At 5:45 PM the meeting was called to order by President Doug and PDG Nancy’s bell was seen to be rung (but not heard). This was followed by a version of “O Canada” sung in English, French, then Cree by Asani, a women’s acapella group from Edmonton, Alberta and accompanied by colourful Indigenous dancers chanting “hey ha hiha” and “way hey ha”.
President Doug’s thought for the day was “Help someone, not for the reward, but for the sake of changing a life.”
ROTARY MOMENTS
The next Director Dialogue will take place March 10th7:00 PM Eastern Time (which is 6:00 pm CST). Guest speaker, RI President-Elect Shekar Mehta, will share his thoughts on ‘Positive Peace’. An email has been email sent out to register. One can also go to the Rotary Zone 28 -32 Clubrunner site (https://portal.clubrunner.ca/50077/), find ‘Directors Dialogue’ under the Webinars tab and click on the link there to register.
The rescheduled FebruaryDistrict 5550 Talk Show (which had been “zoom-bombed”) will take place this Thursday, March 4th @ 7:00pm. The evening event is guided by the Rotary International theme for the month of February: Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution. The opening speaker, from Ottawa, ON, is Rotarian Nabil Oudeh speaking onResilience: Conflict prevention in a time of crisis. The second presenter is fellow District Rotarian Debra LeMaistre of the Rotary Club of Kenora, ON with a presentation on her club's Peace Park and the Peace Pole projects supported through a partnership with other groups. The wrap-up presenter is David Newman of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg (Downtown), speaking on the World Peace Partners initiative.
The March District Talk Show will take place on March 18th @ 7:00pm. The topic is related to RI’s March theme of Water & Sanitation.
Jack indicated that a new logo for the Assiniboine Forest has been designed with help from Iain. There can be no mention (or media graphics) related to the Chase the Ace fundraiser for the Assiniboine Forest Enhancement project (on our club website or on social media sites) until the club’s licence application is approved. However, non-specific mention of “future fundraising efforts” for the Assiniboine forest would be okay. President Doug encouraged members to get involved with this major club project and promote the forest enhancement project through their own social media sites.
PDG Nancy introduced Josh Ward, who is a community facilitator for an organization called “1JustCity”, an organization that supports four drop-in community centres in Winnipeg’s core neighbourhoods: West Broadway, the West End and Osborne Village. It is a partnership of four charities - Oak Table, St. Matthews-Maryland Community Ministry (where Josh volunteers), North End Stella Community Ministry and West Broadway Community Services. Services offered include daily meals, art, senior’s programs, haircuts, showers, laundry, warm clothing, groceries, toiletries, clean undergarments and friendship. The St Matthews-Maryland Community Ministry also offers an Indigenous cultural program (sharing circles, traditional crafts, language instruction and reconciliation practice for Indigenous clients who have lost their culture) and a Community Capacity program (finding meaningful ways for individuals to contribute to their community using mentors, training, and education opportunities). In the winter months there is also a pop-up warming centre in Osborne Village. During the pandemic, some of these services have been modified or curtailed (e.g. waiting outside 6 feet apart to pick up food instead of 60 people sitting, chatting and eating together inside). In addition, the pandemic has more than doubled the number of people requiring the services offered by 1JustCity. “Just a Warm Sleep” is a no-barrier emergency overnight warming shelter that allows up to 30 needy people to bring their shopping carts (with all their worldly possessions in them), pets, and/or partners to sleep overnight (whether or not they arrive under the influence of drugs or alcohol) and to enjoy a hot dinner as well as a hot breakfast. Meals used to be prepared and served on site, but with the increase in the number of people needing help, each day’s food is provided by different churches. Donations come from the United Church of Canada, the Anglican Church of Canada, businesses (like restaurant owners who have provided more than half a million dollars in food), secular groups and grants. The majority of their clientele consists of single adults. A “care team” of volunteers helps individuals with various situations related to social assistance, housing, etc. or refer them to a network of organizations that 1JustCiy works with.
PDG Ed mentioned the Rotary district’s goal to eliminate poverty and thanked Josh for his presentation.
After introducing our visitor and guest speaker Josh Ward, Sarge Mike asked for “Happy Bucks”.
Sarge Mike started things by expressing his joy in the knowledge that tomorrow’s weather will be warmer than today’s weather.
Chuck had taken his granddaughter to see the lights at the Zoo and was absolutely delighted with the display. However, his recent trip to the dentist was not a joy – it involved a filling and two crowns.
President Doug’s recent trip to the dentist, however, resulted in just a cleaning and he was quite happy about that.
Dave was happy about recent donations to our Rotary Club received from local businesses – a dental clinic and a legal firm.
Lloyd was pleased to report that the club is applying for a federal grant called the Canada Healthy Community Initiative (up to $250,000) which was set up to transform public spaces in response to COVID. This would be for improvements in the Assiniboine Forest.
Darvin’s happy buck was for the win of the curling Scottie’s tournament by the Manitoba ladies rink skipped by Kerri Einarson from Gimli. Chuck “seconded the motion”!
PDG Ed was pleased to report that he had scouted out a new cross-country ski trail in the southern part of the Assiniboine Forest.
NEXT MEETING
Our next meeting will take place March 8th – on Zoom. Our guest will be Bob Miller, who is involved with a group called Sustainable Family Communities. Bob will be inviting Victor Belendez (a long time Rotarian, a PDG, a member of Club Izcalli near Mexico City, and the Director for the Comunidades Sustentables para Familias, to speak to us next week as well. The mission of this organization is to assist local citizens to build new, small Sustainable Communities, following the detailed plans they provide, which will create opportunities for themselves to have training, jobs, a decent quality of life and create more opportunities for care and adoption of orphans. Bob and Victor are working in Mexico and have connections in Vietnam.
MEETING REMINDERS
Club BOARD Meeting – Tuesday March 2nd @ 4:30pm
Assiniboine Forest Meeting with Marty Morantz MP and Dan Albas MP: March 4th: @ 1:30pm
