The Rotary Club's president's wind-up in June ushered in the third female president in the history of the Battlefords chapter, which was established in 1920.
Darlene Kingwell said she hoped to make her year as president a year of renewal, in terms of remembering the commitments of Rotary members.
"I found myself reading the number one commitment, being to attend each week, and the importance of building good relationships, being appreciative of your fellow Rotarians, knowing and valuing their contributions, and I knew that it is time to revisit that commitment," said Kingwell.
She also spoke of the importance of change in attracting new members, especially youth.
"I want us to think as marketers this year; let's take pictures, run displays, run ads, and shamefully brag with the best of them," she said.
The president's wind-up was a night of laughter and jokes. Ron Lang, the past president, said the advantage of having a female president is "there's a lot more fruit around, and it generally just smells better."
Lang, who served two terms as president, was happy to hand over the duties of past president to Ben Christensen, the 2009-10 president.
"Tonight is my last official night, thank God," joked Lang.
Christensen was happy to poke back, saying, "I really wouldn't want to pull a Ron Lang and come back next year."
Several awards were presented, such as the Integrity Award and the Paul Harris Fellowship. The Integrity Award is presented to non-Rotarians with a history of upright and honest behaviour. Lloyd Deshaye, a retired provincial court judge, was surprised to be the recipient of the Integrity Award.
"I wasn't anticipating this," said Deshaye. "I'm very much honoured by it."
Two rotary members became Paul Harris Fellows. The Paul Harris Fellowship is named after the founder of the first Rotary Club, which was founded in Chicago, Feb. 23, 1905, and was named for the practice of rotating the meeting location among members. Rotary International established the Paul Harris Fellowship in 1957 to honour the founder, and also members' contributions. To become a Paul Harris Fellow, Rotarians must either make a donation of $1,000, or have the amount donated in their name.
Rotarian Harvey Walker was pleased to present certificates, pins and medallions to fellow Rotarians Johanne Stolz and Archie Robinson. Stolz made the $1,000 donation herself, while the Rotary Club of the Battlefords made the donation on behalf of Robinson, to recognize him for his years of service, including a term as president.
Also announced were two new rotary members, Doug Collie and Brian Maurula.
In his last speech as president, Christensen highlighted the year's accomplishments. For the fourth year in a row, the Rotary Club of Battlefords contributed $25,000 to youth education and polio eradication efforts in Belize. The funds donated to Polio Plus, an eradication campaign, were matched by Bill Gates.
Christensen said, "The thing I'm most proud of for the whole year, is the support we gave to Haiti."
The club raised $20,000 for Haiti relief efforts with help from Battlefords Central School and matching grants from Shelterbox Canada, a disaster relief charity.
Rotary Club steps up for CU Plex
The Rotary Club of the Battlefords has announced a $100,000 donation to the CU Plex project, which will secure naming rights for the plaza.
Ben Christensen, club president, discussed the possibility of an ice rink in winter, a stage for dance and music events and outdoor film showings.
"This is the most exciting project the Battlefords has seen in over 40 years," said Christensen.
An artistic rendition of what the plaza could look like, painted by Nora Rongve, was unveiled at the president's wind-up in June.
Rob Rongve, who is on the CU Plex fundraising committee, thanked the Rotary Club for their contribution, of which $50,000 will be paid now, and $10,000 every year for the next five years.
"All of the service groups have stood up in a huge way to support this project," said Rongve. "It's been very rewarding."
Some of the Rotary Club's biggest fundraisers include an annual hockey draft, a trip of the month draw, in which $100 tickets are sold and prizes include a trip for two, 12 $100 prizes and 12 $50 prizes, and the spudnut booth at Northwest Territorial Days, which raises around $14,000 every year.
Local initiatives by the Rotary Club include the skateboard park, PAWS dog park, the splash park and repairs and maintenance.
