May 31, 2018: Pat Redshaw, “Classification”, Rob Ritz will introduce, and Debra Swan will thank our speakers.
Head Table: Our President Linda Bathe, invites Rob Ritz, Gary Morris, Mike Neilson, Ken Nesbitt, Kevin Nonomura, Berny Nymeyer and Rick Orr, to join her at the head table.
This Week: At today's meeting we were honoured to have had Bryn Styles, current Aide to the Chair of the Rotary Foundation for 2017-2018, join us. Bryn has been a very active Rotarian since joining the Rotary Club of Barrie Huronia in 1986. He has served as a District Governor, Rotary International President Representative and Club President among other important roles.
Guest speaker Bryn Styles on changes in Rotary and Rotary International.
Bryn and his wife Randy are pharmacists and operated their own pharmacies for 30 years. They continue to dedicate a great deal of time to Rotary work, are both Paul Harris Fellows and have had their efforts recognized with numerous Rotary awards.
His message provided us time to reflect upon our past, our achievements, challenges ahead, as well as on future opportunities. There are many challenges facing our organization. In many parts of the world, Rotary membership is either flat or declining and we need 21st Century solutions for the 21st Century problems we face. He highlighted the need to adapt to a rapidly changing world. We, as an organization, need more diversity of age, race and gender. With 1.2 million members and 35,000 clubs worldwide, we need more flexibility.
We were slow off the mark. Rotary membership grew almost every year until 1990, when it levelled off and started to decline. Rotary was behind the times in allowing women to join. Fortunately, that has changed and Rotary has put in place policies and procedures to ensure that we as an organization are reflective of the communities we aim to contribute to.
Bryn stressed that in a rapidly changing world fueled by technology, we are competing against numerous options for young professionals to network and get involved in their communities. Often these young professionals have little free time after work and family responsibilities. The 2016 Council on Legislation was extremely innovative in allowing Rotarians more autonomy in how their own clubs are governed. Although all clubs in Rotary are governed by the Manual of Procedure, no two clubs are identical. There is now flexibility for clubs on how often they meet, their format, whether or not meals are needed and what counts as attendance. We are competing in a marketplace for a potential member’s three T’s – their time, their talent, and their treasure. What we have to offer is the club or the Rotary experience – the experience that a member gets in return for their time, their treasure and their talent when they join Rotary.
Bryn encouraged us to be part of this change. "Be prepared for change. Be supportive of change. Be willing to accept change. Be part of the team to help to build a stronger Rotary. The work that Rotary does in our communities and across the globe far outweighs whatever roadblocks there may be in revitalizing your clubs and that club experience."
As an example of change for the better, in 1988, Rotarians voted to take on our first and only corporate humanitarian project, the eradication of polio. It has become a unifying force for Rotarians around the world. It is something we have in common with Rotarians in India, Africa, Europe and Australia. The largest private/public health initiative ever undertaken in the world. And it is because of Rotary. Our promise to the children of the world to eradicate polio.
Bryn concluded by asking us to imagine a world without Rotary, if Rotary had never been formed or ceased to exist. Who would have done the work that we have done and continue to do, locally and globally? And then imagine what each one of us can do to ensure that Rotary continues. Be proud and passionate about Rotary.
What will be your Rotary legacy?
Introduced by Mimi Price.
Thanked by Doug Thompson.
Scribe: Philip Schroeder.
Brian Lapier receiving Paul Harris Fellow from club. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
- Guests: Bob Neiber (Bracebride Musoka Lakes), Desiree Rebelo, Savannah Buday, Destinee Rebelo and Angelica Guzvinec (St. Mikes)
Foundation Draw: no draw today
Doug page celebrating 48 yrs in Rotary.
Ken Nesbitt announcing proceeds so far from “Catch the Ace” of $8000.
Make-ups: Katherine Hahn, May 22 at the FCRC.
Rotary Announcements:
Harry Brightwell; announced that a $59,600 US (about $76,000 C) project entitled "Solar powered oxygen delivery: A solution for childhood pneumonia" to deliver reliable solar power to two Hospitals in Butembo, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has received approval of Rotary International. This project, the result of cooperation and contributions between The Rotary Club of Butembo Semuliki in Butembo, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Rotary Club of Stratford, Ont., Canada will provide equipment and 10 years of maintenance for a bank of Solar power at each hospital.
Largely through matching grants from Rotary International, Rotary Canada and the Government of Canada, and Rotary Districts 6330 and 1950, this project was made possible with a $8,400 US contribution from the Stratford Club and $630 from the Butembo Club.
Each dollar from Stratford was matched at the rate of about 7 to 1.
CONGRATULATIONS TO HARRY AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE
Doug Thompson: Stratford Summer Music is requesting billets for 15 students of the Mzansi Youth Choir from South Africa for the 22nd to the 24th of August. If you can help, please contact SSM Office.
Craig Pearce: The golf tournament is coming up on Wednesday June 13. If you have not registered or signed up to be a hole sponsor the forms are on the web site and registrations will be collected at the next week’s meeting.
Katherine Hahn: The Car Rally is a whole day event with a Show and Shine, a beer tent, carnival games, entertainment, bands etc….. Registration and sponsorship packages are on line.
Charlene Gordon: Final statements are in for the Home show which we put on with SABA. Each group raised just under $27,000 which is amazing considering the weather that weekend. CONGRATULATIONS HOME SHOW COMMITTEE
Charlene Gordon announcing proceeds from Home and Leisure Show of almost $27000.
Ron Shaw: presented 3 banners from his Rotary Friendship Exchange to Croatia and is looking forward to the group arriving in Stratford in June 19. They will be making a presentation at our meeting on June 21.
Ken Nesbitt: Week 28 of Catch the Ace. Someone could win over $9500. If the Ace lives the jackpot will be over $10,000 and we will be making a push in the media. We have made profit for the club of over $8000 so far.
President’s Corner:
Wendy Anderson received a ribbon for 600 consecutive meetings
We had our monthly board meeting on Monday evening and I will be presenting a board report at our Club Ownership meeting on June 7th.
I am pleased to be able to Confirm the Hospice Ground Breaking will be in the evening of June 21…more details to follow.
Grand Bend Rotary Club is asking for volunteers for the Global Literacy Container Loading on June 9th at the Thames Valley School Board Warehouse in London
We will be holding a FIRESIDE CHAT on Sunday evening June the 10th at Katherine Hahn’s Home. This is an orientation to Rotary for new members or established members who would like a refresher. I will send more information out by email in the next couple days.
The Rotary Club of Stratford is on the move! Please note the following meeting dates, locations, and details:
- Thursday, May 31 - back to the ANAF hall for a noon hour meeting
May’s Attendance Committee: Gezaghn Wordofa (I/C), Gord Steed, Charlene Gordon, Steve Weed, Ed Dujlovic, Kevin Nonomura, Mimi Price, Katherine Hahn, Colin Brisbois.
June’s Attendance Committee: Kevin Silver (I/C), Dave Scott, Gary Lingard, Paul Siberry, Pat Shewen, Doug Page, Pat Feryn, Jerry McEwin, Lisa Breault
