On August 14, 2026 the Rotary Club of Guelph inducted two new members - Dhruv Shah and Jim Rooney. Both have incredible track records for making a difference in the world, and we feel very fortunate to have them join our club. Dhruv spoke warmly about the gift of connection that Rotary provides and he looks forward to collaborating with Rotary on Guelph 200. For Jim, it is “welcome back to Rotary” because he was previously a member of our club for 20 years from 1973 to 1993 before work and family took priority. Jim is proud to once again wear a Rotary pin, and spoke of how Rotary's 4 Way Test has served him as an anchor throughout his life and endeavours. Read more below.
Induction of new member on August 14, 2026
DHRUV SHAH
Introduced by Marva Bailey-Wisdom
Fellow Rotarians, it is my honour and privilege to formally introduce you to Dhruv Shah – whom many have gotten to know here at Rotary or throughout the community.
I don’t know if Dhruv remembers but I recall the first time speaking with him in 2018 – eight years ago when I was the external lead advisor for the City of Guelph’s Community Plan. He was then president of the Hindu Society of Guelph and was so very gracious in ensuring that his community’s voice was captured in the plan – all the time being respectful of its youth and elders.
Since then, it seems that everywhere in the community, wherever there is a volunteer need, I see Dhruv. I am sure in his future “up-close and personal talk” we will learn more about his time before he and family arrived in Guelph in 2016 – including as an IT professional spanning 20 years, and with volunteerism spanning 30 years.
Dhruv’s volunteer roles include but are not limited to many different committees and also serving on the boards of Hope House Guelph and the Guelph Community Foundation. With numerous not-for profit organizations he has supported fundraising, grants, food security initiatives, community events, tree planting, clean-ups, and weekly meal service for the under-privileged in downtown Guelph. “Service Above Self” is in his DNA.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dhruv helped raise nearly $65,000 for Ontario hospitals and food banks, including Guelph General. His commitment to service has been recognized through the 2023 Mayor’s Award, and by being one of two 2025 finalist for the Guelph Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award.
Dhruv currently serves as Chair of the Guelph 200 Community Working Group for celebrating Guelph’s bicentennial in 2027. Thanks in part to his leadership, he has encouraged the Rotary Clubs of Guelph to partner with each other and the City to develop a legacy project to serve the community far beyond this bicentennial, as well as smaller community service projects in 2027 linked to the typical events hosted by Rotary Clubs each year.
As mentioned earlier, Dhruv is impressed by the connections he has already enjoyed through Rotary, and he looks forward to sharing his own connections while continuing his lifelong Service Above Self.
Induction of new member on August 14, 2026
JIM ROONEY
Introduced by Marva Bailey-Wisdom
Jim was formerly an active member in the Rotary Club of Guelph for 20 years, from 1973 to 1993. He was initially introdu
ced to Rotary by Barry Cullen. Fast forward to 2026 and we are absolutely delighted to welcome you back, Jim.
I believe it may have been two or three years ago at one of our Williams Café get-togethers that I ruminated with you about Rotary… and I know you encouraged me back then to put my name forward for the club presidency. I did my part, and when I recently encouraged you to come back to Rotary, you agreed to do your part and here we are.
Fellow Rotarians, Jim is widely known as a fixture in Guelph sports. His “time out” from Rotary was to pursue his extensive engagement in sports management and education, as well as devote more time to his growing family at that time.
A few snippets of what we will learn more about Jim in his future “Up close and personal” presentation (as you know it from back in the day, Jim – a Classification Talk).
His co-ownership , presidency and governor of the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Storm from 1991-2006
His chairship of the OHL Board of Governors from 1995-2001. His Guelph teams won two OHL titles (1998, 2004) and participated in four Memorial Cups, including one as a host city in 2002
His ownership of the Guelph Royals in the Inter-county Baseball League after serving as the league’s Commissioner from 2001-2009.
Here is where I got to see Jim’s stellar leadership, integrity and treating people with care, dignity and respect.
Jim’s role in education runs deep. He was principal at Bishop Macdonell and Our Lady of Lourdes high schools, where many of his Guelph players attended and he was head of the Ontario Principals Association
He co-chaired the Ontario Winter Games (2002-03) where I co-chaired the volunteer committee - the most fun and one of the toughest volunteer jobs I experienced to date.
Then he went right into a significant role as Educational Consultant for Team Canada’s first U-18 gold medal winning team in Russia in 2003
Jim was elected to the Guelph Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 to recognize his outstanding contributions as a builder in Guelph sports over many decades.
In 2019, Jim joined two other professionals to begin “Teammates”, a personal and professional project to facilitate growth in individuals and businesses. In 2020, they published their first book, “The Power of Teammates”. They continue to write and publish inspirational messages on their various digital platforms.
In 2022, Jim joined the Board of The Good Games, Canada’s biggest festival of sport. The Summer Good Games are hosted in June at the University of Guelph. In 2026, the first Winter Good Games edition took place in Calgary in February.
Jim has remained an admirer and advocate of Rotary throughout his life and still remembers the many “Rotary Giants” that he felt privileged to meet and call friends. As mentioned earlier, Jim is proud to once again wear a Rotary pin, and spoke of how Rotary's 4 Way Test has served him as an anchor throughout his life and endeavours.
