The Westerner for April 16, 2012

President Sherry and President-Elect Rob introduced the Rotary Club of Edmonton West Executive and Board members for the current and subsequent Rotary Years:

During the next few months, a transition will occur where new Directors are taking over from retiring Directors.  In the case of the Secretary and Treasurer positions, the transition is already underway.

Treasurer’s Report:

The Rotary Club of Edmonton West does business by means of three bank accounts at the Kingsway Branch of Servus Credit Union.  As of Sunday, April 15, 2012, our bank balances are:

·         General Account                   $  40,650.15

·         Casino Account                     $  65,526.43

·         Golf Account                          $  47,387.03

• Gift Card Inventory                $  32,115.0
• Total                                      $185,678.61

 During the Rotary Year Ending June 30, 2011, our Club spent it’s moneys as follows:

·         Operating the Club (meal costs excluded):

o   RI & District Dues                             $  7,702

o   RI & District Conferences                 $  6,114

o   Meals for Guests                              $  1,242

o   Directors Meetings                           $  1,096

o   Social Functions                               $     916

o   Westerner & ClubRunner                 $     737

o   Donations & Charters                       $  4,210

o   Other Membership Expenses           $10,091

o   Total Operating Expenses                $32,108

·         Community Service projects                   $30,125

·         Vocational Service projects                     $  5,600

·         Youth Services projects                           $18,500

·         International Service projects                   $12,500

·         Total Club Service projects                      $66,725

·         Total Annual Expenses               $98,833

Our Revenue Sources to cover these expenses are:

·         Membership Dues                                                   approx.  $ 15,000

·         Golf Tournament Proceeds                                     approx.  $ 35,000

·         Casino Proceeds (One half per Rotary Year)         approx.  $ 36,000

·         Grocery Gift Card Sale Proceeds                            approx.  $   3,000

·         Fines and 50/50 Draw Proceeds                              approx.  $   2,000

·         Donations & Miscellaneous                                      approx.  $   8,000

·         Total Revenues                                                        approx.  $ 99,000

In regard to the Grocery Gift Card fundraiser, it is clear that a few of our members are using the cards to buy most of their groceries.  But we have many members who are not using the cards at all.  If more members would use these cards to make their purchases at Safeway, Sobeys/IGA or Saveon, we could easily double or triple the funds raised by buying these cards in bulk at a discount and then selling them at face value.  Think about how easy it is to raise funds this way in comparison with the alternatives!

Club Administration Report:

Rob Dunseith is pleased that Catharine Wright has agreed to take on this Directorship.  She has been helping out at the front desk, and Rob and Catharine would be happy to have more members volunteer to staff the desk on a rotating basis.  Chris Gowers has been heading up the Speakers Committee, and will be carrying on in that capacity.  Sergeant-At-Arms Jim Spalding will also be carrying on.  Dave Turner and Brian Thompson would like some other members to help them out with the Westerner note-taking and creation on ClubRunner.  David Turner will not be carrying on as our Liaison with the Alberta Gaming Commission, so we need a volunteer to take that over.  So there are lots of opportunities for members to step up and help the club carry on it’s good works in the Club Administration Directorship.

Club Service Report:

Bob Lamoureux reviewed the social events of this past year and possibly for next year including the Fellowship Dinners, the Ethnic Dinners, a summer BBQ, our Fun Golf Tournament, the Christmas Party and a cooking class/dinner.  Bob welcomes your suggestions for a favourite (ethnic) restaurant or any other club fellowship get-together.  Other fellowship activities include the Integrity Awards Dinner, the ABC’s for Belize Dinner, our annual Changeover/Awards night dinner and the Rotary Day Dinner.

Membership Report:

Bob Kimmerly is pleased to see how active in the Club our newest members are.  He talked about the new Corporate Class of membership and the New Generations Class of membership where we subsidize the cost of membership and meals for young (under 35) Rotarians.  He stressed the importance of retaining members by keeping them involved and treating them in a friendly manner.  Next week, Duane Treacy, a Shell Oil Engineer will be making his second visit to our Club as a potential new member, so if you get a chance to help make him welcome, please do so.  Our membership is down this year compared to previous years, so it is necessary for all members to think about who they might ask to join them at a meeting as a potential new member.  We are a busy club – we need help to maintain our activity level.

New Generations Report:

Lorne Proctor talked about our 395 Air Cadet Squadron sponsorship, RYLA, RYPEN, Adventure in Citizenship, the Centennial Interact Club, Clean Scene, and the fact that we have not been able to participate in the Youth Exchange program due to a lack of host families.

International Service Report:

Due to the unavoidable absence of Duane and Fred, Committee member Darryll White presented the report.   The key accomplishments of the current year include:

·         Another very successful eye mission to Guatemala

·         1^st Literacy Educational Program to Seine Bight in Belize

·         School addition to Seine Bight Pre-school, including participation in on site dedication

·         Funded Special Santa Program for children in Placencia, Belize

·         Provided Scholarships for 4 students from Placencia and Seine Bight to attend Independence High School

·         Provided hardship funds for Independence High School

·         Funded ticket program to Oil Kings Hockey game to support Polio Plus and the Inner City Rink program (double benefit)

·         Provided funding to the District Educational Program for Belize

During the upcoming Rotary year, we expect to carry on with several Belize programs, plus we will be getting involved with a similar type of effort in Cambodia.  You will be learning more about that in the near future.

Community Service Report:

John Blimke talked about the Rotary Employment Partnership program with AACL and the success we have had with Shane at the front desk and Enbridge’s involvement (through Duane) with 2 current employees and potentially 3 more in the future.  He thanked Jerome Martin for organizing the concerts at Grandview, which are currently on hold due to a renovation project and a health lock-down.  We helped the Sing For Life program at the Womens Prison.  The Fort Edmonton Park Legacy Project is well underway, and sponsorships are being solicited.  Zen Moisey has pledged $30,000 and has challenged Club members to match that amount.  The proposed Windsor Block Building is estimated to cost a total of $5 million.  The McCauley Park (Inner City) rink project has had a huge positive impact on that neighborhood during the past winter.  On May 14^th, Honorary Member Al Hamilton and others will be at our meeting to make a presentation on this project.

Summing Up:

Rob and Sherry wish to thank the members and Directors of the Club for demonstrating the commitment to “Service Above Self”, and they look forward to another great year for our Club.