Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services

President Gerd called the meeting to order and asked Arthur to lead us in the National Anthem…the result was memorable! Peter then lead us in a Rotary Grace before we settled down to hear from our TV Auction Leader Alan Meredith who had some tips from his long and successful experience at getting numerous valuable and desirable donations for past auctions. Al had a number of simple but effective suggestions summarised below:

1: Get a piece of paper

2: Write down a list of potential donors

3: Contact these people and ask the question i.e. would they donate to our great cause

And finally, do it NOW as we should not wait to the last minute.

Al reminded us that we were once the number one club at getting TV Auction donations and need to regain our top position.

Peter Masson announced that the Paul Harris Scholarship Committee would meet on the evening of May 12^th to select recipients from the numerous excellent candidates for award of the Scholarships. Gerd asked what effect of the Federal Government’s decision to offer free tuition to tertiary level students would have on our scholarship. Peter advised that the committee is exploring those options and that there would still be a need for living expense provision for students. More information to come?

Basil announced that the registration for this weekend’s District 7070 Assembly is still open and can be accessed on the District website. An excellent opportunity to learn more about Rotary’s work in our community and the world.

He also announced that with the help of one of our newer members, James Burchell, we will be hosting the Swearing in Ceremony for 100 new Canadians on July 1, 2016 AT Albert Campbell Square in Scarborough. We will also provide light refreshments and are in need of volunteers to serve and interact with our newly minted fellow citizens.

Fort McMurray Fire Relief. President Gerd announced that the Club’s Board was recommending a donation of $3000 to the Rotary District Foundation in the affected area. It will receive a matching grant and an email with more information, including the opportunity to give individual donations, was recently circulated. According to the area’s District Governor, Rotary will be looking at medium to longer term relief efforts, which as we all know, is where our organization’s real strengths lie. After some discussion, the club voted in favour of the donation.

Marbelous draw was handled by Roland in a rather unique style…he tossed the bag with the mutant marble to SAA Al Meridith who had won the ticket draw. AL eventually failed to draw the mutant marble and settled for the $5 consolation prize.

SAA Al, in fine TV Auction form fined every on of us for not having gathered any donations as yet! He also offered us the opportunity through a friend of his to purchase hockey ticket s at cost for donation to these Auction. As we know, despite the Leafs falling (failings) we tend to get over face value for the tickets.

Happy Bucks

From Madhavi; Her new(ish) employer (through her efforts), is now the purveyor of all RI mandated travel worldwide.

From Roland; His granddaughter is a paramedic and firefighter helping in the Fort Mac disaster recovery.

Donna Salamalay introduced our Guest Speaker Marwan Ismail of Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services who spoke about the great work that his organization is doing in our community. A voice recording is attached.

 

Gordon Brown thanked our speaker and presented him with a certificate attesting to the restoration of sight of a 73-year-old lady in India in honour of his visit.

 

There being no other business, President Gerd closed the meeting to allow conversation and ice cream to be enjoyed.