Paul and Gene share

Paul Peters was proposed by Orval Mark and joined Rotary in 1956. At that time classifications were taken very seriously. Originally, there were only two categories, active and senior active. In the active category, there was only one member allowed for each classification. An "additional active" category was established and Paul (as an elementary schoolteacher) joined in that category.

Rules were strictly enforced, if you missed one meeting you received a postcard in the mail. If you missed a second meeting, another postcard was sent and after missing three meetings you were expelled from Rotary!

In the early days, money was raised by selling items like flares and First Aid Kits at busy intersections.  The first major project that Paul was involved with was in the late eighties. The club purchased 28 acres of agricultural land for $14,000 and created Camp Robogi that was used as a summer camp for under privileged children. The camp gradually fell into disuse as the City of Brampton was unable to maintain it.
Paul also remembered a project in conjunction with Dale Greenhouses. It was an "Orchid Tour" that was held in February and an entry fee was charged to raise funds. The event was a popular attraction for Bramptonians and people from up to 50 miles away.
Paul's proudest accomplishment was the formation of the prestigious and infamous Magazine Committee.

Gene McNamara was proposed by Bill Taylor and joined Rotary in 1966. In the early days, Gene remembered that the club raised money for Easter Seals by stuffing 14,000 envelopes with fund raising literature. This was a very labour intensive operation and in time the club members decided that a Skate-a-Thon in Gage Park was a more interesting way to generate funds for Easter Seals. The first Skate-a-Thon was held in 1988 and it raised $15,000. The event has been held every year since then.
Gene had fond memories of club meetings at the Brampton Hotel, particularly the thud thud sound of the drums that accompanied the strippers in an adjacent room!

Bill Charles thanked Paul and Gene for their very interesting memories of the club over the years. He also recognized their hard work and devotion to Rotary for a combined  92 years.