Minutes & Announcements - El Salvador - Oct. 11/12

A. Welcome and Announcements

Vice President Paul Ferri chaired the meeting in the absence of our President Kathy Verduyn, who was away on a business trip.

Guests: Rotarian Gary Corbett of the Seattle-University District Club and his wife Consuela as well as George Moraru, a guest of Jim Moore.
Meeting Notes: by Treasurer Jim Moore
Pianist Doug Clarke

Announcements:
Paul reminded members of the upcoming Consular Corps ball on Saturday, October 27th and urged any interested members to contact Past president Milo Vassallo for tickets.

B. Speech Topic:  "Crafting Kind" - A project of Rotaract Toronto for El Salvador
Speaker: Giuliana Martinez
Introduced by: Paul Ferri

Highlights

Our speaker, Giuliana Martinez, renewed our confidence in the coming generation with her impassioned presentation about the Crafting Kind project of Rotaract Toronto in support of the Pathways to Literacy El Salvador program sponsored by the Canadian Rotary Collaboration for International Development (CRCID) in partnership with Salvadoran and Canadian Rotary Clubs. The International Development Committee of Rotaract Toronto creates and sells handcrafted jewelry to raise funds for the Pathways to Literacy program in 3 schools in El Salvador. To date the Rotaract members have sold more than 500 items of jewelry and several members supported the cause by buying jewelry from Giuliana after the meeting. The project is near and dear to the heart of Giuliana who is a certified jewelry designer and gemologist and whose father and grandfather are active members of the Rotary Club of El Salvador.  Giuliana showed video clips taken at of one of the schools, illustrtating the conditions in the school and the impact of the Canadian support. She reported that $250 would support a student for a year, covering the cost of tuition, textbooks and school supplies, two school uniform and a sports outfit. Giuliana invited our Club to consider contributing to the program.  

Presentation of "Land Mines Certificate" by Paul Ferri to Giuliana Martinez in appreciation for speaking to our club.

 C. 50/50 Draw

Art Hall was the lucky winner of the draw this week. He pulled the Five of Spades, leaving the jackpot alive another week. Also, Director Michael Bartello conducted our "Toonie Time".