President Courtney chaired the meeting and read the Land Acknowledgment.
Basil Dias led the anthem.
Toast to the King, Canada, and Rotary President Courtney
Attendance: 16, including the guest speaker, one guest, and three visiting Rotarians, being Stephen Masson, guest of Peter Masson, Dorothy Evans of Markham Sunrise Rotary, Michael Conway of Agincourt Rotary, and Susan Roper of Scarborough Twilight Rotary.
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Leigha Farley on Adventure in Citizenship
Peter Masson introduced our guest speaker, Leigha Farley, a grade 11 student at Sir Wilfred Laurier C.I. Leigha was our choice to attend the Adventure in Citizenship held in Ottawa from May 14 to May 17, 2023. Leigha was very pleased with her experience in Ottawa at the Adventure program organized by the Rotary Club of Ottawa. She shared with us the entire program, from orientation through all of the various presentations and trips that were included in this activity-packed period of time. She also shared with us that she made lifelong friendships during this inspiring adventure in Ottawa.
Some of the activities that she detailed were a presentation by John Herbert about Operation Come Home, a program to take youth off the streets and re-establish them into society, a presentation from a Belgium Rotary Scholar, a presentation by a former U. Of O. Professor and Holocaust survivor, a tour of the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of History, a presentation on reconciliation from a local indigenous chief, French Canadian cuisine and folk dancing, attendance at a citizenship ceremony, and, of course, a visit to the House of Commons and a presentation to the group by the Speaker of the House amongst other officials. The adventure was concluded with a group photo of the 153 participants and farewells, including a presentation by one attendee from each province and territory represented as selected by that province's attendees. In addition to the academic programming, there were lots of opportunities to socialize, including a Talent Night, Dance Night, and Game Night.
Leigha was thoroughly inspired by the program, and the members in attendance were thoroughly inspired by Leigha, an excellent choice as our representative for this adventure program.
Arthur Retnakaran, our Community Services Director, formally thanked Leigha for her wonderful presentation.
- Basil announced that our club was well represented at Peter Lightfoot's Memorial Service
- President Courtney announced that there will be a board meeting on Monday night
- President Courtney also reminded us that an early bird price is in effect for October's District Conference and encouraged members to sign up for this very worthwhile Rotary event.
Sgt-at-Arms:
Sgt-at-Arms, Basil Dias fined all those who did not know the location of the 2025 Rotary International Conference. Shame on you if you did not know that it would be in Canada, specifically in Calgary.
There were some Happy Bucks donated by Gerd and Arthur, who competed at joke telling, and Emmanuel, who was happy to join old friends for lunch.
President Courtney then terminated the meeting.
“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes.” —Jack Handey
Announcements:
Sgt-at-Arms:
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