President Jayna was tied up with the meetings technology requirements and so it was not until 12:10 that she gonged the starting bell to indicate she was ready. In her usual unflustered approach she welcomed all to the meeting and noted the first thing that was going to happen was the assignment of which table would be the first to go to the buffet line. This is an exceedingly stressful decision for the President because she was about to tick off 2/3 to ¾ of the of members in attendance. Wisely she hinted the first table to go would be where the guest speaker was sitting. The President suddenly remembered the usual order of happenings at Rotary meetings - there are other things that need to happen before we eat – we must ask for the blessing on the meal - Peter Peters was given the nod. Oh, and then we should sing O’ Canada, which Karen Hoeft will lead. During the singing of our National Anthem, the President remembered the Land Acknowledgement and she was able to plug that in before the hungry masses were finally allowed to head for the buffet table.
Following lunch Jeanne Alexander was invited to introduce our Guest Speaker Linda Kim, who served as a naval officer in the Canadian Armed Forces from 2002 to 2018. A seemingly male dominated career path which is braved by limited number of women. We learned Linda is a qualified Marine Systems Engineering Officer, who began her career with the basic officer training course in Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, QC. Most of her sailing took place on the Halifax Class Frigates on the East Coast. Her operational deployments include Operation Caribbe, a USA supported undertaking focused on the war on drugs. Linda participated in Operation Connection, which looked at recruitment, and Operation Nanook, which was part of an Arctic Patrol, and RIMPAC, a training exercise. Finally, she referenced being a 2009 veteran of the War in Afghanistan, which she skillfully touched on in her presentation. On the ‘Shore-side’, Linda contributed to key capital acquisition and life extension programs working within both the Submarine Project cell and the River-class Destroyer project.
Guest Speaker Linda Kim
Linda Kim indicated she is a first-generation Canadian. Her father came to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario alone sponsored by a Church Community and once settled brought Linda’s mother, and older siblings to Canada. Linda grew up in Toronto and attended the University of Waterloo, where she studied engineering while working for an electric company. This led to a transfer to the firm’s Regina plant and she lived here for two years before moving to British Columbia. It was in B.C. that she joined the armed forces as a WREN (Women’s Royal Naval Service), and it was here that her naval career was guided by a distinguished WREN named Elsa Lessard, who became Linda’s naval career inspiration. She obtained a bachelor degree in engineering and this took Linda back to eastern Canada serving as Naval Officer from which she has retired but continues to serve remotely for Defence.
Building on her extensive background in Naval engineering and Operational leadership, Linda is currently expanding her academic portfolio by pursuing dual Master degrees in Engineering Management and Education. She is grounded by her loving husband and daughter. Today they make their home on 90 acres of forested property in Blind River, Ontario, where her investments have shifted from frigats and submarines to visions of a sawmill
Thank you, Linda Kim, for sharing your story with our Rotary Club.
FAMILY OF ROTARY
President Jayna shared this announcement at the end of our our meeting and it is shared here for your information and shared good wishes.
President Jayna Amadasun
“I have been offered a one year Clinical and Organizational Ethics Fellowship in Ontario. It is an exciting career opportunity. I will miss you all immensely. During the course of this year Vice President Greg Baca will be here to provide continual leadership. As Rotarians, I know that you will give Greg all the support he needs to successfully navigate the rest of the Rotary year.”
Regina Eastview is sharing our President, to help the folks, not only in Ontario, but across our land - another Rotary hand up.
CONGRATULATIONS, President Jayna!
FELLOWSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
The joy that comes from being in a room with a group of Rotarians focused on doing good in the world.
Wonderful to see visitors at our meeting and a high five for members who bring visitors into our Rotary meetings.
Remember, Monday is Backpack packing day - a day where going in circles gets things done for a whole group of fortunate students who will benefit from this educational ‘hand-up’ and you will be inspired.
Have a wonderful weekend.
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"Life has meaning only if one barters it day by day for something other than itself".
Saint-Exupery
Today's guests
It was a wonderful Guest Day at Regina Eastview, as we were joined by our Guest Speaker, Linda Kim, and Joe LeBlanc, a guest of Peter White. It was special to be joined by Kim Lockie, a former Rotarian in the Fort McMurray District 5370. George Carson from the RC of Regina rounded out our appreciated guests. Thank you all for being part of our Rotary day.
(L to R) Visitor Joe LeBlanc and Eastview members Lorna King & Peter White
