President Glenn started the meeting off with the District Land Acknowledgement, then asked visitor Anya Kwasnica to lead the members in singing O Canada. Glenn followed this up with his interesting discovery of Google’s explanations of Rotary International.

ROTARY MOMENTS

President Glenn found the following information about Rotary in Google: “Is Rotary a Good Thing? Rotary is the oldest and most prestigious service club in the world. Its ranks include executives, managers, professionals - people who make decisions and influence policy. Nice People: Rotarians above all are nice people - the nicest people on the face of the earth.”

PDG Jim passed around a sign-up sheet for members to help out with the Lobster Fest on Friday June 17th at the Varsity View Community Centre in preparation for and execution of the curbside takeout between 3 and 7 PM.

The Club’s Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, June 7th by Zoom. The meeting will establish the member dues for 2022-2023. Invoices will be issued and payable by June 30, 2022.

Other steps in the Rotary year changeover will include the appointment of committee chairs and the Board of Directors by the club’s nomination committee, presentation of a budget, and a year end report.

The club’s changeover meeting will be held on Monday, July 4. We will gather end reports from all committees and present these to the club. An important part of the changeover meeting will be to recognize outgoing club President, Doug McKenzie.

The first meeting of the new Board of Directors will be Tuesday, August 2nd

RI president Jennifer Jones will be in Winnipeg July 6 and 7th. The District website has several opportunities to participate including:

• attending a virtual tour of District 5550 with Jennifer Jones,
• joining her for a guided tour of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights,
• an opportunity to participate in a service project with Jennifer.
• Free hot dogs and water provided to the community and all attendees at Central Park, downtown Winnipeg. and brunch at the Fort Garry Hotel, with a keynote address by President Jennifer. (The district planning committee also has volunteer opportunities to assist with security at the BBQ.)
• On July 6, our club participates in the program by hosting RI officials Bryn Styles & Dean Rohrs and their spouses for a tour of the Assiniboine Forest, the Park and for lunch.

Thank you to Wendy Hales who is representing our club on the District organizing committee.

PDG Nancy introduced our speaker Zita Somakoko as the founder and President of StratHR Solutions, Breaking the Silence on Domestic Violence and the Black Manitobans Chamber of Commerce. She speaks candidly about the issues of equity, diversity and inclusion with emphasis on empowering individuals to build a better and inclusive community.

After reading a land acknowledgement statement, Zita mentioned that Kristi Meeks was a great help to form the Black Chamber of Commerce. Zita had found that in the third world, all that was needed to start a company was acquiring the funds and locating a place and you were in business. Often the “place” of business was one’s own home. In Canada, there are many details and lots of paperwork required to start a business – requirements that baffle newcomers. As a business development coach for prospective businesses, Zita is familiar with the complicated challenges and regulations an entrepreneur must navigate to own a business in Canada. This led her to the official launch of the Black Chamber of Commerce on April 27th, 2022, after working on it for 8 years (consulting the Black Chamber of her hometown – Eden Prairie in Minnesota - and reading up on relevant Canadian laws). As of June 6th, forty days after its official launch, the Black Manitobans Chamber of Commerce had 64 members.

There are 500 black businesses in Manitoba. The Black Manitobans Chamber of Commerce will connect black businesses to each other, to the community, and to other business leaders, meeting them where they are, helping them grow and empowering them through education and coaching. The objective is to Advocate, Connect, Elevate and Empower the members. Membership is open to all persons regardless of race, creed, origin, or political affiliation.

When people ask “Why form a Black Chamber of Commerce”, Zita’s answer is another question – “Why not?” since there are already other Chambers of Commerce – Philippine, East Indian, Portuguese. They can all work together. “Black” refers to ethnicity, not to colour.

PDG Jim thanked Zita for her presentation and made the comment that the formation of other Chambers of Commerce strengthens the movement.

Acting Sarge Lyle welcomed guests Kristi Meek, Anya and Artem Kwasnica. (Our speaker Dr. Zita Somakoko and her sons Kevin and George arrived later.) Next up – Happy Bucks!

Happy Bucks

Anya was delighted to report that yesterday was the first time she rode a horse. This took place at a camp where she will be going this summer. She also shared the fact that she can swim alone now.

President Glenn arrived at his cottage in Minaki and discovered that, with the high water levels, the shoreline was giving way and small islands were floating around. One of them (about 25’ x 50’ in size) had become wedged along his dock. He threw an anchor onto it and used his pontoon boat to pull it off the dock. It promptly floated onto his neighbour’s dock. He has until Friday 5 PM to fix that!

PDG Jim had enjoyed a peaceful weekend at his daughter’s cabin in Patricia Beach (while she was away to Ireland). He was also pleased to see his friend Kristi Meek (President and Executive Director of Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce) in attendance at tonight’s meeting.

Alan was pleased to report that on May 31st around 5 PM he got a mortgage on his new apartment block, getting in on the rates before they went up.

Ed Gramiak was happy because summer is here, with sunshine and normal and above normal temperatures.

Dave was very happy that none of the Rotarians insured with Morris Insurance have had a water claim over the last couple of weeks. He also added that trees were being planted on the lot along Roblin Boulevard to replace those that had been cut down in order to move the house from there.

Jagdish was proud to be celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by wearing a pin that he had received for his community service (along with a medal) on the Queen’s Golden Jubilee 25 years ago.

Mandy and family were invited to an “Open House” of the Roseau River Bible camp that Anya and Artem will be attending in July. It was a gift to ease children into the camp experience, doing things there like horseback riding, seeing the cabin where they will be staying and finishing off with a chicken dinner. It was all free for hundreds of people. It was so efficient and well organized that it reminded Mandy of Rotarians!

PDG Ed was happy because he got rid of most of the dandelions on his property.

Chuck was pleased that he, Wendy and Lyle recently added dirt to top up the garden boxes at Westgrove School. In addition, he picked up some seeds and bedding plants and dropped them off at the school. Students will be doing the planting in the coming week.

Cathy was pleased to notice that the trees planted by Rotarians along the Charleswood Expressway were thriving.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Mandy has two anniversaries to celebrate on June 9th – it will be her and Ryan’s 21st wedding anniversary and it will be exactly one year since they first met their children – Anya and Artem – in Ukraine.

50-50 Draw – Anya’s ticket number was picked – and since only the blue marble had been left in the bag last week – Anya was automatically the winner of the club’s 50-50 Draw. Congratulations, Anya!

CHASE THE ACE - PDG Nancy was the winner again this week – the amount was $26. The ace of spades has yet to be uncovered for the big prize.