Recommendations from the Executive

and Approved by the Members April 13th.

We had another pleasant duty to perform and that was to make a presentation in the amount $3,000.00 to Lucille Erin Director of the Selkirk Day Care Centre. This donation will help in the purchase of a new dishwasher for the Day Care.

Attendance was 75%

Sharon tried desperately to rid herself of the 50/50 draw going as far as to hold three draws. Unfortunately the three Rotarians who had their tickets drawn did not cooperate.

Katherine, Bill and Brian failed to find the Ace of Spade so Sharon will have to carry on.

We took the time to pass the hat around and took up a collection for Mary Jane and staff in thanks for looking after us so well this past year.

I thought fitting that I include the farewell speech of again Past President Michele [one L]

As Michele leaves the Presidents position for the 2^nd time and she left us with these words.

My year in Review – President’s Final Report

Rotarian Bill Bodman and his wife Gail at the Award Ceremony & Dinner
after the presentation to Bill for all his many years of Volunteer Service to our Community.

He truly does deserve this award for Making a Difference in our Community. Well done Bill!

Rotarian Rhonda Grochowski presents Speaker Appreciation Certificate to Randi Skjolden following her great presentation on her new book "Trolls Walk in Words" a Norwegian romance and her experiences with self-publishing.

KARL CALDEN

Rotary in  Brief : joined Rotary July 1 1975 was Club President 1984-85. Awarded Honorary Membership Status in 2009. Wife Anneliese was an active Rotary Ann and passed away Feb. 1, 2012 .

KARL FRIEDRICH WILHELM CALDEN Karl Friedrich passed away peacefully on February 9, 2014, at Red River Place in Selkirk. He was predeceased by his wife Anneliese; son David; grandson Michael; his parents, Karl and Hedwig Calden; his sisters and their spouses Annagela (Dr. Stucky) and Hildegard (Klaus); stepchildren Walter and Monique. He is survived by his children Hildegard (Jim), Rika (Jeff), Mike (Heather), Robert; son-in-law Bryan; daughters-in-law Heather (John) and Martha; grandchildren Patrizia (Rob), Christopher, Douglas, Annamarie (Stephan), Nicole (Lars), Ian, Betina, Martina, and Rayna; great-grandchildren Amanda and Jeffrey; and nieces and nephews and their families.

Rotarian Jean Oliver presents Tammy Thompson with her "certificate of appreciation"
for her moving presentation on the START Program and the work she is doing
to help youth and families in our community for the past ten years.

The Wine & Roses evening was as usual a great success. All reports both from inside the club and from non members indicated everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening. The venue the food and of course the wine was great...

Thanks to Lesli, Jean and all the members of their committee for an enjoyable and profitable evening.

The Club netted a total of $3010.49

Rotarian Jim & Betty Gaynor, the major donors speak at Grand Opening! Rotarians gather at Rotary Bridge!!

JOHN ROBERT (BOB) JEFFERSON

It is with great regret that we pass on the very sad news of the sudden passing of our dear friend Bob Jefferson. He will be missed very much. A good friend, a good Rotarian and a very generous benefactor to our community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

JOHN ROBERT (BOB) JEFFERSON Suddenly while on holidays in Chicago with his family, Bob Jefferson, aged 74 years of Selkirk, MB passed away on December 25, 2013. Bob leaves to mourn his sister Doreen Sisto, nephews Guy Sisto, Mark Sisto (Cori) and their children Dylan and Tyler, as well as cousin Ann Carol. He will be sadly missed by the Truthwaite and Boyce families as well as many extended families in the UK and dear lifelong friends. There will be heavy hearts left in the City of Selkirk as Bob embraced so many people by his unique and natural ability to engage anyone by offering pleasant and encouraging words or having a visit over coffee. He was predeceased by his father William Robert Jefferson and his mother Barbara (Neave) Jefferson, as well as numerous aunts and uncles. Bob lived his entire life in Selkirk, MB.

It’s Christmas time again and the December 9^th date is fast approaching

Lesli is in charge and will be assisted by Al and Ronda. They will look after the silent auction and Jim and Ron are the ticket sellers;

Don’t forget the silent auction so make sure you bring your surprise the night of the dinner.

Tickets are now available at $25.00 each and must be purchased in advance. All money raised will be donated to the Selkirk Food Bank.

We will have a choice of chicken or beef and you can decide the night of the dinner.

Location: Selkirk Golf Course.

Time 6:00 PM

At The Selkirk Rotary Club meeting on Monday Sept.30th, the club welcomed District 5550 Governor Ed Thompson and his wife Elaine  on his first visit to our club.  He gave an exciting vision of RI and District's goals for the year and an update on Polio Plus. This year's theme of "Engage Rotary Change Lives" was highlighted. In honor of DG Ed's visit, he was presented with a $500 cheque from the club that will be donated to Rotary Foundation Annual Giving - Share Fund in his name. We look forward to another positive year of changing lives in our community and internationally under the leadership our new District Governor and President Michele.

Exchanging Rotary Club Banners with President Mykola Kubishyn of Ivano-Frankivsk Rotary Club District 2230.

Their big project is assisting to provide good medical diagnostic services to people who can not afford this. They have identified a good portable ultrasound machine made by General Electric Healthcare in the United States called LOGIQ Book XP  (http://www.gehealthcare.com/usen/ultrasound/products/book_index.html) for $35,000 USD.

The local region has a large number of villages in the mountain region of the Ukraine where there is only one poorly equiped hospital supporting them. One of their Charter Rotary members, Maryan Yaremko, is a gynecologist who travels to this hospital periodically as part of his normal duties, and he has agreed to perform ultrasound studies as part of this Rotary Project. The Rotary Club is hoping to partner with Canadian Rotary Clubs to help with their project proposal for this very important medical service.

If any Rotary Club is willing to assist in this project please contact: Igor Kosovych or Olga Kosovych at olechkakosovych@gmail.com

The members of the Rotary Club of Selkirk extend a warm welcome and invite you to take an active part in the club's service and fellowship activities.

Background:

Rotary is a voluntary organization of 1.2 million business and professional leaders united worldwide. Rotary is the world's first volunteer service organization. Clubs are nonpolitical and open to every race, culture, and creed.

the August draw winners were:

AL CURTIS $1,000  (again!)

Bonnie Hunnie $100

Good Luck in the next draw in October

President Andrew Glassco gave a wonderful "End of Rotary Year Speech" at the Turn Over Meeting and summarized the club's activities and accomplishments during it's Anniversary 75th year. Thanking everyone for their hard work, fellowship and many contributions to the community both locally and internationally.

Highlights of the year were the Rotary Lobsterfest and $30,000 donation to Selkirk Community Living towards a new Residence and the three 75th Anniversary events, 75th Anniversary Granite Bench in Selkirk's Queens Park commemorating the Anniversary, the 75th Anniversary Gala Dinner at Gaffers with the District Governor Rick Hubbs and Presentation of 4 Paul Harris Fellow Awards to local citizens ( A. Hares, T. Hotchkiss, D. Thorsteinson, D. Chorney). This was followed by 2 Olympic Athletic speakers brought in to talk to the grade 9 students in the Lord Selkirk School Division. He was given a standing ovation by all the Rotarians and guests present at the dinner.

A special thank you and gift was presented to Chef May Jane for her wonderful catering and hosting of our club meetings for the past year. President Andrew welcomed the New Incoming President Michele Polinuk with her President's Pin and wished her all the best for her upcoming year. President Michele thanked President Andrew and presented him with his Award in recognition of his year of service as Rotary Club President for 2012-13. President Michele wrapped up the meeting and ushered in the new Rotary Year with the prospects of another great year for Selkirk Rotary!

ALVIN MERVIN BRACKEN

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our husband, father and grandfather, Alvin Mervin Bracken, at Selkirk and District General Hospital on March 6, 2013. Alvin is survived by his wife, Mabel of 54 years; daughters, Linda (Harry) and Wendy (Garry); grandchildren, Pamela (Adam), Blair (Bonnie), Rosalyn (Patrick), and Gordon; brothers, Ted, Edwin, Gerald, Allan, Ken; and sisters, Florence, Leora, Mayme and Mabel. He was predeceased by his son, Blair, granddaughter, Catherine, brothers, Howard, John and Earle, and sister Viola. Alvin was born to Manford and Violet Bracken on April 17, 1935 along with his twin brother, Allan, in Tessier, SK.

His family moved to Marchand, MB in 1935 to a dairy farm and later moved to the farm in Clandeboye, MB in 1944. Alvin attended the University of Manitoba and obtained his diploma course in Agriculture. In 1957 Alvin met Mabel Speer and they were married in 1958. They raised their family on Brackendale Farm, along with his brother, Gerald and sister-in-law, Evelyn and their children Cheryl, Marilyn, Gordon and Brenda, sharing the farmhouse until 1966 when Alvin and Mabel built their home north of the farm yard.

Alvin was actively involved in the work and life of the Clandeboye 4-H Club, the Clandeboye United Church, the Clandeboye Community Club, the Clandeboye Skating Club, the Clandeboye Fire Department, International Agricultural Exchange Program, and was a life member of the Selkirk Rotary Club. He believed that giving back to the community was important and encouraged his family to do so also.

Alvin's love and dedication to Mabel truly warmed hearts of those around them. His love for his girls and his grandchildren was also evident. Although a man of few words, his actions always told us that he loved us very much. Losing Blair was truly a difficult time for him but Alvin's strong determination and faith enabled him to carry on. Alvin was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1997. He was able to continue living a full life until the last few years as the disease progressed, slowly taking from him small bits of his mobility and independence. He never once complained. He was strong in his fight and accepted each setback as the disease progressed.

Alvin and Mabel moved from Clandeboye into Mapleton Lane in St. Andrews and enjoyed making new friends and settling into town living. Funeral services were held on Monday, March 11, 2013 at at Selkirk United Church, 202 McLean Avenue, Selkirk, MB. Pallbearers were Garry Church, Gordon Church, Harry Hawes, Blair Hawes, Gordon Bracken and Ian Grieve. Honorary pallbearers were Cheryl Bracken, Marilyn Wilkinson and Brenda Harris.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Alvin's memory to the Palliative Care at Selkirk and District General Hospital, Clandeboye United Church or Selkirk United Church. 

Editor’s Note: The following opinion piece is by K J Dell’Antonia from a special issue of the RGHF Rotary Foundation newsletter.

Too often, the news leaves me speechless. Stops me in my tracks, occupies my mind, won’t let me go. Hearing, on N.P.R., that masked Taliban gunmen gunned down a 14-year-old girl for publicly speaking out about her desire for an education, had that effect. I was outraged, infuriated, saddened, helpless! Nothing I do will change what happened to Malala Yousafzai. I’ve little chance of even helping others like her.

But hearing her story shook me. It made me think about the value of my education, and the daily trips to school my daughter takes for granted. It reminded me that those who would insist on different rights for people with different genders, skin, beliefs or culture are still powerful and in some cases ruthless.

I see a value in being shaken in just that way. A few weeks ago, at a party, I had a casual conversation with a man who declared that he refused to listen to the news, and in particular, N.P.R., anymore. “It’s just one story about the downtrodden after another,” he insisted. “And we just listen and pat ourselves on the back for our sensitivity and nothing happens, and the next day it’s yet another story.”

In his essay “Unreal” in his book “The Thing Itself: On the Search for Authenticity,” Richard Todd said much the same thing. “You have to keep a cool eye on yourself when you are outraged over something that remains secondary to your life,” he wrote. He described his reactions when the evening news showed pictures of soldiers killed in action — looking up from his kitchen cutting board, respectfully not sipping his wine, shaking his head sadly. “And then I began to realize that there was something about this ritual that had nothing to do with pain on my part, something that was indeed shamefully self enhancing.”

How “meta” are Mr. Todd and my acquaintance, so carefully examining their reactions to the news and pushing me to do the same? How clever to question our own responses to the outrages and horrors that are “secondary” to our lives only through accidents of birth or geography or fortune. And how convenient to conclude that unearned emotion is an indulgence, because that’s the only conclusion that would allow us to look away from Malala’s story, or any front-page outrages: the doctor who considers drugs the only hope for children in failing schools; the Syrian refugee crisis.

Maybe it’s a valid worry, that our emotional reaction to a news story gives us the comforting illusion of having taken action, thus freeing us from the burden of taking to the streets in protest, collecting donations or even voting. But is it a worry that we can afford? Would we be better off with silenced radios and folded newspapers?

Pakistani soldiers carry wounded Malala Yousufzai, from a military helicopter to a military hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan

Without the media trying to show us what’s happening in the Swat Valley in Pakistan, where Malala Yousafzai lived and where, in 2009, the Taliban forced the closure of her school, Malala Yousafzai would not have had the opportunity to blog about her experience, or been the focus of documentaries for The New York Times and other media outlets. Her story would never have generated outrage or interest on the part of the public — or the Taliban. But it’s also possible that had her story, and others, never been told, the Taliban would simply control Ms. Yousafzai’s world. And it’s certain that the Taliban did not want Malala Yousafzai’s voice to be heard.

What will you do with what you now know about Malala Yousafzai’s fight? What will you do with your anger at those who are proud to have struck her down, temporarily or permanently (she is now in critical condition after surgery)? I don’t have easy answers to those questions. What will I do? I will vote. I will tell my daughters her story. I will look for ways to contribute to education for women in parts of the world that still long to leash and muzzle half their population. I will think of Anne Frank, and how clear the most complex situations can appear in hindsight. I will stay outraged.

And I will keep listening to, reading, and reacting to the news.

K J Dell’Antonia is a writer for the New York Times. This article was first published October 10, 2012 at the blog “Motherlode: Adventures in Parenting“

Paul Harris Fellow award honourees Doug Chorney, Al Hares, Edward Hotchkiss, and Dan Thorsteinson pose for a photo at the Rotary Club of Selkirk’s 75th anniversary gala dinner held in Lockport Nov. 17. (BROOK JONES/SELKIRK JOURNAL/QMI AGENCY)

For the best view click on full screen in right hand corner

Rotary President Andrew Glassco, Selkirk Major Larry Johannson, St.Andrews Councilor Kurtiss Krasnesky and Gillian Smith from E.J. Smith Memorials unveiled the Rotary Club of Selkirk's 75th Commemorative Anniversary Granite Bench dedicated to the Citizens of Selkirk and celebrating 75 years of service to our community on Oct.14, 2012. The bench was also placed in Queen's Park in support of the Trans-Canada Trails Red River North.

Story by Amanda Lefley, The Selkirk Journal

The Rotary Club of Selkirk plans a 75^th Anniversary Gala Dinner, Bench Unveiling in Queen’s Park and Olympic Athletic Speaker for Youth in our School Division to celebrate their 75^th Anniversary this Rotary Year.

The Rotary Club of Selkirk is proudly celebrating its 75 Years of service and projects in the City of Selkirk and surrounding communities. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Winnipeg, the club was chartered on Monday April 19^th 1937 at the Merchants Hotel in Selkirk. To mark this very special 75^th Anniversary Year Selkirk Rotary is planning the three following events.

Attached is a photo of the Non-Profit Winners for the 2012 Triple ‘S’ Fair and Rodeo Parade.  Congratulations on the Rotary Club of Selkirk’s second place win in the Non-Profit category! Vice-President Michele Polinuk is accepting our award on the club's behalf. 

RI President: Through service, we can bring peace

RI President Sakuji Tanaka

By Sakuji Tanaka, 

It’s a great honor to serve as your 2012-13 RI president and represent you in Rotary. Since joining this organization in 1975, it has changed my life and given me more than I ever anticipated. I look forward to sharing some of that with you.

Through Rotary, I learned the purpose of my life wasn’t to earn more, but to help others. Through our service, we learn that the problems that may seem large to us are really very small.

I also learned that through Rotary, we could build peace. As part of the first generation to grow up in Japan after World War II, I understand the importance of peace and its connection to our well-being.

Peace can mean many things for many people, but however we understand peace, Rotary can help us achieve it. Rotary helps us meet the basic needs of health care, sanitation, food, and education. These can bring peace. In addition, we need peace as well for vaccinators to go into countries such as Afghanistan to prevent children from getting polio. It is through our work as Rotarians that we help to build the foundation for a more peaceful world.

Through service, we can bring peace. This is why our 2012-12 Rotary theme is Peace Through Service.

During my year as your president, I look forward to hearing from you on LinkedIn and when I post on the blog. I also hope to see you at one of my three Rotary Global Peace Forums.

HARVEY HANSON August 22, 1936 - June 4, 2012 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Harvey Hanson on June 4, 2012. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Sunday, June 10, 3:00 p.m. at the Grace Bible Church, 1910 Mountain Rd., Dauphin, MB. If friends wish, donations may be made to the Rotary Foundation Polio Plus, c/o Dauphin Rotary Club.

Harvey Hanson was born and raised on a dairy farm in Southern Saskatchewan where he attended elementary school and high school. He started working at the local Co-Op store proceeding on to manage stores in a number of small towns in Saskatchewan. For a number of years he was in the investment and insurance business as a salesman and area manager for Federated Investments And Seaboard Life in southern Saskatchewan. Harvey moved to Thompson, Manitoba in the early 70's. He received his Real Estate Brokers license and became the owner Manager of Byron’s Real Estate Thompson Man. Harvey was a real-estate broker / salesman for over 35 years. He served three (3) terms on City Council for the city of Thompson, Manitoba. While on council he served on many different committees. He was a director for Norman Regional Development Board and was its president for two years. He sat on the Port Churchill Development Board and served as its president for one year. He was the founding President of the North of The 53 Tourist association and continued in that role for three more years. He also served as the Federal Governments representative for four years on the Port Churchill Advisory Board After moving to Dauphin Harvey was the city’s representative on the Parkland Tourist Association and was its president for one year. Harvey joined Rotary in 1973 in Thompson, Manitoba. When he moved to Dauphin he joined the Rotary Club of Dauphin. Harvey has been very active inRotary at the Club and District level. He is a past president of the Rotary Club of Dauphin and served as an Assistant District Governor for five years. Harvey is married to Lorraine who is also a Rotarian. They have three (3) grown children (one boy and two girls) who are all married. Harvey and Lorraine havefour (4) grandkids, which they enjoy very much. Since his retirement from real estate Harvey has been busy with woodworking, camping, and Rotary.

What Rotary is doing to combat one of the most pressing humanitarian crises facing us today: hunger? It is, I think, common knowledge that when we talk about food shortages, the problems we face are nearly always local. There is more than enough food produced in our world to feed everyone in it. The problem is getting the food where it is needed, and helping people in the poorest regions achieve food security.

Key to Literacy EN from Rotary International on Vimeo.

My dear brothers and sisters in Rotary,

In the first message I wrote for this magazine, last July, I quoted Mohandas K. Gandhi, who said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” And in the months since, I have had incredible opportunities to travel the Rotary world and see how Rotarians everywhere are bringing those words to life.

Creating positive change means, at its simplest, using our knowledge and resources to solve a problem. But when we are talking about solving humanitarian problems in a real and lasting way, knowledge and ideas and resources are not enough to ensure results. We have to remember something else that is no less important: sustainability.

A sustainable solution is one that will continue to work even after the Rotarians who proposed and facilitated it are gone. This means that even though the project might have come from Rotary originally, the community will take ownership of it. That, of course, means that when a part breaks on a water pump, there will be a process in place to repair it and to keep that pump functional – carried out by the community, and without further recourse to Rotary.

The United States was in the grip of the Great Depression when Herbert J. Taylor, the newly appointed president of a nearly bankrupt Chicago cookware company, penned what became known as The Four-Way Test. Today, the simple test serves as an ethical compass for Rotarians everywhere.

In 1932, Herbert J. Taylor, believing his employees were in need of an "ethical yardstick," wrote four questions on a small, white piece of paper:  Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

In choosing The Future of Rotary Is in Your Hands as his theme for 2009-20210 RI President John Kenny said each one of us is standing on the shoulders of generations of Rotarians past, and it is our responsibility to determine Rotary's future. 2009-10 RI President John Kenny Kenny has emphasized that every Rotary club is and must be autonomous. He said that everything begins and ends with our clubs. Our clubs can and do work together; they work through their own districts, in cooperation with other clubs and districts, and with the support of our Foundation. At the end of the day, everything that we accomplish is done through the strength of our clubs. And so each club must have autonomy to serve where and how it can serve best.

The future of Rotary will not be shaped at RI headquarters -- it will be shaped in each and every Rotary club, because it is for each of us -- as Rotarians -- to do what is necessary to keep Rotary strong. Editor: Dawes, John