The Fortarian. Rotary Club of Thunder Bay, (Fort William)

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1 April 11th, 2018 The Fortarian Rotary Club of Thunder Bay, (Fort William) 2017/2018 Board of Directors Website President: Therese Lim Directors: Jerry Williams Treasurer: Boris Cham Solade Nicol Secretary: Joan Krisko Dave McColl President Elect: Sante Sottile Dave Knutson Past President: Bob Hookham Sharon Badanai Meets: 3rd Tuesday of each month, Bruce Nugent George Jeffrey Boardroom 200 Brock St. East, 6.30pm Allocations Committee Committee Chair: Peter Stetsko Meets: 2nd Tuesday of each month, Weiler Maloney Nelson Board Room 12 noon. Rotary House Lottery Committee Chair: Dave Knutson Meets: 1st Tuesday of each month, Weiler Maloney Nelson, 12 noon. Weekly Dinner Meetings Mailing Address Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Thunder Bay, ON Airlane Hotel and Conference Centre P.O. Box W. Arthur St. Thunder Bay, ON Canada P7B 6T6 Note: For July and August, meetings will be on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday only. Newsletter Editors Erle Wheatley & Brian Phillips Meeting of April 11th, 2018 The Sergeant at Arms for the evening was Dawn Sebesta. A Rotarian from Oakville, Ontario attended as a guest. Bob Hookham proposed a toast to the Queen of Canada. 1 Page

President-Elect Sante introduced the evening s speaker, Bob Hookham who presented background and an update o the Wilderness Discovery camp project.

The shutdown of the Shebandowan camp caught the attention of a gentleman named Kevin Johnson, in Minnesota, who decided to start a group to save the operation.

2 President-Elect Sante introduced the evening s speaker, Bob Hookham who presented background and an update o the Wilderness Discovery camp project. The Wilderness Discovery camp project initially started as a result of a decision by HAGI (the Handicapped Action Group Inc.) to refocus services within the City. The shutdown of the Shebandowan camp caught the attention of a gentleman named Kevin Johnson, in Minnesota, who decided to start a group to save the operation. The situation came to the attention of local service clubs who saw the value in the Camp and, under the leadership of Bob Hookham (Rotary) and Jeff Jones (Kinsmen) organized to present a viable plan to the Ontario Government to prevent sale of the land and allow the facility to continue operation. A Corporation was formed to oversee the restoration and operation of the facility, with the board consisting of representatives of each of the stakeholders involved, including the Service Clubs and HAGI. A business case was developed and presented to the Ontario government. This effort was successful and, on August 11, 2017 access was obtained to the site. Restoration of electrical power at the site was finally achieved October 13, This left a small timeframe to start the required repair renovations to the cabins at the site. 2 Page

3 While an initial restoration budget was identified at a bout $500K, the start of renovations revealed more extensive issues than anticipated. As a result, the current estimate for repairs has doubled. The organization has cash available to cover short-term expenditures but has applied for additional grant funding and has embarked on money raising initiatives, including an ongoing Boat and Motor raffle. The Not for Profit Corporation is in the process of applying for Charitable Status. The vision for the facility is a three-season operation that will provide a life without limits opportunity for clients. The site is six and a half acres large with a 2200 ft lake frontage, accessible docks, five cabins and a main lodge. The Main Lodge provides space for larger receptions, conferences, weddings, etc. many typical of a Hall but in a lakeside setting. The prospective market covers the entire range of disabilities, including both physical and mental challenges, and also seniors and youth groups. The project has strong international support, with Veterans groups and District Rotary Clubs interested in supporting the effort. Support from the community has been strong, with donations of specialty beds from a social agency and local Contractors supplying material and labour at or below cost. Preliminary bookings are already underway for the next season, as the progress of the repairs and renovations to current codes allow. Eventually, as the operation grows, it is anticipated to provide seasonal employment for managers and operational staff, with a target of self-sufficiency in three to five years. President-elect Sante thanked Bob for the presentation updating us on this exceptional project. Fines: Dave Knutson was fine master, soliciting contributions based on identification of the source of a number of words or sayings in common usage. House Lottery Report: Dave Knutson reported that the House Lottery ticket sales continued to be very strong, with approximately 1900 tickets sold last week (a possible record number for one week). Ticket sales to the beginning of this week were approximately 8,200, so we will be at the break-even point during this 3 Page

4 week. We have had one ticket purchaser leave with the wrong portion of the stub there will be advertisements on the front page of the Chronicle Journal this Thursday and next Thursday (if required). The radio spots have been updated and an Around Town spot will be aired on TV April 11. Things appear to be going well. Allocations Report: Peter Stetsko reported that Allocations had received two requests, one from the Lakehead Festival of Music (for festival related awards and equipment) and one from the Ontario Society for Crippled Children (to cover the cost of sending a child to summer camp). These are organizations that we have supported over a number of years. The Allocations Committee has recommended to the Board that these requests be approved. Announcements: Rotarian Craig Sandberg asked that anyone travelling to Rydens Border Store over the next short period of time please contact him. The I like Me books have arrived for pick-up and a combined trip would save money and energy. Details regarding the time and location of the I like Me presentation will follow. Upcoming Events: April 26-28, Rotary 5580 District Conference hosted in Thunder Bay (NOTE: The April 25 Regular Wednesday Night meeting will be cancelled) To date, there are 162 Rotarians registered for the conference, with 29 Partner/Spouses and 23 exchange students. June 23-27, 2018 Rotary International Conference in Toronto Lighter side: Karl Wahl entertained the crowd with the reflections of an imaginative Retiree in a checkout line. 50/50: The lucky ticket holder was K. S. Joseph, with a pot of $ Unfortunately for him, the luck stopped when he drew the nine of hearts. The pot will continue to grow. Editor Brian Phillips Scribe Dave Knutson Photos - n/a 4 Page

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The Fortarian. Rotary Club of Thunder Bay, (Fort William)

The Fortarian. Rotary Club of Thunder Bay, (Fort William) January 6th, 2016 The Fortarian Rotary Club of Thunder Bay, (Fort William) 2015/2016 Board of Directors Website www.fwrotary.ca President: Bev Knutson Directors: Bruce Nugent Treasurer: Boris Cham Robert