The Winnipeg Robert Burns Club held its final luncheon of the current fiscal year this afternoon at the McPhillips Street Station. The Annual General Meeting was attended by thirty members and guests.
A review of the past years activity was given. It was also announced that Chris Conway had regretfully tendered his resignation from the board due to personal, and family obligations. The board will seek expressions of interest over the summer and an election to fill the vacancy will be held at the first meeting of the new year, in October.
The board are also reviewing the report of the Constitutional Review committee, presented to them earlier in the week.
A decision on a venue for luncheons meeting for the forth coming year will be announced shortly.
Following the business of the meeting the men in attendance joined to sing "Scot's Wha' Hae" and "A Man's A Man".
March 15
March Meeting Held - Report on RBANA Conference
The Winnipeg Robert Burns Club held its first luncheon meeting since the recent RBANA Conference.
RBANA Canadian Director Tony Grogan gave a brief review of the conference and cruise and Don Rennicks reviewed the trip taken by members of the club down to Galveston.
Following the business of the meeting Janet Thompson gave a couple of readings, the Ladies sang "Coulter's Candy" and, in commemeration of St Patrick's Day John Madden sang a couple of Irish Songs.
March 12
Club Members Return From RBANA Conference
Members of the Winnipeg Robert Burns Club returned this afternoon from the RBANA AGM and Conference.
President Roy McLeod, former President Colin Harris, Don and Diane Rennicks, Janet Thompson and Isabel Heron had joined 2nd Vice President Lawrence Cormack, Treasurer Joyce Cormack, Secretary Jim Carrigan, his wife Nadia and 1st Vice President Tony Grogan and his wife Renate on the Carnival Ectasy Cruise to Progresso and Cozumel Mexico.
The RBANA AGM was held aboard ship on Tuesday March 4. Tony Grogan, was reelected to a second term as Canadian Director.
Jim Carrigan and Colin Harris concluded their terms as RBANA President and Secretary/Treasurer.
Frank Campbell, of Palmetto Florida, was installed as the new RBANA President.
February 29
Club Members Leave For RBANA Conference
Members of the Winnipeg Robert Burns Club left this morning to attend the R.B.A.N.A. AGM and Conference.
President Roy McLeod, 2nd Vice President Lawrence Cormack, Treasurer Joyce Cormack, former President Colin Harris, Don and Diane Rennicks, Janet Thompson and Isabel Heron will join Secretary Jim Carrigan, his wife Nadia and 1st Vice President Tony Grogan and his wife Renate on the Carnival Ectasy Cruise to Progresso and Cozumel Mexico.
The RBANA AGM will be held aboard ship on Tuesday March 4. Tony Grogan, Don Rennicks and Janet Thompson are running as candidates for Canadian Director. Jim Carrigan and Colin Harris will be concluding their terms as R.B.A.N.A. President and Secretary/Treasurer.
February 16
February Luncheon Meeting Held - 2009 Supper Location Set
Winnipeg Robert Burns Club voted today to return to the Marlborough Hotel for the 2009 Burns Supper.
At the regular February Luncheon meeting Dinner Committee Chair Lawrence Cormack reviewed the 2008 Burns Supper. Following discussion among club members it was decided that to make an early decision on next years venue.
It was decided, however, to table a decision on the actual date for the event to the March meeting. The 250th Anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns will fall on a Sunday. Club members will be asked to decide if the supper should be held on Saturday, January 24th, or on the Sunday.
Also Craig Oliphant indicated that Jim Sheilds, from Edinburgh, has offered to return to Canada, and Winnipeg, in January of 2009. Jim, who attended the World Federation Conference, and wrote a song in honour of the club at that event, is, an entertainer and has also Toasted the Immortal Memory.
Following the business portion of the meeting, Craig Oliphant and John Madden provided some songs while readings were done by, among others, Joyce Cormack and Mima Kirk.
January 25
2008 Burns Supper Held
130 people attened the Winnipeg Robert Burns Club's 101st Annual Burns supper this evening at the Marlborough Hotel.
A table representing the St Andrew's Society of Winnipeg was piped in, followed by President Roy McLeod and the Head table.
Following the singing of O Canada and a brief welcome by emcee Colin Harris, Club Chaplain Sebastian Sears invoked the Grace before asking those assembled to pay respect to three members who had passed in the last year and Toasted our Absent Friends.
The Haggis was Addressed with great spirit by Dr Tony Grogan.
Following the meal the guests were entertained by the Braemar Dancers interspersed with the Toasts to Canada, proposed by Ishbell Turnbull, the Lassies, by Dinner Chair Lawrence Cormack, replied to by Joyce Cormack, and the Immortal Memory, by Major (Ret'd) John Paterson, Past President of the Robert Burns World Federation.
Club President Roy McLeod delivered a Vote of Thanks to John before presenting him with a memento of his visit, and a framed certificate conferring on him an Honourary Membership in the club.
Finally, John drew the winning ticket for the airfare for two to the United Kingdom, courtesy Zoom Airlines. Congratulations to Verne Bergen, son-in-law of Club Director Don Rennicks for holding the winninhg ticket.
The evening continued with Frederick Carsted of the Braemar group reciting "Holy Willie's Prayer" followed by Shirley Tinsley singing three Burns Songs accompanied by Peter McClure on flute and Lynn McClure on harp.
Following Craig Oliphant leading those assembled in "Star of Rabbie Burns" the evening concluded in the traditional manner with the sing of "Auld Lang Syne"
The club looks forward to welcoming all to the 102nd Burns Supper next year, the 250th Anniversary of Burns Birth.
January 20
2008 Burns Supper Sold Out
Lawrence Cormack, the Chairman of the Supper Committee this evening confirmed that the 2008 Burns Supper, to be held Friday evening is a complete sell out.
It is the earliest the dinner has sold out in a number of years.
Plans will commence shortly for the 2009 Burns Supper, marking the 250th Anniversary of Burns Birth.
December 15
Last Luncheon Meeting of 2007 held
With a salmon lunch the Winnipeg Robert Burns Club met for the final time in 2007 this afternoon. After lunch, President Roy McLeod conducted a brief meeting, incorporating changes in the format to reflect member concerns and comments. During the meeting, Supper Chairman Lawrence Cormack gave details of the forthcoming Burns Supper.
Following the meeting Joyce Cormack and Tony Grogan provided readings from Burns before Entertainment Chair Craig Oliphant led the assembled in the annual Christmas Sing-along.
December 9
Burns Supper Ticket Price Set
The Burns Supper Committee of the Winnipeg Robert Burns Club this evening set the ticket price for the 101st supper, to be held January 25, 2008 at the Marlborough Hotel. The tickets will be $37.50 each.
Tickets will be available at luncheon meeting on December 15.
Former World Federation President John Paterson will propose the Toast to Immortal Memory. Club Vice President Tony Grogan will Address the Haggis.
Entertainment for the evening will be provided by the Braemar Dancers and Singers under the direction of Margaret Zadworny.
In addition, Zoom Airlines are providing Return Airfare for Two to the United Kingdom to be drawn for during the evening.
November 17
New President installed - Dinner Venue confirmed
The Winnipeg Robert Burns Club held it's second meeting of its 101st year today at the McPhillip's Street Station Casino.
Colin Harris lead the assembled in the National Anthem and Dr Tony Grogan said Grace.
Following the veal cutlet lunch, Past President Jim Carrigan called the meeting to order and formally turned over the gavel to new President Roy McLeod, who was absent from the October meeting.
During the business portion of the meeting, Dinner Committee Chair Lawrence Cormack reported on the committee's work and recommended that the 101st Burns Supper be held at the Marlborough Hotel. This suggestion was approved by the club. Tickets will be available at the next luncheon meeting.
It was also announced that attendance at future luncheon meetings is to be confirmed to Colin Harris who replaces Jim Carrigan after a number of years.
The business meeting was followed, as usual by a number of Burns readings and other Scottish poetry. Among those reading were Janet Thompson, Colin Harris, Lawrence Cormack, Tony Grogan and Ishbel Turnbull.
The meeting concluded, as always, with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.
October 20
Club holds first luncheon meeting of the new year
Returning once more to McPhillips Street Station Casino, the Winnipeg Robert Burns Club's began its 101st year of luncheon meetings.
In the absence of new President Roy McLeod, 1st Vice-President Tony Grogan chaired the meeting, which began with former President Craig Oliphant leading the assemble in the National Anthem.
Following the roast beef lunch,Secretary Jim Carrigan read from the many pieces of correspondence recieved from delegates to the Federation Conference held in August.
The club also learned of the number of committees establish by the executive board.
The business portion of the meeting was followed, as usual by numerous readings and songs.
October 14
Executive Board holds first meeting of the new year
In preparation for the start of the Winnipeg Robert Burns Club's 101st year the club's Executive Board met tonight at Bleak House Centre.
During the meeting President Roy McLeod announced the establishment of a number of committees, and named their chairmen.
The committee organizing the 101st Burns Supper, to be held January 25th 2008, will be chaired by 2nd Vice President Lawrence Cormack. Lawrence is joined on the committee by 1st Vice President Dr Tony Grogan and Past Presidents Colin Harris and Jim Carrigan.
It was confirmed that Major (ret'd) John Paterson, former President of the Robert Burns World Federation Ltd, will attend the dinner and propose the Toast to the Immortal Memory.
Roseanne Carrigan, a new member of the Board will chair the Phoning Committee.
Treasurer Joyce Cormack will chair the new Membership Committee and will be joined by Immediate Past President and Secretary Jim Carrigan, and Roseann Carrigan
Former President Colin Harris will chair the Constitutional Review Committee.
Former President Craig Oliphant will chair the Entertainment Committee.
Club Member Janet Thompson will chair the new Venue Committee, to review all options for Luncheon Meeting venues for 2008-09.
The luncheon meetings will continue to be held on the 3rd Saturday of the month at McPhillips Street Station Casino for 2007-08.
The new Executive Board, which assumed office on October 1st will be formally installed on Saturday, October 20th, at the first Luncheon Meeting of the year.
October 1
New year begins -new executive assume office.
With the start of the new fiscal year the Winnipeg Robert Burns Club's Executive Board elected at the Annual General Meeting in April took office today. They will be officially installed on October 20th at the first Lincheon meeting of the year.
Roy McLeod is the 47th President in club history. A member of a number of Winnipeg Scottish organisations, Roy has served as 1st Vice-President of the club for the past 6 years.
Dr Tony Grogan is the new 1st Vice President. A member of the St Andrew's Society of Winnipeg and other Scottish Organisations Tony is concurrently Canadian Director for R.B.A.N.A. He has served as 2nd Vice President for the past 6 years
Lawrence Cormack is the new 2nd Vice President. Lawrence has served as a member of the Board for the past four years.
Mrs Joyce Cormack joins the the Board as Treasurer. Joyce, along with husband Lawrence are active members of the R.S.C.D.S Winnipeg Chapter.
Jim Carrigan will return to the position of Secretary and will also serve as Immediate Past President. Jim will continue to serve, concurrently, as the President of R.B.A.N.A.
Sebastian Sears continues as the club Chaplain.
Donald Rennicks, who was appointed as a member of the Board over the summer, continues and is joined by Chris Conway and Roseann Carrigan, who were also elected for the first time in April.
The luncheon meetings continue on the 3rd Saturday of the month at McPhillips Street Station Casino.