"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
Trevor Ironside September 2
Bill Avery September 4
Roy Boettger September 5
Angeline Hayes September 7
Helen Graham September 15
Anniversaries
Club Meeting August 26, 2025
by Madeleine King
President Bill called the meeting to order, welcomed the large crowd and Michael Pierson to lead us on the piano for O Canada. Brian Guichon gave a heartfelt message of gratitude for our city, province, country and our Rotary Club in this time of world-wide stress and strife.
Visitors and guests were welcomed to the meeting, and those at the sign-in table and the official greeter were thanked for their service: sign-in desk Ann Haessel and Franco Savoia, Greeter Catherine Scheers.
There was good time for fellowship amongst members and the guests at each table.
After our fellowship time, President Bill provided the opportunity for those present to share their “Happy Bucks’ Moments” – and there were special moments shared, including a long marriage celebration from our volunteer photographer Ralph Lundberg.
Several personal highlights were shared as well as Michael Colborne’s celebration of Vern Kimball’s success (as past CEO of the Calgary Stampede) in having five challenged young people employed by the Stampede through the Rotary Employment Partnership. Everyone was happy to applaud Vern!
Bill urged members to register in good time for club lunches. He pointed out that when we have a number of unregistered folk, as happened today, it makes it hard for the Fairmount Palliser to provide us with good service.
Our member Ann Logan, of the Calgary Library Foundation, introduced her new Associate Corporate Member, Farai Tonzani, who comes from Zimbabwe where she enjoyed her Rotary involvement. Farai so looks forward to active engagement in our club (See following article). Since Farai represented Bill’s first new member introduction, he reminded us all of the meaning and opportunity provided by Rotary membership.
On the International Youth Exchange front, both our outgoing and incoming students were present. Abigail McIsaac (attending with her father) gave a presentation prior to her going to Italy for her year, while Valentin Frauenknecht from Munich will be more fully introduced at the next meeting by our volunteer lead, John Hsu.
Youth Director Peter Harrison spoke about the excellent Stay-in-School Golf Tournament Monday September 8. More golfers and donations of prizes would be warmly welcomed even at this late stage. Please contact Peter ASAP!
Our guest speaker, Ernie Tsu, President of the Alberta Hospitality Association, was introduced by Ryan Tizzard. Ernie gave an informative and hard-hitting presentation focused on the need for everyone to vote in the upcoming municipal election and to take into account the City’s role in acting collaboratively with restaurants and other hospitality businesses – communicating proactively. It was clear from the many questions to which he responded how impactful his presentation had been. He also praised Rotary for our service, especially regarding youth mental health, and generously offered to provide prizes for the Golf Tournament. Both Ryan and Peter thanked him warmly.
The draw for the 50/50 was won by Sean Baylis – but he drew the wrong coloured ball so the winnings stay in the pot.
Bill closed the meeting with a reminder the next meeting is September 9th with guest speaker Jason Ribeiro, President of Calgary Surge, Calgary’s professional basketball team. Be sure to get your tickets in good time!
Club Meeting Dates
The Board has recently confirmed that our in person meetings will occur on alternate Tuesdays, so enter the following dates in your 2025 calendar:
Sept. 9 and 23
Oct. 7 and 21
Nov. 4 and 18
Dec. 2 and 16
Welcome to our Newest Member, Farai Tonzani
by Diane Macdonald
Farai is new to our Club, but not to Rotary. She was a member of the Bridge Rotary Club in Harare, Zimbabwe for a short time before she moved to Canada. She is excited to be joining Rotary here as a corporate member through her role as Senior Development Officer at the Calgary Public Library Foundation. She is originally from Zimbabwe and has built her career in fundraising and project management helping organizations there, and in Canada, grow their impact and strengthen their communities. With degrees in psychology, law and business administration, she brings a unique mix of skills and experiences to her work.
What really drives Farai is her passion for people and community. She loves seeing the difference that can be made when people come together for a common cause which is why Rotary feels like such a natural fit for her. During her time at the Bridge Club in Harare, she was a member of the Service Committee which played a crucial role in identifying community needs and coordinating volunteer efforts that aided vulnerable members of the community.
Outside of work, Farai enjoys travelling, spending time with family and friends, meeting new people, listening to audiobooks and staying connected to causes that bring people together.
Welcome to the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown, Farai. We’re so pleased to have you with us.
From Liz Ballendine of the Alberta Hospital Foundation
Thank you for joining us at yesterday’s opening of the beautiful Rotary Flames House Playground.
I hope you will agree that it was a wonderful afternoon and so touching to see the kids and their families interact with the new playground that you supported/funded.
As always we are so grateful for our partnership with Rotary and so impressed by all the ways you support the community.
Invitation from Youth Centres
Financial Education for Youth
by Madeleine King
Our District runs “high equity index school programs” for students at low income schools. Manon and Kurt witnessed this recently and were extremely impressed.
Program advertisements go out to those schools which qualify, with booking in September. The program is sponsored by our club, The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown; Past President Eric Bennett is also a sponsor. Recognition is currently being worked on.
My First Convention: Inspiration, Connections and Renewed Purpose
by Esther Brol, Rotary Club Guatemala La Reforma
Traveling to Calgary was much more than attending a large-scale event — it was about connecting with the heart of Rotary, growing, learning, and taking my commitment to the next level.
A year ago, I registered for the Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Canada and I was truly excited. I had participated in national, district and zone Rotary events, but this would be my very first time at a world convention — together with more than 15,000 Rotarians from around the globe to get inspired, learn, celebrate and unite in doing good.
One of my main motivations for attending was that my club has developed three global grants with the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown and I was eager to finally meet in person those who had been allies and friends from afar for years. When they learned I would attend the convention, they offered to host me in their home — something I gladly accepted, as I knew it would make the experience even more meaningful.
From the moment I arrived in that beautiful city, I knew I was in for something unforgettable. My hosts — Dave, Diana, and their dog Jasper — were lovely, and their hospitality made me feel right at home.
Several general sessions were deeply moving. Watching the Guatemalan flag parade among so many others brought tears to my eyes. Listening to service stories renewed my commitment. I attended breakout sessions, shared ideas, and met new and old friends.
A world convention not only inspires — it also opens doors to serve better. That’s why preparation is key. Taking a portfolio of projects aligned with Rotary’s areas of focus can make a difference. I presented several of my club’s projects and was able to make potential connections interested in supporting them.
I enjoyed vibrant evenings at the Grandstand Spectacular and Rock the Nation; I visited breathtaking places like Elbow Falls, Canmore, and Banff — a national park whose beauty captured my heart and to which I’ve promised to return.
After the International Convention in Calgary, my heart is full. The closing speech by Rotary President Stephanie Urchick reminded us why we remain in Rotary; we are family, and when we care for each other, serve with joy, and dare to innovate, Rotary becomes simply irresistible.
I will continue walking this Rotary path with even more commitment, more gratitude, and more vision than ever. And yes… I’m already saving up to attend the next convention!
English translation Esther’s article published in the latest issue of Rotary en el Corazón de las Américas, a tridistrict magazine distributed in Mexico, all of Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.
