Rotary Meeting Nov 23, 2022 Minutes
President Everton opened the meeting with announcements recognizing Anniversaries for Andrew and Tracy Williams (24 years) and Neil and Helen Aitchison (51 years). There were also birthday recognitions for Brandon Flewwelling and Brad Enns’ wife Leslie.
John Thompson introduced his guests from the Rotary Club of Mildmay – Pete Lieserner, Morris Schmalz, Joe Dietrich and Flip Voisin. Our recent Recycle Cycles community service project was done in conjunction with Rotary Mildmay. In one day members from the Westmount Club picked up 78 and ½ bikes (one was a unicycle) in Mildmay and delivered them to the Recycle Cycles program in Kitchener. In total more than 118 bikes were delivered for refurbishing and distribution to children and families in our community. Great joint project between our two clubs.
Mac Graham reminded members that he is trying to create a volunteer team to serve 3 hours on a Saturday evening at the Tiny Home Take Out once per month. Volunteers can work in the kitchen, on the distribution counter, or in any one of a number of other areas. There would opportunity for fellowship at a local pub after each shift. Anyone interested please contact Mac.
Michelle reminded members that the Dec 7th meeting will be off-site at the Drayton Youth Academy. Registration will occur the week before to allow for lunch orders to be collected and submitted.
50/50 draw saw Bill Pegg and Graham Gardner try for the black marble with no luck. Rotary guest Joe Dietrick from Mildmay however did successfully pull the black marble and won the 50/50 jackpot of $182.50. Congratulations Joe.
Karin Voisin introduced the meeting guest speaker, Syd Vanderpool. Syd is a professional boxing coach who owns Syd Fit Centre in KW. He is a former world champion boxer and currently coaches elite level boxers and introduces children to the sport.
Syd spoke to the club about his philosophy that life is not a spectator sport and the you have to Get In the Ring to overcome your fears and move forward with your dreams. He spoke about his boxing career, which started at the age of 6. He was on the Canadian National Team until he was 18 and then turned pro at 19. For 13 years he fought professionally, mostly in the US, was ranked #1 in the world and was undefeated for 6 years.
Syd talked about some of the lessons he learned on his journey through the sport and how some of his toughest fights were the ones that taught him the most and prepared him to be better the next time. His most significant lessons included that you don’t fight for the prizes or the money but to always become better at your craft and to achieve what you really want in life. His message ended with “don’t live your life as a spectator, just get in the ring.”
Neil Aitchison thanked Syd for his presentation.
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