Bill was in the chair and let it be known that he takes a dim view of chairs who do not produce their 3 minutes worth of remarks (after getting two days advance notice). One can always go to Google and get some factoids to share, or This Day in History, or review a book (he recommends Bill Nye’s Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation).

 

 

50-50 Draw:  Wayne failed to draw the Queen of Spades, so the pot of $24 carries forward to next week.

 

Visiting Rotarian:   Sharon from South Lake County Club, Florida.

 

 

Makeups:  On 12 April Pam spoke to the Rotary club of Silves.  Marilyn Prescott went as her guest, and both were presented with club banners: Pam by the past president, and Marilyn by the treasurer. This is one of the three English-speaking clubs in the Algarve.

 

Happy Dollars:   Ove has just heard from Pat in the Laurentians where they have 5 feet of snow.  Their daughter has graduated from Jazz to Air Canada, i.e. from a Dash 8 to a 787 Dreamliner !   Patricia got a lot of bulbs from Veseys last fall at half price, planted them, and now they are all coming up !   Wynn quoted a lawyers’ saying: “Just because you did it, it doesn’t mean you’re guilty” (in his last court case the defendant got off free).   Wayne reported that the ice is almost gone from the lake – except for the piece right in front of their property.  Marita was thankful to John for helping her read the Spring Bash sign-up sheet.   Erin leaves today for France and Spain, planning to walk 500 miles in 40 days !

 

Next Week: 26 April 2018:  Paul Harris Evening at Cranewood, 6 for 6:30 p.m.  NOTE: no early morning meeting !

 

President’s Time:  John reported that the Board met last night. We need a new chair of the Fund-Raising Committee and Erin has volunteered to fill this position !

 

 

Speaker:  Darrell introduced guest speaker Amanda Marlin, a graduate of Mount A and Dalhousie, who has worked in a wide range of community development projects in Atlantic Canada, and is now Executive Director, EOS Eco-Energy. 

 

EOS serves the Tantramar-Memramcook area, and is dedicated to community-based solutions to reducing and adapting climate change including energy sustainability, renewable energy technologies, sustainable community planning, local watershed issues and climate adaptation.

 

 

Amanda focussed on a new program developed by EOS: Draft Proofing Work Parties, which are part of a national Emissions Reduction Action Plan. With the help of a home energy advisor, a homeowner gets a group of friends together for a work party to seal air leaks in the home. A project of this kind involves 1. Preparation, 2. Promotion, 3. Application process, 4. Party time, 5. Emissions reduction calculations, and 6. Follow-up with home owners and guests.

 

A pilot project in 2016-17 involved three older houses and was very successful; it was covered on CBC TV.  Funding has been received for a further three years, of which this is the first.   Examples were provided showing the difference the program makes, e.g. one century old home in Murray Corner :

 

 

After a three-hour work party, a 25% reduction in drafts was achieved, saving 7 tonnes of emissions annually. All the participants enjoyed working on the project, and being able to help a family in need.  The homeowners saved $200 a month on their heating bills.  Royal LePage has offered to sponsor more work parties.

 

12 work parties are planned for 2018-19.  EOS is creating a handbook based on their experience in this area so that other groups can offer a similar program elsewhere.

 

For more information see eosecoenergy.com/en/projects/energy-sustainability/

 

 

Chairperson Bill doubled as the thanker, and expressed appreciation to Amanda for a most interesting and informative presentation.

 

The meeting closed with the Four Way Test.

 

Gold Mine Presentations: 

 

 

On behalf of the Sackville Community Association, John Higham accepted a cheque for $634 from Trish.

 

 

Last week Executive Director Karen Valanne accepted a cheque for $629 on behalf of the Tantramar Heritage Trust.