You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you are going, because you might not get there.

Yogi Berra

People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.

Zig Ziglar

The meeting was held on Zoom at 7.15am with 5 members present and guest Patrick Shagaluke. 

Music: Peter, Paul, and Mary. Where have all the flowers gone.

• Business
• Food drive March 23rd. Juris 9.30 to set up. 10 Gord, Graham, Joan at noon. Pat at 2 with truck to help load at 4pm. Maddy to fill in where needed and organize people to help load at the foodbank..
• We are asked to donate an item to the online auction for polio plus at the district conference. Discussion on donating $500 to give the winner more points. Maddy to ask Lynne Burch.
• Projects: The Land Conservancy will discuss a project for us in the fall. There may be a project at Beaver creek park.
• Follow up to last weeks talk on senior’s issues. Volunteer driver’s are needed to help take senior’s to medical appointments. Best thing is to keep people in their own home as long as possible, by providing home care. SAFER (Shelter Aid For Elderly Renters) is a part of BC Housing, can provide rental subsidy to seniors.
• Club social Saturday April 13th, Harlamovs place 4pm. bring a dish to reflect your heritage.
• Program Patrick Shagaluke, president of Rotary club of global refugees and forced migrants
• Patrick was born on Congo. He fled and worked in Uganda for UNHCR after finishing his tertiary education in Kenya. His job with UNHCR entailed helping refugees with a focus on young girls who were at risk for sexual abuse. Eventually, Patrick  relocated to Spokane WA, USA. He is married with 6 kids. 
• He is interested in helping migrant people. With the help of DG Doreen Kelsey he started the Rotary club in November 2023. The group wants to help people and influence policies. Letting people know their rights. The club is focused on helping with the social integration of refugees. They organize events to help refugees with both material needs as well as counselling to help them integrate into their new communities in North America. They also support young women in refugee camps, protecting them form sex trafficking and helping them feel secure. In addition the club provides education to the general public on migrant issues. the biggest difficulty in integrating for refugees is cultural shock.
• The club has 7 residents in US, 2 in Canada, others in Europe, Uganda, Ethiopia and other countries in Africa. Most originated in Africa. The club meets online at 9pm every other Tuesday. French is their primary language. His club has contacts with groups in US, IRC (International Rescue committee).
• Juris thanked Patrick for his very interesting talk.
• Next meeting March 22nd.
• Happy and sad bucks (not) collected. The meeting adjourned at 7.45am