Meeting Notes - March 25, 2013

Happy 100th Birthday Red Deer!

Jim McPherson took the reins today in what he dubbed the "continuing saga of the regurgitated Past-Presidents".  Jim had his right arm in a sling and wasn't about to elaborate "just yet" what happened. Many special guests attended today's meeting and of special note, John Oldring - former MLA for Red Deer South, Minister of Social Services and former Rotarian. Our "Sarge" for the meeting was Shelly Ralston.

During our Happy/Sad bucks portion, Red Deer Mayor Morris Flewwelling donated 100 happy bucks for Red Deer's Anniversary.  He mentioned that the Red Deer Armouries (now the Children's Library and the Ladies College (now AHS) were also circa 1913.  Mayor Flewwelling noted that a large time capsule had been interred this morning to be opened in 2063, containing many items. They included children's artwork, a complete set of pennies, cell phones, enough to fill a capsule 3x4x1.5 feet.  This morning as well, a time capsule from 1963 was opened, containing a letter from former Red Deer Mayor Ernie Newman, other letters, and a copy of a resolution to build a new City Hall for $748,000. Also of note from Happy/Sad bucks, the Rotaract Club is looking for donations of 10 dollar prizes for a Balloon Raffle.  Anyone wishing to help should contact Sara Smillie or Bre Fitzpatrick. 

Our exchange student Anni won the 50-50 draw, and is the proud recipient of centennial mittens, donated by Mayor Morris Flewwelling. Sarge Shelley then extracted many dollars from the membership by holding a Red Deer trivia quiz in honour of the Centennial. There was also a contest for members to guess the most creative way Jim McPherson "could" have hurt his arm.  Turns out a bad patch of ice sent him to hospital.  Get well soon, Jim! 

Anni reported she has been in Canada 228 days, 7.5 months, with only 3.5 months left to stay and one more host family to experience.

With the Centennial, members were asked who has lived in Red Deer the longest.  Dr. Bob Lampard was determined the winner... he "arrived" in 1940.

For the program portion of the meeting, Graham Schofield and Robert Mitchell updated the members on the work of the PR Committee to update the club's website (clubrunner.ca/reddeer) The committee consists of Robert Mitchell (Chair), Graham Schofield, Ian Warwick, Elaine McFadden, Bre Fitzpatrick, and Christine Curtis.  The committee is now ready to help out YOUR committee with Media Relations, media releases, invitations to meetings, online and multi-media management, social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn), and blogging. We can also post your photos of events to the website so everyone can enjoy them!  Please limit the number of photos you submit to avoid creating an undue amount of work for the person posting them.  

The website has now been overhauled and you will find it easier to navigate but it needs more information.  That's where YOU come in!  If your committee or group has information that would be valuable to the site, the PR committee can post it for you.  Send the PR committee your content!  Photos, videos, story ideas, upcoming events!  The committee wants to help you build awareness of Rotary in Central Alberta, increase interest in Rotary membership, engage the community, and align with Rotary's strategic plan.  Make sure you "like"  Rotary's Facebook Page "Rotary Club of Red Deer" follow Rotary on Twitter @RedDeerRotary and join the "Rotary Club of Red Deer" on LinkedIn.

Reminder:  There will be no meeting April 1st because of the holiday weekend.

Meeting Notes compiled by Christine Curtis.