The Club Welcomes Denis

President Etienne presents Denis Beatty with a Club membership certificate. Denis transferred in from the Noon Club and his classification is Food Consultant.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

by Duke Dunlop

The Stratford Citizen


Two years and two weeks ago a meeting took place in Beatrice Jordan’s office at the Kiwanis Centre. A Rotarian asked the Deputy Director of Community Services about Automated External Defibrillators (A.E.D.s). Her response was that she wanted them for the recreation facilities. However, there was never any room in the budget for the purchase of the units.

The Rotarian belonged to an organization of 23 people who met every Tuesday morning at the Queens Inn for breakfast, fellowship and to share ideas on helping communities locally and around the world. The Rotary Club of Festival City was looking for a signature project. Although they worked with other Rotary Clubs and were part of many larger undertakings with other charities, they wanted to tackle a project where there was a need not being addressed. Stratford appeared to be an island surrounded by a sea of communities with A.E.D.s already in place including St. Marys, Milverton and Listowel.

It became apparent that there were different stake holders who would be affected by the installation and future use of the A.E.D.s. The Rotarians had entered an unfamiliar world.
Community Services lead by Beatrice Jordan wanted the units but at the same time, the Human Resources Department was very concerned about possible liability with the misuse of the machines. Lottery license staff at City Hall also hoisted a red flag up the pole; they had authority on how the Rotary Club used the revenue they earned from working at the Bingos. They also were concerned with liability; what would happen if someone who was not a paramedic grabbed it and used it?

The idea of A.E.D.s with public access in Stratford was a new concept and the last thing City Hall needed was another law suit. Each City Department had their own jurisdiction and concerns to protect and serve the Citizens of Stratford, what the Rotarians needed was coordination between the departments. Background information on the success of defibrillators from across the province was compiled and sent out to the Mayor and the departments involved.
The Rotarians had things in place by the end of 2006. . Early in the following year a meeting was organized with the Mayor and Brad Hernden of the Community Services Department. Brad had taken over from Beatrice as she was fighting a terrible illness which claimed her life in March of that year. Mayor Dan Mathieson gave his full support for the project and soon after the Rotarians had approval to use their Bingo funds.

The province was also stepping up to the plate by installing A.E.D.s in their buildings and developing "Good Samaritan Legislation" which would eliminate the liability issue which many people feared. They were now providing funds with the Heart and Stroke Foundation. A County wide committee was formed chaired by Linda Rockwood of Emergency Medical Services for the County of Perth to coordinate the purchase and locations of A.E.D.s.

The idea now is that everyone will have access to the A.E.D.s in the event of an emergency. Information sessions will be available for people interested in learning about what they do and how they work. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 26 at the Rotary Complex in Community Hall C.

The Rotary Club of Festival City was the leading service club providing a grant of $20,000 for the purchase of six units at various locations in the City of Stratford including the Kiwanis Centre, Rotary Complex, Lion’s Pool, Library, Municipal Golf Course and City Hall. Contributions from other organizations allowed for the installation of A.E.D.s in other venues including the Festival, and Avon Theatre. A total of 25 defibrillators are being installed across the County of Perth.

The Rotarian who met with Beatrice Jordan that day in February of 2006 has only one regret. "We would never have proceeded with the A.E.D. grant without her foresight and encouragement. I wish Beatrice could have seen the completion of this project."

Katherine Barber interviewed on CJCS, March 13/08

Not sure what a lexicographer does or why Canadians need their own dictionary? Are you a fan of Katherine Barber, Canada's Word Lady? If so, listen to CJCS 1240 Radio on Thursday, March 13 at 8:15 am when Katherine is interviewed by Eddie Matthews. Katherine will promote the Festival City Rotary Club fundraising event on May 14, 2008 at the Festival Inn. For more information about this event scroll down to "the word lady cometh". Katherine's wit and knowledge talking about Canada's cultural differences and the need for our own dictionary ensures that the upcoming event will be a lot of fun.

Don't Be Alone

The Festival City Rotary Club will join the Tavistock Rotary Club at its Monday night meeting on March 10! The meeting starts at 6:15pm at Quehl's Restaurant, 33 Woodstock St. South, Tavistock.

The Club's regularly scheduled meeting for Tuesday March 11 at the Queen's Inn is cancelled.

Small But Mighty!

Niagara Suspension Bridge Bingo - March 8

Saturday, March 8, Bingo

On Saturday, March 8, our Bingo will celebrate the anniversary of the opening of the Niagara Suspension Bridge in 1855. On March 8 of that year the 23 ton locomotive "London" passed from one nation to another. The bridge deck deflected 3.5 inches in the middle with the weight of the engine which was acceptable.
The bridge is no longer there, it was replaced in 1897. So come on out on the 8th , and celebrate this double decker suspension bridge. Don’t keep the sergeant at arms in suspense, sign up right away for this honourable duty by emailing me at west@cyg.net.

Rotary Presidential Peace Forum

On April 25th -- 27th, 2008 Rotarians and peacemakers from around the world will gather in Windsor, Ontario at a Presidential Peace Forum to share, celebrate and create peace initiatives. This North American event is the fourth and final in a series that have taken place this year in Bulgaria, Turkey and Africa.
Rotary Youth Day will kickoff the festivities, followed by a Community Parade of Nations that will welcome Rotarians, International Peace Scholars, and other business and community members from across the globe as they come together to celebrate hope for world peace.
Other events include a spectacular Peace Concert and a Multicultural Civic Celebration. Rotary International President Wilf Wilkinson will open the celebration in an Open Air Ceremony, on the riverfront overlooking Canada and the United States. Keynote speakers will include Honourary Chair, Allan Rock, HRH Prince Zeid Ra'ad, Jordan's Ambassador to the United States and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, Lloyd Axworthy
Don't miss this incredible opportunity to learn, to share and to celebrate peace. Register today at rotarypeacesummit.org

The Word Lady Cometh

Did you know we have 2,000 words in the English language that are strictly Canadian and are not swear words?

Find out how you can help protect endangered Canadian words like "pipsissewa", "cheechako" and "molson muscle" with the Festival City Rotary Club of Stratford, as it presents An Evening with Katherine Barber, Editor-In-Chief of the Canadian Oxford Dictionary on Wednesday May 14 at the Festival Inn, 1144 Ontario Street, Stratford, ON.

Katherine is best known as the Word Lady on CBC Radio's Metro Morning. She is also an accomplished author with a number of books to her credit. She has written Six Words You Never Knew Had Something To Do With Pigs,and Only in Canada You Say. She is the author of over 11 Canadian dictionaries. She is known for her lively and engaging take on the history of our language. Her hobbies include ballet, gardening, choral singing and cooking.

Tickets are $40.00 (CDN) each.

30% of Book Sale proceeds will go to Club's local and international literacy projects.

Cash bar at 6:00pm and Dinner at 6:30pm.

For tickets contact Etienne Leushius, Club President at 519-276-0205.

Small but Mighty!

Party Down with the RI President Wilf Wilkinson!

Party on, down and back up again with Rotary International President Wilf Wilkinson (affectionally known as the Big Gear Head to Rotarians around the world), on April 24th at the London Convention Centre, 300 York Street, London, Ontario. Cocktails 6:00pm, Dinner at 7:00pm.  Dress: Business Attire. Earlier Bird tickets are $85.00 before February 15. Losers can expect to pay $100.00 per ticket after February 15.  Rabbits eat for free!

Contact Jan Delaney (jdelaney@london.bbb.org) for ticket orders.

Come be inspired!

Club Welcomes Susan Allen

The Club welcomed Susan Allen as a new member. On Susan's left stands her sponsor, John McNeil. On her far left is President Etienne holding the club mascot. On Susan's other left (right) is Rotary Exchange Student Thomas.

Susan will make a great member. Welcome aboard.

Small but mighty.

David Asks Geromino Stilton to Join Rotary

In another attempt to increase membership in the Festival City Rotary Club, David asks Geromino Stilton to consider joining.  

Who have you asked laterly?