May 4, 2017

Posted by Nick Aroutzidis on May 04, 2017

May 11, 2017: John Wright “Classification”. Doug Thompson will introduce our speaker and Katelyn Aitcheson will thank our speaker.

Head Table: Our President Kevin Silver, invites, Katelyn Aitcheson, Doug Thompson, David Rose, Paul Roulston, Rob Russell, Dan Scarborough and George Schroeder, to join him at the head table.

This Week: Sue Wakelin presented her classification talk today.

Sue Wakelin giving her Classification talk with family in background.

Sue was born in Stratford and attended Hamlet, King Lear and Central Secondary School. She is the 2^nd oldest of 4 children. Al and Sue first met as kids at St. James Church and they ultimately were married there in 1976.

She has a degree in English Literature from Western and intended to become an elementary teacher, however Al joined the RCMP and the family moved out west to Nipawin Sask. Sue worked in a local jewelry store and later as a secretary to a group of engineers. The family moved to Ottawa in 1984 when Al took a position with CSIS. Sue got a job as a Research Assistant for a Member of Parliament and then became a legislative assistant to the Minister of Tourism, running the constituency office and liaising with the riding. She met our own Harry Brightwell who was a Member of Parliament at that time. During her time in Ottawa she was invited to 24 Sussex to meet the Prime Minister and at a later time met Ronald and Nancy Regan just after President Regan had addressed Parliament.

In 1988 Al returned to the RCMP, posted to Prince George, BC where Sue jointed a small human resource consulting firm. In 1994 she joined Westcoast Energy as Team Leader in Benefits and Pensions in the HR Group. The company had to restructure, and the work force of 1,000 had to be reduced by 1/3. Sue was involved in this challenging process. From there Sue took a position as Director of Human Resources at Technical University of B.C., however due to political change in B.C. the university was merged with Simon Frazer University. From there Sue held senior level human resource positions at: Morneau Shapell; International Forest Products; and Heli-One, a division of CHC helicopters. During that time, she also completed her designation as a Certified Employee Benefits specialist. She particularly liked coaching, mentoring and teaching staff in her HR role.

Since 2012 Sue has been doing independent consulting work in HR specializing in re-organization, recruitment, policy development, and compensation and benefits, working from home. Four years ago, Sue and Al moved to Stratford and have become active in the community including opening their home as a B&B. Their son Christopher and their youngest daughter Sarah, live in B.C. Their daughter Alisha was a Rotary Exchange Student in Brazil. They have 7 grandchildren.

Sue and Al are enjoying Rotary and look forward to being more involved in club projects.

Sue was introduced by Harry Brightwell and thanked by husband and fellow Rotarian, Al Wakelin.

Scribe: Gordon Sherwin

Hospice Update

Linda Bathe announcing start of Stratford Perth Hospice official campaign starting today. Goal for all Rotary clubs in Perth County is 1 million dollars for naming rights.

Ann Fontana, President of Hospice Care Avon Maitland provided an update on the Hospice project. She thanked Rotary for initiating this project and providing seed funding 4 years ago.

Steve Mitchel and Anne Fontana from Stratford Perth Hospice Committee showing the plans for the Hospice Building at the meeting

The project is now moving forward quickly, total cost $6.5 million of which the City of Stratford has committed $1.5 million. The hospice will be built on lands donated by Tri-county Mennonite Homes at the west end of Greenwood Court. Opening is planned for spring of 2018. Our Club plans to provide funds to this project. A proposal in this regard will be circulated to our members soon.

Guests: Today we welcomed Anne Fontana, Andy Werner, Katherine Hewitt, Lucie Stuart, Christine Seip, Steve Mitchell, (All from Stratford Perth Residential Hospice) and Diane Cox - Edmonton, AB

Draw: The draw prize today was donated by Anonymous donor and was won by Jim Snider.

Make-ups: No report

May’s Attendance Committee: Katherine Hahn (I/C), Maryanne Cox, Rena Orr, Gregor Read, Gord Steed, Dave Scott, Cathy Thompson, Ed Dujlovic, Michael Selves, Gerry Thuss

June’s Attendance Committee: Ken Grosvenor (I/C), John Carruthers, Gary Lingard, Paul Siberry, Mimi Price, Brent Shackleton, Doug Page, Pat Feryn