The first meeting of 2015 was started at 6:15 pm.  Mary Rashleigh started Oh Canada off beautifully.  President Ken was his usual self and welcomed everyone back.

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All the guest were so happy to attend our first meeting of the year!

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Sharon Deb's sister had a great time!

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Our speakers Ian McTavish and Caleb Berry from the Robotics program at HHS felt at home at the leadership table! Julia  Drewery was one of our three speakers of the night.  Other guests of the meeting included, Calum and Rowan Jennifer Simpsons sons, Rashleigh and Suzi.


 ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Due to extreme temperatures Brandy not only introduced our visitors she also informed all attending Rotarians of our tentative plans for this years Family Day Festivities.  Family Fun Day will be held on February 16th 2015 at Can Lake from 1-4 pm.  This event will be a skating event with free hot chocolate, Chilli Competition and Musical styling of local musician Tobin Spring. The event will be posted on the Community Bulletin and all Rotarians need to wear vest if they have them.  This event is to attract growth so it is important for Rotarians to visible and participate!

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Cam announced that Sustainability Coordinator Rebecca Francis will have an Idea Bombing about active transportation for walking and biking policy for Huntsville.  This workshop will be held at Seven Main Cafe on Thursday, January 15th 6:30-9pm.  Workshop will be lead by Robert Voigt.  For information please contact Rebecca Francis at rebecca.francis@huntsville.ca or call 705-789-1751 x2366

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Peter Redwood gave us the Auction 2014 Final Report. 
Total Proceeds:  $31134 
Expenses:  $3950
Profit:  $27200
We now have a $500 asset. 
Peter thanked everyone for all their help.  A very special thanks to Bob Gibson, Debbie K, Sandy Mackay, George Snooks and Hugh Holland.

TV Cogeco Scott Action and Sam Johnston need a very special thanks for all their effort and contributions. 
All Block Sponsors and major donors will receive a plaque once it is prepared it will be delivered.  All donors and bidders will receive a thank you email.

Peter mentioned some recommendations to improve next years auction.

ATTENTION ROTARIANS

**Next Years Auction is DECEMBER 6, 2015.  Please create an event on your computers, phones or on your calendars.**
All Rotarians need to setup the day of or before so please keep this in mind.  All the hard work and planning is very much appreciated by the Auction Team!

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Gord's granddaughter Kiera participated in the Battle of the Books for Spruce Glien School.  One of the required books was "A Long Walk To Water" by Linda Sue Park.  This is a true story about the wells in 3rd world countries.  Gord will graciously allow every Rotarian to borrow his copy, its a must read.

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Brandy has made a team to participate in this Bonspiel event.

SPEAKERS

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Lou introduced Julia Drewery founding student of the Techno Girls Program for grade 7/8 girls.

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Julia created the Techno Girls initiative to close the Gap of woman in engineering. In grade 10 Julia took a computer science course at Huntsville High School.  She loved it so much.  She decided to create Techno Girls to encourage grade 7/8 girls to learn what is available to them in the computer sciences, so if they are interested they can take the appropriate classes in high school.  This year 50 girls participated in a challenge to create an app for androids or iphones.  The apps will be presented May 8th.  Julia believes that letting younger girls know what is available to them they can change world issues through knowledge they gain in computer sciences.

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For more information about this initiative and pictures of this program in action click on the link

http://hoyarobotics.ca/Gallery/Tg/
 
Our next speaker was Caleb Berry from the Hoya Robotics program.
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The Huntsville High School FIRST Robotics Team 4152 is in competition to design, build, program and drive robotics.  This Robotics Team encourages science, technology, engineering and mathematics by:
  • School and community presentations
  • Programing challenge 4 girls
  • Techno Girls
  • Refurbishing donated computers for families in need

As of this year Hoya Robotics has impacted 100 students in Huntsville and the Trillium Lakelands District School Board.

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Caleb just started in the Robotics competition because his older sibling didn't want him in the club at the same time.  Hoya Robotics is now a mentor to Haliburton High School to help them start their own Robotics Club this year.  The club runs the entire school year.  It is clubs like this that help students be trained in the practical application of computer science.  Here are pictures of last years robot.
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Huntsville High School depends on local donors to compete in the yearly Robotics competition.  It costs $5000 just to enter the competition.  When you register you get a kit of basic parts and the student have to go to hardware stores like Canadian Tire to purchase any other parts they need. This is an inclusive club and it raises money for the kids who don't have the transportation or funds to go to the Robotics competition.  This years sponsors include:
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Will Davidson LLP
Century 21 Jennifer Duttun-Munn
Kelsey's (Your Neighbourhood Bar and Grill)
 

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Caleb acquired so much practical and educational experience that he was offered a job straight out of high school at ecommunities.  Caleb didn't have 90's in school, Hoya Robotics helped him to find a job in the computer science field right out of secondary school.  This program changes lives and helps students find hidden job they may never have known about.

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George Zacal really enjoyed meeting and thanking the speakers on behalf of all Rotarians.

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George gave the kids a pep talk and let them know their work in the club was impressive.

No winners on this weeks Foundation draw!  The meeting was adjourned.