The Rotary Club of West 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

Today’s Rotary meeting brought forward a number of firsts: the first meeting of the 2010-11 Rotary year, the first meeting under President Linda Flynn, and almost the first of over 60 meetings in our District featuring the DG Katie Burke. We also looked forward to an induction of a new member, and the presentation of another Paul Harris Fellowship. So, on a very hot summer day, it was an auspicious occasion. Greeting us were Phil Bronsther and Russ Hicks. Past President Joan Heyland sold draw tickets and, after we had partaken of the buffet, had sung O Canada, and heard a Grace by Ron Scott, we were asked to remain standing for a Toast to our District Governor, Katie Burke and Asst. Governor, Drew Antrobus.

Folders circulated seeking our interest in a fellowship evening by attending A Midsummer’s Night Dream next Wednesday, July 14. Any wishing to attend, who haven’t signed up, should contact Andrew Young.

We sang the Welcome Song to the DG and Assistant DG plus our only other visiting Rotarian, Susan Diening (RC Montreal-Lakeshore).

Pres. Linda then called on Jack Troughton to introduce Dr. Mervyn Letts, our newest member. Merv is a retired pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, formerly head of surgery at the Winnipeg Children’s Hospital and then head of surgery at CHEO. He started life in Kilarny, Manitoba, grew up in Minnedosa and graduated from Brandon College. He served in the RCAF reserve, was seconded to the UN Emergency Force as a Medical Officer in the Sinai Desert, Egypt. He pursued his Fellowship in Surgery at Queen’s.  He is married to Marilyn and they are parents to Ian, Eric and Daron. Merv has been assigned to the Membership and to the Youth committees.

Rocco Disipio was called forward to receive a Paul Harris Fellowship for his dedication, energy and passion for many aspects of work in Rotary, but mainly for his terrific push in the Mums campaigns and for his outstanding efforts on Youth and Youth Exchange. Truly an example of Service Above Self.

President Linda then announced a number of members who will not be returning this Rotary year. Already resigned are Julia Brady, Jacques Roy and George Papadopoulos. Added to this list now are Bryon Milliere, Paul Salvatore and Andy Jackson.  All have been invited to return when business/family pressures permit.

It was further noted that Burt Collins and Bob Butcher have been added to the Honoured Life Member (retired) status. Including Honoured Lifers, Halpenny and Holmes, our membership stands at 74.

We have received thanks for being a sponsor of the Ottawa Rotary Home Golf Marathon which raised $63,000 for adult respite care.

GSE Team Brazil – seeking four outstanding professional for April 17 – May 15, 2011. Contact Anna Rochon, aprochon@cogeco.ca  Applications due by Sept 8, with interviews scheduled for Sept 11^th.

The second annual Rotary Rideau Rally will be on July 24, sponsored by the RC of Kemptville.

Joan Heyland, in her first official duty as Past President, ran the draw and, wouldn’t you know it, yes, that’s right, Doug Heyland won the $25.  The fix was in!

Jack Sawyer made the rounds collecting Happy Dollars.  Russ Hicks was happy to see Susan Diening here and to hear she may transfer her membership to West Ottawa.  Andrew Young gave $5 for smoked meat supplied by Phil Bronsther and another loonie to thank Peter Fisher for altering his PP jacket.  John Kersley pleaded for the Dutch to prevail today! (And they did, beating Uruguay).  Dave Morton gave thanks for a cycling race in the Alps (and now happy to be on level ground!). Gaye Moffett gave payment for cheese from the McCord Museum event. Phil Bronsther put $10 in the bag to cover the refund on wine bottles from McCord. Peter Fisher was happy to note that 16 members were wearing ties today! Ken Murray added $2 to talk about the pleasures of participating in the Rotary International Hosting Fellowship. Finally, Bud McGinnis contributed $5 – four for the Four Avenues of Service Award bestowed on him last week; and a loonie to boast about his 14-yr-old grandson from California who played in a tournament in Calgary and won MVP.

Music, this week, saluted the birthdays of Chris Wanna, Graeme Fraser, Hadi Mortada, Clive Talbot, and Fred Christie in Limerick verses crafted by Dan Crone. Warren Creighton took us “…..on the Railroad” to serenade the District Governor. Following the musical outpouring Andrew Young filled in a few blanks on the career of Katie Burke.

As a former teacher and High School principal, our District Governor brings a wealth of experience that will be very beneficial as she visits the over 60 clubs in District 7040. She was born in Temiscaming and attended a French school to become fluently bilingual. She has been a member of the Cornwall Sunrise club since 1996 and has maintained 100% attendance. Her message to us underscored the Rotary theme, Building Communities, Bridging Continents. Katie had three questions for us:

1)      Are you having fun?  There should be laughter in Rotary, with lots of fellowship. Don’t be too predictable, she suggests. Do things differently

2)      Are you a no-holds-barred promoter of Rotary? Get out and share Rotary through service projects; spread the word. Shout it out! Brag! The dividends will be better fundraising and more members.

3)      Are you aware of the magic of Rotary?  It happens through The Rotary Foundation and matching grants at the international as well as district level.

Commenting on the recent Montreal Convention experience, one cannot but be impressed with the internationality of Rotary.  PDG Russ Hicks expressed our thanks for the challenges expressed through the DG’s message.  After all, Rotary is magic.

In closing the meeting, President Linda noted that the Cash Calendar committee was meeting immediately following and that the Mums committee would meet tonight at 7.

A note for your Roster: Russ Hicks’ new address is 1005 – 2303 Campeau Dr, Kanata, K2K 3M1. Home phone:  613-435-4507.  email remains the same.

Here are the winners of the Cash Calendar draws for June 29 to July 5, 2010:

 4978  $25   Minute Car Wash, Ottawa                                

 1679   $125 Jacques Guerette, Gatineau                                                                                                                                       

1289  $20   Peter Anich, Aslton, ON                         

3308  $50   Frank St. Denis, Nepean                        

2823  $25   Linda Winters, Ottawa                          

1452  $50   Chris Jurewicz, Kanata                          

2151  $25   Wendy Lillie, Ottawa

Linda concluded with……….

Today, give a stranger one of your smiles.

It might be the only sunshine they see all day.

20 July 2010

Mitch Geller – Chief Technical Officer with Dive Canada

”Diving in Canada: the early days and stories from the sport of Diving”
Intro:  Graeme Fraser    Thanks:  Joe Wattie

Greeters:  Hadi Mortada / John Kersley    Grace:  Michael Sweet
Reception:  Don Butler    PP Draw:  Len Baird    Spinoff:  Graeme Fraser