Opening/Chair: Barbara Goit was chair for the day.  She asked Alana to lead the group in the singing of O Canada (some used the new words).  This was followed by a moment of personal reflection.

 

Visitors/Guests: Jim Harman and Kyle Andrews were with us at our meeting again today.  Jim and Kyle have moved there from Ontario.

Member Health: Joanna reported that Barbie Reynolds was a bit more mobile now but unable to drive.  She asked for volunteers to help bring her to meetings.

 

50/50: Ken Maclean had the lucky ticket and found the Joker with ease.  He went home with the $55 pot (after he returned the plastic bag the winnings were in to treasurer Les)

 

 

President Alana proceeded to formally induct Anna Rutherford into the club as an active member.  Anna was born and raised in the Truro area.  Her grandfather was Dennis Wright, a member of the Club. 

 

After working in western Canada for a few years after graduation Anna returned to our area and is now Community Relations Coordinator with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colchester.

 

Anna was presented with her pin and material by her sponsor Brian Matthews.

 

Anna told the group she looked forward to being a Rotarian and getting to know everyone in the club. Welcome Anna.

 

 

Speaker: Craig Johnson, Executive Director of the Colchester East Hants Hospice Society was the guest speaker today.  

 

Craig has worked in the non-profile sector for his entire career. In addition to his work with the Hospice Society, he has been the Treasurer and Chair of the finance committee for 1st United and a member of the Marketing Committee for Downtown Truro Partnership. He was Chair of the NS Music Week last year. Craig was on the management committee for MP Bill Casey's re-election in 2015 and President of the Cumberland Colchester Riding Committee. He ran in the 2017 Provincial Election.  Craig is the proud Poppa of 9 month old Alice.

 

Craig outlined the programs and work of the Hospice Society.  He briefly mentioned a new Child and Youth program as well as a research program in association with Dalhousie.

 

While there are many programs and services available for people in the final stages of life there is no integration among them. Craig stated that we can do better to create a compassionate community. While in the past, 70% of people died at home,  now over 70% die in hospital.  More people now die sick and alone and not surrounded by family and friends. Instead of a medical event, death needs to be more a social event. He stated that it is not likely that we will be able to rely on formal structures in the future but rather more on family, friends and peer groups.

 

He went on to outline the European idea of the compassionate community.  There have been efforts to spread the concept worldwide. The Colchester East Hants Hospice Society is the first to pick up on the idea in Eastern Canada. Hospice has begun to reach out and conversations have begun with community leaders, interested parties and organizations.

 

It was just a start, but something that will affect all of us at some time or other.

 

Rotarian Adam Wyllie thanked Craig for his presentation.

 

Closing: 1:05 pm