We have another "Zoom" meeting with Mayor Rod Frank as our guest speaker. Keep an eye out for your email invitation in the next couple of days. We are running these Zoom meetings by invitation only thereby increasing the security. You will need the password in the meeting invitation. If you require some technical help call or drop Steven Lee a line. Don't wait until 2 minutes before the meeting when everyone else is having difficulties.
Covid Humour
We are in the middle of a serious challenge to all of mankind but we cannot dwell on the negative all the time. At our normal meetings we always have a moment of humour so send me something funny so that we can continue to share some levity. Using this newsletter to share humour we can include photos, text, or links to videos. Send them to Tom Fletcher. My email is in the Clubrunner directory and an email link is below as well.
Rotary and Covid 19
Rotary is working to determine how it can best serve the world during and after this pandemic. How we operate as an organization and a club will be altered in the short to medium term. Beyond that will require a crystal ball. Michael Gorski is our President Elect and has begun planning for his year. It is hard to say what the 2020-2021 year will look like. Will we still be social distancing? What will the fundraising prospects be like? What will be the community and international needs be? Lots of questions without a lot of answers in the short term. In order to address these issues Mike needs an executive and board that are willing to tackle them. He is actively trying to fill those positions so please consider it seriously if he contacts you.
Grocery Gift Cards
Hello Rotarians. As you might be aware, Erin Stephen has approx $8800 worth of Sobeys/Safeway Gift Cards available. These cards are just like cash. There are no extra fees, etc. Our Interact Club makes 4% on the cards. Money is used for a Playground Build in Belize next year. Erin has floated this fundraiser with her own money. Thank you Erin.
No one in our club should have this added stress at this time. So, here’s my challenge to all Sherwood Park Rotarians. You’ve got to buy groceries anyways. Contact Erin and buy some cards. Let’s get this done by Friday, April 10. See contact info below:
Rotarians can send Erin a text. 7802357465 Etransfer to erin.stephen@pwc.com doesn’t require a password. She will arrange a convenient "contactless" drop off.
Member Bio
Since we cannot meet in person let's get to know each other. President Bob Dawson was kind enough to send a brief bio. below
My name is Bob Dawson. I grew up in Edmonton in the Malmo community. I attended Malmo Elementary, Avalon Junior High and Harry Ainlay Senior High Schools. My wife Barb and I met as students at the U of A in the Recreation Administration Department and graduated in 1983.
Barb and I got married in 1985 and have three kids currently in Edmonton. Tyler (30) works for the National Post as the Alberta Correspondent, Erin (28) is married and works for Strathcona County FCS and Kelsey (26) works at the U of A as a student advisor in the Education Faculty. Barb is the Public Art Coordinator for Strathcona County planning to retire this year. I’m recently retired after 30 years in the sales distribution of marine, sport, parks and recreation equipment.
Barb and I enjoy spending time at our lake cottage on Pigeon Lake. Hiking, skiing, travel and cycling are favourite pastimes. We’re looking forward to trips down the West Coast this fall, Mexico in December and a cycling/touring trip in Asia for a couple months early next year.
Bob's refuge from the world shown below.
Mark Your Calendars
It is becoming an annual endeavour - tree planting. Steve and Paul are organizing. This year looks like we will have to delay or likely defer it to next year.
Wednesday 3 June is our annual golf tournament. There is lots of planing going on behind the scenes. We haven't given up. Hopefully it will happen. This is the club's biggest annual fund raiser. If it cannot be held and keep people safe it will have to be deferred as well. The impact will ripple through the whole year.
