The Rotary Club of
Ridgetown

Membership Newsletter
May 3 2021

 
2020-21
President: Ben van Heeswijk
President-Elect: Jeff Geddes
Past President: Henny Boeters
Treasurer: Reinout von Martels
Secretary: Paul Brown
Sergeant at Arms: Warren Jansen
Directors: Kees Boeters
         Ron Bolohan
                       Brian Pasmore
                       Bob Wilson
 
Attendance:
Members: 12
 
Guests: David Mcguire,
 
 
Birthdays:
Reinout Von Martels May 22nd.
 
 
 Anniversaries:
 
 
 

Meeting Date: May 3rd, 2021.
President Ben opened the meeting at 7:05 pm.
Program:
1) Ben introduced our guest speaker Dave McGuire, to talk about Pints for Polio.
  David is the District 6380 Chair for Polio Plus.
  David thanked us for our donation to Polio Plus.
  Our DGE, Brenda Tipton, is hoping for more to happen in D. 6380 re Polio Plus all through October.
  David mentioned the purple crocuses initiative.
  On Oct. 20th, an energetic speaker will be coming to the U. of Michigan. It will probably be available virtually.
  Here in C-K, the local brewers, The Sons of Kent, will allow us to put our own label on about 2000 cans of one of their beers.
  We would promote throughout C-K.
  We would get about $.25-$.50 per can.
  On the second Friday in October, the Sons of Kent are having a Farmers Market in their parking lot.
  As we are their charity of the month, we would get all of the table rental fees.
  All of the proceeds would be split among the C-K clubs, with one donation sent on behalf of all of the clubs sent into Rotary International’s Polio Plus campaign.
  We would be looking for someone to design the label.
  Paul suggested Pam Wilson, from Dresden, who does all of the amazing artwork for The Mary Webb Centre. He will contact her. (Note: She and David have been in contact and she agreed to come up with a design for David’s approval.)
  As well, David hopes that each club will continue to do locally the things that they normally do.
  David also mentioned that to date in 2021, there are only 2 new cases of polio, one each in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
 Paul thanked David after a few questions.
2. Birthdays and Anniversaries: Henny
  Reinout on May 22nd.
3. Progress of the Polio fundraiser "Crocuses for Polio": Kees
  Kees will be buying the bulbs from Van Noord, with headquarters in BC, and an office in St. Catherines.
  They are $.26 per bulb. We will do the packaging, 20/bag.
  We get them in early October, but we will advertise early than that to take orders.
  The Horticultural Society wants 1500 bulbs.
4. Discussion on "Light up Chatham-Kent": Ben
  The C-K folks want the project to get going by June, with folks from each community involved.
  Henny/Kees believe that the East Kent group wants to look after the project here in Ridgetown.
5. Discussion about May Youth Service Month: Ben
  Maybe we can do something for the scouts? Nothing firm was agreed upon.  The Beavers apparently came first in a recent competition in Ontario or Canada.
  Bob told Reinout that the group has a new leader.
  There was a discussion about having another bbq, but not in May.
  Paul read a short note from Amanda Litwin about how much she has enjoyed the first 2 days of the virtual Adventures in Citizenship.
On District Level:
1.  Follow up email from Taylor Cloutier re the CMHA fundraiser "Ride Don't Hide" for mental awareness:   
  Ben reread Taylor Cloutier’s email re this program.
  After some discussion, it was moved by Paul/Kees that the club donate $250.00 to the program, to go along with funds donated by the C-K clubs. Carried.
  Individual club members can participate on their own if they so desire.
2. Reminder to support "Get a Shot-Give a Drop": Ben
  Ben reminded us of the procedures involved if you wish to make a donation. Road Cleanup: Paul
  May 31st, weather and COVID restrictions allowing. President Ben asked if there was “Anything for the good of Rotary?” Ben closed the meeting at 8:05 pm The next Zoom meeting is on May 17, 2021. The theme for the 2020-21 Rotary year is Rotary Opens Opportunities
 
Russell Hampton
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