“Act with Consistency, Credibility, Continuity”
R.I. President Carlo Ravizza
The members of the Guelph-Trillium club responded positively.
Together we continued to build upon and maintain the foundation created, we maintained a quality membership and together with our spouses, family members and friend, we carried out meaningful service projects in our community.
At the outset of the 1999-2000 Rotary year, RI President Carlo Ravizza stated:
“The success of our organization in the next century will ultimately be shaped by the extent to which our membership, the 1.2 million Rotarians in 159 countries around the world, participate in the activities of the association: its service projects, the administration of its clubs and districts, and the decision-making process by which the structure and direction of Rotary is determined.”
With that progressive spirit, he offered the 1999-2000 Presidential Citation as a challenge to every club member to achieve a full understanding of what it means to be a Rotarian. The active participation of all our members ensures that Rotary will grow and prosper into the 21st century. The Rotary Club of Guelph-Trillium qualified and was recognized with a 1999-2000 Presidential Citation award.
It was gratifying to witness member involvement and action in all areas of service. I am particularly indebted to the board of directors for their leadership and guidance:
President-elect Patsy Marshall
Past-President Mike Balnar
Vocational Gregg Mitchell
Club Service Steve St. Clair
Ross Irvine
Community Service Mark Grainger
International Paul Fitzpatrick
Secretary Ken Boyd
Treasurer Kerry Hillis
Our members gained a better understanding of the internationality of Rotary by participating in the Youth Exchange Program (inbound student, Delphine Vandervoorde from France; outbound student, Sara Tacoma to Japan) and also by sponsoring Group Study Exchange student Regina Oakland to Brazil. Members welcomed the GSE Australia team at our general meeting on June 7th, 2000.
Contribution to Rotary Foundation by filling coin boxes is also recognized.
The Dr. Jim Thompson scholarship remained active and the club agreed to advance a further $5,000 towards set costs of a new program to be initiated by Futures for Children.
We undertook community service projects that included regular senior’s bingos at the Ellington, potato drive at local Zehr’s stores with donations divided between the Salvation Army and Sister Christine’s Drop In Centre, volunteer and board member involvement with Hospice, donation of birthday gifts to Women in Crisis. The club assisted with decoration of Wyndham House for Boys and the “Paint Your Heart Out” project was initiated.
Our major fundraiser was the three day community Ribfest barbeque which raised $48,000 in August 1999. $8,000 of the amount raised went to community groups who helped with the event, Westwood United Church, Action Read, Kids Can Play and Boy Scouts. $10,000 was directed to the City of Guelph Foundation and the balance held for disbursement in 2000-2001. Other fundraising events included a Scotch Nosing event, sale of “Canada Day” t-shirts and sale of ice cream and trinkets on Canada Day.
There was active club participation in RYLA, Camp Enterprise and the Fred Black Scholarship program.
Club members enjoyed a variety of speakers throughout the year and a book was presented to Action Read in appreciation and recognition of each speaker.
One of our primary responsibilities is to bring new committed members into Rotary. It was my pleasure, at the District changeover banquet in June to also accept on behalf of all club members, one of two awards granted for the greatest District membership increase between July 1999 and June 2000. As of June 30th, 2000 our club membership stood at 53.
Members were privileged to have District Governor Jerry Wijngaard pay two official visits to our club during the year.
We were also grateful to Assistant District Governor and fellow Rotarian, Ralph Marziano, who was always available to provide leadership and guidance.
President’s Night held at the Turf Grass Institute on June 10th, 2000 was a fun evening and enjoyed by all.
At the final general membership meeting in June 2000, among the recognitions offered to many members for their exceptional leadership and devoted service to the ideals of Rotary, it was indeed a pleasure, on behalf of all the member of the Guelph Trillium Rotary Club to present a Paul Harris Fellowship Award to fellow Rotarian, Michael Balnar. Michael has been an active contributing member to the Rotary Club of Guelph-Trillium since 1992. His accomplishments and involvement are many but most notably Michael was responsible for bringing Ribfest to Guelph and chairing the event for three years.
As a charter member of the club, I recall the many events that brought the club to the position of influence that is now enjoys. The President’s role was one which I accepted with pride but also with a sense of humility. I am grateful for the experience and I thank Peter Moore for introducing me into the world of Rotary.
My sincere appreciation goes to all our members for their inspiration, time and energy which enabled our club to better serve this community and this world while at the same time celebrating and increasing our knowledge about ourselves and each other.
In keeping with my tradition of reading a quote at the end of each meeting, the following is attributed to Margaret Mead:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
