February 19, 2015 August 15, 2019

Photo: Clint Kuschak

Another glorious mid-summer morning with 20 Lakehead Rotarians plus visiting Rotarian Walter Hardie [Hamilton A.M.] and visiting Rotarian [and Donald’s brother] Doug MacDonald [Calgary Heritage Park Rotary]. We shared a moment today with Gail Kromm as she received her PHF from the Rotary Foundation and became our 3rd Paul Harris Fellow in as many weeks. Congratulations and thank you Gail. Karl Ratz was pleased to read the citation for Gail with Foundation Chairperson Georgina Voulgaris assisting. ON THE DOOR IN 2019/20:

Mo was on the door today. Thank you for your service to your Club. Help your Club this year by taking on the door for one of the months – confirm your choice with Clint. JULY Mo Papich JANUARY AUGUST Mo Papich FEBRUARY

SEPTEMBER Carol Dagenais MARCH OCTOBER Graham Stewart APRIL NOVEMBER Paige Martin MAY DECEMBER Gail Brescia JUNE SPONSORSHIP:

If you can help your Club and wish to promote your business or community interests through a month sponsorship, please contact Sergeant Bill or Clint. Here is the sponsorship line-up so far: JULY n/a JANUARY AUGUST A&W – Lori FEBRUARY IG Wealth Mgt.

SEPTEMBER MARCH Salvation Army OCTOBER 4 Amigos APRIL MS Society NOVEMBER St. Joseph’s Found. MAY A&W - Lori DECEMBER JUNE 5 Star Rotarians

OUR SPONSOR THIS MONTH

A&W [Rotarian Lori Martineau] is our sponsor for meetings in August but was not able to attend today. Sandy filled in for her to acknowledge the important role that Lori and her company have played in support of the MS Society. One of the fund raising events held by A&W in town is the annual “Burger Day” – this year on Thursday, August 22nd. On that day and for every Teen Burger sold $2 will go to help those living with MS…so let’s make sure we all get to an A&W and pick up some “Teens”. Sandy opted to wear orange again today in honour of the A&W ”colours” and carried a smaller version of the A&W Bear - she brought a big bear last week.

OUR FAMILY OF ROTARY IN THUNDER BAY

Celebrating birthdays this month KARL RATZ

Celebrating anniversaries this month

DON & BETSY MORRISON CLINT & BARBARA KUSCHAK

President Clifford was in fine form today as he welcomed Lakehead Rotarians and two visiting Rotarians – Walter Hardie and Doug MacDonald. PRESENTATION:

Allan Kozlo made a presentation on our Club’s new fund raising event – Spirit of Thunder Bay. At a recent Club Assembly held at the RFDA, members present discussed our three annual fund raising events – December Dreams, Spirit of Thunder Bay and Shrimp Fest. Clint reviewed December Dreams a few weeks ago and today our Spirit event was up for discussion. GENESIS: In the fall of 2012, Rotarian Karl Ratz proposed a

scotch tasting event as a new fund raiser for the Club based on smaller scotch tasting events in the City. Clint Kuschak branded the new event “Spirit of Thunder Bay” based on similar events held in other cities [Toronto, Kingston, Vancouver, etc.] The first Spirit of Thunder Bay event was held in the Ballroom of the Valhalla Inn on Saturday, January 26/13. PURPOSE: This new fundraising event was created to generate

funds solely for a Lakehead Rotary “International Project(s)” with 100% of proceeds to go to the designated project. The first

international project selected by the Club [as recommended by Paul Carr] was to support improvements at Lifesong School[s] in Kitwe, Zambia. The Club could also use some of the funds from this event to donate to Shelter Box Canada [considered an international program the Club supports annually]. With the completion of the project in Kitwe, the Club elected to use proceeds from future events for local charitable organizations including Wilderness Discovery plus [at least] one shelter box. DATE: First Friday in February subject to availability of the room.

VENUE:

Valhalla Inn – Scandia Room [Speakers’ stage/podium and large screen for scotch presentations, etc.] TICKET PRICES:

$ 90 for the Scotch Taster’s Ticket $40 for the Non-Taster’s Ticket SALES GOAL:

100 Tasters 40 Non-Tasters [Tickets to be on sale mid-November] SPONSORSHIPS:

Title/Event Sponsor Scotch Selections Sponsors [5} Food Sponsor Venue Sponsor – Valhalla Inn EVENT TITLE: “SPIRIT OF THUNDER BAY”

MARKETING:

Primarily flyers/posters/cards distributed by Members Ad in The Walleye [1/4-page] Use of Club website for flyer, ticket order form, menu, etc. Social Media – facebook Presentations at other local Rotary Club meetings Display/promotion at the Chamber’s After Business event in November [3rd Wednesday] – venue tba] PROGRAM:

Tasting 5 single malts selected by Doug and Karl Ratz Introduction of each whiskey by Doug Ratz [or invited scotch experts] Hors Doeuvres prepared by the Valhalla Inn and served between tastings plus cheese and vegetable trays throughout and a cash bar. Comments from the Club President on Club activities and planned use of funds Silent Auction [items solicited by Club Members] Toonie Auction [for bottles of scotch, etc. donated by Members]

FINANCES:

Current annual potential profit = $7,000 - $10,000 Total proceeds [to date] = $50,180 Strengths

What are the stronger elements of this event? . Upscale event . Reputation . Venue . Price . Timing . Food service & delivery . Doug Ratz - his knowledge . Toonie auction . Food pairing . Returning guests Challenges

What are the weaker elements of this event? . Attendance numbers . Rotarians in attendance . Competing events . Price point . Noise level . Attention to speakers . Date selection . Advertising to target market . Variety of scotch . Offer what is advertised Threats

What elements jeopardize this event? . Alcohol abuse and consequences . Cost - ticket price . Competition from other events . Doug Ratz leaving Opportunities

What elements exist that are not present in this event? . Variety of Scotches . Variety of beverages/different spirits (bourbon, Irish whisky, martinis, vodka, wine flight) . Different experts . Sponsorship: bottles, event, distillery rep . Named beneficiary . Grow silent auction - higher end products . Ticket package sales (Christmas) . Expand food pairing w/ descriptions (from Chef) . Social aspect of picking up Scotch What actions have to be completed to implement each recommendation? What supports are required in each implementation? . Consider beneficiary as appropriate . Consider serving other spirits . "Bring a friend" draw . Introduction to Scotch focus to engage new guests . Offer music (jazz, piano) during cocktail hour and during rounds ORGANIZING COMMITTEE ROLES [SUMMARY]:

CHAIR/CO-CHAIR:

Overall co-ordination, planning, communications, and recruitment of volunteers Serve as MC for the event TICKETING/CONSIGNMENTS/CONTROL:

Production and control of tickets, setting up consignment outlets, processing ticket orders, handling transactions at the door including use of the Club’s p.o.s. terminal, maintaining a ticket manifest, producing Taster’s coupons for the 5 whiskies to be tasted

SPONSORSHIPS/PROSPECTING/CANVASSING:

Preparing the sponsorship opportunities [chart] with benefits, preparing canvassing letter and other related materials, fulfilling sponsorship recognition agreements MARKETING/PUBLIC RELATIONS/SOCIAL MEDIA:

Developing and co-ordinating implementation of a marketing plan Designing and producing event poster, flyer, postcards, plus menu card, ticket order form, etc. Preparing and booking the ad for The Walleye. Preparing and distributing materials for use on facebook, etc. Posting the flyer, order form, etc. on the Club website Updating the Club’s Display Window at the Valhalla EVENT PROGRAM/MC:

Preparing the event program [detailed agenda] Co-ordinating production of the table program SCOTCH SELECTIONS & PRESENTATIONS:

Selecting/recommending the 5 single malt whiskies for the event Co-ordinating purchase of the necessary bottles with the Valhalla Preparing tasting notes and “stories” on the 5 whiskies and presenting these at the event MENU/FOOD SERVICE:

Co-ordinating choice of food for the event with the Valhalla Chef Finalizing menu with Catering Manager and Chef Reviewing and approving the BEO for signing by a Club officer VENUE ARRANGEMENTS/SET-UP/DÉCOR:

Planning set-up with the Catering Manager Table centre pieces Rotary/Club displays [use of new Rotary banners] Inflatable Rotary gear at entrance SILENT AUCTIONS:

Engaging Members to solicit items for Silent Auctions Preparing canvassing materials Setting up auction items at the event Preparing bid sheets and assembling winning sheets for processing at the event TOONIE AUCTIONS:

Canvassing Members for funds/donations to buy scotch or other items to be auctioned Recruiting/training auctioneers BUDGET/FINANCIAL CONTROL: [Club Treasurer or designated

Member] Preparing, monitoring, and control of event budget Paying bills and depositing all funds related to the event Preparing a final statement on the event LUCAS SOCIAL – LOON LAKE: Roy Lucas let us know that the annual sojourn at their cottage at Loon Lake will take place on Sunday, August 25th. Rotarians are invited to attend with their families and to bring an item for the potluck – an appetizer, salad or dessert. Roy and Jane will provide the main course item for the feast. President Clifford emailed a map to all members via Club Runner and Roy provided a sign-up sheet at today’s meeting for those planning to attend to indicate their choice of an appetizer, salad or dessert.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT:

Membership Service Director Paige Martin, reported on behalf of the Committee. She distributed the latest Organizational Chart and Committee Terms of Reference and asked members to review the commitments they have signed on for. We are asked to confirm these areas of service that we have indicated and to either add new areas of service or delete those that we are not able to fulfill this year.

Paige will follow up with all members vie email and she asks that we either confirm or edit our offers of service. The Membership Committee is working on plans to develop new recruitment resources for our Members to use this year and to investigate opportunities to promote our Club and Rotary such as the Chamber’s After Business event in November. TERRY FOX RUN – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15. 2019

This year’s Terry Fox Run shirt will be available soon. Don Morrison brings in a supply for our Club and for sale at the event – cost is $20.

FELLOWSHIP FINES:

“Fine-master” Gail Brescia had little time to work the room but scored a fine sweep nevertheless with the “no red socks” ploy. She continued thereafter with her own happy dollar for her imminent visit to the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse in Sault Ste. Marie. Allan’s happiness was for the Members’ response to today’s presentation on our Spirit event and for Maya’s travels and adventures in Japan including an imminent typhoon heading to Osaka. Gail Brescia wrapped up this round with a sad dollar for the recent passing of Penny Legge, beloved partner of PA Rotarian and friend David Legge. 50/50:

Sandy was our happy winner today and her share will be assembled with other weekly donations and forwarded to the Rotary Foundation in December. NEXT MEETING

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22/19 MONTHLY BUSINESS MEETING