From Boyle Street to Belize, Edmonton West Rotary has a sixty year history of applying its members' unique skills and talents to the challenges that face our community, our city and our world. Join us!
The 60th Anniversary for Rotary Club of Edmonton West plus the 110th Anniversary for Rotary International
Total attendance 52 – 31 members + 21 guest including: Scott McKeen, Butch Balch, Clive Burke, Donna Nicoll, Linda Robertson (DG), Carol Graham, Judy Schultz, Ross Hallett (E-Club), Darlene Hallett (E-Club), Edward Ramsden (St. Albert), Nadine Fulmer (Edmonton Northeast), Matt Rowlette (Edmonton Sunrise), Peter Parmer (Edmonton Sunrise), Wendy Andrews (Edmonton Glenora), Kathleen Gowers, Fern Proulx (St. Albert), Merle Martin, Ralph Playdon, Sarah Bykowski, John Nicoll (E-Club), Darrel Babuk.
Piper Butch piped in the grand procession of dignitaries; Jerome led O Canada; Fred gave grace
President Ingrid honoured Charter President Ben Lang and the 26 charter members who started the road of success for one of the most successful Rotary Clubs in Western Canada. She then gave a list of other highlites for the year 1955 including the start of Canadian Federal Government's Old Age Security Program, and the immense personal fortitude shown by Rosa Parks in refusing to give up her seat on the bus in Southern United States of America to a non coloured person.
Proclamation by the City of Edmonton: City Councillor Scott McKeen provided commentary from the City of Edmonton on behalf of Mayor Don Iveson concerning Rotary Day and the gratitude of the citizens for both Rotary Club of Edmonton West and Rotary International for providing service to the local and international communities. He read the proclamation and presented it to President Ingrid together with a certificate signed by Mayor Iveson
Honouring Long Serving Rotary Club of Edmonton West Members (presentation of a special 60th anniversary Rotary International pin together with a tag showing number of years of service): previously Doug MacDougall (56 Years), Brian Thompson (36 years) and Al Holmes (35 years) had been honoured. Today 3 members with 31 years of service were honoured: Lorne Proctor, Jim Spalding and David Turner together with Jim Johnston (29 years), Jerome Martin (28 years) and Past Rotary District 5360 Governor Dan Graham (26 years).
Induction of Member: sponsor David Turner introduced Mark Dobko, Edmonton Manager for Driving Force who has been with that firm 10 years, manages 75% of the profit producing facilities for Driving Force; he is married to Sarah and they have 2 children: son Macklin age 6 and daughter McKenna age 3. Welcome to the Rotary Club of Edmonton West. President Ingrid read a short induction commentary, Rotary District 5370 Governor Linda Robertson presented Mark with his Rotary pin and Secretary Darrel Ripley presented a documentation folder.
Opinion of Rotary Club of Edmonton West's best project in the first 60 years: President Ingrid asked two members for their impressions
Past District Governor Dan Graham acknowledged that sponsorship of Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron 395 (31 years), visitation and provision of entertainment to residents of Grandview Extended Care Centre (close to 40 years; teaching of Canadian students in Adventure in Energy (about 11 years) were milestone projects/programs. However the project closest to his heart occurred during his year as Rotary Club of Edmonton West President. It was called "Gift of Life", relates back to 1993 when an Edmonton doctor returned from a trip to the Ukraine where he provided medical support to the Ukraine residents centered around Kiev. He talked to our Rotary Club and told us about the horrendous situation controlling the life of a 9 year old girl who had many problems including a hole in her bladder and a defective kidney valve. He stated that without immediate surgery her life was at risk and, even if she managed to stay alive, she would be destined to a solitary life style because she had to wear a diaper constantly and she was so embarrassed. He said he would donate his services to provide surgery in Edmonton to correct her problems but needed in excess of $4,000 to bring both the girl named Alena and her father to Edmonton. Dan had a problem. He wanted to help but the Rotary Club of Edmonton West had just delivered a large Ford bus to Grandview Extended Care Centre for transportation of residents on rehabilitative trips and still owned $45,000 to be paid out of future casino proceeds. He convened the club's board of directors and got the go ahead to plan a fund raiser. Rotarian Harry Bassarba, general manager for Sears in Kingsway Garden Mall, said we could use the mall for a fund raising blitz and the club members manned the booth to raise the Life Line of Loonies to bring Alena to Edmonton. Target was $4,500 but Rotarian Bonnie Summers received a cheque from one man for $3,000 and the total raised was $9,500. Alena and her father arrived late November and the operation (3 major repairs) was done December 6. Hospital and all medical services were donated. Alena quickly regained her health.
Past President Ben Doz, a member for 17 years, recounted his many visits to Huehuetenango, Guatemala, on his Eye Care for Guatemala program. The idea was generated by Zen Moisey which was to provide vision services to back stop Dr. Carlos Solarzanno in the poor area of Guatemala around Huehuetenango. The project was an international project where in the Huehuetenango Rotary Club ran the project and the Rotary Club of Edmonton West donated people's time, travel expenses and medical supplies. Ben and wife Marley have done the weekly January trip at least 16 times and have been supported by some local eye doctors/surgeons, nurses and Rotarian which include Lorne, Brian, Al and Karen Sanderson, David Gibbens and many others. Ben, Marley and Lorne have become honourary members of the Huehuetenango Rotary Club. Many lives have been improved by provision of eye exams, eye glasses, cataract and other surgeries plus treatment of infections. The host club identifies the patients and Edmonton West provides the service.
District Governor Linda Robertson brought congratulations from both Rotary District 5370 and Rotary International.
Paul Harris Fellowship: Governor Linda presented Doug Sollows with his 4th Paul Harris Fellowship, CONGRATULATIONS.
Highest Honour in Rotary International "SERVICE ABOVE SELF AWARD": only 150 presented every year (award started in 1991): Governor Linda, on behalf of Rotary International President Gary Huang, presented Rotarian Dr. Ben Doz with one of this year's awards. Only 10 have been presented to Rotary District 5370 Rotarians and 2 of them are to members of Rotary Club of Edmonton West = Ben Doz and Zen Moisey. AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS!!! His work in addition to Eyes for Guatemala is impressive.
Other City of Edmonton Honours: Rotary Flag flying all weekend at Edmonton City Hall, High Level Bridge will be lit in Rotary colours for evening of February 23
Rotary Club of Edmonton West Curling Team: David Gibbens, Ed, Fred, Brian will represent our club at the Rotary Districts 5360/5370 Bonspiel this weekend. Brian showcased the Rotary colours baggy pants that the team will be wearing: good luck, bring back the trophy.
Note of Interest: former member Ben Turner, age 22, has multiple sclerosis and is lobbying to become the Liberal Party candidate in the new federal riding of Devon.
The Edmonton West Rotary Club will be holding another Club Social Event as per the details outlined below:
gratitude of the citizens for both Rotary Club of Edmonton West and Rotary International for providing service to the local and international communities. He read the proclamation and presented it to President Ingrid together with a certificate signed by Mayor Iveson
Induction of Member: sponsor David Turner introduced Mark Dobko, Edmonton Manager for Driving Force who has been with that firm 10 years, manages 75% of the profit producing facilities for Driving Force; he is married to Sarah and they have 2 children: son Macklin age 6 and daughter McKenna age 3. Welcome to the Rotary Club of Edmonton West. President Ingrid read a short induction commentary, Rotary District 5370 Governor Linda Robertson presented Mark with his Rotary pin and Secretary Darrel Ripley presented a documentation folder.
problems including a hole in her bladder and a defective kidney valve. He stated that without immediate surgery her life was at risk and, even if she managed to stay alive, she would be destined to a solitary life style because she had to wear a diaper constantly and she was so embarrassed. He said he would donate his services to provide surgery in Edmonton to correct her problems but needed in excess of $4,000 to bring both the girl named Alena and her father to Edmonton. Dan had a problem. He wanted to help but the Rotary Club of Edmonton West had just delivered a large Ford bus to Grandview Extended Care Centre for transportation of residents on rehabilitative trips and still owned $45,000 to be paid out of future casino proceeds. He convened the club's board of directors and got the go ahead to plan a fund raiser. Rotarian Harry Bassarba, general manager for Sears in Kingsway Garden Mall, said we could use the mall for a fund raising blitz and the club members manned the booth to raise the Life Line of Loonies to bring Alena to Edmonton. Target was $4,500 but Rotarian Bonnie Summers received a cheque from one man for $3,000 and the total raised was $9,500. Alena and her father arrived late November and the operation (3 major repairs) was done December 6. Hospital and all medical services were donated. Alena quickly regained her health.
Highest Honour in Rotary International "SERVICE ABOVE SELF AWARD": only 150 presented every year (award started in 1991): Governor Linda, on behalf of Rotary International President Gary Huang, presented Rotarian Dr. Ben Doz with one of this year's awards. Only 10 have been presented to Rotary District 5370 Rotarians and 2 of them are to members of Rotary Club of Edmonton West = Ben Doz and Zen Moisey. AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS!!! His work in addition to Eyes for Guatemala is impressive.
Rotary Club of Edmonton West Curling Team: David Gibbens, Ed, Fred, Brian will represent our club at the Rotary Districts 5360/5370 Bonspiel this weekend. Brian showcased the Rotary colours baggy pants that the team will be wearing: good luck, bring back the trophy.
