The Westerner for September 21, 2009

Posted by Brian F. Thompson 
 

Meeting:   Chair: Chris Gowers; Music: Jerome;  Grace: Bob Kimmerley

Attendance / Guests:   34 including Al Budlong, St. Albert, Mladen Ryhart, John Su, Dr. Diane Cox, Pamela Freeman

Announcements:

  • Jerome advises that PDG Alan MacLean is not doing well and will likely move to a hospice.
  • Al Holmes, on the other hand, is doing much better, and is looking forward to being able to return to our meetings.
  • A sign-up sheet for Fellowship Dinners was circulated.  Call Bob Lamoureux if you wish to sign up.
  • A sign-up sheet for READ IN week at James Gibbons School was also circulated.  The dates available are October 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 13th.  Please remember that Literacy is a high priority with Rotary International, and this event is our Club's commitment to the Literacy initiative.  More readers are needed, so if you can spare one hour of your time on any of these dates to read to elementary school students, plus share with them some of your professional or Rotary experience, call Sherry Holmes at 780-489-8020 (School) or Jim Johnston at 780-452-7624 (home).

  • Jim Spalding again announced the Lest We Forget Concert, November 7, 7:30 @ Winspear, tickets $20.  See Jim for tickets.

Finemaster - Bob Lamoureux proposed (with much support) to fine Chris Gowers $50 for his brain still being on holiday and exempting everyone else, but he did choose to nail pretty much everyone for either supporting the Eskimos or the Riders in the recent weekend football game.

50/50 Draw - Ben Lang and Don McDermid did not match cards so the pot grows - Now over $350.

PROGRAM - Sandon Cox introduced Pamela Freeman who provided an update on TEC Edmonton.  Pamela previously spoke to us in May, 2008, and there have been some significant and positive changes in the organization.

TEC Corp. is a company that fosters new companies, including U of A corporate spinoffs.  Pamela is Vice President of Company Development, but has been recently acting as Chief Executive Officer while the corporation recruits a new CEO.

The main change in the way they operate involves colaboration with other Edmonton agencies to both reduce operating costs and to improve effectiveness.

John Blimke thanked Pamela for her interesting and well-delivered presentation.