Home Page | Rotary Club of Niagara Falls Sunrise

Guests
- Darren and Graham from the United Kingdom
- Fred Batson from Buffalo (Our Honourary Member for the summer)
- Yolanda from NOTL (with Tabitha Foundation)
- Janne Ritskes (Our Speaker)
Dues will be Due July 1st. Notice will be sent shortly.
Bursary Update.... Still in Research stage

Our Speaker: Janne Ritskes (Founder of Tabitha Foundation)

In 1994, the Tabitha Foundation was founded in Canada to support aid efforts begun by Janne Ritskes. Their work focuses on the poorest of the poor in Cambodia, a country decimated by the Pol Pot regime in 1975-79 which promoted enforced starvation, mass executions and slave labour.

The name Tabitha refers to a disciple in the Bible who was “full of good works and acts of charity”.

Tabitha currently works with 38,000 people in 12 provinces of the country. Since 1994, Tabitha has lifted more than 4.6 million Cambodians out of poverty and despair, into lives of dignity, hope and active participation in their communities. Out of a population of 14 million, Tabitha’s impact on Cambodia is huge. [source: https://tabitha.ca/abouttabitha/ ]

Tabitha Foundation has a tremendous record of success with programs such as:

Savings Program
Wells
House Building
Cottage Industry
Building Schools
Women’s Hospital

All programs following the principles of our Rotary Foundation. Aide based on the principle of a “Hand up; rather than a Handout”. All Programs require recipient participation with planned sustainability.

The international Committee lead by Don Cruikshank has been a contribitor to The Tabitha Foundation for several years. Watch the presentation by Janne Ritskes to learn more about this tremendous organization that is a definition of the word "Charity".

go to Zoom Meeting Page for YouTube link

Rotary Meeting May 28 2020

May 28 2020

Getting your Opinions

Can you spot the visitors ???

Darren Hands; Plymouth UK
Viti from Baja, a small town on the Danube river in Hungary. ( a friend of Zoltan and Suzanna
Fred Batson; Our 'summer time member from Buffalo NY

After an introduction by our guests and announcements by Dale we had a very spirited discussion on a Scholarship proposal being considered for our 'Meeting' Funds. Dale said that the funds that we generate so far have paid for meals, and PPE for front line workers along with Tablets for Long Term Care facilities. He suggests that since students are unable to work this summer, 2 or 3 scholarships for 1st year students going into Colleges or Universities. Listen to the suggestions brought out by our members. If you have any additional ideas, email Dale Hall.

Connect with meeting video: sitepage/zoom-meetings

Rotary Zoom May 14

May 14 2020

Link to YouTube Meeting May 14, 2020 in Zoom Meeting Page

Following a spirited opening in which Dave again forgot to Mute everyone, Dale outlined some of the club efforts during this last week on the Pandemic.

Pizzas and Masks were delivered to both the Valley Park Lodge and The Queenston Place. Wyne expressed a heartful thank you from all.
All the Masks that were purchased have been distributed
We have had a good response from other Rotary club. To date 7 of the 9 tablets that are to be donated to Regional Long Term Care facilities. These are to be used by residences to communicate with there families during the Lockdown.

Happy Hour

Jenn is happy that her boat is in the water; Her Horse is healthy and Her son is well trained even though he wakes up at 3 PM
Chuck was delighted to receive the promised Hamberger and Fries (With milk Shake) from Jim.
Bob Smith has a great dinner delivered by his kids and enjoyed while participating during a Zoom 'Dinner'
Jim Sissions has reported that the p[lanned Golf tournament has been cancelled due to COVID 19. he said that this is disappointing but really is the best for the times.

Our Speaker today was our own Scott Wright. He provided us with a detailed explanation of how the pandemic has affected his business and it's operation. After a detailed description of the new processes to managing labour, Suppliers, Clients and Government Regulations, I heard a few members whisper "Thank God I've retired", Listen to this excellent presentation starting just after 19:40 of the YouTube tape go to The Zoom meeting Page:

Rotary Meeting May 7 2020

May 7, 2020

Full Meeting Video: sitepage/zoom-meetings

Good attendance to club meeting today. There were several notices

The club and the Past President group is sponsoring a meal for staff at the Centennial Retirement Center
Our TV auction is set for Dec 3rd weekend and after a Social media campaign pushing the idea of the community support Rotary provides. we will all start to canvas for product Donation
Our participation in the Niagara Region Cluster group, has proven successful. This is where 12 local Niagara Region clubs commit a $1,000 US to a single International Project selected from the group. In two years we have seen each club's $2,000 mushroom to over $200,000 via Rotary and Canadian Government grants. This all is supporting maternal and child health with water wells and community hygiene projects in Guatemala

After a spirited "Happy Fine" session we heard from Alysson Story , a very active Rotarian from Chatham. She is a third generation Rotarian and her enthusiasm for Rotary and her community was obvious.

April 30 2020 meeting

April 30 2020

Again we were pleased to welcome visitors:

Anna Antalfavi - Hungary
Elisa Lake - Caribbean Islands
Jason Cherry - Brantford Ontario
Tara McKendrick - Niagara falls ON

Anna was our Exchange Student for 2018-19. It was a pure pleasure to talk to her before the meeting. She too is doing her studies by Distance Ed, but right now is studying for one final exam and hopes to get into university for Sports Psychology. All the best to Anna.

Dale presented a report on the items that our club and contributed to assist in this crisis period. We have purchased 100 masks and will make available to members in need. The 'feed' the Hero" program has spend $1,484 to date, while the Community Kitchen received $1,350 for supplies to feed those in need. Jim Sissons gave a report on the Rotary North American Golf tournament. All looks good as far as organization is concerned, but the "Go-No go" date will be June 1st

Our presentor for this morning was Tara McKendrick, a director of the Canadian Mental Health Association of Niagara. Tara gave a wide ranging talk on the affects of the Pandemic on the CMHC and people in general. Their operation is now totally on line wirh most staff working on line from home. Their crisis line and community support systems are available but surprisingly they are, like police, EMT and ambulance, finding less demand. Tara feels that when concerns are directed towards survival issues and expect a 'rush' when the Physical Distancing is over. Note she is making a point to call this Physical and not Social Distancing. In truth this is what it is, while the word social leads to isolation and loneliness.

To see and hear the full meeting go to: Zoom Meeting Page

April 23 Meeting

April 23, 2020

It is amazing how we are all getting so use to the Zoom controls. We had 24 attending this weeks meeting, including 3 from "Far Away"

to see the entire meeting login and go to: Zoom Meeting Page

Interesting meeting. Dale and Dave brought us up to date on some activities of the club. Then Dave Sebele proposed a project to supply face masks through a lady in his church that is sewing them. The Board will discuss the idea on Monday

Tamara Bennett then presented a talk on what the United Way of Niagara is facing during this crisis. She spoke on who they are supporting, their greatest problems, how the government is helping. Of course their need is for Cash. They are supporting major shelters and food banks that are faced with large need for cash.

Rotary Tulips are Blooming

The Rotary Tulips are Blooming!

We are all enjoying the contributions we made to the Polio Fund.

April 16 Meeting with His Worship

We are very pleased that His Worship Jim Diodati attended our meeting this morning,

After introducing us all to his "companion", Jim spent his allotted 15 minutes (actually 35 minutes); telling us about the great gestures that he has seen from the community during this 'Global Pandemic". Starting with people sewing masks and donating Sanitizer to people in need, to major philanthropic donations that included a share of $250,000 to a shelter. food bank and community kitchen. He mentioned how the Hotel Industry is suffering yet is still helping out front line health care workers. Jim even looked into his crystal ball and told us how the future will change post pandemic. Thank you Mayor Jim for your time and enlighten view of the Niagara Falls community.

For all to see the meeting go to: Zoom Meeting Page

April 9th Meeting (Zoom)

The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls Sunrise is practicing Safe Distancing during this time of World Crisis. Our Regular meeting is now by Zoom.

Everyone was at home except Dave S., joined us while traveling to Simcoe for emergency repair to some vital equipment.

The entire meeting can be watched on YouTube with this link:Zoom Page for YouTube Recording

It was fascinating to hear that our club is still practicing “Service Above Self” for the Niagara Falls Community. We are supporting two major organizations in Niagara Falls, Project Share and the Niagara Falls Community Outreach Kitchen. President Elect Dale has also organized to provide meals to the ‘front-line’ workers of this crisis. We are all contributing the money we would normally spend on our breakfast meeting to help these saviours.

We were also very pleased to have Suzanna and Soltan tell us about them selves in a "Who's Who". The Maros joined the club this past winter. They are both partners in producing TV shows for the Omni network in their native Hungarian. Go to the YouTube link to hear the rest of their fascinating background.

If you want to join our meeting on April 16th at 7:30 AM click on https://zoom.us/j/187716566

Carling Wright Meeting Mar 12 2020

Brilliant presentation by Carling Wright, another potential future Rotarian.

Carling was representing the new group in Niagara Falls called GROW, a Community Food Literacy Centre. Their vision is to provide healthy and accessible food for people with low income. Their plan is to use the old Scout building on 4th Street for programs such as the following to provide:

Community Lunch and Dinners
Community Fresh Market and Pantry
Community Gardens
Cooking Classes

This project promises to be a tremendous advantage to Niagara Falls.

PH winners 2020

A Paul Harris Fellowship is granted by both of the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls Sunrise and the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls, in recognition of the contributions that recipients has given to their community. These are awards that we feel are worthy of people that give, as our motto says, "Service Above Self"!

The 2020 recipients above are

Captain Dayman Perry
Ann Mantini-Celima
Sue Forcier
Jessica Gale-Friesen
Jim Craig
Robert Smith

Meeting Feb 13 2020

Today's meeting was relocated to the New City of Niagara Falls Office building. What a great renovation of the old Police Station. The Building now holds the Business Development Dept, The IT Department and City Facility Offices. After being in the basement of City Halls, all are happy with this bright, spacious and welcoming space.

Michael Warchala, the Small Business Consultant spoke on the services provided by the City including

Business Startup
Business Plans
Marketing Advice
Budgeting
Registration and Licensing

Including One on One consulting, Mentoring and a great Innovation Space.

Rotary Story Walk Pathway

From "My City" publication by City of Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls Rotary Clubs, Foundation and Sunrise, presented Council with two cheques totaling $75,000 in contribution to section five of the Millennium Recreational Trail, which will now be known as the Rotary StoryWalk® Pathway. Sixteen StoryWalk® boards will be constructed along the trail to help promote the Niagara Falls Public Library's literacy initiatives.

City Proclamation of Pathway Naming