March 19 2024 Minutes

 

 

President:  Don McKay

Secretary: Monica Cook

Sargent at Arms: Monica Cook

 

    None

      Tim Furniss March 19^th Today (Oops – his birthday is actually in July).

a. Cathy Lipscomb has been the Director for 24 years for The Pas Association for Community Development Incorporated.  This includes New to You/The Workplace and Supported Employment (Department of Education).  Cathy provided the history of the funding and profitability in the years prior to Covid, profits from the store as well as other activities.  However, the impact Covid has had on their operations has been devastating.  Their fiscal year end is March 31, and they have a 6 month extension on their current service agreement.  They are now in dire need of financial support/assistance – if they can gather approximately $30,000 total to keep moving ahead and seeking additional funding to get back to a positive position, they feel they can then move ahead and be profitable as they have been in the past.  Cathy will be in touch with not only our Club, but other local service clubs and various levels of government such at Town of The Pas and various provincial funding programs (she has already been in touch with government, but has received no replies or commitments).  They are also seeking input and partnerships from OCN (and organizations like Jordan’s Principle, etc.), although there are different funding regulations for First Nations.  They have 6 funded clients currently who are still assisting with the operations, and one potential additional person who is awaiting confirmation of acceptance; however, there are amounts owing now for taxes and other operating expenditures.  They lost a number of clients/residents when the group home had to close and the individuals living there had to move to Brandon.  The process is frustrating as there are many jurisdictional rules which means they have potential access to only certain types of funding, but they are reaching out to as many potential funders as possible. If funding is not available, the day program will close, New to You will close, and Supported Employment (which provides services to approximately 60 people per year) will also close.

Members requested clarification on the need and what Cathy and her board is seeking – and also made suggestions about potentially doing a pledge drive along with other “fundraisers”.  They are seeking whatever funding may be available from various groups to get them back on their feet while they await government and other funding – including potential partnership with OCN.

Don McKay advised Cathy and her colleagues that our Club will discuss the matter further at our Board meeting this afternoon.

                            b. Meeting Video – What is Rotary? (April 9^th )

               What is Rotary? - Funny Rotary Video - Fargo-Moorhead Rotary Clubs (youtube.com)

a. Request for Club Literacy report. This report has been submitted by Don McKay, and a copy was sent to all members with the agenda.

b. Received a thank you from Regional Grant officer Nerissa Dansou due to

            our help to the Rotary Club of Montreal with their water project in Ghana.

            The project will impact over 1 million people and has received Global

 Grant approval. This is a feel good moment – Let’s celebrate!  We can help to make a difference.

a. CTBO.Winner drawn today was Doug Taylor – The Ace of Spades is still hiding, so the game continues.  Members volunteered to sell at the various locations around town, and Don D. asked that each member take an extra book if at all possible.  Dennis is away, and if we can help sell his share of the tickets as well, that would be great.

There was further discussion on potential fundraisers separate from CTBO at a later date.It was decided we will discuss this further at a future meeting.In the meantime, CTBO will continue and we also need to decide how we will proceed once PaperWorks closes.Rick will speak with Connie about timing, and about the potential options for taking over the equipment.Perhaps there can be a partnership with Hydro where they have a large printer which will work for the posters, etc.

            10.  New Business:  None.

a. Meals on Wheels.  A number of members have indicated their willingness to assist with Meals on Wheels in May and November 2024.  A copy of your Vulnerable Persons Record Check should be given to Monica or Don so it may be passed along to the hospital. 

            13. Exchange Student and RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award):  No report.

            14. Installation of New Members:  None.

            16. 😊 & ☹ $$$ Sargent at Arms Next Week:  Blair Patience.

            17. April 2 – Remote timed presentation on ShelterBox at 12:10 p.m.

 

    Is it the TRUTH?

  Is it FAIR to all concerned?

  Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

  Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?