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Meeting Highlights
The Weekly Westerner Edition 55.5
Box 4572, Station C, Calgary, Alberta T2T 5N3
Grey Eagle Hotel, 3777 Grey Eagle Drive (Corner of 37 St SW and Glenmore Drive)
Mondays 12.00 pm - 1.00 pm
 
President: Marlene Doherty President-Elect: Linda Anderson 
Past President: Bill Fitzsimmons
Secretary: Gail Williams Treasurer: Don Edie
Directors: Judy Cochran, Gord Cox, Terry Felton, Barb Hames,
Les Morgan, Drew Turnbull
 
Together We Are People of Action - Building Community
August 9, 2021  Edition: 55.5 Reporter: Judy Cochran  Editor: David Williams
 
RCCW Hybrid Meeting
It should be noted that prior to the regular meeting DG Martin Parnell and his wife, Sue, met with board of directors to listen to their plans for the year and their challenges.
 
President Marlene Doherty had the meeting underway at 12 noon sharp welcoming those in the Grey Eagle meeting room and those in “Zoom land”.  There were 46 people in attendance including members and guests. The land acknowledgement was read followed by the singing of “O Canada”.
 
Joe Klassen introduced our guests in the room: Jo McDowell, our club’s Assistant District Governor, District Governor Martin Parnell, our guest speaker, and his wife Sue Parnell from the Cochrane Club; finally, Jean Claude Munyezamu or Jean Claude “Many Letters” from Umoja Community Mosaic (formerly Soccer Without Boundaries). Marlene presented “a pay it forward” bouquet of flowers to both Jo and Sue. Guests on Zoom were also welcomed by Marlene.
 
Jo McDowell introduced our guest speaker, DG Martin Parnell. Martin became a Rotarian in April, 2011, joining the Rotary Club of Cochrane. He ran 250 marathons in one year and has written two books. He supports varied charities including the Right to Play.
 
Martin told us this was lucky club visit #13. Some meetings have been on Zoom, some were hybrid, and one was an informal BBQ with the High River Club. He appreciated our club‘s land acknowledgement as this starts the conversation. Last year was a year of virtual meetings including visits from Past DG Mary Turner, and both the District and Rotary International Conventions.
 
This year starts a year of transition with huge learnings in technology and with double vaccines we can hold hybrid meetings. We recognize we are not out of the woods yet and some are not comfortable with in-person meetings. Some just prefer the convenience of their home or office to log in via Zoom. The takeaway is we must be flexible and adaptable; looking for best practises of holding a hybrid meeting.
An African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” There are 70 clubs in District 5360 including Rotaract, Interact and Earlyact clubs. We can work together.
 
Martin introduced the District Strategic Plan for 2021-2024 which was worked on by the District board and District leaders with the guidance of Karen Blewett. RCCW‘s methodology closely followed that of the District. Here is the link for the District Strategic Plan:
 
The family of Rotary is diverse and inclusive. We are people of action, making a difference. Rotary International President, Shekhar Meta, says, "Each One: Bring One". Martin suggested to really showcase Rotary and what we are all about is to FIRST Each One; Bring One to a fundraiser, or community event or a fellowship activity or a conference THEN to a meeting and from there Each One; Keep One!
 
There are three District initiatives that will run annually for the next three years.
 
Move for Polio
This started last year with 40 Clubs raising $70,000. The program started July 1 and will run until October 21, 2021. This year you can do almost anything from cycling to fishing, running to gardening – anything that contributes to your personal mental health and well being. Our own Marlene Doherty is District Polio Chair. Sign up, log your mileage or hours or donate or all of the above. Talk to Don Edie, our club champion, if you have questions. The District goal is to have 30 clubs involved with 400 participants raising $100,000. Only two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, still have reported cases of polio – we are so close! Bill and Linda Gates Foundation will match 3 to 1 – a win-win.
 
Rotary Day of Service
RI President Meta suggests the focus be on empowering women. In 2016, Martin ran a marathon in Afghanistan and since then he has partnered with the Running Room with the Secret 3k Run/Walk. This is not a Rotary event but it brings Rotary to the communities in need rather than the other way around. This will be held after the Move for Polio. The chosen charities are Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, Marathon of Afghanistan, Girl Guides of Canada and 261 Fearless. Again, we will need a club champion for the event to be held March 2, 2022. Looking to involve 30 clubs, with 400 participants raising $10,000. The District Champion is Karen Johnson of the Lethbridge Sunrise Club.
 
District Conference – Supporting the Environment
This will be a one-day event held in the town of Cochrane at the Alliance Church which has capacity seating for 400 people. There will be live streaming as well. Don’t miss out on the McKay’s ice cream and the Tents of Friendship. Registration opens on October 1, 2021, with Karen Greene of the Cochrane Club as District Champion. The charity of choice is Shelter Box with a goal of $10,000.
 
Rotary Moment – for Martin this was 10 years ago as he lent aid to those devastated by the 2013 floods in High River. He worked on a team of five clearing the sodden belongings from the basement of a flooded home. Once the call goes out; Rotarians just do it! And Martin is proud to be a Rotarian.
 
Martin closed with a note of RCCW celebrating with a party on June 8, 2022 for our 55 year anniversary. Barbie Hames is in, so stay tuned for that.
 
Four final questions to ask:
Is our club’s strategic plan current? Yes. Board approved the 2021-2024 strategic plan. View it on our website here: Strategic Plan "Building Community  2021/22"
 
What are you doing to further indigenous relationships? We begin every meeting with the Land Acknowledgement, The board has adopted the rules of a brave space written by Tim Fox, and David Wartman sits on the District Indigenous Relations Committee. Rather than telling clubs what to do, Martin wants to start the conversation and equally importantly to start listening.
 
What club fundraisers and events are coming up? We had this conversation earlier with the board and Martin. Yes, we will add the anniversary party. After covid, it is time for some fun and fellowship.
 
Dan Doherty was the thanker via Zoom. He warned Martin he has a way to go at Club #13 out of 100! Dan noted that Martin models the theme, "Serve to change lives". We are very excited about the three initiatives coming up or already underway this Rotary year. If there is a job to do, get engaged and do it!
 
Marlene presented End Polio Now T-shirts to Martin and Sue.
 
Kurt Scherer, chair of Local Community Services presented a cheque from our club in the amount of $12,320 to Jean Claude at Umoja Community Mosaic. From LCS came $9,570 for a food security program and $2,750 from youth budget for 10 notebooks. Jean Claude expressed his appreciation and acknowledged the long standing relationship his organization has with our club. He will be back in six months time to give us an update.
Barbie Hames, director of Fun and Fellowship read out the August birthdays, anniversaries, and Rotary years of service. Congrats to all who are celebrating their milestone!
 
Bill Quinney, chair of Club Services, announced 345 volunteer hours were logged for the month of July: 45% to Food Security; 39% to Community and 16% to fundraising. Bill requests you send in your individual volunteer hours as well. Get involved – do good and feel good knowing you are helping someone in need.
 
Hot Seats
  • Bill Quinney announced the Chestermere Club’s Amazing Race. Sarcee Club has held the coveted first place the longest. Get a team of four together and go thru the challenges. Let’s hope an RCCW team can garner bragging rights for the year.
  • Don Edie, club champion for Move for Polio, announced RCCW is currently in the lead with the most money pledged. Still need more participants from the club. If you are having difficulty doing so or getting your pledge in, talk to Don. Dan and Marlene Doherty will generously match each pledge dollar for dollar, which grows the leveraging 4 to 1. Their generosity is very much appreciated. Let’s get behind this worthwhile cause starting this Saturday, August 14, at 9 am at Fish Creek Park! Meet at Bow Valley Ranch to cycle, run or walk.
  • Terry Felton announced the net profit for the recent BC fruit sales is close to $8,500. Congrats to all involved! He is looking to sell more fruit as the season progresses perhaps partnering with I Can For Kids on a joint fundraiser. Stay tuned.
President Marlene attended the All Presidents meeting this morning. Clubs continue with a variety of meetings – some still entirely on Zoom; some hybrid. Tuesday, October 26, there will be a guest speaker on End Polio, John Manni. November 11 is Rotary Remembers at the Carriage House. There is a proposal to sponsor the Rotary Night of Lights at the Field of Crosses and another proposal to undertake Tom Jackson’s Huron Carole as a fundraiser. Stay tuned for updates.
 
Kudos to Ken Montgomery for all he is doing to move the seven clubs District raffle forward for Calgary West. Kudos to Tim Anderson for organizing Picnic in the Park where 20 people relished in a lovely afternoon of fun and fellowship. The first ever trophy for bocce ball went to Garfield Ganong and Linda Anderson. Perhaps private lessons? It was great to have Lu Horwood in attendance after her heart surgery. You are in our hearts and prayers, Lu. Duncan Stanners gets a prize for the best treasure find on the highway cleanup – a step ladder. Honorable mention to Gord Cox for finding a sign which read “Caution – guard puggle on duty”.  Yes, puggle, a cross between a pug and a beagle!
 
The financial breach is still under police investigation. Marlene announced all funds have been recovered from ATB. To date, $14,567.74 has been recovered from PayPal with $200 more pending. This is to remain confidential.
 
Next week is another hybrid meeting with Scott Berry as our guest speaker. Scott will be addressing wellness and health Issues.
 
Meeting adjourned at 1 pm.
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