Minutes of the General Meeting of the
Probus Club of Nanoose Bay
St. Mary’s Church Hall
9:15 am on August 19, 2016
to download a copy of these minutes, click Gen. Meeting Minutes of PCNB Aug. 19, 2016
Welcome:
Anne Larson in the chair opened the meeting at 9:15 AM
Members with Guests:
Vera Moore, Marianne Duffley, and Alida Sali all introduced guests today. One other couple introduced themselves as new to the area, and would like to begin the process of joining our Club.
Announcements:
Anne thanked Bob & Melba Nelson for set-up and door duties. Thanks as well to the Catering Crew of Mike & Sheila Durnin and Ian & Pauline Maxwell. Special thanks go to our guest speaker, Philip Perry, for providing delicious coffee from Coyote Roastery.
Anne also thanked Jacqui Townsend for her monthly Birthday Scroll, and asked all the August Birthday celebrants to stand as a group to be recognized.
Through recent survey suggestions, some changes have already been made to the kitchen processes through the hiring of Cynthia Craig to do the cleanup. We are still in need of a new coordinator or pair since Norma Dechene’s departure, to organize just the food and coffee each month.
Minutes:
Judie Taylor moved the Minutes of the General Meeting held on May 20, 2016 be approved as circulated on our website. Seconded by Bev Watson. All in favour.
Treasurer:
Carolyn Dodd reported the funds available at the CCCU as of Aug. 19/2016 are:
- High Interest Saving Account: $3,672.88
- Chequing Account $3,076.04
Social Convenor:
Ann Lawson reported 61 people attended the summer Picnic in the beautiful sunshine. There was a large amount of leftovers remaining, but the church was happy to use the salads at their community barbeque, and the extra meat was given as door prizes.
- Other upcoming events are:
- Fri. August 26: Tour of Morning Star Bison Ranch in Cassidy.
- Sat. September 10: Bard on the Beach matinee performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor (Ontario)
- Thurs. Oct. 20: Historical Tour from Nanoose Bay northwards to Courtenay.
- Wed. Nov. 23: Joint Clubs Quiz Night with a slight change in format.
- Thurs. Dec. 8: Christmas Party at Fairwinds. Details to come.
Details and sign-up forms are on the website.
Sunshine: Jacqui Townsend reported no illness cards were sent out. One memorial card with a flower arrangement has been sent this month.
Special Interest Groups: Ron Windrim asked Leaders for information on their groups.
- ABBA Games nights will resume in September at the home of Maureen and David Paterson. See sign-up sheet or contact Maureen or David if you would like to attend.
- Book Club #1 Sept. 20 at Jacqui Townsend’s home to discuss “Red Notice”.
- Book Club #2 Aug. 31 at Jane Currie’s home to discuss “Being Immortal”.
- Book & DVD Exchange Alida Sali urged members to take several books or DVDs.
- Afternoon Bridge Will resume on Sept.12 at 1:00pm. Contact Violet Ewing.
- Computer Club Still on summer hiatus. Check website for updates.
- Concerts and Classics Jane Currie needs your suggestions of events you would like to include on this group’s agenda. Check website for next meeting date.
- Evening Bridge Sign-up if you would like to play, or contact Toine Rhemtulla.
- Dinner Theatre Oct. 16th, matinee performance of “Hilda’s Yard”. Sign-up sheet or contact Bev Watson.
- Hiking Club Sept. 15th will be a long hike, about 21 k round trip. See website for full information or contact John Tosney or Peter Milne to sign up.
- Les Wineaux A summer wine-tasting event on Aug. 24th will take place at the Ransoms. A trip to the Cowichan Valley is planned for Oct. 4 – 6th, staying at the Cowichan Inn.
- Mah Jongg Meets every Monday at 1:00 pm, with players divided between 2 host homes.
- A 3rd group will be starting up in October. Sign-up or contact Ethel Vincent-Lambert.
- Men’s Book Club Will resume in September to discuss “Spy Among Friends” at the home of Bo Hakanson. There is room for 3 or 4 new members. Contact Bo for information.
- Photography Club Meeting on September 15. Check website for further information or contact Ron Windrim.
- TED Discussion Group Meeting September 29 at Ann Lawson’s home, topic to be announced. Contact Kathy Lowe directly if you are interested in joining this group.
- Walking Group Will resume in September. Contact John Hansmeyer if you would like to join the group.
Please check the website under Interest Groups / Interest Group Monthly Up-dates for detailed information and contact names for all of these activities.
Ron also mentioned a variety of ideas for new Interest Groups, such as:
- Coffee and Discussion Groups
- Arts Appreciation
- Scotch Tasting
There will be sign-up sheets for INTEREST available on the back table for your indication of interest in any new groups. This is not meant to be a commitment, but just a gauge of interest.
Membership:
Alida Sali reported our membership is full at 181, with 20 people on the waiting list.
Guest Speaker:
Dr. Philip Perry, introduced by Ann Lawson, spoke on the topic “The Evolution of Specialty and Boutique Coffees from Around the World”. We learned a brief history of coffee, and that Ethiopia was the birthplace of coffee. Quality of coffee berries differ depending on weather and landscape where the trees are grown, and explains the wide differences in prices. Next to oil, coffee is the largest world traded commodity, about 25 billion dollars annually. Brazil is the largest producer at 54500 tons, and Colombia is next at 9500 tons.
Multinational companies control the coffee price market, and independent growers earn very little.
Dr. Perry travels the world to seek out family-run farms to find the best quality beans, as well as careful processing. Business still can be done with a handshake with these growers, and government is helping with mini-mills so that the farmers can earn a proper living without having to depend on the large multinationals.
Carolyn Collier thanked Dr. Perry for his illuminating presentation, as well as the delicious coffee from Coyote Coffee Roastery.
Pub Lunch:
Tigh Na Mara at 1155 Resort Dr., Parksville
Arranged by Helen Stuart and Jane Juba
Attendance: 65 Members, and 6 Guests
Next Management Meeting:
Wednesday, August 31 at 10:00am, at the home of Ron Windrim.
Final Announcements:
Jack Hill reminded us of the wonderful programs available through Elder College, and provided copies of the Fall Catalog. This year some speakers are scheduled to present at Nanoose Place.
Reminder: Please return name badges and coffee cups.
Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 11:15 am
