Bulleltin - July 14 2016 - #02

Posted on Jul 20, 2016
 
 
Opening
President George welcomed everyone.  John Burroughs said Grace and Liz Palmeri lead the singing of O Canada followed by
a toast to the Queen and Canada.
 
Head Table
President George introduced the head table:
Lisa Gerrie, introducing our guest speaker
Sandy Holloway, guest speaker
George Darte, President
Larry Iggulden, Sergeant at Arms
Terry McDougall, Charitable Trust Update
Jennifer Hansen, introducing our guests
 
Guests
Jennifer Hansen introduced guests this week:
Paul Van Nest, - Kingston Rotary Club and guest of Trevor Van Nest
Tim Proctor - Welland Rotary Club
RYLA:  Ryan Hukla, Shradda, Aniqua (via You Tube)
 
Guest Speaker
Lisa Gerrie introduced our guest speaker, our own Sandy Holloway.  Sandy has an impressive resume including 30 years in the armed forces, a BSc and an MA in leadership training.  Her work with Canadair took her to 37 countries around the globe and she has worked with Canada’s famed Snowbirds aerobatic team.  Sandy has done missionary work in Peru, Mexico and Guatemala.  She is a shining example for youth and for all of us in her pursuit of service above self.  
 
Sandy spoke to the RYLA program – Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and introduced our three representatives.  RYLA is a week long program open to youth from age 19 to 25.  It is held at SUNY and focuses on building leadership and communications skills, exposing youth to business, Rotary and other aspects of community.  It’s about fun, friendship and developing responsibility and is for youth from diverse backgrounds with proven and potential leadership ability. 
 
Each of the RYLA reps gave a brief presentation.  Ryan studied health and fitness at Niagara College and Education at Brock.  He will return to Niagara College for the PR program.  Ryan has volunteered extensively, has been active within his school settings and works at the YMCA as a lifeguard and aqua fit instructor.
 
Shradda attends Brock and has also volunteered extensively at school and in the community including the Niagara Distress Centre and the hospital.  She is the recipient of multiple awards as a newcomer, from Brock and from Rotary.  After showing a power point highlighting conference skill building activities, she performed an amazing dance for us, which she had previously performed at the RYLA conference.  (Video is posted on our FB page).
 
Aniqua provided her presentation via You Tube as she is currently in Sri Lanka with her family.  She studies neuroscience at Brock, was a youth delegate at the commonwealth conference in Malta, and has all received multiple awards for her volunteer, academic and leadership efforts.
 
All three expressed their heartfelt thanks for the opportunity to attend RYLA, calling it a life changing experience like no other.  They found a sense of family, inspiration and passion at RYLA that they have not found elsewhere.  They are not the same people they were before RYLA and feel ready to be leaders, contributing to community, making the world a better place – all thanks to Rotary and our sponsorship and support of the program.
 
Guest Speaker Thanks
Past President Cindy thanked our speakers noting their energy, optimism and her confidence that they will be fantastic future leaders.  Sandy was thanked for overseeing RYLA and was given a certificate, noting that a donation will be made in her honour to “Free the Children.”
 
Announcements
  • Jackie Van Lankveld announced a grant from the District that Margaret Jarrell applied for to assist families with our Niagara Native Centre.  Together, with our World Community Service Committee, we provided $4,000 for prenatal supplements, food, supplies and education on parenting, literacy, etc to young families and children.  114 individuals benefitted from this program.  Jackie encouraged others with good program ideas to apply to the District as that allows us to double the funding.
  • Terry McDougall, Chair of the Charitable Trust read a long list of grants awarded to numerous community endeavours including: hearing aids, youth action, breakfast programs and more – a total of $12,000.  The committee is looking for new members.
  • President George – Bill Finley is now at Linhaven and receiving visitors.  Preferred gift is ice cream!
  • Joel Chatterton – it is 15 days til Ribfest.  See Mary Margaret if you can volunteer.  Please take some blue flyers for the community and try to support and thank our sponsors.  Friends and family are welcome to help.  Make it a family, Rotary, social and fun experience.
  • Peter Kudreikis – this Tuesday is Fellowship Night at the Best Western.  Sponsor package assembly starts at 4 pm if you wish to help.  Look for his e mail reminder.  And it counts as a make-up meeting.
Happy Dollars
Norma Medulun-Burke promised not to tell a joke if she got a good collection.
  • Jean Armitage confessed that she has been harbouring a Rotary banner for quite some time and will present it to President George when she finds it
  • Lezlie Murch celebrated Canada’s recent conquest on the tennis courts.  She is also looking for host families and drivers for our St. Martin exchange group in August.
  • Chris Bangham reminded us there is no regular meeting during Ribfest except one that takes place in the park
  • Ann Godfrey gave a shout out to our RYLA reps and invited Rotarians to attend an August concert in the Niagara Gorge and fireworks cruise fundraiser
  • Chris Blake spoke to his upcoming music festival and provided brochures
  • Jacquie Herman-Wing also saluted RYLA and let us know there would be more to come with regard to the TV Auction
  • Rick Vanderkuip had a Rotary moment when he bumped into Sarah Giovannone while on vacation in PEI!
  • Jagdish Mehta recalled his daughter’s experience with RYLA, the confidence and skills she gained for her future.  Her work prevented her from continuing with Rotary.
  • Trevor Van Nest spoke to his daughter’s RYLA experience and prompted by RYLA rep Ryan’s remarks, remembered to tell his Dad (who was present) that he loved him
  • Joel Chatterton wondered why no one ever lifted him and the other big guys during RYLA trust activities.  He also recommended the new Niagara Falls zip line attraction.
  • Paul Van Nest, Trevor’s dad, is the banner guy for his Rotary Club in Kingston and is on his 1212th banner
  • Guest Tim Proctor of the Welland Club, is celebrating his son’s engagement and noted that he attended Lakeport High with Joel and other members
  • Mike Pihura was proud that Kelly Buckley was enthusiastically applauded for her 30 minute bagpipe procession at Niagara College’s graduation ceremonies
  • Jim Denham noted that we would be way ahead on the banners if Jean would stop hiding them from us
  • Lisa Gerrie told us her sister-in-law had been a RYLA rep and is now a school principal in Oakville
 
50/50 Draw – our guest, Paul Van Nest did not draw the ace but made good on the banner exchange
 
Next Week’s Program – TV Auction Kick Off with Jacquie Herman-Wing
 
Closing Remarks – President George shared this “Yogiisim,” a quote from baseball great, Yogi Berra:  When you come to a fork in the road, take it.