"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
Bill Redmond May 27
Maxine Morrison May27
Steve Stein May 27
Bruce Millar May 28
Bob Taylor June 1
Diane Macdonald June 2
Jayme Williams June 3
Kimball Lacey June 3
Eric Bennett June 3
Ron Hymers June 4
Anniversaries
Jim Shaner 50 years
Cristina Castro 30 years
Michelle DeCecco 15 years
The President’s Dinner
Madeleine King
On Tuesday evening May 19th, about 65 Rotarians and their guests celebrated Bill Hamilton’s presidential year in style in the Crystal Ballroom of the Palliser Hotel.
Those present enjoyed a delicious dinner, accompanied by fine wine for many. Much was made of the fact we also enjoyed dessert (unlike at this year’s lunch meetings – a cost-saving choice made by none other than President Bill).
District Governor Manon passed along a “long-serving couple award” to Dave and Diane Macdonald- a couple who not only have long service but are stalwart partners and leaders in numerous aspects of our club’s active service life. The choice was very warmly applauded by those present (no picture as Diane was the photographer for this meeting!).
DG Manon and her husband, Past District Governor Kurt Kowalchuk, were honoured to receive from Pres. Bill their Major Donor memorabilia from Rotary International. They explained how the RI Foundation is their charity of choice because its distributions make possible our vital international work (including Manon’s projects in Cambodia).
The revelry continued with Honourary member and life-long auctioneer Frank Hall auctioning a handful of attractive items raising $3,700.00 for two sober BBQs the club will be hosting.
Laurene Wilson had secured the items from donors who deserve our warm thanks:
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Resort (two night stay);
Cooking Classes for two from the Cookbook Company;
Grey Eagle Golf Package with dinner hosted by our President Nominee, Sean Baylis;
Sheraton Suites Eau Claire (1 night stay & parking);
Elements by Westin (one night stay, breakfast & parking);
A beautiful oil paining from an anonymous donor;
A beautiful water-colour from an anonymous donor.
The highlight of the evening’s entertainment was expertly delivered by President Elect Doug Webb in the form of a Rotarian-style friendly roast of our esteemed club president. Doug included a comic video and a hilarious AI-concocted song all about Bill! Brilliant work, Doug!
Bill’s response was to thank many people and to indicate that he didn’t think the event should be about himself (or any future president), but that it was nevertheless a grand occasion for all club members and should be repeated at least annually.
Big Book Sale BBQ
Diane Macdonald
On the volunteer appreciation day at the Big Book Sale, our BBQ Committee arranged to provide hot dogs to the volunteers as they left the sale with their precious bags of books. It was a sunny day and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to cook and distribute about 700 hot dogs. We have two more BBQs coming up; we have a full complement of helpers at the Bishop Kidd function on Wednesday this week, so watch for the sign-up sheet for one at West Dover School on June 11th.
Our Small Donations Committee--Making a Difference
Angeline Hayes
Members of The Rotary Club of Downtown Calgary enjoyed a nice afternoon helping to assemble infant comfort boxes at the Calgary Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Centre (PILSC). Funding for 100 boxes was provided by the Small Donations Committee. PILSC provides gentle, free, trauma-informed support for families experiencing pregnancy loss, infant loss, and infertility. The boxes supplied through RCCD SDC funding will provide comfort to Calgary families during moments of debilitating and profound grief while individuals and families go through the initial days of devastating, lifelong loss. Distributed through hospitals, clinics, and direct home delivery, these boxes contain practical items of comfort, emotional support resources, and pathways to counselling with connections to peer support programs. Comfort Boxes help reduce isolation, encourage early mental health support, and acknowledge these losses which are often overlooked- losses which can bring with them life long challenges. By strengthening access to compassionate care, this initiative improves long-term wellbeing for the Calgarian community, builds friendships and connections, and supports a healthier, more resilient Calgary for families facing reproductive grief.
Our District is organizing a friendship exchange for next year - and members can indicate their wish to be included - and to host the Kiwi Rotarians when they come to Calgary for 3 or 4 days of Stampede next summer (July 2027).
Some years ago, two of us from our club went on such an Exchange to Sydney, Australia; we each (Yegana Allard and me) enjoyed it so much we are both keen to join this Exchange and to host when they come to Calgary. That is how good they are!
Please contact me by phone or text (403-400-4404) if you are interested?
Click here to tell us your ideas, feedback, bouquets and complaints!
Letter regarding Impact of our Club's Health Initiative in Guatemala
The following relates the the Cervical Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment program initiated by Dr. Walley Temple with Lori Forand now our RCCD Champion.
Dear friends,
I am pleased to share with you the article Turning Awareness into Action in Guatemala, featured in the upcoming edition of Rotary in the Heart of the Americas, the tridistrict magazine that reaches Rotary audiences across Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize, and the Dominican Republic.
The article highlights the breakfast with the media that we coordinated to showcase the collaborative efforts of the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown, Rotary Club Guatemala La Reforma, and Faith in Practice to strengthen cervical cancer prevention, education, and early detection in Guatemala through our Rotary Global Grant initiative.
Beyond presenting the impact achieved so far, the article also reflects the importance of international collaboration, education, community outreach, and culturally relevant prevention strategies in helping save lives and create sustainable change for thousands of women and families in Guatemala.
Thank you once again for your commitment, partnership, and dedication to this important initiative. I truly believe this story is a wonderful example of Rotary and Faith in Practice creating hope and transforming lives together.
Kind regards,
Esther
Club Meeting Dates
President Bill Hamilton and Program Director Terry McMahon
June 2- Panel discussion on the subject of homelessness. The panelists are Patricia Jones, CEO of the Calgary Homeless Foundation; Dr. Ron Kneebone of the U Calgary School of Public Policy and Bo Masterson of the Calgary Homeless Foundation and formerly with our Community Hubs project
June 16- Guest Speaker: Alice de Kooning, Haskayne School of Business on entrepreneurship and innovation
