With approximately 43 attendees, split almost equally between Zoomers and Real Lifers, President Marlene Doherty called the meeting to order at 12:00 noon. Following recognition of our presence on the traditional lands of Treaty 7 Indigenous Peoples, and our national anthem, our guests were introduced by greeters Garfield Ganong (live) and Natalija Reljic (virtual). There was a guest of Sa'adat Keshavjee from the Nairobi Rotary Club and our guest speaker, Scott Berry.
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| Scott was properly introduced by Bob Pearson. Scott was raised in the Banff area of the Rockies and has always appreciated and valued the healing benefits of spending time in nature. Through many organizations, Scott has grown as a certified interpretive guide, with a personal mission of empowering people to enjoy the mountains and our tremendous natural environment. Born and raised in and around the Canadian Rockies, Scott Berry has been guiding individuals and groups in the backcountry for more than 30 years. He is a certified interpretive guide as well as nature and forest therapy guide with an acute awareness and primary focus on health and well-being through the natural world. |
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In the past, Scott also built and led many organizations in various sectors of the corporate world. He returned to guiding and further growing his wellness company, Original Path, a few years ago and works with all ages and abilities.
Scott's mission is to empower others to enter and integrate with nature comfortably and safely, thereby developing an intrinsic compassion for it and a heightened enlightenment to protect it.
He was a Rotarian for many years with both Calgary Downtown and with Brooks. His presentation today focussed on forest therapy, also known by a variety of other names such as forest bathing, its history, the science behind it and its introduction to North America.
In 1980s Japan, the tremendous cultural drive of a work ethic led to significant and major stress and burnout issues in the workforce. In attempting to address the issue, the idea of healing through exposure to nature developed, leading to questions such as, “what is it about trees that are so healthful to us?”. The therapeutic benefits of spending quiet and reflective time within a forest were immediately obvious, leading to the development of forest therapy trails, initially within Japan, but which have now developed globally. Research consistently shows the physiological benefits of spending quiet, yet aware, times in a treed environment. Although the concept is relatively new within North America, where lifestyles are largely removed from time in nature, the physical, psychological and ecological benefits are so convincing that the practice of spending conscious awareness in a treed environment, no matter how small the space, is growing quickly. There are now more than 1000 certified guides globally. A goal of these guides is to have us truly consider the natural world and the impacts we make on it in all the daily decisions we make in our lives.
Rod McMahon thanked Scott for his truly enlightening presentation and informed him that a donation to Shelter Box would be made in his name.
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| Mary-Jayne Assaly, a newer member in our club, was invited to describe her journey to us. Mary-Jayne, an Edmonton native, is a lawyer, working primarily in the field of corporate and commercial real estate law. With her growing sons, she has taken the time and opportunity to periodically work from home but has now returned essentially full time to an office environment – busy, busy, busy. Nevertheless, her values and desire to contribute back to society led her to join Rotary. She is looking forward to actually meeting and getting to know our club and its members. Welcome, Mary-Jayne! We equally look forward to meeting and getting to better know you. |
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| Our venerable Bill Quinney described his journey to Rotary. Raised on a Saskatchewan grain farm, and educated in a one room school house, Bill left the University of Saskatchewan as a mechanical engineer. He joined John Deere in ’64, married Shelley in ’66, became a two time father in ’68 and ’71 and relocated through Hamilton, Edmonton, Regina and Calgary – all with John Deere. Tragically, Bill lost his elder son in a car accident and, although the memories still hurt, he and Shelley have learned to continue on. He is recognised within our club as one of our elder statesmen. |
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Pat Fitzsimmons presented us with several opportunities to engage in hands on service with Friends of Fish Creek. Tree wrapping and tree planting dates are both available. Check our website for dates, details and sign-up.
Barbie Hames, as energetic and enthusiastic as always, invited (or was it challenged?) us to join the car rally on September 25. Drive, navigate, or assist in the event. No cost. Check our website for details and registration.
Plans are underway to restart the dinner club. Watch for details.
Reminder to attend the Past Presidents recognition and roast (?), October 14 at the Calgary Golf and Country Club.
In November, there will another fabulous and fun evening at the Kings’ games night.
And last, but not least, Barbie has not forgotten the expressed interest in reviving the book club.
This week’s Building Community Award was presented by President Marlene to Steve Kuiack. Steve may be new to us, but he has already become tremendously active, contributing to our club in many ways.
With thanks to team 3 for their assistance in today’s meeting, President Marlene adjourned the meeting at 1.00 pm with the 4 way test.
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