♦

Day 21 Prompt

Draw and write. Give yourself a super power.

• Expression of Interest/Nomination Process – Overview
• Process and Timelines 2025
• Appendix A – About Dying With Dignity Canada
• Appendix B – Role of Directors
• Appendix C – Expression of Interest 2025 Application Information

Each year, Dying With Dignity Canada (DWDC) distributes a call for Expressions of Interest to identify individuals who wish to serve on the DWDC Board of Directors. In line with our mission, vision and values, DWDC acknowledges that people across Canada reflect a range of identities and lived experiences. In order to provide advocacy, education, and supports that are meaningful and appropriate, it is important to bring diverse voices to the table.

Annually, the Governance Committee reviews the skills and competencies of the current and retiring Directors to help identify the qualifications and expertise that will benefit the Board and the organization in the years ahead. Details of the specific areas of expertise identified for this year can be found in Appendix C. All nominations received will be reviewed by the Governance Committee, who will develop a slate of proposed candidates, to be presented to the members at the next annual meeting.

Board members are committed individuals willing to assume a leadership role in the governance of this national organization. Board members are responsible for:

• Providing leadership on issues related to the mission and vision of DWDC
• Setting strategic priorities
• Formulating governance policies
• Providing financial stewardship
• Oversight and monitoring of organizational performance

*See Appendix B – Role of Directors for a more detailed list of responsibilities.

• A two-year term
• Attend a minimum of four Board meetings yearly, plus the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Board retreat (meetings may be held in person or virtually – a minimum of one meeting and Board retreat held in person, when possible)
• Participate in at least one DWDC Committee
• Serve as an ambassador for DWDC

Expressions of Interest received by the published deadline will be reviewed by the Governance Committee. In addition to a review of the applications received, phone or teleconference interviews will be conducted with the applicants by a member of the Governance Committee.

The Governance Committee will determine how many/if any candidates will be recommended to the Board of Directors for inclusion on the slate of Directors proposed for election at the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Elections will take place on June 6, 2025, via the DWDC AGM.

Directors May 9, 2025 AGM – Recommended Directors to be put forward for election by

the members June 6, 2025 Appendix A – About Dying With Dignity Canada

Dying With Dignity Canada is the largest and oldest right to die with dignity organization in Canada. Founded in 1980, DWDC was incorporated in 1982 and received its current charitable status in 2018. The national charity is mainly funded through individual donations with more than 100,000 supporters across Canada.

All programs and services offered by DWDC are free of charge and designed to empower the public, patients, their families, and health care practitioners with tools to navigate and ensure end-of-life rights. At present, DWDC has 15 employees who are responsible for carrying out the organization’s mission. This work is focused on education, support programs, marketing and communications, development activities, volunteer engagement, advocacy, and administration.

Dying With Dignity Canada relies on a strong network of Chapters, councils, volunteers, and other supporters to achieve its mission throughout the country, which has created a growing national footprint. Volunteer engagement helps expand efforts in advocacy, support and education as reaching all demographics is key to the success of our work. Volunteers are the heart of DWDC. Without them, it would be impossible for us to achieve our goals. We rely on our passionate supporters to engage with their communities, defend patient rights, and ensure people across Canada are informed about their legal end-of-life options. Volunteers share in our mission by organizing events, facilitating educational workshops, advising national operations, and recruiting new supporters within their communities.

The Board is comprised of between 9-15 individuals from across Canada. They are a volunteer, member-elected Board of Directors responsible for the organization’s strategic direction. The current Board consists of 13 members.

Chapters form local and provincial support networks that help break down barriers for people across Canada navigating assisted dying. Currently, there are 11 Chapters located across Canada. Roles of DWDC Chapter volunteers include:

• Serving as Independent Witnesses (MAID legislation requires people who request medical assistance in dying (MAID) to get their application form signed by an Independent Witness).
• Supporting people in their community who are exploring a request for MAID and, in some cases, the loved ones of those navigating MAID.
• Communicating and providing information through social media and regional interviews, as
• Hosting and speaking at events throughout the year, including webinars, workshops, and other public events on Advance Care Planning and information sessions about MAID. These events are held online and in-person.
• Contributing their stories to DWDC blog posts that provide comfort and hope to individuals and
• Supporting the advocacy work of DWDC and leading or supporting provincial advocacy efforts, where

The demand for DWDC’s leadership in the assisted dying space has increased alongside its capacity for deeper investments in strategic areas of work. DWDC’s leadership has identified four strategic priorities for 2023 – 2025:

• Nurture a more inclusive and diverse end-of-life rights movement: DWDC will seek out, listen to, and integrate more perspectives in the work that we do.
• Address barriers to accessing a good death: DWDC will lead national advocacy efforts to eliminate obstacles to end-of-life choice, including access to advance requests and an end to institutional religious obstructions.
• Deliver high-quality, relevant programs and services: DWDC will provide information, education, and support to individuals, families, and clinicians across Canada.
• Ensure sustainability, resiliency, and mission success: DWDC will invest in the growth and development of the organization and its people.

According to common law and the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (the “Act”), the Board of Directors must act in the best interests of DWDC. The Directors are collectively accountable for all actions of the corporation: all Directors must be fully involved in all decisions and must support all decisions, even if they disagree.

The Act, Articles of Incorporation, and By-Laws authorize the Board to oversee the management of the activities and affairs of the corporation. All Directors are entitled to receive notice of meetings of members and the Board, to attend the meetings, to make motions and speak at the meetings, and to vote on matters before the organization (unless disqualified due to conflict of interest or the Chair who votes, only where there is an equality of votes).

Average of 5-7 hours per month; 7-9 hours for Directors who are committee chairs (participating in Board and committee meetings, preparing for meetings, attending special events).

Two-year term, renewable for up to four consecutive terms.

The Board typically focuses on strategy, major policies, risk management, and performance management. Operational or day-to-day decisions are delegated to the CEO.

The fiduciary duties of Directors for both non-profit and for-profit corporations are derived from common law, and are the standards that stakeholders, donors, funders, and clients will hold Directors to, as well as the courts.2 These duties are essentially carried out by Directors when they fulfill the basic and other duties outlined below.

• Duty of Care – provides that Directors must make decisions having regard to all relevant considerations, and ensure they are within the range of reasonable This standard of care for Directors is that they must act with the same skill and diligence that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances (Directors are not liable for mere errors of judgment).
• Duty of Loyalty – provides that a Director must act honestly and in good faith in the best interests of the corporation, and not in their own interests or those of any particular stakeholder or group of This duty requires Directors to avoid and disclose conflicts of interest at all times, and not to take advantage of their position in any way. Finally, it extends to a duty that Directors keep confidential all discussions of the Board.
• Duty of Obedience – provides that Directors must ensure that the organization is adhering to all applicable laws and regulations and doesn’t engage in illegal or unauthorized activities. The duty of obedience also means that Directors must ensure that DWDC carries out its mission in accordance with the purpose3stated in the incorporating documents.

1. Ensure that DWDC’s mission4is clearly stated and enthusiastically supported along with its purpose5.
2. Recruit and retain an effective CEO and support the Board Chair-CEO
3. Provide personal and organizational support for the CEO, periodically assessing CEO performance, and acknowledging strong service through appropriate compensation (with the support and diligence of the Human Resources Committee).
4. Through the strategic planning process, work with staff to translate the DWDC mission into objectives and goals that direct the focus of energy and resources.
5. Monitor and strengthen programs and services to ensure they align with DWDC’s mission and strategic
6. Ensure the staff have adequate financial resources and that they do not spend beyond our
7. Facilitate opportunities for staff to cultivate, solicit, and steward
8. Protect DWDC assets and provide appropriate financial oversight (with the support and diligence of the Finance and Audit Committee).
9. Build and sustain a competent Board (with the support and diligence of the Governance Committee).
10. Oversee the assessment, prioritization, and mitigation of risks to be managed by staff; regularly review management reports on the implementation of the risk strategy and framework.
11. Ensure legal and ethical integrity through adherence to the Code of Conduct, legal standards, and ethical norms, and by collectively exhibiting diligence, commitment, and vigilance.
12. Enhance DWDC’s public standing by being ambassadors and advocates, and together with management, communicating the organization’s story and aspirations while contributing to a healthy and accurate public

1. Review documents provided as part of the new Director orientation process, including the
2. Attend and participate at meetings and be available for unscheduled meetings and phone
3. Prepare for meetings by reading minutes, reports, and other materials provided in
4. Ask questions at meetings not answered in the materials already distributed, in order to properly assess current and proposed projects to ensure they serve the DWDC mission and set the organization up for success.
5. Encourage the participation of other members at meetings and listen to and respect their
6. Work with fellow Directors to build consensus and manage conflict
7. Share any external changes that may affect DWDC’s ability to deliver on its
8. Remain energetic in learning about and helping the organization; Board meetings should not be a chore but help Directors connect with their peers and maintain enthusiasm for their important responsibilities.
9. Serve on at least one committee, working group, or task force and be willing to take on special
10. Work with staff in a non-Board capacity when invited by management to share expertise in areas such as communications, fundraising, advocacy, investments, etc.
11. Ensure that DWDC is among the top three organizations that they contribute to
12. Participate in the assessment of Board meetings; annual self-assessments of the Board, the Board-CEO relations, and feedback to the Chair of the Board; and peer feedback exercises.
13. Request and review the results of an annual staff satisfaction

Directors must meet the qualifications under the Act6. Directors must also have:

1. A commitment to, and clear understanding of, the mission and purpose of the organization
2. Knowledge of meeting procedures, governance policies, and the bylaws of DWDC
3. Sufficient time to devote to their duties and to attend special events from time to time
4. Background and competencies required for the Board at a given time to ensure a healthy diversity of age, gender, regional representation, and professional and other experience

Directors must keep informed about the organization and be willing to participate in training as required to increase their effectiveness, including orientation, strategic planning, sensitivity/diversity training, essentials of governance, and media training.

According to the Onboarding Policy, the Governance Committee will identify and recruit potential candidates to replace Directors who resign, die, do not seek a renewal of their term, cease to be qualified for election as a Director,7 or miss three consecutive Board meetings without an excuse acceptable to the Board.8

According to the incorporating documents, a Director may be removed by DWDC members at a general meeting by a ¾ majority vote. The bylaws provide that the vacancy created by such removal may be filled at the same meeting by the members, or at a later date by the Board.

DWDC is seeking to fill positions for individuals to be part of its Board of Directors in 2025.

To ensure balance and diversity within the Board of Directors, we are looking for specific areas of expertise and encourage Expressions of Interest from individuals who have financial acumen/financial designation and/or:

• Represent Western or Northern Canada (British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut), or Quebec or Eastern Canada
• Are Members of equity-seeking communities (including racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions)
• Have Board/Governance experience

Please note that if you have other skills to bring to the Board, your application will still be considered and kept on file for future Board recruitment.

Board members are committed individuals willing to assume a leadership role in the governance of this national organization. Board members are responsible for:

• Providing leadership on issues related to the mission, vision, and values of DWDC
• Setting strategic priorities
• Formulating governance policies
• Providing financial stewardship
• Oversight and monitoring organizational performance

• A two-year term
• Attend a minimum of four Board meetings yearly, plus the Annual Meeting and Board retreat (meetings may be held in person or virtually – a minimum of one meeting and Board retreat held in person when possible)
• Participate in at least one DWDC Committee
• Serve as an ambassador for DWDC

• A copy of your CV or resume
• A completed Board Competency and Skills matrix
• A personal statement indicating why you would like to be considered for a position on the DWDC Board
• Two references

• Be at least 18 years old
• Not have been declared incapable under the laws of a Canadian province or territory, or by a court in a jurisdiction outside Canada
• Not be in bankrupt status
• Have completed the Expression of Interest process
• Consent to an interview if nomination is supported by the Governance Committee
• Consent for bio and personal statement to be circulated to all members prior to the AGM
• Complete the required reference and record check(s) per the DWDC Screening policy

All submissions will be held in strict confidence and a confirmation of receipt will be issued within 48 hours. All Expressions of Interest received will be reviewed by the Governance Committee with a view to making a recommendation to the Board of Directors. Selected candidates may be presented to the Members at the 2025 AGM.

• Week of January 13, 2024: Call for Expression of Interest opens
• February 19, 2025: Deadline for receipt of completed Expression of Interest applications
• February 24, 2025: Review of applications begins
• Week of April 14, 2025: Applicant status updates
• May 9, 2025: Recommendations for new Directors to the DWDC Board of Directors
• June 6, 2025: Annual General Meeting/Election of Directors

Please complete the application form (including your CV/resume, personal statement, and references) and Competency and Skills matrix via SurveyMonkey by 5:00 p.m. ET on February 19, 2025.

1 Role of Directors document approved by the DWDC Board of Directors on August 18, 2019

2 D&O liability insurance will depend on Directors carrying out these duties.

3 DWDC’s purpose is: “…to improve the moral and ethical development of the community by promoting respect for the human right to medical assistance in dying under the laws of Canada including the Constitution Act, 1867 and 1982 and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; to uphold the administration and enforcement of the human right to medical assistance in dying under the laws of Canada…; to uphold the human right to medical assistance in dying under the laws of Canada…by supporting patients and their families at end-of-life and by supporting health care professionals who provide medical assistance in dying; and to advance education on the subject of medical assistance in dying and other end-of-life rights under the laws of Canada…”

4 DWDC’s mission is “Ensuring access to quality end-of-life choice and care through advocacy, education, and support”

5 See note 3 above.

6 Subsection 126(1) of the Act provides that Directors must be 18 years of age or older, have capacity, and not be bankrupt 7 See note 6 8 By-law 5.06 (d) provides that a Director’s position is considered automatically vacated if they miss three consecutive meetings without an excuse acceptable to the Board

7 See note 6

8 By-law 5.06 (d) provides that a Director’s position is considered automatically vacated if they miss three consecutive meetings without an excuse acceptable to the Board

The post Dying with Dignity Canada appeared first on Capacity Canada.

Imagine living in a society where you are in charge of your online persona rather than a large corporation. The community regulates the apps you use, not a boardroom, and sending money to a buddy does not require paying fees to a middleman.

Does that seem like science fiction? It isn't. Greetings from Web3.

In actuality, this change could be the worst technological error you ever make if you disregard it.

Web3 is the basis for decentralized apps (dApps) and is more than just technical jargon. Unlike Instagram or PayPal, dApps are built on blockchain technology and offer security, transparency, and independence. But how does someone get from being interested in creating their first dApp? I'll guide you through it if you remain motionless. It's not as hard as it looks, I promise.

Let's dissect it. A blockchain is a safe digital record that is dispersed throughout a computer network. Blocks of records for each transaction are connected chronologically to create an immutable chain. Data cannot be altered once it has been added.

Why is this important? It resolves trust, which is a basic issue with the internet. Web3 does not require middlemen; the technology itself guarantees equity.

Don’t get intimidated by the tech talk. Picture the internet as a huge library. Blockchain is the logbook that keeps track of every borrowed book—and no one can forge or alter it. That’s transparency in action.

(Take a moment to imagine: What would you create if trust wasn’t an issue?)

Unlike traditional apps hosted on centralized servers, dApps operate on decentralized networks. No single point of failure. No banning by a centralized authority. Smart contracts—self-executing bits of code—power these apps, making them reliable and tamper-proof.

Still with me? Here’s a fun analogy: Building a dApp is like setting up a robot-run coffee shop that always serves the perfect latte. No rude baristas, no manager drama, and zero sneaky extra charges for that caramel drizzle.

(Cliffhanger: So, how do you start building your own dApp? Let’s dive in!)

Thinking, “This sounds amazing, but where do I begin?” Don’t worry; I’ve got your back. Here’s your crash course:

Step 1: Set Up Your
Install tools like Node.js, Truffle Suite, and Ganache. These are your foundational building blocks. New to these? No sweat. Tutorials are your new best friend.

Step 2: Learn Solidity
Solidity is Ethereum’s programming language for smart contracts. Start simple, like creating a token. Remember, even the pros started small.

Step 3: Deploy and Test
Before going live, test on a blockchain like Rinkeby. It’s your safe space to experiment and fix bugs. Skipping this is like launching a rocket without testing its engines—not advisable!

(Quick break: Debugging at 3 AM? It’ll make you appreciate coffee like never before!)

Step 4: Go Live
Deploy your dApp on Ethereum’s mainnet or alternatives like Polygon. Congrats, you’re officially part of the Web3 revolution.

(Cliffhanger: But what can you do with a dApp? Here’s where it gets exciting…)

Your dApp is ready. What’s next? The opportunities are endless:

Finance: Launch DeFi platforms for lending, borrowing, or trading—all without banks.

Gaming: Create games where players own their assets and earn while playing.

Social Media: Build platforms that reward users and give them data ownership.

Web3 isn’t just for coders but anyone who values freedom and innovation. And guess what? We’re just getting started. Jumping in now is like being part of the internet’s early days. Remember Amazon in 1997? That’s Web3 today.

The world is racing ahead. AI, blockchain, and Web3 are reshaping everything. The question isn’t if you should learn Web3; it’s when. Waiting could mean missing the boat entirely.

Starting doesn’t require genius-level skills. Just curiosity and persistence. Dive into YouTube tutorials, online courses, or developer forums. Resources are everywhere. So, what’s holding you back?

(Final thought: Picture yourself five years from now, regretting not joining this revolution. Don’t let that happen.)

Web3 is a movement rather than merely another catchphrase. It's about taking control of your digital future and creating an environment where creativity is unrestricted. Web3 is your opportunity to learn about cutting-edge technology, contribute to open-source projects, or establish your own business.

So, what are you waiting for? Start today, experiment, and who knows? Your dApp could be the next big thing.

Web3 Development: A Beginner’s Guide to Decentralized Apps (dApps) was originally published in Code Like A Girl on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

♦Brought to you by the Out on the Ice League and Spectrum.
January 11, 2025 from 2:30 to 5:00 pm
Details and registration - outontheice@kwgranite.com

 Well let's see now. Firstly they are not committing to pump, pump and more pump. Oh no just because they bragged, lied, boasted, lied,  shouted, lied about the wonders of hydraulic containment for twenty -five years (1991-2016) they aren't attacking our contaminated aquifers with even a tiny fraction of the pumping they themselves deemed necessary. They started cutting back on their costs back in 2016. They had never really hung in for long periods and achieved the pumping they said they could much less the TRIPLE and later DOUBLE the off-site pumping they (Chemtura/CRA) determined was necessary in November 2012. How can any honest person involved in this fiasco have the slightest respect for the dirty polluter, their impotent regulator and or the consultants working for them? The answer is simple. Honest people do NOT have the slightest respect for PROFESSIONAL LIARS and their fellow travellors such as the RMOW, Woolwich Twn,. GRCA. I expect that after watching their behaviour since 1989 I would gag having to sit with those filth.

O.K. so what are they committed to doing?  How about rewriting history, making excuses both old and new and generally patting each other on the backs and saying "What swell fellows are we!". I mean look at what they've accomplished.  They've reduced cleanup costs to the absolute minimum and less even as their failures have become more apparent. They have made a bunch of incompetent twits at TRAC believe in themselves. I am of course referring to Allan Deal and Luis Almeida of GHD amongst them. Oh I nearly forgot. The dishonourable and corrupt Ontario Ministry of Environment are rewriting the Control Order or whatever name they are giving their optional, only if you feel up to it, suggestions certainly not orders or commands. This new document will mostly be discussed in private between Lanxess and the MECP (Ministry of Enhanced Corporate Pollution) although there will be some token once over by TRAC at the very least for appearances sake.. 

Finally the guilty parties will do some more studies. Just imagine almost twenty-seven years ago (August 1998) they started pumping the off-site municipal aquifers.  CPAC has known since early in 2012 that they didn't have a hope in succeeding and actually briefly had Woolwich Twn. support on that matter. A mere nearly thirteen years later Lanxess Canada feel the need to examine other proven cleanup technologies. 

WHY THE HELL ARE WE LEAVING THE LYING, CORRUPT PARTIES (FOXES) IN CHARGE OF THE HENHOUSE ?   

ARE WE ALL REALLY THIS STUPID OR DO WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING MORE CONCRETE?

The front page story on October 21, 2016 was titled "Chemtura starts offsite chemical probe". It was followed by a Record Editorial on October 28, 2016 titled "Get serious about Elmira cleanup".News flash K-W Record: Uniroyal and successors have never been serious about cleaning up Elmira. It's all been for show and for appearances.  It's now eight years later and what has been done? Not a single shovel full of contaminated downstream soils and sediments have been removed from the Canagagigue Creek.  Our aquifers are not only admitted to being still well above drinking water standards for NDMA and chlorobenzene (& likely other chemicals) but all guilty parties are dancing a jig of joy for their public relations acumen and how their false and pathetic excuses are being lapped up. Perhaps that's why they call them lapdogs rather than watchdogs?

The so called chemical probe on the east side Stroh property was just one more sham among many. Fifteen centimetres or 5.9 inches is how deep those swine sampled the soils. Despite this they got tons of hits above health criteria.  They sampled perhaps 15 metres eastwards from the Uniroyal property line with Stroh. 

As far as the Record's Editorial let me ask them this. If Chemtura's and the M.O. E.'s  cleanup wasn't serious eight years ago what the hell is it now? A JOKE, a FARCE, a SCAM ? All they are doing right now is smoothing and fine tuning their excuses as to why they are still decades away from restoring the Elmira Aquifers to drinking water standards. I and a few other CPAC members have been telling the media and the corrupt Ministry of Environment for decades as to what needed doing and they have only been listening to the company's bought and paid for experts (QPs) as well as a few co-opted semi citizens on the Woolwich hand picked committee who have benefited personally from giving concessions to the polluter. 

Come on K-W Record WE STILL NEED YOU TO DO YOUR JOB!   

After nearly four decades of service on the House of Friendship team, Tony Bender continues to give back through weekly volunteer stints at our Emergency Food Program.

Tony Bender has a long history with house of Friendship.

Over the years, Tony has done everything from creating recreational programs at our former Shelter, to running a busy Emergency Food Hamper program.

And while Tony’s career at House of Friendship spanned nearly four decades, it all started very humbly – as a volunteer for the Christmas Food Program, in 1977.

“That was my first exposure to House of Friendship, and it was a good experience,” said Tony. “I had an interest in social work, and House of Friendship appealed to me because it was working with low-income individuals – people who didn’t have a lot of opportunities.”

Tony was studying recreation at the time at the University of Waterloo, and when a job opportunity came up, he found a chance to apply his studies to provide meaningful activities for men in the shelter program. Eventually, Tony oversaw the Emergency Food Program, and enjoyed helping both those in need, and making connections with those who supported the program.

“I know we’ve been blessed over the years with farmers that are faithfully bringing in different things,” said Tony. “It was rewarding developing those relationships.”

After receiving a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, Tony retired in 2017, wrapping up a 39-year career at House of Friendship.

He took a break from extra commitments for a few years, but Tony has found his way back to House of Friendship.

In the past 18 months, Tony has volunteered regularly at the Emergency Food Program, sorting vegetables and helping out in whatever way he can. He also helped with planning this year’s Friendship Golf Tournament.

“Because of my limited mobility, I can’t do much,” said Tony. “But I can sort and bag vegetables.”

And when he’s sorting, Tony sometimes sees some of the farmers who have been supporting House of Friendship through the decades.

“I love seeing how the local farming community still supports us – some of the carrots we get during the year come from a farmer just outside Elmira, and the other day we got several skids of apples.”

“Some people ask me, why did you stay 39 years at House of Friendship? I was never doing the same job – everything kept changing over the years, so it was always different,” said Tony. “And I volunteer now because I see there is a real need in the community to help people struggling with feeding their families. And being able to help with that feels really good. That’s what keeps me coming back.”

To learn more about the impact you can have as a volunteer at House of Friendship, visit: www.houseoffriendship.org/volunteer.

The post Coming Full Circle at House of Friendship appeared first on House Of Friendship.

♦

Day 20 Prompt

What’s a belief you’re fully committed to? Write first. Then draw. Or vice versa.

Notes: I wrote first. Mistake. Now I don’t feel like drawing. My beliefs seem to be all quite pessimistic, and to be honest, I’m not fully committed to what I’ve written, except for the opening two sentences: “I am. I believe that I exist.” Okay, good start, Carrie. Well, here are my excuses. I’ve been sick. I’m still tired. But I’m on the mend! I’ve made a to-do list! And here’s a belief that I can fully back: it’s dark by 5:30PM and I believe the light will be coming back soon.

xo, Carrie

The ultimate Christmas gift for every homeowner on your list is an Eyedro Home Energy Monitor.  With the help of an Eyedro, homeowners can audit their energy usage, then make adjustments to ensure home comfort and energy savings year-round!

With a small amount of effort, you can convert your home into an energy-efficient nest. Sealing drafts, adding insulation, replacing appliances with energy-efficient models are simple steps that can do wonders in reducing your consumption of energy. This will make for a more comfortable space and cut down energy bills so that you are able to enjoy money savings throughout the year.  These upgrades will also add value to your home. Most prospective buyers consider energy efficiency an important consideration.

Many states, provincial, and local governments provide incentives for homeowners investing in renewable energy solutions like solar panels through rebates, grants, and tax credits. This cuts down the upfront investment, but more importantly, it creates reduced energy expenses over time.

Quality insulation and draft-proof windows keep out cold drafts during the winter and keep your home cool during the summer, thereby maintaining comfortable temperatures throughout your home.  A comfortable home is conducive to good mental health and wellbeing.

An Eyedro Home Energy Monitor helps with environmental sustainability. When energy consumption is reduced there is less demand for fossil fuel. Many homeowners have started shifting toward renewable resources, such as solar and wind. A commitment towards sustainability will benefit not only the planet but also set a very good example for the coming generation.   You can track your solar production with an Eyedro as well! With a second Eyedro you can monitor production, generation and net.

Making smart choices regarding home energy solutions is all about maximizing the benefits. Begin by utilizing your Eyedro Home Energy Monitor to perform an energy audit on your home  – your Eyedro is great for this!  Once you know where you are wasting power you can take action to reduce energy by the use of timers, energy-efficient appliances, and the constant reminder that your MyEyedro real-time data provides.

Every homeowner on your list will appreciate an Eyedro under the tree this year!!

The post The Ultimate Christmas Gift: How Home Energy Solutions Benefit Every Homeowner appeared first on Eyedro.

Optical filters are essential for many applications. However, their performance decreases considerably when light hits them at different angles – the colour of the transmitted light changes depending on the viewing angle. This reduction in performance is due to fundamental physical principles and can have a severe impact on the accuracy of optical sensors. 

Our partners at University of Cologne, in what they suggest ‘might be our most impactful work so far’, have overcome this challenge utilizing the quantum mechanical principle of ultra-strong light-matter coupling, opening the door for significant improvement in optical devices.

Read more from University of Cologne here

Read the Nature Communications Article here

The post New optical filters developed by our partners at UCologne overcome angular dependence, opening the door for unrivalled optical technology. appeared first on Angstrom Engineering.

Every Java developer, at some point, has encountered a NullPointerException while developing an application. While it's often seen as a straightforward exception that can be avoided, as applications grow in size and complexity, it becomes increasingly difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the issue. To address this challenge, Java 8 introduced the Optional class, designed to help developers handle null values more gracefully and reduce the likelihood of encountering NullPointerException.

Primary use of Optional is to prevent NullPointerException, By using Optional you can avoid directly working with Null Values.

• One of the first things I encountered when I started using Optional was its ability to protect the code from the notorious NullPointerException.
• I remember working on a legacy project where there was lot of code checking for null values, and it was getting cumbersome.
• We decided to refactor some of the methods to return Optional instead of nullable types. Almost immediately, we noticed there was fewer NullPointerException errors, and the code became cleaner and more predictable. Instead of doing multiple null checks, we used methods like ifPresent() to ensure that we only acted on values that were actually present.
• Optional helps to set clear intent of the code, Instead of returning Null to indicate that the value is absent you can return Optional.empty() to indicate that no value is present

When I first started exploring functional programming concepts in Java, Optional was a gateway to those ideas. I was especially drawn to methods like map(), filter(), and ifPresent(), which allowed me to write more concise and expressive code.

There are three methods which we can use to create Optional Object

1. Empty Optional — If we want to create optional with no value

 Optional<String> strEmptyOptional = Optional.empty();

2. Of (Non-null value): If you have a non-null value and you want to create an Optiona

Optional<String> nonNullOptional = Optional.of("Hello");

3. OfNullable (May be null): If the value may be null, use Optional.ofNullable(). It will return an empty Optional if the value is null, otherwise, it returns an Optional with the value:

Optional<String> nullableOptional = Optional.ofNullable(someString);

Here are some commonly used methods in optional —

isPresent(): Checks if the Optional contains a non-null value.

Optional<String> optional = Optional.of("Hello");
if (optional.isPresent()) {
    System.out.println("Value: " + optional.get());
}

ifPresent(): Executes a given action if the value is present (i.e., non-null). This is useful for side-effects (e.g., logging or updating the UI).

optional.ifPresent(value -> System.out.println("Value: " + value));

get(): Returns the value if present. Note: Calling get() on an empty Optional will throw a NoSuchElementException, so use it cautiously.

String value = optional.get();

orElse(): Returns the value if present, or a default value if absent.

String value = optional.orElse("Default Value");

orElseGet(): Similar to orElse(), but the default value is provided by a supplier (a lazy evaluation).

String value = optional.orElseGet(() -> "Default Value");

orElseThrow(): Returns the value if present, or throws a specified exception if absent.

String value = optional.orElseThrow(() -> new IllegalArgumentException("Value not present"));

map(): Transforms the value inside the Optional if it’s present, or returns an empty Optional if absent. This is useful for chaining transformations.

Optional<String> upperCaseValue = optional.map(String::toUpperCase);

filter(): Filters the value inside the Optional based on a condition. If the value does not meet the condition, an empty Optional is returned.

Optional<String> filteredValue = optional.filter(s -> s.length() > 5);

flatMap(): Similar to map(), but the function passed to flatMap() must return an Optional itself. This is useful when working with nested Optional values.

Optional<Integer> length = optional.flatMap(s -> Optional.of(s.length()));

import java.util.Optional;

public class OptionalExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        String name = null;

        // Creating an Optional object that may contain a null value
        Optional<String> optionalName = Optional.ofNullable(name);

        // Using ifPresent() to check if value is present
        optionalName.ifPresent(value -> System.out.println("Name: " + value));

        // Using orElse() to provide a default value when value is absent
        String result = optionalName.orElse("Default Name");
        System.out.println(result);  // Output: Default Name

        // Using orElseThrow() to throw an exception if value is absent
        try {
            String value = optionalName.orElseThrow(() -> new IllegalArgumentException("Name is missing"));
        } catch (IllegalArgumentException e) {
            System.out.println(e.getMessage());  // Output: Name is missing
        }

        // Using map() to transform the value inside the Optional
        Optional<String> upperCaseName = optionalName.map(String::toUpperCase);
        System.out.println(upperCaseName.orElse("No Name"));  // Output: No Name (because name is null)
    }
}

While Optional is a powerful tool, it is not always the right solution. Here are some cases where Optional might not be the best choice:

1. For fields in entities or POJOs: Avoid using Optional for fields in entities or JavaBeans because it introduces unnecessary complexity in data models, which are often serialized or deserialized.
2. In collections or streams: You shouldn’t use Optional as a wrapper for values in collections (e.g., List<Optional<T>>). Instead, use Optional when dealing with a single value or method return.
3. Performance Considerations: If performance is critical, creating an Optional could introduce overhead. If null values are common in your domain, consider other design patterns (e.g., Null Object pattern) or use null checks directly.

Optional in Java is a great way to handle optional values explicitly, avoiding null-related issues and making your code more robust and readable. However, it should be used thoughtfully in appropriate situations, especially in method return types, where the absence of a value makes sense.

Stay Tuned and Happy Learning :)

Java 8 Optional Class was originally published in Code Like A Girl on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

♦

Day 19 Prompt

Draw and write. Something you used to love that you now feel differently about.

Notes: This prompt sparked nothing I could think of. Inside my imagination, inside my mind, lives the possibility of everything I’ve ever loved, even those things I haven’t partaken of for decades and never will again (like smoking cigarettes), or habits long broken (like sleeping till noon), or claims of who or what I am (like being a night owl). I can still remember loving those things, or claiming those things as mine, and therefore, though I no longer love nor make such claims, I cannot say that I feel differently about them — what I felt remains in me. If I’d need to access it to write a story or empathize with someone else, that love is etched in me. Or that complicated tangle of emotions, of which love is a part. What I drew has nothing to do with this. I just had fun drawing it.

♦

xo, Carrie

I realize this is dead and probably a lost cause, but the solution to allow disabling it in the Gemfile doesn't account for env loaders or applicat…

"Trudeau must go, " "Trudeau and the Liberals have lost the confidence of the House" etc. etc. etc.  True or not I would suggest that Canada's problems fade into obscurity next to say Israel's, Syria's Russia's and the Ukraine. If the resignation and following critical letter by a senior Cabinet Minister signal the end of Justin Trudeau then what on earth does the detonation of a bomb in the heart of Moscow targeting a senior Russian General do? General Kirillov was the head of the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical authority and the Ukraine are publicly taking "credit" for his assassination. He had been accused by the Ukraine of using chemical weapons in the war there between Russia and the Ukraine. 

Then we learn that Israel, all of course in the name of Israeli security, are now occupying lands inside Syria. First they destroyed the Syrian Air Force via bombing and now they have troops stationed on and past the Golan Heights contrary to a treaty they signed along with Syria and the U.N. around 1974. Apparently ridding themselves of Hamas isn't enough nor is seriously damaging Hezbolah. This has been followed by incursions into Lebanon, Syria and possibly even Iran.    

Does any of this even in the slightest explain why Canadian politicians and authorities appear so slow and sloth like in their response to environmental problems from destroyed groundwater to climate change? Does this explain why the Canadian government are hell bent on scapegoating legal Canadian firearms owners for the governments own failures to stop gun smuggling across the U.S. border or to remove illegal firearms from the hands of street gangs in Toronto? 

Maybe Canadian politicians lack the imagination to be really bad buggars or maybe they are just better at hiding their foulest of deeds.

ChatGPT is a great resource for learning any new programming language, including R. R is an open-source, free programming language specifically built for statistical computing, including regression, time series, clustering, and hypothesis testing.

Are you new to R? That's no problem! ChatGPT can guide you along the way.

Below are my favourite ways to use ChatGPT to learn R, but these prompts can be adjusted to learn any new programming language, including Python.

When starting, you may want to practice basic functions so you don’t get overwhelmed. Ask ChatGPT:

“What are some key functions I should learn for R? I’m a beginner.”

ChatGPT created a long list of basic R functions, sorted into categories: Basics, Working with Data, Data Structures, Loops and Conditional Statements, and more. I could easily browse the list and see which functions I wanted to tackle first.

For example, the Basics section included print() to display the output in the console, c() to combine values into a vector, seq() to create a sequence of numbers, and rep() to repeat values.

I practiced these basic functions in R Studio, and they all worked correctly:

You can also ask ChatGPT to give specific functions you want to practice:

“What are the basic R functions I should learn for understanding a new dataset that’s been given to me?”

ChatGPT gave me a list of helpful R functions for understanding the dataset structure (including str() , dim() , head() , and tail() ), summarizing data (including summary() ), checking data types, and more.

It also provided a workflow example with comments explaining each of the functions. I saved this example to apply it to new datasets in the future.

Sometimes, you won’t remember the needed function to get your desired output. In this case, ask ChatGPT:

“In R, how can I check the variable type for the age variable in data frame ‘gss.2016’?”

ChatGPT listed different functions I could use, but I found the `class()` function was what I needed.

I used this function: class(gss.2016$age)and got the answer [1] “character”, as you can see below, meaning that the age variable is stored as text.

When running R code, you will run into errors — it’s just a fact of life! Ask ChatGPT for help and include the following info:

• The purpose of your code (“I’m trying to…”)
• The code you used (“This is the code I used…”)
• The error you received (“This is the error I received…”)

My prompt: “Can you help me figure out why I’m getting an error in R? [List purpose, code, and error message]”

ChatGPT found my mistake — there was a syntax issue with my code. The last mutate() function did not include the necessary pipe %>% before it:

I ran this corrected code through R Studio, and it worked as expected. This saved me hours of headache trying to debug the code!

If you don’t remember what a function does, ask ChatGPT:

“What does the fread function do in R?”

ChatGPT broke down the key features of fread, the syntax, benefits, and when it should be used:

This is helpful if you’re trying to decide which function to use or trying to remember what your code does.

If you’re reviewing code you wrote a while ago or code from your course materials, you may not understand what it does when you first read it.

In this case, ask ChatGPT for a step-by-step breakdown.

My prompt: “What does this R code do? “gss.2016$age [gss.2016$age == “89 OR OLDER”] <- “89”””

If you think you understand how your code works but aren’t sure, write what you *think* is happening, and ask ChatGPT to correct you.

For example, I wanted to make sure I understood the function na_if() , so I asked ChatGPT:

My prompt: My understanding is that the function na_if() checks for a certain variable, e.g. to see if the item is “DK”, and changes it to “NA” if so. For example, if I use the na_if function — na_if(x = grass, y = “DK”) — , then all items listed as “DK” will be coded as “NA” and treated as missing. Is that correct?

ChatGPT confirmed that my understanding of the na_if() function is correct, and gave key points to keep in mind. Now, I understand the function even better than before!

Sometimes, even when you understand what code is supposed to do, you want a sample dataset to see the manipulation happening to the numbers.

After presenting ChatGPT with the code above changing “89 or older” to “89”, I asked how this code would change the data.

My prompt: “Can you give an example of how this would work in the data? : “gss.2016$age [gss.2016$age == “89 OR OLDER”] <- “89””

I loved comparing the old and updated datasets in this simple example. The “key takeaways” at the end were also helpful.

One of my favorite ways to use ChatGPT is to learn keyboard shortcuts!

My prompt: “What are some basic PC shortcuts for R Studio? For example, to run is Control-Enter.”

ChatGPT gave an excellent list of commonly used PC shortcuts for R Studio:

I wanted to make an R keyboard shortcut cheatsheet to have at my desk for reference, so, following the above prompt, I asked ChatGPT:

Follow-up prompt: “Make a printable cheatsheet.”

Note: If you want to make a cheatsheet of something else (e.g. basic functions for analyzing a new dataset), you can do that as well — just specify what you want in your prompt.

When I clicked on the cheatsheet link, I downloaded a PDF with the keyboard shortcuts that ChatGPT listed. I printed the sheet for future reference.

ChatGPT is an excellent sidekick for learning new data analytics or programming software, including R Studio, Python, SQL, and more. I always have a tab open with ChatGPT when I’m struggling through new code.

If you’re interested in using ChatGPT to help you learn new systems, I recommend my articles:

“5 Ways I Use ChatGPT to Level Up my SQL Skills” by Margaret Efron with Maven Analytics

“13 Ways I Use ChatGPT as a Study Buddy in my Data Science Course” by Margaret Efron with Code Like A Girl

Happy learning!

Use ChatGPT to Become an R Programming Wiz! was originally published in Code Like A Girl on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.