Past District Governor (2007-2008) Dave Patterson has passed away.  Suddenly at his home on Monday, May 13, 2013, David Ray Patterson, long time Palgrave Rotarian, in his 75^th year,beloved husband of Pamela Patterson for 49 years. Loving and guiding father of Warren and his wife Heather, Natalie and her husband Brian James. Proud grandfather of Blake, Liam, Sydney, Evan and Chantal. David was honoured to be appointed as District Governor for Rotary and he believed in everything Rotary stood for. Funeral service will be held at Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street S. (Hwy. 50), Bolton on Thursday morning, May 16 at 10:30 o’clock.  A reception will follow at the funeral home. A private family interment will be held at Morningside Cemetery, Palgrave. 

(President-Elect Karen Dowell with District Governor Dave Patterson & Pam Patterson, Oct 4th 2007)

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Palgrave Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 844, Bolton  L7E 5T5  - or -  Sleeping Children Around the World, 28 Pinehurst Crescent, Toronto  M9A 3A5.  Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com.

Our May 9th 2013 weekly meeting featured a guest speaker from Opportunity International, VP Operations Jannalee Anderson.  Jannalee gave a presentation on Opportunity International, founded in 1971, an international organization which combines microfinancing and education for sustainable business start-ups in developing countries.

                                (Rotarian Andreas Hug introduces Jannalee)

Based in London, Ontario, Jannalee is a graduate of both the H.B.A. and the M.B.A. programs at the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, where she became an instructor and an international recruiter. She also taught at Tong Ji University in Shanghai and worked as a forecasting and pricing analyst at McCormick Canada.   

Subsequently, as an Assistant Professor of Business at Tyndale University College, Jannalee developed a Micro-enterprise Development course and field research trip to Central America as well as co-founded the International Development degree program. As a result of her growing passion and involvement with microfinance, Jannalee accepted a position on the Philanthropy team with Opportunity International Canada. In this role, she seeks to build partnerships with individuals, businesses, and foundations that want to expand entrepreneurial opportunities for people living in poverty.

Having visited more than twenty countries in the developing world, Jannalee has witnessed the need for transformational microfinance first-hand. “I have not discovered anything more effective than microfinance in breaking the cycle of poverty.” says Jannalee. “Opportunity is a story of hope, dignity, stewardship, and sustainable development.”

On April 25th 2013 our guest speakers were Nuhad Abdal and Dunja Lukić from Immigrant Services Guelph Wellington.  Nuhad is a Settlement Counsellor and Dunja is a Community Mobilizer.  Immigrant Services Guelph-Wellington was founded in 1978 and is a registered charitable organization that helps integrate and settle newcomers who have chosen Guelph as their new home by enabling them to participate in all aspects of life in Guelph — social, economic, political and cultural. They believe that a key to a prosperous Guelph is to provide an intercultural, welcoming environment for immigrants and refugees. IS-GW's services are designed to be culturally sensitive, linguistically appropriate, anti-racist and empowering.

 (Left to right - Rotary Club of Guelph South President Elect Brian Cowan,  Dunja Lukić, Nuhad Abdal  and Rotaran Livvy Haddar)

The Rotary Club of Guelph South held a most special new member induction ceremony today, Thursday April 25th 2013.  At that meeting Olivia ("Livvy") Hadar received her new member pin and was formally welcomed to the Club by Assistant District Governor Margaret Nixon and her sponsor (and the Club's Membership Chair) Geoff Allen. 

(L-R:  New Rotarian Livvy Hadar, Sponsor Geoff Allen, ADG Margaret Nixon)

What was very special about the event was the fact that it was both Livvy and Margaret's birthday!  Both "birthday girls" sported special badges for the day.

Livvy is owner of an English Language Consulting firm in Guelph, and we know already will be a valuable addition to our Club.

Welcome to Rotary Livvy from all your new Rotarian friends!

We were so pleased to welcome a very special visitor to our April 4th 2013 weekly meeting - Miss Hannah Newby!

Hannah's father is Rotary Club of Guelph South President (2012-2013) Thomas Newby.  Hannah is clearly daddy's girl.  Hannah just turned 1 year old last month, 2 months after a very successful heart transplant operation.

Camp Enterprise Golden Triangle is a cooperative effort between multiple Rotary Clubs in the ‘Golden Triangle’ region surrounding Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph, Waterloo and Fergus. Selected students have the opportunity, at no cost, to attend a 2 day immersive camp at the University of Waterloo about business and entrepreneurship. Students will get to attend keynote speaker lectures and participate in collaborative activities culminating in a business plan presentation at the end of camp.

The Rotary Club of Guelph South continues its annual tradition of sponsoring 3 students from Bishop Macdonell Catholic High School in Guelph, providing the cost of the program and transportation to and from the event.  Members of the Club also serve on the organizing Committee for the annual event.

Following the event we welcome the students to a weekly meeting where they give us their impressions of the event and an overview of the various activiites that they took part in.

For more information see the webpage:   http://rotarycampenterprise.com

Correspondence received from a previous year participant:  

Camp Enterprise is very physically and mentally exhausting, but well worth it. I thought I knew a lot about business before this camp, but I will walk away from it with new and interesting knowledge about the business industry. Overall, Camp Enterprise is one of the best experiences I have had during my high school career and I would encourage anyone who is interested in business to participate in this camp. As well as having fun and making new friends, Camp Enterprise has helped prepare me for university. And what I can expect next year in a business program.          Sophie Roe

 

Cynthia Walker, a Past President of the Rotary Club of Guelph South, and David Parks were married on January 12th 2013 in Guelph. 

Congratulations and best wishes from everyone for a long and happy life together!

 (Is that a beautiful bride or what???)

 Rotary International and Rotary clubs throughout the world have partnered with the World Health Organization and UNICEF in a project to eradicate the scourge of polio for once and for all....and we are THISCLOSE to finishing the job!

Click on the 'More" link below to see a timeline of Rotary's involvement with this worthwhile global project.  Donations towards eliminating the $5.5 billion funding gap - the amount estimated to complete the eradication of polio in the last 3 endemic countries - can be made online at the Rotary Foundation Canada website (www.trfcanada.org).

Once again the annual "Taste of Italy Pasta Dinner" in Puslinch, supporting Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre, was a resounding success!

Despite the worst snowstorm in 5 years, hungry supporters of Sunrise and Rotary turned out in large numbers to feast on sumptious pasta, meatballs, salad, desert and beverages.  Generous donors and sponsors provided gifts and services that were auctioned and raffled off, and some lucky diners walked away with great door prizes as well.

We're grateful to all those who supported the event, and to the volunteers who organized, decorated, cooked and cleaned.  We're also grateful to the Township of Puslinch for ensuring that the Community Centre parking lot was cleaned, even during that snowstorm, allowing easy access for all our hungry guests.

On Thursday November 29th 2012 the Rotary Club of Guelph South was pleased to induct its newest member....Bruno Marziano.  Bruno was sponsored by Past President Frank Oudesluys.  Frank could not attend the induction ceremony, so Membership Chair Geoff Allen stepped in and did the honours.

Bruno's classification is "General Contracting - Design/Build".  It is particularly appropriate that he would become a Rotarian - he is the son of Rotarian Ralph Marziano, a member of our sponsor club (Guelph-Trillium) and Jane Marziano, a past member of our club.

We know that Bruno will add energy and commitment to our group, and we are proud to welcome him!

On November 22nd we welcomed Kathi Smith, a Rotarian who serves on the Membership team at District 7080.  She updated the club members on  the latest Rotary membership numbers, and initiatives being developed at the District level to help clubs attract new members and retain the members they already have.  Assistant District Governor Margaret Nixon (L) and the club's Membership Chair Geoff Allen (R) thanked Kathi for her presentation.

         Local Rotarians Advocate for Peace

Rotarians across Wellington County will come together on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 to advocate for peace. Charged by Rotary International, Rotary will host a dinner to advocate for global peace beginning at 6 pm at Guelph Place, 492 Michener Rd., Guelph.

Dr. Ian Spears, associate professor, Department of Political Science, University of Guelph will be the keynote speaker. Dr. Spears has spent his professional career studying conflict and war; why it remains such a part of our contemporary world; and, how to put an end to war and conflict.

Who?                           Local Rotary Clubs across Wellington County

What?                          Rotary Peace Dinner

When?                         Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Where/Cost?               Guelph Place Banquet Hall, 492 Michener Rd., Guelph. $35/ticket

Who is invited?           All members of the community including youth, immigrants to forge new friendships and partnerships

Why?                           The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace is one of the cornerstones of the Rotary movement. Rotary has established itself as a world leader in fostering Peace Through Service. Rotary has accomplished a great deal in this area throughout our history, but we must continue to look forward and recognize the future of Rotary and the future prospects for world peace.

To purchase tickets contact: tel: 519-824-0852

For more information contact: Sandra Lastovic,

tel: 519-835-9930, Lastovic.s@mortgagecentre.com

On November 8th 2012 we were honoured to welcome MBdr Evan Shields who spoke to us about his career in the Canadian Military, including serving in Afghanistan.  "MBdr" is the "Master Bombardier" rank in the Canadian Artillery branch of military.  MBdr Evan is a Guelph native, a reservist bombardier with Guelph's 11th Field Artillery who served in Afghanistan in 2008 and 2009.  His inspiration for a military career is his grandfather, Howard Wilson, a Second World War veteran and soldier for 31 years.  We are grateful to Rotarian Geoff Allen and his wife Deb for arranging such an inspirational speaker during Remembrance Week!

(L-R President Thomas Newby, MBdr Evan Shields, Rotarian Geoff Allen)

Congratulations to 2012 "Grate Groan-Up Spelling Bee" winners - BLUE NORTH STRATEGIES!

BLUE NORTH STRATEGIES also won the 2008 Spelling Bee, and have been back each year attempting to repeat.  Last night their team "The Blues" held on to beat out a persistent opponent, the DAVIES & MAHNKE PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT "Money Bees" team, going six rounds to finally decide who would be able to claim spelling supremacy for another year.

Congratulations to the members of the Blue North Strategies winning team - Brent Klassen, Kris Culp and Lisette Vanderkamp.

The winning team with their Champions Trophy, Medals and Prizes - with (r) Rotarian Brian Cowan (photograph courtesy of Bob Housser Photography)

On April 5th we welcomed our newest member, Wendy Banki.   Wendy was sponsored for membership by Rotarian Margaret Nixon (left) and formally inducted as a member by President-Elect Thomas Newby (right). 

Wendy's mentor will be Rotarian Celia Clark.  Wendy is retired from the Commercial Printing industry.  She will be a wonderful addition to our Rotary Club....

By collaborating with other organizations and working with local communities, Rotarians are helping to improve access to clean water and sanitation. For World Water Day on 22 March, watch a video about Rotary’s work in this area of focus.

Doing Good: Providing Clean Water from Rotary International on Vimeo.

Waterloo Wellington Community Care Access Centre CEO Kevin Mercer with Rotarians Brian Cowan (who sits on the WWCCAC Board of Directors) and Margaret Nixon at the Rotary Club of Guelph South's March 15th weekly meeting.  Kevin was the guest speaker and updated the Club members on the activities of the WWCCAC and the recent Drummond Report recommendations to the provincial government on health care issues.  Brian introduced Kevin. Margaret thanked Kevin, presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation, and advised him that the Club is making a $20 donation to the PolioPlus worldwide polio eradication cause that Rotary International is partner to that will innoculate 40 children.

Members of our Rotary Club have been traveling back and forth over the past year to El Carizal, a small community just outside of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, where we have been supporting a local womens jam-making cooperative "Condimentos el Carizal".

Right now Rotarians Richard Puntis and Frank Oudesluys are there (Rotarian Geoff Allen was there a couple of weeks ago) and construction of a proper kitchen has begun, with financial support from Rotary Club of Guelph South.

Pasta for Ponies!! 

Rotary Club of Guelph South recently held their 10^th annual Taste of Italy Pasta Dinner at Puslinch Community Centre. This year they raised over $6,000 in support of Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre and other worthwhile Rotary projects.  Sunrise is celebrating their 30^th anniversary and their volunteers and families came together with Rotarians and the community to enjoy delicious pasta and meatballs, live entertainment and great silent auction items.  The Rotary Club of Guelph South extends a sincere thank you to all who donated or attended and made this event such a success.

Congratulations to Charter Member Margaret Nixon who has been appointed by Rotary's District 7080 to serve as Assistant District Governor, responsible for the Guelph Cluster of 6 Rotary Clubs (Guelph, Guelph-Trillium, Guelph-Wellington, Guelph South, Fergus-Elora and Centre Wellington Centennial).  She will assume this role on July 1st 2012.

Margaret served two terms as our Club President (2002-2003 and 2006-2007) and is the first member of the Rotary Club of Guelph South to be appointed an Assistant District Governor!

Get yours before they are sold out!   IT IS A SELL OUT, ONCE AGAIN....

Tickets for this popular fundraising dinner event, held at the Puslinch Community Centre in Aberfoyle, are now available.  Contact any Rotary Club of Guelph South member, or Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre.

A chief factor in India’s success has been the widespread use of the bivalent oral polio vaccine, which is effective against both remaining types of the poliovirus. Another has been rigorous monitoring, which has helped reduce the number of children missed by health workers during National Immunization Days to less than 1 percent, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Rotary celebrates India’s first polio-free year. from Rotary International on Vimeo.

Congratulations to Rotary Club of Guelph South Charter Member Neil Mahnke who was awarded his second Paul Harris Fellow at the December 22nd 2011 weekly meeting.  He received his first in March 2009.

 The 2011 Champion Speller team is "The U of G Bees" sponsored by the University of Guelph's Office of Research.  The 3 team members were Jane Colwell, Steve DeBrabandere and Laura Beaupre.....all decked out in Harry Potter gear, complete with wands, dry ice and chants! 

Rotarians and friends of Rotary responded with extraordinary generosity again during the 2010-11 Rotary year. Contributions to our Annual Programs Fund exceeded US$100 million for the fourth time in history, and we far surpassed our goal of $95.5 million. In fact, contributions to the Annual Programs Fund were the second-highest ever, at nearly $108 million. Thanks to each of you for your efforts and personal financial support.

Newest member Geoff Allen gave his Classification Talk on August 4th, giving us some insight into his life.  Wife Deb was also in attendance - our first opportunity to meet her as well!

Rotary International has embraced the use of social media (eg. Twitter, Facebook) as a means of increasing and improving dialogue between Rotarians and those they interact with.  The following is a 2-minute video overview of what RI considers to be the potential for the use of social media by Rotarians.

RI Social Media video from Rotary International on Vimeo.

There is a WORLD POLIO DAY and it is celebrated on October 24th of each year.

 There will be more information provided as it becomes available from Rotary International and the District on publicity and events surrounding this day. 

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 26th 2011

5:30pm at the Italian Canadian Club in Guelph 

The Guelph Area Cluster of Rotary Clubs will participate in a District 7080 Mini-Conference (in lieu of the usual annual District wide Conference) that will include a dinner and speakers.   More information will be forthcoming.....

On July 31st 2011 the Rotary Club of Guelph South celebrates the 10th anniversary of its chartering.  There are still eight original Charter Members in the Club (Ann Caine, Celia Clark, Peter Clark, Bill Hammond, Neil Mahnke, Margaret Nixon, Frank Oudesluys and Dianne Paron) and there is a vigor, vitality and congeniality in this Club that would be the envy of many others!  Every year we get better and do more good, both locally and internationally.  And we have a heck of a good time doing it!  NOTHING BUT GOOD NEWS AS WE START OUR SECOND DECADE.....

(The original Club photograph taken at the 2001 Charter Night, along with Ralph Marziano of the Guelph-Trillium Club, our sponsor Club, who very much championed our formation) 

New 2011-2012 President Paul Moran chaired his first weekly meeting as President on July 7th 2011.   He outlined his vision for what the Club could realistically accomplish during the 2011-2012 Rotary year, consistent with the visioning exercise done in June 2010.....

Did you know these Rotary facts?

Rotary International 2011-2012 President Kalyan Banerjee announced his Theme for his year as President at the January 2011 International Assembly in San Diego.

A transcript of his report on the Theme follows..... 

July 31st 2011 marks the 10th Anniversary for the Rotary Club of Guelph South.  To celebrate, Club members, spouses, partners, friends and representatives of other local Rotary Clubs and District 7080 enjoyed a "Nine 'n Dine" event at Springfield Golf & Country Club. 

The event was organized by Past Presidents Margaret Nixon and Neil Mahnke, and Neil MC'd.  

The Rotary Club of Guelph South was pleased to be able to donate $600.00 on June 23rd to Bonnie Melichercik of the charitable organization "Friends of Ile a Vache" for the purchase of a rainwater cistern in order to provide clean water.

On June 16th the Rotary Foundation Committee had the honour of presenting Paul Harris Fellow Awards to 2 deserving non-Rotarian candidates:  Barbara Zuccala (nominated by Rotarian Cheryl Cowan) and Dr. Paul Thistle (nominated by Rotarian Wilbert Abbott) who were selected after nominations were solicited from Club members.....

(A photo album from the awards event is on the Rotary Club's home page) 

As of 31 May, Rotarians have raised about $174.7 million for Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge. These contributions will help Rotary raise $200 million to match $355 million in challenge grants received from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The resulting $555 million will directly support immunization campaigns in developing countries, where polio continues to infect and paralyze children, robbing them of their futures and compounding the hardships faced by their families.   As long as polio threatens even one child anywhere in the world, children everywhere remain at risk. The stakes are that high.

Bill Gates, cochair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, served as the keynote speaker for the third plenary session of the 2011 RI Convention being held this week in New Orleans. Gates stressed the need to finish the job of eradicating polio.

Gates Speech Highlights Plenary Three from Rotary International on Vimeo.

Our Rotary Club was pleased to once again sponsor four students from Guelph's Bishop Macdonell High School, so that they could attend the 2011 Golden Triangle Rotary Club's "Camp Enterprise".  Our Rotary Club is one of nine (9) local clubs that participates in this program annually.

The "Grate Groan-Up Spelling Bee" will be held on Thursday October 20th 2011 and this will be the 6th Annual event.....but this year with a brand new "hive"!

We are excited to announce that new Platinum Sponsor Delta Hotel Guelph & Conference Centre will be hosting the event for 2011 and 2012.  Not only are we happy to welcome this new event sponsor, we look forward to being able to accommodate even more participants with the larger venue.

We are also honoured to once again have the support of Title Sponsor Hammond Power Solutions, and Gold Sponsor Investors Group.

Honourary Chair for the event for 2011 will be Wellington County Ward 7 Councilor Don McKay. Esteemed Judges Jo Phenix and Lloyd Longfield will be doing an encore performance.  Our new MrPronouncer for this year will be Hugh Spencer, former head of the English Department at Guelph Collegiate (GCVI) where he taught for close to 25 years.

If you have never seen an adult Spelling Bee and are wondering what it's all about, we would humbly suggest that ours is the best but you be your own judge....watch our YouTube video, a 15 minute production from the 2006 inaugural event that will give you a good idea of how much fun it is for everyone involved.  Recruitment for the limited number of teams for the 2011 event will be underway very soon.

Rotary Club of Guelph South is proud to continue its tradition of sponsoring students from Bishop Macdonell High School in Guelph to attend the Golden Triangle Rotary Clubs Camp Enterprise, held each year in Waterloo on the first weekend in May.

This year we will be sponsoring 4 students, and we look forward to hearing about their experience at a regular weekly club meeting in  May.

What is "Camp Enterprise"?

Camp Enterprise is an extensive three-day camp offering students the opportunity to participate in leadership activities. The programme consists of a series of panels, presentations and discussions on the subject of business and the free enterprise system where students can interact with business leaders. Camp Enterprise involves:

• Face-to-face opportunities to discuss issues
• An insight into business concepts
• An opportunity to build skills in the Art of Negotiation
• Presentations on the Private Enterprise system
• An opportunity to develop teamwork skills
• Challenging team games
• Panel discussions
• A chance to meet and speak with today's business leaders
• Inspirational speakers
• An opportunity to forge new friendships

 The objective of Camp Enterprise is to expose, to challenge and spur student's imagination on the whole subject of business and private enterprise.   The programme is intended to provide students with a broad view of professional, business and management careers. The programme presents business and management as challenging positions offering enormous personal satisfaction, allowing the individual to exercise maximum creativity and providing endless opportunities.

The 'Leaders of Tomorrow' are selected from Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph & Cambridge area high schools. Attendees will be students who are enrolled in Grades 11 or 12, have demonstrated leadership skills and who are active in various school committees and activities.

Contact the Rotary Club of Guelph South for more information on Camp Enterprise or Rotary itself....come and have breakfast with us (Thursday mornings 7:30-8:30am at Springfield Golf & Country Club, 2054 Gordon, Guelph).

This YouTube video is from Northumberland Rotary's Camp Enterprise - it's safe to assume that when you get a group of motivated students and inspirational speakers together for a weekend at a residential retreat, that you'll get very similar results! 

RI President-elect Kalyan Banerjee will ask Rotarians to Reach Within to Embrace Humanity during the 2011-12 Rotary year.   Banerjee unveiled the RI theme during the opening plenary session of the 2011 International Assembly, a training event for incoming district governors.

Rotary Theme 2011 from Rotary International on Vimeo.

Rotarian Ann Caine, a charter member of our Rotary Club, was among thirteen exceptional Ontarians that received the 2010 Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship for their contributions to their communities. Created in 1973, the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship recognizes people who have made exceptional long-term contributions to the quality of life in the province.

On November 3, 1910 the first Rotary club meeting in Canada was held in Winnipeg. Today is a great day to celebrate Canada's Rotary Centennial project.

Our Rotary Centennial School in Afghanistan was dedicated on Sunday September 26th, five months ahead of schedule and under budget.

The Rotary Foundation is OUR charity, and all Rotarians are encouraged to support our charity with an annual donation commitment.

The Rotary Foundation is a multi-faceted force for good in the world - watch this 9 minute video for information on the various programs that are funded through donations made:

There are as many reasons to support The Rotary Foundation as there are ways to do good in the world.   By contributing to the Foundation, you help support the Foundation's six areas of focus, which help to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. By giving US$100 a year through the  Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY) initiative, you become a Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member. Contributions to EREY are the primary source of funding for Foundation programs.

6 weeks and counting .....plans are well advanced for the 5th annual Grate Groan-Up Spelling Bee, including 18 teams already registered.  The beneficiaries of this year's fundraiser will be Hopewell Children's Homes PlaySense Activity Centre and Michael House, along with other worthwhile local Rotary projects.

September is New Generations Month in our Rotary calendar. During this month, we focus all Rotary activities that would support the development of our young people up to the age of 30.

What would it take to change the world? Rotary International is the world's first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the motto Service Above Self.

After 20 years of hard work, Rotary and its partners are on the brink of eradicating this tenacious disease, but a strong push is needed now to root it out once and for all. It is a window of opportunity of historic proportions.

 As of 19 August 2010, Rotarians have raised approximately US$144.4 million for the US$200 Million Challenge. These contributions will help Rotary raise US$200 million to match US$355 million in challenge grants received from the Bill and Melinda Gates Charitable Foundation.

Thursday July 1st is Canada Day, and our Club will be withdrawing our regular weekly meeting for that Thursday - we'll meet again for the first weekly meeting of the new Rotary year on Thursday July 8th with new President Frank chairing the meeting...

Thomas, a member of our Rotary Club since 2007, won an "Emerging Leader Award" from the Chartered Insurance Professionals at their National Leadership Awards....way to go Thomas!

Congratulations to the organizing Committee and all of the members and volunteers who helped with this incredibly successful event....

Tickets are now available for the 8th Annual "Taste of Italy" Pasta Dinner, held each February at the Puslinch Community Centre.  Proceeds from this fundraiser go to support the Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre.

 In this, the 8th year, we're going to continue to improve the meal that you'll be offered....this year there will be meatballs too!

So get your tickets NOW before they sell out....and bring your appetite.

This year, the club increased its level of support in the provision of dictionaries to eligible Grade 3 students by extending a presence into the private school sector of our community....

The Rotary Club of Guelph South was pleased to be able to welcome two new members - Brian Cowan and Cheryl Cowan.  Brian and Cheryl are Puslinch residents and are eager to join the rest of the club in "Service Above Self" both in their community and internationally.

Thursday June 18th's weekly meeting will be the big year-end finale for the team that has been keeping OUR charity - Rotary Foundation - front and centre throughout this Rotary year....

On the morning of Saturday May 2nd a group of Rotarians met in Aberfoyle to do a road clean-up, a stretch of Brock Road through Aberfoyle...

On April 2, 2009 we were proud to welcome our newest member....ANDREAS HUG.  Andreas is a Management Consultant.  Rotarian Ann Caine is his sponsor.

The Rotary Club of Guelph South was pleased to be able to provide a donation of $4,000 to the Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre, located in Puslinch Township, at its March 19 2009 weekly meeting...

The members of the Rotary Club of Guelph South were pleased to observe the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow Award to Neil Mahnke, a charter member and Past President of our Rotary Club....

On Monday April 14th "Buzzie" the Bee and President Elect Karen Dowell presented a $4,500 cheque to Program Director Karen Calzonetti at the Playsense Activity Centre in Guelph.

On Thursday July 10th we were honoured to welcome a visitor from Rotary of Bexley (Borough of Bexley, Greater London area) in District 1120.  He is here currently on a visit to his daughter who lives in the south end of Guelph....

During the first Rotary club meeting on 23 February 1905 in Chicago, Paul Harris, Gustavus Loehr, Hiram Shorey, and Silvester Schiele met to talk about their personal experiences.  Harris then unfolded his general plan for their club meetings...

Past President Margaret Nixon has just returned from Mexico, representing our Rotary club on the team of 18 Canadians that traveled to Nogales Mexico to provide shoeboxes (and baskets) of gifts to underprivileged children there....

Our weekly meeting on Thursday October 11th had the theme "The BUZZ on the BEE" and the focus was the preparations that have been ongoing for the upcoming event on October 25th.  Past President Margaret Nixon chaired the meeting, and was no sooner finished the announcements, when in walked our new Spelling Bee mascot!

We are pleased to announce that acclaimed author Jean Little has agreed to serve as the Honourary Chair for our 2nd Annual Grate Groan-Up Spelling Bee that will be held on Thursday October 25 2007 at the Guelph Place Banquet Hall....   

July 1 2007 marks the start of the new Rotary 2007-2008 year.  The new Rotary International President, Wilfred (Wilf) Wilkinson, has selected the theme "ROTARY SHARES" for his year in office.  His main priorities for the upcoming year will be Health, Literacy and Water, as he has stated that "continuity is essential to Rotary's success".

President Wilf - the first Canadian Rotary International President in more than 50 years - was interviewed for the March 2007 issue of The Rotarian magazine....

Welcome Thomas Newby...

On Thursday July 19th at a special Visitors Meeting we were pleased to welcome Thomas Newby as the newest member of the Rotary Club of Guelph South.

The Pikangikum Water Purification Project

  This project was designed to respond in a small way to the desperate needs of children and families in Pikangikum First Nation.  Children in Pikangikum (population 2,400) live in severe poverty.  Hunger is part of normal life.  Housing conditions are indescribable, with serious overcrowding, lack of running water, and outdoor toilet facilities.  The community's infrastructure is in desperate need of upgrading, with an overtaxed hydro generating system and lack of community facilities.  The school is outdated, having been built some forty years ago for 250 students and now trying to accommodate more than 800 students; 200 students cannot attend school because of lack of space there.  Many children and youth engage in solvent abuse (gas sniffing).  The rate of youth suicide is extreme.

The Rotary Club of Wellington South has committed up to $3,500 from the "Touch A Word" program to the PlaySense Activity Centre in Guelph for adaptive computer technology...

Rotary Club of Wellington South Donates $12,000 to Tikinagan (First Nations)

The Rotary Club of Wellington South has donated $12,000 to provide a reverse osmosis water purification system for the Pikangikum School.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2011.....We today remember the terrible tragedy of the terrorist attacks against the U.S.  The quest for world peace is even more important since that day.

"Building Peace" takes a look at The Rotary Foundation's Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution program. Hear from the Peace Fellows themselves about the program and learn what they are doing now out in the field.