-- Nina Walsh, Scribe
Our guests today included Chris Bailey, Susan Thompson, Brad Davey, Cuppy Katz, Danielle Robertson, and Bruna Mendes.
Announcements:
• Glenn Warnica reminded us of the upcoming Mobility Cup to be held August 29 – September 2. Information is on the website -- http://www.mobilitycup2011.ca/. Volunteers are needed! You can sign up on the website by clicking on “Volunteer” and filling out the form.
• Kathy Thomas introduced the topic of Burlington Rotarians gathering on Linked-In. Melanie Schrauwers explained a bit more: Linked-In is a corporate Facebook where a company or individuals input information about themselves and the “public” has access to that information. It is a corporate social networking site. Melanie suggested that Burlington Rotarians should also have a presence on Twitter and Facebook as well. The question was asked, if one joins, will they be inundated with emails. The answer: not if you don’t want to. You choose your own email settings.
• Dan Kalmats announced the Donations Committee will meet following the Club meeting today.
• Anthony Ford-Jones gave an update on Telling Tales coming up on September 18. This is the third year for this literacy festival with storytellers at Westfield Heritage Village. Our Club has been a $2000 sponsor of the festival for the past two years. Our Club mans the Swap & Shop book booth. Donations are needed of used books up to the level of 18 year olds. We need volunteers and think about books you may have to donate.
• Eric Anderson talked about Lakeside a la Carte. Glenn Warnica has tickets. We are trying to sell tables this year. Sheila Welham and Lawrence Leung are the co-chairs for hospitality. We still need someone to be the chair for the draws.
Photos from last year's Lakeside a la Carte:
Air Canada donated two tickets for us to sell as a draw for the past two years plus for this year. Shaunna from Air Canada is presenting the prize to the winners of the draw for 2010.
A word from Kathy: Next week’s “speaker” is the Lakeside a la Carte committee. The meeting will be dedicated to informing our club members of what has happened at Lakeside in the past, our plans for this year, and give a bit of a “pep rally” for getting on-board and selling our tickets for this year. We are budgeting for a $50,000 profit this year so it's a very big deal.
• Roy Cooper talked about the Rotary Foundation including the Bequest Society and the Permanent Fund. The Permanent Fund has surpassed $200 million to support the regular contribution we all make. $8 million was funded back in to the fund. The Bequest Society Fund is for leaving money to the Rotary Foundation upon your death. Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are members of the Bequest Society. You may want to give a part of your estate to the Bequest Society. Upon your death, a crystal piece is given to your family for the mantle.
• Bruna reported on her “fun” week doing things with friends. She is trying to arrange her packing for going home. Jamie took her on a motorcycle ride along with Bernie Hanna and Anna (something from her Bucket List). They had dinner at Niagara-On-The-Lake. She is looking forward to her cross Canada trip coming up.
Sergeant At Arms, Glenn Warnica, fined everyone who is already on Linked-In. There were several happy dollars today for children’s birthdays and other joyous events. Bruna won the draw!
Adam Doering introduced our speaker – Brad Davey, joined Dofasco in 1986 and now serves as Vice President of Sales & Marketing since 2008 of ArcelorMittal Dofasco. He lives in Dundas with his wife and two teenagers.
Next year, June 12, 2012, is the 100th anniversary of Dofasco. Today they are making more steel than ever before. They hired 1000 new employees in the past year and expect to hire another 2000 within the next five years. ArcelorMittal Dofasco is the largest shipper on the Great Lakes. The company contributes $3 million a year to the community. They still maintain their motto: “Our product is steel; our strength is people.”
They are transforming tomorrow, working to change for the better. They continue to rethink what they are doing. They are still making the world a better place by making autos safer, rebuilding cities and infrastsructure by their constant research. 83% of all manufacturing involves steel. Steel is “new technology” with 15 research facilities around the world including here in Hamilton with McMaster. Steel is totally recyclable, such as a tray of ice cubes. Brad says, “It is the people who have made our company strong over the years. When you think of steel, think of strength.”
Post speech comments and questions:
• Karmel Sakran reported ArcelorMittal Dofasco donated $1 million to The United Way last year which was one seventh of the funds raised.
• Dofasco is ranked high among the ArcelorMittal facilties around the world.
• High praise was given to ArcelorMittal Dofasco from our members.
• Cam thanked Dofasco for hiring him as a teen in the summer of 1953, and today, the community remains pleased and grateful for ArcelorMittal Dofasco.
