President Linda Anderson called the meeting to order and provided a quote from Elder Casey Eagle Speaker of the Blood Tribe (Kainai Nation)…..when people say “I’m very busy, it’s actually a put down, meaning I really don’t have time for you. Better to say, I’m very active, which opens the door to creating relationships and opportunities”

We commit to advancing reconciliation and partnering with Indigenous peoples as we, in Rotary, work together in our efforts toward equality, diversity and inclusion.”

The club members and guests were then asked to stand to sing O Canada.

Don Beavis introduced Bill Quinney’s guest, Sandy Ireland from CanLearn Society. Our guest speaker, Tom Keenan will be formally introduced later in the meeting. Also, Duncan Stanners introduced his wife Lori, son Logan, daughter Fiona and 2 grandchildren Page & Aspen. Exchange student, Margot Robins was with us via Zoom.

Rod McMahon, introduced our guest speaker Tom Keenan – Technology in Society.

Guest Speaker: Tom Keenan

Tom started off his presentation by giving an autographed copy of his book Technocreep: The Surrender of Privacy & the Capitalization of Intimacy”. Sandy Ireland from the CanLearn Society was the happy recipient.

Tom is a Fellow with the Centre of Military, Security and Strategic Studies (CMSS). The Centre conducts cutting edge research in the areas of 21^st Century Security, National Security & Defence, Conventional & Unconventional Warfare and Human Rights and Development.

Tom is an expert in Smart Communities and shaping the use of technology to improve our individual and collective lives & the intelligent application of technological tools. He has a lifelong interest in the information security has resulted in teaching Canada’s first coarse in computer security in 1974.

Tom has collaborated with law enforcement, law firms, individuals and corporations on urgent issues such as identity theft, cyberstalking, information warfare & privacy issues. He qualified as an expert witness in 2004 in “computer forensics & workings of the internet” by the Court of Alberta.

He spent some fascinating time with Canadian Forces, Bravo Company in Afghanistan. He also is a regular columnist for newspapers & appears on radio & television discussing high tech issues. He serves on various Boards including the Rotary Club of Calgary.

His current research focuses on the positive and negative effects of technology adoption both in the developing world and how technology can be a driver for economic & social development.

The following opening screen was a preview to his presentation.

‘’From tracking Putin’s Yacht, to leaking Base Locations to Counterfeit Gear: Wins and Losses in Cyber Security”.

He talked about Australia’s spike in Cyber-attacks from individuals and states. There was a recent attack on one of Australia’s energy providers. Optus is the second largest wireless provider in Australia with 10 million subscribers. Their customer profiles were hacked which resulted in the compromise of personal data: Driver’s licence numbers, phone numbers, birth dates & home addresses. The hackers were able to access Optus entire customer profiles.

Why does a phone company need all your personal information? KYC (you’re your customer) for their security purposes, however KYC laws vary depending on the country. Interestingly, the governments have a right to ask the company to provide information. The amount of information varies by country ie) when in India they required not only a copy of Tom’s passport also his residence in Canada (& India) and cell phone. Mexico requires bio metrics (finger print).

Regardless of how data was breached – “if you can’t protect it, don’t collect it” Also applies to data retention ie) is your 2015 income tax return still on your computer?

6 years ago, the University of Calgary was attacked and paid $20,000 after a “ransomware” cyberattack on its computer systems. The FBI caught the 2 Iranians who were charged with conspiracy to commit fraud.

Tom provided a several examples of how easy it is to get information. One was pairing your phone with a car from a rental company. Another using the Stravas Fitness APP and further example was showing the tracking Oligarchy Yachts throughout the world and tracking Putin’s plane.

Men fall victim to scammers more often than women (reporter - it hurts to write this)

Rod McMahon expressed the thanks from the club and indicated a donation would be made to Shelterbox in Tom’s name.

Mad Minutes

Duncan Stanners was present to have his hair cut for women who have lost their hair due to cancer and require a wig. This is his 3^rd Hair Cutting Fund Raiser and requested our support. He will match all donations with funds going to fund water projects in Honduras. Son, Logan was also present to shed his locks as well.

Linda Anderson announced she was remise last week and should have acknowledge Evelyn Buckley for being a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. This medal marks the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne and is awarded to recipients for outstanding service to their community. Congratulations Evelyn!

The UCP nominated our very own Chris Davis to run in the riding Calgary – Elbow. Congratulations Chris!

Judy Cochran announced next week’s giving under our “3 weeks of giving” project is to The Children's Cottage Society. A wish list of required items will be sent. Please bring your Christmas gifts to next week’s meeting.

Steve Rickard announced a Friendship Exchange with the Rotary Club of Knoxville Nova Scotia. Rotarians from Calgary will travel to NS in late June with their members returning to Calgary in early July. If you are interested in participating we need to know by January 10^th so travel arrangements can be made. Let Rod McMahon know asp.

Bill Quinney advised that former District Governor Bill Gillott passed away at the age of 93. His celebration of life will be held next Thursday 11 am December 8^th at McInnis Holloway. DG Gillott was instrumental in Polio plus and located the Iron Lung which Bill Quinney took around to all of the Clubs in the District to raise funds and awareness for polio eradication.

Secondly, Bill introduced Sandy Ireland of CanLearn Society who made us special Christmas cookies in appreciation of the gift cards provided. Sandy expressed her appreciation for our support as she works directly with families who are recipients and she said she can’t tell us how much our gifts mean to them. A big thank you to Rotary.

Linda Anderson advised:

December 12^th meeting is our Christmas luncheon with Bishop Carrol virtuosi strings! December 19^th is the last meeting of the year and will be a “recycled gift exchange” so bring the item sitting around that you now longer require.

Barbie Hanes in festive attire from Santa’s workshop to announce birthdays and anniversaries. Ho, Ho, Ho!

The Four Way Test Video was played, and President Linda completed with the “ Thought for the day” a personal story outlining the Calgary Stampede attitude!

The Following is a Call to Action from our President Elect, Rob Rakochey

Nominating Committee – Update and Call to Action December 5, 2022

The following were my notes for the speech I was to give today regarding our recruiting challenges. I hope everyone reads these and considers the call to service.

All Rotary clubs center their structure and their activities on the "Five Avenues of Service", which are Club Service, Community Service, International Service, Youth Services, and Vocational Service.

The Five Avenues of Service are Rotary's philosophical cornerstone and the foundation on which club activity is based.

Club Services - Club Service committees run the administration side of the club and organize club events and activities.

Community Services - Community Service covers the projects and activities the club undertakes to improve life in its community.

International Services - The purpose of International Service is to foster better international relations and to assist developing countries.

Vocational Services - Vocational Service encourages Rotarians to serve others through their vocations and to practice high ethical standards.

Youth Services - Youth Services focuses on youth. Rotary Youth Exchange is a strong program of Rotary International, where students spend a year in a foreign country, attending school.

I am here today to talk about Club service and particularly our leadership needs. Club Service focuses on making clubs strong. A thriving club is anchored by strong relationships and an active membership development plan.

Clubs do not run themselves – we need an Executive and Board of Directors to plan, manage and carry out the activities of the Club.

I am currently the President Elect – which means I will be our President July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024 – and that also makes me by our bylaws the Chair of the Nominating Committee.

What is that Committee?

The Nominating Committee is to look at the succession of our leadership positions – Board members, and officers, and make sure that we have a slate of people in these positions for the following year and in years to come.

Current committee is me, Bill Quinney, Steve Rickard, and Marlene Doherty

What have we been doing?

Looking to fill positions – for my year and in years to come – set our succession plan

What have we done?

Terry Felton stepped done early, and Kathryn Kaldestad took over now. Subject to ratification next week at our AGM December 12, 2022, she will be the Director of Fundraising for now and 2 years starting July 1, 2023

The other director to be replaced for July 1, 2023, was Les Morgan – and thankfully Steve Kuiack has agreed to fill that position. Subject also to Club ratification.

What are we still working on?

Linda started her year without a Secretary and Marlene Doherty stepped up into that position and has agreed to do it for my year. We will need a secretary for July 1, 2024, and that person should be found asap so that they can shadow Marlene and be ready for that date. It is a 2-year position.

We need a Treasurer. Don Edie is taking an executive position with the Calgary Opera, and we need a Treasurer for July 1, 2023, and in the best of all worlds, we need to find someone now who can shadow him and the process and be ready for July 2023.

We need a new President Elect – who will be the President Elect starting July 1, 2023 and will be the President for the year commencing July 1, 2024.

We need a President Elect Nominee – who will be the President for the year commencing July 1, 2025.

Here is our challenge.

We have been through the entire Club roster, and thus far we do not have these officer roles filled - a Secretary for July 1, 2024, a Treasurer for July 1, 2023, a President Elect for July 1, 2023, and President Elect Nominee for July 1, 2023

Next week at our AGM, we will bring forth a motion for the slate of officers and new Board members for July 1, 2023, and right now we are short 3 positions - Treasurer for July 1, 2023, President Elect for July 1, 2023, and President Elect Nominee for 2023. Having been through the roster, we are at a loss as to how we can fill these positions. We need your help and your input – and a call to action.

Club Service is as important to a Club as any other avenue of service. In fact, maybe more so as none of the other activities can occur without it:

Cannot have money to spend and allocate if we do not have a Treasurer to handle the books and the budget
Cannot have committees and goals plans and objectives on all aspects without the Directors
Cannot have meetings without a President to run them, to attend at all Clubs meetings, to help to drive all aspects of the Club
All of the necessary administration of the Club, for its existence, needs a Secretary

This Nominating Committee, in a perfect world would spend 5-10 hours of collective Rotarian time to organize these positions. In a perfect world we would have people fighting over who should take these leadership roles, and the committee should be tasked with organizing who does it first, and next as opposed to finding the people. Instead of spending our time in working on Rotary tasks to better the community and serve those I need, we, the committee have spent 50+ hours collectively calling people, talking to people, trying to convince people to serve in these important and necessary capacities. And we still have not completed our task. We have no one willing to take on these necessary Club Service roles.

So, what do we now as a Club do?

I am here directly to ask each and every one of you to reconsider your service to the Club and hope that several of you will contact me, or another member of our committee, to serve in one of these open capacities. The obligations are not so onerous that you cannot fill the position. We have plenty of legacy people who have served in these roles who can help and if you have done this in the past that does not mean that you cannot do this again. I myself am a Past President and did not ever intend or expect to be a President again, but we had a gap that needed filling, and I was asked to serve, and I agreed.

So, option number 1 for our Club is for some of you to come forward and agree to take on these unfilled roles.

Option 2 is that we consider hiring someone for the role of Secretary and Treasurer. The North Rotary Club (my former Club) found themselves in that position some time ago and hired someone to fill the secretary rile at a cost of $3000/month as I recall. $36,000/year. That is a possibility and if we cannot find a Rotarian to agree to serve, we may have to do that. The question will then be how do we pay for that? The AGLC allows up to 10% of the gaming funds to be used for that purpose. So instead of using that money in the community to benefit charities, we could possibly spend some of that on our Club admin. We could also do some specific fundraiser where we tell the community that we are raising money specifically to pay for the administration of our club, instead of using it for charities. Or we can raise the dues of the members to cover the cost. All of that is on the table and we will only have a couple of months now to finish Option 1 before we start to budget and recruit the paid administration people. If we have to pay 2 people, which will make the budget untenable as I know the members would not like a $1000 increase in the fees to pay for these positions.

Option 2 works for Secretary and Treasurer but does not work for President. If we do not have a President for July 1, 2024, I am not sure how the Club can continue. And that person should be in place now, to shadow the Board and in late 2023 will start to plan for their year. I would have been planning already for my year, but for spending the time on this task.

We can work in our Membership portfolio and try to attract new members who will be prepared, eventually, to serve in these Board and executive capacities. But that will take a few years for these new members to get to know our Club, Rotary and eventually agree to take a leadership role. But that will not help us in 2023 and 2024.

This is important and is getting to a crisis state.

Happy to hear from any of you on your suggestions, but more importantly we need to hear from some of you on your willingness to serve in Club Service, in these vacant roles, so our club can continue and continue in a healthy way.

Rob Rakochey – President Elect, Chair of the Nominating Committee, and on behalf of the Nominating Committee.