The Westerner for July 27, 2009
Meeting: chair, Ben Doz; music, Jerome; grace, Doug Sollows
Speakers Committee: Lynette gave a run down on expected future speakers and Ben Doz thanked the committee for its hard work, to date. Dave Hancock has postponed his talk till later in the fall
No Meeting: August 3rd, Edmonton Petroleum Club is closed
Microphones: new portable mics have arrived and will be tested at the golf tournament
Exchange Student Billets: Ben Doz announced there has been positive interest; a meeting will be held for those interested in participating as hosts on August 5 @ 7:00 pm, at Chris and Kathleen Gowers home, 738 Hendra Crescent; contact Ben Doz or Chris for more information
Salmon Bake: Aug 7 @ International Airport; contact www.altaflights.com for map and details; $10 per person
50/50: Bruce & Frank let $240 carry over for 2 weeks
Finemaster: Doug fined Ben Doz for calling him Mister; anyone wearing shorts; anyone wearing ties except for Bert; John for selling the golf tournament like a used car sales seminar; Bert for his first full meeting as a member; Mike for description of Charlie's lack of hearing comments
Happy Bucks: Doug Sollows for good weather and straight golf shot; Laurie for getting rid of Magpies with spray from hose; Jennifer for trip to Belise on district education project this Friday; Grace for daughter Laurie doing 100 km Tour De France
Guest Speaker: Lynette introduced Jessie Radies, owner of Blue Pear Restaurant, just named October Woman of Vision by Global TV. Jessie is a supporter of local economy and a self proclaimed foody
Jessie has lived in inner city for 18 years but has noticed that despite the booming economy, people still live on the street. Earnings for Canadians have stagnated = 1 in 6 people in Edmonton live in poverty. Living Local - local ownership with independent decisions. Increase community benefits through circulating money in locally owned businesses where money is spent by local people in local businesses in a chain purchase scenario. Dealing locally means $53 of every $100 is returned to the local community whereas only $14 per $100 is returned when dealing with national/international chain stores. There is local job creation, then increase in local wealth, possible selling of locally produced products.
Change your purchase decision to value, not price. Local foods and dealing with local book stores returns more to the local economy. Buying on line returns zero to the local economy.
Purchasing for both home and business locally works in sync to improve the local economy. Example - Blue Pear buys caramels from a Peace River small producer - having that one commercial account is a dramatic positive change for the single proprietorship
International Confernce - Montreal - 100 years of Rotary in Canada: plan to attend, help make this conference one of the best; info @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJT-a8R3oUg District Governors with clubs in Canada have committed to having at least two Rotary couples from every club in their district to attend in Montreal, June 20-23, 2010