January, a working interlude before race to the finish.
We got a late start to 2013! We spent the evening with “what else?”--- Another Rotarian!
We were in the middle of “what else,” but another Rotary discussion! When someone said “Oops, we missed the moment”! It was about ten minutes past the stroke of midnight. We hugged, offered best wishes and “yes” carried on the conversation.
The important dialogue was the planning of The Pas Winterfest where we get to host the Youth Exchange students in March. This event will take place March 7-10, 2013.
Indoor events of swimming, bowling, and curling were enjoyed and the Sunday dinner was excellent. We had expected no less from this club that has hosted exchange student programs for so many, many years. Thank you and keep up the great work!
We have special Thanks to Jackie Taylor from the Nipawin Club. Jackie has been our Outbound Student Coordinator for the Youth Exchange Program for longer than I can remember. We have always enjoyed working with Jackie. Jackie assures us that her replacement, Leanne Kessler, from Saskatoon Meewasin will be a big asset to the program. Congratulations, Leanne. And Thank you for doing this huge job for the students. Leanne officially takes over at the end of April at the orientation in Russell.
Conference plans are doing well. We have on line registration up and running at http://rotary5550conference.ca/. Some of the events are still being organized and will be on the website as soon as possible.
The District Transition team and Training team have been working hard and steady, making sure that we are ready for July 1st and the new grants management system.
“I am happy to inform you that District 5550 was 100% up-to-date with reporting requirements for grants sponsored by the district and its clubs as of the January 2013 analysis.”
A $5,000 donation to the Lake of the Woods Hospital Foundation has been made in honour of Rotarian Earl Nelson. Pictured left to right is President Mike Szajewski, Foundation Managing Director Jess Rheault, Earl's son Rotarian David Nelson, and Community Services Director John Dahl. |
Unfortunately we have had a great Rotarian pass on and would like to offer our condolences to his family. On January 10th, the Rotary Club of Kenora’s Earl Nelson, a Rotarian for 58 years passed away. (see obituary).
Congratulations to PDG Nancy Morris (and driver Dave, too). Nancy has been asked by President Tanaka to represent him at the District 7820 conference in May. This will take place in Halifax the week before our conference. What a great honor for Nancy and our District. We know Governor Tom McCaughey (7820) and were thinking of calling ahead and offering Dave’s services as a driver!
Did you know that low adult literacy costs Canadian businesses over $4 billion annually?
The 2005 Statistics Canada presented their findings on the 2003 International Adult and Literacy Skills Survey showing that 48% of Canadians 16 years of age and older do not have the literacy skills they need to keep pace with the escalating demands of our society and economy. …The first step in addressing workplace literacy is to understand what employers know about the topic and to gauge their willingness/opinions on an approach. An ABC Life Literacy Canada survey has been adapted and the goal is to have every Rotarian in Canada take it to their company and have it completed by the appropriate individual.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BCG6DZS
We have received some interesting information about Polio from our Zones 24-32, Rotary International, Director (2012-14), Bryn Styles. He wrote:
“The IPPC (International Polio Plus Committee) committee and our support staff are anxious to quantify the success in Canada so the advocacy program can be encouraged worldwide….What we need is to find out how many clubs are planning on having an event during the week of the 17 Feb 2013 or are planning an event at a later date.
Could you please contact your clubs and find out if a club is having an event, the type of event, when it will be held and if there will be media coverage? If there is other information that clubs wish to share then that would be most welcome.All of this information can be used when our Rotary senior leaders talk with the Canadian government and we can indicate to them the support for polio eradication within Canada.”
We have received some special Polio days from a few clubs and hope for more. We have also gotten one Presidential Citation application. Be sure to consider filling one out for your club.
Enjoy the snow. Don’t shovel too much, and stay warm and safe!