Category Archives: Guest Speakers

Guest Speakers Megan and Maura Riordon – Golden Brigades

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Megan and Maura Riordon

Megan and Maura, sponsored by Bathurst Rotary, shared their experiences with the Mount Allison University Global Brigades volunteer team. Global Brigades is the world’s largest student-led global health and sustainable development organization. Since 2004, Global Brigades has mobilized thousands of university students and professionals through nine skill-based service programs to improve quality of life in under resourced communities in Honduras, Panama and Ghana. These student group leadership teams focus on Medical, Dental, Microfinance, Public Health, Infrastructure and Water projects in remote communities. Visit the Global Brigades website for more information.

https://www.globalbrigades.org/

Megan and Maura Riordon shown with Gilles Deveaux – President Bathurst Rotary

Guest Speaker Frank Kingston

Frank Kingston, Director of Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods, Public Safety Department, Province of New Brunswick

Frank spoke on the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Unit (SCAN), which operates under the auspices of the Department of Public Safety for the Province of New Brunswick. Under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, the SCAN unit can help improve community safety by shutting down properties that are regularly used for illegal activities. Frank emphasized that New Brunswick residents can call SCAN and confidentially report problem residences and businesses that deal in illegal activities such as: producing, selling or using illegal drugs; prostitution; unlawful sale or manufacture of alcohol; use, sale or consumption of an intoxicating substance; unlawful activities linked to organized crime; child sexual abuse/exploitation; unlawful gaming activities; and, possession of illegal firearms or explosives. More detailed information can be found on their website:

http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/public_safety/safety_protection/content/crime_prevention/SaferCommunitiesAndNeighbourhoods-SCAN-Unit.html

Mr. Frank Kingston shown with Riba Riordon

Guest Speaker – Andrea Bouma-Legacy – Co-Chair Robertville Community Association

Andrea Bouma-Legacy shown in photo with Past President Carmel Hickey

Andrea spoke on the Robertville Community Association’s attempts to provide facilities for outdoor activities in the Robertville/Dunlop area. They are in the initial phases of a three stage plan. The first phase would be to provide a soccer field encircled by a walking trail. The second phase would be a community gazebo and the third phase would be a community garden. The Association sees these projects as focal points to community building with healthy lifestyle choices for all community members, whether they are children, adults or seniors.

Guest Speaker Nina Guitard – Facilitator Chronic Pain Association of Canada

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

Guestspeaker Yvon Godin, NDP Member of Parliament for Acadie-Bathurst

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

Youth Center Partnering with Rotary for Community Garden

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

Guest Speakers – Jennifer Henry and Guylaine Legace

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

Guestspeaker Lynn Arsenault, VP Customer Service, NB Power

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.

Guest Speaker Kellie McLean – Infection Control Vitalité

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.

Guest Speakers- Jason Carr, Director Strategic Initiatives, NB Community Living and Diane Cormier

Speaker Jason Carr, Director Strategic Initiatives, NB Community Living, & Diane Cormier Northrup. Bathurst – seen in photo with Audrey Gammon

Vision: Full participation of children and adults with an intellectual disabilities in all aspects of society.

Mission: NBACL works to ensure that people with an intellectual disability, with the support of their families, have the option to choose the supports they need to live meaningful lives and participate in their communities as valued and contributing members.

NBACL was founded in 1957; 50 years ago by parents
It is estimated that 22,000 New Brunswickers have an intellectual disability
Over 40% of children in foster care are children with disabilities, due to lack
of support for their families
We receive over 200 requests for assistance every month
70% – 80% of adults with an intellectual disability are either unemployed or underemployed, although capable of working if properly supported

NBACL has offices in Bathurst and several other NB communities.

For further information see website: http://nbacl.nb.ca/