October 19, 2017: Anna and Gord Sherwin, “India Changing nature of country”, Ollie Henry will introduce and Charlene Gordon will thank our speaker.
Head Table: Our President Linda Bathe, invites, Ollie Henry, Ian MacLean, Shawn Malvern, Peter Maranger, Bob Martin and Marcia Matsui, to join her at the head table.
This Week: The United Way of Perth-Huron plays a central role in improving the quality of life for communities within our region. Over the past several years, the organization has striven to be more than just a funder of services to being a driver of social change through a variety of internal and external programs. Ryan Erb, Executive Director of the United Way and a fellow Rotarian, and Andrew Williams, the Chair of the United Way Campaign Cabinet, updated Rotary on this year's campaign. and the on-going evolution of the UW organization.
Program Speakers Rotarian Ryan Erb Exec Director of United Way Huron Perth and Andrew Williams Campaign Chair United Way for 3rd year flanking our President
This years' goal of $1,556,455 will not only provide funding for 48 organizations within Perth-Huron but also fund on-going studies, projects and initiatives addressing larger pressing social issues. The three key priorities are clearly illustrated by the "equation", Poverty to Possibility + Strong Communities + All that Kids Can Be = Positive Change". This means targeting issues such as youth-at-risk, families below levels of livable income, affordable and accessible transportation in rural areas, and the challenge of attracting and supporting newcomers to enhance our workforce, among others.
Mr Williams stressed that all monies raised are allocated locally in a process that aims to achieve maximum impact. He called it "investing in your community", and cited examples such as ShelterLink as a refuge for homeless youth, over 25,000 visits to Food Banks, 3,100 transportation rides provided, and 4,000 counselling sessions held as evidence of need and the importance of UW projects and support. He reminded us that we are all touched in some way by our communities' social and economic issues and that the United Way needs to be responsive and broad-based.
Mr Erb spoke of the "myPerthHuron" website and its role in ensuring that the UW is able to identify immediate and emerging social issues and compile accurate and timely data by asking questions and getting direct responses from those impacted. He commented that the website also reflects the community well-being and provides valuable support for the UW allocation process.
Both Mr Williams and Mr Erb gave thanks for the commitment of over 400 volunteers and 45 corporate sponsors to the UW Campaign's achievement of annual goals, and the implementation of 300 workplace campaigns which have gone a long way to growing the donor base. Mr Erb also thanked Mr Williams for his three years as Campaign Chair and his unwavering dedication to our community.
Scribe: Guy Chadsey
Announcements:
PAUL HARRIS:
- Jim Young intruded our newest Paul Harris fellow recipient Mike Gruszczynski, CONGRATULATIONS MIKE!!!!
Mike Gruscycnski receiving a much deserved Paul Harris fellow from Jim Young.
Rodrigo our NGE gentleman saying good bye after 6 months hosted by our club.
Katherine Hahn receiving 100th consecutive attendance ribbon.
Congratulations to Kevin Silver, Robert Ritz, Rena Orr and Katherine Hahn for receiving ribbons for perfect attendance.
Guests: Today we welcomed, Karen Gruszczynski, Bev Young, Alison Sidney, Andrea Ruchert, Olivia Trefiak, and Ally Tamas.
Draw: The draw prize today was donated by anonymous and won by Bev Young.
Make-ups: no report
October’s Attendance Committee: Rob Ritz (I/C), Carolyn Blackburn, Peter Roach, Carolyn Champagne, George Schroeder, Doug Thompson, Angus MacDermid, Gary Wreford, Lynn McKone
