to this week's meeting of
The Rotary E-Club of Canada One
For the week beginning December 22, 2025
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 22, 2025
Scroll down to enjoy the content!
Complete the form for a make-up!
The Rotary theme for 2025-26 -
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Greeter this week
Rotarian Angel
Sleigh Ride Fantasy
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Inspirational moment
- by Debbie Decker, California, USA
My son attends Douglass Junior High School in Woodland, California. It's a big school — more than 1,200 kids in seventh through ninth grades.
The school population is incredibly diverse, with many languages, ethnic backgrounds, and socio-economic levels represented. The dress and behavior codes are strict, and the expectations are high, which results in fewer problems at school. My son feels safe at school and seems to enjoy it.
One morning in January 2002, I received a call from Ms. Azevedo, the vice principal at Douglass. A call from Ms. Azevedo strikes fear and terror into the heart of even the most cynical and jaded junior high school parent. Ms. Azevedo is a lovely, charming woman. Nevertheless, she is regarded with a mixture of fear and dread because of her reputation as a strict disciplinarian with a "no baloney" attitude.
My son was in the seventh grade. Because he is a good kid, I immediately thought she had called because of a disease outbreak or medical crisis. I worried that he had been injured, run over, taken sick, or turned blue in the way only a Mom's mind can spin.
Then Ms. Azevedo said that Tyler had been referred to her office, and my mind spiraled off to horrifying behavior problems. I presumed that he had beaten up someone, gone berserk in class, stuffed paper towels in the toilets, or something involving explosives. Who knows!
But none of these issues was the subject of Ms. Azevedo's call.
Tyler had received a Positive Referral from Ms. Ewing, his homeroom teacher. Because of his respectful attitude, helpfulness, politeness, and all-around being a great kid, he'd been referred to the vice principal. Ms. Azevedo had taken time out of her busy day to call me and tell me about this wonderful recognition.
Mr. Callahan, the school principal, started the Positive Referral program to make sure parents know about the great stuff their kids do. He aims to let us know when our kids are doing well, and not just academically.
Positive Referrals also let students know that both good behavior and good attitudes are valued. Each kid receives a free cookie and is entered in a monthly drawing for a free off-site lunch. Parents are notified of their children's accomplishments by phone.
What a great way to recognize good kids and encourage parents! This call made my day, because it really is hard work, as a parent, to raise a child who behaves well. It's so hard, in fact, that some days you almost want to give up and let your children run roughshod over your rules.
Thank you all: Mr. Callahan, Ms. Azevedo, and Ms. Ewing, for being a positive voice in today's world. And thank you for helping me realize that a parent's hard work really is worth it.
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Canadiana
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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?
A December conversation. At a time when the world can feel unsettled and noisy, the recent pre-Christmas conversations within the E-Club of Canada One stand out for all the right reasons.
They were/are thoughtful and engaging exchanges — warm, respectful, and grounded in goodwill - members sharing traditions, memories, and reflections in a way that created a sense of calm and genuine connection, reminding us how meaningful simple conversation can be.
Thank you to everyone who contributed and to every member of the E-Club. Moments like this — generous in spirit and quietly uplifting — matter more than we sometimes realize, and they are very much appreciated.
-- Rotarian Kitty, Rotary Club of D6330 Passport & very much an Associate member E-Club of Canada One.
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Archived Meetings
- All meetings are archived. Click here to see a list and choose what you wish to view.
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Announcements
As we quickly approach a new year -
January's theme for Rotary is Vocational Service Month, which highlights the importance of the business and professional lives of Rotarians and promotes ethical standards in the workplace.
During this month, clubs focus on activities that showcase vocational service, such as members sharing talks about their careers or projects that use their professional talents to solve community problems.
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The video is about 43 minutes in length. If you wish, view half of the video now, and the rest in next week's posted meeting!
Learn about its remarkable history!
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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!
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Just so you're aware -
Our Club's Ongoing Projects -
We provide ongoing support for the following projects:
Click the links below to find out more about each project!
And we're doing great!
Ask for more information if you'd like to be involved!
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Real-time meetings
Each 3rd Thursday 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.
The time is 9:00 a.m. (Mountain Time) in lieu of the weekly Coffee Chat except for July and August when there are no FA’s. Here is the zoom link:
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.
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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
14008 101 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB
Canada T5N 0K3
(780) 267 4547
Environment
Humour
Upon arriving home, a husband was met at the door by his sobbing wife. Tearfully she explained, "It's the pharmacist. He insulted me terribly this morning on the phone. I had to call multiple times before he would even answer the phone."
Immediately, the husband drove down town to confront the pharmacist, and demand an apology Before he could say more than a word or two, the pharmacist told him, "Now, just a minute, listen to my side of it...
This morning the alarm failed to go off, so I was late getting up. I went without breakfast and hurried out to the car, just to realize that I'd locked the house with both house and car keys inside and had to break a window to get my keys.
"Then, driving a little too fast, I got a speeding ticket. Later, when I was about three blocks from the store, I had a flat tire."
"When I finally got to the store a bunch of people were waiting for me to open up. I got the store opened and started waiting on these people, all the time the darn phone was ringing."
He continued, "Then I had to break a roll of coins against the cash register drawer to make change & they spilled all over the floor.
I had to get down on my hands and knees to pick up the coins and the phone was still ringing.
"When I came up I cracked my head on the open cash drawer, which made me stagger back against a showcase with a bunch of perfume bottles on it. Half of them hit the floor and broke."
"Meanwhile, the phone is still ringing with no let up, and when I finally got back to answer it, it was your wife wanting to know how to use a rectal thermometer.
Believe me Mister.... as God is my witness, all I did was tell her."😂😂😂😂
Immediately, the husband drove down town to confront the pharmacist, and demand an apology Before he could say more than a word or two, the pharmacist told him, "Now, just a minute, listen to my side of it...
This morning the alarm failed to go off, so I was late getting up. I went without breakfast and hurried out to the car, just to realize that I'd locked the house with both house and car keys inside and had to break a window to get my keys.
"Then, driving a little too fast, I got a speeding ticket. Later, when I was about three blocks from the store, I had a flat tire."
"When I finally got to the store a bunch of people were waiting for me to open up. I got the store opened and started waiting on these people, all the time the darn phone was ringing."
He continued, "Then I had to break a roll of coins against the cash register drawer to make change & they spilled all over the floor.
I had to get down on my hands and knees to pick up the coins and the phone was still ringing.
"When I came up I cracked my head on the open cash drawer, which made me stagger back against a showcase with a bunch of perfume bottles on it. Half of them hit the floor and broke."
"Meanwhile, the phone is still ringing with no let up, and when I finally got back to answer it, it was your wife wanting to know how to use a rectal thermometer.
Believe me Mister.... as God is my witness, all I did was tell her."😂😂😂😂
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And a wee winter smile/laugh/giggle 😂😂😂😂
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Rotary members' corner
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Rotary minute
People with intellectual disabilities find jobs through an innovative program
By Etelka Lehoczky
Most workplaces have an employee like Peter Lee. His job title may be office administration assistant, but it’s more accurate to say he’s the go-to guy.
“I do a lot of things. When there’s a printer problem, people come and find me,” says Lee, who works for the Edmonton, Canada, branch of the multinational insurance consultant NFP.
“I do a lot of things. When there’s a printer problem, people come and find me,” says Lee, who works for the Edmonton, Canada, branch of the multinational insurance consultant NFP.
“Peter helps with the photocopy machines and knows where everything is in the supply room,” says Charrois, a member of the Rotary Club of St. Albert, Alberta, Canada. “Nobody enjoys it when he takes a vacation, because they have to figure things out on their own.”
Lee is among many Albertans with intellectual disabilities who have found rewarding work with the help of Inclusion Alberta and Rotary.
For more than two decades, Rotary’s alliance with Inclusion Alberta has made the most of Rotary members’ extensive networks in the business community. Members spread the word about the benefits of hiring people with intellectual disabilities and streamline the hiring process. The initiative has helped fill around 900 jobs.
“What Rotary provides is the strength of our networking, who we know. It’s been pivotal,” says Wendy McDonald, a member of the Rotary Club of Edmonton Sunrise, Alberta, Canada, and chief operating officer of Inclusion Alberta. “Rotary’s strength is the ability to open doors to the business community that otherwise wouldn’t exist.”
Unemployment among people with intellectual disabilities tops 70% in Canada, according to Inclusion Alberta. In the United States, it’s more than 75%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But McDonald says there’s no reason that should be the case.
“What Rotary provides is the strength of our networking, who we know. It’s been pivotal,” says Wendy McDonald, a member of the Rotary Club of Edmonton Sunrise, Alberta, Canada, and chief operating officer of Inclusion Alberta. “Rotary’s strength is the ability to open doors to the business community that otherwise wouldn’t exist.”
Unemployment among people with intellectual disabilities tops 70% in Canada, according to Inclusion Alberta. In the United States, it’s more than 75%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But McDonald says there’s no reason that should be the case.
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Food for thought
Restaurant etiquette hints -
Put Your Phone on Silent — and Keep It Off the Table
Etiquette for dining with smartphones is threefold. First, put it on silent so it doesn’t disturb your meal. But don’t just turn down the volume and set it on the table; put it away in your pocket or bag, along with anything else that’s not a part of the meal.
Lastly, don’t check your phone while you’re eating. You can take a peek at your notifications when you’re away from the table; while some experts say to wait until the meal is finished, you can probably discreetly check in the restroom, too. Yet rules are always flexible, and there are extenuating circumstances ((like getting check-ins from a babysitter) that your dining companions may understand.)
Napkin in the Lapkin
It’s pretty well-trodden etiquette territory to say that your napkin goes in your lap — but when do you put it there, and what do you do with it when you leave the table?
First: Place your napkin in your lap when everybody is seated. If you get up to use the restroom, place your napkin loosely to the left of your plate. It’s less likely to soil the napkin than placing it on your plate itself, and that way you don’t risk transferring food smears from your napkin to your chair (and potentially your clothes).
Let the Person Paying Order First
If dinner’s on someone else, it can be hard to know exactly what the expectations are in terms of price point. A good general rule is to follow the lead of the person treating you. Letting them order first can give you a sense of what budget they had in mind. Regardless, you probably shouldn’t order the most expensive thing on the menu.
Your Elbows Are Probably Fine Where They Are
If you struggle to keep your elbows off the table — as your grandmother scolded you to do — there’s some good news. Originally, the rule existed to keep your elbows clean and prevent slouching, but most experts seem to agree that it’s now outdated, particularly when there isn’t any food actually on the table. The Emily Post Institute, a five-generation family powerhouse of etiquette advice, warns against putting your elbows on the table while eating, but instructs that it’s always been acceptable to have your elbows on the table between courses. In general, elbows on the table is also acceptable before and after a meal, although you might want to play it on the safe side while actually eating to avoid dipping your sleeves in gravy.
Raise Food Issues Quietly
If there’s a hair in your salad or a smudge on your glass, there’s no need to turn it into a tablewide conversation topic. Flag down your server and explain your issue discreetly and politely. They should be back with a replacement momentarily, and meanwhile, the mood at the table stays light.
Chew With Your Mouth Closed
The global COVID-19 pandemic kept a lot of people out of sit-down dining establishments, so you may have reverted back to some old habits, like talking with your mouth full. But remember: At no point should anybody you are eating with see food on the inside of your mouth. One study says that food does taste better if you chew with your mouth open — but it’s not worth alienating your dining companions over.
Yes, You Need To Tip
Unless the establishment has a specific policy against it, tip your server — at least, if you’re dining in America. It’s not just good etiquette: Tips can amount to more than half of the income of servers and bartenders, and that money is often shared with back-of-house workers such as cooks. Experts say that 15% to 20% of the pre-tax total is customary, but 42% of Americans always tip 20% or more. A 20% tip is easy to calculate, too: Calculate 10% by moving the decimal point on the total once to the left. Then double it.
Don’t Overstay
Don’t linger for too long after you finish your meal, especially if the restaurant is full or you have an especially large party. It’s disrespectful to the establishment, which needs to serve more customers to stay in business, and to other customers who are waiting for a seat. In some cases, you may even be holding up a reservation.
Napkin in the Lapkin
It’s pretty well-trodden etiquette territory to say that your napkin goes in your lap — but when do you put it there, and what do you do with it when you leave the table?
First: Place your napkin in your lap when everybody is seated. If you get up to use the restroom, place your napkin loosely to the left of your plate. It’s less likely to soil the napkin than placing it on your plate itself, and that way you don’t risk transferring food smears from your napkin to your chair (and potentially your clothes).
Let the Person Paying Order First
If dinner’s on someone else, it can be hard to know exactly what the expectations are in terms of price point. A good general rule is to follow the lead of the person treating you. Letting them order first can give you a sense of what budget they had in mind. Regardless, you probably shouldn’t order the most expensive thing on the menu.
Your Elbows Are Probably Fine Where They Are
If you struggle to keep your elbows off the table — as your grandmother scolded you to do — there’s some good news. Originally, the rule existed to keep your elbows clean and prevent slouching, but most experts seem to agree that it’s now outdated, particularly when there isn’t any food actually on the table. The Emily Post Institute, a five-generation family powerhouse of etiquette advice, warns against putting your elbows on the table while eating, but instructs that it’s always been acceptable to have your elbows on the table between courses. In general, elbows on the table is also acceptable before and after a meal, although you might want to play it on the safe side while actually eating to avoid dipping your sleeves in gravy.
Raise Food Issues Quietly
If there’s a hair in your salad or a smudge on your glass, there’s no need to turn it into a tablewide conversation topic. Flag down your server and explain your issue discreetly and politely. They should be back with a replacement momentarily, and meanwhile, the mood at the table stays light.
Chew With Your Mouth Closed
The global COVID-19 pandemic kept a lot of people out of sit-down dining establishments, so you may have reverted back to some old habits, like talking with your mouth full. But remember: At no point should anybody you are eating with see food on the inside of your mouth. One study says that food does taste better if you chew with your mouth open — but it’s not worth alienating your dining companions over.
Yes, You Need To Tip
Unless the establishment has a specific policy against it, tip your server — at least, if you’re dining in America. It’s not just good etiquette: Tips can amount to more than half of the income of servers and bartenders, and that money is often shared with back-of-house workers such as cooks. Experts say that 15% to 20% of the pre-tax total is customary, but 42% of Americans always tip 20% or more. A 20% tip is easy to calculate, too: Calculate 10% by moving the decimal point on the total once to the left. Then double it.
Don’t Overstay
Don’t linger for too long after you finish your meal, especially if the restaurant is full or you have an especially large party. It’s disrespectful to the establishment, which needs to serve more customers to stay in business, and to other customers who are waiting for a seat. In some cases, you may even be holding up a reservation.
Some diners take offense when they feel rushed away from their table; try to be understanding if you do. If you want to stay for longer and there’s not a line, order something else, like a dessert, a shared plate, or a round of cocktails, or at least check in with your server.
Click here to learn more.
Click here to learn more.
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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!
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The Four-way Test
To close the meeting, Rotarian Gillian recites 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.
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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.
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Attendance Links
Complete the attendance/donation form to have your attendance recognized.
- CLICK HERE to return to our ClubRunner Home Page.
- Visiting Rotarians and guests - Click HERE.
- Members of Rotary E-Club of Canada One - Click HERE.
- e-Satellite Attendance - Click HERE.
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.
As you have not had to buy lunch or travel to attend this program, please consider a donation of a minimum of $10.00 in appreciation for the experience you have enjoyed.
We thank you very much!
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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
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