The Rotary Club of
St Thomas
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Stories
16Feb22 Preparation for next week-Immigration Partnership
Our speaker for the day was to be Dan Logie, Elgin Director, CMHA, but he was unable to attend. It’s no wonder, judging by the Parliamentary debate comment that the incidence of mental health issues is dramatically higher.
Nancy Lovelock stood in for President Barbara and started the meeting with the word “Ding”.
 
Cindy Benning visited us from the Hyde Park Club. She is moving to Dutton from London. In her semi-retirement, she is a freelance Leadership Developer.
We welcomed Margie later in the meeting.
 
Discovery Tour: Catharine reported about the committee’s first meeting of the year, last night. They voted to recommend to the club board to continue with the second annual Rotary Discovery Tour 2022. There will be 5 sub committees:
1 – Route, Quiz, and Photo (Malcolm and Gerry)
2 – Advertising (Nancy and Barbara)
3 – Sponsorships and Prizes (Mark, Barbara)
4 – Site (Ron, Trudy)
5 – Registration (Stew)
Rotarians unable to join the first planning meeting are welcome to the first Tuesday meeting each month of the Tour Committee.
Ferguson RV will provide shelter for the registration; this was welcomed vigorously by the Discovery Tour Committee. Catharine is excited about prepping for the event.
 
23Feb22 next week’s meeting, Experiences of Discrimination: Petrusia Hontar will be our guest speaker to discuss the results of the Discrimination Survey for St. Thomas and Elgin County. Malcolm wants us ALL to be familiar with this report so we can discuss it with Petrusia next week. There will be no review of the report, only informed discussion. Please download and read from: https://stelip.ca/experiences-of-discrimination-survey-st-thomas-and-elgin/ .Also, see 11Feb22 Times Journal page 3 Eric Bunnell’s editorial.
We are all from immigrant families. It is sad the extent to which this study reports discrimination in this community. Pat described how her 6 year old grandson was discriminated against because of his appearance. Malcolm believes younger people will more easily learn not to discriminate. Malcolm spoke of the daughter of a Syrian immigrant family that came to Canada, learned to speak English, then became the top student in her class. Nancy experienced discrimination against the people she helped through her church. Bullying is a form of discrimination. If you have been bullied and were afraid to oppose, you have a sense of how discrimination impacts immigrants and aboriginal people. Cindy spoke of discrimination by exclusion from participation. What makes Elgin/St Thomas a community welcoming of immigrants?
 
Announcements:
Rotary International is encouraging us to be proactive regarding DEI (Diversity Equity and Inclusion. See the suggestions from RI).
You can support DEI in Rotary by:
  • Downloading Rotary’s DEI commitment statement
  • Completing the DEI courses available in the Learning Center
  • Visiting rotary.org/dei for more information
  • Contacting your Club and District Support Representative if you need assistance
From Melody McKinnon to me 10Feb22 by email
Hello Rotarians!
  • Thank you for always including me in your club e-mails.  I just finished reading Trudy's - My Rotary Experience - and was very moved by all that she has done for Rotary and her community and also for her touching memories of Wayne.  Like Trudy he was ROTARY and enjoyed his involvement in all the projects and activities - but none more than the Interact Club.  Thank you Trudy for keeping the club going and all that you do!
  • I miss everyone,
  • Love, Melody xxx
Malcolm encourages us to see STEGH talks at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUz9XfEMgJZI4lhHT0rGkzSw
 
The Rotary Music Festival this year features 140 participants that will be adjudicated based on their audio/video presentation. It will not be live. The Final Competition is scheduled for 4Mar22 (rehearsal 3Mar22). The committee hopes the competition will be adjudicated live with an audience using streaming media produced by Laing Studios. 
 
Happy Finns:
Catharine – Florida sunshine, mobilization of Discovery Tour Committee
Ron – 2 birthdays, read all 66 books of Bible
Malcolm – Martin from Ottawa, Adam from Toronto, Daughter London made Christmas in Feb better than in Dec, Welcome Cindy as Visitor
Gerry – played Bridge in person for 1st time in 3years, Sister, Brother in Law visit next week, Trudy’s Life in Rotary presentation last week.
Trudy – Valantines day dinner with Nick, 1st time in 29 years to have someone else serve them
Bill and Maggie – went to Dinner and movie, 1st time in a long time. Birthdays, Welcome to Cindy
Pat – YMCA open, Nancy does a great aquafit
Nancy – Brother visited, son in law and daughter visited, Trudy’s life in Rotary last week
 
Web site of the Rotary Club of St Thomas  http://rotarystthomas.org
Upcoming Events
Board Meeting
Zoom
Feb 22, 2022 7:00 PM
 
Experiences of Discrimination
Feb 23, 2022 12:00 PM
 
Kenya Water & Girl Empowerment
Mar 02, 2022 12:00 PM
 
St. Thomas Police Services
Mar 09, 2022 12:00 PM
 
My Rotary Experience - Adriana Balderas
Zoom
Mar 16, 2022 12:00 PM
 
My Rotary Experience - Pat Baker
Mar 23, 2022 12:00 PM
 
Dr. Sylvia Whitlock, Duarte, CA, USA
Zoom
Mar 30, 2022 12:00 PM
 
The Inn
Apr 06, 2022 12:00 PM
 
Easter Holiday
Apr 13, 2022
 
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Changes to regular meetings see "Upcoming Events"
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