July 2026

Charity Car Wash
Markham Village Community Centre

Jul. 12, 2026
10:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
CPR Training and Certification
Honda Canada Headquarters

Aug. 22, 2026
8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Rotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders. Members of Rotary clubs, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

There are 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. As signified by the motto Service Above Self, Rotary's main objective is service - in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world.

Are you interested in being involved and volunteering in Markham? The Markham-Unionville Rotary Club welcomes you to visit one our friendly dinner meetings and consider becoming a part of the Rotary Club. We are a group of 20+ professional men and women who meet on a regular basis to see what we can do to make a difference in our community, and beyond.

Our Club assists many local charities, events, and organizations like The Markham-Stouffville Hospital, Unionville Home Society, Markham Museum. Markham Fall Fair, Evergreen Hospice, Markham-Stouffville Family Life Center, Milne Park Forest Restoration, Student Awards for the local High Schools, Walk For Life, Markham Santa Claus Parade, Markhaven Seniors Home, Markham Farmers' Market, The Unionville Jazz Festival and Student Exchange Programs. We are also involved in helping to eradicate Polio and numerous other charitable causes around the world. We even have our very own Choir!

Markham Rotary Community Rotaract Club . The Rotary Club of Markham Sunrise and the Markham-Unionville Rotary Club are proud to announce that the Rotaract Club of Markham received a Certificate of Organization on May 21, 2018.

Contact Info: https://www.facebook.com/markhamrotaract/ RotaractMarkham@gmail.com

What’s Rotaract Club? There are roughly 10904 Rotaract clubs 250792 Rotractors from 184 countries. Rotaract clubs bring together people ages 18-30 to exchange ideas with leaders in the community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun while providing service. In communities worldwide, Rotary and Rotaract members work side by side to take action through service. From big cities to rural villages, Rotaract is changing communities like yours.

Markham Rotary Community Interact Club

What is an Interact Club ? Interact club brings together young people from the ages 12 – 18 to develop leadership skills, discover the power of service to others above self and at the same time have fun while implementing initiatives and projects. There are more than 20372 Interact Clubs and 468556 Interactors from 159 countries as of April 2018.

How do I join? If you live in Markham you can contact Markham Rotary Interact Community by email : markhaminteract@gmail.com or facebook page at www.facebook.com/markhaminteract or following them on twitter and instargram @markhaminteract. For other locations, please visit http://www.rotary7070.org/sitepage/interact-1 to find out other interact clubs within Greater Toronto Area.

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Christmas Party 2022

Nov 29, 2022

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Decoding QR Codes for Nonprofits

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June is Rotary Fellowships Month

Rotary Fellowships are groups of Rotary members, spouses, and Rotaractors who share a common interest in recreational activities, sports, hobbies, or professions, Further their vocational development with others in the same profession or field and enhance their Rotary experience by exploring new opportunities and making connections around the world.

When Covid protocols limited in person meeting opportunities, Markham-Unionville Rotary members, family and friends began weekly "Walk in the Woods" hikes to explore the trails and pathways in Markham parks, Conservation Areas and adjacent Rouge National Urban Park, as well as fellowship on local 4 season coffee shop patios.

May is Youth Service Month

Rotary’s programs are developing the next generation of leaders, providing funding to make the world a better place, and making peace a priority.

Youth Service (commonly referred to as New Generations) is Rotary 5th Avenue of Service and comes a variety of forms throughout our District and the Rotary world - including: Rotaract, Interact, Rotary Youth Exchange and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.

Tree of Remembrance

Club held 'Tree of Remembrance' week ends at Starbucks on Main Street Unionville on behalf of Markham Food Bank (December 12-14) and Evergreen Hospice (December 19-21).

2025 Santa Claus Parade

Meeting News November 18, 2025

Meeting News November 18, 2025 meeting at Old Country Inn, Unionville. Continued with less formal 'Fireside' format; attendance 33%. Following clubs experiment with weekly meetings in November, president Ken recommended that club reduce number of formal meetings each month.

Published November birthdays include Ken Chin 7th, Thomas Chu 8th, Thomas Mo 12th and Peter Still 24th.

Santa Claus Parade on 29th - need all hands to help decorate, carry Rotary banner and act as road guards for large trailer provided to club and Tone Dogs by Griffith Landscaping. Float decor will include tree and large wrapped boxes. Sharda volunteered to wrap the 'gift boxes'. Sal will distribute volunteer sign up sheet. Peter will bring past year's decorations and signs to decoration site (Alma Walker Park on Roseway) by 08:00 Saturday 29th. Shusmita proposed handing out candies and will prepare Rotary labels and Sal will prepackage for distribution by additional volunteers.

Club's annual Christmas Dinner, Friday December 12th at Old Country Inn - members asked to ,rsvp, to Amar and Sal. Markham Sunrise Club members, Mayor and District Governor also invited. Cost to members $75, including salad, dessert, coffee, tax and tip. A Holiday Wheelmark will be published with details - such as asking for appropriate donations to Food Bank or 360 Kids.

Sal reported on application to participate in Richmond Hill's Charity Bingo. The following Resolution will be submitted to full membership for approval:

"RESOLVED that the club submit a Lottery Licensing Eligibility Application to the City of Richmond Hill for a Bingo license to participate in Richmond Hill' Bingo World charity bingos"

Next week's meeting will focus on Membership and ''How to be a Vibrant Club'' from Best Practices in Rotary Planning Guide to help define where members want the club to be in three to five years and long range goals related to service projects, membership, leadership development.

Meeting News October 28, 2025

Meeting Notes from meeting held at Old Country Inn October 28, 2025. Attendance 40%.

Reminder - club will meet Tuesdays at Old Country Inn for at least the next month.

Sgt-at-Arms: no fines or 50:50 this week - possibility of double or nothing next week to make it interesting

World Polio Day - October 24th - members, guests and city counsellors raised the End Polio Now flag and received the Mayor's proclamation at Town Centre; guest speaker was Dauna Jones-Simmonds, President of the Toronto Rotary Club.

Sal, Sharda and Ross shared news from this weekend's District 7070 Conference at Fern Resort in Orillia. A lively event with amazing speakers and activities which at same time raised money for the Foundation - $20,000 from DG Niecy's Polio Plus Plunge into Lake Couchiching - and over $3,000 to fund a girl's STEM project. Keynote speaker , Joe Dittmar, recounted his survival from South Tower of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

Remembrance Day - Club will meet at the Markham Veterans Hall at 10:15 Saturday November 8th for the parade to the 11:00 wreath laying ceremony at Markham's Cenotaph. Club will meet at The Old Fire Hall at 10:30 Tuesday November 11th for the walk to the 11:00 wreath laying ceremony at the Unionville's Cenotaph.

Mark your Calendars: Markham's Santa Claus Parade will be Saturday November 29th - all hands needed to decorate float and as Road Guards, Banner carriers, etc. Club Christmas Party confirmed for December 12th at 'Olde' Country Inn. rsvp to Amar.

Next meeting (Tuesday November 4th) will be 'fireside format' at Old Country Inn to discuss How to be a Vibrant Rotary Club and develop a vision for the next three to five years.

Meeting News October 21, 2025

Meeting Notes from meeting held October 21, 2025. Attendance 33%.

Mark your calendars - club will meet Tuesdays at Old Country Inn for at least the next month.

Members recommended and President Ken concurred with holding remaining October meetings and our November meetings at Old Country Inn, Unionville. Hopefully bring some stability to our schedule after the unplanned changes to meeting locations and dates during the past month.

In January members may consider amending by-law on regular weekly meetings.

World Polio Day - October 24th - on the 24th club will attend Polio flag raising and receive the Mayor's proclamation at Town Centre; guest speaker will be Dauna Jones-Simmonds, President of the Toronto Rotary Club.

This weekend is the District 7070 Conference, held this year at Fern Resort, Orillia.

Remembrance Day - Club will participate in Markham parade and wreath laying ceremony at the Markham Cenotaph on Saturday November 8th., and the Unionville ceremonies at the Unionville Cenotaph on Tuesday November 11th

Club Christmas Party confirmed for December 12th at 'Olde' Country Inn

Meeting News October 13, 2025

Meeting Notes from meetings held October 6, 2025.

Coincident with best patio weather in weeks, Monday 's meeting was rescheduled from Station Pizza to Jakes on Main, Unionville. Attendance 46% (Our next in person meeting will be Tuesday October 21st at Old Country Inn.)

Tree Planting, organized by '10,000 Trees for the Rouge' on Saturday October 4th, at Kennedy and Austin Drive, in Unionville was a success. Thanks to Ken for organizing.

World Polio Day - October 24th - honoured by all Rotary Clubs.

Our next meeting, moved to Tuesday October 21st, will include presentation by Michael McGovern, Chair of RI's Polio Plus Committee since October 2014. Then on the 24th club will attend Polio flag raising and Mayor's proclamation at Town Centre on October 24th;

October is Economic and Community Developmenrt

Economic and Community Development is one of the Seven Areas of Focus that Rotary has asked all clubs to focus on, especially in October..

The work of Rotary begins in the community, and every community has its own unique needs and concerns. While we serve in countless ways, we’ve focused our efforts in six key areas to maximize our impact. These areas encompass some of the world’s most critical and widespread humanitarian needs.

Great Lakes Watershed Clean-up

Rotary Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup - April 12, 2025

Our 5th Annual Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup Event (GLWC) was another great success as many clubs in District 7070 helped the clean ups on Saturday April 22 (Earth Day). Thank you to Rotary District 7070

Remembrance Day 2024

Following presentation of club's memorial wreath at the Markham Cenotaph in MDVA Remembrance Day ceremonies, members gathered with Margaret Cubitt at banner honouring late Rotarian Michael Cubitt.

Polio Day October 24, 2024

Together with Councillor Keyes of Ward 5, there on behalf of Markham City Council and Mayor Scarpitti, members of the Rotary Clubs of Markham-Unionville and Markham Sunrise participated in a flag-raising ceremony to mark observance of World Polio Day. Councillor Keyes took the added measure of marking his left pinky finger with purple dye, a symbol which many familiar with polio vaccination efforts will recognize. Our thanks to Councillor Keyes for representing the City well.

In our history making era We promised the world a healthy, polio-free future...and we’re almost there, 99.9% to be exact. This World Polio Day, let’s make history and shrink that number to zero.

Mitch Mitchell 2024

Lunar New year 2024

Club members attended the Rotary Club of York's annual lunar new year celebration on February 23rd, 2024

Rotary Youth Leadership RYLA

The 2024 Rotary Youth Leadership Symposium (RYLS).
The 2024 Rotary Youth Leadership Symposium (RYLS) will be taking place, April 18-21, 2024 at the Ganaraska Forest Centre! The 3-night, 4-day experience is geared toward youth between the ages of 16-20 and will offer an inspiring program: Conflict Resolution, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Reconciliation and Land Based Education, Leadership, Hands-on Activities, Group Dynamics, Public Speaking, Outdoor Survival along with campfires, friendship and tons of fun and learning!!!
Rotary Clubs are encouraged to find and sponsor eligible participants within their community, as well as members of the Rotaract and Interact Clubs that they host. There are only 30 spots available - so act fast!
Applications are due by March 1, 2024. To apply click HERE.

https://www.rotary7070.org/stories/rotary-youth-leadership-symposium-(ryls)-is-april-18-21-2024-apply-by-march-1-2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Unionville Old Tyme Christmas Candlelight Parade

Markham-Unionville Rotary Club

May be an image of 11 people, crowd and text

Markham Santa Claus Parade

2023-SantaClausParade

What: 49th Annual Markham Santa Claus Parade

When: Saturday November 25, 2023 at 11:00am

Where: Markham Main Street

Organized By Markham Sunrise Rotary Club and the City Of Markham

Markham-Unionville Rotary Club float - 2022, with The Tone Dogs

To see photos from last years event, please visit https://portal.clubrunner.ca/1136/Stories/2022-santa-claus-parade

Catherine Coleman Flowers reveals Americas dirty secret

Flowers discusses the inadequate management of wastewater in rural communities, bridging partisan divides, the ways those two topics intersect — and how Rotarians can be part of the solution

Water for Peace

The Supurunda Water Supply Project in Papua New Guinea has been a successful example of how Rotary is advancing peace and providing clean water and sanitation.

Club innovation: The expat experience