President Cathy Skene opened the meeting with the club's land acknowledgement and the singing of O'Canada led by Dave Morris.

President Cathy’s announced:

Yesterday was World Rotary Day, and the 120th anniversary of Rotary. A great milestone. Rotary is even older than Len van Roon Sr., although not much. If you saw the February 14th issue of the Winnipeg Free Press, you saw Len Sr.’s smiling face on the front page. Len celebrated his 103rd birthday in December. And he’s still growing strong, and has been a great friend to the Assiniboine Forest.

With the abrupt change in temperature the past few days, many may be thinking of spring, and getting out and doing things. And have been getting sent ideas. On March 2rd, the Ecco Singers (that is Jorrell’s choir) will be presenting Release Your Inhibitions. It’s a matinee presentation so you can get there in the daylight. And proceeds are in support of The Dream Factory. Andrew Kussy, Executive Director of the Dream Factory, was our guest speaker awhile back. Tickets are available online either through the Ecco Singers website (eccosingers.com), or The Dream Factory website (thedreamfactory.ca).

Rotary Club of Winnipeg-Transcona is bringing back their Cabin Fever Dinner and Auction event, with proceeds going to some very worthy causes. It will be held on March 21st and individual tickets are $125.

Jack and Lloyd met a lovely lady at an event, and invited her to speak to us. Crystal will be here on April 7th to tell us about her community theatre group, Hood and Dagger. Their next production will be March 13-16 at the Gas Station Arts Centre and tickets are $25. And best of all, proceeds will go to Harvest. Tickets are available online.

At the Remembrance Day meeting, Col. Jody Hansen, of 17 Wing was the speaker. Jody has sent an invitation to 17 Wing’s 100th anniversary dinner. It’s on Friday, April 11 and tickets are $85. Email Cathy if you are interested and she’ll send the link to get tickets.

Last Monday the club didn’t meet because it was Louis Riel Day (www.gov.mb.ca/chc/louis_riel/index.html), a statutory holiday. Cathy went to Fort Whyte Alive where she had volunteered to be a story reader.

It was bitterly cold that day, and there were about eight cars in the parking lot when I arrived. But people did show up, even some who came to go ice fishing and tobogganing. Not one kid wanted a story read to them, but they were very interested in my companions, a garter snake and a mud puppy. We had a lot of fun watching them.

Sarge Mike introduced our guests: Dale & Shelly Oleschuk, and their daughter Adele.

After dinner Glenn Campbell presented to the meeting the background of Youth Exchange and its benefits.

Glenn opened the evening by recognizing the newest outbound Youth Exchange student and providing an overview of the program and its current status. He highlighted the Rotary Club of Winnipeg-Charleswood’s strong history of supporting youth initiatives. The club funds scholarships for three Charleswood high schools, sponsors students for the Adventure in Citizenship program in Ottawa, and has supported delegations for the Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) and the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). Additionally, it collaborates with a local Rotaract club and supports youth through organizations such as Rossbrook House, the Coach program, and West Grove School.

History and Global Impact of Rotary Youth Exchange

Glenn provided a brief history of the Rotary Youth Exchange, which began in 1927 with European students, expanded to Latin America in 1939, and officially became a Rotary International program in 1972. While post-COVID participation numbers have fluctuated, Rotary International estimates that over 8,000 students take part annually in more than 60 countries, with 86% of Rotary districts involved. The Charleswood club has hosted Youth Exchange students approximately 12 times, reinforcing its commitment to the program.

How Youth Exchange Works

The Youth Exchange program selects grade 11 or 12 students to study abroad, where they live with multiple host families, attend school, and act as ambassadors for Canada. Exchange students are expected to engage in Rotary functions and projects, and all club members share responsibility for supporting the program.

In District 5550, Glenn serves on the committee overseeing Youth Exchange. Currently, there are seven or eight exchanges in progress, with a similar number expected for the 2025-2026 school year. However, challenges remain, including a lack of clear policy from Manitoba school boards regarding enrollment for incoming exchange students. This uncertainty has made some Winnipeg clubs hesitant to participate due to the high costs associated with covering a student's tuition.

Adapting to Challenges and Sponsoring an Outbound Student

This year, the Charleswood club adapted by sponsoring a one-way exchange, which does not require hosting an inbound student. After reviewing applications and conducting interviews, the district approved Adele Oleschuk as the club’s long-term outbound Youth Exchange student for 2025-2026. While Adele’s exact location will be confirmed later, she is expected to be placed in France, her first-choice destination.

Looking Ahead: Adele’s Exchange Journey

Moving forward, Adele will participate in orientation sessions and may assist with club activities before departing in August. Once in France, she will provide regular reports to keep the club updated on her experience. Glenn concluded by introducing Adele, describing her as a well-rounded student with a passion for learning, leadership in school activities, and a strong motivation to achieve French-language fluency. He expressed excitement about following Adele’s exchange journey in the year ahead.

Following Glenn’s presentation, Adele’s father, Dale stood up to thank the members of Charleswood Rotary for their support

Dale’s Connection to Rotary Youth Exchange

Dale Oleschuk, Adele’s father, shared his past involvement with the Rotary Youth Exchange program. Before Adele was born, he was a member of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg St James for four years, during which he became actively engaged in the exchange program.

Role as a Youth Exchange Counselor

Initially, Dale participated in the program, but his involvement deepened when he became a counselor for an inbound student from Germany. The student stayed with Dale and his wife, Shelly, for a period while getting oriented to life in Canada. Through this experience, Dale saw firsthand how meaningful the program was, both for the students and their host families.

Observing Student Growth

One of the most rewarding aspects of Dale’s involvement was watching exchange students grow and gain confidence. He attended annual events where students from various countries gathered, witnessing their transformation from shy adolescents into self-assured young adults. Since students from the Northern Hemisphere typically arrived in September and those from the Southern Hemisphere in January, there was always a dynamic mix—some students were newly arrived and adjusting, while others were already thriving. This blend created a supportive environment where students helped each other through the experience.

A Family Connection to Exchange Programs

Dale also shared that Shelly had previously hosted an exchange student, further reinforcing their family’s connection to cultural exchange. Given this background, when Adele began considering study-abroad opportunities, Dale encouraged her to explore the Rotary Youth Exchange program, knowing the impact it could have.

Encouraging Adele’s Participation

Dale’s experience with Rotary Exchange made him a strong advocate for the program, leading him to support Adele’s decision to apply. He concluded by thanking the Rotary Club for their involvement in youth exchange and encouraging continued participation in such a valuable program.

Adele stood up to present her appreciation for being chosen to be part of the Youth Exchange program

Excitement for the Exchange

Adele expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming Youth Exchange experience. While many of her friends have clear plans for university, she is still exploring her options. However, she knows she wants to continue learning, particularly in different countries. The opportunity to study in France is especially meaningful to her because her father’s side of the family is French.

Connecting with Family and Culture

Adele sees the exchange as a way to strengthen her connection to her French heritage and improve her language skills. Although she has been in French immersion since elementary school and is fluent at an immersion level, she hopes to further develop her fluency to match that of her French-speaking relatives.

Interest in Art and Education

She is particularly excited to experience art history firsthand in France, a country known for its rich artistic and cultural history. Visiting museums and historical sites will allow her to deepen her appreciation and understanding of the subject.

Inspired by Others' Experiences

Adele shared that she has heard many positive stories about the Rotary Youth Exchange from her father’s friends, who participated in the program. She also recalled hosting an exchange student from Brazil for a night, which further solidified her interest in the experience. She is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the program and looks forward to all that she will learn.

Future Plans

When asked about her plans after returning from France, Adele said she intends to attend university, likely pursuing studies in the sciences. While she does not have a specific city in France in mind for her exchange, she noted that the country is comparable in size to Alberta, giving her plenty of opportunities to explore.

Happy Bucks

• Chuck watched junior high basketball which should be very civilized. Not so! It was like watching the Jets. There were bodies on the floor, they're getting all tangled up underneath the net. It was absolutely priceless.
• David S was pleased to say he had survived three weeks with his trainer.
• Elaine T was very happy her two daughters took her out shopping for clothes. This was Ed's idea. He financed the shopping trip.
• Ed T was stick curling at the interprovincial at Stonewall. He encourage people to take up stick curling if you hadn't done it before. And saif that "it's quite a good sport and there's potential to do better than we did".
• Glenn returned from a month-long trip to Mexico, renting a car for part of it and driving a big loop through Belize and the Yucatán. Along the way, he had a few run-ins with Mexican police and plenty of rough encounters with topes. Despite the adventurous driving, he returned the car undamaged and decided he won’t be doing that again.
• Cathy had an incredible opportunity to support Epic Opportunities after they visited our club. Generous matching donors pledged to contribute $500 for every dollar the club donated. She was thrilled to share that Tuesday morning she planned to accompany the committee and Stephanie to deliver a check for $1,000.
• For the past couple of weeks, Rod has been participating in the Push-Up Challenge to support the Canadian Mental Health Association. He has been raising funds while completing push-ups, and by the end of this week, he will have reached a total of 2,000 push-ups.
• Cory was happy for two reasons: first, the great weather this week, which could mean an early start to the golf season. Second, the exciting clubhouse renovation at Breezy Bend CC, which is now underway. The project includes replacing all the cedar on the building with Hardie board, wood-look siding, and stone, as well as installing new windows in both buildings. It should be a fantastic upgrade once completed in two months.
• Lyle and his son were out fishing on Lake Winnipeg yesterday when, around 2 or 2:30 PM, they heard a loud rumble that lasted quite a while and shook everything around. On their way out, they drove straight over the ice crack, but by the time they returned, they had to detour about a kilometer and a half to find a safe crossing over the newly formed ridge. Fortunately, they made it back without any breakage or damage. When asked if they caught anything, Lyle replied, “A couple.” How big? “Frying pan size.” It was a full day of fishing—windy, rainy, and pretty intense. The ice had shifted, pushing up as high as the table. When asked if they could have driven over it, the response was, “You could… but you’d have to deal with the consequences!”

Sarge Mike presided over the 50/50 draw. Nancy held the winning ticket drawn by Adele, but didn't find the marble.

Cathy announced next week our speaker will be Christina Dolinski of Prairie Strides. Prairie Strides provides horseback riding for children with intellectual and physical disabilities. Just over a year ago Kyla, who was the acting executive director, spoke to us. Christina is now in the permanent role of Executive Director, and they are working hard to rebuild a solid foundation. Cathy's daughter rode with them when they were called Manitoba Riding for the Disabled nearly 30 years ago. It is an amazing opportunity for the young riders. And they have some really interesting fundraising events.