CLASSIFICATION TALK - GEOFF ALLEN
Newest member Geoff Allen gave his Classification Talk on August 4th, giving us some insight into his life. Wife Deb was also in attendance - our first opportunity to meet her as well!
Originally from England, with a father in the military, Geoff emigrated to Canada along with his family that included a brother and sister. He has 2 children and is married to Deb. His earlier career as sales management at a GM dealership led him to his current career, along with wife Deb, in real estate in Guelph.
Very clearly though his real love is service, which led him to an interest in Rotary. He has been a volunteer tutor at Action Read, and assistant minister at their church. He has been involved with a Guelph organization, Pan Missions (www.panmissions.org) that does mission work in Nicaragua (2009) and El Salvador (2010). The next trip is again to El Salvador, scheduled for February 2012.
He related how, in 2009, they built a 2 room school house for a town with a population of approximately 300, with no school and no running water. Using local contractors, and with donations of $8-10,000 for materials, the school was built, with block walls reinforced with rebar and wire.
Geoff provided a slide show of photos from the mission trips, and they are clearly passionate about their service work - something totally consistent with his decision to become a Rotarian.
Geoff ended his Classification Talk by says that he feels that their "3rd life" has begun with their new involvement with Rotary.
We are SO GLAD to have a member like Geoff who has made service a priority in his life.