Although it might be tempting to linger over these last few days of summer, the Board of the St. Thomas Rotary Club has no intention of stopping as it continues to work on several projects that will see the light of day in the next few months. Today’s Club Assembly was a good opportunity to hear about the progress made to date, what’s going to happen in the next few weeks, and how Club members can make their contribution.
First up was Youth Director Trudy Kanellis and her report on the indefatigable Interact Club. The Interactors will be volunteering at the Railway City Road Races on September 18 at Roberts Line and Sunset Road, beginning at 8 a.m. As Trudy was uncertain there would quite enough of them, she invited Rotarians to take part as well. Contact Trudy if you would like to assist in clearing paper water cups and the like as the runners pass by. The Interactors will also be conducting a car wash at the Lube Clinic on Talbot Street on Saturday, September 24. In October, they will be collecting cans of food for Hallowe’en For Hunger. The suggestion was made that Rotary Club members could assist them by bringing canned goods to their meeting prior to the Interactors’ collection date. Trudy also mentioned that she will be ordering 22 boxes of dictionaries to be distributed to local schools this year.
International Service Director Pat Martyn has a project in mind that she will be discussing with the Club Board. But as far as work on the Tour of Homes is concerned, Pat was pleased to say that things are moving along nicely. Four houses and the CASO location have been selected. Pat and other committee members will be meeting with decorators this afternoon. Trudy would like Club members who collected items, gift certificates, etc. for the Tour’s auction last year to advise her of the name of the donor, the gift, and the dollar amount so that she can compile a list by the end of the week. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to get starting on collecting items for the 2016 Tour, as November will be here before you know it. It is the Club’s major fundraiser.
Community Service Director Dave Payler was unable to attend today’s meeting, but two motions were put before the Club relating to Community Service.
MOVED by Malcolm Rust, seconded by Pat Martyn, THAT $300 be donated to the YMCA to assist in paying for transportation to camp for children on the north side of St. Thomas. CARRIED.
MOVED by Suzanne Ferguson, seconded by Ron Somerville, THAT $150 be donated to the campaign assisting with travel costs for Gordie Michie to the Paralympics in Brazil in 2016. CARRIED.
Treasurer Mike Moore urged Club members who had not yet paid dues either for the half year ($100) or for the full year ($200) to do so as soon as possible. With the assistance of Trudy, it was determined that the net profit for the Club’s Food participation in this year’s Thomas the Tank Engine event would be just over $4000. A donation will be made to the Railway City Rotary Club in recognition of their work at the Food Trailer.
Club Service Director Ron Somerville thanked Malcolm Rust, Elaine Catchpole and Alma Roberts for assisting him with the completion of the Syllabus for the Rotary Music Festival. When it is printed, Ed Willson will distribute it to schools in St. Thomas and Elgin County, and copies will be placed in other community locations. Frank Exley will talk to music teachers in the schools as well. Registrations will begin immediately.
SEPTEMBER THRONG.…President Nancy reported that she and some other members of the Club had attended the opening last week of the new Women’s Shelter on Princess Ave. Noting the Club’s early and sizable support for the Shelter, she felt proud to be a Rotarian and proud, too, of the structure that was put in place…. You will want to be at next week’s meeting ( September 19) when Brenda Merrifield will give her classification talk. The Club’s own September 26 meeting is cancelled; instead, it will join the London Rotary Club and other area Rotary Clubs at the London Convention Centre at 11:45 a.m. the same day to hear Rotary International President Elect (RIPE) Ian Riseley. Lunch is $25.
There is underground parking if you tell the attendant you are going to a Rotary meeting at the Centre. RSVP to Trish Shouldice by September 20 by email or by phoning 226-235-7346 if you plan to attend. Also RSVP Trish if you intend to car pool from the Wayside at 10:45 a.m.... Rotary Leadership Institute seminars, Parts I, II and III, have been laid on for Saturday, September 24. The seminars will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Georgian College, 1450 Eighth Street East in Owen Sound. The deadline is (on or before) September 16; contact Al Hardy at al@allanhardy.ca. The St. Thomas Rotary Club will pay the $75 fee for any of its members who wish to attend. Contact President Nancy.
An invitation has been received from the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Foundation to join them at their Great Expansion Campaign Leadership Reception on Thursday, September 22, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Hospital’s East Lot. There will be a campaign update (including a new CT scanner), a leadership beam signing for donors of $5,000 or more (of which the Club is one), tours, and complimentary appetizers, refreshments and parking in the East Lot. If you would like to go, please RSVP by September 20 to foundation@stegh.on.ca or 519-631-2030, X2246.
The Quaker fall dinner will be held this year on Wednesday, September 21 at the Sparta Meeting House on Quaker Road. There are two sittings: one at 4:30 p.m. and the other at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds from the $15 tickets will go towards training women in business and leadership roles in Uganda. Contact Trish if you are interested….Malcolm Rust was winner of today’s 50/50 draw.
There is underground parking if you tell the attendant you are going to a Rotary meeting at the Centre. RSVP to Trish Shouldice by September 20 by email or by phoning 226-235-7346 if you plan to attend. Also RSVP Trish if you intend to car pool from the Wayside at 10:45 a.m.... Rotary Leadership Institute seminars, Parts I, II and III, have been laid on for Saturday, September 24. The seminars will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Georgian College, 1450 Eighth Street East in Owen Sound. The deadline is (on or before) September 16; contact Al Hardy at al@allanhardy.ca. The St. Thomas Rotary Club will pay the $75 fee for any of its members who wish to attend. Contact President Nancy.
An invitation has been received from the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Foundation to join them at their Great Expansion Campaign Leadership Reception on Thursday, September 22, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Hospital’s East Lot. There will be a campaign update (including a new CT scanner), a leadership beam signing for donors of $5,000 or more (of which the Club is one), tours, and complimentary appetizers, refreshments and parking in the East Lot. If you would like to go, please RSVP by September 20 to foundation@stegh.on.ca or 519-631-2030, X2246.
The Quaker fall dinner will be held this year on Wednesday, September 21 at the Sparta Meeting House on Quaker Road. There are two sittings: one at 4:30 p.m. and the other at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds from the $15 tickets will go towards training women in business and leadership roles in Uganda. Contact Trish if you are interested….Malcolm Rust was winner of today’s 50/50 draw.
Fine Master Pat Martyn reminded everyone of two items in the September issue of The Rotarian magazine. One was The Rotary Foundation Centennial Celebration in Cleveland on Sunday, October 23. Cleveland was chosen since it was the home district of Arch Klumpf. For tickets and info regarding the concert and dinner, go to www.trf100.org. The other item was an interview with Henry Winkler, “The Fonz” on TV’s “Happy Days.” He was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 31, but earned an MFA from the Yale School of Drama and became co-author of the popular Hank Zipzer children’s book series (Adriana and her children have read all of them). Mike Moore recounted the story of a young chap in St. Thomas who struggled as a child with dyslexia but who later went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree like Henry Winkler and become successful in his own right. Ron Somerville observed that he had worked for the Association for Community Living for many years and marveled at how many beautiful human beings could be found among the clients.
HAPPY FINS- Donations of $5 to The Rotary Foundation - Annual Programs Fund - credited to the donor in celebration of something good in our lives. This practice was started in this club in 1985 to raise funds for polio eradication at the suggestion of Darwin Lowe, a member of the club.
Trish Shouldice (1) – Had a great time recently with some family members.
Malcolm Rust (2) – An addition is expected to the family as his daughter-in-law is due to give birth this afternoon; for the Interact students and the leadership Trudy gives to them.
Pat Martyn (4) – For the new Women’s Shelter: it was worth the wait; for our Rotary Club’s initiative in donating to the Women’s Shelter; for a great family get-together in Richmond Hill; for the chance to go to school on opening day with her grandchildren. She had never heard so many children screaming and crying; she was glad she had gone into high school teaching!
Ron Somerville (2) – For Barb Matthews who is celebrating her 25th year with Big Brothers/Big Sisters; his grandchild has graduated from daycare to “big school.”
Davey Moffatt (1) – He was really impressed with the celebration at the Women’s Shelter and with the cooperation among government and non-government organizations that made it possible.
Nancy Lovelock (1) – She lost a dear friend from the church.
Monday, September 19 – Brenda Merrifield Classification Talk
At the Wayside, 12:15 p.m.
ASAA
Greeter
Fine Master
Monday, September 19
Stew Shouldice
Ken Ferguson
Suzanne Ferguson
WORTH FRAMING
“It is for the hermits of society to indulge in personal dislikings,--for men [people] who have never been active and never mean to be active.”
