Spring Active for District 5550 DG Rick
Well. It has been a busy winter for us. The ice is still here and probably will be for a while. Although the shoreline is starting to open up a little, time will tell. We promised some fishing for some conference attendees. Odds are that the shoreline will be open enough to do that. Bring your rods and a couple of CD11 Rapala (blue , gold, silver). They are best for offshore unless you want to set up a bait rig.
Conference 2013 Set for The Pas
And the conference is coming up pretty quick. May 30th we will be golfing to start it off. We’ve got some excellent speakers, a representative from the Restorative Action Program (RAP) in Saskatoon, an Ambassador from Guatemala, an RI rep that has been around the world involved in many Rotary programs, and some great food. The entertainment and opening ceremony will be something you don’t want to miss. The northern “pipers” will be worth the admission.
Canadian Rotarians Excel for PolioPlus
At the Vaccine Summit that is being held in Abu Dhabi, Minister Fantino has announced that the Canadian Government will commit $250 million between 2013-2018 to the Polio Eradication Effort.
Congratulations to all Rotarians who helped to influence the government.
Canadian Rotarians have raised $2 million for polio matched 3 to 1 by Government of Canada and Gates Foundation. That means $6 million for polio eradication. $400,000 was raised in one week when the Government of Canada and the Gates Foundation announced on February 23 an extension of the matching agreement to remove the maximum limit of $1 million for the March 1 deadline. Well done.
Travel & Events
The revised District Manual of Policies and Procedures (MOPP) should be ready to approve at the Annual general meeting. Thanks for all the assistance to make it all come together.
We made a few trips including Youth Exchange program (YEP) events, Paul Harris Fellow presentations, general business, and even got to go on a little vacation to the Rockies. And a special trip to Winnipeg to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the new Museum of Human Rights.
Unfortunately, we did have a couple of outstanding Rotarians pass on. Our thoughts are with the clubs and are certain they will be remembered.
We did miss one important event and regret not being there. The Rotary Club of Estevan celebrated ninety years of Rotary success. There were 180 people in attendance along with the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan. PDGs Peter Peters and Wayne Claypoole were there to present Paul Harris Fellowships and pass along their congratulations and mine. Thank you everyone and again my apologies.
We did get to the Paul Harris night in Neepawa and presented the awards to Rotarians and citizens of Neepawa. It is always a pleasure to meet such dedicated people. We had an enjoyable evening and as always- great food.
We left the next morning for Winnipeg, spent the day there, turned around and went to Russell that evening. The YEP orientation took place with all of our inbound and outbound students. We have to congratulate the committee on a very well run event. We were on hand to see Jackie Taylor pass the reins over to Leanne Kessler. 
Jackie has been the Outbound chair for umpteen years and has decided to retire from her position. (something to do with horse shows). We certainly wish Jackie all the best and am glad she will remain an active Rotarian with the Nipawin club. Leanne has been working with Jackie the last year and is not only suited for the job, but, is doing it very well.
We were able to have the exchange students visit us in The Pas for “The Pas Winterfest”. They all enjoyed dog sled rides, skidoo rides, Inuit games, and camaraderie. They will be at District conference to
entertain you and then catch their bus for the Western trip. We have to Thank Ted Smook for all the arranging, chaperoning and driving for this annual trip. They will have one more group outing at Camp Whitney provided by the Flin Flon Rotary club. It is always a great time and the District appreciates the many years the Flin Flon club has dedicated to this program. Then it will be time for the students to travel home. Next year the Minnedosa club will be holding the Halloween event. The YEP is one of our longest and most important programs. We appreciate that most of the clubs in the District have been involved in one way or another.
Remember to help your student raise some money!! They were all given a challenge to raise funds for either Shelterbox or Polio. Although they are to present their gains at the District conference, they can still carry on until they leave.
WORLD PEACE PARTNERS HAS DONE IT AGAIN! Congratulations on a terrific step towards the goal of Peace and Understanding. District 5550 will be on the map!
On May 10, 2013 we signed the MOU with Stuart Murray, CEO of the Museum of Human Rights. It is an agreement with District 5550, World Peace Partners and the Museum of Human Rights to assist in the education of youth. We will have a presentation on this at District Conference. Further information can also be had on the World Peace Partners website.
After the signing, David and Brenda Newman took us to the Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) headquarters. Another great Rotary Program. A big “Thanks!” to all the volunteers. Elly has done a super job in organizing the MUNA event for our students. We didn’t get to participate, but the students we spoke to were thoroughly enjoying the experience.
There have been many fundraising activities and service projects going on in our District in the last few months. Some were old standbys and some were new adventures. Keep up the good work.
The Pas club has assisted in sending Dental techs to Guatemala for an annual working program with participants from Red River College and North Dakota. We are looking at this program for a future Vocational Training team mission. It has been going on for eight years and Rotary has not been involved. Maybe that will change.
Dauphin Rotary club has a new fundraiser- a mud race. It is scheduled for this summer and looks like a good one. August 10, 2013 Manitoba Mud Run | Facebook
It’s not too late to sign up for conference- see y’all there!