Southmouth, November 20, 2006

Reporter: Debi Garneau

OPENING THE MEETING

Welcome by President Matt Taylor

National Anthem: Julio Batres

Toast to Queen and Canada:   Jean Holbert-Leighton

Grace: Keith Shaver

GUESTS AND VISITING ROTARIANS

Rob Welch introduce our guest Brian Hutching and Soren Harrison

SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

Doug Foss serving as Sergeant Ron Kozub announced his son Scott girlfriend Julie received a promotion she is now his fiancé. June Manning declared the Gala Was a great success. Don Hetherington Landon Morgan made a success full move. Peter Snodgrass said the Gala evening was enjoyed by all. Brian Radford announced his son engagement the first of the four boys. Elizabeth Spaan had a great time at the Gala. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Christmas Luncheon Dec 18 - Elizabeth Spaan will check on the cost, it is a joyous celebration of the season for our members, their spouses, children, grandchildren the Salvation Army Band will be there. 

Fireside Meeting Postpone - Elizabeth Spaan will announce a new date.

Register Online - Ian Forbes ask members to register online for the upcoming event.     Dec 3 Open house at Matt & Georgette 2-6, Dec 18^th Christmas Lunch and Rotary Curling Bonspiel. This will greatly assist the committee in planning

Board for 2007/2008 - President - Don Hetherington,  President Elect - June Manning, Past President - Matt Taylor, Secretary - John Tiebert, Treasurer - Debbie Garneau,  Club Service - Jason Pollock, Vocational - Jim Hooper, International - Greg McDonald, Community - Paul Monaghan, Director at Large - John D'Ambrosio. All the best.

Elections / Nominees - Bob McBride said all of the above board positions are still open if anyone else is interested or knows of some one who would want to serve on the board please submit their name.

Winter Dreams VI, Gala Report - June Manning thank the committee for all their hard work. June estimate when the final numbers are in it will exceed expectations. Cathy Henry also thanked everyone for making the Gala so successful.  Leftover bottles of wine can be purchase at cost.

Hospice Lottery Tickets - Debbie Garneau won the diamond necklaces and Cathy Henry presented it to her at the luncheon It is now really hard to stay focus and continue to take notes for the rest of the meeting so please forgive me if I have forgot anything.

Matt Taylor presented  the Paul Harris Fellow to Dan Toppari

Brantford Golf & Country Bonspiel Dec 14 The Rotary Club of Brantford presents the 30^th annual George Clemons Memorial Bonspiel and have ask us to join then for a full day of great fellowship.

India Polio

Rotary Supplies -  Ron Kozub  will be placing a order shortly please contact him if you need anything.

  BIRTHDAYS

 No Birthdays

50/50 DRAW

No Winners

PROPOSED NEW MEMBERS

Shelia Bristo. Manager of Court Services, Ministry of Attorney General

GUEST SPEAKER, Brian Hutchings Community Services' Commissioner

Community Services has touched many lives, to varying degrees and in all manner of ways. People who are hard to employ because they can't read. Skilled workers who have fallen on hard times. Parents who can't go out to work because they have no one to look after their children. Folks who have jobs but don't earn a "living wage". Children with down Syndrome who need extra assistance at their care centre. Seniors who cannot afford the high cost of rental housing or need 24 hours care.

On any given day in the Niagara Region approximately 15,000 people, more than 6,000 of them children, are part of Social assistance case load. Another 13,000 are part of Ontario Disability Support Programs. Close to 4,000.00 kids under the age of 12 access services for children and 1,200 seniors reside in homes or use community programs.

Children Services Plan & co-ordinate to ensure a range of high quality options are available including Licensed child care centres licensed home based programs, recreation services, resource centres and literacy services. Financial assistance / fee subsidy is provided to eligible families. Children with special needs in the following areas Cognitive, Motor skills, speech, language, behavioural social and emotional. Recreation and cultural programs for kids are subsidized and jointly coordinate with the YMCA of Niagara called Pro-Kids.

Senior services operates eight Long term care homes seven of which offer special care areas for individual with Alzheimer disease or dementia. The Niagara Region operates the T. Roy Adams Regional Centre for Dementia Care is innovative and comprises two specially designed bungalows. The Regional Council approved the plan which allowed Hospice Niagara to build a much needed end of life care facility. Other programs provided to help seniors to remain in their homes longer are Adult Day Service, Supportive Housing, Companion Programs, Client Intervention and Assistance

Social Assistance and Employment Opportunities will provide a range employment support and activities to those who need to find a job and become independent through sustainable employment. Eligible individuals receive financial assistance to support such basic needs as food, shelter and clothing. The department plays a significant role in the administration of homelessness prevention programs and funds agencies to provide services to the homeless.

Community services recognizes' life is changing in Canada. Four in 10 marriages end in divorce these days, many couples live in common law relationships. Single parent families make up roughly 25% of all families with children most of which are anchored by a Mother.   The Niagara Region has a high proportion of seniors 17% the Provincial average is 11%. One in three households in Niagara annual income is less than $30,000.00 the end result a massive waiting list for subsidized housing

Brian Hucthings Thank Rotary for their efforts and quoted Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that groups of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has"  

Brian Hucthings was thanked by Bob McBride

 REPORT

Jim Hooper gave the attendance report - 29 members, 18 make-ups, for 130 % attendance.

ADJOURNMENT

As there was no further business for the good of Rotary, President Matt adjourned the meeting at 1:30 p.m.