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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday April 4, 2007 - 21 Making a Difference Making a difference in Oakville for more than 20 years Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. The Rotary Club of Oakville West (RCOW) is a group of diverse individuals who pull together to make a difference. CURRENT PROJECTS INCLUDE: · Co-sponsorship with the other four Oakville Rotary Clubs of the Oakville Awards for Academic Excellence. This project gives approximately $40,000 in scholarships and bursaries to graduating students from public and Catholic Oakville high schools. · Co-sponsorship with the Oakville Chamber of Commerce of the Oakville Awards for Business Excellence. This annual event, now in its 12th year, honours local businesses for excellence and giving back to their community. Approximately $30,000 is raised annually for Rotary youth initiatives, such as the scholarship and bursary program mentioned above. · Participation in the five-Rotary Club initiative, A Day of Giving. On a designated day, annually, Rotarians offer a lending hand for odd jobs requested by needy individuals within the Oakville Community. · Participation in Dreams Take Flight. An RCOW member accompanies 3-4 challenged children on a one day trip to Disney World in Florida · Organization of an annual Rotary Golf Tournament, raising approximately $7000 which, in the past has been donated to such agencies as the Kerr St. Ministries, OTMH and the Oakville Symphony. · Co-partnership with other Rotary Clubs in the Oakville Youth Development Centre, a relatively new drop-in center for area teenagers at risk. · Partnership with other Rotary Clubs for Camp Enterprise, an exhilarating, annual four-day retreat for high school students interested in learning about business and private enterprise. · The Rotary Club of Oakville West has supported a number of community organizations since its inception, including the Halton Women's Centre, Big Brothers and Big Sisters. The Rotary Club of Oakville West is also active internationally. It joined three other Rotary Clubs in the Oakville area to partner with Zenon Environmental Ltd. for a Centennial project called `Water for Humanity". This involved putting in a water purification system which now supplies drinking water to 26 rural villages and more than 10,000 people inhabitating the area around Tzaneen, South Africa. THE CURRENT OFFICERS OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF OAKVILLE WEST ARE: President - Calvin Balcom, President-Elect Doreen Blake, Past President/Fundraising -Marie Heintzman, Secretary - Joanne Skantzos, Treasurer - Josee O'Toole, Club Service - Simon Pong, Communications - Bill Ford, Community Service - Doreen Blake, International Service Mickie Angas, Membership - David Angas, Vocational Service - Deborah O'Malley, Rotary Foundation - Ren Henderson, WebMaster and Bulletin Editor - Bill Ford. Club meetings are held every Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. at The Oakville Club. Interested business individuals who wish to give back to their community are always welcome to attend. Bringing businesses together in the Oakville community The Oakville Chamber of Commerce has been the community's leading business organization since 1954. We are proud to once again partner with the Rotary Club of Oakville West to present the 12th Annual Oakville Awards for Business Excellence. With over 1,000 member companies, 80 events per year, a bi-monthly magazine and a weekly on-line newsletter, the Chamber works hard to provide a voice and leadership for the Oakville business community. Our mission is to foster a healthy economic environment for Oakville. The Chamber acts as an advocate in support of sound government policies that promote economic development and business opportunities. We also provide a wide range of member benefits and services, including insurance benefits, Visa and Master Card discounts, member-tomember discounts, self-development opportunities, education and business advice. To support the business development activities of our members the Chamber also provides a number of networking opportunities. We accomplish all this through a committee structure led by dedicated and hard working volunteers. Our members can also enhance their profile in the community by taking advantage of advertising, promotional and sponsorship opportunities through the Chamber. The Oakville Chamber of Commerce hosts more than 80 events every year: Seminars, Workshops, Trade Shows, Boost Your Business networking opportunities, Good Morning Oakville networking breakfasts, Business After Hours networking opportunities, The annual BDC Success Conference, The Results Panel, business advisory, A Major Golf Tournament, The Gala Presidents Dinner, Special Guest Speakers and Events, A Christmas Party for members and members' employees, There has never been a better time to join the Oakville Chamber of Commerce. For further information please contact: Lorraine Tonkens, Membership Development Manager First Canadian Title PEOPLE PROCESS TECHNOLOGY Retailer of the Year Nominee Oakville Awards for Business Excellence We are honoured and look forward to continued service to the Oakville Community NORTH SERVICE RD. 4TH LINE OAKVILLE TOWN CENTRE I · 905.338.2275 QEW DORVAL DR. R