January 31 2019: Debra Swan, “Central Food Depot update”, Brent Shackleton will introduce, and Gary Wreford will give thanks.
Head Table: Our President Paul Roulston, invites, Brent Shackleton, Kevin Silver, Dave Skinner, Alex Smith, Mark Smith, Jim Snider and Rena Orr Spevack, to join him at the head table.
Today at Rotary: The Club Board of Directors has engaged the company Tricycle Effect to handle the social media accounts for the club on an ongoing basis. Linda Bathe introduced Laura Connolly and Nancy Titino who own the company and will be working to increase the Club presence on social media.
They gave a brief presentation on how we as members can help to raise our profile in the community through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linked In.
In all cases, it is important for members to like the Rotary Club of Stratford page, to share and comment on the posts. All of your social media friends will see notice of this activity and awareness of Rotary will increase.
In the case of Facebook, when events are posted on the Rotary FB page, it is important to respond that you are interested and/or going to attend the event, and to Share the event posting with a comment on what interests you about the event. This will get shared with all your FB friends and again, raise the profile of Rotary events.
Linda Bathe has information that she can share if you are interested in more detail. Tricycle Effect will be holding a workshop for Rotary on Feb. 2. Contact Linda for details.
Reclassification for Heidi Culliton
Heidi, the Executive Director of the Stratford Perth Community Foundation, was re-introduced to our club today by her brother-in-law, Rotarian Gerry Culliton. Heidi was previously a member of the club from 2011-2015, until professional opportunities took her to London.
Thankfully for the Rotary Club of Stratford, Heidi is back in Stratford, newly married to Tim Culliton, and ready to give back to our community through Rotary.
Heidi was born in Scarborough on an unspecified date to the Spanbauer family, which was a very small but tightly-knit group. She has worked for many not-for-profits over a career spanning 22 years. One of the highlights was Rose Cherry’s Respite House in Milton, a dream that was realized after 5 years of fund-raising.
Now Heidi is back in Stratford, a part of the very large Culliton family. She describes the work of the Foundation as connecting people who care with projects that matter. The funds administered by the Foundation continue to grow and are having an impact on Stratford and area, having already granted $1 million to date.
Heidi enjoys her family, travel, sports, culture and the arts. She also enjoys volunteering and is particularly proud of her part in the building of the new Romeo School playground in 2018. It is accessible and inclusive and a wonderful community success.
Heidi returned to Rotary because of a positive exchange experience that she had as a child, because of the warm initial invitation she received from the late Dave Blackburn, and the warmth and caring that she experienced previously as a member. She came back to Rotary because of the opportunity to serve. She is particularly interested in International projects, Respite House and Youth Services.
She likes to quote a line from Jane Austen - “It isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do”.
Heidi was thanked by David Braye.
Scribe: Wendy Anderson
Rotary Announcements
Stratford Writers Festival
Michael Fox is seeking $1450.00 in sponsorship for the Stratford Writers Festival. The sponsor will receive year round acknowledgement on the Festival website. For further details, contact Michael.
New Generations Exchange
Joanne Hood Tidman is seeking a host family for a Brazilian architecture student who is hoping to come to Stratford in June. He has a placement with Rob Ritz for job shadowing but needs a place to stay. Please get in touch with Joanne.
Foundation Draw
Kevin Silver has assumed responsibility for the Foundation Draw for the next few months. If you have an item to donate to the draw please contact Kevin.
A note of thanks was received from the Houston family of Stratford who are grateful for an assistive device for their daughter that was purchased with funds received through the Request Committee.
Norm Briscoe
We were advised last week that Norm has moved to Kitchener to be closer to his family. President Paul has been in touch with Norm’s son and has Norm’s contact information for any who would like to drop Norm a line.
Guests: Today we welcomed Myrna Inglis - Walkerton Rotary, Irma Spannbauer, Nancy Torino - Tricycle Effect, Laura Connolly - Tricycle Effect
Draw: A gift certificate for Old Man &Son (a restaurant on Wellington St) was donated by Michael Fox and won by Doug Page.
Make-ups: No report.
January’s Attendance Committee: Dave Scott (I/C), Craig Pearce, Peter Maranger, Gary Lingard, Elizabeth Gaffney, Bob Malcolmson, Colleen Devine, Rhonda Lee Read.
February’s Attendance Committee: Shawn Malvern (I/C), Ryan Erb, Rick Orr, Dan Kane, Wendy Anderson, Debra Swan, Michael Fox, Clare McCallum, Heidi Culliton.
