(File photo/northeastNOW staff)

By Angie Rolheiser

ROTARIANS UNITE

Rotary Club of Melfort hosting Rotary district conference this month

May 4, 2021 | 3:28 PM

The Melfort Rotary Club is getting set to host the Rotary District 5550 conference which will be a virtual event this year.

Over 250 Rotarians from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and northwestern Ontario are expected to participate in the conference that runs from May 13-15.

District governor (DG) Gail Marie Anderson said the conference is typically hosted in the home of the DG but with restrictions in place, that sadly can’t happen this year.

“Our theme is family of Rotary,” Anderson said. “We still want a lot of interaction so that is why we are doing it on the Zoom platform so people can still have that sense of fellowship.”

The three-day conference will consist of many special guest presentations as well as comedian ‘Big Daddy Tazz’ and Jeffrey Straker for the meet and greet portion.

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People are expected to zoom-in from across Canada and some from other countries as well.

“Some Rotarians only see each other at conference because the geography of the district is so big,” Anderson said.

Former assistant coach of the Humboldt Broncos Chris Beaudry will speak to Rotarians on Saturday, May 15.

“After the entire tragedy of the Humboldt Broncos, he has become a speaker on mental well-being so he will address the conference,” Anderson said.

Information on the United Way 211 program will be presented by Kristin Nelson and Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty will join the session as well.

Anderson said being DG over the course of a pandemic has been quite different.

“Normally, the District Governor travels to all of the 48 clubs in the district to do presentations so I have just been zooming like crazy,” Anderson said. “In fact, I think maybe I have had more meetings than normal because of the opportunity to use zoom.”

The DG position in Rotary is typically a one-time thing as it is a four-year work up process according to Anderson.

“It is district governor nominee designate, district governor nominee, district governor elect, district governor and then next year, I will perform as past district governor,” Anderson said.

The exchange program and all youth programs were cancelled over the past year and are cancelled for the upcoming year as well.

The hope is to refresh the program for 2022 and get back at it, Anderson said.

“The Melfort Club has been involved with youth exchange since 1977 and it is a really important part of our club,” Anderson said.

Keeping up connections with former exchange students is important to the Melfort Rotary Club which the club does by inviting the former students to be guest speakers for meetings throughout the year.

The Melfort Rotary Club launched a summer sizzler raffle on May 1. Tickets are $10 each or three for $20 to replace funds that would have typically come in during their barbecue on Canada Day.

In the future, the Rotary Club of Melfort hopes to plan events that will bring more people to the city since the conference would have been such an economy boost if it would have been able to happen in-person.

The Club has mostly been meeting virtually aside from their business social meetings at the Melfort Legion.

“It allows more freedom for young professionals to join us,” Anderson said. “Rather than attending a meeting, they can come to our social or participate in our service projects.”

Anyone interested in becoming a member can get in touch with interim president Rick Robins at 306-920-9166.

Anderson added that Rotary is always looking to partner with other organizations as well if there is a need.

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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser