Meeting of January 6, 2015

President Bob was the greeter this morning and past president Shirley staffed the desk, collecting $14 as the new charge for breakfast.

We welcomed back Ernie and Paul who hammed it up for the camera. Glad to have you back!

A big crowd this morning as we gathered at our new location at the Dundas Valley Golf and Curling Club. As we entered Jessica provided hats and horns to add to the the festive nature of our first meeting here. Bob Morrow lead a well thought out invocation to us as Rotarians and to our new location. Announcements from George Gould who along with Randy and Joan are coordinating the Rotary Stars event. President Bob handed out tickets to be sold. If you were absent today please ask him next week for yours. This is a major fundraiser and ticket sales help generate revenue. Also, Shirley has tickets for the Dundas Community Services fundraiser on January 15. It is at the Dundas Little Theatre.

 

Happy dollars from Phil who was thinking of his father who passed away 25 years ago; from Harold who was excited that Canada won gold at the world Junior Hockey Tournament; and, from Stephen who recently met Marty, his University of Western Ontario co-writer of a play written 12 years ago whom he had not seen since university days. Paul was happy to be back after 7 months off and Art who informed the Dynamo Girls Basketball team that the head coach of the Canadian National Basketball team is Lisa Thomaidis from Dundas.

 

Past president Shirley then asked us, "What inspires you?" Here are the responses: George - the number of people in the club who are committed to doing a variety of things in the community; Phil - we are selfless and community minded. Humility and giving back is what it is all about; Grant - my family is my inspiration and I want my children to learn to give back to the community like my father Bill taught me; Bob Morrow - connections made through other Rotary clubs like the folks who helped me in Florida getting my car fixed or in Paraguay helping me find a translator; Ralph - the way Rotary can open doors to the world through travel to distant places where a big world is made much smaller by meeting Rotarians and their families; Jessica - just look at today. We have a new venue. Marnee brings her mother. We all volunteer eagerly. We recognize the talents of women like the girls on the basketball team; and, Shirley - I am inspired by each one of you in what you do and offer: friendship, community, making things happen.