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Laetitia shared that she has lost some sleep over this presentation. She wants to share her joy and be an inspiration to all to get involved in Rotary and our community. She wants to present like a Fireside Chat, to share her story in an informal way. She gave a little Rotary history, how classifications were formed to diversify clubs. We all have something to contribute. Laetitia was born near Cape Town in South Africa. She has an affinity for salt water and the sea. She gave a brief overview of the history of South Africa, As part of the British Common Wealth the schooling system was very British, with uniforms and papers marked in the UK. it is a bilingual country with 2 official languages. Growing up and going to school in South Africa, it was very male dominated, the boys were the presidents of clubs while girls were expected to be the secretary's. She became one of the leaders in school, although never the secretary. Students were expected to serve the Government for a time after graduating and she was posted to a small remote community with a 250 bed hospital. Laetitia was a Social worker and got involved early in Health Care Management. Her desire to serve started at grade 11 when she and 5 friends saw a need and volunteered to visit seniors with few if any visitors. She and her husband both wanted a big family. They have 6 children. She now embrace Rotary as part of her family. She immigrated to Canada in 1990. Canada needed doctors so they came and ended up in Alberta. It was in Alberta that to satisfy her creative side she opened a bridal shop. It was in that role about 1996 that she was first invited to a Rotary meeting. She joined and early on she had the opportunity to replace someone who could not attend the RI Convention in Calgary. With about 25,000 Rotarians, and various break out sessions and booths, she became inspired. She met people and learned a lot. She became involved in a maternal health care initiative between some German clubs that expanded to 50 countries to do work in Nigeria. She worked with this task force for 11 years. Her early career in a northern remote community in South Africa was great experience for her. As a new Rotarian, she became committed and involved in the international project to help communities with clean water, sanitation, maternal and child health, economic development and literacy. She has participated in Polio eradication in New Delhi, worked with 'pennies for polio' where in one year they raised $365,000. Laetiia has had many roles with Rotary and continues to give. She encourages all of us to stretch, to get involved. Be the Inspiration. R Murray thanked Laetitia for her inspiration to us all.
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