Port Arthur Rotary Club

Welcome to our Website!

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 Link
Rotary Radio Day 2026
link
At Our Latest Club Meeting...
Retro Lunch- Dec 9 2025
Port Arthur Rotary’s Retro Christmas lunch (2025) marked a return many members had been waiting for. For the first time since the pandemic, the club gathered in person to celebrate the close of the year, renewing a tradition that has long been part of its identity.
Held at the Canadian Legion Branch #5, the sold-out event brought together Rotarians, guests, and prospective members for a classic roast turkey lunch with all the trimmings, followed by an afternoon of music and entertainment. The atmosphere was warm, familiar, and unmistakably festive.
 
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 closed for 2025.  Stay Tuned
 
 
Celebrate a Century of Service with Port Arthur Rotary!
 
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!
Application Form
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    SOCIAL MEDIA
     
    EMAIL
    parotarytb@gmail.com
     
    MAILING ADDRESS
    Post Office Box 33016
    Thunder Bay, ON P7B 0B1
    President

    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
    Lakehead University is proud to be the Home of Port Arthur Rotary Club!
     
    If you would like to attend as a guest or be a keynote speaker, please message Matthew Villella at mavillel@lakeheadu.ca
     
    Lakehead University’s Conference and Food Services is the venue sponsor for our meetings.
    Club Executives & Directors
    President
    Hector Dougall
    President Elect
    Brent Boyko
    Past President
    Matthew Villella
    Co-Treasurer
    Kevin Holloway
    Co-treasurer
    Leslie Savitsky
    Co-Treasurer
    Chad Beaver
    Secretary
    Matthew Diegel
    Membership
    David Legge
    Membership - Co Chair
    Athena Kreiner
    Special Projects Lead
    Shelley Crawford
    Club Trainer
    Warren Philp
    Other
    Brenda Winter
    Director
    Albert Brule
    Director
    Margaret Woods
    Director
    Mark Tilbury
    Director
    Brian Walmark
    Director
    Priscilla Amankwa Owusu
    Director
    Angela Hill
    Meeting Responsibilities
    Zoom Meeting Responsibilities
    Tech Support
    Villella, Matthew
     
    Tech Support
    Holloway, Kevin
     
    Happy Dollar Facilitators-Any Past President that is available for the meeting may be called upon
    File Submissions
     
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