Get your mind out the gutter you dirty minded so-and-so's!! I did actually see a pair of wild beaver in the creek behind my current hosts house last night...so thats one of the animals I wanted to see over here crossed of the list! Still no sign of any elk, moose or bears...and I'm not going to start on the whole cougars and sabre-tooth tigers story! But I have to say something about my hosts home...it is stunning and so is the view! Hans and Lolita Weisner really have a small piece of paradise in their back yard! The view over the creek last night and this morning was stunning and I feel privileged to be staying here.
But we have had a great day today which started with a tour of the City Library services, and we then went on to meet the Deputy Mayor of Red Deer who gave us some excellent gifts. We then had a presentation over lunch and then I was taken back to City Hall where I had an enjoyable discussion with the IT Services Manager of the City.
Then needless to say Nicola and I went shopping!! And yes, I spent more than her...and yes it was all on clothes for myself! I swear I have no idea how I'm going to get everything in my bags for the flights home! We have been given so many gifts over here, and I keep buying things for myself as well! Does anyone know a good pilot who can charter us a free flight home for all our bags??
We then had what we now like to term as a "social gathering" to meet members of the various Red Deer rotary clubs which we wont have an opportunity to visit. When I say "social gathering" I mean we went to a bar to watch a Flames game and have a drink!! Hey, we're Scots...its expected of us to take a drink...and it would be rude to turn down the offer! hehehe! But it was an enjoyable night and it was a pleasure to meet some more Rotary members.
So tomorrow, or should I say later today since I just noticed the time, we have a visit to the local museum, another presentation to do, a tour of the city including the ghost stories, and then we have a social night at one of the club members homes for the team and our hosts.
And then sadly on Wednesday we need to leave Red Deer already and move on to Olds...where the plans for us were kept very "hush hush" at the conference...so we are intrigued!!
Till next time...
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Monday, 27 April 2009
District 5360 Conference 2009
I know Maura has already posted below about our weekend at the District Conference, but I felt the need to put in text my feelings on the whole 48 hours...
WOW!
Thats says it all. I have been blown away by the kindness, the generosity and the sense of coming together that I experienced in Canmore this weekend. I have never experienced so much goodwill from so many people. It was an inspiration and an honour to be a part of the conference, and I am sure I speak for the whole GSE team when I say that.
I will admit to anyone that I have had a hard time over the past 3 years, and the kindness and gratitude that was shown to us all for being there over the weekend totally blew me away. Then, to be awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship this morning, was mind blowing indeed. I think we all feel privileged to have been able to visit this district, the conference and to meet the people that we have.
It was an emotional day for me, not least having to say goodbye to the hosts and the people who have spent so much time with us at the clubs we have already visited. When I say people, I mean friends, because that is exactly what each and every one of them have become. And I'm now writing this with yet another tear in my eye! We have been shown so much love by the Albertan Rotarians, and I hope that in some way we can reciprocate that love. Rotary is one big loving and giving family...and its a faimly that I for one would love to be a part of.
Thank you to everyone who attended and to everyone who spoke at the conference and made it what it was. And another HUGE thank you for giving all 5 of the team the Paul Harris Fellowship, it is something we all are humbled and priviliged to have recieved.
I can only hope that we were able to inspire and possibly educate some of the rotarians who attended and watched our presentation. As Maura has already said, we had some great feedback...which again we can only thank everyone for.
Thank you for a great conference, I hope to come back next year!
WOW!
Thats says it all. I have been blown away by the kindness, the generosity and the sense of coming together that I experienced in Canmore this weekend. I have never experienced so much goodwill from so many people. It was an inspiration and an honour to be a part of the conference, and I am sure I speak for the whole GSE team when I say that.
I will admit to anyone that I have had a hard time over the past 3 years, and the kindness and gratitude that was shown to us all for being there over the weekend totally blew me away. Then, to be awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship this morning, was mind blowing indeed. I think we all feel privileged to have been able to visit this district, the conference and to meet the people that we have.
It was an emotional day for me, not least having to say goodbye to the hosts and the people who have spent so much time with us at the clubs we have already visited. When I say people, I mean friends, because that is exactly what each and every one of them have become. And I'm now writing this with yet another tear in my eye! We have been shown so much love by the Albertan Rotarians, and I hope that in some way we can reciprocate that love. Rotary is one big loving and giving family...and its a faimly that I for one would love to be a part of.
Thank you to everyone who attended and to everyone who spoke at the conference and made it what it was. And another HUGE thank you for giving all 5 of the team the Paul Harris Fellowship, it is something we all are humbled and priviliged to have recieved.
I can only hope that we were able to inspire and possibly educate some of the rotarians who attended and watched our presentation. As Maura has already said, we had some great feedback...which again we can only thank everyone for.
Thank you for a great conference, I hope to come back next year!
WOW! - Canmore
I wanted to ask 'Can more' surprises be found on this magical Rotary GSE exchange?
I wish to record my sincere and heartfelt thanks to District 5360 and all my fellow Rotarians for honouring the Scottish GSE with the 'PAUL HARRIS' Fellowships
I am aware that these are the highest recognition a rotarian can be bestowed and I feel very humble that you felt that we were worthy - The team are great and you consolidated that with the award
My experiences are not yet over with the District 5360 - but I can tell you that there is a fire in my heart to ensure that I repay each and everyone of you for the love, support, time, energy, care, hosting, transporting and feeding us during the visit
As 'Arnold' would say 'I'll be back'
Love you all - from the depth of my heart
Jimmy
(Go Flames - eh!)
I wish to record my sincere and heartfelt thanks to District 5360 and all my fellow Rotarians for honouring the Scottish GSE with the 'PAUL HARRIS' Fellowships
I am aware that these are the highest recognition a rotarian can be bestowed and I feel very humble that you felt that we were worthy - The team are great and you consolidated that with the award
My experiences are not yet over with the District 5360 - but I can tell you that there is a fire in my heart to ensure that I repay each and everyone of you for the love, support, time, energy, care, hosting, transporting and feeding us during the visit
As 'Arnold' would say 'I'll be back'
Love you all - from the depth of my heart
Jimmy
(Go Flames - eh!)
Even the girls are Fellows
Well, we have just spent the most amazing weekend at the Rotary District Conference here in Southern Alberta. It was held in the beautiful town of Canmore, nestling under the Rockies. It even snowed for us!
The conference was a real mixture of feelings for the team. The speakers on Saturday were really inspiring, and we have been challenged by the amount of good work undertaken by Rotary both locally and globally. Sunday was more emotional, not least saying goodbye for the second time to the many lovely folks we have met here, but more of that shortly....
We have had good feedback from our Group presentation....at least the Canadians understood our Scottish sense of humour. We seem to have made a really positive impact, which far from massaging our egos, has actually been very humbling. It came as a complete surprise to us all that today, we were presented with Paul Harris Fellowships - this is the highest award given by Rotary, and we are all extremely honoured to accept it. This was such an emotional moment!!
So, we are now entering our final week. It's hard to believe that we will be home by this time next week! I intend to savour these last few days, but sadly, I'm sure they will disappear as quickly as the preceding three weeks. We have now arrived in Red Deer and are settling in with our host families. We are meeting so many incredible people here and life-long friendships are being fostered. This Exchange has been an amazing opportunity and it blows me away that Rotary have honoured us by making us Paul Harris Fellows, when in reality, we all feel the debt we owe to Rotary. Amazing day, amazing organisation.
The conference was a real mixture of feelings for the team. The speakers on Saturday were really inspiring, and we have been challenged by the amount of good work undertaken by Rotary both locally and globally. Sunday was more emotional, not least saying goodbye for the second time to the many lovely folks we have met here, but more of that shortly....
We have had good feedback from our Group presentation....at least the Canadians understood our Scottish sense of humour. We seem to have made a really positive impact, which far from massaging our egos, has actually been very humbling. It came as a complete surprise to us all that today, we were presented with Paul Harris Fellowships - this is the highest award given by Rotary, and we are all extremely honoured to accept it. This was such an emotional moment!!
So, we are now entering our final week. It's hard to believe that we will be home by this time next week! I intend to savour these last few days, but sadly, I'm sure they will disappear as quickly as the preceding three weeks. We have now arrived in Red Deer and are settling in with our host families. We are meeting so many incredible people here and life-long friendships are being fostered. This Exchange has been an amazing opportunity and it blows me away that Rotary have honoured us by making us Paul Harris Fellows, when in reality, we all feel the debt we owe to Rotary. Amazing day, amazing organisation.
Thursday, 23 April 2009
HR in the City
It is not all play we have been doing some work honest!!!
I spent yesterday morning in the HR office at City Hall in Calgary. George McLauchlan the head of HR had kindly set me up ( I guess it was really Sheila that set it up thanks) with 30 min slots with some of his management team.
I spent half an hour with each and started with Mary Lou Flood we chatted about pay, benefits, job evaluation and pensions a lot to squeeze into 30mins. I then spoke to Cindy Munn she looked after recruitment and staffing. This had been quite a challenge as the booming economy a couple of years ago had led to real challenges in recruitment, unemployment rates in the city were 3% (these were the real duffers who couldn't get a job anyway). Cindy had even been over to the UK to attract talent.
Next on my list was Bill Oakes who had a remit for workforce planning. This role was quite important over here as the city is quite dynamic and is still growing quite rapidly. Thing are done in a similar way. Additional points of interest were how they measure effectiveness of workforce planning and bringing in knowledge transfer to their planning, it was a good idea but an expensive luxury.
I then had a discussion with Gillian Gibbs-Gray she looked after policy and process. There is a lot less employment legislation over here so not so much policy but the lay out and approval process is very similar to what we do. Similarly the same techniques are used for policy role out.
My final meeting was with Joan Kennedy and we had a chat about succession planning. Like ourselves there is no list of the chosen ones. They try to ensure that the right skills and qualifications are in place so that they can grow their own. I like the HR strategy it is simple enough for me to understand (get em - keep em - grow em) i think em is Canadian for employee!
It was getting near lunch time and I had to vacate my temporary office at city hall (the board room). George took me to flame central for lunch with Gillian and Sheila. For those back home the flames are the hockey team in town and it was match day how exciting.
In the afternoon I met Carol & Julia we had a chat about recruitment and training and got a feel for how HR in the private sector works.
Sheila said to me if I am thinking of working over here I should look them up, funnily enough some of the experienced staff must be over 50 there maybe some opportunities round the corner.
Bye for now.
Wallace.
I spent yesterday morning in the HR office at City Hall in Calgary. George McLauchlan the head of HR had kindly set me up ( I guess it was really Sheila that set it up thanks) with 30 min slots with some of his management team.
I spent half an hour with each and started with Mary Lou Flood we chatted about pay, benefits, job evaluation and pensions a lot to squeeze into 30mins. I then spoke to Cindy Munn she looked after recruitment and staffing. This had been quite a challenge as the booming economy a couple of years ago had led to real challenges in recruitment, unemployment rates in the city were 3% (these were the real duffers who couldn't get a job anyway). Cindy had even been over to the UK to attract talent.
Next on my list was Bill Oakes who had a remit for workforce planning. This role was quite important over here as the city is quite dynamic and is still growing quite rapidly. Thing are done in a similar way. Additional points of interest were how they measure effectiveness of workforce planning and bringing in knowledge transfer to their planning, it was a good idea but an expensive luxury.
I then had a discussion with Gillian Gibbs-Gray she looked after policy and process. There is a lot less employment legislation over here so not so much policy but the lay out and approval process is very similar to what we do. Similarly the same techniques are used for policy role out.
My final meeting was with Joan Kennedy and we had a chat about succession planning. Like ourselves there is no list of the chosen ones. They try to ensure that the right skills and qualifications are in place so that they can grow their own. I like the HR strategy it is simple enough for me to understand (get em - keep em - grow em) i think em is Canadian for employee!
It was getting near lunch time and I had to vacate my temporary office at city hall (the board room). George took me to flame central for lunch with Gillian and Sheila. For those back home the flames are the hockey team in town and it was match day how exciting.
In the afternoon I met Carol & Julia we had a chat about recruitment and training and got a feel for how HR in the private sector works.
Sheila said to me if I am thinking of working over here I should look them up, funnily enough some of the experienced staff must be over 50 there maybe some opportunities round the corner.
Bye for now.
Wallace.
Let it snow!!!
Sooo...we have missed a day! Yesterday we had a successful presentation to the Calgary Downtown club and then were taken on a tour of the "Plus 15". This is basically an interconnecting series of tunnels and walkways between the buildings in downtown calgary to allow commuters and shoppers to move around the city when the weather is cold outside. Remember it can easily reach -30 in the winter here.
Apologies for the blurriness of the last pic, but thats my phone on the table outside...and the snow is almost the same depth as the phone!
Needless to say it wasnt long before the shops provided a distraction and both myself and Nicola spent some of our canadian dollars on a set of hair straighteners and a Calgary Flames jersey. I'll let you decide who bought what!
Today (Wednesday), was our vocational day and I found myself in the University of Calgary meeting Dennis Tracz- Information Security Officer, Patrick Jungles - Security Architect, and Nicole Schultz - IT Security Officer for the Health Sciences Centre. This was an incredibly informative day and they have given me some great information particularly on raising awareness of security within our user population back home.
It was around lunchtime that the snow started...
And I cannot believe how much snow fell in just two hours! now, almost 12 ours later we have easily got 3 inches of snow:
Apologies for the blurriness of the last pic, but thats my phone on the table outside...and the snow is almost the same depth as the phone!
Tomorrow we have a few visits planned, including a trip to Calgary Zoo and then a visit to the Chinook Centre...Calgary's largest shopping mall. With more snow planned it could be an interesting day. But at least it lets us wear all the hats, scarves, gloves and wooly jumpers we brought with us, eh?
Gok signing off until next time!
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Calgary
Well, we are all now in Calgary and have spent the night in the homes of our host families.
We had a relaxing time in Bragg Creek, in what can only be described as beautiful surroundings, and if you have checked out the website for the lodge we stayed in you will see that we were in the lap of luxury!
Yesterday we were transported to Calgary and taken to the Heritage Centre where we learnt about some of the old cars and filling pumps that were used in years gone by. We then enjoyed lunch before heading over to the Canadian Olympic Park where the 1988 Winter Olympics were held. Sadly most of it was closed so we werent able to have a toboggan run...and the young ones (myself and nicola hehe) couldnt try out the zip slide from the top of the 90 metre ski jump!
We then had our first presentation in Calgary before spending the evening withour hosts.
I have just woken to news of the Kidnap of the Edmonton GSE team leader who is currently in Nigeria. To say everyone here is in shock, especially Rotary members, is an understatement. I think I can speak for the team when I say that my heartfelt wishes go out to her and her family...and I hope she returns to Canada safe and unharmed.
Today we have a presentation to the Calgary Downtown club before they give us a tour of the downtown area of the city...and then we have a relaxing evening withour host families.
We had a relaxing time in Bragg Creek, in what can only be described as beautiful surroundings, and if you have checked out the website for the lodge we stayed in you will see that we were in the lap of luxury!
Yesterday we were transported to Calgary and taken to the Heritage Centre where we learnt about some of the old cars and filling pumps that were used in years gone by. We then enjoyed lunch before heading over to the Canadian Olympic Park where the 1988 Winter Olympics were held. Sadly most of it was closed so we werent able to have a toboggan run...and the young ones (myself and nicola hehe) couldnt try out the zip slide from the top of the 90 metre ski jump!
We then had our first presentation in Calgary before spending the evening withour hosts.
I have just woken to news of the Kidnap of the Edmonton GSE team leader who is currently in Nigeria. To say everyone here is in shock, especially Rotary members, is an understatement. I think I can speak for the team when I say that my heartfelt wishes go out to her and her family...and I hope she returns to Canada safe and unharmed.
Today we have a presentation to the Calgary Downtown club before they give us a tour of the downtown area of the city...and then we have a relaxing evening withour host families.
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