Messages this week from our Club President, Tracey Curtis
As we head towards next week's 2020 Christmas-with-a-difference, the opening of Sparkles in the Park tomorrow night, the conclusion of our Christmas Bags fundraiser tomorrow, and reports of many acts of caring and kindness around us, today's meeting was all about 'taking a moment' to sit back and appreciate everything we can be grateful for. Our meeting was full of joy and surprises. Please stay connected. Let us continued to be there for one another, just a phone call away!
This week's rendition of O Canada was a recording especially made for us by Justin Funk's talented daughter Isabelle Funk, with her beautiful voice and personality, in front of their Christmas tree. You can listen and watch again here. It is so heartwarming.
Santa dropped by and cheerfully picked out out a number of Rotarians by name, letting them know why they were on his Good List. He could have gone on and on with so many Good Rotarians but he had appointments to keep. As a parting gift to all, he cancelled any potential 'fines' between now and the end of this year, and Sergeant At Arms, Mahmud, has agreed. Thank you, Santa! It was great seeing you!
A highlight of every Christmas meeting at our club is a new poem by Murray Taylor, highlighting relevant events. This year's version of "'Twas the night before Christmas" was hilarious, based on our experiences with Zoom calls this year, and especially with multi-generational events. Read it on our website here.
During our meeting, three donated items were auctioned with the proceeds being sent to The Rotary Foundation. Many thanks to Marva for donating a Rotary Christmas Bag, Noma for donating two bottles of wine, and Marva for donating a copy of her new book. By the way, Marva's book can be purchased here.
https://www.collectingcourage.org
Announcements ...
The IYSN (Integrated Youth Services Network) is the grand winner of this year's Oaktree contest, with the top prize of $7,500. In other good news, the IYSN's recent donation-matching campaign raised some $11,000.
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Sparkles in the Park is almost ready to light up tomorrow night, Saturday, December 19 at 5:30pm. The park looks glorious, says Jane Armstrong, BUT ... we need more volunteers to sign up for shifts. Here are two important links:
Watch this news segment about Sparkles on CTV Kitchener.
https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=514149
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Electoral Committee: Sean Yo and Nanita Mohan report that 10 Rotarians have agreed to have their names put forward for the election of 3 directors on our board, effective July 1, 2021. Next steps in the electoral process will take place in January.
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Sean Yo also reported on the successful publication of a fantastic one page ad in both the Guelph Mercury Tribune and the Wellington Advertiser on Thursday, December 17, celebrating 100 years of Rotary in Guelph, Fergus and Elora. Furthermore, copying a good idea from our Rotary friends in Kitchener-Waterloo, our Guelph Wellington Rotary cluster has created a 'single landing page' featuring all 7 local clubs for whenever people search for Rotary in our area. Check it out here. http://rotaryofgw.ca
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Program this week - December 18, 2020
Our special guest this week was Markus Howard, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Guelph Youth Singers. This award winning choir has been a blessing our community with their beautiful music for over 30 years. Markus took the helm in 2013. Markus provided an entertaining music program for us with six wonderful recordings by the choir - all breathtaking.
In thanking, Justin Funk surprised Markus with our club's award of an Honourary Paul Harris Fellowship, one of the highest honours that Rotary International can bestow upon a person. It recognizes recipients for their outstanding contributions that exemplify the highest ideal in Rotary of delivering “SERVICE ABOVE SELF.” Markus was quite overcome and lost for words.
Program in the next two weeks ... watch for announcements by email
The next two Fridays are Christmas Eve, December 24th and New Year's Eve, December 31st, and we won't be holding our 'normal' weekly meetings. But Tracey has a lovely idea to set up some Chat Rooms where our members can connect if they wish. Watch for details coming out in emails, if we are able to arrange this!
As we head towards next week's 2020 Christmas-with-a-difference, the opening of Sparkles in the Park tomorrow night, the conclusion of our Christmas Bags fundraiser tomorrow, and reports of many acts of caring and kindness around us, today's meeting was all about 'taking a moment' to sit back and appreciate everything we can be grateful for. Our meeting was full of joy and surprises. Please stay connected. Let us continued to be there for one another, just a phone call away!
This week's rendition of O Canada was a recording especially made for us by Justin Funk's talented daughter Isabelle Funk, with her beautiful voice and personality, in front of their Christmas tree. You can listen and watch again 
Santa dropped by and cheerfully picked out out a number of Rotarians by name, letting them know why they were on his Good List. He could have gone on and on with so many Good Rotarians but he had appointments to keep. As a parting gift to all, he cancelled any potential 'fines' between now and the end of this year, and Sergeant At Arms, Mahmud, has agreed. Thank you, Santa! It was great seeing you!
During our meeting, three donated items were auctioned with the proceeds being sent to The Rotary Foundation. Many thanks to Marva for donating a Rotary Christmas Bag, Noma for donating two bottles of wine, and Marva for donating a copy of her new book. By the way, Marva's book 
