UPCOMING SPEAKERS

Upcoming Meetings

Upcoming Activities

SPEAKER AT OUR NEXT MEETING

NOTICE: This meeting was planned for Wednesday, June 25 but has been changed to Friday, June 27 at 9:30 am, as usual.

Jeff Willmer who will speak to us about A Better Tent City.

As the former Chief Administrator of Kitchener and Cambridge, Jeff played a critical role in A Better Tent City's development. Recognizing the limitations of traditional shelters, he helped co-found the initiative alongside the late Ron Doyle. Jeff's expertise in urban planning and municipal governance was instrumental in securing land, navigating zoning and regulatory challenges, and advocating for A Better Tent City as a viable model to address homelessness.

A Better Tent City (ABTC) in Kitchener, Ontario, is an innovative housing initiative aimed at providing a safe and stable community for individuals experiencing homelessness. Established in 2019, ABTC consists of small cabins that offer privacy and security while fostering a sense of belonging. It provides essential amenities such as washrooms, a communal kitchen, and social support services.

As chair of ABTC’s inaugural board, Willmer continues to provide leadership and strategic direction. He works closely with local governments, social service agencies, and community partners to ensure the project's long-term sustainability. His advocacy has helped ABTC gain recognition as an alternative approach to housing solutions, emphasizing community-driven support over institutional responses. Under his leadership, ABTC remains a model for other municipalities exploring similar solutions to address homelessness with dignity, stability, and community care.

Here's a podcast with Jeff discussing A Better Tent City.

PERSONAL VIGNETTE: Also in this meeting, Jim Ott will be delivering his personal vignette.

LUNCH BUNCH: After the meeting, all members are invited to have lunch (at their own cost) at a local restaurant. A great way to get to know your fellow members.

ABOUT OUR LAST MEETING

We enjoyed a fun, adventure filled talk full of examples given by Luigi Calabrese, President of Frontier Networks Inc., a seasoned leader in the tech industry.

With a focus on advocating for older adults, Luigi collaborates closely with law enforcement agencies in Canada and the USA, including the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the RCMP, and the Department of Homeland Security, to combat fraud and vendor abuse targeting seniors.

As a sought-after speaker, Luigi is renowned for his ability to demystify technology and engage audiences with humour and relevant examples. Luigi is a passionate advocate for older adults, tirelessly working to promote pricing fairness and advocate for reforms to protect older adults from exploitation and abuse.

In an era where technology is meant to simplify our lives but often complicates them, Luigi Calabrese discussed the latest trends in mobile devices, sensors, and wearables, focusing on enabling seniors to age comfortably at home.

He also addressed the pressing issues of data privacy threats, hacking, and navigating the complexities of new Artificial Intelligence (AI) schemes to ensure seniors stay safe and empowered digitally. 

Click on the WATCH LAST MEETING button above to watch the whole meeting. Guest speaker Luigi Calabrese’s presentation was not recorded, at his request. Don Bark's vignette can be viewed starting at the 24:38 minute mark.

 

WELCOME

The PROBUS Club of Cambridge provides the opportunity for retired or semi-retired men having similar interests to meet and mingle, enjoy challenging, interesting guest speakers and join into some group activities.

PROBUS Clubs are not service organizations. We do not engage in fundraising, sectarian or political activities. Rather, we function solely for the benefit and interest of our members.

Watch a short video about PROBUS in Canada.

If you are not a member, you are in the right place to seek information about our Club, and how you can join us.

If you have any questions, please contact  one of our Membership Co-Chairs,
David Shaw at 226-220-2498
Jim Ott at 519-241-9883
or email us at   info@probuscambridge.org 

We hope to see you soon!

Norm Steele
President 2024-25

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