The meeting started with everyone present at the Varsity View Community Centre standing for the reading of the District Land Acknowledgement and then for the singing of O Canada, that was led by a recording by the Canmore Singers accompanied by the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

Thought of the Week was “Do something for somebody every day for which you do not get paid.” (Albert Schweitzer)

ROTARY MOMENTS

1. President Doug reported that our club has received a ShelterBox Hero Award. All clubs in the district received a Bronze award, with the exception of RC Kenora, who received a Gold ShelterBox Hero Award.

2. The 12^th Annual Rotary Ripple Effect Motorcycle Ride in support of District 5550’s Ripple Effect Program will take place this Saturday, August 21, 2021. The Ripple Effect program builds schools, provides scholarships, and works with the Department of Education in Guatemala, one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere. Since 1999, the Ripple Effect program has built or refurbished nearly 100 schools in Guatemala. This year’s ride will be named in honour of Floyd Manz who passed away as the result a motorcycle accident on June 18, 2021. Donations can be sent to the Ripple Effect Ride Coordinators:
   Peter Neufeldt, 4532 England Rd, Regina SK S4R 4P5 or to
   Doug Mortin 391 Habkirk Dr., Regina SK S4S 6A9.

3. Chase the Ace Raffle Week 18 - Winner was Rod Delisle ($30). The link for the raffle site is www.rotarychasetheace.org

4. The meal fee at Breezy Bend (when we are able to return, starting on September 20^th) has been raised from $20 to $22.

5. Our first in-person meeting at Breezy Bend in 2021 will take place on Monday, Sept 20^th which is Election Day. President Doug reminded members to vote earlier, in advance or by mail to leave your schedule open for this Breezy Bend meeting.

6. Assiniboine Forest Enhancement Project.

Jack Wilson reported that the $150,000 grant approved by the City of Winnipeg for the forest enhancement project requires a proposal by an independent landscape architect which will outline the areas in the project that will be covered by the city’s financial commitment. Requirements by city naturalist Rod Penner include the following:
- no additional trails
- addition of washrooms
- hard surface trail (limestone gravel, not pavement) circling back from the Eve Werier waterfowl pond
- place for a learning centre (not a building) as requested by schools and
- signage (including on the north end of the forest along Roblin Blvd).

There are no guarantees that the forest is protected against development. For example, if the Tuxedo Golf course were to close and be developed, almost half of the north forest would be lost to developments in the former golf course. Factual history and aboriginal information dealing with the forest are needed to help support protection for the forest and keep it in a natural state.

Jack sought volunteers to act as ambassadors who would walk through the forest wearing a vest identifying the wearer as a “Working Rotarian” to get feedback from users of the forest. The club currently has a 45-Question and Answer sheet dealing with the forest enhancement plans. A recent petition opposing Assiniboine Forest enhancement, based on some misinformation, had 1400 signatures.

7. A quick vote of the members present approved the organization of another in-person meeting for Monday, August 30^th.

INDUCTION OF NEW MEMBER

The club’s membership chair, PDG Ed Thompson, officially inducted Barish Yilmaz as a member of the Charleswood Rotary Club . Barish immediately became the newest Rotarian in the whole world. Welcome to the club, Barish!!!

PDG Jim indicated that this year the Lobsterfest will take place on September 24th and will be a drive-up and pick up event only - between 3 and 7 PM in the parking lot of the Varsity View Community Centre at 315 Laxdal Road. Tickets are $50 for either a lobster or half chicken meal. The dinners will also include a baked potato, coleslaw, bun, condiments, a nice dessert and a small (airline size) bottle of white wine. The food will be cooked but served cold in suitable packaging. Information giving several options for re-heating the meal will be included. The food will be packed early on Friday and kept refrigerated until distribution in the VVCC parking lot. Volunteers will be needed during the day to accomplish the packing the food in appropriate containers. There are many ways of organizing this sort of event. PD Jim and the Lobsterfest committee have chosen a process that should result in the minimum of confusion and the maximum of customer satisfaction.

Door prizes - There will be about 25 door prizes, a ticket for which is included with each meal ticket. Winners of the door prizes will be notified of their good fortune a few days before the event and will be able to pick up their prize when they pick up their meal.

Tickets - There are still plenty of Lobsterfest tickets available. The deadline for selling tickets is September 16th. To date, about 350 tickets have been sold. Members are asked to keep Glenn informed about their ticket sales.

Transport – Jack has arranged to have a reefer truck to provide the cold storage that is needed to keep all the food safe.

Entertainment - A DJ (Tracy Thompson) will provide music in the parking lot to entertain our customers as they drive through to pick up their Lobsterfest meals.

Promotion - Members are encouraged to use their social media access to publicise the event. The Club website has an overview of the Lobsterfest and has the option of paying by credit card. The alternative is an actual ticket, circulated to members. Many of the people who have already bought tickets heard about the event online and in the local papers.

Budget – Anticipated profit for the event is between $7000 and $8000, well below the club’s normal Lobsterfest profit of around $20,000. Portage Mutual has agreed to sponsor the event to the tune of $1500; there may be other companies that would help. If you know of any, please let Dave Morris know.