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Prior to the meeting getting started members were bringing in gifts and essential items to donate to The Children’s Cottage for our 2nd week of giving. The meeting was called to order by Club President, Linda Anderson, at 12 noon. The Land Acknowledgement today read, “In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth, we honour and acknowledge that we are located on traditional Treaty 7 territory.” O Canada was sung by all the members with the strong voices of Don Edie, Bob Pearson and Robyn Braley trying to keep us on key and in tempo. From the attendance sheets there were 29 in person members, 4 guests plus the Bishop Carroll Virtuosi Strings lead by Christina Visy and stepping in to keep the teacher student ratio in balance Vice Principal, Betty-Lou Elofson and Peter Damen, Counsellor. The four guests were Catherine McGinley, wife of Joe Klassen; Carmella Beavis, wife of Don Beavis; Dusanka Reljic, Natalija’s mom; and Yuliya Gorbach, guest of Darren Grierson. On Zoom counted 5 members with our regular guest, Stephanie from Sri Lanka. Robyn Braley introduced our entertainers, The Virtuosi Strings from Bishop Carroll. Christina Visy is the Director of Strings. She teaches music and religion and is a Teacher Advisor. There are 350 students involved in music at the school. The students work hard at their music studies by working with other orchestras such as Mount Royal and the Calgary Philharmonic, enroll in private lessons, and attend an annual Strings Camp. Many awards have been bestowed upon this group of talented musicians. Let’s sit back and enjoy the next half hour. The group started off with Forever Joyful followed by Planet Jupiter. We were reminiscing with Yesterday and a medley from the Sounds of Music. We got in some toe tapping with a jig. In keeping with the Xmas spirit a Christmas singalong and a 3 minute rendition from the Nutcracker. Our musicians and their Director were shown our immense appreciation with a standing ovation. Steve Rickard was the thanker noting the many talents, skills, and passion of the students. Our Club awarded a $250 cheque to further the students’ learning. Ross Mayer was inducted today. He is a former Rotarian of the Airdrie Club and the Fort Mac Club. He has been involved in many Food Banks, international global grants in Cambodia as well as local projects. He looks forward to getting involved in Calgary West. He will be away for 110 days after Christmas in Southeast Asia. Bill Quinney led the charge. Ross is new to us but not to Rotary, here is the story of the 4 Way Test as it is in Rotary to stay. Of the things we think, say, and do - Is it the TRUTH
- Is it FAIR to all concerned
- Will it build GOODWILL and better FRIENDSHIPS
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned
About a year ago I had the privilege of attending a webinar and John Hewko, the General Secretary and CEO of Rotary International. He shared that everything in Rotary keeps changing except the 4 Way Test which in his opinion will never change – it is our guide in an ever changing world Robert J Taylor in 1932 wrote the 4 Way Test for his business and asked all his employees to follow it. It was used in a business venture called Club Aluminum, a company that made pots and pans. Taylor was a Rotarian and a member of the Chicago club and allowed Rotary to start using the 4 Way Test in 1942 - 80 years ago. He was President of the Club in 1943-44 and became President of Rotary International in 1954-55. He gave the 4 Way Test copyright to Rotary during his term as RI President. He passed away in 1978. Bill urges Ross and all Rotarians to adopt the 4 Way Test - to all the things we think, say, and do. Ross was presented with his pin and certificate. Next up was Kurt Schurer, Darren Grierson who has lost his voice, Bill Fitzsimmons who was Darren’s voice and Yuliya Gorbach from two organizations helping Ukrainian families settle in Canada. Bill introduced Yuliya who is Chairperson of the Calgary Ukrainian Evacuee Welcome Committee and Chairperson of Ukrainian Humanitarian Aid Committee of St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Sobor. She is an immigrant herself coming to Canada in 2003. She has since obtained her CA designation and works in the oil and gas sector for Total Energy Services Inc. Since the beginning of the war these organizations are working to provide the necessary support to settle Ukrainian evacuees. Areas of focus on arrival include onboarding, housing, jobs and what Yuliya will now explain Survival English. Yuliya starts by saying you can only cry for so long then it is time for action. The need is so great for so many. The Ukrainians did not choose to be displaced from their homes due to a war. They wanted to stay in Ukraine. Survival English is a very intense English program over a short period of time. The program has seen 800 graduates. This in turn helps the Ukrainians obtain employment and seek what will hopefully be a better life here. The cheque for $5,000 was presented and Yuliya offered the deepest posture of thanks in Ukraine, a bow.  Evelyn Buckley was invited to the front to speak. Recently Evelyn received the Queen Elizabeth II Medal of Excellence which she was proudly wearing. It exemplifies those who have done extraordinary things to make a difference. She learned early on that she could not make her mother happy but she could do something. People can always do something. She is most humble when she thanks those who came on her journey to Guatemala and Africa to offer help as they did the work and she got the credit. Evelyn announces Dan Doherty is also a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for all the great things Dan has done for Rotary and for the world. On behalf of herself and all here we will honour Dan. Congratulations to both Dan and Evelyn! The Annual General Meeting was opened. There is nothing to report from the Board and we do have quorum. Rob Rakochey announced the nominating committee consists of himself, Marlene Doherty, Steve Rickard and Bill Quinney. At this time the Treasurer role is still vacant but the committee is seeking a suitable candidate. Rob presented the slate of new officers and directors: President Elect - Duncan Stanners for President in 2023-24 President Elect Nominee – David Wartman for President in 2024-25 Fundraising Director – Kathryn Kaldestad for 2023-25 Membership Director – Steve Kuiack for 2023-25 Motion was moved by Bill Quinney to accept the nominees as presented and Steve Rickard seconded. Malcolm Harrison questioned whether the by-laws allowed Past Presidents to stand again. Dan clarified that in the past it has been standard practise not to but nothing in the by-laws to prevent it. Nominations were closed. Call for vote. Carried. AGM closed. Mad Minutes Judy Cochran thanked all of those who made monetary donations and gifts to the Children’s Cottage. A special thank you to the Doherty’s and Curve Distribution for their donation of a gift for every child at the Crisis Nursery and every child at Brenda’s House. There will be many smiles on the children’s faces. Bill Fitzsimmons announced next week he will be collecting items for The Doorway in the last week of our 3 Weeks of Giving. Bill will send out the wish list one more time. Please support this worthy cause. Madame President reminded us of Games and Gifts at our next in person only meeting on December 19. The Committee has lots in store. Please bring a wrapped gift for our fun exchange – this is something you would like to give away not something you went out and bought specifically for exchange. Price range $20. Happy Holidays to those who won’t be at our last meeting of the year. Our first meeting in the New Year will be a hybrid meeting on January 9, 2023. Rob Roach from ATB will be speaking on the Alberta Economic Outlook. January is Vocational Service month. A huge thank you went out to all those running our weekly meetings in the various capacities from the technicians to the scribes to the greeters and attendance coordinators to those who do the set up and take down. Thought for the Day: “There’s nothing sadder in this world than to wake up on Christmas morning and not be a child.” Meeting adjourned at 1:10 pm with the 4 Way Test Jingle
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