At Friday's meeting, our Club had the pleasure of welcoming our 2026-2027 District Governor, Uche Okugo. He reminded us that as Rotarians, we are at our best when we lead with purpose and action. He challenged us to "Better Our Best", which is a message from our Rotary International President, Olayinka "Yinka" Hakeem Babalola.
When I got home, the September issue of my Rotary magazine was in the mailbox. Uche's message was reinforced by a great piece from Yinka in the issue's introduction, where he mentioned Rotary's goal is to reach 1.25 million Rotarians and 125,000 Rotaractors by its 125th Anniversary in 2030. In the article, he asks us to consider our best recruitment year from the last five to seven years and then aim to "better that best" year's results by one. He says that behind every new recruit is a person whose life could be changed by their Rotary experience. What a great way of looking at it! Please take a look at the issue where it also features a great story on the Four-Way Test. Did you know that astronaut Buzz Aldrin was an Honorary Rotarian and planted a Four-Way Test pin on the moon's surface?
As a reminder, please get your tickets to Lobsterfest, and talk it up with whoever you can.
I also encourage you to embrace Uche's call to action: share one Rotary story this week, invite someone to experience our club, and continue to serve with passion.
Thank you for everything you do for our community and have a great week!
HELP ROTARY CELEBRATE 5 YEARS OF THE YOUTH WELLNESS HUBS! The Grove Hubs would be delighted to have members of our club attend any of these small celebrations in Wellington County, marking their 5-year anniversaries. Register attendance here.
Erin Youth Wellness Hub Tuesday, September 22 Dinner and remarks: 6:00–7:30 p.m. 10 Thompson Crescent, Erin
Fergus Youth Wellness Hub Wednesday, September 23 Dinner and remarks: 4:30–5:30 p.m. Open house: 5:30–7:30 p.m. 900 Tower Street South, Fergus
Palmerston Youth Wellness Hub Thursday, September 24 Lunch and celebration: 12:00–1:30 p.m. 390 Main Street East, Palmerston
__________
VISIT TO OUR CLUB BY OUR DISTRICT GOVERNOR
On Friday, August 21st, we welcomed a visit to our club by Uche Okugo, our DG for District 7080 in 2026-2027. His full slide deck can be viewed here.
L-R: Membership Chair Michele Richardson, DG Uche Okugo, President Crista Renner, ADG Anne Day
Here are a few highlights from Uche's warm and enthusiastic talk titled “Roll Up Your Sleeves”.
Uche's strong theme was on growing our Rotary Clubs with this call to action:
Tell one Rotary story every week - Be a Public Image Champion!
Attract someone to experience Rotary - Each One, Bring One!
Subscribe and contribute to our District newsletter - and Share it!
Challenge yourself this Rotary Year by donating to The Rotary Foundation.
Uche relayed the key messages from Rotary International President 2026-2027, Yinka Babalona:
Uche's presentation included:
__________
CALENDAR DATES
Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 6pm … Rotary Club of Guelph's 46th annual Lobsterfest at the Italian Canadian Club. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE. Event Chair Patrick Grist reminds us to help promote the event by boosting ticket sales and finding sponsors, while also bringing bottles of wine to club meetings for the Grand Auction Prize of our popular barrow full of wine.
August 28-30, 2026 - Rotary Ribfest at Riverside Park for the 28th year. Ribfest needs more volunteers! Details are here.
Sunday afernoon, August 30, 2026 … the Rotary Duck Race with fantastic prizes takes place at Riverside Park for the 39th year! Details are here.
Thursday, October 1, 2026 … Our annual Family BBQ will be held at Ben McCarl's home. More details coming soon.
Saturday, October 3, 2026 … An all day Rotary District 7080 Conference in Brampton. “Peace Begins With You” is the theme. These meetings are really worth attending to learn, to share best practices and to meet wonderful people. Register for this amazing conference at this link.
Sunday, October 4, 2026 … Lunch at the Arboretum, the annual fundraiser by Rotary Club of Guelph South. Tickets available here or from Celia Clark 519-766-1097.
