South Mouth July 27, 2009

 

Laetitia de Witt, our Director of International Services, is featured in this week's Who's Who.  
 

President Paul called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m.

Oh Canada: Kris Akilie
 
Toast to the Queen and Canada: Norris Brown 
 
Invocation: John Klassen
 
President Paul expressed deepest sympathies on behalf of the club to Matt and Georgette Taylor on the recent loss of their eldest son.

ROTARY MINUTE  

See related story.  
 
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND VISITING ROTARIANS

Norris Brown introduced Mr. Bob Watson, CEO, PenFinancial Credit Union; Ms Cindy Turner, graphic artist for George Darte Funeral Home and guest of Paul Monaghan; and Visiting Rotarian Henry Becker from the Downtown Club.  
 
SERGEANT-AT-ARMS

Rob Welch, acting as Sergeant-at-Arms, asked for Happy Dollars and started with his own:

Rob Welch - happy to see the picture of Greg, Cathy and John Mann of PerformanceCars in the weekend paper advertising the Take It To Heart pledge;

John Klassen - was golfing on the weekend and "chipped it in";

Brian Radford - enjoyed the Canadian Open and Inner Wheel event at Fort Erie race track;

Laetitia de Witt - happy that the Ti Amo event at Club Roma went well, with monies going to the new Cancer Centre;

Greg McDonald - a happy two dollars as his son turned 20 on the weekend and Greg still managed to get in 18 holes at Whirlpool; 

Paul Massuet - a happy two dollars for a good outing at the Fort Erie Race Track with the Inner Wheel Club. Paul came out with a $12 winning; 

Jim Howes - enjoyed a great day with the Inner Wheel Club and with Paul and Mimi Massuet;

Bob McKay - a happy two dollars. He is now working at a second dental office in Thorold, thanks to Laetitia, and will be taking drum lessons from Graham Lear - the former drummer for Santana who is now Paul Anka's drummer, who also played at the Niagara Hoe-Down;

Paul Monaghan -  happy that Cindy Turner could be his guest today and thanked Cindy for the excellent work she has been doing for the club.  
 
WHO'S WHO

Laetitia de Witt  is featured as this week's Who's Who.

Laetitia spoke about her German and Italian roots and her life growing up in South Africa near Cape Town. She attended a British school system that made each student be at least bilingual. She graduated from the University of Stellenbosch in Cape Town where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Psychology. She married and had six children. She moved to Edmonton via Trail, British Columbia. She worked for the Department of Health and formed her own health care management company. Laetitia also started a bridal boutique and owned and worked in real estate. She also has a certificate in life and counseling management.

Laetitia believes in education and health care for everyone. She likes problem-solving and brainstorming ideas and is goal-oriented.  

Laetitia joined Rotary in 1996. Perhaps it is better stated that she immersed herself in Rotary:

  • President of the Rotary Club of Vegreville-Alberta 1998-1999
  • District 5370 Assistant District Governor 1999-2001 and 2001-2002
  • District Director for World Community Projects Service 1998-2001
  • Country Chairman, Canada, Rotarian Group for Population Growth and Sustainable Development, United Nations

Today, Laetitia is Director of International Service for our club. Her interest lies in charity with schools and assisting underprivileged children. 

Having lost her parents and brother a long time ago, Rotary is an extension of Laetitia's family.

Her motto is "Do what you believe in and believe in what you do." 
                                      
ANNOUNCEMENTS

Volunteers are still needed for Rib Fest on Sunday 7:30 PM- 10:00 p.m. and on Saturday 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Please contact Paul Monaghan if you can help out.

Eastern Cities Fellowship Dinner, September 13th, 2009 in Rochester New York. The keynote speaker will be 2009-2010 RI President John Kenny. There will be more information at a later date. Information can be found on the web site.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Rotary Club is hosting "Niagara Passion" on August 22, 2009 - a celebration of wine, food, and cultural arts. Tickets are $100 per person, which includes a tax receipt for $65. If the club sells four tickets, we receive one complimentary ticket.

The Rotary Club of Akron-Newstead is hosting the 21st Annual Andrew Boncore Memorial Golf Tournament on August 21, 2009 at the Links at Ivy Ridge in New York.                  

Cathy advised that Take it to Heart has launched another initiative for raising funds for the Cardiac Catheterization Lab - a bottle collection. Cathy asked that all club members bring their wine/beer and hard liquor bottles each week to the meeting. A committee member will return these items to the beer store and all refunds will go towards the Cath Lab.

Ron updated the club on the "Smacko Program". So far, $140 will go towards club projects. The opportunity is open until the end of September. 

Greg McDonald announced that four volunteers are needed for bingo on August 7th at 5:30 p.m. 

There will be no meeting on August 3rd, 2009 due to the civic holiday.
 
The District Governor will be visiting our club on August 10th, 2009. There will be a short Board meeting after the club meeting. 
 
BIRTHDAYS

Roseanne Morissette and Norris Brown were recognized for their birthdays.
 
50/50 DRAW

Now a toonie but two chances to win by drawing either joker. Bob Watson, guest speaker, had the lucky ticket but drew the 10 of spades.
 
EARLY LEAVERS

George Fitzpatrick, Jean Holbert-Leighton, and Kris Akilie gave their regrets to President Paul and our Guest Speaker and took early leave.  
 
GUEST SPEAKER  Mr. Bob  Watson - CEO PenFinancial Credit Union

Introduced by Cathy Henry and thanked by Najeeb Syed, Mr. Watson spoke about the history of Credit Unions in Canada and especially in the Niagara region. How different they are from banks and how they care for their members throughout good and bad times. Mr. Watson congratulated the club on the good works that we have accomplished throughout the years and then, in keeping with their motto of joining with community based programs, announced that PenFinancial will donate $15,000 towards our goal with the Cardiac Catheterization Lab!

See related story for the full bio and address of Mr. Bob Watson, PenFinancial.    
 
ATTENDANCE REPORT

Ron Kozub reported 22 members and six make ups for 84 per cent attendance. 
  
As there was no further business for the good of Rotary, President Paul adjourned the meeting at 1:30 p.m.