President Linda called the meeting to order at 12 noon with a welcome to the traditional lands of the Tsuut’ina Nation. Like many other indigenous peoples in Canada, the Tsuut’ina have had their society & culture threatened by colonial polices & practices of assimilation, including the Indian Act, Residential schools, Reserves & the Pass system. They have had historic & ongoing impacts on generations of Indigenous peoples. The final reports of the TRC and the Nation inquiry into Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women speak to ongoing work of reconciliation.
Linda Anderson led us in a “rendition” of O’Canada
There were 17 in person attendees and 14 on Zoom. There were no guests in attendance.
Rotary International Moment.
In 1911, the second Rotary Convention was held in Portland Oregon & approved the moto “he profits most, who serves best”. The wording was adapted from a speech that Rotarian Arthur Frederick Sheldon delivered to the first convention, held in Chicago the previous year. Sheldon declared that “only the science of right conduct toward others pays. Business is the science of human services. He profits most who serves his fellows best.” The Portland gathering also inspired the motto Service Above Self. During an outing on the Columbia River, Ben Collins, president of the Rotary Club of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, talked with Seattle Rotarian J.E. Pinkham about the proper way to organize a Rotary club, offering the principle his club had adopted: Service, Not Self. Pinkham invited Rotary founder Paul Harris, who also was on the trip, to join their conversation. Harris asked Collins to address the convention, and the phrase Service, Not Self was met with great enthusiasm.
Marlene Doherty introduced our guest speaker.
|
| Bryn has been a Rotarian since 1986 when he joined the Rotary Club of Barrie Huronia in Barrie, Ontario. He was Club President in 1995-96 and then served in several roles within the district. In 2004-2005 he was District Governor of D7010. He was selected to be the RI Director from Zone 24 for 2012-14. From 2015-17 he was a Trustee on the Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees. He has served Rotary as chair or member of numerous committees and as RI President Representative to numerous District Conferences. He was the Aide to PRIP Shekhar Mehta from Oct 2019-June 2022. He is currently the Chair of the RI Convention 2025 to be held in Calgary. |
|
Bryn’s passion for Rotary is with the peace programs. He is the past chair of the Rotary Peace Centres Committee and served on the selection committee for a centre in Sub-Saharan Africa which eventually selected Makerere University in Uganda. He currently is on the selection committee for a centre in the Middle East North Africa. By profession, Bryn and his wife, Randy, are both pharmacists and operated their own pharmacies for 30 years. They are both Paul Harris Fellows, Foundation Bequest Society Members, and members of the Arch Klumph Society. Bryn has been recognized with numerous awards including the Citation for Meritorious Service, the Service Above Self Award and the Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award.
Bryn Styles wanted to talk to us today; not about the mechanics of the RI Foundation but rather World Peace & Understanding.
Highlights of his presentation included.
- WHY we have & WHY we need the Rotary Foundation. The world is under a great deal of stress both Nationally & Globally.
- We as Rotarians have the ability & opportunity to be “Peace Builders” with all the connections we have world-wide with the number of clubs -36k and our 1.4 million members. We have the infrastructure & we have the means to work toward a more meaningful society and we can do that through our Rotary Foundation.
- A few years ago Rotary adopted a new vision statement that brings in the concept of Peace. “Together we see a world where people can unite and take action to create lasting change….” If you change the words “lasting change” and substitute create lasting peace across in our communities and across the globe. Rotary by itself will not create world peace. But what we can do is provide an environment that Peace could occur. World Peace and Understanding has been part of our DNA since the beginning in 1905.
- Following the 1st World War, Rotary provided wheat, shoes, clothing and support to veterans returning from the war. This is very similar to what we are doing today in Ukraine and surrounding countries
- Rotary was instrumental in forming the United Nations. Over 50 of the delegates who came to San Francisco to form the UN were Rotarians. Rotary is represented at all the UN offices around the world.
- Our Polio+ program has not only eradicated this disease but has also been instrumental in bringing peace to many countries, in doing so. Ie) Guatemala.
- In a few years when Polio is eradicated, Billions of Dollars will be freed up and those funds can be used on other infrastructure.
- Bryn told us a story about former RI President Sakuji Tanaka who had as his theme “Peace through Service”. He asked “what does peace mean to you”.
- One definition is the Absence of War or the Absence of Violence. This definition is known as a negative peace and is almost always at the direction of governments. This type of peace is not sustainable.
- Instead of studying the causes of war, what if we explored the attitudes, the institutions and the structures that will build a more peaceful society and then work to create those conditions.
- Rotary has established a partnership with The Institute for Economics and Peace which attempts to quantify peace. The Institute which is one of the world’s largest think tanks aims to create a paradigm shift in the way the world thinks about peace. Ecological threats are correlated with high levels of violence. Various reports are free at their website – ie) “the global peace index” www.economicsandpeace.org
- It’s time for new approaches to peace. The Pillars of Peace provides a roadmap to overcome adversity and conflict, and to build lasting peace. “Positive” approaches to peace are built on 8 pillars; 1) a well-functioning government 2) equitable distribution of resources 3) free flow of information 4) having good relations with your neighbours 5) high levels of human capital 6) the acceptance of rights of others 7) have low levels of corruption and finally 8) have a sound business relations.
- These pillars align perfectly with Rotary’s principles. Negative peace is created by governments and positive peace is created by society. We Rotarians are instrumental in civil society.
- If Rotary International is the engine that connects us all, then the fuel that runs the engine is the Rotary Foundation.
- “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”― Margaret Mead
- John F Kennedy said “peace is a daily, weekly, monthly process gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers and quietly building new structures”. We do that through the Rotary Foundation.
Let’s make the Rotary Foundation our charity of choice.
Dan Doherty thanked Bryn Styles on behalf of the Club for the informative & interesting presentation. Casey Eaglespeaker, an Indigenous Elder who said “it’s time to stop doing to, stop doing for and start doing with” – the real commitment of Rotary is to be in the community we live, and serve them in a variety of different ways. A gift will be made to Shelter Box in Bryn’s name.
Mad Minutes:
Bill Quinney advises our next meeting November 14th is scheduled for the Kirby Centre. There will be 2 speakers and a tour following the meeting. This will be an INPERSON Only event, no Zoom. We are committed for 30 members.
- Pat Fitzsimmons advised there are 28 signed up for Bocce & Dinner at the Italian Canadian Club – November 19th – 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm. There is room for more, so please contact Pat if you would like to join for fun & fellowship.
- Steve Strang reminded us November 27th is “Feed the Hungry”. Only 10 have signed up and we need a total of 40 volunteers. Go to our web page and sign up. Bring friends & family.
- Tim Anderson 1) Christmas at the Grey Eagle Event Centre either the last week of November or 1st week in December. Tim will pursue and get information to us. 2) Plan attend our meeting on November 28th as we have a very interesting speaker
- David Wartman advises District 5360 Indigenous Relations Committee has developed a partnership with USAY (Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth) to host a Calgary Rotary Indigenous Networking Event. Dec 2 5-7 pm at the Calgary Plaza Hotel. David will send a link to register for the event
- Kurt Schurer advised we are having our “Three Weeks of Giving” again this year. If you have a charity that you would like to be included in the December gifting, let Bill Lawless or myself know. In the past we have supported Afghan Refugees, Alpha House, I-Can for kids etc. To be clear, funds\gifts are provided from our members resources.
- Kurt also, advised the Board has approved $65,000 to the LCS Committee up from $35,000 last year. Get your ideas in to the committee, because if we don’t use the funds in the community, they will be allocated to the ICS committee. Kurt invited new members to join the LCS committee.
President’s messages:
- Friday, November 11, Rotary Remembers – 10:30 to noon and includes a meal. Tickets are available on the District 5360 website. See Club Runner for details. Lt Col. Dr. Jim Hennessy will be the speaker and his topic is, Under Appreciated; Canada’s Role in World Affairs Since 1914.
- Monday, November 21st Rotary Foundation & Paul Harris presentations under our Citizenship Awards.
- 23rd Tribute to Stan Rogers, November 28, - 7:30 Ironwood Stage & Grill. The show is in support of the Himat Poverty * Peace-Building program is Pakistan.
- Surprise, Surprise, Surprise – Make sure you attend our “in person meeting” on November 28th.
- Yuk Yuks - Calgary East Rotary Club presents "An Evening at Yuk Yuk's featuring Todd Ness Tickets for $20 and the show starts Dec 1st at 7:30 upstairs at the Elbow River Casino.
- December 11th – Christmas Brunch at Pinebrook Golf & Country Club details to follow
Thought for the day …. In Flanders Fields by John McCrae.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
The meeting adjourned at 1 p.m. by President Linda, following the 4 way test
NEXT WEEK’S PROGRAM - November 21st Lunch * Tour of the Kirby Centre
.png)
