Canadian Arctic Manhunt Dec 28, 2015- Jan 3, 2016
Posted by James (Jim) Ferguson
A very long time ago, it seems, I was with my father planting trees in our farm in the South of France. While he was over 50 and I was 27, he was planting 3 trees while I could hardly dig and plant one. Not only was it embarrassing, but I realized that there was very little future for me on the family farm. At that time, the Canadian government advertised for French people to immigrate to Canada. I applied and to my surprise and the surprise of my parents, I was accepted. What would I do there without education? Drive a truck, I told my father.Upon arrival at the airport in Edmonton, the only French speaking custom officer drove me to the city and paid for my first night at the King Edward Hotel. He also showed me how to go to the Immigration department. I was given a bit of money and offered a few jobs including window washing. I took the job of helper at a nursing home.
Later, I tried to find a better occupation but without much English and not even grade 10, the employment officer in charge of my file could only tell me that Canada was not the waste basket of other countries.
Two years later, I got a job as a lab assistant at the University of Alberta. There I found the man who coached me and put my life on track. Dr. Bentley, the former dean of the faculty, became my mentor and the person to whom I owe so much. Five years later, I graduated with a bachelor degree with distinction while working full time and without having to get grade 12 and that, with only half of the course requirements for a B.Sc.
Through Rotary and other organizations, I was blessed to be allowed to coach and mentor small business owners, professionals and losers like me. How many people could become significant contributor to society if they had the chance to find willing mentors? Could you be one?
By participating in this meeting and listening to "Ted talks" programs, we also get lessons that can validate our values and allow us to become good mentors.
Happy 2016 and welcome to this weekly meeting of the Rotary E Club of Canada One!
Comments from our Guests and Members
Members and guest attending our weekly meetings are very important to us. Based on your comments we are able to produce many more educational, inspiring and entertaining weekly meetings.
Following are some of the comments we have received. Would you send us your comments please?
Ishmael is a very good speaker with a great message. The message is again "empathy". Listen to the other person and put yourself in their shoes before you form an opinion of a person, their actions or a situation or event where they are involved.
Gord Lewis, Rotary E-Club of Canada One, D-5370
The most powerful message was the video social experiment with the money suit. I also was very impressed with the message from the greeter Jean-Michel Crepin. It is great to see employers showing the value, along with the adjustments made to incorporate new workers into their businesses.
Chris King, Swan City Rotary, D-5270
Chris King, Swan City Rotary, D-5270
Our normal temptation is to stuff the memory bad experiences to the dark corners of our minds. I found Andrew Solomon's approach refreshing - that these experience not only shape who we are but that we have the choice to see them and use them as building blocks to becoming a stronger person - and hopefully a person who develops compassion for others going through similar experiences.
Vicki Horsfield, Rotary E-Club of Canada One, D-5370
Vicki Horsfield, Rotary E-Club of Canada One, D-5370
I was impressed with this video, an what a good Rotarian is. It starts with a good Rotary club and then transcends to the membership to engage and excite its members.
3 Steps are important for a good club
Sam Theocharis, RC of Festival City, D-6330
3 Steps are important for a good club
Sam Theocharis, RC of Festival City, D-6330
Announcements
E-Club Board Meeting
Tue, Jan 5, 2016 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Mountain Standard Time
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/152236565
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/152236565
You can also dial in using your phone.
Canada : +1 (647) 497-9380
Canada : +1 (647) 497-9380
Access Code: 152-236-565
E-Club Fellowship Assembly
Tue, Jan 19, 2016 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Mountain Standard Time
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/487326165
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/487326165
You can also dial in using your phone.
Canada : +1 (647) 497-9353
Canada : +1 (647) 497-9353
Access Code: 487-326-165
Real Time Meetings
Each first Tuesday of the month our club holds its live on-line Board meeting, starting with fellowship at 4:30 pm Pacific Time. Each 3rd Tuesday of the month is our Fellowship Assembly, starting at 5:00 pm Pacific Time. All members are welcome to attend and encouraged to participate. Your opinion is important! Contact President Jim or info@rotaryeclubcanada.ca for directions to attend the e-meeting.
Each first Tuesday of the month our club holds its live on-line Board meeting, starting with fellowship at 4:30 pm Pacific Time. Each 3rd Tuesday of the month is our Fellowship Assembly, starting at 5:00 pm Pacific Time. All members are welcome to attend and encouraged to participate. Your opinion is important! Contact President Jim or info@rotaryeclubcanada.ca for directions to attend the e-meeting.
How do YOU Support our E-Club?
In order for our club to continue with its much needed projects helping others, your contributions are critical.
Please consider a small donation in lieu of a meal,
You may use either, the Paypal Button on the side bar, donation button on the attendance form, or by sending a cheque to:
The Rotary E-club of Canada One
Box 9 Site 10, RR#2, Cochrane, Alberta, Canada T4C 1A2
In order for our club to continue with its much needed projects helping others, your contributions are critical.
Please consider a small donation in lieu of a meal,
You may use either, the Paypal Button on the side bar, donation button on the attendance form, or by sending a cheque to:
The Rotary E-club of Canada One
Box 9 Site 10, RR#2, Cochrane, Alberta, Canada T4C 1A2
We thank you for your donation.
New Members Corner
January is Vocational Service Month.
"Vocational Service" is one of the many reasons for Rotary's success. Yet, this second avenue of service in Rotary is often neglected. If we want our club to grow, we must keep vocational service in the forefront - in our planning and to take action. Ideas alone are useless unless put in action. Do what is right and put "Service Above Self".
Vocational service simply applies Rotary's concept of service to business, the profession and the workplace. Before Rotarians go about putting the principles of vocational service into practice, they need to reflect on their daily relations, with employees, suppliers and peers.
"Vocational Service" is one of the many reasons for Rotary's success. Yet, this second avenue of service in Rotary is often neglected. If we want our club to grow, we must keep vocational service in the forefront - in our planning and to take action. Ideas alone are useless unless put in action. Do what is right and put "Service Above Self".
Vocational service simply applies Rotary's concept of service to business, the profession and the workplace. Before Rotarians go about putting the principles of vocational service into practice, they need to reflect on their daily relations, with employees, suppliers and peers.
"When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful."
Malala Yusafzai
Rotary Jukebox
Canadian Arctic Manhunt
On Christmas Day, 1931, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, with the assistance of aboriginal trackers, approached a rural cabin near the Arctic Circle. They were there to question an unknown trapper about vandalized trap lines but were met with open fire instead of answers. Over the next 49 days one of the largest criminal searches in Canadian history ensued, taking the RCMP above the Arctic Circle where they had to endure harsh weather conditions on top of firefights with the mysterious fugitive they were pursuing.
This officially ends this week's meeting
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If you have an interesting topic, or project to share please contact our Program Chair Juan Carlos at jcreyes@efficiency.ca
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