Home Page | Rotary Club of Dartmouth East

On July 13, we came together again for a fish and chips dinner at Opus Cafe, where we were delighted to welcome Debbie Vaillancourt-Higgins of Opus Cafe as our newest Rotary member.

On July 13, we came together again for appetizers and a delicious fish and chip meal at Opus Cafe, where we were delighted to welcome Debbie Vaillancourt-Higgins of Opus Cafe as our newest Rotary member.

Highway Clean up

May 11, 2026 Rotary Club of Dartmouth East and Dartmouth PigDogs RFC took to the roads in the face of looming clouds to improve the look of Main Street between NSCC and Forest Hills Parkway.

Special Guest Speaker

📣 Guest Speaker Announcement – Monday March 9, 2026

The Rotary Club of Dartmouth East is pleased to welcome a very special guest speaker at an upcoming Monday meeting.

We are honoured to host Father Toochukwu Okafor, who will be speaking about the urgent need for medical equipment in Nigeria. His presentation will highlight the healthcare challenges faced by communities in Nigeria and outline how access to essential medical equipment can dramatically improve patient outcomes and save lives.

This important discussion aligns closely with Rotary’s commitment to disease prevention and treatment, and offers members and guests an opportunity to learn how we can make a meaningful international impact.

📅 Date: Monday March 9, 2026
📍 Location: Parkside Pub, Dartmouth
🕒 Time: 6pm

All members and guests are encouraged to attend for what promises to be an informative and inspiring presentation.

For more information email dartmoutheastrotary@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing you there!

Service Above Self: Backing Dartmouth Youth Rugby

Rugby Support-R: Community Fundraiser for Dartmouth Youth Rugby

The PigDogs Rugby Club, with support from community partners, is proud to host Rugby Support-R this Sunday, September 28, from 3–6 PM at Nine Locks Brewery Taproom. This special afternoon will feature live music, great company, and a silent auction in support of Dartmouth Youth Rugby.

This is an open community event, everyone is welcome to come out, enjoy the atmosphere, and help raise funds that directly benefit local youth.

We are still gratefully accepting silent auction donations. Gift cards, services, baskets, and unique items all make a difference and help us maximize the impact of this fundraiser.

Together, through community spirit and service, we can strengthen youth programs.

For more information or to donate items for the auction, please contact:
📧 pigdogsrfc@gmail.com | jim@movewiththeteam.ca

Paul Harris Fellow Recognition Evening

Monday December 9th, the Rotary Clubs of Dartmouth and Dartmouth East combined to have a wonderful social evening with a purpose. Our special guests included Mayor Andy Fillmore, Area Governor Ashley Butt and, of course, the people being honoured.

Rotarians often designate a Paul Harris Fellow as a tribute to a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of The Rotary Foundation. On this evening the clubs had a combined ceremony to bestow a Paul Harris Fellow on some extraordinary people who demonstrate Service above Self.

Rotary Club of Dartmouth East presented Spencer Colley with a Paul Harris Fellow for his professional

and volunteer work in his community of East Preston as well as volunteer work in Rwanda and the Dominican Republic.

Paul Harris Fellow Spencer Colley professional and volunteer work in his community of East Preston as well as volunteer work in Rwanda and the Dominican Republic.

Rotary Club of Dartmouth presented 5 Paul Harris Fellows

Mary Crosby - the person who turned the idea of knitting socks for the homeless into 19,000

pairs this year.

Michelle Porter - for her tireless work for Souls Harbour Rescue Mission

David Woods - a well known artist, cultural and community leader helping to bring Black Nova Scotia history

and art to a broader community.

Rotarian Kevin Connors of the Rotary Club of Dartmouth East - 30 years plus of support to the

Rotary Youth Exchange Program. Presented by former Youth Exchange Student Matthew Quiroz

Don Penwell - Recognition from the Freedom Foundation and Dartmouth Rotary for years of dedication

and service.

Rotary Briefs for the Homeless

On October 30th, 1285 pairs of boxer briefs were delivered to to Shelter Nova Scotia. This was a combined effort of the Rotary Clubs of Halifax Northwest, Dartmouth and Dartmouth East.

We do Better when we work Together!!!!

Photo: left to right

Marc Tasse, Rotary Club of Halifax Northwest; Kyley Harris, Shelter NS; Gary Holt, Rotary Club of Dartmouth East; Marilyn Brown, Rotary Club of Halifax Northwest; Kevin Connors, Rotary Club of Dartmouth East; Linda Wilson, Shelter NS

New Story May 24 2022

Sharon Brown and Edna Besaw were recognized as Paul Harris Fellows by John Moldon at our meeting on Tuesday.

Spring Highway Clean Up

Having Fun Cleaning our Roads!

New Member and Special Guests

After an extended Covid- imposed online and small group meetings, we were able to come together for this special night.

Two speakers, Bailey Ross and Rachel Graves spoke about the impact of Metro Care and Share on their lives. Metro Care and Share, a corporate member of our club, is a non-profit organization, founded by the late Mel Boutilier, committed to eradicating poverty through educational advancement. Bailey and Rachel eloquently described the impact of receiving a university education that they may not otherwise have been able to receive.

Also present were two former Youth Exchange students:

Mauricio Rico Quiroz, who came to Canada from Venezuela as an exchange student and is presently attending university with the help of a number of the Venezuelan Project, a project funded through the cooperation of many Rotary Clubs.
Luise Volavsek, a formerYouth Exchange Student from Austria.

Finally, Kim Oakley was inducted as our newest member on an occasion when the impact of Rotary was evident.

New Member Inducted

Posted by Gary Holt on Sep 02, 2019

On August 6, 2019 the Rotary Club of Dartmouth East welcomed a new member. Sharon Brown was officially inducted as a member of Rotary International and our Club.

President Tony Goode explaining the duties and responsibilities of being a Rotarian to new member Sharon Brown.

From left to right: Vice-President Eleanor MacKenzie, President Tony Goode, New Rotarian Sharon Brown (displaying her Membership Certificate), Secretary Gary Holt, Sponsor

Hearthstone Inn owners, Michael and Holly Mullenchuck with New Rotarian, Sharon Brown

Epic Dartmouth

Posted by Toinette Martin on Aug 15, 2016

Tim Chestnut from Subaru EPIC Dartmouth event spoke at our meeting about their big triathlon event planned for July 2, 2017.

Hali-ditarod Fundraising Event

Posted by Toinette Martin on Aug 08, 2016

On August 9, Stephanie MacWhirter from Parker Street Food & Furniture Bank spoke to us about their fundraising event on September 25

Bill vanGorder - Nordic Pole Walking

Posted by Toinette Martin on Jul 18, 2016

On July 19, 2016, Bill vanGorder spoke with the club about Nordic Pole Walking in NS.

DHS Interact DR Service Trip

Posted by Toinette Martin on Apr 17, 2016

On April 18, Rotarians from Dartmouth East visited Dartmouth High to hear the adventures of the DHS Interact Club's service trip to Dominican Republic

Youth Exchange Retreat in PEI

Posted by Toinette Martin on Apr 23, 2016

John Woodford is the Dartmouth East club's outbound youth exchange student for 2016-2017

He took part in a retreat in PEI the weekend of April 23/24

April 11 Guest Speaker - Tim Rissesco

Posted by Toinette Martin on Apr 24, 2016

At our meeting on April 11, Tim Rissesco from the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission was the guest speaker.

We discussed the current growth and development plans with regards to Dartmouth business.

Rotarians Share Vacations

Posted by Toinette Martin on Apr 24, 2016

Rotarians with their families and/or on Vacation.

April 4, we shared pictures with each other :)

Doors Open Halifax Visits Rotarians

Posted by Toinette Martin on Mar 06, 2016

Doors Open Halifax June 4-5, 2016

Hugh MacKay, past president of Doors Open Halifax, visits the Rotary Club of Dartmouth East on March 7, 2016.

Dinner at the Vines

Posted by Toinette Martin on Feb 27, 2016

Rotarians and Friends gathered for a social dinner at the Vines Past Grill on February 22, 2016

Read A Long February 2016

Posted by Toinette Martin on Feb 27, 2016

Another successful Read A Long Day February 18, 2016 at John MacNeil Elementary School.

Future Dartmouth Youth Exchange Student

Posted by Toinette Martin on Jan 31, 2016

On Monday Feb 1, Jack Woodford visited and presented to the Dartmouth East Rotary Club at our regular club meeting.

ISANS visit

Posted by Toinette Martin on Jan 24, 2016

On Monday, January 25, Cliff MacDonald and Ritu Ganiju from ISANS visited the Rotary Club of Dartmouth East during their regular meeting. They informed the Rotarians of the mentorship programs provided through ISANS to connect new immigrants who are certified professionals with local professionals who act as mentors.

Rotarian visits school in Christo Rei, Mexico

Posted by Toinette Martin on Jan 23, 2016

Rotarian Wendy Keen and Friend of Rotary, Rosalie Crosby, traveled to Mexico in January to visit the jungle school in Christo Rei just outside Playa del Carmen to deliver school supplies and first aid kits.

Holiday Dartmouth East Rotary Activities

Posted by Toinette Martin on Jan 10, 2016

Holiday Season 2015

Christmas Tree Lighting, Feeding Others of Dartmouth Fundraiser, Coat Check Fundraiser and an update on the Chase the Ace Fundraiser!

Christmas Dinners

Posted by Toinette Martin on Jan 03, 2016

On December 25, Rotarians, Friends, and Volunteers from Staggers Pub and the Vines Pasta Grill prepared and delivered over 200 Christmas dinners to those in need in Dartmouth.