Highlights of the April 26, 2021 ZOOM Meeting

Posted by Secretary Ruth Konzelman

Welcome by President Jean Oliver:

Jean opened the meeting and asked all members to recite the 4 Way Test that Michele posted on the screen. Rotarian Trish Goosen then gave the Treaty 1 Acknowledgment.

President Jean had some interesting Rotary trivia that she pulled from an old file she was archiving:

In 1979 Selkirk Rotary sponsored a family from Vietnam. (See photo of the Tran family in the archives section of this newsletter)

June 2007 $10,000 was donated to the LSSD for the field house.

June 2008 the Sergeant at Arms had $1,210.50 collected for the year.

June 2010 Doreen Polinuk began to store Rotary books and items for the club.

2011- was the 1^st Wine Tasting event.

2011-12 $27,000 donation to the Gaynor Family Library for children’s area.

2012-13 $30,000 to Selkirk Community Living group home at 421 Rosser Ave.

$1000 to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

Members then watched a short video “Rotary inspires leaders in global health” about combating polio. Last week was World Immunization Week.

Click on image to watch "Rotary inspires leaders in global health" 2 min duration

Sergeant at Arms: Rhonda challenged us all with some questions from Baby Boomer’s Trivial Pursuit. David Thorne scored 10/12 to be our winner.

Director’s Reports:

Treasurer’s Report: Rotarian Lesli reported the directors had agreed to commit to membership in the Selkirk Biz for another year, cheques had been written to the Interlake Art Board for $500 and to Shelter Box for $1200.

1^st Avenue or Club Service: Director Brian Surridge reminded us that the next meeting on May 10 is a presentation by Duane Nichol CAO. City of Selkirk.

4^th Avenue or International Service: Director Elaine Elliott reported our Rotary Club has received a District literacy award.

Co-Chairs of Lobster on the Run: Rotarians Rhonda and Lesli met on Wednesday at Gordon Howard with some key members of the team to go over some of the logistics of the event. However, today the province announced new restrictions related to gatherings/COVID which are in effect until May 26. It was decided to postpone further discussion while the club gets clarification of what the restrictions might mean for further planning.

As of April 21, David reports 430 tickets have been sold with a different mix of buyers this year. Some of our regular attendees prefer to wait until we hold an in-person event. There have been 150 tickets sold on Facebook to first time purchasers. Rotarian Trish Goosen responded to a question indicating 50/50 tickets will be available for sale prior to the event.

President Jean: attended a District President’s Zoom meeting and told us about some of the fundraising going on in the district:

Dryden raised a record $290,000 with their radio bingo.

Estevan has sold 1000 tickets to their Lobster on the Go.

Neepawa raised $1100 selling tickets for five $50 local restaurant gift certificates.

Neepawa also raised $13,000 with an online auction.

As the sponsor for new members Caroline Bidal and Shauna Curtin, President Elect David Thorne was given the honour of introducing them.

Caroline Bidal and Lia

Getting to know Rotarian Caroline Bidal:

Rotarian Caroline introduced us to her 6-year-old daughter Lia who joined us to listen to her mother’s presentation. Not only is Caroline a new member of Rotary she and her family are new residents of Manitoba. Caroline’s husband Normand is a flying instructor at St. Andrews, and they recently moved here from Vancouver Island. She has over 20 years of experience in health care, enjoys gerontology and dementia care and is currently working at East Gate Lodge in Beausejour. Volunteerism and giving back to the community have always been a part of Caroline’s life. At an early age she was walking dogs for the SPCA. She has run a rehab program for autistic children at her horse farm and participated in reading to kindergarten children. She is bilingual, has experience working with indigenous communities and in her spare time enjoys knitting, photography and hiking. Caroline believes that in addition to the self-fulfillment you get from service you also set an example of leadership and inspiration for your children. Thank you, Caroline. We like your enthusiasm and look forward to meeting you in person.

Shauna Curtin

Getting to know Rotarian Shauna Curtin:

Rotarian Shauna is currently Executive Director of the Winnipeg Police Board and serves on the Boards of the Selkirk & District Community Foundation and Betel Home Foundation. Her story starts as a teenage parent, who with the support of her parents was able to further her education and acquire the skills to support her child and acquire a job in the area that interested her, justice. She knew that although the courts award child support collecting it is another matter. In 1989 in the Yukon, she worked on a maintenance support program and created a computer program for child support. By 1994 special investigative units had been established and legislation was changed to enforce support payments. In 2001 Shauna became Deputy Minister Responsible for Women in the Yukon. Returning to Manitoba in 2004 she became an Assistant Deputy Minister in the Department of Justice. Shauna aptly describes herself as a change maker. The principles of Rotary’s 4 Way Test have always been a part of Shauna’s life. For leisure, Shauna makes jewellery, knits and plays a variety of musical instruments. Shauna, her two sons and her partner Ron Balmforth also enjoy camping and kayaking.

President Jean thanked both Rotarians for their presentations and commented on how our Four new Rotary members bring a wide variety of strengths to the club.

Meeting adjourned: 7:pm