White Elephant sale 2023 (Jan 07, 2023)

Attendance: 11 members

Visitors: 3,

Cheryl Meredith, Judy Hardy and Judy’s granddaughter Lia

Chair: President Courtney

Anthem: Frank

Toast to King, Canada, and Rotary by President Courtney

Announcements:

Gerd announced that his recent fund-raising efforts for the club included a generous donation of $15,000 from Frank Lippa, and other donations amounting to almost $50,000. Park Property topped it off so that almost $100,000 has been raised this year-end.

Awesome Comic Bubble Retro Text Stock Illustration 383006020

White Elephant Gift Exchange Card Set by Matt D'Ambra —Kickstarter

Auctioneer Alan Meredith.

When the show finally got going, Auctioneer Alan Meredith began the process of extracting as much money from all attending from their wallets and purses. Gerd volunteered to select the best items for auction. Barry Smith was the record keeper and reported that +/- $300 was extracted in exchange for the many well-wrapped and one gift wrapped in brown paper and exciting “gifts” assembled on the table. Serious bidders were Courtney, Rita, and Cheryl (to the consternation of the auctioneer!) Alan usually started off the bidding inviting $5 bids and kept upping the request for higher bids which typically topped off at $25.

Sergeant at arms, Dave Hardy, was asked if he had any fines for offenses he had noted. His answer was, “Did anybody want to donate any more money?” or words to that effect. The answer was, “We have been plundered enough already!”Frank Allison was SAA this week and said he would not fine anyone, so he just asked for Happy Bucks.

Gerd then shared an unusual experience of a gathering he attended during Christmas this year. Because the four friends shared several languages, Gerd started singing “Silent Night” in English, and then in German, and another sang in Chinese, and finally another in Serbian. It was a very multicultural Canadian Christmas for those attending.

President Courtney then closed the meeting.