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 This evening we have a pair of speakers, PDG Nancy Morris, and charter club member, Dave Morris. They must like it here because they have been attending meetings faithfully for 40 years. Tonight they will share some memories of their time as Charleswood Rotarians.
David Morris is pleased to speak tonight and reflect on 40 years of being a member of this club. He starts by looking back on how he joined Rotary. Founding the Club Forty years ago, the club was in the process of forming, with John serving as president that year. David admits that it’s hard to follow John. Cliff Palmer, a realtor—who some may remember—was out on the street trying to find 25 people willing to sign on to form a new club. And sure enough, he managed to get 25 signatures. The first meeting was held at Baseline. Unfortunately, only 21 of the 25 actually showed up, and after that, Cliff was never heard from again. Still, with the necessary signatures, the club was born. Cliff had approached David and said, “Hey, I’m forming a club. Do you want to join it?” David joked, asking if it was a beer club. Cliff replied, “No, it’s a Rotary Club.” So, David took the time to look into it, and both David and his wife, Nancy, were drawn to Rotary’s motto: Service Above Self. Our Meeting Venues Over the years, the club has met at six different locations—though David, who counts carefully, notes it was actually six, not five as John claimed. The club’s time at Rumors Comedy Club in Tuxedo didn’t last long. The first venue was Baseline until it closed, and after that, the club moved to the Wellington, a beautiful place with parking. But when the District Governor visited and the club was served beans and wieners, it was clear it was time to move on. The club settled at the Legion, where dinners were prepared by ladies in their 80s. Eventually, they could no longer manage the meals, so the club partnered with Corrie and Breezy. Since then, the club has been happy with Breezy—they take great care of the members and respect Rotary’s mission. Passion for Student Exchange David and Nancy have always had a deep passion for the student exchange program. Over the years, they have hosted 18 students, including two at once: Gabby Varela-Varela from Venezuela and Angela Clarkson from Australia. Angela was brought in when the North Winnipeg Club couldn’t host her, and David and Nancy happily opened their home. David’s first student was Becky McGregor from Australia. Nancy and a close friend from their office even traveled to Australia to attend Becky’s wedding. Other students they hosted include Stephen from Belgium—who drank orange juice by the gallon, and Leseko from South Africa, a bubbly young woman who left a lasting impression. David and Nancy even visited Leseko in Johannesburg, staying with her family. One memorable moment was when David handed Leseko’s father a couple of pins from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, hoping he could pass them along to Nelson Mandela. Leseko’s father replied, “Why didn’t you tell me a couple of days ago? We could’ve had coffee with him.” David was reminded that you never know who you’ll meet, and that’s the beauty of Rotary. The Importance of Student Exchange David believes the student exchange program is at the heart of Rotary. Hosting these students has allowed David and Nancy to learn about other cultures and create lifelong friendships. He firmly believes it’s a vital part of what Rotary is all about. The Lobster Event David fondly recalls the first lobster event, which was held in their backyard. The goal was to see if people preferred lobster hot or cold. The real beneficiaries of that event were the neighborhood cats, who devoured the lobster scattered around the yard. Over the years, the lobster event has evolved into a true community celebration. David appreciates how it’s grown, noting that hosting it in larger venues has made it a community event where everyone comes together. It also helps promote Rotary’s image, which is important because when David first joined, Rotary had no public image. Today, it’s a well-known and respected organization, and that progress is something to be proud of. Major Projects David reflects on three major projects that stand out in the club’s history. The forest project, in particular, remains a signature initiative. The vision for this project came from Bob Bevis, a charter member. Bob worked with the city to establish an agreement that made the Rotary Club the custodians of the forest. He envisioned the project as a 50- to 75-year legacy. Sadly, Bob moved to Vancouver, but his vision lives on. Another important project was the Hambira Project, where the club helped settle a family from Zimbabwe into Winnipeg. David and Nancy had an empty house next to their office, so they fixed it up for the family. The family has lived there ever since and continues to be a part of the community. David also highlights the success of the Ukrainian Furniture Drive, which he describes as another example of what Rotary can accomplish. Mandy’s leadership on this project was impressive. David believes these kinds of initiatives reflect Rotary’s core values—vision, service, and collaboration. Looking Forward David and Cathy have been discussing potential new projects, like restoring older homes downtown. He believes that collaboration with churches and other organizations is key to making these efforts successful. David recalls a memorable Rotary event where the club worked with the Shriners at the Western Convention. The club prepared 2,000 ears of corn and received a $2,000 donation, which was a great example of working together for a good cause. Rotary Around the World David and Nancy have had the opportunity to make up at Rotary clubs around the world. In Bali, they visited a club where members didn’t speak much English, so they assigned a translator to sit with them. David was impressed with the club’s forward-thinking approach to hosting international guests. They also visited the Westminster Rotary Club in London, just a block from Buckingham Palace. The experience was a bit more formal—suit and tie required—but David enjoyed meeting other high-profile Rotarians, including ambassadors and politicians. David fondly remembers visiting the Rotary Club in Alaska, which reinforced his belief that no matter where you are, Rotary offers a warm welcome. Rotary’s Global Impact and Local Adventures David recalls the experience of visiting some of Rotary’s super clubs, those with over 500 members. One such club was in Alaska, and another was in Birmingham, Alabama, where David and his wife had the opportunity to meet David Newman, who happened to be the guest speaker. They attended the meeting, and it was televised—another innovative feature of this five-member club. Members could watch the noon-hour meeting from the comfort of their home, either on TV or their iPads. The Birmingham club boasted impressive members, including the president of Coca-Cola and the governor of the state. David notes that these clubs didn’t seek out donations; instead, members were billed at the end of the month. It was a different dynamic, but David enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to visit various U.S. clubs. He remembers how banner exchanges used to be a big thing 30 to 40 years ago—Rotarians would exchange banners when visiting each other's clubs. While banners may have disappeared over time, David and Nancy have collected many from their travels and are happy to share them if anyone is interested. Polio Fundraising Efforts One of Rotary’s most significant fundraising efforts that David has been deeply involved in over the years has been supporting the fight against polio. He estimates that their club has contributed about $1,500 annually to this cause. David recalls how the club initially worked with the March of Dimes, but that initiative eventually faded. Rotary decided to take matters into their own hands by creating a small collection box, where members would donate a nickel or dime every day. The Rotary logo adorned the box as a reminder of the cause. Another key effort came when David, with his connections in the hockey world, decided to collect beer bottles and cans for Polio fundraising. He notes that hockey players, who often enjoyed a drink after a game, were a perfect source for the bottles. David even jokingly praises Tyler, a member of his neighborhood, for collecting beer cans from his cul-de-sac as part of the effort. Nancy’s Journey with Rotary Nancy joined Rotary in 1989, a significant year for the organization as it marked the entrance of women into Rotary clubs. David shares a humorous and dramatic story from that time about a club president who refused to have dinner with a woman member. This led to the president resigning and walking out of the meeting, leaving a lasting memory for David and his fellow Rotarians. The club quickly adapted, with Bill Johnson, a charter member, stepping in as president. David emphasizes that every club faces challenges, and some presidents bring unique styles and ideas. For example, one president, who is sadly now deceased, didn’t believe in holding board meetings. In fact, during his year as president, the club went an entire year without a board meeting. David acknowledges that while some of these approaches may seem unconventional, they show the resilience and adaptability that is key to Rotary’s success. Special Rotary Events and Adventures David and Nancy organized a memorable bus trip to Chicago for the Rotary International Convention at the McCormick Center, which was the largest convention ever held. A group of about 8 to 10 members from the club joined them on the trip. David recalls the fun they had on the bus and the excitement of the event. Nancy’s time as District Governor in 2010 was another highlight of their Rotary journey. David was particularly proud of the convention that year, which marked the 100th anniversary of Rotary in the district and included a joint convention with the North Dakota district. Nancy and David were fortunate to have dinner with John Kenny, and David reflects fondly on the event’s theme: The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands. In addition to supporting major programs like Polio Plus and the Ripple Effect, David also notes that the club has been involved in various local club fundraisers, including dinners and community events. He believes it’s essential for all Rotarians to support these efforts and proudly wear their Rotary pins. Unique Rotary Experiences Around the World David and Nancy have had the privilege of attending several Rotary conventions around the world, each providing unique experiences. They attended the New Orleans convention, which was filled with vibrant energy, and the Montreal convention, where they had the rare opportunity to see Dolly Parton perform. They also attended the World Convention in Birmingham, England, where they had the honor of meeting Archbishop Desmond Tutu. One particularly memorable outing took place at Warwick Castle, where the convention included an entertaining display of fireballs. Chicago’s convention was equally unforgettable, as it was the first time David and Nancy had organized such an event. It went off smoothly, and David takes pride in how well everything came together. The Hambira Project One of the most moving experiences for David and Nancy was their involvement in the Hambira project. David recalls a meeting at their house with David Newman and others, where they discussed how to help a family escape from Zimbabwe. The situation was dire—one family member’s mother worked for the Farm Workers Union and was at risk of being executed or imprisoned. Through Rotary’s global network, David and his colleagues worked to get the children out of Zimbabwe during a school break, sending them to Johannesburg, and eventually helping them find refuge in Canada. It was a costly and complex process—$25,000 was needed to secure their escape, but David and his Rotary colleagues made it happen. The family eventually settled in Winnipeg, and David was able to provide them with an empty house next to his office. Today, George Hambira, who works as an electrician, and his family have become part of the community. David is pleased to see how their efforts have positively impacted the lives of those they helped. Closing Thoughts David’s reflections on his time in Rotary demonstrate how the organization’s efforts have touched lives across the globe, from Polio Plus fundraising to the Hambira project. Through it all, David is proud of the Rotary’s enduring impact and the ongoing commitment to service. As he concludes, David reminds his fellow Rotarians to always wear their pins proudly and remember that the future of Rotary is in their hands. Cathy’s Gratitude and Reflection President Cathy thanked David Morris for sharing his reflections, expressing how deeply moved she was by his stories. She playfully added, “Thank you, Dave. It just makes me sad I wasn't here 40 years ago. I wasn't born yet. I wasn’t born yet. My memory is gone.” Cathy continued, acknowledging the significance of David’s involvement with the Hambira family. She mentioned how David Newman had shared his own experience with her at the Remembrance Day meeting. “David Newman told me about the kids being in their pajamas when he picked them up and put them on the plane,” Cathy recalled. “He just took some kids in their pajamas and took them out of the country.” Cathy added how very interesting it was to hear those stories. And that we need to tell our stories more often before we forget them. |
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