President Matt Villella welcomed a number of guests and potential new members including Mary Veltri (TB Climate Change Transition), Danielle Thom (City of TB Climate Action Specialist) - both guests of Marg Woods and John Stephenson: Angela Hill (Matt Villella), Sue Bailey (Chris Bailey) and Akash Balaji (Albert Brulé).
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Past president John Stephenson on PUBLIC HEALTH & SOCIAL JUSTICE THROUGH GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.
John and Marg Woods lead a cause célèbre in this community with a focus on aligning the upgraded knowledge and technology available in improving building standards to mitigate advancing climate change with it's huge plethora of negative repercussions: just some examples including public health (physical and mental health), affordable housing, and policy changes to inadequate baseline building codes utilizing the (yet to be fully utilized) GREEN DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.
John's extensive background as a leading progressively minded architect and Marg's background in health as a similarly progressive MD has made for a great PA Rotary team lead for the local THUNDER BAY CLIMATE TRANSITION COLLABORATIVE.
Collaboration has been key: brainstorming with 15 like minded groups to focus on climate equity and community health. The club has already met leading advocates in TB like Dr. Paul Berger and the collaboration is signing on new Rotarians.
John used several excellent examples outlining doable strategies such as new builds forgoing standard code natural gas for heating and replacing with more efficient air sourced heat pumps, LED lighting, heat exchangers etc. leading to needed large reductions in emissions.
"Why do we need Green Development Standards (GDS)?"
Because it is really mandatory and a social justice issue (targeting many citizens disproportionately) moving into the uncertain future on the planet and Thunder Bay.
There was also a great primer on the effects of air pollution, and mental health deterioration already affecting people here.
Rotarians and like minded ilk can do much to help including speaking out, educating, changing behaviors (eg simple things like cutting back on car idling), electrification and joining this local team of passionate individuals. Recall also the recommendations of our guest speaker Paul Berger.
The club thanks John and Marg for their pioneering work and dedication to this cause getting this movement going and we hope to see progress soon.
John used several excellent examples outlining doable strategies such as new builds forgoing standard code natural gas for heating and replacing with more efficient air sourced heat pumps, LED lighting, heat exchangers etc. leading to needed large reductions in emissions.
"Why do we need Green Development Standards (GDS)?"
Because it is really mandatory and a social justice issue (targeting many citizens disproportionately) moving into the uncertain future on the planet and Thunder Bay.
There was also a great primer on the effects of air pollution, and mental health deterioration already affecting people here.
Rotarians and like minded ilk can do much to help including speaking out, educating, changing behaviors (eg simple things like cutting back on car idling), electrification and joining this local team of passionate individuals. Recall also the recommendations of our guest speaker Paul Berger.
The club thanks John and Marg for their pioneering work and dedication to this cause getting this movement going and we hope to see progress soon.
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Allocation Cheque Presentation: Matt Villella presented our cheque to Albert Brulé (CEO Thunder Bay United Way): We sponsored the United Way Community BBQ in partnership with Dew Drop Inn and RFDA.
Allocation Cheque Presentation: Matt Villella presented our cheque to Albert Brulé (CEO Thunder Bay United Way): We sponsored the United Way Community BBQ in partnership with Dew Drop Inn and RFDA.
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Reports Reminders and Updates:
- Rotary Radio Day ad sales:(Matt V): the campaign has begun so members can get moving. In addition help selling TV ads is urgent. Contact Art Warwick if interested in reading ads
- Salvation Army Kettles (Bill Green): several shifts still available
- Santa Claus Parade review: great success (Jim Madder and more)
- Wilderness Discovery Centre: board member recruitment to consider (Dave Silliman)
- EVENTS upcoming add-ons: December 4th Chamber of Commerce reception at Red Lion (we are members) 4:30 to 6:30 pm (Warren Philp)
- Followed by Fellowship event at Magnus Theatre (Elf production) 7:00 pm. PA Rotary has special $25 seating (call box office) and enjoy post show Q&A reception with actors in lobby with refreshments (Shelley Crawford)
- Fun with happy birthdays (quite a few in November - Bob Tomlinson) and Happy Dollars (Chad Beaver)
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Canada