Mar 9, 2020 Bulletin

Opening/Chair: Al Cooze was the chair for today's meeting. He asked Alana to lead us in the singing of O"Canada.
 
Visitors/Guests: Kyle Andrews joined us for today's meeting.
 
Speaker: Patsy Oxner, Chair of Colchester Chapter of CARMA (Cat Rescue Maritimes)
Patty moved to Truro from Manitoba in 1988 and resided here until 1998 when she moved to Dartmouth. She returned to Truro in 2015.  While living in Truro the first time, she became involved with the Colchester SPCA and at that time was a volunteer Special Constable for four years.  There were three who investigated cruelty to animal cases.  This work introduced her to her love of animal care and rescue.  While in Dartmouth she did not pursue this love other than caring for her own animals and donating food and litter to local rescues in the HRM.
 

 
When she moved back in June 2015 she was introduced to a small group called Colchester Castaways.  In September 2015, she, along with two other people branded a TNR rescue called The Wayward Cats Society.  At that time they were a group of three but within a short time, they grew larger and introduced a board of directors.  Patsy was elected Chair and has held that role through the transition to CARMA.  She is an active member of CARMA and participates in all functions and needs of this group, from the daily operation to fundraising, and recruiting of new volunteers.
 
TNR stands for Trap, Neuter, Return.   Cats who live throughout the county in colonies she calls community cats.  The wild cats are trapped, neutered, and then returned if possible to their original location.  They are relocated if the location was unsafe, perhaps to the barn of a cooperating farmer.  They try to adopt out any kittens and any adults who have suitable personalities.  The cats are marked with an ear tip so if they are trapped again the volunteer can just release them right away.
In 2016 Wayward Cats organization trapped 107 cats, in 2017 it was 328, in 2018 it was 187.  In 2019 they trapped 207 and 63 were adopted.
In 2019 Wayward Cats joined up with CARMA which is an organization that started in NB.  There are 10 NB chapters and 4 in NS, soon to be 5.   They get financial support from the national CARMA network, from Pet Smart and the United Way, and from fundraising events and personal donations and adoption fees.  Their February fundraiser is a Spaygehetti dinner and they have a book sale in the fall.  CARMA’s community partners include DAL’s vet tech program, Colchester County, Dartmouth SPCA, the Truro Vet Hospital, and animal control officers from the surrounding area. 
 
Besides fundraising,  the volunteers educate the public at the mall and as invited speakers.   They do the trapping and look after colonies by watering and feeding, and making sure to reduce the amount of food as the size of the colony decreases. 
The TNR method (trap, neuter, return) has proven to be more effective at reducing the size of community colonies than trap and kill programs.  It is non-lethal and stops breeding.  Other benefits are a reduction in roaming, howling, spraying and other nuisances such as defecating in gardens.
 
Laurie Sandeson thanked our speaker.  Laurie has used CARMA to help at her farm and has appreciated their service. 
 
Member Health: No Reports on member health.
 
Announcements and Reports: 
Grant’s wife Arlene’s funeral is on Wednesday at 2:00 pm at 1st United Church. 
Brian attended the TLC on Saturday in Halifax.  He said it was a wonderful event with good speakers.   Brian brought back with him a certificate for RC Truro, acknowledging our END POLIO NOW donations for the past year.
 
Ken Banks reminded newer members of the club of the event Wednesday evening from 4:30 to 6:00 pm at Forrester Hall.   This is for members of our club who have been members 5 years or less.    Out of our 68 members, 31 joined in the past 5 years. 
 
President's Report: 
President Lech appreciates the efforts of the membership committee.
 
He has received an email from Toastmasters – they are having a themed meeting and have invited Rotarians to attend on April 1st or 8th and to have someone give a talk about Rotary.  There are enough people who said they would like to attend that Lech will respond that some are coming.   The person who will speak will be determined.  
--Alana informed us that Rotary International has signed an agreement with Toastmasters to link with them regarding their well-developed leadership programs so it is likely we will hear more in the future re Toastmasters/Rotary connection. 
 
Lech will be sending out reminders regarding survey, requesting everyone to complete please. 
 
Rotary week is April 13-19.  There will be a Proclamation and flag raising on the Tuesday, and possibly lunch afterward at CMHA?
The Amherst Rotary Club is celebrating their 85th anniversary tonight.  Unfortunately, Lech is unable to attend due to car breakdown. 
 
Happy Mug: 
Terry reported that the Syrian refugee family being supported by the Colchester Refugee Support Committee is due to arrive this Thursday evening.  They are a family of 10 – mother, father, 7 children and their grandma.  She is very grateful for all the support from people in Truro re getting the house set up for the family. 
 
Joanna had a happy weekend, touring around nearby, and getting in some skiing. 
 
50/50: Tom had the lucky number, but did not win the $41 pot. It grows, once again.
 
Closing: 1:10 p.m.

 
Stories
31 - Throwback Thursday
In case you missed our Facebook series #throwbackthursdayRCT
Upcoming Speakers
Mar 23, 2020 12:00 PM
Mar 30, 2020 12:00 PM
Chair: Matt Hunter
Apr 13, 2020 12:00 PM
No Meeting - Easter
Apr 20, 2020
Matt Redmond
Apr 27, 2020 12:00 PM
Chair: Ted Jordan
May 04, 2020 12:00 PM
Chair: Ken MacDonald
May 11, 2020 12:00 PM
Chair: Richard Bowness
May 18, 2020 12:00 PM
No Meeting - Victoria Day
View entire list
Sponsors
Interested in being a sponsor?
Download the website sponsorship guide
Subscribe to Bulletin
Subscribe to our eBulletin and stay up to date on the latest news and events.
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile
Upcoming Events
Apr 2020 Directors Meeting
Tom Savary's Home
Apr 07, 2020
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
 
May 2020 Directors Meeting
TBA
May 05, 2020
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
 
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Lydia Sorflaten
March 3
 
Ralph Hopkins
March 4
 
Kirk Saint
March 6
 
Clyde Weldin
March 9
 
Dave Mills
March 13
 
Wayne Gillis
March 19
 
Barbara Goit
March 21
 
Suzette Cameron
March 25
 
Jim Goit
March 26
 
Jean Morris
March 28
 
Derrick Higgins
March 31
 
Jim Gould
April 2
 
Mike Dolter
April 13
 
Richard Bowness
April 19
 
Judy Nicholson
April 22
 
Join Date
Joanna McGowan
March 1, 1994
26 years
 
Richard Bowness
March 1, 1995
25 years
 
Judy Nicholson
March 5, 2007
13 years
 
Ken Banks
March 14, 2016
4 years
 
Ryan Beazley
March 24, 2014
6 years
 
Steve Barteaux
March 26, 2018
2 years
 
Esther Bejarano
April 8, 2019
1 year
 
Mike Collins
April 18, 2011
9 years
 
Laura MacLaughlin
April 24, 2017
3 years
 
Sam Abushenaf
April 24, 2017
3 years
 
Bart Hinze
April 27, 2009
11 years
 
Martina Munden
April 27, 2015
5 years
 
Bulletin Editor
Jim Goit
Please add mailservice@clubrunner.com to your safe sender list or address book.
To unsubscribe from future e-mails, click here.
To forward this email to your friends, click here.
To view our privacy policy, click here.
 
ClubRunner
905.829.5299
102-2060 Winston Park Drive, Oakville, ON, L6H 5R7
 
ClubRunner is a registered trademark of Doxess Technologies Inc.
© 2016 ClubRunner. All Rights Reserved.