They provide a safe, accessible and affordable place that is open to all. They were not asking for money but said that if they were, it would be to help increase staffing so they could reduce their waiting list. John expressed his thanks for the Midland Club’s support of his project in the Phillipines. He said there is always a need, there are always new clients and there is always the opportunity to expand programs. He said he had talked last time about the people who lived off the dump. To give us an idea of what the Phillipines can be like he gave a bit of a travelogue with slides – a beautiful place, beaches, swimming, fishing, Spanish Colonial buildings. The people are strongly religious and generally very happy. When they moved south to the Rotary Club of Haliburton they got more involved in District issues. The trip to Korea was life altering and brought awareness to global issues that can’t be ignored. John reminded us that he had seen the city dump outside Cebu in 2005 was watched the kids picking for food and celebrating the discovery of a load of hot dogs.

• As a high unemployment and low income area there is a lot of demand for this king of service.
• The organization is recognized by the Martin Aboriginal Initiatives organization and the Conner Canadian Foundation.
• The Atrium is a hub for meetings, performances, meals and conversation.

While, over the last 5 years 1 job in 7 has been lost, many of those have been replaced due to technological advances which have enhanced productivity and to aging demographics which change demand to goods and services. He says the government’s focus is to create a strong economy and yes, the gov’t promoted infrastructure spending but it is looking now to the private sector to create jobs. He remarked that despite the large number of negatives around the world Canada has set a stage and the financial foundations that will stand it in good stead as the world works through these various crises. We hear from outside commentators, like Moody’s, that the Country has an economic resilience and diversity and that we are lucky to live in a country that stands 2nd on the Attractiveness index. The US C of C notes that Canada has recovered faster than most other countries though we all understand that we are not out of the woods yet, primarily because Canada is a trading economy and we need healthy partners. Bruce started by congratulating Emily on her work and sacrifice and commented that working to change the lives of others is one of Rotary’s goals. He said he valued his years in Rotary and had gone on a study exchange back in 1984.

Job Training

Even the smallest improvement, 1%, can be huge in close finishes. John Lister introduced Steve Killing who has spoken to the Club before about the high speed America’s Cup boats and who is now working on ‘rowboats’. He was a PH fellow in 1992, is the President of Huronia Players, was the Express Yachts designer and designer of the True North effort. Recently a consultant for the NZ team he is now working on rowing shells.

There are 540 DG’s and at the last training session 90 of them were women. The route to Governership is long, requiring service as a Club President, a DG, a Zone Director, etc. This is hard for young people to manage with careers and families, especially women, but the numbers of women in the positions is growing. Dean said Chuck had been rejected at first but by 1944 he was flying Spitfires with Squadron 416. He then turned to business and became a director of the Fighter Pilots Association. He built his own house on the beach and lives, now, in Penetang. Don Chapman introduced Fred Fox, brother of a national hero Terry Fox. Fred led us on a journey as he lived it during the late 1970’s when Terry was first diagnosed with cancer and had to have his leg surgically removed, his recovery and the journey he started. Amanda Woodman introduced the incredibly talented Nicole French of Collaborative Haus Marketing. By describing how our internet activities, Siri interactions, gmail, and social media likes all add up to custom market profiling and direct communication to your social media feeds. Our Vocational Brown bag lunch visit was to Operation Grow, a social enterprise that is really a therapeutic and empowering business venture launched by Huronia Transitional Home.