Rotary Club of Regina

         Club Meeting Report October 5^th, 2026

          In-person, Delta Hotel, 12:00 Noon

1. Meeting Chair:

   President Russ opened the meeting by welcoming all Regina and Eastview club members, and those joining us by Zoom. 

   Our land treaty recognition: “We are on Treaty 4 land.  We recognize our rights and obligations under Treaty 4. As Rotarians, we seek to strengthen relationships between nations and to improve understanding of local Metis and First Nations.  In doing so, we rely on our 4-Way Test to be our guide in what we think, what we say and what we do.”

   This was followed with O Canada led by Allen Hillsden, and the blessing/moment of meditation by George Carson.

2. Speaker Name & Presentation:

   Our speaker today was Past President Ian Yeates, Director Rotary International.

   Ian delivered a presentation on Rotary’s charitable arm known as the Rotary Foundation. He briefly touched on its origin in 1917 and noted it’s mission. Most Rotarians are broadly familiar with the Foundation at least in passing. He pointed out the mechanics of how the resources of the Foundation are managed, with all expenditures deriving from the earnings enjoyed through past donations, now over a century and more from the beginning. These funds have many destinations that have in recent years been organized into six areas of priority: Peace and Conflict Resolution; Disease Prevention and Treatment; Water and Sanitation; Maternal and Child Health; Basic Education and Literacy; and Economic and Community Development. Ian reviewed Foundation spending from the last complete year available (2024-25), observing that by far and away the major expenditures were for the Polio Plus endeavour.

   Polio Plus is an element of Disease Prevention and Treatment, albeit predating this category by decades as it was inaugurated in 1985. Since then, some $2.5 billion has been expended, in co-operation and partnership, with agencies such as the WHO and UNICEF. Another key player has been the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Tremendous success has been the result with 99.9% reduction in the incidence of Polio. Unfortunately, the persistence of the Wild Polio Type 1 virus has continued to affect Pakistan and Afghanistan. Over the last few years improvements have been seen with year-to-date infections totally only 9 cases in both countries. This is very good news, albeit must be taken with a grain of salt as upward spikes have happened in the past. Bottom line: we are indeed very nearly there!

   Ian concluded the discussion by identifying the mechanics of making a donation to the Rotary Foundation, and encouraging all attendees to consider it in their annual giving decision. 

    

   Ian’s presentation was followed by a short announcement by Toshi Shinmura reminding us all of the upcoming Polio Plus fund raising dinner. (See below.) Only 11 tickets left. Please consider attending this most worthwhile event.

    

    

3. Birthdays and Anniversaries:

   Birthdays: Gilda Treleaven-Graham - October 24^th. 

   She was treated to a stirring rendition of Happy Birthday!

   Anniversaries: Mitch Zaba - 14 years; Katherine Bergman - 15 years; Carole Bryant - 18 years;

 Alison Green - 29 years.

4. Reports and Announcements: 

• Community Service at Soul’s Harbour, 1632 Angus Street, on October 15^th, 4:00 - 6:00 pm. We serve the meals, pickup dirty dishes and put away the tables.  Signup sheets were available. Our next date is November 19^th.

•  SPECIAL FUND APPEAL FOR SOUL’S HARBOUR. Soul’s Harbour is in urgent need of a new dishwasher, cost $18,000.  Without this health regulations would necessitate closure of their meal program. The club has committed to this purchase and has contributed $4,000. from the fund-raising AI dinner and pancake breakfast. This leaves some $14,000. to be raised.  Please consider donating to the Regina Rotary Community Fund to support this most worthwhile cause. You can mail a cheque payable to the Regina Rotary Club Community Fund Inc at P.O. Box 164, Regina, S4P 2Z6, or you can donate by credit card by clicking on the “Donate to the Community Fund” button on the top right-hand corner of our club homepage. A tax receipt will be issued for all donations. If you have any questions, feel free to give our Treasurer, Ian Toms a call at 306-550-6692. No donation amount is too small as they all add up to help us reach our goal. 

• Rotary’s theme for October is Community and Economic Development and our efforts for the benefit of Souls Harbour are consistent with this theme.

5. Other Newsworthy Items:

President Russ: “Thanks to Carole for organizing the meeting. Thanks to Ian Toms for setup and take down, Doreen Pankewich and Shannon Windrim at reception, Al Goudie for recording attendance, Bob Terichow for greeting, Allen Hillsden for leading us in O Canada, Art Wakabayashi for 50-50, Joanna Alexander for 4 Way Test and Stewart Graham for acting as our Reporter.”

President Russ invited all members to consider volunteering for one of these tasks.

• The 50/50 pot was $253.00. No winner.
• Joanna Alexander closed the meeting by leading us in the 4-WayTest.

6. Attendance: Regina Club - 13; Eastview Club - 10; Zoom - 2:

7. Next Meetings:

• October 15^th - in-person meeting hosted by Eastview Club. Delta Hotel - 12:00 Noon
• November 2^nd - in-person meeting hosted by Regina Club. Delta Hotel - 12:00 Noon.