Bulletin for December 3, 2014
Posted by Nina Benn
Meeting Notes for December 3, 2014
Greeter/Note taker: Jack Parry; Door: Caroline Morley; Sgt: Jack Parry
Invocation: Dan Rippon
Guests: Brianna Green, Meg Coulbertson & Katie (all Rotaract)
Announcements:
This is the last meeting at Glen Meadows for 2014. The meeting for the 10th is cancelled and replaced by the Christmas party at the Benns’ on Saturday Dec. 13th. The Dec 17th meeting will be at the Catalina Grill at which Jack & Elsie MacAulay will give a presentation on their recent Norway area vacation – should be very interesting – spouses are welcome. The Dec. 24th & Dec. 31st meetings are cancelled. The first meeting for 2015 will be on Jan. 7th at Glen Meadows.
Rotaract is selling raffle tickets ($5.00 ea. or 3 for $10.00). Prizes are Christmas hampers, tickets to various venues etc. Proceeds to Childrens’ Hospital & the Joly Nyeko Foundation.
All time slots for the Sally Ann kettles are filled.
Caroline advised that we had 33 at the White Elephant sale and raised approx. $2,100.00.
Gordon Benn will have more info coming on the next Classical Concert in February.
Program:
Guest Speaker, Peter Papagiannis, fundraiser for the Our Place Society.
The Society runs a drop-in centre and transitional housing on Pandora Street for the homeless in downtown Victoria.
“Our Place offers a sense of belonging to Greater Victoria’s most vulnerable citizens. We provide a home, nourishment and hope through living, sharing, learning and worshipping together.”
Our Place is unique in that thanks to private donations and sponsors it has its own purpose-built facility which contains an open concept drop-in centre containing a hygiene area, faith area, computer area and dining area, all supported by private donations and fundraising. There are 45 single unit transitional housing units (funded by BC Govt & CRD Housing) on the upper levels of the building.
The centre has 52 full time employees, 40 part-time and 30 casual employees. Many of the employees (some 30%) are former patrons of the Centre who have successfully transitioned into the workplace.
There are also some 400 volunteers who assist with various endeavours.
There are 8 chefs who currently prepare over 800 meals per day.
The patrons of the Centre come from all demographics but many are youths, typically 19 year olds just coming out of the Foster Care System. Many others fall into the “bad luck” category, e.g. homeless due to the after-effects of car accidents or job loss etc., not just the ubiquitous “drug related”.
Jack MacAulay thanked speaker.
Sgt at Arms:
Ian (in his absence) and Barry were fined for not coordinating Door & Sgt. rosters. Those who were not lucky enough to make a “purchase” at the White Elephant Sale were asked to pay a fine.
Happy Bucks:
None
50/50 Draw:
White marble by Nina.
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.