This Rotor can also be found on the FRONT PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE,
on the right side (where it used to be).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
February 11 & 12 we will be celebrating our Valentine GALA at Home again this year, which will feature a pick up or delivered dinner prepared by the Rotisserie Restaurant, an on-line 50/50 raffle and Silent Auction - information will soon be on the Website along with distributed information;
GALA sponsors, with no upper limit, are appreciated and welcomed;
Associate Member, Pall Agarwal, is providing much appreciated assistance;
Members are reminded, January is Rotary's Vocational Service month;
Vocational service can mean many things to many people, however, in Rotary, Vocational Service means "holding ourselves and our businesses to the highest ethical standards. As the 4 way test instructs us, in all we think, say or do.";
Next week we meet via ZOOM, when Tamara Tucker will tell us about the U of R's Life Long Learning Centre - this is a presentation from which we can all benefit - hope to see you there.
Today was the first in-person meeting of 2023 and President Jeff Barber was tied up assisting Guest Speaker Evie Sawatzky and Peter Neufeldt get our Speaker's presentation material from laptop technology to a screen that he forgot the gathered masses wanted to eat. Once the meeting was called to order, food was accessed and it quieted the room. Following Land Acknowledgement, the 50/50 ticket draw "masters" revealed that 3 tickets had been purchased - an Executive decision altered the draw process and rather than draw a ticket, each purchaser was afforded the opportunity to search out, by fingertip feel, the single odd colored marble from the mystery box. Allen Hillsden, Ann Grahame and Vic Wiebe each took a turn and each one selected a blue marble. Each candidate was thanked for "playing the game and for their gracious donation". Tip of the Hat to Allen Hillsden for sharing today's Words of Wisdom.
Peter Neufeldt was called on to introduce Evie Sawatzky, Director of Development at the Mother Teresa Middle School (MTMS) in Regina, a role she assumed in August of 2022. Peter explained that MTMS is based on a philosophy which focuses on "Care for the whole person" and goes about working in a manner that the time to set life goals in the lives of children is during middle school years (Grades 6, 7 & 8).
Using Power Point Slides and short videos which the current technology could not show, but links to those videos are shared at the end of these ramblings, Evie introduced us to the draw and focus of MTMS. "Our MISSION: Recognizing Truth and Reconciliation, MTMS ignites a love of learning and empowers students to embrace their personal and cultural identity while overcoming obstacles and growing their spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social and physical well-being."
MTMS is connected to the Catholic School system but there are no religion classes but a focus specifically on cultural and family background. It operates on a 3-phased program which consists of Middle School, a Graduate support program and a University/Skills training which reflects an 11 year commitment to each child from grade 6 to employment. It is a program that is about eliminating barriers, from ensuring transportation to and from school regardless where you live in Regina; to Eye exams/glasses; to Family support and Cultural programming; to transitional supports throughout high school and post-secondary and a whole bunch of things in between.
Evie Noted that Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty is an Honorary Patron of MTMS and on Orange shirt day which was a week-long event which was referred to as, “Climbing the Mountain of Truth and Reconciliation”. Connecting is what the school is about - a place where volunteering is a learning opportunity - which is good for the students and a blessing to supporting organizations. Students enjoy attending the Tim Horton Foundation Camps Children’s Ranch and have the opportunity for the first time in their lives see the beauty of nature - mountains with clear water streams and experience the peace-filled hope that the combination of witnessing land and sky can give. Going to Otter Rapids up in Northern Saskatchewan, for a week of land- based learning is a thrill - students shared their songs with elders from Grandmother’s Bay and also learned some of their songs. They visited Pasqua First Nation and learned how to pick Sweet Grass and braid it. This cultural experience allowed students to find their own medicine on the land and provide healing for themselves and their families. All of this for some students who had never been outside of a small corner in the city of Regina. Evie talked of students who have truly never left their community. Never been downtown or to Wascana Park. These selfsame students are able to join the annual bike trip across Regina which literally helps open up their world letting students see more of what this city has to offer not to mention it is louds of fun.
Evie Sawatzky, Director of Development at Mother Teresa Middle School
Evie Sawatzky concluded her presentation by quoting Mother Teresa who said:
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” Truly one of those ripples is the Mother Teresa Middle School which with every student mentored the ripple expands and becomes more impactful.
Thank you, Evie Sawatzky
For sharing this story and for the role you play in creating the ripples.
Regina Eastview's 2022-2023 RI Theme Banner Arrives
The Family of Rotary
Ann Grahame is celebrating her birthday on January 13th, so an in-person meeting creates space for singing the greeting - and certainly at my table it was a beautiful serenade - thanks in part to Guest Speaker Evie's clear and distinctive voice;
We were saddened to learn that Jeanne Martinson's Mother passed away. Let us keep Jeanne and Malcolm in our minds as they journey forward.
Part of the Delta crowd (L to R) Doreen Pankewich, Richard Heslop, Pat Dell, Shannon and Allen Hillsden
FELLOWSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
Vic Wiebe was our meeting's Sergeant-At-Arms, and as a professional who has a unique understanding of human behaviour, used his skills to take advantage of his vulnerable Rotary colleagues;
Vic invited all attendees to share expressions of "happy dollars", to which Peter Peters took to the podium and first shared their appreciation for the quality health care he and Margaret have experienced in the past 40 days as provided by physicians, nurses, hospital emergency and in-patient services as well as service by Pharmacists, EMT and Ambulance Personnel; and secondly, he proudly told all that their son Dean, Chief of the Legacy Fire and Protective Service in the RM of Wilton, is being Awarded Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal for demonstrating "exceptional qualities and outstanding service to our province in the field of Protective Services";
Jeff Barber was equally eager to share the prowess of the Barber's daughter Emily, who having convocated as a teacher has accessed the "Sub-list" on the Regina Public School Board - the President expects the poor child to work every day going forward;
As no further Happy Dollar offers were forthcoming, Sergeant Vic switched tactics and invited a show of hands for all attendees whose attire neither contained a Rotary pin or name tag - if only one of these required identifiers was evident the fine was $1.00, if neither could be seen, the fine was $2.00;
The Sergeant's logic was profound as he reminded those gathered that we live in one of the best countries in the world, part of one of the most forward thinking International organizations, and we should daily have reason to celebrate our good fortune, and not to have a "happy dollar" is almost tragic;
It was a reminder of our good fortune - Thank you, Vic;
Enjoy the coming week - look forward to seeing you all next week on ZOOM.
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“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go” T.C. Eliot
Today's guests
On site Guests were our Guest Speaker, Evie Sawatzky, and prospective member Richard Heslop; and, joining the meeting on ZOOM was Bob Durston from the RC of Neepawa
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