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Program: Rotary and the United Nations
The meeting was called to order by President Rick Merritt. Grace was said by John Potts after he found his reading glasses. O Canada was somewhat in tune thanks to Don Shaw. A Toast to her Majesty the Queen and Canada was made by President Rick.
The Head Table was introduced: Art Wing to introduce today's speaker Doug Vincent both in absentia possibly because they were in the lounge or at the buffet table; The President himself, Sergeant at Arms Bob Lawler; member in the Spotlight Marg Jarrell; and to introduce today's guests Scott Heelis.
Scott Heelis introduced our guests:
Visiting Rotarians:
Mary Roger and Frank Parkhouse from the St. Catharines Sunshine Club.
Bob and Nan Bruce from the Waterdown Club.
Ken Goodwin from Niagara on the Lake Club.
Guests of Members:
Aurora Tancock guest of Chris Bangham
Janet Veale, Alan Veale, George Hostick: guests of Nancy Ferris Hostick
Murray Walters, guest of Sam Walters
Emily Blake, guest of Chris Blake
Charmaine Grace, guest of Doug Vincent
Member in the Spotlight: Marg Jarrell
Marg joined Rotary in 1998 introduced by Chris Bangham. She is the Executive Director of Design for a New Tomorrow and Adolescent Family Support Services of Niagara and Past President of the United Way . Marg is married to Chef Albert Cipryk, has two daughters Julie and Rachel and two sons Jonathan and Clark. Among her interests are sailing, working out at the YMCA and reading. Her Rotary committee involvements include World Community Service, Literacy, Children's, Youth Exchange and the Bulletin. The Club acknowledged Marg with a round of applause.
Birthdays: Peggy Davidson was the only birthday person and was obviously out celebrating elsewhere, perhaps in the Sunshine Gardens . There was no choir practice for the Club (again).
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Nancy Ferris Hostick |
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Bob Bruce |
Nancy Ferris Hostick announced a Paul Harris Fellow award to Janet Beale for her tremendous, ongoing efforts with the Community Breakfast Program in St. Catharines .
The program operates 365 days a year providing a nutritious breakfast for many who would not normally have such a start to the day. Janet has been coordinating this effort since 1986. Until her retirement she was a dietician with the Niagara Region Long Term Care program. Janet continues to serve on multiple committees and has numerous interests.
Janet thanked the Club for the honor, stating that last year the Program served 25,000 breakfasts.
Bob Bruce Past District Governor had previously announced Paul Harris Fellows to Eugene Gilles and Brian St. Hillier and was back to recognize Art Wing with another Paul Harris Fellow for his significant involvement with Rotary and the Summit in particular. This award is Art's third Fellow. Art will also be a member of the Paul Harris Society for his financial contributions to the Foundation giving him a fourth Fellow.
Art thanked the Club and Bob for the recognition, stating that the work expands to fill the time available. "Believe in what you do. Do what you believe".
President Rick gave an update from the Board:
A three month LOA was granted to Rick Vanderkruip and a three month extension was given to Ron Fast. Both gentlemen pledged to be involved with Rotary Rib Fest despite their LOAs.
With regret the Board accepted the resignation of Nigel Riddell.
June 28 th meeting will be a dinner meeting held at the Niagara College Culinary Institute for the annual President's Farewell Dinner and frivolity.
Norma Medulun reminded the Club of the Police Clearance Certificate process now underway. Members (and spouses where appropriate) are to complete the form, sign off in front of Norma who will witness the signature and forward for processing.
New member Bob Thompson led Happy Dollars by thanking John Snowling for introducing him to the impressive club and announced he became for the third time a Grandfather. The bundle arrived on Mother's Day. Some debate took place as to the appropriate levy that was settled at an even ten dollars instead of a per pound birth weight measure.
John Potts threw in a dollar to announce his wife Jan was now able to once again do the stairs after a nasty injury while in Peru .
Terry Wilkes announced his 12 year old grandson won the Ron Fellows Go Cart event and was currently in New Castle Indiana for the STARS series.
Debbie Sevenpifer gave $20.00 to acknowledge Betty Lou Souter as this year's Canadian Red Cross Power of Humanity Award recipient given at last night's gala.
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Betty Lou Souter and Debbie Sevenpifer |
Betty Lou Souter stated it was indeed an emotional evening and was most unhappy at her photo in today's Standard (obviously Roger did not take the picture). She then turned over the proceeds from the Rotary Nevada in the amount of $3,000 to the Niagara Health System. BLS also congratulated Janet Beale on her deserved Paul Harris Fellow for her tireless work with the Breakfast Program. She also acknowledged Art and Doug for their contributions and support to Rotary.
Guest Ken Goodwin from the NOTL Club announced the June 9 th Rotary Bike Trek needed Route Marshalls to ensure safe crossing at various points for participants. Interested individuals should connect with Ken Taylor.
Ken Taylor announced the birth of a 9.2 oz grandson (for which he was present) born to his daughter yesterday and paid the predetermined levy of $10.00
John O'Connell welcomed his tennis partner Bob Thompson to the Club
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President Rick & Doug Vincent |
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Doug Vincent & Chris Bangham |
George Park won the honors but not the prize.
were excused with apologies to the Speaker
Speaker
Art Wing introduced today's speaker Dr. Doug Vincent to the "finest club in the District". Doug has a 25 year perfect attendance record with his home Club and combined his interests in travel and toys into "Tiny Toys" enterprise. Doug is involved with his Church, the United Way and the police (having just received a note from them on his way to the meeting today). He is an Honorary Colonel of the Philippines Police and travels extensively in the name of Rotary. Doug is a soft spoken Canadian who can see what needs to be done.
Doug spoke to the Club about what Rotary is doing around the world.
The Power of One starts with the local community moving to the Club President, the Governor , RI Committees and staff and ultimately to the RI President in an inverted triangle.
GSE, Polio Plus, Easter Seals, Probus Canada, United Nations were all started by a single Rotarian who shared their ideas with friends.
Polio inoculation began as a single community project and is now the largest World Health organization initiative known to mankind.
Probus started as an idea of a Cambridge Rotarian
The United Nations started with 49 Rotarians in 1945. That is why we are at the UN table. Rotary is the only NGO with official status.
Rotary has the proven ability to mobilize successful campaigns such as clean water, polio eradication, literacy.
Community Leaders are individuals and are the true World Leaders. We know how to build capacity.
The UN has asked Rotary to hold governments and service providers accountable for their decisions and actions.
CRCID Canadian International Service Rotary Foundation needs our support.
Manila, The Philippines desperately needed sanitation and clean water for their shanty town communities. By building water pump stations, access to hygiene, health, life came from the availability of clean water. Prior to that water came by buckets carried for an hour and a half from a distant town.
Feeding and educating malnourished children came about through the power of matching grants and the concept of building sustainability by teaching how to grow and care for crops. By buying implements and seeds, teaching children and others how to cultivate gardens, harvest and preserve their crops sustainable nutrition happens. With an individual club contribution of $500.00 and the power of matching grants, a $6,000 budget was realized and used to build sustainability. Data proves that by improving the physical conditions of a child their school grades improve dramatically. 85 children hugged and kissed Doug as the Icon of help, hope and healing.
In the Aeta Tribal Village he was welcomed by the Chief. Their homes were not much more than some shelter with a fire ring. A local watering hole was used for bathing and cooking. With $4,000 a well was dug, providing fresh clean water for the village.
Doug gave a visible lesson on how Matching Grants grow like Magic with the able participation of Liz Palmieri and Chris Bangham. $5.00 became $20.00 in no time at all.
$5.00 from a Club, matched by $5.00 from DDF matched by Rotary Foundation and voila!
The Wheel Chair Foundation creates dignity and freedom by providing mobility. 254 wheel chairs at a final cost of $42,000 with an initial Club ante of $6,000 provide tremendous opportunities for so many.
Child Care development Centers in South America are a reality where grandparents care for the children. Ten years from now when the grannies are gone, they will be left with a group of twenty year olds without family supports. A tragedy in the making.
Hospitals in Mexico benefit from medicines and supplies. A $10,000 contribution gave eyesight to 84 people at a cost of $132.00 per person. An 89 year old benefited from eye surgery and saw grandchildren for the first time when the eye patches were removed.
You are the Power of Rotary. 182 countries, one friendship at a time.
Brian St. Hillier thanked Doug for his informative and educational presentation and for clearly showing how the Foundation works and the appeal of matching grants.
President Rick thanked Doug for bringing Rotary alive and presented him with a certificate of appreciation and contribution to the Literacy efforts.
President Rick announced that he had been selected as the incoming Assistant Governor commencing July, replacing outgoing Bob Manny from the Sunrise Club.
Next week: MP Rick Dykstra
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