Sabbatical:  Rob Dunseith will spend 5 weeks of his 3 month sabbatical visiting Europe with spouse Provincial Court Judge Elizabeth Johnson.

 

Finemaster:  Jim Spalding raised funds with questions about Edmonton's landmarks

 

50/50:  Rob Dunseith and Ken Branders did not match cards.

 

Guest Speaker:  Joe Lizotte introduced Michael Walters who was heavily involved in providing support for homeless people and the environment prior to being elected as ward 10 City of Edmonton Councillor.  Michael sits on many city committees and his talk covered many issues with the main focus being the history of infill housing.  The current low density new community development process makes it hard for the city to provide services and maintain infrastructure at a reasonable property tax rate for all Edmonton citizens.  As an example, in the winter there are 5500 kilometers of roads to clear.

 

For 20 years, Michael was a community organizer starting with Alberta Avenue (118 Avenue) rejuvenation.  He championed the right for all residents to enjoy good housing - trying to eliminate tired housing - and the preservation of farmland (source of good food) by trying to get higher density communities.  This would relate to less land being encroached by developers.  The city swallows top class farmland when it expands.  Low density expansion extends the lack of affordability by city taxpayers to purchase their own dwellings.  It also contributes to the school dilemma of too many schools with too few homes.  Also old shopping centres are not being properly utilized.  School boards have to consolidate meaning school closures in older neighborhoods.  Close 3 schools and open 1 new one.  Densitification has to be taken seriously.

 

Part of the process is to increase family density in the downtown core.  High rise development is now available with the close of the municipal airport.  The airport land and the land from the Northlands race track area can be or will be developed with proper density guidelines.  RF3 neighborhoods like Westmount that are authorized to develop row housing are being upgraded with infil housing.  The real challenge is RF1 neighborhoods (single detached) that cover 50% of city land and comprise of almost 100% of schools in attendance trouble.  In the past, the infil process has centered on tearing down old small houses and building larger homes with many poorly done.  Local small developers build one house at a time and are not sophisticated.  The city has to implement better training before issuing the go ahead on an application for infil construction.  This will eventually result in saving mature trees and update neighborhoods in an attractive manner.

 

32 bylaw updates are required to make the construction practices of infil contractors safe for existing home owners.  Mature neighborhoods need young families which has resulted in the change to approve narrower building lots.  This makes the land cost less so young people have a better chance of buying their own home and it benefits the renewal of old neighborhoods.  The entire Capital City Region is undergoing a process to get all municipalities to operate under the same guidelines so that developers don't jump to a bedroom community that has lax standards.  The aim is for good environmental and financial stewardship in a common growth plan for all capital region municipalities.

 

Michael was thanked by Jerome Martin.

Guest Speaker:  Joe Lizotte introduced Ashley Janssen, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Code and Effect.  This is the second enterprise that entrepreneur Ashley has started; the first is being operated by her husband.  In business development, intention is a large part of networking.  Networking allows you to introduce yourself.  When you are an introvert, you are exhausted after a networking session and you, thus, need to do some planning to reduce the stress.

 

Points to consider:  be selective about the events or meetings that you will network in (stop being burnt out); clarify the type of person you want to meet and why; which organizations do you want to support; research and record the networking events; set a budget for your time and expenditures; set a goal for every event - what you want to achieve out of each session; build your online persona by posting about networking events on social media; find a networking buddy - a touch point in the room and, also, a person that can introduce you {or vice versa}; put your phone away, smile, give a good handshake [especially with women contacts]; try to keep the focus of conversation on others by asking questions (start by sharing something about yourself); take notes after the event; follow up with potential contacts with in 24 hours of the event.

 

Ashley was thanked by Mike Ryan.

Paul Harris Fellowship Presentation:  Ingrid presented Doug Sollows with his Paul Harris plus 6 award.  Congratulation.

 

My Rotary:  President Darrel advised that there had been a change in the website.  Also, to emphasize the importance of the Rotary International Foundation, a chief philanthropy officer had been appointed by Rotary International.

 

Finemaster:  Jerome raised money by announcing various quotations and asking "who said it?".

 

50/50:  $142 carried over as Brian Murphy and Duart Berg did not match cards.

 

Guest Speaker: Joe Lizotte introduced Darla Woodlie who had a great idea to write a book.  The book she wrote was based on family traditions and support of family members.  It has become an award winner.  The smallest things sometimes generate the biggest impact.  Red Socks go with Absolutely Anything is a picture book for all ages.  Darla's family has found that wearing red socks can provide encouragement for family and friends; such as providing confidence for giving a good talk.  Darla's talk to Rotary Club of Edmonton West is her first talk to adults; she usually talks to school children.

 

The tradition started in British Columbia when a mother was in hospital and her son gave her red socks to boost her spirits.  Then that son got skin cancer and the family held a BBQ to support him and they all wore red socks.  The tradition moved to Alberta when 3 family members were in hospital basically at the same time.  Red socks were given and they apparently do boost the spirits.  Darla has received photographs from across Canada of family members with red socks.

 

In 2014 Darla's grandfather died at age 99.  He was a story teller and, to celebrate his memory,Darla started to write.  She also had to learn about the publishing business and, eventually, got professional help.  The book with pictures was published and became a success.  The main statement is "I am ready, I can do anything".  Darla has a program of donating books and each purchaser is given the chance to pick a donation recipient.  The book has circulated around the world because of donations, reviews by book bloggers and instagramers.

 

When Darla talks to children she tries to get them to participate.  One child asked why the socks aren't blue.  She wants the children to talk and listen to adults and get their stories.  Maybe they won't write a book but the generational interaction is valuable.  Plus the type and colour of the motivational item that the child centers on doesn't matter.  It is the motivation that comes from personal experiences and the symbol that represents the process.  Share stories - experience other experiences. 

 

The book has won many international awards such as the Moonbeam Children's Book Award.  Over 400 books have been donated.  During Read In Week, Darla read to 460 children from kindergarten to grade 6.  The message "I feel strong, I an ready, I can do almost anything" appears on each page of the book.  One child with a disability has taken the message, in Bon Accord, and convinced the school to establish a wall in the school to record book donations.  

 

Darla was thanked by Rob Dunseith.