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.

Jan 19; Ken Jocksch, Birthday
Jan 21; Dimitri Papanicolas, Birthday
Jan 24; Hal Quilliam, Birthday
Jan 24; Wally Romaniuk, Birthday

     So how does an individual with a degree in archaeology work into a career as a financial advisor for Investors Group?  A good question,and you're likely not going to find the answer in this article.  Our youngest Rotarian (26 years young) covered the gamet with his background, focusing mostly on his love of archaeology.  As a boy, Andrew developed a strong love for the lake, and it's activities, as the family would pack up and spend every summer at their lake residence.  As he aged, hockey took over, and Andrew spent his adolescent years honing his hockey skills, to the point where a college scholarship was in sight.  But it was not to be, and, as Andrew had a strong interest in archaeology, this became his main focus, and, consequently, his choice of post secondary schooling.

     As in many classification talks, it is hard to sit down and write all the details in chronological order, as things are not always presented in that fashion.  So the writer will just make note of highlights that Andrew addressed during his presentation.  They are, in no particular order:  some time and schooling spent in France, which Andrew fell in love with.  His second year grade 12 was spent in a boarding school in France, where Andrew honed his social skills..........bartended for six months.....worked on a legendary archaeological site in Greece, where the expedition was contracted by the Greek government to find out why abnormal numbers of women had died (cause was scurvey).........had colleagues that worked on the site of the Picton Farm in B.C.......To put it mildly, Andrew had a well traveled and very interesting youth!

     Once the schooling was over, and Andrew decided that he had to get going on a career (once he finished his schooling), he picked up the tool belt and made a stab at being an electrician.  The positive thing about the trades was that he and his then fiancee Pamela, who has a History degree, decided to purchase an older, fixer upper home.  However, as time progressed, Andrew decided being an electrician was not his choice of careers.  It was during an informal group discussion that a suggestion was made that he look at financial planning as a vocation, and the rest is history.

     In the short time that Andrew has been a member of the Rotary Club of Edmonton Stathcona, he has become invaluable, getting involved with projects such as Operation Red Nose.  His background as a member of the Golden Toastmasters Club of Sherwood Park comes through as Andrew presents and discusses issues.  Welcome to Edmonton Strathcona Andrew!       

     Wendy Dugas, Campaign Director for R/M House presented an enlightening overview of the facility, and of the 30K square foot addition, slated for completion next month.  The criteria to utilize this much needed facility is dependent on the extent of the sickness of the child.  The majority of children in for treatment have either heart related ailments, or cancer.  The average stay at R/M House is SIX MONTHS (the editor was quite surprised it was this long a time frame).  One family used the facility for two years!  They (R/M House) have had to turn away some 150 families annually due to lack of space.  Little wonder there was a huge need to fulfill, and a subsequent addition.

     The new addition will bump R/M House to thirty bedrooms, up from the current fourteen.  As well, each new unit will have a private bathroom, three new kitchens have been added to bring the total to six, and a care room is also part of the new addition.  All furniture has been donated by Laz E Boy, a substantial donation of $300K gifts in kind.  Notable other donors have been the Edmonton Journal, with $100K in advertising, and Mike Priestner Auto Group, providing a minivan for a five year period, at a substantial donation of $250K.  Another major form of financial support has been charity golf tournaments, with three in particular, Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, and the Kinsmen Clubs of Edmonton raising some $100K+.  At present, $9 million of the $11.1 million cost of the additon has been raised. 

     The $1.4 million operating cost is minimally offset by a token charge of $12 per night.  The actual cost of operating is $110 per night, thus a shortfall of $98 per unit daily. One point that was brought up during the Q & A was that all monies donated locally stay with the Edmonton facility, not put into any form of account for the other 233 Ronald McDonald Houses that exist worldwide.

     Wendy, who is originally from the Netherlands, and has a degree in Human Resource Management, closed off her excellent presentation stating that not all donations are financial.  This wonderful facility is always seeking volunteers to work the front desk, assist in housekeeping, do landscaping or snow removal, etc.  So, if you're looking for a worthy venue to contribute volunteer time towards, look no further than Ronald McDonald House!

P.S.  As a footnote to this presentation, and tying in Membership Co-ordinator Bill Skelly's drive for new members, Eric Germain spoke to Wendy about joining our club, and she is giving it consideration.  Way to go Eric!  

PLEASE NOTE A CHANGE OF BREAKFAST DATE

A volunteer appreciation breakfast will be held Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the Boilermaker Hall at 15220 - 114 Ave (where you dispatched from) between 9am and 11 am.  Please join us!

Please RSVP to edmonton@operationrednose.com ONLY, as the telephones are now non-operational.

LINK TO ORN PAGE

Q: Why are zero scores in tennis called 'love'?

A: In France , where tennis first became popular, a big, round zero on scoreboard looked like an egg and was called 'l'oeuf,' which is French for 'egg.' When tennis was introduced in the US, Americans pronounced it 'love.'

I just recently completed a driver education program conducted by AMA.

This program is specifically targeting the over-55 driving population, and it was sponsored by S.A.T.S. (Seniors Assisted Transportation System) where I am a volunteer driver.

Where this program differentiate itself from the traditional defensive driving courses you may be familiar with, is not only how how the natural aging process affects our driving, but also how to recognize these changes and be more proactive.
For most of us, the natural aging process is subtle and very gradual and changes that are not associated with pain are ignored. The program will points these areas out for you.

I think we are all guilty of thinking we know it all when it comes to driving because we have been around on the roads for a long time, and it is true that experience in any endeavor determines how we act and react.
We also develop habits, good and bad. Unfortunately the bad habits are the ones we also tend to ignore because we "know better".
It is also the bad habits that gets us and others into trouble. The program will make you recognize this trend in your behavior. Ultimately, it is of course up to you adopt the suggestions put on the table by the program.

AMA conducts this education program on a continuing basis from the Kingsway location and is convened based on registrations, The class sizes are anywhere from 2 to 10, but Small enough that you are not lost in the shuffle.

If you are interested in more details, ask me about it or contact AMA directly.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

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

"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.

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.

The Edmonton Strathcona Rotary Club has  commenced a new fund raising project called

the Rotary Canada Flag Project.

The purpose of the project is to promote the demonstration of Patriotism for Canada by the subscribers and at the same time raise funds for charitable use and use in the community by The Rotary Club.

The project follows the precedent of similar successful flag projects by Rotary Clubs in the United States.

Under the project, Edmonton Strathcona Rotarians will visit homeowners and occupants of residences, and will obtain "Subscriptions" to the annual flag project.

The Rotary Club will provide "plantings" of a Canada Flag on the front lawn of subscribers three times per year in exchange for the subscription.  The plantings will take place on the three summer holidays weekends (Victoria Day)  (Canada Day) and (Labour Day)   After the holiday is over the Rotary Club will pick up the flag and store it for future use.

The subscription price is $50.00 per year and the subscriber is only required to show the general location of where the flag should be planted.  

Planting takes place by placing a metal stand in the ground on a spike, and is removed after the weekend is over with no damage to the lawn.  Continuing subscriptions will be sought.  Preparation of the flags, poles and spikes will be done  by Club members by way of  work parties.  

First plantings are expected for Labor Day 2008.

FLAG PROJECT 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

The intent of this newsletter is to broadcast news and information.

Please send me stories and photos.

Thank you to Jim Ashton, Len Gierach and Ken Germain for stories on our speakers.

If you are chairing a committee and you are planning to have a meeting, why not schedule this in the Event Manager? In the scheduled event you have an easy way of inviting committee members to register their attendance.
All club directors and committee chairs have full access to these features that can make your life easier.
Need help? You know who to see.

Hans Granholm
p: 780-466-5566
e: hgrdane@telusplanet.net

>>> 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.