Meeting Report 05/31/25

It was another energized meeting of the Wit & Wisdom Social Club. Around the table our guests included Nancy Zalman, Alisa Wen, Hitesh Parmar, and Raymond Sun.
We were privileged to have Samir Stasi, who is a Certified Financial Planner, present a seminar titled Mastering Market Corrections: A Proactive Approach. In brief, he advised us to set our emotions aside when investing in the ever-fluctuating stock market. Over the long term, investors who avoid panic selling during downturns in the stock market have been able to recoup their losses and make a profit. (Click here to review his slideshow presentation.) We, his listeners, profited as well from his wise words. You may wish to consider joining his new W&W special interest group, which he is titling Dollars & Sense. Here’s another link, to a copy of the introductory newsletter he recently sent out to group members. If you’d like to have your name added to his mailing list, just let me know by replying to this message.
After the social break Chris Ristic led us in a session of the game Two Truths and a Lie. The bottom line is that the people around the table have many interesting stories to share, and that we have a lot of pretty good liars among us too. Hitesh Parmar did not make his own parachute to jump from a plane onto the slope of Mount Kilimanjaro. Phil Nayman did take up ballroom dancing for a number of years. Mario Keriakedes did not meet Neil Armstrong at the Kennedy Space Centre — though he almost did and wishes he had. .Raymond Sun did go to his fitness centre twice a day, 14 times a week, for several hours each time, in order to whip himself into shape. (–Impressive!)
We ended the meeting with Vasu Desikachary leading a business session. Meeting dates have been set for the rest of this year. The dates are: July 26th; August 23rd; September 27th; October 25th, November 29th, and December 20th.
Member dues will be in the amount of $100 for the coming year (July 2025 to June 2026). Payment can  be made by cheque at our June 28th meeting, or at any time during the month by making an eTransfer to vasu.desi@gmail.com. Remember that second members from the same family can join the club at a 50 percent discount. 
The five-member Board of Directors will be up for election at our June meeting as well. We propose that myself as Chair, Vasu Desikachary as President, and Phil Nayman as Secretary-Treasurer reprise our roles for the coming year. We’ll be looking to fill the roles of  Club Promotions Director (responsible for promoting the Club and recruiting new members through the club website and social media), as well as Club Events Coordinator (responsible for coordinating the special interest groups and planning organized events). If you’re in a position to consider filling one of these important roles, please let me know.
**Special Note: An urban hike and picnic is being organized for Sunday, June 22nd, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The leisurely walk of 5 kilometres will be along the Unionville Valleylands Trail in Markham. This will be followed by a potluck picnic with activities. Bring your family!