MINUTES OF ZOOM MEETING: Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Editor: Hilda Finnigan
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Pres. Sue has a birthday on April 29 – I don’t think she mentioned this!! Happy Birthday Sue CHA CHA CHA!!!
Happy 92 nd birthday to Terry Giles on May 2
On the Zoom Call Tonight:
Pres. Sue McKinnon, David Andrews, David Penney, Lennis Trotter, Jan Coupland, Kris Sachdeva, Bill Creamer, Heather Drakes, Linda Porritt, Robbie Larocque, Bob Koski, Colin Carrie, Hilda Finnigan
Guests:
Assist. Governor John Burns, Ryan Spencer, Sara Lyn Power (Guest Speaker)
PRESIDENT SUE’S OPENING REMARKS:
Pres. Sue welcomed everyone, and read a very appropriate poem reminding us to “be kind and check on our neighbours” during this difficult time
HAPPY THOUGHTS OF THE WEEK:
Bill Creamer happy to have his accounts straightened out – a refund is coming!!
Robbie Larocque also pleased to be receiving a refund small! But better than paying!!
Jan gave Kudos to landlord Linda Porritt for her support and kindness during this COVID time
Hilda happy “no golf!!” so Al is helping with gardening
Members shared Happy Memories of Jean Keys who passed away last week
ANNOUNCMENTS:
Public Image Video/Musical Program - 7pm April 28 – more info and registration details at the end of this Bulletin
Manure sales continuing very well –Thank You cards (business size) have been received to hand out with these sales and other appropriate times
Rotary Club of Ajax is encouraging other clubs to support Windreach Farm Foundation second annual Golf Tournament; date is June 8th; for more info email carol.dahlquist@windreachfarm.org
Board Meeting Wednesday May 5 @ 7pm – discussion re finances is on the agenda
Grants Seminar – is on May 1
Rotary Club of Whitby – meeting May 5, Guest Speaker is Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo. Dolf will speak about how the zoo is working to fight the extinction of animals and plants in our community and around the world. The Zoo is committed to working with the indigenous community to learn, share and move forward with conservation initiatives.
Foundation Gala May 12 – reminder that the Foundation is needing money due to large expenditures during COVID – consider supporting this
International Convention June 12 - 16;
District Conference June 25/26 - $10.00.
Community Engagement - of $500 from the District has been approved – Pres. Sue is hoping this will be used to provide some sort of Bicycle Rodeo/Safety event at Mary Street Public School – DRPS will be involved – contact has been made with the principle; details will follow when it is known how we can have this event
Great Lakes Watershed Clean Up Project has been rescheduled to May 29; Pres Sue has a few t shirts to be given to those who sign up, if/when this event is confirmed
Our Secure Website is up and running; and appears to be working as expected. notification of transactions automatically go to our Treasurer and the Rotarian in charge of the Fund Raising Project (ie Hilda for Manure);
On line gaming site is progressing (hopefully available in June)
Speakers Needed David Andrews reminded us that there are several openings for Guest Speakers in May/June
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER ROTARY EVENTS PLEASE READ THE SECTION AT THE END OF THIS BULLETIN
SPEAKER:
Past President and Chair of the Safety Village Committee, Lennis Trotter introduced our Speaker for this evening, Sara Lynn Power. Sara Lynn is the Officer at the Kids Safety Village. She was assigned this position in January 2020, actually started in February and then came COVID. No children on site, NO in person classes – what to do?? With support and assistance from Metrolinks and MTO she has developed two videos – Rail Safety and Pedestrian Safety. Her own children had the opportunity to participate in these videos. MTO has agreed to sponsor a French version of the Pedestrian video.
Sara Lynn has also been able to revamp and revise the program offered at the Village to a virtual adaption which has been used by some teachers. She has also, improved the booking system in anticipation of post COVID return to on site activities. There has been positive feedback from teachers and the anticipation that for those classes who would travel a long distance to the Village – virtual may be the way of the future – saves time and the expense of bussing. Groups such as Brownies,Girl Guides and Scouts have also used this virtual contact.
Due to COVID restrictions, Sara Lynn has been working out of 18 Division and checking the Village a minimum of once a week, so as not to be isolated, She receives and greatly appreciates support from the school next door.
In closing Sara Lynn showed the Pedestrian Safety Video and received positive feedback from members present. Assist Governor John Burns commended Oshawa Parkwood for the Village and what if offers to elementary students in Durham Region.
President Sue thanked Sara Lynn for her presentation and her enthusiasm during this difficult time.
COVID UPDATE
Dr. Kris Sachdeva shared the following facts – latest vaccine from J&J is now available and is one dose; this is a true vaccine not MRNA; the crisis in India is due to many variants, one in particular is SARS COVID 2 (SS117); with regard to the concern re clot formation post vaccine consider this – clots from the vaccine very rare 0.0004% possibility; from birth control pill 0.12%; from COVID infection 16-17%. Any vaccine can cause adverse reaction. We must continue to sanitize, wear masks and practice social distancing and get vaccinated asap.
MEETING ADJOURNED: at 8:00 pm
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
May 4, 2021 7 pm
May 11, 2021 7 pm – Haldene Alleyne – Whitby-Sunrise Rotary Club – St Vincent Project to assist victims of the
volcano eruption
May 18, 2021 7 pm – Paul Harris Awards Night
May 25, 2021 7 pm - Heather Drakes, Chair, Rotary District 7070 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee