Promptly at 5:45 Acting President Glenn called the meeting to order and PDG Nancy’s bell got everyone’s attention. A video of O Canada, featuring Lindsey Kelly and the Calgary Stampede Show Band at the 2019 Grey Cup game came next, followed by the following thought for the week:

“Many of the earliest Rotarians believed that the optimal focus for Rotary was on stimulating ethical conduct in businesses and professions. There was always a community focus as well, but that focus gained momentum when Rotary began expanding into smaller cities and towns, which often did not have the social and political structure for community action. Rotarians were the leaders of these communities, not just the leaders of their professions. Their leadership and vision changed their communities and cemented the role of Rotary in community service. It took decades for Rotary to settle on the current structure of multiple avenues of service rather than a single primary goal. Community service has proven its worth and therefore will always be a central part of Rotary.”

ROTARY MOMENTS

The R.C. of Wpg-Charleswood has contributed sufficient funds(>$1,500 during the year) to the Polio Plus campaign to be eligible for the 2020-21 RI Polio Certificate of Appreciation.

Contributions to the Annual Fund of Rotary International is just a little short of the required $50USD per capita to be eligible for District Grants next year. As a club we are almost there. Since the club plans to apply for District Grants in 2021-22 we must meet the minimum of $50.00 USD per capita contribution before March 31, 2021. (PDG Ed indicated at the meeting that the $550 he had ready to send to RI would result in the club having contributed the required minimum of $50 per member.)

The 2021 Lobster Committee met last week and decided that the lobster dinner would not be an in-person event – it will be a pick-up only event.

The Assiniboine Forest Marketing Committee is working on a new Friends of the Forest awareness and fundraising campaign. In the coming months, there will be a new Friends of the Forest website and advertising in the Neighbours of Charleswood magazine that will be linked to pop-up ads on Facebook /Instagram and Google. As well, the ‘Chase the Card’ lottery is in the process of being configured and we are acquiring a licence from the provincial authority. President Doug will provide an update about the lottery at the club meeting next week.

Talking Rotary plus book offer

The latest episode of the Talking Rotary podcast features Chris Snyder who is a lifelong volunteer and a proud Rotarian. Chris has made his book ‘Creating Opportunities - A Volunteer's Memoir’ available for sale. Chris has agreed to donate $10 from each sale to Rotary International. The podcast titled "A Life of Volunteering" is available now online: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xMjE1MTIyLnJzcw/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC03MzI0NDM4

You can purchase your copy of this inspiring memoir here:
https://hilborn-civilsectorpress.com/products/creating-opportunities-a-volunteers-memoir

Reminder about the ‘Essential Discussions for Truth and Reconciliation’. It’s a two-session Virtual Workshop via Zoom on February 9th and 11th from 9:30am to Noon. Registration deadline is January 29^th. Tickets are available through the ‘Eventbrite’ website @ $50.00 plus tax, at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/essential-discussions-for-truth-and-reconciliation-tickets-133858035989

The North American Youth Exchange Network is hosting an online conference on Feb. 19-20. This conference is held every year and there is usually a limit to the # of people who can attend. Because the conference is being offered online, the District 5550 Youth Exchange Committee is inviting everyone to attend. It’s an opportunity to learn more about the Youth Exchange program. Conference organization details can be found here: https://nayen.org/conferences/ If you wish to attend, contact Michael Mahon or Peter Keen at peterckeen@gmail.com , or outbound5550yep@gmail.com

Lyle Miller had a hard time remembering what he had done during the year of the Covid pandemic (2020) because he does not take many pictures. He had to resort to the charges on his credit card for that information!
January – Visited friend Ken in Palm Springs, and while there they visited a mutual friend in Maricopa (who has recently passed away). Got back home with no problems in early February.
March 27 – Surgery to remove colorectal cancer – with NO follow-up of chemotherapy required. His was about the last elective surgery in Selkirk Hospital before they were postponed due to the pandemic.
Summer -Gardening and planting on 5 acre lot, visiting cabin at Paint Lake and discovering that very high waters on the lake had destroyed his dock, building a temporary dock and enjoying some good fishing. Noreen discovered that she has celiac disease and now feeling better after undertaking a gluten-free diet.
July - Had no entries in the credit card.
August – Camping trip to an equine facility at Spruce Woods Provincial Park with a cousin. The facility was hosting a 4H group and some Covid-19 rules were ignored but everything was okay. On the long weekend, daughter, son-in-law and children visited for a few days. Zoom meetings with family. In mid-August, enjoyed a visit to Hecla Island. At the end of August – back to Paint Lake where he was joined by his son and daughter-in-law for more good fishing.
Sept 5/6 was back home. Son closed up the camp. Travel restrictions to the north came into force and Lyle hasn’t been back to his cabin since.
Since the end of October, Lyle has been working inside his heated 30’ x 60’ shop, cleaning it up, setting up a woodworking shop complete with dust collectors - he suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - and going to hardware and grocery stores. In addition, he watches television (Amazon) and YouTube videos.

Asked what he plans to make in his wood shop – Wife Noreen would like a table for her sewing machine. PDG Ed mentioned that he visited a woodworking shop that a Rotarian spouse in Saskatoon has set and suggested that Lyle might be interested in seeing it.

DARYL BRAUN, Donor Relations, Development and Community Engagement Officer for STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service )

STARS was founded in 1985 in Calgary by Dr. Gregory Powell, who, with the assistance of the Lions Club, launched the initiative in Calgary when a young mother died during childbirth simply because of the length of time it took to transport her to hospital by ground ambulance. Since then, many service club organizations have joined in supporting STARS. There are bases in Edmonton (since 1991), Grande Prairie, (2005), Winnipeg (2011) Regina and Saskatoon (2012). Overall, STARS flew 2,969 missions in the 2019-2020 fiscal year (an average of 8/day) and more than 45,000 missions since 1985. In Manitoba, STARS carried out more than 3,950 missions since full time operations began in 2011.

In Manitoba, STARS employs about 50 people in Manitoba including professionals in medicine and critical care, aviation, education, fundraising and administration, providing critical care service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Most of the missions involve scene calls and inter-hospital patient transfers. Once a year or so STARS gets involved in search and rescue missions and disaster response. Over the last 3 years, STARS in Manitoba carried over 1600 patients from more than 200 different communities.

For safety sake, the STARS helicopter always has two pilots; one at the controls and the other processing incoming information – no distracted flying! In addition, the helicopter has two engines so that if one of them quits, the helicopter can still fly. The helicopter is equipped to carry one critically injured patient but under special circumstances, it can handle two.

Partners in survival that STARS has in Manitoba include rural Emergency Medical Services EMS (mainly paramedics), fire departments throughout the province, RCMP and other local law enforcement, including Conservation Officers. It’s that partnership which results in the saving of many lives in our province. STARS has a team of nurses, paramedics, physicians and pilots all working together to provide the best possible chance at survival for critically ill and injured Manitobans.

The helicopter is essentially a flying intensive care unit that brings high level care to the scene. It even includes innovations like their blood on board program (done in conjunction with Canadian Blood Services). Having blood on board the helicopter has made the difference between life and death for some patients.

Other innovations include the onboard ultrasound equipment and being licensed to use night-vision goggles for flying night missions. STARS has access to fuel at numerous locations, enabling the helicopter to fly beyond the normal refueling radius of about 300 km.

In Manitoba, the STARS has one BK117 helicopter in service with access to a backup in the event of maintenance. Upgrading the fleet to the Airbus H145 helicopter (which is essentially the same airframe with 2020 technology) is currently under way. The helicopter can land in a variety of locations including highways, parking lots, fields and other areas that are free of obstructions like trees or power poles. The pilots generally need an area 36 meters by 36 meters that is clear and relatively flat. Times that the helicopter cannot fly include include severe thunderstorms, dense fog, high winds, or icing.

Another important part of the work of STARS is education. To keep their skills sharp, the team uses human patient simulators to work with doctors, nurses and paramedics throughout the province. Mobile education units are specially equipped buses that travel around the province to provide this education at no cost to emergency care providers. It enables these providers to up their game in responding to emergencies and to practice skills they may not normally use in their day to day work. The cost of the program is covered by donors. An Operation Outreach Program trains emergency responders how to land the helicopter and how to prepare patients for transport.

STARS, a charitable not-for-profit organization, and its education programs are supported by government funding, community fundraising, individual donations and corporate support. Funds raised in Manitoba stay in Manitoba. Fundraising efforts that take place throughout the year also build awareness of the services STARS provides. A growing area of interest for longtime donors is the Legacy Program.

Currently, the most important initiative in STARS history is to renew the fleet of helicopter to the Airbus H145, which meets STARS’ aviation, medical and financial requirements, while also offering cutting edge technology and advanced safety features. The goal in Manitoba is to raise $3.7 million. Support from foundations, service clubs and individuals, helps ensure that patients across Manitoba have access to life-saving care when they need it most.

Questions –
How old is the current helicopter? Answer: the oldest is 30 years. It’s hard to find parts and expensive to maintain. The federal government has donated $66 million divided between the 6 bases. The hope is that the Manitoba helicopter will be replaced by the end of 2021.
What is the longest trip that the Manitoba helicopter has made? Answer: To Sean River.
What kind of fuel is used? Answer: Jet fuel.
How many calls would STARS typically get? Answer: An average of 2 per day.

Both Acting President Glenn and PDG Nancy thanked Daryl for having made his presentation to our club and for the STARS very essential service. The club has money in its budget to support STARS.

Individual donations may be made at: https://stars.ca/ways-to-donate/mb/

Since our guest speaker had not yet appeared, Sarge Mike delayed his introduction for later in the program, when Daryl Braun was able to join the Zoom meeting.

HAPPY BUCKS

PDG Nancy was happy to have shared earlier in the day, along with husband Dave, in a Zoom meeting of the Rotary Club of Regina. She felt that our club could share our meetings with other Rotarians and that PDG Ed was working on one such idea.
Darvin had just bought some masks from Iain and was very pleased with them. He highly recommended them to members of the club.
Chuck had celebrated his birthday yesterday and managed to get his 3 sisters (living in Alberta), who had never been on ZOOM before, and whom he hadn’t seen for a while, to participate in a birthday ZOOM get-together.
Jack’s good news was that on Friday he received a letter from Chito Hambira’s lawyer indicating that (after 28 months!) the card for Chito’s permanent residency was on its way. A note from Chito received that same day expressed appreciation for the club’s efforts in helping this to finally happen.
Mandy was pleased to let us know (at the end of the meeting) that she had been honoured at work on Friday as the company President’s pick for an award – a trip to the Bahamas with a stay at the Sandals Beach Resort.

Iain reminded everyone that this is Robbie Burns Night – T'was a Braw, Bricht,Moonlicht Nicht the Nicht” translated by Iain as “It’s a beautiful bright moonlit night tonight”
Glenn was happy about some support for the Assiniboine Forest project - from Bernie Sanders.
Darvin shared an image that featured Bernie Sanders as well.

BIRTHDAYS

Lloyd was celebrating his birthday today and he got a “pitiful”(?) chocolate birthday cake with a tan icing and a picture of Bernie Sanders – complete with warm mitts – on it

NEXT WEEK
President Doug will be back and the link to join the Zoom meeting on February 1st will be different from the link used for today’s Zoom meeting.

Rod Delisle will be the Rotarian doing the “Member Show & Tell” on February 1^st.