Meeting Minutes

• A quorum was declared. 

• Time: 12:21PM

Pres. Ayşe Delivered a Land Acknowledgement

4-Way Test of the things we think, say or do

• Led by: Rot. Todd

Moment of Reflection

Rotary Minute

• Rot. Bob presented on Interact including a highlight of a recent project where they provided handwritten Christmas cards to a seniors' facility.

Introduction of Visiting Rotarians

• None present 

Introduction of Guests

• Rot. Keith introduced guest Debbie Mullins.
  • Debbie has a variety of involvements with the entertainment industry, including CB Mic, board member of ECMA, Christmas Daddies. She is the aunt of singer/songwriter Gordie Sampson and the mother of Keith Mullins.
  • She shared that Christmas Daddies raised $170k in Cape Breton alone, and over $800k altogether.
  • She expressed keen interest in RibFest, highlighting that there would be great potential for collaboration with her involvements in the entertainment industry and Christmas Daddies.

Adoption of Agenda

• It was agreed to proceed with the agenda as presented. 

Acceptance of Minutes from Previous Meeting

• It was agreed to accept the minutes of the previous meeting as circulated. 

Committee Reports

• Rot. Darren presented on the RibFest meeting that was held yesterday. Early planning is underway. All Rotarians are welcome to attend planning meeting and participate in preparation.
• Rot. Bob reported that we received confirmation from the Rotary Club of Ottawa that our applications for students for Adventures in Citizenship had been accepted and payment has been received.

Review Action Register 

• The Action Register was not reviewed.

An Action Register is a register of commitments made by Rotarians. One is maintained for both the General Membership and the Directors.

Action Register: General Membership

Breakfast Program

Here are the notes that the school provided last year:

• Rots. Keith and Philip will attend this week. 
• Rots. Gord and Donnie Jan 24
• Rots. Bob and Darren Jan 31
• Rot. Ayşe will reformulate a rotation schedule for February and beyond.

New Business

• Rot. Brandon presented on a motion passed at the Directors' meeting to adjust the club's budgeted discretionary spending for the remainder of the year after an interim financial report presented by Rot. Tharanee.
  • "MOTION by Rot. Brandon that the Directors recommend to the club that we reduce the discretionary spending in the budget for the 2024-25 year from $10,000 down to $5,000 and that discretionary international donations be scrapped for this year. (Shelter Box money was a separate budget item and will remain in the budget.) Seconded by V.P. Dave. Motion Carried unanimously."
  • MOTION In following, it was moved by Rot. Bob to accept and implement the amendments to the budget as recommended by the directors. Seconded by Rot. Dave R, PASSED unanimously.
• President Ayşe asked membership if "self-serve" may be a better option for meeting host duties (paying for lunch and tickets).
  • Rot. Brandon commented that it may be important to maintain having a Rotarian in charge of this for each meeting due to responsibilities of completing the paperwork, paying Boston Pizza, and distributing tickets — even if that meant appointing someone to the role just before the meeting. It was agreed to proceed with the role rotation.

50/50

• Rot. Todd picked the 8 of Spades. 32 cards remaining. 

Meeting Host (Happy/Sad Fines, Distribution of Meeting Fines)

• Rot. Brandon reminded Rotarians that as Rotary is an apolitical organization, political discussions are fair game for meeting fines. Rots. Ayşe and Todd voluntarily donated fines in recognition of this reminder.
• No happy or sad fines were presented.

Treasurer's Report

Secretary's Report (Birthdays, Anniversaries, Correspondence)

• Rot. Donnie passed along a reminder for Rotarians to update their Criminal Record Check if not already completed. Reminders have been circulated to members who need updated checks. A copy of the letter requesting CRC from the club

President's Remarks (Directors' Meetings, District News, Special Reports)

• None provided.

Round Table

• Rot. Brandon welcomed our guest, Debbie and looked forward to seeing her at future meetings.
• Rot. John commented that the virtual meeting experience would be enhanced with use of the OWL meeting device. He remarked that seeing the expressions of the speaker helps to follow the meeting more effectively.

Guest Speaker / Special Program 

• None

There being no further business, the chair ended the meeting. 

Toast to RI