Rotary Echo April 22, 2020 (Apr 24, 2020)

New Members Welcome, Come Join Us

Service Above Self

First Wednesday of the month @ 6:15 PM, all other Wednesday's 12:15.

Royal Canadian Legion

21 Veterans Way
Huntsville, ON P1H1P4
Canada

District Site

Venue Map

Zoom Meeting

President Drew opened the meeting with a welcome to those attending virtually, and toasted the
Queen, Canada and Rotary.

Quote of the day, from the scrambled head of famed baseball playerYogi Berra:

Everyone is asking when this pandemic will be over
Yogi would say "Its tough to make predictions, especially about the future"

Club Announcements

President Drew reminded us about the pop up event next Monday at 4. It will be a pre-dinner cocktail event with opportunity for members to share any stories, make any rash statements, suggest any fun activities they have been doing while self isolating. Log in info will be sent out on Monday.

Committees – work continues in this area which is greatly appreciated – we are looking to create a budget so if your committee typically has one, please forward that information to Debbie Liddle in the next two weeks.
Also, next week in my update, I will be sending out some information on committees with an invitation for all members to continue with their existing committees, or perhaps try a new one – that information can be forwarded to Ron or myself.

The Satellite group had a virtual Zoom meeting Thursday night with a Club Runner 101 presentation. President Kim reports that there was a large group in attendance and lots of good info shared.

Recognizing that Rotarians enjoy having a drink in their hands, the Satellite group will be hosting a Covid-19 Cocktail Hour starting at 5:30 next Thursday April 30. Log in details to follow.

President Drew then introduced our guest speaker, Phyllis Winnington-Ingram

Today's Speaker

Phyllis Winnington-Ingram has over 20 years of experience in Research and Community/Economic Development, resulting in numerous endorsements including two provincial awards for innovation. Phyllis's work has been published nationally and internationally and Phyllis is regarded as a highly respected presenter.

Today she shared her thoughts on Membership. As incoming District rep this will be her focus for the next while, supporting clubs in their efforts to grow and maintain their members. Phyllis asked about our club's current status and Drew mentioned the recent creation of the satellite club. He indicated that there really hasn't been an ability to integrate the two groups given the current situation and Tim, Membership Chair, added that both groups were learning to interact.

Part of the presentation was about diversity and the need for diversity in clubs. Diversity is many faceted and can be by race, religion, sexual orientation. In an area like Huntsville diversity is not as obvious as it would be in larger urban areas

Phyllis urged us to reach out as a club and, at a minimum, invite speakers in that might share different perspectives.

A few questions and comments followed.

Phyllis was thanked for her information and an invitation to return in the future to discuss this topic again.

Upcoming Meetings

Join us on Zoom every Wednesday at Noon

April 29 Bryan Loxton Classification talk

May 6 Community Living

May 13 Jen Pfrimmer Executive Director Muskoka Seniors

View entire list...

Happy Bucks

Rob S was not so happy to think that, at the time of the meeting, had the world not turned upside down he would have been at Graceland paying tribute to The King, prior to getting on a cruise ship for a week in the Caribbean. He also congratulated Tim Lutton on accepting the role of Rotary President. Not sure if it was by proper election or coup but since Tim spent a number of years in Qatar it could be the later.

Tim L reminisced about a time he went to a movie house in Qatar where they were showing a recently made war movie where the chant of Death to the Americans was commonly heard. As the only North American in the crowd he was slumped in his seat, which for a guy as tall as Tim, would be a challenge

Mary R was happy to report that their children, who run a cheese and chocolate shop in Toronto have been able to re-invent their business to now deliver frozen meals and various foodstuffs

Drew was happy to pass on the great news that Trish has had her last radiation treatment and things are looking increasingly promising. Well done Trish

Ron S agreed that we don't want to be inundated with 'seasonal residents' but was thankful a few showed up at their cottages and gave his son some tree pruning business

Jim H enjoyed the talk today and thought back to when women did not play a role in our club. He mentioned some of the great female leaders we have had since they joined the organization

Jen S relayed that her son Rowan celebrated his 14th birthday by having a surprise drive through from his many friends waving signs, lots of balloons and throwing paper airplanes

George Y suggested that we contact a Rotary Club in Nova Scotia and send our thoughts, prayers and condolences for the recent tragedy.

Hugh H figured since this is 'bash Tim day' that he would recount walking around the neighbourhood and seeing a dog pulling his 'master' up the hill. The dog looked fresh, the guy on the other end of the leash - not so much. Tim did explain he had gone out previously for a long walk but admitted he just could not tire his dog out!