April 20,2022 written by Anthony Layton
The meeting was brought to order at noon by President Susan Buscemi.
The moment of reflection was given by James Griffin. Albert Einstein said ‘Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow’. May we learn from yesterday’s mistakes and challenges. Today May we live in the moment, taking joy in our meeting.
John Donavon gave the 4 Way test. Of the things we think, say or do.
Tony Layton is this week’s bulletin editor/scribe.
Charles Pierce is a visiting Rotarian.
There were no birthdays.
John Halas joined this Club in April 2012 for 10 years!
Rod De Courcy-Ireland joined Rotary in 2009 and the Westmount club in 2016.
Hurray for both!
The President mentioned the Easter, Passover and Ramadan rituals as being meaningful.
She was also very happy to report that the club had contributed over $24,000 to help the Ukraine through our connection with a Romanian Rotary Club.
She also mentioned that many had attended the funeral service for long time Rotarian, Andy Durso personally or by Zoom.
Trivia evenings are over for the summer.
Malcolm McCrae gave an update on the club’s involvement in garbage pick up on the Falaises St. Jacques.
Jim Fares indicated there was some painting to do at the Belvedere Residence and Benny Farm.
Gulsun Emuler is organizing the Environment committee for Westmount Family Day on May 28.
Jim Griffin suggested taking lunch up to Camp Weredale.
Susan Buscemi welcomed Johanne Kralka, Program Director at Camp Weredale. Johanne has many years of experience in Youth Protection and Re-adaptation having worked at Batshaw Youth and Family Centres for 36 years. She has 9 years of experience working in special needs camps in both the state of New York and Quebec.
Johanne described the mission and vision of the camp and explained how the Westmount Rotary Club had helped in 1934 and 1965 after a fire.
She had lovely pictures of the camp and its buildings on Lac Achigan and described its four 12 day sessions for 86 campers. Before Covid the campers slept on the premises but now they travel daily which hopefully will change in the future.
Jim Fares asked a question about camper composition and Johanne replied they were English speaking girls and boys between the ages of 7 and 17. She explained that special needs meant autistic on the mild end and that the kids were there to have fun and not have city therapy experiences.
She said they found their counselors through job fairs and that she was very selective in who worked at the camp.
She explained that many of the campers returned for 3 years or more and that the camp used a regular daily schedule to keep the campers and staff motivated.
She showed us a picture of her dog which was not a rescue dog.
The President thanked Johanne very much and said she was clearly a person of influence.
As a Happy Buck, Jim Griffin suggested we take a lunch at Camp Weredale.
O Canada in Cree took us to lunch.
