Next Week - No Meeting - Easter Monday
Next Meeting April 12, 1999
Agricultural Institute of Canada
Speaker: Jack Reams, President
Chair: Carl Willis
Song Leader: Ken MacKenzie
Greeters: Kingsley Lewis, Kim Griffin

President's Message

Congratulations to the Auction Committee, and especially Chair John Broderick. As the wrap up report indicates the auction enjoyed a very healthy increase in return, and I think it generated more fun and interest among Rotarians. That can largely be attributed to several innovations introduced this year by the organizing committee, proving yet again that there is always room for new ideas.

The very impressive 12 percent increase in return to the club puts us in a position to support even more community activities next year. As I have indicated before the Auction is very important because the funds raised provide us with the greatest flexibility to meet a variety of needs and priorities of the club. At a time when we are seeking new fund raisers, it is great to see long standing events like the auction doing so well.

Many thanks to the bidders who were fast off the mark and high with their bids so that we quickly sold the few remaining items.

As you heard last week, Island Radio have put on a tremendous drive to support the Easter Seals campaign, and we owe a big thank you to Frank Lewis and staff for that effort. In a very short period of time they have put together a very impressive series of events in support of the Easter Seals effort.

I hope all Rotarians will make an effort to attend the April 10th event, and that you will be quick to say YES when called upon to volunteer to assist with the Easter Seals campaign. The effort being put into the campaign by so many non-Rotarians makes it clear that this is a very highly respected fund raiser, and means a great deal to many Islanders.

LEWIS OUTLINES PLANS

Frank Lewis of Island Radio outlined the plans for a special Easter Seals event. He was introduced by Easter Seals Chair, Jim Macnutt, who expressed great appreciation to Island Radio for stepping in and planning a major event to support the campaign and to fill a void left by CBC not being able to mount the annual TV telethon.

Saturday April 10th will be EASTER SEALS SATURDAY on CFCY, Magic 93, and CHTN.

From noon until 7pm, CFCY will be soliciting pledges and broadcasting from the Easter Seals Stage set up at the Charlottetown Mall. Jeremy MacDonald, Easter Seals Ambassador will be involved as well as other well known Islanders. The normal hours of operation of the pledge lines at Island Tel have been substantially extended and will be open through the afternoon and evening to receive pledges.

Magic 93 and CHTN will also be doing live reports from the Easter Seals Stage at the Charlottetown Mall and encouraging Islanders to phone the pledge lines.

At 7PM, a special Saturday Night Hoe Down, the popular CFCY program, will be broadcast live from the Confederation Centre Main Stage. For this special event the Hoe Down will feature Maritime talent and the performers will be on stage at the Centre. Tickets for the event are also on sale for $5.50 so people can enjoy the live show at the Centre.

Frank says it is truly a cooperative effort, and he thanked Island Tel, the Charlottetown Mall and Confederation Centre for their involvement. Island Travel and Signature Travel have donated air fare for a prize. TV Ads Island Wide and the East and West Prince Graphics are providing advertising support.

Thanks to Frank and the staff of Island Radio for their leadership on this event and as Frank says "they are doing everything possible to make it a success."

MAIL CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY

The Rotary Easter Seals Campaign is underway. Marilyn MacKinnon says more than 50,000 mailers will be sent to households across the province. The kits are prepared by Tremploy, and the target for the campaign is $34,000. That is about the same as the dollars actually raised last year.

Bulletin Board

Birthdays Mar 29 - Apr 11

Mar 31 Jeane Coburn
Apr 01 Norman MacLeod
Apr 03 Bob Anderson
Apr 05 Simon Compton
Apr 07 Jack Bigelow
Apr 07 Kingsley Lewis
Apr 08 Austin Bowman
Apr 11 Dave Faulkner

Many happy returns - Remember the Foundation, and don't forget to renew your drivers license.

Anniversaries Mar 29 - Apr 11

Mar 29 Dale and Jean Mader
Apr 08 Ray and Kelly Loxdale

Congratulations and Best Wishes

RI Foundation Notice
Exchange to be paid

The RI Foundation Committee is presently accepting written applications from Paul Harris Fellow sustaining members or those wishing to become sustaining member who would like to contribute $100 Canadian and receive credit for $100 (US). As funds are limited the committee is accepting 30 applications on a first come, first serve basis. Please apply to Bob Sear, chair, or anymember of the committee prior to May 10, 99.

From the Donations Committee
Richard Veinot, Chairman

The Donation Committee moves the following donation for approval by the Rotary Club of Charlottetown on or after April 19, 1999

Charlottetown Boys and Girls Club, $1000 for their after school programme, from the Auction Account.

The following donation, from the Auction Account, was approved by the Board:

Queens Co. Music Festival $500.

Greeters

Today Ivan Morrison Jack O'Keefe
Next Week Kingsley Lewis Kim Griffin
April 19 James Macnutt Jane Brewster
April 26 Jim Cumming Lorne Moase
May 3 John Scales Mark Robertson
May 10 Lloyd MacLeod Jim Smith
May 17 Marilyn MacKinnon, Ted Van Lunen

If you are unable to act as Greeter on your appointed day, please make arrangements with another Rotarian to take your place.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR EASTER SEALS

March 29 Mail campaign begins
April 10 Easter Seal Saturday
April 12-16, 19-21 Ambassador's tour
May 31 Wrap up meeting

Calendar Watch 1999

April 5 Easter Monday - No Meeting
April 10 Easter Seals Saturday
April 12 Jack Reams, Pres., Agricultural Institute of Canada*
April 19 Island Success Story - Seaman's*
April 26 Island Success Story - Hyndman's*
May 03 BDC Presentation*
May 10 Kidney Foundation Presentation*
May 24 Victoria Day - No Meeting
May 31 Easter Seals Wrap Up Meeting*

* Rotary Club of Charlottetown Meetings

ROTARY AUCTION WRAP UP

Terming it a "tremendous success", Chair John Broderick expressed appreciation to the many sponsors, supporters and participants in the Rotary auction.

He says several things helped increase the return this year. There was more time to canvass and the number of items increased from 780 to 820. There was also more time to promote the various items on TV ads. The team structure among Rotarians helped generate more interest and enthusiasm and a more complete canvass.

Gross sales exceeded $36,000., with costs of $6,000. for a net return of $30,000. That represents a 12% increase over last year, and as John says "with all the competition out there for fund raising, to not only increase, but increase 12 percent is a credit to the many people involved in the auction." The Auction brings together more Rotarians than any other activity of the club. John thanked the many groups and organizations that help make the auction successful. New this year were Hambly's and Atlantic Property Management. For a number of years the Auction has enjoyed strong support from Island Cablevision, Guardian, TV Ads Island Wide, Prince Edward Hotel, Norton's Jewellers, Island Telecom, Prince Edward Air, Henderson and Cudmore, and K&R Management. Special mention was also made of Japan Camera for processing all the film, Seaman's Beverages, Dunkin Donuts, and Burger King.

John presented special certificates of appreciation to Island Cablevision and the Holland College Call Centre students.

Special note was made of the merchants who donate goods and the many bidders who support the auction.

Three Rotary auctioneers quickly dispensed of the 28 remaining auction items netting more funds for the club.

Kevin MacRae, who provides all the technical support to the auction, offered a few statistics: 300 pre-bids were received on Friday evening, there were 678 bidders overall, and the busiest time was between 3-7PM on Saturday.

Marilyn reminds Islanders to watch for the colourful envelopes in the mail, to make use of the Easter Seals and to be as generous as possible with your donation.

EDUCATION COALITION

It was an education on what part of the Easter Seals money is used for as Laura Lee Noonan of the Education Coalition took members through a presentation on the activities of the coalition. The coalition itself represents a number of Island organizations that are involved in the presentation of services to children with disabilities. The purpose of the coalition is to provide one on one tutoring to about 96 children across the Island. Many face special challenges including limited mobility and learningdisabilities.

14 university students are trained for two weeks and then employed for the summer to providing tutoring in math, reading and writing. Rotary Easter Seals funding covers the costs not covered by government grants, such as training, travel, and supervision.

Laura Lee thanked the members of the Club for their support.

ATTENDANCE: 78.7% with 17 Scooters.

50/50 draw: Bob Moffatt had the lucky number that netted him $62., but in drawing the King of Spades he left behind the $500 jackpot.

MAKEUPS to Mar 22 -Carl Bagnall, Jack Cutcliffe, Norman MacLeod, Dale Mader (4), Jack O'Keefe (4), Chris Severance, Don Thompson, Walter Cox, Don Anderson.