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Pat Rooney asked a blessing on the meal, then Rick Evans led us in O Canada. We toasted the Queen and Canada.
President Larry called for a moment's silence as we considered Norma Medulun's loss of her husband Ken, and the death of Ron Sloan's father.
The Head Table was introduced - to introduce our speaker, Dan Patterson; Speaker, Alan Davis; President, Larry Iggulden; Sergeant-at-arms, Heather Combe; Rotarian in the Spotlight, Judith Barker; Registrar, Betty-Lou Souter.
Guests - Betty-Lou Souter introduced our Guests - Jan Poolen, Daryll Neufeld and Grant Dobson, all of Niagara College.
Rotarian in the Spotlight - Judith Barker - Judith was introduced to Rotary in June, 2002 by Jacquie Herman. Her interests include art, gardening, genealogy, and theatre. In Judith's short time in Rotary, she has been active in (and in some cases chair of) many committees, and was in charge of the sponsor tent [i.e. mountain of work] at this year's Rib Fest. Judith comes from a teaching background (Branksome Hall) and a second career in publishing. She has been a board member of LEAF and the Grossman Dance Company. Now in her third career, Judith is making a mark in this community as ED of Hospice Niagara, which is now on the verge of building and operating a residential hospice in St. Catharines.
Birthday - Oct. 25: Don Fraser
Rotary Park was in the news as the locale for a "bush party" of 200. The police were interested. They would have been more interested if it had been a bush party of 200 Rotarians!
Children's Committee: 5:00 pm, Nov. 2, office of Sullivan Mahoney
New Fundraising Project Idea: Ice wine sales; needs $10,000 up front. 10 day notice to be given. Rick Vanderkuip gave a quick overview: Rotary-branded VQA ice wine, private label, local winery; to be sold at Duty Free stores and Rotary Clubs, proceeds for a designated cause; mid- to premium range price (as a fundraiser - not competitive pricing). More details to be provided next week.
Ross McDonald enjoyed a 45-Euro Rotary lunch in Spain and presented a signed copy of the District Governor's newsletter collection (in Spanish) to Pres. Larry
Ross has tickets for the Niagara Symphony Raffle @ $25. Prize is 2-week all-inclusive cruise to Hawaii. Only 800 tickets to be sold.
John Travers announced the 31 st Annual Bill Ford Bonspeil: Wed. Nov. 23 at the Golf Club. $260/team -- $65/person incl. "eye-opener", lunch dinner & prize. No need to be a great curler - call John, Doug Geddie or Dave Stevenson.
Sam Walters: His last soft-shoe for the auction. Final call - get items to his office by the end of Monday at the latest!
George Park announced that Sat Singh is recovering well from major abdominal surgery last week.
George Doty for 53 years of Rotary
Ken Taylor for Rotary support of "Not Just Tourists", which has recently helped out in Guatemala and Pakistan
Norm Kreger reminding us that Not Just Tourists operates in other cities: tell family and friends to check it out.
Peggy Davidson about to leave for 2 weeks in Portugal
Nancy Ferris thanking Scott Heelis for picking up the vice-chair job for auction staffing - sign-up sheets next week
John Tebrake celebrating 50 years since his family emigrated to Canada
Rick Evans proudly announcing that his daughter Natalie has graduated from McGill with her Masters degree in speech pathology and is now working in Burlington.
50/50 Draw: Sam Walters, despite his many positive attributes as auction canvass chair could not pull the Queen of Spades.
Alan Davis has been VP Academic at Niagara College since 2003. His portfolio includes "student services" and the College is proud that it ranks #1 in community college student satisfaction in Ontario. Niagara College has 6300 full time equivalent students, 70% of whom are from Niagara. It is the third fastest growing College in the system, but amongst the most poorly funded! Public feedback is encouraged through the "Pathway to Prosperity" materials that can be accessed on the website.
Alan identified three areas where the College differentiates itself from others:
- Hospitality & Tourism (including the food and beverage programme - an $800,000/year operation). A new wine education centre is planned.
- Advanced/Integrated Technology - to be part of a re-birth of manufacturing in Niagara, emphasizing skills development and technical training
- Policing and Public Safety, including partnership with the NRP at the Welland campus
Emerging areas include Health, personal services, media studies and performing arts.
The College is positioning itself to assist students who want to progress through its programmes to university degrees.
Foster Zanutto thanked our speaker and President Larry added his thanks.
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Alan Davis and Larry Iggulden
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President Larry's Rotary fact was that our Club was formed with assistance and guidance of the Niagara Falls (NY) Club in 1921. After 2 meetings at the New Murray, the Welland House became the Club's home for many years.
Next Week - Rod Hollick - Canadian Landmine Foundation
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