President Jack brought us to order on time as promised, asking Adriana to deliver what was a most thoughtful and insightful Grace.

Bill J. introduced our visiting Rotarians Bert Klassen from the Meewassen Club and the inimitable Ed Peck from the Nutana Club. Bert took this opportunity to announce the Nutana Club's Fall Festival slated for Thursday, October 6 at the WDM. Western wear is the theme with tickets set at $65 resulting in a $30 tax receipt. The RAP program will receive the bulk of the proceeds, but with a portion also directed to their Guatemala school project. Michelle Dubois will entertain the diners. Auction items are needed for this event.

 

Further announcements included Gary R. actively pitching grocery cards and reminding all of the November 7th Police Station tour. Please bring a guest as a potential member. Family members are welcome too.

 

Jack and Mark are exploring the RI "Revitalize Your Club" initiative, mentioned last week by Dave S. They also reminded committee members of the upcoming  "100 Anniversary" planning meeting to be held September 21st at the Saskatoon Media Group offices.

 

Jack reported on the Matching Grants webinar on the RI website, as well as the upcoming Bridges for Peace Winnipeg Conference. Please see Jack for further details.

 

Don Somers informed Jack that our very own Adriana will be honoured at the Golden Harp awards dinner to be held September 28. Congratulations Adriana! Please see Jack for more details.

 

Dave and Bev advised that they will be teaching selected Rotary topics at the upcoming Rotary Institute Leadership seminars in both Saskatoon and Prince Albert.

 

Sergeant Jim joined in jimmying jingling juice du jour from the joint. Happy dollars were harvested from:
- Mark for the Huskies' win
- Bev for their daughter's engagement and for Bev's decision to run again for City Council in Ward 9 (best of luck Bev!)
- Mike G. for being "frog marched" into joining the BECAS committee
- Joanne for a successful "Kick Off Your Heals" dinner event supporting RAP
- Vic for supporting Bev's campaign and for being her finance committee chair
- Avis for the upcoming BECAS Fiesta being held October 13th at the Saskatoon Club
- Wayne S. for requesting auction items for the BECAS Fiesta
- Jim for needing a reminder the he was the Sergeant today
- The many soles fined for not attending the Rotary Institute training sessions
- Those in the room fined for not watching the Husky game on the internet
- Jim for his Millennial tax shelter advertising fine

 

Club Assembly
Vic led our interactive discussion today to brainstorm ideas surrounding our Club's 100th Anniversary Birthday celebrations next year, that also happens to coincide with the Rotary Club Foundation's 100th Anniversary. Ideas were sought for the types of causes we might consider to be the benefactors of the significant fund raising we hope will result from our Centennial activities.  This could be a "bricks and mortar" type construction project or alternatively financially supporting some organization over the course of one or many years in return for recognition.

 

For example Vic offered we might consider supporting the St. Paul's Hospital Hospice complex with some sort of naming rights in return. Alternatively a senior's residence like the Gimli Rotary House is another consideration. 

 

Members were asked to volunteer any and all ideas to the floor:
- Mark suggested building out the Rotary Park picnic barbecue area, or alternatively supporting a larger multi-year project like the Hospice House
- Gary R. was supportive of the Hospice House idea as well
- Peter Z. echoed this support and suggested we might tap into Federal funds for the 150th year Canada celebrations
- Bev indicated that Rotary Park has several project opportunities for consideration
- Al M. suggested we consider a youth/children-in-need focus given our Club's early roots in supporting similar causes
- Vic reported that the Saskatoon Council on Aging has experienced a funding cut from the Health Region so they are in need of fiscal support
- Dean D. offered that the YMCA / YWCA needs support for the many senior's programs as well as space needs for children
- Jim liked the idea of a Rotary House type project (i.e. Hospice etc.) that will be identifiable with Rotary for years to come
- Wayne S. brainstormed the concept of inviting a high profile key note speaker such as a former U.S. President or Bill Gates that could then be coupled to more Corporate sponsorship
- Graham identified that our Club is now very closely linked with the RAP brand, so perhaps funding some sort of new transformational RAP initiative would further strengthen both our profile and the RAP program effectiveness for future years.

 

In closing Jack thanked Vic for leading this discussion today and also thanked all duty volunteers for executing today's meeting.