Whoop~Up Bulletin
Vol.86, No.15, November 03, 2003
Upcoming (Meeting days in black)
Bernie Presiding
Next Week
District Governor Mike Smith will meet with the board members at 10:00 a.m. at The Lodge, and will be our guest speaker at lunch.
Isabel's talk and slide show on Switzerland
SAA Daniel Heaton.
Board decision on a new fundraiser
Starbuck's plans to assist the Rotaract club in a Xmas project
****Please schedule announcements with Bernie for November 17, as November 10 is overflowing.
Greeter Loralee introduced guests
Kim Roper
Darrell Ell
Ryan Miller
Doug Parker
Martina Frostad
Cameron Hall
Ray Martin
Catherine Heffernan
Ian Stewart
Elsa Cade, Lethbridge East
Bev Lanz, Lethbridge East
Letter from Jon via Bernie:
My name is Jon Salonga and I am the Vice-President of the Rotex Association of District 5360. We are holding a fundraising activity and we would like to ask you for your support in this matter.
On Sunday, November 23rd, the WNHL Calgary Oval X-Treme will
play in a charity game against the Calgary Flames Alumni, at the Max Bell Arena.
The goals of this event are as follows:
1) To support the High Performance Women's Hockey Program of Canada
2) To support Goal on Sight, a Charity of the Flames
3) To support the Rotex Association of District 5360
With regards to the High Performance Women's Hockey Program of Canada, the ladies pay to play hockey in this league. They are all training to try to make the Olympics. The funding for this team is from donations, the ladies, and other Olympic sources. Hockey Canada and major corporate donations currently escape this league. These athletes are playing for the love of the game.
Goal on Sight is a Charity of the Flames Alumni. They give new glasses to children that would otherwise go without. Targeting elementary age students last, but this year they are able to open it up to the older students as well. Their goal is to help every child that can't see in Southern Alberta because of the lack of funding to purchase new eyewear.
The Rotex Association of District 5360 is a volunteer organization made up of former Rotary exchange students who have successfully completed year-long tenures in foreign countries. After they have returned home to Canada, highly motivated students become 'Active Rotex' and offer activities and guidance to foreign students currently staying in Rotary District 5360. Many students view this organization as an opportunity to give back to their community in the same way that Rotary provided them a chance to explore the world around them.
Tickets to this event are $10 each. For every ticket sold, Rotex will receive $5 to go towards their operations. If Rotex can manage to sell 250 tickets, they will receive 4 VIP passes to mingle and eat with the players after the game; however, we will not use these tickets ourselves and instead sell them to four buyers at a price of $100 each.
This is a great event for the family to attend. At $10 per ticket this is an affordable event and a good way to be together on a Sunday afternoon. By coming out on the 23rd, you are supporting Women's Hockey in Canada, Goal on Sight, and the Rotex Association of District 5360.
Tickets will be sold by Rotex, starting on October 31st, 2003.
They will only be on sale until Wednesday, November 19th. To purchase tickets,
please contact me at one of the choices below:
Home: 235-1376
Cell: 397-2139
E-mail:
jonathan.salonga@edu.sait.ab.ca
Thank you for your time,
Jon Salonga
VP Rotex 5360
Family of Rotary
Rotarian Peter Green conveys recent news of Rotarians Ron Jacobson who is recovering from an inner ear, viral infection, and Bob Carey who spends as much time as possible with his ailing father in Saskatchewan.
Peter conveys congratulations to new Rotarians.
Computer Club News
Two weeks ago the computer club meeting at the University (first and third Tuesdays) explored the ins-outs, bids, buys and searches on E-bay. Members also studied some rudimentary graphics manipulation, viewing photos of David Hughes in various states of. . .
Next meeting will be tomorrow (Tuesday, Nov 4) at 7:00 p.m. All Rotarians and partners are welcome.
Dawna says:
The official address of the Pemmican Lodge (location of our Nov. 17th meeting) is 102 - 5 Avenue South (directly next door to the Galt Museum). Parking will be available on the old Woodward's lot.
Interact Events
Juke Box Rock (The Big Jingle Bell Rock)
Nov 15, 6:00 p.m. North Side-Knights of Columbus Hall $20.00
Chinese Buffet and Rock to the sounds of the Fifties and up. Silent Auction, need donations, and need bidders. Tickets from the CCH office, or e-mail Jamie fruitylipgloss@hotmail.com All proceeds go to the Christmas Hamper Project.
High River Meeting
Bernie enjoyed a good meeting last Saturday including good information on the Rotary Foundation and Membership. He says membership chair Elisabeth is now full of enthusiasm and ideas for building membership; as though she wasn't full of it before, eh?
Correspondence
Bev Thornton writes that her Black Tie Bingo guests, Don and Carol Haavardsrud of Pincher Creek were winners of the Hospitals $Million draw in Calgary for a house, Mercedes and cash.
Black Tie Bingo
The committee held the post mortem amid the cobwebs at the Elisabeth and Kelvin Nelson home. Photos of cooperative Black Tie Bingo participants are now viewable on-line at http://lethbridgerotary.org/btb
Rotary Foundation
Chair Jamie Torry spoke of the good work funded by RF such as the eradication of polio, fresh water project in Fiji, an orphanage in Russia. This is foundation month, and Jamie is asking that each and every Rotarian dig in and contribute. Over the years, $1.3 billion has been raised.
Inducting New Rotarians
Darrell Ell proposed by Karlen MacDonald
Cam Hall, proposed by Gordon Lowe
Doug Parker, proposed by Helen Henderson
Bernie's induction reminded us all of our commitment to Rotary, our 60% attendance requirement and the 4-Way Test. Our new Rotarians will be wearing yellow tags (similar to previous red tags) that signify new members who need assistance in fulfilling new member requirements. Please welcome them, give them a job and help them in the ways of Rotary.
Isabel Report
Our exchange student is enjoying a Jazz band at WCH, attended her first-ever pep rally on Wednesday in which she was amazed to see a teacher manage to get 1000 students standing and screaming. On Friday, she went to her first-ever Halloween, dressed up and found that Trick or Treating was toooo cold. It is similair to the Swiss event in January and February in which people dress up and try to scare away the winter ghosts so spring can come.
Isabel is now living at Jamie Torry's home, and she has a snowboard which she loves to ride down the slopes (hint, hint).
Rotary Carol Festival (heck, hecker and heckiest?)
Thanks to Geri Hecker and Harvey Heck for organizing this year's event on December 9.
Seniors' Dinner
Thanks to Ed Fetting, Ellie and Dawna for taking over the organization for this December 14 (Sunday) afternoon event. Yes, the Interact club members are coming to help.
SAA Daniel
Sergeant At Arms was bombarded with happy bucks from: Romeo who just bought a snow blower, Elisabeth for a great seminar in High River and getting back safely, Ed N. for finally getting tired of looking at cars in Tokyo. Nancy for getting her zipper and car stuck on Saturday night, and Rotarians coming to un-stick her. John Harmer for never having to use his 15-year-old snowblower. Helen for finally getting Doug inducted and that he didn't really have to ride a goat in the initiation ceremony. Brian is happy to offer John $100 for that snow-blower. Karlen is happy to bring Darrell into the club. Marlin is happy to be celebrating 20 no, make that 10 years of wedded blitz. Stephen for his barbershop quartet opening at Music Man. Duncan Lloyd for having his son married off to a doctor. Ed rose on point of order to regurgitate the rule that Rotarians who have sons marrying doctors are automatically levied $10.00. Daniel fined Ed $4.00 because he left him alone for 4 weeks. Ed managed to get a shot in about gummy-bears and Sergeants At Arms. Brent is happy to be moving into a new home. Seamus is happy the Women's Canadian Rugby Team is number one. Daniel also paid for bringing home the consolation (crying towel) after four hockey games in three days. All skiers were invited to pay a happy buck as were SUV, 4WD and other smug vehicle owners.
United Way
Brent Gateman spoke of
the uncertain
futures of some people whether from the recent BSE problems, the forest fires in
the Crows Nest Pass or other local, regional or global difficulties. Many
organisations are feeling the crunch; they need to continue the old programs and
build now ones too.
The United way is an umbrella group that distributes money to local charities, or will direct all of your donation to your specified charity, as Brent does. Out of remembrance of his mother, he directs his donations to cancer research. This year the United Way is focusing on primary campaigns in the workplace by helping to organise your company charitable donation programs, coach a workplace chairman develop an employee payroll deductions plan. People often find it easier to regularly donate a small amount than to come up with an annual lump sum.
Thanks to Robin Hood at the Royal Bank for a very generous donation, and Chris Murray for issuing his challenge that he will match his employees target of $5000 and his company will also match it again.
Call Brent if he can help you to kick off your annual campaign.
Seamus O'Shea Vocational
In a lilting Irish accent, Seamus adhered to the wishes of his University of Lethbridge masters when he clearly stated that his opinions are his alone.
Seamus was born in Warburg, Ireland, which is half the size of Lethbridge, and
took his degree in Chemistry at Cork University. He received his PhD in
Theoretical Chemistry, and moved to Lethbridge on January 1, 1977; so he's lived
here longer than anywhere else. The best part of moving to Canada was
becoming married to Judy who is presently pursuing a Library Science degree, a
great leap from her past as a motorcycle moll. One daughter has a serious
degree, but dashed off to study dance and the second daughter being intrigued
with the actions of the other two is studying Psychology.
Seamus is a Professor of Chemistry who has also taught math and the history of science. His teaching had a profound effect on our Nancy whom he taught calculus. Nancy immediately left science and went into accounting.
He has worked in senior administration for 13 years as VP of academics in which he plans, budgets, implements curriculum; in short, helps young people to do what they want to do. He enjoys both teaching and research.
Over the past 12 years, the University of Lethbridge has undergone many changes. Initially it was a small university in which select liberal arts students were enthralled to sit at the feet of the truly enlightened. However, budget reality changed that and undergraduate programs from A to Z were introduced while on the graduate side, students were encouraged to learn new things while trying to avoid the worst mishaps of the past.
Seamus says the University has been rated by a variety of ratings systems applied by self-appointed groups. However, he does not work for Macleans, he works for the people of Alberta. In that regard, the Government of Alberta indicators show the University to be a top performer in every area, and we plan to stay there. "That of course is easy to tell you, because other people do the work."
The U of L has topnotch Neuroscience, Water Science, Faculty of Management and Fine Arts which help to bring in the money. Recently funding has been announced to a total of $5 million over the next five years and another $750,000 will be announced very soon.
The University has two other campuses, one in Calgary at SAIT and one in leased space in Edmonton where they teach a management program.
What are the Challenges?
The U of L celebrates a 60% growth in enrollment over the last 10 years, which is far ahead of UofC or UofA growth in that period. While an army marches on its stomach, a university marches on its budget. "We are limited to raising more than 30% of our budget funds from student fees. This means that fees are $500 dollars a year less than the other two universities, yet Lethbridge must hire out of the same market and pay a higher electrical utility rate."
Universities must grow to their point of efficiency, and we are there now. Seamus showed charts indicating that Lethbridge has the highest student density rate. However, since those figures were published, the UofL space has increased by 23% while the student enrollment surged 31%, so the density is even higher. It is easy to become discouraged, but we know that it's like riding a bicycle, we can't stop, or we will fall off. So we keep going.
Economics
Higher education means higher incomes, higher taxes collected, and higher life expectancy. The increase in student enrollment comes from outside the community, which means that each student brings $33,000 per year into Lethbridge, or $33 Million dollars and results in 150 more jobs. Each university grad earns $1 million more over a lifetime.
Seamus feels that Alberta University graduate numbers are only 80% of the national rate. So, if we spent 100 million dollars here to graduate another 2000 students, that would mean another $1 Billion income somewhere.
Politically
Seamus admits to being a total political skeptic, due to his upbringing in Ireland. He says the Alberta government listens to the voters who tell them what to spend on education, but they don't listen to Seamus. He quotes Clint as saying, "The phone never rings with voters demanding more be spent on education."
Kara Calls Home
Our outbound exchange student Kara has a new letter at the top of her webpage, which is linked from the homepage.
You Snooze, You loose
Jack Reynar would have pocketed the $10 draw, but left early.
Stephen Graham won that $10 on the second round.
Marlin won $5 and was advised to spend it on his bride.
The pennies for Polio pin from Bernie went home with Dale Merchant.
"We endeavor to tell the truth in all reporting."