Today's (business) meeting was held under the leadership of President Brian Walmark, at the Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre (JTL).
It was by no means all business.
The club is indebted to ED Gary Ferguson and Community Engagement Manager Gail Kromm for hosting us.
Members and guests were treated to a delicious fried rice dinner cooked in the kitchen and using produce from the Field of Greens (FOG) garden.
Following the presentations, Gail toured a number of members around the building, a wonderful achievement in all respects.
GUEST PRESENTATIONS
A. Gail Kromm welcomed members and showed the excellent video of the Journey to Life Centre, highlighting the building, the staff, the residents and overall huge impact of the centre in the community.

B. Next, our inbound exchange student Fern Sirichaikeereekosol presented a fine PowerPoint video of herself, family and country Thailand. Fern's mother Chollada is a member of of the Rotary Club of Khun yang Mo-Korat in Amphur Mueang, Thailand. The experience to date here in Canada, with host parents John Stephenson and Marg Woods has been both challenging and rewarding. She is attending St. Ignatius high school. All members are urged to contribute to Fern's year here.

C. Fern was followed by an overview by her friend and school mate, returning RYLArian, Fernanda Soto Valenzuela, who hails originally from Chile. Fernanda clearly extolled the many benefits of this important leadership experience ( two fellow RYLA partners presented several weeks ago, also to acclaim).
Both of these addresses were a real tonic recognizing the power of youth leadership through Rotary. As in the past members are very enthused about this element of service in the organization. They were generously introduced and thanked by President Walmark.
Photos show Gail Kromm welcoming members, Fernanda (left) and Fern pictured together, and then along with President -elect Shelley Crawford and Past Rotaract President and Rotarian Karissa KiIby.

BUSINESS UPDATE
There is ongoing enthusiastic progress with events such as the 2023 Country on the Bay Rotary volunteer planning (Bob Tomlinson), Rotary Radio Day (B. Walmark, Matt Villella, Hector Dougall et al), and the Rotary Christmas at the Courthouse gala (S. Crawford).
Past President Jim Madder then announced the result of the selection of (by the past presidents) and subsequent acceptance of nomination for the 2023-24 President-elect position. That individual is
Albert Brulé. As stated by Jim, there is an opportunity at the next Rotary meeting for any additional members to come forward with candidate(s), and if so, then an election would be held.
Members are very happy indeed with the acceptance of by Albert, stepping up, at this stage.
As above, we enjoyed this off site meeting at the Salvation Army JTL and again thank Rotarian and Executive Director Gary Ferguson, and Gail Kromm ( a very longstanding cog in the organization, friend of the FOG, and yes, also a Lakehead Rotarian).
Service Above Self
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Canada