The in-person members, numbering 21, were served a buffet lunch and were invited to start lunch early and enjoy some fellowship. The Zoom members and guest, numbering 16, also enjoyed their fellowship time. Madame President, Linda Anderson, had the meeting underway at 12 noon.
The meeting was opened with a history lesson dating back to the 1800’s. Five Indigenous nations were situated along the southern parts of western Canada. The five nations were the Siksika (Blackfoot), Piikani (Peigan), Tsuut’ina (Sarcee), Kainai (Blood) and Stoney Nakoda. They were nomadic populations following the buffalo herds for their survival and their culture. The five Nations owned their land and used the land for hunting grounds and settlement areas. Their territories encompassed southern areas of Alberta and Saskatchewan and northern Montana. This lesson is to be continued next week.
The singing of O Canada was led by the gal in the video showing photos of our beautiful country from coast to coast. Our only guest was our speaker, Meg Schmieder from Shelter Box.
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, whose dedication to humanitarian causes and unwavering commitment to peace and the environment deeply inspired Rotary members around the world and especially in Commonwealth countries.
While the late Prince Phillip was an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Windsor and Eaton as well as the Rotary Cub of Windsor St. George, the Queen herself was a supporter of Rotary’s polio eradication and other humanitarian missions. Bestowed on her was the Rotary International Award of Honor, the organization’s highest recognition, in December 2013 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of her Coronation. Our condolences to the royal family.
Linda announced the recent and sudden passing of David Collins, husband to Denise Penner-Collins. Within the last three months Denise has lost her son and now David. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Denise and the family.
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| David Watson introduced our guest speaker, Meg Schmieder, from Shelter Box. Shelter Box is at the forefront whenever and wherever in the world a disaster occurs. Meg grew up in small town Saskatchewan. She attended Carleton University with an under grad in public affairs and policy management specializing in international affairs. With her education and work background, Meg embodies the phrase think globally act locally. |
Meg begins her story of compassion with the story of her grandmother who fled Hungry in 1956 due to Nazi Occupation which to this day resonates and motivates Meg to offer a helping hand. Shelter Box is reaching those in hard to reach areas working in 97 countries helping over 2 million people to date. They have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize twice.
Shelter Box was founded by a Rotarian in the UK back in 2000. That association with Rotary continues to work well as 97% of the work they do involves Rotary. That may be getting a truck to carry much needed supplies or providing government contacts in the country where disaster just hit. Half of their funding comes from Rotary.
A staggering statistic shows 113 million people are currently without shelter – that is three times the population of Canada! Covid has impacted their work and provides a new level of risk. There are different experiences in different countries with unique underlying health and food issues.
Shelter Box works from prepositioned aid, housing as many of the boxes in warehouses all around the world facilitating the ability to provide an immediate response to disaster with 1,200 boxes at the ready. The Shelter Box tent can withstand 100 km/p winds, keep out six inches of water and are heat resistant or heat retentive with the addition or removal of liners. What is in the kit? That depends on the community, the disaster they are facing and what they need. The community assessment is critical to start the recovery process. The kit could include any combination of water filters, an axe, pots and pans, a kitchen set, blankets, solar lights, and various tools. Rotary International President, Jennifer Jones, wants to invest in and empower girls. A solar light could help them safely navigate their world at night and decrease the chance of a sexual assault.
Shelter Box works worldwide. Training is included to ensure everyone understands how to use what is in the Box. The main focuses right now include Pakistan with the flooding there. Ethiopia and Somalia are facing a four-year drought which has led to widespread starvation. Funding is desperately needed to help both communities.
In Ukraine, 6.6 million people have been displaced within the country and 7.7 million people have fled the country. Some residential buildings have been destroyed, others though not directly hit are no longer safe due to the lack of infrastructure supplies of gas, heating, electricity and/or water. The nuclear power plant that was attacked adds another level of safety concerns.
Moldova has received one of the largest influxes of Ukrainian refugees. The stats are being gathered now. Hygiene kits, mattresses, and ever needed cash has been sent. Rotarians open doors to reach those who need help by providing contacts and much needed funding. Focus has turned to winter projects. An update indicates there are supply chain issues, not enough drivers, delays at the border and ever increasing fuel prices.
Imagine being a refugee not knowing if you will find work; not knowing your future; not knowing if you can go back and when will that happen. Many do want to return to their homeland when it is safe to do so. These people are not just stats. They have faces, they have stories to tell, they are living in a war zone with missiles been fired all around them, they want to feel safe again.
In answer to questions Meg says there is no funding from service organizations other than Rotary. Some private funding is available. There are 14 affiliates worldwide. The number of people deployed to a disaster is around four to five people on the ground. That depends on where the aid can be sent and the funding. Only one in five receive the aid they need. Yes, both workers and funding are so desperately needed.
You can volunteer at Shelter Box or start fundraising. Kent Fraser from the RC of Fish Creek is a strong supporter and has displayed the Shelter Box tent at various Rotary conferences. To date, RCCW donated $3,600 last year bringing our lifetime total of giving to $42,342.
In answer to further questions, Meg will send information later regarding West Wollega in Ethiopia. Shelter Box does not recycle but others do in very crafty ways.
David Mills thanked Meg for providing details on what Shelter Box does in the face of disaster and the amazing partnership Rotary has with them. A donation will be made in Meg’s name to Shelter Box as a token of our appreciation.
Mad Minutes
Marlene Doherty after 2 years of operation we are looking for more volunteers to help at the Satellite Food Bank held at the Grace Presbyterian Church on Thursdays. There is a morning shift when the hampers are assembled and an afternoon shift when the hampers are distributed to the clients as they come in come in for pick up. Reach out to Marlene if you are interested.
On their recent trip, the Doherty’s did not make it to Rod McMahon’s former Rotary Club in Nova Scotia. They did meet up with Tony, Past President, and Arian Knight in Milwaukee as the Knights are on a year long sailing trip.
Viola Desmond, aunt to Shelley Dyson, is on our $10 bill. In 1946 Viola took a stance against segregation by sitting in the white only section of a theatre. She was jailed for her actions but did receive a posthumous pardon. RC of Glasgow, Nova Scotia was hosting a fundraiser called Hike for Homelessness. Funds are raised for Viola’s Place which provides food and shelter for the night to the community’s homeless population.
The journey also took them to RI headquarters in Evanston. Like going to Disneyland! Welcome back home to the Doherty’s.
Bill Fitzsimmons was promoting the HIMAT Musical Fundraiser at the Ironwood at 7 pm on Thursday, September 15 to raise funds in support of economic and community development projects sponsored by the RC of Cochrane in Belize and Pakistan.
Another social event coming up on September 18 is the annual golf tournament. The Club is going for inclusion this year and inviting the duffers to play the Par 3 and those who want to enjoy a game of mini golf as well as those who just want to eat to come out. See the sign up sheet to add your name and choose your activity.
Pat Fitzsimmons was also promoting two upcoming activities. First is a tree wrapping service project at Fish Creek Park Tuesday, September 13. She only has 11 or 12 volunteers and could use some more hands or feet to simply stand on the wire mesh as it is being cut.
If enough people, 25 in this case, sign up you can enjoy dinner and indoor bocce ball at the Italian Cultural Center on November 19. The cost is $54 which includes the meal including GST and gratuity plus your two games of bocce ball. The sign up sheet is circulating now. You must sign up by September 30.
Sa’adat Keshavjee once again made us aware of the club’s Citizenship Awards. Four awards will be given out over the course of our Rotary year. This is in recognition of worthy individuals in our community. If you have any questions, you can contact anyone on the Foundation committee. Nominations should be received by October 15.
Barbie Hames sporting a beautiful tan enjoyed a great summer. She announced the Rotary anniversaries and birthdays for September.
Bill Quinney is looking for one more volunteer to help with the Polio Challenge as part of the Amazing Race being held out in Chestermere this coming Saturday morning. He even prepared the script for you! All you have to do is read it 16 times to the participating teams.
President Linda announced she had attended the All Club Presidents meeting this morning. It was an organizational meeting so stay tuned for more to come.
Next week’s meeting is a hybrid meeting on September 19 at Grey Eagle. The speakers will be the Inbound student, Ludo Milesi from Italy, and the Outbound student, Charvi Shah from Calgary, who participated in Rotary’s Short Term Youth Exchange program.
Looking ahead to the September 26 (not Sept 29 as incorrectly announced) this will be an in person meeting only at our regular time of 12 noon and our regular meeting place the Grey Eagle. Hope to see everyone out.
“Our prime purpose in life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.” Dalai Lama
Meeting closed with the singing of God Save The King followed by the 4 Way Test Jingle.
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