Rotary Club of Vermilion
Meeting Minutes, February 28, 2019
7:00am-Club Room, Vermilion Regional Centre
Call to order
O Canada
Rotary Grace
Four Way Test
Birthdays & Anniversaries:
Brenda & Ed Lee (March 4th)
Announcements:
Thank you to Team 4 for Breakfast.
Spring Leadership is March 8th & 9th in Edmonton. Talk to Mary Lee if you are interested.
Executive Meeting is Monday, March 4th at 5:30pm. If you’re on executive, please remember to attend.
Good luck to our curling team heading off to Lethbridge to represent Vermilion. Mike B., Shawn, Eugene & Carol Wasylik.
Rotary Elevator Pitches: We split into groups and were given 10 min. to prepare, then everyone presented on their topic/question in about 2 min or less. Here are a few (not all) of the responses:
What is Rotary?
- Rotary is making the world a better place. Rotary is a group of gifted people volunteering their time and energy for people that may be less fortunate or needing help, perhaps financially or just being there.
- Rotary is an organization of over 1 million people making up over 33,000 clubs in over 200 countries dedicated in making life better in their own community and other communities around the world. From eradicating polio, to clean drinking water, to children playgrounds, no project is too big or small for any Rotary club to accomplish.
- Providing a constructive outlet for skills, interests and efforts to promote the betterment in people’s lives, both in our community and around the world. Originally, more vocationally bases, Rotary now is available to anyone who is driven to serve. Passionate about connecting with like-minded individuals who also value the principles of service above self and committed to the betterment of others.
What is Rotary’s connection to Polio?
- Rotary’s top global initiative is polio eradication. In 1988, Rotary led the formation of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. There were 350,000 cases in 125 countries. In 2018, 33 cases of wild polio in 2 countries-Afghanistan & Pakistan, which represents a 99.9% reduction. Other partners have also joined Rotary, like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation where they match 3-1. We are not done. Bold strategies using new technologies like GPS, and low technology like deploying boats to deliver vaccines are used. They are working with leaders in Afghanistan & Pakistan to foster acceptance. Rotary funds transit points to help reach populations that are on the move between Pakistan & Afghanistan.
- In the mid-1980’s RI presented number for the impact that polio had on the world. The numbers were staggering and the vaccine was available. RI committed to eliminate Polio in the world by 2005. Rotary has worked with WHO, Bill Gates Foundation to immunize. Each year Rotarians around the world raise money and immunize children. The amount of money raised is in the billions and Polio has been eliminated in all countries but Afghanistan and Pakistan. Because polio is only a plane ride away, the fight to eliminate polio continues. Our clubs was involved early on, bringing in an iron lung to Vermilion and also selling Rotary cookbooks. The club contributes $2000 every year.
What does Rotary do in Vermilion?
- Rotary supports minor sports, academics like scholarships, capital projects-arena, pool, Regional Centre, new lodge-Vermilion Housing Foundation. Youth-RYLA, RYPEN, Adventures in Citizenship, student exchanges. We raise about $ (?) that goes to support projects locally every year and also international projects. Additionally we have other fundraising projects like Casino and Harvest Gala.
- Rotary has donated to many community projects in Vermilion over the years. Some of the recipients are youth groups, other service organizations, projects such as Rotary Lookout and much more. The biggest project I’m aware of is the Valley Lodge - $100,000 donated to the improvement. The (Brenda’s) Garage sale. I’ve never seen so many people wait at the door as for the garage sale. Currently we have the accessible playground, the improvement to the Heritage Park, Roots of Empathy, Minor Hockey, Flag project.
- Rotary hosts a number of community events, Garage sale, Harvest Gala, Flag project. Fundraising projects to raise money for the community. Rotary sponsors youth to participate in sports, trips, and adventure camps. Promote engagement and community service and also international projects such as Purple Pinkie and Books for Belize.
How would Rotary benefit me?
- Rotary is a great organization for me personally as it enables me to work side-by-side with people in my community while giving back to my community.
- Rotary is not for monetary gain, more an emotional benefit. Meet people and get to know people from the community; become part of a team and network. There is a satisfaction from contributing time to worthy causes. We have interesting speakers and weekly meetings.
- Fellowship, but we focus on service rather than self. Serve our community with a diverse project mix-youth, community, global initiatives. Self-worth and pride of accomplishment. Together we are making a difference on important issues.
Why should I donate to the Rotary Foundation?
- Donations to the Rotary Foundation benefit a lot projects around the world for example Polio eradication, water projects, peace-which enables individuals to pursue a graduate degree at one of six rotary centres.
- $.95 of every dollar goes to the cause. For over 100 years Rotary foundation has provided humanitarian services worldwide. The donations have been dedicated to fighting polio & other diseases, providing clean water, mothers and children’s health.
- There are several reason I donate to the Rotary Foundation. 1. The eradication of Polio 2. The annual fund contributes significant funds towards efforts to promote world peace and clean water & sanitation, supports education, growth of local economies and fights disease. 3. A portion of our annual donation goes to the annual fund and are returned to our District and is then available to our club. 4. The percentage of the donation used for administration is minimal and the Rotary Foundation ranks high in the relation to the other charities.
Why should I renew my Rotary Membership?
- If not me, who? As service clubs and volunteer organization have struggled to keep members, there still remains a need in our communities for the services they provide. Rotary remains one of the strongest clubs in Vermilion, shat it provides in positive impact on our local community and as an organization to the world is truly remarkable. I think we have a responsibility to give back. If not me, who? If not Rotary, what?
Sargent Report:
Meeting Adjourned
Upcoming Meetings:
March 7-Speaker: Stg. Jane Boehr-Vermilion RCMP & District Curling (re-cap)
March 14-Business meeting
Mach 21-Vocational: Mike Webb
March 28-Speaker: Lindsay Carton (CLASS)
April 4-Business Meeting
April 11-Pre-Garage Sale meeting
April 18-Garage Sale celebration morning