OFFSITE MEETING NEXT FRIDAY - OUR ANNUAL PICNIC AT RIVERSIDE PARK
On Friday, June 6th, our weekly club meeting will be a social gathering under the Red Picnic Shelter at Riverside Park, starting around 12 noon. The weather should be warmer and perfect by then! Bring your own food and drink, and a folding chair if you wish, and enjoy social time with other members.
CLUB SURVEY REMINDER
Marva reminds all members to please complete our club survey. It only takes 10-15 minutes. The results will guide us in prioritizing what aspects to focus on for a stronger club. It can be completed and/or delivered at the next couple of Friday meetings, or completed online at this link or through this QR Code. Click HERE to download a blank copy of this survey form.
COMMITTEE ROLES & ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE NEXT ROTARY YEAR
Our 2025-2026 committee structure will be aligned to reflect Rotary International's 5 Avenues of Service which are:
Club Service
Vocational Service
Community Service
International Service
New Generations
Marva is working on committee assignments for the 2025-2026 year, with member outreach to be completed by June 12, 2025. If you have a committee preference; have not yet been assigned to a committee; need more information as to committees, please email her at: marva.wisdom@gmail.com
UPCOMING PHF PRESENTATIONS
Mark your calendars for June 13 and August 15 when our club will be presenting Honourary Paul Harris Fellowship awards to very special people.
"PURPLE FOR POLIO" GARDEN CAMPAIGN
Margaret Trainor reminded us about this campaign to raise awareness and funds for the eradication of polio, and to raise Rotary awareness at the same time. Details are on our club website. Margaret will gladly bring your items to a club meeting or deliver them to your home. You can now pay for this on our tap machine at a club meeting.
LOBSTERFEST 2025 - PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY!
Save the date - Saturday, September 27, 2025
400 tickets are being printed and will soon be available for purchase
Special purchase offer is coming - book a table for 10 at $1,000 instead of $1,250 for 10 individual tickets; start thinking who your "ten" could be!
As in previous years, a cart filled with bottles of wine will be auctioned off at the event; members are requested to start donating wine and bringing it to club meetings
HIKE FOR HOSPICE
The 21st Annual Hike For Hospice Wellington takes place on Sunday, June 1st at Riverside Park, starting at 11:30am. It's a great day of festivities for the whole family, including the pooch! Marva is leading the Rotary SAS (Service Above Self) hiking team that welcomes your sponsorship for Hospice funds. Use this link to donate and see who else is on our Rotary team!
UPDATE ON GUATEMALA PROJECT
Last year, our club joined 20 other Rotary Clubs with a donation towards a Rotary International project in Guatemala, to provide paediatric equipment and staff training for a new wing at a rural hospital. The project was led by our former club member, Aldo Villanovich, now a member of the Burlington North club. The collective donations from all 21 clubs made it possible to obtain a Rotary Global Grant for this project. Aldo reports that the ribbon-cutting on this project will take place on July 12th.
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SPEAKER - PATRYCJA BEDNARCZYK FROM CEC: "CAREER CONVERSATIONS IN SCHOOLS"
Barb Holmes, chair of our club's Vocational Service Committee, warmly welcomed and introduced three guests from the Career Educational Council (CEC): speaker Patrycja Bednarczyk, Executive Director Kelly Schafer, and Co-op student Lavender.
Barb reminded us that Vocational Service is one of Rotary's 5 Avenues of Service yet it is sometimes difficult for Rotarians to pin down HOW we can serve in this Avenue. Today's presentation highlights a wonderful opportunity for us to volunteer as Career Coaches, and help young people by sharing our own experiences.
Patrycja provided a wonderful overview of the work done by the CEC overall and highlighted their newest program called "Career Conversations in Schools". It aims to provide grade 9 and 10 students with opportunities to speak with career speakers about their experiences and paths. The program, which is part of an Ontario-wide initiative, has reached nearly every high school in the Guelph, Wellington County and Dufferin region, with sessions featuring speakers from various backgrounds and industries. The program aims to increase students' career confidence and awareness of different career options beyond the traditional university/college paths, with positive feedback from students, teachers and speakers.
Patrycja shared insights on career education, highlighting that many students pursue careers based on parental expectations rather than personal interest. She emphasized the importance of nonlinear career paths and the need to educate students about diverse job opportunities beyond traditional paths.
Details for volunteering as a Career Coach are summarizedon our website here.
Liz Sandals thanked Patrycja for her informative and inspiring address, and presented her with a certificate of thanks, indicating that in Patrycja's honour, our club will sponsor 50 children to be inoculated against polio.
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