Next weeks meeting, July 1, will be cancelled so we can not go to the Town celebrations and we can not watch the fireworks.

 

1. In thanking Honourary Rotarian Deb Knobelsdorf for her hard work in preparing the great meal we had for our President's Night, we neglected to give a shout out to Michelle Shabatura, member of the Satellite group and owner of The Farmer's Daughter. She supplied the delicious butter tarts that served as our dessert (including that intriguing coconut flavour). Thanks Michelle!

 

2. Jen Jerrett has sent out an email regarding the refuse cleanup taking place Thursday (tomorrow) night, from 6:30 to 8pm. There are 3 areas;

-The area around TD bank, Walmart and the Independent
-The area on hwy 60 from Muskoka Rd 3 to the water treatment centre
-CNR Station Road from the Train Station along beside the tracks towards town

If you indicated you are available you will have been advised of your team and area. If you want to join in, pick and area and show up at 6:30. Please bring along a couple of large black garbage bags, blue/clear recycling bag if you have it, gloves. Social distancing will be practised

 

3. Tim announced that a Potluck lunch is being planned for members of the Membership and Social committees for Thursday August 6 at Tim's house. The meeting is dependent on the world returning to some normalcy by then and details will follow, closer to the date

 

4.A cheque for $3,000 was received from the District representing their support through a District Grant, for our Junior Achievement request. After Cam was able to find Barb who was wandering around the house, she graciously accepted and advised that a number of classes planned for this spring will be presented (hopefully) this Fall. Online classes are an option but feedback from the teachers indicate they prefer the real thing.

 

5. Ross updated us that upcoming speakers include a travelogue from Will/Carol Gibson; our own Kim O'Grady; Denise Corry, Huntsville CAO; Scott Aitchison MP; Michael Duben retiring District CAO. Although these speakers are mostly from government areas it will be good to get their Covid perspective Ross believes following them there should be speakers representing area businesses. He is encouraging members to recommend speakers and in  some cases make contact as he has found, more and more over the years that people don't return his phone calls, and in some cases have him blacklisted. 

 

6. Ron indicated that at some point Brandy would have something to say, and everyone present expected it, but the meeting ended and we heard nary a word from her. Strange times!

 

7. Jen Simpson indicated she has logged on to the virtual world convention and viewed a few of the youtube videos. The speakers have been excellent and the reminder the impact Rotary has around the world has been inspirational. There is no cost to view and she encouraged more club members to log on to riconvention.org and have a look for themselves.

 

8, Ron announced he has had year end resignations from Vicki Jones who has decided to relocate and from Trish Hawley who is juggling work and health issues

 

9. Ron reminded us about the 2 for 1 offer made by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to match donations to the Polio campaign to a max of $50 million. The offer expires at the end of June and there is still $30 million on the table. If you wish to make a one off or regular donation log on to rotary.org or call the donation support centre 1-866-976-8279. They should have your Rotary number to make sure you get Paul Harris point recognition. 

 

 

 

 

No introduction was needed for today's speaker - our very own PDG, and more importantly, incoming President, Ron Strickland. 

Ron opened by reminding him that his Rotary roots  go back a long way (there is a rumour that Ron and Methuselah were two of the earliest members) and he is looking for support from the club to bring him into the future. 

The power of our club lies with it's members and he invited all members to give positive input. Point out problems but offer solutions

 

Being President there are a number of measurement that are used to guage that the club is operating well and along Rotary guidelines

One is an internal 'Club Health Checkup'. During the 'Coffee Talks' of a year or so ago much of this review was done

RI sets out a number of targets for the incoming President to allow him to achieve the President's Citation. Through his guideance the club needs to achieve 13 of the 25 goals, including such areas as: membership growth targets; participation in International work; leadership development training; Foundation donation targets and participation among others.

 

As well Ron has to advise the District of 7 goals chosen from a list that the club will focus on through the year. LIke RI these goals relate to Service Projects, International travel, participation in strategic planning and Foundation activity. These goals will be shared with the club and an action plan will be created with the relevant committees

 

He did pass on that the District has advised that;

-dues at RI and the District will remain the same as past years

-there are still plans to hold the District conference in November at Red Leaves, in some part due to the potential loss of a $67,000 deposit if it does not happen. If Covi issues cause the cancellation then the deposit would come back to the District. 

 

Eds Note: Ron stepped up when there was no easily identified person willing to lead the club. We all know that he is dealing with, and has been for some time, family health issues and we also all know that Ron will give all he has for the good of Rotary. However the onus is squarely on the club members to make this a successful Rotary year because, lets not kid ourselves, there is one place Ron would rather be ...