MINUTES OF ZOOM MEETING: Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Editor: Bob Koski
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Myles Fisher - Jan 27, Tim Dwyre - Jan 28.
On the Zoom Call Tonight:
David Andrews, Janice Coupland, Bill Creamer, Heather Drakes, Leon Efraim,Hilda Finnigan, Larry Hurren, Robert Kipling, Bob Koski, President Sue MacKinnon, Ted Morrison, David Penney, Linda Porritt, Kris Sachdeva, Lennis Trotter.
.
Guests and Visiting Rotarians:
Guest Speaker Mark Blackmore from ToastMasters (and Deena Helson from ToastMasters).
PRESIDENT SUE’S OPENING REMARKS
President Sue opened our meeting by reciting a poem for us that captured the thought that “Life is too short to be unhappy”.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sue: Kid’s Safety Village will not be open for Easter this year
Our Christmas Tree Sales partnered with Oshawa Club provided $3,890.88 for each club. We will be donating
$500 to Settlement House as this was part of our original agreement for this project. John Henry agreed to
donate $10 for every tree we sold to Durham Feed The Need. Since we sold all of the 125 trees;
Feed The Need in Durham Region will receive $ 1,250.00 thanks to John.
Sue reminded everyone about our upcoming zoom Valentines Party (Quarantine Party?). Clue number one is
a bottle of red wine. Clue number two is your own cure for a hangover. There will be a prize available - TBD
by the Board of Parkwood Rotary. More information next week!
Sue mentioned that we are in early discussions with Sportech (Bump) to provide our club with an internet
Chase The Ace raffle platform. This company is currently being utilized by the Rotary Club of Ajax. In 2019,
the Rotary Club of Wasaga Beach used them to help with the raffle of a sports car. This could become a
major Fundraiser for our club. This agreement may also answer our search for an automated
collection/distribution software utility. As we progress, we will apprise the Club members. This is being
spearheaded by David Penney. Committee members are: David A., Bill, Bob K. and Lennis.
Heather: The Concert for Feed The Need reported that they have collected $20,120 in 2020 ($14,000 in 2019).
That $20K equates to $ 140,000 worth of purchased food for their food banks. Our club’s Community
Service Committee also donated $500 to them last year.
David P. - informed us that so far our club has donated 241% more than what our club was scheduled to donate, as
of two weeks ago. There are some clubs in our District that are delinquent in this activity. Dave, Sue and
Bill encouraged the members to “carry on” giving when possible.
Kris: January 6 is India’s Republic Day. It’s celebrated today. Today also marks the accidental death of Kobe
Bryant.
Kris Provided our weekly updates regarding the Coronavirus.
He noted that the vaccines that are being distributed work as well on the virus mutations that are now being
recognized in Canada.
He explained that Merck Pharma has ceased their Covid19 Vaccine development, as early indications are that
it’s success rate is quite low compared to the other vaccines that are in distribution currently.
GUEST SPEAKER:
Heather introduced Mark Blackmore (her fiancé) to the club. He has been with ToastMasters since 2018, has served as: club secretary, club president, past president in charge of membership development and in 2021 will be nominated for Division Director.
Mark Blackmore provided us with an excellent presentation describing the many, many similarities between ToastMasters and Rotary. He acknowledged the partnership that has been formed with Rotary and ToastMasters. This is a very positive alliance for both parties. Rotary focuses on providing services to make the world a better place and Toastmasters concentrates on self improvement and developing leadership skills individually and collectively. Rotary has adopted the Pathways programs offered by Toastmasters. These are available to all Rotarians by logging on to My Rotary. Ted has taken three of the online courses this past week.
Heather thanked Mark on behalf of the club. We will make a contribution to End Polio Now as a thank you to Mark.
MEETING ADJOURNED:
Sue closed the meeting at 8:18 pm.
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
Feb 2, 2021. 7 pm Dena Sicard Executive Director of Denise House
Feb 9, 2021. 7 pm Our club’s Zoom Valentine Party