Meeting Minutes for October 29, 2008
Presided By : President Norm Narancsik
Attendance : Wim Duizer, Steve Halyk, Rick Kiers, Tim Koetsier, Norm Narancsik, Jantine Stam, Peter Stam, EriK Tremblay, Peter Van Wees, Doug Vincent and Al Shipp.
Guests: Visiting Rotarian Bill McLeash, Irene Morris, Klaas Dekker, Mike Nickerson (guest speaker) and his wife Donna Dillman.
Shelter Box: The shelter box that we purchased was sent to Haiti to provide some relief after the hurricane and major flooding.
First Cheque: We received a cheque from a Montreal Rotary club to purchase some Drive For Polio Eradication sleeves. We also sold some to the Tillsonburg club.
Scotland Curling Tour: The Scott's will be here next week to do some curling and reclaim their trophies. There is a dinner at Craig Owen on Friday November 14th. It's $40.00 per person. Speak to Norm if you would like to attend.
Rotary Dictionary Program: We will be handing out 1350 dictionaries to grade 3 students in Oxford County. By participating, you will enjoy handing these out to the students! Please sign up with Peter Stam.
Rotary at the UN: Peter Stam, Klaas Dekker and Doug Vincent will be attending the Rotary weekend at the UN in New York on November 7 and 8. Those that are missing this experience this year, will hopefully have the privilege to attend next year!
Nominations: This week is the last call for nominations.
Guest Speaker:
Peter Stam introduced our guest speaker, Mike Nickerson. Mike Nickerson first encountered sustainability as a co-director of the Institute for the Study of Cultural Evolution. The organization's study of the aspirations and concerns of citizens' groups culminated in 1974 with the point form summary, now known as the Guideposts for a Sustainable Future. The background detail of the study was published in 1977 under the title Change the World I Want to Stay On. In 1990 Mr. Nickerson completed production of the Guideposts for a Sustainable Future video along with an accompanying workshop kit. In 1993 his second book Planning for Seven Generations was published in paperback. His New book titled "Life, Money & Illusion" was published in June 2006.
Goals are the seeds from which our future grows. One by one, people are realizing that
human activity cannot grow forever on a finite planet.
When enough people understand this, the conventional wisdom will shift.
It will move from:
"Our purpose is to expand production and consumption." to:
"Our purpose is to enjoy living while managing the planet for generations to come."
to achieve the sort of world we want?
There are two options offered by different sectors of society:
A)
Economic Expansion
Proponents argue that people express their will through how they spend their money. Free markets will shape the future through the laws of
supply and demand
. The greatest good is achieved by expanding economic activity; earning more and consuming more. The more money that changes hands, the better off society is.
B)
Sustainability
looks into the future with concern for generations yet unborn.
Ecological laws
of resource availability and the ability of the biosphere to absorb waste are respected. The goal is to manage our affairs in ways that strengthen
community cohesion
and the health of the natural world. Our purpose is to maintain healthy secure livelihoods for all and to celebrate
learning, love, laughter
and other benefits of being human on a fine planet.
Please check out Mike and Donna's website at www.sustainwellbeing.net
Thanks so much for coming out and speaking with us Mike!
Meeting Cancelled Wedneday November 12th. Pleae join us at Craig Owen for dinner the night of the 14th with the group from Scotland. Call Norm if you would like to attend.