Photographer: Dianne
After a rousing rendition of “O Canada” led by George, chairperson Trish gave her 3 minutes + intro by reading two moving passages on “Rivers” by Harry Thurston from Silver Ghosts Photographs by Thurston and Holownia.
Visiting Rotarian: Bill McLeish from the Metro Ottawa club.
50-50 Draw: Dale failed to draw the Queen of Spades, so the pot of $35 carries forward to next week.
Gold Mine Draw winner Mary Ann Crossman, accompanied by her son Kerby, was on hand to collect her winnings of $3,876.
Makeups: Morgan had makeups in Toronto and Dundas, and presented a banner from the Dundas club to President John.
PinPal Stories: Stacey met Rotarians at the Liberal Convention and a California Wine Fair. Dale and his brother visited Gettysburg National Park where the tour guide was a Rotarian. Pam (via Bill) reported meeting a Rotarian in the Amsterdam airport; she is in Holland for the tulip festival, and is expected back next week.
Gold Mine Presentation: Elaine Smith accepted a cheque for $650.50 from Lesley on behalf of the Sackville Memorial Hospital Foundation.
Happy Dollars: Susan F is expecting 18 house guests for Convocation weekend. Patricia is enjoying a visit from two grandkids. Charlie is happy to have daughter Mary here for a short visit; she has three paintings in the new Fog Forest Gallery exhibition, and is helping with the forthcoming book. Gayle feels like a long-haul trucker having been to Montreal/Ontario twice recently. Elaine Smith was glad to be back visiting Rotary and grateful for the Gold Mine donation. Along with about 80 others she will be attending her 50th Mount A reunion. She also commended the 2018 Accuracy is the Best Result Chemistry Campaign which has already taken in $87,000 in donations.
Next Week: 10 May 2018: Chair – Wayne, Greeter – Trish, Introducer – Dianne, Thanker – Marita, Speaker – Laura Bretherton.
Rotary Foundation: As a follow-up to last week’s Paul Harris evening, David presented newer members Morgan, Lesley and Stacey with 100 RF points each – a start towards their first Paul Harris Fellow.
Rotaract: Susan F reported on the Wellness Fair and thanked 4 ½ Rotary and 5 Rotaract volunteers.
Fund Raising: Jamie exhorted members to sell tickets for the Spring Bash.
President’s Time: John reminded members to vary where they sit week by week, and chairs to remember that their intro remarks are to be limited to 3 minutes.
Speaker: David introduced guest speaker John Read, President of the South East Regional Adult Learning Board who spoke on “Open Doors GED and Adult Learning.”
Literacy is of crucial importance: imagine not being able to read prescription drugs, send emails, check your bank statement, or read poetry. Canada scores about average in international surveys (it is the #11 country), but New Brunswick is way below the national average (the #11 province). The position has not changed since 5 or 10 years ago; if anything, it is worse. More than half of adults in New Brunswick between the ages of 16-65 do not have the level of literacy and essential skills needed to successfully function in today’s society.
A community adult learning network delivers literacy classes throughout the province. It offers flexible hours, and there is no charge for the classes. Class sizes average about 8 to 10. Teaching is all self-paced, in a friendly and relaxed environment. The very able teacher in Sackville is Cynthia Adams who has taught adults since 1995 and has 40 GED (General Educational Development) graduates to her credit.
The South East Region has 26 employees, 4000 learners and has had 700 GED graduates.
The program faces a number of challenges. Potential clients are referred by a number of agencies, but much more needs to be done in the way of marketing. Volunteers are needed to serve on the board/executive/committees. The program is only partly funded by the province (because it is not fully bilingual). Breaking his usual rule, John asked for some financial assistance.
Louise expressed the club’s thanks to the speaker, and the meeting closed with the Four Way Test.
