Just what do you do when you’re not allowed to gather for meetings, hold mass fundraisers or perform any of the usual activities you do as a club? How do you hold bi-weekly meetings that feature high-profile speakers from the community?
That answer is the same as it is for everyone else -- monthly meetings through the wildly popular Zoom app.
“We’ve been trying to make some connections in that way,” said club president Wendy Broome. “The first one we had, it was just the executive and the second meeting we put out to the whole club and we ended up meeting for about half an hour. And we’re also connecting with people personally in the club and checking to see how they’re doing, trying to stay connected as much as we can, like everybody is in every organization.”
The real difficulty comes in losing their fundraisers, which in the long run could have an impact on Rotary’s myriad donations to local groups and charitable organizations.
One of their largest events happens every Canada Day during the Moose Jawg road race, where the Rotarians host a pancake breakfast that draws plenty of interest from hungry competitors. That race was cancelled back in late April. Then there’s the Charity Pool Challenge at Dooly’s in the fall and the Christmas Carol Festival in December, with questions as to whether either will go ahead.
“We’re just taking it a day at a time, we’re sitting ducks right now with not a lot to do, but that’s what it’s like for everyone,” Broome said.
Some of their future plans will fall into new hands, as Broome and husband Dan – both majors with the Salvation Army in Moose Jaw – are transferring back to Ontario in August.
As a result, Rece Allen will take over as president of the club on July 1.
“Rece is a really creative guy and a great self-starter, so we know he’ll have some great ideas,” Broome said. “He has lots of goals and wants to work actively with the club so we know he’ll do a great job.”
For his part, Allen is plenty aware of the work the club will have ahead of it when he takes over.
“That’s our biggest thing right now with the ever-changing landscape and what we’re allowed to do,” he said. “We’re struggling to see what we want to go with, there are a lot of other options out there with potential, things that other clubs are doing like 50-50s and draws like that. But with the market right now, no one has extra money. So it’s a really tough time for not only for organizations, but patrons, and to be honest we’re not sure what we’re going forward with.”
So, just like everyone else in these strange times, it’s hurry up and wait.
“I wish I could say we had this and this planned for the coming months, but as of right now we’re just trying to play it by ear and hope that we get back to the normal swing of things,” Allen said.
