Festival City Rotary Newsletter August 21, 2012

Posted by Vincent Hill 
on Aug 21, 2012
 

The Rotary Club Of Festival City

President:  Dianne Yundt

Minutes of the meeting of August 21, 2012

Club email:  festivalcityrotary@gmail.com

Club website: www.festivalcityrotary.ca

Guests:  Marcia Matsui is from Stratford Rotary. Cindy Carlson is a guest of Dianne Yundt and Steve Stacey is our guest speaker.

Draw Prize: Ron Rogers won the prize donated by the Boar’s Head.

Dinner of the Month Draw: David Moore won a dinner for four at Keystone Alley.

Announcements:

  1. Facebook and Twitter: Brandi Gillett has set up accounts for our club on these social media sites. Click on the logos on our website (top right corner) to enter and see who is following us. Join in the conversations. The Festival City Rotary blogspot is being shut down.
  2. Make-ups: Just to clarify reporting make-ups. If you attend a Rotary meeting at another club inform Wayne Young at the meeting or email Vince Hill at vincehill@sympatico.ca Also include the club name or event you were involved with.  Events which count as make-ups include any fundraising event such as bingo and pancake breakfast etc, and social events where Rotarians gather.
  3. Goderich Rotary Fish Fry: Our club received an invitation for this event with an incorrect date. The date is next Tuesday August 28. If you are interested in attending please contact Philip Keightley at pkeightley@cabletv.on.ca President Dianne will ask about car pooling possibilities at next week’s meeting.
  4. Area 3 Meeting: In Mitchell at Deck Dentistry on August 30 at 7 PM. Featured speaker will be Linda Bradley past District Governor (7040), member of the Rotary Peace Centre Committee, and much more. It will be of interest to those who wish to learn about opportunities for service and a closer look at the Foundation.
  5. Grant Management Seminars: The dates are Sept 15 in Listowel at Kin Station, September 22 in Imlay City, and Sept 29 in London at Fanshawe College.  Let President Dianne know ASAP if you can attend. President Dianne or Carolyn Dingman can forward you the link to register online.  The course runs from 9 to 3 at a cost of $40, which can be paid on the day of the event.
  6. Pancake Breakfast: Saturday Sept 15 from 6 AM to 6 PM. Parking will not be available at the site so park on a street in the neighbourhood. Parking is also being set aside for volunteers at the River Garden Retirement Residence.
  7. Board Meeting: There will not be a Board of Directors meeting in August. The next meeting will be Sept 20.
  8. Dinner of the Month Tickets: Tickets for the 2013 draws are available for sale. Get your tickets from Tyler Canal.  The price is the same as this year. $20 each or 6 for $100.

 

Guest Speaker: Laura Pogson introduced Steve Stacey, director of the Local Community Food Centre on Erie Street. For the past 18 months Steve and his helpers have been converting the old Country Depot into an exciting new adventure. It is not a food bank. There are five banks in Stratford and several in Perth County. The Food Centre is modeled on “The Stop” started in Toronto 15 years ago. Chef Jamie Oliver has visited The Stop and was very impressed with its program and expressed his view that the model should be developed in other cities. The Stop is now looking to expand its model across Canada with a potential of 15 more sites. Stratford has been selected as the first site because of its work with developing local food awareness. The United Way has partnered with the Centre to provide assistance for the first three years. The Centre will be providing storage for large shipments of food donations which the food banks are not equipped to handle. Food will be distributed to the banks from the Centre. The Centre will also provide freezer and cold storage for perishable food. Beyond food distribution the Food Centre will focus on teaching people cooking skills and growing food. Many people do not know how to grow, and prepare good food, and many do not know what constitutes good food. The Centre will also be providing drop-in meals on Monday nights. Although the meals are free, donations will be accepted.  Elizabeth Anderson is the Advocacy Coordinator for the program.

Steve was thanked by Vince Hill