Port Arthur Rotary Club

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ABOUT US

Established in 1924, Port Arthur Rotary is a service organization of volunteers who come together to provide humanitarian service, promote high ethical standards, and foster goodwill & peace from Thunder Bay to worldwide.

For over 100 years, we have been upholding the Rotary Motto of "Service Above Self." We are People of Action who believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world's persistent issues.

With over 1.2 million members and more than 45,000 Clubs worldwide, we share the same goal of working together to:

Promote Peace
Fight Disease
Provide Clean Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
Improve Maternal and Child Health
Support Education
Grow Local Economies
Protect the Environment

MISSION

We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

VISION

Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

Rotary Radio Day 2026

At Our Club Meeting | January 27, 2026

MEETING NOTES JANUARY 27, 2026

President Hector Dougall chaired a standing room crowd of members and guests on a frigid January day at the Bartley Conference Centre. Welcomed were guests John Zelinski, Dr Sudip Rakshit, Marc Laliberte, Erin and Matthew Waddington.

FEATURE PRESENTATION:

Dr. Mark Henderson returned to the club for a timely update on the Our Hearts at Home Cardiovascular Surgery Program, accompanied by Chantal Boutotte: Manager of Major Gifts at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. They are pictured with President Hector Dougall.

Dr. Henderson was the first interventionist cardiologist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and remains an important cog in this groundbreaking new program dedicated to "Healing Our Hearts at Home" cardiac surgery for the Northwestern Ontario region (the size of France).

He was introduced by past president Rod Morrison, a strong supporter along with spouse Lesley Bell.

The presentation began with a fine video overview of cardiac care in the northwest, the TBRHSC and essentials of the vital need (our high morbidity and mortality rates, our geography, our pathology burden and mitigation of all the associated barriers to care). The surgery program will be linked to the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre at the University Health Network in Toronto, Ontario). Building construction is expected to be completed in 2028.

The new 14 bed unit, new Coronary Care Unit and Cardiovascular Ambulatory Care facility will accompany a dedicated operating room for vascular surgery including endovascular aneurysm repair and much more.

The Foundation is pleased to assist with donations. Rotarians have already benefited and will continue supporting this very important health care program for all residents in this area. A full description is available at healthsciencesfoundation.ca

This was a superb presentation with many questions and discussion. Chantal and Dr Henderson were thanked by President Dougall!

ROTARY FOUNDATION:
Lead Past President Brenda Winter spoke on the importance of financial support to the foundation, empahasizing how local initiatives can be healed using District Grants.

Mary Anne Mackett was presented with her first Paul Harris pin and was congratulated by all.

UPDATE HIGHLIGHTS

Dew Drop Inn - January 22 (D. Silliman). There were 330 recipients.
Salvation Army Kettle campaign summary: Rotarians assisted with garnering $3,889 towards a record revenue of $365,120. (Bill Green)
Our Y2Y (Youth to Youth ) program under the HIP (Honouring Indigenous People) has selected 2 youth from this area for this years session at 6 Nations, Ontario. Matthew Waddington spoke to his nomination accompanied by his mom Erin. Past rep from our club Olivia Kembel was there to endorse the value the program, accompanied by her mom, member Amy Kembel (Shelley Crawford).
Rotary Radio Day enters the final 2 weeks and a strong push for additional ads is necessary and vital to sustain our many goals (Hector Dougall and Matt Villella)
Waterfront Trail Rotary Action Team-updated with request for more Rotarian input/volunteering: International Trails day approaching (Warren Philp)
Happy Birthdays and Happy Dollars (always enjoyable and helpful bonding members): (Bob Tomlinson and Doug Shanks)

More Meeting Summaries

Want to Be a Rotarian? Join our Club!

Are you looking at making a Difference? Are you looking at joining a community organization that has been impactful to our community for 100 years?

Please contact Past President Shelley Crawford at shelleyccrawford@gmail.com with a short bio about yourself.

Membership Information

Rotary HIP and Toronto-Based Donors Provide Laptops

Rotary HIP and Toronto-based Donors Provide Refurbished Laptops to Indigenous Groups in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay, ON – A collaborative effort from Siemens Energy Canada, a German-based company with a subsidiary in Canada, Corporations for Community Connections and Honouring Indigenous Peoples (HIP) from Toronto and Montreal brought much-needed technology to Indigenous organizations in the Thunder Bay area.

During May 8th and 9th, the visitors distributed refurbished laptops to Nokiiwin Tribal Council, the Ontario Native Women’s Association, Dennis Franklin Cromarty School, Fort William First Nation and Mishkeegogamang First Nation, aiming to shorten the digital divide and enhance educational opportunities for First Nations youth in the region. “The need is much greater,” said Brian Walmark, a HIP volunteer, I hope our visitors have seen that this donation only scratches the surface of the need across the North.”

The initiative, a partnership of Siemens Energy Canada, Corporations for Community Connections and HIP, a not for profit created by Rotary, involves the collection and refurbishment of over 80 laptops donated by Siemens Energy Canada in Toronto and refurbished BY the Corporations for Community Connections in Montreal. The laptops were distributed by rotary HIP volunteers. “These laptops, now fully operational and equipped with essential software,” said Philip Schaus, President and CEO of Corporations for Community Connections, “are set to benefit students and community members in Thunder Bay, where access to digital resources has been historically limited.”

HIP, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering relationships and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, emphasized the importance of technology in today’s educational landscape. "Access to technology is a crucial factor in educational success and economic opportunity," said Rotarian Brian Walmark, a representative from HIP. "By providing these laptops, we're helping to level the playing field for Indigenous students and community members."

A going away dinner for the visitors was held and attended by local leaders and representatives from the Indigenous groups and Rotary. Chief Michelle Solomon of Fort William First Nation and Chief Merle Loon of Mishkeegogamang First Nation personally accepted the refurbished laptops on behalf of their respective First Nations.

Arne Wohlschlegel, President and Managing Director of Siemens Energy Canada said the visit to Indigenous groups located in Thunder Bay was an eye-opening experience. “There is a great need to get these laptops into the hands of Indigenous Peoples in Northern Ontario,” he said. “This serves their need and it keeps these laptops out of the landfill. It’s a win / win for all of us and I look forward to seeing these donations expand across Canada and the Untied States.”

This donation is part of a broader effort by HIP and its partners to support Indigenous communities through technology, education, and cultural, and sports initiatives, aiming to foster a more inclusive and equitable society by building bridges between Newcomers and Indigenous Peoples through Truth and Reconciliation.

Click Me!

Special thanks to our Club Sponsor The UPS Store. Thank you for everything you do for Port Arthur Rotary!

Looking for some funds from our Allocations Committee?

Allocations open for 2026- Apply By Feburary 20, 2026

We are excited to share some of our allocations funds for this year with Not-For-Profits in Thunder Bay serving those in need. We are especially looking to support organizations working with the homeless, the hungry, youth, and First Nations communities.

How to Apply
Our centennial year has been a milestone of generosity, enabling us to make a significant impact. We will be distributing these funds through a rigorous allocations process, managed by a dedicated committee of volunteers who will review applications from across the region. Please note: Requests for operational funding will not be considered.

Funding Limits
Minimum Request: $500
Maximum Request: $2,500

Due Date: April 30, 2025

Submission Guidelines
The application process is open now. Submit your application form as soon as possible!

Only electronic submissions submitted by email will be accepted.

To apply, click here for the Rotary Allocation Form, or download the application by clicking the button below. Once completed, email your application to Brian Walmark at bwalmark@tbaytel.net. Be sure to include Allocations in the title.

Need Help?
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Brian Walmark at bwalmark@tbaytel.net.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of our historic celebration and make a lasting difference in our community!

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EMAIL

parotarytb@gmail.com

MAILING ADDRESS

Post Office Box 33016
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 0B1

Hector Dougall

Port Arthur Rotary will enter a new century of service this coming year. The Rotarians that have worked so hard, over so many years, to build our community and who travelled the globe to help those in need, deserve a huge thank you. I am so proud to be among the giants… to be able to count on the good will, the passion and the hard work of our members.

Let’s make this a banner year, as we boldly tackle the challenges of our time. Join us in fellowship, in service and in celebration of a century of Port Arthur Rotary.

We meet In Person

Tuesdays at 12:00 p.m.

Lakehead University, Bartley Residence Conference Centre

955 Oliver Rd
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1
Canada

We meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the Month. Lunch is available, and orders must be placed 1 week in advance by emailing Matthew Villella at mavillel@lakeheadu.ca

District Site

Venue Map