Acting President Iain opened the meeting with a land acknowledgement and singing of O Canada.

Rotary Moment

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. Countries are encouraged to undertake local, national and international efforts to organize activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns. Given our Club’s involvement as stewards of the Assiniboine Forest, we should plan to create greater awareness in conjunction with International Day of Forests on March 21. Share your ideas!

The club will participate in the Charleswood Resource Fair at the Charleswood library on Saturday, April 15 from 10am-2pm. This is an opportunity for Charleswood ‘not for profit organizations’ to connect with local residents and provide information in an interactive environment. Jack Wilson has been the primary contact for the library. As we get closer to the date, he’ll be looking for help.

Several members have sent Ed Thompson a cheque or e-transfer to donate to ShelterBox in its support of those impacted by the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Ed reported that we are about halfway to enough for a box.

The following letter has been sent to Evan Duncan, City Councillor

I am very pleased to advise that the Board of Directors, Rotary Club of Winnipeg, Charleswood has named you an Honorary member of the Club. This special status is awarded to community leaders considered friends of Rotary for their support of Rotary's causes. As an Honorary member, you will receive periodic communication from the club along with an open invitation to attend regular club meetings held on Mondays, at Breezy Bend Golf Club at 5:45 pm.

Councillor Duncan responded that he was happy to accept the nomination. We hope to have him and his wife join us at the next Club meeting, Feb. 27.

Bridge of Hope: Ukraine

Mandy announced some upcoming opportunities to volunteer for Bridge of Hope Ukraine, picking up donations and working in the ‘free store’ on Saturday. She also shared that Jayne (a Ukraine refugee that we met at an earlier meeting) will be helping with the Bridge of Hope efforts.

Dima and Kate have stated their intention to return to Europe.

Dwight MacAulay was the Chief of Protocol for the Government of Manitoba from 1998 – 2017, and has also served as the Chief of Protocol for the Government of South Australia from 2006-08. As Chief of Protocol he organized and worked on several Royal Visits – including those of Her Majesty The Queen and The (then) Prince of Wales who is now His Majesty King Charles III.

Since retiring, his 'free' time is now occupied by serving on a number of boards including the World Police & Fire Games to be held in Winnipeg this summer. He also serves as a presiding official for Canadian Citizenship Ceremonies, is on the Order of Manitoba Advisory Council and the federal government's Judicial Advisory Committee for the province.

Recently Dwight was appointed as the Honorary Consul for Britain in the province of Manitoba.

Dwight opened his presentation by showing us two medals that he received from Queen Elizabeth. He asked us not to touch them.

Dwight began his career in radio and was then talked into joining the information services branch of the Manitoba government as Chief of Protocol. In this position he was responsible for coordinating visits by high commissioners, ambassadors and royalty. He also travelled many times on trade missions. Accomplishments that he is proud of:

• Obtaining debris from 9/11 to set up at the International Peace Gardens. Dwight was at the World Trade Center just days before the attack.
• Holding annual candle-light services at Brookside Cemetery to honour veterans.
• Moving the Book of the Dead at the legislature out of the Hall of Honour and placing it where visitors could see it.

By popular demand he told us the story of when Queen Elizabeth II got stuck in a stalled water taxi in the middle of the Red River. (Dwight’s next career could be stand-up comedy.)

Happy Bucks

• Chuck was happy that he made it across the slippery parking lot tonight without falling.
• Rod was happy to have been skiing in Banff last week where he did fall. Numerous times!
• Jagdish was happy that he and his wife noticed gas leaking in their garage and dealt with it before the house blew up.
• Ed T. was happy that he got the RCCCF books to balance.
• Elaine was happy because she was about to have the third supper in a row where she didn’t have to cook.
• Len was happy that his dad had a medical check-up and all is well.
• Anya was happy that her youth group meeting was moved so she won’t miss her church thing.
• Al Roberts was happy because he found a purse at his table and thought he was rich. Nancy M. claimed the purse and that was the end of Al’s joy.

50/50

But Alan was soon to regain that joy when his 50/50 ticket was drawn and he pulled the blue marble. He passed the winnings on to the RCCCF.

Birthdays

Jim Forestell and Ed Thompson both celebrated birthdays so we sang Happy Birthday - beautifully.

Next meeting

20 February - No meeting. Louis Riel Day

27 February - Gloria Makafui Dovoh - Community Relations Coordinator, Volunteer Manitoba