Wellington Rotary Bulletin March 23, 2026 (Mar 23, 2026)

President’s Weekly Bulletin – Ending Period Poverty – Our Epic Day of Service

In the month of March, Rotary celebrates one of our seven areas of focus – water, sanitation and hygiene. How fitting, then, that the Rotary Clubs of Wellington and Picton partnered to make March 17, 2026, our Epic Day of Service, hosting a community sewing project with the goal of helping to end period poverty.

Despite a surprise snowstorm, more than 80 Rotarians - from four different clubs – along with family members, friends, and even our outgoing Rotary Youth Exchange Student, came together for this initiative. The results were, in a word, EPIC. Together, we worked on over 1,000 units; 419 completed circular liners, an additional 200 needing only final oversewing, 60 ready for stage two, and 400 units cut and prepared for sewing. Some enthusiastic participants even took supplies home to continue the work. In addition to their time, many generously donated items such as ziplock bags, makeup bags, soaps, and sewing supplies.

This event also raised awareness for me about the realities of period poverty and the lack of access to something many of us take for granted - feminine hygiene products. I’ll admit, somewhat naively, that I initially wondered if products like the DIVA cup might help fill this gap (add yes, some of you may need to look that one up!). However, in many regions where access to these products is limited, there is also limited access to clean water and waste management systems, making such options impractical. What has been proven to be effective instead are reusable cloth menstrual kits.

Our Epic Day of Service truly exemplifies both the Magic of Rotary and Uniting for Good. It began with a chance meeting at last October’s District 7070 conference, where I attended a workshop led by Janet Thorsteinson of the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise on the ‘Sew Girls Can Go To School’ initiative - an international project supporting girls in underserved areas of the Dominican Republic. It was there that I also connected with Brenda Hellyer of the Rotary Club of Picton, and from those conversations, last Tuesday’s event was born.

‘Period poverty’ was a new term for me, but its impact is profound. The lack of access to menstrual products affects far more than dignity and self esteem – it disrupts education and contributes to the cycle of poverty and teenage pregnancy. Providing something as simple as access to feminine hygiene products can empower not just an individual, but an entire community.

It is incredible to reflect on the difference Rotary made just one, albeit epic, day. Bravo to everyone who participated – we United for Good and brought the Magic of Rotary to life in the most meaningful way.

Thought for the week..

“There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.”– Kofi Annan

This was an inaugural bonspiel of nearby Rotary clubs in Stirling. Participating clubs were Stirling, Trenton, Wellington, and Picton. Our club fielded two teams. One skipped by Trudy and another by Janet Michaud

On the left is a picture of the two Wellington teams and all of the participants. On the right is a picture of Trudy in a “do or die” play!

This Week's Zoom Meeting Details:

Topic: Weekly Rotary Meeting
Time: Jan 20, 2026, 2025 07:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81827939082
Meeting ID: 818 2793 9082
Passcode: rotary

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Last Meeting: Janet Thorsteinson (Sew Girls Can Go to School)

Rotary meeting minutes March 17, 2026
Notes by: Lyn McGowan

President Yvonne called the meeting to order at 7:07 with 22 members present, 5 members on Zoom and 3 guests (Rob Pope from the RC of Campbellford, our outgoing Rotary exchange student Callie Craig, and guest speaker Janet Thorsteinson.) Yvonne noted the very inspiring speaker at the Joint Community Service Luncheon that she and several members attended last week and shared the unfortunate news that, due to declining membership, the Kiwanis Club of Belleville has shut down after 102 years.

Guest Speaker:

David McK introduced our guest speaker. Janet Thorsteinson joined the RC of Whitby Sunrise in 2016 and got involved in the group “Sew Girls Can Go to School” (started by Margaret Jarvest, wife of Rotarian Bob Jarvest) whose motto is “Fighting period poverty one kit at a time.” Janet, who has led the group for the last few years, shared some of the highlights. The goal is to end “Period Poverty” in the Dominican Republic, ensuring that girls can stay in school rather than having to drop out when they reach puberty. Educating a girl benefits the whole community, leading to increased self-esteem and self-worth, better relationships and less abuse. The focus is on educating girls in grades 5-8. Most of the villages are extremely poor, don’t have running water or garbage disposal, so for these girls dealing with their period is a significant challenge. Janet’s group makes and distributes “Kits for Girls” consisting of 2 leakproof shields, 12-14 reusable absorbent liners, 2 pair of underwear, a ziplock plastic bag, washing soap and hand soap. These are distributed not only to the female students in the schools but also to teachers and staff. In 2023, 383 kits were delivered to 8 schools. In 2024, Janet held 16 sewing events, producing 6498 liners and 1104 shields for a total of 550 complete kits. The kits last about 3 years. She said they operate with about a $60,000 budget and rely heavily on District grants. They also provide solar light systems to these villages. Janet was thanked by David McK.

Club Business:

Rotary exchange student Callie Craig introduced herself. She is participating in the Kits for Girls event today, is scheduled to speak at our meeting on June 16th and is looking forward to heading off to Germany later this summer.

Gregor reported that our maple syrup is now 85% pre-sold and we are a “go” for bottling on Thursday. If you have ordered syrup, you are encouraged to come to Kinsip on Thursday afternoon after 12 to pick up your cases.

Norm distributed this year’s D&D booklets. Sales officially start on Sunday.

Upcoming events – Rotary Curling Bonspiel this weekend; on April 7^th members from the RC of Middleton NS will join us to share their experience with the 50/50 Goldmine; April 13^th is the Rotary Interclub Spelling Bee in Trenton.

Lyn mentioned that our club needs to be “qualified” each year, in order to participate in District Grants. Lyn and Martha volunteered to complete the training module for the 2025-26 Rotary year.

50/50 Draw – Bill H’s ticket was drawn – again (!) – but he did not pick the Ace of Spades.

The meeting concluded at 8:16 with the Four Way Test.

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50/50 Draw This Week: $452.50

Make sure you get your ticket(s) this week!

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Wednesday March 25, 2026

9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: John Hatch, Alastair Mathers (FoR)

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Gregor Stuart, Lari Langford(FoR)

Saturday March 28, 2026

9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Geoff Telling, John Hatch

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Colin Fredericks, D & B Little (FoR)

Speaker This Week: Robert Bird
(Canadian Air Cadets)

Last Meeting: Janet Thorsteinson (Sew Girls Can Go to School)

50/50 Draw This Week: $452.50

Make sure you get your ticket(s) this week!

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Wednesday March 25, 2026

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Birthdays & Anniversaries

Birthdays

Anniversaries

Rotary Grace

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Four Way Test

Of the things we think, say, and do:

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Rotary Song

Speaker This Week: Robert Bird(Canadian Air Cadets)

Last Meeting: Janet Thorsteinson (Sew Girls Can Go to School)

50/50 Draw This Week: $452.50

Make sure you get your ticket(s) this week!

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Wednesday March 25, 2026

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Birthdays & Anniversaries

Birthdays

Anniversaries

Rotary Grace

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Four Way Test

Of the things we think, say, and do:

------ // ------

Rotary Song

Speaker This Week: Robert Bird
(Canadian Air Cadets)