This will be the last Newsletter for 2018 and I am coming up to my half way point in my year as Club President. It seems a good time to reflect on the past few months. Our club is strong and active in all areas, thanks to you all we are the "Best in the West"! I would like to thank my board for all your hard work and for keeping me on track. You have contributed your time, effort and talents to making this club strong. I am so proud to belong to this club. I grew up in a village where people helped each other and those less fortunate. I have always wanted to be involved in my community and Rotary has given me that opportunity. In the Rotary Club of Edmonton West I have found a group of amazing people who have been giving back to their community and beyond for over 60 years. Thank you for welcoming me into your family.
I would like to send warm wishes to my Rotary family and friends. May the season fill your homes with joy, your hearts with love and your lives with laughter.
I will be away for a few meetings in January and I will be leaving you in the capable hands of Ken Brander, our Rotary Jedi Knight!
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE
What have we been up to this week?
Look at those awesome smiles.........that's what happens when you volunteer and give your time to help others!! The Daytimers were busy painting this past week. If anyone would like to join this fine group contact Al.
If you were in search of some Christmas Spirit this past weekend.....there was plenty to go around on the streets of Edmonton. Hundreds of Edmontonians', Rotarians included were out and about delivering food hampers for the Christmas Bureau and presents for Santa's Anonymous.
As you heard at the AGM we have increased our funding to the Kids Inner City Development Society this year to $10,000. Al Hamilton was at the meeting on Monday to accept the cheque for KIDS (Kids Inner City Development Society). The funds help to run the McCauley Rink skating program, maintain the rink and cover the operating costs. Al, Sparky and Father Jim do wonderful work with the kids, giving them a place to go.
Guatemala Eye Project
The 22nd Guatemala Eye Project is all ready to go on January 5th. I am really excited to be part of the group this year, along with Ben Doz and Marley McGonigle, Lorne Proctor, Fred Kraft, Al and Karen Sanderson and Duane and Cathie Evans.
This Week's Speaker
Meena Deccan ~ Sacrificing the Black Sheep
Meena gave a very interesting presentation about Honour Based Violence. I have attached her powerpoint below.
Our Honourary member Doug MacDougall will turn 100 years old on December 26th. We were thrilled that he was able to attend the meeting to celebrate this auspicious occasion with us. On behalf of the Rotary Club of Edmonton West, Doug was presented with a Paul Harris + 4 to thank him for his many years of Service Above Self.
INQUIRY FOR INTEREST FOR A TRIP TO GREECE IN SEPTEMBER 2019
After two successful Tours of Greece in 2016 and 2018 with about a dozen members of my club, the Rotary Club of Edmonton Strathcona, I am inquiring if members from other Rotary Clubs are interested in participating in a similar tour to be organized for September 2019. The 2018 Tour bus started from Athens, was 10 days long and took place between September 11 and 20, 2018 (average temperature 25o C).
For 2019 a similar length and timing is contemplated. If interested in participating, please send me an e-mail at the address below. I will be pleased to call you back or meet you with more details. The number of participants will be between 20 and 24, on first come first served basis. As in the previous tours we will try to connect with Rotary Clubs in the towns that we overnight. Of course, the tour is open to non-Rotarians too.
It is a bus tour taking place in the mainland visiting archeological sites, religious sites, overall site seeing (see map) and of course tasting local food, wine, ouzo and shopping. Island and cruise tours can be organized separately by individuals before or after the tour with possibility of guidance and suggestions from a travel agent in Greece.
The cut-off for participation is January 25, 2019 for the travel agent to pre-book accommodations.
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