Club Meeting Report August 12^th, 2024

In-person meeting - Delta Hotel - 12:00 Noon

 

President George welcomed all attendees, both in person and via Zoom and opened the formal meeting with the treaty recognition. O Canada was led by

Alan Hillson (Eastview Club) and the blessing was by Gilda Treleaven-Graham.

 

Todays’ speaker was Tracey Mucha, Senior Manager Community Engagement, Access Communications Co- operative. Tracey has been in the telecom industry over 21 years. “She holds designations in Co-operative Management from Saint Mary’s University along with degrees in Public Relations and Business Administration from the University of Regina. As a passionate advocate for the co-operative movement, she actively contributes as a Delegate to the Co-operators and serves on the Board of Directors for the Saskatchewan Co-operative Association. Her primary passion lies in empowering volunteers to drive meaningful social impact.”

Tracey advised Access Communications originated in 1978 in just Regina with only TV. It now serves 232 communities across 200,00 square kilometers with a range of services including TV, Internet, phone and security. It is a 100% community owned not-for-profit Co-operative with 100% of it’s profits reinvested into the community.

 

AccessNowTV: is available in over 110 communities with 70% of it’s programming produced locally, over 2,200 hours of local content, 3000 volunteer hours each year, and an annual investment exceeding $2.4M. Mobile app available for subscribers and non-customers.

Expansion: Upcoming launch AccessNowRadio with the acquisition of 91.3 FM CJTR Community Radio.

Some sponsorships are: Regina Pats Hockey Club, Regina Humane Society Telethon, Weyburn Co-operative Theatre, United Way of Estevan telethon, and the Yorkton Film Festival.

 

Summer BBQ Tour: Visits over 50 communities (serves over 10,000 burgers and hot dogs).

Labour Day Show N Shine - raised over $32,00. last year for local causes. This year’s date September 2^nd, with a rain-date of September 9^th.

Community Rink: Seasonal learn-to-skate rink with free rentals and a warming shack.

Pumpkin Patrol: Halloween safety initiative involving staff and volunteers.

Originated in 1992; Over $3.5 million donated to support at-risk, in need and vulnerable children.

Focus areas: Health and wellness, education and literacy, social inclusion.

Fund raising through TV Bingo with a weekly prize between $7,000. and $15,000. Cards are $14. and the bingo runs every Saturday at 5:00 PM

 

Must be 18 years or older, a Canadian citizen, reside in an Access service area and have the co-operative’s best interest at heart. Cost $1.00/year

Benefits of membership: discounts at Co-operators insurance, invitations to community events, updates through newsletter and reports, test new services.

Joanna Alexander thanked Tracey for her presentation.

 

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

Anniversaries: Ian Yeates - 18 years August 1^st, Ian Toms - 24 years August 10^th (5 years in Barrie),’

Brian Hardy - 38 years August 26^th (11 years in Winnipeg), Gilda Treleaven-Graham - 13 years August 29^th.

 

- August 15^th - Souls’ Harbour - We have enough volunteers this month, Thank you!

- August 17^th - annual Floyd Manz memorial motorcycle ride - Doug Morton and Peter Neufeld raising money for the Ripple Effect which supports children in Guatemala.  Donations can be made by cheque to: D5550 WCS and mailed to Doug Morton, 3910 Halkirk Dr., Regina, SK.  S4S 6A9.

- August 24^th - Salvation Army backpack packing. 10:00 AM. A great service opportunity!

- September 11^th - Rotarians BBQ - Rotary Park. Mark your calendar. Full details to follow.

- September/October - District Governor Peter Tonge in Regina. Details to be advised.

- October 5^th - Regina Cemetery tour led by Ian Toms. A lot of history.

- October 16^th - “Come From Away” show. Those attending have their tickets. Thanks Joanna!

- November 27^th to December 1^st - Adventures in Agriculture. Help needed. Keep tuned.

- May 9^th & 10^th, 2025 - Rotary District Conference virtual meeting.

- June 21 - 25^th, 2025.  Rotary International Conference in Calgary. This is the closest it will ever be to Regina. Register now!  

 

Shelter Box Heros - Regina - Bronze, Eastview - Silver. Recognition of donations made to Shelter Box. A wonderful way to assist folks in need throughout the world.

- Thanks to those who assisted with today’s meeting - Allan Hillson (Eastview), Gilda Treleaven-Graham, Al Goudie, Ian Toms, Russ Hart, Joanna Alexander, Mark Stefan, Stewart Graham.

- 50/50 - pots at $172.50. Participants - Gilda (2 tickets) and Carole Bryant. No winner!

- Mark Stefan led us in the 4 Way Test.

 

Club Historian - Joanna Alexander - advised that as of August 24^th our club will be 107 years old.

The club’s first meeting took place at the old Assiniboia Club on Victoria Avenue. The Calgary Rotary club was our sponsor. Our first President was a banker - J.J. Galloway. Other VIP’s attending included the RI President from Chicago and representatives from Calgary, Saskatoon and Winnipeg. There were 34 charter members. Regina Rotary was the first service club in regina but not the first Rotary Club in Saskatchewan as both Moose Jaw and Saskatoon received their charters before us. The morning after the first meeting Nicolas Flood Davin, editor of the Regina Morning Leader newspaper wrote ….”and so it was in the beginning with no trumpets or heralds, a great thing happened, which was to give delight to many persons.” Regina Rotary membership topped out at 165 in the 1957/58 year. Before 1987 women were not allowed in Rotary. In that year the U.S. Supreme court decision meant that RI had to remove gender requirements. Since then, our club has had four female presidents - Audry Price in 1999, Freda Link in 2002, Carole Bryant in 2013 and Kaylea Lax in 2019.

 

 

 

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