ROTARY CLUB OF SASKATOON - February 28, 2022
ZOOM MEETING
‘O’ Canada was played virtually, and Jenny Lawrence gave the blessing.
President Mark was the Chair of our meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Mark advised that the Board has decided to resume in-person meetings on March 28, 2022. The March 14 meeting will be by Zoom.
The fundraising committee has been meeting. Projects in the works include:
- Masters Golf Pool. Steve Wilson oversees this fundraiser and will be providing information to the members around mid-March when the entry form is available, which the members are encouraged to share with their contacts so that we get as many entrants as possible.
- Jim Weber and Wayne Storozuk are organizing a small raffle. There will be a prize pool valued at $ 2,500.00. Jim and Wayne will soon provide information regarding the raffle.
- Linda Petrow is organizing an International Craft Fair. The Club will be selling tables to vendors to sell their merchandise. The venue has been booked for November 2022.
Therapy Dog Program: The vests are ready. A presentation ceremony will be organized.
RAP: Jack Brodsky provided a brief update advising that the RAP Board was transitioning from a working board to a policy board. Jack also advised that Winston Blake has resigned and found a new opportunity and his last day with RAP was February 25, 2022. Jack and Paul will be having lunch with Winston to thank him for his service to RAP.
Jennifer Lawrence advised that she is making aprons with the Rotary Logo.
Grocery Cards - Donna Gauthier announced that both Sobeys and Co-op grocery cards are available. Orders were taken from some members.
Local Community Service - Meeting February 28, 2022 (evening) via Zoom. All are welcome.
Next Board Meeting on March 9 at 4:00 pm on Zoom.
GUEST SPEAKERS - Our guest speakers are MAUREEN TORR and JENNIFER LAWRENCE, each speaking on their own experience moving to Canada.
MAUREEN:
On looking back Maureen recalls how much of a shock it was to came to Canada from Uganda. The family moved in 2004 when her husband has a job offer as a doctor to work in this health region.
Things that would be minor to us were major obstacles for her. These include the climate, banking, and shopping in a grocery store where there were so many choices, where in her home country there were just a few staples everyone was used to as well as driving on the wrong side of the road. Even the Canadian custom of making meals with larger amounts than required so there would be leftovers for the remainder of the week was foreign to her. She said it would have been really helpful if there would have been an individual or a group who could have told her what to expect and what to do.
She did say that the following were really helpful:
- The daycare lady helped with driving the kids to sports and other activities.
- Her church family.
- The children helped at home (7 children).
JENNIFER (JENNY):
Jenny moved here with her husband in 2005. He is a welder by trade. He came here in April, and she followed in December.
In her first winter she had been invited for supper and when she went to go back to her car she got lost. She was struck by the friendliness of a Canadian who helped her when Jenny knocked on their door and who brought her in to their home and then took her home.
By January 2006 she wanted to go home but instead they stayed in a basement suite in Humboldt for six months and then in 2008 built a house there. Jenny started out cleaning houses while her husband worked and then the family moved to Saskatoon as their daughter was going to university there.
Jenny has done a lot of volunteering including, Grandmothers for Grandmothers and projects involving Diversity. She takes catering orders and cooks from home. At our recent time at the Fellowship Inn, on February 14th, Jenny brought a large pot of soup for the lunch.
Your prayers are welcome because Jenny’s husband has been diagnosed with cancer.
NEXT MEETING: March 14, 2022, via Zoom. Presenter will be Michelle Busa from Read Saskatoon.
Reported by Steve Wilson
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