with a pen and certificate. A book in his name will be donated to a local library.
The meeting was adjourned with the 4-way-test.
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