Governor of the Eastern Canada Region, RoseMary Reid
Phyllis Bohonis, Past Governor of the Eastern Canada Region
Shirley McCoy, Governor Elect, Eastern Canada Region
Joyce Fee, Soroptimist International of the Americas Federation Board
Sue Gilbert, President of Stoney Creek-Niagara
Nancy Davidson, President of Dundas Ancaster Flamborough
Our own Hannelore Nyman, President of Haldimand Norfolk.

Mayor Lorraine Berestrand of Haldimand was unable to attend the full ceremony but she did come to offer greetings to the club and to welcome us to the Haldimand region.

Sadly some of our members were unable to attend the Charter owing to prior commitments.

We were very pleased to welcome so many Soroptimists from other clubs in the Eastern Canada Region. They came from Dundas-Ancaster-Flamborough, Hamilton-Burlington, Stoney Creek-Niagara, Cambridge, Guelph, Toronto, Humber-Credit Valleys-Brampton and Peterborough.

It was also a great pleasure to welcome our international guests. Deanny Fremaux from France and Laxmi Parasuram from India. We certainly hope these ladies will return home with good memories of their time spent in Canada with the various Soroptimist clubs and our Charter celebrations.

During the inducting of the board members Governor RoseMary used the "Together we Grow" theme with great effect. The following is an excerpt of her induction speech to the board. It is well worth reading.

Kind hearts are the garden, kind thoughts are the roots, kind words are the blossoms and kind deeds are the fruits.

This pot represents Soroptimist International of Haldimand Norfolk operating within the Soroptimist International, Federation and region laws as well as club policies. The phenomenal thing about this structure is what it can contain - imagine the colorful array of plants (or programs and projects) and the potential for growth and the joy of achievement. So, let's begin to plant our club garden.

Directors: Pat A-H and Marie J-M. Pat, will you first place these drainage stones over the bottom hole, which prevents, of course, the loss of soil.
Marie, will you add about an inch or two of vermiculite to keep the soil from compacting and help it retain moisture.

Pat and Marie, Directors are responsible for communications - linking the Board to the Club member. That communication is important to building a strong club that grows in membership, builds member camaraderie, and mutually supports the board and club decisions. Like the shard/stones and the vermiculite, your responsibility is to prevent water and soil loss.

And a Gardener's Tip - "don't throw in the trowel" "never plant more than you can care for"

Pauline T, Treasurer,you will be placing the soil into the pot that will nurture the plants and maximize their growth. As soil is essential to plant development, so is a Club's treasury of funds - service and general - but also of member talents. Tend the dollars carefully as an important asset to be used wisely by Club decision. Cultivate the soil - the club member talents - and keep them continually informed of the treasury so that all will be part of sharing the harvest.

Your Gardening Tip - "A plant that flowers before its roots are firmly established will seldom be strong and healthy" and "Gardeners know all the best dirt!"

Lynn M, as club secretary your work showcases the beauty of our container garden. You will be planting a "colour plant" a beautiful tulip in our garden. Your correspondence and paperwork reflects on the club's image. Your records and minutes provide us with a history of growth. Your creativity in your work as Secretary serves to enhance and add value to our garden.

Your gardening tip: "A garden is a thing of beauty and a job forever."

Cyndy R, President Elect, you are responsible for "spicing up" our garden. You will plant an Allium which is in the onion, shallot and leek family and will provide the "flavour and spice" in your garden. Good programs, like fresh spices or flavours, keep the members involved, enthusiastic and committed to Soroptimist programs both local and global. As you prepare to assume the role of President, you too must be firmly rooted in the soil of Soroptimist law as well as protocol and procedure.

Your Gardening Wisdom - "Gardening is a growing experience."

President Hannelore, you are planting the focus plant, a beautiful yellow Iris, the largest, most colourful plant of the garden. But you must also tend the soil, ensure its watering and nurture each plant as it may require. Weather, water and soil conditions may change and you must be alert to these changing conditions and act accordingly.

The Club, like our container garden, relies on your leadership, your nurturing, your enthusiasm and joy in accomplishment. I urge you to study Soroptimist law and connect with your region officers. Prepare for your presidency and for each and every meeting you conduct. Gardening is a daily chore, but a "house without a garden is a temporary home." Plant with joy, recognize that it is hard work, as it leads to a strong vital Soroptimist club. There is no miracle grow here - "gardens start with dreams" - SI Haldimand-Norfolk and you will make your own miracles in your garden - "together you will grow".

Your gardening tip: Carefully cultivate your new starts, weed out intolerance, water often with kindness and allow plenty of sunshine and hope.