Editor: Scott Vetter, Assistant Editor: Rosemary Parker, Photographer: Robin Spencer
Announcements
Welcome to our guest speaker John Norton, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Hertz Ottawa-Gatineau, Surgenor National Leasing, Surgenor Fleet; Teresa Thomblison, President of Rotaract Club Ottawa South.
Everyone is invited to the Cayer country home for a BBQ and get-together Saturday, October 16. Car pooling is being arranged.
The Dictionaries 4 Life have arrived and Jeff Sirrs will arrange to deliver them.
Sherri Kelly reported that the Environmental Committee met last week to continue their review of existing and potential projects. They are meeting again this week, Thursday 7pm via Zoom.
Freddie Campbell reported on her experience of our first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. "The in-person events on the Hill and then down to Coronation Park were very beautiful, deep and showed a great sense of solidarity. It was a tough day for many, but there was consistent reminders that action must be taken moving forward. In order to achieve “reconciliation” the truth must be at the centre, a willingness to listen and learn, and a commitment to creating a more just and equitable world."
Rosemary Parker announced that the RCOS Salvation Army Kettle day will be Saturday December 4 at South Keys Loblaws. Scott will set up a Google sign-up sheet.
Mack MacGregor gave a thought Rotary Moment on Thanksgiving. Intermingling some historic facts (Thanksgiving was recognized in Canada in 1879), memories of family gatherings and things to be thankful for (he and Heather celebrated 60 years of marital bliss this year), and the importance of being grateful for what we have and giving back to our communities.
The Pandemic Effect on the Automotive Industry
Presented by John Norton, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Hertz Ottawa-Gatineau, Surgenor National Leasing, Surgenor Fleet
John, who has been a Rotarian since 2000, provided an insightful perspective on how COVID-19 has impacted the automotive industry.
He started by reflecting on the chain of events and how the extraordinary times have affected all of us and business in general. It started with a dramatic increase in returns on leased vehicles. A car dealership typically doubles or triples its inventory over summer (many of which would go to car leasing companies). However, leasing and rental companies had a surplus of vehicles, and were trying to sell their used inventory.
Due to this glut of vehicles on the market, manufacturers cut supply which resulted in the supply chain falling apart. Sales of new vehicles dropped significantly in 2020; currently sales are 54% of 2019 levels.
As the economy started to take off in 2021 and demand increased, the microchip shortage hit, further crippling the industry.
Production considerably under-paced sales demand; new car inventories are only at 5% of normal levels. This has inflated the market for used vehicles. Many dealerships have waiting lists for new, used and rental sales. There are still rough times ahead as the supply chain re-establishes.
Despite the trials and tribulations that COVID-19 has wrought on the industry, John is still cautiously optimistic with his outlook. Surgenor has created a new commercial fleet services business, which John is heading up.
He acknowledged that there is a public readiness for electric vehicles and that will provide areas of new growth as the infrastructure improves.
He concluded by commenting on the resiliency of people and commerce, and the importance of organizations like Rotary to guide our progress.
Freddie is a proud Metis woman. She grew up in Kimberley BC, where her parents and grandparents continue to reside.
Freddie earned an undergraduate degree in public policy in Bismark, North Dakota. While studying in Bismark, Freddie became acquainted with a Rotarian in the Bismark Club who steered her to apply for a Rotary scholarship, which she was awarded through the Global Grant program.
So, Freddie is off to Durham University in the UK, where she earned a Masters in Conflict Prevention and Peace Building. She mentioned that 30 students representing 20 countries participated in the program. She relished - and relishes - the chance to learn about peoples' views and experiences.
Freddie returned to Kimberley for a short time. A friend of hers was moving to Ottawa and this friend was a bit anxious about the move and asked Freddie to go along. So she did. And subsequently landed a job with the Indigenous Clean Energy Social Enterprise, where she is now employed.
Freddie was attracted to Rotary initially through Rotary's scholarship program. She likes the global aspect of Rotary's work. When asked what her goal as a Rotarian is, Freddie's response was "to work collectively with fellow Rotarians to share knowledge."
Freddie is keen "to explore experiences to create a more peaceful world that's ground in service."
Getting to Know Linda Scales
Interviewed by Alex Davidson
Linda was raised on Prince Edward Island, where her family roots are deep. She commented that "You can take the girl from the Island but can never take the Island from the girl. I miss its ocean, earth and trees." Linda is a solo parent to a 27 year old daughter who's a transplant nurse at SickKids in Toronto. She is very proud of her daughter.
Linda is self-employed as a writer and editor. After a short stint as a reporter with one of the Island's daily newspapers, she moved to Ottawa and attended Carleton University. She earned a degree in psychology and criminology, then spent a number of years working on Parliament Hill. Until two years ago, she worked at the University of Ottawa editing Tabaret, the university's alumni magazine. She also worked as a writer in the corporate communications office. Fun fact: she is also a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa.
Linda first came to Rotary through the Rotary Exchange program, traveling to Taupo, New Zealand. She comes from a family of Rotarians: grandfather, father, and uncles and cousins - most of them part of the Charlottetown Club. She joined the Rotary Club of Ottawa about 10 years ago but had to step out after an accident. About two years ago, after an invite from a present Rotarian, and remembering the warmth of Rotary fellowship, Linda rejoined Rotary. Linda's Rotary work has been with youth projects and communications. She has been part of the Adventure in Citizenship event organized by the Ottawa Rotary Club and has worked with the club's communications team.
Linda is "curious to see where I will land (with RC Ottawa South). Of course, I'm always interested in communications and youth, and am also ready to be stretched into a new direction. The environment committee might be a good fit."
Getting to Know Julie Cugalj
Interviewed by Dave Gough
Julie has a son named Alex who will be turning 17 on October 31. Her mother is alive and well in Welland, Ontario. Her partner's name is Sean.
Julie has worked with the Treasurer Board of Canada for 12 years, she is a Policy Advisor on Senior Regulations. She also works as an independent Arbonne supplier, promoting a clean health and living line.
Her relationship with Rotary started in 1996 with RYLA one-week leadership camp. She graduated with an Ambassadorial Scholarship and received a Global Grant Scholarship to university in Australia. There she earned a Masters in Social Change and Development. While in Australia, she chartered a Rotaract Club.
Julie moved to Quebec, and also chartered a Rotaract Club there. Fortunately for us, she moved to Ottawa from Quebec. Here she joined the Rotary Club of Ottawa and continued her involvement as President of the club, three years as Area Governor, five years as District Rotaract Chair, and two years as Chair of Adventures in Citizenship. Julie also served on the Rotary Home Foundation Board for five years.
This past Sunday the Rotaract Club of Ottawa South was at Brewer Park helping to clean up the area. The group took part in removing various invasive species, including buckthorn trees and dog-strangling vine.
"Pumpkins for Polio" is the Rotaract club's newest fundraising initiative! The event is a pumpkin carving contest with all proceeds going to End Polio Now. Submissions must include a $10 donation and will be accepted up to and until October 31st. Prizes will go to the spookiest, most elaborate, funniest, and most creative pumpkins, and winners receive their choice of a $40 Cineplex gift card or a $40 gift card to a coffee shop of their choosing. (We're looking forward to see the photos!)
Bill Kelly is helping us enter a new era of virtual meeting prowess. Scott and Bill were at KS on the Keys testing it out... looking a little like some lame anchors from a local cable news show. The technology, on the other hand, performed quite well.
RCOS Environmental Committee Enviro Tip
Have you heard of eco-friendlyTruEarth laundry strips?
There are 30 billion loads of laundry done each year in North America.
If everyone switched to Eco-Strips we could eliminate 1 billion plastic jugs, and save truck fuel and CO2 equivalent to taking 27 million cars off the road a day... or planting 9 million new trees.
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