MEETING RECAP - December 7th, 2015

 

Submitted by Will Arscott December 8th, 2015

 

DECEMBER 7TH, 2015 - MEETING RECAP - MEETING AT BESSBOROUGH GUEST SPEAKER: KEITH WILLOUGHBY, ASSOCIATE DEAN OF THE EDWARDS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

TOPIC: THE EDWARDS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

 

The meeting was presided by President Bev D.

Cashier - Paul G

Visitors and Guests - Mike L

Greeter - Peter W

 

A ringing rendition of O Canada led by Wayne M

 

Grace - Claire H who reminded us that the true meaning of the Christmas season is spiritual

 

Mike L Introduced our four guests:

Keith Willoughby our guest speaker from the Edwards School of Business

Colby McLelland of the U of S guest of Bill J

Dean Gibson guest of Maureen T

Kathy Weber past member and Guest of Jim W

 

Over the course of the meeting several members stated who happy they were to see Jim Weber back who seemed to be very much on the mend. Jim for his part said he was looking forward to being in Porta Vallarta in a few days and reminded the club he would remain available as his regular office number.

 

Announcements:

 

Board of Directions - President Bev D.

 

Tomorrow (Tuesday December 8th) at 4:30 at the Saskatoon Club.

 

King George Christmas Market - Joanne F. (Thursday December 17th)

 

- Still could use more gifts particularly for men (peaked caps, socks and gloves are particularly welcome.

• Need more wrapping and gift bags.

• Could still use more volunteers particularly one or two more for the clean-up.

 

Event for Joy's Home of Hope - Maureen T

 

• There will be an event in support of Hope's house held December 16th from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Neighborhood Church. Tickets are $30 or you can bring a desert and get in free.

• Maureen would like to see a good representation from our Club.

 

 

Christmas Luncheon and Bethany Homes and Mumford House - Wayne Mc

 

- We are collecting for our annual donation to Bethany Home and Mumford House (Salvation Army that is made as part of our Christmas Luncheon. Gift certificates would be most welcome.

 

 

Becas Project - Jim W

 

- There will be a meeting of the Becas Committee at Jim's house at 7:00pm Tuesday.

- If you are a sponsor and have not paid Jim needs your credit card information.

- Jim is behind on his phone calls and could use help - Mark G, Avis H and Wayne S volunteered to help.

 

 

Salvation Army Bells - Mike G

 

- Thanks to all who helped out on such short notice. One date down and our second date is this Saturday. Schedule is set to go. Thanks to the work of Dave S and Mike G on getting this up and running.

- Claire was impressed with the generosity of the people and enjoyed feeding candy to the kids. It was suggested that it could be fun to bring a family member to your shift.

 

 

In Memoriam Kevin Wilson

 

- Steve W read a letter from his mother Jan thanking our club for its support in the families' time of grief.

• Kevin provided $5,000USD to the Rotary Foundation in his will. Jim W pointed out that Kevin was already a major donor.

 

 

Sergeant and Arms - Dave Sunby

 

• The silly fines: Peter Z was fined for talking out of turn and President Bev was fined for trolling for dates.

 

- Jim W gave happy dollars for his recovery. Said he was looking forward to being able to get back to Porta Vallarta and wished all a happy Xmas.

 

- Scott B Explained new haircut in support of children with Downs Syndrome. He said he was one of five to be similarly shorn at the Butler-Byers Christmas party. He claimed that Drew B also participated but nobody in the club quite believed him.

 

- Peter Z gave happy dollars after having raised $30,000 for Malawi at his 'free' brunch yesterday. Wayne Mc and Mark G also gave happy dollars for Peter's brunch and said they knew it would not be free.

 

- Mike G gave a dollar in appreciation of the club's support of the Salvation Army bells. There was also a happy dollar for the project from Claire H

 

- Peter W gave a sad news and passed along that Bruce Bays has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. More tests are being taken this week to determine course of treatment.

 

 

Guest Speaker Keith Willoughby from the Edwards School of Business

 

Introduced by Bill J who said his introduction was based on Keith reduced seven page CV. Fortunately Keith provided us with a one page summary that was sufficiently impressive especially with regard to research into the incidence of the return of missed field goals in the CFL. Bill pointed out not just Keith's impressive CV but his many teaching awards at the U of S and at the universities had had taught at previously.

 

Keith started by saying he believed that the Edwards School of Business has some good tie-ins with Rotary. For one thing the first business grads at this university graduated in 1917 the same year our club was founded.

 

He gave his background as a stats geek from Melfort who came to the U of S college of commerce. He believes his academic credentials have been strengthened by having spent held jobs outside of academia in industry.

 

The job of the Edwards School is to prepare students to make contributions to all sorts or enterprises including the non-profit and charitable sectors. The majors offered by the school reflect the basic undertakings of an organization: how to make a decision as to how and what to produce; how to distribute what is produced; how do you account for

money and other inputs; how do you market your product; how do you meet regulatory and other requirements. The programs at Edwards School are to help people develop themselves to take the lead in these areas.

 

About 10% of the students at the U of S are in the business school. This is about 2,000 students of which 1,800 are undergrads working towards the Bachelor of Commerce degree. Majors in this program include accounting, finance human resources and marketing. There are about 175 masters of accounting students. This is generally at eight month program done over two years in the summers while the students spend the rest of the year working in accounting. These students seek their professional CPA designation. There are also about 70 students in the Masters of Business Administration. This can be cone in one year by a qualified student. The course consists of short (often three week) modular courses and includes an international study tour. There is a small (15 student) master of science program in finance or marketing.

 

On the undergrad level there is a growing co-op pr0gram which now has about 100 students. These students spend eight months in their third year working in industry. This lengthens their course but provides real work experience prior to qualifying for their degree.

 

The Edwards School also has a large program for adult learners housed downtown in the Nasser centre. Subjects include emotional intelligence, coach training etc.

 

The motto of the school is 'We develop business professionals to build nations.' The word 'nations' is to be interpreted most broadly to include any entity functioning for profit or not. Keith believes this is a good tie with Rotary's motto of 'Service Above Self.' To this end the students in the Edwards School are encouraged to take part in many charitable projects. These include:

- Having a team of students live as homeless on campus for five days. (Last year this raised $17,000 for Egadz).

- Having students work as note takers and readers for students with disabilities.

- A program to have accounting students prepare tax returns for seniors for free.

- Chilling for charity cold dunk take which raises $10,000s.

- The MPAcc gives back program.

In conclusion Keith stressed that some impacts are meaningful but not quantifiable. They want their students to understand that while the bottom line is important contributing is also important.

 

There are several questions. Keith indicated that the college has a student vice-president for charitable activities and if Rotary wanted to connect with the students at the college this would be a good place for us to start.

 

NEXT MEETING:

Monday, December 14th at the Bessborough

Speaker: Stephen Maybury, CEO

SASKTOON AIRPORT AUTHORITY

 

Monday, December 21st at the Bessborough

 

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON for MEMBERS and FAMILIES. SANTA CLAUS WILL ATTEND for the CHILDREN.

 

Remember gifts and donations for BETHANY HOME and MUMFORD HOUSE