Minutes & Announcements - US Election - Oct. 25/12

A. Welcome and Announcements

President Kathy Verduyn chaired the meeting and welcomed the guests today's luncheon meeting.

Upcoming Events:
• Social Night of Horse Racing at Woodbine Race Track. November 7, 2012
   Price is approximately $46/person paid in advance. See James Matsumoto
• Holiday party will be held in the evening this year. Date is Wednesday Dec 12th (7-9pm).
• Christmas cake sale to begin November 1, 2012
• November is Foundation month…..next meeting will see presentation of Paul Harris awards.

B. Speaker - Nancy Brant - Vice Consul, US Consulate - Toronto
Speech Topic: US Election

Introduced by: Paul Ferri
Paul also introduced Nancy's intern, Emman Rahman (former Rotaract member from Scarborough)

Photo: Nancy Brant - US Vice Consul

Highlights 

Nancy hails from Rhode Island……arrived in Canada with her family in April. Her background includes a sales career in the manufacturing sector of the American economy.

She thanked the club for the invite and the opportunity to speak about the forthcoming election in the United States.

Nancy's presentation included a discussion on
• The Historical perspective of the United States political system
• Youth and their influence on the 2012 Election
• The Growing diversity of the United States population
• Impact of Social media  in shaping the election outcome

Nancy also provided an historical review of the evolution of the two party system

The consensus was that the election will boil down to the challenges faced by the United States
• Creating jobs
• Reducing debt

Her speech concluded with a brief Q and A session and a "dummy vote"

C. 50/50 Draw

Ticket held by George Draghia was drawn. He won the consolation prize of a Tim Hortons gift card, leaving the jackpot alive another week.

Credits:
Notes: Russ Bayko
Pianist: Doug Clarke
Sgt. At Arms: Marvin Graf, Art Hall
Photo: Emman Rahman
Bulletin update: Paul Ferri