President Jim opened the meeting, Nicole read the 4 way test and Cathy did the invocation.

We sang O Canada.

Joslin was Sargeant at Arms: There were 23 members. Our one Guest was Liska . She was a representative of the Hilborn family who donated the land for Dumfries Rotary Park.

 

The format of the meeting today was ' cocktail style' with a bar, nibblies and buffet sandwiches. Too bad for those who missed it.

George was here today but did not do Health and Good Cheer. He said he caught a cold selling food and liquor tickets at Oktoberfest so he was somewhat ' hors de combat' or as they say in Poland ' poczulo sie wkurzone'.

 

But Chris Ainsworth said he was changing jobs and looking forward to working at RARE.

Larry B. said there was a reunion of the people that went on the Group Study Exchange to S. Korea in 2002.

Tom said he was glad to be back ( again). He noted that the Rotary Club in Whitehorse also did a Rotary Roses Campaign.  Marcia delivered roses to his condo complex back here in Kitchener and he got some compliments about the roses (and about Marcia).

No Joke today but I will put the Membership Minute in here.

 

Jared was the Membership Minuteman. He joined our Rotary Club 4 years ago to meet people. He now has 3 beautiful children and wants to set a good example for them.

1/ Jim McPherson reminded us of the 3 Club Christmas Party on Dec. 7th. It's $60 / person unless you think you are Santa Claus. It is up stairs at EVO. Rosanne was here pretending to be John J. She wondered about accessibility but apparently there is an elevator or drone to get you up there.

2/ Paul T. reminded us of the June 15 2018 date which is this years President's Ball.

3/Jim M. made us aware of the Great Rotary Booze sale of Preston-Hespeler. Sign up sheet was at the check-in desk. The proceeds of this ' open bottle' sale go in to the Oktoberfest proceeds. Will the sheet be there next meeting? I don't know.

4/Chris Wood  was asked by Mike Thomas to promote our ' free tablet draw' on November 23rd. Would make a great xmas present. Details if you email Mike.

5/Sandra mentioned a Concert at Knox Church this coming Saturday. ' A tribute to Gershwin'. I think it is the Cambridge Symphony that is performing. They were quests of our club a month ago. ( I hope this is correct or did I just make it up!)

6/ Paul T. found an umbrella somewhere. He is willing to part with it if you can proove that it is yours.

2 parts to the Programme. It is our Club Assembly.

 

First the 5 Fundraisers:

1/Rozanne Jonas spoke of Oktoberfest. We have been hard at it for 7 years now. It's a Fundraiser/ Social event. INK has finally realized us as a good example of fundraising ( Wheels for Lauren, Funding a room at the Hospital) and giving back to the Community. 50th Anniversary of Oktoberfest next year.

2/ Katie spoke of Rotary Roses. It's our 37th year. 900 doz. sold this year and $13,000 profit. George S. the sales champion this year.

3/ Paul T. said that Best Bites has been going for 10 years .It is a themed fundraiser that partners with the hospital. Join the committee if you want to get involved.

4/Linda B. spoke about the Golf tournament / Fundraiser for Veterans. It was a new fundraiser this year and did well.  It is $175/p.  Lunch is served and there is a live auction.

5/ Kids Ability Fun Run: Has raised over a million dollars since inception in 1987. It's a 3 Club effort with lots of ways you can participate....you can run, raise pledges, volunteer etc.

 

Next George Sczepski went through our financial status. He provided an 18 page report of our present 2017 status and proposed Budget of 2018.  If you have questions about specific details please email Noah or Florence who could not be present today. They will be glad to answer your questions. George did say that the Hilborn Family was giving $40,000 to our Charitable Foundation for the upkeep of Dumfries Park. Also $1000 had come from Audrey Bendus' estate to our Charitable Foundation.

The 2017 financial statement was approved. ( Tom/ Katie) some abstentions.

The 2018 budget was approved ( Chad/ Paul T)

 

As a further announcement Paul T. spoke of renting  a chalet in Collingwood. Proposed date is Jan 25 to Jan 28th. I think this would be a social event with or without snow. The chalet sleeps 18. There probably will be further announcements.

 

Tom thanks Heidi and the other editors for their efforts while he was AWOL.