The Westerner for July 29, 2013
Meeting: chair, Duane; music, Jerome; grace, Ed
Attendance/Guests: 31 including Raj Sran, guest of Chris for the second time; Nadine Fulmer, Rotary Club of Edmonton Northeast; Hank Hendricks, Rotary Club of Edmonton South
Al Hamilton & Friends Golf Tournament: Duane & John reported on a good rewarding day.
Sandon Cox: Jerome advised that he planned to serenade Sandon in the auditorium at Grandview Extended Care Centre, on the Rotary Grande Piano, and will need a least one other Rotarian to ensure that Sandon is comfortable. Contact Jerome if you wish to participate. He will advise the day and time once he determines when the auditorium is available.
Fun Golf: Bob Lamoureux confirmed that September 10 dinner is the official Rotary meeting for that week, no noon meeting September 9. If you do not plan to golf, please sign up to attend the steak dinner and official meeting at Victoria Golf Course, 5:00 p m
Belise Educational Scholarships: Fred read a letter from Government of Alberta Minister of Culture Heather Klimchuk who advised that the government had approved our request to fund scholarships for needy children in Belise and they enclosed a cheque for $2,500 towards that project. Well done, Fred
50/50: David Gibbens & Bill Buckham did not match cards, $135 carried over
Finemaster: Joe exempted all members who had brought a potential member to at least one of our club's meeting, in recognition of August being Rotary International's membership month. everyone else paid $1. He then proceeded to ask each table for an idea on how to increase our club's membership - answers included involve Interact; stream meetings on the internet; bring scholarship winners into the club; talk to ex members to try to bring them back
Happy Bucks: Dave Turner announced that he and Carol became great grand parents for the second time upon birth of Calib John
Speaker: Bob Lamoureux introduced our number 1!!! fund raiser over the last ten years, John. John talked about the golf tournament - great volunteers bring back great golfers including past president of the Rotary Club of Edmonton Mickey Dunn. Micky had retired to Kelowna but has started a new company, Bellatrix, in Calgary and sent a donation in memory of the great golf rounds he had in the past in our tournament ($2,500). The dining area at Cougar Creek Golf Club had 10 large posters telling about Rotary's target of eradicating polio plus a video tape presentation for the breakfast time. Funds raised will be confirmed but they include 2 records - $19,450 in the live auction and $3,570 in the silent auction. Old friends continue to return as sponsors because of the good times had by all attendees.
John then talked about the Rotary District 5370 Project to rejuvenate Fort Edmonton. He showed a video, very well documented, that covers the past, present and future. Rotary is now back into management of the Fort through Rotarian Jeff Polovick - Rotary started the Fort Edmonton construction project over 50 years ago from an idea of Rotarian Sam Dickson. Merrill Wolfe, then president of the Rotary Club of Edmonton pushed for the development. It is an authentic living museum of Edmonton's past. Rotary Club of Edmonton South has, for a long time, presented an annual harvest fair. The new project will see the Windsor Block being constructed between the Selkirk Hotel and the Capital Theatre which will provide a suitable mid size dining facility. Jeff & Jim Greenough are the marketing push behind this project. The Rotary District 5370 Office will be permanently relocated to this building. Donation forms to assist in covering the cost of the development can be obtained from John.
John then talked about his 20 years in Rotary (all with our club) and complimented past president and past District Governor Dan Graham for helping John see the light. John joined to give something back to the community and stayed because of the companionship. John grew up in Grande Prairie, moved to Edmonton in the 60's, spent 4 years in Ottawa, then returned to Edmonton. He became Jeff Polovick's first employee in 1978 when Jeff started Grove Rentals and Leasing which is now called the Driving Force. It plans to become a national firm in the near future. John is the general manager and has helped the firm become one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies for the last 5 years. Next year, John will transition into part time employment. He showed an interesting video on the company.
John was thanked by Joe.
Lynn Hamilton: review Edmonton Journal page D1 for July 29 to see how Don Hamilton's daughter plans to raise funds for Alberta Diabetes Institute at the University of Alberta. Don was a long time member of Rotary Club of Edmonton West who recently passed away.