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Program: Youth Exchange-Student's Final Address
President Rick opened the meeting, and invited Terry McDougall to say grace. Don Shaw started us into the National Anthem, and the Queen and the people of Canada were toasted.
Head Table introductions: Margaret Jarrell, to introduce the speaker; Youth exchange student Bekki Kugler; President Rick Merritt; Sgt at Arms Bob Lawler; and to introduce guests: Scott Heelis.
Our guests were: Meredith, Russell and Terry Donohue, Watson Reed, and Albert Cipryk , all guests of Bekki Kugler and the Youth Exchange Committee.
Dolores Grimstead, guest of Patricia Rooney.
Carole Merritt, guest of Rick Merritt.
Vicki Dubciak, guest of Ron Dubciak.
Betty Complin and Gale McAdam, guests of Dave McAdam.
Terry Quinlan, guest of Dan Patterson.
Janet Johnston spoke to our Club's sponsorship to students incoming from another country and one to go to another country, in support of the Rotary mission of increasing world peace through understanding. She then called upon Ken Taylor to speak about the experience of hosting a student.
Ken and Denise have hosted 12 students, and found it to be a heart warming, fabulous experience. Then, when they visited abroad and visited the families of the students they had hosted they found that too to be an enriching experience. Ken asked us to consider hosting. While it is a serious responsibility, there is help form other Rotarians; a bus pass is provided to reduce the amount of host driving, and a counsellor is provided by the club to assist should that be required.
May 29 is Mac Gollert's birthday.
A card was circulated for Jim Hanson and one for Peter Kudreikis, each of whom has experienced a health challenge.
Committee Meetings: Children's, Monday June 4, 5:00 at Sullivan Mahoney Ribfest, Tuesday at 5 at Rodman Hall.
Public Meeting re: Rotary Park at the 4 Plex, Meridian Room.
Golf Tournament- June 18, fully subscribe, but still seeking prizes and hole sponsorships ($150). Board meeting- standup board meeting immediately following the regular lunch meeting Thursday, May 31.
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Bekki Kugler and Doug Geddie |
Doug Geddie announced that he would ride in the June 9 bike trek which involves the exchange students, inviting Rotarians to join in, or pledge to support Bekki. He then presented Bekki with a German Tour de France shirt, which she may wear on the bike trek.
Judith Barker spoke about Ribfest sponsorship. She mentioned Rotarians seeking support from sponsors who have sponsored before, and those looking for new sponsors. Sposnsors can get a good feeling from participating in one of the communities largest fundraising events, in support of Rotary's very important work in the community and abroad. The hospitality tent is available during Ribfest to sponsors.
Norma Medulun spoke to the Criminal Reference check process. She advised those who have submitted their clearance information can pick up at the detachment they had chosen on June 15, reminding them to have two pieces of government issued identification with them. Those whose form has not yet been submitted will be advised of a pick up date later.
Janet Johnston : Paul Harris Fellow; Janet reviewed that our Club donates $1000 to Rotary's International Foundation to honour a person who efforts build international peace and understanding. Both Patricia Rooney and Watson Reed have done so, especially through the dedication they have shown in Youth Exchange. They have hosted 10 students, and palyed many other significant roles in support of the program. A standing ovation was given to the recipients. Patricia Rooney was particularly pleased that Betty Complin and Gale McAdam wer present as she received this honour, as Charlie Complin had been her inspiration. She spoke to how much she had learned from students, and happy to open her home to them, and thanked both them and Rotary for the opportunity. Watson spoke to the enriching experience hosting has been, and his view that the seeds planted through this program go world wide.
Gale McAdam was on hand to present to Karly Gemmel, in absentia due to a school excursion, the Complin subsidy for outbound students, provided by the Club in Charlie's name.
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Gale McAdam & Mom Betty Complin |
President Rick indicated that the Complin award, symbolizing service above self for a Rotarian who makes a serous contribution to the Rotary year, will be presented on June 28.
Stuart Butler led with happiness that the myriad children's sports and activities which require so much parental support and participation- he's Dad to 3- will end for the summer some time soon.
Doug Geddie ran in the Ottawa marathon and fulfilled a dream by qualifying for the Boston marathon. Doug then, in his own inimitable style, underplayed this huge accomplishment with references to formula that accommodates for age in the qualification process!
Daren Devries is happy about her son's guitar playing.
Eugene Gillies was happy to remind us of Charlie Complin's role in involving the club in youth exchange, and of John De Laaat and Lezlie Murch participating abroad in the programme.
Oraine deRosa updated us on Alex having gall stones removed, and her happiness at attending Niagara District High School 's 50th anniversary (not hers! The school's!)
George Doty spoke of the dangers of wedding cake.
Rick Evans was happy to congratulate Patricia and Watson for becoming Paul Harris fellows.
And he shared that he was in receipt of 16 certificates form individuals whose eyesight ahs been restored due to our Club's support.
Dave Edwards was happy to share that, under Mary Anne Edwards leadership, a truckload of food was donated to Community Care and more than $270,000 had been raised for cancer treatment in Niagara form the Rankin Cancer Run.
Dave Butler was happy about Doug Geddie's marathon.
Ken Taylor was happy to congratulate Patricia and Watson. He wondered aloud if Rotary International knew that these two had on more than one occasion carried drugs to Cuba .
Betty Lou Souter congratulated Patricia and Watson, Mary Anne Edwards, and shared that the food donation was almost 5 tons of food.
John Snowling was happy about and for Patricia, Watson, and indicated that Bekki will be missed.
Dave Butler emptied the pot!!
were excused.
Margaret Jarrell introduce this year's Exchange Student, Bekki Kugler. Bekki's father died two years ago, she lives with her brother Philip, twin sister Valeri, and her Mom in Munich , Germany . Bekki is 17 tears old, loves music, dings beautifully and plays the violin beautifully as well. She loves the Arts and to travel.
Bekki Kugler: Bekki charmed Rotarians with her presentation. Bekki was excited to come to Canada , and imagined it with high mountains, because her brother had been to B.C. Bekki' sister went on exchange to Venezuela , and both were happy with the assignment countries they received. She spoke about homesickness, and despite that feeling supported all through her year. She was invited by many different Rotarians to dinner, or a concert, hockey games and cross country ski weekend. She had wonderful host families, and trips to Cuba and Temagami and South Carolina . She described how she had to have the experience to learn what she has learned about her self and others. Wonderful pictures of her year were shown to us, as well as a grounding in her home, Munich . Bekki graciously thanked the Club as a whole.
Judith Barker spoke a sincere and appreciative thank you on behalf of the Club, and President Rick presented an acknowledgment of a donation in Bekki's name to a literacy project in appreciation for her presentation.
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Bekki Kugler and President Rick |
Bekki then presented a plaque, in appreciation, to each of her host families, i.e the Donohues, Patricia Rooney and Watson Reed, Heather Coombe and George Darte, Albert Cipryk and Margaret Jarrell.
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