GUEST SPEAKER: James Barnett assisted by Jodi Cowan.
Introduced by Dave Andrews, James Barnett is Vice-President, Advancement and Alumni Relations at Ontario Tech University. In his role, James is responsible for furthering the university’s academic mission, community impact and research leadership through strategic planning, fundraising and development.
Jodi Cowan is the Community Engagement Coordinator at Ontario Tech University. She joined the university’s External Relations and Advancement team in October 2017 after spending the majority of her career working in the entertainment industry as a writer, producer and editor. In her role, Jodi works with local community organizations who are keen to support the next cohort of critical thinkers, problem solvers and help our students realize their academic dreams.
James talked about the current and future programs at Ontario Tech University. He called it “Tech with a Conscience”.
Their Vision: We advance the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world.
We prepare their students to contribute and thrive in a world that’s increasingly driven by technology and its implications on everyday life. We partner with industry to help solve our real-world challenges , while bringing their ideas and insights into their research and learning environment. We drive the economic and social well-being of our community with a focus on the next generation of technology and its interaction with the human environment.
The currently have over 11,000 graduate and undergraduate students, in 91 graduate and undergraduate programs, over 2,000 faculty and staff, 11 Canada Research Chairs, and 80 specialized research laboratories and facilities. (see: https://ontariotechu.ca/index.php )
He indicated that they were really innovative ideas about tech education. He referred to the new S. E. Lovell facility with state-of-the-art health labs for training nurses and technicians.
James mentioned the Project Arrow which is a national Partnership that built an all Canadian emission free automobile, which received national recognition at the Toronto International Auto Show.
On January 5, 2023, the global debut of Project Arrow launched Ontario Tech onto the world stage. As the leading partner on the project, Ontario Tech students, faculty and staff helped convert a virtual design into the first zero-emission, all-Canadian, electric vehicle. (see: https://blog.ontariotechu.ca/project-arrow ).
Here is a video https://youtu.be/j16gkbZyOW4
The university plans to expand include 5 to 6 new buildings both in the north campus and in downtown Oshawa. They plan to further develop their computer labs because of the interest in artificial technology in which they already lead the country.
They plan to expand their experiential learning theme which will provide opportunities for more coop and internships and develop their entrepreneurial programs.
This was a very interesting and inspiring talk
James and Jodi were thanked by Ted Morrison
Meeting ended at 8:10 pm
MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER ROTARY EVENTS
APR 1 & 2 - Purple Woods Pancake Breakfast. Volunteers could include spouses , children, grandchildren, friends, neighbors. Robbie is the liaison with Purple Woods for the Maple Syrup Festival and Ted is looking after the sign up sheet. We have 13 each day! On the day of event, our names and contact info will be required. Best to arrive at 8:30 for good parking. Event open from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm (see: https://www.cloca.com/maple-syrup-festival ) Ted Morrison has organized the details of our club’s volunteer efforts. Everyone knows when they will be there. Wear your Rotary clothes and a hat if you are serving pancakes
APR 1- PUBLIC IMAGE AND TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP - 8:30 AM TO 2 PM AT COBOURG PUBLIC LIBRARY. POSTPONED UNTIL FALL OF 2023. STAY TUNED.
APR 1 - BINGO – RED BARN – Evening - 5 PM; Sue M, David P, Bill C and Brady B (?)
APR 4 – Regular Weekly Meeting – 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM . Oshawa Golf Club
- Speaker: Dan Ruby, Manager Business Development, Invest Durham
– Topic: an exciting and innovative new investment attraction plan, and
is focused on growing investment at the intersection of clean energy
and advanced automotive (accompanied by Simon Gill, Director Invest
Durham)
APR 4 – 8 PM – Club Membership, Committee meeting
APR 5, 12 and 19: Rotary Leadership Institute Part THREE – 6 to 8 PM on Zoom. Register today: https://rotary7070.org/event/copy-of-district-7070-rli-part-3-nov-9-16-23-2022/
APR 7 and 8 – Kids Safety Village Easter Eggstravaganza – 10 am to 2 pm both days. We require at least 6 to 8 Rotarians (including spouses) . Please sign up with Sue MacKinnon
APR 11 – Regular Weekly Meeting – 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM . Oshawa Golf Club
- Speaker: KIDS SAFETY VILLAGE ANNUAL UPDATE –
– SPOUSES INVITED (sign up with Sue as soon as possible)
APR 12 – BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING AT 7:00 PM
APR 18 – Regular Weekly Meeting – 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM . Oshawa Golf Club
- Speaker: Dr. Scott Henderson, Dean and Head of Trent University
Durham (accompanied by Donna Doherty, Rotary Club of Oshawa) see:
https://www.trentu.ca/durham-gta
APR 19-26– WORLD IMMUNIZATION WEEK
APR 20 – YUK YUK’s Comedy Night - 67 Simcoe St N, Oshawa, ON L1G 4S3 - $30 per person. 8 pm to 9:30 pm. Doors open at 7:00 pm. 50-50 Draw. All Durham Region Rotary Clubs have been invited. Fundraiser for Denise House
APR 21 – Waverly Public School Play Day – New Playground equipment will officially open. This may be a great day for a grand opening. Perhaps our Club could arrange the Grand Opening with Sherri Parr on this day. Community Service Committee to review with Sherri.
APR 22 – EARTH DAY– Great Lakes Water Cleanup – 9:30 am to 11:30 am at The Second Marsh with Oshawa and Courtice Rotary Clubs. Bring your own water (in a reusable bottle) and a picker if you have one. Rotarian and families (sign up sheet will go around). Civic Leaders also invited. Park along Col Sam Drive near Second marsh sign (on south side of road).
APR 25 – Regular Weekly Meeting – 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM . NO MEETING AT THE OSHAWA GOLF CLUB
SOCIAL NIGHT – SPOUSES INVITED
APR 27 - Rotary Club of Oshawa First Annual President’s Dinner at Parkwood Estate – Reception at 6:30 pm Dinner at 7:30 pm, Cost $150 per person. Purchase deadline is April 19..Proceeds to Rotary Club’s Charitable Fund in honour of the Club surpassing 100 years of service and over 80 years of support to 151Chadburn Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets. Keynote Speaker: Majot Ron Brosseau, Commanding Officer, 151 Chadburn Squadron RCAC. Dress is Business / Semi Formal. Questions : email President Rhonda Kirkland at oshawarotarypresident@gmail.com .
Purchase tickets at : https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/41670102-b828-453b-821a-ccc72ce6b7c5?fbclid=IwAR2HBFpw-QlWALm5Qs77aZ84t9tn2crdt2mHms-eNGEUSA42e3Cc7JU8nOU
APR 29 - BINGO – RED BARN – Matinee – 11 AM: Hilda F, Al F, Dave A, Ted M
MAY 3 – BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING AT 7:00 PM
MAY 6 - BINGO – RED BARN – Evening - 5 PM: Hilda F, Al F, Brady B (?), Lennis T (?)
MAY 9 – Regular Weekly Meeting – NO MEETING AT THE OSHAWA GOLF CLUB
COME TO THE REVERSE DRAW DINNER AND SILENT AUCTION
MAY 11 – REVERSE DRAW, DINNER & SILENT AUCTION - 6 PM REFRESHMENTS, 7 PM DINNER , DRAW STARTS AT 8:30 PM AT THE COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT, 1011 BLOOR ST E, OSHAWA
MAY 23 – Regular Weekly Meeting – 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM . Oshawa Golf Club
- Speaker: PAUL HARRIS AWARDS NIGHT – SPOUSES INVITED
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, MAKE UP: Go online at www.rotary.org go to the club locator and find a club or clubs near your destination. Or you can add the free App Rotary Club Locator to your phone for instant look up of any club in the world. Please mail or fax your make-ups to Secretary Sue MacKinnon, or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting