This Rotor can also be found on the FRONT PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE,
on the right side (where it used to be).
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please note that there is no video recording of today's meeting.
Next week, May 20, will be a business/AGM meeting. Jean-Marc is excited but is making us wait a week to find out why.
Arrangements have been made for a meal to be catered for this event. Please let Jean-Marc know if you would like to order a meal for $32 by end of day today. He sent an email earlier this week with details. Doreen is happy to accept payment.
The virtual District 5550 Conference begins tonight with the promise of good speakers, good information and good fellowship.
A kick-off begins next week on an all Regina Rotary Clubs event.
Cory Daly has resigned from Eastview to join the Rotary club of Regina Oskaya. Thank you Cory for all of your efforts on behalf of our club as Admin. Director. We will meet again. Pat and Donna will handle Admin activities to the end of the Rotary year.
Charles is arranging a Veggie Sale with his Committee.
Jack will be in touch with the volunteer gardeners to plant the Club garden hopefully on Sunday afternoon.
PDG Peter Neufeldt introduced Gord and Deb highlighting the following: Gord and Deb LeMaistre have managed District 5550’s Ripple Effect Program since 2009 at which time Peter noted that they 'jumped in with both feet', working with a committee of dedicated Rotarians from across our District to improve educational opportunities for underprivileged children in Guatemala. They have visited Guatemala 13 times since 2008 and understand the educational needs of the children. Staying as long as a month on each visit, they have had more than 20 different Rotarians accompany them from District 5550 on their Annual Project Monitoring trips to Guatemala, several of them travelling many times with Gord & Deb.
Gord & Deb are both past presidents of the Rotary Club of Kenora and Major Donors to the Rotary Foundation.
"Our passion is the Ripple Effect Program, but we are also very active in our club. As Rotarians, we live 'Service Above Self' and are always looking for ways to have the greatest positive impact to bring services to those in need and a hope for a better future through education."
Gord and Deb then by picture and word spoke about the progress that has been made through the Ripple Effect program in Guatemala--the schools that have been built, the washrooms, the kitchens, the scholarships and most of all how the program has empowered the citizens of the various areas to continue and expand on the projects. He credited the early Ripple Effect Committee of which 3 of our own Eastviewians--Peter Peters, Peter Neufeldt and Doug Mortin were members and still are very much involved. Gord also credited the ingenuity of the Valentine Gala this year in COVID times and the Eastview Rotary Riders who have biked raising funds for the children of Guatemala for many years and raised an incredible amount of $18,000 this Rotary year.
Gord and Deb LeMaistre, two of District 5550's global angels
Gord and Deb noted that this COVID year brought ZOOM into the picture with virtual meetings of the Guatemala and District 5550 committees. They meet frequently and have become good friends. They have also met with students and parents and celebrated accomplishments on ZOOM as the pandemic prevented the LeMaistre's from travelling to Guatemala this year.
They noted the strength of the people who have survived the challenges of floods, earthquakes, volcanoes, and hurricanes. They have seen many differences in the years since they made their first trip to Guatemala: Individual clubs meet with other clubs more frequently, they have learned to ask various Government departments for help, there is more pride and friendships within their communities. In February vaccines became available for health care workers and people were educated on taking care of themselves during COVID. They have had the same problems as in countries around the world with schools, closing, opening, closing and assignments being delivered to students to complete at home.
It was a special time spent with the LeMaistre's and we thank them for visiting our club. You are always welcome. Thank you for everything you do.
COVID in Guatemala--there are similarities
Gord with the children of Guatemala and the powerful message of Rotary and the Ripple Effect program
The Family of Rotary
This week we were sad to learn of the passing of Carlyle Murray of the Rotary Club of Regina Industrial Parks. He was a well known, wonderful, long time Rotarian and he will be missed. Our condolences to Industrial Parks and to Carlyle's family.
"UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN, MAY GOD HOLD YOU IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND." Irish Blessing
We were also sad to learn of the passing of Nellie Susan Aasen, sister to our own Gord Wicijowski. Our condolences to you and your family, Gord. Please know that we miss you at our Zoom meetings.
FELLOWSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
The Sergeant's report; In the absence of Pat Dell, Jack Wozniak was conscripted to be the Sergeant. First order of business was to fine Jean-Marc for putting him on the spot for Sergeant duties.
Happy Bucks: Peter Peters was happy to report that he and Margaret celebrated 57 years of marriage last weekend. What a milestone. Congratulations! A partial lift of the COVID lockdown will happen soon which will mean opportunities to visit restaurants--happiness will abound. Jack was happy that the damage caused by winds earlier in the year to his home will soon be repaired. Gary and Jessie were happy to have planted their garden. Peter Neufeldt was happy to welcome Gord and Deb to the meeting.
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" Take time to be friendly - It is the road to happiness.
Take time to dream - It is hitching your wagon to a star.
Take time to love and be loved - It is the privilege of the Gods.
Take time to look around - It is too short a day to be selfish.
Take time to laugh - It is the music of the soul." Old English proverb.
