President's
A LESSON FROM QUANTUM MECHANICS
I want to tell a true story that relates to the Rotary theme for March, which is "Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene".
13 years ago I drove my 4x4 through a restricted part of a desert. The closest source of food and fresh water was about 500 miles away. Nothing other than sand and (eventually) a coastline of salty Atlantic water existed. There was no trace of a human. No roads, no buildings, no garbage, no footprints, no candy wrappers or cigarette butts. Not even a blade of grass was to be found. Just sand dune after sand dune.
Everything needed to survive was in my vehicle - food, fresh water, and fuel. I also kept all garbage created in my vehicle.
At the start it was bliss. I relaxed, read, made a fire at night, and watched the stars. I cleaned myself with a washcloth and used all things sparingly. I was in heaven.
After 2 days I checked my fresh water levels. Was it low? Was it enough? I started to worry surprisingly quickly. A few days after that I stopped washing to save water. A few days later I stopped washing my cutlery, and shortly after that the garbage started to smell.
Eventually I found a way down to the ocean. Just the sight of water was a relief. I jumped in. I washed my cutlery. The cold water felt great until I realized I was covered in a layer of salt! I started to itch and scratch. It drove me up the wall. I had to get the salt off my skin, which could only be done with fresh water! I used some. I was worried even more. Every day my water worry compounded.
After 2 weeks I arrived at my destination. I was dirty, I hadn't had a bath in weeks, I smelled like garbage, was unshaven, my clothes were dirty and torn, and I had diarrhea. I looked rough, but I didnt care because I had WATER!
Turns out I had lots of fuel, lots of beer, lots of food, and even enough water (but just barely). Its possible that the 95% of beer that is water might have saved me. How many people get to say that? "Beer saved my life".
I planned well, money was never an issue, but I lasted just 2 days before worrying about fresh water. It took only 2 weeks before I looked like a person on a poster in need of help.
How long will you last without clean water? How long before your hygiene fails? How long before your health suffers?
Read some thoughts from RI using the link below, and give (if you can) to this amazing cause and global need.
-Christopher Thompson
President Elect's
Today did you turn a faucet and have fresh water flow out? Maybe you took a hot shower or bath? Did you have to run out in the cold winter weather (for those who are in the North) to use the ‘facility’? Have you thought of the sanitation structures that we have in place?
Today, we have the luxury of living and working in places where water flows at the touch or twist of a hand. With the simple pull of a leaver waste is swept away. We have access to fresh, clean water, that gets sanitized, keeping us healthy and safe from illnesses and diseases.
However around the world there are many places that do not have these luxuries, one that I am sure we take for granted and don’t even stop to think of ease that fresh clean water flows for us.
The month of March is set aside by Rotary International to bring awareness to the issues affiliated with Water, Sanitation and Hygiene; this is one of the seven areas of focus for Rotary
With the help of Rotary and Rotarians many places now have water that is drinkable and much closer than the miles some would have to walk to simply fill their containers at the waters edge. Toilets installed so there is a place they can go and not just in the streets. I have firsthand witnessed these things, raw sewage flowing in the streets, with no running water or toilets insight.
Today, think of the blessing we have with access to fresh clean water, and let’s not take it for granted. Be aware that today many people will not have these luxuries.
-Sean Goodall
Secretary's
This Friday it's our Club's Board Meeting.
We will discuss the finances and other details which will no longer be shared in our monthly club gathering. The Board meeting is open to all club members. Should you wish to make a presentation, please contact President Chris ahead of time
-Chris Cochrane
The Montréal Mystery Festival, which had its inaugural event in May 2024, is already preparing for its second edition.
'Second Degree.' on May 23 and 24th, 2025, more than 20 authors of crime, mystery and thrillers from Quebec, the rest of Canada and beyond will meet with their readers for book signings and panels in French and English.
Last year, the festival was proud to announce the D7040 Passport Club as one its main sponsors, and we are thrilled the club has accepted to sponsor the event for 2025. If you're not attending our major fundraiser, the festival would love to have your help as a volunteer at the Grande Bibliothèque de Montréal! You can find more information and also donate personally on the website:
