Rod McMahon opened the meeting at 12 noon.
Land acknowledgement: We honor & acknowledge that we live, work & play on the traditional territories, inhabited by the Blackfoot confederacy; the Siksika, Kainai, & Pikani, The Tsuut’ina, The Stoney Nakoda nation; Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley, and all the people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta
Rod also led the group in O’Canada. Let’s not do that again!! Oh where’s Robyn.
Steve Strang introduced our guests; Dale Rudd, Keith?, Copelan Manzer, Stephanie Mok, Kennedy Walk and Khor Top.
Saadat Keshavjee introduced our guest speaker, Stephanie Mok, the Development Director of the Calgary Folk Music Festival. Stephanie has been an active contributor to the arts and culture scene in Calgary for over 15 years. Her volunteer contributions to events like the Calgary Comic Expo, Otafest, and the grassroots arts foundation NVRLND, showcase her passion and dedication to our community.
Stephanie's successful fundraising career with the United Way has paved the way for her current role at the Calgary Folk Music Festival. Her extensive experience in producing festival experiences for Calgarians is vast and diverse, and she continues to elevate the arts scene in Calgary with her passion and professionalism.
Stephanie will share insights about the Calgary Folk Music Festival, its impact on our community, and how we can engage and support this incredible organization. Welcome Stephanie.
The Calgary Folk Music Festival, a staple in Calgary's summers since 1980, is powered by 13 employees and over 1,700 volunteers. It presents music year-round in Calgary, with its signature festival each summer on the beautiful Prince's Island Park. Musicians from across the globe have graced the main-stage structure in Prince's Island Park contributing to the city's vibrant cultural landscape.
Over 60,000 people experience world class music each year. Our organization has been gathering audiences for over 45 years.
Volunteers contribute 30,000 hours’ worth an estimated $800,000 annually.
She showed a video which outlined their theme to “create a community we all want to live in.”
Daily ticket prices are approximately $80 or $130 for the weekend. Funding is provided by corporate sponsors & government grants. Artists are paid and special groups like 200 survivors of the Town of Jasper were given free passes.
Khor Top a prospective Rotarian, gave us an over and video of the “East Africa Festival”. Over 12 communities in Calgary's East African community celebrated culture and togetherness at Unity Park on International Avenue. Food, fashion and history were on display throughout the festival, which featured local performers and businesses.
Khor has been a visitor for the past 6 years and is well known to many of our members; Dan, Steve, Elizabeth, Vivian & Joyce all helped put together the street festival on August 17th. It was touted as a huge success and will likely be an ongoing event. The food, dancing and native dress all add to the community and allow the attendees to show the pride they have in being Calgarians.
Khor has applied to be a candidate for a Rotary Peace Fellow. A Rotarian is ineligible, so Khor is hoping to be accepted and if not he will become a member of Calgary West. Good luck Khor and thanks for all you do for Rotary & the East African community.
Announcements:
Bill Quinney advised that our new representative with the Rotary Employment Partnership with Inclusion Alberta was Copelan Manzer. She will be replacing Courtney Wilson who has been our contact for several years. Please reach out to Copelan and welcome her to her new role 403-805-5459 or cmanzer@inclusionaberta.org.
Orlin McMillan presented our exchange student Timo with a Christmas gift and a little cash to celebrate & cover expenses during the Christmas season.
President Rod invited Darren to adjourn the meeting with leading in song---the 4 way test. Our musical abilities need a little work!