President Doug started the meeting at 5:57 with the district’s Land Acknowledgement Statement. Members then sang O Canada (with the guidance of Darvin), and President Doug provided the following words of Carol Bellamy, (a former director of UNICEF and the United States Peace Corps) as our Thought of the Week – “Learn all you can about people in other parts of the world. Understanding how people in other countries live, work and play teaches us to respect them and promote peace everywhere.”

ROTARY MOMENTS

1. District 5550 Evening Talk Show Oct. 7th at 7:30 PM. Items to be covered:
   • Opportunity to provide input on the planning for District Conference 2023:
     1. Should it be In Person, Virtual or Hybrid?
     2. How long a conference is best for you?
   • Rotary visual branding
     (You MUST pre-register for this Zoom Meeting. Check your emails for the link – sent out by Fred Wright on Sept 20th.)
2. Upcoming one hour long online discussion taking place at 10:00 AM CDT on Thursday, Sept 30th
   Eliminating the Existential Threat of Nuclear Weapons.
   Registration is required to attend: The address is https://www.ippnw.org/eliminating-the-threat Those unable to attend live can watch the recording on the event’s webpage.
3. Chase the Ace raffle: Week 24: The winner of this week’s jackpot of $36.00 was Chuck Crocker. The URL for the raffle site is www.rotarychasetheace.org
4. Lobsterfest: Thank you to Jim for his (and all others’) tireless work on this year’s LobsterFest fundraiser.
   • Hand in cash and cheques you may still have to Glenn.
   • Hand in all unsold tickets to Glenn for reconciliation report.

Baris works for the provincial government as a business analyst. Recently, he started a small import and export business between Turkey and Canada (exporting maple syrup from Canada and importing olive oil from Turkey). He is a founding member of the Manitoba Turkish Association and a board member of Mosaic network (providing refugee support). His hobbies include photography, hockey and other ice sports.

His wife (originally from France, whom he met while learning French) is working as a French-English translator. She also has an online business teaching French.

Both of his parents are retired Chartered Accountants. They sold their business and have formed a co-operative to help farmers in their area sell their produce. His father is a member of the Lions Club

His brother is an economist, a data scientist and a musician.

Baris started elementary school in 1995, high school in 2002 and University in 2007. However, in 2008, at 23 years of age, he came to Canada where his first priority was to learn English. He attended night school for about 2 months in Vancouver before heading out on a tour of Europe. Back in Canada, he had to adjust to the differences in regulations, and lifestyles and to learn how to survive on his own. His parents came to visit him for the first time in 2014.

Between 2013 and 2021 Baris worked at a PFC Clothing manufacturing firm, at Indigo Parking (working his way up to general manager position) and then as a business analyst with the Government of Manitoba.

In 2018 Baris married the lady he first met in French language classes. The ceremony was held in the backyard of their home in Riverview South in the presence of about 30 family members and friends. Since then, Baris and wife have travelled to Turkey, in Western Canada and to France.

In the Q&A part following Baris’ presentation, we learned that he was born in Samos (an island in the eastern Aegean Sea, off the coast of western Turkey). This information prompted Jagdish to share a story of his adventure in Samos - which included missing luggage, a stolen wallet, a friendly police officer and taxi driver - when he had been invited to give a lecture at the University there.)

President Doug thanked Baris for his presentation.

Sarge Mike welcomed this evening’s visitor - Sharon Jasper.

50-50 Draw

John Inglis was lucky enough to have his ticket number drawn, but not lucky enough to pull out the “lucky” blue marble that would have made him the winner of the 50-50 draw.

Happy Bucks

PDG Jim’s first Happy Buck was for the support of the club members at Friday’s Lobsterfest that took place on Friday as a meal pickup at Varsity View Community Club. His second HB was for his son having driven out from Calgary to help out with the Lobsterfest and to socialize a little bit.

PDG Nancy was happy to be back at the club and seeing everyone “face to face” again.

Lorraine reported that she got an email from Glenda, who said that her friends had a wonderful time enjoying the lobster meals they had ordered.

Darvin had a HB for PDG Jim’s hard work that made the Lobsterfest such a success. A loud applause indicated that everyone else had appreciated the organizing efforts of PDG Jim as well.

Jagdish will be celebrating his wedding anniversary on Wednesday of this week (Sept 29th).

PDG Ed was delighted because tomorrow (i.e. Tuesday) is going to be a beautiful day and he will be golfing at Southwood. In addition, Wednesday is going to be another beautiful day and he will be golfing at Pine Ridge. Furthermore, Thursday is predicted to be yet another fine day and he is scheduled to be golfing at Larter’s!!

President Doug was happy for Nancy Hansen, who was very thankful that Chuck had picked up a bundle of books that she has donated and delivered them to Westgrove School.