The Rotary Club of
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02Feb 22 - Trish Shouldice - Her Rotary Journey
My Journey in Rotary               Trish Shouldice              Feb 2, 2022
 
I have always liked numbers, so presenting my Journey in Rotary on 2/2/22 is a delight for me!
 
Before Stew and I joined the Rotary Club of St. Thomas, in 2015, I had been involved on a volunteer basis.  We served burgers at the International Plowing Match, provided volunteer assistance at the Tour of Homes and many years earlier were scheduled as speakers on the topic of what we were doing to improve the environment.  We were invited to join the Club and sponsored by my Dad, Ed Willson, long-time member here.
 
Rotary to me is all about learning ….. learning about new friends and their interests, learning about the wider Rotary world and learning how to be part of making things happen for the good of our local community and for sharing resources with the world.
 
We have met many people from this club and the St. Thomas community as well as from other clubs – even from other countries.   One celebration event, the installation of the Rotary clock at Covent Garden in London and the hockey game afterwards were memorable.  Perhaps it was at a District Conference where I learned how other clubs were handling their on-line presence.   At the International Conference held in Toronto in the Friendship Room, I was overwhelmed to find booths by innumerable Rotary Action Groups. WASrag, the Water and Sanitation group is of particular interest to me. Also, I met the king of Gambia at that Conference.
 
I have had fun doing dictionary presentations with Trudy, planting trees the correct way at the Kettle Creek Conservation area. Committee meetings are stimulating – from the Tour of Homes, Food Trailer and Rotary Discovery Tour meetings to the Foundation Board and Club Board deliberations, I have learned something at each one.
 
The wider world of Rotary is so extensive and one only gets a glimpse into it by going to area meetings, getting on-line with myRotary and hosting events and speakers.  I understood more about how Rotary works when I attended President Elect Training and attended the three levels of Rotary Learning. Those helped prepare me to take on the Presidency of this Club which was certainly a learning experience and one for which I am grateful and by which I was humbled.
 
My knowledge has increased through our Club “Doing Good in the World”.  I am proud of the contributions that we have made by sponsoring the music festival for many seasons and hosting the Service Above Self Awards.  I am happy that we can contribute to many not-for-profit enterprises in this city such as the St. Thomas-Elgin Food Bank, Grace Café, the Inn, Women’s shelter, STEGH and our new Hospice.  At each event or meeting we have gained knowledge about the wonderful work and people behind the scenes in our community. There is a saying …. Knowledge is power.  Knowing about these community resources helps us connect people in need to appropriate services.  Learning keeps us aware of what is happening where we live. Being “in the know” encourages a sense of belonging and engagement.  It is exciting also to contribute to worthwhile projects around the world – water projects, literacy and vocational projects and projects to educate Rotary scholars.
Getting to know local Rotarians and their specific talents and interests allows each of us to work in an area where we can excel.  I want to thank every member of this club for their contribution to my education and journey in Rotary.  If we did not work together, none of these endeavours would have come to fruition. When a concern or problem arises and we ask the question: “Who ‘ya gonna call”, the answer is:  a Rotarian.
 
Comments from members: Father Ed would have been proud! He joined 1990. Ron remembered when the Willson family sang. Barbara reported that her daughter was a President in Rotaract.
 
Announcements:
President Barbara scheduled a Board Meeting for Tuesday, February 22 at 7:00pm. She will send notice and zoom code by email.
 
Event on Discrimination.  February 8, 2022 via Zoom for the general public from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The event will highlight a study undertaken at the University of Western Ontario. The survey gathered experiences of discrimination from participants. The Event is scheduled to present the findings of the survey. Register at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/unpacking-experiences-of-discrimination-community-forum-tickets-246780084877
Petrusia H from St. Thomas-Elgin Local Integration Partnership will discuss the results of the survey further with Rotarians at a meeting 23Feb22. We should all be up to date on the results of the survey before the meeting.
 
Next week Trudy will present her Journey in Rotary. Thanks Malcolm for all that you do to set up the meeting speakers.
 
Fine Master Barbara:
How many members attended 1st meeting 23Feb 1905? 4 one was Paul Harris
What was first community project? A comfort station in Chicago
Who do we blame for singing and song sheets? Harry Ruggles a printer. (editorial: Stew recycled a square foot of paper song sheets 2 years ago. We could be poor if this carries on for too long.) Al Harrington from our club spear headed singing.
Names suggested for the first club? Men with Friends, Blues Boys but the name Rotary stuck.
 
Happy Finns:
Nancy – It’s February!, Brother coming for visit
Trudy – Trish’s talk, she went with the “girls” on a vacation in Panama
Trish – Weekend with kids, tobogganing, zoom visit with Pat Baker and Tony Stacpoole, one year old grandson
Ron – 250 crossword puzzles, Trish’s talk, Sister ill and on dialysis but at home
Barb – flying east to see Emily, Trish’s talk, Malcolm’s work with choosing speakers, our attendance is good, going to Kingston safely in poor weather
Malcolm – Trish’s presentation, family meal on weekend
Bill and Maggie – Trish’s presentation, grandson working on oil rigs originally in Alberta, now Texas; he brought kids for a visit
 
Ron wanted to know when we will meet in person and whether time will change to accommodate more members? Depends on Wayside and Province notice by 21st. Decision will be made at the Board meeting on Feb 22.  Wayside is open for lunch at present.
 
Malcolm started something new: a free Rotary market place; he offered Nespresso coffee pods. Sorry Malcolm, no takers.
 
Web site of the Rotary Club of St Thomas  http://rotarystthomas.org
Upcoming Events
My Rotary Experience
Zoom
Feb 02, 2022 5:30 PM
 
Event on Discrimination - Webinar see link
Feb 08, 2022 6:30 PM
 
zoom My Rotary Experience - Trudy Kanellis
Feb 09, 2022 12:00 PM
 
Discover Tour Planning Meeting
Feb 15, 2022 7:00 PM
 
Canadian Mental Health Association
Zoom
Feb 16, 2022 12:00 PM
 
Board Meeting by zoom
Feb 22, 2022 7:00 PM
 
Experiences of Discrimination
Feb 23, 2022 12:00 PM
 
Kenya Water & Girl Empowerment
Mar 02, 2022 12:00 PM
 
St Thomas Fire Department
Mar 09, 2022 12:00 PM
 
My Rotary Experience
Mar 16, 2022 12:00 PM
 
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