President Glenn began the meeting with the Treaty 1 land acknowledgement and a Happy Diwali wish for those celebrating the Festival of Light. Dave Morris led all in singing of O'Canada.

Rotary Moment - President Glenn reminded everyone that today is World Polio Day. During October, Rotary shows its collective support for World Polio Day by advocating for polio eradication and raising funds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skD0NAoK9OM&t=34s. Tonight, Club members will learn more about polio and our club's effort to support the Polio Plus program. Currently, the club has donated $2300-2500 US to Polio Plus so far this Rotary year. There is still another week in October. All of us can consider making a commitment to donate and to promote Rotary's effort in our community and with friends and family.

Sarge introduced the following guests: Joanne Jones, Hard of Hearing Society, Andrew Jones, Wes Hazlitt, guest speaker and Len van Roon Jr. (soon to be a member) and Anya, who wore her Halloween costume early in hope of finding candy at the Rotary meeting.

Club announcements:

President Glenn reiterated that a good number of members attended the celebration of life in honour of Darvin Jasper on Saturday. It was clear how much Darvin was loved and respected. As Rotarians, we can take pride in the quality of our members and to celebrate the friends we make in Rotary. Thank you to all who attended this very special event.

The Club's Board of Directors is holding a special planning meeting to consider membership recruitment and retention. It is being held on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at the Assiniboine Chamber of Commerce. Warren Thompson, member of Assiniboine West will facilitate the session for us. Everyone in the club was sent a survey that will be used by Warren in planning the meeting. If you haven't done so, please download and complete the survey and send by email to warrenthompson@shaw.ca. Contact President Glenn if you have a printed copy. The deadline is end of day Nov. 4.

Ukraine Project - Mandy reported that she had a very good response for the call for furniture and other household items for two families from Ukraine. Deliveries are scheduled this week. She also reported encouraging news about our family, currently in Poland. It appears that they may soon be able to travel to Canada, with full immigration status.

Golf Tournament - our club and the Assiniboine Rotary Club are planning a golf tournament to be held in August, 2023. We need 2-3 more members to be involved in a committee with the Assiniboine Club. It's not time consuming in the early stages. The tournament will be an important fund raiser for the club. Please contact Jim Forestall as soon as possible if you can help.

Peter Tonge introduced our guest speaker Wesley Hazlitt. Wes is the current President of the Post-Polio Network of Manitoba and a representative in World Polio Support Groups across Canada, the United States and Australia. Wesley contracted paralytic polio in 1953 in Winnipeg at the age of 13 months, 2 years before the Salk vaccine was licensed. Growing up, Wes learned to walk with one leg brace and without crutches. Post-Polio Syndrome started to impact him in 1987. Wes currently requires a power wheelchair and multiple other aids to access his home and manage daily functions. Wes with his wife, Gail raised two sons and now have two grandchildren.

Polio is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. About 90-95% are asymptomatic or have minor symptoms. Paralytic polio affects about 1%. There are 2 types, spinal polio which affects the nerves in the spinal column and Bulbar polio which affects the nerves in the brainstem. Post-Polio Syndrome symptoms include muscle and joint weakness and pain, extreme fatigue, muscle atrophy, severe intolerance to the cold, trouble swallowing, sleep related or other breathing problems and a decline in the ability to walk or perform customary daily activities. Wes highlighted his experience and how hospitals were overwhelmed in Winnipeg in 1952 and 53. He remained at home initially, but eventually hospitalized for 6 weeks. He started to walk again with 2 leg braces and eventually went to 1 leg brace and crutches to walk to school. Through hard work, he competed in challenging tasks and sports. Post-polio hit Wes in his late 20s with a diagnosis in 1988 predicting his life to come. He experienced crushing fatigue, increased weakness, and blocking quick memory. He quit work early.

Wes is concerned about recent events in the UK and in New York State and the prospects of another polio epidemic. Polio is still endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan with new cases in other developing countries.

Polio is easily preventable with a course of a proven vaccine and booster. There is no rationale for those who refuse to vaccinate. Thank you to Rotary for its help since 1988 and the eradication in countries around the world largely through the use of the oral vaccine.

Iain Scott, who was on Zoom, thoroughly enjoyed the presentation. He remembers getting his vaccine and children with braces. The presentation covered the topic so well, including the medical explanation. It-s important that we all help with the advocacy and education. Mandy Kwasnica thanked Wes for an excellent presentation based on his life story. A donation to Shelterbox was made in honour of his visit to the club.

President Glenn spoke about the new satellite club and the issuing of new member certificates. The plan is to mail certificates to the 8 members and to then hold a new member ceremony. Given that Wes is with us tonight, the club is able to present for the first time a certificate of membership to the Satellite Club of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg-Charleswood. Those attending recognized Wes with a round of applause.

50/50

Guest Andrew Jones drew a 50/50 ticket belonging to Chuck Crocker. Chuck did not draw the blue marble, so the pot grows for the next club meeting. Sarge issued no fines, but he collected loonies (or more) from all in support of Polio Plus.

Next week - there will be no meeting on Monday, October 31. The next club meeting at Breezy Bend will be November 7. Watch your email for the meeting notice and a link to register.