As members and guests signed onto today's Rotary Club of Regina Eastview ZOOM meeting we were met with a collage of photos President Jayna Amadasun accumulated over the past 12 months which provided an impressive glimpse of the year that was. There was silence as events were remembered. Thank you, Jayna for setting the stage for a participative sharing of Rotary experiences and highlights and how those events made real the impact our association with this family of Rotary has had on lives and the contribution that resulted from this association.
President Jayna, called the meeting to order a few minutes after 12 noon and welcomed members and visitors to the last meeting of the Club for the calendar year 2025. The President followed the welcome by reminding us that we are all Treaty People, as she shared in a meaningful Land Acknowledgement statement which challenges us to work toward making the commitments heralded in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission real in this country Canada and in our community.
President Jayna built today's meeting and Program around our photographic welcome to the meeting, suggesting that our successes and shared times together is a credit to the dedication and support from participating members and friends. Building on this backdrop she invited Rotarians on the call to take a few minutes to share how our vocations have influenced or impacted our Rotary experience and involvement and how our Rotary experience has impacted our vocations.
Here are some of the things we learned:
Peter Peters career in Healthcare was supplemented by his continuous membership in four different Rotary Club in Saskatchewan beginning in 1970. story Volunteerism was part of his rural church community background, Expanding the community in a service club like Rotary where ones children and their needs are critical and as a result church, school, and each new community reset the stage. Peter's community has grown to have a stronger international perspective fostered by the influence of Rotary and Rotarians.
Doreen Pankewich credited her parents, and particularly her father, for the importance of 'giving back'. In her education and career as a financial controller, being correct and honest was key, which fits so well into her role as Club Treasurer. Being part of Rotary and having witnessed the focus of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation in the care and attention they pay to accountability, the fit with Rotary is natural and appreciated.
Greg Baca remembered his grandfather (a leader within the community) was connected with a service Club. As a person connected with the Funeral Service business, visibility in the community is critical and serves him well as the manager of two Funeral Homes in Regina and one in Weyburn. As a newcomer to Regina his welcome into Regina Eastview was an important step, and he is now on the Regina Executive Committee, because the opportunity presented itself. Greg admitted to being a person who is prepared to "pivot". He has found this to be of benefit in a new community.
Sam Berg joined Rotary in 2011, and found this opened the door to a welcoming community beyond the community in his role as a Pastor. Sam reminded us that we are encouraged to, "Think globally and work locally", and Rotary helps us do both. In keeping with this thought, next week he is going to the Regina Public Library to make a cheque presentation as our Club is supporting the Library's Indigenous Program.
Gail Bradley grew up in Grenfell, graduated as a Pharmacist and practised in pharmacies and in hospitals until she became part of the Government's Drug Plan and appreciated opportunity to do a career 'pivot'. Living across the street from Doug Mortin, she recognized joining Rotary was inevitable. Rotary membership provided her with new opportunities at home and abroad.
Oladayo Ajala grew up in Nigeria and has been a member of Regina Eastview for 3 years. Growing up in a close knit community helping each other was a natural thing. Life was about helping one another and together the community would be cleaned. Now as a Civil Engineer looking after the environment is natural and is what he learned growing up. .
Toshi Shinmura came to Regina in 1977 and he started to work for minimum wage and all he did was work to support his family. He also taught and continues to teach judo and until retirement, his focus was on survival, Now he has the opportunity to give back and appreciates doing some of this through Rotary. Specifically this is achieved through his role coordinating the Club's PolioPlus activity.
Eghosa Amadasun has a background as a Medical Practitioner which got underway in 1994. He has a passion for helping people. He is not about being in front of people he wants to be in a place where he is actual helping. This sets the stage for his place in Rotary connecting the Club members and our community with ShelterBox where helping people when the need for shelter is a critical.
Amanda Lanoway's Dad was a member of a Service Club in Swift Current, and her own life's work has been focused on community services supported by organizations like the United Way. She focuses on positive influences created by local structures which assist in addressing the challenges in the community.
Jeff Barber CEO of the Regina Public Library, sees this as his vocation and passion. The library is a place for everyone - rich or poor, old or young. where everyone is welcome and able to access its services. He is in his 33rd year in Rotary. He reminded us he appreciated his time as a member of Saskatoon Meewasin, because it met for breakfast.
Deidre Powell likes to listen and figure out ways to assist people. She was drawn to Rotary because of the focus on service. While in private law practise, the opportunity to participate in Rotary was easier. However, private practise freedoms are not open to her now and so attending mid-day meetings are not possible - support for morning meets.
Steward Graham grew up in Wolseley and after graduating from High School joined the Toronto Dominion Bank, because he likes to help people. While employed by the bank in Thunder Bay he was invited to join Rotary, was a subsequently a member of Winnipeg Charleswood. He joined the Regina Club in 1998 and has now been part of Rotary for 42 years. He has appreciated the Club's support of Souls Harbor over the years and specifically during Club's 2017 100th Anniversary Celebration where they contributed $250,000.00 to the Harbors major expansion project.
