Women in Rotary

She was invited to join in 1996 and was sponsored by Randy and can now claim 14 years of perfect attendance. She first served on the Community Services Committee and chaired it in 98. She was President for the year 2000/2001. She's now a multiple Paul Harris, a Rotary Foundation Sustaining member, she enjoys attending conferences and is looking forward to Montreal and to New Orleans the year after. She and Brad have hosted GSE's and student exchanges which has added an international flavour to their lives and she participated in a wheelchair trip to Trinidad in 2003. She has found Rotary has given her greater compassion, developed relationships locally, nationally and internationally. Nothing shows this more than the support she and her family received from the Club when her mother died. Joyce Campbell thought Dean should be present today - Thank God for Women in Rotary. Joyce has changed careers a few times. She started as an Economic Development Officer, worked in Marketing, as at Fundraising and is now embarking on Retirement. For the third time. She says that going to the gym on Friday nights indicates a certain lack of a personal life but she quite smoking and gained 20 pounds so she has changed her life style and is enjoying it. Her grandfather was a chauffeur and a Rotarian and her hero so she longed to join but couldn't until the rules were changed and she was inducted into the Midland Club in 1997. It has become a way of life for her. She was Secretary for two years, President in 06/07, has served on Club Service, as volunteer co-ordinator for the POD, as bingo co-ordinator, on Student of the Month, is a double Paul Harris and a benefactor. A special experience was the wheelchair trip to St. Lucia where they helped a woman gain mobility after two years in bed. She feels that marked her true beginning as a Rotarian. She was fortunate to go to the International Conference in Denmark and is going to Montreal. Her trip to South Africa was overwhelming but as a result they have a well at one school and washing machines have been delivered. As a Polio survivor herself she is proud of what Rotary is doing and happy to be able to say that wherever she goes she will find a friend. She has been asked to serve as Assistant Governor for our area by the DG elect. Things go better when you're here. 10 years ago Yvonne Hamelin opened her sewing shop, teaching sewing and selling machines. On a GSE to Australia she learned the value of Rotary and effectively joined while there though she didn't become inducted till later. The trip helped her gain confidence, especially when she carried a flag in the ANZAC parade. 5 years ago she sold the shop to Jaunita and now concentrates on teaching - she loves the innocence of the youth and to inspire the creative instinct, to encourage them to step outside themselves. She and her students work on making gifts for victims of disasters and for the kids at Sick Kids. She bikes, does yoga, cooks and sews. She and Brent have been married 29 years, they have a 28 year old son and a 26 year old daughter and are now enjoying their empty nest. She was sponsored by Dave Mink 10 years ago and has since served on the Board for 5 years, as attended PETS, District Conferences, worked on Trip of the Month, the golf tournament, POD and Canada Day. She's learned to lay brick and shingles. Women in the Midland Rotary organized a bus trip to Toronto and raised $1,000.00 for Rosewood. She worked on the first Hamper Night, is proud of her Paul Harris awards. She feels she may not have had personal contact with victims of disaster, though she has participated in a wheelchair exchange, but she has helped make recovery possible through fundraising, food drives and other work. Maureen Reid joined 12 years ago. She and Jamie have been married 20 years, though they've known each other since high school and they have a daughter who is now in Germany on an exchange. She was floored when Jenna left and is grateful for the support of the Club but she's happy Jenna's having the experience. She and Jamie are going to visit in June and Jenna comes back the middle of July. She hasn't had the phone calls she expected but got one last week she didn't - Jenna was called on to do CPR on her host brother. And the bank lost her money. She and Jamie have been evaluating their lives - her grandfather died recently at 94 and her sister has been diagnosed with MS - and they have been working on losing weight and changing priorities. She has been in financial services for 33 years and now manages the Meridien Credit Union. The difference between a Credit Union and a bank is that the Union answers the phone, lends locally, empowers the staff, talks to the customers (called members) and answers to a Board. The Union is a good neighbour, donating money and time to local causes. Roland sponsored her in 98 and she's worked on golf, POD, the food drive, the dragon boats and acted as Sergeant at Arms, drafted by Jamie. Her family hosted an exchange student last year which was a highlight for her and good for Jenna who, as an only child, needed some help learning to share. Michelle recently sent the family a letter thanking them and promising a visit. Being able to give back and making great friends has made her a better person and better leader. She thanked all the members of Rotary. Ralph thanked all the speakers for their insight and said we all get a lot out of these speeches.