Kentville Rotary: Zoom meeting and Live on Facebook

 

Due to new Province wide gathering restrictions, our meeting was 100% virtual. You can join us via Zoom or watch the Facebook Live feed in our Private Group. If you missed this meeting continue reading below for highlights or checkout the Facebook live feed.

 

 

O Canada led by Sue

 

Greg welcomed everyone to the meeting including visiting guest Rotarian: Pete Smith (North Sydney).

 

 

Sue: Happy to enjoy phone calls from both her sons and being treated to a lobster dinner for Mother’s day.

 

Wally: Happy for improved Internet services at home allowing both he and Phyllis to connect on their own devices (rather than sharing a screen as in the past).

 

 

Bill welcomed visiting Rotarian Pete.

 

Reminder: There is still time to register for the “Celebrate our Foundation” virtual charity event. Registration is open for the District Conference and AGM. Have a look at Holly’s email for details about “A Round for Rotary” happening Friday May 14^th .

 

Secretary’s Report: nothing new to report

 

Illnesses: nothing new to report

 

Guest Speaker: Brian Hermiston (classification talk)

 

Greg introduced Brian, our newest Rotarian. Inducted a few short weeks ago, Brian was a Rotarian in 1999 and finding the timing to be right, he rejoined the Kentville Rotary Club.

 

Brian was in the Building supply industry. Retail is a difficult sector. In 2001 he started a move and joined Award Timbermart group to help them with their processes.

 

The power of collaboration: “a good buying group does for its members things they can’t do on their own”.

 

In its simplest form, a buying group is the coming together of similar independent businesses to leverage their combined purchasing power to receive beeter net costs and terms on the products they buy. This results is leveling the playing field when competing against larger regional, national and multi national companies. Buying groups can be bannered (ie. Home hardware, Carpet One, Source for Sports) or non-bannered (ie. Restaurant Services Inc, SteelPlus Network)

 

Original buying group model

 

The new model invoices via secure EDI, makes payments via EFT and returns rebates to members as earned via short paying the supplier. The key functions of the Group is to negotiate with suppliers and recruit new members. While members enjoy the financial rewards, what they cite most as a benefit is the ability to meet regularly with their peers to exchange best practices and discuss issues facing their businesses. Buying groups are a living example of the power of collaboration.

 

Greg thanked Brian for his interesting and informative presentation. Being familiar with buying groups though his own business, he recognizes the importance and power of collaboration.

 

 

District Rotary Tulip Campaign (Elva): It will be taking place again this year. Stay tuned for more details coming in June.

 

Special Events (Sue): Committee met and have decided to push the Polio fundraiser into July (contingent on restrictions being lifted or loosened by then). Save the new date: July 24.

 

Scholarships (Kim): The deadline for applications has been extended to this Friday. If you know a deserving student from NKEC or CK graduating this year and going on to post secondary education … applications and details how to apply can be found on our website homepage.

 

Valley Faces (Phil): We have surpassed $100,000 in ads sold. The committee is meeting on Friday at 10:30 via zoom.

 

 

WHAT KIND OF ROTARY SERVICE AWARDS ARE THERE?

District Service Award recognizes Rotarians at the District level who serve humanity through Rotary Foundation programs and are awarded by the District Governor.

Citation for Meritorious Service recognizes one Rotarian from each District during each Rotary year for demonstrated active service to the Rotary Foundation.

Distinguished Service Award is The Rotary Foundation’s highest service award and recognizes the recipients’ exemplary service to The Rotary Foundation which must extend beyond the District level and over an extended period of time.

Help nominate a worthy Rotarian for one of these awards today!

 

Chase the Ace – Currently on pause.

 

The Four Way Test was led by Greg followed by the meeting adjournment.