Earlier this month I had the privilege of travelling to Peru, a journey filled with vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable encounters. Among the many highlights was a visit to the floating islands of Lake Titicaca—communities built entirely on layers of totora reeds, anchored high in the Andes at nearly 4,000 metres above sea level. While the engineering behind these islands is remarkable, what struck me most deeply was not the construction of the islands but the construction of their society.
The Uros people, who live upon these floating platforms, have developed a unique social structure that is profoundly maternal in nature. Women are often at the centre of decision-making, guardians of tradition, and the glue that holds each small community together. Their leadership is not loud or forceful; rather, it is steady, inclusive, and rooted in the wellbeing of the whole. Every task—from maintaining the reeds that quite literally keep the islands afloat, to educating children, to organizing trade and welcoming visitors—is carried out with an eye toward collective benefit.
What impressed me most was how seamlessly cooperation is woven into daily life. No single family can maintain an island alone. Each block of reeds must be harvested, dried, and replaced regularly. Houses shift, boats wear down, and storms create sudden challenges. In these moments, the Uros turn toward one another rather than away. Problems are met with shared labour, shared resources, and shared responsibility. Their survival depends on working together—yet it is clear that their joy depends on it just as much.
As I reflected on these communities, I couldn’t help but see parallels to Rotary. Our strength, too, lies not in any one individual, but in how we combine our talents, perspectives, and passions for the good of others. Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, lives naturally in Uros culture. Their instinct is always to contribute first, knowing that when the community thrives, each person thrives as well.
In the County we may not be living on reed islands, but we also rely on one another to keep our Rotary “island” afloat. Every fundraiser, every project, every meeting involves members stepping up—each offering what they can, trusting others to do the same. And like the Uros, our work often has a maternal soul to it: nurturing community, building resilience, and caring for those who need support.
My visit to Lake Titicaca reminded me that strong communities aren’t accidental. They are built—layer by layer—through collaboration, generosity, and shared purpose. As we continue our Rotary year, let’s carry forward that spirit of interconnectedness. Let’s remember that leadership is most powerful when it is compassionate and that service means lifting together.
Thank you for everything you do to keep our Rotary island strong, buoyant, and moving forward.
Lake Titicaca
Yvonne Buys, President 2025/26
Thought for the week.
“If we are together, nothing is impossible. If we are divided, all will fail.” – Winston Churchill
This Week's Zoom Meeting Details:
Topic: Weekly Rotary Meeting Time: Aug 05, 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 Week: Phyo Kyi
Rotary meeting minutes December 9, 2025 Notes by: Lyn McGowan
PE Chris opened the meeting at 7:07, by ringing the bell not just once but twice, with 34 members present, one on Zoom and one guest (Brenda Hellyer from RC of Picton).
Margo introduced our speaker, Phyo, and thanked him for his 8 years of service on the Board of our Club’s Foundation. The focus of Phyo’s talk was the Rotary Club of Wellington Trust, aka the Wellington Rotary Foundation. The Trust was established in 2015, to support the charitable activities of the Club, within the constraints imposed by donors and tax laws. Its primary mission is to fund community programs, in Wellington and the surrounding area of PEC, to benefit residents in the areas of health, education, social development and life enrichment. It also funds and contributes to int’l Rotary projects which promote education, clean water and sanitation, immunization and maternal health, and social development. It is a registered charitable organization that is able to hold money for charitable causes and provide tax receipts for bequests and donations. Current board members are Phyo (Pres), Trudy (Treas), Jacques (Sec), Margo (Dir), Howard (Dir) and Yvonne (non-voting observer). Phyo expressed the Board’s thanks to Past Secretary Dawn and PPs Mike and David S. He also invited club members to express interest in joining the Board of the Foundation. Phyo detailed the requirements of the Foundation’s operations, entailed by virtue of being a registered charity, including the need to file annual tax returns with balance sheet and income statement, maintain detailed financial records and ledger of income tax receipts, and maintain official minutes of at least two meetings per year. He then outlined the flow of funding requests and donations between the Club and the Foundation and identified all donations from the Foundation for Rotary year 2024-25 to 8 registered charities and 2 “non-qualified” donees, i.e. international recipients that are not themselves CRA - registered charities. Phyo noted that, in the past, there has been a longer list of local charities, which raised the question of whether a process is needed to engage/canvas the community to ensure we are aware of funding needs in our community. Lyn suggested this should be marshalled under the Club’s Board of Directors, with Ken suggesting it should fall under the role of the PP. Michelle thanked Phyo for everything he does.
Club Business:
Margo noted she will send out an email this week about the Christmas party. Happy Hour begins at 5:30.
Tim raised the question of buying presents for the children served by the Food Bank. Lana and Mary are able to do any shopping, locally, this Friday. Trudy moved that the Club approve spending up to $1,000 for gifts for the children served by the Storehouse Food Bank, seconded by Dave R, carried unanimously.
50/50 – Mary’s ticket was drawn but she did not pick the Ace of spaces.
Chris closed the meeting at 8:24 with the Four Way Test. He does enjoy ringing that bell.
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50/50 Draw This Week: $75.00+
Make sure you get your ticket(s) this week!
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Bottle Depot Volunteers Schedule for This Week
Wednesday December 17, 2025
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Ken Robertson, Iza Hansen (FoR)
10 a.m. to Noon: Kevin Hanbury (FoR)
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: XXXX, Rick Bobzener (FoR)
Saturday December 20, 2025
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: John Inwood, Doug Henderson (FoR)
10 a.m. to Noon: Bill Pennell
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Bill Pennell, Colin Fredericks
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays
John Hatch
(December 18)
Anniversaries
Gregor Stuart & Kim Davison
(17 years, December 18)
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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.
