The Westerner for January 9, 2012
Meeting: chair, Sherry; music, Jerome; grace, Bob Kimmerly; attendance 38
Integrity Awards: Kieran asked for volunteers to vet a number of nominees for our Club's award winner; call Kieran to arrange to help; this is a great program - get your tickets to attend banquet April 25 ($50)
Centennial Interact: call Ron to offer to sponsor part of the Interact Club's fundraising dinner and/or buy tickets to attend the fundraiser to be held April 13 @ Ramada Inn on Kingsway. Call Ron or Sherry if you can replace Ron as interact liaison for the next year.
Gift Cards: Mike Ryan advised our club has purchased another $40,000 of gift cards - to order, phone (915-4177) or send email to Brian with your requirements, then trade cheque for gift cards at the next meeting.
50/50: John donated 2 Oil Kings game tickets to be won by the ticket holders; Doug MacDougall and Steve did not match cards but will be going to the game January 27
Finemaster: Duane raised funds from questions about activities over the Christmas festivities season
Celebrate Rotary's 106th Birthday: On Friday, February 24, 2012, all members and guests are welcome to a Bollywood theme tribute to Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee with an East Indian buffet feast with western flavour and a cash bar. Since our Club has no regular meeting that week because of the Family Day holiday, we should all be thinking of attending this multi-club meeting at the Meridian banquet and Conference Centre. Tickets are $60.00 and you can find a link to click to purchase them on the District 5370 website.
Guest speaker is Peter Gooch, Past President of Rotary Club of Saanich and current Vice Chair of Disaster Aid Canada (formerly Shelterbox Canada). Peter will be talking about the role of Rotary in Disaster Aid International, how Rotary clubs support Disaster Aid Canada and how other clubs from countries such as Britain, Australia, USA, Japan and others act in times of disaster.
Expect to see much marketing of Rotary during the week of February 21 - 24 in the newspaper, on billboards and on the radio.
Annual General Meeting: Sherry chaired a meeting that showed money in the bank as of Decedmber 31, 2011. Directors gave a quick overview of year to date progress in 5 Avenues of Service.
Rob Dunseith, club administration, showed a smooth approach to efficient running of the club - he thanked Bill for work on front desk, Chris for work on improving attendance, Jim Spalding for being sargeant at arms.
Bob Lamoureux, club service - social, mentioned future ethnic dinners for Canadian German Club, Thai, possibly a pig roast, possible bowling with grandchildren, and Robbie Burns Day January 23.
Bob Kimmerly, membership, advised each member needs to introduce potential new members; he mentioned New Generations membersahip for young people aged 18 to 35 where club helps get these people involved by waiving the membership annual dues and reducing the weekly meeting fee; all members need to meet with new members over the various weekly meetings.
John Blimke, community service, advised the inner city rink has a rink shack, thanks to Brian getting through City of Edmonton Red Tape, and inner city youth are starting to use the facility. Al Hamilton, an honourary member of our club, leads this project and funds are raised through our presentation of the Al Hamilton and Friends Golf Classic, held last Thursday of July probably at the Cougar Creek Gof Club as in the past several years. This year, we raised $35,000. Details on Fort Edmonton Legacy Project will be given at the January 30 meeting. Other donations Sing For Life (choir at Edmonton Womens Prison), Grandview Extended Care (thanks to Jerome) concerts and new grand piano. School nutrition program at Athlone School, Rotary Employment Project which has record number of employment placements for disabled people - thanks to Duane and John
Duane Evans, international service, thanked Ben Doz, Al Sanderson and Lorne Proctor and their team who are presently in Guatemala for eye exam clinics, than mentioned Belize projects including Seine Bight summer tutorial for teachers, expansion of Seine Bight kindergarden and computer lab, and possible new projects of school enhancement . There could be further involvment in the Philippines. Letter and pictures were circulated re our Santas Anonymous gift of $600 to Placentia, Belize, Rotary Club and the kids they made happy at Christmas - expect the same request next Christmas.
Lorne Proctor, new generations, report by Sherry on his behalf. Sponsorship of 395 Air Cadet Squadron, RYLA, RYPEN, CleanScene drug removal program, Rotary Adventure in Citizenship in Ottawa.
Brian Thompson, secretary, talked about low membership (currently 45) but high attendance percentages. Taxable receipts are being distributed to those who contributed to the Rotary Foundation via the Every Rotarian Every Year program.
Lily Fong, treasurer, presented project payments and club income/expenses paid to date plus details of bank balances for the current Rotary year.
Bill Buckham, nominating committee chair, election of slate of officers and directors as presented - president Rob Dunseith; past president Sherry Holmes; president elect Duane Evans; secretary Darryll White; treasurer Brian Thompson; club admin Catharine Wright; international Fred Kraft; club service - social Bob Lamouruex; community service Perry Hendricks; new generations Lorne Proctor; membership Darrell Ripley - congratulations.