"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.
Rotary International's theme for the 2025-2026 year
Birthdays
Daudi Kawooya June 13
Sandra Elliott June 15
Bridget Fox-Luzny June 15
Bruce Yorga June 16
Dave Macdonald June 17
Gene Wasylchuk June 18
John Hsu June 21
Anniversaries
Jim Shaner 50 years
Cristina Castro 30 years
Michelle DeCecco 15 years
Club Meeting Recap (June 2, 2026)
Madeleine King
The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown welcomed members and guests for an engaging meeting focused on two powerful themes: supporting literacy through early intervention and understanding the realities of homelessness in Calgary.
Club Business & Recognition
President Bill Hamilton welcomed members, visitors, and guests to the meeting and thanked the volunteers serving at the sign-in table and greeting attendees. Volunteers included Bridget Fox Luzny, Michael Colborne, and Dorothy Loucks.
District Governor Manon Mitchell delivered the invocation, reflecting on the meaning of home as a place of safety, belonging, stability, and memory. Her remarks provided a fitting introduction to the day's discussion on homelessness and highlighted the progress Calgary has made in reducing homelessness since 2008.
During Happy Bucks, members shared celebrations and club updates. A highlight was the announcement from Early Childhood Literacy Director Steacy Pinney that the recent Big Book Sale raised a record-breaking $584,000 in support of literacy initiatives!
Members were reminded of the upcoming West Dover BBQ on June 11 and encouraged to sign up as volunteers.
Doug Webb also provided a preview of the Fellowship event at the Stampede Grandstand Sneak--Peak, scheduled for July 2. The many members who have attended in prior years affirmed how enjoyable it is.
Past President Joe Fras then presented a Paul Harris Fellow recognition to Mikael and Frida Backlund in recognition of their contributions to the community, while welcoming those attending from the Calgary Flames in support of Mikael's important role, as well as that of Frida.
Major Donations Recipient: Rising Leaders Project
Franco Savoia introduced representatives from the Thornhill Child Care Society, recipients of support through the Major Donations program.
The presentation highlighted the Rising Leaders Project and the importance of early intervention for children experiencing literacy challenges. Members heard the story of Afia, a participant in the program, and learned about the obstacles she faced and the progress she achieved through targeted literacy support.
Suzanne Diemann and Sara Langille, representatives from Thornhill Child Care Society, shared information about their organization, discussed literacy proficiency challenges facing young learners, and outlined the impact of the Rising Leaders Project. Members learned that Rotary funding helped support 11 children through the program and contributed to improvements in literacy skills and school readiness.
The presenters thanked the Rotary Club of Calgary and the Major Donations Committee for their support in helping children build a stronger foundation for future learning.
Featured Panel Discussion: Homelessness in Calgary
Following an introduction by Howie Shikaze, members heard a panel discussion on homelessness moderated by Bo Masterson and featuring Patricia Jones of the Calgary Homeless Foundation and Dr. Ron Kneebone of the University of Calgary School of Public Policy.
The discussion began with a question about why homelessness appears more visible today despite declines in overall homelessness rates. Panelists described homelessness as a dynamic issue and discussed the challenges of both rehousing individuals and preventing people from losing housing in the first place.
Dr. Kneebone spoke about the importance of reliable data in understanding homelessness trends and informing policy decisions. Patricia Jones discussed the Calgary Homeless Foundation's system-based approach, community partnerships, and the challenges associated with housing affordability and poverty.
The panel also explored how homelessness intersects with other social issues, including literacy, food security, mental health, and income stability. During the question-and-answer session, panelists responded to questions about the impact of homelessness on local businesses, community responses, and future priorities for addressing homelessness in Calgary.
Members also heard about progress made under Calgary's 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, the role of prevention strategies, and the importance of continued collaboration among community organizations, government, businesses, and residents.
Closing
The meeting concluded with appreciation for the panelists and presenters who shared their expertise and experiences. Members also learned that a donation would be made to Wellspring in recognition of the speakers' participation.
President Bill Hamilton reminded members that the next club meeting will take place on June 16 at the Fairmont Palliser, featuring Alice de Koning, Academic Director of the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary, speaking on Innovation in Canada: The Role of Business and Professional Leaders.
The meeting closed with Rotary's Four-Way Test and a toast to Rotary in Canada.
Notice to Membership: Annual General Meeting - June 30th, 2026
The Rotary Club of Calgary Annual General Meeting will be held:
DATE: Tuesday June 30th, 2026
TIME: 12 Noon - 1:30 PM
LOCATION: Fairmont Palliser - Crystal Ballroom
President Bill Hamilton and Treasurer Joel Snodgrass will present their reports on the 2025-2026 Rotary Year.
You will hear remarks from the Legacy Projects Committee and the beneficiary organizations.
There are no Resolutions for Ratification this year.
The gavel will be turned over and the Officers and Directors for the ensuing year shall be installed.
Calgary Reads Big Book Sale Breaks Records!
SteacyPinney
With more books, more readers in the aisles and many Rotarians supporting behind the scenes—this year was our most successful Calgary Reads Big Book Sale yet.
How did we do it, what role did our club play and what does this mean for our efforts in getting kids reading in 2026?
Stuff-a-Truck Events
Part of our role as stewards of the sale involves coordinating and leading the four community Stuff-a-Truck events led by Mike Colborne and team.
On April 25 & 26, we hosted four donation events. Our newest location, the Fish Creek Library, through a partnership with Calgary Public Library Foundation, garnered the most book donations we’ve ever received and stuffed the truck twice! It was a highly visible site with additional promotion from South Centre Mall.
Melcor/Crowfoot YMCA - 15 pallets
Fish Creek Library/South Centre - 19 pallets
Rundle College - 10 pallets
Seton YMCA - 6.5 pallets
Thank you to everyone who volunteered at these very well-organized Stuff-a-Truck events!
Spread the Words
On May 7, the night before the sale opened to the public May 8-17, we hosted a pre-sale celebration to thank our nearly 1,200 volunteers and kick off this beloved event. Several members did a fantastic job once again of hosting the barbecues for which people know and love us! Thank you volunteers!
Volunteering
With nearly 200,000 books to sort, display and keep tidy on nearly 200 tables at the Calgary Curling Club, volunteer hours are everything. In addition to our club’s role supporting cash, many members also volunteered to help organize and sell books, and assist with parking.
52 Downtown members volunteered at various book sale events
56 members of other Calgary clubs volunteered at Big Book Sale (sort and sale days)
A Record Year
With so much support and so many books behind us, we raised $584,000—the most we’ve ever raised!
Now, as stewards of the sale, Rotary Club of Downtown Calgary will work with our community partner, Kids Literacy Collective, to distribute proceeds to early literacy initiatives that help children become thriving readers by Grade 3. These are projects that bring children books of their own, reading help, science of reading in the classroom and advocacy championing each child’s right to read
Whether you were a volunteer, a shopper, or someone who helped to spread the word about the sale—we’re so grateful! Rotary is fortunate to be a recognized partner of this Calgary tradition and such an important part of helping children get the books and support they need to enjoy a bright start in school.
Host Clubs Named for 2027 Rotary Friendship Exchange with New Zealand
Felipe Guerra, Rotary Friendship Exchange Chair, District 5360
Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown has been selected to participate as a host club for our upcoming Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) with District 9999 in New Zealand's South Island.
The inbound exchange dates have now been confirmed as June 29 to July 12, 2027.
The selected host clubs are:
Calgary Downtown
Canmore
Red Deer (all clubs working together)
High River
Lethbridge Sunrise
Hosting a RFE team is one of the most rewarding ways to experience Rotary's international reach. It allows club members to build lasting friendships, showcase their communities, strengthen international understanding, and create connections that often continue long after the exchange has concluded. Many participants describe hosting as one of the most meaningful Rotary experiences they have ever had.
As originally proposed, priority for participation in the outbound exchange to New Zealand, scheduled for March 7–20, 2027, will be given to members of the host clubs listed above.
Today, we will be distributing the invitation to all Rotarians within District 5360 who wish to apply for the outbound exchange. Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:
Participation of the applicant's club in hosting the inbound exchange.
Individuals who are hosting during this exchange or who have hosted in previous Rotary Friendship Exchanges.
Rotary involvement at the District level.
Rotary involvement at the Club level.
These criteria are intended to recognize and encourage the commitment of members and clubs that actively support Rotary's international programs and help make exchanges possible.
Thank you for your club's willingness to participate in this exciting opportunity. Your support will play a key role in creating a memorable experience for our guests from New Zealand while strengthening the international friendships that are at the heart of Rotary.
Felipe Guerra
Bishop Kidd BBQ Supports Students & the Dream Centre
Dave Macdonald
Hope you’re all recovering well after a very hot BBQ event at Bishop Kidd.
We fed some 275 students, staff and volunteers and contributed some 150 burgers of varying kinds to Dream Centre.
Many thanks for your taking time and putting in the effort to make this a successful event.
Sending on our thanks to Deb Hymers' NSTEP crew of volunteers.
Last year, six full-time students at SAIT received $2,000 Lou MacEachern Rotary Scholarships.
These awards support students demonstrating financial need who have successfully completed at least one semester in an apprenticeship, diploma, degree, or certificate program.
Long-time Rotarian Lou MacEachern created the fund in 2006 through a generous donation to Rotary. His vision was simple yet powerful: to help young people overcome financial barriers and pursue their educational dreams. Thanks to the ongoing success of the fund, more students continue to benefit each year.
CLICK HERE to read SAIT’s May 2026 Impact Report and see how these scholarships are making a real difference in the lives of SAIT students.
Mercy's Reflections on Her NGSE Experience in Tours, France - non-financially sponsored by the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown
Mercy Trinh
It is hard to believe that my month-long exchange working in the legal field in Tours, France has almost come to an end. I am currently working in a private law firm specializing in construction law, and I've even had the opportunity to stand in front of the Court of Civil Appeals during closing arguments—alongside my supervising lawyer, of course!
Over the last month, I have worked along side a "comissaire de justice," otherwise called a "huissier de justice". This legal position does not exist in Canada, except in Québéc, which understandably operates under a civil legal system similar to France's. I have also worked under a lawyer who has her own firm specializing in family, civil, and criminal law on first appearances.
On top of the professional endeavors, I have had a lovely time building my relationships with my two host families—one I live with during the week and another on the weekends. They have been so generous with me, and I have had the opportunity to visit attractions and cities that I would have never known existed. To name a few activities, we went to Pornichet for a weekend where I saw and swam in the Atlantic for the first time, I tried famous French foods like le steak au poivre et les galettes de blé noir, and we visited tourist attractions like la Château du Clos Lucé (where Leonardo da Vinci lived) and "Les grottes pétrifiantes". And of course, I have attended Rotary meetings every Monday night. My "week day" host dad is actually the President!
I have learned so much and my French, although I was already fluent, has significantly improved. I am trying to soak up my last week here as much as possible before returning to Canada next week. I will always remember this experience for the validation it has given my choice of law as a career path, but more importantly for all the amazing people I have met. À la prochaine!
National Recognition Honours the Legacy of Dr. Walley John Temple
Contributed to The Globe and Mail (Lives Lived section) Published May 26, 2026 (by Dr. Janice L. Pasieka, Dr. Temple’s friend and mentee)
Excerpts follow:
Dr. Walley John Temple: Surgeon. Mentor. Father. Husband. Born May 8, 1946, in Ann Arbor, Mich.; died Feb. 11, 2026, in Calgary, of cancer; aged 79.
Dr. Temple is considered by many to be the father of surgical oncology in Canada.
In 1983, Walley and his family moved to Calgary where he launched a surgical oncology division at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and the University of Calgary.
There was no such thing as surgical oncology in Canada at the time but by the end of his career, there were surgical oncologists in academic centres across the country.
This is a legacy he leaves to all Canadians.
Dr. Temple was a compassionate, empathetic surgeon showing his humility, his love and respect for his patient. Walley gave back throughout his career.
In his retirement, he developed a program for cervical cancer screening and treatment in Guatemala through the Calgary Rotary Club.
For this he received the 2024 People of Action, Champion of Impact Award.
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Club Meeting Dates
President Bill Hamilton and Program Director Terry McMahon
June 16- Guest Speaker: Alice de Kooning, Haskayne School of Business on entrepreneurship and innovation
