Highlights of the February 8, ZOOM Meeting

Posted by Secretary Ruth Konzelman

President Jean called the meeting to order and then shared the following Rotary International history.

In the early 1930’s, Rotary Club founder Paul Harris was asked during an interview “Did you ever think it (Rotary) would become a worldwide movement?”

To which he replied “No, it had no inspired beginning. It was started as a way for a few lonesome young men moving into the city from the country to meet others.” It was called “rotary” because the meeting rotated amongst members’ homes.

Jean then read the Selkirk Rotary history found in the “From the Archives” side bar.

Introduction of visiting Rotarians, Visitors and Guests:

From the Marine Museum: our very own Rotarian Fraser Stewart

Rotary Guests: Shauna Curtin and Caroline Bidal

Our Sergeant at Arms, Rotarian Rhonda told us that she and Lesli were looking for a creative name for the club’s lobster box dinner that will be replacing Lobsterfest this year. She asked us to put our thinking caps on and email them with your ideas ASAP.

Rhonda was supposed to have a less challenging quiz this week and although our scores were somewhat better most of us are still hovering around 50%. Sharon Moolchan was the big winner of the prize(?) this week.

Introduction of Guest Speaker: Brian called on Fraser who required no introduction.

Fraser started his presentation with a brief history of the Marine Museum. Although it was formally established in 1972, a group of citizens had been working on the idea for several years. It started in 1966 when the S.S. Keenora was destined for the torch after being abandoned in the slough for years. Lloyd Wersch obtained a $10,000 bank loan and the group worked diligently on a dream to establish a means of recording the province’s marine heritage. Rotarians Fraser Stewart, Ron Corrigal and Bill Bodman have been part of this project for over 40 yrs.

Today, the museum consists of 6 ships all of which, at one time worked the waters of the Red River and Lake Winnipeg. A current estimated value of the museum is over two million dollars. Since 2018 the Marine Museum has been working with the assistance of David McInnes to upgrade the experiential aspect of their exhibits. Short, motion activated videos, small boat models, recorded interviews, and hands-on interactive techniques are just a few ways participation has been employed to elevate the museum experience and build interest.

Intertwined with the history of ships on the lake is the history of the indigenous communities along its banks and their employment in forestry and fisheries. Tracing the route of steamboats on the lake involves a ports -of- call exhibit that describes community life in some of these ports, a light house simulator system for navigation on the lakes as well as, an exhibit on how a steam engine works. Other exhibits are based on lake dredges, boat building in the Selkirk area, the tram way, a Lord Selkirk exhibit and the St Andrews Lock and Dam.

In 2019 restoration work began on the Chickama. It involved 14 volunteers working about 400 hrs. and a grant of $12,500 and $25,000 in cash. This is a big difference from 1972 when George Dorman had to use Manpower Grants for the Employment Disadvantaged and scrounge dollars for materials to do work on the Keenora. Honorary Rotarian Bill Bodman has been the financial guru who has helped the Museum find financial stability.

President Jean asked Fraser about funding and he explained that some funding currently comes from government grants, some from the public, some from the Selkirk and District Community Foundation and the City of Selkirk now provides an operating grant every year.

Hobie asked Fraser to explain how the St Andrews Dam differs from other dams in its function. Apparently, it is now the only “Camere” style dam in operation in North America. The water drops from the top down like a blind.

Hobie thanked Fraser for updating the Club on the Marine Museum and providing us with some interesting information as well as some excellent slides.

President’s Report & Announcements:

President Jean reported that Ron Thiede’s membership application has been approved and he will be inducted into the Club during the Feb.22nd meeting.     

Honoring Indigenous People (HIP) initiative of the Club will be making a final donation of bedding, blankets and winter clothes to Easterville and Moose Lake this coming week. Anyone still having donations can call Jean.

There has been a request from the Friendship Centre for winter clothing for an Adult male XXL and a female size L. Contact the Friendship Centre if you have donations.

President Jean sent a letter to the City of Selkirk CAO, Mayor and Counsellors to remind them of our previous request to erect a Peace Pole in Queen’s Park. We had no response to the first letter and money has been set aside in the budget for this. It has been suggested that she have a zoom meeting with Brady Clark.

Directors Reports and Announcements: As follows

President-elect and Media:

David welcomed Caroline Bidal to the meeting and returning guest Shauna Curtin. In the last 28 days the Club’s social media sites have had 11,256 hits with 1460 comments. David will be posting something on the site about the Book Sale as people have been asking where to leave donated books and when the book sale will take place.

Lesli had no Treasurer’s report but encouraged Rotarians to think up a name for the lobster fundraiser.

1 st Avenue or Club Service: Director Brian Surridge

Feb 22 meeting will be an Induction of New Member Ron Thiede and a refinement of the Lobsterfest plan.

March 8 a double-header: Pat Bird has agreed to talk about Reconciliation and HIP and Joan Hardy will speak about Successful Women in the Workplace.

4 th Avenue or International Service: Director Elaine Elliott reminded everyone to give to the RI Foundation if our club wants to be eligible to receive grants in return. Mark your donation: “ANNUAL FUND”

Family News: Spencer Grahame, Fraser and Bev Stewart’s grandson has been awarded the Dr. Dale Iwanoczko Memorial Volleyball Scholarship. Congratulations Spencer!

From the Board...

Adult Learning Centre: After discussion it was decided that the Club would not support the writing contest but would give a cheque for $500. This is to be $350 for an annual subscription for software for learners to use to improve literacy levels. It is to be noted that this is a one year subscription and at the end of the year the Club wishes feedback regarding the validity of the program. The remaining $150 is to be put towards a new printer which is needed. This $500 is already in the approved Club budget for literacy.

Foundation Donations: For our Club to receive grants from RI we need to contribute to the Rotary Foundation. To date our club has donated $140 of a required amount of about $1300. Discussion took place about how we can meet the requirement.

• One notice has gone in the Spoke already, a more emphatic one to be placed this week.

• Should we look into Bob Durston giving a 5 minute talk at our Feb 22 meeting on how much money our Club has received in grants.

• Also, a more detailed instruction on how to donate on line.

• Long range suggestions involve a surcharge of $50 on dues to go to the Foundation with the treasurer giving a clear breakdown on dues prior to the next fiscal year.

Stars submitted a request to participate in a 50/50 fundraiser. We all agreed that this has merit but we need to focus on our lobster fundraiser and reconsider in the Fall.

Organizational Chart: We edited the Avenues of Service to up to date them , adding new programs such as NOW and HIP and deleting others which are no longer applicable (Community Foundation rep) We will give further consideration to possibly placing Environment in an Avenue at our next Executive meeting.

Lobsterfest Update: Lesli and Rhonda updated their plan which will be discussed in further detail at the Feb. 22 Rotary Club meeting. They received no emails with a suggested event name so they suggest: “Lobster on the Run” which received board approval. To put a request out to the general membership for an idea of a good grand prize. After the plan for this fundraiser receives approval from the general membership at the next meeting it is to be advertised on social media.

Secretary Ruth covered some housekeeping correspondence. S/A Rhonda will have another quiz for our next meeting.

Rotarian Brian has completed filling meeting programs to the end of March but is looking for ideas for two programs in April, one in May and one in June. If you have any ideas please contact Brian as soon as possible. Brian is doing a fantastic job booking presenters for our meetings and will pursue ideas you pass on to him.

Red Bomb Fireworks is still unable to collect books for our yearly Book Sale. We have asked them to field inquiries by informing callers that book collection and the Book Sale are on hold until restrictions are lifted. When we are able to set a sale date the public will be informed. Please pass this information to anyone who makes inquiries.

Meeting adjourned: 7:05pm