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PRESIDENTS’ NIGHT: PRESIDENT LENNIS TROTTER SUMMARY OF OUR ROTARY YEAR: Pres Lennis noted that we started off running with a new Vision ("Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves." and Strategic Plan and its 4 priorities for the next 5 years ( to increase our impact, expand our reach, enhance participant engagement, and increase our ability to adapt) from Rotary International. We had great speakers (leaders from our community, our own members’ craft talks, and lots more from the world of Rotary, our own Board member committee updates and general interest speakers), successful fundraising events (Big Game 54, Bingos, our Fashion Show), lots of social get togethers (our BBQ at the Biddles, our Christmas party with Participation House, our Christmas party at the Trotters, our annual Valentine’s Dinner and outr Tour of The Canadian Automotive Museum) , 6 new members and many service projects (Shelterbox, Adopt A Village Laos, Lakeridge Health, Fee The Need in Durham, the Back Door Mission, Ontario Shores, YWCA, Krinkle Project, and many more). Our District Governor Beth Selby joined us for a 4-club joint meeting, along with 100 members form the Oshawa, Bowmanville and Courtice Clubs. Our members attended the International Convention in Hamburg and the District Conference in Muskoka. We received District and Global Grants for our Kids Against Hunger Project, and for the school and bus in India. We co-hosted the second World Polio Day livestream event with the Oshawa Rotary Club and Durham College in the Global Classroom, as 10 Durham Region Rotary clubs, their mayors, and Regional Chair all took part in the event along with Rotary dignitaries from all over the world. The event was seen by thousands world-wide. The Kids Safety Village continued to attract kids from grades 1 thru 6 teaching them safety from the police, fire dept, ambulance, and GO Transit, teaching them about street safety, fire safety, 911 calls, internet safety, cyberbullying, chatting with strangers, bullying, and disaster training. Our club also helped out with the annual Halloween Haunt and the Christmas At The Village events when thousands of kids and parents enjoyed the Village, our signature project. We had a series of Club Presidents meetings with the 9 other Durham Region Rotary Club Presidents , to better combine our service and fellowship efforts. On March 10, 2020 we had our last meeting at the Golf Club as the world changed. COVID-19 was upon us. Our Board of Directors and club members worked well together, and adapted to the new times. By April 28, we were back up and running with our regular weekly Zoom meetings, guest speakers, fundraisers, and even toured the Back Door Mission. Lennis thanked everyone for their tremendous support throughout the year, especially during the epidemic. He thanked his Board of Directors, Committees and our members, and looks forward to working with President Sue MacKinnon and her Board as we move from” Rotary Connects the World” to “Rotary Opens Opportunities”. Thank you to Sandy and Kim and everyone at The Oshawa Express for the article on our Rotary year of Avcive Service to our local and international communities . Here is a link to see that article: https://oshawaexpress.ca/another-busy-year-of-service-to-others-for-rotary-club/ AWARDS PRESENTATIONS: Secretary Robbie Larocque then presented the Perfect Attendance pins to a large number of our members. Robbie noted that the Rotary Year is tracked from July 1 through June 30. This year we have factored into the Rotary Year the adverse influence of Covid 19 and the restrictions which have been placed on us locally and globally. This year we have tracked the attendance records from July 1, 2019 through February 28, 2020. The attendance pin is an ‘add on’ to one’s Rotary Pin. The attendance pin has a number which identifies number of years of perfect attendance. The term “PERFECT” attendance should not discourage you from attaining the Perfect Attendance Pin. The recipients of the pins this year, may not have attended every Rotary meeting. However, they have earned the attendance pin through participating in additional Rotary meetings and/or events. This group of Rotarians have participated in one or more of the following Rotary functions: at the Board level, at the District level, attending the District Conference, attending the International Convention, assisting with Bingo, attending a Committee Meeting, and participating at a Kids’ Safety Village events and other community projects. Robbie then presented the pins as follows: - Kim Boatman <2 years>, - Janice Coupland <2 years>, - Susan MacKinnon <2 years>, - Sandy McDowwell <2 years>, - Kris Sachdeva <3 years>, - Linda Porritt <4 years>, - David Penney <6 years>, - Ted Morrison <6 years>, - Dave Andrews <13 years>, - Devon Biddle <14 years>, - Lennis Trotter <44 years>. Congratulations to everyone. President Lennis presented a Paul Harris Fellow award to Past President Linda Porritt for her outstanding year and strong leadership as 2018-19 President of the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood. President Lennis presented the “Rotarian of the Year” Award to Sue MacKinnon. Sue attended bot District Conference, and International Conventions, organized our hospitality suite with the Oshawa Club, volunteers and helps organize Bingo and Kids Safety Village Boards, and got us all involved in many activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. And many contributions during her year as VicePresident. President Lennis presented an “Outstanding Service” Award to Dave Andrews. Dave has been very active in the club and at the District level for many years, and as Executive Secretary of the club as a link to Rotary International, Club Central, and Citation business. The pandemic hit and Dave helped get our zoom meetings up and running and we have never looked back and has been a great advisor to Lennis throughout the year. President Lennis presented and “Outstanding Service “ Award to Devon Biddle. Devon has been Secretary and Treasurer for our club for the past 27 years. He has been very ddedicated to Rotary locally, at the District Level and Internationally for many years and of course a strong supporter of The Rotary Foundation, and has been a great advisor to Lennis throughout the year President Lennis announced special recognition to Devon Biddle. Lennis announced that for al of his outstanding service over the years, the annual donation that our club makes to The Rotary Foundation on behalf of our guest speakers will forever be named in Devon’s honour. Loud applause over Zoom by all the members. President Sue MacKinnon then made her opening remarks to the Club:. “Thank you Lennis, I am happy to be your president for a year. My first mission : to align the Rotary year with the calendar year. Who wants to take over in the middle of a pandemic? On a personal note, this pandemic has not affected me. I feel very fortunate. When I fall asleep at night, I don’t have a care in the world. I don’t go to bed hungry. I have two great kids that have careers in their chosen field and I love their partners Karly and Roberto and who doesn’t know that I have a 6 month-old grandson. This pandemic is making it difficult for us to continue with fundraising that enable us to deliver projects and service we are known for. But it’s really just an inconvenience for us. Some people would love to be in our shoes, the ones that have truly been affected. Ones that have lost loved ones, jobs or a business. The ones that have swallowed their pride and now go to a food bank. We have donated to the Back Door Mission and Feed the Need. Unplanned donations, just like the pandemic itself. We will recover. This is the time for all members of our club to work together, everyone needs to be vocal, not just those on a committee. New Ideas need to be bounced off each other. So start thinking, listening and searching . As my grade 3 teacher would say, put your thinking cap on. Sometimes I get annoyed at idioms such as: The new normal, at the end of the day, its all down hill from here. Recently I heard one that I didn’t find annoying: 20% of the people are doing 80% of the work. This is not the time for to this happen. One project that is now being organized, is our first ever bottle drive. This bottle drive is also an opportunity for our club to work with the Oshawa Club. We are being encouraged to work with other clubs in our district. No one knows what the new normal is going to be and I don’t think we should wait to find out. We are people of action. If someone asks me what projects we do, usually the Participation House comes right after the Safety Village . Most people are familiar with the Kids Safety Village but few know about the Christmas Party we have for Participation House. I explain in detail how the residents are challenged and we provide a truly amazing Christmas party for them. The dining room is set up for that party in a winter wonderland setting, as long as there is snow on the golf course, they have a great meal and entertainment. The calibre of these two projects is outstanding. Lets keep the tradition and incorporate a few new ones. Let’s have a wonderful year, continue to check on our neighbours and be kind.” On behalf of all of the Club members, Past District Governor Ted Morrison thanked Lennis for an outstanding job during a most difficult time in our history. President Lennis closed meeting at 8: 06 pm. NEXT MEETINGS: .Topic: Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood Weekly Meetings
Time: 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Tue,
July 7, 2020 07:00 PM July 14, 2020 07:00 PM July 21, 2020 07:00 PM July 28, 2020 07:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/99926166884
Meeting ID: 999 2616 6884
Dial by your location
+1 647 558 0588 Canada
Meeting ID: 999 2616 6884
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/abpb4qHfvS
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, MAKE UP: Go online at www.rotary.org go to the club locator and find a club or clubs near your destination. Or you can add the free App Rotary Club Locator to your phone for instant look up of any club in the world. Please mail or fax your make-ups to Secretary Robbie Larocque, or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting.
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