February 20, 2020: David Prosser, “Stratford Festival Theater and new Tom Patterson Theater”, Rob Russell will introduce, and Peter Maranger will thank our speaker.
Head Table: Our President Brent Shackleton, invites, Rob Russell, Kel Pero, Mimi Price, Steve Rae, Pat Redshaw, Lutzen Riedstra and Patricia Riehl, to join him at the head table.
Today at Rotary: Our speaker today was Lucy Railton, a resident of Stratford since 2016 and a new member of the Festival City Rotary Club. Lucy and her family moved to Stratford for a change of pace from life in Oakville. Lucy has 25 year’s experience in sales and marketing. Her tech company is called 22Eighteen, with the focus being Unified Business Growth. The name refers to the 2218 square kilometres that make up Perth County. She is also just beginning a network for women called WeCanPerth which will be hosting an information series over the next few months.
Rotarian Lucy Railton giving a talk on Search Engine optimization. Intro by Charlene Gordon.
The topic today was Search Engine Optimization (SEO). The goal is to optimize website traffic and improve your return on investment in technology services. Google is and has been King in this area for a long time. The industry is evolving to the point where much depends on the types of devices that are being used to access the web. Desktop computers, tablets and smartphones, voice-activated or not, all require different strategies. Google changes its rules 500 -600 times per year, always with the goal of keeping users on Google for as long as possible.
Why is SEO important….. Businesses using websites do so because they need to be found. 93% of website traffic starts with a search engine. Businesses want to be at the top of the first page in any Google search.
In order to be successful, you must generate traffic (visitors to your website) and then convert them to become customers. Your website content needs to be relevant to what people are looking for. You want people to have a positive user experience in this climate where people want instant information.
It is important to use the right keywords and to have the proper security certification so that Google will direct people to your website. Businesses need to develop brand and company awareness and create trust with their visitors.
It is also important to use Geo-targeting, identifying your business as either local, national or global. One way to make sure your business is included in the Google maps that often appear in a search is to go to Google My Business and identify your business there. It is also important to develop links with other trusted websites that will increase traffic to your business.
Lucy provided a lot of information that, frankly, went over the head of this scribe. She is clearly very knowledgeable and seems to be a good resource for businesses and individuals who want to improve their web experience. She very capably answered several questions from Rotarians on a variety of tech related subjects.
Lucy was thanked by Paul Roulston.
Bewildered Scribe: Wendy Anderson
Announcements
Past President Paul Roulston and Past Sgt-at-Arms Guy Chadsey were in charge today. As Guy said, a pair of re-treads…..
Literacy Committee – Tine Buechler had two requests today.
- If you have unused backpacks and or computer bags that you would be willing to donate, bring them to Rotary next week. They will be filled with school supplies and included in the next container shipment to South Africa.
- If you have old cell phones that you are no longer using, Tine will gladly accept those as well. She has people who will scrub them clean. They will be given to young people who need a phone in order to be contacted about employment opportunities.
Program Committee – Doug Thompson reported that the program slots are filled until July, when there may be changes due to the strategic planning that is currently underway. Thanks to all who gave suggestions for speakers.
Rotary Board Meeting – Tuesday Feb 18 at the YMCA
Attendance Ribbons
Wendy Anderson 700
Gord Sherwin 1000
Fritz Steigmeier 1200
Clark Mitchell 1400
We will be holding the Honour Student Banquet this year on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at the Rotary Complex.
THE ACE OF SPADES LIVES!
You can get your tickets for week 2 at Libro Credit Union, Black Angus Bakery & Catering, or MacLeod's Scottish Shop, or next Saturday at the Stratford and District Agricultural Society & Farmers' Market or Festival Marketplace Shopping Centre.
The estimated jackpot is now $300!
You may follow the results and see the remaining numbers by visiting our Catch the Ace website and our Facebook page. We'd also encourage everyone to share this on Facebook and other social media outlets to help spread the word!
Please note that we're in need of volunteers to help run the weekly draw--sign up on ClubRunner!
You can get your tickets for week 2 at Libro Credit Union, Black Angus Bakery & Catering, or MacLeod's Scottish Shop, or next Saturday at the Stratford and District Agricultural Society & Farmers' Market or Festival Marketplace Shopping Centre.
The estimated jackpot is now $300!
You may follow the results and see the remaining numbers by visiting our Catch the Ace website and our Facebook page. We'd also encourage everyone to share this on Facebook and other social media outlets to help spread the word!
Please note that we're in need of volunteers to help run the weekly draw--sign up on ClubRunner!
Guests: Julia Elliott, Myrna Inglis, and Freya Inglis Eickmeyer.
Foundation Draw: Donated by Paul Roulston and won by Jim Scott.
Make-ups: no report
Please, if you do a make-up, please send me an email at naroutzidis@naeng.com.
February’s Attendance Committee: Ryan Erb (I/C), Rick Orr, Elizabeth Gaffney, Dan Kane, Debra Swan, Michael Fox, Katelyn Aitcheson, Clare McCallum, Wendy Anderson.
