Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, March 21, 2024
President Jackie chaired the meeting.
Rotarian guest, John Andrews from the St. John’s North-Western Rotary Club and Xavier House volunteer Gerard Duffney were welcomed.
Club Business
The Toonie Quest West 50-50 draw had a winner who would take home around $3000.
Executive For 2024 – 2025
Jackie mentioned that the executive for next year will need to be decided.
Any Rotarians interested in serving on the executive for the coming year please let Jackie know.
Guest Speaker
Program-chair Lorraine introduced the guest speaker Danielle Brown from the Corner Brook Satellite Office of the Gander Military Family Resource Centre, MRFC. She is one of two employees with the other being Jenna Vautier. The Corner Brook MFRC is based at the Gallipoli Armoury, O’Connell Drive.
Before Danielle spoke, she handed out an information sheet about the programs, and services offered by MFRC. The purpose of the MFRC is to provide services, programs, and resources which will improve the quality of life for military families. The resource centres support families in all aspects of military life. Their services are open to regular and reserve force members and their families.
The services offered include employment services such as resume and cover letter writing, job posting and interview techniques, assisting of members who are looking to complete a resume that is tailored to military and civilian jobs, and second language training.
MFRC can organise mental health referrals, offer help to veterans and their families and organize respite care while the military member is away on tasking training, deployment etc. In this case the spouse can use the service for self-care.
Support is also given for family separation and reunion and deployment, help with medical travel and its costs as well as housing for Canadian military members and their families.
Danielle went through the various services and noted there are about 7 regular soldiers and about 100 reservists in the Corner Brook area.
Another service offered is to prepare and send overseas moral packages for Christmas, Easter, Canada Day (July 1). Packages can be donated by groups to be sent overseas at these times.
When she had finished her talk, many questions were asked of Danielle before she was thanked by Elaine on behalf of the club who noted how important the MFRC is for families.
The meeting finished with Jim spinning the Rotary Wheel and several Rotarians shared good news stories.
The meeting adjourned at 1.30pm.