The Westerner for February 4, 2013
Meeting: chair, Rob Dunseith; music, Jerome; grace Duane
Attendance/Guests: 27 including Ken Bautista, guest speaker; Lyle Kulchisky, MaCauley Rink Project; Brent Birch, proposed member by Mike Ryan
MaCauley Rink Project: Kieran and John jointly presented a cheque from Rotary Club of Edmonton West to Lyle Kulchisky and Al Hamilton (honourary Rotary member) in amount $5,000 towards the continued operation of the neighbourhood innercity rink. Lyle has enjoyed the year that he has spent helping the innercity young people enjoy outdoor hockey. He mentioned that 20-25 kids regularly skate and Lyle helps them with skates, hockey sticks, helmets and hot chocolate. Everyone is invited to go there on Family Day and enjoy the program - about 300 people attended last year.
Grandview Concerts: plan to attend, bring guests to hear Tommy Banks on February 12; other concerts to be held on April 16 and May 28
Gift Cards: buy from Brian; proceeds go to international and local projects.
Integrity Awards: forms are available to nominate good people for our club's choice for the award, plan to attend the dinner April 25
Rotary International Foundation/World Understanding Month: Chris requested that we donate to the above mentioned foundation under the Every Rotarian - Every Year program. Annual donations accumulate to purchase a Paul Harris Fellowship and help Rotarians around the world to complete well meaning international projects
Member Induction: Mike Ryan introduced Brent Birch who was then inducted into Rotary International and the Rotary Club of Edmonton West by President Rob. Brent's classification is "Marketing Construction". Brent was born near Langely, B C, and educated across the 3 western provinces plus he is a the holder of a private pilot's licence. Welcome, Brent
Membership Campaign Winners: Darrel Ripley & Darryll White presented a range of prizes for the winners to chose from. The winners were Mike Ryan, Rob Dunseith, and 3 tied for third being Duane Evans, Darryll White and Mike Henry. Congratulations.
Rotary cards were given to each member to use to obtain the first lunch for a guest paid for by the club.
50/50: Doug MacDougall and Al Holmes did not match cards, $47 carried over
Guest Speaker: Kieran introduced Ken Bautista of Startup Edmonton which is campus co-work space to foster start up companies. Ken has 2 companies, Hot Rocket and Rocket Fuel Games, which are aimed at the youth market and youth education. Ken, who graduated from U of A in 2000, has been honoured as one of Avenue Magazine's top 40 under 40 and one of Alberta's most influential by Venture Magazine.
Great talent is coming from our universities and colleges - we need to keep them in Edmonton by helping them with their corporate start up processes. Startup Edmonton is using technology and related software towards this purpose. Steps include IDEAS (problems discovered); STARTUP (teams gain traction); RAMP UP (startups build momentum); SPEED UP(start ups grow & scale up). 60 users of the space have raised $9 million as start up funds in 2012. Innovation is a social constant activity so people need dynamic spaces to meet in - think big at the start to grow big. Startup Edmonton moved into the Mercer Building in May, 2012, occupying one and one half floors. Work space is open {no offices} to foster continuous discussion. If the start up is not growing, it is out after 6 months. Some private space is available for meetings. There is access to U of A, Grant McEwan, NAIT & other colleges. Rotary can particpate as an interface to provide mentorship.
Ken was thanked by Mike Ryan