The Westerner for March 28, 2011

Funding to Calmar Interact:  Ben Turner is travelling to Philippines in early April to donate and install about 250 solar powered lamps to replace kerosene lamps for poor people.  Kerosene is very expensive - it can take up to 50% of a family's income to buy the required fuel - it will also improve the living conditions by eliminating the resultant exhaust.  Our club donated $500 to the purchase of the lamps and $500 towards Ben's travel costs.

50/50:  Rob Dunseith and Laurie did not match cards

Finemaster:  Bert fined Bill Buckham, Steve, Dave for various ills.  Everyone that was not at the club venue at least 15 minutes before the meeting was fined for not being able to circulate and meet with other Rotarians.

George Grover Scholarship Winners:  Ron introduced the 3 winners of this year's scholarships.  In addition he mentioned the involvement of the Rotary Club of Edmonton West, the Edmonton Real Estate Board, several members of George's family and several of the firms that George had worked for in creation of the scholarship fund.  The entire scholarship program was revised 10 years ago and, since the revision, 30 scholarships totalling $235,400 have been provided.  Winners are students in either their second, third or fourth year of their program with good academic achievment and a good record of community and international volunteer service.

Sahil Gupta was born in India, moved to Canada 10 years ago, is a Canadian citizen.  His family culture did not include volunteering.  He learned about that part of Canadian culture in school.  He found that participating in volunteer activities helped him remain centered on his goals and abilities to relate to others.  He was in the International Bachelaureate program in high school.  Currently he is a second year medical student, has volunteered locally, in Tanzania and Quebec; is interested in researching how physicians have responsibilities beyond the clinical setting, is involved in political advocacy in medical school, community involvment and plans to go into general medical practice.  From his volunteer activites he is developing to become a leader.

Emerson Csorba is in second year science program but hopes to win a Rhodes Scholarship to attend Oxford for a degree in either law or philosophy of higher education.  Emerson's mother raised 3 children as a single parent.  Emerson finds university interesting and rigorous.  He has been and continues to be involved in student union, has gained valuable experience as the 20 year old president of Park Allen Community League (interaction with several generations).  He got to university via a scholarship out of high school and is impressed by the large mix of cultures in the university.  He represents 700 students at student council and has learned to become accountable to those students. He will be Vice President of the council next year and focus will be on support for international students and undergraduate research.  He has learned French through French immersion.

Kayla Stan was raised in the inner city and has been influenced by several good teachers.  She is in third year BSc Honours program for earth science/environment.  The previously mentioned influences included "one person can make a difference in the lives of others" and women should be interested in the sciences.  She hopes to improve the education opportunities in south east Asia.  Summer work in a lab gave her an interst in water sustainability.  She volunteers to help people in the community who lack normal items that most people have, delivers plants to hospital patients just to brighten their lives and let them know that someone cares, participates in a family project to knit garments and give them to the Youth Emergency Shelter, mentors first year university students through the Faculty for Science Students Study Group and plans to be a director there next year.  She follows the advice " a good leader inspires confidence in the leader, a great leader inspires confidence in the individual".

All 3 speakers thanked the club and the real estate board for the scholarship.  Mike Henry did a marvellous job of thanking the winners.

Medical Well Wishes :  Bill Storoschuk has not been attending meetings because he has been diagnosed with poor circulation to his legs and feet, is undergoing continued medical testing and does not feel comfortable with long absences from his residence.  Good luck on solving this problem, Bill.  We look to see you back to the club soon.