November 25, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Rotaract General
Nov. 25, 2008

Attending: President Gabrielle, VP Darrell (acting as secretary), Treasurer Miranda, Membership co-director Dana – General members – Cheryl, Mark, Cedric, Dale, Becky, Spencer

Guest: Elizabeth (did not get last name, invited by Becky)

Approval of agenda: Motion by Cheryl, seconded Gabrielle - passed
Approval of past minutes: Motion by Dana, seconded Dale - passed

1. Welcome of new members

Official welcome to new members Mark (I finally paid, it’s official) Forman, David Crouse (unable to attend), Spencer Brownell. Congratulations all around and welcome to the new members.

2. Youth Emergency Shelter - Black and White dance

Event is this Saturday (November 29) for everyone who volunteered to help at the event. If you have volunteered contact Gabrielle to get information of a possible dress code and duties and time. Duties include security patrol and/or baby-sitting (actual babies, not the teenagers). Contact Gabrielle ASAP for more info if needed.

3. November social night

This past Saturday (Nov. 22) was the monthly Rotaract social event - gingerbread house making at Mark’s house. Event was fun for all who attended, copious amounts of rum in the icing made spreading it more challenging and Mark’s bathroom still smells like rum (thanks to Dale and Cheryl for hiding a house in there that took Mark two days to discover). The December social event is the Rotary Christmas Party – see details below.

4. Rotary Christmas party

Event is Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Grande Prairie Inn, cocktails at 6 p.m. dinner at 7 p.m. Is a city-wide Rotary event and generally a more classy affair. If planning to attend RSVP to Cheryl no later than Dec. 2. Register at the door when you arrive so the club can be invoiced at a later date.
Rotaract needs a reporting sergeant volunteer, basically a snitch, someone who will advise the master sergeant about events and people in our club that can be mocked properly in front of Rotary. Any volunteers? Contact Cheryl ASAP.
Also Cheryl is seeking donations for the silent auction. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Youth Emergency Shelter. Any questions about the event contact Cheryl ASAP.

5. Rotaract badges
Gabrielle to contact former member Bill Given to get any information available on getting new name badges for new members.

6. Duck Race
Committee has a target list of prizes and is now trying to contact potential sponsors to determine what we can get. Hope to have firm list of prizes by Dec. 16.
Committee always looking for help. Anyone willing or wanting information contact Darrell.

7. Club Secretary assistant

Due to a family illness Sarah might be as available she would like to be for meetings so club needs a volunteer to take minutes on nights Sarah is not there. Contact Sarah if you want to be the go-to person or contact Gabrielle.

8. Rotaract Charity Scavenger Hunt

There is no general meeting in December for Rotaract. The first meeting date, Dec. 9 is instead the Rotaract Charity Scavenger Hunt, in past years this has benefited the Food Bank, this year club is contacting Youth Emergency Shelter to see what items we might be able to raise to help them. Event involved Rotaract teams canvassing friends and family to raise certain donations in a one-night blitz. This year an invitation is being extended to Interact and the exchange students as well. If you plan to come and participate RSVP to Gabrielle as soon as possible to help with vehicle planning. More details on the event will be coming via e-mail so stay tuned.

November 11, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Members: Dana, Kathleen, Jeff, Cedrick, Darrell, Gabrielle, Mark, Kendra, Dale, Michelle
Guests: David, Spencer & Kimberly

1. Introductions

2. Approving the Minutes of the Last Meeting
(no one recalls getting the minutes ... let’s move on ... )

3. Approving the Agenda
(motioned by Darrell, seconded by Dana)

4. Presentation by former Rotaractor Someh Niengor – Executive Director of GP YESS

The Grande Prairie Youth Emergency Shelter Society operates Sunrise House Youth Emergency Shelter, a Street Outreach Program and school outreach programs which engage youth to tell THEIR stories to other youth & encourage positive change. Youth homelessness is notoriously poorly funded by government. Most non-profit agencies fundraise 20-50% of their budgets, while GPYESS fundraises almost 80%

The shelter serves children that run away from home due to fighting or abuse and need a place to stay for a few days until it blows over, runaways from the system, kids who are abandoned or neglected, those involved in sexual exploitation or drugs, and those lacking mental health or medical support trying to do whatever they can to survive.

There are a few GPYESS events coming up that they’d like Rotaract to help out with:
The Positive Choice Project – works to engage youth before they get into trouble by giving them something fun to do and give GPYESS support workers a chance to develop a relationship with them. The first initiative of the PC Project is a Black & White Much Music Video Dance Party, Saturday, November 29th 7:00pm-12:00am. Volunteers are needed to ‘chaperone’; directing people to the gym, monitoring the VIP section, ensuring no one gets into other areas of the school, keeping an eye out for intoxication, etc

Anyone interested in volunteering contact marsha@sunrisehouse.ca (cc Michelle so you get an attendance credit!!)

Homeless for a Night – raised $43,000 last year (close to twice what was raised in previous years. Rotaract has been involved from the beginning, cooking dinner for all participants.
Leisure Centre Luau – PC Project in January that they could require volunteers for.
Global Youth Day – PC Project modelled after Oprah’s Big Give where PC Project participants will get into groups & attempt to trade up from paperclips to secure the items non-profit groups in our community need. Local fundraisers will act as judges and eliminate one group each month, but they’ll need other volunteers.

GPYESS will recognize Rotaract for their support through posters, media coverage etc.

5. District Conference

The Rotary District Conference goes May 14-17 in Jasper.
Cedrick has booked two rooms for Rotaract (enough room for 4-8 people). Anyone planning to attend please let Cedrick know ASAP. Our club has been asked to make a presentation at the conference about what we’ve accomplished, what our current projects are, and how we work with our local Rotary clubs & Interact. Anyone interested in helping with the presentation contact Michelle.

6. Festival of Trees
Thursday November 13th – Volunteers Needed for set construction from 12:00-9:00
Bring your own drill/driver/saw

7. November Social

November 22 – Gingerbread House decorating at Mark’s House (30 Pinnacle Ave.) The gingerbread decorating starts at 7:00 ... feel free to bring your FAVOURITES: candy for the houses, snacks for our bellies, or drinks for our amusement.
Michelle will pickup 5 gingerbread kits & continue hating science

8. Duck Race

Ideal prize list is in development for 2009 ... if anyone have any suggestions let Darrell know.
The committee is working to develop an application system for potential partner groups, get final numbers for this year’s partners & get cheques into their hands asap.

Our portion of the proceeds from the 2008 race will go to pay the GP Rotary Club back for their loan of ‘seed money’, keep enough to fund our 2009 lottery, with any extra going to fulfil our commitment to The Community Village. DUCK RACE 2009 IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 26, 2009 – anyone interested in helping is welcome at our regular Tuesday meetings ... contact Darrell for details of the next meeting.

9. Quad Club Christmas Party
Friday December 5th at the Grande Prairie Inn

Members of all three Rotary Clubs, Interact and Rotaract are invited to attend. Rotaract will cover the cost of any Rotaractors that want to attend, but anyone who wishes to bring a guest should be prepared to cover the cost of their ticket (apprx. $40 for their guest). Though again we have no records of ever being billed by Rotary for our Christmas Party tickets, so I guess you’re only on the hook IF we’re billed!

Our club is in-charge of decor ... if you’d like to help contact Cheryl
All proceeds from the evening will go to the Grande Prairie Youth Emergency Shelter Society

10. ONE LIFE Experience at People’s Church
November 20th at 11am
Rotaractors have been invited for a special sneak-peak at this interactive experience created through World Vision to help you step into the life of a child in an African village.

11. SCAVENGER HUNT
December 9th, 7:30pm
Meet at our regular meeting room at the Stanford Inn, break into teams, get our list of items to collect, and then hit the streets (and our friend’s houses) to collect as many as possible!
Gabrielle will contact GPYESS to see if we can collect the items they need on their behalf.

12. NO MEETING ON DECEMBER 23rd
Motioned by Gabrielle, Seconded by Dale

13. ROUNDTABLE

Mark’s been doing lots of travelling (to exotic places like Montreal and Fort St John). Mark confirmed his membership so he’s now officially a Rotaractor.

Spencer shared with us what he does at the Keg ... and how he & Kimberly put up their Christmas Tree, but gave up on the lights on their house. Spencer was introduced to the club through Keith Curtis at The Keg. Thanks Keith! And Thanks Spencer & Kimberly for visiting!

Kendra is learning how to drive in the snow (really learning for the first time ... not re-teaching herself like the rest of Grande Prairians do every ‘first snowfall’).

Dale has officially moved into the new place & is starting renovations now that their Nov. 1 STARS fundraiser is over ... They raised $46,000 through a dinner & dance in Dale’s hometown of Debolt!

Michelle will be spending Christmas in Grande Prairie for the first time ... spending the holidays with her new redneck family.

Dana will be in Lahaina Maui in just over a month with her family.

Kathleen just got paid back for a bike her brother Nathan borrowed & didn’t lock up 4 years ago.

David’s happy he won’t have to listen to Kathleen complain about the bike their brother Nathan borrowed & didn’t lock up 4 years ago. We’re also thrilled to welcome David as a new member!

Jeff has moved into a new position at Timbrr Mart and is working days (less evening & weekends) so he was able to join us tonight!

Darrell has gifts for people who donated their time at the Street Performers Festival and considered using them to bribe people to vote for Debi & Darrell’s proposal story at www.q99live.com, so they can win $4,000 in Tacori Wedding Bands!

Club President Gabrielle is recruiting people for pyramid schemes & alcoholism ... she pins down

Michelle & Dale, so look out for either of them or you could be next!!

14. MEETING ADJOURNED – 9:04pm

October 14, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Members: Tyler, Cheryl, Kendra, Michelle, Jose, Lisa, Dana, Gabrielle, Kathleen, Cedrick
Guests: Lisa Peters

Duck Race (covered at the very beginning of the meeting so Darrell could get on the election-beat)

- This year’s race was successful, but A LOT of work for our small committee

- In order to proceed with it next year we need a commitment from the ENTIRE membership

- We’d like to appoint individuals to look after one entire aspect of the lottery (ie. gaming, volunteer groups, ticket sale locations, marketing, finances)

- Many suggestions were made for next year, including implementing a large fine for volunteer groups that miss shifts (the fine is then withdrawn from the proceeds for that group)

- Darrell has suggested that the President Elect serve as Chair of the Duck Race committee (as the race takes place at the beginning of the Rotaract year, this will ensure that the President at race-time is the authority for all things Duck Race because they’ve been chair of the committee for a year already … it also gives them a focus (beyond helping the Pres.) for their year as President Elect

This, of course, means Darrell himself will be chairing the 2009 Duck Race committee
Work on sponsorship & prize development will start in November … if you can spare some time to help on the committee it would be VERY MUCH appreciated

Duck Race Meeting, Tuesday November 4th … time & location TBD

Motion to Approve the Minutes of the Previous Meeting
- Cedrick motioned
- Dale seconded

Motion to Approve the Agenda
- Kathleen motioned
- Jose seconded

October Social Night
- Sarah has offered to host a Game Night, Friday October 24th
- Bring snacks, drinks, board games, friends, or prospective Rotaractors

District Assembly - and upcoming District Events
- Cheryl, Gabrielle & Cedrick attended the Rotary District Assembly in Peace River

- Cheryl noted that one of the ways we could be more effective as a club is if our members are aware of district goals & look for opportunities to get involved

- Members NEED to attend these kind of events to get an understanding of the Rotary Family and how clubs work locally, regionally & internationally

- The Rotary District Conference is planned for May 14-17 in Jasper (Jasper Park Lodge)

- Our club has been asked to make a presentation about our club activities & future plans … who will spearhead this?

- Kendra, Cheryl, Gabrielle, Kathleen, Dale, Jose, Michelle & Cedrick are interested in attending

- We need to book hotel rooms NOW, preferably large suites so we can fit 4-5 people per room … who is making these bookings?As long as the rooms are booked in advance, we can worry about exactly WHO is coming later … people can register online … Rotaract Rate is $250 for the weekend

- Just a reminder, Cheryl is in charge of fundraising for the Zone 22 Conference scheduled for September 2009 … she needs volunteers to ask Rotary businesses to help fund the conference … if you’re interested in helping behind the scenes or being the person to ask for donations, contact Cheryl

Scarecrow Festival
- Gabrielle was approached by the Sunrise Club to provide a ‘Keys Please’ service at their Scarecrow Festival

- It was suggested that we rent vehicles ($45 each for the weekend … the rental place would give us one for every one we rent)

- Members suggested that we would MAKE more money for the club if we used our own vehicles

- 9 people volunteered themselves & their vehicles for the night - THANK YOU!

- It was determined that we would provide drive-home services for a minimum donation of $20 to Rotaract. Drivers are needed starting around 9:00

November Social
- Proposed by new member Mark Forman … Gingerbread House Decorating!!
- Mark has volunteered his kitchen & is suggesting we actually make these things from scratch
- A few people suggested just DECORATING … maybe getting a kit for the actual walls & roof?
- Date in November, TBD by Mark’s work schedule … plan for Late November

Rotary Christmas Party
- December 5 @ GP Inn
- The Rotaract Club has been asked to coordinate decorations
- Cheryl is leading the Décor-Team, so contact her if you’re interested in helping out!

Meeting on Remembrance Day
- It was decided that our meeting on November 11th is still on, as Remembrance Day ceremonies are held in the morning
- That means Tuesday, November 11 … 7:30 at the Stanford Inn

Rountable
- Tyler kicked off his GPRC Curling season with a win

- Cheryl is excited to get into her new house (any day now, really) so she can host a painting party (everyone quick - DUCK!!)

- Kendra is full of news … she got a CAR (a hot little blue one), and her & Jamie bought a house!! Kendra will now be spending her free time admiring the purchases that will keep her at home for the rest of her life!

- Michelle is hosting a Halloween Party - Friday October 31st … drop by any time after 8:00 & feel free to bring friends (7831 Cedarwood Park, Park on 79 Ave West of 100 Street)

- Jose’s clinical work is exposing him (and therefore the rest of us) to detailed medical descriptions about c-sections and other things that make me queezy

- Lisa has recently moved back to GP & although she has a busy work schedule is interested in getting involved in the community through Rotaract - WELCOME LISA!!

- Dana is excited for: pumpkin carving, a season of Dexter, and a bubble bath (please Dana … one at a time!!)

September 23, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Attendance: Kathleen Crouse, Gabrielle Boulet, Cedrick Leblanc, Jose Magat, Tyler Bulford, Dale Tiedemann, Cheryl Budjak, Dana Moody, Miranda Leclercq, Sarah Davison
Guests: None

Approval of previous minutes: Kathleen motion, Jose second
Approval of Agenda: Sarah motion, Jose second

Action Items: NONE! Whoah....

Ongoing Business:

Chris Andersen stopped in to follow up with the person who so graciously volunteered their services to him when he was our guest speaker - duties were to sort through books, lost and found items, etc...... after Chris left, we pondered this and came to the conclusion that Darrell was the one who had offered - Darrell, defend yourself at the next meeting, buddy.

Duck Race: SO much hard work accumulated to a very successful barrell draw at the mall - way to go!!!! There was no cash prize winner, but the other recipients were pretty darn happy with their prizes. Michelle did a superb job of reading the rules and MC duties, and the other members in attendance sure looked cute drawing tickets, punching all the info into laptops, manning stations and notifying winners! We had a last minute burst of sales at the mall just hours before the draw - 109 tickets sold in 1.5 hours to be exact! There are still 6 books of 25 tickets MIA after recovering one of them from Corey, cheque the online site for details on refunds for these ticket numbers. There will be some sort of cheque signing get together for the committee to do an official tally and all payouts. They will keep us posted of final numbers!

NOTE: Signing authority must be done again for Rotaract bank accounts - committee members required to sign on, make a time to do so together.

Social Night: Plans??? Cheryl?! Glow golf is a no go, so what about games night? Sarah volunteered her shack to host it, see above dates and times and rsvp at next meeting when date confirmed..... let's be social butterflies...let's also bring some board games, as Sarah has a few, but not enough.

NOTE: Miranda needs help from 2 members to audit Rotaract financial statements - not sure whether they were volunteered or voluntold, but the lucky ducks (NO pun intended) are Cedrick and Jose. Thanks to both of you!

Coats for Kids: The dates and times have been confirmed - have you volunteered? Cold kids need your help - come to Crouse's Cleaners and help sort and launder Coats that have been donated by the community. DATES, TIMES, AND VOLUNTEERS SO FAR ARE AS FOLLOWS: Tuesday October 7 - 5:00-8:00: Jarrett, Gabrielle, Vaughn, Sarah, Michelle. Wednesday October 8 - 5:00-8:00: Gabrielle, Kathleen, Michelle, Dana. Anybody else that can come out and help, it's much appreciated!

Gratituities: We have a free room each and every month for our club - this is pretty awesome!! In return, the hotel asks that you maybe order some grub every once in awhile at a meeting, and tip your sever! 15% is the going gratituity rate - please make sure you do this. Hey, if you're a moneybags, tip more! Thanks in advance - hoepfully by us being a little generous, we'll continue to be lucky to have a free meeting place.


ROUNDTABLE. MEETING ADJOURNED

September 9, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Attending: Sarah, Cedrick, Tyler, Amanda, Kathleen, Dale, Gabrielle, Darrell, Jose, Mark, Michelle, Cheryl, Amanda, Jarrett
Guests: Chris Andersen

Approval of previous minutes: Cheryl motioned, Darrell seconded
Approval of Agenda: Sarah motioned, Michelle seconded

Guest speaker: Chris Andersen
Summary: Chris enlightened us on some majorly amazing international projects that are both past and ongoing within Rotary District 5370 (our district spans all the way down close to Red Deer and north of us). The most prominent one discussed was one undertaken by World Community Services Society, which is a sector of Rotary specifically created to tackle international projects, available grant information, and basically guide different clubs who wish to create new or contribute to projects. A few examples were a project in the Dominican that addressed leprosy and water filtration systems; one in Irkutsk Siberia through 2005/2006 that focused on education improvement, orphanages and high schools; and one in Belize that is focusing on on literacy, teacher facilitation skill improvement, and gaining new equipment (ie computers) for the schools' use.

Gabrielle accepted a certificate on behalf of our club relating to our contributions in 2005/2006 to the Siberia project - way to go!! Some fast facts for you keeners: Currently on the Belize project, there are 60 clubs in our district, and 45 of these are supporting this project - pretty great, really. It also received a $300,000 humanitarian aid grant from Rotary International. With the combined efforts of Rotary and 24 Albertan teachers who have volunteered their time, this program will reach out and affect over 80,000 students - quite the accomplishment.

The bottom line: Chris wanted to stress to our club how key international projects are - if we can handle a commitment of this sort, he would urge us to do so. Darrell inquired as to what we could in the form of non-financial commitment (as our club is a little less resource rich than some others). There was some great ideas thrown around involving school lost and found item donation program, and possibilities of other sweat equity projects.... perhaps details to come in the future??

Lastly, Chris touched upon a Christmas card campaign that donates funds generated to entrepreneurial women in Ethiopia and restore of goat, cattle, and horse herds to pastoral communities. Get this - Chris and his wife started this one up in their own home, made the cards from their own picture stash, and, with help of their computer savvy son, raised over $50,000 IN THE FIRST YEAR! Again, pretty amazing stuff...

Thank you, Chris, for coming and talking with us about all these things that our own district should be proud of helping with.

Now, back to biz, folks....

New Business: How about those other non-lottery events???.....
Terry Fox Run: This Saturday, September 13 @ 9am Terry needs your help.... Race starts at Muskoseepi Park, it's a 10km run/walk. Anyone care to volunteer? Most likely helping with set up, take down, etc. Sign-up sheet available, or give Gab a ring-a-ding and catch her on the jimmy-jangle..... ps. This is a great cause! Terry Fox thanks you in advance...

Lottery Food Bank Drive: Have a vehicle? Some kindly donated food needs a lift from neighborhood doorways to the Food Bank.... please check with your C-A-R and see if it's available. Dates and times TBD.

Coats For Kids: Now til October 15. It's what it sounds like - people donating coats for kids this winter. Duties the cause needs your help with include (but are not limited to) sorting and cleaning coats, collection of coats from various locations. Tentatively marked for Sept 23, 24 (Tues/Wed). Let Gab know if you can help out if you did not sign up on the beautiful sign up sheets (which, I might add, she made all by herself and they looked wicked).

Festival of Trees: The committee has asked for our help, and wanted quite a large commitment from us - what with our schedules, time constraints of work, etc etc, Gab has asked them to revamp their request and present it again. More details to come.

ADDITION TO AGENDA: SEPTEMBER SOCIAL THIS FRIDAY, SEPT 12 @ LION'S DEN, 9PM. Please note, we are attending the Storm game same night, at 7pm, to sell as many more Duck tickets as humanly possible, then we will be moving on to the Lion's Den after this for our social. Come on down - it will be a good time!

Ongoing Business:
Dues: Who owes? Who will be renewing membership, who may not? Let Ashley or Michelle know, and give Miranda your money.

Ross Tyson: Yes, Ross Tyson wants to do lunch and even dinner with YOU. Please let's get a poll on attendance over the next few weeks via email.... The details: Lunch - Fri, Sept 26 @ 12pm at our regular meeting spot. Dinner - $31 gets you fed at the Quality Inn, same day as lunch.

DUCK RACE: 10 days left!! We have confirmed it will be a barrel draw, as we are far into the process with the lotto corp to do so - although there is enough water in the reservoir again, Ducks Unlimited cannot host a day event on such short notice, and the barrel approval process is almost complete. We need a video camera for this.... there were a few volunteers, so please keep the Duck Committee posted on whether you can get one for this date. Ticket sale update: approx 5300 sold - this is not including the outstanding tickets that we can't count til we get in......so......GET THEM IN. Darrell committed to getting an email out with the Ducks Unlimited website info for online ticket purchase, so stay tuned.

ROUNDTABLE

MEETING ADJOURNED

Duck Race Prize Draw - Sunday September 21

The Grande Prairie Rotaract Club will award 12 lucky winners with their prizes this Sunday at Prairie Mall. As recently covered extensively in the media, all Duck Race prize winners will be determined with a barrel-draw due to low water levels.

 

Join us at 2:00pm Sunday September 21^st at Prairie Mall to see if you’ll take home one of our 12 HOT prizes - or the Lucky 13^th Bonus Prize of $100,000!

 

TICKETS ON SALE SUNDAY UNTIL 1:00PM

August 12, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Rotaract General
August 12, 2008

... and there came a night, a night like none other in the history of Rotaract. It was a night that divided Rotaract like never before, a split that was subtle at first but then actively encouraged (by one side of the club). It was a night where all the women chose to sit on one side of the table and the men on another... (okay maybe not that dramatic but you had to be there, it was kinda funny)...

Attending: Cheryl, Miranda, Michelle, Gabrielle, Kathleen, Ashley, Dana, Kendra, Jeff, Jose, Tyler, Dale, Darrell (acting as secretary)

Guests: Prospective member Mark Forman, Colleen Tarrant past-president Sunrise Rotary

Approval of previous minutes: Motion by Jose, seconded by Michelle

Approval of agenda (written out on white board because Gab [in her second meeting as president] forgot to make paper agendas): Motion by Cheryl, seconded by Dale

Action Items:

Wave Media Surveys - report by Michelle

Club had again been contacted by Wave Media to see if club members were willing to volunteer to survey visitors to Evergreen Park in return for donation to club’s general account. Surveys would have had to be have been done Aug. 10 and Aug. 24, 2008. As these dates would have (keep reading to see why they would have and not will) conflict with the Duck Race club kindly turns down Wave Media but says “think of us in the future.”

Club Runner training - report by Darrell

Rotaract trying to join the new century and learn about this fancy thing called the In-ter-net??? Club executive has been trying to schedule a training session to learn more about the Rotary Club Runner system which is heavily used by Rotary. Grande Prairie Rotarian Kevin Hilger volunteered to teach system to club executive. Training postponed because of unstable In-ter-net connection at Stanford Inn and will likely be rescheduled for when the executives' heads won’t explode - a.d.r. - after duck race. Keep reading for more details.

Stompede mechandise sales - report by Ashley

Club members had volunteered at Stompede to run the merchandise tent in exchange for a small percentage of the sales profit. Merch sales.... well ... were about as flat as a runover cowboy in the bull riding contest ... there was no profit and many boxes remain in Ashley’s poor crowded garage. But not all is lost, Ashley talking with Stompede executive about possible donation to club to compensate for our time regardless and club is welcome to volunteer again next year when merch sales run again.

(suddenly... the sky darkened, thunder shook the room, a chill fell over all in attendance... well not really but some of us felt that way)

Duck Race - report by Gabrielle

Duck race committee, believing that no news means good news, has news (if you get that you share Darrell’s sense of humour, congrats).

Ticket sales have not been going as we had hoped, about 3,000 tickets sold and the break even point is roughly 5,800-6,000. As such, committee is applying to Alberta Gaming to move date back to Sept. 21 and plans to have a meeting next week with partner groups to outline the situation. Also hampering the duck race is a distinct lack of water (first to say ‘hot enough for you’ gets a boot). There is no water in the reservoir, really, try driving by the college side and you'll see it’s green with grow-in weeds. No water makes it hard to have a race.

The committee is investigating its options for other public races and concepts. Last resort, there will be a barrel draw with 12 tickets drawn, all prizes remain valid.

To make up the difference the club has two new weekend selling points at Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire which are being staffed by club members and Grande Prairie soccer in addition to Co-Op and the Prairie Mall.

ALL MEMBERS WILL BE NEEDED TO HELP STAFF AND SELL AT THESE LOCATIONS! Please watch your e-mail for sign-up notices and help us make this event successful.

New Business

Sunrise Rotary Scarecrow Festival - report by Gabrielle

In an effort to boost their general revenue and get away from lotteries which ties up its money, Sunrise Rotart Club attempting to start up a Scarecrow Festival. The concept is simple, think Festival of Trees but with scarecrows. Club will be seeking sponsorship to set up walking festival of highly decorative and artistic scarecrows and make it a public event with the companies getting the scarecrows afterward. No direct Rotaract involvement, but members encouraged to spread the idea to their businesses for potential support and sponsorship.

Round Table:

This is otherwise known as the point when Rotaract members try to one-up each other with a better story of their most recent adventures. This humble scribbler won’t even try to recount the tales but it was perhaps the best round table ever in club history, you really had to be there to get the full laughs and good news.

Not sure what was better – Michelle’s tale of cowboy boots saving her from doing something no one should ever have to do - (just be glad it wasn't you) - ‘nuff said, Colleen’s tale of ridin’ the bible bus with her Dad to Winnipeg and back (stopping for beer where needed), Ashley Rae becoming a future country music super star (her first album is out at the end of this month), Kendra nearly (but not quite) cutting her toes off while chopping wood camping, Jeff being mocked for thinking that RVing at Calaway Park in Calgary counts as ‘camping’, Mark buying a house (no joke here, he bought a house - congrats Mark), Dale enjoying the highlights of his ‘dry’ and very religious family reunion, Miranda enjoying throwing horse bones (yes horse bones) around in a game at her family reunion. You just had to be there.

July 22, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Attendance: Darrell Winwood, Cheryl Budjak, Jose Magat, Gabrielle Boulet, Kendra Wilson, Becky Watson, Sarah Davison, Dana

Guests: Tyler, Anna - Cheryl's guest.

Approval of Last Meeting's Minutes: Becky motion, Cheryl second - passed.

Approval of Meeting Agenda: Sarah motion, Becky second - passed.

Action Items:

Evergreen Park Project: Michelle not present, will get stats update Aug 12 meeting. Kendra reports went well, did survey, had good response. Thanks to those who volunteered.

Clubrunner: Brief review of what Clubrunner is, training has been graciously offered by Kevin Hilgers, Rotary member. In need of computer, projector, and a 1/2 hr of your time to learn the ropes; a very useful tool with way more functions than we are currently using.

Stompede Fundraiser: Ashley's got the goods, so we will wait to hear the results from her at next meeting.

Duck Sorting Day: With the way tickets sales are currently sitting, we are preparing to sort ducks. Proposed date is August 10 at the Lion's Learning Centre - Murray has advised their space is most likely available to use for this - Darrell to confirm. PUSH PULL OR DRAG you and your closest 20 friends to help out with this - it's going to be a big job! Side note: Meeting consensus to claim this as our official August Social - Gabrielle will look into some pizza for us, Sarah will look into some sort of way to make this fun! More details to come. Thanks in advance, you diehards!

Street Performers Festival: A fun time had by all, the English Gents stole the show. 138 tickets sold, $155 proceeds from I Am Silly magic goods sales, $330 proceeds from water sales/donations. Thank you Cheryl for organizing water sales; thanks to all who volunteered.

Old/Ongoing Business:

Duck Race Ticket Tally is 1020 sold to date. That means 13,980 left to go - let's push those tickets! Darrell attended Wed and Fri Rotary Clubs, seven books taken by members to sell on our behalf. Proposed plans to have Rotaract members attend Rotary meetings again to sell individual tickets to members. Cheryl has arranged ticket sales at Walmart for this weekend, July 26 and 27 (Cheryl, how do you know so many people?).

Shifts are as follows:
Saturday 9am-1pm: Cheryl and Gabriel
Saturday 1pm-5pm: Cheryl (we need one more here...any takers?)
Sunday 9am-1pm: Darrell (again, one more needed)
Sunday 1pm-5pm: Dana, Kendra

Request for additional volunteers for daily deposits, schedule is currently being done up one week in advance - please let Gabrielle know when you can help. Request also for any ideas of additional ticket sale venues or volunteers - please advise any executive member if you know of anywhere/anyone.

New Business:

Banking: Motion to amend signing authority on banking from Gabrielle, Kathleen and Michelle to Gabrielle, Darrell and Miranda. Cheryl motion, Becky second - passed.

Lions Club Big Bike Event: We have been given invitation to enter a team, but, with Duck Race volunteering etc, will not be officially doing so - feel free to attend and enter if you so choose.

Reminder next meeting August 12, 7:30pm Stanford Inn

Executive Retreat? Agreed to plan at some point after Duck Race, proposed long weekend overnight trip not feasible for some executives. More planning to come.

More tickets, anyone?? Darrell has many tickets ready to sell! Get them while they're hot...

Roundtable:

A few things to ponder - would we like a guest speaker to come in and discuss meeting and time management skills? Kendra generously offered to run a session for us as this is her forte. More to come. New schedule for social night organizers to be made soon, as August is last month planned.

Meeting Adjourned

Rotaract Photo Scavenger Hunt & Executive Changeover BBQ!!

Tuesday, July 8 - 6:30 PM
at Michelle’s Place
(7831 Cedarwood Park)

Hamburgers, Hotdogs, and Condiments will be provided. This is a potluck event so please bring something to share with the group! Some suggestions: Salads, Chips/Munchies, Beverages, Fruit, Veggies, etc.

For More Information Call Dale (780) 933-8014 or email dtiedemann at stars.ca

Bring Your Digital Camera for the
Photo Scavenger Hunt

June 10, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Attending: Ashley MacDonald, Gabrielle Boulet, Michelle Dupont, Dale Tiedemann, Tim Lau, Kendra Wilson, Darrell Winwood, Jacqueline Hutton

Guests: Shea Mildenberger, Tyler Bulford, Jarrett Leinweber, Briege (didn’t get her last name)

Minutes: Motion to accept past minutes - Gabrielle, second - Dale

Agenda: Motion to accept - Jacqueline, second - Ashley

Old Business

June social night: June 7 event did not happen as planned, rescheduled to June 21. Dale to get Rotaract banner to Kendra, event details to be sent out by Ashley.

Duck Days: No volunteers needed for event - yaaaaa - thank you Helen Rice

Wave fundraiser: Event still TBA, maybe next meeting

Club Runner: Darrell to arrange training session with Kevin Hilgers for incomming executive.

Duck Race: Last details have been sent to AGLC, volunteer groups to be contacted ASAP to line up selling schedule

Homeless for a Night: Kendra, Cheryl, Jose, Michelle, Gabrielle all volunteer at event. Event a success for Sunrise House, raised $34,000.

Stompede fundraiser: No total yet of money raised from Stompede merchandise sales. Ashley to try and update club at next meeting.

New Business

Bylaw ammedments: June 24 meeting vote to be held on ammeding bylaws to add in disalluision clause – ALL MEMBERS POSSIBLE SHOULD ATTEND

Change over party: Rotary year to change over effective July 1. Dale to help plan event possible for Canada Day.

June 21, 2008 Social Event

What: Dinner & Dancing

Where: Egan's (Big Table) & Rock City (VIP Section)

When: Dinner at 8 PM - Dancing at 10 PM

Who: Everyone, except minors (minors will have to wait in the car)

Why: Dare I point out the obvious?

May 27, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Rotaract General May 27, 2008

Guest: Tyler Bulford from Peace Wapiti Academy
Attending: Michelle Dupont, Cheryl Luken, Gabrielle Boulet, Kendra, Jose, Darrell

Minutes: No minutes as Darrell screws up and no finish minutes from last meeting
Agenda: New items added – approval motioned by Gabrielle, seconded by Jose

OLD BUSINESS:

Parcel of Culture:
Praise the Lord, it's done. Package is in the mail and away!

Chair Affair
Club volunteers help with the set up of the event, which was a fund raiser for the Community Village. The event raised about $20,000 – good job to all.

Duck Race
Gaming has the package, ticket proof is being done, Co-Op secured for the whole summer, all weekend. Progress on-going.

District Conference
Cheryl (a real bed hog) and Tim (a lead foot driver) attend the event in Camrose to represent club. Rotaract help run the House of Friendship along with volunteers from the Edmonton Centre club (which is a real super-keen club according to Cheryl).Cheryl agrees to the district Rotaract chair for one more year (which mean we get to keep her in the club for one more year – yaaaaaaa!).

Cheryl also agreed (with help from Edmonton Club) to plan and help host in Edmonton a Zone 22 (a really big area across the Prairies and U.S) Rotaract conference. Our club will be in charge of sponsorship, need club member to take on that role (sit on those hands Michelle – resist the temptation).

Wave fundraiser
Details on event remain MIA. Just waiting for information.

Homeless for a Night
Plenty of club volunteers for the event. Participants still needed, contact Sunrise House if interested.

Stompede fundraiser
Club to operate the merchandise tent, get a donation. Lots of volunteers still needed.

NEW BUSINESS:

July Social event
July 7 – dinner and dance at Rock City. Kendra to organize, Gabrielle to contact friend about limo service.

Duck Days
Gabrielle to contact Helen Rice about the event.

Interact Club
Gabrielle and Cedrick represent Rotaract at start-up meeting. Results uncertain but club might charter before the end of the school year at Peace Wapiti Academy. Rotaract supports the idea but Swan City Club to be parent club.

May 13, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Rotaract General
May 13, 2008

Attending: Darrell Winwood, Gabrielle Boulet, Michelle Dupont, Tim Lau, Cedrick LeBlanc, Cheryl Luken, Kendra Wilson, Jose Magat
Guests: No guests

Agenda approval: Agenda altered - removal of guest speakers - ammended agenda approval motion by Tim, seconded by Kendra - passed
Minutes of past meeting: Approval motioned by Cheryl, seconded by Gab - passed

Old/Ongoing business

Parcel of Culture: Secretary is running out of metaphors to describe how this item keeps coming back but for all who have seen The Shining...... imagine an axe smashing through the door.... “Here’s.... the Parcel of Culture....”

But ultimately President Michelle says blame her for it still being on the agenda. It will soon be mailed out with the one item still missing.

Job Find
Club set up a booth at April Northern Alberta Job Find fair at the Crystal Gardens. Used as a promotional event, recognition good (they don’t know if they like us but they’re starting to remember us). No one invited at the event turned up at the May social event (party poopers), but event still seen as worthwhile and valuable. At next event plan to hit up people working at the other booths.

Green-athon
Few club members attend event to participate but a successful event overall.

Crime Prevention Surveys
Michelle, Cory and Sarah participate in event. Good time had by all with the teenagers who may or may not be on drugs, booze and inappropriate under age sex (they weren't sharing). At least that's what the surveys were designed to find out. Community Action on Crime Prevention likes Rotaract.

VSB Luncheon
Michelle and Darrell attend. Nice lunch, lots of people, speeches, networking, etc.
Club could potentially sponsor event next year if we have actual money. Could be nice publicity for the club.

Duck Race
Committee proposes to change date of race to Aug. 24 (Sunday). Accepted by club. Darrell to contact partners. Car is ready for decals. Michelle has secured space in the Prairie Mall for all of June and July.

District Conference
Cheryl and Tim plan to attend . Expenses to be submitted to club and we’ll figure out to pay (maybe from the top secret presidential Hawaii fund hmmmm, or have I said too much...).
Michelle motion for new Rotaract Travel policy:
“Rotaract travel policy about fuel is – gas cost or milage will be paid whatever is lower. Milage rate to be set at ¢.35”

- Passed by club

Wave Media Survey
Fund raiser on hold, waiting for more information from Wave.

Homeless for a Night
Night of June 6. Volunteers are needed - volunteer sheet passed around. Plenty of club interest, volunteers registered and fine.

Stompede Fund Raiser
Club volunteers will work at merchandise tent during Stompede in return for a donation. Sign up sheet passed but NOT filled out fully, more needed.


New Business
(yes, after all that we still have new business, all that was just old)

Chair Affair
Club to volunteer at fund raiser for the Community Village doing set up work. Sheet passed around. Event is May 24, afternoon and evening.

Poker Night
(Yes, it’s actually an agenda item that doesn’t have the club volunteering at something new yaaaaaa)
Put on your best poker face and join your fellow Rotarians for a Quad Club event. Sign up sheet passed around, any questions contact Friday club.

Longest Day of Golf
Club executive proposes to not do event again (at least this year). Club too busy with Duck Race and other events plus date conflicts with Chamber Golf Tournament. Event cancelled for 2008.

Lobster Fest (I could make a joke here, but the minutes are getting kind of long and I’m a little brain dead now)
Come stuff your face with surf & turf for $50 Saturday night, May 31, at the D-Company Armouries all in support of Rotary and large scale fund raising events. Rotaract to work the door as volunteers. Contact Cheryl for more information.

April 22, 2008 Meeting Minutes

Rotaract General - April 22, 2008

Attending: Jacqueline Hutton, Gabrielle Boulet, Michelle Dupont, Tim Lau, Cedrick LeBlanc, Cheryl Luken, Darrell Winwood, Miranda LeClercq, Ashley McDonald, Kendra Wilson, Dale Tiedemann, Beck Watson

Guests: Julianne Fraser, Dana Moody, Jose Magal, Tyler Bulford, Jenny Oatway, Jari Lynn Anderson, Sarah Jensen

Agenda: Motion for approval by Cheryl Luken, seconded by Dale Tiedemann - passed
Minutes: Motion for approval of past minutes by Cedrick LeBlanc, seconded by Gabrielle Boulet

Guest Speakers: SSOS (Students Saving Our Society) group from Peace Wapiti Acadamy. Giving presentation club about group’s work to raise awareness of genocides in Darfur region of Africa. High school-based group which has organized a conference and several other awareness initiatives in the city. Very solid presentation by group. SSOS hoping to raise a further $5,000 towards relief efforts in region which they are hoping Rotary in Grande Prairie will match for a goal of $10,000 or more. Contributions to be discussed at a future date.

Parcel of Culture:
At this point we might have been able to walk to Africa and hand deliver it the parcel, but never-the-less it’s on it’s way and let this be the last time it shows up on the minutes for a very long time.

Social Event: Planned for May 6 at Ceramic Hideaway on 100 St. and 100 Ave. at 7 p.m.

Duck Race: Final touches underway, committee to offer more details at next meeting.

District Conference: $150 Rotaract rate set for district conference in Camrose, Cheryl to be attending and representing the club. Not too late to join her.... talk to Cheryl for more information.

Job Find: Booth preparations done, sign-up sheet passed around for anyone able to volunteer a shift at the booth. Social event to be promoted there for prospective members.
Blood Donation Drive: Darrell to wrap up results and send off

GSE Bangladesh: Exchange group coming to Grande Prairie, was scheduled for May but event has been postponed to later because of Visa issues with people visiting. Stay tuned for more details, same Bat-Time same Bat-channel...

Wave Survey: Club offered chance to do little survey for Wave Media about vehicle traffic Evergreen Park. Easy gig for some general revenue. Club to accept offer, more details to be forthcoming.

Homeless for the Night: Event on June 6, major fund raiser for Sunrise House. Club typically volunteers at the event, anyone interested mark it on your calendar now. It’s an overnight outdoor event for the youth shelter. Kendra offer to organize club’s participation, contact her if interested.

Green-a-Thon: Event on May 3, sign-up sheet passed around if anyone interested.

Crime Prevention Surveys: Darrell present volunteer request from city’s Crime Prevention department. Request is for Rotaract to help administer surveys to junior and senior high school students asking about drugs, crime and whatever other fun stuff they get into on a Friday night. Names collected and information passed to Crime Prevention for follow up.

Stompede: Ashley McDonald make club aware of chance to volunteer at the Stompede to earn some general revenue cash. More information to come at next meeting.

Lobster Fest: Start saving your appetite now, surf-and-turf on May 31 at the D-Company Armouries as a fund raiser for Rotary district events. Tickets $50-$60, Rotaract to also volunteer at event. More information to come.

Rotaract Social Night - Tuesday, May 6

It's that time again ... Rotaract Social Night !!!

What: Ceramic Class

Where: Ceramic Hideaway 10006B - 100 Avenue (Across from Fourword/Digital Blues)

When: Tuesday, May 6th from 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM.

Cost: Ranges from $4.50 - $100. You have a choice of Acrylic Paint ($6) or Glaze ($10).

Please come join our social activity. Bring a friend. This is great opportunity to get to know the other members of the club and to bring a potential member to a more relaxed atmosphere to learn more about Rotaract.

Please RSVP (so we can prepare the staff for the right amount of people attending).

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us info @ grandeprairierotaract.org

April 8, 2008 Minutes

Rotaract General April 8, 2008

Attending: Cory Tretiak, Jacqueline Hutton, Kathleen Crouse, Michelle Dupont, Cheryl Luken, Darrell Winwood, Miranda LeClercq, Kendra Wilson, Dale Tiedemann, Becky Watson, Sarah Davison
Guests: Vaughn Marillier, Jarrett Leinweber, Bill Given (yes he’s a guest now from the Swan City Club)

Approval of previous meeting minutes: Motion by Jacqueline, seconded by Kendra - motion passed
Approval of agenda: Motion by Cory, seconded by Sarah - motion passed

Action Items:
Parcel of Culture
(this thing is starting to remind me of a zombie - it just never dies)
“Really, it’s almost done” - President Michelle

Kathleen to write letter to accompany package from our club
Box is assembled, to be sent off shortly

Duck Race
Ticket printing underway, delay because of unforeseen demands by Alberta Gaming (they’re getting annoying)

Community Village
The Community Village is launching their capital fund raising drive. Our club remains committed to a $20,000 donation spread over the next few years. Information on the Community Village is passed around to all club members who might not be familiar with the organization.

New Business

Rotary District Conference
Runs May 22-25 in Camrose. Cheryl and Michelle are planning to attend and could use some help at the House of Friendship Rotaract event. If you’re planning to attend contact one of them, there is a discount Rotaract rate.

Job Find
Event runs April 23 at the Crystal Centre, Rotaract once again has a booth for promotional purposes. A new Rotaract banner will be coming as a donation to the club from Sportswear Plus. Thank you notes are requested to be sent to store owner Curt (Kurt? sorry I don’t know) and Carla. Contact Dale if you can work a shift at the booth and help promote the club.

Blood Donor Drive
Canadian Blood Services Clinic is running a donation drive in Grande Prairie April 21-25. International Rotaract drive to promote blood donations discussed, Darrell to promote event and track any donations from club members for purpose of international tally. If you donate blood at the clinic please e-mail Darrell at dwinwood1@mac.com (hey... that’s me...)

Bangladesh Study Group
A team of Rotarians from Bangladesh is coming to Grande Prairie as part of a return exchange after Harry Sandu (sorry if I spelled his name wrong) from the Grande Prairie (Friday) Rotary Club lead a team of Alberta Rotarians there earlier this year. The Friday club is organizing the event, the Bangladesh team plans to visit our club May 13, be aware that meeting could be a “dry” meeting as liquor is a restricted substance in Bangladesh.

Grande Cache Charter
The official chartering of a Rotary club in Grande Cache is May 3. Anyone interested in attending contact Michelle. That is also the same day at the Greenathon and the birthday party of a certain President-elect.

Voting/bylaw changes
According to Alberta Gaming (and Miranda) we need a disillusion clause in our bylaws, basically saying where our money goes if the club folds. Executive to address. Also according to our bylaws club elections next year must happen before March 1.

Elections

Elections for next Rotary year starting July 1. Acclimation for Sarah as secretary, Miranda as treasurer. Voting held for Vice President: running were Dale, Cory, Cedrick and Darrell. Darrell (hey that’s me again) voted in as Vice President effective July 1. Gabrielle to become President at the time and Michelle gets to take a deep breath, have a drink and cheer.

2008-2009 ROTARACT EXECUTIVE

Our club's executive for 2008-2009 year is now official.

President: Gabrielle Boulet
President-Elect: Darrell Winwood
Treasurer: Miranda LeClercq
Secretary: Sarah Davison

Photos of the new executive will posted when the official changeover takes place on July 1st.

Congratulations to everyone for their continued involvement with Rotaract.

March 25, 2008 Minutes

Rotaract General Meeting March 25, 2008

Guests: Lion Club members Donna and Lynne Coulter, Carla Rakestraw - guest of Dale, Sunrise Rotary member Glenn Tissington, Jason Luken - guest of Cheryl, Alison Pritcher

Attending: Cory Tretiak, Jacqueline Hutton, Gabrielle Boulet, Kathleen Crouse, Michelle Dupont, Cedrick LeBlanc, Cheryl Luken, Darrell Winwood, Kendra Wilson, Dale Tiedmann, Becky Watson, Sarah Davison, Bill Given

Approval of past Minutes: Sarah motion, Dale second - passed

Presentation to Rotaract by Lions Club members:
Donna and Lynne tell club about history and activities of Grande Prairie Lions Club, one of three Lions clubs in the city.

Lions International operates in 200 plus countries with 1.3 million members world-wide. Lions donate more than $450 million a year to various causes. Lions International major cause is fighting blindness, a legacy from Helen Keller who asked for the Lions club to help her cause.

Grande Prairie club started in 1957, meeting at the York Hotel, one charter member remains alive today. Lions Park in Grande Prairie was created 35 years ago and the
Lions Learning Centre opened in 2003. Since 1988 the Grande Prairie Lions Clubs have had a partnership with a club in Sri Lanka and have sent more than 60,000 eye glasses to that country.

For more information visit www.grandeprairielions.com.

Action Items:

Parcel of Culture - Done and done. Items collected and dear God it’s going into the mail.

Duck Race - Committee has met with GALAP and Ducks Unlimited to iron out details. Duck sorting day to be done in June.

District Conference - $150 Rotaract cost for any members attending. Cheryl will be going and setting up House of Friendship. Contact Cheryl or Michelle for further details.

New Items:
Job Find April 23 - Club offered table space again from Wave Media/Kevin Hilgers. Sign up sheet passed around, contact Michelle for more information.

Elections - New Rotary year starts July 1. Nominations submitted and next general meeting will be elections.

Social Events: List of organizers drawn up for our next several shin-digs, par-tays if you will

April - Allison and Sarah
May - Gabrielle
June - Kendra
July - Dale (change over party)
August - Cheryl

Special Note: Bill informs club this is his last meeting as a Rotaractor. Bill has signed up to transfer to the Swan City Wednesday club effective immediately. Bill last charter member to leave the club and will be missed by all.

District Rotaract Newsletter

Anyone wishing to submit an article for the newsletter is welcome and encouraged to do so. The articles must be print ready with no editing needed. Pictures may also be submitted, but must be of a high quality with a note attached to describe who / what's happening in the photo.

The submission deadline for the summer issue will be June 1, 2008.

For the Spring 2008 Newsletter, please click here.

Cheryl LukenCo-Chair,
Rotaract District Committee
coach@persona.ca

40th Anniversary Mixer

Rotaract Elections‏

Hello Rotaractors!

Preparations are underway for a new Rotaract year beginning July 1st.

This is a perfect opportunity for new members to take on a leadership role with the club, or for former members to rededicate themselves to Rotaract by renewing their membership!

As many of you know, our incoming Club President has already been determined (Gabrielle Boulet was named our President-elect at this time last year).

However, there are still executive positions to be filled:

Secretary – responsible for taking meeting minutes, tracking attendance, checking the mailbox, club correspondence, etc.

Treasurer – responsible for ongoing tracking of the club’s general finances & coordinating with the Duck Race coordinator for any lottery issues.

President-Elect – responsible for chairing meetings when the President is unable, and assisting the President throughout the year in preparation to take over the Presidency on July 1, 2009.

We will be reviewing the details of these positions, and the election process at the next GENERAL club meeting, TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2008.

Nominations will be accepted at the meeting: Tuesday, March 25th

Election of the club’s Executive will be made at the meeting: Tuesday, April 8th.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email.

Michelle Dupont
President – GP Rotaract Club

ROAD TRIP

As many of you know, the Chamber of Commerce Provincial Election Forum is scheduled for next Tuesday, February 26.

Though this would typically be a regular meeting for our club - this Tuesday Rotaract takes a field trip!

Where: Holiday Inn - 9816 - 107 Street, Grande Prairie

When: 6:30 PM

What: All Candidates Forum from both Wapiti/Smoky Constituencies.

Post-forum discussion and drinks: 8:30 PM to 9:00 at Barcelona's

On a side note if you require additional information on the upcoming March 3, 2008 Alberta Election, click here

February 12, 2008 Minutes

Attending: Jacqueline, Cheryl, Kendra, Jeff, Miranda, Cory, Ashley, Cedrick, Michelle, Gab, Kathleen, Bill, Darrell
New members attending: Becky Watson, Sandra Easton, Sarah Davison
Guests: Travis (last name unknown), Alan Kuechle - past president Swan City club

Minutes: Approval motioned by Gabrielle, seconded by Jacqueline
Agenda: Approval motioned by Cheryl, seconded by Kendra

Review of past items

Parcel of Culture
Okay... the previous minutes said this meeting, Feb. 12 was the drop dead deadline for bringing items ... yaaa.... ignore that.
The next general meeting, really, truly, honestly ....(well, maybe) that’s the drop dead deadline for bringing items.
The parcel will be shipped to a Rotaract Club in Nigeria as part of a cultural exchange where they will learn that in Grande Prairie we’re great at a lot of things... returning our mail... well we’re slow learners.....

District Rotaract Chair
Congratulations to Cheryl who was voted by the district to the executive position - everyone act like Kermit the Frog, throw your hands in the air, throw your head back and yell yaaaaaaaa while running off stage (if we had a stage)!!!! If you don’t remember The Muppet Show, I recommend professional counselling.

Duck Race
The application has been sent in to Alberta Gaming. Now awaiting approval.
In April, all club members will be needed on a day for duck sorting. Date TBD.

Rotary District Bonspiel
Three provinces will be represented, several hundred Rotarians expected.
Rotaract will run registration desk and field one team on the ice. Once again, if you can volunteer at the registration desk, show up Thursday night. Call or e-mail Michelle with any questions. Drivers are also wanted, contact Cedrick.

New Business

Club Open House
Rotaract 40th anniversary to happen in March. Club decides that general meeting on March 11 will be open house to showcase the club and our activities. Invite any and all friends and people interested in the club. Event will be promoted around town - same bat-time, same bat-channel.

Volunteer Services Bureau presentation
Kathleen was named Volunteer of the Week for her work with The Community Village and Rotaract. Jacqueline makes presentation of award to Kathleen.
Once again, do the Kermit for Kathleen - yaaaaaa......
For anyone interested in the program, anyone can nominate a volunteer. Contact Jacq for more information.

January 22, 2008 Minutes

Attending: Gabrielle (acting at meeting chairwoman), Jacqueline, Ashley, Bill, Cedrick, Miranda, Dale, Darrell
Guests: Sara Davidson, Daniel Rook, Vaughn Marillier, Colleen Tarrant (Sunrise Club President), Sandra Easton, Allison Pitcher, Becky (last name unknown), Jarrett (last name unknown), Claire (last name unknown)

1. Adoption of Agenda: Motion to adopt by Bill, second by Jacqueline - Passed
2. Adoption of past minutes: Motion to adopt by Ashley, second Miranda - passed

3. Review past items

Duck Race
Final steps being taken on application. Committee anticipates submitting application to the government before next general meeting.

In short - our ducks are in a row (yes I went there)...

District Bonspiel (bonspeil? I never know)
Clear the track, here comes.... the Rotaract curling team
Bill, Darrell (Cheryl maybe) agree to make fools of themselves (I mean display their skills) as members of the our club’s curling team under the actual talented leadership of Ashley.
Colleen Tarrant as chair of the event give a description of the event to our guests. There are 48 teams expected, couple hundred Rotarians from across northern Alberta, B.C. and the Territories.
Still seeking volunteers who can offer any time to help at the registration table and volunteer drivers. If you can drive (and we all know that’s a questionable skill in this city) talk to Cedrick as he is coordinating driving.

Membership Director
As previously discussed Jacqueline stepping down as Membership Director to focus on family time. Ashley has formally agreed to take over the spot.

Parcel of Culture
Enough is enough, next general meeting is the DEADLINE for bringing any items for the parcel to be sent to club in Nigeria. Keep it small but bring something that represents the city and Rotaract.

New Items

February Social Event
Darrell to organize. An e-mail will be sent out with details on event.

Meeting end with round table and greeting guests. Next general meeting - Feb. 12, 2008.

Box of Culture Pictures

At the meeting on October 23rd the club took time to open the Box of Culture. The pictures are just making it up now.

The Box of Culture is an international project of the FUTA Rotarct Club in Rotary District 9130, Nigeria. They packed a box full of Rotaract info, pictures and cultural products from their home and sent it to our club.


The box was actually a small parcel, but we were in for a surprise when we saw how much was squeezed in there!


President Michelle did the honours opening the package...


.. and right away was intrigued with what was inside.


We were excited to see everything from Rotaract bumper stickers....


.... to certificates....


... to district newspapers!


All in all that little package had a lot of culture stuffed in there! It was impressive to see how organized Rotaract is in District 9130. Considering that we only have 4 clubs in our district it was eye opening to see so many events and materials produced by Rotaractors.

Also in the parcel were CDs with pictures of events from the FUTA club - which we posted to our Grande Prairie Rotaract group on Facebook.

Next up is our return package for FUTA! Don't forget next meeting is the last opportunity to contribute something.

January 8, 2008 Minutes

Attending: Darrell, Bill, Cedrick, Miranda, Cheryl, Kendra, Jacqueline, Kathleen
Guests: Page (friend and guest of Jacqueline), Glen Tissington - member Sunrise Rotary Club

Agenda: Added to agenda, President-elect training costs
Approval motioned by Cheryl, seconded by Cedrick - passed
Minutes of last meeting: Approval motioned by Bill, seconded by Jacqueline - passed

Review of old business:

Duck Race:
Darrell give update on Duck Race, plans remain on track.

Rotary Bonspiel:
Volunteers are still needed to help with event which runs Feb. 21-24. Members can volunteers as drivers. Kendra will volunteer at registration desk. Contact Cedrick or Michelle if interested. Rotaract will also register a team to curl, so if anyone actually can curl please speak up soon.

Parcel of Culture:
Parcel will be mailed to African group in February so bring any items to next meeting.

New Business

Guest Speakers:
Goal is to bring in more guest speakers to club so we can all learn more about the community. Early potential speakers include president of a local Lion’s Club who has spoken to Bill, and Murray Hampshire with Ducks Unlimited. Plan is to have a guest speaker once a month, the second meeting of the month.
Kendra volunteers to coordinate the speakers. Any suggestions e-mail her the information at: yourmom365247@hotmail.com.
Speakers would speak for 10 minutes.

Rotaract District Co-chair
Rotary district interested in more communication with Rotaract Clubs. Seeks club nominations for district Rotaract co-chair. Details of proposal are confusing, not sure of what responsibilities would be included but Cheryl agree to be club’s nomination. Suggest club contacts some one from the district to get more details of event.

President-elect training costs
Gabrielle attends training session as the president-elect for next Rotary season. Club owes $57 in costs to Grande Prairie Rotary Club. Cheryl motion for payment to that club, Kathleen second motion. Club to cut cheque for costs.

Election nominations
Elections for next Rotary year (starting Canada Day) will be held in March. Start thinking about whether you want to run for the executive.

Membership director
Jacqueline stepping down as membership director as she is expecting and due in the coming months. Ashley has previously volunteered to take over the position and club moves acceptance in her absence.

Round Table
Darrell - Informs club that former member Ellen has given birth to her son Mikah. Congrats all around.
Cheryl - Her skating club will be doing another bottle drive soon, save up your bottles for her please.
Glen - Shares with club that he will be going back to Mazatlan with the Rotary trip in March representing the Sunrise Club. Asks why Rotaract not included this year, no one has a really good answer.
Bill - Will be attending the 2008 Arctic Winter Games in Yellowknife in March.
Jacqueline - Volunteer Services Bureau has received donation of furniture from Conaco-Phillips. Jacqueline needs two volunteer