President Glenn opened the meeting with a land acknowledgment. David Morris and Anya led the group in the singing of O Canada.

Rotary Moment - the Presidential theme for 2023-24 is "Create Hope in the World". RI President-elect R. Gordon R. McInally calls for Rotary to create hope in the world by working for peace and mental wellbeing. He urges members to engage in tough conversations and earn the trust that's necessary to realize these values.

President Glenn added that he had proof that signage in the Forest pays dividends. He read a message on the Club's Facebook account from someone interested in club membership. She comes from a Rotary family and she participated in Adventure in Citizenship, Rotaract and RYLA.

Sarge Lyle Miller welcomed guest Erna Buffie (guest speaker).

Announcements

Charleswood Councillor Evan Duncan will be inducted as an Honorary Member on March 27.

District Conference is being held in Saskatoon, May 11-14. The early bird rate is available until the end of March. President Glenn encouraged all to consider attending. More information is on the District website.

Leadership Sessions - Peter Tonge, President Elect Iain Scott and President Glenn attended the District Leadership session as virtual registrants this past weekend. The session was held in Russell, MB. It was an excellent opportunity to learn about successful initiatives and projects within the District. It is intended to benefit those who will be club Presidents beginning in July. President Elect Iain (on Zoom) commented about the value of District training and learning from other clubs.

Youth Update - the Club is sponsoring Holden Zemlak a grade 11 student at St. Paul's High School to attend the Adventure in Citizenship program in Ottawa in May. We'll invite Holden to a meeting to tell us about his experience.

Bomber Packing Party, it would be fantastic to have a few members participate on Tuesday, April 18. They pack from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Peak of the Market distribution centre at 1200 King Edward St. Several members volunteered to help. If others wish to attend, contact Glenn or Iain.

Ed Thompson spoke about new bylaws for the Club's Foundation. They are draft subject to approval by the Club. He thanked the Foundation Board for the work involved in updating this importance guidance document. Copies were available at the meeting and can be sent via email through Lloyd Talbot lptalbot@mymts.net.

Mandy asked members to volunteer on Saturday when 13 Ukrainian families will "shop" for furniture and household goods. There are 2 shifts (9 am - 12 noon/ 12 noon - 3 pm). Contact Mandy if you can help and spread the word!!

Following dinner, Nancy Morris introduced our guest speaker, Erna Buffie, interim Chair of Trees Please Winnipeg. She is an award-winning documentary filmmaker who has worked for CBC's The Nature of Things and a variety of other broadcasters. Her film Smarty Plants won for Best Direction at the Canadian Screen Awards and aired on PBS Nature. Passionate about Winnipeg's Urban forest and creating a greener more climate resilient city. Her presentation covered Winnipeg's urban forest: A capital asset and essential urban infrastructure; A forest in crisis, The state of the Charelswood/ Tuxedo canopy; Why we need to act now?; What Trees Please has accomplished; and What can we do to help? She urged members to join Trees Please Winnipeg. Sign up at their website and stay up to date: https://treespleasewinnipeg.com/get-in-touch. Following several questions, Ed Thompson thanked Erna on behalf of the club.

Smarty Plants film: https://dai.ly/x5dpca2

There were no birthdays or anniversaries. Members were very happy that Doug McKenzie was in attendance.

Happy Bucks

• Ed Gramiak was happy about Breezy Bend's renovation. He has hearing aids but had trouble hearing before. Now he is hearing us much better.
• Nancy Morris was happy that we just got some snow and not the predicted blizzard on the weekend.
• Rod was happy to be back from visiting Alberta & British Columbia. Gas in Medicine Hat was only $1.15.
• Mandy was happy for all the great furniture donations.
• Jagdish was happy for the beautiful, sunny weather.
• Dave Morris was happy because 2 - 2 1/2 months ago he hired a Ukrainian migrant. Today she passed her Autopac test on only the second try.
• Erma (guest speaker) was happy to be here.
• Ed Thompson was happy that the RCCCF books balanced for last month.
• Lyle was happy to have been in Thompson to play in the Masters' bonspiel. He was also happy that he had the opportunity to visit and catch up with old friends while there.
• And he was really happy that while in Thompson he got to watch the Shoppers Drug Mart burn. There were no birthdays or anniversaries.

50/50 - Lloyd Talbot had the raffle ticket drawn and he pulled the blue marble. After the meeting, Lloyd donated his winnings to the RI annual fund. Thanks Lloyd!! There were no fines.

Next Week - March 20. Patty Mainville, Director of Rossbrook House. In 1976 Sister Geraldine MacNamara and a group of inner-city young people created Rossbrook House, a neighbourhood drop-in centre with a simple mission: No child who does not want to be alone, should ever have to be. Located in the Centennial area of the Winnipeg, it offers a constant alternative to the destructive environment of the streets by:

• Keeping the doors open 365 days of the year and 24 hours every weekend & school holidays
• Recruiting its staff from the young people who come to the centre on a regular basis
• Driving participants safely home each evening

Members are asked to note that the invite to register next week will come from Rod Delisle. Please register in advance.