Edition: August 22, 2023
wellingtonrotary.ca Chartered November 22, 2002
Rotarian of the Year:
Yvonne Buys
Club Bulletin for week of August 22, 2023 This Week: Leah GW
Concert at Port Milford
President's Message
This week’s message is going to be short but sweet; I’m too tired (after our Sunday event) to do much of anything else!
Today’s Community Appreciation event was a big, but exhausting, success. I don’t know how many people attended over the 6-hour span, but it was certainly several hundred. I was delighted to see so many kids, and they were obviously delighted with the face painters, the petting zoo, the balloon man, the assorted games and creative activities – not to mention the popcorn and cotton candy! There was plenty of good food and everyone seemed to have a great time, including some people up dancing to The Reasons.
I was blown away by the number of Rotarians, and Rotary spouses, who laboured the entire day, some from 8 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon, to make the event very special for our community. You certainly demonstrated that the Rotary motto - “service above self” – is not just words for you, it’s a way of life. Thank you, all, for your dedication and commitment.
I am also pleased to report we received three responses to our “Join Us” invitation, from people interested in joining our club. Peter will be following up with each of them and I hope to see them as guests at one of our meetings in the near future.
Now, I’m going to make myself a cup of tea, put my feet up for a well-earned rest, and probably fall asleep within about ten minutes.
Lyn McGowan
President, Rotary Club of Wellingto
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Last Week: Tarn Breedveld (Conservation in Massai Mara)
Meeting Notes by Barry Davidson
ROTARY MINUTES AUG 15
There were 32 members and two guests, Shirley Smith and Lois Brown, to hear Tarn Breedveld, David & Shirley Smith’s nephew, talk about the business of conservation on the Masai Mara, Kenya. Tarn has worked in Africa for many years and this year became a member of a Rotary club there.
Conservation is a land management endeavour that has been secondary to safaris and the tourist business. Tarn worked at a safari company and tried to stop poachers who stole animals from the legal hunters. However, although hunting paid for conservation efforts, Tarn thought there had to be a better way to manage the process. Trying to protect the animals from poachers was too late so he started to engage with the native Masai community. Fortunately he found a financial supporter, Virgin Airlines owner, Sir Richard Branson, who shared his vision. Conservancy of Masai landowners were formed: 23 of them involving 16,000 land owners who use tourist dollars for conservation. The Mahali Mzuri hotel was built and became the #1 hotel in the world to add to the income stream. For his contribution, Tarn was honoured to be made a Masai elder.
When COVID hit, the tourist money stopped immediately. To survive, some NGO’s stepped in and 16,000 of the land owners took a lease cut. A new revenue stream had to be found. The answer was to develop a carbon-offset program based on a sustainable grazing plan for the Masai cattle, their livelihood. The grasses that grow are carbon sinks so by alternating and moving the grazing areas, optimum carbon can be sequestered in the ground and carbon credits can be sold.
Club Business:
Tim reviewed all the plans for the Wellington Party this Sunday at the ball diamond. He confirmed which volunteers were responsible for each activity. Setup starts at 8 am and the party runs from 10-5 pm. Everyone was reminded to wear Rotary apparel.
Bill Hurst had his 50:50 ticket drawn and he drew the ace of spades, winning about $200..
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Thank-You to All Rotarians, Spouses, Friends of Rotary, and Volunteers Who Made the Wellington Rotary Community Appreciation Event a Success!
Drone Picture of Wellington Community Event Attendees
Chief Organizers, Bill Mitchell & Tim Cox
Yvonne with the Rotary "face painting" Some of the Rotarians & Volunteers Taking a Break
Past Pres. Ken & David Smith hard at work In case new Rotarians have not met Richard Todd
David Hawkins (& Geoff Telling Photo Bombing) Enjoying a Cotton Candy
More pictures will be posted on the Website Photo Album by next week.
Bottle Depot Volunteers Schedule for This Week
Wednesday Aust 23, 2023
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: John Inwood, Ken Robertson, Ted Nash, Sethu (FoR)
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Roger Tessier, Dave Robinet, Dave Wallace (FoR), John Heeringa
Saturday August 26, 2023
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Doug Henderson (FoR), Phil McMillan (FoR)
Needed: 1 Rotarian Cashier, 1 Sorter/Receiver
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Trudy Brown, Phyo Kyi, Robin Schultz (FoR), Peter Campbell
O Lord and giver of all good
We thank thee for our day food
May Rotary friends and Rotary ways
Help us to serve thee all our days.
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Four Way Test
Of the things we think, say, and do:
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and better
FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all
concerned?
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Rotary Song
R-O-T-A-R-Y, that spells Rotary.
R-O-T-A-R-Y, is known on land and sea.
From north to south, and east to west,
They profit most who serve the best,
R-O-T-A-R-Y, that spells Rotary.
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