(c) Book/Film Appreciation Group - 'The Handmaid's Tale', is the latest group selection for reading/viewing. It is a dystopian novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood, published in 1985. It is set in a near-future New England, in a strongly patriarchal, quasi-Christian, totalitarian state, known as Gilead, that has overthrown the United States government. The television series of the same name has 3 seasons available on streaming services. Happy Reading everyone.
If interested in reading and joining the discussions, please connect with Roger or Grant.
(d) Paul Harris Recognition - at the request of the Board of Directors and due to conflicts with other civic activities in town during the last week of February, the date of the Recognition has been moved into March.
(e) Treasurer Richard reported that we have received a Covid rebate for our insurance.
(f) Alan Goddard wanted to pass on that our community has quite a few large fundraising projects that will be launching ie, Hospital, High School Theatre and the McNally House Hospice, and should be something that the club keeps in mind for future planning. President Liz confirmed that all three organizations are or will be making presentations to inform Club members via the "What's Coming up in Grimsby" series.
(g) Lending Library – each club has been challenged to have at least one little library set up in their community. Grant Schaming is taking the lead on this for the club.
(h) Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup - Week of April17 – 24.
The Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup initiative is an effort that has grown from a District 7090 service project covering a small portion of Lake Ontario and Erie to a multi-district plan to focus Rotarians’ attention to all 5 of the Great Lakes and streams and waterways feeding them. Our goal is to make this the single largest cleanup event ever planned and coinciding with Earth Day 2021 on the Great Lakes Watershed. The Great Lakes contains almost 20% of the world’s fresh water and is arguably the largest source of fresh water on the planet. It borders 8 states and 2 provinces and has 9,577 miles (15,323 kilometers) of shoreline. So far 15 Districts, 100’s of Clubs, and thousands of Rotary volunteers have agreed to participate. We will be joining over one billion people worldwide working on projects together in their communities on Earth Day.
Trash, plastics, and other littered items plague our waterways. This trash poses a threat to terrestrial and aquatic life, often becomes micro-plastics and harmful toxins, and pollutes one of the most precious and limited natural resources. Shopping carts, tires, furniture, trash, foam cups, plastic containers, and aluminum cans contaminate our waterways and greenways. More than 22 million pounds (48.4 million kilograms) of trash and plastic pollution ends up in the Great Lakes each year.
Looking for volunteers looking to co ordinate our club’s participation. Contact Liz if interested.
(g) District 7090 will hold a Virtual Conference March 16 – 20. You will have received an email with registration details. March 16th session, the RI president elect, Jennifer Jones, from Windsor will be speaking. Club members are encouraged to resister. The registration is free this year.
(e) Donate and Dine - This Valentine Called all Rotarians - 4-ways to support your club and your community.
1.) Please volunteer on February 13th between 4:00 and 7:30pm
2.) We hope that every Rotarian will order at least two entrees for the Valentine's dinner and encourage all friends and colleagues to also order the entrees or bid on silent auction items.
3.) Donate some bottles of wine for a few 'Friends of Rotary' Wine Baskets to include in the on-line auction. We will pick up the bottles or you can drop them off.
4.) Suggest names or encourage local businesses to donate items for the on-line auction.
Results of the fundraiser to be presented to the club at its February 18th meeting.