MINUTES OF ZOOM MEETING: Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Editor: David Penney
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Mr. Cha Cha Cha himself, Ted Morrison has a birthday today as well as the birthday of Rotary. Not the same year, just the same date. Rotary is 116 today.
Larry Hurren has a birthday on February 27 !
On the Zoom Call Tonight:
Robert Kipling, Ted Morrison, Al Finnigan, Hilda Finnigan, Larry Hurren, Linda Porritt, Dave Andrews, Janice Coupland, Kris Sachdiva, Sue MacKinnon, Bill Creamer, Lennis Trotter, Bob Koskie, David Penney
Guests: Nancy Shaw (COE Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce); Zoe (guest of Pres Sue); Sharron Morrison
PRESIDENT SUE’S OPENING REMARKS
Welcome to our February 23 meeting and welcome to our guests, Nancy Shaw, CEO of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce and Zoe and Bonnie.
Last week we touched on Rotary Core values of Fellowship, Integrity, Diversity, Service, Leadership and Environment when we started to update our Strategic Plan. We also have seven focus areas:
Peacebuilding & conflict prevention
Disease prevention and treatment
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Maternal and child health
Basic education and literacy
Community economic development
Supporting the Environment
When we donate to the Rotary Foundation, chances are, it will benefit one of these areas. As one area is maternal and child health, I would like to read a short note from Melinda Gates that ties to maternal and child health, that is current to our pandemic.
Upon completion, I would like to have 30 seconds of silence to remind ourselves how fortunate we are to live in Canada.
Melinda Gates “When it comes to our work outside the United States, my major focus has been calling on world leaders to put women at the center of their Covid-19 response. If governments ignore the fact that the pandemic and resulting recession are affecting women differently, it will prolong the crisis and slow economic recovery for everyone.
For example, because of the economic shutdowns over the last year, hundreds of millions of people in low-income countries have needed help from their government to meet basic needs. But the cruel irony is that the women who most need these economic lifelines tend to be invisible to their governments. It is hard to send cash safely and swiftly to a woman who doesn’t appear in the tax rolls, have a formal identification, or own a mobile phone. Unless financial systems are specifically designed to include these women, these systems are likely to exclude them, pushing them even further to the economic margins. Our foundation has worked with the World Bank to help countries overcome these hurdles and create digital cash transfer programs with women’s needs in mind. “
30 seconds of silence
Thank you!
I would also like to acknowledge the passing of Donna Pyott, spouse of past president, Andrew Lyons.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
GROW ROTATY WORKSHOP on February 27
BOARD MEETING March 3
Women in Rotary is March 8 – talk a little more about it next week.
KIDS SAFETY VILLAGE MEETING April 12
GREAT LAKES WATERSHED CLEAN UP PROJECT is April 24 - put that date in your calendar!
FUNDRAISER # 1: We have the fertilizer fundraiser coming up and hoping our secure website is up and running in time. Details in our bulletin.
FUNDRAISER # 2: When the secure website is running, we will be introducing online gaming!
Ted Morrison reported that the The Rotary Foundation is “broke” this year. Requests have far exceeded what is available—TRF is projected to be out of money in May. This is a good time to give! We are all invited to attend the May 12, 2021 Fundraising Gala for the entire Rotary Zone 28 & 32 .
SPEAKER: Nancy Shaw – CEO, Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce
Our guest speaker this evening is Nancy Shaw Executive Director of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce.
Born and raised in Durham, Nancy has always maintained a close connection to the community. She was an active member of ProAction Cops & Kids, Tribute to our Troops and the Abilities Centre. She is the past President of the Foundation Board for Parkwood National Historic Estate in Oshawa and is a Director on the Police Appreciation Dinner and Awards Committee. Most recently, becoming the Honorary Lieutant Colonel of the Ontario Regiment.
Nancy was the former Executive Assistant to the late Honourable Jim Flaherty, M.P., Minister of Finance for Canada.
Nancy is married to Ken and together have seven children.
The Greater Oshawa Chamber takes in a portion of Clarington. There are 600 members with small medium and large businesses. The largest number are in the SM group. It represents retail, automotive, production , educational and health care segments. Chamber is the business educated voice of the community. This has been a difficult year with some businesses closing due to COVID.
The Chamber:
Provides business people the opportunity to network and learn from one another.
Seminars are now run on ZOOM.
Tax changes are a recurring subject. This year Home Expenses caused by COVID circumstances.
Social media is used extensively.
Not-For-Profits are also an important member constituency.
Politicians are frequent speakers – Nancy has strong connections with the Government of Ontario. She meets with the Mayor of Oshawa every 3 months and stays connected with the Regional Chair.
Other Boards of Trade are tightly connected including the Ontario and Canadian Chambers. Sometimes they are one voice advocating for business with all levels of government Internal management is conducted through committees.
There are 4 staff members. CEO Nancy, Ashley Bain Business Development, Emma Cachia Communications and Marketing and Maggie Miller office support.
Rotary Member comments:
Lennis wasn’t convinced that a prior connection had been that beneficial. Nancy responded that perhaps an interview of a Rotarian and a podcast might be more effective.
President Sue asked about funding. There is no Government funding. Members and sponsors provide all of the funds.
Janice Coupland offered that our club could partner on some project but that we were not in a position to be a sponsor.
Nancy said that the Chamber focused an diversity in a large way including business size as well as the other factors like gender ethnicity etc.
Ted Morrison thanked Nancy for an interesting and informative talk.
MEETING ADJOURNED: at 8:13 pm
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
Mar 2, 2021. 7 pm John Currie, Exec Director Rotary Honouring Indigenous Peoples (see: https://honouringindigenouspeoples.com/ )
Mar 9, 2021. 7 pm Nilam Bedi, Chair, District 7070 Environmental Action Committee
Mar 16, 2021 7 pm St Patrick’s Day Fun Zoom meeting – Spouses invited
Mar 23, 2021 7 pm Club Strategic Plan Review # 2