HAPPY NEW YEAR!

1.    Meeting Chair:
President Russ welcomed all attendees and those joining us via Zoom to our first meeting in 2026.
This was followed by the Treaty Recognition. O Canada was led by Allen Hillsden, followed by Past President George Carson providing the Blessing/Moment of Contemplation.

2.    Speaker Name & Presentation:
Our first speakers today were our own members Amanda Lanoway and Joanna Alexander.
Amanda reviewed what our club has been doing to support Rotary’s literacy program - a Free Reading Program targeting children from Kindergarten to Grade 6. The program is designed to improve reading, comprehension, language and grammar and spelling skills. Our program, with financial support from both Access Communications Children’s Fund and United Way Regina, was launched on June 22, 2024 in Rotary Park. The program was promoted to areas surrounding Regina and to libraries, community associations, daycares, and numerous businesses. The program was initiated by the Rotary Club of Scarborough, Ontario and is now been used all over the world by literacy groups.
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Joanna then outlined what has been done to promote the program. She has arranged the printing of posters, business cards to be used as handouts to promote how to register. She advised that the $3,000.00 received from Access Communications Children’s Fund was to be used for the subscription rate of $500/year for 6 years.  It was recently announced that the Free Reading Program would become A Rotary Initiative and provided free of charge to all Canadian Rotary clubs. As our program had only used one year’s subscription, (& with the approval of the Children’s Fund Board) , the decision was made to donate the unused portion of the grant ($2,500.00) to another literacy group for the purchase of books.
Diana Porter, Senior Coordinator for the Youth Volunteer Program for Foundations Learning Skills of Saskatchewan gratefully accepted our donation. 
Foundations Learning Skills of Saskatchewan provide essential learning programs to help adults, children and families strengthen their literacy and learning skills. Their programs are free and inclusive. Their SPARK program provides one-on-one reading support for children in Grades 2 to 4 helping them strengthen their reading skills and confidence. The SPARK program participants get to take books home. This enables learning to continue after the programs end. The result is more informed citizens who can actively participate in their communities

3.    Birthday and Anniversaries: 
Birthdays: Ian Yeates - January 23rd.
Anniversaries: Art Wakabayashi - January 16th - 37 years; George Carson - January 28th - 20 years.

4.    Reports and Announcements:
Community Service: our next date to serve meals at Soul’s Harbour is Thursday January 15th
4:00 to 6:00 PM, 1632 Angus Street. 8 to 10 people required. We serve meals and coffee, collect used dishes and put away the tables. A few of our “regular” volunteers are away so we need all hands-on deck. Our next date is February 19th. Mark your calendars!
Thank-you! President Russ advised club members had donated $6,110.61 in support of the recent Community Fund Soul’s Harbour Meal appeal.
Social Event:   Mini golf being organized.  Stay tuned.
Assistant Governors: Plans are being formulated to set these up in our District. More details next meeting.              
Membership: We are still looking for new members. Keep this in mind when talking to your friends/acquaintances.
Fundraiser: Adewale Adeyemo, leader of our Public Image Committee, provided a short report outlining plans being formulated for an AI information fund raising event. The date is April 17th, and two speakers have been confirmed. The vision is to attract 120-150 participants targeting small business owners, students, professionals Rotarians and partners. The objective is to have a practical Saskatchewan-relevant AI discussion thus providing a meaningful contribution to our community. He is looking for volunteers. Can you help? 

             
5.    Other Newsworthy Items:
Thank you to all who assisted with today’s meeting: Ian Yeates, Adewale Adeyemo, Al Goudie, Allen Hillsden (Eastview Club), George Carson, Ian Toms, Doug Keam and Stewart Graham.
50/50 Draw: Ian Toms ran today’s draw. Pot $393. No winner.
Four Way Test:  Doug Keam closed today’s meeting by leading us in the 4-Way Test.
Happy Bucks: Stewart was happy to make a contribution to the pot by advising his grand- daughter is presently enjoying a 12-day visit to Thailand with her school biology class. A most interesting adventure that he and Gilda are enjoying following via regular Facebook entries posted by the teacher. 

6.     Attendance: Regina Club - 14; Eastview Club - 9; Zoom - 1; Guests - 2.

7.    Next Meetings:
January 22nd, Eastview Club - In-person - Delta Hotel - 12:00 Noon
February 2nd - Regina Club - in-person - Delta Hotel 12:00 Noon. Speaker - Past President Dr. George Carson speaking on the MAID program

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