Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, October 3, 2024

Vice-President Olaf chaired the meeting.  

The Toonie Quest West 50-50 weekly draw did not have a winner this week

Rotarian Paula introduced guest speaker Jen Shears who grew up on Corner Brook but now lives in Rocky Harbour. Jen is a businesswoman who has several business interests including the Natural Boutique in St John’s.

Jen began by talking of her own history and her belief in sustainable living and the treating of the environment with respect. She with her taxidermist trained husband started the Gros Morne Wildlife Museum and Gift Shop in Rocky Harbour. The wildlife exhibits in the Museum consists of over 100 full-size animals in authentic scenes and the gift shop has carvings and fur products 

 From this, Jen realized there was a need on the east coast for a similar store. This resulted in the Natural Boutique being opened which is now in its present home on 191, Water Street. 

The Natural Boutique specializes in renewable resource-based products, particularly those from the Newfoundland and Labrador seal industry. Natural Boutique is a proud supporter of this sustainable industry and of the Newfoundland, Labrador and Indigenous heritages that are closely connected to it. This is an Indigenous business and small rural towns, and Indigenous communities are intimately linked to the design and production of items for sale in the store.

Jen continued by speaking of the anti-fur comments and actions at the store and the misinformation about the hunting and killing of seals. 

 She noted that there are over 10 million seals and for the population to be viable around 400,00 seals could be annually culled. She showed a photo of seals on the ice and the number of seals was amazing. She then talked about the standards that exist now to make the hunt as humane as possible. She has also spoken to government agencies about the need to legalize the seal hunt.

 Jen finished her talk by speaking of her own journey and her own keys to success.

which are Think Critically, Be Stubborn, Be Brave and Be Bold.

 Jen answered questions before being thanked on behalf of the club by Verbon.

The meeting was adjourned at 1.30pm.

Note:

On September 26, the regular Rotary lunch meeting was cancelled. Two members of Volunteer Canada visiting the province had hoped to talk with Rotarians after that meeting about volunteering, the need for more volunteers and how communities were trying to solve this concern. On Friday September 27, Olaf and Kathleen met with Anita Newling, the Volunteer Canada Atlantic Provinces representative about the local concerns etc.  It was an interesting exchanging of ideas. She hopes to send an informal summary of her Newfoundland findings to the club at a later date.