"Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change - across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves!"
The Rotary Club of Calgary comprises professional and community leaders brought together in fellowship to make a better future.
Birthdays
Daudi Kawooya June 13
Sandra Elliott June 15
Bruce Yorga June 16
Dave Macdonald June 17
Gene Wasylchuk June 18
Anniversaries
Eva Friesen 30 years
Howie Shikaze 20 years
President Joe’s Inspirational Quote
Wait for next COG - June 17
Special Rotary Club Meeting – June 3 2025
Madeleine King
On June 3, fifty members gathered for our lunch meeting at the Fairmont Palliser with the special purpose of receiving a recommendation for multi-year funding from the Legacy Projects Committee and to vote on that proposal. The meeting was chaired by President Elect Bill Hamilton in President Joe’s absence for unavoidable reasons. He introduced Legacy Project Committeeco-chair Vern Kimball to make the presentation.
Legacy Projects Presentation Slides
There followed questions and answers, with much gratitude expressed to Vern for the clear and detailed presentation. For details of the verbal presentation please click below at: READ MORE (and scroll down)
Quorum was confirmed and scrutineers named.
The motion was read out and displayed: Be it resolved that the Downtown Rotary Club provides $1,000,000 in four annual payments of $250,000 beginning in June of 2025 for the purpose of funding the development of four (4) outdoor all season sports activity hubs starting with one in the Community of Pineridge in 2025.
The vote in favour of the motion was unanimous.
OTHER BUSINESS
Foundations Committee Chair Past President Rick Erven presented Rotary International Major Donor recognition to Kurt Kowalchuk and Manon Mitchell, who both explained the value of such donations, how their work in Cambodia led them to this club some years ago, and how the needed funding for the ongoing literacy program in Cambodia led directly to their supporting it with a major donation. They inspired others to make similar choices, whether for international projects or local ones, especially bearing in mind that 50% of our RI donations to the Annual Fund return to our District.
Your scribe spoke, as Convention Club Champion, about the need to choose your specific volunteer shifts as soon as possible (preferably two shifts) and to encourage friends and family as well. With regard to new registrations for the Convention (and to attend the Saturday-only House of Friendship), on-line registrations are now closed but in-person registration on-site will be open. Regarding our club BBQ on Monday June 23 it is sold-out and will have amazing programming thanks to Chair Doug Webb (Club President Nominee) and the fabulous BBQ team.
Next meeting: Annual General Meeting led by President Joe Fras celebrating the end of his presidential year: June 17 at noon.
Chair Bill Hamilton announced the end of the meeting shortly before 1.30pm.
I’m working in Community Engagement and one of the efforts we’re making is putting Rotary convention decals on major/most restaurants and businesses downtown and the surrounding Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) including downtown.
We need ideas related to high traffic impact community and businesses outside the downtown, contiguous BIAs and people who have connections to those places that could influence the decision of the owners operators to place the Rotary convention decals in a front door or window. Also a "1 pager" will be left at that location talking about the convention and Rotary locally in hopes of attracting potential members.
People who may be able to assist can contact me at:
The Rotary Club of Calgary is holding a Club meeting, focused on Addiction & Mental Health, June 26 2025 from noon until 2:00 at the Palliser Hotel in the Crystal Ballroom the day immediately following the RI Convention.
On June 26, Marshall Smith, former Chief of Staff for Danielle Smith, and the Hon. Rick Wilson, the new Minister Mental Health & Addiction, will speak at our event.
Come join in this great event and network with international Rotarians, local non-profits, CEO’s of local & international organizations, the RI Mental Health Action Group, along with members of the Rotary Civic Partnership.
Let's come together and show support for working to positively deal with the challenges of mental health & addiction impacting so many!
Craig Henderson introduced us to Bomo Douglas at the lunch meeting on May 27th. Bomo was born into a royal, academic family in Nigeria. He gained Bachelor and Masters degrees in Architecture from universities in Nigeria. He demonstrated his commitment to service at that early age by assisting classmates pay their school fees. He then spent 25 years as head of a contracting company. He and his family immigrated to Canada in 2022.
Community service is important to Bomo. While still in Nigeria, he was a board member of an organization that focused on Mental Health advocacy among youths ages 15 to 35; he was co-founder of a trust that focused on youth empowerment through providing secondary education scholarships to youth with fee payment issues.
Here in Calgary, Bomo is the CEO of a concierge service that curates and executes high impact unique experiences for various clients in the private energy sector.
Welcome to the Club, Bomo!
Rotary’s June Focus: Rotary Fellowships Month – Connecting Through Shared Passions at the 2025 Rotary Convention
Ebeneezer Mensa
June marks Rotary Fellowships Month, a celebration of the bonds formed through shared interests within the Rotary community. Fellowships unite Rotarians worldwide by focusing on hobbies, professions, and causes fostering meaningful connections and enhancing the Rotary experience.
What Are Rotary Fellowships?
Rotary Fellowships are global, non-political, and non-religious groups that bring together individuals with common passions. Whether it’s travel, wine, or medicine, these Fellowships offer opportunities for professional development, cultural exchange, and lifelong friendships.
Why Fellowships Matter
Fellowships provide:
Networking: Connect with Rotarians worldwide.
Personal Growth: Deepen your Rotary experience through shared interests.
Global Impact: Collaborate on projects to make a difference.
The 2025 Rotary Convention in Calgary: A Hub for Fellowships
The 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Canada (June 21–25) will spotlight the importance of Fellowships. It offers a unique opportunity for Rotarians to engage with a variety of Fellowships, network, and share ideas. Sessions and exhibits will promote the many benefits of joining or forming a Fellowship.
Get Involved
Explore Fellowships: Visit the Fellowship exhibits in the House of Friendship at the Convention.
Join a Fellowship: Find a group that aligns with your interests.
Connect: Expand your network and enhance your Rotary journey.
Conclusion: Strengthening Rotary Through Fellowship
This June, let’s celebrate Rotary Fellowships Month by connecting with others who share our passions. Whether at the Convention or through local clubs, Fellowships are an essential part of Rotary’s mission to build lasting friendships and make a global impact.
A Day at Tsuut’ina connecting and learning
Manon Mitchell
On Saturday May 31st, three of our members (Ebenezer Mensa, Kurt Kowalchuk & Manon Mitchell) attended the Indigenous learning event organized by our Rotary District’s Indigenous Relations committee. Held at the Brown Bear Woman Centre on Tsuut'ina Nation, it was a day filled with lots of story telling and learning. Representing many Calgary Clubs, Rotarians and their families enjoyed this educational session. Presenters included several members of the Starlight family: Bruce Starlight Jr., Ellery Starlight and Cora Starlight. Their mom Deanna also relayed some great stories and brought us lunch!
There is so much to learn from our Indigenous neighbours and their stories, some of which were passed down from generations, that offer a great perspective on their culture and way of life. As People of Action, this was a great way to be part of one of the 94 calls to Action aimed at reconciliation.
All 3 of us highly recommend attending an indigenous event organized by our own District’s Indigenous Relations committee. Thanks to Cam Stewart (RC Rotary East) and Brad Sewall (RC Calgary at Heritage Park) for making this available to all.
If you'd like to have us publish an article or have an idea about what we should be publishing, please forward your ideas to Madeleine by the FRIDAY before the Tuesday publication date.
You are also welcome to contact either Madeleine, Doug or Diane to discuss any idea you may have.
Here are the remaining publication dates for the first half on 2025:
June 20
If you enjoy reading the COG, let us know because your comments are the only way we know we are hitting the mark and this is our reward!
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