President Ken Opens the meeting

 
President Ken opened the meeting.
O'Canada was sung and the Rotary prayer was said.
 

President Elect Brandy

 
President Elect Brandy welcomed guests:
Lucy Briggs - Jocelynn's daughter
Kattie MacGregor - Jocelynn's guest

Kim

 
Kim took the podium to promote the Rotary Club's Family Fun Day at Cann Lake.
There will be free hot chocolate, and a chili contest.
A sign up sheet went around asking Rotarian's to help set up and take down.
Yellow hats were for sale, $10 each, so Rotarian's will be viable day of the event.
 

A word from Gord...

 
Gord reminded us that the Rotary Gala in Bracebridge with the performance of Wizard of Oz is taking place on Thursday, February 26 and tickets are $75
Gord also reminded us that Scotia Bank is matching the donations for the books dollar for dollar. There has to be books to sell to make the money. Bring your used books to Scotia Bank ASAP and also consider buying some!  Gord handed out bags to make it easier for those to transport their used books.

Everything Rotary, with Ron!

 
Every Girl. Everywhere. Period.
By Celeste Mergens, District 5050
“What are the girls doing for feminine hygiene?” In 2008, I was
working on education initiatives in Kenya and I asked this question
of one of directors at a local orphanage.
The answer was shocking: “Nothing. They wait in their rooms.”
. . . and Days for Girls International was born.
One of the keys to reversing cycles of poverty and bringing more equity for women lies in sanitation. Millions of girls and women worldwide suffer days of isolation, infection, and exploitation due to a perhaps surprising issue—lack of menstrual hygiene management. If you just gasped, you’re not alone. Many
of us have never considered its impact on global development or would rather talk about anything but menstruation. However, Rotarians might not be surprised that one of the major causes of disempowerment of girls and women in poverty is their monthly cycle.
 
In the February 2014 issue of Rotarian magazine, Rose George summed the taboo up, “Menstruation. There, we said it. Now let’s talk about it, because girls are suffering.” In fact, in this decade, Rotary is already stepping up to help. WASRAG (Water and Sanitation Rotary Action Group) announced at the 2014 International Rotary Convention in Sydney that menstrual hygiene management will be one of its targets. Days for Girls International (www.DaysforGirls.org) is a global leader in this work, and was featured at the Rotary International Convention in Sydney. Since its founding six years ago, the organization has reached girls, women and communities in 76 nations throughout the world. In Rotary style, we have sought local feedback so that our washable hygiene kits and accompanying women’s health education is culturally, physically and environmentally feasible. Rotary is an important partner.
 
The Kaysville Rotary Club in District 5050 held a community-wide funding and awareness event to establish a Days for Girls SHE (Sewing and Health
Enterprise) in Mali, helping start a community-based washable pad business, where business and women’s leadership combine to
make more kits possible in communities. Bill Gorman, from the Bellingham Bay Rotary Club distributed these kits in Guatemala, “We saved the kits for last. We were hesitant to share them but it was a big deal. They were so animated about receiving them. It’s life-changing for the young women to
have access to these hygiene kits and really kind of profound for the American high school girls who were with us as well. Such a
big impact with such a simple solution.”
 
Vida Peterson, a Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Port Moody, who is also president of the board of Days for Girls Canada, says, “Our club gave a grant to pay for about a year’s supplies and paid for Days for Girls Canada to become a registered Canadian charity. As a result we are expanding and have made and sent kits to Haiti, the Philippines, as well as to South Africa via containers shipped by Rotary World Help Program. And setting up a Days for Girls Sewing and Health Enterprise not only helps the girls receive kits but also will be providing employment to 10 women. “We know that for each woman
employed, 10 more are fed as a result, continues Vida. “That’s important community impact that I'm delighted to be part of, thanks to two of my passions, Rotary and Days for Girls."

So how can your Rotary club make a difference?
Donate to Days for Girls International directly.
Support a Chapter or team, supplying funds for kit materials to be completed into kits.
Partner with Days for Girls by taking kits with you on Rotary project expeditions or by funding
and helping steward a Days for Girls SHE (Sewing and Health Enterprise).
Invite a Days for Girls Chapter to speak at your club about this issue (there are already 315+
chapters and teams on six continents) and raise awareness.
Make kits yourself!
 

Congratulations Peter!!

 
Peter received a Paul Harris +1 pin today for his financial commitment and dedication to Rotary.
When you give to The Rotary Foundation, you support Rotary's work across the world and help ensure our future. You can choose where to direct your donation and how you wish to give. Recognition is offered at many giving levels.

K-E-L-L-Y, Why? Because we love you!!

 
Kelly gave her classification, she was born on December 17, 1967 in Barrie. Her family owned Go Home Lake Marina in Mactier.  She has an older brother John. Her husbands name is Ed and her daughter's name is Jorja.  She got her diploma in Early Childhood Education however found her calling in the fitness and nutrition field, now working at Fitt Gym.  In April Kelly will be climbing to base camp on Mt. Everest.  The trip is through an organization called Dream Mountains Foundation to raise money for Dreams Take Flight, an organization that takes kids to Disney when they wouldn't otherwise we able to go. Dreams take flight is very near and dear to Kelly's heart as her nephew is currently battling cancer.
 

Kelly and Brandy a force to be reckon with!

 
In the matter of a few weeks these two women will be climbing to base camp on the highest mountain on Earth, and the highest point on the Earth's crust, base camp is at 17590’ feet. The mountain, which is part of the Himalaya range in Asia, is located on the border between Sagarmatha Zone, Nepal, and Tibet, China.  Both Kelly and Brandy have chosen a charity to support with their climb, Kelly is supporting Dreams Take Flight and Brandy is supporting SOS Children's Villages. Donate today to help both Kelly and Brandy reach their fundraising goals:
 

Foundation Funding and Happy Bucks!

 
Joclynn's ticket was drawn and Lucy cut the deck, unfortunately the card Lucy turned over wasn't the correct one!
 
Happy bucks came from:
Jennifer S.          Kelly
Brandy          Kim
George          Bob
Ken          Mary
          Lou       Lucy/Jocelynn
 
REMEMBER:
Bowling lunch on the 25th of February!!
Comfort Inn has some free beds should you need one.