The Westerner for March 30, 2009
Meeting: chair, Ben Doz; music, Jerome; grace, Bob Kimmerly
Attendance/Guests: 38 including Grant Dewar, Rotary Club of Edmonton Mayfield; Elaine Crooks, guest of Erica & spouse of deceased member Dr. Jim Crooks; David Winfield, Assistant District Governor and Rotary Club of Edmonton Gateway; Jim Wooley, guest of Chris; Mark Dobko, guest of John; Cecile Homeniuk, guest of Lynette; 3 guest speakers from U of A Athletics - Mike McTeague, Katie Spriggs, Tim Gourley
Posting of Potential New Member: Jim Wooley, classification communications management, proposed by Chris, Jim publishes a newspaper in Stoney Plain called SPUR and is involved in internet communication products
Integrity Award Winner: Jerome advised that our club chose a nominee from Lynette, Glori Meldrum, as our club's winner; Glori is CEO/Owner of g<squared> - marketing & advertising agency, she formed Little Warriors, a not for profit dedicated to educating adults about how to help prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse; Glori has received YMCA Woman of Vision Award, became first female president of Entrepreneurs Organization Edmonton, board member of Edmonton Economic Development Corp., member of Young Presidents' Organization, has BSC Commerce - a worthly choice, well done to Jerome's committee and thanks to Lynette for the nomination.
Integrity Award Dinner/Presentation: April 29, Sutton Place Hotel, $40, tickets from Jerome
Grandview: April 14, Dr. Jim Butler, wildlife presentation to residents and club members & family members
50/50: congratulations to Charlie & Jerome who share $326
Somebodies' Mode of Operation (per Jerome): kill it or promote it
General Buckham's Story: fund raiser in lieu of fines - $2 each - an education in culture: Bill & Keatha were @ ESO (Symphony) Pop Series after dinner & wine, Keatha whispered take this, Bill accepted what he thought was a pill and swallowed it, surprise when Keatha wanted her hearing aid (did we actually acknowledge that) back - worth $2
Guest Speakers: Doug Sollows introduced 3 members of U of A Athletics Dept. to talk about changes in the dept and community building (Tim, the student representative, is a member of the U of A volleyball National Championship Team)
Mike said he felt very welcomed at our club; dept runs 25 teams that compete with other universities across Canada & USA (not all house leagues); they initially compete in Canada West Conference (4 provinces Man. - BC); then advance to nationals through a series of playoffs - all team members are full time students and represent all faculties
Students enjoy athletic challenges/experiences (like Tim as a member of school of business); students contribute to the community as athletes, partly to inspire other students to be the best they can be academically, in sports, in personal life; athletics produces the leaders of tomorrow
The dept maintains a level of excellence (campus of champions); they try to ensure the best athletes stay in Canada; they need increased resources to maintain the pursuit of and maintenance of excellence - only 10% of budget comes from U of A - balance from casinos, fund raisers, revenue from public competitive venues/ games; needs are athletic scholarships and awards to help pay for student athletic costs and tuition - to attract the brightest and best and provide the best medical care to the athletes plus therapists and nutritionists; if we don't fund the U of A Athletics Dept - we lose the good
Katie is an assistant director of athletics, students become involved in the community after training 15 hours per week; Bear Hugs (Stollery Hospital for Children), Tobacco Free, Habitat for Humanity, blood donor clinics, Wax for AIDS Program (painful), coaching expertise to local clubs (upon graduation many lead volunteer coaching); national program (Academic All Canadian Program) tracts students that make 80% or better in marks (U of A has over 1600 students and 40 national championships recorded), 85% of student athletes graduate which is higher than any other university program, U of A is the only university that can boast of 11 team national championships in different sports; excellence in the classroom and community
Tim has been a student @ U of A for 3 years after growing up in Peace River, Grande Prairie & 2 years @ Red Deer College; volleyball - first year to national championships, lost to Winnipeg; second year - beat Winnipeg for CIS National Championship; third year - U of A hosted the championship - family & friends at the games (adrenaline boost) - crowd into the scene as the team worked towards the win; athletics helps develop other skills - manage course load, sports travel, Bear Hugs program, social life; time management with focus to the current job; developed leadership skills - lead the team - voted in as one of team captains, motivate other players, U of A has the best program
Speakers were thanked by Mike Ryan