Rotary Club of Bathurst
Welcome to our newest Bathurst Rotarian Josh Ouellette
Shown above with Bernard Cormier
GUEST SPEAKER: Nina Guitard: Facilitator, Chronic Pain Association of Canada
Nina spoke on chronic pain, pain that lasts longer than six months, an invisible ailment that is often mismanaged and misdiagnosed. She noted that 20% of Canadians and 22% of Maritimers have to endure chronic pain daily. She discussed all the physical, mental and emotional effects of chronic pain and possible management techniques. Nina stated that the most frustrating part of coping with chronic pain is the lack of understanding and support from family, friends and medical staff. Nina also guides English and French support groups for chronic pain suffers. These meetings are held at Sobeys. The next English support group is scheduled for September if numbers warrant. Contact Nina at 548-1082.
Shown with Peter Assaff
Yvon, NDP MP for the riding of Acadie-Bathurst, prior to his retirement, gave the Bathurst Rotary Club a brief review of his career. At various times in his career as MP, amongst other roles, he was NDP Whip, the NDP Official Languages Critic and the NDP Employment Insurance Critic. Yvon stated that his role in Parliament was to serve his constituents, the residents of the riding of Acadie-Bathurst. His approach seemed to have worked as he was first elected to Parliament in 1997 with 40% of the vote and steadily increased his majority to 69.7% at the most recent election. Yvon was quite proud of one of his most recent political achievements, the salvation of the Montreal to Halifax Via Rail passenger train service. He saw this as the salvation of one of the three pillars of local economic development and sustainability; infrastructure, railway and regional airport.
Yvon Godin shown with Rotary Treasurer Irenée Robichaud
Guest Speaker Melissa Simone with Lloyd Boudreau
Bathurst Youth Center will partner with Bathurst Rotary for a Community Garden
We now have approval from the city and we are in the site preparation phase. Kenny’s Trucking will be leveling out the site any day now. The raised boxes and growing soil will be delivered very shortly. We’re on full speed ahead to catch the growing season
Jennifer Henry, Chairperson 2015 Annual Campaign, Chaleur Regional Hospital Foundation and Guy-Laine Legacé, Special Events Officer, Vitalité Health Network, Zone 6
Jennifer and Guy-Laine discussed the 2015 Chaleur Regional Hospital Foundation campaign to raise $300,000 and, the continued support provided by the Rotary Club of Bathurst. This year’s campaign is focused on raising funds for heart disease and stroke programs/diagnostic equipment. Specific items are the Tele Stroke Program: $25,000, an Ultrasound unit: $185,000 and two treadmills for stress testing: $45,000 each.
Bernard Cormier shown with Guestspeakers Guylaine and Jennifer
Ron Toivanen with Guestspeaker Lynn Arsenault, VP Customer Service, NB Power
She spoke about the challenges and changes NB Power is looking at to improve Customer Service
Lynn discussed NB Power’s current challenges and future vision. She started off by mentioning that June is electricity month. The main challenge that NB Power faces is the daily Two Peak Challenge of early morning and early evening peak load demands. With Siemens, they are investigating a smart grid approach by use of smart meters to reduce peak load demands. Amongst other programs, she mentioned were the LED program and Energy Vampires. Also noted NB Power has to make a decision on the Mactaquac Dam. http://www.mactaquac.ca/
In addition, Lynn mentioned that Efficiency NB became part of NB Power as of 1 April. http://smarthabits.ca/. Another tidbit that she shared was that tropical storm Arthur was the worst storm in its history to affect the NB Power distribution system.
Kellie McLean and Greg Ireland at Rotary on Monday May 11. Kellie spoke about a new initiative in Infection Control, patients holding healthcare personnel accountable for cleaning hands regularly. By asking, have you cleaned your hands.
Kellie McLean, Regional Infection Prevention and Control Manager at Vitalite Health Network, Chaleur Region
Kellie discussed the importance of health care professionals washing their hands before interaction with any patient; the “Washed Their Hands Initiative”. A pertinent statistic in this regard is that between eight and twelve thousand Canadian patients die each year from hospital acquired infections. Therefore, it is every patient’s right to request that all health care professionals wash/sanitize their hands before dealing with them. Kellie stated that alcohol based Purell hand sanitizer is the gold standard for hand cleanliness.
Speaker Jason Carr, Director Strategic Initiatives, NB Community Living, & Diane Cormier Northrup. Bathurst – seen in photo with Audrey Gammon
NBACL has offices in Bathurst and several other NB communities.
For further information see website: http://nbacl.nb.ca/
GUEST SPEAKER: Michael Buzas, ElmTree Resources
Michael discussed the past, the present and the prospective future of mining in the Bathurst area
Jim clearly pointed out the challenges of the Transition Centre and its objective to refocus “at risk” students to continuing their education.
The challenge in a nut shell is to find a way to connect with students whose values are not in line with that of the school and the general population. What we see as an opportunity and what the students at risk see as an opportunity are entirely different… An example Jim provided, was that of an older truck, Jim saw it as an opportunity to rebuild, repair and recondition, some of the students at risk saw it as the value of 30 lbs of copper that could be removed from the truck and sold…without permission.
The Centre continues to reach out to students in hopes of being able to influence them into a generally more acceptable set of values. The program receives funding support which is greatly appreciated. Jim feels volunteers willing to work with these at risk students would be of great value.
Shown in photo: Carl Kenny (Rotarian) and Jim Chamberlain
