This Rotor can also be found on the FRONT PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE,
on the right side.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next week, Dec. 2nd our Guest Speaker will be Leroy Berndt from the Canadian Mental Health Association - please plan to be in attendance;
November 29 - December 2nd is the 81st Regina Rotary Carol Festival - it is a kick start to this festive Season of peace and good will - may it be so;
December 7 Ham sale packing, picking up and delivery taking place at London Drugs (East) - let John Van Koll know if you are able to assist;
Russ Parry, a Club ShelterBox Champion reminded us that Giving Tuesday, is November 30th and your donation to ShelterBox Canada would be matched by a major donor;
A decision on whether Regina Eastview will meet on December 23rd and 30th will be forthcoming.
President Pat Dell, invited Club Service Director Donna Parry, to introduce our guest speaker, Bonnie Dell. Bonnie, who lives in Saskatoon, joined the Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan (WRSOS) team in 2017. In joining WRSOS, Bonnie brought her enthusiasm and lifelong love of animals with her. Having lived in Jasper National Park for many years, she developed a deep appreciation of co-existing with wildlife. With a background in small business ownership and accounting, she joined WRSOS and has discovered a love of rescuing animals, most especially raptors (birds of prey), and hopes to work full time with them in the future. For the past 30 years Bonnie has shared her home with a golden retriever (or two) and a few rescue cats. She enjoys anything to do with nature, being outdoors and spending time with her family.
We learned many interesting things from Bonnie as she, with the use of power point slides, introduced us to the Wildlife Rescue Society of Saskatchewan (WRSOS). Around since 2006, WRSOS holds the distinction of being the only coordinated province wide wildlife rescue organization. Deemed an Essential Service in Saskatchewan, the organization run the wildlife 911 provincial hotline. They facilitate rescue with their operation governed by the Ministry of the Environment. They list their goals as:
Prevent the unnecessary removal of wildlife;
Prevent accidental injury or illness to callers and wildlife;
Inform and educate the public;
Rescue and transport wildlife;
Ensure rescued and rehabilitated wildlife are returned to their natural habitat.
Bonnie indicated that under the Ministry of the Environment, all wildlife are protected and only licenced rescuers can legally look after injured wildlife. There are 10 licenced wildlife rehabilitators in the province. All WRSOS personnel work from their homes. During the current pandemic workers must be exceedingly careful when working with animals like bats, deer and rats and all PPE requirements are applied.
The purpose of the "hotline" referred to above is six fold:
Assist and educate the public;
Reduce, resolve or prevent human-wildlife conflict;
Protect public health through education and awareness;
Reduce unnecessary intervention;
Ensure correct rescue and transport; and,
Encourage wildlife in urban settings.
To provide a glimpse of their level of activity, WRSOS Hotline Report indicates that in the 2020-2021 year WRSOS served 303 communities, dealt with 200 species and responded to 4691 calls (as many as 60 a day). The organization does not receive funding from government or rural or urban municipalities and survives financially by in-house fund-raising. Bonnie sees the organization having to broaden its support base to involve the business community.
Bonnie shared four rescue stories which involved a badger; moose calf; a turkey vulture; and, a Juvenile Snowy Owl, which made the work of WRSOS come alive.
We tip our hat to you, Bonnie Dell and your colleagues, for looking after our injured and vulnerable wildlife families. Thank you!
Bonnie Dell, WRSOS
TOGETHER PEOPLE CREATE CHANGE
ROTARY's ACTION PLAN
As People of Action, we understand that fulfilling that vision requires a plan.
More than a century ago, we pioneered a new model of service leadership grounded in person-to-person connections. Today, those connections are a network that spans the globe—bridging cultural, linguistic, generational, and geographic barriers—and shares the vision of a better world. As People of Action, we understand that fulfilling that vision requires a plan.
This is Rotary’s Action Plan through 2024: to increase our impact, expand our reach, enhance participant engagement, and increase our ability to adapt.
Visit the Action Plan page to watch our new video on the roadmap to becoming a stronger, more inclusive and effective Rotary.
The Family of Rotary
Last week we remembered the passing of our Club's Honourary Member Lloyd Rogers. After I circulated the ROTOR last week, Ann Grahame sent me this photo of Lloyd and Mary which is a pleasure to share with you.
Lloyd & Mary Rogers
FELLOWSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
We were pleased to welcome Ryan van Gelder into the fellowship of Regina Eastview;
Ryan will be Inducted into the Club when Membership Director John Van Koll can finalize those arrangements;
Sergeant-At-Arms Richard Schwan reminded members that his role is to ensure that meetings are conducted in an orderly and dignified manner, to which he has added the importance of educating members in "all matters Rotary";
Today Richard's focus was on current Rotary in Regina Activities which included questions like - What three ways can you contribute to the Salvation Army's Kettle Bell Ringing? The 81st Christmas Carol Festival is being held on what days? How many Hams were sold this year? Great questions which resulted in limited income - Happy Dollars was more profitable;
Charles Sadzamare was pleased that his son Eddie celebrated his birthday on November 23rd, and it is a dinner out this evening;
Jeff Barber wondered if the happy dollars he shared last week could be reimbursed, as the anticipated outcome was not realized;
Jeff did have a replacement happy dollar in that next week he will be celebrating 29 years of being in Rotary - Congratulations, Jeff Barber - we are honoured to have you in Regina Eastview;
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”It’s about looking at the student as a whole, teaching children how they learn, not how we think they should learn. We always think it’s going to cost so much money to address our problems with education and implementation solutions. Creative thinking – that’s all it is.”
Henry Winkler
Today's guests
We were delighted to welcome our Guest Speaker, Bonnie Dell, to our meeting on this November 25th. Good to have you with us, Bonnie.
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