Following the 2024-2025 activity year, it was time for the Sunrisers to enjoy ourselves at the Waterford Legion and to conclude some essential Club business before our summer break. It was planned as a social moment to have some fun, to reflect on that which we have accomplished, to induct our new Board Directors for 2024-2025, to offer our appreciation to the Co-Presidents team of Ross Gowan & Mary Mercato, both of whom, switched roles at the meeting.Go to the 'Read more ...' tab to read more and/or to see selected photos from each of these aims. Click on this link to see a compilation of all of the photos of this event as kept on Club Runner data site. We thank Keith Jones who provided emcee guidance through all of this and Gail Bouw and her Club Services team for organizing such a great evening of Rotary fellowship.
Now, for a short summer break - we look forward to our first ever venture into the RibFest business in July as well as several social get-togethers to keep us going until a very challenging fall schedule of business & fun begins in August!
Lead-In Remarks
Our Master of Ceremonies, Keith Jones opened the meeting with a reflection on the history and the current nature of the club. He thanked our host, the Royal Canadian Legion at Waterford. Friends and Guests were introduced. Five of the RCNS Founding members still with the Club were noted - Jim Peters, Dave Douglas, John Wallace, Steve Malo, and Keith Jones himself. After a rousing rendition of O Canada, John Wallace lead us in Grace before the meal was served. After the meal, Keith singled out the Legion's kitchen staff who had prepared our meal for us.
Club History Test
MC Keith Jones circulated a historical photo of the Club from quite a few years ago and challenged the table groups to identify as many of the twenty past-members in the photo shown as possible .... a fun exercise indeed. Ceremonial hats were handed out for those who recognized the most people in the photo.
Pikangikum Trip Update
Having just returned from their annual spring trip to the North, Jim & Marjorie Dawson were asked to give us their reflections on their recent trip.
Marjorie entertained us with several vignette stories, noting in particular the progress being made (especially with the music and canoe programs) but also the difficulties experienced as a result of the local wildfires.
It remains a 'feather in our cap' to have the Dawsons involved with the Rotary Honouring Indigenous Peoples (HIP) program in such an important and useful way.
The New Board 2024-2025
Co-President Ross Gowan offered heartfelt thanks for the outgoing Board and called for the Club to recognize the new Board Executive & Directors for 2024-2025 including Co-Presidents Mary Mercato and Ross Gowan, Pam Shantz (President-Elect), Louise Schebesch (Treasurer, Finance), Nancy Sherwin (Secretary), Gail Bouw (Club Service), Joanne Kiefer (Community Service), Andy Kooistra (International Service), Gail Catherwood (Membership), Cathy Harrop (Ways & Means), Rudi Atkinson (Youth Service) & Jim Simpson (Public Image). Thanks to outgoing Board Directors John Wallace, Scott Williams, Jim Dawson, and Kristine Carey. Welcome to incoming Board Directors Joanne Kiefer & Cathy Harrop.
RCNS Co-President - Changeover 2024
Our RCNS 'Outgoing' Co-President
We said 'very well-done' to changeover Co-President Ross Gowan. With some considerable pride, Ross spoke to us about our accomplishments over the past year. Referencing our Action Plan, Ross was able to include progress made by each of the committees as well as the Club as a whole. Our changeover Co-President Mary Mercato, 'pinned' Ross as our most recent Past-President, replacing John Wallace (even though Ross will remain on as a Co-President with Mary). Club Services Chair and evening organizer, Gail Bouw presented Ross with a gift of sincere appreciation from all of us.Our RCNS 'Incoming' Co-President
Keith introduced, inducted, and 'pinned' our changeover Co-President Mary Mercato, who promptly took the oath of office and provided us with comments to set the scene for the next year; to express her ideas, plans, hopes and dreams for the balance of the Co-President's two-year term. Noting the specific contributions by some of the Clubs members, she went on to offer her thoughts about the growth of the club and its impact on the community.
She agreed with Ross' comments about the success of the Co-President's trial and expressed her own aim that the success continue.
We all wish Mary (and Ross) God speed and continued success with the Club we are so proud of.