President’s column – November 30th, Edmontarian
November, our key FUNDRAISING month in the Rotary calendar is now past.
What a month it was!!!! In my last column, I started with Rotarians are “People of action”. In the household where I grew up the saying was:
All the kind words and all the good wishes,
Don’t count for as much as help with the dishes.
And what help you provided!!! A flawless 2-day Casino event, with many new faces.
We find out around February 1st what will be our funds raised. We plan for little and hope for much. This is the foundation of our finances. A flawless “Step Up to the Plate”, our 5th such event in the past 4 years. Each one is a bit different. This year a hybrid event of in-person and online. With focus on “Homelessness” and how we can help. A “Hand-out” and a “Hand-up”. I cannot think of a program more aligned with
Rotary values. We are still counting I am very confident that we will be $12,500+ to support our Rotary avenues of service. Our club finances are in very good shape. As reviewed at the AGM, following a number of years of strong fundraising and a significant bequest, we have the resources to be ever the more impactful in our community. As we move to the end of 2020, and the half-way of my Rotary year we now proceed into the core of the year. It looks like we will be virtual / online for the next six months, to the end of my year. While vaccines cannot come soon enough, there is still much to be done, conditions to be met until we are able to safely meet in person. Our program committee is actively booking interesting and insightful speakers. Our committees are functioning to provide service to our community. Our board is seeking to understand how we should build our relationship with the indigenous people community. How will the year further unfold?
This year’s theme of “Rotary Opens Opportunities” is very apt.
What does “Service Above Self” mean to you?
As we come into the Christmas season, we have much for which to be thankful. Please take care of yourself, and of the others around you. A phone call, or kind word of support goes a long was to show that we care. Rotary is needed ever the more in our community.
In preparation for the Scottish "Robbie Burns" virtual meeting on January 25th, we need to collect some Scotch and Wine and other unopened liquor bottles that can be raffled off. Depending on the donations, we hope to offer three baskets as auction items:
As President Brian has announced, our club would like to collect donations for the Food Bank during the week of our December 21st Holiday celebration meeting. Perhaps invite someone to join us online to enjoy the festive event and make a contribution to the entertainment. Santa would be very pleased. There are several ways to donate: