Meeting Event Descriptions
2005 - April through June

• Monday, June 27, 2005
  President's Farewell Meeting
  
  
  

  President Bev gave us a review of her year in office as she did a soft shoe on her way to Past President land while showing us her final "hats" for the year.
  
  
  

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  President's Night

  
  
  Thursday, June 30th at The Willistead Manor
  
  President's Night Photo Album for 2005
  
  

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• Monday, June 20, 2005
  Hihar Biwas
  Engineer of the Year Award
  
  

  
  

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  Dr. Nihar Biswas, Engineer of the Year recipient for International Projects and Faculty and Research for the UofW spoke about water as a resource in Canada and the developing nations of the world. Dr. Biswas worked in Kingston Jamaica for 5 years, then the World Health Organization, and has been working as a water sanitation specialist for over 40 years. He experienced a 100 year flood in India and lived in a village with no running water. Canada’s Water Treatment is state of the art, whereas in developing countries, it is anything but. Transferring technologies from Canada to developing countries is harder than it appears as it may not work as it does here in Canada.
  Nihar responded to many requests for information about his work in India during the question period that followed after his talk.

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• Monday, June 13, 2005
  Eli Goldin Awards Ceremony
  

  This was a tri-club meeting
  
  

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  At this meeting, our club announced to the Rotary (1918) membership and the other audience members, it's choice for the 2005 Eli Goldin Lifetime Achievement Award. Eli was a long time Rotary (1918) member and former president of our club who involved himself with many of our charitable efforts. This prestigious award honours the memory of a great humanitarian, Eli Goldin, and recognizes the community work of an outstanding individual through a lifetime of giving.
  
  Our Choice this year was Mary Hall, a nurse by profession and mother of Rotarian Terry Hall. Mary has filled her 92 years with a dedication to service projects oriented toward children.
  
  The Roseland and St. Clair Clubs also announced their winners for their annual awards.
  
  The 2005 Dan Brian Memorial Award was presented to Anna Jurak by the Roseland Club.
  
  The 2005 Rotarian of the year for the St. Clair Club is Bob Morand
  
  

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  Mary Hall, Bob Morand and Anna Jurak

  (Photo by James Karolyi)

  
  

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• Monday, June 6, 2005
  Maureen Lucas gave a brief report on this year's Art in the Park show.
  

  The weatherman cooperated and visitors came through the gates in record numbers.
  Maureen gave recognition to all who took part in the planning and operating of the show.
  Recognition was also given to the Saturday night Art in the Manor event.

  
  
  Bob Dominas, Gary Deschaines and Wayne Hillman
  spoke about
  The Canada/Vietnam War Memorial

  
  

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  Vietnam may have been America's war but Canada was heavily involved for and against. Canada harboured American draft dodgers and helped supervise ceasefires. But at the same time, about 30,000 Canadians volunteered to fight in southeast Asia. And there was Canada's involvement in secret missions, weapons testing and arms production. CBC Archives looks at Canada's role in the Vietnam War.
  
  About 80 Canadians were killed in the Vietnam conflict. Most were young members of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps.
  Larry Semeniuk of Windsor, Ontario, joined the US Army in January 1967. In December, he was deployed as a paratrooper of Company B, 3rd Battalion, 187th regiment, 101st Airborne Division to Vietnam. In January 1968, Semeniuk saved the life of an officer at the risk of his own. A few days later, he was killed in action. He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously.
  
  Canadian Vietnam Veterans began to form their own organizations in 1986. There are now groups in most major Canadian cities but it is a loose coalition. Canada also has six men who are not accounted for. They are listed as MIA’s, though it is believed that some of these men are POW’s. For almost thirty years, Canadian Vietnam Veterans fought to have a memorial dedicated to those who never returned from the jungles of a country half way around the world. They raised money and a portable wall, much like The Wall in Washington. The Vets traveled across the country educating their fellow countrymen on the Vietnam War. The horrors endured by these men where beyond imagination.
  Finally, the Canadian government listened to its Vietnam Vets. In 1995, the North Wall found a permanent home in Windsor, Ontario. It is a great tribute to those Canadians who served and sacrificed all for what they believed in.
  
  

  • TIMES COVER STORY: Pentagon Papers: The Secret War
    
    
  • The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall USA website
    
    
  • The North Wall
    On July 2nd, 1995, a Canadian Vietnam Veterans Memorial was placed on Canadian soil in Windsor, Ontario, Canada by three men from Michigan, Ed Johnson, Ric Gidner and Chris Reynolds, better known as M.A.C.V. (Michigan Association of Concerned Veterans).
    The "North Wall" as it has become known, has all the names of the Canadians who died in Southeast Asia engraved on the black-granite panels.
    
    
  • History of the Wall
    
    
  • Canada's involvement in the Vietnam War
    
    
  • Canada's Secret War: Vietnam
    
    

  
  

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• Monday, May 30, 2005
  Karl Richter, CEO Schukra
  Leggett & Platte Automotive
  The Business Opportunities in China

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  Lex delivered a Tribute to Wally Stuart.
  

  
  

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  Karl Richter, a former member of our club, took us through an analysis of the Chinese market as it presently exists and is projected to expand to. He told us that the Chinese have very quickly repositioned themselves in the manufacturing sector by improving the quality of their products and showing an eagerness to learn about the latest techinques and a capacity to quickly evolve to changing market conditions. Karl said that Canadian manufacturers need to get into the Chinese market as soon as possible in order to take advantage of the sales growth potential. He also noted the need to have manufacturing and service facilities close to the customer.
  He went on to give a short summary of his findings as he learned about the basic cultural differences in doing business in China. He found the Chinese to be tough negotiators who show respect for technology and knowledge. He said that the underlying advantage that that market has in low labour costs will not change in the near future because of the huge unemployment pool in the area.

  People's Republic of China

  Population: 1,306,313,812 (July 2005 est.)
  Capital: Beijing
  Government: Communist State
  
  Whereas the system operates within a political framework of strict Communist control, the economic influence of non-state organizations and individual citizens has been steadily increasing. The authorities switched to a system of household and village responsibility in agriculture in place of the old collectivization, increased the authority of local officials and plant managers in industry, permitted a wide variety of small-scale enterprises in services and light manufacturing, and opened the economy to increased foreign trade and investment. The result has been a quadrupling of GDP since 1978. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis, China in 2004 stood as the second-largest economy in the world after the US.
  From - The World Factbook
  
  China has a mixed economy, with a combination of state-owned and private firms. A number of state-owned firms have undergone partial or full privatization in recent years. The Chinese government has encouraged foreign investment -- in some sectors of the economy and subject to constraints -- since the 1980s, offering several "special economic zones" in which foreign investors receive preferable tax, tariff, and investment treatment. In March 2003, a long-expected transition in China's political leadership took place. Hu Jintao assumed the country's presidency, as well as chairmanship of the ruling Communist Party. Wen Jiabao became the new premier. Former president Jiang Zemin has retained the chairmanship of the Central Military Commission. With China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in November 2001, the Chinese government made a number of specific commitments to trade and investment liberalization which, if fully implemented, will substantially open the Chinese economy to foreign firms. In the energy sector, this will mean the lifting or sharp reduction of tarriffs associated with imports of some classes of capital goods, and the eventual opening to foreign competition of some areas such as retail sales of petroleum products.
  From - Country Analysis Briefs: July 2004
  
  

  • Chinatoday.com A comprehensive information base on today's China and beyond
    
    
  • The World Factbook
    
    
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• Monday, May 23, 2005
  No meeting…..Victoria Day
  
  
  

  
  

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  Victoria Day, The Sovereign's Birthday, and sometimes referred to as Firecracker Day, has been celebrated in Canada since the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901).
  In recent years, fireworks displays have migrated from Victoria Day to Canada Day.
  May 24, Queen Victoria's birthday, was declared a holiday by the Legislature of the Province of Canada in 1845. Canada observes Victoria Day according to a 1952 amendment to the Statutes of Canada which established the celebration of Victoria Day on the Monday preceding May 25.
  

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  • Victoria Day - Canada A Page From the KIDPROJ Multi-Cultural Calendar
    
    

  
  

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• Monday, May 16, 2005
  Wendy Leigh
  Executive Director Big Sisters
  Secondary School Volunteer Awards Day
  
  
  

  
  

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  Our speaker, Wendy Leigh and her "little sister" provided proof by example of why the Big sister movement works. People like Wendy serve as role models for young females who need guidance as they develop their life skills.
  
  Our large audience was impressed by the summaries of the service activities of the individual awards students. These young people are an inspirational group. Rotarians as service oriented people can appreciate the effort that these people have put forth to help their community. It is encouraging for us to know that there are people like these who are ready to take up our cause.
  

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  Big Sister volunteers are women who are 19 years of age or older. We do not have a maximum age, volunteers may be in their forties, fifties and we even have a few in their sixties. We ask our volunteers to devote about three to five hours a week to their Little Sister or to the Association. Volunteers participate as Committee Members, as Group Leaders and as "Big Sisters". Volunteers must attend information and training sessions, provide references and a police check. Potential volunteers are individually assessed by a social worker before they become involved. Big Sisters are special people with a genuine desire to enhance the well-being and development of the girls in our community.
  

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  • Windsor-Essex Volunteer Centre Database
    
    
  • BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS WINDSOR ESSEX
    
    

  
  

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• Monday, May 9, 2005
  An Army to Work for You
  Mr. Jim Crichton - The New WI
  The Salvation Army Great Lakes Divisional Seniors' Band
  

  A large enthusiastic audience greeted the music played by the Salvation Army Band. The joint meeting of Army personnel and Rotarians illustrated the close ties between these two fine service organizations.
  The New WI announcer, Jim Crichton gave an inspirational talk on service work.
  

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  • Where Do I Sign Up? Should be required reading for Rotarians - A survival message for service organizations from a long standing Army.
    
    

  
  

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• Monday, May 2, 2005
  Club Assembly
  
  
  

  
  

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  The audience listened to presentations dealing with Club planning and reflections on what changes have taken place in our organization over the recent past. Members were asked to fill out a questionaire dealing with club activities. President Bev encouraged all club members to take the time to fill in the survey and return it to the member named at the top of the first page of the document.
  
  

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• Monday, April 25, 2005
  Rob MacKenzie
  President Rotary Club of LaSalle
  Topic: Rotary Clubs in China
  
  

  
  

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  The Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland sponsored the new Rotary Club of LaSalle.
  District Governor Jim Ives visited the Windsor-LaSalle Rotary Club on November 18th, 2004 and proclaimed it as having Official Provisional Status.
  After a period of provisional membership, the LaSalle club received word of its' formal designation as a full fledged Rotary club at the District 6400 celebration party for Rotary International's 100th year birthday on February 23rd, 2005.
  The LaSalle club is sponsoring such projects as Art in the Woods and the Santa Claus Parade in LaSalle.
  Club Meeting times - Every Wednesday 6:15 p.m. at Sunnyside Tavern, LaSalle
  
  

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  Provisional Rotary Clubs in China
  
  RI has granted provisional status to clubs in Beijing and Shanghai, People's Republic of China, where Rotarians have been meeting for four and two years, respectively. Once the Chinese government enacts a law concerning non-governmental organizations, the clubs will be officially chartered.
  
  Rotary has had a long history with China. The first Rotary Club in Shanghai was chartered in 1919. In 1949, changes in the political climate resulted in the closure of all 23 Rotary clubs on mainland China. In March 1997, after many meetings between Rotary and Chinese government officials, the Board agreed to open the People's Republic of China for Rotary extension on 1 July 1997 in recognition of Hong Kong Rotary clubs joining the People's Republic of China. The Board has pursued reaching an appropriate agreement with the government of the People's Republic of China that is in harmony with the Board's criteria for extension. Further, the Board has encouraged Rotary clubs in the area to strengthen and expand efforts to develop friendship associates with business and professional leaders in the People's Republic of China.
  
  The Chinese government is currently developing policies and criteria for humanitarian organization operations in China. Respecting the government's regulations, Rotary is also closely monitoring the provisional clubs to help them become effective clubs.
  See: Information about Provisional Rotary Clubs in China

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  • Rotary in China
  • Overview of Rotary in Asia
  • Rotary Club of Shanghai (provisional)
  • Rotary Club Of Beijing (Provisional)

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• Monday, April 18, 2005
  Gilles Hebert
  Director Art Gallery of Windsor
  
  

  
  

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  The Art Gallery of Windsor greeted a new director Aug. 1, 2004 in the person of Gilles Hébert. Replacing outgoing director Glen Cumming, Hébert previously headed Saskatoon's Mendel Art Gallery and the St. Norbert Arts Centre near Winnipeg.
  

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  The Art Gallery of Windsor is a chartered, non-profit, educational organization operating for the benefit of the public. It is supported by its members, donors, and sponsors, the City of Windsor, The Canada Council for the Arts, the Department of Canadian Heritage, and the Ontario Arts Council.
  
  History of the AGW
  The Art Gallery of Windsor began in 1943 in Willistead Manor, where exhibitions borrowed from other galleries and organizations could be displayed. Incorporated in 1944, the Gallery soon began building its own collection and presenting exhibitions and education programs. The AGW moved into a renovated brewery warehouse on the riverfront in 1975, gradually earning its status as one of Ontario's most significant galleries. The Gallery temporarily relocated to the Devonshire Mall in 1993, when its Board of Directors made the decision to rent its riverfront location to the Province of Ontario. .... In 2001, the AGW returned to its former downtown waterfront site by way of a new building -- a state-of-the-art facility ...
  
  

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  Director of the Art Gallery of Windsor Gilles Hebert's said that "his greatest challenge is to put together a program that has resonance for the community".
  The AGW tries to produce programming that engages people. As the director, Gilles must balance esthetics, academics, working with the community, funding through the private and public sectors, education, staffing, and revenue generation through the shop and venue rentals. The two major challenges facing the AGW now are revenue generation through programming and maintaining the building. The building is extremely expensive to maintain because climate control is critical to protect the work the AGW has, and the work it borrows. Programming is the key. They are constantly looking for new ways to engage the community. The AGW has begun a strategic planning process and wants the community to be involved in this process.
  
  

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  Gallery Hours:
  
  Thursday 12 to 5 pm
  Friday 12 to 8 pm
  Saturday, Sunday 11 am to 5 pm
  Monday to Wednesday Closed
  Resource Centre Hours
  Thursday, Friday 12 to 5 pm, or by appointment

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• Monday, April 11, 2005
  John Morris Russell
  Director Windsor Symphony Orchestra
  
  

  
  

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  Maestro John Morris Russell has consistently won international praise for his ability to make extraordinary music and to make a difference. In September 2001, Mr. Russell began his tenure as Music Director of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra in Ontario, Canada. The Windsor Star hailed his inaugural season with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra as "Triumphant," and that "he has invigorated the entire organisation with his boundless energy and enthusiasm." In October, 2003, he signed a second, three-year contract extending his tenure with the WSO through 2007. This season, he conducts 14 weeks including Symphonic and Pops subscription programs, a Baroque and Classical series, and the prestigious Windsor Canadian Music Festival. He has conducted the WSO in four national broadcasts for CBC Radio and the orchestra's first televised production on the CBC television series, Opening Night, which has recently been nominated for a Gemini Award.
  

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  The Maestro described the orchestra's various programs emphasizing his belief that the musical education of our area youth is the critical element for future development of a new generation of music lovers. He talked about the two annual concerts given for the grade 1 to 4 and 5 to 8 students in the Windsor area saying that 14,000 children had attended this year's events. He spoke about the Windsor youth choir and the development of their vocal techniques. He seemed very pleased with his work in this community and with the people who were assisting in the planning process.
  In addition to the concerts, teachers receive biographies of composers, lesson plans and a recording. The materials are also available in French, thanks to Mina Grossman-Ianni. The WSO is helping teachers to create sensitive listeners.
  Suzuki said "we are teaching music to create good citizens."
  

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  • Windsor Symphony Website
    
    
  • Encyclopedia of Music in Canada
    TheWindsor Symphony Orchestra was Founded as an amateur orchestra in 1947 in Windsor, Ont by Matti Holli. Predecessors included the Windsor Federation of Musicians Philharmonic, conducted by Ernest Rennie, which performed during the latter years of World War II at the Tivoli and Capitol theatres for patriotic and fund-raising concerts. After the war the orchestra received financial support from private citizens, the city of Windsor, and the Windsor Star newspaper and changed its name to the Windsor Federation of Musicians Orchestra. Its 40 players, conducted by Holli, presented standard and light classical repertoire and was active ca 1945-7, after which it was reorganized and took the name Windsor Symphony Orchestra.
    
    
  • Windsor Symphony 2004/2005 Season
    
    
  • Windsor Canadian Music Festival Windsor Symphony Photo Album on CBC Radio 2
    
    

  
  

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• Monday, April 4, 2005
  Neil McEvoy
  President/CEO Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital
  
  
  

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  Neil McEvoy appointed President/CEO at sister Hotel Dieu

  Neil racked up 15 years of dedicated service to Hotel Dieu in Kingston, most recently carving out a position that combined the function of Chief Operating Officer with Chief Information Officer. He also ably represented the hospital in the Regional Healthcare Network and the Academic Health Sciences Centre.
  

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  Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital is a large acute care community hospital with a high percentage of tertiary services ... major programs provide the regional service in trauma, renal dialysis, neurosurgery, cardiac catheterization, adult acute psychiatry, ophthalmology, and magnetic resonance imaging. .... designated as the local lead provider of medical care in neurology, cardiology, nephrology, as well as orthopedic, vascular and cardiothoracic surgery. ... designated as the district stroke centre.
  
  As a member of the Southwestern Ontario Medical Education Network (SWOMEN), medical students benefit from ... state-of-the-art Operating Rooms, Intensive Care Unit, Diagnostic Imaging, and Emergency Room departments.
  

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  Neil McEvoy told us that Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital is operating well and gave an overview of the partnership between the two hospitals. The children's unit will move to Windsor Regional Hospital. They are near the completion of restructuring and bringing all of mental health together.They are looking at new day surgery, repurposing what they have, and have made a tertiary care request to better serve cardiac patients. Funding is a big issue and we have to find new ways to do things. The two hospitals are interdependent and working collaboratively to the future.
  Physician recruitment is an issue, he said. Family practitioners, coming to our area, will look at the number of specialists here and if they don't feel they have the support they need it is a challenging decision to come here. We as a community should work to make this a positive environment for physicians and their families. He said we need clear thinking for the approach to a medical school in Windsor. We are a border city near a significant health centre. We have a highly diverse population who could have some special needs. We have international medical graduates in this area. We should be looking at a unique proposal to go to the province with.
  

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  • Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital Publications
    
    
  • Health Care Web Links

  
  

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  The Club conducted a Memorial Tribute to Dr. Joe Berkeley
  

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  Representatives from St. Clair College offered a case for improvement of the annual funding allotment that the Government of Ontario supplies for the post secondary college system. They showed a series of overheads which contained a statistical analysis in support of their case.
  The audience was asked to send letters to their local politicians showing their support for their stand. A petition is available for sending at this address.
  
  
  

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  Last Revised: June 27, 2005