August 29, 2005 South Mouth
Guest Speaker Dominic Ventresca, Director, Senior Services for the Community Services Department of the Regional Municipality of Niagara, gave Rotarians a hopeful view of aging in Niagara at the August 29, 2005 meeting of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South.
Weekly Bulletin of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South
August 29th,
Volume Nine, Meeting Seven
Reporter: Roseanne Morissette
Call to Order: President Bob McKay
O
Loyal Toast: Brian Radford
Invocation: Laetitia de Witt
GUESTS AND VISITING ROTARIANS
Jim Shannon introduced five guests: Dominic Ventresca, Director, Senior Services, Community Services Department, Regional Municipality of Niagara; Visiting Rotarian Peter Snodgrass; Kim Payne, Tourism Development Officer, City of St.Catharines; Georgette Taylor, spouse of Matt Taylor; and Patti Brown, spouse of Norris Brown.
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
John Chotka, serving as Sergeant-at-Arms, gave the following fines to:
Every rotarian...present at last week's meeting for singing O Canada so badly;
Jim Shannon...for his huge scoop of ice cream;
Matt Taylor...for holding up the poker game on the weekend;
Matt Taylor and Norris Brown...for referring to their wives as guests and not their significant others;
Brian Radford...for his displeasure at being fined;
Bob McBride...for his grandson's visit to John's office today;
Laetitia de Witt...for grace;
Bob McKay...for grace; and
Dan Toppari...for Ribfest;
John Chotka, serving as Sergeant-at-Arms, accepted the following Happy Dollars from:
Paul Massuet...for assistance given by Doug Foss and Laetitia de Witt to Paul's adopted daughter and granddaughter from France;
June Manning...for a new addition to the Manning family--Ian Robert Manning, 10 lbs. 1 oz.;
Jim Shannon...for his 56th wedding anniversary September 1st, 2005;
John Klassen...for Georgette Taylor and for his son who is moving out of the house; and
Ed Telenko...for the Hamilton Ti Cats finally winning a game!
DIRECTOR REPORT
Doug Foss is the Director of International Services. Based on the Object of Rotary, International Service is one of the Four Avenues of Service that form the cornerstone of Rotary's philosophy and the foundation on which club activity is based. Doug reported that he is committed to this very important task and will provide a more indepth report at a later date.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Bob announced that Rotary International is looking for a new Director for Zone 22. Interested rotarians should contact Bob for further information.
The Club's First Assembly will be held on September 13th, 2005, 6:00 p.m. at Dom's Pasta & Grill at the corner of Schmon Parkway and Merrittville Highway. $15.00 Buffet. Rotarians can meet for a round of golf at Brockland commencing at 3:00 p.m. $14. per nine holes. Please email Ron Kozub if you are interested in playing golf or planning to attend the Assembly.
September/October Meetings/Events:
September 5th: No meeting (Labour Day)
September 8th: First Rotary District 7090 PR Seminar, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Grand Island Memorial Library.
September 10th: Bingo and District Council Meeting
September 12th: No meeting
September 13th: Club Assembly (details noted above)
September 15th: PR Seminar, St. Catharines Golf & Country Club, 7-8:30 p.m.
September 16th: Board meeting
September 19th: Regular meeting
September 22nd: Dunnville Rotary golf tournament. $75. includes dinner
September 26th: Regular meeting
October 3rd: Regular meeting
October 10th: No meeting (Thanksgiving)
October 16th: Buffalo Bills vs the NY Jets Game, organized by John Chotka. Cost is $82. Cdn or $65. U.S. and is open to all family and friends of Rotarians. There are only 10 tickets left! Contact John Chotka ASAP.
October 17th: Regular meeting
October 21st: Board meeting
October 24th: Regular meeting and District Governor's Address
October 31st: Regular meeting
50/50 DRAW
Recipient of the winning ticket was John Chotka.
BIRTHDAYS
No birthdays to report.
EARLY LEAVERS
Don Beard, Tom Schulz, and Laetitia de Witt.
GUEST SPEAKER
Our aging population has captured the attention of the United Nations and the media in terms of numerous reports as well as lifestyle and workplace issues. By the year 2041, one in four Canadians will be over the age of 65 and 1.6 million will be over the age of 85. Currently, 16.8% of Niagara's population is over the age of 65. By the year 2013, Niagara's status as a significant seniors community will increase in scope. Hospital restructuring and current practices place more emphasis on long-term care facilities.
Opportunities include the contribution seniors make to society in terms of volunteerism [a value of $5.5 billion (1992)] and challenges include improving the health, well-being, and independence of seniors.
The Niagara Region has a number of proactive strategies and actions in place to accommodate our aging population, ranging from eight long-term care facilities (Deer Park Villa, Gilmore Lodge, Linhaven, Northland Pointe, Rapelje Lodge, The Woodlands of Sunset, The Meadows of Dorchester, and Upper Canada Lodge) to community programs (Adult Day Service, Supportive Housing, Respite Companion Care, Client Intervention and Assistance, Information and Referral, Caregiver Education and Information, Overnight Respite, Elder Abuse Prevention, Niagara Gatekeepers) and specialized dementia care (T Roy Adams Regional Centre for Dementia Care).
George Fitzpatrick and Bob McKay jointly thanked Dominic for his very informative presentation, acknowledging that we will all need the facilities and services provided by the region at some future point and that we are grateful for such quality care.
ATTENDANCE REPORT
Jim Shannon announced 21 members, five make ups, and five guests for a total of 78 per cent attendance.
ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business, President Bob McKay adjourned the meeting at 1:35 p.m.