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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SEPTEMBER 14 MEETING President Jean opened the meeting by reminding us that the Avenues of Service are like the steppingstones of Rotary Service. She spoke about Community Service and the many community projects our club has completed. 
A Family Affair Clan Stewart was well represented tonight. Rotarian Fraser introduced his wife Bev, his daughter Pam and his grandson Spencer. Pam was the program guest speaker.
Induction of a New Member Trish Goosen, was brought to the podium by her sponsor, Rotarian Michele Polinuk. Members of the executive read portions of the ceremony and Past President Rotarian Sharon Moolchan presented Trish with the Rotary Pin. Reports Secretary Ruth Konzelman read a Thank You note from Kya Jackson the recipient of last year’s scholarship. Our Treasurer, Lesli Malegus wil have a completed budget for our next meeting. 50/50 and Sgt. At Arms Rotarian Al Curtis was unable to find a 50/50 winner as Marcia drew the seven of spades. Rotarian Rhonda Grochowski continued 6 weeks of the Best Hand in Poker and reminded the members if they brought a guest to a meeting they received an extra card. This is week#3 .The fine is now $2 and it didn’t matter how you’re your holiday was, you were fined. A Rotarian growled at Rhonda, another wasn’t wearing his badge, the secretary forgot her report and had to go home to get it…No one received an exemption. PROGRAM TOPIC: Learning to Pivot as a Woman in Industry 
Rotarian Brian Surridge introduced Pam Grahame. She really didn’t need to be introduced to most of the Rotarians as she was a Rotary exchange student to Brazil in 85/86 facilitated a tour of MRM for our Rotary Club in 2005. Born and raised in Selkirk many of the Rotarians have watched Pam grow up. She is now the mother of three young adults. Pam’s presentation described what it was like to work for a steel company in a man’s world and then find yourself redundant at 53 years of age. Rotarian Sharon Moolchan thanked Pam for her presentation and wished her well in her new business venture. Meeting Adjourned at 7:40
Learning to Pivot as a Woman In Industry Pam’s presentation described what it was like to work for a steel company in a man’s world and then find yourself redundant at 53 years of age. Working in steel engineering is dirty, dangerous, and hierarchical. Women employed in the industry typically survive from 3-5 years in the job. She had to fight for respect, challenge the norm and frequently felt alone. But, over the years she learned courage, resilience, and the value of hard work. Having no job, resulted in time for re-evaluation and much self-reflection. As she said “I had to find the Why, before I could find the What and the How.” What was she passionate about, what skills did she bring to the table and how was she going to get to the next step. Years of selling steel around the world had shown her how to open doors for others and engage people. Experience had also shown Pam that although she was a female in a male dominated industry many of her male counterparts had been put into leadership positions that they were ill equipped to manage and felt just as alone as Pam did in the industry. The WHY was answered, Pam is passionate about opening doors for others. She took a course at the Women’ Enterprise Center on how to open your own business and networked with the Canadian Manufacturing Assoc. as well as the Construction Industry. Facilitation, coaching and shop floor leadership are lacking in many of those industries and the WHAT was answered. By Jan 2021 Pam will have “Ask the Lady in the Hard Hat” up and running. The website will provide facilitation for companies that need support, teaching emotional intelligence with the difference between managing and leading, and professional coaching through an interactive website. The HOW is a work in progress, a new learning experience and often scary but courage and resilience are Pam’s strongest assets. This was an interesting and reflective presentation on how to pivot in midlife.
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