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The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of US$1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

It was established in 1957 to show appreciation for and encourage substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships.

Many notable figures have been named as Paul Harris Fellows, including U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, U.S. astronaut James Lovell, UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, Mother Teresa, Pearl Bailey and Jonas Salk.

On Tuesday, May 8, the Rotary Club of Brandon bestowed Paul Harris Fellowships to two members - Susan Spring and Marty Snelling. Susan Spring made her contribution in recognition of Brandon’s Champions of Change, the Manitoba Metis Federation’s Brandon Housing First team of humanitarians: Marilyn Shinegoose, April Heide and Kris Desjarlais.

(L - R): Paul Harris Committee Chair Simeon Norton, Club President Cheryl Winger, Marilynn Shingoose and April Heide

(L - R): Paul Harris Committee Chair Simeon Norton, Club President Cheryl Winger, new Paul Harris Fellow Susan Spring

(L - R): Paul Harris Committee Chair Simeon Norton, Club President Cheryl Winger, new Paul Harris Fellow Marty Snelling

On Sunday, May 6 members from the Brandon and Minot Rotary Clubs met at the International Peace Garden for a morning of gardening at the 9/11 Memorial Site. The 9/11 Memorial Site was created in May 2002 in memory of those who lost their lives in the events of September 11, 2001. Ten pieces of steel from the wreckage of the World Trade Center form the centrepiece of the memorial.

Brandon Club members were Cheryl & Roger Winger, Bernie Chrisp, Marty & Elaine Snelling, Michelle Fortin, Bill Anderson, Pam Stacey, Jane & Norm Neil, Rick Felstead, Chuck LaRocque, Ron Adams, and daughters Hannah & Carsyn. From the Minot Club were Kevin Harman, C. J. Craven, and two others (names not recorded). Also participating were International Peace Garden staff Tim Chapman, CEO and Connie Lagerquist, Horticulturist.

Getting the soil ready for new flowers (L-R: Hannah Adams, Ron Adams, Carsyn Adams, Bernie Chrisp, Bill Anderson, Elaine Snelling, Roger Winger).
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Connie Lagerquist (blue jean shorts, back to camera) discusses strategy with Peace Garden Board member and Rotarian Rick Felstead.

The Rotary Club of Brandon was fortunate to have two guest speakers this week, Gabrielle Ramos from Brazil, an exchange student who will stay with three Rotary host families. She spoke very well about her opportunities to come to Canada and offered some facts about Brazil, her pride in her home country, and the differences between Canada and Brazil. Expect to see this young lady becoming a strong advocate for youth and international cooperation in the years to come.

Her host family also has participated in the Rotary Youth Exchange program albeit 15 years ago. Nathan Peto, presently the Manager of Corporate Initiatives for the City of Brandon. The contrast (and similarities) between the two participants was remarkable.

Nathan had gone to South Africa in 2001 and he stressed how important the trip was for his development into a young man. His parents talk about Nathan before and after the trip and the profound impact it had on his outlook on life. When he returned, he was more confident, independent, goal driven, focused and worldly. He felt he became a better global citizen, and a better leader.

He became acquainted with Rotary, first through RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), a four day camp which has had only highly positive feedback from the participants, leaders and even those responsible for transport to the camp. From that he went to the Exchange Student program. Only two weeks after his graduation from Vincent Massey high school, he was on the plane heading for South Africa. As much as he thought he was independent (worked, saved for his own car, fought my own battles) you’ll never be as independent from your parents and friends when you step off that plane.

You have to learn to communicate effectively (English/but many are not), you have to have a voice (cant be passive) you have to network and make connections. Your exchange is what you make of it….take ever opportunity you can… saying Yes to learning opportunities – he helped with Durban sharks (releasing them from safety nets), bungee jumping, playing Cricket and Rugby or learning about sewage treatment facilities.

You have to think for yourself with no safety net. You had to be your own person! At 17 I had to make decisions for myself that I frankly don’t see some 23 year olds making in a world of helicopter parenting.

Don’t get me wrong it was hard – BUT THAT’S WHEN YOU GROW – WHEN Comfortably Uncomfortable

it was empowering as a young person. And had a profound impact on my development.

Our thanks to both of these remarkable individuals and we are pleased to have gotten the opportunity to hear them speak.

The Rotary Club of Brandon #1344

Community Grants Committee Terms of Reference

The Community Grants Committee will consist of the following:

Chairperson
Secretary
Representative from the Brandon Rotary Club Westman Foundation Committee
Representation from the Rotary Club of Brandon
Past President of the Rotary Club of Brandon

Goals and Actions of the Community Grants Committee are as follows:

To produce a grant application form and to update it regularly
To grant financial assistance to organizations, agencies and individuals based on the guidelines and priorities of the Rotary Club of Brandon
To learn about the community issues and needs, promote the availability of grants, and assist with the application process.
Assess each application, research information, determine specific goals, objectives and measurable outcomes.
Make grant recommendations to the executive and then the club at large.
Establish a budget for each year based on perceived community needs and club resources.
Promote and publicise the grant recipient to the club and community.
Evaluate grants to determine if money is being used efficiently to meet the objectives.

Scope:

The grants are limited to funds available from the club budget.
All grants must be approved by the executive and then the club at large.

Major Projects:

The committee also has the obligation to process the applications for major projects

General Principles:

The project provides benefits to the community as a whole without discrimination due to race, creed, color, politics, religion or gender.
The project is in the developmental phase, as opposed to requiring operational money.
The Project is of a broader nature as opposed to personal nature

Submission Guidelines:

Projects must be local and of prime interest to Westman residents
Project funding must be self-help in nature and not the sole source of funding.
Project preference will be given to those that are preventable in nature and/or act as a catalyst for change
Projects are to have an evaluation component clearly defined in advance.

A final report is required upon completion.

Items not normally funded are as follows:

Conference or travel
Scholarships for individuals
Awards or prizes
Budget deficits
Operating expenses
Form Letter appeals

Priorities:

Education
Literacy
Youth
Seniors
Wellness
Special needs
Cultural
Environmental

Revised May 2018

Don Partrick, Chairman, Public Relations (Communications), spent several hours recently in the Main Concourse of the Keystone Centre sprucing up the club’s display cases.

The cases, gratefully provided to the club by the Keystone Centre, now offer the public updated information about our club and its ongoing activities in Brandon and Westman.The display also contains some of the club’s cherished artifacts, such as our original Charter, signed in 1921.

“If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to check it out, possibly you might find some time to take a look,” says Don. “I think you will find it interesting. The display cases graphically encapsulate just how active The Rotary Club of Brandon #1344 is.”

Any questions or comments are welcome, Don notes.

Ripple Effect is a Rotary District 5550 program through which Rotarians and other organizations and individuals in Canada can reach out to countries where children’s education is at risk. The program works in partnership with Rotary Clubs and communities in Guatemala to help build, equip and support schools for children in grades K to 6. Your donation to the Ripple Effect Program will help build and/or equip a school in Guatemala.

The Rotary Club of Brandon, along with other Rotary Clubs in Ontario and the Prairies have worked together to build a school in San Miguelito, to help reduce the incidence of illiteracy and poverty among the people of the area. Guatemala is not only one of the poorest countries, (Guatemala is geographically south of Mexico), but has the lowest literacy rate in Central America. The school has taken several years to build, with all work done by local people and supervised over all by local and Canadian Rotary clubs. Presently there are 5 classrooms, a computer lab, kitchen, washrooms, principal's office, storage along with a cemented playground, fencing and retaining walls. Needless to say, the school has become the meeting place of the town with a market and place for sports and recreation.

Our club meets every Tuesday at the Meeting Room at Rotary Villas. You can purchase a full lunch, or something lighter. There is fellowship before the meeting is called to order. Then club business is attended to. Following that, there is a guest speaker from the community. There is also a 50/50 draw. There are greeters at the door to help out anyone visiting the club.

Sally & Peter Dell, visiting Rotarians from Australia, dropped by to say "G'Day Mate!".

(L to R) Sally Dell, Marty Snelling, Peter Dell, Cheryl Winger, Brandon Rotary Club President

The Shelterbox program is an unbelievable program to give the opportunity to an individual or a group to be able to step up and give a huge amount of help to people in need.

For example, the Shelterbox provides sustained shelter for people dealing with disaster in the Philippines.

Shelterbox already has two response teams on the ground in the Philippines who are working with the help of Rotarians to provide emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan.

The total cost of a Shelterbox is $1,000, but you can contribute a portion which can be gathered together with other donations to make up enough to purchase a Shelterbox.

Some 90 countries have received Shelterboxes. And more than 130,000 Shelterboxes have been deployed since the Rotary Club project since 2000.

For some more info, see: http://www.shelterboxcanada.org/