At the Grey Eagle Hotel, Ron Brookes was our attendance coordinator and Debbie McMillan warmly greeted us, while Bernie Ward welcomed the attendees in zoom land.
President Marlene called the meeting to order at precisely noon and took a minute to describe the connections between Junior League of Calgary, Children’s Cottage, today’s guest speaker, and her ongoing connection with JLC /RCCW engagement.
In the spirit of respect and truth, we honoured and acknowledged that the lands on which we live, work and play, are the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Metis nation of Region 3 and all those who make their home in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
O Canada followed.
Guests in Zoom land were introduced by Bernie: Jacqueline, wife of Khor Top, who was present at the Grey Eagle. Guests at the Grey Eagle, introduced by Ron Brookes, were Neil Copithorne, Khor Top, Patty and Bill Kilgallon and our guest speaker, Darby Young. Welcome, everyone.
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| Darby was introduced by Past President, Des DeFreitas. Darby Lee Young is the founder of Level Playing Field, an accessibility agency focused on the implementation of universal design principles and accessibility best practices. In 2018, Darby was one of Canada’s top women under 40, and in 2021 was one of the top 25 women of influence in Canada. Despite being born with a mild cerebral palsy, limiting her mobility, she became a para-alpine skier and participated in Olympic and para-Olympic games. Through her own mobility experiences, Darby understands the frustrations of poor access of others with similar constraints and, when encountering a barrier, is determined to resolve it. |
Darby also sat on the Premier’s Council for the status of people with disabilities and represented Calgary on an international summit on accessibility. To address an issue with her gait that caused excessive wear in her shoe soles, she worked with shoe designer John Fluevog to develop and produce a shoe, now known as The Darby.
Darby described how, even as a child unable to walk until she was 8, she still had “a ton of fun” running up and down the hills – and discovering skiing. Unfortunately, her skiing has ended as she simply must ignore the green slopes and hit the black diamonds. And crashing would not be a good experience.
Darby started Level Playing Field in 2015, which is now active across the country. Building codes are not especially relevant, or accommodating, to today’s challenges of limited mobility. Many such codes are 30 years old. Darby’s challenge is working with developers and builders for them to recognize the “real” accessibility issues of today and incorporate them into their designs. Clients include not only office and residential buildings, but also malls (the Canadian Human rights Museum) and city councils.
Her goal is to ensure everyone has equal access. She feels that as soon as there is a barrier, her independence is gone, and she needs to act.
Darby describes her walk as “with character” and, because her mom told her that people would stare, she had better look good. So, she went to shoe designer John Fluevog. His shoes really look good and are really comfortable, but also expensive. But she wore out the toes with foot dragging. Fluevog came up with a shoe that resolved Darby’s problem by being easily repaired. It’s known, of course, as The Darby.
The shoe led the way to the awards that Darby subsequently received.
Darby is expanding her range of initiatives since then to ensure that people with physical limitations can look as good and feel as good as everyone else.
Barbie Hames told Darby how highly she thinks of Darby, her energy and her drive.
In response to questions, Darby talked about the discussions she engages in with builders and developers to understand how her recommendations may either not entail significant costs or may improve the revenue generating potential of the development. On the subject of ramps versus stairs, progress is being made but there will always be some circumstances that require stairs. Similarly automatic doors versus “push button to open”. An attempt is being made to influence the current remodelling of downtown office buildings to residential units. Changing codes and standards is a challenge. Of approximately 80 submissions to CSA, only one has been adopted. Darby’s organization is a for profit business, with remuneration from their clients.
Rod McMahon thanked Darby for her presentation and said a donation in her name was made to Shelter Box.
Our Foundation Chair, Garfield Ganong, took the podium for significant presentations and awards. The first presentation was for the Rotary Citizenship Award to Patty Kilgallon. The achievement of this award is recognized with the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellowship, the highest honour a Rotary club can bestow on an individual for exceptional philanthropic service to the community. The purpose of the award is to recognise individuals within our community who are (or have) provided selfless service to others. It creates exposure to the Rotary International Foundation within Calgary, promoting charitable giving and a wider awareness of Rotary.
Judy Cochran was invited to describe why Patty is the deserving recipient.
Judy has known Patty since she (Judy) first began volunteering at the Children’s Cottage in 2009. Patty was one of the early founders of the Cottage and has worked there for 35 years, recently as the CEO. Patty has a nursing degree. She has been a member of the Government Relations Community ALIGN, Junior League of Calgary, Family Sector Leadership Table for Housing and Homelessness and the Telus Calgary Community Board. She is a recipient of QE 11 Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Alberta Centennial Medal.
The Cottage is a crisis nursery for children aged 0 to 8 years, working with families to get the help they need to ensure the safety of their children. With a smile on her face, Patty’s infectious enthusiasm has touched 77,000 children. With other agency support, the Cottage opened its Bridgeland location while Patty went on to open Brenda’s House and begin her mission to open a second facility in Montgomery, providing wrap around services, incorporate indigenous elders’ teachings and consolidate administrative offices.
As a side note, Calgary West as lead, with Stampede Park, Centennial and Olympic has applied for a pooled District Community Development Grant for $42K to buy equipment for the sensory room in the new centre.
Patty is the Cottage. She has devoted her role to the patrons, the children, the staff and the volunteers, leaving a wonderful legacy behind her. Congratulations, Patty!!!
In her acceptance, Patty delivered a moving story of just one experience that continued to provide her motivation to move further.
Paul Harris pins were presented to Orlin McMillan (+1), Debbie McMillan (+2), Don Edie (+3), Gord Cox (+1) and Bernie Ward (+4).
David Wartman told us “His Story”. His ancestry may appear complicated, but basically involves ancestors immigrating a long time ago from Pennsylvania, Scottish heritage on his mother’s side, and an upbringing in Saskatchewan. In High School, David received medals for his performance as a drummer. Post high school, he sort of drifted through an interesting variety of jobs, rescued a 13 year old by delivering her to a girls’ home. Following a BA in political science, a period as a truck driver, working on budgets in Regina, he married Katherine. After the birth of his first daughter, he returned to university for a Masters in Industrial Relations, after which he joined the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. Following daughter number 2, he joined Rotary, moved with ManuLife to Toronto, McMaster University, Occidental Petroleum as Sr, VP and, in Calgary, Chinook Rotary. He was the CEO of LifeLine Malawi, wanting to finish his career in the not for profit sector, but it shut down and he became an executive director with the Calgary Civic Symphony and transferred to RCCW. With a self-described over developed sense of equality, justice and fairness, David has been involved over the years with 16 non-profit and charitable organizations. Over the next few years, David will have a principal focus on reconciliation initiatives and progress.
Marlene shared that Calgary West was recognized at DisCon 2022 for:
- Conference - Youth Sponsorship
- Bronze Level Shelter Box Sponsor
- Brainy Bunch Award, Learning and Development – tied with Heritage Park
- Calgary West received the Glen Peacock Award for the Outstanding Middle size Rotary Club. (# 40 – 100) This award is presented to the clubs that best reflect the themes of RI and the District.
Reminder of Presidents Dinner on June 10. Don’t miss it or Barbie will haunt your dreams!!!
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mike Carlin as he recovers from hip surgery and Orlin who is doing well after a mini stroke on the weekend.
Orlin and Debbie were this week’s recipient of the Building Community pin for their perseverance and optimistic outlook as they have shared their time, talent and resources with our club and community this year while facing numerous health challenges.
Bob Pearson promoted the 2nd annual golf tournament at Trickle Creek on June 21. Call Bob for information or to register.
NSTEP/RCCW plant and veggie pick up day is Wednesday May 25 at Grace Presbyterian church. Please refer to your email for your pickup time.
Rob and Rod are now selling their phenomenal dinner events. Watch for emails!
... and a reminder of the meeting at CGCC on Thursday, May 26. Leads for this meeting are Tim and Bill F.
4 Way Test and the meeting was adjourned.
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