ROTA - TELLER

February 13, 2025
Valentine's Edition

Highlights from the Board meeting on February 5th

Proposed book reading/ fundraiser - the proposal was not felt to be a viable fundraising opportunity, but inviting the author to speak to our club was a possibility. Greta and Elsabe will decide whether to offer Dr. Philpott a speaker's slot.
Vacancies on the Board of Directors remain for next year, namely President-elect. Discussion ensued regarding proposals to encourage members to step up to serve.
The Induction Protocol has been reviewed by the Board. Receiving approval, to be voted on at the next Board meeting and then presented to the membership.

Club Notes

Trevor Dagilis and Anne Desgagnés (in absentia) were presented with Paul Harris pins representing their substantial donations to the Rotary Foundation. Trevor received a pin with two rubies, from President Arja, and Anne's pin contains three sapphires. We also learned a few details about the academic and work credentials of these two valued members.
On January 22, Jack Chong and Randy Beck shared with the membership their experience with Rotary as well as their work experience - Jack as a lawyer of respected repute, and Randy as a previous noted broadcaster and then a realtor.
Thanks to Club Services, we now have a most appealing retractable promotional banner, as seen later in this edition.
Also, again thanks to Club Services, and in particular Don Polk, we are now equipped with new technology, with a projector and screen, both compatible with our computer, enabling us to dispense with our burdensome reliance on the TV monitor, (which will be sold). Thank you, Randy, for the use of your screen.

Russ Phin is back at home, having been discharged on February 7, 2025.
Greta is enjoying 30 C weather in Australia.
Susan is enjoying life as a Snowbird in the Sunshine State.
Randy is nursing a painful shoulder after a fall on the ice.
Peter has postponed his ski trip and will now be off to the Canadian Rockies in March.

With warm regards!

President Arja

2025-26 BOARD POSITIONS

Peter Morrin, Past President

At the Club meeting on February 5, 2025, the following slate of directors was approved for the Rotary Year commencing July 1, 2025:

President: Trevor Dagilis
President-elect: TBD
Past-President & Foundation Chair:
Arja Hamalainen
Treasurer: TBD
Secretary: Fred Richmond (Don Polk serving as Secretary-elect)
Club Services Director: M-C van der Merwe
Membership Chair: Randy Beck
Ways & Means Director: John Mirski
Community Service Director: Jennifer Patelli
International Service Director: Douglas Tanton
Youth/ Vocational Service Director: Don Polk

Rotary’s response to the U.S.’s plan to withdraw from the WHO, USAID funding freeze

— 6 February 2025

By Rotary International

Rotary notes the recent announcement that the United States intends to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), a partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). We remain resolute in our mission to eradicate polio. As a founding partner of the GPEI, Rotary has for decades worked closely with all the GPEI partners, the U.S. government, and other governments to end polio worldwide. This effort has reduced the number of children paralyzed by polio by 99.9% since 1988. The global effort to eradicate polio has innovated many times over the years to come close to protecting every last child.

Learn more and donate to End Polio Now

Although this decision creates new challenges, Rotary remains dedicated to ensuring that every child is protected from this preventable disease. We are confident that the GPEI will continue to adapt, to innovate, and to implement effective strategies to keep polio vaccines available for every child in the United States and around the world, especially those in the most challenging and remote regions. The most important decisions leading to a polio-free world are made every day by parents who present their children for vaccination.

We remain committed to working with all GPEI partners to fulfill the promise of a polio-free world. Together, we have ended smallpox, and together, we can ensure that polio becomes the second human disease to be eradicated from the planet.

Rotary, USAID projects

Rotary has collaborated with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) since 2009 on different types of programs. Our current programmatic efforts and communications with USAID personnel and leadership are on hold due to the stop-work order issued by USAID. Rotary International has already notified members whose projects are directly impacted by this order and is working to continue to support them in their impactful work.

We are navigating the implications of the recent stop-work order issued for Hearts of Europe projects that are part of a partnership with USAID. All projects that are currently in an implementation phase have been notified and given information about what actions need to be taken while the stop-work order is in effect. We are working directly with those projects that are not yet being implemented to determine alternative funding for their important work.

SYLVAIN'S PASSION - Slàinte! [Whisk(e)y]

Whether you think of Whiskey as delicious, evil or awful, the story of whiskey is fascinating, especially when told by our new member Sylvain Bouffard. He is a whisky enthusiast & aficionado who treated members to a very entertaining and educational presentation of his passion for whiskey, as well as a sample, at the first Club meeting of 2025. He enjoys conducting whisky tastings and sharing his passion on many topics related to whisky making and appreciation.

YOUTHEX STUDENT COLE YEATMAN'S
ASIAN ADVENTURE

Kingston-Frontenac's YouthEx student, Cole Yeatman continues to live out his dream during his year abroad in Japan. In January, Cole travelled with his Japanese host club for a long weekend in Taiwan, where he met up with the Kingston Club's YouthEx student, Lylah Robichaud, who is spending her year there. Said Cole after his return "Taiwan was great, but Japan is still WAY better in my opinion", especially the food!

YOUTHEX STUDENT NANDA's

CANADIAN WINTER ADVENTURE

Nanda invited her fellow Rotary YouthEx friends from around District 7040 to gather in Kingston & Bath for some winter fun after Final exams!

Nanda's host family, Jennifer & Fabrizio Patelli, hosted a multinational dinner party for the inbound, rebound and future outbound students who come from Brazil, Japan, Taiwan, Italy, Spain, Germany, Mexico and Canada.

On the weekend of February 7-9, the students gathered in Ottawa for Winterlude, including skating on the Canal and making "live snow sculptures". Special thanks to Trevor & Don Polk for driving Nanda and the 2 other Kingston-based students who went along.

Mark Your Calendars.........

March 8, 2025

A PHOTO EXHIBITION
By Meghan Jenkins

I’m thrilled to invite you to my photo exhibition, featuring moments captured during my time at the Mae Tao Clinic on the Thai-Myanmar border. This past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to work in the Reproductive Health Department of this remarkable clinic, which serves migrant patients fleeing the ongoing civil war in Myanmar. Witnessing the dedication and ingenuity of healthcare providers working with such limited resources was truly transformative for me.

Each image tells a unique story—of resilience, beauty, and community—and I’d love for you to experience these stories with me!

🗓 March 8, 2025 (11:00–16:00)
📍 Lower Hall, The Spire, 82 Sydenham St, Kingston, ON K7L 3H4

Come for the photos, stay for the stories (and yes, there will be snacks!). I’d love for you to join me and connect with the incredible journeys behind the images.

Meghan is a 4th year student in the Queen's University School of Medicine, who travelled to the Mae Tao Clinic in September 2024.

... and in case you missed it

In November 2024, John appeared on the cover of "Neighbours of Kingston Southwest" magazine for his volunteer work with the Council on Aging in Frontenac-Kingston. The story featured his experience with elder abuse - Click here to read more. Congratulations John and thanks for all you do to help Seniors in need through the Council on Aging!

Kingston-Area Rotary Clubs

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2025 Team Progress to Date

Thanks!

to all Rotary Team donors

for the Gift of Life!

NEXT ROTARY DONOR DAY
March 15, 2025

BINGO! FUNDRAISING

In the 2024-25 Bingo Year to date (for hours volunteered Apr-Dec), Kingston-Frontenac Club members have so far raised:

$25,666.18

($320.83/ hour volunteered)

to benefit our local community.

All volunteer shifts in Bingo Year 2024-25

(thru March 31, 2025) are now filled!

Thanks to the K-F members who have volunteered for this valuable service.

** ** **

The K-F Bingo Schedule, Calendar & Homepage Events listing

ARE UPDATED & CORRECT!

NEW MONTHLY MEETING ROTATION

STARTING FEBRUARY 1, 2025

1st & 3rd Wednesdays of every month
Club Meeting at Bistro Stefan
(including Board Meeting on 1st Wed)
2nd Wednesday of every month
Mid-Month Food Packing & Pub Night
4th Wednesday of every month
Community Service (Food Packing)
5th Wednesday of any month (ex.April)
Fun & Fraternization