Chartered: November 22, 2002 Rotarians of the Year: Tim Cox & David Hawkins
Tim joined Rotary in 2014 and he is the man you turn to when you need a friend. Tim has always been a very busy Wellington Rotarian. He is one of the first to volunteer for beach cleanup, bottle depot, set up and clean up for dinners, and assisting Rotarians where needs be. Tim is always available to check in when Wellington Rotarians or their family have health issues.
David joined Rotary in 2003. Since then he has been involved in all our fundraisers as a volunteer or participant. Our members enjoy his weekly invocation and jokes. He takes particular pride in his attendance record over the years. He resides in Picton and is one of the first to arrive every week. At ninety years old he is still a very proud Wellington Rotarian.
Speaker This Week: Shelly Ackers, Quinte Transit
District 7070
President's Message
One of the many advantages of belonging to the Rotary Club of Wellington is that we are part of something much larger than our own club. Through Rotary District 7070, we join more than 1,860 Rotarians and Rotaractors in over 60 clubs working together to improve lives throughout south-central and eastern Ontario—and around the world.
District 7070 stretches from Scarborough and Durham Region through Northumberland, the Kawarthas, Peterborough, Haliburton, Hastings, Prince Edward County, Belleville, Quinte West, and east toward Kingston. This diverse district includes both urban and rural communities, each bringing unique perspectives, talents, and opportunities for service.
The district exists to support clubs like ours by providing leadership training, grants, governance, project guidance, and opportunities to collaborate with fellow Rotarians. It also helps nurture the next generation of leaders through Rotaract, Interact, EarlyAct, RYLA, and Youth Exchange programs.
Rotary's work is guided by seven Areas of Focus: promoting peace; fighting disease; providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; saving mothers and children; supporting education; growing local economies; and protecting the environment. District 7070 has knowledgeable volunteers dedicated to each of these areas, providing expertise and resources to help clubs develop meaningful service projects.
During President-Elect Training and district leadership meetings, one topic consistently rises to the top of every discussion: membership. Across the district, many clubs are working hard to attract new members while keeping current members engaged. This challenge is not unique to Rotary—it is being experienced by many volunteer organizations.
I am especially grateful that the Rotary Club of Wellington continues to enjoy a strong tradition of leadership, fellowship, and community involvement. Our members remain committed to Rotary's guiding principle of Service Above Self, and together we continue to make a meaningful difference both locally and globally.
As we move forward this year, let us take pride in representing not only our club but also the remarkable network of Rotary District 7070. Together, we truly are creating lasting, positive change.
Quote of the week:
“The foundation upon which Rotary is built is friendship; on no less firm foundation could it have stood.” Paul Harris
Bad dad joke of the week (babysitter edition):
If my grandson refuses to nap is he resisting a rest?
This Week's Zoom Meeting Details:
Topic: Weekly Rotary Meeting Time: July 21, 2026 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 Week: PEFAC - Swim to Survive
Notes from Rotary meeting on July 14, 2026
President Chris opened the meeting at 7:07 with 36 members present and two guests.
Guest Speakers:
David M introduced our two guests, Cathy Spoel and Alastair Mathers, representing PEFAC. Cathy grew up in Montreal, received a BSc in Math from Queens and a law degree from U of T. She practiced environmental and land use planning law and served as a board member at the Ontario Energy Board. Cathy’s husband is one of the owners of Closson Chase and they have had a home on the Closson Chase property since 2011. Cathy has been on the board of Big Arts for several years and is now chair of the PEFAC board. As a former Wellington Rotarian and current FOR, Alastair needs no introduction. Nevertheless, for the benefit of our newer members – Alastair grew up in Kingston and studied Biology at Queen’s, where he received a MSc in 1984. He worked for the Ontario MNR at various locations before coming to the County in 1987 to work at the Glenora Fisheries Station. Alastair has been on the board of PEFAC since its inception. Full disclosure, Alastair is also one of my neighbours, and a great guy to call on in time of need.
Cathy started by thanking us for our ongoing support of PEFAC – summer camp, membership subsidy program and Swim to Survive (“STS”) Program. The STS program focuses on three survival skills: roll into deep water, tread water for one minute, swim 50 m to safety. This is not swimming lessons, it is a 6-session safety preparation program that is offered to all grade 3 student in PEC. Funding is needed for bussing students to the pool and hiring instructors. Over 100 students participated this year and in some years participation is much higher. In the Q&A Cathy disclosed that a new 5-year lease has been negotiated but the rent has gone up a lot. The building is still for sale but PEFAC has first right of refusal. A major ongoing challenge is finding aquatic staff to teach swimming lessons and provide lifeguard service. Cathy and Alastair were thanked by Lana.
Club Business:
Mike reiterated that we should only fill the can bins at the Bottle Depot to 260 dozen. We will not be paid for anything over that amount.
Anecdote of the week – recently, there was a terminally ill homeless man sleeping in Wellington Park with his dog. His dog wasn’t allowed at any of the shelters and the man wouldn’t leave him. Bill M intervened, got him a spot at Kate’s Rest, and he was moved in with his dog, having dinner with the other residents within 24 hours. Great work, Bill!
Updates –
Ted N fixed the issue with the Storybook Walk signs. As Chris succinctly put it, “Bad Ted did Good!”
Christine has volunteered to lead the Christmas Dinner committee and Howard has volunteered to lead the Pumpkinfest Committee.
Yvonne reported that the beach signs have been approved and have gone to fabrication.
On-line Auction – Howard says we need some new canvasers, he will send the spreadsheet to the whole membership. The rest of the committee consists of Mike, Bill P, Lana and Peter. Howard wants the
auction site filled up by Aug 17 with a “go-live “date of Aug 24. Mike has arranged for a QR code for access to the auction site.
Reminder - Fraud Prevention seminar this Thursday at 7 pm at the Legion. Chris asked for help with setup starting at 6:20.
Chris announced the RI President’s Walk will be early afternoon on Sunday, Sep 20 on the South Shore (Ted suggested Long Point.) Margo volunteered to look after refreshments.
Birthdays – with “teenage version” of baby pictures (great idea, Liz!) – Bill P on July 15 and Christine on July 16
Anniversaries – Tim and Nancy will celebrate 50 years on July 17; Kim and Roseanne will celebrate 46 years on July 19
Photos were taken of our two ROTY being presented with their official certificates.
50/50 Draw – John I’s ticket was drawn and he picked a Spade, but it was the Q.
Chris closed the meeting at 8:22 with the Four Way Test.
Note: volunteers are reminded to fill can bins to a maximum of no more than 260 dozen
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: John Inwood, Christine D, Pierre L, Iza H (FOR)
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Roger, John Heeringa, Gregor, John Hatch
Saturday, July 25, 2026
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Geoff, Alex (FOR), Phyo, John Hatch
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Trudy, Margo, Bill P, Glen Bailey (FOR)
Local Action to Support Wildfire Evacuees: Call to Members
Please bring donations to our morning Wellington Rotary Meeting July 21, 2026
Several First Nations are under mandatory evacuation orders - Armstrong, Whitesand, Namaygoosisagagun (also known as Collins), Lac des Mille Lacs, Gull Bay, and Lac La Croix among them.
Some families had only minutes to grab what they could carry and get to the water before the fire reached their homes. Evacuees are being moved to Thunder Bay, and as hotel rooms there fill up, many are being flown further south to Toronto.
Honouring Indigenous Peoples is teaming up with the First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI) and Rotary to get practical help moving toward these families, fast. They have set up a collection site in the Quinte area for three days next week: Monday June 20 to Wednesday June 22, 2026, 9am to 4pm.
Here is how you can help.
On Tuesday, July 21, 2026 members are encouraged to bring any of the following supplies to our Rotary morning meeting:
Clothing (all ages and sizes)
Hygiene products
Diapers
Menstrual products
Toys
Baby items
Traditional plant medicine
Gift cards
Blankets, and
Mobility aids like canes
Liz Bosma-Donovan will collect donated items on Tuesday morning, July 21, and deliver them immediately to the designated drop-off site at the FNTI (First Nation Technical Institute), ILC Facility located in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Any member available to assist Liz with the delivery of these donation please contact her at lizbosmadonovan@gmail.com or call her cell 613-967-9494.
Thank you in advance for supporting our northern neighbours.
If Rotary members are unable to attend our Rotary morning meeting and wish to donate these requested items directly, see below re: drop off details:
LOCATION: FNTI, ILC facility at 314 Airport Road in Tyendinaga DAYS: MONDAY JULY 20 to WEDNESDAY JULY 22, 2026
HOURS: 9 am - 4 pm CONTACT: Cathie Findlay - cathief@fnti.netdd text here
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays
none
Anniversaries
Ken and Luanne Robertson, 48 years, July 22
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Rotary Grace
Oh Lord and giver of all good We thank thee for our daily food May Rotary friends and Rotary ways Help us to serve thee all our days.
