On Friday, August 15 we welcomed our District Governor for 2025-2026, Susanne Zbinden, at our club meeting, along with her husband (and fellow Rotarian) Richard Delongte. Susanne's warm presentation demonstrated the authenticity and inclusion for which she is so well known. President Marva introduced Susanne's 20-year involvement with Rotary (which can also be read HERE). Susanne shared her personal story of “Why” she is and remains a Rotarian, and encourages each of us to reflect on our own “Why” to ensure we give and get the best out of our Rotary experience. Susanne complimented our club on its amazing accomplishments over the years and encouraged the club to set its annual goals to focus on what is important to our members, the best way of retaining and engaging membership. Without directing top-down actions and measures, she encouraged flexibility and willingness to try new approaches to meet local needs as well as continue focusing on supporting Rotary internationally, especially with the campaign to End Polio.
Susanne emphasized a great upcoming opportunity to share and learn Rotary experience at our next District Conference on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at the University of Guelph. Early bird pricing ends on August 25th.
Margaret Trainor warmly thanked Susanne for her visit and presentation.
UPDATE YOUR ROTARY CALENDAR
Friday, August 22nd - As per our long tradition, our club will meet at the annual Rotary Ribfest official opening under the big tent, starting at 12 noon. This will be the 27th year of this event run by our sister club, the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium (aka the Wednesday breakfast club). Since parking at Riverside Park is severely limited this year, members with mobility concerns can park at Luisa's Drapery shop and Matt will provide a shuttle service to and from the park, starting at 11:30am.
Ribfest weekend - August 22, 23 and 24. Be sure to visit our Rotary Club of Guelph tent at Ribfest where we will be promoting and selling our “Good Coffee For A Better World”, as well as promoting Lobsterfest and Rotary Membership. Our club volunteers will appreciate seeing you there!
Annual Duck Race on Ribfest Sunday, August 24. Our fellow club, the Rotary Club of Guelph Wellington (aka the Monday Night club) will be dropping around 9,000 numbered yellow rubber duckies ducks into the Speed River at the pedestrian bridge to “race” towards the first weir. The top ten prizes are collectively valued at $27,000! Be sure to purchase your duck tickets HERE. Once again this year, the main beneficiary of the duck race will be Keep Kids Fed At Home (the former Food4Kids Guelph) supporting food security for local children in our community. A great cause! Did you know that this Duck Race has been run by this club for over 35 years, getting bigger and better every year? Watching the actual duck race is fun!
Friday, August 29th - no club meeting. Enjoy your Civic Holiday Long Weekend!
Friday, September 5th - Patrick Grist will tell us more about himself in his “Up close and personal” talk.
Lobsterfest 2025
September 27, 2025
Please donate wine for the live auction - hand it to Luisa
Help promote our key fundraising event and buy ticketsHERE.
10th ANNVERSARY OF “THE SEED” - Thursday, October 2, 2025
Do consider attending the 10th Anniversary celebration at The SEED. This important and innovative food hub (a project of the Guelph Community Health Centre) is improving food security for the needy throughout our City and County and deserves our community support. Details and tickets ($50) are HERE.
Unfortunately, our beloved Rotarian Bob Ireland was not well enough to receive the planned visit on August 15th for our District Governor to present him with a very special District Award for his longstanding Service Above Self. An alternate recognition will be planned.
The 7th Grove Hub for youth mental wellness is now open at the YMCA! This completes the goal of establishing 7 of these Rotary-inspired Youth Wellness Centres … 3 in Wellington County and 4 in Guelph.
President Marva encourages us to seek opportunities for Rotary signage at Rotary-supported events and places. Matt mentioned he had recently seen a Rotary recognition sign at the John McCrae statue outside the Guelph Civic Museum. Our late member, Dr. Bill Winegard, was instrumental in the creation and placement of TWO statues of John McCrae (author of “In Flander's Fields”) - one in Ottawa, and one in Guelph.
Past president Brian Martin was pleased to report that we received a Club Excellence Award for 2024-2025.
Not everyone knows that our past president, Marty Fairbairn, is also an author. He is pleased that a prominent book critic is reviewing his book on film philosophy.
Our Assistant District Governor, Mahmud Hassain, reported that the recent “Royal City Masters 2025” chess tournament was a resounding success with 150 players of all ages and abilities attending, including some national and international Grand Masters. He thanked the Rotary Clubs for their sponsorship support.
Annual Duck Race on Ribfest Sunday, August 24. Our fellow club, the Rotary Club of Guelph Wellington (aka the Monday Night club) will be dropping around 9,000 numbered yellow rubber duckies ducks into the Speed River at the pedestrian bridge to “race” towards the first weir. The top ten prizes are collectively valued at $27,000! Be sure to purchase your duck tickets 
