Highlights of the November 23 ZOOM Meeting
President Jean Oliver opened the meeting at 6:00 by sharing the Third and fourth Codes of Rotary Conduct
As a Rotarian I will:
Use my professional skills through Rotary to mentor young people, help those with special needs, and improve people’s quality of life in my community and in the world.
Avoid behaviour that reflects adversely on Rotarians.
She then introduced our guest presenters Gord and Deb LeMaistre and Rotarian David Thorne’s guest, retired CN Rail engineer, Ron Thiede.
President Jean thanked Rotarian David Thorne for naming our club the recipient of his volunteering efforts. CN Rail rewards employees for volunteering with a cheque to their requested charity. Our Rotary Club will be receiving a cheque for $750. Thank you, David.
NOW is running smoothly, filling 64 bags Nov. 20. A team will be working on Thursday, November 26 due to students being at home on Friday.
HIP clothing has been donated and will be distributed in Easterville shortly. Since then there has been a request for winter clothing for a student at Daerwood School. We have a winter jacket but are still looking for boys’ boots sizes 12,13 or 1.
Secretary Ruth Konzelman reported our attendance at 58%.
Treasurer Lesli Malegus reminded Secretary Ruth to report on the Federal Bridge Grant and whether our Rotary Club qualifies. Our club does not qualify because we do not own/rent and office or pay taxes. Secretary Ruth thanked Honorary Member Bill Bodman for his help in this investigation.
Directors’ Reports & Announcements:
Club Service: Director Brian Surridge reported that Dec 7th will be the Vocational Award presentation as well as a presentation on STARS by Jason Johnson. December 14 will be the Wine draw at 6:30 and Zoom Christmas Cheer get together at 7:00. We are to wear Christmas red or green or a Christmas sweater.
Social Media: Rotarians David Thorne and Michele Polinuk reported that Facebook is receiving more hits than Instagram or Twitter. The HIP winter clothing collection and NOW projects have receiving between 5442 and 7819 views with many positive comments. We also need to look at how to respond to offers of assistance and donations.
Sgt. At Arms: Rhonda had us play a 4 question Trivia quiz related to Rotary and promises that it was a practice round with more quizzes to follow. Remember your paper and felt marker for the next meeting.
Program Topic: The Ripple Effect and District 5550 Projects in Guatemala presented by Gord and Deb LeMaistre from Kenora Club
(Posted by Rotarian Ruth Konzelman)
Rotarian Elaine introduced Rotarians Gord and Deb LeMaistre who joined us via Zoom from Kenora. November is Foundation Month and Elaine pointed out how money donated to the Rotary Foundation comes back in District grants to clubs and is given out in Global grants to projects like the Guatemala one. This project illustrates the Ripple Effect of club donations ultimately leveraging Foundation, global and federal grants to effect literacy, building schools and helping communities.
Gord LeMaistre said the Rotary Foundation transforms gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. In the past 100 years 4 billion dollars have been invested in service projects. The mission of the Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through improvements of health, support of education and the alleviation o0f poverty. Incoming Rotary president elect Jennifer Jones believes that in order to live in the world you have to help build it.
The Guatemala project came into being in 1999 and is the largest international service project undertaken by District 5550. With a goal to do whatever it takes to get kids into schools and keep them there, 3.5 million dollars has been invested in education in the country. This program was developed entirely by Rotarians working with local Rotary clubs in Guatemala to maintain sustainability.
100 schools have been built. 17 computers have been installed into each of 20 schools with the objective of reducing the digital gap in Guatemala. Before the computers are placed there is 80 hrs of training for teachers and schools are required to have a computer room, upgrade wiring and security. Since installing the computers 5,782 students have raised their mathematics level, overall behavior has improved and attendance has increased.
In order to keep students in school sanitation has been improved through teaching about hygiene and building washrooms. This has been led by the Rotary Club of Moosejaw/Wakamow.
In 2017 a Vocational Training Team undertook to work with teachers in Guatemala to build goodwill and understanding. This has resulted in a scholarship program for middle and high school students.
Gord and Deb commented that they have travelled to Guatemala every year for the past 13 years. Due to COVID this is the first year they haven’t made the trip. Any Rotarian that may be interested in joining them in the future can contact them for further information.
Gord thanked the Rotary Club of Selkirk for being a strong supporter of these scholarships.
Brian thanked Gord and Deb for a highly informative presentation.
Elaine reminded Rotarians to make their donations to the Foundation either through Treasurer Lesli or online.
President Jean gave us an update on the health of members with medical issues and extended well wishes on the club’s behalf.
And more…………….
HIP December 12 is the next date that winter clothing will be going to Easterville. Any donations can be dropped off at President Jean’s.
Thanks to the Rotarian who purchased boots for the Daerwood School student and the others who expressed willingness to help.
NOW is continuing smoothly but we are waiting to see what will happen as we move toward Christmas. Thanks go to Diane Thomas who has been purchasing fruit and other wholesale items each week. This is another example of her support of our club.
Anyone with unsold Viva la Vino tickets should contact President Jean. Remember the draw will be made at the Golf Course at 6:30. Four members have volunteered to witness the draw. A Christmas Cheer Zoom get together of members and partners will begin at 7:00 when the winners of the draw will be announced.
A big thank you to President Jean who facilitates the Zoom meetings so efficiently and to Rotarian Brian who has filled our meetings with interesting and informative content. I encourage those who have not been participating to make an extra effort to accept the invitation to join the meetings.
Submissions:
