Previous SPINOFF
June 29, 2010
Editor: Bud McGinnis
6 July 2010
Official Visit of District Governor Katie Burke
Greeters: Phil
Bronsther / Russ Hicks
Grace:
Ron Scott
Reception: Andrew
Young
PP Draw: Joan
Heyland
Spinoff: Rod
Holmes
WOW, What a meeting!
So much packed into one short evening!
Some 113 members, partners,
visiting Rotarians and special guests were warmly greeted by
Keith Fraser and
Suren Gupta as we
entered the Carleton Room.
Jack Troughton sold us Past President’s draw tickets
while across the way Andrew
Young was busy recording our visitors.
It was a gala affair as we met and visited during the social
hour. Adding
significantly to the occasion was a string trio from the University
of Ottawa that played during that period.
Promptly at 6:45
President
Joan called the meeting
to order and introduced the musicians, Katie Stevens (violin),
Elizabeth ST Cyr (violin), and Rebecca Small (cello) from the
University of Ottawa.
She also recognized those club members who had structured the
evening, Andrew Young, Alan
Bowles, Linda Flynn, Jean Begin, and
Doreen Ide.
We then sang “O Canada”,
Alan Bowles said
grace, and an excellent salmon dinner was enjoyed by all.
The awards portion of the program began just before 7:30. Linda Flynn, as Chairperson of the Awards Committee called on Jack Troughton to read the Citations for the five Rotarians who were being recognized with Paul Harris Fellowships for their extensive service to the Club and the community. Each of them had a pedigree of Rotary involvement much too long to be detailed here. Check the RCWO web site (rcwo.org) for the full text. Included were:
Alan Bowles, just concluding his year as Past President, for his years of service on the Board of Directors, the Planning Committee, and in obtaining recognition of our Club by RI for the ABCs of Fraud program.
Doug Heyland, for
his leadership in bringing the ”Playground for Children of all
Abilities” project to a successful conclusion and for his
organizational skills and salesmanship with the Cash Calendar fund
raiser.
Clive Talbot who, upon emigrating from South Africa and joining our Club, immediately accepted responsibilities on various Committees including International Service and The Rotary Foundation, and has served at the District level as well.
George Grande, for the part he played in helping fisher families after the Tsunami struck Sri Lanka in December, 2004, and for his time and effort in support of the many Ottawa charities such as Sally Ann and the United way.
Julius Frank, for his dedication to the concept of Service above Self through more than twenty years of involvement in Club committees and his leadership and effort in establishing The Miller’s Oven, and the Probus Club in Manotick.
Linda Flynn then stepped up and asked Blair Armstrong to come forward and accept a Certificate of Appreciation for his 53 years of service to the Rotary Club of West Ottawa.
The next item on the Agenda
was the introduction of guests ably managed by
Andrew Young.
Included were: Miriam Fraser (Nepean-Kanata) to support her
little brother; Don Elwood (South Nepean); Joseph Kurya (Ottawa);
Tabley Bakyaita (Maklndye, Uganda); Jane Ritchie (guest of Linda
Flynn); Tony Betts (Redbridge, East London; guest of the Heylands),
and Jake Maarse (South Nepean).
Several special guests were introduced at a later time.
We then rose and sang our welcome song to the assembled
visitors and partners.
The Past President’s draw saw Sadha Devi, the wife of our newest member, Sarvesh Upadhyaya, receive a beautiful bouquet from Jack Troughton. (And it was her first visit to our Club! How about that?)
The Awards portion of the
evening continued when Sue
Goddard read the citation for our non-Rotarian Paul Harris
Fellow, multi-medalled Olympic speed skater, Kristina Groves.
She’s an Athlete Ambassador for the Right to Play movement,
an international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play
- programs to improve
the health and life skills of disadvantaged children living in
communities affected by poverty, conflict and disease.
She’s a major donor and contributes both time and money to
this cause. Kristina is
also greatly concerned about the environment and is providing
leadership in promoting sound environmental living.
Recently she spoke to over 3000 students, ranging from
Kindergarten to high school, during a 10-day visit to Ottawa at four
schools. As a
member of Clean Air Champions, and because of her athletic status
young people listen when she speaks.
Kristina was unable to be at the meeting but her parents
accepted the award on her behalf.
Linda Flynn
presented the citation for the Ruth Martin Award, which is presented
annually to someone outside the club who has provided conspicuous
service to the community over a number of years.
This year’s winner, Mark Emery, meets those criteria.
He’s been a long time volunteer hockey coach helping boys
develop their hockey skills in their early years.
He’s also worked tirelessly to raise funds for charitable
causes by helping to organize events such as charitable golf
tournaments and walkathons.
Next came the Citation for the
Family and Community Service Award, read by
Sue Goddard.
As a Centennial project marking Rotary’s 100th
birthday, arrangements were made with Parks and Recreation of the
City of Ottawa to renovate Brewer Park and transform it into a
Playground for Children of all Abilities.
This project was spread out over five years and received
funding from both parties, Rotary Clubs and the City.
Mr Paul Landry was the primary contact for the city and
although there were moments of concern, through his knowledge and
management skills the Project was completed on time and within
budget. In
recognition of the extraordinary contribution that Mr Landry and his
associates made to the creation of The Rotary Centennial Playground
for Children of All Abilities, The Rotary Club of West Ottawa is
bestowing on the City of Ottawa the Family and Community Service
Award of Rotary International.
Paul Landry was present and accepted the Award on behalf of
the City.
Jack Sawyer,
another member of the Awards Committee, and recipient of the Four
Avenues of Service Citation stepped up to the microphone to read the
citation. This Award is
offered by Rotary International to Rotarians for outstanding efforts
in each of Rotary’s four avenues of service – Club, Vocational,
Community, and International.
Jack concluded by
asking Bud McGinnis to
come forward and accept the Award.
Ken Murray, the fourth and last member of the Awards Committee present this evening, read the Citation for the Lloyd Loynes Award. This trophy goes to a Rotarian who has performed outstanding hands-on volunteer service within the Club or the community. Hadi Mortada was asked to come forward and accept the award for his many hours of time and dedication to the Rotary cause. Hadi joined the Club in 2003 and throughout has enthusiastically illustrated the Service above Self motto. He’s been a stalwart on the Public Relations committee (much needed), led the Soc and Rec committee, and has always answered the call when help was needed.
Ken Murray
also made the final award.
Ken noted that
this individual first became a member
over fifty years ago.
During the years he has served on the Board of Directors and
in many other capacities.
Tonight, in recognition of these many years of service,
Burt Collins is being granted
“Honoured Life Member (Retired)” status.
(Editor’s Note:
I’m sure I speak for all Award Recipients when I offer
heartfelt thanks to Club Members and the Board of Directors for the
honours bestowed upon us this evening.)
The Change-over phase of the
program began when Alan
Bowles took the microphone and briefly commented on aspects of
President Joan’s year.
She attended all events in which the Club was involved.
She was always well organized and prepared.
She was sensitive to people’s efforts and rewarded them with
the “President’s Rose”.
She closed each meeting with “The Thought for the Week.”
And, of course, he commented on and recognized the strong
leadership that she had provided to the Club over her year as
President.
Alan then lost his
status of Past President when he placed that pin on
Joan’s lapel. In
addition, he presented the Past Presidents Trophy to her showing
that her name had been added (but she had to promise to return it).
It was now time for music with
Rod and
Warren.
As always Dan Crone’s
lyrics, this time to the tune of Thanks for the Memory,
cleverly covered her year.
Our President for the past year then reviewed the year’s
highlights. First, she
pointed out early on that this is our Club, not her
Club, which was her way of reinforcing the theme for the year, ”The
Future of Rotary is in Your Hands”.
Accordingly, many hands were involved in the various projects
over the year. Six new
members were inducted, three of whom are under 35.
Six fund raising projects – Shelterbox, Golf, Mums, Calendar,
Music for Humanity, and B&B and Inn Tour – permitted $68,000 to be
granted to individuals, groups, and institutions locally. The final
contribution to the Rotary Home was made.
World Community Service Projects received $26,500, nearly
$12,000 went to the Rotary Foundation, and $4,000 went to Polio
Plus. By-laws were
revised and two operating manuals were prepared, one on Policy and
Procedures and the other providing guidance for Presidents Elect.
Fellowship, both formal and informal, continued along with
the ongoing service projects.
The RI Convention in Montreal, celebrating 100 years of
Rotary in Canada,
provided an opportunity to showcase our Club.
The McCord Museum hospitality event coordinated by
Jack Troughton with
Phil Bronsther, Chief
Chef, providing smoked meats etc., was an outstanding success. The
last President’s Rose of
Joan’s year went to event coordinator,
Jack Troughton.
It was clearly a very good year for the Rotary Club of West
Ottawa.
Joan’s final comment was, “In
closing, thank you to all of you for the privilege of being a
president of this great West Ottawa Club.”
And of course we all say to
Joan, “Congratulations,
and thanks for your efforts on our behalf during the year you served
as our president.”
Joan’s last presidential act was to place the President’s Pin on the new President’s lapel, once Peter Fisher had assured that the jacket fit properly. President Linda began her comments by thanking Past President Joan for her hard work over the year and for the guidelines and procedures that will enhance the year ahead. She also extended a big “Thank You” to husband Don for his continuing support of her Rotary involvement. She then went on to say how inspirational the Montreal RI Convention had been and thanked the Club for the opportunity of participating. The focus of RI President, Ray Klingsmith is the next 100 years. Changes will be essential, flexibility and new practices will be necessary, but throughout we must maintain our core values – fellowship and service. Suggestions for maintaining membership levels include shorter meetings (one hour), biweekly meetings (instead of weekly), and improving PR at both Club and District levels. If Clubs can be “Bigger, Better, and Bolder” in the year ahead it will bode well for the next century. Clearly President Linda enters her presidential year invigorated and dedicated to the Rotary cause. She concluded her comments by saying, “Enjoy, Embrace, Celebrate, Support, and Take Pride in Rotary.” Welcome to the presidency Linda, we’re with you and are sure it will be another good year.
Here are the Cash Calendar winners for June 22 – 28, 2010:
1907
$20
Sue Ann Soulliere, Ottawa
0067
$50
Norm Thomas, Ottawa
3419
$25
Claude Whissell, Kanata
4570
$200
Janet Siltanen, Ottawa
1328
$25
Jessica Borutski, Ottawa
2458
$20
John LeBrun, Nepean
1304
$50
Ian Marsh, Ottawa
13 July 2010
“Who’s Who and What You Gonna Do?”
with Directors and Committee Chairs/Vice Chairs
Greeters: Don Butler
/ Doreen Ide
Grace:
Ken Sparks
Reception: Keith
Halpenny
PP Draw: Blair
Armstrong
Spinoff: Alan
Bowles
20 July 2010
Mitch Geller – Chief Technical Officer with Dive Canada