Rotary Club of Regina

Club Meeting Report - August 11^th, 2025

In-person - Western Pizza, 3847 Albert Street, Regina, SK. - 12:00 Noon

Change of venue as the Delta full of fire evacuees from Northern Saskatchewan.

1. Meeting Chair:

The meeting opened with President George welcoming all and providing the traditional land acknowledgement. This was followed with O Canada led by Gilda Treleaven-Graham and Bob Terichow providing the blessing/moment of contemplation.

1. Speaker Name & Presentation:

Before rescinding his gavel, outgoing President George provided the following comments.

“I joined Rotary because it does so much good in the community, good that can only be done collectively. I accepted the opportunity to become President of this club because it is the one I joined with a history of superlative community support. The principal challenge was about membership. We are getting older and often unable to attract enough at our luncheons to meet the minimum for a lunch meeting. It is not just our club; it is a decrease in volunteering in general. I began the thought of amalgamation with Eastview Club. This has not proven acceptable so we continue with our clubs supporting each other.

I have tried to have a variety of attractive social events. They seem to be appreciated by those who came but am disappointed that more members did not attend. Ongoing efforts will continue to find social things that attract, and therefore serve to help retain more of our members.

For our club in particular, it became apparent that we needed to narrow our focus to what we could sustainably support and to those that seemed worthy of our continuing support, which we are now doing. I think we can and should sustain that. We are also giving a meaningful amount to one recipient not smaller amounts to many. We give our money, and more importantly our time, to support these recipients.

We have done a number of worthwhile things:

- Installed a new Peace Pole in Rotary Park with the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” written in English, French and Plains Cree. 

- Supported the Rotary Club of Montreal, in bringing clean water to some villages in Ghana.

- Established the Free Reading Program, linked to our Web Page, and secured grant for three years.

- Supported the Salvation Army fund raising by Christmas bell ringing.

The issue of membership and the things we do, are linked inextricably. The question is which comes first. I think we need one or more important things we are doing, that are obviously important to the community that does not just involve money. We don’t join Rotary just to make donations of money. What we need is a compelling thing to do and interesting so we remain Rotarians. The project should, in my opinion, come first then the recruitment and retention of members.

It is important that we eradicate polio, and do other things on the international scene. I want to thank everyone who contributed and will contribute to this. 

I want to on your behalf, thank those who served for you on the board during my presidency: Joanna Alexander who has lots of contacts and manages our communications; Wale Adebayo who has joined  us with lots of ideas and enthusiasm on the new Public Image Committee; Katherine Bergman who knows where the money is – and how to manage it; Al Goudie who knows everything else about Rotary with profound institutional memory and unfailing good advice; Ammanda Lanoway, who had to step down, but was instrumental in establishing the Reading Program; Ian Yeates with his commitment to Rotary and service and his wisdom; and Russel Hart who has stepped up as President-Elect and from whose leadership we will all benefit.   Please join me in appreciation of your outgoing board.

I look forward to the further development of what we collectively do as Rotarians in Regina and to your best support so that it is truly beneficial to all.

Thank you.”

President George then inducted our new President - Russel Hart and presented Russ with his “Presidents” lapel pin. Russ took the Oath of Office and assumed control of the meeting.

President Russ’s first action was to thank George for the excellent work he did while President of our club. George made significant contributions to Rotary and our club in all areas such as promoting Rotary, social interactions, increasing our club’s participation in community service, and developing a better level of fellowship.

Russ provided his Strategic Plan for the coming year, as follows:

Russ’s plan has four pillars: 1) Increase our impact; 2) Expand our Reach; 3) Enhance Participant Engagement and 4) Increase our ability to adapt.

1. Increase Our Impact: 

Our Focus - Food Security. 

• Continue our service and financial support to Soul’s Harbour supper meal program.
• Investigate new opportunities of service through Soul’s Harbour, The Regina Food Bank and/or The Salvation Army - ex. Preparation of food hampers, managing a garden, providing transportation/delivery as needed.

Apart from food security our club’s plans include:

• Continue our support of the Free Reading Program.
• Continue our participation and support of initiatives of the Eastview Rotary Club.
• Conduct a paper shredding fund raiser in the fall.
• Enhance Rotary Park in a manner satisfactory to the City of Regina.
• Consider supporting other clubs in their international projects.
• Encourage member donation to Rotary International.
• Encourage members discussion to identify a signature project with a revenue producing component.

1. Expand Our Reach: 

Establish a speaker’s Luncheon

• Led by our Public Image Committee; Perhaps quarterly; Perhaps partnering with Economic Development Regina or the Regina Chamber of Commerce.
• Measure our impact. Include data in our public messaging.
• Continue our newly established LinkedIn page to publicize and promote our club’s activities, projects and member accomplishments.
• Encourage member use of LinkedIn.
• Support the Eastview Club in its support of the University of Regina Rotaract Club.
• Consider the use of Zoom meetings to accommodate new members with a physical disability.

1. Enhance Member Engagement:

• Seek member input. Conduct polling as needed. Report to members re issues considered by executive and seek input.
• Identify service projects which members enthusiastically support.
• Use LinkedIn and the club web page to acknowledge accomplishment of our club and individual members.
• Allow individual members opportunity to briefly say something about themselves
• Promote use of “My Rotary”.
• Continue regular social outings.
• Establish a mentoring opportunity for younger members with an experienced member.

1. Increase Our Ability to Adapt:

• Increase use of social media.
• Continue use of LinkedIn and our web page.
• Adopt NOVA in place of current Club Runner.
• Continue partnership with the Eastview Club.
• Encourage member attendance at District Conferences where many different club experiences are shared.
• Continue to seek input from our members.

This is a living plan. Not written in stone. Should be regularly reviewed and modified as needed. Member input is sought and encouraged.

After his presentation our new President Russ installed the members of his Board: Past President - George Carson; Secretary & Administration - Al Goudie; Treasurer - Katherine Bergman; Communications - Joanna Alexander; Public Image - Adewale Adebayo; Foundation - Ian Yeates. 

Vacant positions: Vice President; President Elect; Membership; Service Projects; Social.

President Russ encouraged all members to consider stepping forward to fill one of these positions.

He then acknowledged all the Club Past-Presidents in attendance and thanked them for their service to both our Club and Rotary. 

1. Birthday and Anniversaries:

Birthdays: Ernie Richardson on August 4^th, Ian Toms on August 8^th, Russel Hart on August 22^nd, and George Carson on August 22^nd.’

Anniversaries: Ian Yeates - August 1^st - 19 years; Ian Toms - August 10^th - 25 years (5 years in Barrie); Brian Hardy - August 26^th - 29 years (11 years in Winnipeg) and Gilda Treleaven-Graham - August 29^th - 14 years. 

1. Reports and Announcements:

• Thank you to those who assisted with today’s meeting. Organizer - Carole Bryant; Setting-up - Joanna and Adewale; Arranging alternate location, reception and attendance - Al Goudie; Reporter - Stewart Graham, plus, those others identified elsewhere in this report by the tasks they have completed.
• Service Project: August 15^th @ 1:30 pm Volunteer at the annual “Back to School Backpack Program” at The Salvation Army. A great opportunity to help those in need and enjoy some fellowship. Salvation Army Haven of Hope, 2240 13^th Avenue. 800 backpacks to be filled. Volunteers needed and welcome.
• Service Project: August 21^st   4:00 to 6:00 pm. Soul’s Harbour. 1632 Angus Street. Side door.
• We need 8 - 10 volunteers. Third Thursday of each month. We serve the meals, coffee, collect used plates and put away the tables and chairs.  A great opportunity to provide a “service above self” to those folks who need a hand-up. It’s heart warming to see how our efforts are appreciated. Future dates September 18^th and October16th

1. Other Newsworthy Items:

• Congratulations to Katherine’s daughter who was called to the Bar in Alberta on August 6^th.
• Members who attended the Eastview Club’s “change-over” dinner at the Royal Regina Golf Club were: George and Sheila Carson, Russ and Sheila Hart and Stewart and Gilda Graham.
• The annual pancake breakfast, a kick-off to the Regina Exhibition, happened July 30^th. This long-standing tradition has been spearheaded by Jerry Boulanger and the Industrial Parks Club. It is now a joint venture of all clubs plus the newly formed U of R Rotaract Club. Our planning committee members are George Carson, Monica Totton and Carole Bryant. Very well attended with the Mayor, Acting Chief of Police, the Chief of Fire and Protective Services and some Rider alumni helping out.
• Adventures in Agriculture will happen again at the time of Agribition November 25^th to 30^th, 

Co-chairs Al Hoeft and Katherine Bergman. Space for 13 students. Host homes needed. The committee is looking for new members. Are you interested in helping out?

Our planned social event July 10^th Red Sox game vs Swift Current rained out. Replaced with the July 31^st game vs Saskatoon Berries.

• Our club once again sponsored a camper at the annual RYLA Youth camp. President George was one of the people driving the campers. A total of 72 campers were sponsored.
• Future social event being considered is a BBQ in Rotary Park. Tentative dates
• August 25^th or 26^th.  Stay tuned

50/50:  Art Wakabayashi ran today’s draw. The pot stood at $202.00  No winner.

Four Way Test: Doug Keam closed the meeting by leading us in the Four Way Test.

1.  Attendance: Regina Club - 15; Eastview Club - 9; Visiting Rotarians - 1 - Peter Hutcheon, Toronto      Leaside Club. Guests: - 2 - Jill Watson-Ruiters and Deepak Gupta
2. Next Meetings:

August 21^st - Eastview Club. In-person. Delta Hotel – 12:00 Noon.

September 8^th - Regina Club - In-person. Delta Hotel 12:00 Noon. Speaker will be Dale Johnson. 

Topic - the historic GM manufacturing plant in Regina.

                         September 18^th - Eastview Club. In-person - Delta Hotel - 12:00 Noon.

                        October 6^th - Regina Club. In-person. Delta Hotel - 12:00 Noon

Meeting Report’s Name and Email: Stewart Graham; scg@myaccess.ca