The Westerner for July 18, 2011

Invoice for Dues:  new format set by Clubrunner computer program - compulsory to pay for Club dues - cheque to be payable to Rotary Club of Edmonton West;  other items are voluntary - if you decide to honour Every Rotarian, Every Year, then cheque is payable to Rotary Foundation Canada - you get an income tax deduction receipt

Finemaster:  Bill Buckham fined members for not wearing the Rotary pin; if not having paid your club dues: if you have not volunteered for working either the golf tournament or the casino; if you sit at the same table each week

Presidential Citation:  Mike Ryan received the certificate on behalf of the Rotary Club of Edmonton West

Proposed New Members:  Mike Ryder, Darryll White, Darrel Ripley, Evgeny Fialkov.   Proposed by Chris Gowers and/or Mike Ryan.  

Guest Speaker:  Harry Buddle, Governor for Rotary District 5370, July 2011 to June 2012. 

ADG Arlaine Monaghan introduced DG Harry.  She remembers doing her very first make-up at our Club.  She also congratulates the club for updating the Club Constitution and Club Policies.  Harry is a Chartered Accountant by profession, but is best known in the community for his role of CEO of Capital City Savings and it's conversion to Servus.  He took that organization to the status of one of the 50 best companies in the country.  He has led the United Way Campaign, and has been a member of the Board of Capital Health.  Judy Buddle has been a member of the School Board, and she and Harry have raised 9 children, 4 of them adopted.  Harry recently participated in the 1000 km Kids with Cancer cycle ride.

Harry had spent two hours with the Club Board prior to the lunch meeting and he is impressed with the many good works of Edmonton West.  He feels honored to be Governor of this District, and has seen enough to know that Past District Governors should be very proud of what they have created.  He reminded us that the theme for the year is "Reach Within to Embrace Humanity".

There are three priorities for the year:

1.  Support and strengthen the Clubs

2. Increase humanitarian service

3. Enhance public awareness of what we do

Harry spoke at length about change.  Although many people fear and resist change, change can be beneficial.  Harry has a formula for change:  CHANGE EQUALS OPPORTUNITY (CEO).   He provided the example of John Newton who was the Captain of a slave ship, but who went on to cleaning up his life and writing the words to the song Amazing Grace.  He also told the story about a poor family who couldn't afford summer vacations.  A Rotarian became aware of that family situation and paid for the two boys to attend YMCA summer camp.  Both of those boys went on to become Rotarians themselves.  DG Harry is one of those boys.

Harry talked about the Polio Plus Campaign.  Rotary is primarily responsible for achieving a 99% reduction in polio cases.  Some 2 billion children have received the drops and 8 million cases of polio have been prevented.  Rotary has spent $630 million on this effort and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have added another $355 million.  We are close to the end.

There is a Rotary Pilot project which will end in June, 2013 when it will become a permanent program as of July 1, 2013.  It will focus on Maternal and Child health, because some 1000 children die as a result of malnutrition or contaminated water each hour of each day.  You can help by giving to the Every Rotarian Every Year Campaign, buy buying a Paul Harris Fellowship for yourself or someone else, or signing on to the Bequest Society (including the Foundation in your will).

Membership seems to be a problem.  In the last 7 years Rotary brought in 1.2 million new members, but we lost the same number so the total membership is stagnant.  We have to close the "back door".  The world needs Rotary, but we need more Rotarians to help those who are carrying the load now. 

The New Generations programs - RYLA, RYPEN, Interact Clubs & Rotaract Clubs have been given a boost with a recent announcement of sponsorship by Servus.  Under the 5370 Rotary Employment Partnership, some 170 jobs have been generated for people who would not likely be employed.

Harry reminded us that his District Conference will be on October 28 and 29 at the River Cree Resort.  All Rotarians are welcome, and there will be many opportunities to learn about the tremendous achievements of the Clubs in our District.

Harry and Judy were thanked by PDG Dan Graham.  The Club has donated $250 to the Polio Plus Campaign as a token of our thanks for their visit to our Club.  Harry ended with a joke about Rotary Policy and Procedure Manuals.