Gossip Sheet # 9 - August 28, 2003
Editor: Marg Jarrell

PROGRAM - Auction Kick Off

Grace was said by Karlene Petrucci

Toast to her Majesty the Queen, and Canada

Head Table Introduction: by Rick Vanderkuip

Head Table: Nancy Ferris, Liz Palmieri, Brian St. Hilaire, Peter Gosen, Rick Vanderkuip

President Brian wished Sat a Happy Birthday on our behalf, and we didn’t sing, because Sat is in Ireland!

Guests: Peter Gosen introduced guests to the meeting, and Rotarians welcomed:

Michael Tkach, Niagara on-the-Lake Club
John Tiebert, St. Catharines South Club
Marci Heit, Guest of Liz Palmieri
Dale Davis, Guest. Of Dale Davis
Eric Durksen, our incoming student, and Guest of Pat Rooney
Sherry Barnes, Guest of Martha Abra

John Snowling

Birthdays:
Sept 4 Rick Evans and John Snowling

Announcements

Brian mentioned the suitability of the golf tournament prizes on the back wall setting the tone for an auction kickoff.

President Brian announced that the Board has approved a $2000. Donation to a Kelowna Club to assist those seriously affected by the forest fire.

September 3 - Youth -vocational services Committee , 210 King Street, at the Job Gym

Inner Wheel Club is having a beer tasting on October 4 at Joe Pepe`s on the Merrittville highway.

The West Seneca club is advertising a Carribean cruise for 7 nights , March 21 to 28. contact Betty for details.

Reminder of the district golf Tournament on September 29; contact Doug Geddie.

Norm Kreger

Norm Kreger announced that he is in touch with the Montego Bay Rotary Club. Norm is donating a wheel chair lift to them; the only other one is in Ochos Rios, one and a half hours away. They are exploring ways to get it to Montego Bay. Norm asked for a show of hands of those who would be interested in purchasing a Rotary logoed button down shirt. There was sufficient interest for Norm to proceed.

Seniors Committee - Norm asked the members of the Seniors Committee to meet next week at 11:15 before the regular Thursday meeting, for a presentation about medalert.

Janet Johnston

Janet Johnston thanked those who have already offered to billet students from Student exchange the last weekend in September, and indicated she needed 12 more billeted. Contact Janet. - Flyers were on each table.

Pat Rooney introduced at greater length our incoming student Eric Durkson from Holland; the first of two students this year. Eric is currently staying with Pat and Watson, then with the Rick Merritt family, while attending Lakeport High School. Pat shared with us that Eric will have his 17th Birthday on September 16. Eric spoke a gracious thank you to the Club for this opportunity, and presented President Brian with a banner from the Club in Holland.

Eric Durksen and Pat Rooney

John Snowling outlined the September program;
Judith Barker, about Hospice Niagara
Karen Robson about the Canadian Mental Health Association
Bob Bruce, District Governor, and Nan Bruce
Classification( how about it, Debbie Slade)

Happy Dollars

John Nitsopoulis got us off to a great start by putting in $20 due to good business, lots of American tourists. John then gave us a mini-marketing course, illustrating the meaning of direct marketing, advertising, telemarketing, public relations, client recognition, and customer feedback. Somehow, attractive women and cocktail parties also featured in his lesson.

Peter Lumsden shared a joke about crisis response and heroism, in a mental health context.

Leslie Murch shared the exciting news that her son placed 2nd in double and in the top five in single in his age class-under 14- in the Tennis Nationals in Ottawa.

Dan Patterson shared the record enrollment numbers at Niagara College for the upcoming year: 3,500 frosh, 6,000 full time students, 1,500 part time, and 16,000 continuing ed. Congrats to Niagara College. Dan also mentioned a delay in building completion of the new building to house the Culinary Institute.

John Crossingham welcomed Eric with a comment on the multicultural character of Canada being reflected by the lunch buffet, and added an early leaver comment.

Art Wing recognised Marci Heit, our guest, and shared that she had been gracious in welcoming the exchange from India at Community Care.

Rick Merritt identified that Ribfest pictures have been posted on the website, and promised a final profit statement soon.

Chris Bangham was 5 loonies happy; onea he has rented out his house, the second because he has sold the car, another because tomorrow (Friday) is his last day of going to work for a year, and two because he has started on his mission to help humanity by drinking beer. Reference; Jack Handy

Jagdish Mehta is happy that John Nitsopoulis honoured an old t.v. auction purchase of a hotel stay from a previous regime.

George Doty

Doug Geddie thanked Marcii Heit, Dale Davis and Betty-Lou Souter for the help they provide at the golf tournament .

George Doty brought greetings from Chris Blake.

Brian St. Hilaire was happy to have attended Ross Jeffery`s retirement sendoff from Scotia Bank after 41 years of service.. He was sorry that this meant he missed the Ribfest party.

50-50 Draw
George Doty strolled up and took a card and easy as pie, drew the Queen of Spades for $46.50.

Program
TV Auction Kickoff

Liz Palmieri

Liz Palmieri and Nancy Ferris

Liz Palmieri shared her history with the auction, from volunteering on the phones to co-chair of canvass to auction co-chair- with some expression of puzzlement over the nature of Rotary mentorship.

Liz shared her thought process about how to motivate club members for this upcoming auction, and abandoned last year's threats about singing.

One morning at 4:00 a.m. it came to her: let's remember what our auction proceeds allows us to do. Since 1989, we have raise $2.2 million. We've made grant to buy quilts for children with cancer, supported the teen moms program of Adolescent's Family Support Services, assisted Community Care in so many different ways, provide the Niagara Peninsula Children's Centre with much needed equipment and sent the Sir Winston Churchill Model United Nations team to competition. We've almost competed our commitment of $150,000 to support the Rotary Ice Path- a flagship community project that our club can be proud to support. Liz spoke to our club's efforts on the international scene, referencing the inspiring presentations last week by Don Fraser, and the moving video about the Wheelchair Foundation.

Marci Heit

Liz then asked Dale Davis of Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and Marci Heit of the Niagara Nutrition Partners to talk about their programs, which have benefitted by our ability to provide financial support.

Marci identified the large number of children getting off to a good start of the school day in many locations in St. Catharines with a nutritious breakfast, and Dale shared that children awaiting a partner experience group outings, thanks to our support.

Liz reminded us again of what Rotary means to the community, referencing Wellspring, farms in South Africa and more.

The auction goal is again 1,100 items valued at $165,000 to generate $100,000 in proceeds. Date: Friday Nov 28 and Sat, 29.
Canvass deadline: October 16.

Liz reminded us of the tremendous example set for us by Joe Fernandez, and the Joe Fernandez Trophy, awarded to a Rotarian annually in recognition of their auction canvas work.

Nancy Ferris

Nancy Ferris used the imagery of a seven week campaign as a rocket ship adventure, and encouraged us to Blast Off.. We were reminded to check our packages, and get back to her if there is anything missing. The pink sheet is Rotary information, the yellow sheet a certificate for you to give to donors from last year. Posting their certificates will be a form of advertising, as well as recognition.

Next week, team leaders will be announced, and prizes, thanks to John Potts. Visit the website: www.rotarytvauction.ca
Deadline for canvas: OCTOBER 16.

Liz shared her mental picture of Mark Zammit’s driving around at the very last moments, taking auction pictures, because of late items. Nancy paid a Happy dollar for the St. Hilaire family support in putting packages together-thanks Lisa and girls; and a happy dollar to the involve family opportunities of auction.

Liz recognised the Auction Committee, and the club joined in to recognize and appreciate these individuals:
Martha Abra, Tom Arkell, Erika Beatty, Bill Cole, Jason Dilamarter, Nancy Ferris, Elizabeth Forsyth, Cam Hathaway, Sangeeta Hollo, Howard Lackie, John Lehnen, Dan Patterson, Patricia Rooney, Roger Segalin, Don Shaw, Ron Sloan, Brian Stewart, and Mark Zammit.

President Brian thanked the presenters, and gifted each, with a kiss.
The meeting was adjourned.

Nancy Ferris, Dale Davis, Brian St. Hilaire, Liz Palmieri and Marci Heit