This Rotor can also be found on the FRONT PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE,
on the right side (where it used to be).
Click to watch
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Regina Eastview Christmas Party set for November 20th at the Royal Regina Golf Course. Fantastic Christmas Dinner. Cost per-person is $65.00. If you are going, you must let Pat know - phone or e-mail;
November is Foundation Month in Rotary - you will be provided with information and giving opportunity;
Regina Eastview requires additional members to participate in the District Grant Certification Webinar - choice of 2 dates - Thurs. Nov 19 and 26 - 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. This is required training to access District & Global Grants - call Peter P for registration info;
Brenda Banbury - Polio Plus Fund Raiser- please see President Jean-Marc's Nov 3rd e-mail as your invitation to participate..
President Jean-Marc introduced today's Guest Speaker John Bailey, CEO of the Regina Food Bank. John, who has assumed this role one and a half years ago, has an MBA from the Kenneth Levene Graduate school of Business at the University of Regina. He has returned to his Alma Mater as a sessional lecturer with the Non-Profit Sector Leadership and Innovation Program teaching courses in program design and evaluation.
Along with his wife, John is the proud parent of two young daughters, ages 5 and 3. An enthusiastic basketball fan and experienced coach at the high school, provincial and national team development level, John is a recreational runner who has completed multiple marathons and half marathons in Canada and the US.
Rather than speak about the Food Bank organizational structure and program initiatives which can be studied on their Website, John chose to address the Club on how the Food Bank has responded to the COVID 19 crisis. In his opening remarks he suggested one can look at COVID 19 as a "crisis" or as "opportunity". While not overly familiar with Rotary, he had the sense Rotary was an “opportunity” focused organization and could relate to the action taken by the Food Bank.
The Regina Food Bank is the 2nd oldest Food Bank in Canada having been established in 1982. In comparing the year to date 2020 to 2019 there has been a significant increase in the service provided particularly in regard to food distribution. There has also been a significant increase in the Food Bank's clientele, and sadly a large portion of this increase is in the number of children requiring access to food bank resources. The major challenge they faced in the early months of 2020, was how you plan for the future, when it was an unknown and untraveled course. So an initial "pivotal" change was to move from their traditional pre-arrange client visit to a delivery system in order to reduce or eliminate interaction between Food Bank workers and clients; then to move from a delivery system to a place where those clients with cars can attend the food Bank and go through the Drive-through pick-up; to re think city-wide food drives with a centralized pick-up; to the holding fund raising concerts, including one on a roof-top, which served as an isolation relief valve for Regina citizens and a community encourager.
CEO John Bailey did a quality job of sharing the challenges of what it means to be on the cutting edge of a business that is focused on providing life sustaining service to most vulnerable in our society. I am humbled by the work undertaken by John Bailey and his staff and volunteers.
CEO John Bailey, Regina Food Bank
This note of appreciation from the Regina Food Bank Website to their supporters:
We give thanks to all of you who share in our belief in the possibility of a caring community. Together we can fight hunger and feed hope and make a real difference in the lives of our neighbours and friends, many of whom turn to the food bank for help.
A 2009 Guatemalan Parent, Teacher, Children Welcome
NOVEMBER - Rotary Foundation Month
"The Every Rotarian Every Year initiative asks every Rotarian to support The Rotary Foundation (TRF) every year. In addition to contributing to the Annual Fund on a regular basis, members are encouraged to get involved in a Foundation project or program."
In Regina Eastview "involvement", with TRF assistance, helps in our participation in the District Ripple Effect Program. This year we focus on the Guate II Computer Installation project, the Corcho School Washroom Refurbishment initiative, and last week’s announced Sector Barrios 3 classroom construction project. These projects cost approximately $150,000.00 (US) - Eastview and our District Club partners will have contributed approxoimately $41,000.00 US. This investment has a positive impact on thousands of Guatemalan children who welcome us with open arms (above).
Thank you for your contributions to the
Annual Programs Fund of TRF.
The Family of Rotary
It was Lori Smith's Birthday and we did not know this until she courageously shared the news - Happy Birthday, Lori;
It is also Jizinge Mwela's Birthday this week, so send him a note as reminder that we missed him;
Keep President Jean-Marc in your thoughts as he under goes shoulder surgery this coming Monday - seems he will be away for a "time".
This class welcomed the Neufeldt's and Peters' with enthusiastic song
FELLOWSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
Allen Hillsden has his Christmas lights and arrangements up and ready for the cold weather;
President JM flexed his shoulder and was smilingly excited about having surgery - (surgeons have to love this guy);
There was a lot of enthusiasm about the great weather and Peter Peters had to share his joy in the November cycling opportunity;
In response to the Disrtrict PolioPlus $20.20 per capita challenge Eastviewians contributed a total of $2,041.56 when added to our Club's $1,500.00 = $3,541.56 to the District's total - take a bow;
President JM expressed appreciation to Club Leaders who responded to his request for input to the stategic planning initiative;
See you next week.
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We were delighted to welcome our Guest Speaker, John Bailey; along with Jessie Carlson, guest of husband Gary; and, visiting Rotarians Doug Keam (RC of Regina) and Bob Durston (RC of Neepawa). Please join us any time - the "mat" is out.
