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Today's Meeting June 14, 1999 Cancer Society Presentation Speaker: Dr. Alastar Cribb SongLeader: Darren Ings Greeters: Ken Gillis, Ken MacDonald Next Meeting June 21, 1999 Confederation Centre Summer Festival Programme Song Leader: Ken Campbell Greeters: John Morrison, Nelson Hagerman President's Message Thanks to Richard Veinot for taking over the President's role today, and to Bennett Carr for keeping tabs on things for next week's bulletin. Looking back our last meeting, it highlighted some important things about our Rotary club. In hearing from two organizations we fund we gained insight into the fact we are providing valuable support to organizations that are working to make a difference in our community. It also reflects the spectrum of services we support. One organization inspiring and encouraging children in music excellence, the other providing the vitally important basic service of a good after school program. Congratulations to both organizations and to you for raising the funds that help make their work possible. As the letter from New Zealand demonstrates our good efforts cross many boundaries and help children a half a world away. In recognizing Tom and Andy we reflect the value we place eon community service and the fact our organization has consistently helped the community for generations. We also recognize that an organization is only as strong as its members. Without the individual effort of individual members, Rotary is just a name. SYMPATHY The members of the Rotary Club of Charlottetown express their sympathy to the family of the late George J. Rogers, who passed way Thursday, June 10. George joined Rotary on January 7, 1952 and is best described as one of the most colourful characters in our club. My introduction to George came through the Rotary Auction committee, and to say George loved the Auction is an understatement. His sneakers, quips and dedication added enjoyment to the work of the committee. In the two years I chaired the Auction I never knew George to miss a meeting, and he was one of the first people on site auction day. For many of us the Rotary weekly meeting didn't end until we heard George say "Game Over" and that was my first thought on learning of his death, for George it is game over. If life is a game then George played it well, finding fun in the work to be done. I know that I will carry many fond memories of George Rogers, Rotarian. Bulletin Board Birthdays June 14 Peggy Coady June 19 Ron Profit June 20 Tony Sosnkowski Many happy returns - Remember the Foundation, and don't forget to renew your drivers license. NOTICE OF MOTION The Board of has recommended a donation of $10,000 from the Easter Seals account to Camp Gencheff. In keeping with the requirement that any donation over $500 be approved by the membership, notice is hereby given that the motion for this donation will be presented to the membership for vote on June 14, 1999. Greeters Today Ken Gillis Ken MacDonald Next Meeting John Morrison Nelson Hagerman June 28 Neil Buchanan John MacInnis If you are unable to act as Greeter on your appointed day, please make arrangements with another Rotarian to take your place. Calendar Watch 1999 June 28 President's Handover, and Changing of the Guard * Rotary Club of Charlottetown Meetings Previous Meeting FLOYD MACLEAN REMEMBERED President Moe led Rotarians in a minute of silence for fellow Rotarian - Floyd MacLean who died June 3, the 14th anniversary of the day he joined Rotary. In Rotary Floyd served on the Easter Seals committee and was a strong advocate for the programs and the services it provided Islanders, and was active on the youth committee. He believed in the motto of service above self and he lived the four way test. Floyd worked at R. T. Holmans before joining the staff of the Prince Edward Island Potato Marketing Board, and for the past three decades he was a key figure in the potato industry of this province. For many years he was a regular figure at the board booth at the Royal Winter Fair - representing the Island Industry and our Province. Floyd lived the four way test - he worked every day to build friendship and understanding, and he was universally recognized for his fairness to all. LETTER OF APPRECIATION RECEIVED Our funding donation towards the purchase of books at a school in a lower income area of New Zealand resulted in the following letter: Just a wee note to you to tell you a bit about the shopping trip we took with the money you so generously donated to the library. Last week, the teachers picked six children to go to a local bookshop with Ms. Ratana, one of our teachers, and myself. The children were given the responsibility of picking out books for the school under the following guidelines: they must get a few things for each age group, they should pay special attention to illustrative style, they should budget their purchases between fiction and non-fiction, and they must get good value for money! Remember, this is the first time these children have ever been in a bookstore or chosen books for purchase. After an hour of discussion, we emerged victorious from the bookshop. I can tell you that the kids picked out 37 books that fit the criteria above! Ms. Ratana and I were only on hand to tell the children if we already had a copy of any particular book in the collection - they did the rest of the choosing and buying themselves. We finished our job, Ms. Ratana and I treated the kids to lunch at Pizza Hut, since the best part of a shopping trip is having lunch afterward to discuss your purchases. One little girl came up to be afterward, sighed happily, and said, "Miss, this has been the best day of my whole life!" You and your group have yourselves to thank for that, you know! Peggy Kroder, Librarian, Pomare School HOW OUR FUND RAISING HELPS OTHERS Jacquelyn Sorenson, Coordinator of the Queens County Music Festival reports 1500 students took part int his years music festival. The funding from our club had a two fold purpose - covering operating expenses and the scholarship. Half of the Rotary funding was use to help cover the cost of Adjudicators for the festival. Four years ago the Junior and Senior Rose Bowls were established to provide scholarship funding to top musical performers. The top performers take part in an evening concert and then the top performers are awarded the scholarships. Our club sponsored the Junior Rose Bowl, won by Christina Holloway. A reminder that the headlines often reflect the challenges faced in our own community and there are pressures on young people as they attempt to fit in with others, and deal with issues such as divorce and separation. Parents as well feel the pressure. Often help only arrives in time of crisis. One program of the Boys and Girls Club is designed to help families that are not in crisis - the After School Program is funded in part by a $1000 donation from our club. Jennifer Cairns Burke updated the club on the impact of the after school program. Attendance: 71.8% with 12 Scooters. Cash Draw: Jennifer Evans had the right number to take the $54 draw, but the Queen of Hearts could not be coaxed from the deck, it was the Eight of Clubs instead, and $500 jackpot remains. President Moe: Welcomed Frank Tibbetts back to the Club - a sure sign of summer. Congratulated Jim MacNutt on successfully hosting the annual meeting of the National Board of Directors of Easter Seals and March of Dimes. "I had the opportunity to attend one of the functions and can tell you Jim did an excellent job and there were many positive comments." Recognized and congratulated Neil Buchannan on being named the Transportation Man of the Year for 1999. Neil was honoured for his efforts with the Charlottetown Airport Authority. STROKE This is National Stroke Awareness Month and Dr. Sweeney-Nixon highlighted some of the warning signs and facts about stroke. A stroke is one of several types of Cardiovascular Disease. A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is reduced. The stroke affects various parts of the brain and that often presents a warning sign such as poor vision, speech difficulties, general weakness, or serious headache. Dr. Sweeny-Nixon says immediate medical attention is important because once nerve cells die they can not be revived and they do not replace themselves. Research indicates that the earlier medical attention is obtained the less severe the result. Less than five percent of those having a stroke go for medical attention within six hours meaning they are outside the best window of opportunity for effective action. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Canada, accounting for 30% of deaths in 1997. The survival rate is rising, but people still often suffer permanent damage from the stroke. There are four contributing factors to a stroke that people can modify and thereby reduce the chances of suffering a stroke.They are, obesity, inactivity, high Blood Pressure and smoking. Prince Edward Island has the highest rate of stroke deaths in Canada, and the leading factors are Obesity and Inactivity. Dr. Sweeney-Nixon also explained the research she is involved within at the University and Atlantic Veterinary College, which is funded in part by the PEI Heart and Stroke Foundation. It involves the use of Adenosine type drugs that can reduce the damage to nerve cells from a stroke. Too young to be a Rotarian? Past RI President Herb Brown was 22 when he became a Rotarian; his successor, Luis Giay, was 23. Fortunately, nobody told them they were too young to be Rotarians. Nobody told Paulo Costa, either, or H.J. Brunnier or Estes Snedecor -- all past presidents of Rotary who became members at age 25. In fact, youthful entry into Rotary could be perceived as a positive indicator for future leadership: 38 of the 88 RI presidents were under 35 when they joined Rotary. One could argue that because they joined Rotary at a young age, they had more time to acquire the knowledge and experience essential to effective Rotary leadership and greater opportunities to develop a strong commitment to service. Although there have never been age requirements or limits on Rotary membership, historically, the majority of Rotarians have fallen into the 50 and above age group. At one time, it took longer for individuals to rise to a professional level that would qualify them for Rotary membership. But times have changed. In many industries -- particularly high-tech ones ,bright young people are leading the way and revolutionizing the traditional corporate structure. In addition, many of today's successful entrepreneurs are under 30 years of age. Most Rotarians would agree that bringing in younger members is essential to their club's future success. But membership development experts caution against inviting only one or two younger members into a club comprised solely of older Rotarians. Experience has shown that younger members become involved in club activities more quickly when there are several others in their peer group. Clubs are also advised to put their new youthful members to work immediately; recent studies on the waning interest in civic involvement show that younger people are more interested in service than fellowship. Makeups to June 7/99 Don Anderson, Carl Bagnall (2), Lloyd MacLeod, Judy MacCann-Beranger, Jim Smith, Richard Veinot, Walter Cox. |