November is Rotary Foundation Month, a time for us to celebrate the heart of Rotary’s impact. For more than a century, The Rotary Foundation has turned generosity into action, helping us fund projects that fight disease, strengthen communities, and create lasting change.

 

Last year alone, we supported over 2,000 global grants and $130 million in program awards that provided clean water, improved health, and advanced education around the world. Together, we continue a 109-year legacy of doing good that includes and reaches far beyond our own communities.

 

On November 5, 2025, our Club came together for a truly memorable Remembrance Day Dinner—an evening filled with pride, gratitude, and community spirit.

 

 

The night was made especially meaningful by the presence of 100-year-old Jack Robertson, a distinguished Pilot Officer and Navigator with the Royal Canadian Air Force, accompanied by Past President Robert O’Brien, who led a heartfelt toast to both past and present veterans. Past President Susan Howson delivered a stirring reading of In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, reminding us all of the courage, sacrifice, and resilience that define the spirit of service.

 

 

 

Congratulations:  It was one of our largest gatherings this year, and the fellowship in the room was palpable. 

 

As we reflected, Paul Taylor (Trumpeter) moved the audience with the poignant notes of Reveille, creating a moment of solemn remembrance as we honoured our veterans and those we’ve lost.

 

  

 

We were also privileged to hear from our keynote speaker, Joanne Simons, CEO and CFO of Casey House, who shared inspiring insights into how Casey House continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of our communities and those living with complex illnesses.

 

 

 

October 24-26 was our Rotary District 7070 Conference, held at the Fern Resort just outside Orillia.

 

If you’ve not been to a district conference, I highly recommend the experience. Whether a younger member or seasoned, new to Rotary or a veteran, supremely active or just getting your feet wet – there’s inevitably something to pique your interest.  Or several things.

 

   

Saturday morning kicked off with a detailed and thoughtful Land Acknowledgment from our own Bill Empey.  From there, emcee Patrick Bennet ably kept most things on track as the program progressed.  We heard from a man who climbed down more than 90 floors from the South Tower on 9/11; a Tibetan Rotarian whose family fled during the Chinese invasion, and her journey since; and were inspired by a presentation from three STEM students who presented their research on developing a novel new shark-avoidance commercial fishing net.  That may sound dry, but as the risks to this apex predator impact in many ways, their viability is important.  As a bonus, their methodology reduces costs for fishing fleets as well.  A true win-win.

As an aside, in chatting with the three young ladies at lunch, they were asked what it would cost to build their prototype.  I don’t think they were expecting the response from Rotarians:  when pressed, I got a figure of $3,000.  By the end of dinner that evening, $4,500 was raised!

 

 

This year there were several hands-on breakout sessions, where you could help pack food for Kids Against Hunger, participate in indigenous dance with HIP, or talk a hike through the woods to different stations to learn about international water projects.

DG Niecy encouraged fun throughout.  An afternoon polar plunge had more than 40 Rotarians, Rotaractors and Youth Exchange students taking a dip in the lake to raise funds for the End Polio Campaign.  At the dinner, I do not think I have ever seen so many adults in a onesie at one time.  (Don’t ask.)  The evening ended with dancing, billiards, darts, arcade games – and of course the Jays game.

 

And of course, if you’re seeking fellowship, there are Friday evening hospitality suites, and a big dance and social evening after the Saturday dinner.  It’s all a great opportunity to chat with our Club members who attend at a more leisurely pace than our meetings will allow; but also to meet many like-minded souls from Alliston to Belleville.  If you listen carefully, you may gain access to one of the secret speakeasies, where libations and laughs abound.  

 
In some respects, you can think of a district conference as an International Convention on training wheels.  I encourage you to come ride along. Next year, it’s being held in Toronto. Register here.