President: Chris Bailey called the meeting to order at 7:30a
Scribe: Dave Brinsmead for P. Kinash
Greeter: Gary Williamson for G. Hampton
Attending: 20 in total; 15 members in-person; 4 members on Zoom, one guest speaker Amy Tesfari
Anthem: Those present sang O’ Canada
Invocation Roger Frayne offered a thoughtful opening prayer
Rotary Business
- Gary Webster of the CS committee advised that our club should boost its contribution to I Can for Kids by 2,500 this Rotary Year. Earlier we had approved $5,000 and this would bring the total to 7,500 for Rotary Year 2021-’22. This serves as First Reading.
- Jeff D. reports that we now have fulfilled our volunteer complement including a couple of spares for the casino at Cowboys on Sat/Sun June 25 & 26.
- With pandemic restrictions winding down, Dave B. suggested the club executive change our regular breakfast start time back to 7:00 am. President Chris said he would defer this call to the new Executive.
Presentation: Greening Africa Organization
B. Dickson introduced today’s speaker Amy Tesfari who was born in Ethiopia, immigrated to Sweden before moving to Toronto and now Calgary. Although trained as an electrical technologist, she currently is a realtor here. In addition, Amy has devoted her personal time and energy to growing trees in Tanzania and Africa.
The Project
Greening Africa has started in two villages with about 800 and 400 families respectively. It is a project of the NGO Pachamama Raymi. The name “Greening Africa” points at the potential for Tanzania and other countries.
Amy showed us a video with English subtitles, to illustrate the terrain and the heavy work cultivating the soil, delivering irrigation, purchasing small trees, constructing a sturdy fence around a small area before planting.
In spite of the apparent hopelessness of the situation of the families, we believe that reclaiming the natural area with trees resources is an important opportunity which can eventually make people relatively prosperous. ,
Our members had questions such as whether Amy’s huge project has a CRA charitable designation….which it is does not. Others suggested similar international environmental aid groups that Greening Africa should partner with.
In thanking Amy Tesfari, Bill D. expressed amazement at how much impact one person like Amy can have on such as huge undertaking as Greening Africa. In recognition of her presentation here today our Rotary club will fund the inoculation of 80 young children internationally against the polio virus.
Rotary Moments
- Gary Williamson went to the podium to advise that Bill Pollitt & Marie Parsons will celebrate their 32nd Wedding Anniversary tomorrow.
- Gary then shared the names of famous people who share this birth date as well as historical events associated with May 11th.
Big Word
R. Elford highlighted the word “penumbra” which is a celestial term also appropriate today in light of the widely varying political views when interpreting the intentions limited wording of their 1776 US Constitution.
Sergeant at Arms
Irene O. fined Gord C. $2 for some sin committed during the meeting. Self-imposed ten dollars fine by President Chris for not bring an agenda this morning. Irene charged attendees $2 for not wearing a name badge or Rotary pin.
50/50
With $71 at stake and Gary W. holding the winning ticket, he recited the 4-Way test but unfortunately missed drawing the Ace.
Adjourned 8:35a
