The Westerner for September 14, 2009

Congratulations:  Bill Storoschuk has provided 30 years of service to our club on the front reception desk, he is stepping down (we hope he trained his replacements), thanks for a job well done and now you can enjoy our meetings without the big responsibility

Reading Week:  Jim Johnston was circulating the schedule for sign up for Rotarians to read to students at James Gibbons School, call Jim to arrange your participation (780-452-7624)

Fellowship Dinners:  Bob Lamoureux was circulating a list to see who would be interested in attending this year's version, call Bob to register (780-468-6906)

Cosmopolitan Music Society:  Jim Spalding announced the Lest We Forget Concert, November 7, 7:30 @ Winspear, tickets $20

Shine Dental Clinic:  Joe announced that the previously mentioned sterilizer, purchased from our donated funds, has been delivered to the clinic and the clinic is able to continue operations

50/50:  Jerome & Zen  did not match cards, $330 carried over

Finemaster:  Ross announced the sale of the club's hockey pool fundraiser tickets ($20), if you had purchased one ticket, fine was $2; if you had not purchased, fine was $3; if you had purchased 2 or more, no fine

Guest Speaker:  Jennifer talked on the Rotary District 5370 Belize Program (project is one year commitment, program is multi year commitment).

Guest Stephen Lindop, besides being a Rotarian, is principal of Calmar High School.  About 10 years ago, he was looking for a project that the Alberta Teachers Association could become involved in to advance education in the third world.  Africa was a possible place of interest but he decided to look in the western hemisphere and found the need in Belize.  Stephen has visited Belize at least 12 times in the past 10 years to get this project going.  Somewhere along the line, he heard that Rotary might help fund.  He approached the Nisku-Leduc club and they said yes, so long as he joined their club.  When Ed Willson was District Governor, he agred to take the project on as a district project which became a multi year program commitment.  Stephen created the Calmar Interact Club to proved students with a facility to provide service to others.  Ben Turner is the lead member of that club with respect to their Belize projects.  Last spring they went ot Belize and found the poverty which included no power in most of the schools.  Calmar Interact is visiting Belize again this November to install donated solar panels to give several schools the required power for their technology requirements. 

Enter Jennifer, who is taking on part of Jackie Hobal's district commitment to the Belize Education Program. Jennifer went to Belize in August to help educate Belize teachers in the Alberta Education Curriculum.  The aim is to build capacity and sustainability in Belize.  Jennifer says she is even more proud of being a Rotary after her experience, this summer, in Belize.  Rotary is making a big difference.  The program includes the summer teacher education component, a technology integration component (Jerome is involved so we know this will be a succeess), teaching & learning resources (containers of supplies have been and will be shipped) and ancillary projects (past distict governor David Taylor of Camrose is coordinating club projects across the district to try to eliminate duplication).

Last year, some teachers were taught to be master teachers and it was hoped that they would be able to teach others.  This did not happen so, this year, the Alberta group included Belizian principals and members of the Belize Department of Education (including the minister) so that there would be authority to expand the knowledge base around the whole country (close to 280 schools).

Most schools have some religious leadership involvement so these leaders need to become included.  This year, there were 3 Alberta teachers at each of 6 sites to create learning coaches among the Belizian teachers that attended.  These learning coaches would then teach the rest of nearly 2000 teachers around Belize.  All the principals were included except at the high school level.  121 master teachers/learning coaches were trained.  All 6 Rotary clubs in Belize are also involved.

The next trip, in February, will visit schools to evaluate the progress, follow up with ministry of education personnel and attend the Rotary District Conference for Central America being held in Belize City.  Another container of supplies will be sent out and 24 teachers and administrators will attend to provide another learning week next summer.  The aim wil to be concentrate on new Belizian principals and administrators.  To no ones surprise, not all Belizean teachers have formal education training. 

Our Centenial Interact Club has 2 projects under way and they have adopted 2 schools.  Schools are available to adoption by other club/groups.

Rob Dunseith thanked Jennifer.