President Will opened the meeting by welcoming everyone.The national anthem was led by Bill Sibeon.
Guests:PP Gord Mitchell welcomed District Governor Drew Markham and Janet Markham, Assistant District Governor Grace Dorian; Rotarians from Muskoka Lakes Rotary Club Sott Taylor, Paul Meredith and Anita Griffith; Brian Thompson transferring from Whitby Sunrise Rotary Club; Carol Gibson, Lynne Strickland, Fran Mitchell.
Announcements:President Will
Dockfest – Jamie Thompson: Dockfest was an amazing event, more people than previous years, and it all ran so smoothly.Thanks to all volunteers, including Will, Liz, Bill, Lou, Peter, Charles, Paul and others from our club plus all the others who volunteered.There were 38 bathtubs, the parade was longer.The guys built new extensions for some of the tubs and there were no complaints of leaks this year.
Dockfest – Jennifer wants any names of volunteers who were not on the official list, to be thanked for their service.
Dockfest – Will: The amount raised for the Raise Muskoka campaign will be announced at the next Rotary meeting.The community gave great support knowing the funds were going to the new hospital build. Will thanked Jamie for chairing the incredible event.
Dockfest – Gord:At least a dozen former driving school students came up to Gord at the event.
Dockfest – Jennifer: There were two students at the Hospital Foundation tent accepting donations.
Congratulations to Mary and Bill Rashleigh on their 60th anniversary.
PolioPlus Society – Will:Will invited Mary Rashleigh to accept a pin and certificate for becoming a member of the PolioPlus Society.
Bingo Report – Will: In spite of challenges in the last year with Bingo, $ 60,272 was given away to various beneficiaries from Bingo earnings. There is no Bingo during the summer, but it will be back on September 9.Will thanked Peter Redwood for stepping up as Bingo Chair, following Rob Saunders move to Ottawa.
Introduction of Guest Speaker – Will Gibson:Will welcomed back past member of Huntsville Rotary Club, Drew Markham, as the new District Governor.
Guest Speaker – Drew Markhem:Drew said he was back where Rotary started for him.He thanked President Will for continuing to be president.On his power point presentation, he showed a picture of himself with Janet, and the new RI president Olayinka Babalola and his wife.The new RI theme is “Create Lasting Impact”.He showed Rotary’s vision statement.
Drew spoke about why he is in Rotary – one example was doing dental work for a brave little girl in Dominican Republic, and other Rotary moments.He asked each of us to look for new ideas from other clubs, to “Be Curious, not Judgemental”.
District Main Committees are Finance, Learning/Training, Public Image, Rotary Foundation, Membership, New Generations, and Rotaract/Interact.
Drew showed a video of a facility for children with developmental disabilities in Lima, Peru, to highlight the power of Rotary.The Rotary district reason for existence is to support the individual clubs.Drew encouraged the club to reach out for assistance.
District Conference in Peterborough September 25-27, 2026.Theme “Together Rotary Can”.In addition to traditional activities, there will be a canoe excursion, as well as a car rally starting at the district’s northern area and stopping on the Thursday night (September 24th) in Huntsville, with a fellowship event at Canvas Brewery.The line-up of guest speakers includes Ramesh Ferris, the world’s leading speaker and advocate on polio eradication.Conference registration is $ 450.00 ( $ 400.00 for first time attendees).
President Will thanked DG Drew and pledged to promote attendance at the conference to club members.
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