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Message from August 12, 2025 Club Meeting - Say "Yes!" Doug McMillan Just under 60 members and guests enjoyed the August 12, 2025 meeting of the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown (RCCD) at the Glencoe Club. District Governor (DG) Manon Mitchell was our featured speaker. Introduced and thanked by her husband, PDG Kurt Kowalchuk, Manon started with indicating her Rotary career began with the Rotary Club of Calgary Sarcee in 2012 before she and Kurt transferred to the RCCD. With a strong interest in early childhood literacy, she has been active with Rotary Global Grants in Cambodia and Dominican Republic. Her expertise in Information Technology (including teaching in the Oil and Gas sector) has assisted her involvement with Polio Plus and many other activities within District 5360 (Editor's note: Perhaps her role as a dinosaur mascot played an important part in preparing Manon for her current role as DG). Manon spoke about the importance of Rotary 1. Increasing impact, 2. Increasing Reach, 3. Enhancing engagement and 4. Being able to adapt. Manon attributed much of her success in Rotary (and other aspects of her life) to saying "Yes" when asked to contribute in many aspects of her life. Utilizing her skills in music, information technology, organization and interactions with people, Manon's usual response of "yes" when asked to assist has opened doors to many opportunities for her and is an important lesson for all Rotarians. Her presentation was followed by a "standing Ovation". See also later in this COG the change of recipients for donations in recognition of club speakers. DG Manon Mitchell with inspirational address. Of course, there were other enjoyable aspects of the meeting chaired by Club President Bill Hamilton who continued with "Happy Moments" and introduced a "50/50 draw" (the winner has a chance to locate the white marble initially with 10 coloured marbles before getting the 50%). Dave Macdonald received a consolation box of chocolates for allowing the prize to be carried over for next week when he drew a coloured marble! Deb Hymers included the importance of gratitude and thankfulness for the many good things in life during her Invocation. William Friedson had to remind members to curb there enthusiasm slightly while singing to allow him to set the "key". Tom Loucks spoke briefly about the previous Legacy Grant recipient , Safe Haven, and showed a picture of the plaque presented to the club. Peter Harrison reminded all of the Sept 8, 2025 Golf Tournament for the Stay in School program indicating that there were still a few opportunities to golf or volunteer. Barb Young introduced "in absentia" our newest Exchange Student, Valentin Frauenknecht who you will meet in person at a future Club meeting. A few members went first to the Palliser Hotel and were late for lunch at the Glencoe Club but still enjoyed a nice salmon dinner. On August 26, 2025 we will be back at the Palliser Hotel where the speaker will be Ernie Tsu from the Alberta Hospitality Association. Please book your tickets early. |
