Prez Chad hosted the meeting.  Steve did the 4 way test and  Erica shared a very impressive impromptu Invocation (nicely done!). SAA Sandra announced we had 24 members present and 2 guests: Paul T's daughter, Jenna, and  Jennifer VanSan (guest of Clay).

Raffle Meister John J was once again in fine form for today's 50/50 draw. Pot is making its way over the $600 mark and remains in the offering for next week, thanks to ticket holders Ciatlin and Clay.

Caitlin was able to get away on her first holiday as a business owner and thoroughly enjoyed her time in Banff.

Todd made reference to his connection with a guy who recently came to fame for his role with 'a dog and an evil note' by boasting he lived two doors down from his cottage.  Funny, I had Todd totally pegged as being a cat guy.

Jim McP entered a cannabis retail license lottery. While he didn't get chosen, one of the tenants of a property he owns in Guelph is 2nd in line for a license. Jim seemed HIGHLY excited by this (pardon the pun).

Paul T played in the Pro Member Golf tournament yesterday and was pleased to announce that his Chip and Putt were back. I assume these to be fellow RE/MAX agents that he hasn't seen in awhile.

Heidi (that's me!) is most excited about her trip to Austria. She'll be gone for 3 weeks and riding a motorcycle with her cousins for one of those weeks. She's also going to be doing a video of family members wishing her father a Happy 90th Birthday to give to him on her return.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best Bites -  Erica reminded us that we have just 2 more weeks to go! Ticket sales have been good but we could still do with some more. There will be seven Live Auction items (including time at 2 cottages and a Toronto condo). Our very own Johnny Smooth will be serving as Auctioneer Extraordinaire. Tickets and more info available at www.bestbitestickets.ca.  Date is Sept 8th. Shade's Mills. Caribbean theme.

Roses Fundraiser - Todd advised that more info on the fundraiser and its launch will be made available  next week. For now, update is that we will be doing more online ordering and tracking of sales. We have a new supplier that requires the club place our full order two weeks in advance so let's get selling ASAP once the launch takes place next week!

Satellite Meeting -  Paul T reminded us that the next meeting is Tues, Aug 27 and will be offsite from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Wave Maker Craft Brewery & Distillery. Everyone is welcome - Rotarians, guests, partners and friends. Please let Roger or Paul T know if you are attending as we need to let the folk at Wave Maker know of how many to expect.

District Governor Visit (Oct 17) - Paul T advised that we will be having a Tri-Club meeting on October 17th that will be attended by District Governor Lesley Barmania. We are in need of a volunteer to arrange a presentation/display of our clubs activities, including our international initiatives. Please contact Paul T if you are interested or even if you are interesting as he likes to have people to talk to. More info on our DG and the district activities are at https://www.rotary7080.org/

Bulletin Editor Opportunity - Prez Chad reminded us that we are in need of another member to help out with our weekly bulletins. If like being in a position of power that enables you to do character assassinations of club members as well as provide weakly wit (play on words intended), please contact Mike Thomas.  I will be serving as International Bulletin Correspondent next week while in Austria, with Marcia serving as my Scribe. I'm quite happy to continue with that arrangement long term if the clubs wants to put me up in Austria.

Euchre Tournament/Fundraiser (Oct 6) - Prez Chad announced our first upcoming Euchre Fest of the season. More info to follow.

Offsite Meeting at Community Living (Sept 5) - Prez Chad advised that those attending need to sign up for this ASAP as we need to order food, etc.

Rotaract Update - Caitlin mentioned that Rotaract is doing their very first event at Shades Mills on Sunday, Sept 15th from noon to 4pm. This is a 1919 Themed Picnic so please show up in your very best Flapper Gear (NOT Flipper Gear as that's a totally different kind of party). It's a kid-friendly event and food trucks will be there. No admission fee. They will also be doing some baking the day before and could use some help. Baked goods will be sold at the event to help offset costs and fundraise. If you are a baker, please let Caitlin know. She also mentioned that they recently lost 3 of their 8 members and are in need of some support for recruitment.  They meet alternate Thursdays at 200 Christopher Drive from 7 to 8 pm. Everyone is welcome! Rotaract is geared toward members age 18 to 35. For more info, contact Caitlin at 519-500-8918.

 

Prez Chad introduced wife Kim as today's "Who Am I Talk" speaker. Kim is our first inductee of the Family Membership. Her grandparents and their 9 children (yes, 9!) came from Holland after the war. They had thought they would land in Montreal but were declined in Halifax. Some re-routing brought them to a farm in Niagara Falls. Kim's parents married in Niagara Falls and she describes her mom as being extremely generous (aka the "Queen of Food Baskets") and her father as a man who is direct and has a great sense of humour.

Kim was born in St Catharines and has two brothers.  They grew up on a farm that raised pigs and they also grew grapes. Kim was involved in sports, playing lacrosse and volleyball. At the age of 35 her father went back to school to become a minister and they eventually made their way to Cambridge where Kim attended high school and met Chad. It was also during this time that she went on a few mission trips to Guatemala.

Kim worked at Home Hardware HQ for 10 years, starting out as a junior Programmer Analyst. Her work colleagues were a bit slighted when she declined a Friday luncheon to celebrate her wedding the next day. Based on pictures we saw, it is clear as to why both she and Chad regretted her choice to decline the lunch invite (ask them for more info). Kim later went to work in the family business with Chad and has been there for the past 15 years.  

Chad and Kim (aka 'Chim') have two children: Ethan (b 1996) and Clare (b1998). Ethan and his fiancé, Liz, have joined their family business at Astro-Tech System Solutions. Clare is a lover of music, horseback riding and volleyball. She is also in her 4th year of Biochemistry at U of Waterloo.

Wanting to share her own high school experience, Kim took Ethan and Clare on a trip to Ethiopia. She has also been involved in a great deal of volunteer work over the years including the Jolly Holly Festive Tour as well as the Scorpions Youth Volleyball Club and the Junior Gryphons (again, volleyball). Both she and Chad (again, "Chim") became involved with Mission Flight Services which involved helping to set up the infrastructure of a hospital in Kalene, Zambia. This is a project worth asking them about!

Paul T thanked Kim for going a great job in sharing her background and rumour has it that a USB containing photos of Chad as a child and teenager may make its way to the Live Auction at Best Bites.

Chim will be away in Montreal to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, leaving past Past Prez Jim McP to chair next week's meeting. Rumour has it he will be wearing Prada or Gucci. If so, please take photos in my absence.