This week's Bulletin is longer than usual because we did not have club meetings on the past two Fridays due to our annual BBQ and Thanksgiving … but Rotary never stops, so we're catching up here. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING!
Friday, October 23, 2026 - our weekly club meeting will be virtual…online only, and not in-person at the ICC. A zoom link will be sent out to members. For members who would still like to meet in-person on October 23rd, Tracey Curtis warmly invites us to her home to participate in the virtual meeting together. Email Tracey for details so she has an idea of how many people to expect.
Friday, November 6, 2026 - our club's annual Remembrance Day meeting will start at 12 noon and run until 1:45pm. This year, our guest speaker will be Andrea Moyer, a Guelph teacher (and Reading Buddy friend of Rotary) who has educated thousands of young students about Remembrance Day through her extensive efforts in arranging extensive learning activities and school assemblies for 25+years. She will be joined by Alex Fitzgerald-Black, the Executive Director of the Juno Beach Canada Association. This will be a very special meeting that we hope all Rotarians will attend, and that you will also bring friends and family. Sign up HERE.
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CLUB PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Our club joins Guelph in mourning the tragic passing of Steve Zago, founding partner of the City's much-loved Lost Aviators Coffee company, and a partner in our Rotary Club's former fundraising project, Good Coffee for a Better World. Lost Aviator announced Steve's death in a flying accident in Fergus on October 9, 2026 - doing what he loved. The outpouring of community love from all quarters is testament to his impact in making the world a better place, and he will be sorely missed.
Join me in congratulating our very own Ruth Thatcher for receiving the Ontario Volunteer Service Award for her many years of volunteering at the Guelph General Hospital as well as at our Rotary Club of Guelph. Read more on our home page HERE.
October is an amazing month for celebrating Rotary Anniversaries, and we're giving special acknowledgement and thanks to these members for their 20+ years of Rotary service:
Bonnie Evans - 25 years at our club, plus 8+ years at the Fergus club
Paul Dredge - 30 years
Lawrie Jones - 54 years
Barb Holmes - 36 years
Paddy Grist - 24 years
Randy Wilson - 49 years
It is a privilege to serve with such a dedicated group of people. You are a vital part of Guelph's resilience, helping to keep our city strong, connected, and supported. Thank you for the impact you make every day by demonstrating Service Above Self.
Have a great week.
Crista Renner
Club President 2026-2027
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JOIN US!
Wed, October 21, 2026 at 8:45am- Rotary's annual flag raising at Guelph City Hall to recognize World Polio Day. See details on our home page 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 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.
Wednesday November 18, 2026 - Canada vs. Scotland Rotary Curling! The visiting Rotary Scotland Curling Team faces off against the Rotary Canada Curling Team at the Guelph Curling Club, 816 Woolwich Street, Guelph. The tournament is from 10am - 12noon, followed by a $25 lunch at the Curling Club. All fans are welcome and encouraged to attend!
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.
Discover new ways to strengthen your club and community impact
Meet fellow Rotarians and exchange powerful ideas
Complete all three sessions and earn your RLI Certificate Spots are limited — register for your session using these links:
Wed. Oct 28 from 4:30pm to 7pm: help host a room for kids to visit
For the Trick-or-Treat night, arrive dressed in your Halloween best, being mindful of costumes, masks and propos that may be triggering or uncomfortable for others. You will be handing out edible and non-edible treats to children and families, creating a welcoming, inclusive and festive Halloween experience that is accessible and sensory-friendly for all attendees.
If you’re ready to spread Halloween magic, please create aBetter Impactprofile(KidsAbility’s Volunteer platform) and sign up to join KidsAbility in making this event unforgettable for KidsAbility clients and community members.
Night Light Walk for Women In Crisis - Thurs. Oct 22, 2026
This great cause needs volunteers (like Rotarians!) to lend the organizers a hand from 5:30 to 8:30pm on October 22nd at Royal City Park South, 30 Albert Street, with tasks such as
directing participants on the course
participant check in
food, drink and shoe light distribution
event set up and take down
The event is the Royal LePage® Shelter Foundation™ Night Light Walk™. It's a 3km walk under the stars supporting women and children experiencing domestic violence and will directly support Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis. All volunteers will receive an exclusive Royal LePage® Shelter Foundation™ Night Light Walk™ red toque with built-in light and an LED glow bracelet.
More details about the event can be found on the event website.
If you are available to assist as a volunteer, sign up at this link.
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REMINDERS
Vulnerable Sector Police Checks and Declarations for club members … have you submitted yours yet? Review our club's police check policy and forms submission process HERE.
The Rotary Winter Clothing Drive run by our friends at the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium (aka The Wednesday Morning Club) is in progress. See details HERE.
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OUR PROGRAM ON OCTOBER 16th, 2026
🦫 Can to Scot 🏴
Our guest speaker was Donna Buchan from the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium. A keen curler, she was Captain of the Rotary 2024 Canada-to-Scotland Rotary Curling Tour Team, and she is now Host Chairperson of the incoming Scotland-to-Canada Rotary Curling Tour in November 2026. This biannual alternating Rotary Fellowship event has been ongoing since 1956 and fulfills the first and fourth Objects of Rotary:
(1) The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service.
(4) The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace, through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
Donna shared experiences and well known names from Guelph Rotary Clubs who have represented the Canadian team in past years, including our very own Helmuth Slisarenko in 2006.
Come on out on Wednesday November 18, 2026 for the Canada vs. Scotland Rotary Curling Tournament!The visiting Rotary Scotland Curling Team faces off against the Rotary Canada Curling Team at the Guelph Curling Club, 816 Woolwich Street, Guelph. The tournament is from 10am - 12noon, followed by a $25 lunch at the Curling Club. All fans are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Discover new ways to strengthen your club and community impact
Meet fellow Rotarians and exchange powerful ideas
Complete all three sessions and earn your RLI Certificate
