Edition: February 18, 2025
wellingtonrotary.ca Chartered November 22, 2002
Rotarian of the Year:
Norm Dodgson
Club Bulletin for week of February 18, 2025 This Week: Cynthia Riordan, Storehouse Foodbank
President's Message
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – February 18, 2025
As Rotarians, our public image is priceless. Whatever we do in the public’s eye, it is important to make “Joe” or “Josephine Public” understand who we are, what we stand for, what we do, and most of all, how we make a difference as people of action.
Whether it be through the bottle depot, selling maple syrup or Diners & Duffers booklets, or fellowship events like the golf tournament, dinner/dance/auction, electronic recycling, parades, or the Family Day event at the Community Centre, it is extremely important to have visibility. The new electronic sign will be a huge asset to us in fulfilling that visibility that we so dearly need. It is important that our donors, our followers, our participants (like the Friends of Rotary) know how we raise our money and most importantly how we determine where it should be spent.
We have supported valuable projects such as $600,000+ to the hospital, accessibility mats at our beach, storefront food bank, local health presentations, exchange students, youth initiatives, scholarships, and RYLA, to name just a few. Let’s also keep in mind our International Projects with aid to Kenya’s school nutrition, Guatemala literacy, water projects in Laos, shelter box, Rotary Wheels for Training in Cambodia, and Atokor Training Institute in Ghana.
We should be promoting these at every available opportunity. That is why the digital sign at the Community Centre will become so important providing visibility, accessibility, and information overload.
Many people in our community and surrounding areas know who we are and now they will know what we do prompting donations, accolades, volunteers, and best of all, “The Magic of Rotary.”
Let’s not forget our friends of Rotary and all the volunteer hours they provide to our successes. Without them, the bottle depot would not be such a viable operation. Thank you, Friends of Rotary!
Roger Tessier President 2024/2025
On Second Thought: We all know that mirrors don’t lie. Be very grateful that sometimes they don’t laugh.
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
---------- // ----------
Last Week: Debbie MacDonald Moynes, PEC Community Care for Seniors
Rotary meeting minutes February 11, 2025
Notes by Chris Compeau
The meeting was called to order by President Roger at 7:07 am
33 Rotarians were present with 1 guest (speaker Debbie MacDonald Moynes).
Howard spoke about Sharon Campbell, a former Wellington Rotarian who died last week. Sharon was an active Rotarian from 2009 to 2023 and an honorary member from 2023. She served on the board as Communications Director and was Rotarian of the Year in 2011. She will be missed by our membership.
Cathy provided an insight as to why she joined Rotary. She has been a Rotarian since joining the Sunrise Northumberland Rotary Club approximately 12 years ago. She provided several examples of ‘service above self’ at that club including the provision of school supplies to a community in Nunavut, the purchase of dentures for an underprivileged person, and the purchase of winter boots for the son of a single mother. Cathy also personally experienced Rotary generosity. The club helped to pay for her son’s prism glasses which were required to correct a visual disorder. Cathy noted that Rotary makes a difference – it is a good place to be.
‘O’ Canada’ was sung. David Hawkins recited an invocation. Breakfast was served.
Dawn introduced Debbie MacDonald Moynes, the executive director of Prince Edward County Community Care for Senior’s. She obtained her BA from Queen’s and her MA from the University of Toronto. She has been a member of the Rotary Club of Picton for 35 years where she was also Past-President. She is passionate about helping seniors live at home.
Debbie provided an anecdotal case study of an 85 year old woman living at home with mobility issues. She used this scenario to highlight some of the active living programs in the County. These include meals on wheels, escorted transportation, foot care clinics, home maintenance, respite care and housekeeping services. She emphasized the difference between Community Care for Senior’s and Home Care. She noted that her organization is not fully funded by the government. Approximately 40% of their funding is derived from nominal charges for some services as well as profit at the volunteer-run thrift shop in Picton.
In conclusion, Debbie provided 4 takeaways from her presentation;
No one knows what they need until they need it.
Ask about an individual’s needs and circumstances – and encourage others to do so too.
Volunteer’s live longer healthier happier lives – get involved!
Asking for help is a sign of strength.
John Inwood thanked Debbie for her presentation.
Business
There were no reported issues with the health of members.
Yvonne reported on the presales of Rotary maple syrup. Several weeks ago she spoke of the possibility of selling our maple syrup at No Frills in Picton. Some members expressed concern that this would negatively impact the sales from other local maple syrup producers. Since that discussion she has recently received approval to sell product at No Frills for no charge. Furthermore, Yvonne spoke with the owners of Vader’s sugar bush (as Vader’s maple syrup is the only County syrup that No Frills stock). Vader’s were in fact enthusiastically supportive of this fundraising effort and had no problem with the sale of ‘competitive’ product.
Howard reviewed in detail the list of Family Day soups and responsibilities.
Cupid Bill Hurst is celebrating a birthday this week on February 14.
Gregor’s ticket was drawn for the 50/50 draw – despite a valiant effort he failed to pull the ace of spades.
---------- // ----------
50/50 Draw This Week: $370
Make sure you get your ticket this week!
---------- // ----------
Bottle Depot Volunteers Schedule for This Week
Wednesday February 19, 2025
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Jacques M, Christina D
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Dave R, Gregor S
Saturday February 22, 2025
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Unknown Rotarian, Doug Henderson (FoR)
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: William M, Roger Pardy (FoR)
------ // ------
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Birthdays
-none-
Member Anniversaries
-none-
------ // ------
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.
------ // ------
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?
------ // ------
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.
.png)
