Monday, March 31, 2008
Speaker: The Hon. Dwight Duncan,
Minister of Finance,
Chair, Management Board of Cabinet
(Joint Meeting with Chamber of Commerce)
An honorary member of the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918), Mr. Duncan was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 1995, and was re-elected in 1999, 2003 and 2007. He served in Premier McGuinty’s first Cabinet as Minister of Energy and Chair of Cabinet, Minister of Finance and Chair of Management Board of Cabinet, as well as Government House Leader. As Minister of Energy, Mr. Duncan brought meaningful change to Ontario's electricity sector, fostering a culture of conservation, while ensuring a reliable, sustainable, diverse and affordable power supply.
As Minister of Finance, Mr. Duncan advises Cabinet on the economic and fiscal state of the province, proposes economic, fiscal and related policy; directs the Ministry to carry out government policy as determined by Cabinet, and oversees agencies, boards and commissions that report to taxpayers via the Ministry of Finance. The Minister is responsible for the annual Budget, usually delivered in the spring, which sums up the government’s plans for the coming fiscal year (April through March), in the context of the most current information on the economy of the province and the state of the province’s finances.
A statement in the fall usually reports progress at about the midpoint of the fiscal year.
Mr. Duncan also chairs Treasury Board/ Management Board of Cabinet, the committee that oversees, coordinates and directs the work of the government as a whole.
Duncan is a lifelong resident of Windsor. From 1987 to 1995, Duncan served as an administrator at Brentwood Recovery Centre, Canada's largest alcohol and drug recovery centre. He sat on Windsor City
Council from 1988 to 1994.
A graduate of McGill University and the University of Windsor, Duncan has degrees in economics and commerce, as well as a MBA. He has one son, Sean.
Dwight spoke before a large group of Rotarians, Chamber of Commerce members and guests. He talked about the many issues facing residents in this part of Ontario and reviewed the efforts that his government was engaged in to meet local needs.
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Monday, March 24, 2008
Carol Crooks,
professional clown
Topic: "Carol becomes CLaroL"
This Easter Monday, the school age children/grandchildren (elementary and high school) of Windsor 1918 Rotarians were invited to attend the regular meeting with their Rotary parent/grandparent. In years past, this special meeting was a regular feature of the Rotary calendar. It was revived in 2008. Our meeting topic for the day was "Carol becomes CLaroL"!
Our young guests and their hosts watched a presentation by a professional clown, Carol Crooks, as she prepared for her work as CLaroL the Clown. Carol talked about some of the highlights and challenges she faces in her entertainment schedule and gave us some insights into preparations she has to make in the process of presenting a show. This was a fun meeting for all ages.
View This AVI file showing CLaroL in action.
(This is a large file so it will take a few moments to load.)
The audience was treated to a lively talk by our exchange student from Warwick, Queensland, Australia, Mindi Devine.
View her PowerPoint Presentation.
(This is a large file so it will take a few moments to load.)
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Monday, March 17, 2008
Kay Curtis
Youth Exchange Committee Auction
Rotarians brought items for the auction - over $600.00 was raised for the Youth Exchange Committee.
DG Jennifer Jones presented three District Simplified Grants - one to Dr. Om Chandna for $1,000 for the 4-Way Test Essay Contest, one to Dr. Godfrey Bacheyie for $1,000 for the Duori School in Ghana and
one to President Shari for $900 for the Children’s Assistance Committee
Don Snyder, President Shari and DG Jennifer Jones presented PHF
awards to a number of Rotarians and their designates. See the pictures in the album below.
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Monday, March 10, 2008
Robert Gorman
Chief Portfolio Strategist
T.D. Waterhouse Canada Inc.
Topic: "The Year Ahead"
Mr. Robert Gorman is a Vice-President with TD Waterhouse Canada and is a Chief Portfolio Analyst. He has an MBA from the Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. The Canadian media requests his market and investment commentaries on a regular basis.
Today Mr. Gorman oversees the $15 billion in managed investments with TD Wealth Management including TD Private Investment Counsel, TD Waterhouse Private Investment Advice, and Private Trust.
Bob offered his mostly Rotarian audience a frank appraisal of the current economic climate intertwined with a review of the bank's 2007 forecast.
He seemed very direct and analytical in choosing the positives and negatives in today's volatile investment market. He provided his assessment of long term best buys and named areas of the market he would avoid.
Rotarian Janet Kelly reminded everyone to bring in their gifts, whether new or ’regifted’, for the Youth Exchange Auction next Monday.
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Monday, March 3, 2008
Robert Hull,
former Publisher of
The North Bay Nuggett
Topic: All About the Media
Since 1997, the number of corporations dominating our media has shrunk from fifty to merely five.
extracted from a book description of "The media monopoly" by
Ben H. Bagdikian
This ... sixth edition follows up on the digital revolution, revealing startling details of a new communications cartel within the United States.
The media landscape continues to change, and the way people are getting their information evolves as well. I remain convinced that great content wins out -- the challenge is finding a sustainable business model.
extracted from the Glass House "It's all about the media "
In the media world, it’s all about the media, all the time. No matter what the tragedy, what the death toll, within hours of any major event the media critics and are out in force, sussing out new trends, rehashing tired storylines, complaining what could have, or should have been done better
extracted from the Columbia Journalism Review
Bob spoke about the future of newspapers in our new electronic media world. He said that the gathering of news will remain the same but distribution has changed. Electronic editions of newspapers, as cumbersome as they may be, and web sites with their "instant news" are the new reality.
Bob went on to tell us about some of the memorable events in his newspaper life talking about the people he had met and interviewed. He noted the convergence of news services and the necessary sharing of news gathering costs but said that home delivered regional newspapers like the Windsor Star still served a purpose for the reporting of local events and as a vehicle for expression of opinion.
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Monday, February 25, 2008
Windsor Police Chief Glen Stannard
Topic: Policing Then and Now on Retirement
Glenn will officially retire from his position as Chief after nine years of service on February 29th, 2008. He served as a Windsor police officer for almost 38 years. A sellout crowd of 735 attended his retirement dinner. He was universally admired as a fair and down-to-earth leader who improved the force during his tenure as chief. He said that his most important lesson learned during his term of office was "to work with the community - its the community that makes us go".
Glenn reviewed policing requirement changes during his career. He said that the modern day police person must be an information aware individual with training that fits him/her for a rapidly changing technological world. He noted the increasing use of guns by criminals and the appearance of more gangs and drugs.
He said that one standard remains the same - the need for community interaction. He talked about his involvement with the area's ethnic groups as a necessity in order to understand ongoing community relationships.
Click
here to read about Windsor Police history
(acrobat adobe 5.0 or higher is required to view this file)
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Monday, February 18, 2008
Family Day
**The regular meeting for February 18, 2008 was cancelled in respect of the new statutory holiday "Family Day"**
A Holiday For Hard-Working Families - Creates new February Long Weekend
Ontario Family Day To Be Celebrated Every Third Monday Of February
QUEEN'S PARK, Ontario Canada: - The Government of Ontario has created a new statutory holiday this February called Family Day saying
"There is nothing more valuable to families than time together. And yet it seems tougher than ever to find, with so many of us living such busy lives - That's why, on the third Monday of this coming February - and every February from now on - Ontarians deserve a new statutory holiday - Family Day."
Adding Family Day to the calendar would give Ontario workers and families a total of nine statutory holidays per year, putting the province on par with Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
Premier Dalton McGuinty said he’s hoping the power of persuasion, rather than the clout of law, will persuade Ontario employers to grant workers Family Day, a new statutory holiday, on Feb. 18.
Family Day a public holiday
1.1 Family Day, being the third Monday in February, is prescribed as a public holiday for the purpose of the definition of
-public holiday- in section 1 of the Act.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Dr. Saad Y. Jasim, P.Eng.
Executive Officer
Walkerton Clean Water Centre
Topic: "The Walkerton Clean Water Centre Role to
Provide Safe Drinking Water"
"Dr. Jasim received his B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from Baghdad University, Iraq, and his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wales, the United Kingdom.
Prior to Dr. Jasim's current position as Chief Executive Officer of the Walkerton Clean Water Centre, he served as Director, Water Quality and Production for the Windsor Utilities Commission. He proposed, and successfully implemented ozone for drinking water treatment in Windsor, Ontario, making Windsor the first municipality to have water treated with ozone to all residents, and to the residents of two other municipalities.
Dr. Jasim has received awards for his work, including; 2004 Engineer of the Year Award-Professional Engineers of Ontario, and the 2001 Meritorious Service Award from the American Water Works Association-Ontario Section. He has presented and published more than 50 papers on water quality and water treatment processes.
Currently, Dr. Jasim has been appointed an Adjunct Research Professor at the University of Western Ontario and Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Windsor. He is also a Director of the Board for the Ontario Water Works Association, Chair Elect, International Ozone Association - PAN American Group, Director of the Board for the International Ozone Association, and a member of the Council of the Great Lakes Research Managers - The International Joint Commission."
extracted from the staff bio. of the Walkerton Clean Water Centre
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre is a world-class institute dedicated to ensuring that training and education about drinking water quality is available and accessible to owners and operators of Ontario's drinking water systems, especially to those serving small and remote communities.
Established in 2004, the Centre features a state-of-the-art technology demonstration facility, providing a unique opportunity for hands-on training and serving as a practical resource for operators and other water professionals.
The Walkerton Clean Water Centre has its headquarters in Walkerton, Ontario but offers its services throughout the province. The Centre opened its doors on January 4, 2005. The Centre is an agency of the Government of Ontario and is governed by a 12-member board of directors who come from a variety of backgrounds including water management, education and training, customer service, public health, and environmental protection.
MANDATE:
To delivery drinking water education and training for owners, operators and operating authorities of drinking water systems
In collaboration with other training organizations, to coordinate the accessibility and availability of education and training for owners and operators.
To provide support to owners, operators and operating authorities with a primary focus on small, remote and older systems by providing information and advice
Optimization of existing treatment methods and technologies
To demonstrate leading-edge drinking water treatment technology
To advise the Minister on research and development priorities within the Centre's mandate in order to achieve safe drinking water. The Centre is sponsoring high-priority drinking water research that contributes directly to the Centre's training mandate. The Centre could network with the Advisory Council on Drinking Water Quality and Testing Standards to identify research needs
To provide, both directly and through partnerships with other organizations and in coordination with the Ministry, public outreach and education relating to the Centre's mandate and to make technical, scientific and regulatory information more readily available.
To provide other services as described in any policy direction issued by, or set out in any agreement with, the Minister that helps to ensure safe drinking water.
OBJECTIVES:
The objective of the Centre is to do the following, either alone or in conjunction with other organizations:
To coordinate and deliver education and training for owners, operators and operating authorities of drinking water systems.
To provide information, education and advice to owners, operators and operating authorities of drinking water systems and to the public about:
i. the treatment of water necessary to ensure that drinking water is safe,
ii. the equipment and technology used to ensure that drinking water is safe,
iii. the operational requirements necessary to ensure that drinking water is safe, and
iv. other environmental issues relating to drinking water.
To sponsor research into any activities related to its objects.
To provide advice to the Minister on research and development priorities to achieve and maintain safe drinking water.
To conduct such further activities, consistent with its objects, as are described in any policy direction issued by the Minister or as set out in any agreement with the Minister.
To fulfills these objectives, the Centre will continue to develop and deliver an appropriate array of technical training and curriculum; demonstrate the application and use of leading-edge technology to deal with water quality issues and treatment requirements; and sponsor high-priority drinking water research. We will make sure training and education about drinking water is available and accessible to operators, owners and operating authorities of Ontario's drinking water systems, especially those serving rural and remote areas, as well as First Nations.
Saad was warmly received by his predominately Rotarian audience. He spoke of his experiences with the establishment and development of the Walkerton Clean Water Centre. He was excited by the success the first year had brought the centre telling us that over 9000 people had received training. He outlined the curriculum of the centre and its' relationship with other educational institutions at the College and University level.
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Lawyers on Ice
Friday, February 8th
This year, there was ice---just ice!
Peter wore his skates...and his helmet!
Thanks to all those skaters who turned out and to the people who donated to our Children's Safety Village
Monday, February 4, 2008
The Honourable Edward Lumley,
Chancellor University of Windsor
is a corporate executive and former Canadian politician.
Ed Lumley was installed as the new University of Windsor chancellor at June 2006 convocation.
Ed graduated from Assumption University in 1961 with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He was born and raised in Windsor.
He served as chair of Noranda Manufacturing Group Inc. from 1986 to 1991. He has served as vice-chairman of BMO Nesbitt Burns since 1991, lead director of Magna International, and a board member of Bell Canada Enterprises, Canadian National Railway and Air Canada.
Mr Lumley spent 10 years as a federal Member of Parliament where he served as minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce; International Trade; Regional Economic Development; Communications; and Science and Technology. During this time he was also responsible for various Crown corporations, boards and commissions including the CBC; Canadair; De Havilland; the Canada Development Investment Corporation; and Teleglobe.
Mr. Lumley told his audience that the recent discussions concerning the location of the University of Windsor's new Engineering facility had brought unjust criticism to the deliberation of the school's Board of Governors on the matter. He said that the board was simply looking after the interest of its' students when it chose to locate the new facility on the existing campus. He maintained that the new facility was an asset to Windsor and area no matter where it was placed locally. He talked about the consulting process that preceded the choice of location including the preparation of a proposal that would meet with the approval of government funding bodies. Mr Lumley said that the construction of the new facility should be completed by 2010.
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Monday, January 28, 2008 Meeting changed to a
Multi Club Meeting on Thursday, January 31. The regular meeting for January 28, 2008 was cancelled - all members were encouraged to attend the Rotary Membership Growth & Development Session II
hosted by The Rotary Club of LaSalle-Centennial
New members, their sponsors, and those interested in joining Rotary were especially welcomed.
Membership Session Notice
Membership recruitment is vital to the continued good work of Rotary clubs throughout the world. It is a necessary ingredient to the long-term future of our clubs and of our movement. The membership drive is not, however, simply about numbers and statistics. Some of the essential benefits that membership in Rotary bestows are friendship and fellowship. New members are new friends and without new friends we cannot achieve all that we hope and dream of. New members are like the stars who help illuminate the night; New members means there are more hands to join with as we link the world together and more members offer more opportunities to create a peaceful world.
Help light up the night. Have you asked someone in your community to join Rotary?
adapted from notes presented by
Calum Thomson
RGHF Chairman 2006/07
R/C Longniddry & District
D-1020, Scotland
Membership is extremely important to our Clubs, and we are always eager to hear from individuals interested in our mission and in joining a Rotary club.
Information for prospective members .
If you meet other individuals who express an interest in becoming a Rotarian,
click
here
to view a Prospective Member Contact Form.
Membership Growth & Development Session II
Rotarian Shiva Koushik chaired this meeting which consisted of local Canadian Rotary club members and a large group of potential members.
District Governor, Jennifer Jones, told us why she joined Rotary.
District Membership chair, DGN Kim Tower, explained to the potential members what Rotary is.
Allison Baldwin, from the Amherstburg Club, introduced the Ross family and they in turn told us how Rotary had helped them in a time of need.
PDG Bob Gallagher explained Rotary International's influence in meeting worldwide needs. He focused on the Polio Program illustrating how this massive effort had driven polio, a disease that once "maimed and killed" 350,000 people a year, from many countries and said that with a last great effort we could eliminate this scourge forever.
Bob talked about the alliance of powerful groups which enabled the inoculation of 172,000,000 children each year and the synchronized immunization campaigns of countries who were otherwise at odds with each other.
Bob concluded his talk by writing out a $10,000.00 cheque as a donation from the District Foundation Committee to support the polio eradication fight.
PDG Fred Sorrell spoke about "What Rotary can do for you". Fred's message was impassioned as he presented compelling reasons why a person would want to join Rotary
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Monday, January 21, 2008
Sam Schwartz
Topic: Green Link
Sam Schwartz is President and CEO of Sam Schwartz PLLC, a multi-disciplinary consulting firm specializing in traffic and transportation engineering.
Samuel I. Schwartz, a.k.a. "Gridlock Sam," is one of the leading transportation engineers in the United States, and is widely believed to be the man responsible for popularising the phrase gridlock. He originally worked as a cabbie. He eventually held a top post in New York City's transportation department for many years and now operates as a private consultant. One of Gridlock Sam's newest developments is that of a plan to enhance truck traffic along the Detroit-Windsor border.
Ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Schwartz
Sam Schwartz advised the audience that the plans of the Detroit River International Crossing Study can easily incorporate the recommendations of the Greenlink plan and there will be no significant increase in projected costs. The Greenlink plan is the City's response to the DRIC's proposal for an access route to a third border crossing facility.
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Monday, January 14, 2008
This is Your Life and
Club Annual Meeting
Two of our newer members, Cindy Fuerth and Ken Sherman, enlightened us on the circumstances of their lives that led them to be the persons they now are.
As usual, the program was most entertaining and informative as we got to better know two people who share our lives as Rotarians.
The Club held its' general meeting during which the financial reports were explained and submitted for approval and next year's auditors were chosen.
President-Elect, Romeo Girardi, presented the financial statements, for the Club, for the 2006-07 fiscal year. A motion was passed approving the audited financial statements. A motion was also passed to appoint PriceWaterhouseCoopers as the Club’s auditors for the 2007-08 fiscal year. A motion was then passed to ratify and confirm the actions of the Board during the past fiscal year, 2006-07.
Shiva Koushik from the Rotary Club of LaSalle-Centennial invited the audience to his club's presentation of
Crystal Drop Gala
An Evening in India
January 19, 2008
District 6400 Governor Jennifer Jones and Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) President Shari Cunningham, attended the Crystal Drop Gala (An Evening in India)
presented by the Rotary Club of LaSalle-Centennial.
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Monday, January 7, 2008
Topic: Life as an opposition member and then as a Cabinet Minister in the ruling government and a look at the future for Windsor.
Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, kicked off the new year with an emotional look back at her roots as an Exchange Student in South Africa, Rotary 1918's Office Manager and as a Rotarian and then as a politician. She recalled the lessons learned in her travels and of the inspiration provided by a visit to Rotary International's headquarters.
Sandra then expanded on a long list of the assets available to Windsor residents through their skilled work force, community services, medical and educational facilities.
She referred to our border frustrations as the natural give and take of our relationship with our American friends who share the border with us complete with its' security and traffic problems and trade potential. She told us that "the border made our community and will continue to make us". Sandra claimed that the border infrastructure has a labour impact numbering 6000 jobs. She said that we should take full advantage of the Provincial and Federal levers available to us in our negotiations for traffic restructuring. She stressed the importance of feeling good about ourselves and optimistic about our community's future.
She introduced Nancy Creighton, senior business advisor to
the Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship
and said that the government's trade centers, located in major cities throughout the world are there to promote Windsor Essex County as a stellar place to set up business and promote the area’s abilities to supply international business with quality goods and service.
Sandra Pupatello was elected to the Ontario legislature in 1995, and re-elected in 1999, 2003 and 2007. Pupatello has served as Minister of Economic Development and Trade since 2006. She previously served as Minister of Education, Minister of Community and Social Services and Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues.
An announcement was made earlier in the day of a $5 million grant from the Ontario Government to Rotarian Roman Maev and the University of Windsor Physics Department to establish a new Institute for Diagnostic Imaging Research.
Photo taken by Gordon W. F. Drake, P.Phys. Head, U of W Department of Physics
Research institute receives
$5-million boost from province
A new Institute for Diagnostic Imaging Research at the University of Windsor, which received a $5 million investment yesterday from the Ontario government, will focus on developing commercially viable products, says its founding director,
Windsor Rotarian Dr. Roman Maev.
"The institute represents a model of research operations with an obligation to bring final products to the market," says Roman Maev, a professor of physics. "We will select projects that have a high probability of commercial application at the end of the process."
The institute will bring together researchers and industry to develop acoustical imaging technologies and processes. Acoustical imaging uses sound to peer into objects without damaging them. Potential applications include:
non-destructive testing systems for quality assurance in sectors such as automotive, aircraft, energy and agriculture
medical imaging systems for use in hospitals and clinics
more-effective biometric identification security systems
Industry estimates peg the global market for such applications at over $20 billion.
In announcing the $5 million grant yesterday, Minister of Research and Innovation John Wilkinson said the institute will help make Windsor a focal point for research and innovation development across Ontario and around the world.
"The economy of the future is about turning innovative ideas into new products and services," Wilkinson said. "We must create an economy that is capable of constant evolution. Our skilled workforce and our world-class researchers will enable us to create jobs—jobs that haven't even been invented yet."
--->
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Last Revised: April5, 2008
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