The following is the first of what may be many strange, yet productive, Rotary meetings online using ZOOM. The reason is undoubtfully well known to all, Covid-19. We were all safely tucked away in our own homes being good Canadians and keeping our ‘Social Distance’. Due to the excellent planning of President Mandy and Elaine Thompson setting up the Zoom meeting I believe we all got online without much difficulty (Dave and Nancy Morris had a little issue until they changed devices). There were 25 of the Charleswood Rotary Club present online when President Mandy ‘rang the bell’ electronically to start the meeting at our customary 5:45pm.
Rotary Moments
Lorraine Forestell requested that we all wish Glenda Werbowski a ‘Best wishes and get well’. All the very best wishes during this time of healing.
There was a fairly lengthy discussion regarding how we would fund the pot and therefore Polio+ while we are meeting online. The group decided that we would each pay the customary club meeting fee of $20 for each online meeting that we sign into.
Ed Thompson advised that if a cheque was written out to the R.C.C.C.F. (Foundation) we would be able to get a tax receipt for the monies paid. You could even indicate how you would want the money directed (following Revenue Canada rules). If you want funds directed to Breezy Bend staff, then make your cheque out to the Charleswood Rotary Club…not R.C.C.C.F. Mail or drop off at Ed Thompson’s house, remember to keep your distance!!
President Mandy gave an update for the Kenora District Conference. The conference is cancelled for the in-person event. There will be an online edition featuring the same schedule of speakers that had been previously advertised. The online edition of the 2020 District Conference will take place on Saturday May 23, 2020. The fee will be $50.00. Registration has not yet been set up online. Notice will follow when registration can take place. President Mandy encourages all to sign up and devote the day to the online version.
Jim Forestell reported on the lobster dinner. The lobster dinner committee met last Monday, March 16th and decided to stop all ticket sales and reconvene on Match 30th to decide if the event will take place as booked. A lot has changed in a short period of time. The 25 Rotarians present online were asked if they felt there was any reason to continue with the planning for the May 30th, 2020 Lobster Dinner. All present agreed that now was the time to cancel. The only expenditures to this date has been a deposit at Party Stuff (hope to get a refund) and the printing of the tickets.
Discussion continued regarding the possibility of holding the dinner in the Fall. Biggest issue would be that the ice would be in the arena therefore unable to have the venue site. Also very difficult to sell tickets in the summer. Could not book the dinner later than September due to the Shriner’s lobster dinner date.
Chuck Crocker suggested that we could sell lobster as cash and carry.
Jim Forestell advised that we should focus on making the fall golf tournament bigger and better. There is money in the club account as well as some of the regularly funded programming will not take place. This will save the club some money on funding.
President Mandy advised that we can also focus on a larger pasta dinner event in the fall.
Doug McKenzie suggested that at these other events we could make a point of missing out on the opportunity to have the lobster dinner as our main annual fundraiser. We could place donation envelopes on tables at these other events. This would be for those that would see the need and donate to support our programs.
Ed Thompson advised that Selkirk has cancelled their lobster dinner. It was booked for the same night as ours was.
Paul Brault reported on the food drive for the Westgrove School community. Paul thanked all that supported the initiative. The response was phenomenal with donations of food, cleaning supplies and cash. The school has closed and passed the food onto the learning centre. They had expected to hand out 25 food / supplies hampers last Wednesday. They ended off handing out 36 hampers. They will be handing out another hamper each Wednesday that they have supplies. Most requested / needed items include:
- Cheese
- Sugar
- Flour
- Feminine hygiene items
- Toilet paper
- Fresh fruit
- Eggs
- Sandwich meats
Please phone ahead and drop off items on the front porch. Family Dynamics runs the centre. They have advised that Winnipeg Harvest is in trouble due to not having enough for the demand. These donations help lessen the load for Winnipeg Harvest. Paul estimated the cash value of all items donated so far to be ~ $2,000.00. These people are living cheque to cheque and have especially enjoyed being given the luxury of cheese!
Margaret Hemphill advised that she has space to fill in the next edition of her magazine to go to print. The opportunity closes in a couple of days. They can not ask for donations in the regular print articles, but there is a ¼ page space to fill that donations could be asked for when placed. She will give all this space for free. Paul Brault will write up copy for the article (350 – 500 words). This will go to Charleswood, West of Winnipeg and Bridgwater.
Nancy Hansen reported that the 20-pound bag of drink tabs was picked up by her friend. She works at Stonewall School. Keep drinking! Keep feeding your cats and dogs. Any tabs can be collected. This is the purest aluminum. Jim Forestell advised that he could drive the next batch of tabs up to Stonewall.
Nancy Morris advised that the beer bottle drop off has slowed…keep on drinking those beers!
Darvin Jasper thanked President Mandy for the wonderful job that she has done keeping the club going even in these troubled times (Covid-19).
Paul Brault stated that they are clubhouse members at Breezy Bend. They have heard that Breezy is working on a way to get the golfing season started at a reasonable date. It is difficult to believe that any clubhouse activities will not resume until this pandemic is over.
