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In honour of the fact that the District Governor was with us today representing a dual country district, we sang The Star Spangled Banner as well as Oh Canada led by Don Shaw. Rotarian Foster Zanutto offered Grace, and we toasted the Office of the President of the United States , as well as the Queen and Canada .
President Tom introduced the Head Table:
- Rick Merritt to introduce our speaker
- Guest speaker: District Governor: Bob Leek
- President, Tom Arkell
- Sergeant-at-arms: Bob Gosselin
- Rotarian in the Spotlight: John Potts
- Registrar: Jane Rufrano
Jane Rufrano introduced our Guests:
- Ian Forbes Visiting Rotarian
- Kenji Matsumoto – our inbound Youth Exchange student
- The Brock Rotoract Committee: (Ostab Pentsak, Tai Mur Cantoui, and Cleb Tchaui)
- Kithio Mwanzia, guest of Walter Sendzik
- Steve Teneyus, guest of Wade Stayzer
- John Bott, guest of Rick Vanderkuip
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DG Bob Leek Pins Exchange Student Kenji |
Jane Rufrano drew our attention to the fact that John joined Rotary in 1996, having been introduced by Bill Finley. He is married to Jan, and holds the classification of Finance – Banking, working for the Bank of Montreal when he is not traveling.A former director of the Chamber of Commerce, John sat as a director in our club from 2005-2007. He is currently the second vice president (that means that he has agreed to be president of our club in 2009/10). He has sat on numerous committees including: Program Committee, Awards & Recognition, Family of Rotary, Easter Seals, Membership, Classification, Rib Fest, the Bulletin, and he is a past chair of the Program Committee, Charitable Trust, and is the current chair of the Membership Committee. In addition, he is involved in several other community organizations including being the co-chair for the Grape & Wine Festival. Apart from community work, his interests include skiing, boating, and traveling with his recently retired spouse.
In the midst of the excitement of having D.G. Bob Leek at our meeting, President Tom overlooked the announcement of birthdays until the close of the meeting…or maybe he was hoping to spare our District Governor from our singing. There were three however, Bob Lawler and Peter Kudreikis – both Oct. 3, and Rusty Kruty – Oct. 6.
• Norma Mendulun gave us an “Auction Update,” noting that there are still 765 items that need to be collected; Gerry Remple currently leads us with most collected to date; there are now 50 “account executives” (a designation reserved for those who have brought in a donation); Team 8 (Buckley's Mixture) is still in the lead; and our current dollar value of items collected now stands at $53,800 out of the needed $175,000. She relayed a message from Sam Walters who urges us to exercise care when entering data on-line, making sure that we include all pertinent information. There are only two weeks remaining to collect!
• As chair of the Membership Committee, John Potts (with the help of D.G. Bob Leek, and President Tom) handed out 100% attendance pins, ranging from one year, to fifty-one years. The latter was given to Dr. Don Frazer, and was met with a standing ovation from the club.
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DG Bob Leek presents 51 Years Perfect Attendance Pin to Dr. Don Fraser |
Collected by John Snowling who was happy to have D.G. Bob Leek with us. All who spoke were also happy to have D.G. Bob with us.
- Don Frazer was happy to be with us another year.
- Marg Jarrell was happy to have our exchange student, Kenji with us, and invited members to include Kenji in their activities.
- Foster Zanutto drew our attention to the handouts on the table outlining D.G. Bob's challenge which involves giving yourself points as per the itemized list for various Rotary involvement activities. Those who acquire 100 points by year-end will receive a prize at the District Conference next Oct./09.
- Dave Haddow was happy to have D.G. Bob present.
- Art Wing was also happy for the same reason, but pointed out that the “friends of the District Governor's table” (the former “president's table” at the front) was empty.
- Eugene Gilles and Orlean DeRosa were also happy to have D.G. Bob here.
- Mark Zammit was happy to have completed another bike adventure in record time for him.
- Roger Segalin was happy to have returned from a good trip marking his 18 th wedding anniversary. He was also grateful to those who took pictures in his absence, and assured Norma that his auction work was about to begin.
- Betty-Lou was happy to see D.G. Bob, as well as for the new format of the Grape & Wine festivities that take place in her neighbourhood.
- Henry Becker was happy to join the ranks of many before him as he announced the arrival of his first grandchild (I think that also means a donation of $1. per pound, Henry).
- Norma Mendulun was happy to see her son and his family finally move out of her house while she was away in Edmonton (where they sport a lot of fleece).
- Peter Lumsden told a joke about an old couple traveling through the mid-west in the States. He entertained us more however, with his pronunciation of Arkansas ….even though the last part looks like “ Kansas ”…it is pronounced differently.
- Norm Kreger was happy to have been given a supervisory position in the transit industry.
- George Doty later told this reporter that he was happy because his granddaughter who lives in Calgary recently became a teenager, and received a grade of 96% in Math.
Serge Paquin drew a card, but it was not an ace. The pot continues to build.
Rick Merritt introduced our District Governor, noting that he joined the Hamilton Rotary Club in 1979. Although initially pursuing education to be a teacher, he owned and operated an executive search firm until he sold this company in 2006. Having contributing greatly in Rotary over the years, he is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow.
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District Govenrnor Bob Leek |
District Governor Bob thanked the numerous members of our club who participate at the district level. He also discussed the unique dual country representation that characterizes our district, and how we tended to be more similar than we are different.
He drew our attention to the Rotary theme for this year: Rotary Shares chosen by our own Canadian R.I. President, Wilf Wilkinson. He discussed the appropriateness of this theme, not only typifying Wilf Wilkinson, but as one that describes all Rotarians – giving of their time, talent and money. D.G. Bob then touched on the Rotary Foundation goals that were highlighted by the R.I. president.
• The eradication of polio: He described his own experience after traveling to Africa in this cause, and reported that there were now only four countries that still battle with this disease. He asked us to consider our response to this cause (both as a club and as individuals). As a Rotary promise having been made initially in 1995, he asked members to continue their commitment to meet this final challenge and eradicate polio completely.
• Membership:
D.G. Bob reported that the district membership had increased, and indeed our club membership had increased as one of the top rated clubs in the district with 151 members. He said that if we do one thing, we should ask one person to join our club. If we were all to do this, he asked us to reflect on what a revitalizing impact this would have on Rotary.
• The Rotary Foundation :
He discussed the efforts made in third world countries for resources that we take for granted, including the provision of fresh, clean water; literacy support; the impact of the group study exchange program, and noted that this year, the focus would be on the tourism industry, and we would do the exchange with Bulgaria this coming May/08. The district is looking for participants as well as a leader. He also discussed the scholarships offered by Rotary including the Peace and Ambassador Scholarship. In addition, he noted the matching grants program.
• Youth:
D.G. Bob reported that the Youth Exchange program was thriving in our district with 40 inbound and outbound students. He referred to the fact that Rotaract clubs were operating on both sides of the border. He noted the existence of RYLA, and the more recently introduced Slapshot program; all such programs having such a positive impact on youth. He also discussed the newly formed “Earlyact” program that encourages building the Rotary spirit at the primary level, noting that the first in the district was initiated in Fonthill.
• Family of Rotary:
He described this as an opportunity, not only to share information and fellowship with other clubs, but to share the message of Rotary with others in the community. He said that our club had been twinned with Batavia in this initiative, and also challenged us do at least one make-up at another club this year.
D.G. Bob then outlined the upcoming District and Rotary International events that were scheduled for the upcoming year. Among these is the Eastern Cities Dinner on Oct. 23(See below), and the Foundation Dinner on Nov.9 where Bob Scott (the head of the polio drive would be speaking). He also encouraged us to attend the R.I. Convention in Los Angelos in June/08.
He concluded his talk with a quote by Stephen Grellet that exemplifies how Rotary Shares:
“I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good things, therefore, that I can do, any kindness that I can show a fellow being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
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DG Bob Leek & President tom |
President Tom acknowledged the tremendous time and effort that is required when someone takes on the District Governor title, and thanked him for his talk to the club today. In so doing, he presented him with a cheque for $14,200. for the Rotary Foundation, and also noted the inscription in his honour in a dictionary to be given to a local school.
Dr. Jean Clinton – Early Child Development & Literacy
A Final Reminder to join RI President Wilf Wilkinson at this year's Eastern Cities Fellowship Dinner in Rochester , New York on Tuesday, October 23 rd , 2007! This event continues a fellowship tradition that began in 1921 and has been fortunate- in most years- to have the President of Rotary International as keynote speaker. For more information on this wonderful evening of Rotary fellowship and to make your reservations- just click on the link below:
• The 9th annual FACS Fall Gala is being held at White Oaks on Friday October 12th. For more info, or to book tickets, call 905 937-7731 ext 3304
• Niagara Suicide Prevention Coalition, Community Solutions Conference, Four Points Sheraton, Schmon Parkway, Thorold, ON. Evening of November 6 and all day November 7, 2007.
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