Meeting of November 6 2012
The club welcomed a number of guests this morning. David Lark, President of the Hamilton McMaster Rotaract Club and Audrey Tan also from Rotaract where joined by Jeff Kozak, president of Dundas Little League and our guest speaker Claire Short. Lisa Kammemer our Youth Exchange student joined us before heading off to school; and, Steve Palmer who is interested in joining Rotary was a repeat guest.
David Lark informed us that the HM Rotaract Club has 50 members this year, up more than quadruple from last year. He sent a copy of the club's newsletter and the following was taken from it. "Although we have had a very busy couple of months, the year is still fresh and we have many more events and projects planned. We will be hosting our second annual Movember themed event on November 29th at Stonewalls in Hamilton. Our Annual Gala is also another major event coming in Mid-March. We look forward to seeing many students and Rotarians at this fabulous themed dinner. We are also proud to report the continued success of the Homework Club at Sir John A MacDonald High School. Three days a week volunteers from our club assist ESL students in this beneficial and rewarding program."
Jeff Kozak left two plaques of the Little League team the club supports.
President Joe announced the upcoming Rotary Leadership Institute to take place December 1 at Niagara Community College in NY. A number of club members have already taken various parts of the RLI program and any others interested should look at the district website for registration information. The club will pick up the registration cost because an educated Rotarian is our best ambassador. Joe also announced the upcoming GSE farewell dinner this Thursday in Grand Island NY. Rotary International also puts a float into the Rose Bowl and interested Rotarians can donate $1 to put a rose on the float.
George reminded everyone to pick up their tickets to Stars of Dundas and to get out there and encourage friends and neighbours to buy tickets. This is one of the club's major fundraisers of the year. To that end, Art asked everyone to bring a bottle of wine to our next meeting to go in the wine raffle during the November 24th event. George also asked all to put December 4 in their schedules as this is the Christmas party at Carnegie Gallery. The cost is $25 pp.
Shirley promoted November as Rotary Foundation month, a time when many club members make a donation to the foundation. She also invited all to attend the Foundation Dinner on November 16 at Salvatores Restaurant in Depew NY. Shirley thanked everyone involved with the recent visit of the GSE team for their efforts.
This being Barb's birthday she dropped her foundation cheque in the happy dollar bell. She and Lisa are sharing birthday celebrations.
President-Elect Jan asked anyone interested in taking on an added position of responsibility within the club to talk with her. She will soon be putting forward the slate of officers for next year. Paul asked us to go to the Aviva site to vote for a nurse practitioner program to be held in schools. Use this link to see more http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf15906. He also reminded us of the February 24th gala that HARRRP will be holding.
Jessica had several happy dollars related to the Dundas Learning Centre for the intellectually handicapped. Her sister recently travelled to Costa Rica with the centre and had a great time despite the heavy rains and flooding. Jessica also thanked the organizers for a well run This is Rotary that helped clarify and expand on the Five Avenues of Service.
SAA Bill reminded all those helping plan the annual Lobster and Rib Dinner that there is a meeting tonight (Tuesday November 6) at 5:00 PM at the Rotary Cattell Centre. With that, David Carson introduced our guest speaker, Claire Short.