President Andrew called Bill MacKay Jr to the stage to discuss the 100th Anniversary Committee's recommendations for our 100 Rotary year in 2019/2020. Bill thanked the club members for all of their support during the last couple of weeks and said he was very proud of his father's accomplishments as a Rotarian including Past President and Past District Governor. As well Bill expressed his deep appreciation to the Board for bestowing Honourary membership status to his dad when it was obvious he could not attend meetings anymore.
Bill reported that his committee, comprised of Rotarians including a number of past presidents had a number of initiatives being undertaken to celebrate our 100th year as a Club. Bill advised that the Park Room at the Travelodge has been booked for a 100th Anniversary Gala Dinner on the 1st of April 2020 and the Governor General has been asked to attend as our guests and confirmation pending. Details around menu, tickets etc forthcoming. Bill advised that the committee had reached out to the City of Belleville and the 401 Canada Flower Flag will be updated to reflect the Rotary Club of Belleville's 100th anniversary similar to that what was done for the 100th anniversary of Rotary in 2005.
Bill advised that PPs Karen Baker and Joanne Wheeler are working to update the Rotary of Belleville History Book which was last completed in 1989 and will focus on working through archival items to update the history of the club.
In addition the Rotary statue in downtown Belleville will also be updated and new flowering items placed at the base of the statue.
The main consideration that the Committee is recommending is 100k for 100 years through specific projects to be undertaken. Bill advised many Rotarians who attended the Toronto RI International Conference had the opportunity to see the park models being proposed which include 2 outdoor parks one themed around music consistent with our 50th Anniversary of the Rotary Music Festival and also a fitness park. Containing stainless steel outdoor equipment for both music and fitness these parks would encourage children and their parents to get outside and disconnect from the internet to just play and have fun. The two base projects are to be enhanced with additional add ons recommended by the Committee and will both come in at a cost of less than $100,000. Discussions are ongoing with the City of Belleville for the provision of land to facilitate these endeavours as well as providing ongoing maintenance to the equipment and park areas. Bill feels confident that the City will support such endeavours and will provide a lasting legacy to enhance outdoor activities in the City of Belleville. Bill fielded a number of questions around where funds were proposed to come from and whether consideration around looking at an indoor approach had been considered and Bill advised that the funds would arise from the longer term assets of the Club and that these endeavours and equipment were specifically developed for outdoor activities.
President Andrew thanked Bill for his presentation and advised to the Club that an email vote would be sent out to all members to allow them to vote and approve or not approve the initiatives.