ROTARY CLUB OF SASKATOON MEETING
November 14, 2022
Elaine Zakreski was the Chair of our meeting. Wayne Palmer was the cashier and Donna Gauthier was the greeter and introduced the visitors and guests.
Members sang ‘O’ Canada and Steve Wilson gave the blessing.
HAPPY AND SAD DOLLARS:
- 20H Mark Gryba is happy with the Huskie football team. After their last win they are into the national semi-finals. He is also happy with the Craft Fair, which was on November 12th.
- 40H Linda Petrow,as the main organizer, is happy to have had 40 booths at the Craft Fair and she is grateful for Elaine’s generosity for paying the space rental fee.
- 20S Al Morton is sad at the passing of his sister-in-law.
- 20H Avis Hardy is happy for the opportunity to have a table for Grandmothers for Grandmothers at the Craft Fair. The proceeds they raised will go to the Steven Lewis Foundation.
- 20Donna Gauthier is happy Paul is feeling better day by day.
- 50H Elaine is happy with the work done by the Craft Fair committee.
- 200H Graham Pearson had 11 days with the family in Vancouver.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Gary says our club is serving at the Friendship Inn on Christmas Day. So far Gary Rusu, Steve and June Wilson have signed up and we would like to see at least three more volunteers from our club.
(Editor s note - this was announced at the President’s Council and Ruth Marritt has volunteered.
Donna Gauthier has Co-Op cards. Sobeys cards are in stock but are waiting to be activated.
Elaine’s dinner honouring Help for Malawi will be at the Top of The Inn on December 4th.
Linda reports the Craft Fair cleared $ 3,600.
GUEST SPEAKER- BOB DURSTON
Introduction done by President Steve.
Bob graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and then from Colorado State University with a Masters in Extension Education. He was with Manitoba Agriculture as an Agricultural Representative for over 35 years, retiring in December,2003.
He has had 21 years as Councillor and 8 years as Mayor of Neepawa.
He was invited into the Rotary Club of Neepawa in February,1976. He was elected twice as President and is entering his 21st year as club secretary. His other roles include chair of Short-Term Youth Exchange Program, Assistant Governor, Harassment Liaison Officer, District Foundation Chair, Grant Administrator.
Awards and Achievements: RC of Neepawa Tony Otten Paul Harris Fellowship Award, for outstanding contribution to the club and the community. Paul Harris Major Donor and Benefactor. The Individual World Community Service Award for a lead role in the RI Matching Grant project im Mexico for a senior’s nursing home in 2002 and again in 2015 - 2016 with the Award of Distinction.
PRESENTATION:
First, a key website for us in my.rotary.org/rotary-direct.
91% of foundation funds goes to the projects.
For 13 years we have received a four star (highest rating) by the independent rating service.
We have never had to turn down a properly prepared grant application.
A breakdown of distribution of the grants is:
- 153 Mill to Polio Plus
- 130 Mill to Global Grants
- 4 Mill to Peace Centres
- 3 Mill to Disaster Response
- 2 Mill to Other Programs
50,000 Grants have been given to support Ukrainian Refugees - 15 Mill.
366 Grants have been given to Disaster Response requests.
Small donations of 25 - 50 Dollars account for 5.1 Mill.
Paul Harris Fellows requires $1,000 in U.S. Funds. Also, recognition points can be transferred to others. Online you can donate through rotary.org/donate.
The Rotary Foundation of Canada
c/o 911600
P.O. Box 4090 Stn. A
Toronto ON M5W 0E9
Paul Harris Pins were presented to Graham Pearson (Paul Harris plus 2, Paul Gauthier (Paul Harris plus 5), and Gary Rusu(Paul Harris plus 6). This means Graham is a Paul Harris Fellow times 3, Paul times 6, and Gary times 7.
NEXT MEETING: November 28. Presenter is Laura Herman from the Friendship Inn.