Welcome to "The Friendly Club" and our Web Site. How to contact the site administrator. Click on 'More...' below.

Strathcona members and Other Users, if you are unsure how to log in, click online HELP, or contact the site administrator Hans Granholm; 
phone: 780-466-5566 any time.

For more information about our club, click HERE

For full information on our upcoming Speakers, click on the speaker's name.

Members can access the Club Constitution and By-Laws from ADMIN | CLUB DOCUMENTS after login.

Apr 7; Noon meeting at Glenrose Hospital (see Future Speakers)
Apr 10; Leslie & Doug Milne, Anniversary
Apr 10; Bill Skelly, Birthday

 

     As President Ted Griffiths explained during his presentation, this is where the program "Shelterbox" (S/B), devised by Rotarian Tom Henderson from the British Isles, kicks in.  Within hours of a major natural disaster, telecommunications go down the pipeline to one of four designated locations worldwide (U.S., Great Britain, Dubai and Australia), and a specified number of S/B's are shipped to the affected area.

     So what exactly is a S/B?  A S/B is a kit put together to address the four immediate needs arising from a disaster - food, drinking water, clothing and shelter.  A S/B contains a ten person tent, blankets and ground sheets, a water filtration system, a multi fuel stove, pots, tools blankets, rope and other survival items, and children's school supplies.  And speed in getting the S/B's out is paramount.  Following the Asian Tsunami, S/B's were in Sri Lanka in 48 hours.  Having said that, the S/B organization will only distribute aid according to need, and under safe and achievable operating parameters.  Location and time specific donations cannot be accepted.

     When a S/B is sponsored, it is packed in a Shelterbox warehouse, ready to dispatch to the next area of need.  A certificate with the name of the donor is placed in each box, and each one has a number.  Shelterbox Canada is administered by Rotarians.  A complete S/B costs $1,200 CDN.  Included in this price is the cost of distribution, as well as a 7% administration charge.

     To date, some 500,000 people in 40 countries have been recipients of the S/B program.  The 2004 Asian Tsunami provided for over 200K people with the S/B program.  The Kasmir earthquake of 2005 provided 1,000 S/B's.  When cyclone Nagris hit Myanmar, Burma in 2008, and 150,000 lives were lost, some 664 S/B's were dispatched immediately.

     President Ted has made Shelterbox Canada his personal project following his year as President.  He has already done an excellent job in getting the word out to schools, as well as other Rotary clubs.  Those wishing to contribute to the program do not have to come forth with the cost of one S/B to do so.  Cheques can be made in whatever amount each Rotarian wishes to commit, with the cheques payable to Rotary Club of Edmonton Strathcona, and marked "Shelterbox Project".

     Kudos to President Ted for his dedication to this worthwhile project!    

     Bridges Psychological and Rehabilitative Support Services Association (boy, is that a mouthful) is a project of the Federal Government, with a one year funding time frame.  It may be difficult to get further funding on the basis of results to date, Cindy explained, as it has taken three months to recruit participants to date, and a further three months of training.  Thus, at the halfway mark of the funding time frame, no applicants have yet been placed into the workforce, which is one of the objectives of this project.

     Bridges Support Services (BSS - that's two s'es, not one) have three specific projects on their plate for the one year term of funding.  These are: 1) A preventative program for elementary students named "Sound Sense", 2) Your Third Ear - A project to assist those who have lost their hearing entirely, and 3) Employment - Getting employment agencies to find employment for the hearing impaired.  Many individuals are unemployed due to their hearing impairment.  One of the services provided by BSS is to be proactive and speak to employers of those with hearing impairment to PREVENT job loss.

     One issue that came up during the Q&A was the epidemic of hearing loss happening in our society.  Everything audio these days is amplified.  Consider that 60 decibles is conversation level, and that 80 decibles is the limit we should be receiving.  Now think about the fact that Rexall Place, during a major event, can have a decible level of 110, and this for a sustained period of time.  Seven minutes at 110 decibles can cause damage to the hearing system.  Think of the volume being received on many iPods.  Have children, nephews, neices or grandchildren seeking a career path?  With audiology, there will be no shortage of demand for services.

     While the presentation was short, it was very insightful.  Cindy Gordon, the presenter, is actively involved in the Hard of Hearing community (of which your editor should be a member), and received the 2004 Alberta Premier's Council "Gary McPherson Award for Excellence" for her leadership work on issues of inclusion for persons with disabilities.  For those interested, Cindy brought copies of an excellent comprehensive booklet entitled "Working with Hearing Loss".  The booklet is a guide for employees, employers and entrepreneurs.  Anyone wishing a copy of this booklet could contact Cindy at 780-428-6624, or preferably by e-mail at cindy@bridgessupport.com  Good insight into the world of the hearing impaired!

Following a successful launch in the Fall of 2008, the Canada Flag Project

kicks into gear in April 2009.  One hundred and fifty new flags have been

purchased and will be available for our members to obtain subscriptions

The project showed a profit for its first year, and the first years flags are fully paid for.  The flags subscribed by the public in 2008 are committed for planting on the three holiday weekends in 2009.  The new flags will produce new revenue when subscribed in 2009.  In future years the flags will produce far greater net proceeds as the costs will have been covered in the first year of subscription.

The flags are readily accepted by the public.  Once the flags were planted in our neighborhoods last fall several of our members were approached by other neighbors requesting flags for their yards too.  Unfortunately we were "sold out"

On that basis it is expected that sales of subscriptions for 2009 will be easier now that some of the residents of neighborhoods have seen the flags flying.

It does stir the heart and the innate patriotism that Canadians have, and many want to show their love of Canada.

All members of the club can help in this program.  Work parties are going to be put together to ready the flagpoles and assemble the flags for planting.  What an excellent way for a group of Strathcona Rotarians to get together to socialize and assist the Club Flag Program with a little bit of work together for a couple of hours.

The poles need to be painted and the knobs have to be attached;  the flags need to be attached to the poles;  the stands need to be painted.  Each of these jobs is not difficult and is an opportunity to talk with your fellow member while the work is accomplished.

We are not totally pioneering here.  We are following the lead of a successful program in Texas that has run several years, with ever increasing numbers of flags being subscribed each year.   Bruce Flesher brought this concept back from Texas.  While Bruce was entertaining a Rotary guest from Texas who is involved with the program there. the guest explained their flag program to Bruce and to Hal Quilliam.   Bruce and Hal decided to approach the Strathcona Board for approval to commence the Canada Flag Program here, and it took off from there.

Bill Skelly has been very instrumental in flag subscriptions in his home district. He is of the mind that he will sell at least as many subscriptions in 2009 as he did in 2008 now that his neighbors have seen the product.   The writer of this article shares his view and expects that second years sales will be easier than the first year in his district.   Sign up for some flags and meet your neighbors in your own district!

The flags are subscribed for $50.00 annually.  A Rotarian will plant the flag in a subscriber's front yard three times during the summer season.  They will be planted just before the Victoria Day weekend commencement, before the July 1 Canada Day weekend commencement and just before the commencement of the Labor Day long weekend near the beginning of September.  After the holiday weekends are over, a

Rotarian will retrieve the flags and store them until the next planting date.

Planting and retrieving is easy and quick.  The flags and mounting spikes are easily transported in a family car.  The optimum result can be obtained by selling subscriptions in your own neighborhood, as it allows for easy planting and retrieval.

In the second year of a subscription, the householder is going to be provided with a charitable donation receipt for $40.00 of his $50.00 second year subscription fee.

The charitable donation receipt will be issued by the Rotary District 5370 Foundation, and after collection of our proceeds the funds will be directed to the District Foundation.  Funds held by the District 5370 Foundation can then be disbursed to Charitable Organizations at the Strathcona Clubs direction. Offering the  charitable donation receipt will reduce the cost of the subscribers participation by 50% ( assuming he has other charitable donations in the amount of $200 annually already.  That is a likely scenario in today's world.

We need each of our Club members to join in the program,  take some flags and introduce them to your neighbors.  Clearly the easy way to do that is to have a flag flying in your own yard, and thereby show your "patriotism and love of Canada"

When your neighbors see yours, they will want one in their yard too.

One member related the story of how he had a flag in his yard and approached a neighbor for a subscription for his yard.  Initially he said " no thanks".  The next day he came to the Rotarian who had offered one and said he had changed his mind and wanted a flag for his yard.  At that time our Rotary member uprooted the flag in  his own yard and planted it in his neighbor's yard, and went and got another one for his own yard. 

A common question from our members is why we don't do a flag planting on November 11 (Remembrance Day) Sometimes the weather on Remembrance Day is not conducive to flag planting or any other outdoor activity in Edmonton. Sometimes there is snow on the ground, and the ground could be partly frozen.

While Remembrance Day would be an excellent time to show our Patriotism, we have decided that a planting that day would likely only present problems for our program, and it is better to moving forward, rather than face the possibility of having to retreat from a commitment.  We have therefore chosen the three summer long weekends for our Canada Flag plantings.

Any questions please speak to Bruce Flesher, Hal Quilliam or Bill Skelly.

Please join the program with the minimum of a flag for your own yard.

This article submitted by Hal Quilliam

Some Little Known Facts

(that you probably don't want to know)

• A cockroach will live nine days without it's head, before it starves to death. (Creepy!)
• The male praying mantis cannot copulate while its head is attached to its body The female initiates sex by ripping the males head off. ("Honey, I'm home. What the....")
• Some lions mate over 50 times a day. (In my next life I still want to be a pig...quality over quantity!)
• Butterflies taste with their feet. (Oh, Shit)
• Elephants are the only animals that can't jump.
• A cat's urine glows under a blacklight
• An ostrich's eye is bigger than it's brain.
• Starfish don't have brains.

Sometime in June 2009, Jarrod Clayton is moving his office into Harald Kuckertz's building in the Old Strathcona area.

This will effectively take him out of the 'Hugh Buggy Ride' pool where he and a number of other Strathconians have provide a ride for Hugh for several years now.

It would be nice if we could line up alternate drivers to take Hugh to our weekly meetings.

Hugh lives at: #220, 17203 99 Ave NW and his telephone number is: 780-487-9447

Initially I would suggest you contact me and let me try and arrange a schedule.

Cheers!

Hans Granholm
780-466-5566
hgrdane@telusplanet.net

I am very pleased to accept Peter Denooy's move to assume the bulletin Editor responsibilities from July 2009.
New ideas and a fresh approach is always a good thing and I urge you to welcome Peter in that position by providing news and stories to him.
Peter has also indicated he wants to get more involved with the club website. He has already demonstrated a keen interest by providing the 'ClubRunner Minute' at our meetings.

In todays world, electronic and internet communication is vital. Our club has done very well with the powerful tools (ClubRunner) we have at our disposal, and we have received several awards over the years recognizing our effort.

If I am permitted, I will certainly always be available for help and consultations in any aspect of electronic communications.

I remain in my position as District 5370 Electronic Communications Chair and I have been asked by RIVP Monty Audenart to take on the role as Zone website coordinator which I have accepted.
A substantial effort is required to accommodate the zone realignment taking effect July 1 2009.

Cheers!

Hans Granholm
780-466-5566
hgrdane@telusplanet.net
Skype or ooVoo IM name: greightdane

"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" is scheduled for February, March and April 2009.

February 7 , March 14 and April 18

This is a social program of the Edmonton Strathcona Rotary Club.
It is an opportunity for club members and spouses/companions to meet other club members in an informal, social, small group setting. Dates are all Saturday nights at 7:00.

Typically a Member would Host one month and be a Guest for two months. All Members are encouraged to participate - even if for only one month. The visitors should expect anything from spaghetti or pizza to steaks. The most important part of this program is the fellowship and the opportunity to get to know each other better.

Click on THIS LINK to open and register the event.

Need more info on the event?... call:

Bob Sandercock at 780-469-5571.

Questions about this registration format? call 466-5566 or e-mail Hans Granholm

We are very excited to resume our participation in the Rotary Youth Exchange program, one of the best and most rewarding programs in Rotary.

Anna Piela arrived on August 12 from Finland.

Anna is sponsored by District 1410 and we are sharing Anna with the Rotary Club of Edmonton South. She will be attending Strathcona High School.

Anna is currently hosted by Mirka and Peter Stoye. Please include Anna in your plans.

Co-hosting a foreign student is a wonderful opportunity to learn about other cultures by including the student in your family and social activities.

Please contact Don Henry h: 780-444-3746; b: 780-438-4208; e: dhenry@jimplease.com for more information.

DIRECT LINK TO ANNA's SITE PAGE.

Canadian Blood Services needs our help at its permanent donor clinic (8249-114 Street)

All eligible donors are encouraged to take an hour or so out of their schedule to save the lives of others.
Not sure if you can donate? Why not make an appointment and find out. Call 1-888-2 DONATE (236-6283

>>> PLEASE LOOK AT THIS ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY <<<

With the number of members in this club either owning or operating a business, we are getting a very poor interest in this nice little generator of funds for the club.
Are the rates too steep? I don't think so, but if you do, please let us know.
If you have any bright ideas on how to promote this little initiative, please speak up.

A web site and bulletin advertising feature is available to dedicated members who wish to sponsor an ad and support the club's endeavors.

It is an opportunity to go out in the community and solicit ads from businesses, and who knows, in the process of soliciting ads you may also find prospective new Rotarians.

Be sure to visit these sponsors by clicking on their ad

The fee is for members $20.00 for one month or $50.00 for three months or $150.00 for one year.
 
For non-members $30.00 per month or $70.00 for a quarter or $250.00 for one year.


The ad can be text or a logo. Either way it becomes a link and upon clicking will take the visitor to the sponsor's website or e-mail address.

Please have a look at the complimentary ads in the right column of any site pages and in the left column of the e-Strathconian.

NOTE: You will notice a link in the bottom of the right column of a site page "Interested in being a Website Sponsor?". This link opens a page with all the information.

Feedback and comments are very much appreciated. You can post comments on the FORUMS | CLUB WEB SITE | ADVERTISING. Or you can e-mail you-know-who.

Cheers!

Lets go to a Rotary Convention......

2009                   Birmingham, England
2010                   Montreal
2011                   New Orleans

The 2007-2008 Annual Report, which includes Committee Reports and Financial Statements can be viewed by members of the Rotary Club of Edmonton Strathcona on the Club Documents page and is accessible from the Admin page.

     ACCOLADES...... Just a tip of the hat to Roberta Bedard and Ron McCullough for the manner in which they handled the Greeter & Set-Up responsibilities at the March 24th meeting.  They were there in advance of 11:30, did a great job setting up and greeting, and followed up after the meeting ensuring everything was put away.  Just the way it should be!  

     If you wish to check on the Duty Roster to see when you are slated, either check the posted list on the left hand door of the meeting cabinet, or, on the Admin page in Clubrunner, look in the Meeting Services section, and click onto the "Edit Duty Roster - Who Does What".  This will show those scheduled for the upcoming one to two months. 
Editor note: I take the liberty to correct the upbeat note above. What Jim is refering to is only accessible to club officers and administrators.
To see who is on tap, open the Duty Roster link in the header of the home page right next to the meeting place posting.