Too Humble for Our Own Good: Why We Should Champion Our Own
Canadians are widely known for their humility, politeness, and modesty—traits that are admired globally. However, this national characteristic can come at a cost. In our efforts to avoid arrogance, we often fail to recognize, celebrate, and champion our own accomplishments, artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, and innovators. This cultural modesty sometimes prevents Canadian talent from receiving the recognition it truly deserves, both at home and abroad.
While countries like the United States loudly promote their heroes and successes, Canadians often take a quieter approach, waiting for others to notice our achievements. Whether it’s musicians like The Weekend, scientists like Donna Strickland, or athletes like Summer McIntosh, many Canadians only gain widespread recognition after being validated internationally. This lack of self-promotion can create a national blind spot, where we undervalue our contributions to global culture, science, and progress.
This humility can also affect younger generations, who may grow up believing success must be measured by leaving Canada or being acknowledged outside our borders. It sends the wrong message: that excellence must be exported to be real. If we don't lift up our own, we risk losing talent, momentum, and national pride.
Championing our own doesn’t mean abandoning humility—it means balancing pride with perspective. We can still be kind, modest, and community-minded while also celebrating what makes us great. The Rotary Club of Wellington has much to be proud of, from our various initiatives including the Bottle Depot, Storybook Walk, Wellness Initiatives and in general the Wellington Rotary Beach including the interpretive signs, boardwalk and the accessible beach mats to name a few. In addition, we hit above our weight in terms of fundraising with over $600,000 donated to the PECMHF as just one example. It’s time we stop whispering our achievements and start saying them out loud.
Rotary provides many opportunities to nominate clubs, members and non-members for a variety of awards. You can find a list of Rotary’s awards at rotary.org/awards. Some awards to consider include:
Service Above Self Award for Rotarians whose service makes an impact on humanity.
Avenues of Service Award (District-Level) for efforts in one of more of Rotary’s five Avenues of Service: Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, International Service or Youth Service.
Rotary Award for Excellence in Service to Humanity for a non-Rotarian providing humanitarian service through Rotary, with an emphasis on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others.
Significant Service Award for completed projects carried out by a Rotary club and made an impact.
By championing our Club’s success stories, we build a stronger identity, inspire the next generation, and finally give our own the spotlight they deserve. Collectively, let’s try to identify at least one potential award and submit a nomination.
Thought for the week..
‘Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.’ – CS Lewis
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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Rotary member Liz Bosma-Donovan is pleased to announce the birth of her grandson, Calum James Anderson, July 31, 5:02 am, weighing 7 lbs and 7 ounces.
Cal's parents, Elsa and son-in-law Ross (and Nanny Lizzie) are over the moon with joy.
Last Week: South Shore Joint Initiative
Joe Dale and Teresa Berec
Rotary meeting minutes August 5, 2025 Notes by: Lyn McGowan
Meeting was called to order by President Yvonne at 7:06 with 35 members present in person, one on Zoom and 3 guests (Joe Dale, Teresa Berec and Geoff Criag - all from the South Shore Joint Initiative.)
Guest Presentation:
Margo introduced our guests from the South Shore Joint Initiative.
Joe started by outlining the objective of today’s presentation – to raise awareness of the South Shore Footpath Project (SSFP) and enlist our members’ support. The South Shore is the last undeveloped public land (26 km) on the south shore of Lake Ontario. The SSFP envisions establishing and maintaining a permanent 40-45 km long footpath across the South Shore, that connects people with nature, encourages spending time in nature, and preserves the South Shore’s biodiversity. It will be modeled after the Bruce Trail, pedestrian-only, minimal impact. Teresa then outlined three phases to the project:
Obtaining Approval – from public and land trust properties for a temporary or permanent footpath (Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks; Canada Wildlife Services; Nature Conservancy of Canada; Ducks Unlimited; Hastings Prince Edward Land Trust)
Planning and establishing a permanent footpath across those properties and privately-owned lands
Eventually, establishing a permanent footpath across the entire South Shore, potentially all the way to Sandbanks Provincial Park.
The first step is understanding the land. That is accomplished by walking and surveying the land. Since July 2023, volunteers have led 60+ walks, surveyed 350+ km, for a total of 500+ volunteer hours spent walking the South Shore. They have had positive, ongoing discussions with public landowners and trusts and have one firm agreement to participate. They are trying to build a groundswell of support through community engagement – guided walks, presentations, educational programming, media.
The presentation closed with their ask of our members - they are not looking for funding, they are looking for participation. Would we like to participate in a guided walk? (Yes!) Would we participate in a volunteer clean-up day? (Love it!) Would Gregor/ the PEC Trails Committee/ local hiking club like to get involved? (What do you say, Gregor?) Yvonne suggested that we could do our annual Foundation Walk on September 28 on the South Shore. (What a great idea!)
For more info, go to the South Shore Joint Initiative website: SSJI.ca
Joe and Teresa were thanked by Pierre.
Club Business:
The Wellington Storehouse Foodbank will be giving out “back to school” backpacks for children that need them. To donate, pick up a backpack at Wellington Home Hardware, fill it with school supplies, keep your receipts, and the Storehouse Foodbank will issue you with a tax receipt for the total.
No birthdays this week. Dave and Shirley Smith were congratulated on their upcoming 50th wedding anniversary on August 8, and David Hawkings was congratulated on 62 years since his ordination.
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50/50 Draw This Week: $1237
Make sure you get your ticket(s) this week!
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Bottle Depot Volunteers Schedule for This Week
Wednesday August 13, 2025
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: John Inwood, Gregor Stuart, Lana Whitteker, Alex Lacher (FoR)
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Roger Tessier, Reg Lapierre (FoR), XXXX, XXXX
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: XXXX, William Mulholland, Lari Langford (FoR), XXXX
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays
-none-
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:
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and better FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
…… AND is it fun?
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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.
