The Buzz - January 4, 2016

 
This week we hear from Ray Hook and the Rotary Friendship Exchange he and Donna Phillips (with spouses of course) participated in late last year.
 
 
Ray Hook presents president Tony Hladun with an array of club banners he was given during the exchange.
 
The Buzz – January 3, 2016
 
President Tony opened the meeting at 1215pm and welcomed guests Berta Biggs (Wetaskiwin Rotary Club), Morris Henderson and John Stoddart (both from Camrose Daybreak Rotary).
 
Health of the Club – no report.
 
Next meeting will be our first evening meeting - 6pm on Monday January 10. The first ½ hour will be dedicated to club business, followed by dinner and speakers. Next week we will hear from David Samm and David Francoeur who will be speaking of the merits of scotch and wine, respectively. Cost will be $20 per person and will include a token for scotch and wine per person. If you were unable to put your name on the sign-up sheet at Monday’s meeting, please advise Dawn Anderson if you and a guest are able to attend by emailing danderson@bestwesterncamrose.com
 
Rotary Cares Raffle – a total of 148 tickets have been returned with cash. Lou Henderson asks that all sold and unsold tickets be brought back next week so we may have a more accurate count. If you have tickets and know you will be able to sell them all, please advise Lou. There are about 15 tickets which have not been issued. Gentle reminder that this is one of our two main fundraisers this year – thanks to all members for their efforts.
Rotary Gala Meeting – Dan would like to have a Gala meeting on Tuesday, January 18th at noon at the Best Western Plus. Please contact Dan if you can attend so he can make arrangements for soup and sandwiches.
 
Greeters – Ray welcomed the many happy bucks which ranged from travel and Christmas to babies and New Years.
 
Guest Speaker – Ray Hook, who attended the recent Rotary Friendship Exchange to Australia with his wife Elaine and Donna & Warren Phillips, as well as members from other district clubs, presented a travelog of his experience.
 
 
Highlights of the trip included many opportunities to experience the flora, fauna and geography, a number of Rotary projects (Rotary has an amazing presence across the region), the presentation of a Remembrance Day wreath on November 11th, opal mines, visiting Men’s Sheds, Christmas shopping in shorts, harbour cruise, and Gnomesville.
He said that while $700 per person was allocated for trip expenses, their hosts took care of most expenses – as a result the reminder of the funds will be sent back to the host Rotary Clubs in Australia to be used for club projects in the areas they visited.
Ray said the reciprocal trip of Austrailian travellers will be coming to Camrose May 25 to 28 this year.
 
Please see the attached Camrose Booster article by Murray Green about Ray’s trip.
 
 
Thanks Ray, we appreciate your efforts as an ambassador of Canada and the Rotary Club of Camrose.
 
 
50/50 Draw – Ron Grue’s number was pulled, but he missed selecting the Three of Diamonds. Next week will see the pot grow to at lease $114.
 
NEXT MEETING – MONDAY, January 11th at 6pm at the Best Western Plus Camrose Resort Casino. PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE.
 
Greeters - Carman Mason and  Donna Phillips.