During this Rotary year, I was most fortunate to be the club’s president. The best part was working with so many dedicated, enjoyable and interesting people. Whether it be at the board level, the committee level or the club level, everyone participated.
The board consisted of President-Elect Betty Kashur, Past President Fiona McCrea, Secretary Ken Boyd, Treasurer Kerry Hillis, Club Service Directors Steven St. Clair and Patsy Marshall, Community Services Directors Nancy Pitman and Fiona McCrea, International Director Paul Fitzpatrick and Vocational Service Director Michael Iverson.
The club started the year at 43 members and finished at 49. We lost six members but we gained 12 new members. They were John Tait and Peter Moore who were re-inducted at the first meeting, Laurie Lantaigne, Roger Howard, Ingrid von Cube, Brian Morcombe, T.C. Varkey, Ernie Gilliat, Chris Greenway, Robert Bryson, Mohammed Hussein and Sam Coats.
During this Rotary year, we continued to do so many good things well, but we were also able to implement new and valuable ideas and programs. This was also the year of the first Ribfest.
Contributions were made by many individuals in the four avenues of service.
Club Service:
As the backbone of the club, this committee kept us running efficiently. Sonia Spekkens headed up the attendance table and rotated a group of six people throughout the year. Steven St. Clair, Paul Fitzpatrick and Aline Cool kept us informed with the weekly bulletin. Jack Tacoma did a great job programming. Some of the highlights included our first Classic talks from Peter Moore, Jack Tacoma and Cam Skipper. We visited Sleeman’s (thanks to Lee Caines), the University Vet College Hospital (thanks to John Tait), and the Rotary’s Childrens Centre. And we cannot forget the talk which inspired us all – Sean from Action Read. Like previous years, we had a great Christmas party (Nancy Wood). Trivial Pursuit night (Nancy Shoemaker and Sandi Arthurs), Scotch Nosing (thanks to Cam Skipper and Paul Fitzpatrick) and a most memorable Charter Night at Virginia Robinson’s house as organized by Nancy Wood and Sam Coats. That was a very good part. Laura Peer began the Web Page at www.trilliumrotary.on.ca. This was the year that we announced a “Hero of the Week” at many of our meetings with publication in the bulletins. The Mentoring System and new members’ lunches were introduced.
Community Service:
We continued to support many important projects. Bruce Macpherson and Bruce Folkard organized the senior’s bingo at The Ellington. Virginia Robinson gave countless hours as Hospice President as a representative of our club. Women in Crisis and the Drop In Centre continued receiving presents and food. We learned more about the Rotary Children’s Centre and its importance in our region and community.
Nancy Pitman put together a plan for a Potato Drive for future Rotarians to pursue. Joanne McAuley spearheaded our club’s efforts in constructing a building link for Hopewell Homes, another fine hinds on project which has always been part of our club’s history. We discovered Action Read. Our weekly speakers were thanked by a book donation to support Action Read. As well, this fine organization received a financial contribution and we were able to refer them to the other two Guelph Rotary Clubs.
International Service:
We continued to support Rotary Foundation through club donations, coin boxes and the President’s walk in Rockwood.
At a very special evening honouring his retirement from OMAFRA, Ken Boyd was proudly and most deservedly awarded a Paul Harris award. As well at a special ceremony, Jim Thompson received a very special award directly from RI President, Jim Lacey, in acknowledgment of Jim’s work with children in Nepal.
We began preparation for the student exchange by approving Sarah Tacoma’s outbound visit to Japan and by preparing for a visit from Delphine from France.
As well, with other clubs, we were able to help build a bridge in Guatemala.
Vocational Service:
Thanks to Sandi Arthurs, we continued to support the Fred Black Scholarship. It increased from $500 to $1,000. Roger Howard organized our participation in Camp Enterprises. As a new initiative, Patsy Marshall and Robert White organized our involvement in RYLA.
August 1998 was our first Ribfest. Right after than, planning began for Ribfest 1999. 30,000 people attended our first Ribfest. Classic cars, craft vendors, a kid’s area, 5 rib teams, great music (Downchild Blues Band) and lots of Molson’s beer.
The first year goal was simply to break even and to establish a reputation – a reputation amongst rib teams, sponsors and the public. We surpassed our goals and we were even able to make a contribution to the Dialysis Centre to support Ross Irvine’s worthwhile project.
Ribfest’s success this first year was due every single club member who participated that weekend. Ribfest is an example of how so many Rotarians can participate and work well together in organizing a great event. The first and second year team members along with myself included Bruce Macpherson (1st year co-chair), Laura Peer, Ross Irvine, Michael Chapman, Betty Kashur, Ralph Marziano, Jack Tacoma, Tony Matteis, Cam Skipper, Steve St. Clair, Barb Dowsley, Sharon Taylor, Nancy Wood, Gregg Mitchell, Paul Fitzpatrick, Gregg Berwick, Brian Morcombe, Ken Boyd, Karen Reid, Fiona McCrea, Cindy Robinson and Peter Moore.
1998/1999 was a great Rotary year. Old traditions continued and new programs and events were initiated. The best part, however, was knowing the pride in being a club member and working and socializing with so many dedicated and wonderful club members.
