Windsor Rotary Club (1918)
Year 2000 Fourth Quarter Meetings and Events Page

Our Club is Located in Windsor Ontario Canada

Welcome to the Year 2000 Fourth Quarter Meetings and Events Page.
The following brief descriptions of meetings and events are intended as a record for members of club activities. Where appropriate, links to support pages or links to sites related to the topic have been included.
The Meetings and Events Index Page contains an index to the available history of club meetings and events segmented into quarters for each year.

2000 Meetings and Events - Fourth Quarter

Meeting and Event Descriptions
2000 - October thru December

• 
  Christmas Holiday - No Meeting

  
  
  
  

• Monday, December 18, 2000
  Club Christmas Celebration

  Santa visited and delivered presents to some deserving Rotarians.
  
  Fred Sorrell introduced the four members of Desperate Measures, a Barbershop Quartet who entertained the fellowship with a few songs and anecdotes.
  Santa Claus arrived, bringing greetings and gag gifts.
  Bill Wilkinson received a CD with only one track - "Here Comes Santa Claus".
  Scott Elliott received a package of herbal tea, Joe Passa received handcuffs so that he could attach them to his day planner and never miss another committee meeting.
  Saad Jasim received a package of Brita water, and Nancy Leavoy received a binder to keep track of all her committee files.
  Pat Pilar received a bag of candy, and Gerry Pocock received a map and a badge since he is the official "Sign Guy" for Rotary events.
  The Defunct Calendar Group were also noted and received a few calendars.
  Justin Artale received a Rotary tie, and a Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) shirt. He expressed his thanks for the thoughtfulness behind the gesture.
  The exchange students were also presented with Christmas gifts. To commemorate their Canadian Christmas, they were presented with Roots Canada clothing.
  After Santa distributed the gag gifts, he told the fellowship a heartwarming story about a young boy who overcame his disability and was accepted by other children. Santa wished all a happy holiday before he returned to the North Pole.
  Door prizes were distributed, as the raffle tickets were also good for door prizes.
  $510.15 was collected amongst the members and was presented to the Caboto Club wait staff for a job well done throughout the whole year.
  
  Some Carol Practice sites:
  • Christmas Carols (complete with MIDIs)
  • Santa's Favourites:Carols and Songs
  • special XMas MIDIs for your enjoyment
  • christmas.com
  • Carols and Songs
  
  
  Other Christmas References:
  • The Christmas Archives
    
  • Christmas Traditions in France and in Canada
  
  
  
  
  

• Monday, December 11, 2000
  Joshua Mendelsohn
  Vice President Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)

  Mr Mendelsohn presented the audience with an analysis of the Canadian economy and some speculations on our financial future. He fielded a number of questions from his listeners before being interviewed by the local media
  
  The 'New Economy', Measuring the Impact of Technological Change Joshua Mendelsohn and Alister Smith
  
  President Gary thanked the club members who came out to help the Salvation Army "man" their kettles over the past weekend. He noted however that the other two smaller local Rotary clubs had outperformed us in supplying person power to the Army's campaign.
  
  Dr. Yris Maza De Gruber, a Rotarian from Venezuela, thanked our club for the help we gave, through our club member Joe Greco, in response to the catastrophic flooding that country recently experienced.
  
  
  

• Tuesday, December 5, 2000
  Annual Club Assembly
  Caboto Club @ 5:00 PM

  
  The Club as a group met to discuss our current situation and talk about the future. Board members were given a chance to hear the feelings of individual members about what we were doing and what they thought could be done to improve our effectiveness as Rotarians. President Gary distributed a document designed to frame the discussions. The members in attendance were very forthcoming with their opinions.
  
  

  From the Desk of President Gary:

  "From the Internet to the global marketplace to the role of women in society, the world has changed beyond recognition since Paul Harris called that historic gathering on the 23 of February, 1905.
  To thrive, even survive in the new millennium, Rotary must change as well."
  
  During his October 2nd visit to our club, District Governor, John Brooks, praised us on our past record as a project leader in District 6400. He then challenged us to reinvigorate ourselves, to become a technologically "smart" organization and to make the necessary membership and organizational changes that will enable us to meet the demands of the new millennium.
  
  From a 1918 Club viewpoint, the time has come to:
  
  

  • re-examine our person-power potential - our actual "working membership" and our "access to other volunteer resources", in respect to our current and planned service project commitments
    
    
  • reconsider our overall club foci and prioritise support for our ongoing planned fund raising service projects according to their relevance to our club goals
    
    
  • re-think our organization's committee structures and find ways to ensure that each committee serves a recognized need, is properly staffed, has a dedicated advisor, has a firm mandate, meets regularly and is active and productive
    
    
  • think about how we can improve the fellowship part of Rotary in our club and enhance the fun part of our fund raising projects
    
    
  • find ways to strengthen our club's ability to serve our community and the world by improving our communications vehicles
    
    
  • re-examine the structure of our club office and the way we use our dedicated staff and determine how we can give our workers ongoing training and a modern set of communications tools to assist them
    
    
  • look for methods to revitalize our membership development retention efforts and work and to adjust our membership makeup to meet our perceived needs
    
    
  • .... and in general, to talk about how we conduct our self as a club and what might be done to make our lives as Rotarians even more meaningful and enjoyable.
    
    Come Speak your mind - discuss with your brother and sister Rotarians those things that you think would make us a better club.

  
  
  
  
  

  Monday, December 4, 2000
  Youth Exchange Program
  Evening Program
  

  
  

  Rotary's Youth Exchange program is open to young men and women, generally between the ages of 15-19, the sons and daughters of Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike. Applicants are selected by a sponsoring Rotary club on the basis of a written application and a personal interview. Qualified applicants are academically above average, articulate and demonstrate community leadership skills.

  
  Bob Claxton introduced the youth exchange committee and our current exchange students.
  Exchange students, Hendrik Suellau, Mari Takahara and Jamie McLaren who told the rotary audience about how their stay in Canada had affected their lives and changed their outlook on the world. Each student thanked their host families and the Rotary Club for its financial support.
  
  Ed Boycott reported on the successful Children's Christmas Party held on Sunday, December 3rd at the Caboto Club.
  
  
  

  Monday, November 27, 2000
  Julia Foster
  Chair of the Ontario Arts Council

  
  

  Julia Foster is a former marketing executive and has held senior positions as vice-president director of market research and services at a major international advertising agency and as a senior associate with a Canadian public opinion research firm. Most recently, Mrs. Foster was President of the Canadian Olympic Foundation. A long-time supporter of Ontario arts groups, Mrs. Foster has served as Chair of the Board of Governors at the Stratford Festival and as a board member of the Bata Shoe Museum, the Toronto International Film Festival and the Shaw Festival. In addition, Mrs. Foster currently sits on a number of corporate boards and on the board of the Hospital for Sick Children.
  
  The Ontario Arts Council, established in 1963, is an arm’s-length agency financed through an annual grant from the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation. Each year, the Council distributes this money to approximately 1,000 individual artists and 640 arts organizations across Ontario.

  
  Ontario Arts Council Web Site
  How the Ontario Arts Council is Structures
  
  
  
  

  Monday, November 20, 2000
  - Walter Willms
  Dick Hedke Award Information Meeting

  Walter asked his Rotary audience to help his committee to enter the information for the annual Dick Hedke award.
  
  Near the end of each calendar year, the incoming District 6400 Governor is asked by the present District Governor to form a committee charged with finding that club in the District that has performed in the highest traditions of Rotary during the previous twelve months.
  Each Club President is in turn asked to form a small committee to gather information and prepare a report on his/ her club's current activities.
  Awards are presented to the clubs exemplifying tireless accomplishments in each of the individual Categories of Avenues of Service: Community, Vocational, Club, and International Club Management. The clubs excelling in all of the Categories and fulfilling the remainder of the award's qualifications, will receive the prestigious
  Dick Hedke Award.
  
  

  Hedke Application 2000 Information Rules

  
  
  
  
  

• Monday, November 13, 2000
  71st International Day featuring Bob Renaud
  Vice-President of Public Government Affairs, DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc.

  
  

  Mr. Renaud joined Chrysler Canada Ltd. in 1972 and has held positions of increasing responsibility in the Human Resources, Parts, Service, Engineering, Sales and Marketing organizations of DaimlerChrysler Canada DaimlerChrysler Corporation. He has held his current position since 1999.
  
  
  A philanthropist and supporter of local charities, Mr. Renaud was crucial in bringing his corporation on board as a major sponsor of Rotary's Easter Seal Telethon. His work with The Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) includes hosting exchange students, participating in the Easter Seal Walkathonand the Easter Seal Telethon.
  The Windsor (1918) Club presented a Paul Harris Fellowship to Bob and a thank you for his support of our club projects.

  
  
  Bob Renaud's Talk
  

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  • Company News
    
    
  • DaimlerChrysler Media Services
    
    
  
  

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• Monday, November 6, 2000
  The Honourable Patrick J. LeSage
  Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Justice
  

  In 1791, 209 years ago, this court was created as the superior trial court of the province. The court consists of 268 judges, including 59 supernumerary judges and 15 masters.The court provides services to litigants in both of Canada’s official languages. On average, a criminal trial can be heard in this court within 6 months of its' coming to the court and a civil trial can be heard within 12 months from the time it is placed on a list ready for trial.
  
  Mr. LeSage Spoke about the roles of Judges and lawyers in the criminal Justice system. He said that today, people tend to be more critical of the system especially in respect to the defence rights given to unpopular defendants. Justice LeSage said that lawyers contribute to a democratic society - that they deal with criminal liability based on evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, not moral issues and when the system works, it prevents innocent people from being convicted. He said that court decisions affect the social fabric of our society by interpreting legislation like the "Charter of Rights and Freedom" to decide difficult social and legal issues. The Chief Justice answered a number of questions from the floor. He then stayed on to speak to a large group of friends and law students.
  
  
  
  Report of the Ontario Court (General Division) UPON THE OPENING OF THE COURTS OF ONTARIO FOR 1999
  

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• Monday, October 30, 2000
  Karen Plunkett
  Owner, Plunkett's Walkerville Brewery

  
  

  Karen is co-founder of Plunkett's, 28 Chatham Street E., Windsor; (519) 252-3111. This is the 20th anniversary of this bistro with its curvaceous bar metal sculpture.
  She is also President of Walkerville Brewery.
  Karen is very active in the community. Some of her past affiliations include the Board of the Chamber of Commerce, Cabinet Member of the United Way, Government appointee of the Ontario Casino Citizen Committee and member of the City Centre Revitalization Task Force. She presently serves as immediate past Chair of the City Centre Business Association and Advisor to St. Clair College and Hospice.
  
  Walkerville Brewery - Brewing Tradition Returns to Olde Walkerville
  
  Their beer is made on an order only basis. Only four ingredients are used (water, malt, yeast and hops). The Walkerville Brewing Company of Windsor, Ontario, brews Walkerville Lager, for distribution in 1.89 liter growlers and in keg. Production has risen steadily since opening in 1998, with expectations for Walkerville Brewing Company to brew around 4,000 hectolitres in year 2000.
  
  Karen gave a lively talk on the Micro Brewing Industry and the history of brewing in the Windsor area. She then fielded a number of questions from an obviously interested audience. She brought a supply of her product to the meeting for sampling purposes and many members took advantage of her generosity.
  
  

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  Beer expedition - Walkerville Brewing
  
  Brewery Guide
  
  Hiram Walker's supported Industries

  
  
  
  

• Monday, October 23, 2000
  Gerald Freed
  Freeds mans and ladies apparel

  Freed's of Windsor is Canada's largest independent men's clothing store. It is well known in both Windsor and Detroit. The Ottawa street location is the lynch pin for that shopping district. The "Old Man", Sammy Freed, was an active participant in Windsor affairs and now the Freed Orman families carry on the tradition.
  The family is largely responsible for the building of the Freed-Orman Conference Centre at the University of Windsor.
  
  In this highly competitive shifting marketplace, many retailers of men’s and women's clothing are adopting new marketing approaches that emphasize fashion quality at moderate prices. Buying according to an assessment of their target market’s needs and preferences, an awareness of emerging lifestyle fashion trends and an instinct for what will sell, along with inventory control, are the critical success factors for men’s and women's clothing stores.
  Recently, the techniques and technology of the Internet are becoming an important factor in the marketplace. For the retailer, the question is no longer whether to have a Consumer Direct presence -- but when to roll one out and how the strategies behind using it will better meet customer needs. Over the next decade, it is expected that consumers will seamlessly integrate bricks-and-mortar stores and the Consumer Direct channel to make their purchasing decisions. - adapted from Canadian Apparel Federation articles
  
  Mr Freed told the Rotary audience that they were probably the best dressed group in town in terms of the suit and tie being a standard for men. He said that casual dress was rapidly being accepted as the norm in many clubs even in offices. He said that from his perspective there was something less impressive and representative in a person of authority dressing himself in casual wear in a business or school setting.
  On the other hand, Gerald said that his store had probably had the best year in its' history last year in terms of suit sales. This happened, he said, mainly because of heavy marketing in the Detroit area buoyed up by the difference in value between the American and Canadian dollar. He talked about the development of the business over the last 70 years saying that the store has grown from the original 1,200 to 55,000 square feet. At the conclusion of his talk, Mr. Freed fielded a number of questions from the floor.
  
  Gerald spent a portion of his talk on the work of the Greater Windsor Community Foundation which is dedicated to the building and managing of a community endowment fund. A community foundation is a collection of separate funds established by local citizens and held in perpetuity to enhance the quality of life in a community. It is a public charity, registered with Revenue Canada, which allows individuals, families, businesses, private foundations and non-profit organizations, through gifts and bequests, to establish permanent endowments under the umbrella of one large foundation. Contributions to this fund are made by local people and the interest - which can grow to be quite substantial annually-- is used to support a wide range of community-based projects. As of the fall of 2000, the Windsor foundation has 7.5 million in its coffers and is shooting for 10 million dollars.
  
  The Greater Windsor Community Foundation
  80 Chatham Street East
  Windsor, ON N9A 2W1
  P: (519) 255-6100 Ext.6822 F: (519) 255-6936
  
  REFERENCES

  • About Freeds
    
    
  • C.A.F. The Canadian Apparel Federation
    
    
  • Consumer Expenditures on Apparel, by Distribution Channels, Canada, 1999 Author - Industry Canada
    
    
  • Canadian Apparel
    
    
  • Women’s Clothing Contractors
    
    
  • Apparel e-Business Reading List :
    
    
  • Clothing on the Net

  
  
  
  

• Monday, October 16, 2000
  Graham Reader
  University of Windsor Dean of Engineering

  
  
  

  Dr. Reader, a Commander in the Royal Navy, has served in many parts of the world including the Middle East Asia and is fully trained in intelligence, security interrogation and in character leadership training. His research interests include underwater vehicle design, diesel stirling engines, environmental engineering and naval Scottish history.
  
  The University has something to talk about with the September 21st announcement of a University of Windsor / DaimlerChrysler Canada Automotive Research Development Centre.
  
  UNIVERSITY AND DAIMLERCHRYSLER CANADA ANNOUNCE $500 MILLION INVESTMENT FOR AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
  
  Prime Minister Jean Chretien, in Windsor, for the announcement, called it "exactly what is needed in Canada." He said he is "very excited about how the University of Windsor and DaimlerChrysler Canada are working together."
  Dr. Reader said there is an insatiable demand for well-trained graduates from technical programs and the arts and social sciences because of the strength of the automotive sector. He noted that many more students than predicted have selected the automotive engineering option at Windsor since it was first offered two years ago. The intake this year at the Faculty of Engineering is up 30 percent. "That is not surprising when there are four job offers for each graduate." Dr. Reader told the audience that this is a great time to be in the University of Windsor or St. Clair College both for the students and their professors.
  
  He called the Automotive Research Development program a unique combination of the research forces of a large manufacturer and its surrounding post secondary institutions. Graham fielded a number of questions about the changing world of the Auto industry resulting from the introduction of plastics and hydrogen based fuel cell technology.

  Office of the Dean of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering University of Windsor
  
  

  University of Windsor Open House Sunday, October 29, 2000 - 11AM to 4PM

  
  
  
  
  
  

• Monday, October 9, 2000
  Canadian Thanksgiving Holiday
  No Meeting!

  
  
  

  Canadian families celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October with a special dinner for family and friends. Our Thanksgiving has nothing to do with the Pilgrims landing.
  Thanksgiving provides an opportunity to look at pioneer life. It celebrates the importance of Canadian farmers for all Canadians.
  The dinner traditionally consists of a roasted turkey with cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.
  The History of the Canadian Thanksgiving is thought to have originated as follows: Around 1578 English navigator Martin Frobisher held a ceremony, in what is now called the province of Newfoundland to give thanks for surviving his journey there. Other settlers later arrived and continued these "thankful" ceremonies.
  In 1879, Parliament declared November 6th as a national holiday of Thanksgiving. Over the years this date changed, and on January 31, 1957, Parliament declared the second Monday in October of each year to be "A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed".
  
  Canada Info - Thanksgiving
  Holiday Crossword puzzles
  Turkey Trivia
  Happy Canadian Thanksgiving
  Annie's Thanksgiving Links Page
  Canadian Thanksgiving Feast
  
  

  
  
  
  

• Monday, October 2, 2000
  Meet the Governor Meeting
  Rotary District 6400 Governor John Brooks makes his official visit

  Committee Chairpersons were invited to meet John and report on their committee's activities at a 10.00AM pre-meeting at the Caboto Club. At the subsequent dinner meeting, John gave an inspirational address to club members on the accomplishments of Rotary throughout the world.
  John Brooks joined the Grosse Pointe Rotary Club in 1981. He served as President from 1989 to 1990. He has been involved at the District level, chairing the Rotary International Foundation committee and the District Conference in 1992-1993. He has served as Annual Giving Co-Chair and Annual Giving Chair in 1998. He has also chaired the 1997 District Conference. John is very active in his community having served past as president of the Grosse Pointe Farms Little League and the Grosse Pointe Farms Babe Ruth League. He is past president of the Grosse Pointe Rotary Club and a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow as a Benefactor. He also serves on the Board of the Metropolitan Detroit YMCA. He chairs the Risk Management Committee, the Leadership Development Committee, the Executive Committee and is currently Chairing the Financial Development Committee which encompasses Annual Giving, Capital Endowment.
  
  John and Assistant Governor Ted Lang met with Rotary 1918's committee chairpersons and club executive before the regular dinner meeting to hear reports and offer advice. John was very complimentary about the club's overall operation. He suggested however that we need to pay attention to our membership development activities and try to meet the International Rotary goal of 5 new members net for each club in the current year.
  John also brought the group's attention to the initiatives by our international President, Frank Devlyn, in making Rotary a totally interconnected organization. He announced that there is a "Technology Awareness Conference" being held in Denver Colorado on October 28, 2000 at the Renaissance Hotel - Denver Hotel Reservations 1-888-238-6762.
  This Conference includes the perfect seminars for Rotarians who want to reach Rotary goals and expectations by leveraging today's technology tools. President Frank has sent a letter to the Presidents of every club in Rotary. He is announcing an important new position to be established in every Rotary Club: THE CLUB INTERNET COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER.
  

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  Singer Sylvio Tellier

  Assistant District Governor, Ted Lang

  President Gary Wintermute, D. G. John Brooks A. G. Ted Lang at Head Table

  District 6400 Information
  
  

Last Revised: December 25, 2000