Rotary Club of Calgary is comprised of professional and community leaders who come together through a shared commitment and fellowship to create a better future for the generations that are to follow.
Rotary Employment Partnership –District 5360 Receives a Leadership Award and Club President Tim Heaton hires a New Employee
President Tim Heaton decided to hire a new employee at Rideau Pharmacy after listening to a presentation on the Rotary Employment Partnership at a recent Club Meeting. Our District’s leadership in the Rotary Employment Partnership has been recognized. Past District Governor Rick Istead recently accepted the Inclusion Alberta Leadership Award on behalf of District 5360. Read the full story in the Summer Edition of the Rotary Employment Partnership Newsletter.
President Tim Heaton Performs a Hank Williams Tune
The members of the head table marched in to the musical accompanyment of Manon Mitchell and her sister Teresa Perreault, who played Thank God I'm a Country Boy. With the head table in position, Manon and Teresa led us in the singing of O Canada. Following this, Maja Starovic delivered the invocation.
Club president Tim Heaton, in his first regular meeting of the new Rotary Year, thanked our front entrance volunteers: Larry Martin. John Seigner, and Bill Gillott. President Tim also brought back a tradition that we haven't seen in a few years: his sing-song. His rousing (if slightly changed) version of Hank Williams Hey, Good Lookin' brought a smile to all.
Stepping in for Club Secretary Kurt Kowalchuk, who was looking after the grandchildren, Manon Mitchel acknowledged our visitors and guests, which included her sister Teresa Perreault. We extended a special welcome to a visiting member of the Rotary Club of Vancouver.
Nine club members have been celebrating birthdays during the two week period from July 1 to July 14.
Manon and Teresa Join In...
Manon Mitchell returned to the podium to announce that ticket sales for the UnGala are now open. Manon encouraged anyone who is interested in booking a table to get their tickets early, as the tables closest to the stage will fill up first. She also informed us that Paul Brandt, who was previously announced as the headline entertainer, will not be able to participate in the UnGala this year.
President Tim thanked Steve Stein, and all of the volunteers who made the 5th SW Community Association barbecue a success. He also let us know that Jo-Ann has been working with Impark to obtain reduced rate parking vouchers for the Palliser Parkade, which can be made to club members coming downtown to attend our club meetings. These vouchers, which are valid only on Tuesdays, reduce the parking rate at the Palliser Parkade to $5/hr or $18/day + GST. Please see Jo-Ann to obtain a parking voucher.
Club member Craig Henderson made our first new member introduction for the 2018-2019 Rotary year. We'd like to extend a hearty welcome to our club to Doug Webb. Doug and his family have already made their mark on the club by serving as the third host family for our Rotary Youth Exchange Student Nele Kalkoff. Nele is wrapping up a highly successful year in Calgary by having her family join her in Canada before she returns to Germany. Nele and her family will be touring Banff, Jasper, Vancouver and Victoria before she heads home in mid August.
Join Seigner on the Trip to the Banff Centre Fellowship Event
John Seigner reminded us that there are only 40 tickets available for the upcoming Rotary Fellowship event at the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts on July 28. Tickets are first come/first served and cost $75.00, which includes private transportation to Banff, a reception at the Kinnear Centre, followed by a Banff Centre Ballet performance of The Hamlet Complex.
Finally, Barbara Young announced the World Community Service's global grant for Guatemalan Literacy. One of the largest global grants ever awarded, the Guatemalan Literacy project involves the participation of 137 Rotary clubs. With a total budget of $932,000, this grant demonstrates the power of pooling and matching funds; i.e., the power of "Rotary math"!
Larry Shelley introduced our speaker, former club member Jeff Bradshaw, who delivered a timely and relevant presentation on the impacts to business of the forthcoming legalization of Cannabis. Jeff informally referred to his presentation as "The Wild West of Cannabis Legalization".
The main message from his presentation was that there is much uncertainty in regards to the impending legalization of this drug, some of which arises from the many varieties that will become available as products. These varieties can have a variety of phisiological effects, not all of which would necessarily lead to impairment. Further complicating matters is the fact that Cannabis has been available for medicinal purposes since 2001.
There are two main Cannabis plant species that will become available in October: Cannabis sativa, and Cannabis indica. Consumers can expect to purchase varieties or hybrids of either of these species.
Although the medicinal benefits of cannabinoids are widely touted, most of the evidence reported is anecdotal, and under studied. Still, the two main cannaboids, THC and CBD, can lead to differing effects, with THC being the primary intoxicant.
Despite the aboundance of confusing information circulating, there are definite steps that companies can, and must, take to be ready for legalization on October 17.
Companies must develop or update their Drug and Alcohol Policies. It is not sufficient for companies to simply say they have a "zero tolerance" policy, as certain individuals are legally permitted to use Cannabis to treat medical conditions. In such cases, users may be consuming Cannabis products that are low in THC but high in CBD to achieve a desired medical outcome.
Training and education on the Drug and Alcohol Policies are important. It is not sufficient to simply distribute a memorandum. Ongoing training is required to achieve consistency, momentum and compliance. Promotion and awareness are key to reducing legal liabilities in the current environment.
Periodic testing is also important. However, testing cannot be arbitrary, and should be fully defined in employment contracts. In general, drug testing is recommended as condition of commencing employment, when there is evidence of impairment, post-incident, and following addiction treatment.
After a lively Q&A session, Roy Boettger thanked our speaker.
COG Staff - July 10, 2018
Editor
Craig Henderson
Photography
Ralph Lundberg
Sponsorships
David Holden
Rotary Club of Calgary - Chartered April 1914 as Club #949
Suite 305, 105-12 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 1A1
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