What did we learn at Rotary meeting September 22?
Madeleine King - with photos by Doug McMillan
The meeting was sold out with many guests, including those checking out our club, as well as those who came to hear our guest speaker. President Doug Webb welcomed them and thanked our volunteers who greeted them (Deb and Ron Hymers and Michael Broadhurst). He especially mentioned guest Rotarian Natat Asdamongkol from Thailand.
Bob Taylor gave an inspirational invocation in gratitude for the opportunity to hear contrasting views with interest and without occasional rancour.
Club eulogies followed for John Boyd and Tom Tait- two long-time active members who recently passed away.
Paul Gagnon told how John Boyd’s career was as a successful geophysicist, his Rotary membership dated to 1978, he served as club president and on several committees, he sang in many annual Rotary Balls and served food at many annual Stampede BBQs.
Terry McMahon told how Tom Tait’s career had been in Canada's diplomatic service three years in Paris advancing Canadian business interests, followed by assignments in Republic of Congo, Algeria, Morocco, and Libya. On his return to Calgary he owned and edited Galleries West, an arts magazine, winning numerous awards. Tom was an active Rotarian for 34 years. His service to Rotary was recognized with the Paul Harris Award just last year.
Terry McMahon, left, President Doug Webb and Paul Gagnon listening to Michael Pierson honour the eulogies by playing beautiful piano music.
Club members then enjoyed the opportunity to share their personal highlights during “Happy Bucks”.
President Doug read out the following Notice:
NOTICE – as per the By-Laws Article 1 Section 1
The period for nominations for the office of President for the year 2028– 2029 is open and that:
(a) The nominating committee for President will be meeting for the purpose of choosing a nominee to serve as Club President, and any eligible members of the Club who would like to be considered for the nomination may advise any member of the nominating committee for President of their interest.
(b) The nominating committee for President will advise the Club of their nominee for President at the last regular meeting of the Club during October of that year. (being Oct, 27, 2026)
(c) Any additional nominations from members of the Club may be made to the Secretary of the Club. Nominations shall close at 12:00 noon on the day of the second regular meeting of the Club in November of that year. (being Nov. 17, 2026)
Those eligible for the office of President shall be members of the Club in good standing who have served either as an elected Director of the Club for at least eighteen months, or one year as either Secretary or Treasurer of the Club.
George Brookman asked everyone for $300 (per couple) to support our club’s heart-warming Christmas Hamper Campaign – whether or not they are club members! George explained that Howie Shikaze works like the heck, while George tags along. We raise about $50,000 and we have 100 families from our school programs that really need our help. When we go out and deliver those hampers, it's an amazing emotional time.
One person answered George’s call – our new member, John Wilson – who was then welcomed into the club by George.
For upcoming events detailed at the meeting, see below.
Eva Friesen introduced our guest speaker, journalist Diane Francis, a distinguished visiting professor at the Metropolitan University's Business School in Toronto, and a recipient of several honorary degrees and prestigious awards.
Diane Francis described how her presentation would be based on her three-part series on her Substack in the spring, entitled "The Space Age Cometh” about the tech space revolution coming out of the Silicon Valley. Leaders include Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, with the other leader being Japan. It's about outsourcing power generation from space to bring unlimited electricity back for human beings. The ultimate goal is to provide unlimited clean energy for the world. The other goal is to mine planets and asteroids that are capable of providing all of the world's metals and minerals. The plans are to build gigantic solar farms on the Moon or in orbit that can replace fossil fuels, hydroelectricity, and massive nuclear plants. This is about changing our existence.
We are in a race to come up with rockets that are reusable, to bring the cost of launch and recovery down in order to be able to get a lot of cargo up there, and bring it back. Japan has a project this year - the first solar power station satellite into orbit that can capture and transmit solar panels on it; the goal is to capture and transmit solar power to a receiving site on Earth for conversion into usable electricity. The Americans have also been able to do that in their laboratories.
Of special interest to Canada, is that getting into space requires control of the Arctic for launches, assembly, and monitoring. It’s possible to get up and down in fewer miles at the Arctic, and that's why the Arctic will be at the center of the geopolitical chessboard going forward. The space economy now is roughly 596 billion USD annually, and will double by 2033 .
The questions that followed covered many topics, from the weaponization of space to the Ukraine Russia war and threats to Canadian sovereignty.
President Elect Sean Baylis thanked Diane Francis for her presentation.
Next meeting: Tuesday October 6 noon at the Fairmont Palliser with Peter Bombaci of GenWell on the topic of mental wellness.
President Doug ended the meeting by telling us about how our club initiated the Community Chest (way back when) which became United Way. Our history shows how much impact we have had on this city.
Doug also called up Rob Brookwell who, apart from being the only birthday recipient present today celebrated by Michael Broadhurst and all in the room, received a certificate from Doug recognizing Rob’s continuing meaningful contribution to the Board in particular and the Club in general. Well done Rob!
