Rotary Club Highlights -Dec 17 2015 - #23
Posted
on Dec 21, 2015
Opening:
Prior to the start of the meeting, members were welcomed with some seasonal music provided by President Cindy on the keyboard accompanied by her daughter Abby who sang some traditional songs.
President Cindy opened the meeting and welcomed everyone to the meeting. Cindy thanked Abby on behalf of the members for her excellent singing.
Rick Evans led the members in the singing of O Canada
Ann Godfrey gave the grace and President Cindy offered a toast to the Queen and Canada.
Head Table:
President Cindy, Rick Evans, Pia Zimmerman, Sergeant at Arms Heather Combe, Larry Iggulden and Rachel Delaney
Rachel Delaney introduced our guests:
Former member Billy Lougheed
Pia Zimmermann our exchange student.
Program Presentation of Club Financial Statement & Guest Speaker: Pia Zimmerman
Bob Lawler gave a lone and exhausting introduction of the speaker with the simple introduction “Here’s Larry”
Larry Iggulden member of the Club, whose firm serves as the Club auditors, spoke to the financial position of the club. Cutting quickly to the chase he asked members to look at the last page of the printed statements distributed and gave the bottom line for the Club’s fund balances.
His talk was riveting, fascinating and held all the members attention for a brief moment in time. He stated the first five pages of the statements just showed how the monies were moved around, and as the Club also handled cash within its revenues, as the Auditors they could only offer a “qualified opinion”. Larry couldn’t help himself when he pointed out “members were happier in Bob Gosselin year than in Rachel’s”.
At the conclusion of this well thought out and proficient presentation, Larry asked if there were any questions. There being none he referred any possible questions to the capable hands of Bob Lawler or the Club treasurer Laura Hills.
Motion by Earl Alton to accept the financial statements as presented, seconded by Brian St. Hillaire
President Cindy thanked Larry and gave special thanks to Laura Hills and her assistant April Feasby.
Our second speaker was our own exchange student Pia Zimmerman who was introduced uniquely by Rick Evans who read off a list of characteristics for a good exchange student the list included open-minded, respectful, cooperative, non-judgmental, eager to learn engaging and most importantly a winning smile. He then told us Pia far exceeded all of these descriptions.
Pia began her presentation with some photos of her arrival in Canada and her first Rotary meeting and some of her early experiences including attending an Ice Dogs game with George Darte. She has learned why we in Canada just call it “Hockey” where in Europe it is known as “Ice Hockey”. She then gave us a photo overview of her life in Cologne Germany where she was born and resides with her family. She described how much she enjoys her life living near the Rhine River riding her bike to school with her father and sister and just having time to appreciate everything around her. Pia told us her city allows her to explore her artistic loves with the combination of modern and older architecture all around here. She went on to tell us her family is very “green”, that is, they are environmentally responsible in how they live their lives.
Here in St. Catharines Pia is taking two art courses and showed us some wonderful examples of her work. She talked about the fun she has with the other 23 exchange students and how much she has gained from her host families in enjoying her time here. Some of her highlights, which have been many, include meeting Santa for the first time, meeting Kurt Browning who is her new best friend. She is participated in Drum line, curling, and the junk band to name just a few of the many activities she is doing to keep busy along with hiking with Heather Combe
Pia ended her talk with telling us she had wanted to go aboard from the age of 8 when a family member had travelled and, with the support of her much loved family, it has happened. Pia gave each of the members at their tables a German style cookie and a chocolate
George Darte thanked the Pia and presented her with the book and soccer ball that will be given to a child in the community in her name.
President Cindy thanked Peter for his great effort last Tuesday at the Rotary family night and encouraged more members to attend in the coming months.
Cindy reminded members to send in their ballots for the upcoming club elections. Deadline December 31st.
The remaining items from the auction were auctioned off by Chris Blake and April announced members who had been successful biding on items either last Tuesday evening or today could see her after the meeting to pick up their items.
Margaret Jarrell gave thanks to the members for all their effort and although revenues exceeded last year but there is no final figure as yet.
Margaret expressed her sincere appreciation for all the members who took Leadership roles in the Auction this year and asked them to stand;
Jean Armitage, Anne Atkinson, Chris Blake, Stuart Butler, Heather Combe, Alexis De Wolfe, George Darte, Jim Denham, Rick Evans, April Feasby, Jacquie Herman-Wing, Laura Hills, Larry Iggulden, Teena Kindt, Peter Kudreikis, Norma Medulun Burke, Cindy Mewhinney, Serge Paquin, Tom Pekar, Mike Pihura, Don Robertson, Scott Schappert, Dave Sherlock, Brain St. Hilaire, Sam Walters, Ralph Watters, Mark Zammit.
President Cindy presented Betty-Lou Souter with the club’s annual donation to Community Care in the amount of $4,000 and announced the proceeds from today’s Happy Dollars would be added to the amount.
Birthdays:
This week--Larry Iggulden, Ron Delia, Tom Pekar, Gerry Repple
Brian St. Hilaire December 31st
Andrew Adamyk Jan 02, 2016
Anniversaries:
Jeff Wallace 1 year (Sponsor Jay Kell)
John Burroughs 10 years (Sponsor Eugene Gillies)
Happy Dollars:
Led by Don Hetherington who told us a long Rotary sailing story we are still trying to figure out. Rachel requested how many happy dollars he had donated for the time.
Billy Lougheed donated to Community Care and thanked Betty-Lou for all the good work they do.
Laura Hills announced her staff had had an interesting morning as the result of a bomb scare at one of their stores.
Margaret Jarrell's happy dollar was to wish everyone Happy Holidays
Rachel Delaney to say she and Brian had a wonderful visit to Cologne while on a River Cruise in the area.
Larry Iggulden found a dollar and told us his feral cats had now cost him in the neighbourhood of $400 and had house trained themselves but he was willing to donate them to a good home.
Brian St. Hilaire looking forward to a vacation in Jamaica
Bob De Wolfe happy his daughter would be here for the holidays
Ra Ra Asaro to tell everyone what a great time Tuesday evening was.
Lezlie Murch had a great story about a group of young people who “played it forward “ and paid for her and her husband’s dinner so she was “playing it forward” and donating $100 to Community Care
Eugene Gillies is happy
Ken Taylor that Chris Brittle would be speaking at a meeting in January.
George Park happy and donating to Community Care
50/50 draw :
Trevor Van Nest unfortunately he was unable to win the $243.50.00 pot.
Next meeting will be in the New Year will be a mystery program
President Cindy challenged members to keep a smile during this busy time of the year and wished everyone Happy Holidays.
FAMILY NIGHT PHOTOS
