On Thursday, October 21 at 2pm, the Rotary Club of Belleville planted some 500 Rotary End Polio Now Tulips in support of Rotary's Polio Plus Program to free the world from polio. All net proceeds from the club's purchase of the tulips go directly to Polio Plus. With support and cooperation from the City of Belleville, the tulips were planted around the Rotary "Children of Hope" monument located at the corner of Station and Pinnacle streets. The site of the "Children of Hope" monument is very fitting as the Polio Plus Program is delivering on Rotary's promise to the children of the world to eradicate polio so that no child's life will be sacrificed to this deadly, crippling disease.

 

The Rotary End Polio Now Tulip, "the tulip that's saving lives", began as a project by Dutch Rotarians in 2013. The project  purchased the rights to name and sell a new variety of tulip. The project has developed into a very successful fundraiser. To date, over 1.5 million of  tulips have been sold, raising over $2 million US to help fight polio. The Rotary Club of Belleville is joining many other clubs in Canada, the USA, Germany, Switzerland, France and Holland in this tulip plant.

 

The Rotary Club has attractive gift boxes, containing 25 of these beautiful tulips for sale at $25 a box.. The End polio Now tulip features a yellow base highlighted with a red flame. The packaging explains the Polio eradication program and contains planting instructions. Once Rotary reimburses the supplier, the net proceeds, about $12, go to Polio Plus. When the funds are matched 2 to 1 by Rotary's partner, the Gates Foundation, the proceeds from each box will vaccinate 40 children against polio. By purchasing a gift box, you can deliver a lifesaving gift to the children of the world.

 

This Rotary End polio Now tulip planting is one of hundreds of events undertaken by Rotary clubs around the world to celebrate World Polio Day. The purpose of World Polio Day, held on October 24 this year is to raise funds and awareness for Rotary's battle to End Polio Now. Since the first Rotary led polio vaccination effort in the Philippines in 1979, Rotary has contributed $2.2 billion US and countless volunteer hours to vaccinate over 3 billion children in 122 countries.  The program has had tremendous success. In 1986 when Polio Plus was launched, over 350,000 people worldwide were stricken with polio each year. So far in 2021, only 2 cases have been reported in the 2 countries where polio is still circulating, Pakistan and Afghanistan.  Rotary is so close to winning the battle. But everyone's support is still needed to finish the job. Because, as long as the virus is circulating anywhere in the world, every child must be vaccinated. In total , 400 million children must be vaccinated each year.  Here is a photo of Belleville Rotarians hard at work planting tulips for the End Polio Now Tulip campaign.

 

What a great day it was to meet at Trillium with fellow Rotarians and friends.  There were 22 golfers and an additional 9 who joined in for dinner.  A great meal, best steak in town!  Although competition was kept to a minimum there were some prize winners.  Shannon Neely and Nadine Langlois won longest drive in the men/ladies category.  Closest to the pin for the ladies was Linda Baltutis, wife of Rotarian John and closest to the pin for the men was Rotarian Peter Coy.  Thanks to organizers Jo-Anne and Ken Wheeler as well as Steve McCurdy who contributed the prizes to the winners. 

 

One of the many golf foursomes -- Len Kennedy, Steve McCurdy, Bernie Ouellet and Wayne Dewe.  I think they are also known as the Poker Stars so they profess to be card sharks as well.

 

Ken Wheeler was one of the original organizers of the Rotary Fun Day of Golf in partnership with Bob Michaud.  Ken has carried on with this annual event, for fun and fellowship and in memory of a great Rotarian who gave his all to each cause.  So thank you to Jo-Anne Wheeler and Ken for once again organizing a great afternoon.  Also captured in the photo is Rotarian Alan Kelly.

 

Rotarian Dianne Spencer and her husband Murray joined in for dinner.  A great photo showing off the wonderful landscape of Trillium and some fall colours.

 

Lots of other photos taken by Jo-Anne in between her golf shots.  The weather was beautiful.  A great way to start the long Thanksgiving weekend.

 

 

Prior to speaking to the Rotary Club of Belleville, Stacey Daub asked a few questions in a survey.

Passionate community building, lifelong learner and visionary health system leader, Stacey is the President and CEO of Quinte Health Care (QHC). Stacey got her start in the independent living movement, where she experienced a health and social care system designed around the providers and the system, rather than the people they served.  This experience ignited a passion to redesign health and social care systems with, and for, citizens and communities, with a focus on quality, compassion and a “one team” approach to care.    Her career spans three decades with a wide range of leadership experiences in hospital, home, community and primary care as well across urban and rural communities in Ontario.  

Rotarian Randy Coker introduced Chief Donald Maracle and Wilbert Maracle who attended a residential school from 1943 - 1947.  Many people ask "what can I do" and Chief Maracle kindly offered to provide some direction and information in that regard.  The residential schools operated in Canada between 1831 and 1996 when the Gordon Residential School in Punnichy, Saskatchewan was closed.  Altogether there were 139 recognized residential schools that operated in Canada with 17 in Ontario.  The residential schools were created and supported financially by the Canadian government and churches as an attempt to both educate and convert Indigenous youth and to integrate them into Canadian society, however, the schools disrupted lives and communities, causing long-term problems for indigenous people.  Children between the ages of 7 and 16 would attend these residential schools and it was estimated 150,000 children attended.  Children were forbidden from speaking their language.  They were subject to forced haircuts and shaved heads for the boys.  Their clothing was taken away.  The children never felt loved.  The schools neglected to provide sufficient nutrition.  Brothers and sisters were separated and segregated with total gender segregation.  And sadly there was physical, sexual, mental and spiritual abuse.  Records are incomplete, but it is estimated that 6,000 children died at residential schools (4% of attendees).   Many children never returned to their families or their culture. The residential school system eradicated Indian identity.  They were stripped of their language, their culture and way of life.  Chief Maracle believes the Creator is challenging us all to do better.

 

Indigenous Peoples were initially viewed as the backbone of the economy, supplying fur for the fur trade and were invaluable to both the French and English crowns.  After the War of 1812 when there was no enemy on the horizon, Indigenous Peoples were in the way of progress.  The government wanted to settle them on reserves, while Europeans colonized their lands.  The indigenous people were faithful and fought and served in many wars including the Great War, WWII and Afghanistan but their alliance and allegiance was not reciprocated.

 

In 2019 the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation released the names of 2,800 children who died at residential schools with another 1,600 children remaining unnamed.  At least 3,200 children died.  In May of 2021 the bodies of 215 children were found in a mass, unmarked grave at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.  The Truth and Reconciliation Centre had been told that only 50 deaths had occurred at the school.  Since then, more searches have taken place and additional graves have been uncovered.  The search continues.  The first official government apology came from Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2008.  Canadians needed to become better educated on what actually happened and September 30th is now recognized as a national holiday in order to hear more about indigenous history and to create a better legacy going forward.

 

Wilbert Maracle was 9 years old when he attended the residential school in Brantford from 1943 to 1947.  He was excited to go to the big school with his brother, but when he woke up the next morning, his mom was gone and they had to stay.  He cried for 3 months.  The curriculum was simple -- reading, writing and arithmetic.  He had one teacher he really liked, who was kind to the children.  Because Wilbert had experience milking cows he was put in charge of 60 cows, taking them to pasture and milking them, making two trips a day.  There was bullying and abuse directed to him by his peers, older boys.  The food was very basic, they had to line up.  On July 7, 1947 Wilbert was released from the residential school at the age of 13.  He had no proper education so was put in Grade 2 which he challenged.  He has worked hard all his life even with his limited education and became a welder. 

 

The challenge issued by Chief Maracle is for everyone to respect the cultural identity of all people regardless of the colour of their skin.  We have to do better going forward for today and tomorrow.  We must all reflect on the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of these schools and work towards reconciliation. We cannot change the legacy, but we can write a different legacy for the future.  Chief Maracle and Wilbert Maracle were thanked by Birgit Wartenberg, Chair of the Indigenous People Partnership.  It was an honour to have both speak today, this third National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

 

 

Tracey Legault-Davis is the Manager of Community Programs & Communications, working alongside Rotarian Brenda Snider at VIQ on providing 211 Services in Ontario to this community.  Many people know when to call 411 (directory assistance), 911 (emergency services) and 711 (message relay for telephone devices for the Deaf).  But there are others -- 211 (public information and referral services), 311 (non-emergency municipal government services), 511 (weather and traveler information), 611 (telephone company) and 811 (non-urgent health care telephone triage services).  Tracey will speak about 211 that provides free information and referral to the most comprehensive database of community, social, health and related government services in Ontario and is the first point of access to human service resources throughout the province.  The service is now available coast to coast in Canada.  When you dial 211, you are speaking with a person, not an automated message and you receive targeted, live, confidential help.  Certified Information and Referral Specialists handle your call, all professionally accredited.  The service is capable of serving in more than 150 languages with around the clock access (24/7/365).  All 211 centres must meet the quality assurance standards of the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS).

 

The federal government invested more money into the 211 service to ensure people find support during COVID-19.  Help is available by calling 211 or by chatting with professionals online at www.211ontario.ca or by searching their online listing of programs, services and financial supports that are available and how to reach those resources.  The person answering the call will provide information and assistance and will refer the caller to the local agency in order to resolve the problem or inquiry and ensure the caller understands next step(s).  The service will conduct follow-up with callers and care coordinators to ensure support has been provided as needed.  For the first six months of 2021 there were 184,059 needs identified through 211 Ontario of which 26.61% were health related, 7.34% were related to mental health and addictions, 7.99% were about housing and 14.09% were for information services.

 

Volunteer Information Quinte, supported through United Way is the conduit for 211 that provides services to the public over the phone, consisting of an online directory of more than 60,000 services.  It is the answer for people to find programs and services in the community.  Through additional funding, VIQ updated their laptops and website and now are able to get the most out of their interactive database. and review stats quarterly.  This service is a valuable tool to employers to share with their staff and to educate them on its use and benefits.  It is very important to raise awareness and tell everyone about this service.

 

Tracey was thanked by Michael Summers who provides technical expertise as well as being a Board Member of VIQ.

The September 16, 2021 Rotary meeting was held at the Lions Pavilion, West Zwick's Park at 5:00 p.m.  A lovely evening under the protection of the pavilion with social distancing and COVID protocols in place.  President Darrell Smith took the opportunity to recognize a number of Rotarians for their work in the community as well as formally welcoming new Rotarians and giving out perfect attendance pins and Paul Harris Fellow recognition.

 

Back in August 2020, then District Governor Mark Chipman identified some Super Heroes in our community, two of whom happen to be Rotarians.  DG Chipman named Cory MacKay, Susan Finkle and Chris Finkle as officially declared Rotary Heroes for their commitment, dedication and spirit to uphold the ideals of doing good in the world.  During 2020, Chris and Susan Finkle started a community project to make protective equipment for front line workers in the form of face shields.  Between 5,000 and 6,000 face shields were supplied free to long term care facilities in the community through their efforts and that of their team members.  Around the same time, Cory MacKay converted her home into a mask making endeavour, working along with a group of friends and volunteers.  This initiative was a fundraiser for Rotary with donations welcome at $10 per mask.  The money donated went towards COVID-19 costs.  A number of designs were developed as well as children's masks, all approved by Quinte Healthcare.  Official Super Hero Award certificates were distributed to Cory, Susan and Chris. (pictured is Cory MacKay accepting her Super Hero Award from President Darrell).

 

The Rotary Club of Belleville, once again, formally welcomed some new members to the Club.  Kim Henry, Janeen Halliwell, Paul Fleming, Stephan Brault, Vicki Smith and Peter Coy joined the Club late in 2020 and earlier this year, all sponsored by Rotarians and already contributing time and effort to Rotary initiatives.  Welcome aboard! (pictured are Janeen Halliwell and Paul Fleming, both sponsored by Kristin Crowe).

 

Rotarians who achieved 100% perfect attendance in the 2020/2021 Rotary Year were also recognized -- Karen Baker, Tim McKinney, Carol-Lynn Michaud, Jeanette Minaker, Randy Coker, Bob Ord, Kim Henry, Rosie Ouellette, Nadine Langlois, Margaret Seu, Tracy Bray, Bill MacKay, Cory MacKay, Darrell Smith, Brenda Snider, Peter Malone, Dianne Spencer, Ruth Mathieson, Michael Summers, Sharon McConnell and Jo-Anne Wheeler.  A great group of Rotarians, all committed to Rotary.

 

Paul Harris Fellow awards are given to Rotarians who have contributed $1,000 during the year towards the Rotary Foundation.  Adrian Hilmi, Darrell Smith and Michael Summers were recognized for their contributions to the Rotary Foundation over the past year. (pictured are Darrell Smith and Michael Summers).

 

There were other awards warranted, but recipients were not in attendance and President Darrell Smith will present to those Rotarians in the days ahead with appropriate mention in the Rotary newsletters to follow.

Richard Tie has advised the Rotary Board that due to ill health, he is resigning from the Rotary Club of Belleville, a decision he deeply regrets as he considers it an honour and privilege to have been a Rotarian for over 37 years.  He wishes the Club continued good work in the community and around the world and would be pleased to hear from his fellow Rotarians as to what has been happening.  The Club has great memories with Dr. Richard Tie, leading lunch meeting sing-songs, with much gusto and enthusiasm.  Richard was very involved with the Quinte Rotary Music Festival over the years and the committee has grown as a result of his expertise and enthusiasm.  He also spent many work weekends at Camp Merrywood, a sweat equity project supported by many Rotarians, family and friends.  We wish the best to Richard and his wife Joanne.  The Club recognizes how proud a Rotarian Richard was and thank him sincerely for all his work over the years.  His contributions were valuable and appreciated by many.