Special Guest
President Mike welcomed Salomé Torres our guest speaker.
Purse Bingo
Mel provided an update that Purse Bingo is April 3rd at the MCC and that tables are going quickly. There were still 3 purse sponsorships available at $250 each.
Thank you card
Mike shared a lovely thank you card from I Canter who we supported with a financial donation.
Family Fun Fest - June 20th
Paul and Paul shared that the first planning meeting went well and that everyone is welcome whenever they wish to attend. They distributed a list of potential volunteer opportunities in assisting in planning the event. We especially need everyone to share to their groups the opportunity to have a participant booth. Paul A will send all documents electronically. We also are looking for financial sponsors and these documents will also be shared.
Roll a Hippo
Mike provided and update on the attempt to purchase a plastic Roll a Hippo ( water transportation container) for information purposes. He is in contact with the Rotary Club of BC.
Silverstick
Mike thanked those who volunteered in the canteen. We were able to raise $328 through this participation.
Slate of Officers 2020-2021
The new slate of offices for the upcoming year was approved by the board and presented. The members confirmed this list
President- Hugh Graham
Past President - Mike Taylor
President Elect - Ann Harrison
Treasurer - Randy Momot
Secretary - Dave Schulz
Hugh indicated that the Board is limited to these five members but Directors will be confirmed later. All club members are welcome to attend all Board meetings.
TV Auction
Hugh has distributed Thank you letters and will provide a final financial statement once this has been determined.
Welland Rotary Bonspiel
Bob invited participants to the Welland Rotary Club Bonspiel on January 28th. Registration is $35. Contact Bob if you are interested.
Meridian Hospitality Committee
The MCC is seeking service club members to be on a committee to plan an event June 20th or 27th. Both dates are conflicts for our club ( Funfest and District Turnover) however Heather agreed to attend the meeting on our behalf
New Member
The Board approved the membership application of John Cappa, long term Fonthill resident who has worked as a Sales Consultant for a number of organizations. He has attended two meetings. Angela Carter will be his sponsor at the next meeting. The members approved this application.
Special Guest
Maria del Carmen Suescun Pozas introduced our guest speaker Salomé Torres.
Salomé currently runs the Hostel International Youth Hostel in Niagara Falls. She currently lives in Quebec but hails from Mexico. While in Mexico, Salomé worked in the government sector in a number of areas. Following the assassination of a candidate for president in 1994, Salome determined to leave her government job. Following an MA in Environmental Psychology, she was approached to support eco-tourism projects for youth. Through this involvement, she met her husband, a Quebecois Canadian, Joël Marier.
Salomé's presentation is on the journey she, her husband and her team have had in reviving the Youth Hostel in Niagara Falls.
Salomé has now been living in Canada for 22 years. She has needed to learn not only French but also English. When she met her husband through their mutual work, he was the CEO of Youth Hostel Association in Canada. in 2013, the company was struggling to maintain the hostel in Niagara Falls and was looking at closing it. Jose and Salome journeyed to Niagara Falls and saw potential in the opportunity of the hostel. Salomé took the proceeds gained from closing her life in Mexico and worked to invest this in the hostel in Niagara Falls.
Salomé shared with the club her passion for sustainable tourism through hostelling. Her mission is to help all, especially youth, gain a greater understanding of people, places and cultures through hostelling.
With a firm mission in mind, Salomé and her team began work to renovate and repair the hostel building. This work also led to an improved image and experience for guests. She shared photos of the venue before and after and credited her exceptional team with setting a positive tone.
Salomé also indicated that they work on sustainability measures to reduce garbage, gas use and electrical usage. Her team also supports events and activities which attract clients to the venue.
One such event was the "Day of the Dead" event which some members including Fanny attended in the fall.
The link to see this event is:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/connecting-cultures-hi-niagara-falls/
It was clear from Salomé's presentation that she has in a few years, she has taken a run down hostel and made it into a viable eco-tourism destination for Niagara Falls.
The members thanked Salomé for her presentation.
