ROTARY CLUB OF FONTHILL
WEEKLY MEETING MINUTES
November 25, 2020 – (Zoom-28)
Those Zooming Today: Janet Cripps, Mark Carl, Frank Adamson, John Cappa, Mike Taylor, Paul Snack, Lance Wiebe, Mel Groom, Bob Eamer, David Schulz, Carolyn Mullin, Heather Scott, Annie Holtby, Hugh Graham.
1. Open meeting: Hugh – welcome everyone - introduce guests
Welcome to Mark Carl from Habitat for Humanity. A fuller introduction will be given later by Janet.
3. Toast: Hugh
5. Invocation: Hugh
Similar to last time, May peace come to each of us and our families – peace will come to everyone in this club. When it does come, share it with others.
6. President’s Report/Correspondence/Announcements:
a. TV Auction – Annie
- Last chance to take a look at your donations to make sure you’re happy with them as presented.
- Still need volunteers for the Warehouse. Hugh as President (and other presidents) sent out the same letter requesting sign ups. It went to everyone including those who had already signed up. We presently have 7 volunteering between Studio and Warehouse. The warehouse, especially on Monday, is in need of 14 volunteers.
- We’re moving our donations from Seaway Mall to Pen Centre Friday morning. We have enough helpers – including John and Mike from our club.
b. Motion: to accept Keith McConkey as a member of the Rotary Club of Fonthill.
Moved: Mike Taylor Seconded: Janet Cripps Carried: All
David will contact Keith about the Club’s decision and invite him to our next Zoom Meeting.
7. Speaker: Mark Carl – Habitat For Humanity
Introduction: Janet Cripps
Mark Carl is the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Niagara since 2018.
Habitat builds strength, stability and independence for families through affordable home ownership and since beginning operations in 1993 in Niagara, has partnered with 70 local families and constructed 68 homes with plans to build 11 more homes for families in 2021 and 2022 to serve the growing need for affordable housing in Niagara.
Habitat for Humanity Niagara operates three restores in Niagara. St. Catharines, Fonthill and Grimsby which accepts donations from the community and with the help of volunteers and staff the items are sold to help build affordable housing in Niagara.
Habitat for Humanity Niagara has been rated one of Canada’s Top 100 Charities in 2019 and 2020 by McLean’s Magazines Money Sense.
Prior to joining Habitat for Humanity Niagara, Mark served as Executive Director of the Hope Centre in Welland, overseeing its evolution from a financially challenged emergency shelter to a vital agency with a focus on transitional and permanent affordable housing. In addition, he transformed the Hope Centre into a social service hub, attracting several community partners to co-locate within the growing organization, which allowed the community to access seamless, wraparound services in a safe, welcoming environment. Mark initiated building improvements, creating a new soup kitchen and common area, thereby increasing client access to meal programs and stayable housing.
Mark has served as a City Councilor in Welland from 2010 to 2018, and has a strong record of community involvement, contributing time and expertise to both the Welland Downtown BIA and North Welland BIA, as well as serving on the Economic Development Committee and as Chair of the Niagara Region Social Service Hub committee.
Mark is a lifelong resident of Niagara and currently lives in Welland with his wife and 2 children.
Q&A
Mark received many questions and his answers expanded our knowledge of the great work of Habitat for Humanity in the Niagara. Here are a few of Q&A. How do students get involved? Just let Mark know there’s interest and he’ll follow up with them.
Does the model of Habitat Homeowners paying their 30% work well? Really well. In Covid job loss or decrease, the 30% is flexible to that drop in wages What about funding? Operating costs come from the Restores. Key to making it happen is cash donations & work days.
Thank you: Hugh Graham. Hugh thanked Mark and informed him that Club tradition thanks our speakers with a donation to the Pelham Library. He added that Mark has been a blessing to the area.
8. Happy upcoming Birthday on November 29th to Paul Snack.
9. Happy Loonies – a few to ponder. Heather shared that she’d thought a Food Drive would be a good idea for Cooksville where she lives. Another neighbor helped put it together for two families plus another two brought forward by the school. Tons of food and personal products have been donated. The recipients themselves have always given. This year they’ll be on the receiving end and don’t know it yet. Mel’s daughter Kristen came home from the hospital last Thursday and is resting. She’ll know December 11 if the blood clot is just related to the knee injury and not something genetic. Welcome home Kristen!
10. November Birthdays: Gail (Nov.18); Paul S. (Nov.29) Happy Birthday Paul!!!!!
November Rotary Anniversaries: Annie (Nov.01/94); Paul S. (Nov.11/15); Troy (Nov.16/17)
No Meeting next Wednesday, December 2, 2020
See you at the
Temperanceville set up this Saturday, November 28, 2020.
