The Rotary Club of Calgary comprises professional and community leaders brought together in fellowship to make a better future.
Birthdays:
Dennis Tran
December 1
Charles Pratt
December 6
Message from President Madeleine
At our board meeting last week, several directors submitted the goals for this year on behalf of numerous committees. We are striving to have all committee goals assembled by the end of December. We will find a way to share them with you all in January, and then we’ll report to you on what we’re all accomplishing at our annual meeting in June.
The club is blessed with a very active and engaged (and hugely collaborative) board of directors, and each is working with the committees, events and volunteer opportunities happening in their portfolios. And managing to have fun doing it!
The club received a clean audit again this year – and for those wanting to read the details you can find it on the members’ section of our website under Documents. At this board meeting we again reviewed our financial situation and we can report that we are proceeding according to budget.
During the Holiday Season I look forward to celebrating with you all at our Festive Dinner December 13 at the Golf and Country Club, a wonderful annual tradition, and at our last lunch meeting of the year December 20 at the Fairmont Palliser. With best wishes for the Season!
The Brawn Family Foundation Rotary Park - An Update
By Randy Topolnitsky
This message came to our club form Wendy Deboer, who is the Fund Development Assistant with Parks Foundation, assisting Sarah Salus, Director of Fund Development and Programs.
We wanted to provide you with an update on the status of the Brawn Family Foundation Rotary Park.
Thanks to your support, construction is well underway, and we are on track to see the park completed by summer next year.
Park construction began earlier this summer with site grading and installation of numerous park features including a bouldering wall, meditation labyrinth, concrete pathway, seating, and picnic tables, as well as tree planting. Despite delays caused by supply chain issues, excellent progress has been made this year.
They say great things take time, and at Parks Foundation our priority is to create a high-quality, one-of-a-kind park space that will be enjoyed by children, youth, families, and Calgary citizens for decades to come.
As you know, winter arrived suddenly and harshly in Calgary earlier this month, promptly concluding site work for the year. Construction is now on hold until Spring of 2023, when the warmer weather returns and the ground thaws. The site will remain closed over the winter, including public access east and west through the site. It is anticipated that the park will be completed and opened to the public by spring/early summer next year.
As we witness the park come to fruition, we are filled with gratitude for your contribution, and for your commitment to supporting children and youth experiencing mental health concerns. Without you, the creation of this unique park would not have been possible. We are so excited to celebrate the opening of the park with you next year, and we will continue to provide updates on the status of the projects in the months ahead.
If you have any questions or would like any further information, please feel free to reach out to myself wdeboer@parksfdn.com or Sarah Salus at ssalus@parksfdn.com.
Warm regards, Wendy Deboer, Fund Development Assistant, Parks Foundation Calgary WWW.PARKSFDN.COM
News from the Membership Committee
By Diane Macdonald
We have some new members! Please introduce yourself to them and help them feel welcome.
SANDY DAVIES – Sandy will be introduced at an in-person meeting very soon. She has professional designations as both an Alberta and Canada Land Surveyor and works in the field with Beairsto & Associates Engineering and Surveying, managing projects from kick off to delivery. She made the shift from oil and gas to Municipal land surveying in recent years and handles a variety of projects. Sandy has three adult sons and feels that she is at the point of having time to give back to the community. A warm welcome, Sandy!
LAVENDER NEFF (RED DOT REMOVAL) – At a meeting a few weeks ago, it was acknowledged that Lavender had completed all the requirements to become a full-fledged member of our Club and the Red Dot was removed from her name tag. Congratulations, Lavender – we’re so fortunate to have you as a Member.
TINA OVERWATER – Tina is with the Calgary Foundation and comes to us as a new Corporate Member, in place of Allison Schultz who has stepped down. Tina is a Donor Stewardship Advisor with the Foundation and has an educational background in Creative Advertising and Marketing. Welome, Tina.
ATB Financial has recently signed on as a Corporate Member of the Club and we’re happy to introduce their three members:
ANDREW BUSKELL – Andrew is originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba but has lived in Calgary for 13 years. He completed his MBA in 2009 and his PFP designation in 2017. He has worked in the financial services industry in a number of personal and commercial banking positions. Andrew and his wife, Melodie, enjoy hiking and other sports and he is involved with the community in several charitable ventures. We’re very happy to have you as part of our Club, Andrew.
KRISTOPHER POLSOM – Kristopher says he was born a Flames fan, right here in Calgary! He had an early career as a volunteer firefighter, then moved on to the financial world. He is now a Commercial Relationship Manager for ATB, building, maintaining and growing Relationships with his customers. We welcome you, Kristopher and look forward to meeting you in person.
GURSIMRAN PHULKA – Gursimran was born and raised in India, then moved to Calgary 11 years ago. He has worked as a banker since 2011 and has worked his way up to his role as a Commercial Account Manager with ATB. He is involved with the Sikh Community Association and Calgary Run for the Kids. Welcome, Gursimran – we’re so pleased that you chose to become a member of our Club.
Small Donations Committee
By Diane Macdonald
The Small Donations Committee recently agreed to provide funds to the Arthritis Society for a program to provide specially designed backpacks to children with Juvenile Arthritis. These packs provide comfort and special adaptations for these children to make their lives a little easier. Courtney Garlough, from the Arthritis Society, has written a little piece for us:
When we hear the word “arthritis”, the image of a young child is likely the last thing that comes to mind. But the reality is that as many as 25,000 Canadian children aged 18 and under live with a form of arthritis. Since our establishment in 1948, Arthritis Society Canada has offered numerous resources to help families live better with childhood arthritis. Arthritis can rob young people of their childhood. Arthritis Society Canada’s Childhood Arthritis Backpack Program hands back childhood and helps kids be kids.
Thanks to donors like the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown, we are outfitting families of children diagnosed with arthritis with a specialized backpack full of resources and information to help navigate this diagnosis. The backpack was selected based on the recommended guidelines of the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation, and has been reviewed by a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist. Each backpack has broad straps, padding, and waist support to minimize strain on the vulnerable joints of young people with arthritis.
Each backpack includes:
an instructional video for parents and caregivers about how to fit, pack, and safely wear the backpack
an awareness video for teachers
a plush animal with a removable warming and cooling pack to ease sore joints
a family informational resource about helping young people live well with arthritis
pencil grips and zipper pulls
an award-winning children’s book that explains chronic pain
an illustrated booklet that shares the experiences of other children living with arthritis
The Childhood Arthritis Backpack Program helps newly diagnosed children and their families learn to manage arthritis. “I just wanted to check in to let you know how amazing this backpack program is. Nathaniel loves everything that was sent and we are learning so much more from the resources provided! What a way to make a JIA Warrior feel better about all these tests, appointments, medication and pain”. Nathaniel’s mom
Thank you to the Rotary Club of Downtown Calgary for supporting Arthritis Society Canada’s Backpack program here in Calgary.
Your Funds in Action - Educating African Youth (EAY)
By Greg Stevenson
Our club pays for post secondary education for African youth that would not financially be able to attend. For $3,000 USD we are able to fund tuition and living costs for a three year degree. To date we have had over 50 youth go through the program with a 100% employment record. Graduates of this program are able to help siblings get an education – having a multiplier effect. Please look to the website for more information or to donate. https://rotaryeducatingafricanyouth.org/
Below is a thank you letter from one of the graduates:
Dear Sponsors,
I am Mugwanya Marvine aged 24 years. After my high school at St. Mark’s Collage Namagona I joined Makerere University for Bachelors’ Degree in Business Administration. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Rotary, my sponsor Rotary Club of Kalisizo, Educating African Youth Committee, and all our sponsors abroad for having given me a chance to realize my dreams. When my parents passed on, it looked like the end of my studies, but thank God Rotary intervened and now I am a useful citizen. Thank you Rotary.
When I graduated from the University I got a chance to be employed by Air Tell Uganda as a Sales Executive. Now I support myself and my family. I promise also to help other venerable children in my area. Once I stabilize in my employment, I would like to join Rotary and be one of you. Thanks you Rotary, Yours sincerely, Mugwanya Martin TRACC/EAY Alumni (30th October, 2022).
It's a mirror, not a window!
By Manon Mitchell
Every week we recite The Four-Way Test and we always hear Rotarians say: “We’ll that’s not quite in line with The Four-Way test” in observation of others’ behaviors. But The Four-Way Test is not a window! It’s a mirror. Here’s what Evan Burrell – Changemaker has to say:
“Rotary members should not use The Four-Way Test to look at others but rather to look at themselves in considering the ramifications of a thought, statement, or action. It should not be a window through which we look to judge others. It is a mirror at which we look to judge ourselves.
I gave much thought to what each of the Four-Way Test questions asked of us and came up with a step by step process to give some real clarity behind these most often recited questions.”
Have a look at the image attached to this article as it helps us as individual Rotarians, use The Four-Way Test in the way it was intended. You can follow Evan Burrell, Rotarian from Australia, on Facebook. He always has very interesting posts about Rotary.
At a recent awards ceremony, Bill and Gloria Kaufmann were awarded the Sharon Carry Community Leadership Award by Bow Valley College. Sharon Carry was the first President and CEO of Bow Valley College and interestingly, a former member of our Rotary Club. Bill, who was our Club President in 1987/88 and also an Assistant District Governor, has shared with us the story of his involvement with Bow Valley College.
The Sharon Carry Community Leadership Award is given annually to recognize individuals for their demonstrated support for Bow Valley College. The terms of Reference for the award are:
Must show commitment of support for Bow Valley College as a volunteer, ambassador and/or donor
Must have an impact on education and/or in our community
Must demonstrates leadership and success in business or industry
Congratulations Bill and Gloria – such well- deserved recognition!
As background information, Bow Valley College came into being in 1965 as the Alberta Vocational Centre, providing academic upgrading and business education to adults who hadn’t gone far enough in school to enrol in trades programs. In the late 1990s, the government of Alberta decided that the school would become a Board-Governed institution and changed the name to Bow Valley College. The Principal of the school at that time, contacted Bill for assistance in searching for a Chairman of the Board. Bill suggested John Currie, who was subsequently appointed Chairman. In Bill’s words, “A few years later, John came “knocking on my door”, twisting my arm to be a member of the Bow Valley Board….which I did, partly out of loyalty to John, but mainly because of my interest in education and the particular role that community colleges play. I found the Board, student and staff relationships to be more personal and empathetic than that at traditional university institutions.”
Bill describes the students at BVC as “folks of all ages who are trying to establish themselves on the first rung of gaining employment”. They may be new immigrants who want to improve their English, Indigenous folks who want to improve their lot in life, or those of a more mature age who, in their earlier life got “off the rails” and are now working to better their education and gain more meaningful employment. As Bill says, “Human interest stories abound!”.
Bill also mentions that the College did a major rebuilding of their original building on 6th Ave. and he chaired the Building Committee for two years during that time. Once those renovations were complete, they constructed a new building across the street. These buildings constitute the current campus.
Following Bill’s tenure on the Board, (in Bill’s words again), “Gloria and I were so impressed with the role Bow Valley played in providing the education to those less fortunate that we retained contact both financially and otherwise, providing bursaries for many students.” Of note, three rooms are named after Bill and Gloria on the 6th floor of the north (original) campus building.
To view an article from the College and a picture, please click on this link:
December 13, 2022 at Calgary Golf and Country Club Beautiful location, ambience, food & wine, Door prizes to surprise and delight. Secret ballot for most interesting guest 1st table purchase get bottle of champagne. All tables purchased before December 1, 2022 get very best location Some tables for 7 or 9 to ensure singles welcomed Tickets available @ www.rotaryclubofcalgary.org AND Please donate wine or special non-alcoholic contributions (for door prizes) to President Madeleine at FranknStein December 1, 2022.
Proudly Presenting Our Corporate Members
COG Staff - November 22, 2022
Editor:
Andrea Serink & Diane Macdonald
Contributors:
Manon Mitchell, Greg Stevenson, Madeleine King, Randy Topolnitsky and Bill Kaufmann.
Rotary Club of Calgary - Chartered April 1914 as Club #949
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