President Cathy Skene opened the meeting with the club's land acknowledgement and the singing of O'Canada led by Dave Morris.

Chair Announcements by President Cathy:

Past President Iain and I took part in the Volunteer Fair at Red River Polytech, Notre Dame Campus, on Wednesday. We met some very interesting people. One student from Ghana was so excited to hear that we were Rotarians she pulled out her phone to show me a picture of the person in Ghana who sponsored her into Rotary when she lived there.

We handed out Forest bags, and as usual, some people said that they already had too many bags. The presenter at the table next to us, Meals on Wheels (www.mealswinnipeg.com), chimed in that Sunshine House (www.sunshinehousewpg.org) accepts reusable bags. I checked their website, and sure enough, reusable shopping bags are on their list of most-needed items, along with coats, socks, long underwear, pants, sweatshirts, boots, hats, mitts, personal care items and non-perishable food items.

They are an Overdose prevention site, and are located at 646 Logan (at Sherbrook). They ask that you make an appointment for drop-offs. As usual, I would be happy to make the delivery if you prefer. A great opportunity to clear out your inventory of reusable shopping bags.

Thursday I attended the University Women’s Club (www.uwcwpgmb.com) panel discussion 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence at Government House. The moderator was Shannon Sampert, and the three panelists were Diane Redsky, of Ma Mawi, community activist and member of the Winnipeg Police Board; Dr. Kendra Nixon, head of Resolve (Research and Education for Solutions to Violence and Abuse); and, Madam Justice Lore Midwaldt, Manitoba Court of King’s Bench. The panelists were all passionate about the issue, so much so that their introductory remarks took up so much time that there was nothing left for Q&A. But they were available for chats during the reception that followed.

And that’s where my Rotary moment for this week happened: Rotarian Tsungai Muvingi sat down right in front of me. It was the first time I have seen Tsungai in person, instead of on zoom, so that was a real treat.

Our club’s Christmas party will be held on December 16th, right here at the beautiful Breezy Bend Golf & Country Club. Chuck has tickets. They are priced at $45 each. And family and friends are welcome. Get yours soon; the party is only two weeks away. Next meeting will be your last chance.

A few things to know about the party:

• Rod will be taking portraits. There is no charge for this. Your pictures will be emailed to you. Thank you Rod!
• There will be appetizers served prior to the Christmas dinner so come hungry.
• We will be collecting socks and warm waterproof mitts for Westgrove School students,
• and warm socks for men or women to be distributed by Canadian Footwear.
• Cash donations are also welcome.
• We won’t be collecting food items for Westgrove School this year as the provincial food grant has hopefully taken care of this. So no Cheerios mountain this year.

Speak to Chuck if you have questions. If you will not be attending the party, Chuck would be happy to take your gifts off your hands.

A few words about socks. Canadian Footwear’s Fit Feet On The Street program started in 2002. Their goal is to put footwear on the feet of Manitoba families who would otherwise not have access to them. It is their mandate to treat all recipients of the footwear with both dignity and respect. If you have ever suffered from cold feet (and we live in Manitoba so of course you have) just imagine what it would feel like without a warm home or car waiting for you. Socks can literally save lives for the under-sheltered. Find out more about this program: https://tinyurl.com/2p8mp8r8

Mandy reported that using technology like Google Forms she has become more efficient and productive with meeting the needs of the refugees by buying what is required before they show up as they have indicated what their needs are. To date Mandy reports we have helped over 347 families and expects to help before the end of the year closer to 400 families. She is very grateful to all the volunteers and members who have made these efforts possible.

After Dinner, Past President Iain introduced tonight’s speaker, Justin Rowan, an efficiency analyst from Efficiency Manitoba (efficiencymb.ca)

Justin made an excellent presentation to the club regarding the programs available to Manitobans be it residential or commercial.

His presentation covered the following points of the Efficiency Program:

Who they are and what they do

• Efficiency Manitoba is Manitoba’s newest Crown corporation dedicated to energy efficiency.
• Manitoba’s one-stop-shop for energy efficiency programs, rebates, information, and expert advice.
• We have over 40 programs and offers available to help residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural customers save energy, money, and the environment.

Appliance Recycling Program

• Free pick-up and a $30 rebate per old, inefficient fridge or freezer (up to 3 per household)
• Free pick-up of other appliances with qualifying appliances (bar fridge, dehumidifier, window air conditioners).
• Save money on energy bills
• Nearly all parts of the appliance are recycled, meaning little ends up in the landfill.
• Refrigerators/freezers must be at least 20 years old and 10 cubic feet or larger.
• In working condition (capable of cooling) and plugged in for pickup.
• Book online or call to schedule pick-up.

Windows and Doors Rebate
$100 per each eligible ENERGY STAR® certified window/door

• Makes your home more efficient and more comfortable • Reduced condensation
• Reduced noise • Windows/doors must replace existing windows and doors between an unheated space (e.g. outdoors) and a heated space.
• Products must be ENERGY STAR® certified with at least triple pane glass.

Air Source Heat Pumps
Up to $1.65 per square foot of heated space

• Provides efficient heating and cooling in one unit.
• Reduces electric heating costs by up to 30%.
• Introduces heating and cooling to problematic areas.
• Approval is required before starting any work.
• Must use a registered EM supplier.

Ground Source Heat Pumps
Up to $2.50 per square foot of heated space

• Provides efficient heating and cooling in one Unit.
• Reduces electric heating costs by up to 60%.
• Most efficient heating system (and more expensive to install).
• Approval is required before starting any work.
• Must use a registered EM supplier.

Solar Rebate
Rebate of $0.50 per direct current (DC) watt installed on homes connected to Manitoba Hydro’s grid, up to a maximum of $5,000 per home.

• Provides energy in a sustainable manner.
• Helps to reduce your monthly energy bill.
• Mitigates the impact of future rate increases.
• Can increase the value of your property.
• Home is occupied and heated year-round
• The home is a single-detached home, semi-detached home, mobile home on a permanent foundation, duplex, triplex, fourplex, or multiplex with its own meter.
• Must use a registered EM supplier.

Energy Efficiency Assistance Program
The EEAP offers free or subsidized energy efficiency upgrades for income qualifying households.

• Free Energy Checkup
• Natural Gas Furnace Upgrade:-

$5000 REBATE
$9.50 or $25/MONTH FOR 5 YEARS

• Free Energy Savings devices
• Free Insulation
• Natural Gas Boiler Upgrade:

$5000 REBATE
Home Insulation Rebate
Rebates for attic, walls, exterior and foundation are available to help customers improve the insulation levels in their homes. Rebates are provided up to 100% of the required insulation materials or the calculated rebate amount (whichever is less).

• Helps to reduce your energy bills.
• Improves the comfort of your living space.
• Home must be built prior to 1999.
• Project must meet starting and final R-value

Requirements.

• Approval is required prior to purchasing materials or starting any work including removing drywall, stucco, or insulation.
• Must use a registered EM supplier.

In-Suite Efficiency Program
Tenants may receive:

• LED Light Bulbs
• Faucet Aerators
• Low-flow showerheads
• Shower timers
• Window Kits
• Outlet stoppers

Applicant is the property manager, owner or condo board member of an apartment, condo, townhouse, or rowhouse. The building must have four or more suites. The suites must be occupied year-round (no hotels)

Home Energy Retrofits
Rebates on extensive renovation projects to an existing home with a focus on reducing energy usage by upgrading or replacing multiple building systems at once. Rebates are based on the home’s total annual energy reduction from the renovation. Rebates of $10,000+ are typical.

• Deep energy retrofit projects do more than save on energy costs. They make homes quieter, more comfortable, and healthier for the families that live there.
• EnerGuide evaluation must be done before you apply.
• Approval required before work starts on the project.

New Homes Program
Between $2,000 and $15,000 per home plus $350 to $750 for energy modelling & consultation

• Certified Energy Efficient homes are quieter, more comfortable, more resilient, easier to maintain and have better air quality than typical new homes.
• Any new residential construction 3 storeys or less
• 15% (<300m3) or 25% (>300m3) improvement over minimum building code.

Small Business Program

• Free basic upgrade items and installation
• 70% rebate on lighting upgrades, smart thermostats, and pitched roof attic insulation
• Save money on energy bills
• Save money on water bills
• Reduced maintenance cost and time
• Improve comfort
• Must be under 15,000 sq. ft.
• Can’t be part of a national franchise or chain
• Must not have more than 10 locations in Manitoba
• Must pay an electric or natural gas utility bill
• Can’t be a provincial or federal government building

To learn more and find out the necessary eligibility of these programs. Please visit efficiencymb.ca/my-home

Before Dinner, Sarge Mike introduced our guests and members happy bucks and anniversaries.

Happy Bucks & Anniversaries

• Leanne is enjoying life in retirement and reports that life is good.
• David is happy to have booked his ticket to Calgary for the RI Convention.
• Bernard celebrated his birthday on December 2nd and the members sang Happy Birthday to him.
• Chuck was happy to share his Granddaughter won the provincial Volleyball Championship.
• Iain was happy to have met Nadia Kidwai at Red River College and shared that she has taken Forest Bags back to the studio to be used as prizes for the call in shows.

Next week on Monday December 9, our speaker is Allison Kirkland of Shelter Movers. They are a national organization, but just starting up in Winnipeg so they have a variety of volunteer positions to fill. And they were at the two student volunteer fairs that Iain and Cathy attended.

Sarge Mike had Justin draw for the 50/50 and the winning ticket was Nancy who did not draw the marble.

Meeting Adjourned