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.

At Our Club Meeting | June 9, 2026

President elect Brent Boyko welcomed a full house to today’s meeting. It commenced with a reflection, land acknowledgement, toast to the king and memorial tribute to the recent death of member Dr. Paul De Bakker (David Legge).

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Rotary Grants to Improve Healthcare Access in Western Kenya

Nebraska optometrist Dr. Kim Baxter presented a truly inspiring account of the Craig Memorial Rotary Clinic, opened in Kakamega County (western Kenya) in 2024, supplying eye examinations and glasses to local residents. Dr. Baxter’s son Craig was an important early proponent with his dad (an optometry student), who died tragically 14 years ago before the dream was achieved.

His account featured great “story telling, excellent on-site photo images of the work and grateful patients, and subsequent enlargement of the scope to include important advances there and environs in medical care in vision, pediatrics, maternal health care and more. On the last trip, it was noted there were 26 volunteers, confirming the power and longevity of the original project. Dr. Baxter drove all the way from his district 5630 Nebraska home to meet and spread the word.

Legendary Nipigon Rotarian Dan Brown was also instrumental in his support and was at the meeting. They are pictured with PA Rotarians Roly Turner (past DG and International Rotary lead), and president elect of PAR Brent Boyko).

Dr. Baxter’s message and story telling was riveting and a powerful statement of the international impact of Rotary (kabaxter54@gmail.com).

Dan Brown received a Paul Harris Fellowship supplement recognizing his long-standing Rotary Foundation financial support.

KEY ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Membership renewals: Going well with members encouraged to follow through (Kevin Holloway)

2. Major Fellowship Event: Tuesday July 7th -Rotary Sailing (6 pm to 8:30 pm) at waterfront. 30 plus limit. Sign ups svp (Susan Bailey)

3. Thunder Bay District Health Unit Active (transportation for health) Commute Challenge (June 1 -30: details on TBDHU website) (Marg Woods)

4. Temporary Shelter Village (alternative to encampments) presentation with guests FW Male Choir) at Salvation Army Journey to Life Centre- June 9th(Albert Brule)

5. National Indigenous Peoples Day -June 21st at Anemki Wajiw-free, all welcome (Andrei Rosario)

6. Ethnic Food Picnic- celebration of cuisines, cultures and community (Roopa Rakshit): Moose Hall June 13th

7. WTRCAT Roll and Stroll recap at waterfront June 6-over 100 participants (with major Rotarian support) and excellent coverage on International Trails Day was big success (Warren Philp)

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 #96! Thank you for everything you do for Port Arthur Rotary!

Looking for some funds from our Allocations Committee?

Allocations Closed for 2026- stay tuned for 2027

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

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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

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