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Don Shaw led us in Oh Canada, Rotarian Doug Geddie offered Grace, and a toast was made to Her Majesty The Queen and Canada.
President Tom introduced our Head Table:
Bob Gosselin to introduce our speaker
Guest speaker Lyndie Ramsey
President Tom Arkell
Sergeant-at-arms Art Weaver
Rotarian in the Spotlight Dave Stevenson
Registrar Steve Tenyenhuis
Guests:
Steve Tenyenhuis introduced our Guests:
Visiting Rotarian Ian Forbes from the St. Catharines South club
Joel Chatteron, guest of Tom Arkell
Dave Sherlock, guest of Phil Porter
Tom Arkell announced awards recognizing some of our club members at last night’s United Way gala. The Chairs Award was given to George Darte Funeral Chapel, Event of the Year recognized a Niagara Health System event, the Long Standing Service Award was given to the St. Catharines Transit Commission and the Volunteer of the Year award was presented to Bob Gosselin. Congratulations to all!
Foster Zanutto, on behalf of John Snowling, announced that there will be a meeting of all Directors and committee chairs, both current and incoming, to talk about planning for next year. It will take place on Saturday, March 29th from 10 am to noon in the Trading Room at the Royal LePage offices located at 33 Maywood Ave. in St. Catharines.
Tom Arkell was pleased to induct Joel Chatterton as our newest Rotarian. A resident of St. Catharines, Joel is a professional firefighter previously with North York and with St. Catharines since 1992. He is currently Acting Captain. He is married to wife Brenda and has a 15 year old daughter, Taylor. Tom became acquainted with Joel and his wife through St. George’s church and his volunteering to assist with a beer-tasting special event (apparently this was Tom’s preferred religion). Tom enjoys camping, hiking, baseball, Scouts and woodworking. Some of us enjoy the fact that he is a firefighter calendar boy! Welcome Joel!
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Tom Arkell & Joel Chatterton |
Marg Jarrell, on behalf of Youth Exchange, announced a get-together at her home (179 Dalhousie Ave.) next Wednesday, March 26th beginning at 7 pm to provide an information session regarding hosting a youth exchange student. She reminded us all that this programme is a shared duty. Inviting students to dinner at your home to talk, listen and be supportive is just as important as taking them out to events, etc. It’s a great pleasure, but greater participation is needed. She also reminded members of the ‘Night of a Thousand Dinners’ on Wednesday, April 23 at John Michael’s Banquet Centre. Guest speaker is Scott Fairweather, Director of the Canadian Landmines Foundation.
Tom Arkell announced that those who pre-ordered their samosas for the Rotaract fundraiser can pick them up at the registration table on the way out.
Collected by Alex McKee
Alex McKee thanked Heather Combe and her outstanding staff for the service and comfort they provided to their family and their 20 year old cat Gizmo, after he passed away.
Rotaract President Tufan thanked Rotarians for their support and announced he had 15 extra samosas for sale.
Rick Evans had been trying to correspond with our former Danish exchange student (Jesper) but was having no luck. After searching the internet and finding a namesake, they eventually tracked down ‘our’ Jesper, who is alive and well and working for the airport in Copenhagen.
Norma Medulun was happy the raccoons have vacated her crawlspace just in time for her to leave on vacation.
Kelly Buckley was disappointed for Betty Ann Baker’s struggle with OHIP over her lobbying for funding of treatment related to macular degeneration. She was happy to have celebrated her parents’ 64th wedding anniversary on March 18th, albeit the party was in a hospital room.
John Crossingham threw in $5. The first was for being the ‘designated pariah’ last week. The second was for his week away skiing. The third was for an exchange student from Turkey that will be visiting over Easter. The fourth was a plea for families to host Australian work exchange members during the Canada Day weekend and the fifth to protest the change in music and programming at the CBC. Whew!
Brian St. Hilaire noted Phil Porter’s photo and article in the paper about the success of the Ice Dogs. Go Dogs Go!
Tim Rigby survived a seventeen family member Disney cruise, with his home intact upon his return.
Harold Nash remembered long-time Rotarian Len Fenig, who passed away last Sunday.
George Park had a bet on the England/Ireland rugby game with John O’Connell. Apparently he’s going to see the Ice Dogs tonight as a result.
Cindy Mewhinney was thrilled that the United Way reached its $3.1 million campaign goal and thanked the many Rotarians in the room that were involved in making it happen.
Mary Margaret Murphy welcomed Joel into the club and reminded us about the ‘Hot Night in the City’ CIBC fundraiser on March 28th, featuring our professional firefighters. See Mary Margaret or Joel if you want to purchase a ticket for $20.
Joel Chatterton was happy to be the newest Rotarian, thankful for the support of his wife and daughter and appreciative of Tom for being his sponsor and Earl for helping guide him along the way.
Jim Denham, although a hockey fan, congratulated the Brock University men’s basketball team for winning the Canadian championship.
Tom Arkell asked Rotarians to stand for a moment of silence in memory of Len Fenig.
March 16 – Dave Stevenson
March 16 – John Nitsopoulos
March 16 – Debbie Sevenpifer
March 21 – Mike Michaud
Alex McKee had the winning ticket but not the lucky card, so the pot continues to grow.
A retired accountant, Dave has been a member of Rotary since 1963 and was introduced by Don Fraser. He has served on nearly all or our committees and currently sits on Civic Affairs and Major Grants. He has served on the Board of Directors on two occasions and was President of our club in 1982-83. Dave served on the District Conference Committee when Charlie Complin was District Governor and was District Treasurer in Roger Allen’s years. His most memorable experiences include his years of service on the Crippled Children’s Committee, including all of the Christmas parties and summer activities at Lakewood Camp. Dave has been on the Board of Directors of the Niagara Peninsula Crippled Children’s Centre for 15 years, including 2 years as its President.
Dave is married to Sonia and they have been blessed with a daughter, Adrian. Dave is an active curler that has participated in Rotary curling since joining the club. Apparently all of this practise has done little to improve his skills, according to his teammates! Congratulations on 45 years as a Rotarian, Dave.
Canadian Red Cross – Personal Preparedness Program
Bob Gosselin introduced our speaker, Lyndie Ramsey. Lyndie is the Coordinator of Disaster Management for the Niagara branch of the Canadian Red Cross. She is a graduate of Brock University, working at the national, regional and local levels. She works with 75 volunteers at the Niagara branch. A native of St. Catharines, she enjoys travelling and hiking when she has the time.
The Disaster Management Program of the Red Cross helps vulnerable individuals in the community that have been forced from their homes. Currently they deal with 2 to 3 incidences like this per month. Personal disaster assistance is a short-term program (within 72 hours of a disaster) for small-scale emergencies. Its emphasis is providing lodging, food and clothing to victims and helping them get in touch with agencies that can assist them in recovering. The team of 2 volunteers are on all 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and respond within one hour of notification.
The Emergency Response Team handles disasters that affect 50 persons or more and provides the management and operations of an emergency shelter. Six essential services are provided in such cases, namely registration and inquiry, feeding (the Salvation Army is the local partner on this), lodging, personal services, clothing and reception and information.
Natural disasters have been increasing in frequency and intensity worldwide, with a greater number of people being impacted. A staff person for the Red Cross coordinates these programs, however all field work is done by volunteers.
Personal preparedness focuses on being ready before something happens. ‘Expect the Unexpected’ and ‘Facing Fear’ are two youth programs. ‘Bug Out’ is a new youth program to help in the prevention of disease transmission.
A personal preparedness workshop is available, with the intent of teaching you what is needed to be self-sufficient for 72 hours following a disaster. Three tenets of preparedness:
1. Know your risks (i.e. hazardous material spills, ice and snow storms, terrorism)
2. Develop an emergency plan (have an out-of-town contact, copies of documents and valuables, know how to turn off all home utilities, plan for pets and any special needs and know the emergency exits for your home).
3. Make a kit. Things to include are 3 days worth of food and water, a first-aid kit and medication, a batter and solar or wind-up radio, tools and supplies, clothing and bedding, special items, legal documents and storage containers.
Lyndie brought copies of an Emergency Preparedness Guide. She indicated that the City of St. Catharines will be launching its own specific guide in May coinciding with Personal Preparedness Week, which will be available through the local fire departments.
All services provided by the Red Cross are free of charge and are made possible as a result of donors and volunteers. She thanked our club for its recent donation to the personal preparedness program.
Wendy Southall expressed her appreciation on behalf of all emergency services personnel for the efforts of Red Cross volunteers in supporting and comforting people that have suffered through such disasters. She thanked Lyndie for her informative talk.
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Lyndie Ramsey & President Tom Arkell |
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