7:30 a.m. was for many of those inattendance an unaccustomed hour to be present at the breakfast table, but the early start to the day was perhaps a portent of a new beginning in the way that local service organizations will relate to each other. Contact information will be shared and a meeting of representatives from each group will be arranged for January.

 

There were several groups in attendance, most of them service clubs. Each outlined the projects it is involved in and, in some cases, indicated where there were opportunities to work together. Peter Charlton spoke on behalf of the Golden K Club (Darwen Lowe and Frank Exley accompanied him). Between 50 and 70 male retirees regularly attend weekly meetings of the Club at which they enjoy listening to guest speakers from the community. They are involved in such projects as Meals on Wheels and highway clean up (from Port Stanley to St. Thomas). They would like to upgrade the service club sign at the west entrance to the city and are seeking the support of other clubs to assist them.

 

Chris Zwicker and Greg Shillington described the work of Habitat for Humanity which aims to provide affordable housing for families to break the cycle of poverty. Their goal is to build two homes in St. Thomas in the next year and a half. They also operate a ReStore (280 Edward St,) in which they sell “quality new and gently-used furniture and building materials.” Allison Kampman (who also attended) is the contact for those wishing to contribute financial or other resources to the Build.

 

Cam Walters (accompanied by Henk VanderLinde) brought news of the Kinsmen Club, the largest all-Canadian service club. Cystic fibrosis is the national focus of the Club, while, on the local level, the focus is on sports and activities. The Club sells beer and fireworks and “blows things up,” that is, puts on the Canada Day Fireworks display every year. They also run an annual East Egg Hunt. Making a list of the resources of each organization (e.g., human resources) could promote sharing among the diverse clubs.

 

Peter O’Donnell (along with Harald Schraeder) arrived from the Knights of Columbus. The Knights are a fraternal Catholic organization (“Catholics in action”) with 250 members, many of them older men, whose primary focus is the support of the city’s two parishes. They act as volunteers for the Day Out with Thomas event, sell Christmas trees and make soup for the Caring Cupboard, among the many volunteer and fundraising activities they are involved in. They are unapologetic advocates of “family values.” The Knights of Columbus Hall on Wellington Street is operated as a business, but they have partnered with other organizations. Peter believed that a bulletin board listing the events of all clubs would provide opportunities for partnerships and avoid unnecessary conflicts.

 

Bob Ward appeared as representative of the Optimist Club. Children are at the centre of Optimist Club activities, whether it be student bursaries, safety clinics, the intended $100,000 renovation of Optimist Park. The recent annual Optimist Santa Claus Parade, with over 18,000 attendees, was its most successful. They have a food trailer. Membership has declined in the last five years but the Club continues its work, often in conjunction with partners. They are optimists, after all. Ten points are listed under “Promise Yourself” in their brochure, two of which are: “To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind” and “To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.”

 

The Railway City Rotary Club had two spokespersons, both named Chantler. Bill described himself as the “DG’s official driver,” referring to the 14,000 kilometres he has put on the car on behalf of his better half, Diane, this year’s District Governor. The Railway City club is involved with poppy sales, Salvation Army kettles, teddy bear sales, a Dinner of the Month Club draw, and a Fish Fry in May. They cook meals twice a month for Inn Out of the Cold and will plant 100 trees this year in honour of the 100th anniversary of the Rotary International Foundation. On the global front, of course, they are dedicated to the eradication of polio. DG Diane said that it was great to have this opportunity to share and learn from one another so that we can each make powerful contributions to the community and to the world. We are all in the “people business.”

 

The University Women’s Club was represented by Joanne Whidden-Welch and Brenda Clark. Officially known as the Canadian Federation of University Women, the Club meets once a month, usually to hear a guest speaker, with the big event of the year being the Annual Dessert Bridge and Euchre Scholarship Event. The Club presents a scholarship to a deserving girl from each of the six secondary schools in Elgin County and welcome kits for the women who stay at the Shelter for Abused Women and Children. Brenda brought along a kit packed with many thoughtfully chosen items. The Club is much concerned by violence against women.

 

Community Gardens (there are two in St. Thomas) are important because they address health issues (that is, they promote healthy eating); they teach organic gardening; they support a social community (many generations take part in the maintenance of the gardens); and, they permit produce to be donated to Grace Café and the Caring Cupboard. The community’s help would be most appreciated in building a bigger shed.

 

President Nancy Lovelock outlined some of the activities of the St. Thomas Rotary Club, including the recently concluded Tour of Homes, the upcoming Rotary Music Festival, the dictionary project, the student Service Above Self Awards, the Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders, the Splash Pad in Pinafore Park, the Rotary Lounge at the St. Thomas Public Library, and its sponsorship of a Global Scholar. Internationally, like all Rotarians, polio eradication is top of the list, and last month’s World Polio Day event at St. Thomas City Hall trained the community’s attention on this devastating disease. Rotary, like all the service organizations represented today, is dedicated, said President Nancy, to the creation and preservation of “stronger, happier and healthier communities.”

 

AND IN CONCLUSION….In addition to the representatives of local service clubs, Maggie Horn, wife of Bill, was welcomed as a guest today. It is hoped that at the meeting in January, representatives of service organizations not present today will also be able to attend. They, too, are community champions….President Nancy thanked Trudy and Nick Kanellis for opening the restaurant this morning outside of normal business hours and providing such a great breakfast. Thank you!...Only the first verse of “O Canada” was sung, unlike at Golden K Club mmetings where the second, third and fourth verses can sometimes be heard.

 

Next week (December 5), it’s another special occasion, the Club’s annual Christmas party at the Wayside (5:30 p.m., social, for 6:00 p.m., dinner). Cost per person is $25. Please let Trudy know if you are coming and if you are bringing guests. President Nancy urged members to once again bring socks, hats or mitts to the party for donation to the Talbot Teen Centre. On December 12, Heather Robinson, new CEO of the St. Thomas Public Library, will be guest speaker and on December 19, we will welcome the Rev. Margaret Bell who will deliver the annual Christmas Message. There will be no meeting on December 26 (Boxing Day)….As this was a special meeting, there was no Fine Master and there were no Happy Fins.

 

 

 

	ASAA	Greeter	Fine Master
Monday, December 5	Davey Moffatt	Brenda Merrifield	Trish Shouldice
Monday, December 12	Ron Somerville	Pat Martyn	Dave Rock
Monday, December 19	Ron Somerville	Malcolm Rust	Suzanne Ferguson
Monday, December 26	No meeting (Boxing Day)