Attendance at this meeting was smaller then usual, probably due several club members still suffering from PTSD having served above and beyond the call of duty at the First Annual Rotary Ribfest the weekend before.
After the usual gourmet meal of too cool eggs, but counterbalanced by the most delightful sausages, the meeting was called to order at 7:04 by President Russell Kane.
He started the meeting with “Let’s see, who should I call to lead us in O’Canada”, to which Peter Kinash jokingly blurted out, “Well don’t ask me again!” However, when the laughter subsided, the group broke out into the most harmonious rendition of O’Canada witnessed in many years!
Guests
Guests were sparse, but we had one guest attending, Asst. Governor David Leslie.
Club Business
Russ then proceeded with enthusiasm to discuss Ribfest, thanking everyone for participating and asking for comments on the event.
A number of positives and some negatives were discussed but overall the members thought Ribfest was a very positive event and are looking forward to it next year. President Russ asked everyone to submit their thoughts, positive comments and improvement suggestions to him in writing as soon as possible.
Russ then advised that the date for this year‘s Santa ball is November 28, and there is a need to strike up a Santa Ball Committee very soon.
Guest Speaker
Troy Adams introduced the speaker Christopher Schultz with Light Up the World.
Light Up The World (LUTW) was started by a fellow from the University of Calgary Faculty of Engineering some three decades ago. It was based on early LED lights that requiring minimal electrical input to work. These early lights were powered by several rather creative methods from pedal power to hand cranks to nearby creek water flow.
Today this NGO has implemented and supported projects in 54 countries, and is current focused is on Peru.
Worldwide there are a Billion people that do not have electricity, with 800,000 of them living in Peru.
The cost of off-grid extensions can be cost prohibitive. As an alternative Light Up the World has chosen off-grid Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) with batteries for storage to provide electricity for remote communities.
This enables Pay As You Go micro financing to be used. Customers can purchase solar energy in a similar manner as used to buy pre-paid cell phone cards. This allows solar energy to be pre-purchased in small dollar quantities which can be used until the payment runs out, at which time the power meter is shut off. Once a bit of money is paid it is immediately turned on again using remote cellphone signals.
To date LUTW has deployed 1800 systems in Peru and is perusing operational self-sufficiency and long term sustainability for these systems. It is seeking funds and support to reach more families and further develop this unique model.
A certificate of appreciation was given to the speaker.
SergeantNext up was Irene Osteneck as Sergeant at Arms who was brief and to the point, fining the missing Greeter two dollars for not being there, and two dollars for people having no Rotary pins or badges on.
Happy BucksHappy Bucks turned out to be Sad-Bucks for Gordon Cormack who lamented about his beloved Rough Riders and the fact that Saskatchewan farmers have not been able to take off more than 10% of their crops to date.
Likewise Bob James has sad bucks for the deviation Hurricane Dorian caused in the Bahamas and took the opportunity to suggest that members chip in an buy some Shelter Tents to be sent there. Perhaps fatigue from Ribfest was in play, because the response to that suggestion was rather underwhelming.
Jeff Dworkin subsequently added a sad buck to the pot when his ticket was drawn, but failed to select the Ace.
There being no other business,....
Meeting was adjourned at an early 8:03 AM.
