Submitted by Will Arscott

 

This Rotateller presents a new stage in the history of the club.   This Rotateller is the second attempt to produce the document from the AI summary provided by Zoom.  It is very much a work in progress.   Member’s comments would be most welcome.

 

We met in the Main Dining Room with Incoming President Don as our MC. The members sang O Canada led by Gary Rusu.

 

Gary gave the blessing, where he thanked God for opportunities to serve and mentioned members currently working in Uganda and Malawi. The group discussed the safe return of member Elaine Zakreski from Malawi and acknowledged the contributions of members like Maureen and Prem to Rotary's mission of international understanding.

There were two guests introduced by Claire Mugabe.  The first was Mike Jaga who is still a visiting Rotarian but who may become a member of our club in the future. The second guest was Brant Gyug a guest of Will Arscott.

 

Cashier was Treasurer Wayne. Paul Gauthier handled technology.

 

Incoming President Don announce3d that we now have a new club banner that is free from any spelling mistakes. Better yet, the new banner was donated by Don.

 

President Will announced that the Board meeting will be at its regular time on the third Thursday of the month at its regular place and time. This will be next Thursday June 18 at 4pm at the club.

 

Kent discussed preparations for the upcoming Community Safety and Service Awards Banquet, which will host about 200 people including first responders. He thanked sponsors, volunteers, and particularly highlighted Rick Peddle from the Kinsmen Club and Christine Rice for their significant contributions to organizing the event. The sponsors have been generous and are in place. The team noted that while attendance was slightly lower than hoped for from the Kinsmen, the event would be profitable thanks to major underwriters including Hopkinson Family (Dynamic Glass) and support from community members. Kent announced he may need the help of three or four people at the dinner and asked people to volunteer.

 

 

Candace Odishaw on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and the Nutana Rotary ‘Cow Plop’ Fundraiser.

 

Avis Hardy introduced the speaker, Candice Odishaw, who is well known to the members of our club.  She highlighted her extensive involvement with the Rotary Club of Saskatoon Nutana, including her roles as president and current positions as literacy chair, communications director, and youth service chair. The introduction ended with plans to welcome Candice to present on Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Initiative.

 

 

Candace discussed taking over Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program after Read Saskatoon discontinued it. Candace explained that the program is a community-based literacy book gifting initiative where high-quality books are selected by the Dolly Parton Foundation and provided to children from birth to age 5 for $3.85 per child per month. The process involves enrolling children online, after which the Dolly Foundation handles the rest of the operations, including book selection and distribution. There are over 3,000 partners across multiple countries having distributed 263 million books since 1996. She reported that over 300 children have already registered locally, with funding secured for 200 children but 70 still waiting approval. Candace requested a 5-year commitment from the club, proposing they fund approximately $3,500 annually at $3.85 per child per month, and announced plans for a celebration event on June 26 at Alice Turner Library to mark 20 years in Canada and 5 million books distributed. The club agreed to commit $10,000 per year for the next 5 years to support the program.

 

Candace presented details about the upcoming Cowplop Bingo fundraiser happening this Sunday at Sutherland School, which includes a barbecue at 12 o'clock and the bingo game at 2 o'clock featuring two cows named Moolah and Patty. She mentioned having some remaining tickets available for sale at $15 each or 4 for $50. Candace was able to sell many of the remaining tickets at the meeting.

 

Candace was thanked by Don and the regular donation will be made to Bethany Home.