Next Meeting
Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 16th. We will hear from Victoria, Jaden, and Sophia from the Global Brigades University of Alberta Chapter. They will present "Into the Gap: A Medical Brigade Treating Decades of Pain and Disease."
The team will share their experience in eastern Panama, where they assisted over 443 patients who had previously lacked access to medical care. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the impactful work being done to improve health and wellbeing in underserved communities.
For those who cannot attend in person, the Zoom login for the meeting is Meeting ID 780 222 3440 Passcode Mayfield
Last Meeting Recap
At our recent meeting, we were honored to host a special presentation by Gordon Wilkes, who first joined us for a luncheon back in 1988.
During his talk, Gordon shared the remarkable journey of the facial reconstruction unit at Misericordia Hospital, which began with a bold decision by the Mayfield Rotary Club to grant Dr. Wolfaardt and Dr. Wilkes $25,000. This initiative has since evolved into the internationally recognized craniofacial osseointegration reconstruction unit, providing essential care to patients from across Canada.
We are grateful for our connection to this incredible cause and inspired by the insightful presentation.
Financial Statements
Financial Statements have now been reviewed by 2 members in accordance with our bylaws. Statements can be reviewed using the links below. AGMs will be held Nov 6 at 1 pm immediately after the regular meeting during which the statements will be presented.
Peace Pole Unveiling
On October 2nd, three of our club members—Jeannette, Maureen, and Rose—attended the unveiling of the Peace Pole at Grant McEwen Downtown.
About Peace Poles: Peace Poles were created in 1955 in Japan by Masahisa Goi, a teacher, poet, and philosopher, in response to the devastation caused by the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. Following the war, Mr. Goi sought a way to promote peace for all people, and the words "May Peace Prevail on Earth" came to him in a moment of inspiration.
Mr. Goi believed that words and thoughts are alive with energy and possess the power to bring peace and harmony to our lives and the planet. He asserted that while war begins with thoughts of conflict, peace starts with thoughts of harmony. This belief led to the Peace Pole project, which aims to uplift individuals toward peace rather than conflict. The Peace Pole serves as a reminder to keep peace at the forefront of our thoughts.
The Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony commemorated this important occasion, bringing the community together to inspire, awaken, and uplift human consciousness worldwide.
District Awards
Our Club received two awards at the District Awards Dinner:
🏆 Frank Devlyn Award for our work with Inclusion Alberta.
🏆 District Award of Recognition for our membership growth and retention plan.
Celebration of Life for Shirley Bell
On Saturday, October 12, Maureen and Jeannette attended the Celebration of Life for Shirley Bell, the wife of Honorary and Charter Member Frank Bell, and mother of Sharon Bell.
Shirley was a gifted storyteller who wrote numerous stories about her life. Several years ago, her family arranged for a videographer to capture her narratives, some of which were shared during the memorial. Frank and Shirley were married for over 70 years, and one of the secrets to their enduring partnership, as Frank shared, was to always treat each other with respect. Shirley's life spanned from September 19, 1932, to August 28, 2024.
Her daughter, Sharon, delivered a heartfelt tribute, celebrating Shirley as a storyteller and curator of adventure, as remembered by her children and grandchildren. Frank is doing well and continues to walk every day. He expressed his gratitude to John Nipuik for the thoughtful fruit arrangement he provided.
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