There was a party game, too – “Getting to Know You” – in which we asked each of our fellow Rotarians a question about themselves: “What is your favourite hobby?” or “How many children or grandchildren do you have?” or a question we made up ourselves. We learned a lot about each other and had fun doing it. President Nancy quoted Paul Harris’s remarks on the 10th anniversary of Rotary in 1915, including his belief that Rotary could “make the impossible happen.” The great work of Rotarians in this club and in clubs around the world so many times does make the impossible happen. What better reason for celebration?
President Nancy passed on a request from International Service Director Pat Martyn that the Club approve a change in the amount of money that was to be directed to shelter kits for earthquake victims in Ecuador in order to support fundraising efforts on behalf of Fort McMurray residents affected by the fire in northern Alberta. Her plan to donate $600 for twelve shelter kits and $400 to the Rotary-sponsored Fort McMurray Fire Relief Fund was endorsed by the Club.
Rotary District 5370 Charitable Foundation advises that it has established the “Fort McMurray Fire Relief Fund” to assist in the rebuilding of that city following this tragic fire. The Charitable Foundation is now ready to accept donations, for which tax receipts will be issued. Donations may be from individuals or corporations.
Please forward donations to:
Rotary District 5370 Charitable Foundation
c/o Rotary District 5370 Office
16030 – 104 Ave.. NW
Edmonton AB T5P 0S3
and annotate cheques “Fort McMurray Fire Relief Fund”
Dave Jeffreys encouraged Club members to get behind efforts by
Unite for Refugees-St. Thomas and Elgin County to bring three more refugee families (three families have already been supported by the group) to St. Thomas-Elgin. To raise the $75,000 needed to accomplish this, several fundraising events are in the works. On May 19, a “Taste of Syria” program will be held at the CASO Station. Admission is $5, with food available for purchase. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and guest speaker, Dr. Iman Arab, Founder of Bring Back Hope, will be called upon at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at
www.uniteforrefugees.org or at the YWCA (519-631-9800). Then, six fundraising BBQs will be held on the second and fourth Fridays of June, July and August. Organizers are also looking for volunteers and sponsors (to offset the cost of supplies). More details to come.
Speaking of summer, President Nancy announced that several members had offered to host evening meetings of the Club in the summer months. She asked Club members to think about it for now; an opportunity to discuss it at greater length will take place later….Nancy reported that she and Trish had attended the Rotary Leadership Institute last Saturday in London and returned with a deep appreciation of the positive attitude to be found in the St. Thomas Rotary Club.
Dave Jeffreys was winner of the 50-50 draw. Sergeant-at-Arms Ed Willson fined President Nancy a loonie for giving him writer’s cramp since he had to do so much writing today. Fine Master Paul Blower read, in honour of Youth Services Month, an excerpt from the May 1927 Rotarian in which contributor Thomas Arkle Clark found that “most young people are resourceful and conscientious, contrary to the popular image.”
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.
Trudy Kanellis (5) – Photos of Interactors presenting a cheque to the Women’s Shelter have appeared in both the Times-Journal and Weekly News; for a really enjoyable meeting today; for newest member, Brenda; Saturday’s Fish Fry, in which Trudy played a prominent part (as did the Food Trailer), was the “best ever”; she is glad that yesterday’s very busy Mother’s Day is over at the Wayside (over 1000 dinner patrons served).
Ron Somerville (1) – Ron’s “other wife” is having her 80th birthday.
Nancy Lovelock (2) – To welcome Brenda to Rotary and to the Club; for a great family celebration on Mother’s Day.
Malcolm Rust (4) – This year marks 20 years that he has been a member of Rotary. Malcolm noted that highlights for him were his involvement with the Rotary Youth Exchange program, editing the Rotaserver, and visiting other Rotary clubs. He enjoyed last Saturday’s Fish Fry and reported that the Railway City Club hoped that there might be closer collaboration with our club in the future.
Trish Shouldice (2) – To welcome our newest Rotary member, Brenda; for the fun time she had today.
Brenda Merrifield (2) – She had a great Mother’s Day; her oldest daughter has landed a great job in Texas.
Dave Jeffreys (2) – For winning the 50/50; for the great welcome he always receives in St. Thomas.
Monday, May 16 – Student Service Above Self Award Presentations
At the Wayside, 12:15 p.m.
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ASAA
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Greeter
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Fine Master
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Monday, May 16
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Ron Somerville
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Stew Shouldice
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Dave Payler
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Monday, May 23
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No Meeting (Victoria Day)
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Monday, May 30
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Ron Somerville
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Ken Ferguson
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Stew Shouldice
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Monday, June 6
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Stew Shouldice
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Trudy Kanellis
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Malcolm Rust
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Monday, June 13
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Ron Somerville
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Trish Shouldice
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Suzanne Ferguson
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Monday, June 20
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No Meeting (Volunteer Appreciation Night takes place on June 21)
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Tuesday, June 21
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Stew Shouldice
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Dave Payler
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No Fine Master
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Photos: Trudy Kanellis
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r ourselves to celebrate the years that we each joined Rotary, those years totalling more than 230. And, to top it all, we had a cupcake cake (seen at left) and loot bags.
