President Barbara opened with O Canada, Toast to Queen and Country and Rotary International. Malcolm Rust lead a meditation. A fine baked potato and steak dinner was bar-be-qued on site by Nick and Trudy Kanellis.

 

Past District Governor, David Elliott, as the MC, explained what Paul Harris Fellows represent. The St Thomas club is the leader in the number of Paul Harris Fellows presented in district clubs. 2 awards were presented as follows:

Ron spoke on his many years of working with recipient Frank Exley and Frank's strong leadership of the Rotary Music Festival, especially during COVID. Stewart spoke of the very extensive time Ian MacArthur spent online registering, collecting payment, collecting video recordings, forwarding to adjudicators, receiving adjudication reports, forwarding them to specific contestants, and assembling video recordings for posting to our website. Frank Exley thanked our club and foundation for its support of the Music Festival during his tenure and for the total of 68 years our club has been a sponsor. See Pictures bellow:

Ron and Frank Exley

 

Bill Horn spoke of the Queen's Jubilee Awards presentations coming up 24Jun22; jumping forward in time, here is his report.

Special award for Rotarian Trudy

June 24, 2022, saw a reception held at the CASO Station for 70 recipients
who reflected many forms of volunteerism, life-time achievements,
social and personal support of local causes and many more admirable
accomplishments. The 70 individuals represented each of Queen
Elizabeth II years as Monarch, celebrating her Platinum jubilee.

One such person was our own Trudy Kanellis with 20 years of service to
Rotary's international and local projects. Beyond those, were many
outside projects and achievements, some on her own initiative.

Karen Vecchio, MPP, hosted and presented the awards. The Honourees were
piped in, Town Crier read the proclamation and each had a brief read
of them by Mike Vecchio as Karen individually handed each their
plaque and pin. See pics bellow:

Snacks and personal time was enjoyed by all after the ceremonies as
congratulation were spread around the room.

Bill (Horn)

 

Back to the changeover. David Elliott explained the meaning of a Rotary Promise Club. President Barbara presented Benefactors with the “wings” pins of the Rotary Club of St. Thomas as some benefactors had not yet received their official Foundation wings pin as of yet. Some benefactors were sporting their  “wings” presented by RI. 

 

President Barbara announced that Cindy Benning, previously of the Rotary Club of Hyde Park, has become a member of our club. Assistant Governor for Area 10, Gerry inducted President Barbara into a second term. He then inducted the board for the year 22-23. Nancy inducted Gerry for another year as Assistant to the District Governor.

 

President Barbara spoke about this years motto of changing lives. This year we added 2 new themes: Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Environment. Barbara felt supported and encouraged by members of the “flock” (our club). She looks forward to the RI leadership and “reset” of Jennifer Jones (Sarnia) and her positive thoughts. Rotary should be interesting, welcoming, generating participation, embracing imagination, and fun. She wants to follow up with new potential members, like a community participant who attended a meeting recently.

 

50/50 was won by Barbara.

 

Cindy – speakers today, going to speak at a Communications and Leadership conference in NY

Ron – new Paul Harris Fellows Frank and Ian, Trudy’s Queen’s Jubilee award, Ron joined 32 years ago after changeover

Maggie - Trudy’s Queen’s Jubilee award, 50/50

Mark – the meal, Barb’s work this past year, Trudy’s Queen’s Jubilee award

Bill - Trudy’s Queen’s Jubilee award, new Paul Harris Fellows Frank and Ian, new club officers, Maggie’s good hip report

Barbara – incoming and outgoing officers, new Paul Harris Fellows Frank and Ian, Trudy’s Queen’s Jubilee award

Malcolm – Barb’s great year as President

Nancy - Trudy’s Queen’s Jubilee award, new Paul Harris Fellows Frank and Ian, going to the cottage

Pat – George’s birthday, theatre at Petrolia, new Paul Harris Fellows Frank and Ian, Trudy’s Queen’s Jubilee award, Barbara’ work as President, new board

Trudy – 20 years with Rotary, Mother’s bday, Queen’s Jubilee award, Barb’s work as President, new Paul Harris Fellows Frank and Ian

Adriana - new Paul Harris Fellows Frank and Ian, Trudy’s Queen’s Jubilee award, Son Andrew developing and racing a new electric car

George Martyn – the dedication of members of the club

Gerry - new Paul Harris Fellows Frank and Ian, continuing traditions, New board

Catharine - new Paul Harris Fellows Frank and Ian

This is the final meeting of the year, please see summer schedule posted on rotarystthomas.org

 

This comes to us from Pat Martyn:

22Apr22 at the YMCA there was a fun filled morning revolving around "fill the bus campaign" for sending local children to the Y summer camp and providing transportation.   It was a fund-raising day so I decided to make our Rotary Club donation then.

The lady to whom I am presenting the cheque is Amy Luciani and she is the General Manager of the Y.   It was a fun filled "yellow bus" day and I thought it an opportune time to give Rotary some local media community coverage.

This is a picture of the rock/marker at the base of the red chestnut tree that we "planted" at Solitude Nature reserve as part of our Environment portfolio.  Chestnut trees are native to this particular area. We will be having a meeting there during the summer, date to be decided at the next meeting at Trudy's.

 

From District Secretary Harry Joosten hjoosten.rogers.com@clubrunner.email On behalf of DG Erin Shankie,

Please ensure that at least one representative from your club is prepared to attend the meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83192441732 Monday, 27 June 2022 at 12:00 noon (EDT) and vote on mandatory district business.

 

The District Conference is/was having technical difficulties and may be available for viewing on YouTube. Registrations are to be refunded as per Erin Shankie.