The Westerner for May 13, 2013

Happy Bucks in lieu of finemaster:  Dave for graduation of youngest grandchild, Jacquelyn, from grade X11, only 13 years to go for graduation of great grand daughter Courtney; Jennifer on return from Phoenix; Ben Doz for good South American trip; Frank due to visit by daughter from Geneva; Jim Spalding as his is the first boat loaded into the lake; Fred as he anticipates his motorcycle to be released from storage; Bert upon report that Chris had a successfull operation; Doug MacDougall for some good rounds of bridge; Bill Buckham, with rotator cuff healed, looking forward to golf

Guest Speaker:  Bill Buckham introduced PDG Julius Buski, who was born in Poland, was a teacher for many years including being superintendent of a school board, was District 5370 Governor in 1999/00.  Since then he has been head of the Canadian teachers association and been instrumental in setting up a cultural heritage society and foundation plus the Canadian Foundation for World Peace.  Awards include the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medal, the Alberta Medal for Humanitarian Service, 2009/10 Rotarian of the Year for District 5370 and recent election to the Univeristy of Alberta Senate.

Julius talked about his recent trip to Chicago to attend the Rotary International Council on Legislation which meets every 3 years.  It is the body that determines the policy that the Rotary International Board of Directors must implement together with Rotary District Governors and Rotary Club Presidents.  The program, held April 21-26, was attended by 532 delegates (all past district governors that were elected by their district to attend with voting rights) plus non voting delegates being the Rotary International Board of Directors, the Rotary International Foundation Trustees, many past Rotary International Presidents and some observers.  Votes were handled through a voting machine and all verbal communication was translated into the 6 official languages of Rotary International. Each talking participant was allowed 3 minutes - if they talked longer, no one heard them as the microphone was automatically cut off.  Each delegate was given a set of cards - green to indicate wishing to talk in favour of a motion; red to talk not in favour; yellow for point of procedure; blue to close the discussion.

There were 200 resolutions to discuss in the 6 days.  A 2/3 majority was needed to pass any amendment to the Rotary International constitution or bylaws or standard Rotary Club bylaws.  Enactments required a majority vote and become effective July 1.  The strategic plan that was presented shows expectation that there will be 1.3 million Rotarians by 2015 but the 5 year financial plan showed only an increase of 42,500 Rotarians by 2018.  Thus the annual levy, per Rotarian, payable to Rotary International, was increased by $1. 

Other changes approved include a semi annual report to be sent to all members, the secretary and treasurer of all Rotary Clubs will become officers of the club, the club president must be a Rotarian of at least one year's tenure, excused (medical) absences can be extended for more that one year, the formula for elimination of attendance requirements is back to the formula of age plus years of membership equalling at least 85, the description of an active member now includes those whose work record has been interrupted or the person never worked due to attendance to the necessary task of raisng a family, a member's membership can be terminated by 2/3 majority of vote by the club's board of directors.  The offical descriptions of current and future district governors includes district governor, district governor elect, district governor nominee, district governor nominee designate.  Vice governors must be past district governors so they have the training if they need to take over the administration of the Rotary District.  E clubs can now determine their own locality (previously they have deemed to be international) and New Generations has been renamed Youth Service.  The Rotary International Board of Directors can change the boundary of or merge districts that have fewer than 1100 Rotarians.  The membership category of associate member has been established.  Note there are 14,000 clubs with fewer than 25 members each.  There are regional issues in India, France and Scandinavia.

It was announced that Rotary Foundation Chair Wilf Wilkinson plus General Secretary John Hewko plus Rotary International President Sakuji Tanaka attended an Edison Foundation event to receive that foundation's Silver Award in recognition of our great humanitarian services.

Julius was thanked by Bob Lamoureux