The Westerner for December 12, 2011
Meeting: chair, Sherry; music, Jerome; grace, Chris
Attendance/Guests: 37 including guest speakers Erin Sobat and Lindsay Lam, president and vice president of Edmonton Centennial Interact Club; Steven P. Eleniak, Rotary Club of Edmonton Northeast; Ivan Docker, Rotary Club of Edmonton Strathcona
Belize: Fred commented on the 6 days that he and Duane spent in Placentia and Siene Bight. It was productive, the Rotary Club we deal with is very involved, we plan to build a cafeteria and fund a literacy program. Fred advised that the scuba diving is fantastic.
Fellowship Dinners: call Catherine as she is assisting Bob Lamoureux in scheduling these dinners - more participants are needed
Sally Ann: December 17 at Capilano Mall - 10:00 to 6:00 - prescheuled participants - thanks for your participation
50/50: Michael McLaughlin and Doug Sollows did not match cards.
No Meetings: December 26; January 2; Happy Holidays.
Finemaster: Doug Sollows fined those not wearing a Christmas tie or neckerchief $1; then fined those wearing those items $1 for the inspiration provided
Guest Speakers: Ron introduced Erin Sobat and Lindsay Lam, both in Grade 12 at Ross Shepard High, to talk about Edmonton Centennial Interact Club.
Chartered in 2005; maximum 36 members with 12 from each grade; currently 34 members; first Interact Club in Edmonton and second to Dawson Creek in Rotary District 5370; sponsors are Rotary Clubs of Edmonton Riverview and Edmonton West; meet Thursday at noon; all members of Edmonton West are invited to attend their meetings.
9 people on their board of directors - president, vice presidnet, secretary, treasurer, funding director, 2 only community directors, international director, communications director (internal club communication and Facebook). Fund raisers include selling gift cards, banquet with silent auction - current date is April 13 at Ramada Inn on Kingsway - they are looking for sponsors especially for printing tickets and provision of Visa machine plus all of our club members are requested to buy tickets and attend - tickets should be available from Ron,
Major projects: community service - reading buddies {after school at Coronation Elementary};sports buddies; Big Sisters, Big Brothers Boys and Girls Club [mentors}; Kids Cottage <every second Saturday - crisis centre for children with family support problems>; Stollery Hospital - once per month, usually on major holidays - play with patients at the Beach (they are the only high school group given regular access to the Stollery); sell tickets @ Edmonton Heritage Festival as well as count money and guard the golf carts (Festival board of directors use the carts to service the various pavillions and can be a disaster if the golf carts go missing); Halloween for Hunger {obtain food items for homeless - raised 655 kilograms of food this last October 31}; for the future - hoping to work with the Bissell Centre and Hope Mission to provide leadership opportunites to Interactors.
International projects include improving Belize education system mainly through school sponsorships. 2007 Eden Primary and St. Ignatio - buy desks; 2009 Ocean Academy on Cape Caulker Island - help develop new high school - first graduates this year - they provided funds for computer lab and some tuition support for students plus provision of school supplies. Future plans are to help Frank's Eddy with purchase of water pump to drain swamp behind school to enable fill in to develop sports field. In 2010 they visited Belize and provided a sports day plus painted a school. In 2012, March 22 - 31, 12 students will go to paint a computer lab, deliver supplies, provide a sports day, maybe tutor some students.
Othe fund raisers - raffle @ football game with Jasper Place; sell raffles at Totem Hoop [a basketball tournament]; present a talent show.
A very busy club - congratulations. President Sherry presented them $1,000 for our club's annual support; the speakers were thanked by Lorne.