Rotary Club of Regina

 

Club Meeting Report - January 6th, 2025

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

 

 

1. Meeting Chair:

President-Elect Russ Hart chaired today’s meeting. He welcomed all, including those attending via Zoom. He presented President George’s treaty recognition: “Let us acknowledge that we are all Treaty 4 people and that the indigenous Peoples of the lands that we are on today were here first and we are now all here together. We do this to reaffirm our commitment and responsibility in improving relationships between nations and to improve our own understanding of local Metis and First Nations. As we do so, as Rotarians, we should apply our Four Way Test, this month asking “Is It the Truth?” For without acknowledging the truth, about both good things done and not good things, there can be no progress and no reconciliation with First Nations or any others.

O Canada was led by Allen Hillsden. The blessing was given by Al Goudie.

Thankyou to Ian Yeates and Russ Hart, capably assisted by Katherine Bergman, for setting up the sound system. Thankyou Ernie Richardson for being our greeter and Katherine Bergman for taking attendance.

 

2. Speaker Name & Presentation:

Our speaker today was Cindy Smith, RN, BScN, MN. She was very capably introduced by Joanna Alexander, who had arranged for Cindy to speak to us.

Cindy is Executive Director and Registrar of the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CNRS). She has almost forty years of professional practice in the health care setting, having served in all domains of nursing from practice and education to administration and research. 

CNRS is the profession-led regulatory body for more than 14,000 registered nurses and nurse practitioners in the Province of Saskatchewan. The purpose of the CNRS is to protect the public through the regulation of Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners. This is achieved by setting requirements for entry into the profession, approving nursing programs, establishing standards of practice, supporting members to meet the practice standards through consultation and education, promoting continuing learning and professional development and intervening when a member’s practice does not meet standards.

The CRNS business and affairs is overseen by the CRNS Council. In 2025 the Council will have 10-members with 5 members from the profession and 5 members from the public.

Cindy confirmed there is a lot of negative commentary about nursing in Saskatchewan but assured us there are also numerous positives. The nursing shortage is not only provincial but also national and global. The shortage is not only from lack of supply but also from choices made by the nurses. Many are now opting to work outside acute care, some not to live in remote areas, more are opting for casual or part-time. One of the steps being taken to resolve this was the recent recruitment of 400 nurses from the Philippines.  Cindy advised all 400 are now here, have gone through the transition steps needed to meet Saskatchewan criteria and are working in the system. Another step is looking at the scope of duties for the Nurse Practitioners to see if their job responsibilities could be expanded to include such things as prescribing medications. On a positive note, Cindy advised this year they had some 1000 more nurses renew their licences then the prior year bringing the number involved in the system to 14000. An informative presentation Thank you Cindy.

 

 

3. Birthday and Anniversaries:

Birthdays: Ian Yeates on January 12th; and Chinedu Ibegbulem on January 29th.

Anniversaries: Art Wakabayashi - 35 years on January 16th; George Carson - 19 years on January 28th, and Gerald Fiske - 19 years on January 28th. 

 

4. Reports and Announcements:

 

Community Service:  

Soul’s Harbour: 

- Our volunteering to serve meals at Soul’s Harbour (1632 Angus Street) continues on the third Thursday of every month. Meals are served between 4:00 to 6:00 PM each day.  We need 8 to 10 volunteers each evening with volunteers coming from both the Regina and Eastview clubs.

Upcoming dates: January 16th., February 20th, and March 20th. Mark your calendars! 

This is a great opportunity to be of service to others. 

Our next opportunity to assist is January 16th. Please let President George (carson@sasktel.net) know if you can attend. I hope to see you there!

Globe Theatre: 

- Globe needs two volunteers each evening Wednesday to Sunday and Sunday matinee that there is a play February 5th to February 23rd. Your task is to monitor the fire panel during the performances. Please let President George know if you can assist.

5. Other Newsworthy Items:

 

Membership:

Membership is increasing but we always welcome more. Please consider inviting new members.

Do you have a business associate or friend who might be interested? Invite them to a meeting.

Social Events:

The board is looking for ideas of what you might like to do for a social get together.

- One thought is to visit the “vault” at the McKenzie Aet Gallery followed by lunch/dinner.

- It was suggested we could try another round of Mini golf at the Victoria Square Shopping Center followed by lunch. 

Other suggestions?  What would you like to do? Let any board member or President George know your thoughts.

 

50/50: The draw was conducted by Carole Bryant. The pot was $362.50. Gilda drew the winning card. She immediately advised her winnings would be going to Polio Plus.

Four Way Test

The meeting closed with Doug Keam leading us in the Four Way Test. (You had to know it this week because the banner was not in place.) 

 

6. Attendance:   Members: Regina Club - 10; Eastview Club - 9; Zoom - 1 (Brian from sunny Palm Springs); Visiting Rotarians:  1 (Bill Fitzsimmons from Calgary); Guests: 1 - our guest speaker Cindy Smith.

 

7. Next Meetings:

January 23rd - Eastview Club - in-person - Noon at The Delta.

February 3rd - Regina Club - in-person - Noon at the Delta.

 

Meeting Reporters Name and Email: Stewart Graham scg@myaccess.ca