• There will be NO CLUB MEETING on Friday, August 1st. Happy Civic Holiday!
• On Friday, August 15th, our club welcomes a visit from this year's District Governor, Susanne Zbinden. We are hoping for great attendance!

President Marva reported that Gunter Thase, our former member, sadly passed away on July 19. He had been a loyal Rotarian for 37 years - 14 years with our club and with the Toronto club before that. More details are on our website. 

Lobsterfest 2025

Donate wine for the live auction.

Buy tickets HERE. 

President Marva unveiled our new banner for our lectern featuring this year's theme for Rotary around the world. 

• This new and innovative fundraising project has received permission from Rotary International to conduct a four-month pilot project, from August 1-December 31, 2025. 
• Assuming a successful pilot, Rotary International could then grant a three-year licence to co-brand the coffee product with Rotary.
• The project is in local partnership with the Lost Aviator Coffee Company and with The Daily Grind 519 company.
• While our club will retain overall control of the project, the idea is to have other Rotary Clubs and other organizations also sell this coffee to earn a share of the profit per bag, and thereby fundraise for themselves. A win-win.
• More details will be published soon.
• We are planning to have a sales booth at the upcoming Rotary Ribfest (August 22-24, 2025) and WE WILL NEED VOLUNTEERS AT OUR BOOTH! Please sign up here. 
• An exciting on-the-spot fundraising auction was held for the first “Good Coffee Gift Bag” containing two bags of Rotary Good Coffee plus a free mug and hat from Lost Aviator. (Steve Zago, one of the founding partners of Lost Aviator was in attendance at our club meeting.) The auction was lively and resulted in FOUR audience members each committing $550 to be amongst the first supporters to earn such a gift bag. (Now Francesco has to get back to his ironing board to add thermal prints to three more canvas tote bags!)
• In the meantime, go ahead and place Rotary Good Coffee orders for yourself and friends!  ORDER HERE

Kate, the director of community programs and development at the Guelph Community Health Center, explained the GCHC's overall mission to provide services for marginalized communities, and their alignment with THE SEED program's goals. Ingrid, a volunteer and well-known former caterer, shared her involvement with THE SEED program and her commitment to improving food systems and addressing food insecurity.

Their informative and inspiring presentation highlighted many innovations and successes at THE SEED. They highlighted that over 23% of households in Guelph-Wellington cannot afford the food they need. THE SEED is not just feeding people - they are rebuilding the food system to be more equitable, sustainable, and community-led. THE SEED is a movement that has grown from a few partners into a 45+ organization network distributing millions in purchased and surplus food, nourishing schools, and empowering neighbours. Read more on THE SEED website.

HELP CELEBRATE THE SEED as they celebrate their 10th Anniversary on October 2, 2025 from 5-9pm with a signature event in their warehouse at 69 Huron Street (just up the road from the ICC). Tickets are $50 each and this celebration of food justice will include:

• Delectable local cuisine and creative non-alcoholic mocktails
• Live music from local artists
• Games, raffles and a silent auction
• Networking and community connection
• Stories of impact from THE SEED's first 10 years, and what's ahead

GET TICKETS HERE.