Monday, November 15, 2010


Auto Series #2
Speaker: Dennis DesRosiers
CEO, DesRosiers Automotive Consultants
Topic:"A deep dive on Detroit’s Deep Dive"

Mr. DesRosiers presented compelling arguments as to why the car industry in Canada has been crippled through marketing mismanagement and a failure to read the wants of their consumers. He said that it is unfair to place the blame for lack of competiveness on the unions even though they were not totally cooperative in reaching for problem solutions. Dennis was generally upbeat on the current efforts to gain back the sales ground lost by the big three.




To view a report on today's meeting, visit our upcoming Internet Wheel page.
The upcoming Internet Wheel is scheduled to appear on the Thursday before our next Monday meeting.

Click here for a photo gallery showing meeting pictures with captions.

• Government of Canada Report on Canada's Auto Sector - 2010-10-14
  
  
• Market Snapshot - Total Light Vehicles in Canada desrosiers Automotive Reports
  
  

Monday, November 8, 2010


Remembrance Day Ceremony

To view a report on today's meeting, visit our upcoming Internet Wheel page.
The upcoming Internet Wheel is scheduled to appear on the Thursday before our next Monday meeting.

Click here for a photo gallery showing meeting pictures with captions.


Far-called, our navies melt away;
On dune and headland sinks the fire:
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet.
Lest we forget - lest we forget!


The above are telling lines from Rudyard Kipling's poem, Recessional . Kipling composed the poem on the occasion of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897. The poem expresses pride in the British Empire, but also an underlying sadness that the Empire might go the way of all previous empires.
The words "Lest We Forget" form the refrain of "Recessional" (withdrawal). The phrase became popular as a warning about the perils of exaggerated pride and the inevitable decline of imperial power.
From Wikipedia

50,000 NAMES (Carved in the Wall)
(written by Jamie O'Hara)

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More than 3,000 Canadian soldiers, sailors and Air Force personnel are deployed overseas on operational missions. On any given day, about 8,000 Canadian Forces members - one third of our deployable force - are preparing for, engaged in or returning from an overseas mission.
Peacekeepers' Home Page

• Royal Canadian Legion
  
  
• Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces Website
  
  
• Veterans Affairs Canada
  
  
• Canadian Army News
  
  
• Remembrance Day From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  
  
• The Second World War Experience Centre
  
  

Monday, November 1, 2010


Auto Series #1
Speaker: Ken Lewenza Sr.
Topic: "Continued Crisis or Economic Renewal:
What’s at stake in Auto?"

Ken first recognized those people in the large audience who have contributed to the Windsor community's development.
He then launched into an enthusiastic and well researched talk on the automotive manufacturing sector - past and future. He emphasized two points in the recovery period which now appears to be underway:

• we should concentrate on revitalizing our existing manufacturing sites rather than shut down and rebuild
• any new wage structure must provide good wages to workers so that they can properly support their families in a decent quality of life

Ken then went on to explain the union's position in its' "enough is enough" program.
Behind all the points he made to his audience was the statement that "we are all in this together" and "cooperation at all levels is important".
At the conclusion of his talk, Ken received a standing ovation from his audience.

This presentation was the opening talk in a five part Series as shown in the following Auto Series Meetings Poster





To view a report on today's meeting, visit our upcoming Internet Wheel page.
The upcoming Internet Wheel is scheduled to appear on the Thursday before our next Monday meeting.

Click here for a photo gallery showing meeting pictures with captions.

• 2010 Auto Canada Wikipedia
  
  
• National President Ken Lewenza Biographical sketch
  
  

Monday, October 25, 2010


Speaker: Dr. Saad Jasim P.Eng.
Director, Great Lakes Regional Office
International Joint Commission

Topic: "The International Joint Commission
and
The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement"

MISSION STATEMENT:

The International Joint Commission prevents and resolves disputes between the United States of America and Canada under the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty and pursues the common good of both countries as an independent and objective advisor to the two governments.

In particular, the Commission rules upon applications for approval of projects affecting boundary or transboundary waters and may regulate the operation of these projects; it assists the two countries in the protection of the transboundary environment, including the implementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the improvement of transboundary air quality; and it alerts the governments to emerging issues along the boundary that may give rise to bilateral disputes.



The Boundary Waters Treaty

The treaty provides principles for Canada and the United States to follow in using the waters they share. For example, both countries must agree to any project that would change the natural levels or flows of boundary waters. Far ahead of its time, the treaty states that waters shall not be polluted on either side of the boundary to the injury of health or property on the other side. The principles in the treaty are as relevant today as they were in 1909.

The treaty established the International Joint Commission, with three members from each country. The ongoing work of the IJC helps to fulfill the treaty’s purpose of preventing disputes as well as resolving them.



The focal point of Saad's discussion was the International Joint Commission. There are 3 commissioners appointed, per country. Among other sub topics, Dr. Jasim discussed the Boundary Water treaty which was signed in 1909 and which regulates pollution control provisions, public involvement, and permits the IJC to conduct studies.




To view a report on today's meeting, visit our upcoming Internet Wheel page.
The upcoming Internet Wheel is scheduled to appear on the Thursday before our next Monday meeting.

Click here for a photo gallery showing meeting pictures with captions.

• The International Joint Commission
  
  
• Boundary Waters Treaty
  
  

Monday, October 18, 2010


Speaker: Rotary District 6400 Governor 2010-2011, Kim Towar
"The 2010-2011 Rotary Year in District 6400"

A third generation Rotarian, DGE Kim is a proud member of the Rotary Club of Grosse Pointe. She has served her club for more than 15 years in numerous capacities and was honored as Rotarian of the year for two consecutive years. As a strong community advocate, Kim serves on several boards and committees including; the advisory board to Henry Ford Health Systems and as a board member for Gilda’s East Cancer support centers.
On the international level, Kim and Rotarian daughter Brandi Keating have played an active role in the Children of the Dump committee, traveling to Nicaragua, aiding in fundraising concerts and assisting in producing videos of the project.

Kim and honorary Rotarian husband Dave have hosted five youth exchange students. Kim owns a respected publishing company and devotes a great deal of the company resources to further the great work of Rotary. She has published the District Digest for six years and continues to offer design and print services to Rotarians.




To view a report on today's meeting, visit our upcoming Internet Wheel page.
The upcoming Internet Wheel is scheduled to appear on the Thursday before our next Monday meeting.

Click here for a photo gallery showing meeting pictures with captions.

Monday, October 11, 2010


THANKSGIVING - NO MEETING

Canadian Thanksgiving

Canadian families celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October with a special dinner for family and friends. Our Canadian Thanksgiving has nothing to do with the Pilgrims landing.
Thanksgiving provides an opportunity for us to look at pioneer life. It celebrates the importance of Canadian farmers for all Canadians.
Thanksgiving 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, our Parliament declared November 6th as a national holiday of Thanksgiving. Over the years this date has changed. 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".

• Thanksgiving in Canada
  
• Canadian Thanksgiving
  
• USA Thanksgiving History
  
• How to make a Pumkin Pie
  
• Kidzworld Canadian Thanksgiving
  

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Monday, October 4, 2010

Speaker: Maestro John Morris Russell,

Windsor Symphony Orchestra

Returning to speak to our Club for the first time in nearly 10 years, Maestro John Morris Russell of the WSO, spoke about the economic impacts of the arts in our community. Briefly discussing the positive economic outcomes of new arts facilities in neighboring towns and cities such as Chatham and Niagara, Maestro Russell proposed all new ideas for a new state-of-the-art arts and cultural facility in downtown Windsor. This facility would include recording studios, stages, instructional facilities and symphonies. Recent studies have shown that large arts complexes, such as the one Maestro Russell is proposing, would generate $5-$7 for every dollars spent in constructing the facility. Maestro Russell firmly believes such a facililty would have positive economic impact on our city.




To view a report on today's meeting, visit our upcoming Internet Wheel page.
The upcoming Internet Wheel is scheduled to appear on the Thursday before our next Monday meeting.

Click here for a photo gallery showing meeting pictures with captions.

• `WSO Official website
  
  
• WSO Canadian Encyclopedia
  
  

Last Revised: December 14, 2010