Club Meeting June 15, 2026
President Lynn Childs called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Susan Sheppard gave the Land Acknowledgement
Hart Jansson led in the singing of the National Anthem.
President Lynn proposed a toast to King Charles III and Canada.
Hart Jansson gave the invocation.
There were ~ 24 club members and 1 guest in attendance
Guest
Lilianna Chocarro RCOT member
Birthdays for June
Ramji Khandelwal Peter Degroot, Larry Rodrigue, Bob Dodds, Joe White
RCO Foundation AGM Overview
Gary Comerford opened his talk by telling members present that the Foundation has now disbursed $2,448,139 in the 9 ½ years of its existence!
- The Foundation has recently transferred $250K to the RCO Charitable Fund for use starting July 1 as the semi-annual donation.
- The Foundation has made two significant grants to date: $268K for a 26’ truck to Food for Life in 2025 and $250 K to the Oakville Hospital Foundation for new ultrasound machine.
- There will be a press conference and photo op with the new truck on Wednesday June 24 at the F4L facility at 2258 Mountainside Drive in Burlington. All club members are invited to attend.
- The hospital will also be addressing the lack of recognition for the RCO for its efforts over the years and will be naming a room or facility for the club and placing a Rotary memento in the glass case in the front lobby. Members were asked for their suggestions on what to put in the case.
- The Foundation has a new website, www.thercofoundation.ca . More information will be added shortly.
- The Foundation has $222,814 to be donated by December 31 for grants that address an immediate need of a substantial nature. Club members were asked to let Gary know of anything they might be aware of.
- The Foundation board has been restructured with readjustment of the directors’ terms and a rotation of responsibilities.
- Craig Henderson from Global Management Research has been hired by the board to provide a third-party investment performance review of the Foundation on a quarterly basis.
- An audit committee has been established and responsibilities defined.
- Future items to be addressed by the board
- Clarification of the Board Structure and member makeup including the number of directors including outside directors.
- Securing a long-term MOU regarding funding of the RCO Charitable Fund.
- Frank Morewood is stepping down as the Treasurer and Amin Kawr and Lynn Childs will be joining the board in July.
Centennial Towers Sale Update
Bob Dodds confirmed the closing date of the sale will be July 15.
- The residents summer BBQ has been rescheduled for Tuesday, June 30 where they will be told of the sale date.
- The new owner has agreed to run the building in the same manner as TSH.
- The TSH board would like to provide the residents with swag bags reminding them of Rotary, ideas are welcome.
Classification talk- Joe White
Joe was born in Wingham and raised in Aylmer.
- He was very active in high school and became a professional musician after high school which helped pay his way the University of Western Ontario.
- His first job as a graduate was with Sifton properties. He held a number of subsequent jobs including one dealing with mortgages and accounting.
- He spent 16 years with Ultramar in various roles with their service station network and ended up in the advertising and promotions department.
- Joe decided at one point to not be held to ransom by a faceless corporation and decided to become an entrepreneur.
- Initially in franchising with WSI where he helped put 1500 people into franchises in 5 years.
- He then became a Master Business Coach and became a business advisor to Franchisees.
- Joe has been married to his wife, Stella, for 47 years. She was a banker and is now into pottery.
- He has two grown children. both Princeton Graduates married to Princeton Graduates and four grandchildren
- Joe spoke eloquently of the power of “F” that he uses to uses to find clarity in determining priorities. There are many words beginning with F but his were Family, Friends Fun, Faith. He brought a number of copies of a book where he describes his process and handed them out to those who were interested.
- Joe said he joined Rotary ‘for comradery, the chance to share opinions and he collective opportunity to make a lasting difference in Oakville.’
Sponsorship Minute
Mark Dawber is RCO’s most successful solicitor and has raised almost $10,000 in sponsorships so far for this year’s golf tournament. He spoke briefly about he went about getting a golf sponsorship from Oakville Toyota. He started with the salesperson who sold him a car and then escalated to the manager when needed and followed up where required. They have since sponsored us for the last two years and have displayed a car at the tournament,
Closing announcements:
Ralf Soeder announced that we will continue with Global Medic but we will be scheduled along with other Oakville and Burlington Clubs.
Mike Fisher announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of the Rotary year as he is moving to Europe in the fall. He thanked a number of members for the help he received as a member.
President Lynn said that George Farrow has been readmitted to the hospital because of an infection and urged all members to send best wishes to him via the group chat on WhatsApp.
Upcoming Events
June 20 Global Medic 1494 Wallace Rd. 9:30-1:00 pm.
June 24 Press conference for the F4L truck at 9:30 - 2258 Mountainside Burlington
June 25 District Changeover – Mississauga Grand Banquet and Event Center
June 29 Club Turnover meeting at the Oakville Golf Club.
Sept 14 Golf Tournament. - Pipers Heath
Oct 3 District Conference- Canadian Convention Center - Brampton
President Lynn closed the meeting at 8:15 pm with recital of the four way test and a toast to friends and Rotarians around the world
