WELCOME!!
to this week's meeting of
The Rotary E-Club of Canada One
For the week beginning December 19, 2022
Scroll down to enjoy the content!
Complete the form for a make-up!
Please leave a donation to assist our club to do Rotary's good works!
to this week's meeting of
The Rotary E-Club of Canada One
For the week beginning December 19, 2022
Scroll down to enjoy the content!
Complete the form for a make-up!
Please leave a donation to assist our club to do Rotary's good works!
Greeter this week
Rotarian Irene
Inspirational moment
Rotarian Irene
***
Matthew Sails
HeroicStories
by Damon Guy
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England
About 10 years ago, I taught a group of children to sail. They were bright, enthusiastic, and as keen to enjoy life as any other children. All, however, had a serious disability. Three were in wheelchairs, paralyzed from the waist down. One was nearly blind and had a deformity of his right arm. Two were able to walk with difficulty, afflicted with cerebral palsy.
The seventh little boy I will call him Matthew. He too had cerebral palsy and was very badly afflicted. His hands and arms were both deformed from disease and inactivity. His back was bent. His face was distorted, and his legs did not work. Even his laughter was a tinkling cough that racked his whole body. Matthew spoke with the help of a letterboard.
The seventh little boy I will call him Matthew. He too had cerebral palsy and was very badly afflicted. His hands and arms were both deformed from disease and inactivity. His back was bent. His face was distorted, and his legs did not work. Even his laughter was a tinkling cough that racked his whole body. Matthew spoke with the help of a letterboard.
Slowly and with deliberate determination, his distorted hands pointed out letter by letter what he wanted to say. Sometimes he would try to talk. His voice was so distorted that even his constant caretaker could not understand much of his whispered growl. Yet he was always bright and cheerful and loved to try everything his classmates were doing, both in the boat and in the classroom.
I loved my time with them. They were always so cheerful and full of life. They learnt fast and enjoyed every minute of the classes. But despite all that, I was the one who learned the greatest lesson.
One day, the sailing center was assailed by a storm. The wind howled and the rain came down in torrents. Rather than cancel the session, we decided to work in a classroom. All the children joined in. Just like other children, they all wanted to answer the questions I asked. It was important to get them all involved. I would ask questions of the quieter children to draw them out, too.
Often they would loudly interrupt each other to try to get their answer in first. But when Matthew wanted to answer a question, all of a sudden they all quieted. Matthew whispered and gesticulated at his board. They waited. Matthew struggled with dogged persistence until the answer was spelled out. Then, if I did not understand, one of the other children would work with him until the answer was clear. When Matthew had answered his question, the children magically transformed back into a rabble of noisy and enthusiastic children.
All of these children were heroes in their own way. But the tolerance they afforded to Matthew with his severe disabilities was inspirational. At just 14 years old, these disabled children had learned to afford care, respect, and help to someone less fortunate than themselves.
If the rest of the world was able to learn the same lesson, bigotry, violence, and intolerance would be gone.
I loved my time with them. They were always so cheerful and full of life. They learnt fast and enjoyed every minute of the classes. But despite all that, I was the one who learned the greatest lesson.
One day, the sailing center was assailed by a storm. The wind howled and the rain came down in torrents. Rather than cancel the session, we decided to work in a classroom. All the children joined in. Just like other children, they all wanted to answer the questions I asked. It was important to get them all involved. I would ask questions of the quieter children to draw them out, too.
Often they would loudly interrupt each other to try to get their answer in first. But when Matthew wanted to answer a question, all of a sudden they all quieted. Matthew whispered and gesticulated at his board. They waited. Matthew struggled with dogged persistence until the answer was spelled out. Then, if I did not understand, one of the other children would work with him until the answer was clear. When Matthew had answered his question, the children magically transformed back into a rabble of noisy and enthusiastic children.
All of these children were heroes in their own way. But the tolerance they afforded to Matthew with his severe disabilities was inspirational. At just 14 years old, these disabled children had learned to afford care, respect, and help to someone less fortunate than themselves.
If the rest of the world was able to learn the same lesson, bigotry, violence, and intolerance would be gone.
Originally published as HeroicStories #25 on June 29, 1999
Canadiana
With gratitude, optimism is sustainable. Michael J. Fox
Life is easier when we’re nice to each other. – Michael J. Fox
Is Michael J Fox a Canadian?
According to Wikipedia, Michael Andrew Fox was born in Edmonton, Alberta, on June 9, 1961. His family lived in various cities and towns across Canada because of his father’s career. They finally moved to Burnaby, and when his father retired in 1971.
Michael attended Burnaby Central Secondary School, and now has a theatre named for him at Burnaby South Secondary. Michael’s acting career with CBC began when he was 15. At age 18 in 1979, he moved to Los Angeles to further his acting career. Shortly after his marriage, he moved back to Vancouver.
So, the quick answer is Yes. Michael Andrew Fox, now known as Michael J. Fox is a Canadian.
***
Comments from our guests and members
Members and guests attending our weekly meetings are very important to us. Based on your comments we are able to produce many more educational, inspiring, and entertaining weekly meetings.
Following are some of the comments we have received. Would you please send us your comments?
November 6. Nice to see the Canadiana video featuring Writing on Stone and Head Smashed in Buffalo jump, both very interesting places to visit.
-- David Werrett, E-Club of Canada One, District 5370
The Untold Story of a Canadian Hero. The four agreements - a powerful tool for being better today than you were yesterday. Oysters - a natural solution to man's unnatural habits. Clean water is needed everywhere. Yes, Rotary is a tad bit weird. But so is the 1%. The military is no better today than it was in WWII. I am a veteran with many fond memories of the people with whom I served. I also remember the propensity for bullying and intimidation.
-- Conrad Hall, not yet a Rotarian.
November 7. Love the four agreements!
-- Nance MacLeod, E-Club of Canada One
November 8. What a beautiful film of the Canadian Cree Code Talkers and their Top Secret role in helping win World War II. I'm glad that that their sacrifice hasn't been forgotten, especially at this time of remembrance.
-- Jim Ferguson, E-Club of Canada One, District 5370
November 8. Excellent story on the Canadian Code Talkers.
-- Neil Rogers, E-Club of Canada One, District 5370
***
|
Archived Meetings
- For meetings before September 25, 2022, please click here.
- All meetings are archived. For meetings after September 25, 2022, please scroll to the very bottom of this page.
***
Announcements
 |
***
Click this link for a special season's greeting.
***
And a Christmas video from Rotarian Doug Dyer -
***
Material Suggestions and Greeter Messages Always Needed!
Please feel free to forward an approx. 150 - 200 word message or any material suggestions in an e-mail, or in a Word document, along with a JPeg picture or two, to E-Club Administration Chair, Kitty Bucsko.
We'd love to hear from you!
***
***
Real-time meetings
Each 3rd Tuesday of the month is our Fellowship Assembly, and we often invite interesting speakers or Rotary Leaders for this entertaining, educational fun event. Plan to join us.
Everyone is welcome to attend and we encourage your participation.
Please click our Event Calendar for details and access Link.
For further inquiries or suggestions please contact: info@rotaryeclubcanada.ca
All our videos can be viewed on our YouTube channel.
***
How do you support our club?
- The Paypal button on our ClubRunner Home Page
- The donation button on the attendance form, or
- Make an Interac transfer to rotaryeclubcanada1@gmail.com
- Send a cheque to:
The Rotary E-Club of Canada One
10430 135 Street NW
Edmonton, AB
Canada T5N 2C6
(780) 267 4547
Environment
Humour
***
New members' corner
***
Rotary minute
***
Food for thought
***
Rotary Jukebox
For a small donation, your favorite musician will be featured on one of our next e-meetings for everyone to enjoy.
Every week we'll have a draw and the lucky person will see their song featured!
THIS WEEK - Music to raise your spirits
***
***
Four-way Test
To close the meeting, Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Saskatoon Nutana entertain us with their song sharing the praises of the Four-Way Test of the things that Rotarians think, say, or do.
Thank you for joining us. We appreciate your feedback and hope you will return and invite a guest.
Please Click HERE to leave us a comment or send a message.
Scroll down for Program Donations and Attendance links.
***
Our Facebook page. Please remember to check out our posts on the Rotary
E-Club’s Facebook page. We work hard to post something every second day, sometimes more often.
Invite friends to Like our page and enjoy our posts. Also, please take the time to Share our posts on your Facebook Page.
***
Attendance Links
Complete the attendance/donation form to have your attendance recognized.
- CLICK HERE to return to our ClubRunner Home Page.
Confirmation of your attendance will be sent to your e-mail address promptly.
Please support our club!
Donate For the Meeting You Have Attended.
Please consider making a small donation in lieu of a meal
to help us help those in need.
We thank you very much!
Program Donations
Our E-Club is a dynamic club comprised of ordinary working and retired people who acknowledge that Rotarians are people who are generous with their time and their resources.
Our club and the program you have just enjoyed, either as a member or a visitor, is funded only by donations.
We are developing ideas for fundraising with our members who are scattered across Canada, USA, Central America, and Europe, but we do need your help.
As you have not had to buy lunch or travel to attend this program, please make a donation of a minimum of $10.00, considering you're saving in time and cost in appreciation for the experience you have enjoyed.
Interested in providing Rotary Service? Unable to attend terra club meetings?
Contact our membership chair for information or
or HERE to learn about Associate Membership
No comments:
Post a Comment