Highlights of the December 7, ZOOM Meeting
Posted by Secretary Ruth Konzelman
President Jean called the meeting to order at 6:00 and we recited the Rotary 4 Way Test.
Our visiting Rotarians, and guests were introduced:
Jason Johnson STARS helicopter pilot and Daryl Braun the STARS Community Relations representative.
Dr. Dan Lindsay, radiologist, Selkirk Regional Hospital and Rotarian David Thorne’s guest, Ron Thiede.
STARS
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Rotarian David Thorne introduced Jason Johnson, a STARS helicopter pilot and Daryl Braun from STARS community relations office. Daryl began with a PowerPoint focused on the history of STARS and the impact on the communities it has served.
STARS was originally founded in Alberta in 1985 as Lions Air Ambulance Service. Since then, it has evolved into STARS “Shock Trauma Air Rescue” and is spread across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It has been in Manitoba since 2011 and currently employs 50 people who provide 24/7 critical care to about 200 different communities in Manitoba. On average it answers about 50 calls per year in Selkirk. The helicopter flight crew is composed of 2 pilots, a flight nurse and a paramedic that transport one patient or in special circumstances 2 patients. The helicopter is a flying ICU which is the first of its type in Canada to have blood on board and the capability of doing onboard ultrasounds. In the community STARS partners with rural EMS, local fire departments, RCMP and conservation officers to assist at critical accident scenes.
Soon, STARS will be replacing its aging BK117 helicopter with a 2020 Airbus H145 with updated technology. This is 3.7-million-dollar purchase which relies on fundraising events, a legacy program, and provincial subsidies.
STARS is a charitable non-profit. The funds raised in Manitoba stay in Manitoba. STARS’ current contract with the province of Manitoba expires in 2022. In addition to flying critical care missions the nonprofit provides 100 hours of education to auxiliary support partners to upgrade their skills. This is supplied at no charge.
Jason Johnson then answered some questions about landing a helicopter at the Selkirk Hospital without a helipad. Currently, there is available space around the hospital to use as a temporary landing zone. However, future planned development may result in having to use the Selkirk airport which results in an additional 25- 30 minutes to transport patients to the hospital. For example, the patients must be transferred from the helicopter stretcher to an ambulance stretcher and then the ride to the hospital. A helipad requires a Transport Canada assessment of the site and obstacles in the area and the costs for a helipad can run the in range of $200-$500,000. Considerations involve proper approach space, slopes for runoff, sidewalks, obstruction lights on nearby roads and parking lots.
Rotarian Lesli thanked Daryl and Jason for an interesting presentation which provided some discussion material for the Club’s next large project.
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A look inside a Stars helicopter. Photo taken June 23, 2017 by Hobie Searles |
Rotary Club of Selkirk Vocational Award Presentation:
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| Dr. Dan Lindsay from our Instagram |
Rotarian Ron Knight then introduced Dr. Dan Lindsay who had been invited by Jean to update the Club on diagnostics at the Selkirk Regional Hospital. Dr. Lindsay was unaware that he was to receive the Club’s Vocational Award for 2020. This award was presented to Dr. Lindsay for his help with Selkirk Rotary Club’s Project ECHO. Without his assistance and guidance in dealing with Shared Health and IERHA the funds raised may have resulted in money in the bank and no equipment on site.
Dr. Lindsay thanked the Club for the award. Dan said that Rotarians bring hope to a community by seeing a need and fulfilling that need. He then, briefly described how he arrived in this community that had no radiologist and very little equipment. He started working two half days per week in radiology and since then the department has evolved with 5 radiologists an MRI, and CT scanner.
He encouraged Rotarians to raise questions about health care when they see moral, ethical or political challenges. We are all in this evolving process together. Dr. Lindsay suggested that the Club might be interested in hearing about his five tours of work in Afghanistan and he would be happy to return at a future date for a presentation.
President’s Report & Announcements:
President Jean requested that tickets not sold for the wine draw be turned in to her ASAP. Also, additional bottles of wine are still required. The Draw will take place next Monday (14) at 6:30 pm at the Golf course with 4 Rotarians present. Immediately afterwards at 7 pm our zoom Christmas Cheer will be held.
Jean announced that the Selkirk District Foundation chose the NOW program as its charity of choice for the Christmas Season and awarded the program $500.
The second and last donation of winter clothing will be on its way to the reserve at the end of the week. If anyone has further clothing to donate it can be dropped at Jeans this week.
Media: David Thorne reported that the Rotary Facebook site is still getting a lot of hits. (11,338 this week with 20 positive comments) Michele says that Instagram is not that popular.
Secretary’s Report: Ruth Konzelman
Rotary has received two requests for support that the executive will consider at the next director’s meeting. Rotarian Julian has sent in two cheques and extends Season’s Greetings to members of the Club.
Treasurer’s Report: Lesli Malegus reported that she has some cash from Rotarians to buy wine.
Directors’ Reports & Announcements:
5th Avenue or Youth: Director Michele Polinuk reported that she has received some information on the virtual Adventures in Citizenship that she and Trish will be considering.
Rotarian Sharon reported that 64 bags were packed last week for the NOW project and that the number is remaining consistent. Bags will be packed this Thursday as there is another professional development day on Friday.
And more…
The “Viva la Vino” draw was made by Diane Thomas at the Selkirk Golf Club at 6:30 on December 14 with four Rotarians present. 1st Prize winner was Joan Hadfield and 2nd Prize went to Jane Massey.
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Drawing Viva La Vino winners From left: Sharon Moolchan, Jean Oliver, Diane Thomas |
The 7:00 Christmas Cheer Zoom had 18 honorary and regular Rotarians present as well as Rotarian David’s guest Ron Thiede. The winners from the raffle were announced. The raffle generated $4698.61 and will be split between the Selkirk Food Bank and our NOW program. A good time was had by all and Rotarian Rhonda’s quiz was a big hit.
The NOW project (Nutrition On Weekends) will begin again January 8. Two bags of food were given to each student the last Friday of classes before Christmas. President Jean has been contacted by principals and the number of bags required has increased by at least 10.
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| Source: Facebook |
Another load of clothes and bedding (sheets, blankets, comforters) are going up North before the end of January.
Reminders: When the budget was passed on October 26 it was agreed that beginning in January, 2021 all members would be charged $5.00 per Zoom meeting whether in attendance or not. Normally, when the club meets most of the members pay $23.00. That includes $17.00 for the meal, taxes, gratuities and a $5.00 assessment for club support. Some members choose to have coffee and a dainty for $7.00 with $5.00 going to the club.
The $5.00 is the current minimum per member required to cover club expenses such as rental of a post box, event insurance, the Rotarian, Zoom meetings and more. Since we were forced to move to Zoom meetings that assessment has not been collected. Also, our policy is to not spend community fundraising to cover our club costs. This month Treasurer Lesli will be sending out three-month invoices to all active members.
