At Our Club Meeting | February 25, 2025

President Matt Villella enjoyed several important presentations; thought provoking, meaningful for our cause, and including great fellowship. Guests included Geoffrey Otto (David Legge), Bill Dann (Brent Boyko), Shirley De Wilde and Audrey Halvorsen (Lakehead Rotary Club) and Craig Sandberg (Fort William Rotary Club).

 

 

 

The honourable Patty Hajdu, MP for Thunder Bay-Superior North, and current Minister of Indigenous Services spoke on how her belief system resonates with that of Rotary.

 

She began by citing the work of author Robert Putnam, author of Bowling Alone. The message: there is undeniable decline in engagement in society. Applying this (its many causes -one simple example social media) to our current daily “crises”, there is positive energy and hope for the future in the work of Rotary. This was a powerful presentation. The question-and-answer period could have taken up the whole meeting easily. Suffice to say, it was a valuable analysis, and the club was grateful for Minister Hajdu’s  effort. She was introduced by her Communications and Outreach and Events Lead Akash Bilaji, himself a new member of our club.

 

Our club key leads at the TB Climate Transition Collaborative have toiled hard to urge the city to speed up the process cited above as part of the urgent need to address all the issues confronting us with climate change and social issues. There is a commitment to a Zero Net Strategy. A sample support letter is available to us all and to broadcast widely to our network supporters. (Contact Marg and John as well as your email communique).

 

 

 

Dr Brian Ross was welcomed to the club. He is an experienced science researcher (in many disciplines), educator and administrator, hailing originally from Glasgow Scotland, living in Thunder Bay since 2004. He is a founding faculty member of the Northern School of Medicine (NOSM). Lifelong learning proceeds as he pursues a master’s degree in psychotherapy, with counselling beyond, focusing on his interest in helping people with mental health and addiction issues.

 

Welcome Brian. You made us aware of your commitment to service through Rotary. Fellowship will also come easily; (he is pictured with President Villella, proposer David Legge and Past President Dave Silliman who read the charge).

 

 

Past President and Rotary Foundation Chair Past President Brenda Winters presented Paul Harris Fellowships to Past-President Warren Philp and President-elect Hector Dougall.

 

 

 

The club appreciates their commitment to service through this prestigious award.

 

 

Thunder Bay Rotary (Tri-Club Environmental) sponsorship of Eco-Superior campaign supporting their Painted Rain Barrel auction resulted in cheque presentation to Erin Moir, with best wishes from reps from all 3 clubs today.