Meeting Update

President Brett Mauthe hosted the business meeting with Maureen Bakken as Sarge.  Birthday greetings were extended to all those having March birthdays.  Darcy Mykytyshyn, incoming DG, along with current DG, Manon Mitchell led all in the singing of our national anthem.  Perhaps this should be a new tradition for the club- the DG leading us in song!  We look forward to Darcy’s vocal stylings next year.   

Brett challenged all to submit ideas on how we can effectively incorporate the 4 Way test into our meetings.   

Guests of Rotary: 

Cindy Jeffries: guest of Phil Hyde

Mercy Daodu: guest of Zainab Mohoumad

Visiting Rotarians

Manon Mitchell:  District Governor

Kurt Kowalchuk: Calgary Downtown, Past District Governor

District Conference Update

Manon Mitchell, District Governor, shared updates regarding the May 1-3 District Conference being held at the Pidherney Centre. This is an great way to learn more about Rotary, make connections, participate in thought provoking and motivating sessions, and have fun! 

The weekend is kicked off on Friday night with Duelling Pianos, direct from Las Vegas. Tickets to this event are included in your registration package and you can also obtain additional tickets for additional friends and family to come party with you at the Duelling Pianos. 

Saturday begins with a continental breakfast and then time to explore the House of Friendship.  The program includes 2 keynote speakers, breakout sessions, lunch and time for fellowship.   Chris Koch will challenge us to seize opportunities and adopt a “I can” attitude to life.  Louisa Horne will look at leadership and how we can inspire others and make our clubs irresistible. Saturday night we celebrate Rotary with a gala dinner, awards, and a dance. Additional tickets are available for purchase for the Saturday gala event.  Get your sparkle on as Rotary “Lights up the Night!”.

On Sunday your day includes time for fellowship over breakfast and at the House of Friendship. Chandra Crawford, Olympic Gold medalist  will share her real-life toolsl for overcoming obstacles and pursuing your own path to excellence..  Sit down for lunch with friends before the final closing keynote by  Tareq Hadhad, who will remind us of the power of community and the importance of compassion.  .

Registration is open until April 24.    If this is your first conference, we are excited to offer you a discount on your registration fee.

To register and get additional information about the conference please click here 

Happy/Sad and other Fun Things

Maureen Bakken: Happy to see the geese returning and the daylight lengthening. 

Jim McPherson: Pleased that his investment in GameHost which is traded on the TXS has been profitable and has recently been sold to a Canadian gaming company

Zainab Mohamoud  :  Thanks to all who attended the recent events and conferences that she organized.

Lisa Mackey:  Brought fresh basil to share with all. Reports are that it is fresher than fresh!

Donna Purcell: Excited to have her ultimate volunteer position- a member of the Red Deer Drive board.

Phil Pattison: Reminded all of the upcoming 50/50 Rebels game schedules. 

Judith McIntyre:  Promoted Easter beer baskets for those who need help with their Easter baskets.  Call her if you need one.

Membership 

  We welcomed four new members to the club.  Please welcome Nick Welsch and Shelley Allarie (sponsored by Aliesha Shuparsky), Iain MacDougall (sponsored by Darcy Mykytyshyn) and Dan Nielsen (sponsored by John Donald). 

Vocational Talks

Iain MacDougall

Iain’s claim to fame is that he was Lethbridge’s first baby in the year of his birth.  He comes from a large family (11) and has a immediate family that currently numbers over 50.  He is married to Sandra, has 3 adult children, and is currently very busy preparing for a family wedding this summer.  Iain comes from a farming background, has a B Sc in Agricultural  Economics from the U of A and is a Senior Wealth Advisor and Portfolio Manager.    

He is very active within the community and looks for opportunities to give back to others and lift them up.  Iain is grateful for the many opportunities that he has been provided and strives to share those benefits with those around.  Iain also shared how his family has positively influenced who he has become and his view of his role in society as one that reaches out to build others up.  We look forward to continuing to continuing to learn more about Iain and know that the will be a great addition to our community. 

David Harrop   

We are pleased to welcome David back to Rotary.  He has been a Rotarian for 18 years and is committed to using the 4 Way Test in his dealing with others as it it represents the gold standard in conducting business with others.  David is a keen supporter of the Rotary Career Opportunity Fund and the Youth Exchange program.  Both programs encourage the development of strong citizens of the world.  He also shared with us some key lessons in life including: 

• Opportunities come from venturing where others decline.
• Dig your well before you are thirsty (Harvey McKay)  
• The secret to getting is giving (Amway)
• Laugh at yourself- it makes you the bigger person and shows the strength of your character (Bob Uecker)

David's educational journey includes a degree in commerce, diploma in business administration and a journeyman certificate in mining.  He currently is President of Cashtrac Systems Consultants Ltd..    David likes to do a bit of day trading, and enjoys reading, photography, landscaping, and gaming.   David brings a wide variety of skills and knowledge to share with Rotary.  Welcome back David 

Rotarian of the Month

We celebrate Dr. Robert Lampard.   A Rotarian of over 38 years, Robert has been an excellent example of leading a life that demonstrates 'Service Before Self" in both his professional and personal life.  

An active community member, Dr. Lampard received the Red Deer Rotary Club’s Presidential Citation in 2000 and 2005.  He worked to preserve the CPR bridge, create the Black Bonspiel of Willie MacCrimmon

mural that hangs in the Curling Rink here and the Historic Arches Park in Red Deer.  He has received the Spaulding Award for his contributions to medical history in Canada and the Alberta Centennial Medal for contributions to his community.  He was selected one of Alberta’s 100 Physicians of the Century and awarded an honorary life membership in the Alberta and Canadian Medical Associations in 2006.

He is a prolific writer and is passionate about ensuring that history is not lost. His role as Club Historian is invaluable- he is able to provide great tidbits and background to the activities of the Club over the years.   One of his great passions is ensuring that the contributions of James W Davidson are not lost. Like Davidson, Robert encourages us all to go forth and become Davidson apostles- to spread the message of Rotary wide and far- with our works and our deeds.  

Congratulations on this well deserved recognition.

Community Projects and Events

Rotary Blood Donor Challenge

Donating blood at Canadian Blood Services is a worth cause for Rotarians and friends to promote and participate in. We celebrate our blood donations and cash donations to CBC every month at a different restaurant in and around Red Deer.  Club members from Red Deer Rotary Clubs, Lacombe, and Sylvan Lake enjoy the social.  Can't give blood this month?- no problem.  Join for the fellowship.  Connect with Eric Madsen if you have questions.