This in-person meeting had 23 people in attendance, with an additional 5 joining us on ZOOM.

 

GUESTS: We had a number of partner and special guests today.

 

CLUB DRAW: Peter Mueller won a set of coasters.

 

 

Bingo: The last bingo of this calendar year is this evening and a full team has been recruited.  Thanks to everyone who supports the club with their participation in our bingos.  POST-MEETING NOTE:  It was a great group and a good time, just not a terribly profitable bingo.  Gregg Martin won the guess pot with the lowest guess of the group, the bingo had 70 participants and we lost $22.50.

 

CLUB 1000 RAFFLE TICKETS: Dave Panabaker reminded all to please get their book(s) of raffle tickets sold, preferably before Christmas.  Tickets may be purchased by credit card at our ZEFFY site, https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/d29ee168-eca9-4a04-ab5a-ba65a6754aab .  Members are reminded that our Club 1000 raffle is the principal activity to raise funds for the Rotary Music Festival, and our goal is to raise $36,000 for the 2024 Festival.

MONARCH THEATRE AND THE MONARCH-1911 SOCIETY: Mike Christie encouraged all Rotarians available on Thursday 21 December, to attend a "warm up run" of the theatre at 7pm to view a movie – HOME ALONE will be shown - the very first post-Monarch-renovation screening - free of charge – The significance of the date is that it will be the 112^th birthday of the Monarch on 21 December 2023. An email invitation was sent out by Mike early this week.

 

Luke Fandrich's documentary on the history of the Monarch Theatre will be shown on December 28, 29, 30.  All the tickets for those screening are sold out!!  We believe that there will be more screenings scheduled after the New Year, and there will be an email with further information once those screenings are scheduled. 

 

UPCOMING CLOTHING COLLECTION FOR THE MH HEALTH FOUNDATION:  Margie Booyens advised that a recent speaker at the club, Heather Bach with the MHHF has advised that they are doing a winter clothing drive, for the hospital clients and mental health.  They are looking for gently used clothing of all kinds, boots, gloves and hats.  At a meeting in January, we will collect all this clothing and deliver it to the hospital.  During the Christmas season, please put aside any extra, spare or replaced articles and bring them in to the club.  The date for this service meeting will be announced once available.

 

TEAM FREEWHEEL - Terry Cooper advised that this Thursday morning was the last Team Freewheel work session of this year.  They have done amazing work on the last group of bikes, and have approximately 80 ready to be distributed in the community in the spring.   Feel free to stop by on Thursday morning, starting at 9:00 pm and help out, get a tour or just chat.  It is a great opportunity for service and fellowship.

 

THE ROTARY FOUNDATION - Dave Panabaker advised that The Rotary Foundation - Canada, our Rotary charity, will start issuing charitable receipts only at the end of the calendar year, beginning in 2024.  This change reflects a response to their current practice of a charitable receipt for every single donation, which can result in many receipts and some that get misplaced.  They will issue a "confirmation" for any donation made during the year, but only one formal document for tax records.  A much simpler system.

 

TECH SUPPORT AND COVERAGE FOR SGT-AT-ARMS:  Mike Christie, the club's President-elect, is looking for additional folks to support our technical setup for in-person meetings.  The more people who know how to set up the equipment, the better off the club is.  Mike also needs someone to take over the leadership of the SGT-at-Arms role for each meeting.