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Don Shaw led us in Oh Canada, Gord Armstrong offered Grace, and we toasted the Queen and Canada.
President Larry introduced the Head Table - to introduce our speaker, Foster Zanutto; speaker, Rod Hollick; President, Larry Iggulden; Sergeant-at-arms, Bill Finley; Rotarian in the spotlight, Rachel Delaney; and Registrar, Terry McDougall
Terry McDougall introduced our Guests - visiting Rotarians: Ken Goodwin (from the NOTL club), Frank Strauss (from Marshall, Texas), and Sandra Wallace (from the Fonthill club). Anne Finley, wife and guest of Bill Finley was also welcomed.
Rotarian in the Spotlight - Rachel Delaney - Rachel was introduced to Rotary in 1984 by Ian Elmes. Her interests include rowing, running and skiing. She has been very active in Rotary. Rachel's committee work has included the '98 conference, civic affairs, the bulletin, auction advisory, membership, charitable trust, rib fest, long range planning, major grants and advisory, dinner and registration, fellowship and sports, world community service, program, and most recently, she was chair of Rib Fest last year (2004-05). In her business life, Rachel is a manager of State Farm Insurance. She is also part of the Insurance Community Action Network (ICAN), a member of Life Underwriters of Niagara, and a St. Catharines Roadrunner.
Birthdays - Although Heather Combe paid her birthday money last week with a request for such attention to be averted, President Larry felt compelled to let the club know of her aging another year. Nonetheless, as she may have been celebrating elsewhere, she was at least spared our club's rendition of Happy Birthday.
Rick Vanderkuip elaborated on the Rotary Icewine Project (introduced to the club last week), as it will come before the club next week for a decision as to whether it should be given the "go ahead." If approved, Phase One of the pilot project requires the purchase of 36 cases of 2000 VQA Icewine from Reif Estates. Labeling and packaging would then be done, with the Rotary wheel being prominently displayed on the label. As a fundraising project with all profits being earmarked for a selected event or charity, it is proposed that this product could be sold at Duty Free Stores in Niagara, as well as other Rotary clubs. It was estimated that for a $10,000 initial investment, the club could raise approximately $3,000 profit. If deemed successful, Phase Two would increase the purchase to 88 cases for an investment of approximately $25,000. Rick indicated that he would be willing to commit his time and energy to chair this project, should it be approved by the membership.
Betty-Lou Souter reviewed the history of the Rotary Foundation, as November is Foundation month. From its meager beginnings, it was noted that last year, $70 million was collected in donations.
Foster Zanutto spoke specifically of the benefits of one of the projects funded by the Foundation: the Group Study Exchange program: a program whereby one Rotarian acts as a team leader and accompanies four selected young professionals from this area to a foreign country. Recounting his positive experience as a team leader in Brazil in 1999, he encouraged members to consider becoming a leader, hosting group study exchange participants that visit our district, or to think of possible young people who would be candidates.
President Larry announced that John Potts would be holding a brief meeting of the Charitable Trust committee following today's meeting, and reminded us of the upcoming Gala Dinner in honour of Don Fraser on Nov. 11 th. He encouraged members to demonstrate perfect attendance by attending that event, that week's meeting or a make-up in honour of Dr. Fraser.
Liz Palmieri reminded us of next week's Remembrance Day program, and asked that all should plan to arrive promptly as veterans would be piped in at 12 noon.
Rachel Delaney (last year's chair of Rib Fest) with the assistance of John Potts (Rib Fest treasurer) presented president Larry with a cheque for $85,000. The proceeds of this year's event, she reported, totaled $89,000.
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Larry Iggulden, Rachel Delaney, and John Potts |
Sam Walters gave a brief update on the auction canvass with 994 items collected, valued at $155,000, and said that last minute items could be turned in as long it occurred before noon on Saturday. He also announced the winning team lead by Peter Mahoney. Congratulations!
Nancy Ferris-Hostick requested all members sign up for at least three shifts for the auction, and to think of others who could help. She also asked for volunteers for picture day (where auction items are photographed) on Sat. Nov. 12/05. Contact Nancy if you can help: 905-938-8457 or email: nancyferris@cogeco.ca
Roger Segalin announced that a preview of some of the items could be viewed at the following website: www.rotarytvauction.ca
President Larry also announced that a dinner on Nov. 18/05 is to be held, with the featured speaker being Carolyn Jones (trustee of the Rotary Foundation). Contact Larry for details. However, you must RSVP by Nov. 4/05
Dave Haddow passed the basket, and although time was short as this occurred at the end of the meeting, all monies collected were to be matched by the World Community Service Committee and be denoted to the Canadian Landmines Association. Hence, much happiness followed.
Dave Haddow was happy to be off to Africa to do Rotary work, and to transport drugs for "Not Just Tourists."
Liz Palmieri was happy to have been married for 34 years.
Sandy Peters was also happy to have been married 29 years.
John Crossingham added $253 to the basket (one for every mile biked down under).details to follow.
Marg Jarrell was happy for the safety of her daughter.
Patricia Rooney was happy to do a make-up at a U.S. club, and also that she is about to leave for Australia and New Zealand for four weeks.
Anne and Bill Finley were both happy to have gone to Mexico, to see former youth exchange students (in particular Hector as president of a club). They witnessed the good works of doctors involved in the Mercy Project, and the housing project to which our club made a donation. They also delivered the 100+ gifts collected last year through World Community Service.
Martha was happy for the help she received keying in items - especially from Linda McKay.
Gord Armstrong was happy that a Salvation Army team was in Biloxi offering services.
Peter Mahoney was happy to thank his winning team members.
Rachel was happy to celebrate her 20 th wedding anniversary.
50/50 - Vicky Rudachuk drew a card - unfortunately not the sought after queen.
Program - Canadian Mines Land Mines Foundation
Rod Hollick
As a Rotarian with the a.m. club, Rod discussed his interest in the land mine cause having arisen from his affiliation with "sappers" (people who find and remove land mines). He highlighted the fact that, although such devices began as a defensive mechanism to ward off attackers, they were later used offensively. He estimated that there were now approximately 70 million land mines in existence in 70 countries. He discussed their main objective being that of maiming rather than killing, and that they accomplish both - now affecting more civilians than soldiers, as land mines don't discriminate. He estimated that 80% of those killed by land mines were not soldiers, and 30% of those victims were children. He outlined the destructive impact land mines have economically on a country, socially, and medically. Despite the "Ottawa Treaty" that saw 144 countries agree to stop producing land mines; to destroy stockpiles and provide education and awareness, the problem of clearing land mines is massive. While land mines are estimated to cost $3 - $6 each to buy, it costs $20 - $60 to find and remove them. Rod suggested that several avenues to help the cause were available to interested clubs, including: supporting orphanages, supporting programs that provide prosthetics, adopting a mine field, or raising funds and awareness through "the night of 1000 dinners" that is coordinated by the United Nations. He also asked if any member of our club might be interested in championing the cause through "Rotarians for Mine Action" which, it was suggested, may become the next "polio project" of Rotary International.
Marg Jarrell thanked our speaker and President Larry added his thanks.
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Larry Iggulden and Rod Hollick |
Visiting Rotarian from Texas, Frank Strauss presented president Larry with a banner, and was happy to attend a meeting where George Bush wasn't mentioned.
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Larry Iggulden and Frank Strauss |
President Larry waived the Rotary fact for the week, feeling that Betty-Lou had covered this sufficiently with the history of the Rotary Foundation.
Next Week - Remembrance Day -speaker: Olive Smith (from the Canadian Women's Army Core)
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