ELECTION OF CLUB DIRECTORS FOR 2027-2029: Five current directors on our club's Board will be ending their two-year terms of office on June 30, 2026, and we are starting the election process to nominate and appoint five new directors. We are calling on club members for nominations to be emailed to Brian Martinby November 12th. This could be indicating your own willingness to serve on our board, or nominating someone else. Election will take place at our AGM, now rescheduled for December 4, 2026 at the ICC and online (it will be a hybrid meeting).
Reminder …
Please pre-register attendance at our club meetings for yourself and guests, so that the ICC can prepare the correct number of seats and meals.
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OUR CLUB'S REMEMBRANCE DAY ASSEMBLY
Each year, our club holds a Remembrance event on the closest Friday before November 11th. On November 6, 2026 we had two wonderful speakers: Andrea Moyer and Alex Fitzgerald Black.
Andrea is our club's school partner for our Reading Buddy program, and through working together, we had become aware of her deep commitment to educating students every year about Remembrance. As a military wife, with strong connections and volunteering with her local Legion, her engagement in Remembrance is extensive and heartfelt. She showed wonderful examples of how the students, teachers and families at her school participate in the Remembrance activities that she initiates. She also shared photos and stories from her Juno Beach Education Institute trip to Normandy last summer, as one of 20 teachers chosen from across Canada for this honour, and one of only two that were elementary school teachers. Her presentation was super interesting and engaging for all present!
The program concluded with information shared by Alex, a published historian who is Executive Director of the Juno Beach Canada Association, and who happens to now live in Guelph, sharing some details about the Juno Beach museum and upcoming plans.
Both Andrea and Alex had brought interesting artefacts that were displayed for all to see. Andrea also brought post cards for the audience to write greetings and appreciation to military members serving overseas alongside her husband Rick who is on currently deployment in Belgium.
Altogether, our Remembrance Day Assembly was simply wonderful, and made even more special by our club presenting Andrea with a well-deserved Honourary Paul Harris Fellow award, for her 25+ years of Service Above Self in educating thousands of students, plus hundreds of teachers and parents about Remembrance.
Lest We Forget.
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A MESSAGE FROM OUR CLUB PRESIDENT
This week's meeting was deeply moving. Andrea Moyer's commitment to educating young people about Remembrance, and her personal sacrifice as a military spouse, made me think a lot about our fellow member, Eleni Bakopoulos. She was a young mother while her husband, Sean Carscadden was deployed in Humanitarian and Peacekeeping missions in Honduras and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The toll it must take on a family!
It also made me think about those from our Club who fought in WWII. Dr. William (Bill) Winegard was one of our most prominent members who joined the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve at age 17, serving from 1942 to 1945. He went on to become the youngest officer in the history of the Canadian Navy. Within our Club, he was known as "the last veteran". Dr. Winegard instigated and fundraised for a bronze statue of John McCrae at Guelph's Museum, unveiled on the 100th anniversary of "In Flanders Fields" on May 3, 2015.
There are several opportunities to deliberately pause and reflect on the sacrifices many men and women have made for our freedom. Next Wednesday morning, a ceremony begins at 8:55 AM at Colonel John McCrae House, followed by a parade from Farquhar Street to the Sleeman Centre, where a service will be held at 10:10am. Guelph Museum also has several other events you can attend to commemorate Canadian Veterans. You can find details HERE.
Lest we forget.
Crista Renner
Club President 2026-2027
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MEMBER NEWS
Rosemary Clark is recovering very well from her surgery. Visits and emails are welcome!
Our member, Aidan Harris, was interviewed by the University of Guelph for their alumnae series “Where are they now?”. Read it HERE.
We are sad to learn that Maggie Whittaker, widow of our late member Charlie Whittaker and mother of our member Michele Richardson, has passed away.
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GUELPH COMMUNITY REACHING OUT TO ROTARY
“Faces to Names”, a Guelph-based registered charity, is looking for families who have photographs, letters or personal items connected to someone named on the Guelph Cenotaph. They are invited to bring those keepsakes and their stories to Remembrance Discovery Day on Sunday, November 22, from 1-3pm, at the Guelph Civic Museum.
“Guelph Community Pulse” is a new initiative by Guelph Today to establish a broad registry of residents from all walks of life who want to weigh in on what matters most in our city. The first Community Pulse full-day, in-person Community Conversation will be held with a representative group of 12-14 residents on December 12th, 2026. Read more and sign up for Community Pulse on Guelph TodayHERE.
The annual Christmas Kettle Campaign is starting soon, and the Salvation Army is urgently reaching out for volunteers. You can choose your shift and locationHEREor email Riya Soni atkettles@guelphsa.ca.
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TAKE NOTE OF THESE DATES AND EVENTS … Rotary has a lot going on
ADOPT-A-FAMILY CAMPAIGN 2026: Our club's annual fundraising is underway, and our volunteers have already started shopping for our designated families. It shocked us to see that one family's wish list was for baby formula, not toys - an indicator of how much families are struggling to meet basic needs. Currently, we've reached 50% of our $4,000 collection goal. We'd love for you to contribute as soon as possible, as the shopping is already underway. All the details are HERE.
Monday, November 9, 2026 at 7pm- our club's annual New Member Orientation Wine & Cheese Meetingat the offices of Intrigue Media. Sign up HERE.
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 3pm- the official opening of the Wyndham House foster care home and unveiling of our club's tribute to Margaret Trainor at the new “Suffolk Care Collaborative” at 74 Suffolk Street W. This includes a wall mural and plaque honouring Margaret, as well as recognition of our club's financial support for the Sensory Room and Study Corners. There will be some speeches, light refreshments, and a tour of this space. Please RSVP if you plan to attend so that Wyndham House can account for space, food and accommodations. Click here to RSVP: fill in one RSVP form per person attending
Monday, November 16, 2026 - Rotarians are invited to attend the Rotaract Guelph club meeting from 5:30-6:30pm in the Summerlee Science Complex, room 1306, on campus. Come out and meet our wonderful young Rotarians and learn about their many activities. No RSVP required - just show up!
Wednesday November 18, 2026 - here are two things for you to do and know.
November 18th, it's Canada vs. Scotland Rotary Curling at the Guelph Curling Club, 816 Woolwich Street, Guelph. The tournament is from 10am - 12noon, followed by a $25 fellowship lunch at the Curling Club. All fans are welcome and encouraged to attend! And if you wish to stay for lunch after the curling, you must book ahead by etransferring your pre-payment to treasurer@trilliumrotary.org by November 12th in order to provide the caterer with numbers in good time. In the message box with your etransfer, please indicate your name(s) so they know to expect you. Cost for lunch (soup, quiche and cake) will be $25 each.
By end of November 18th, register to attend the Combined Rotary Clubs of Guelph Christmas party on December 3rd at Springfield, from 6-9pm and organized by Laurie Lantaigne from the Guelph Trillium Club. Cost is $50 per person including one free drink and enough snacky food for it to be “dinner” while we mix and mingle with Rotary Guelph friends. Sign up HERE and indicate any dietary requirements.
Saturday, November 21, 2026 - Rotary Leadership Institute training. The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) returns on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at University of Guelph (University Centre) and you're invited to be part of this dynamic day of learning, growth, and fellowship. Whether you're just beginning or advancing through RLI levels 1, 2, or 3, this day long interactive experience will expand your Rotary knowledge, sharpen your leadership skills, and connect you with passionate members from across District 7080. Cost is $75 per person to cover the location and meal expenses. It's an excellent investment in your Rotary journey!
Friday, December 4, 2026 - our club's Annual General Meeting. It's an important meeting for all club members to attend at the ICC or online (a hybrid meeting). The zoom link will be shared ahead of time.
Friday, December 11, 2026 - our club's annual Christmas Dinner will take place at the ICC. Invite friends and family! Details coming soon.
Saturday, December 12, 2026 - SPARKLES IN THE PARK OPENSand runs every evening up to and including New Year's Eve, December 31st. There are over 400 volunteers slots to be filled this year. Signup sheets are coming very soon.
