After the Land Acknowledgement statement, President Glenn called on visitor Anya Kwasnica to lead us in the singing O Canada. This was followed by Rotary Moments:

ROTARY MOMENTS

At a recent meeting with District Governor Dan Sutton and other incoming Rotary Club presidents, DG Dan Sutton highlighted his experience at the recent RI Convention in Houston, Texas. Incoming RI President, Jennifer Jones (RI’s first female president, also a Canadian) spoke the following words – “We’ve all taken a different path to get here. Some because your father was a Rotarian, some because an employer tapped you on the shoulder, others because a Supreme Court ruling permitted women to join - and yet each of us entered through one mechanism — an invitation. This is why I am determined to harness diversity, equity and inclusion to advance this invitation across the Rotary world.”

The 2023 RI convention will take place in Melbourne, Australia. In 2024 is in it will be in Singapore, Malaysia and in June 21-25, 2025 it will take place in Calgary, Alberta.” Never having attended an RI Convention, President Glenn looks forward to attending his first RI convention in Calgary.

Chase the Ace

Nancy Morris won $22 at the last draw – which was for Week 31 of the second phase of Chase the Ace. (Muriel Sutherland won Phase 1.)

Member Survey

President Glenn asked members to complete the member survey sent by email on June 21st. The survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/92Y86Q8

Imagine Rotary Tour in Winnipeg

RI President Jennifer Jones and Rotary VIPs will be in Winnipeg July 6th and 7th. The District 5550 website has information on events and registration for a couple of the events at https://rotary5550.org/page/imaginerotarytour

New Rotary Year

The club’s Board of Directors will meet on Tuesday, July 5th on Zoom. (A summary of how the club’s $240 membership fee was arrived at was handed out.)

Golf Tournament

A Golf Tournament is being run by the Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce at Bel Acres on July 12th. PDG Jim indicated that if you had a person who might be interested in the Chamber and would be willing to have a chat with one of the Chamber’s executives, you and that person can golf for free. Otherwise, playing golf at this tournament the fee is $140 (which includes the lunch and the dinner). The Club will set up a kiosk at the tournament. Jim indicated that there is also a plan with the Chamber to have a golf tournament at Breezy Bend in 2023.

(as prepared by President Glenn)

Preamble - it is my honour to present the year end report for the Rotary year, July, 2021 to July, 2022 on behalf of outgoing President Doug McKenzie. As most of you know, Doug’s health did not allow him to continue doing Rotary work mid March. We are very pleased that Doug is now home and progressing. I am also very happy that Doug and his wife Sandi are joining us this evening via Zoom.

At this time last year, COVID protocols were in place and the club was not meeting in person. Instead, virtual meetings were held on Zoom and were actually quite effective . Over the course of the Rotary year, COVID rules allowed in person meetings, with some members choosing to continue on Zoom. As you see, we still offer a virtual meeting as an alternative and we expect that this hybrid approach will become part of a new normal for most Rotary clubs. Doug McKenzie’s Presidency was for two terms, beginning in July, 2020. His willingness to serve for a second Rotary year benefited the club with consistent leadership and a focus on core programs, such as the Assiniboine Forest.

Community Service Assiniboine Forest - As part of our community service role, the Forest continued to be a priority for the club. A long term phase of stewardship has been advanced by the club’s Forest committee in collaboration with the Club’s Foundation. A new website was launched (www.fundourforest.org) to be an information hub and a platform to raise funds through donations. Facebook and Instagram pages were set up inviting the public to be ‘Friends of the Forest’. Surprisingly, some aspects of the plan for the Forest were met with opposition by those who feel the Forest should be left ‘undeveloped’. The Club clarified its intent and continued to advocate for the Forest. In addition to our online presence, the committee posted signage in the Forest and organized ‘ambassador’ days, with volunteer Rotarians providing information to visitors. As well, a new Chase the Ace lottery was introduced to raise funds separate from traditional sources. Muriel Sutherland won the first Chase the Act series in late Nove mber and the second series is still underway. As the year progressed, fundraising continued with public donations and liaising with the various levels of government and being approved for over $250,000 in grants for Assiniboine Forest. The committee retained a landscape architecture firm that further developed concepts for signage, trails and increasing public access. The plans will be phased in beginning with new street signage in the near future.

Other Community Service projects - Chuck Crocker was appointed as the Chair, replacing Jack Wilson. The Club’s support of Westgrove School was maintained with donations of shoes (both running and dress), rubber boots, maintaining garden boxes, and more. The club also provided support locally to STARS, Urban Stable, Salvation Army, Fit Feet on the Street (collection of socks) and Sherbrook Fire Relief Fund.

Literacy - Nancy Hansen coordinated a variety of literacy projects including the donation of books to Westgrove School and IRCOM. The District awarded the club a Literacy Certificate for its efforts, both locally and internationally. Congratulations!!

Youth Services Ed Werbowski Memorial Scholarships - the club supported 3 high school students who graduated in June, 2021. The recipients were Gabriel Ajero (Oak Park High School), Blair Hamilton (Shaftesbury High School) and Marcello Audino (St. Paul’s High School). Each attended a club meeting and awarded $1,000 towards their university costs.

Other Youth Programs - due to COVID, some youth programs were cancelled entirely, whereas some were held virtually. In 2021-2022, the club recruited and sponsored students for Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly or RYLA and the Model United Nations Assembly or MUNA. We also maintained a role on the District 5550 Youth Exchange Committee, in anticipation of the program recruiting and sponsoring students in 2023 - 2024.

International Services - Bob Eilers, Chair of the International Services Committee promoted and supported international programs such as Polio Plus, Shelter Box, District 5550 Ripple Effect, 1000 Survival Gardens and Stove Team International which saw the club purchase 5 stoves this past Rotary year.

Rotary Foundation - Peter Tonge promoted donations to the Rotary Foundation. The club met its threshold of $50 per member to the Rotary Annual Fund allowing for District grants. Paul Harris Fellows were awarded to Mandy Kwasnica and Nancy Morris.

Bridge of Hope Ukraine project - the club established a new committee this past year to bring Ukrainian families safely to Canada through the Bridge of Hope Ukraine – Family Support Project. It is an initiative led by Past President Mandy Kwasnica, with support from the club. “Bridge of Hope Ukraine” Dinner Fundraiser – was held April 20th at Breezy Bend Golf Club. Tickets were $100 each and four different church groups helped sell tickets. Despite a postponement due to COVID, it was a sellout. Entertainment included a harpist and the O Koshetz Ukrainian Choir. Another highlight of the evening was a presentation by Mandy Kwasnica. The dinner helped raise close to $20,000.

District Activities Talk Shows - throughout the year, the District held virtual ‘Talk Shows’ on a variety of topics. These were promoted to the club at weekly meetings.

District Conference - was held in May, 2022, as a virtual event. Our club was involved with presentations by President Doug and Mike Dudar who spoke about the Assiniboine Forest. Mandy Kwasnica also served as moderator on day #2 of the conference and she made a presentation about the Ukraine Project.

District Grants - 4 club members attended the District Grant certification training. We submitted a grant application in support of Urban Stable.

RI Resolutions - a resolution put forward by the Charleswood Rotary Club to add “positive peace” to Rotary International’s Avenues of Service was one of the 22 successful resolutions passed at this year’s RI Council on Legislation. There were 85 resolutions submitted to the Council. Both PDG Jim Forestell and David Newman (Winnipeg Rotary Club) worked together for 4 years to promote the resolution. Congratulations!

District Board - Peter Tonge was appointed District Governor Nominee Designate for the new Rotary year. Peter also volunteered and was appointed Harassment Prevention Officer, a new position for the District . And more recently, Mandy Kwasnica accepted a District appointment to serve as an Assistant DG, responsible for liaison with several Winnipeg clubs.

Club Administration/ Fundraising Lobsterfest - chaired by Jim Forestell, the club organized 2 highly successful Lobsterfest events in this past Rotary year, one in Sept and one in June. The lobster (or chicken) dinners were provided to ticket holders by way of ‘curbside’ pickup. The event in September saw 600 tickets sold and over $13,000 in net proceeds. In June, there were over 700 tickets sold, with even higher fundraising expected. Congratulations!!

Fellowship - club meetings held in person were special fellowship events, given 2 years of COVID restrictions. We managed to hold an end of year Christmas Party and from time to time supported other Winnipeg Rotary clubs when they invited our club to social events and fundraisers.

New Members - Lorena Andrade, Luis Jativa, Baris Yilmaz, Wendy Hales. Cathy Skene and Ruth Kristjanson. I am happy to see Baris, Wendy and Cathy attending this evening.

Programs - chaired by Nancy Morris, the club continues to provide a wide variety of excellent guest speakers. Nancy is happy to receive ‘leads’ from members as filling these spots on a weekly basis is a full time job!

Club Bulletin - Elaine Thompson writes the weekly bulletin with a detailed overview of club meetings for those unable to attend and as a reference for all. The bulletins are completed in a timely manner, and posted to the club website by Rod Delisle.

Club Website/ Social Media - online posts are kept up to date by myself, Rod Delisle and Peter Tonge. The club’s Facebook page has 592 followers and the Facebook page for the Assiniboine Forest has 129 followers. Lloyd Talbot maintains member and club updates on Clubrunner, and we use the club website for events, donations and email communication. The club also supports Talking Rotary, a podcast hosted by club members Peter Tonge and Mandy Kwasnica.

Board of Directors/ Executive Committee/ Nomination Committee - club bylaws describe the roles of executive positions for the club. Those who serve in leadership positions are to be commended for the time required and decisions taken in the best interests of members and the club. Thank you - Congratulations to club members for your ‘service above self’. A notable proportion of members are active in committee work and volunteering for special events and projects. A huge thank you to President Doug McKenzie who served 2 years, during a time of uncertainty with COVID protocols. He led the club with resolve and hard work. He played a role in everything the club does and he understands the nuances of Rotary operations at a club, District and international level. The Rotary Club of Winnipeg, Charleswood owes a great debt of gratitude to President Doug, his wife Sandi and family. THANK YOU!!

New Rotary Year - As the incoming President, I benefit from the leadership before me and from those who continue to serve. I look forward to a transition over the next month to a new Board and some minor restructuring. There are a few governance needs including an update to club bylaws, budget and constitution. There is a need to maintain and ideally grow our membership numbers to support core projects such as the Assiniboine Forest, Westgrove School and the newly formed Bridge of Hope Ukraine project. Fundraising is critical to our club’s ability to be an agent of change and we need to consider new ways to engage the public.

I look forward to increased fellowship in a post COVID world and to look for opportunities to collaborate and interact with others outside of our club. I have a reputation for hard work and responsiveness. But Rotary club presidents survive and thrive with the support of all and listening to those with experience and those with new ideas. It’s a healthy balancing act that should align with Rotary’s areas of focus and 4 way test.

I know that I missed naming individuals who play important roles in the club. You know who you are and what you do. Ultimately, it is the common good that make us a successful and effective Rotary club. If we continue to work together and support one another, we will have another Rotary year that we can all be proud of.

Sarge Mike welcomed guests to the meeting – Darvin’s wife Sharon, Baris’ wife Charlotte and Mandy’s daughter Anya.

HAPPY BUCKS

PDG Jim had five happy bucks today – the Lobster Fest went well; feedback that we had was great; he appreciated the work that committee members and other volunteers have done; the amount of money raised for Rotary projects should be around $17,000; and he feels that that the curb-side pickup is the way to go for our club’s future Lobster Fests. He thanked everyone for their assistance.

Al supported Jim’s idea of continuing to host the Lobsterfest as a curb-side pickup event – he had a great time, he had a lot of fun in their backyard and the weather was great. His other happy buck was that he “finished the garden yesterday”.

Rod went to the Bomber game on Friday night and they won.

Chuck agreed with Jim that the curbside pickup Lobster Fest went well and was also happy that the flush toilet in the cabin is working again.

Lloyd was happy to be back after his cruise and rail holiday in Europr. The next trip will start on July 4th which will involve travelling with Habitat for Humanity

Glenda was glad to be back at Rotary – and her recent birthday went well, too.

Dave reported that he and Nancy have been cleaning out a lot of Rotary stuff over the past 35 years (to make room for more paper coming in) and he came across a book about the first 50 years of Rotary titled “Rotary 50 years of service 1905-1955”. It mentions no women. The Morrises are prepared to let people take the book home, read it then bring it back for someone else to borrow and read. (PDG Jim made the comment that he has a similar book written when Rotary was 75 and it still had no women in it!)

PDG Ed went to visit his 98 year old mother in Glenboro on Sunday and was delighted to discover one can buy Rum and Raisin hard ice cream in Glenboro.

Jagdish recently hurt his back working in his backyard, but one therapy session fixed it and he’s happy!

Lorraine had a happy buck for the help that their son Jim and his wife Lea provided during the curbside Lobster Fest. They stayed in Winnipeg over the weekend and Lea helped redo the flower garden in front of their house.

President Glenn was happy that Past President Doug was able to join this meeting on Zoom – as a silent observer. He was also pleased with how well run the Lobster Fest was. We received several emails from participants who heard about it but didn’t register and want to be on an advance list for buying tickets to the next Charleswood Rotary Lobster Fest.

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

Ed Gramiak and his wife recently celebrated their wedding anniversary. Club members sang “Happy Anniversary to you” for Ed and his wife Diane (who was not present).