The original transmission of this bulletin contained an incorrect attachment. The intended file was this pictorial overview of our Rotary year: https://photos.app.goo.gl/CwxQNSzmmusmw3ac8 .

 

1.     Land Acknowledgement –Susan Sheppard 

 

2.    Anthem – led by George Vincent 

 

3.    Toast to King Charles III & Canada- Lynn Childs 

 

4.    Invocation – Mike Henry 

 

(Thanks John, for lending Lynn to us for this past year!)

 

We are also very happy to welcome Mitch Sabsabi back to our meetings after a long absence.

 

5.    6:35pm Birthdays for the Month: Ramji Khandewal (2nd), Peter DeGroot (2nd), Larry Rodrigue (17th), Bob Dodds (18th), Joe White(23rd) 

 

6.     Relic Classification Talk- Rod Craig 

 

Born in Rodley on the River Aire (Roddy from Rodley!) in the UK; 4 siblings; married to Jullie

Met Jullie in college (1991)

Married in 2006!

A career in accounting, recruitment, controller

Moved to St. John’s Nfld 2011

CFO with Bluedrop Performance Learning

Fractional CFO/Controller 2014 to date, including as a BDO employee 2022 to March 2026

Joined RC Oakville in 2015 and has served as Treasurer, President, Board member

Rod: thank you for your ‘relic’ talk and thank you for your service!

 

7.    Happy Bucks – Ralf Soeder 

 

 

Richard Roberts – recovering from knee surgery, looking forward to coming back

Trafalgar Senior Homes Board update regarding Stewart St - Bob Dodds, George Vincent 

Bob announced the pending sale of Centennial Tower. 

George moved, and Mark Dawber seconded, that the RCO Club members (also the members of the TSH) approve the sale of the Centennial Tower for 8.75 M, closing on July 15. The motion was approved unanimously, with no objections.

 

ElderDog - Mike Henry announced that ElderDog is looking for volunteers to foster doga temporarily, or to walk dogs or bring them to appointments.

 

9.      District Changeover Awards-Lynn Childs 

 

Paul Harris Fellow Award- awarded to Sarah Lisi, James Montague’s ‘First Lady’, for leading the Zumba at the 2025 District Conference in front of 168 Rotarians  2025 District Conference in front of 168 Rotarians, getting everyone on their feet and moving to the music. This was not her first time leading a Zumba but it was the largest crowd she had ever lead! Congratulations to Sarah! 

 

 

Recognized by Rotary International- DG Susanne Zbinden presented this award to Lilianna Chocarro for her exemplary Youth Service work supporting Rotaract clubs in Halton.

 

10.     Dedication-George Farrow

 

George was honored with a Therapy Pool dedicated in his name at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital.

George Farrow was released from hospital recently and is at home receiving palliative care – our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you George!

 

 

Lynn’s story in a nutshell: Invited to a meeting, lived in Oakville for 23 years and knew nothing of Rotary. A few meetings later, became a Member July 8th, 2024. Joined 3 committees and in Jan of 2025, was asked to be the President-Elect and began her crash course on Rotary! Lynn began her Presidency before her 1-year anniversary!

 

Lynn chose 23 of 26 possible Goals to achieve in her one-year term, a lot more than most RC Presidents. 

 

The club donated more than $500,000 to many worthwhile projects.

The club achieved 19 of the 23 goals chosen by Lynn!! Congratulations Lynn and RCO.

Lynn thanked DG Suzanne Zbinden (who will start a 3-year term at RI as Major Gifts Adviser for Basic Literacy and learning)

A big shout out to The PR and Social Media team, Rod, Aninda, Neeraj, Reena and all those who have liked, shared, posted this year to help with this. We have increased the Rotary awareness 10-fold over last year on our social media platforms, with Google and getting the address and our site cleaned up, creating a QR code –thank you Reena and Rod. Susan has written many press released for us and Neeraj has helped with the website, with his great technical skill set!

 

To James Montague, thank you for all the co-ordination of speakers, being Chair of Rotary District Conference, arranging venues and meals with the help of Mahendra and Susan. Congratulations again for being awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal this year in recognition of your significant contributions to the community, advocacy for inclusion, and charitable event work for individuals with developmental disabilities. I look forward to seeing your continued success at the District-level as Assistant Governor for the Oakville Cluster, replacing Ralf Soeder who has held the position for a number of years. 

 

Ralf, Mike, Mahendra, Mitch, Rod, Amin and most recently Susan, my Board of strength and knowledge! Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you for your guided support in helping me fulfill the role of President this year! I have learned so much from you all and will continue to do so. So thank you so much for helping me enjoy this year! 

 

To the Club, your presence in showing up to meetings, events, participating in committees and learning about ways to make an impact for Service Above Self, is inspiring. Thank you everyone - the best Rotary Club I had the honour of representing as your President! 

 

The club also thanks Lynn’s partner John for putting up with the extra time Lynn had to spend on her duties!

Ralf Soeder congratulated Lynn for a very successful year on behalf of the Club members. 

 

 

 

The members of the club have entrusted you with an important, yet exciting responsibility that will help shape our club’s future. This is your opportunity, along with your board, to make the RCO Club shine, to reach new heights, and to accomplish great things! 

 

Lynn passed the gavel, a symbol to uphold the constitution and bylaws of this club, to continue to build on the Service Above Self mindset, to Susan Sheppard. 

 

 

Peggy Dodds announced that the Town of Oakville is building a new park at Arrowhead  and Northridge streets; she suggested that the Club could submit a suggestion to the Town to name the park in George Farrow’s honour.

 

 

A Toast to Friends & Rotarians Around the World !