Editor: Scott Vetter, Assistant Editor: Rosemary Parker
Announcements
Welcome to Bruce Bayne, Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club; Teresa Thomblison, President of the Rotaract Club of Ottawa South
Member Survey - If you haven't already completed the member survey, you will soon be getting a call from Jeff or Kateri. Unless you go online and complete the survey first: do it right now. The membership plan will be drafted in January and then implemented over the ensuing months. Your input is very much appreciated.
CHRISTMAS KETTLE 2021 - This Saturday we're ringing the Salvation Army bells at the South Keys Loblaws. All spots are filled, except one at 6 - 8pm. Let Scott know if you can swing it.
Gift Cards - Rosemary purchased $3,000 of Giant Tiger gift cards (and they provided an additional 5% in cards). They will be distributed (on RCOS' behalf) to families in need by the Salvation Army.
Rotary Cash Calendars - Contact Joan to purchase a Rotary Cash Calendar, only $20 and many chances to win.
Scott's Rotary Moment
ROTARY IS A CARING COMMUNITY
Tuesday evening, Sherri noticed an article in the Ottawa Sun regarding a Cornwall family with a serious health predicament; their son was ill and under observation at CHEO in Ottawa. They had started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds so that they could be near their son at CHEO. Sherri felt that Rotel would be a convenient and affordable solution and sent me an email.
I reached out to the father, and the Sun reporter, letting them know about Rotel and its mandate to provide comfortable and low-cost accommodation for patient's family and friends. I saw that their GoFundMe had surpassed its $8,000 goal; Rotel could stretch their budget while keeping them close to their son.
I also sent an email to Suzy Harrison, General Manager of Rotel. She immediately replied that her son had mentioned the article to her and she had already made a note to reach out to the family the following morning.
All these dots were connected over a couple hours: reading about a family in need, Rotary having a solution, club members connecting with others to do something about it, members reaching out to the family... that's Rotary. The power of a caring community - a network of people who want to make things better.
You can find out more about Rotel, and check out its new website at rotel.ca.
Understanding the Advantages of Solar Power
Chris Meechan, Energy Consultant with Execon Roofing and Solar, and experienced Industry Advocate
Our own Chris Meechan is an industry expert on solar power. He has been active in the industry for many years, working on committees and task-forces, speaking on panels and at seminars, involved with many new initiatives for residential and commercial projects... Chris knows the ins-and-out, can separate the fact from fiction, and shed some light on solar power.
Chris said that, "like climate change and vaccination solar power can be a difficult topic to broach. I try to deliver the message based on science and economics. My at times blunt communication style due to years of what seems like trying to turn around the Titanic in a mud puddle is something I continue to refine. Spreading the word is key to help people save money and become environmental stewards at the same time."
To that end, Chris opened up a Q and A session, asking each one of us what we were curious to know about solar power and using each question as a launching pad to provide a comprehensive, easy-to-understand and informative response.
For those who missed the meeting, click on the links below to learn more about solar power:
Rotary Club Ottawa South members met at KS on the Keys, and few joined remotely, to learn more about the advantages of solar power for homes, businesses and farms... everyone wins!
RCOS Environmental Committee Enviro Tip
CERTIFIED B CORPORATIONS
There is a new kind of business that balances purpose and profit called Certified B Corporations. B Corps, for short, are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose and are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. B Corp Certification doesn’t just evaluate a product or service; it assesses the overall positive impact of the company that stands behind it.
In doing business this way, Certified B Corporations are working toward reduced inequality, lower levels of poverty, a healthier environment, stronger communities, and the creation of more high-quality jobs with dignity and purpose. Sound familiar? In many ways these corporations have a similar focus to Rotary and our values. By harnessing the power of business, B Corps use profits and growth to a greater end whereas Rotary uses people and their talents for a greater end.
In 2020, there were more than 3,000 Certified B Corporations in over 70 countries, across 150 industries: https://bcorporation.net/directory Including four in Ottawa: tease, InItLive Inc., MediaStyle Communications, Delphi Group (note more in outlying communities around Ottawa such as Beau’s Brewing in VanKleek Hill)
Some interesting information related to these corporations and the environment (according to the certifying body for B Corps):
• B Corps outperform ordinary businesses by 15% on natural resources conservation.
• B Corps are 87% more likely to monitor, record, and set scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets compared to ordinary businesses.
• B Corps are 70% more likely to reduce the volume or toxicity of waste generated through material selection, production process, or product design than ordinary businesses.
• 98% of B Corps in manufacturing have incorporated energy-efficiency measures within their facilities.
• B Corps are 2.8x more likely to use 100% low-impact renewable energy than ordinary
businesses.
• 77% of B Corps in agriculture have implemented water conservation practices.
Rotary is dedicated to seven areas of focus to build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better world to support our peace efforts and end polio forever.
Saving mothers and children: Nearly 6 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. We expand access to quality care, so mothers and their children can live and grow stronger.
Supporting education: More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.
Growing local economies: We carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and create decent and productive work opportunities for young and old. We also strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.
Supporting the environment: Rotary clubs can now apply for environment-related global grant projects as our newest appointed area of focus.
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