Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, September 17, 2026.
President Olaf chaired the meeting and welcomed Rotarians and guests Kim Colbourne and Stephanie Webb.
Club Business
Before lunch President Olaf introduces 3 business items.
- Olaf mentioned our District 7815 is looking for Rotarians to join the planning committee for the 2027 District Spring Conference in Halifax.
- A request has been received from Jeanne Smitiuch of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for help in funding books for the 377 Corner Brook children from birth to age 5 that receive books monthly for free. The executive supported this idea and those Rotarians present agreed. Treasurer Jackie suggested the club donates $500. She also suggested that the Club do a challenge on Bay FM morning show to challenge other service clubs and the community in general to support this cause. She suggested it could be launched on 9 to 5 Dolly Day on September 25. Everyone agreed and Rotarian Gerry will talk to Lenny of Bay FM to follow through with this idea. For anyone interested in making a personal donation, a donation can be made through Canada Helps to Donate to Corner Brook Imagination Library.
- The Rotary Club of Stephenville has invited Corner Brook Rotarians to join them for a Meet and Greet on a Wednesday later in September at 5.15pm at Days Inn. Olaf asked Rotarians to let him know if they were able to attend.
Guest Speakers
After lunch Rotarian, Janice, Rotary Club’s representative on the Corner Brook Rotary Arts Centre Board, introduced the guest speakers Robert Gross, the Interim Chair and Administrative Officer of the Rotary Arts Centre, and Helen Reid, Board Chair of the Rotary Arts Centre.
Helen began her talk by speaking of the involvement and vision of the Corner Brook Rotary Club when the Rotary Arts Centre was conceived and came to fruition. She stressed how its history as part of the identity of the Rotary Arts Centre, RAC, is very important. However now the RAC needs to diversify and look at other financial sources probably corporate. She noted the Rotary name is a legacy to those who helped to establish the Rotary Arts Centre and the Rotary Club’s involvement in the Centre should always be acknowledge.
Helen when speaking about the Rotary Arts Centre abbreviation RAC noted it is affectionally used and developed organically helping to make people feel connected to the Centre.
She feels speaking about the RAC is very timely as the RAC is grateful to the last director Nicole’s contribution, but a new director will be appointed soon. Helen was quite emotional as she stressed how important Rotary’s involvement with the Rotary Arts Centre is and together the Centre will flourish for Corner Brook deserves such a place.
Helen was followed by Robert who though a relative newcomer to the area talked about what has been happening at the RAC in the past year. There has been a wide variety of shows in the theatre covering different genres as well as different shows in the gallery. The goal of the Rotary Arts Centre is to build a structure that will stand on its own.
He passed out a Community Feedback sheet. He looked at one section identifying what should be prioritized in the coming year and supporting new artists was high on the list followed by more public performances then artist’s fees. He then spoke more about expenses and artist’s fees. Robert stressed that artist compensation is built into the operating model of the Centre directly as one of its core goals.
He finished his talk by answering many questions and mentioning that the Rotary Arts Centre AGM will be at the RAC theatre at 7.30pm on September 23 to which all are invited.
Elaine on behalf of the club, thanked Helen and Robert for speaking today and for their informative and interesting talks. The meeting then adjourned.
