December 20, 2018: Central Choir, “Christmas program”, David Bray will introduce, and Stephen Chandler will give thanks.
Head Table: Our President Paul Roulston, invites, David Bray, Kevin Nonomura, Berny Nymeyer, Rick Orr, Andrea Page and Doug Page, to join him at the head table.
Today at Rotary: Today was the day for the Annual General Meetings of the Rotary Club of Stratford and the Rotary Club of Stratford Charitable Foundation.
The Foundation was established in 1955 and the Club became a corporate entity in the early 2000’s. As the Club works to meet the requirements of the CRA to operate the two separately, there have been some growing pains. Eventually the AGM’s will be held on separate days and the roster of board members, while having some overlap, will be separate as well.
Time picture of the year. Two outstanding members of our club our Treasurer Ralph Robinson and assistant Treasurer Kevin Nonomura who have guided us through the economic nightmare of the myriad of projects and fundraisers our club does. A well-deserved ovation.
Rotary Club of Stratford AGM
The financial report was presented by Kevin Nonomura, who has taken on much of the CCRA filing obligations that were previously handled by our accounting firm, BDO. It is anticipated that there will be a corresponding decrease in the accounting expense going forward.
While revenues from the Silver Stick Hockey Tournament, the Home and Leisure Show (remember the weather?), and the Rotary Complex Concession Booth were down from the previous year, Kevin reported that the club is in good shape financially and answered several questions from the floor.
The omnibus motion to endorse and accept the decisions and actions of the Board was carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:09.
Rotary Club of Stratford Charitable Foundation AGM
This financial report was also presented by Kevin Nonomura, who mentioned that the previous comments regarding filings apply also to the Foundation.
There are three changes to note in the 2017-2018 financial statements.
The monies that were being held for the Stratford Perth Rotary Hospice in anticipation of that body establishing its own charitable foundation, have now been released to the Hospice. These are funds that were collected on behalf of Hospice and are not part of the Rotary commitment to the project.
COMMIT – This is the fund dedicated to the medical mission work undertaken by Doug Thompson and his committee. It was previously overseen by another group and is now under the Rotary umbrella.
Investment revenues were down from the previous year but are still healthy considering the economic climate.
A motion to adopt the proposed by-laws for the Foundation was referred back to the Board for further consideration.
The AGM was adjourned.
The Club owes many thanks to the dynamic accounting duo, Ralph Robinson who tends to the day to day business of the Club and Kevin Nonomura, who has taken on the responsibilities for filing the documents required by the Canada Revenue Agency. Their work on our behalf is greatly appreciated.
Scribe: Wendy Anderson
Rotary Announcements
- Christmas Cash Drive – Rick Orr announced that the Food Committee will be collecting cash for the Local Food Centre next Thursday. Through the Local, the club supports 6 local food banks with $1000.00 monthly for the purchase of fresh food items for families who need them. At Christmas and Easter, members are asked to contribute. Tax receipts are available. Contact Rick for details.
- Cookies and Carols – Michael Fox announced that he will be posting volunteer opportunities this afternoon for this event next Tuesday at the Falstaff Centre.
- District Grant Applications – Charlene Gordon announced that two District Grants have been approved. One is for the environmental work in partnership with the UTRCA on the Avon River. The other is to provide a treadmill for the school in the north where Melissa Black is teaching. Melissa identified this need when she spoke to the club in the summer.
- Salvation Army Kettle Volunteers – An expression of thanks was received from the organizers of the Kettle Drive for the Rotary volunteers who worked on two separate days this Christmas season.
- Host Family needed - The Festival City club is urgently looking for a host family for their Brazilian exchange student beginning in January. Help with this would be greatly appreciated. Hosting is a very rewarding experience.
- Rotary Awards at Commencement(s) – President Paul shared that he has been busy handing out scholarships on behalf of the club at the recent commencement exercises for Stratford Central and Stratford Northwestern Secondary Schools.
- As well, President Paul participated in the Business Leadership Class at St Michael’s recently and found it a very rewarding experience. Many in the class are members of the Interact Club there. Thanks to Montana Wilson for arranging this program.
- House of Blessing could use some help in re-locating their Christmas food and toy distribution centres in the wake of the fire at their premises earlier this month. Please contact them directly if you would like to assist.
- Dec 20th - This will be our annual celebration of Christmas. We will be joined by 3 Secret Singers from our Club to lead us in song after which Paula Ortelli and the Stratford Central Choir will entertain us. Please come dressed for the season. As always L&M promises a meal to die for of turkey and trimmings. We will also be collecting tips for our servers who have looked after us so well all year long. Should be a fun day !
- Dec 27th - As this tends to be a lightly attended meeting the decision has been made to cancel the meeting and allow everyone some more time with their families during the Christmas season.
Guests: No Guests today
Draw: A lovely gift of a woollen blanket in the Stratford Tartan was donated by Rob Russell and Peter Maranger. It was gratefully won by Philip Schroeder.
Make-ups: No report.
December’s Attendance Committee: Ollie Henry (I/C), Basil Hurst, John Kechnie, Mike Nielsen, Fritz Steigmeier, Brent Shackleton, Guy Bellehumeur, Montana Wilson, Geza Wordofa.
