Minutes of Rotary Club of Kitchener-Westmount meeting, October 20, 2021
Rotary Land Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we live and work today is the land traditionally used by the Hoaudenosaunee, Anishnaabe and Neutral people. We also acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge, laws and philosphies of the Indigenous people with whom we share this land today.
In Haudenosaunee society each person has their own family, which includes their mother, father and brothers and sisters. But with this comes their extended family including everyone else belonging to the same clan. This system was especially helpful when traveling from nation to nation as people would search out members of their same clan who would then provide food and shelter and care for them as part of their family. Because people of the same clan are considered family, marriages within the same clan are forbidden. The clan system still survives among those who follow the traditions.
Guest- Tracy Helm, Hospice Waterloo Region
Announcements:
Concordia Club will host our next meeting on October 27. Everyone attending must register online when the invitation is sent out by President Judy. Maximum capacity is 27. The speaker will be Dave Connoly of Drayton Entertainment.
Fundraising- Everton stated that our goal for this year is $30,000. Everton has two projects in mind, one for the fall and another for the spring. He is looking for a Chair to lead a committee for these two projects.
Bingo will start soon and we will need to provide only one member per evening which will ease the member commitments to roughly once every two years.
Communication committee, (formerly Public Relations). Bill Green is the Board liaison and said this committee will focus on both internal and external communications. Bill is looking for help for this committee.
Rotary clothing-Mac noted that we will have an online store soon for Rotary clothing.
5 Club Cluster events:
- Peace Park cleanup and refresh
- Environment committee focusing on water
- KidsAbility Sensory Garden cleanup
- Youth Day- this will help young kids figure out what type of vocation they might want to pursue as an adult, and advise them how to get there
Budget has been approved by the Board. All members will be on a “pay as you go” basis for meals this year. Quarterly dues will be $100. With this year’s budget, we can’t afford to pay the full attendance for the President-Elect and partner.
Catch The Ace- the first draw will be November 4 with a guaranteed progressive jackpot of $9,999 due to sponsorships from Polocorp and Freure Homes. KidsAbility will be the sole benefactor of the next CTA sessions. On November 12, cheques will be presented at the Kitchener Conestoga Club’s meeting to the first CTA session benefactors, the two Hospitals and KidsAbility for about $23,000 each.
Guest Speaker- Tracy Helm, Hospice
Tracy thanked our club for the generous donation. We are listed on the plaque as a $100-250K benefactor. Fundraising for the new building brought in over $15,000,000 with 100% pledge redemption. The official opening was in March 2021 and they have served over 70 clients so far.
Tracy and several other Hospice staff provided guided tours for the club; see attached photos of the beautiful facility.
