We had an extended fellowship period prior to the official start of the meeting this week. President Bob Antymniuk rang the bell for the last time in his 2017/2018 Rotary Club of Winnipeg – Charleswood Presidency. Dave Morris was with us tonight, he hit that first note of O-Canada with authority, Rotary Grace followed. We had plenty of guests for the official President changeover / new members` initiation / academic scholarship.
Lyle Miller was present to keep order tonight for the last time. He will be handing over the position to a new S.A.A. after tonight. Sarge Lyle was asked to introduce our guests for tonight`s meeting:
A.D.G. Dan Sutton, Art Oakes (Rotarian / Winnipeg-West), Jean Bell (Rotarian from New Milton, U.K.), Olenka Antymniuk (Bob), Norine Miller (Lyle), Ryan Kwasnica (Mandy), Janet Johnson (Bill), Murray Wedgewood (Past-Rotarian / Darvin Jasper), Eira Braun-Labosssiere (Martin), Rohit [Roh] Goenka, Marc Bao (Academic Scholarship), Helen Bao (Marc`s mother).
Rotary Moments
President Bob asked for comments by anyone that attended the Rotary International Convention recently held in Toronto:
- Elaine had a few interesting situations happen while there. The first occurred while in the Air Canada Centre, she was talking to an individual from Holland, Michigan. Elaine advised that her husband was from Holland, Manitoba. While this conversation was taking place….a couple behind them spoke up about being from the Netherlands (Holland).
- The second interesting situation occurred after the Prime Minister had finished his speech to the assembly in the Air Canada Centre. While Elaine was in a line after the speech, an American in front of her said “it is so nice to listen to your P.M. talk in full sentences”!
- A third U.S.A. citizen made a couple private comments about their President, “Trump`s hiring & firing are like bowel movements”. Also heard was “Trump is a few sandwiches short of a picnic”.
- Ed Thompson found it interesting that the couple from the Netherlands had commented that it was a Manitoba Regiment that freed them in WWII.
- Nancy Morris said that the convention was good from beginning to end. They had met a gentleman from Gambia and had dinner with him. Later, he came forward and asked for a picture to be taken with Dave and Nancy. They also met a man from Togo in the airport. Rotary pins were exchanged. The Togo gentleman advised that the local Rotary clubs in Togo pay selected young people so that they may get official government paperwork. They also award scholarships of $100USD for university. This will pay for an entire year.
- Nancy had a random American woman come up to her and give her a hug, stating that the American people still like Canadians.
- Ed Thompson advised that they traveled in a motorhome caravan to the convention. They stayed as a group at the C.N.E. in Toronto ($35K to rent), 63 rigs splitting the cost. There were 5 rigs with Alberta plates on them, that held convention attendees from Australia.
Bob Eilers advised that there are 3 Rotary Friendship Exchanges for next year (2019) but they’re all filled. Anyone interested will have to register for the 2020 club year.
President Bob presented the story of The Rotary Foundation;
The Rotary Foundation is a non-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. It is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.
The Foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary "to do good in the world." It has grown from an initial contribution of US$26.50 to more than US$1billion. It has one of the largest and most prestigious international fellowship programs in the world.
Polio Eradication
PolioPlus: Rotarians have mobilized by the hundreds of thousands to ensure that children are immunized against this crippling disease and that surveillance is strong despite the poor infrastructure, extreme poverty and civil strife of many countries. Since the PolioPlus program’s inception in 1985 more than two billion children have received oral polio vaccine. To date, 209 countries, territories and areas around the world are polio-free. As of January 2012, India was declared polio free for the first time in history, leaving just Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan with endemic polio. As of June 2011, Rotary has committed more than US$850 million to global polio eradication. Rotary has received $355 million in challenge grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: Rotary committed to raising $200 million by June 30, 2012 and met that goal by January 2012. This represents another $555 million toward polio eradication.
PolioPlus Fund: Grants supported out of the PolioPlus Fund that are primarily geared towards national level and supra-national efforts. For example, National PolioPlus Committee chairs or a major partner agency, such as the World Health Organization or UNICEF may apply for these funds. Support is available for eradication efforts in polio-endemic, recently endemic, and high-risk countries, including National Immunization Days, poliovirus transmission monitoring, and other activities.
PolioPlus Partners is a program that allows Rotarians to participate in the polio eradication effort by contributing to specific social mobilization and surveillance activities in polio-endemic countries. In 2003–2004, grants were approved in Africa and South Asia for a total of $330,000.
Humanitarian Grants Programs
Disaster Recovery: Facilitates club efforts to support disaster preparedness and recovery.
District Simplified Grants: Support for short-term service activities or humanitarian endeavors of districts in communities locally or internationally. This program began in 2003–2004 and, projects in 44 countries at a cost of US$5.2 million were awarded.
Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants: Support for large-scale, two- to four-year projects that improve health, alleviate hunger, or promote human development. Since 1978, projects in 74 countries have been funded at a cost of US$74 million. As of 1 July 2009, the Foundation will no longer award 3-H grants, with the exception of projects being developed to support water and sanitation projects in Ghana, the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic.
3-H Planning Grants: Support for the planning activities of Rotary clubs and districts designing 3-H projects of a significant size and impact. Also, in moratorium in conjunction with 3-H Grants program.
Matching Grants: – Provide matching funds for the international service projects of Rotary clubs and districts. Since 1965, more than 20,000 Matching Grants projects in 166 countries have been funded at a cost of more than US$198 million.
Educational Programs
Scholarships, Group Study Exchange, Rotary Peace Fellowships, Rotary Grants for University Teachers
Wiki
President Bob advised that Rotary has a special acknowledgement for those that have given to The Rotary Foundation on a repeated basis. This year we will recognize two club members, Nancy Morris and Ed Thompson. Nancy has given ‘until it hurts’. In recognition of $5,000 USD donated to the foundation, Nancy received a Paul Harris pin with 5 stones on it. Ed Thompson has donated $2,000 USD and received a Paul Harris pin with 2 stones on it.
Nancy commented that she has decided to direct all her donations to Polio+.
President Bob inquired about the status of the golf tournament fundraising planning. Leslie Inglis advised that the event will not take place this year. Planning will continue with a goal of having the event in 2019.
Paul Brault reported on the 2018 Westgrove Literacy Gala Dinner held on June 20, 2018. Dr. Niigaan Sinclair was the keynote speaker with ~150 people in attendance. There were slightly over 160 tickets sold as well as donations made to the event. A silent auction was held as well. A special thanks to Dave and Nancy Morris for their encouragement to just “let it go”and it will all work out. The event raised $7,000 for the centre. This will be enough to start the program, therefore, a very successful event. After the presentation by Niigaan Sinclair, Paul`s neighbour -a self-declared red neck from Transcona said it “made me think!”. Paul thanked all those that supported the dinner by coming out, buying tickets for students, making donations of cash and prizes.
Ed Toews advised that the classic car show will not take place this year. Conflicts with existing car events. Planning for next year.
Nancy Hansen asked everyone to continue to save the drink tabs from canned drinks. These tabs have allowed the purchase of two wheelchairs this year.
Lorraine Forestell would request that you register when the meeting notice is sent out. Proper planning for food and seating can not be made if timely registrations are not made. This includes registering any guests for the meeting. All registrations should be made by 9:00am Saturday, prior to the Monday meeting.
President Bob advised that he continues to reconcile lobster fest tickets. Final numbers will be presented at a future meeting.
Jim Forestell advised that a 2019 conference committee meeting will take place on July 10, 2018 using ZOOM dial-in On-Line Meeting. E-mails have been sent out.
Jim Forestell also advised that Magnus Johnson has had surgery due to a lesion found on the back of his spine. This lesion was causing him to limp more over time. The surgery has been completed and Magnus remains in hospital healing. He has moved to Grace Hospital for the next week prior to going home. Please visit if able.
Jim Forestell called Eira Braun-Labossiere and Rohit [Roh] Goenka to the front of the room. Eira was sponsored by Martin Labossiere and Jim Forestell sponsored Roh. Jim advised that it is a big step to initiate a new member into Rotary. You may want to become a Rotarian, but you must be invited and be deemed worthy to be approved by the club board, in order to become a Rotarian. Joyful fellowship is one of the benefits of being a Rotarian and attending the weekly meetings. It is not mandatory to attend every meeting, but please do try to attend as many meetings as you can. You can ‘make-up meetings’ at any club, where you will be welcomed. Be a part of the club, always keep the Rotary 4-Way Test in mind in your private and public life as well as volunteerism. Also, support the Foundation. Mostly – have fun!
Roh advised the club that he is very interested in education. He believes that education in Winnipeg needs to improve..JPG)
Nancy Morris advised that the club was able to recognise 3 graduating H.S. students this year with scholarships. Marc Bao is one of those students. He is here tonight to tell us a little about what he believes got him selected for a scholarship, as well as his future plans.