Meeting Recording
President's Comments
President Louise extended congratulations to Cam Yule and Sharan on their recent marriage and shared a picture of the happy couple on their special day on September 24. A plant was sent to the newlyweds from the club and for which we have received a thank you note.
Our club has been challenged by the Kitchener-Westmount Club to see how many members will get the Flu Shot this year. When you get yours please let Louise or Bill know so we can keep track. The deadline for our little competition is December 15. Take care of yourself! Don’t hesitate! Book your appointment today!
President Louise has sent out a First Quarter Summary, highlighting all of our great accomplishments so far this year (for which she also sends sincere thanks to all members). If you missed yours it is available under Member Documents on the club website.
Members were reminded that October 24th is World Polio Day.
As was previously announced, our new 100th Anniversary Logo was created by Cam Strobel, the grandson of member Lew Ford. President Louise sent the follow thank you letter to Cam.
Dear Cameron
I would like to personally thank you for the amazing 100th anniversary logo that you worked on for our club. I am truly proud to be a Rotarian and equally as proud of our new logo. Thanks to you and your design, our brand will showcase a young and vibrant organization.
On behalf of all our club members, I would like to present you with a certificate that is an expression of appreciation with a donation to Polio Plus that will immunize 100 children against the crippling disease Polio.
Kudos Cameron, you are a true friend of Rotary.
Guests
Mike Morrice attended and will be inducted as a member on Saturday Oct. 24th
Elena Shpinel, Rotary Club of Moscow International
Happy Jar
Jim Brown asked that we allow him to do a “Sad Jar” announcement today in light of the fact this his soccer team from Liverpool lost again and despite his grief, his wife, Linda, really doesn’t care!
President Louise continues to be happy with the upcoming move of her daughter and husband to be into their new home. House painting and decorating are ongoing and Louise is delighted to be packing dishes while Graham overdoses on NFL games.
Club Announcements
President Louise reminded members of the passing of former member John Bowman, details have been distributed in an email. John was part of a three generations Rotary family with his father and daughter Rotarians as well.
President Louise announced that we have received letters of resignation from Steve Lubczuk and John Webster, both of which were accepted with regret by the Board. She also reported that Bill Krohn has requested a Leave of Absence.
We will be inducting two members this Saturday, October 24 – Mike Ellis (part of the Corporate Membership with Lumi Mironescu) and Mike Morrice. The induction will take place at 10:00 at Hubert’s Offices to take advantage of the Sign Distribution event that will be happening at the same time (see below).
Members are reminded of the Fundraising Project we have right now in support of the Food Bank. Notices have distributed and reminders will be sent as well.
Program Highlights
Our program today was updates on two of our current major initiatives – Catch The Ace and the Online Auction
Paul Rostrup kicked it off with information about how to Chase and catch that elusive Ace of Spades.
- What is Catch The Ace / How does it work?
- It is a multiple draw lottery game and only tickets in the weekly draw are eligible to win
- There is a weekly draw (20% of that week’s ticket sales) won by the individual whose ticket is drawn
- There is also the jackpot (30% of cumulative ticket sales) / which accumulates week to week and will be won when the ticket holder for that week has also selected the Ace of Spades as his or her card
- The number of eligible cards reduces each week – just like our regular 50/50 draw at the hotel. We are now into the 6th week so there now 47 eligible cards from which to choose. When the winning ticket number shows the Ace of Spades, the person will win both the weekly prize and the progressive prize and the lottery is completed.
- There are other similar lotteries in Ontario; at Sick Kids for example they generated a progressive winning prize of over $900,000 when the winning card was picked in the 26th week. We don’t know how long our lottery will run but we do know that as the progressive prize gets larger, more people are interested in participating, particularly as the odds keep getting better for picking the Ace of Spades.
- The net proceeds will be going to Kidsability Foundation, Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation.
- This is a collaboration of all 5 clubs in KW. We are working to generate interest in the community through advertising on social media, ads in the Kitchener Record, promotion by the hospitals and KidsAbility and follow-up e-mail contact with ticket purchasers. The support of Rotarians is really important in the early stages of the lottery as your support will help to increase the progressive prize.
- This year with so many regular clubs projects being cancelled or delayed, Catch the Ace is an important way for Rotary to show what we are doing in the community. I am asking all members to consider participating. Tickets can be purchased for as little as $5 each week and will give you a chance to win the jackpot!
- How do you buy tickets?
- Paul gave a demonstration on how to selct a card and then purchase tickets – 3 for $5, 10 for $10 or 60 for $20
- The link is catchtheacekw.ca.
- Members are encouraged to consider buying tickets and to spread the word to colleagues, friends and relatives.
- Reminder that all Rotary members are eligible to participate except those who are on the organizing committee for the lottery and those members who are on the Board of the Kitchener Conestoga Community Aid Fund which is holding the license on behalf of the group of clubs.
Next up was Neil Swayze who provided some updates and reminders on the Auction.
- We are making good progress with 60 items collected so far. We'll be adding items to the online auction database starting Oct. 22 and continuing until Nov. 6 so items can be donated by contacting Bill Proctor or Neil Swayze. Let us know if need to have items picked up.
- So far 11 members have reached or exceed the goal of bringing in a minimum of $500 in products and/or sponsorships. We do need all members to reach this goal for the auction to be a success. The retail value of these items is about $8,000 so we are at about 30% of our target.
- We also have moved closer to our goal of 10 sponsorships; thanks to Hubert Singh (PSI Data), Shawky Fahel (JG Group), Louise Gardiner for securing Henry Walser Funeral Homes, and Bill Proctor for securing Wendell Motors; all with a Bronze level sponsorships of $250; and to Karen & Warren Redman (Amber Steel), and Tom Mennill (KPMG) for their Silver level sponsorships of $500.
- There are just 19 days left, so we asked that all members do their part and keep bringing in the items. We need to have the physical item in our hands before we can put it on the website. Please be sure to fill out the Donor forms fully so all the information can be entered correctly. These can be done electronically this year. Contact Bill or Niel if you have any questions or need to have items picked up.
- Our Sign Blitz day is this Saturday October 24 at PSI Data warehouse between 9:30 and 12:00.. Members can pick up their three signs to place at their home and/or business. In addition, we need about 10+ members to assist in placing out the rest of the signs for the blitz. An event invitation will be sent out with more details and all members are asked to respond.
- Our Distribution Day of Purchased Auction Items will be on Saturday November 28th at the National Self Storage location at 171 Webster Rd., Kitchener from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. We will need help to accomplish this either in the morning or afternoon. Again, an event sign up invitation will be sent to all members. Shifts are 2 to 3 hours and you will be helping bring items out from storage locker to the front.
- Lastly, a reminder to please collect all signs from your front lawns or businesses as well as those distributed throughout the region after the auction finishes on Saturday November 21st at 10:00 pm. Collect and bring them to our warehouse on Saturday November 2 th during the Distribution Day. We are saving these for next year to reduce expenses.
Closing Remarks & Reminders
October 24 – 9:30 AM - Online Auction - Sign Distribution / Induction Mike Morrice & Mike Ellis
October 26 – 4:00 PM – Dom Cardillo Trail Clean Up
