The Rotary Club of Calgary is an organization of professional and community leaders who come together through commitment and fellowship to create opportunities and a better future for generations to follow. Volume 31 Number 50 June 27, 2014 District No. 5360 Deborah Yedlin Women and Corporate Canada s Boards George Brookman introduced Deborah Yedlin, his go to business columnist, and one of the country s best known business reporters. Bringing an experienced perspective to reporting on issues that matter to Western Canadians, Deborah is on top of the issues and factors that affect the ways Calgarians approach the business of energy. She started her career working as an investment banker with Goldman Sachs in New York, and moved to Calgary after completing an MBA at Queen s University. She began working in business journalism in 1996, and has contributed extensively to the Financial Post, as well as to the Globe and Mail. Deborah has been a columnist for the Calgary Herald since 2007, and is also a commentator on CBC radio. Deborah spoke of her childhood in Edmonton. She was inspired by her mother, who achieved tenure in 1975 at the University of Alberta. (Her mother was only the eighth female professor to do so.) Therefore, it was no surprise that she brought her perspective on women in leadership positions to Eva Friesen s last meeting as the first female President of the Rotary Club of Calgary. Reminding us of President Dwight Eisenhower s aphorism that leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it, Deborah applauded our club's initiatives to support education internationally, especially for girls who are desperate for schooling. Calgary is notable for having very few female CEOs, and female representation in the oil patch s executive ranks is poor. The percentage of women serving on boards of FP 500 companies (16 per cent) is higher than is seen in the energy sector (9 per cent). With 47 per cent of all graduates from Canadian business schools being women, we do have the pool of talented women in the workforce with business skills, and a pipeline of talent ready to move into senior leadership positions. Deborah noted that men are often evaluated on their potential, with women evaluated on their achievements. As board seats are usually filled from the ranks of current CEOs, a self-perpetuating cycle COG Staff Editor Reporting Photography Sponsorships Office Support June 27 Issue Craig Henderson Thalia Kingsford Ralph Lundberg Lorne Larson Jo-Ann Clarke Calgary, Alberta Chartered April 1914 Club #949 Suite 300, 105 12 th Avenue SE, Calgary Alberta T2G 1A1 Tel: (403) 398-9969 Fax: (403) 264-2393 www.rotaryclubofcalgary.org admin@rotaryclubofcalgary.ca President: Eva Friesen Vice-President: Paul Bates RI President: Ron D. Burton District Governor: Patrick Killoran
Michael Pierson welcomes new member Bruce Finnigan George Brookman welcomes new member John Seigner Don Dart thanks our speaker is established. There are a few notable exceptions to the pattern as Suncor s board has solid representation from women as well as First Nations, and the CNRL board is chaired by Catherine Best. She also highlighted the report that was presented this week by Kellie Leitch, the federal Minister of Labour and Minister for the Status of Women, from the government council that was looking into the lack of women on Canadian corporate boards. The report s eleven recommendations are intended to support the goal of having women fill thirty per cent of all directors seats within five years. Deborah talked about leadership in the context of the government s decision on the Northern Gateway pipeline. With the federal government only issuing a press release instructing Enbridge to work on the National Energy Board s 209 conditions for approval, the lack of leadership has been disappointing. A stronger message putting the country first should have been issued. She offered the analogy of a symphony conductor: it takes guts to put your back to the audience and lead. After a lively question period Don Dart thanked Deborah for her thoughtful presentation by acknowledging the donation to CAWST on her behalf. The Meeting Frank McKitrick played the piano as the head table marched in for the final meeting of Eva Friesen s year as president. John Boyd gave the invocation that expressed a thankful sentiment that we passed the anniversary of the disastrous 2013 flooding without a replay. President Eva thanked our cast of volunteers who support our club meetings each week: Carl, Keith, Tony, Ralph, Ken, and Bill. You make us look good. A very special honour was given to Carl St. Laurent as he leaves the club. He is our newest Paul Harris Award recipient and we will surely miss him. President Eva thanked Vern Kimball of the Calgary Stampede for this week s COG sponsorship. We heard the news that Mona Cozart has passed away. Mona was the wife of member Merv Cozart, and was a talented member of many Rotary Shows. Tim Heaton brought his reunion tour to the club to recognize her presidency by singing an Eva-inspired rendition of My Way. As Chris Harper noted, Tim was almost as good as Michael Bublé. Chris then went on to recognize this week s visitors and guests, as well as announcing birthdays, with his usual fine humour. Michael Pierson introduced one new member, Bruce Finnegan. Bruce is a property appraiser who graduated from Guelph and York universities, and is a former member of the Progress Club. George Brookman introduced another new member, John Seigner. John has been the President of the Banff Rotary Club, and the Chairman of the Small Business Association of Banff. He was also the owner of the Banff Film Lab. He is currently an ambassador at the Ability Hub, which provides services for adults on the autism spectrum. Joe Fras brought us up to date on the Rotary Barbecues. We still require lots of volunteers for our annual Stampede barbecue fundraising events.
Roy Boettger announced the CRCF distribution to our club, which is $1,464,094 for this year. Thanks to all who have built this foundation. He also recognized the enduring legacy of Ev and Ellen Mayhood. Pat Killoran, District Governor, passed the home club banner to Garth Toombs to mark the start of his one-year term as District Governor. President Eva passed over the club s gavel to incoming president Ron Esch. (In gratitude, a donation was made in her name to The Rotary Foundation) The members of the club s incoming board were welcomed to their new posts, and presented with pins. [Thank you Thalia Kingsford for this week s COG report! Editor] Membership Dues Thanks to everyone who have paid their 2014-2015 membership dues so promptly! We are almost at 50 per cent paid. Invoices were mailed out at the end of May for payment by June 30 th. The club s dues must be paid to Rotary International by July 1, so your attention to this matter is appreciated and helps to keep the club in good standing. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to call Jo-Ann at the office. Jo-Ann Clarke, Office Manager 403-398-9969 Thank-you Rotarian Vern Kimball and the Calgary Stampede for sponsoring this week s COG Newsletter
Highlights from the June 24 th Meeting Calgary Rotary Clubs Foundation cheque Incoming President Ron Esch thanks President Eva for a great year
Highlights from the June 24 th Meeting District banner being passed from Pat Killoran to Garth Toombs Sing it Tim. I love it! Tim with his musical tribute to Eva