The Rotary Club of West Ottawa held its Membership Day on Tuesday, February 10, 2015.  In his introduction
President Bob noted our Club is an activity-generated Club and we make things happen. In keeping with this he turned the meeting over to the very dynamic Merv Letts and his membership committee. Immediately we noticed our normal venue was transformed by the efforts of the Membership Committee and others to reflect what Rotary and the West Ottawa Rotary Club does in an effort to showcase the many sides of Rotary to the Alumni and twenty (20) Visitors. Exhibits included Shelter Box; the Rotary Youth Programs; Dictionary4Life; Mums for Thanksgiving; Golf Tournament Fundraiser; Music for Humanity Fundraiser; New Members Coffee Fundraiser; and the Cash Calendar Fundraiser; an exhibit featuring the ABC’s of Fraud.   There were stations where we showcased where our hard earned fundraising is deployed including the Rotary Home, Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre, Project Chance Africa and Scholarships and Fellowships available through Rotary. Finally, other stations that feature how other Rotary Clubs impact the local community through the Rotarians’ for Wabano station and an International Service Committee station.  Twenty invited guests had the opportunity of visiting and talking with the representatives of each exhibit.
 
The Membership Chair, Merv Letts, eloquently spoke of Rotary at the Local, National and International levels. With fundraising through the Annual Golf Tournament, Mums For Thanksgiving, Music For Humanity, the Cash Calendar and the Coffee Program, West Ottawa Rotary is able to support a number of programs. Locally they have helped with the Rotary Home and Respite Centre, the Dave Smith Treatment Centre and also the number of smaller requests.   Nationally we have been able to help in the recent Alberta flooding and the Lac Magantic train disaster. We provide continued support in coaching Seniors and others at risk through the ABC’s of Fraud Program. Internationally through our own members Carol Waters, Bea Osome and Suan Cross, West Ottawa are busy in Africa teaching natives how to sew, drilling our eighth well and constructing a new school on the outskirts of Nairobi. The efforts to end Polio is very close to being a reality as polio is present in only three countries, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan.  To wind up this very whirlwind overview of why be a Rotarian, Merv reminded us that our annual dues are about $200 and there are three categories of membership, Regular Membership where you must attend 50% of Club meetings, Corporate Memberships, where up to 4 members from the same company can become members, and Associate Membership for those interested in one segment of Rotary. Merv concluded by asking newer member Joseph Redhead why he chose Rotary.  Joseph Redhead provided a brilliant account as to why he did.
 
(Note:  From this successful Visitors’ Day, our Club has inducted 4 new members and welcomed 1 Associate Member.)
 
For a full description of RCWO Visitors’ Day, go to our website www.rcwo.org and open Spinoff, February 10, 2015)