In keeping with her track record, President, Marlene Doherty had the meeting underway at the stroke of 12 noon. Beginning with the respectful Land Acknowledgement that we are on Treaty 7 lands. David Wartman was invited to introduce our eight guest performers and their Director, Christina Visy, of the Virtuosi Strings from Bishop Carroll High School in Calgary.
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| Bishop Carroll has one of the largest music programs in Alberta with over 350 students involved in Strings, Bands, Choirs and Jazz ensembles. The strings program is comprised of four award winning ensembles including the performers here today. There is a rigorous study and practise program for our young musicians including private lessons, rehearsals, studying with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and MRU Conservatory faculty, and attending an annual Strings Camp. They have won numerous prestigious awards and have played here in Canada and the USA. Vice Principal, Betty Lou Elofson, was also in attendance. We look forward to listening to the selection of pieces they will be playing for us this afternoon. One of the students even plays with the Calgary Civic Symphony. After a wonderful rendition of ‘O Canada’ we were treated to seven other pieces. They ranged from classical including Brahms and Bach to the Beatles’ “Yesterday” to Cold Plays’ “Viva la Vida” to Eureka, a high energy, fun piece to “The Sleigh” and ending with an encore number of Hungarian Jazz. The Club showed their appreciation with not one but two standing ovations. After half an hour of most enjoyable music Tazim Asaria thanked the ensemble. Her words included Wow! Truly Amazing! What a great way to kick off the holiday season. I couldn’t agree more. An extremely talented bunch. The group was presented with a small honorarium as a token of our appreciation. Off they went back to school. |
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Les Morgan, Director of Membership, Dan Doherty, Past District Governor and Dr. Raju Hajela came to the podium for the induction of Dr. Hajela. Raju is the cofounder principal, President, and Medical Director of Health Upwardly Mobile, an integrated Health and Wellness company based in Calgary. HUM has an integrated interdisciplinary team of health care professionals. HUM offers therapeutic assessment and treatment services, training and workshops on topics related to addiction, mental health, and chronic pain.
Raju received his MD from Dalhousie University in 1982 and his Master of Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health in 1988. Since 1986 he has practised and now teaches the benefits of transcendental meditation. Raju served in the Canadian Forces from 1979 to 1995 reaching the rank of Major. Les asks, “Is his title Major Dr. or Dr. Major?” He has taught at U of C, U of T, and Queens. Numerous honors and awards have been bestowed upon Raju for his leadership and community work.
Add to all this, even before becoming a Rotarian he was a member of the Rotary Action Group (RAG) on addictions and recovery. A truly impressive resume. Raju was asked to give a brief insight into who you are, your life today and your aspirations within our Rotary Community.
Raju was introduced to Dan through the Rotary Action Group for Addiction Prevention, then Dan chased him down and here he is at Calgary West. He feels joining Rotary is a higher power thing as his wife is always telling him he needs more “non-medical” friends. Rotary is just the right place to find both support and new friends. During the ‘60’s and 70’s, Raju lived a privileged life in India. He lived in North Dakota for a while but went back home to India. His father moved to Canada and had a set period in which to move his family. That time limit had expired by the time Raju moved to Halifax in 1974. As a result, he started his life as an illegal alien in Canada. That has since been completely sorted out as he calls all of Canada his home thru his military postings. He moved to Calgary in 2006.
His interests as we have mentioned are with addictions and recovery and mental health. He is also interested in international projects. He had been taught by his great grandfather that at age 60 you go into the forest and give up all your household duties. But his grandfather did not follow suit and pursued his interests. Raju wants to live the best of both worlds in his senior years.
Dan’s first comment, “as a Club we cannot be stronger given the depth Raju brings”. When Dan was introduced to Raju he knew from the start he would be a Rotarian; Raju just didn’t know it yet. Dan calls on all the members to welcome and offer Raju our support. Raju had to leave immediately after his induction as he had a 1 pm appointment with a patient.
Rob Wolfson from the Rotary Club of Calgary Chinook demonstrated how to navigate the Learning Center on the My Rotary Website. He says the Learning and Development Center is one of the best kept secrets. To get there first you need a My Rotary Account. In our Club, of our 72 members, 57 do have a My Rotary account but only 14 have enrolled in courses in the Learning Center. Those numbers can be improved. Once you have enrolled in a course, you are often a repeat customer. Last year at DISCON the Club was given the” Brainy Bunch Award” for the number of members who have taken courses.
What is offered – anything and everything Rotary related. Ideal for New Member Orientation or refresher courses for longer serving Rotarians, Club Leadership, and even higher aspirations for those wanting to serve at the District Level in Leadership roles. Check out Club Officer Materials under membership and much more. It doesn’t have to be a three-hour marathon. You can come and go as your time permits. Rob has left his contact info if you have any questions, he is more than willing to help. Phone: 403-560-6471 and Email: robwolfrotary@shaw.ca.
Judy Cochran was first up for announcements. She announced the resurrection of the 4 Way Test Competition. High school students will make a presentation to the club as to what and why part of the 4 Way Test resonates for them on March 21, 2022. There will be cash prizes awarded with a total of $1,000 being awarded to three deserving winners. Please spread the word. Applicants should send their name and contact info along with a brief overview of their presentation to Natalija Reljic, Chair of 4 Way Test Competition at natalija.rotary3@gmail.com or Judy Cochran, Director Youth Services at judycochran@shaw.ca by March 1, 2022.
Kurt Schurer was up next thanking those who made donations of new or gently used warm winter clothing to the newly immigrated Afghans in our city. There will be more opportunities to help this community in the future. For now, if you would like to donate any clothing, please deliver it to Kurt’s office located at 10519 Waneta Crescent SE where there will be a donation box. Cash Donations can also be made via e-transfer to rccw.5360@gmail.com
Speaking of donations, Bill Quinney is asking us to continue to support all the staff at the Rockyview Hospital Geriatric Units for our 4th week of giving coming up next Monday, December 20. Three baskets will be filled with goodies for the staff and Club members can help fill those baskets. Please keep your donations coming in. Again, use rccw.5360@gmail.com
Dan was almost forgotten but whew, Marlene remembered in the nick of time. He thanked all those involved in making the 24th Annual Christmas Brunch such a special occasion yesterday. Curve Distribution is the corporate sponsor this year for the Huron Carole. So, invite family and friends over on December 22/21. Tickets can be purchased on the RCCW website for only $25 a ticket per household. Don’t forget a little something extra for I Can for Kids. The organization helped 30,000 kids facing food insecurity last year. Be sure to sign in for some Calgary West club fellowship prior to the concert.
Marlene thanked Team 3 for meeting duties today. Garfield Ganong as attendance coordinator, Steve Strang as Greeter and Gord Cox as our trusty tech guy. Building Community Award went to Bill Tapuska for his organization of our annual Christmas Brunch and today’s musical event.
Next week’s meeting will be the last one of 2021. Dress in your best or your gaudiest Christmas attire. Santa will be there but as he is so busy focusing on the kiddies right now, Marlene said she would help him out. Send her the names of fellow Rotarians who deserve to be on the nice list as well as those who just didn’t make it this year and are on the naughty list. Remember, Is it the truth?
The 4 Way Test played as the meeting was adjourned at 1 pm.
