ROTARY CLUB OF SASKATOON
November 22, 2021
Hybrid Meeting held at the Saskatoon Club with a Zoom component,
members sang ‘O’ Canada together and Elaine Zakreski gave the blessing.
Steve Wilson was the Chair of our meeting. Wayne Palmer was the cashier.
Our speaker was our own, Elaine Zakreski.
HAPPY AND SAD DOLLARS
- $200.00 Jack Brodsky was happy with his trip to Paris.
- $200.00 Graham - apologies for not being on time for the last board meeting.
- $20.00 Mark is happy to induct a new member.
- $25.00 Gary is happy with our turnout at the Friendship Inn on Nov. 15.
- $40.00 from Jim - $20 for the Huskies’ last win and $20 for their upcoming win.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
President Mark first reminded us that the Saskatoon Club has a mandatory show of proof for COVID vaccination and masks, when not seated, only off while eating or social distancing.
Our Christmas dinner is on December 20. We will not have children attending but we may have music. Also, we will have a gift exchange. Buy a $20 gift if you would like to participate.
GROCERY CARDS are available. Donna was present and took orders.
ROTARY MINUTE – President Mark inducted Tim Squire as a new member of the club with all the official trappings in place. Tim was warmly greeted by all the members present.
HEALTH OF THE CLUB:
Gary Kerr reported the Vic Dubois had a hip replacement and is recovering well.
FUNDRAISING DISCUSSION:
We started with Table Discussions during our meal and the following ideas were put forward:
- We should partner with other clubs or organizations.
- We can get youth to be involved in the activity, even if they don’t join our club.
- We can put on a fashion show which can double as a fundraiser.
- We will continue to support and champion the Rotary Badge, Shield, and Star Dinner.
- We could hire a professional fundraiser.
- We can look for opportunities to use free venues for fundraising events.
- We can work Bingos and hire a group to work the floor - all we would need is someone to be there to handle the money.
- We should expand the reach of the Master’s Golf Pool - other tournaments, other sports and automate the process.
- We could run an on-line auction.
- We could run a ‘Chase the Ace’.
- We could organize a craft sale or flea market.
- We should encourage personal donations from members.
SPEAKER - ELAINE ZAKRESKI
Elaine told us that there will be a more thorough report in the future. Through incredible donors and volunteer strength, the following has been accomplished since 2008:
- Medical Clinic
- Motorcycle ambulance
- One truck and one car
- 14 early learning centers
- 7 bore holes
- 11 villages connected to piped water serving about 5,000 villager
- 2 churches
- 1 library
- 8 concrete bridges
- 4 wooden bridges
- 4 new houses for the neediest households
- Over 300 homes repaired after disasters
- 8 renovated homes for safe housing
- 1 agricultural school and storage building
- 13 university and secondary scholarships
- Ongoing yearly education training to teachers involved in early learning centers
- 1 tree nursery and several tree donations to assist in climate control in villages
- Daily meals and monitoring of children attending early learning centers in partnership with the U.N
- 15 ongoing stipends for early learning teachers and a librarian
- 4 shipping containers filled with medical and educational supplies
- 10 yearly visits along with 26 volunteers
- 4 income generating bakeries for women
- Several sewing machines and training to make sanitary pads
- After school tutorials for village children
- Over 50 goats, 100 chickens, 50 rabbits distributed to over 200 families
- Over 1 thousand blankets distributed to elderly at yearly gatherings
- Over 30 thousand bars of soap to vulnerable households
- Six soccer and net ball tournaments with trophies plus cash prizes
- Over 500 balls, jerseys and various sports equipment to youth and sports teams
- Over 2,000 bags of fortified maze flour during climate disasters and crop failures
- 100 grandmothers covered through life insurance
- reported by Steve Wilson
Next meeting December 6, 2021. Presenter will be Major Judy Regamey from the Salvation Army on their Christmas Hamper Program.
.png)
