Sergeant-at-arms Lorne Larson called the meeting to order, and Rick Erven called George Brookman to deliver a eulogy for Frank Sparks. As a long-serving and passionate Rotarian, Frank will be deeply missed by many.

 

Michael Pierson and Manon Mitchell led us in singing O Canada, while our greeter Brian Guichon delivered the invocation.

 

President Rick introduced his head table and thanked our meeting volunteers Bev Blair and Bill Gillott.

 

Charles Pratt introduced the following visiting Rotarians: District Governor Christine Rendell, District Governor-Elect Mary Turner (2020-2021 Rotary year) and District Governor-Nominee Martin Parnell (2021-2022 Rotary year). Did you know that eleven presidents of the Rotary Club of Calgary became governors of our district and that three of these went on to serve on the Rotary International board?

 

Charles also introduced this week's guests and acknowledged the four club members celebrating birthdays this week.

 

District Governor Christine Rendell awarded next level PHF pins to the following individuals: Howie Shikaze, Terry McMahon, Tim Heaton, Walter Chayka, Craig Henderson and Bruce Fenwick.

Mary Turner, District Governor nominee for the 2020-2021 Rotary year, introduced our speaker, District Governor Christine Rendell.

 

Christine was born and raised with her six siblings in a small town in central Newfoundland. After moving to Alberta in 1979, she launched a successful career with ATB Financial.

 

She retired from ATB after 26 years in 2006 and worked with various oil and gas companies for ten years before retiring in 2016.

 

She and her husband Brian have two sons, Eric and Vince and an almost 3-year-old granddaughter: Paisley Pearl!

 

Christine joined the Rotary Club of Calgary East in 1999 with a desire to give back to the community. She convinced Brian to join the Calgary East Rotary club in 2001 and has served in most of the positions at the club. Christine was the Club’s President for the 2006-2007 Rotary year and has served as a Director on the District 5360 Board.

 

Christine and Brian have hosted nine exchange students from Europe, Asia and South America. They have attended 18 District conferences and 6 International conventions. Christine’s charity of choice is The Rotary Foundation. She is a Paul Harris Fellow, Major Donor, and a Bequest Society member.

 

Following her inaugural presentation to our club, past club-president and district governor Garth Toombs thanked Christine for visiting our club.