President Judy opened the meeting with a Land Acknowledgement.
We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we live and work today is the land traditionally used by the Hoaudenosaunee, Anishnaabe and Neutral people. We also acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge, laws and philosphies of the Indigenous people with whom we share this land today.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada was established in 2007 to facilitate reconciliation among former residential school students, their families, their communities and all Canadians. The TRC spent 6 years travelling to all parts of Canada and heard from more than 6,500 witnesses. The TRC also hosted 7 national events across Canada to engage the Canadian public, educate people about the history and legacy of the residential schools system, and share and honour the experiences of former students and their families. In June 2015, the TRC held its closing event in Ottawa and presented the executive summary of the findings contained in its multi-volume final report, including 94 "calls to action" (or recommendations) to further reconciliation between Canadians and Indigenous peoples.
Announcements:
February 8th at 7:30 am - Grand River Rotary is hosting a "Women in Rotary" recognition of our district being the first to admit women to Rotary in this area. All are invited to attend this zoom meeting. Judy will provide the zoom link. This meeting does not replace our own Wednesday meeting
March 7th - the Kitchener Club is hosting a 5-club joint meeting featuring Paul Martin who will be speaking about his family's foundation and their work with Indigenous peoples. This meeting replaces our normal Wednesday meeting that week. Judy will send out details for registration, and check to see if guests are able to attend.
Judy announced that Mac Graham has arranged with Kypreos Restaurant on Lancaster Street in Kitchener to host our weekly Wednesday Rotary meetings. This change is in response to concerns that the Concordia room where we were meeting is too small to accommodate us in being able to space apart appropriately. Menu items will be circulated and the cost to members will remain at $20.00. While technical amenities are available to continue to offer zoom attendance, members are encouraged to come out to these live meetings to reengage with each other, and to confirm our arrangement with Kypreos. There is free parking off of Lancaster Street beside the restaurant.
We will meet at Kypreos on Wednesday, February 2nd with in-person speaker, Mel Kobe, General Manager of the Titans Basketball team. We hope for a good turnout. Remember to bring cash for the 50/50 draw. We will be looking into the opportunity to be billed for the draw or to use a debit card, but will require cash sales for this Wednesday.
There was another reminder to purchase your weekly ticket for Catch the Ace. All proceeds will go to KidsAbility this time around.
Speaker Bob Kieswetter
President of Heat Design Equipment
Bob's motto-The Hotter the Better!
Speaker
Judy Nairn introduced Bob Kieswetter, club member and President of Heat Design Equipment Inc.
Bob's company manufactures patented heating equipment for asphalt construction and repair, and are a world leader in infrared paving technology. They have a number of different units available that do this work. They also have a number of competitors in the industry, which allows them to work together, but also compete with one another. The idea is that their equipment is able to reheat the pavement and recompact it on the spot where it is needed so that you don’t have to tear up repave the whole road. This is very useful with the centre seam fails or there are troubleseome potholes. Repairs can be done in much less time than traditional repairs and repaving.
One important piece from an environmental standpoint, is that with their heaters, they save about 50 percent less co2 emissions, then with the typical milling up the pavement and repaving.
Bob invited members to come to his company on Union Street to see the equipment in action when COVID restrictions are eased.
Bill Pegg thanked Bob for a very informative presentation on an area of everyday life that we give little thought to until we hit one of those dreaded potholes or find a road that is torn up for weeks due to traditional ways of repairing ashphalt.
Judy ended the meeting and encouraged members to attend the live meeting next week at Kypreos.
Bob and son Matt stand beside one of their newly completed units.
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