Spinoff February 22, 2011, as edited by Rod Holmes

 
It was a meeting to remember, on this frosty day in February, as Rotarians found their way to the bowels of the Travelodge. Yes, we were relegated to the Beachcomber Room for today’s buffet luncheon where we were greeted by Eric Armstrong and Hadi Mortada. Then, the routine matters of the day: the calling to order by President Linda Flynn, followed by O Canada, and Grace by Cletus Peters that reminded us of worldwide turmoil, both natural and man-made. Soon Denzil Feinberg, foregoing his Jeopardy format, introduced three guests: Dawn Cooper, a former Rotarian from Chesterville; Mary Wattie; and Brett Brooking, guest of Doug Heyland.

Joan Heyland brought good news on behalf of the nominating committee. She announced that Hadi Mortada has agreed to fill the vacancy of Vice President on the 2011–2012 Board of Directors, and that the position of Director, Club Service & Fellowship would be taken by Brian Langill.  On a motion by Fred Christie, seconded by Stuart Picozzi, it was unanimously agreed to accept the recommendations of the Nominating Committee. President Linda explained further that Bob Harrison has agreed to be an alternate for Hadi, should there be any medical issues that would prevent Hadi from fulfilling his duties.

President Linda then asked us to focus our attention on Hadi Mortada as she presented him with a President’s Rose for all his initiatives on behalf of the Rotary Club of West Ottawa: responsibility for the new website, his work on Rotary Visitors’ Day, on the Calendar as backup man on the database, and for his initiative in organizing the recent successful Soc & Rec outing to Fulton’s Pancake House.  Not the least important are his duties as Vice Chair of the PR & Soc & Rec committees.

President Linda reminded us to call and/or to visit Ted Ferrier (613-482-2139) and Bud Keenan (613-726-0894)[see Happy Dollars below].

Gaye Moffett made a pitch for support of one of our Calendar partners. The Ottawa Bach Choir presents Monteverdi’s “Sacred and Profane” in Knox Presbyterian Church, Sunday, February 27 at 7.30 pm.
 
President Linda highlighted some of the recent Board decisions (see “President’s announcements” below for the full list):

    * Peter Fisher will replace Andrew Young on the Ottawa Rotary Home Board
    * Phil Bronsther has been given a 3-month leave of absence to devote to his business
    * Referred to the work of the New Members committee and, in particular, asked us before next week,         to read the email outlining the proposed R.I. Pilot Project.

Past President Len Baird offered a maroon T-shirt as the prize in this week’s draw. Ticket 892 was held by Mike Traub.
 
Bill Morris roamed the room with mike and cash bag, collecting Happy Dollars from

    * Clive Talbot, happy for the 8th anniversary of his and Patricia’s arrival in Canada
    * Stu Picozzi, who has visited Ted Ferrier and Ed Balys and offered Fred Christie a mathematical      formula to calculate the speed of Mitch Geller’s 125 foot jump
    * Fred Christie, who lost a pair of gloves last week. He would add to the $2 donation this week if someone finds them
    * Guest Dawn Cooper, who was thankful for the warm West Ottawa welcome
    * Jean Bégin, donating $10 from Debbie with thanks for our supplying plastic milk bags. She noted that 150 plastic mats have been woven and sent to Haiti
    * John Martin, with a sad report about the declining health of Bud Keenan. He would really appreciate visitors, especially in the evening. Bud lives alone now as Reynecke is in a home, and finds the evenings lonely
    * Tom Belton had nice words for Graeme’s nifty three-piece suit. [Peter Fisher would be proud!]
    * And Denzil Feinberg deposited $10 in advance of leaving for Capetown for his High School Grade X11 50th year reunion; and noted that in the $50 cash calendar win last week, the cheque was made out only to June!

Now, about the program. Graeme Fraser, President-Elect and Program Chair rose to introduce the speaker, advertised as Keith Fraser on “How I spent the summer of 1948”. Well, the intro started routinely enough with comments about Keith’s time in the Mackenzie Delta, and how Graeme was brought into the club by his father, having earlier participated in Voyageurs. Then, somehow, Henry Sim, his lineage and his world travels came to the fore.  Fifteen minutes later, with a seemingly exasperated “speaker” at his side, Graeme, having quoted generously from an essay about “living on the edge” relinquished the mike to his father.  Yes, we had been had! Keith rose, tearing up his “script”, saying there was no time, and promised his talk another day. These few words can hardly begin to portray the essence of the “program”. You had to be there! It was great fun indeed!  Hadi Mortada did his best to convey our thanks to both Frasers. (Spinoff has learned that Keith Fraser will, in the next few weeks, present a program on the summer of ’48 up North, complete with slides.)

Just as President Linda was about to close off the meeting, Charter Member, Keith Halpenny rose to ask if it was too late to reopen the nominations for President-Elect. Amid much laughter, the meeting was adjourned. Who said Rotary isn’t fun? Oh, by the way, Graeme will be in the chair next Tuesday as Linda and Don will be off to Lake Placid for a few days.

Here are the Cash Calendar winners from the draws for the week, February 15 – 21, 2011

1852    $50      Jane Pelletier, Kemptville                     
0312    $25      Sarah Drew, Chilliwack, BC                   
1393    $100    Sue Shanahan, Constance Bay               
2602    $25      Gary P. Belanger, Ottawa                     
1395    $50      Michelle Ray, Ottawa                          
2953    $25      Faye Hughson, Ottawa                         
3478    $50      Anton Diening, Gatineau                     

President’s Announcements (power point slide show content)

Board Decisions

•         New Rotary Home Board rep recommended to replace Andrew Young – Peter Fisher
•         New Members Committee will:
    •  With others, organize Aussie Friendship Exchange
    •  Recommended RCWO apply to be part of Corporate Membership pilot program

• Create a fundraising event/opportunity
•         Approved up to $310 for an Ottawa Citizen ad to thank cash calendar supporters
•         Approved $1K – Salvation Army Grace Hospital – exercise equip. & computer upgrade
•         Approved $1K Camp Misquah
•         Approved release of funds “in memory of Cliff Simpson” ($1,370) for Stop Smoking Program at DSYTC (STEP)
•         Approved $25K for Rotary Home
•         Approved 3 month LOA for Phil Bronsther
•         Approved RI Pilot Project recommendation from New members committee
•         Agreed student funding requests for domestic work go to Community Service committee and for international work to WCS committee.

 
Remember RCWO Dates

•         Shelter Box Fund raiser at PC Cyber stores through February
•         Location & Dates:
    •  February 24 – 28:   Hunt Club
•         March 24th, next RCWO Board meeting
•         April 2, Music for Humanity
•         April 14th, A Night at the Races
•         May 14, Presidents’ Walk (Foundation walk)
•         May 21, Ottawa Capital Race Weekend
•         June 21, Changeover Night
•         September 16 – 19th Australian Rotary Friendship Exchange

Presidents’ Council

•         Stittsville – Trivia night, Feb. 25th
•         Ottawa – monthly pub night for new members
•         Ottawa South – Roses Day, May 6th, $35/doz; new Rotaract Club induction ceremony March 23 or April 13th; June 6th Golf Tournament; next meeting will not be at             Hunt Club; ROTEL, 25th Anniversary on June 25th, outside BBQ; New idea – Women in Rotary Breakfast will be held three times a year, first in April.
•          Hull – Rotary Community Corps Aylmer has 14 members; Beer and Cheese Event, TBA; Golf Tournament, Sept.
•          Nepean-Kanata – March 24th dinner/silent auction fundraiser – Let’s Rock the Boat, Nepean Sailing Club, flyers at the reception desk
•        Carleton Place & Miss. Mills – new playground initiative
•         Bytown –  June 6th Golf Tournament; Dictionary project in Dunlop area
•         South Nepean – Taste of Barrhaven, May 30th, $45 pp
•          Rideau Carleton Raceway event possibility in next year or so

District Level

•         District Membership seminar, March 19
•         District WCS committee seminar, March 19
•         PETS, NAV Canada Centre Cornwall – April 9 -10, 2011.
•         District Assembly NAV Canada Centre – May 7, 2010
•         Presidents’ Walk, May 14th  - Joint Venture Council
•         RI Convention, May 21-25, New Orleans
•         District Membership seminar, May 28th
•         District WCS committee meeting, May 28         


Quote on Smiles, Friends, or Family:

“It takes a long time to grow an old friend”   - John Leonard

Quote on Smiles, Friends, or Family:

“It takes a long time to grow an old friend”   - John Leonard