President Cathy Skene opened the meeting with the club's land acknowledgement and the singing of O'Canada.

Sarge - introduced our guest speaker (see bio below)

Chair Announcements

President Cathy welcomed us back after the Canada Day break. She hoped all had a good Canada weekend, and managed to stay mostly dry. She is honoured to be here as club president, and is looking forward to a productive and fun year.

Our district theme this year is “The Magic of Rotary”. So let’s try to work some magic.

On our tables were some postcards. Cathy was sorry that she didn’t have enough for everyone, but we were welcome to take one with us if the message resonates. The postcards were created by Bob Haverluck, whom some of us might know, or know of. As well as being an artist and a writer, Bob is a retired United Church minister. The postcard speaks of collaboration, and the power it creates. Cathy’s goal for this year is to work on collaboration skills.

A few days ago Cathy was happy to see that PDG Rick Felstead of Brandon Rotary was awarded a volunteer of the year award by Travel Manitoba. From the WFP article “A group of Rotarians was the driving force behind creating the garden’s 9/11 memorial and Felstead was instrumental in raising the $150,000 needed for the project. Note the word ‘group.’ He collaborated.

Gimli Rotary Book Fair

On July 27 & 28 Gimli Rotary is holding their annual book sale. It will be at the Gimli Rec Centre from 9 am to 6 pm both days. Cathy is planning to go and check it out, along with the nearby farmer’s market, and maybe some fish & chips and a walk on the beach. It would be great to see some more members there.

International Conference

This will be one of our most affordable opportunities to attend an RI conference, and a chance to show that Canada can handle a big event. If you haven’t already registered, please give it some thought.

Members have until July 19th to confirm their attendance at Dauphin Rotary at 100. There will be a dinner with our new RI president, Stephanie. And yes, Cathay says she has registered for this too. Would be great to see a few of us there as well.

President on the move

When Cathy joined this club, Ed Thompson told her that belonging to Rotary is a great way to see the world. It is. So far it’s taken her to Saskatoon, Russell, Moose Jaw, Gimli and Portage la Prairie - soon Dauphin. She encourages new members, and those who haven’t travelled for Rotary to try it. It is so much fun to meet Rotarians from other clubs and other cities.

Golf Tournament

Please register early if you are planning to play. And encourage your friends to come out as well. This has the potential to raise significant revenue for the forest.

Breaking news!

NOTE: they are offering a Rotarian Special of a free mulligan package for any of our club’s Rotarians that sign up. And a great opportunity to make a difference in our community and have a great day of golf and networking!

Following dinner President Cathy rang the bell and called upon Past President Iain Scott to introduce tonight's speaker.

Monique Levesque-Pharoah is a long-standing Toastmaster and served on the board from 2016-2018. As a member of Vital Words since 1994 and charter member of We Believe in Winnipeg since 2009, she enjoys using her Toastmasters skills in all aspects of her life. She met her husband Don there in 1994.

She holds a Certificate in Human Resources Management (Honours) and has professional experience in employee development, communication & leadership. As the business owner of Unique Communications & Training and certified mediator through Mediation Services Manitoba, she also enjoys working with organisations and leadership teams on conflict strategies.

Monique has worked in fund development for 20 years, previously at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and Health Sciences Centre Foundation. She recently joined the team at Peer Connections Manitoba as Director of Development. Peer Connections Manitoba offers free confidential peer support for Manitobans struggling with mental health or substance use challenges.

She is excited to share the updates from Peer Connections and will convey details on Bridging the Community with Peer Support aimed at improving mental health care where we need it most – right here in Manitoba. Members welcomed Monique and her husband Don Pharoah.

About Peer Connection Manitoba

Peer Connections Manitoba, formerly known as the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society, is a charitable non-profit organisation that connects individuals facing similar experiences and challenges, providing vital peer support since 2020.

Through programs, workshops, and support groups, they foster a sense of belonging and empower individuals to share their stories, exchange knowledge, and offer emotional support.

Since their establishment in 1978, they have been the pioneering organisation to introduce value-based peer support in clinical and community settings. Our dedicated team of trained peer supporters plays a significant role in reducing isolation, promoting mental health, and encouraging personal growth and resilience.

Peer Supporter Training Two-week, full-time intensive training covering the following:

Advocacy, mental health system, PS fundamentals, strength based support/advocacy, resiliency, empowerment and hope, social determinants of health, the healthcare system, stages of change, communication, conflict resolution, in the system not of the system, preferred communication styles, connecting through your story, supporting with understanding, supporting someone in a crisis/emergency, suicide, culture/worldview/diversity, stigma and discrimination, wellness tools, ethics and boundaries, working as a team, peers as professionals.

Family Support

Peer Connections Manitoba also offers Family Support

Families are there for their loved ones in need and they are there for them!

Wheel of Privilege and Power

Monique Introduced herself and commented on the postcard distributed by president Cathy about collaboration where their organisation has a saying “that nothing great is done alone”.

“Saying you don’t have mental health issues is like saying you don’t have medical issues. Even the healthiest person gets a cold from time to time. Mental health works the same way. We all face challenges in life that impact our mental health. Everyone has mental health, and everyone’s mental health matters.” — Source unknown

Connectivity is key and the stats around loneliness are concerning. They are saying it is the new cancer and its one of the determinants associated with Mental Health. We know everyone has mental health and we know everyone has mental health wellness and we all will experience a time in our life when our mental health is not where we want it to be.

Monique asked if anyone knew how many Manitobans will have a mental health concern? After receiving answers from the group, she explained it is as high as a third of all Mantibans. She explained that this is something we all need to be aware of.

At Peer Connection Manitoba, their vision is mental wellness for all which means everyone has the right to mental wellness. In fact the Canadian Mental Health Association worked with the World Health Organization and declared Mental Health was a universal human right. For more information, visit www.peerconnectionsmb.ca

Following questions, President Cathy thanked Monique for her presentation and Iain for inviting Monique to speak.

Sarge Mike– the draw. any fines?

Happy Dollars

• Rod was happy that he'll be riding again this August in The Great Cycle Challenge - riding to fight kid's cancer. If you'd like to sponsor him, click here: https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/Riders/RodDelisle.
• Iain was happy about the birth of Caroline's new grandchild. Although did not bring $5.00 cash, he paid by Square
• Dave M. was happy to have paid out the first scholarship for this year. The earliest ever.
• Jim was happy about the success of Lobsterfest. Earned about $2,000 more than last year.
• Cory put in $2 because it is finally sunny out.
• Joyce DeCorby had the lucky ticket, and she found the blue marble. Congrats Joyce!!

Next week we will welcome Richard Rosin, Winnipeg’s Friendliest Undertaker as our guest speaker.

Now just before we go...

"Oh. I still don’t have a joke. We can just go".