Edition: January 28, 2025
wellingtonrotary.ca

Chartered November 22, 2002
Rotarian of the Year:
Norm Dodgson

Club Bulletin for week of January 28, 2025
This Week: Club Forum

 
 
 
 

President's Message

 
In listening to Iza’s classification talk, I was reminded of the diversity of members we have in the club. So many different backgrounds, careers, personalities; yet we get along, work together, and fellowship together for the good of Rotary. This is the Magic of Rotary.
 
I was also reminded of how high the retention of new members is for our club. Other clubs do not experience that luxury. In the other club I belonged to for 23 years, a yearly exodus of 15-20 members with an addition of 12-18 members was average. Why are we so different? If you have listened to our classification talks, as well as our Rotarian Eureka moments, some things stand out:
 
  1. Joined Rotary for the right reasons and not looking to enhance your business;
  2. Common theme is the love of volunteering to assist our community as well as Rotary International;
  3. Chose Rotary over other service clubs because we have proven time and again that we are family and we are there for each other no matter the circumstance;
  4. We are hands on. Too many clubs are cheque writers and don’t participate in sweat equity projects. The 80/20 rule applies to these clubs (20% of the members do 80% of the work). We, on the other hand, work in unison on all projects. It is what impressed me the most.
We rewrote the 4-Way Test to become the 5-Way Test:
  1. Is it the truth? It had better be or you will hear about it.
  2. Is it fair to all concerned? We are always in the mix to keep every member happy and involved.
  3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? I have seen this in our club over and over again. I love how our new members are made to feel welcome, even before joining the club.
  4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned? As the U.S. Marines’ credo states, “We never leave a member behind.” This is all part of the welcoming process.
  5. Is it fun? This is the glue that keeps 1 through 4 on track, and our members in tune with each other. Look no further than the members’ interactions at the bottle depot, club meetings, fellowship dinners, electronic recycling, golf tournaments, annual dinner/dance, parades (preparing and being on the floats), and Family Day event.
We’ve got it together. We have an amazing formula backed by the 5-Way Test.

Roger Tessier
President 2024/2025

On Second Thought: Road rage is not a good thing. I’ve been able to avoid it over the years (except when walking behind people in the grocery store).
 
 

This Week's Zoom Meeting Details:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82834387279

Zoom session opens at 7:00 a.m.

Meeting ID: 828 3438 7279
Passcode: rotary

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Last Week:  Iza Hansen (Classification)

Rotary meeting minutes January 21, 2025
Notes by Chris Compeau
 
The meeting was called to order by President Roger at 7:07 am 25 Rotarians were present with 7 members on zoom and 1 guest (Wendy Matthews – who was briefly introduced by Lyn McGowan).
 
Shawn provided a rotary moment in which he explained how he came to join Rotary.  He first commented on how amazed he was with the functioning of the bottle depot by the Wellington Rotarians.  Specifically the manner in which a volunteer group is able to run a small business, make money and funnel that money back into the community was impressive.  He noted that in 2006 he bought a dry cleaning business in Trenton.  It was a very successful business and he was quite content.  He deliberated joining either the local Rotary club or the Kiwanis.  He ultimately joined the Rotary Club of Trenton in 2007.  He subsequently became a board member and fully integrated into the Rotary organization.  Unfortunately, several years later his dry cleaning business caught fire and burned down.  He was devastated with the loss of his business but was comforted and supported by many of his fellow Rotarians.  When he subsequently divorced from his wife he once again felt the reassurance and support of his Rotary colleagues.  These life experiences taught him what Rotary ‘family’ is all about.
 
 ‘O’ Canada’ was sung.  David Hawkins recited an invocation.  Breakfast was served.
 
Peter introduced our guest speaker Iza, who is providing her classification speech to the group today.  Peter noted how happy he was that Iza has joined our Rotary group.
 
Iza noted that the last time she spoke publicly was unfortunately at her late husband’s celebration of life approximately 1.5 years ago.  Both of her parents lived through the trauma of WWII – her mother from Poland and her father from Prussia.  They emigrated to Atikokan, Ontario where her father worked as a heavy crane operator.  Her parents were married in 1960 and had 3 daughters (with an additional child from a prior relationship).  The family relocated to Thunder Bay in 1973 where her parents integrated into the local Polish community.  Iza has very fond memories of her childhood in Thunder Bay.  Her parents taught her to be independent, respectful and tolerant.  One life lesson she recalled from her mother was “speak up!” (That is, if you aren’t satisfied with something, write a letter to let your feelings be known).
Iza was an avid photographer and her childhood dream was to be a photographer for National Geographic.  In 1990 she enrolled in an applied photography program at Sheridan College.  She notes that in her 20’s she was restless – she moved a lot and couldn’t seem to settle down.  In 1997 she enrolled in a dental hygienist program at Algonquin College in Ottawa.  This would mark her career path for the next two decades.  In 1998 she met her husband Scott.  He worked for Bell Canada in various capacities over a subsequent 36 year career.  Iza and Scott lived in High Park for a while before settling into a home in Oakville.  They were married in 2001 near Thunder Bay.  They enjoyed sailing, camping and a variety of other outdoor activities.
 
In the midst of the COVID pandemic in 2020 Scott was unfortunately diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  He died in September 2022.  Iza ultimately decided to retire and move away from Oakville.  She ‘house sat’ for 5 weeks for Jacques and Janet Michaud and at that time she knew that PEC was where she wanted to be.  She bought a home on Carla Court in July of 2024.  Unfortunately her beloved dog Chili, a source of companionship and affection during her husband’s illness, died last year.  Since moving to the County fulltime, Iza has been active in a variety of groups and clubs (including crafting, curling and line dancing).  Jacques encouraged her to consider joining Rotary.  She was impressed at how tight-knit the group is.  She has also been warmly welcomed into her Carla Court neighbourhood by Ken and Luane, among others.
Christine thanked Iza for her honest and heartfelt presentation.  She noted that Iza has fit seamlessly into our club and we are very lucky to have her as a new member.
 
Business
Roger provided an update on the health of members:Tim reported that John Inwood is being treated for severe COPD and hopes to attend morning meetings again soon.
 
Bill Pennell discussed the concept of picking up empty cans and bottles at the Wellington on the Lake community once per week.  He noted that a lot of bottles are simply thrown into blue bins rather than recycled by residents.  He will discuss this further with WOTL board members.
 
Kim provided an update and clarification on new industry standards for bottle recycling.
 
Trudy questioned what our Rotary involvement will be in this year’s Family Day activities.  She indicated that the Wellington Recreation Committee (Brenda Little) was interested in being involved.
 
Yvonne reported that 69% of maple syrup bottles have currently been presold.  She put out a request to members for help with applying labels to bottles.  She also expressed an interest in selling maple syrup at the Picton No Frills – Ken and Trudy both voiced concern that selling Rotary maple syrup in grocery stores might negatively impact the businesses of other maple syrup producers in the county.
 
David Smith and Kim Lee are both celebrating birthdays this week. 
 
Ted Hannigan’s ticket was drawn for the 50/50 draw – despite a strong effort he failed to draw the ace of spades.  Too bad.
 
The meeting was adjourned with the 4-way test.
 
 
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50/50 Draw This Week: $287

Make sure you get your ticket this week!

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Bottle Depot Volunteers Schedule for This Week

Wednesday January 29, 2025

9 a.m. to 11 a.m.:  Liz Bosma, Phil MacMillan (FoR)

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.:  Dave Robinet, Roger Pardy (FoR)

 

Saturday February 01, 2025

9 a.m. to 11 a.m.:  TBD

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.:  TBD

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Birthdays & Anniversaries

  Birthdays
(Editor's Apologies for omission Last Week)

David Smith (Jan 21)
Kim Lee (Jan 26)
 

Member Anniversaries

-none-
 
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Rotary Grace

O Lord and giver of all good
We thank thee for our day food
May Rotary friends and Rotary ways
Help us to serve thee all our days.

 
 
 

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Four Way Test

       Of the things we think, say, and do:
        1.  Is it the TRUTH?
        2.  Is it FAIR to all concerned?
        3.  Will it build GOODWILL and better
             FRIENDSHIPS?
        4.  Will it be BENEFICIAL to all 
             concerned?
 
 

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Rotary Song

R-O-T-A-R-Y, that spells Rotary.
R-O-T-A-R-Y, is known on land and sea.
From north to south, and east to west,
They profit most who serve the best,
R-O-T-A-R-Y, that spells Rotary.
 
 
 
Speakers
Jan 28, 2025
Feb 04, 2025 7:07 AM
Scottish Curling Tour Presentation
Feb 11, 2025 7:07 AM
The Prince Edward Community Care for Seniors Association
View entire list
 
Editors: Phyo Kyi, Mike Lattner, Howard Ziedenberg
 
 
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