United Way Niagara – Food Security Presentation Overview at noon at Spirit in Niagara Distillery. 

The presentation will give a brief overview of: what food security, access and justice looks like in Niagara; United Way Niagara’s role in addressing these issues, as food insecurity is one of United Way’s UNIGNORABLE Issues; and, discuss some of the current initiatives taking place. 

 

Amanda Ali is the Food Security Project Coordinator for United Way Niagara.  Erin Riseing is the Program Coordinator for the Niagara Community Garden Network (a program of United Way Niagara), a collaborate network of organizations offering space, tools and resources for people in Niagara to grow their own food.   

November 30 - 6pm Fun and Fellowship Event – we will share dinner and possibly games at Spirit in Niagara Distillery.  Invite your family and friends.  You can sign up already!

 

December 1 - 6:30-8pm – District 7090 International Service Committee Zoom conference.  If you wish to attend, please contact Jackie Van Lankveld District ISC Chair as follows:  jackievanrotary@gmail.com. 

 

December 7 - Noon – Annual Club Meeting at Spirit in Niagara Distillery

 

December 14 - 10:30AM – Community Service Committee meeting

Membership Survey- You have been heard. Thank you. Your feedback was most valuable and greatly appreciated.  50 Members participated in the survey. The club will continue to host our meetings through to the end of this Rotary year at Spirit in Niagara, along with a Hybrid broadcast.

(Further details are noted below in this week’s meeting summary.)

 

The Nomination Committee is seeking candidates for the following Board positions: President Elect, Membership Chair, and Club Administration.  You may nominate yourself, or another club member- with their approval.  The election will take place at our Annual meeting on December 7th.  Please send nominations to Ken at klshander@gmail.com

 

Club Newsletter - we are currently seeking member submissions.  Send to David Isrealson             david.israelson@gmail.com

 

Our Zoom team is working on improving your Hybrid Zoom meeting experience.  Thank you to our Members patience; we are on a learning curve.

 

The fundraising committee is thrilled to announce that our Ice Wine Martini Party will be returning as a signature event in September 2022.  We are looking for volunteers for that committee.  If you are interested in having fun and helping out, please contact either Anne Dickson at anne@pigout.ca or Chris Hatch at ch_hatch@hotmail.com

 

The Rotary Club of Niagara-on-the-Lake Gigantic Garage Sale (former Estate sale) will be held in May of 2022.  We would love to have some volunteers for our working committee!  If you can help, please contact Carol Lipsett for more information. Clipsett01@gmail.com

 

Our Rotary team of 9 volunteers served 135 people at the St. George Breakfast Program on November 9. They are running a food drive for peanut butter, red jam, Cheese Whiz and large boxes of cereal until November 26.  Jeannie Manning will pick up items, or you can deliver them to 13 Kirby St, Niagara-on-the-Lake.

 

8 Rotary volunteers assisted in the monthly delivery of 350 fresh produce boxes for the Good Food Boxes program to residences in Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, Thorold and St. Catherines on November 16, 17, 18.  We are looking for more volunteers to donate their time and car one day a month.

 

26 Rotarians assisted with the drive thru flu clinic at the Community Centre on Nov 12 & 13.

 

$1,000 Canadian has been donated to the NOTL Library's Community Engagement Program for on boarding costs for the HUB App that will allow Migrant Workers to access local information and services in their own language on their cell phone.

 

$4,000 Canadian has been donated to support the Healing Arts for Kids Summer Program run by the Pumphouse Arts Centre.  These funds will allow 25 children, who would otherwise not be able, to participate.

 

Bikes for Farmworkers is seeking used bicycle donations.  Please call 289 783 1684 or 905 321 8638 for pick-up of a bicycle.

 

Holiday House Tour and McArthur Estate Tour December 3-4  SOLD OUT  We look forward to this FUN event.  Thank you to everyone in the Club for helping.  This is our biggest Fundraiser.  We couldn’t do it without you!

 

Please note that e-transfers can now be accepted to the Club account. Any questions contact Steve at   steve@themortgageguyniagara.com

 

Club side - club@niagaraonthelakerotary.ca - please use this for all non-charity transactions (i.e. membership dues, in-person meal purchases, ticket purchases - Paul Harris dinner, Burgers and Bingo, Niagara Power Station etc.)

 

Charity side -donations@niagaraonthelakerotary.ca - please use this for all charity transactions (i.e. donations, fundraising ticket purchases etc.)

 

President Patricia welcomed everyone to the luncheon meeting and introduced a new potential Club Member John Wild.  Twenty Club Members attended in person and 5 Members attended via Zoom. 

 

President Patricia thanked the 50 Club Members who took part in the recent Google Survey dealing with preferred Club meeting locations and any suggestions for meeting improvement.  After due deliberation by the Club Board at its recent November Board meeting, it was recommended that the Club continue to meet at the Spirit of Niagara Distillery for the balance of the 2021-22 fiscal year, since this facility offers the Club considerable cost savings and better flexibility for holding Club meetings at various time versus the NOTL Community Centre. 

 

Club Members were reminded to provide their food donations to support the St George Breakfast Program.

 

Our Club Treasurer Steve Dainard was the lucky winner of $24.00 in the 50/50 draw.  He generously donated his winnings to the Rotary Foundation.

   

John Boot, on behalf of the International Service Committee, presented the details of the Club’s RI Global Grant Project WASH for Pastoralists of the Massai Mara in Kenya.  This ambitious new project is focused on providing fresh water through the installation of large rain water collection tanks, toilets and hygiene training at 3 existing schools Ole Keene, Naibosho, and Esaaten in the Massai Mara.  It addition, each of the schools will be creating indigenous tree nurseries to teach their students conservation.  The Host Rotary Club is a brand new Club called the Massai Mara Rotary Club which is being assisted by a large established Rotary Club in Nairobi.  The preliminary budget for this project is $50,000 US.  The ISC Committee with the full support of the Club Board is now recommending NOTL Rotary Club Membership approve the funding of $10,000 US out of the ISC current annual budget allocation.

 

November is Foundation month on the Rotary calendar and our Club Members are encouraged to contribute whatever they can to the Rotary Foundation, so that Rotary’s good works around the world can be continued and expanded into the future.  Without your financial help, Rotary Foundation cannot continue to thrive.  Thank you Rotarians for all that you do in providing service above self.