Nancy was invited into our club 10 years ago by, you guessed it, Suzanne Ferguson. Nancy has taught fitness instructors at the YMCA for 30 years. She was the first female director in an old boys network. She recalls how the HIV epidemic changed the YMCA; I think she was reminding us that COVID is also changing our world now and in the foreseeable future.
When Nancy first joined Rotary, she noted the kindness and acceptance of other members. At first, she did not understand the multiple nuances of Rotary but gradually came to understand (we can all relate to that). The Rotary values and the 4 Way Test impacted her and kept her engaged. She felt a strong sense of mentorship and encouragement. Nancy’s experience volunteering with the Red Cross, church and other nonprofit organizations was a solid foundation to build on as she took leadership in Rotary. Nancy likes particularly the international focus of Rotary. She was President of the club for two years. Currently, she is regional Assistant to the District Governor. There are many tasks in this position including a Membership role. The issues other clubs face are similar to our own, but each club has its own personality.
Nancy recalled the changes to our club after some members started the Railway City Rotary Club. Our club has been resilient, with many levels of experience that each brings to the club. We try new things. She would like to see a more formal system of accepting and drawing in new members. She recalled attending a Level 3 district training day where she found the Foundation session very informative, only to find out that she was in the wrong session. Lastly, Nancy quoted “If you don’t have a plan, plan to fail.”
Then came questions and comments. Ron recalls a time in the 1980s when men wore no bathing suits when swimming and Nancy confirmed that.
Connie, like Nancy, reported that she is still learning the dynamics of Rotary.
Happy Events
Maggie -had a second cataract surgery with an outcome that allows her to navigate in the car for Bill.
Nancy – gets a COVID shot Friday, probably the first time she will be happy to get vaccinated. 3 females medics were killed in Afghanistan helping with Polio vaccination https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-attack-vaccinators-idUSKBN2BO568
Trish – Grandaughter 5 years old, walked 5 km on the homestead farm in bitter cold, and wants to help on the farm.
Malcolm – rode a bike to downtown on trails, his family history book is making the rounds (from Trish and Stew to Barbara) His home town of Felixstowe UK, took cargo from the ship that later got stuck in the Suez Canal. Felixstowe is close to the Sutton Hoo, the archeological dig of the Anglo Saxon Viking style ship on display at the Royal Museum, London. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutton_Hoo
Barbara– reported how much bunker crude a large container ship uses. (According to The Essential Daily Briefing: “It has been estimated that just one of these container ships, the length of around six football pitches, can produce the same amount of pollution as 50 million cars. The emissions from 15 of these mega-ships match those from all the cars in the world.)
Ron - His grandson and a son had birthdays; he believes that electric cars should be re-engineered so that the heavy batteries are part of the body of each vehicle.
Bill – asked us to consider what happens to the batteries after a collision. The range of electric cars remains a problem. Would that be a subject for a guest speaker?
Announcements:
Board meeting Tues 13Apr21 10 am
Next meeting- 14Apr21 Club assembly
Stew reported that our website got more than 500 hits last month, probably visitors viewing videos of the Music Festival.