The Westerner for January 30, 2012
Meeting: chair, Sherry; music, Jerome; grace, Doug MacDougall
Attendance/Guests: 36 including Arlaine Monaghan, Rotary Club of Spruce Grove; Jacqueline Lamoureux, daughter to Bob; Cassandra Harper, exchange student; Jeff Polovick, Rotary Club of Edmonton Sunrise and guest speaker; Jim Greenough, Rotary Club of Edmonton and guest speaker
Integrity Awards: Kieran advised that her committee had received 2 nominations and would appreciate receiving more. Consider attending the award ceremonies on April 25.
Rotary Centres for International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution: Arlaine was unable to gain time in our meeting to offer the following invitation. Every year 60 Rotary Peace Fellowships for a 2 year Masters program and 50 fellowships for short term professional development certificate are offered for attendance at 6 universities around the world. Rotary Club of Spruce Grove sponsored Gordon Hughes of the St. Albert RCMP Detachment and Rotary District 5370 endorsed his application for one of the 50 short term professional development positions. He was accepted to attend to the Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University from February to May, 2012. He will be speaking at the Spruce Grove meeting this Thursday @ noon. You are invited to attend.
Farewell: Bill Macdonald is leaving Rotary for involvement in other volunteer activites. These include driving for Meals on Wheels and visiting Athlone School weekly. We will miss Bill's presence. He gave thanks to the club and several individuals for the experience of Rotary over the last couple of years. Good luck, Bill; we will miss you.
Air Cadets: 395 Squadron will hold their Griffen Dress Parade on Tuesday, February 7. All are invited to attend. 7:15 pm at HMCS Nonsuch off Kingsway Avenue
Inner City Rink Project: John advised that Cowan Signs have donated signs to identify the rink and thanks to Rotary Club of Edmonton West will be suitably displayed. A picture was circulated of the 2011 Macauley Cup where city police played the local kids. The rink attracts 40 - 50 kids per day - ex Oiler equipment manager, Sparky Kulchinski, shows up Monday to Thursday to fit skates - you can attend to give him a hand.
Rotary Club of Edmonton South Valentines Day Program - Mike Ryan invites everyone to attend to help support crime prevention.
Gift Cards: support the club by buying cards from Brian; the profit earned funds our club's projects
50/50: $148 up to be won; Bill Macdonald and Jennifer did not match cards
Finemaster: Bill Buckham fined those not wearing their Rotary pin or those enjoying our pleasant weather without the ability to ski $1; he then fined Chris for spoiling Kathleen's holiday in Hawaii by spending time in the hospital with a twisted knee; those who declined the Haggis; Bob Kimmerley and Dave for their efforts at table introductions; Bill Macdonald for deciding to leave our club.
Guest Speakers: John introduced Jim Greenough and Jeff Polovick (who has already been awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship from our club for previous endeavours) to talk about Rotary's involvement in Fort Edmonton Heritage Park. Rotary has had a large involvement from the initial startup of the park but there is very little evidence around the park. The Rotary Club of Edmonton got involved in 1966 as a 50th anniversary project for their club. 3 other clubs including Edmontn West joined in raising $135,000 to raise the palisades of the fort. The park opened in 1974 and major improvements to the park were started in 2010. The last Rotary project to be held in the park was in 1993.
In 2009, the City of Edmonton (sole owner of the site) decided to change management of the park to a management company. Jeff was asked to become involved on the board of directors of Fort Edmonton Management Co. It has taken till now for the management firm to get a handle on what the park's operation is all about but, now, they are ready to start with improvements and provide proper direction to the management of the operation. They want engaging & entertaining programs to enhance the visitor experience. This includes new exhibits to remember the past.
Among these will be an aviation experience and an aboriginal experience. Rotary's focus will be to rebuild the Windsor Block between the Hotel Selkirk and the Capital Theatre. There will be access to the theatre and the hotel on the second level. All Rotary District 5370 Clubs have been invited to particpate and 20 have agreed to become involved. The Windsor Block addition will enable the Hotel Selkirk to handle larger conventions and other programs. There will be a Rotary District 5370 Wall of Fame and a large Rotary sign on the Windsor Block facade. The plan is to have the project complete by 2016 so celebration of 100 years of Rotary in Edmonton can be held at the park.
Zen Moisey has personally donated $30,000 and has challenged the club to match. Our club has decided to donate $10,000 and John will contribute $5,000. Other members now have the opportunity to help with the funding. Outside of our club, various clubs and individuals have contributed towards start up funds including Rotary Club of Edmonton Sunrise.
Jim and Jeff were thanked by Don McDermid.