Members:
Aggie, Daniel, Tom, Don, Fred, Murray, Garry, John C., Bernie, Anne, John E., Saskia, Mike M., Jim, Russ, Susan, John M., Gord, Jennifer P., Peter, John M., Arja, John E.
Speaker: Murray Matheson “Erle Allen Trust Fund”
Murray gave us a very informative presentation on the Erle Allen Trust Fund.
The Fund, established in 1973 by Erle Allen, has 3 Trustees that must be members of the Rotary Club of Kingston-Frontenac. They are presently Bernie Breen, Murray Matheson and John Mirski. Bernie Breen has been a Trustee since inception and after years of service, has just informed the Trust Fund that he is now stepping down as a Trustee. Thank you Bernie for your excellent service! The remaining Trustees will proceed with the selection of a replacement for Bernie.
Bernie shared with us that Erle was a friend of his. He ran a lumber company and was a great Rotarian in the club. Erle started the fund with an initial seed donation of $20,000. The objectives of the Fund are aligned with the objectives of Kingston-Frontenac Rotary along the focus on youth, seniors and community programs. In 2000, the fund received a major cash infusion when Rotarian Jack Chong was instrumental in arranging for another Trust Fund which he was involved with, where a decision had been made to dissolve the fund, to transfer the residual value of that Fund into the Erle Allen Trust Fund. The Erle Allen Trust Fund received a $250,000 infusion as a result of this amalgamation.
Up to that point, CRA had a requirement that the fund had to spend only the income earned. At about this time, the CRA spending rules were relaxed, allowing the Trust greater flexibility in funding projects as the need arose, free of the constraint to only pay out the income earned.
Over the years, the Fund has been able to support a range of initiatives. Some of the more sizable ones are:
2011 - The Club, via the Erle Allen Trust Fund, was able to make a 3 year commitment, totalling $75,000 to Fairmount Home for the redevelopment of the home's auditorium. The auditorium has been named Rotary Hall and a large Rotary logo adorns the wall in the entrance at Fairmount in recognition of the support provided.
2013 - The Trust financed the $30,000 construction of a foot bridge at the Cataraqui Conservation Authority. Plaques are on the foot bridge and inside the lodge recognizing the Kingston Frontenac Rotary Club for the support.
2014 - The Trust provided $10,000 to Joe's Mill, a musical instrument lending library. A large Rotary wheel adorns the window at their studio inside the Tett Centre in recognition of the donation.
2015 - The Trust contributed $5000 to the Kingston Partners in Mission Food Bank towards the purchase of a new van. Again, recognition to Rotary is on display on the van with our the Rotary wheel.
2016 - A very large commitment was made to Hospice Kingston for the sum of $100,000, payable in 3 annual instalments, to finance a room in the future Kingston Hospice.
2018 - The Trust contributed $30,000 to St-Lawrence College; $20,000 towards capital projects at the college and $10,000 for a bursary.
The presentation closed with a Salute to Erle for all the goods that his visionary initiative to start the Trust Fund was able to achieve over the years.
Community Service
Grocery Delivery Program
This is still ongoing, at approximately 2 requests per week. Hoping to keep going with it beyond the Covid crisis.
Food Security Project - Ismuth
This project consists in delivering a basket of good to a family in need while schools are closed. About 400 families are being supported. To date, this project has raised over $46,000. Mike Moore and Marie-Claude have volunteered with this initiative.
Masks Project
There are currently 2000 masks on order with 2 volunteered seamstresses. The masks have 3 layers and at the moment there is a shortage of material, and of seamstresses! A group of nurses from the hospital have placed a very large order of masks with Rotary as they claim that they are not provided with masks at work.
Rotary Park Annual Spring Cleaning
We are not sure at this point if this annual tradition can take place this year given the Covid restrictions. Don Taylor will investigate and report.
Butterfly Garden Polinator
The Kingston Club is looking to start a butterfly garden at Rotary Park. Those interested in this initiative can contact Elsebe Falkson from the Kingston Club.
Youth Services
RYLA
A virtual RYLA is taking place this week-end. Our club is sponsoring the participation of one student
High School Bursary Program
Aggie informed us that she heard back from 3 out of the 5 schools where we give bursaries annually at graduation. The schools will distribute our cheques to the deserving recipient and send us photos of the cheque ceremony that we will be able to add to our website.
International Service
El Salvador PPE Project
Peter reminded us that we are participating in a global grant, led by the Cornwall Sunrise Rotary Club, to support El Salvador in acquiring much needed PPE to fight Covid-19.
Fundraising
Donation to the Erle Allen Trust Fund
With the demise of a couple major fundraising activities, due to Covid-19, it has been suggested club members can help make up the fund raising shortfall by donating what they would have spent on dinner at Smitty's. This is an important initiative to replace our funding. We ask you make these donations ONCE A MONTH to John Evans through either an e-transfer or a cheque.
A group is looking into the feasibility to host some sort of online campaign to replace the nut drive.
Tom Sanderson is on the committee with the other Kingston Clubs for the Cash Calendars.
Our first auction of the season is going live shortly. Some of the items to be featured:
The free convention will be held from June 20-26. Visit www.riconvention.org for information on schedule.
Members are reminded to pay your annual dues of $225 to our treasurer John Evans by June 17th.
