Youth Link

Club Bulletin for Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Attendance was 18 plus 1 visitor (speaker Diane Gibbs)

O Canada led ably by Rocco Colangelo

Grace was given by Gerd Wengler in tribute of Fran Smith.

There were many announcements:

• President Jacob announced that there will be a board meeting on Monday, September 24 at Dave Hardy's.
• He also reminded us of the district conference on October 19-21 in Richmond Hill http://districtconf2012.com/ 
• Jacob notified us of the Smiles for Salsa event coming up on October 10 http://www.lula.ca/Events/2012/october/SalsaForSmiles.html 
• There is a Romanian Rotary Club Tour of Transylvania coming up. Please see Jacob for more info but don't let him bite you on the neck!
• Rocco Colangelo informed us of a promotion from the district. If our club adds 2 new members we will be entered into a draw to win a $2500 (1st prize) or $1500 (2nd prize) to our club
• Charles Whitney reminded us to hurry up and get our items in for the auction. Gerd Wengler (the slacker) has already secured $10,000 in sponsorship! Please respond to Kevin Manuel`s e-mail re: volunteers
• Charles also informed us that we made $270 off the Hunt Club event
• Peter Masson spoke of Fran Smith`s funeral. There was a US and Canadian honour guard at the funeral and the committal. Both the US flag and the US Marine Corps flag were present at the ceremony. Glenna was presented with the US flag at the committal.
• Basil Dias informed us that the device donated to Fran`s daughter Amy after her double lung transplant is available to donate once again.
• Carolyn Nicholson informed us that the Christmas Party has been booked for December 14 at Scarboro Golf Club
• I told you that there were many announcements!

Charles Whitney took care of the draw. $5 was won by Barry Smith who immediately launched a challenge under the charter of rights and freedoms.

Al Meredith took care of our Sergeant at  Arms duties. Among the highlights ...

• Many donated in memory of Fran
• All those who received hugs from Dhanni were fined, which was worth the fine of course
• Jack Holman will be away for a couple of weeks receiving eye surgery. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jack!

Peter Masson introduced our guest speaker Diana Gibbs who is the Director, Development and Communications for Youth Link http://www.youthlink.ca/ . Diana has worked with Youth Link for five years, and worked internationally prior. Scarborough has the highest levels and highest concentration of poverty in the GTA. It is a very diverse and polarized community. Youth Link focuses on strengthening neighbourhoods, families and youth. They are an accredited mental health facility. They offer support, guidance and the opportunity to act. Their three pillars are:

1. Provide individual and family services
2. Promote a positive home environment
3. Engage youth in priority neighbourhoods

Diana closed by asking our club to consider sponsoring a youth in the Clean break program, at a cost of $4100 per year. Your scribe spoke to her afterwards and let her know that we would consider her request in group 2.3 when we have our budget numbers for the year.

Basil Dias thanked Diana for her excellent presentation.

President Jacob closed the meeting by informing us that he had just received a message from District Governor Ted Koziel informing our club that the district is making a donation to Polio Plus in honour of Fran Smith