Whoop-Up Bulletin

March 31, 2008

President Pat at the podium

Greeter Lal Mattu welcomed Olive Green, Bob Lloyd, Lecky Rasheed, Al Hosack and visiting Rotarian Derek Harding (tongue-in-cheek).

Welcome To Rotary

President Pat and DG Bernie officially inducted (or re-inducted, as the case may be) five Rotarians: David Agema (sponsored by Paul Pharo); Courtney Atkinson (Pat Killoran); Bob Carey (Chris Murray); and Kirk Mearns (Chris Murray). Stephen Dyck was also inducted but was unable to attend. Welcome (back), guys!

L-R, President Pat Killoran, Kirk Mearns, Bob Carey, Courtney Atkinson, David Agema, Dist Gov. Bernie Carriere

Say Cheese!

Aspiring shutterbugs could win recognition and a cash prize in the Rotary Peace Photo Contest, sponsored by Calgary West club. All Rotarians from District 5360 are eligible to submit a photo for the contest. Judging will be based on theme and artistic merit. Grand prize is $1,000 cash, with $500 for second and $250 for third. The awards will be presented at the District Conference in May. Contest details are available online at www.rotarianpeacephoto.org.

Citizens’ Band

Karlen McDonald and the rest of the Citizen of the Year committee are actively looking for nominees for this year’s award. There will be some changes to the event this year: Three finalists will be named and profiled, and the winner will be announced the night of the banquet on May 8. For more details, watch for the entry form in the Lethbridge Herald or online at www.lethbridgeherald.com.

Cyro’s Last Run

Cyro bid farewell to his one true love last week, as he made his last snowboarding run in Kimberley. He said he couldn’t believe how great the snow was, considering the mild weather, and waited as long as he could before taking that last run down the hill. Unfortunately, he also decided to try to slide on the rail and injured his knee. (Love hurts, Cyro)

He also got to build his first snow man  and failed miserably (he IS Brazilian, after all). After some help from Alvin F. and Chris M.’s kids, he was soon an expert.

From Nigeria With Love

Geri Hecker introduced Lecky Rasheed, who recently completed his Masters in Education at the U of L and joined the 5^th On 5^th team, to teach Rotarians a little about his home country of Nigeria.

With an area roughly twice the size of California, but a population of 130 million, Nigeria is crowded. Lecky told members his homeland comprises several different ethnic groups, each of whom have their own language. So, to understand each other, pidgin English is the official language of the country.

The economy, much like Alberta’s, is based on agriculture and oil. Nigeria is by far Africa’s largest oil producer and it has an impact on the lives of almost everyone in the country. There are economic effects, obviously, but there are much more tangible results as well. Exposed pipelines run right through villages, often right past front yards. Some of the biggest concerns are explosions, environmental degradation and water safety. Gas flaring is almost constant, since none of the gas is needed for heating purposes.

As in Alberta, the government of Nigeria is trying to strike an equitable balance when it comes to oil revenue royalties. The U.S. is also providing help with security for the oil sector as several militant groups have been causing trouble in the oil-producing southern provinces.

Polio is common in Nigeria and Lecky says the four Rotary districts bringing Polio Plus to the country are giving “hope to the hopeless.” Unfortunately, Polio Plus has to battle the belief of many locals that the vaccine causes HIV or that it will sterilize children. Rotary is also helping with programs to provide clean containers for drinking water and teach young people skills to use in a trade.

Draw

$10 went to Olive Green and Lecky Rasheed picked up a $5 speaking fee.

Meeting adjourned.

Special thanks to club photographer Peter Green.

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