Welcome

Meeting Notes

REGULAR MEETING:   February 10, 2026

                                    Meeting Chair:  Destiny Reay                                                         

Our meeting opened with a welcome to the members and guests present. 

  • Chloe Funnell (Augustana student)
  • Dr. Ivana Schoepf (Augustana Assistant Professor)
  • Oliver Finn (future Rotarian)
  • R. Lee Harmon, visiting Rotarian from Seattle, Miss Vicky Polio Campaign

We continued with the singing of O Canada and the Rotary Grace, followed by lunch provided Angelos Pizza.

The meeting resumed at 12:15 with a welcome to those attending online and the Treaty 6 recognition.

Announcements/Updates:

  • Rotary Camrose will be serving cookies at the Free Family Day Skate at Border Paving arena on Family Day, February 16. I think there are enough volunteers for the Monday event.
  • There is a work bee planned for next Thursday, Feb 12 to create a display board that we can use at events to promote Rotary Camrose projects.  5pm at CMHA office, 4711 – 51 Avenue.  We will be continuing to discuss hosting community events with a fundraising component.
  • Potluck social at the Johnson’s home on Monday, Feb 23.  We have 12 chefs bringing a dish that includes a mystery ingredient.  Everyone is welcome to come and bring whatever dish you want.  The more that come, the more fun we will all have!

Presentation - Dr. Ivana Schoepf and Chloe Funnell

Tomorrow is International Women and Girls in Science Day.  We are fortunate to have with us 2 local Women of Science. 

Chloe:

  • Behavioral and spatial changes exhibited by arctic wolves under human care in response to pack and habitat introduction
  • Behavioral research at zoos  - they have become leaders in conservation and to be able to monitor animals
  • Edmonton valley zoo
  • Objectives with project: how wolves were interacting with each other and their environment, help the zoo use evidence decision making related to the wolves environment
    • Mapped out the environment
    • Watched the animals and recorded data
  • Initial findings :
    • Wolves laid less when they were together in the habitat
    • All increased sniffing when they moved to a new habitat… each wolf increased a different amount
  • All of the wolves are all thriving together at the Edmonton Valley Zoo

Dr. Schoepf

  • How do organisms face challenges in their environments
  • In the modern world:
    • Tree swallows at the Beaverhill Bird Observatory
    • Animal parents who look after their offspring do not have energy for anything else
    • Important steps: incubation and provision
    • Organisms are facing several challenges in the modern world:
      • habitat modification
      • avian insectivores highest rate of decline in Canada
    • 2023 study at Beaverhill: incubation and behavior interact with habitat modification impacts the number of offspring tree swallows raise
    • Results: mums nesting in natural areas fledged less nestlings when leaving later in the morning
      • Different findings in natural areas vs. agricultural areas

Lee Harman

  • “Miss Vicky” vehicle campaign for PolioPlus
  • Gates foundation matching Rotary funds 2-1 for PolioPlus
  • Already raised $119K so far, hope to have matching up to $600K
  • Looking to include Alberta
  • Program has been ongoing for 41 years
  • Website for donations

Happy Bucks

  • Odell: shop organized at new house
  • Kim: Gord Bamford Foundation providing $2,500 for the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
  • Lou: block party in her neighborhood
  • Lee: Happy about the Superbowl
  • Tim: March 1, What’s cooking supper for the Augustana Chaplaincy fundraiser
  • Lisa: Another grand child on the way, a girl!
  • Shirley B: Going on a cruise!
  • Destiny: Visiting mom, CMHA nominated for Chamber of Commerce Community Spirit award, push up challenge for CMHA – looking for sponsors

Next meeting:  next Tuesday, February 17 at 6:00 pm, Zoom meeting will start at 6:45. Liz Rolf and Sarah Ross will give us the highlights of the Days for Girls Distribution trip that Liz went on last Fall.  It is always uplifting to hear about the impact of this program.  Please pre-register for dinner by email to rotarycamrose@gmail.com. We will be serving Indian Food in keeping with the theme of the meeting.

Meeting Closed with the 4-Way Test.

Sincere thanks to Shirley Bergsma for looking after registrations, Destiny Reay for chairing this meeting, Morris Henderson for looking after Zoom and Alexis Anderson for taking notes at the meeting. Special thanks to Lisa Rohr planning and picking up lunch from Angelos Pizza.

 Hope to see you next week!

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