Rotary International President, Francesco Arezzo (Rotary Club of Ragusa, Italy) District Governor Jeff Ferweda, (Rotary Club of Genessee Valley, MI) Club President, Kurtis Lush
District website: https://rotary6330.org/ Club website: https://www.rotarysarnia.com/ Club Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/rotaryclubofsarniaontario
The Calendar below shows Rotary’s 2025-26 monthly themes.
ROTARY CALENDAR and THEMES
Month
July
August
Theme
Maternal and Child Health
Membership and New Club Development
September Basic Education and Literacy
October
Community Economic Development
November The Rotary Foundation
December
January
February
March
Disease Prevention and Treatment
Vocational Service
Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
April Environment
May
June
Youth Service
Rotary Fellowships
Click the flags below to listen to the respective national anthems.
LEARN ABOUT ROTARY CLUB OF SARNIA
Take the time to view a short video on Rotary’s Areas of Focus – Click here!
Click here to view a short and fun video of our RI President
MONTH OF DECEMBER
Rotary’s Focus on Disease Prevention & Treatment
CLUB SOUP-KITCHEN MEAL AT THE INN
Friday, December 5
UNITE FOR GOOD
VOCATIONAL SERICE MONTH
Month of January
Happy New Year January 2026
Rotary Anthem
Right click here to open the link and listen to the Rotary Anthem!
THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT DECEMBER MESSAGE 2025
To health and happiness
This month’s special issue of Rotary magazine is all about happiness, that most elemental of human yearnings. More than a feeling, though, this state of positive well-being, and the conditions necessary to create and sustain it, should be considered a universal right.
December also marks Rotary’s Disease Prevention and Treatment Month, when we highlight our members’ work to promote health and wellness, including mental wellness. Globally, nearly 1 in 7 people have a mental health disorder, according to a recent World Health Organization report. Yet only 9 percent of people with depression receive adequate treatment.
We are fortunate in Rotary to have a powerful way to support emotional well-being and happiness: friendship. The connections we build in Rotary can be a powerful force for change. I know this from personal experience.
When my fellow members first proposed that I become club president, I demurred. I had a stutter. I was terrified of speaking. But having club members who supported me and surrounded me with affection enabled me to face my fear, and I found a way to stand confidently before a crowd.
Today, I regularly address audiences – some numbering in the thousands – in a language that is not native to me. The Rotary members in my life helped me create lasting change within myself.
That fellowship gives us the courage and means to create lasting change in the world as well, and mental health services are in desperate need of improvement. The WHO reports that governments on average devote only 2 precent of their health budgets to mental health, and only 11 percent of that funding reaches community-based services. In some countries, only one trained mental health professional is available for every 100,000 people. The WHO has called for strategic and urgent action to close the gap.
Rotary can answer that call by championing mental health awareness in our clubs, working with local health systems, funding training for community health workers, and supporting initiatives that bring care to places where none exists. Even small investments in mental health yield enormous returns in productivity, public health, and happiness.
While we are creating lasting change in the world, we cannot forget to take care of each other. Past RI President Gordon McInally wisely reminds us that we must go beyond asking, “How are you?” We owe it to each other to instead ask, “How are you really?”
As we transition to a new year filled with new possibilities, let us Unite for Good – for healing, friendship, and access to happiness.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION TRUSTEE CHAIR MESSAGE DECEMBER 2025
On a grander scale
As 2020-21 Rotary president, I shared our hopes for a new initiative: Programs of Scale. The seeds we planted then are now bearing remarkable fruit.
After the success of Rotary’s first Programs of Scale grant recipient, Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia, the Gates Foundation, and World Vision approached us to do more and bigger projects. They know Rotary can make great things happen. From that partnership grew the Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge, now Rotary’s most significant disease prevention initiative after polio eradication.
The Healthy Communities Challenge aims to combat pneumonia, malaria, and diarrheal diseases, the leading killers of children under 5 in many parts of Africa. Despite progress, these diseases still claim one million young lives annually.
This strategic partnership between The Rotary Foundation, the Gates Foundation, World Vision, and PATH, a global nonprofit dedicated to health equity, is now saving lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zambia.
Let us not forget that our partnerships are made up of people – volunteers, Rotary members, and professionals –striving to make a difference. One of them is Gisela Bettencourt Mirçāo of the Rotary Club of ChimoioPlanalto, Mozambique, Healthy Communities Challenge national coordinator and assistant governor for District 9210, who reports:
In Mozambuque, preventable diseases remain leading causes of death of children.
With support from our partners, District 9210, and the Ministry of Health, the Healthy Communities Challenge mobilizes resources, technical expertise, and volunteers to strengthen community health systems in two provinces in the country’s west.
Community health workers are trained to deliver lifesaving education, prevention tools, and early treatment to families in hard-to-reach areas. The program expands access to testing, diagnosis, and treatment, ensuring children recei ve timely care. Rotary coordinates advocacy, procures essential supplies, and ensures local ownership alongside government health structures. In its first year, the Healthy Communities Challenge reached thousands of households across four districts, supporting more thn 4,400 community health workers to protect children.
I have been involved since the planning stages, but I hadn’t grasped the true impact until seeing it firsthand.
Through the Healthy Communities Challenge, Programs of Scale, and polio eradication, Rotary proves that partnership, community engagement, and vision can transform global health and save lives.
Your support of The Rotary Foundation makes you part of this life-changing work.
HOLGER KNAACK Foundation Trustee Chair, 2025-26
ROTARY’S DECEMBER FOCUS –DISEASE PREVENTION & TREATMENT
8 essential tips for successful disease prevention and treatment projects
Posted on December 5, 2024 by rotaryservice
By Claudia Urbano, Rotary Service and
Engagement
staff
Health workers talk about their advocacy efforts in local communities through Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia, the 2020-21 award recipient for Rotary’s Programs of Scale grant. The program trains, equips, and supports community health workers to conduct assessments and treatments, strengthening the health system’s ability to respond to malaria cases and prevent transmission
At Rotary, we’re dedicated to making a positive difference in communities around the world.
One of our areas of focus is Disease Prevention and Treatment. Our members help to improve health care systems, limit the spread of infectious diseases, and reduce the number of cases and effects of noncommunicable diseases.
Following are just a few examples of how Rotary members are working to prevent and treat disease around the world:
• Polio eradication has been Rotary’s top humanitarian initiative for more than 35 years.
• The Rotary Healthy Communities Challenge is a multi-million dollar initiative that aims to improve health outcomes for children in Africa by enhancing sustainable community health systems.
• The United to End Cervical Cancer program promotes awareness and vaccination against HPV, a leading cause of this disease, in Egypt.
• The Rotary Family Health Days program provides free health screenings and vaccinations for millions of people in Africa and India.
• The Rotary Club of Taveuni, Fiji, hosted a team of six dental volunteers from New Zealand and Australia to improve the dental health of young adults on the island by treating dental problems and teaching them proper oral hygiene.
These programs are making a real difference in people’s lives.
Here are eight essential tips for successful disease prevention and treatment projects in your community:
1. Consult with a Rotary Action Group that works in disease prevention and treatment to help your club build a strong relationship with a community, understand its priorities, and together develop a project to address the community’s concerns.
2. Communicate with local and regional hospitals, clinics, universities, and ministries of health to avoid duplicating efforts and to take advantage of local resources.
3. Collaborate with community health care workers and other health and medical volunteers to support project development and implementation. In Zambia, Rotary is working to reduce malaria cases by training and equipping community health workers to test and treat the disease. The success of this program highlights the importance of local leadership and participation.
4. Partner with successful community-based organizations to strengthen their capacity and expand existing services.
5. Work with local, regional, district, and national health systems to increase people’s access to equipment, facilities, and the latest health care programs.
6. Incorporate innovative technologies and tools to extend the reach of health centers. A good example is the Remotheart project, an initiative where Rotary clubs and district resource network experts joined forces to innovate and expand healthcare in Italy.
7. Work with local health centers to develop programs that attract health workers with a variety of skills.
8. Work with local universities, nursing schools, and other health care training facilities to provide educational opportunities in locations where employees live, in order to maximize retention rates.
ROTARY INSPIRATION
An Update from the latest RC of Flint newsletter on Health from the Greater Flint Health Coalition by
Jim Ananich, President and CEO of Greater Flint Health Coalition (GFHC), presented to the Rotary Club of Flint on November 7. Jim is well-known to the Club, having presented in the past as part of our annual governance programs in his roles as former Flint City State Senator and State Representative. After 27 years in politics, Jim shared that he is happy to be out of elective office and serving the community through the nonprofit.
At right - Jim Ananich, President and CEO of the Greater Flint Health Coalition, and President Nick Godlesky
He started with what GFHC is NOT.
"We're not Genesee Health System, we're not Genesee Health Plan, we're not a doctors office or service provider."
He described the Coalition's role as, "We're a convenor, we bring people together, we help connect people with social determinants of health. We try to have people avoid emergency rooms if possible. We try to connect them to healthy food using a broad partnership of health care providers."
Joel Feick
Greater Flint Health Coalition has been a nonprofit since 1996. Its mission is to improve health care statistics, quality and cost. Their vision is to make healthy lifestyles more affordable.
Some of the notable initiatives GFHC is involved with are Rx Kids, a groundbreaking program that provides nostrings-attached funds during pregnancy and in the first year of a baby's life to every newborn living in Flint. Pregnancy and the first year of life are the most economically precarious times in many people's lives, and providing cash allows families to better provide for their young family at that critical time.
Other notable undertakings include the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Task Force, which helps address opioid use. The Flint area has some of the highest incidents of opioid use in the state.
"We received a $1M grant to fight opioid abuse from the City of Flint. There are strict requirements. We're also a part of the Genesee County Substance Abuse and Prevention Task Force," said Ananich.
GFHC also helps people connect with health coverage by emailing www.coverage@flint.org.
Lastly, GFHC plays a role in training the future healthcare workers serving the Flint area. The Flint Healthcare Opportunities Program addresses the skills shortage in healthcare and attempts to place Genesee County residents in healthcare jobs. They provide free tuition, career advisors, and job development assistance. Ananich proclaimed proudly that "we have an 82% employment rate."
PAUL HARRIS SOCIETY
What's the Paul Harris Society?
The Paul Harris Society is the name given to those Rotarians who pledge a $1000 gift annually – every year You may know these committed individuals they wear a "flag" below their Rotary pin that reads "PHS."
One easy way to give at the $1000 level is through Rotary Direct -- sign up and an amount of money you designate is automatically deducted from your account each month. Learn more at www.rotary.org
Members of the Paul Harris Society know that the need never ends and neither should the giving.
D6330 Long-time Paul Harris Society Chair is Rotarian Jamie Pole.
What your giving supports
• Vocational training for teachers establishing an early childhood education center in South Africa
• Water filters, toilets, and hygiene training to prevent fluorosis, diarrhea, and other diseases in India
• A scholarship for a medical professional in Italy to research treatments that minimize mortality rates among premature babies
• Peace-building seminars for 200 teachers and 1,300 students in Uganda
• Treated mosquito nets and medical services that prevent malaria in Mali
• Clean water and sanitation which assists in preventing disease
• Life-saving health care to mothers and children
• Peace and peace building
• Education and literacy
• Economic and community development
In District 6330 we are proud of the generous members in our Paul Harris Society.
We have over 32 of our clubs that now have members in the Paul Harris Society.
If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Paul Harris Society Coordinator, District 6330 – Jamie Pole!
Rotarian Jamie Pole
NEWS & INFORMATION IMPORTANT TO ROTARIANS
In District 6330, Rotary leadership – past, present, future
Above (left to right) PDG Mike Chaffee (2022-2023 - PDG Sonja Glass (2023-2024) –PDG Katherine Hahn (2024-2025) – DG Jeff Ferweda (2025-2026 – DGE Lorna Gunning Fratschko (2026-2027)
Above – DGN Dawn Kennedy (2027-2028)
ROTARY ACTION GROUPS
What is a Rotary Action Group?
Rotary Action Groups are independent entities affiliated with Rotary that each have a specific humanitarian focus, such as
• economic development
• peacebuilding
• addiction prevention
• ending modern slavery, or
• environmental sustainability
Organized by Rotary members and non-members, the groups include people around the world who have knowledge, experience, or an interest in the topic. Action group members participate in meaningful service activities and use their expertise and global networks to facilitate sustainable change.
By offering Rotary clubs and districts professional knowledge, advice about partners and funding, and guidance on the best practices and project management strategies, action groups help Rotary members plan and implement large-scale projects that make an even greater impact on critical issues in communities near and far.
Anyone who’s interested in the topic of a Rotary Action group can join one to make a difference with people who are passionate about the same cause.
In a Rotary Action Group, you can:
• Be part of a global group focused on a humanitarian issue you care about
• Participate in meaningful service activities to create positive change in the world
• Develop your own capabilities or knowledge related to a particular humanitarian focus
• Make personal and professional connections with people of action around the globe
• Share your experience and skills to help others build their expertise
To get involved, visit the individual action groups’ websites listed below or review the directory, and then contact the group you’re interested in.
You’ll need to create a My Rotary account to access the directory.
Here are just a few examples with links –
Click the graphics with links below to learn, join, and register for seminars.
ESRAG members see a world where people unite and take action to protect the environment for a sustainable future.
The climate, biodiversity, and pollution crisis threaten humanity and the planet. Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation encourage clubs and districts to mitigate and adapt to this triple planetary crisis through projects and programs outlined in the Environment Guidelines for Global Grants.
In accordance with Rotary International’s guidance for Action Groups, the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group, ESRAG, gathers individuals, experts and partners whose goal is to provide awareness, dialogue, resources, and best practices for the environment.
ESRAG, assists the Rotary family to plan, run, and evaluate projects, programs, and practices that support actions in the Environment Area of Focus and address the triple planetary crisis.
We work together for a sustainable future for our planet! .
What is ESRAG?
Summary of new polioviruses this week, cases and positive environmental isolates:
• Chad: four cVDPV2 cases and three cVDPV2-positive environmental samples
• Djibouti: one cVDPV1-positive environmental sample
• Germany: one WPV1-positive environmental sample
• Nigeria: two cVDPV2 cases and one cVDPV2-positive environmental sample
• Papua New Guinea: two cVDPV2-positive environmental samples
For details on the 2024 estimates and what they tell us about immunization globally, read the WHO-UNICEF press release and explore the WHO Immunization Data Portal
Detection of Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1) in Environmental Sample in Germany
German authorities on Thursday identified the northern city of Hamburg as the location where a sewage sample containing the wild form of the polio virus had been found.
The nation's main public health body, Robert Koch Institute, or RKI, told Reuters on Wednesday that the wastewater test at an unspecified German location was positive for the wild polio virus, in a setback for efforts to rid the world of the deadly disease.
The findings came more than 30 years after the last cases of wild polio virus infections in people were registered in Germany and marked the first wild virus detection from environmental sampling in the country since this type of routine monitoring began in 2021.
Detection of Wild Poliovirus Type 1 (WPV1) in Environmental Sample in Germany
13/11/2025
On 10 November 2025, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was informed that wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) was isolated from an environmental (sewage) sample collected through routine surveillance in Hamburg, Germany, during the week of 6 October 2025.
Genetic sequencing indicates that the detected virus is linked to WPV1 last identified from an environmental sample collected in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on 24 August 2025. No associated cases of paralysis have been detected in Germany, and at this time the virus has been found only in wastewater.
This detection is genetically unrelated to circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2), which has also been detected in Germany in recent months through environmental surveillance. As with the current finding, no human cases have been associated with those detections.
GPEI partners are working closely with national and local public health authorities, through the WHO Regional Office for Europe, to support ongoing investigations, assess potential risks, and determine whether any additional public-health measures are needed.
Germany has strong routine immunization coverage and a robust environmental surveillance system — which enabled this virus to be detected in the absence of any cases of disease. This early detection provides the opportunity to implement appropriate measures swiftly to protect children and communities.
This event underscores the reality that until polio is eradicated everywhere, all countries remain at risk of importation of the virus and potential re-infection. It highlights the continued importance of high vaccination coverage, strong disease surveillance, and international solidarity in achieving and sustaining a polio-free world. https://polioeradication.org/news/detection-of-wild-poliovirus-type-1-wpv1-in-environmental-sample-in-germany/
Leaders from across the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region gathered during November in Tokyo to celebrate a major milestone − 25 years since the Region was certified polio-free.
The anniversary coincided with the 31st meeting of the Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication in the Western Pacific (RCC) − the independent body that verifies the Region’s continued freedom from poliovirus transmission.
Hosted by the Government of Japan and supported by the Japan Institute for Health Security, the meeting brought together the chairs of national certification committees for poliomyelitis eradication, global experts and partners including the UNICEF, Rotary International, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, CDC and the Gates Foundation.
Together, they reaffirmed that maintaining a polio-free region requires constant vigilance, sustained financing and unwavering political commitment.
Leaders from across the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region gathered this week in Tokyo to celebrate a major milestone − 25 years since the Region was certified polio-free. The anniversary coincided with the 31st meeting of the Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication in the Western Pacific (RCC) − the independent body that verifies the Region’s continued freedom from poliovirus transmission.
Hosted by the Government of Japan and supported by the Japan Institute for Health Security, the meeting brought together the chairs of national certification committees for poliomyelitis eradication, global experts and partners including the United Nations Children’s Fund, Rotary International, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Gates Foundation. Together, they reaffirmed that maintaining a polio-free region requires constant vigilance, sustained financing and unwavering political commitment.
A legacy of leadership
When the Western Pacific Region was certified polio-free in 2000, it set the benchmark for what could be achieved through partnership, science and community engagement.
Since then, the Region’s surveillance and immunization strategies have become global standards for other regions still battling the disease. However, recent outbreaks in Papua New Guinea and the closed outbreak in Indonesia remind the world that viruses do not respect borders.
At the RCC meeting, experts assessed each country’s progress and outlined the actions needed to maintain high population immunity, strengthen surveillance, ensure rapid response capacity and reinforce public health measures at ports of entry to detect and prevent cross-border transmission of poliovirus.
The human face of the fight
While celebrating 25 years of the Region being polio-free, participants at the same time warned of the risks posed by declining global development assistance, competing health priorities and pandemic-related fatigue resulting in weakened vigilance. They called for renewed domestic investment and continued support from partners to safeguard the gains achieved and close remaining gaps.
Among those addressing the gathering was Dr Nimfa Putong, a physician and polio survivor from the Philippines, whose message resonated deeply with participants.
“I know what it means to live with polio,” she said. “Our region proved that dedication, compassion and teamwork can make the impossible possible. But our work is not over − until every child, everywhere, is protected, we cannot rest.”
Her testimony underscored the human cost of complacency − and the moral imperative to continue working towards polio eradication.
A shared responsibility
During the meeting, Rotary International and other civil society partners were also recognized for their decadeslong commitment to the cause. Their advocacy, alongside governments and donors, remains vital to ensuring that immunization reaches every community − from remote islands to urban slums.
As the global eradication effort moves closer to its final goal of a world free from polio, the Western Pacific’s experience serves as both a source of inspiration and a reminder: until the virus is eradicated everywhere, no region is truly safe.
At left - The National Department of Health and provincial health authorities of Papua New Guinea, supported by WHO and partners, implement a national polio vaccination campaign to protect every child from the devastating effects of the disease.
Chairs of national certification committees, global experts, health leaders and partners during the 31st meeting of the Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication in the Western Pacific held in Japan.
Donations are matched annually 2-to-1 by the Gates Foundation up to US$50 million, generating a potential total of US$150 million toward polio eradication.
Raise awareness in your community by planning events or projects that support the fight against polio.
Visit endpolio.org to find the latest information and tools to help you share the story of our fight against polio and raise support.
Ending this disease forever remains our top humanitarian priority and needs our full commitment.
How can you take action? Donate to End Polio
Visit the PolioPlus Society Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/polioplussociety
Click here to view a short video and learn more about GAVI – The Vaccine Alliance One of the greatest achievements in the history of mankind.
INTERNATIONAL DATES TO NOTE (plus links)
November Rotary’s Focus – The Rotary Foundation
Monday, December 1
World AIDS Day
The Red Ribbon is the universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV. It was first devised in 1991, when twelve artists met to discuss a new project for Visual AIDS, a New York HIV-awareness arts organisation.
Tuesday, December 2
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
An estimated 50 million people are in modern slavery, including 28 million in forced labour and 22 million in forced marriage.
Wednesday, December 3
International Day for Persons with Disabilities
An estimated 1.3 billion people experience significant disability. This represents 16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 of us.
Tuesday, December 9
International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and the Prevention of this Crime
“In the name of the victims and survivors of genocide, all governments must ratify and fully implement the Convention, holding perpetrators to account.” - António Guterres
Wednesday, December 10
Human Rights Day
Human rights are positive, essential, attainable
Friday, December 12
International Universal Health Coverage Day
The 2025 UHC Day campaign theme, “Unaffordable health costs? We’re sick of it!” focuses on the lived experience behind these statistics, reminding government decision-makers that unaffordable health costs are making our communities poorer and sicker and holding us back on all of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Saturday, December 27
International Day of Epidemic Preparedness
“COVID-19 is a human tragedy. But it has also created a generational opportunity - an opportunity to build back a more equal and sustainable world. The response to the pandemic, and to the widespread discontent that preceded it, must be based on a New Social Contract and a New Global Deal that create equal opportunities for all and respect the rights and freedoms of all.”
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
Do you need a make-up? missed meetings? To learn about other Rotary clubs?
All Rotarians are encouraged to join local (and other) clubs to learn more about Rotary, get to know other Rotarians, gain a new perspective and appreciation for Rotary and Rotarians. Here is a list of online clubs where you can earn a make-up along with learning a whole lot more about Rotary! Why not visit them all?
• Rotary E-Club of Canada One – Rotary On Demand, Where you want, When you want!
• Rotary Club of One World
• Rotary E-Club of World Peace
Click here to attend this week’s posted meeting of E-Club of Canada One. These meetings are posted online and available 24/7!
Club President for 2025-26 – Kurtis Lush
The hat is ready for our 100th President. The Rotary Club of Sarnia will celebrate 100 years in 2028. The club already has a hat ready for that special President who will lead the club during the celebrations of our 100th year of service to the community of Sarnia. Shown displaying the 100th Presidential Hat are past president, Mark Taylor (#96), immediate past president, Jamie Pole (#97), current president Kurtis Lush (#98) and current vice-president Joe Cebulski (#99), who also is the designated caretaker of the prized (#100) hat until that person is chosen later by the members. Special celebrations and projects will take place during 2028.
DECEMBER PLANS
Date
December 2
Presentation
Rotary Club of Sarnia AGM
December 9 Franz Hartmann, Alliance for a Liveable Ontario (via Zoom)
December 11
Christmas party @ the home of Heather & Bob Martin (6:30 p.m.?)
December 16 President Kurtis, Christmas Lunch/Year 100 Chat
Volunteer Opportunity: Salvation Army Kettles. Our help is requested!
Affordable Housing - Here’s an article that may be of interest to club members who are working to improve affordable housing in the community. Click here.
NEWS & INFORMATION IMPORTANT TO CLUB MEMBERS
NOVEMBER 4 – SPEAKER
Thank you Matthew Slotwinski, CEO, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership for your excellent talk on what SLEP is doing to promote & encourage business in City of Sarnia and County of Lambton - whether it is branding & marketing, tools for newcomers and all job seekers, cluster development, focusing on youth retention and skills development, highlighting our strategic advantages to different sectors.
SHORT PROGRAM OF REMEMBRANCE FOR NOVEMBER 11
Rotarian Adelle introduced a thoughtful program reflecting on military service. She shared the powerful story of her father, who was shot down during the war, and introduced two fellow Rotarians who have served in the military and offered reflections from their own experiences.
Short presentations and memories were shared by Rotarians Mark Taylor and Murray Quinton. Thank you!
Photos - Rotarians Brian Davidson, Myles Vanni, Allison Mahon, Mark Taylor, Joe Cebulski
ROTARY CLUB DONATES TO REBOUND - ROTARY ACTION GRANTS PROGRAM
Smiles all around as the Rotary Club of Sarnia presented a very generous $10,000 cheque in support of The HUB.
Through the Rotary Action Grants Program, this funding will allow Rebound to complete much-needed upgrades to The HUB space, including painting, a new fridge, window treatments, and office equipment.
The Rotary Club of Sarnia and its dedicated members have a long and meaningful history of supporting our community, and this donation will make a positive difference in the lives of the young people served at Rebound.
Big Thank You!!
Presenting the cheque are President-elect Joe Cebulski (left) and current President, Kurtis Lush (right).
Rotary Club of Sarnia – Action Grants
The Rotary Club of Sarnia invites applications to the Rotary Club of Sarnia Action Grants program. These grants support community groups working to positively impact Sarnia-Lambton.
Action Grant applications are accepted twice per year. Organizations can apply at any time, but application reviews will only occur after a deadline passes.
Submission deadlines: January 15 and August 15, by 11:59 p.m.
The Sarnia Rotary Club funds a wide range of initiatives, from smaller requests (as low as $100) to larger projects ($30,000+). Projects that align with Rotary’s 7 focus areas are especially encouraged, including: (1) Maternal and Child Health; (2) Community Economic Development; (3) Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention; (4) Disease prevention; (5) Basic Education and Literacy; (6) Environmental Sustainability; and (7) Water and Sanitation.
SPEAKER FOR NOVEMBER 18 – SERGEANT PATRICK ARMSTRONG, OPP
Sergeant Patrick Armstrong, OPP, spoke about Dave M. Mounsey Memorial Fund, Public Access Defibrillators
The Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund is dedicated to
• Promoting the dedication to community that was exemplified by Dave Mounsey, in his work and in his life
• Remembering and honouring the fallen Law Enforcement, Fire, Paramedic and Military members who have made the ultimate sacrifice, in service to their communities
• Donating and promoting the use and widespread availability of life-saving defibrillators
“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can Do, or any kindness that I can show to any other human being, let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
The Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund was created in October 2009 by OPP Constable Patrick Armstrong; along with the help and input of the Fund's first Board. The creation of the Fund was to donate and promote the use of life-saving defibrillators; donated to public access buildings and placed in the name of fallen Law Enforcement, Fire EMS and Military members who were killed in the line of duty. On October 25, 2009, the first defibrillator was donated by the Fund - to the Blyth Theatre in the name of Dave Mounsey himself.
Dave Mounsey was an OPP Constable who had a distinguished service career spanning two countries. A Royal Air Force veteran of 14 years, Dave immigrated to Canada and became a Corrections Officer in the Province of Ontario. In 1998, Dave joined the Ontario Provincial Police and became a Crisis Negotiator as well as a Coach, or Training Officer. It was in this role, as a Coach Officer, that Patrick and Dave's paths crossed. in 2003, Dave took Patrick on as Dave's first (and only) recruit.
In 2004, Dave was injured in a collision at which he was struck by another motor vehicle. It was during his
Sergeant Patrick Armstrong
recovery that Dave saw the professionalism and skills of the then Blyth Fire Department; and set off to further his dedication to his community by becoming a volunteer firefighter.
On October 14, 2006, Dave was enroute to a vehicle roll over north of their location. While on Brussels Line (Cty 12), Dave lost control of his cruiser due to the ice and snow covered roads, striking a telephone pole and rolling. Dave was extricated and sent by helicopter to London, Ontario. On November 13th 2006, Dave passed while never having regained conscious.
Click here for the short video
Click here for the short video above. (Sergeant Patrick Armstrong above right)
Another short video link below about the fund and one donation of defibrillators https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjNUZDBGF-A&t=23s
From the Mayo Clinic website –
Using the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) could possibly save a life. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after cardiac arrest can keep blood flowing to the heart and brain for a time. But often only defibrillation can restore the heartbeat.
Together these treatments can improve the chances of survival.
An AED is used to revive someone from sudden cardiac arrest. This usually happens when a problem in the heart's electrical activity causes a dangerously irregular heartbeat. The irregular heartbeat prevents the heart from pumping as it should and causes the heart to stop.
When this happens, the brain and other organs don't get the blood and oxygen they need. Treatment is needed within minutes to prevent death. The sooner the heartbeat is restored, the greater the chance there won't be permanent damage to the brain and other organs.
All AEDs include instructions on when and how to use them. Training on proper use of an AED is recommended. But someone with no training also can use the device to reset the heartbeat of a person who has had a sudden cardiac arrest. Using the AED could possibly save a life.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION (TRF)
Donations Are Important!
Clubs must qualify first! The Rotary Foundation requires Clubs that want to participate in the District Grants program to qualify. To qualify, the club must:
• Be in good standing
• May not have any grant reporting that is overdue
• Have at least 2 members complete the District’s Qualification Training course and quiz
The Certification is valid for One Rotary Year only! Clubs must be re-certified for each Rotary Year.
Rotary Foundation Grants – There are two kinds of grants. -Global Grants and District Grants:
Global Grants
• Must be in (at least) one of Rotary's Areas Of Focus
• Must be International projects involving at least 2 clubs in 2 different countries. One of these clubs is the "host" club - the club where the project will take place. The other is the "international partner" - the club that provides funding and possibly some expertise to help implement the project.
• Must have a minimum budget of USD $30,000
• Club funds are supplemented by the District Designated Funds as, and if, available
• Funds donated to the project from District Designated Funds are supplemented by The Rotary Foundation (World Fund) to fund these grants.
District Grants
• May be local or international in scope.
• Are usually smaller in scale. There is no minimum budget requirement.
• Will usually involve active participation by Rotarians.
• District 6330 clubs may apply for more than one District Grant in a single Rotary year, but are limited to a maximum of USD $3,000 per year in District Grant funding.
• Projects must be started and completed within one Rotary year - July 1 to June 30 of the next year.
Ready to Apply for A Grant? Will it be a District or a Global Grant?
3 simple questions to help you decide:
• Is the project in one of the areas of focus? – No? Consider applying for a District Grant.
• Is the project between Clubs/Districts in separate countries? – No? Consider a District Grant.
• Is the total budget for the project less than USD $30,000? – No? Consider applying for a District Grant.
• If you answer YES to all the above, consider applying for a Global Grant.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION (TRF)
Highest rating from Charity Navigator for The Rotary Foundation
For the 17th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating, four stars, from Charity Navigator, the largest independent charity evaluator in the United States.
The Foundation earned the recognition for adhering to sector best practices and executing its mission in a financially efficient way, demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.
“We are delighted to provide the Rotary Foundation with third-party accreditation that validates their operational excellence,” said Michael Thatcher, president and CEO of Charity Navigator.
“The Four-Star Rating is the highest possible rating an organisation can achieve. We are eager to see the good work that the Rotary Foundation can accomplish in the years ahead.”
Charity Navigator analysed the overall non-profit health and performance of the Rotary Foundation and awarded us the maximum score of 100%, based on these key areas:
• Leadership & Adaptability to help donors understand if a charity has clarity of purpose
• Accountability & Finance to explain if they are transparent and fiscally capable, and
• Culture & Community to show how they engage with their constituents
Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean, major disasters in the Philippines, earthquakes in Myanmar/Thailand, Floods in Pakistan, the crisis in Gaza and earthquakes in Afghanistan
Hurricane Melissa – Jamaica and neighbouring islands have suffered extensive damage and loss of life from the predicted Hurricane Melissa with many homes and livelihoods lost – and aid is desperately needed.
Rotary District 7020 and the Disaster Network of Assistance Rotary Action Group have launched a joint appeal https://7020.org/Stories/hurricane-melissa - which includes a little background information and details for making donations.
PDG Diana White in D7020 is the point of contact for questions dianawhite.7020@gmail.com
PDG Diana
The Environment – Rotary’s 7th Area of Focus
By Chris Davies
Many Rotarians find themselves trapped in a familiar pattern: waiting for someone else to solve the climate crisis. Whether the government, corporations, or some breakthrough technology will emerge and thus enabling them to put their environmental conscience on hold. It may take joining ESRAG to realise that we don't need to wait for political shifts or new technologies to make a meaningful impact. The most powerful climate action might already be sitting in our kitchens.
Whilst we often think of solar panels, electric vehicles, or complex carbon capture technologies as the primary solutions to climate change, there are simpler, more accessible options that deliver immediate results. One such is adopting a plant-rich diet. Project Drawdown, the comprehensive global research initiative, cites plant-rich diets as the second most impactful action we can take to reverse climate change, ranking just after food waste reduction.
This isn't merely about personal health, though the benefits there are substantial. Agriculture is the single greatest driver harming the systems that support our lives, contributing more to global warming than all forms of transportation combined. The global livestock industry produces 32% of global man-made methane emissions, second only to the fossil fuel industry which produces 35%. Even if we completely eliminated fossil fuels tomorrow, food systems alone would contribute to 1.5-2°C of global warming – a threshold we cannot afford to cross.
"What difference can I make?" is perhaps the most common question from climate-conscious individuals. But here's the powerful truth: everything we do as individuals to reduce our footprint benefits the whole of humanity. Unlike waiting for large-scale policy changes or technological breakthroughs, dietary choices offer immediate, measurable impact. Small changes can add up to a huge positive impact for your health and the planet.
The beauty of plant-rich eating lies in its accessibility. Whilst solar panels might cost thousands and electric vehicles remain out of reach for many, choosing more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes is often cheaper than meat-heavy diets. You don't need special equipment, technical expertise, or significant upfront investment. You don't have to go "fully plant-based" to make a difference, though 100% plant-based eaters can reduce their carbon footprints by up to 75%. Simply shifting the balance of your diet towards more plant foods in whatever way works for you is an effective multi-purpose tool.
Click here to read the rest of the article.
How your Fork can Fight Climate Change better than your Vote
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ROTARY’S FOUR-WAY TEST
A Thoughtful Start to any day
� � � What is the Rotary Four-Way Test?
It's a short ethical guide used by Rotarians worldwide to help evaluate decisions, both personal and professional.
It was created in 1932 by Herbert J. Taylor, who later became Rotary International President. Facing financial and moral crisis in his company, he developed this test as a litmus test for integrity and fair conduct.
The test asks four questions of the things we think, say or do:
• Is it the TRUTH?
• Is it FAIR to all concerned?
• Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
• Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
It may seem simple, but in a complex world, those questions are anything but easy — and that’s part of their power.
� � � � � Why Should We Consider It?
Because Ethics Matter — now more than ever.
The Four-Way Test:
• Brings clarity to grey areas.
Click
• Encourages honesty and accountability, not just in public life but in our quiet decisions.
• Fosters trust — a commodity that seems scarce in many parts of today’s society.
• Helps cultivate respectful dialogue instead of divisiveness.
• Serves as a universal framework: it’s non-religious, non-political, and applicable across cultures and professions.
In a world of misinformation, polarization, and moral shortcuts, it gently but firmly asks:
“Are we making the right choices for ourselves and for others?”
the 4-way test above and open the link to hear the Four-Way Test by RC of Saskatoon Nutana.
� � What Does the Four-Way Test Mean in Today’s Context?
In a global landscape marked by challenges — climate change, inequality, misinformation, and conflict — the Four-Way Test is a compass. It reminds us:
• Truth is not just about facts, but integrity.
• Fairness challenges us to consider others, not just ourselves.
• Goodwill and friendship are the foundations of peace, community, and collaboration.
• Benefit to all concerned asks us to be stewards, not just beneficiaries.
In Rotary, it’s more than words. It shapes how Rotarians lead projects, build partnerships, and serve their communities — from clean water initiatives to polio eradication. But beyond Rotary, it’s an invitation to live more ethically and courageously.
� � Closing Thought
The Four-Way Test isn't about being perfect. It's about trying to do the right thing, every day, in big ways and small.
It invites us to pause, reflect, and then act — with conscience, compassion, and courage.
Whether you’re a Rotarian or not, those four questions can light a path through some of life’s murkiest terrain.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
EREY – Every Rotarian Every Year
Click here for a short video.
Our Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY) initiative encourages all Rotary club members to contribute something each year to The Rotary Foundation. We hope that you can consider at least $100 USD every year to help us reach our goal to support the Rotary Foundation financially each year
Sustaining member. One who contributes $100 USD every year is a Sustaining Member. With EREY, we encourage you to contribute an amount you can afford every year.
Click here to listen to We are the World
A LITTLE HUMOUR
Three brothers, aged 92, 94, and 96, lived in the same house together.
One night, the 96-year-old fills up the bath, puts his foot in, and pauses. Then he yells down the stairs, “Was I getting in or out of the bath?”
The 94-year-old yells back, “I don’t know. I’ll come up and see.”
So he starts up the stairs, then halfway up he pauses and yells, “Was I going up the stairs or was I coming down?”
The 92-year-old is sitting at the kitchen table having a coffee, listening to his brothers.
He shakes his head and says, “I sure hope I never get that forgetful.”
He knocks twice on the table for good luck.
Then he yells, “I’ll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who’s at the door.”
TO VIEW PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS online in magazine format, click below -
This next article may be of interest to Rotary members (perhaps individually)
FOOD FOR THOUGHT – Micro-finance
What Is Kiva.org?
If you’ve ever been curious about micro-lending, micro-credit, or micro-finance, you may want to explore Kiva.org — a remarkable global nonprofit that empowers ordinary people to make an extraordinary difference.
Kiva connects individuals like us with entrepreneurs, students, and small business owners around the world through micro-loans as small as $25. Rather than giving charity, you lend directly to help people build a better future — whether it’s a woman starting a tailoring business in Kenya, a farmer installing solar irrigation in Peru, or a student in Ghana paying tuition.
When loans are repaid (and most are), you can relend the same funds to others — multiplying your impact again and again. Kiva works with trusted local partners to verify borrowers and ensure that funds are used responsibly.
“Over the past year, I’ve made 11 loans in five different countries, supporting everything from eco-friendly farming to women’s education. Each time a loan is repaid, I reinvest it — so one initial contribution continues to circulate, helping dozens of families.”
Here is an example of what appears on my home page in kiva.org -
And here is an example of the “statistics” for my account. You’ll note that it’s not a large amount.
At first glance, the graphic on the previous page might suggest that I initially invested $325 — but that’s not the case. I never did lend that full amount all at once. Instead, over time, through a cycle of lending, repayment, and re-lending, my total loans have added up to $325.
That’s one of the beautiful features of Kiva.org: your funds keep working. Each time a borrower repays their loan, the money returns to your account, ready to be lent again. My current balance simply shows the amount that has accumulated so far — the portion I can put toward my next $25 loan once a few more repayments come in.
A bit of history
It was about a year ago that I was introduced to Kiva Micro-lending through a fellow Rotarian in the E-Club of Canada One — someone who has been involved with Rotary for many years and with Kiva.org for more than twelve years. Many Rotary clubs also support entrepreneurs around the world through Kiva lending.
When I first signed up at Kiva.org, I selected four different entrepreneurs to lend to. The minimum loan amount is $25 USD, so I decided to make that commitment — and, if you wish, you can also add a small optional contribution (usually $5) to help support Kiva’s operations.
At that starting point, I was “out of pocket” about $120 USD in total. (And it’s a loan remember!)
Each borrower typically receives funds from several lenders, depending on the size of their loan request. As a lender, you’re part of a team — helping one person’s project take shape alongside many others around the world.
Repayments are made on a set schedule, and small amounts are returned regularly to your Kiva account. That’s exactly what I’ve experienced since I began lending.
As repayments come in, my account balance grows again, and when it reaches $25, I can lend that same money once more — at no additional cost to me. Of course, if I wish, I can always add a bit more to expand my impact.
The real appeal is that these are loans, not donations — a simple, sustainable way to give people opportunity and dignity. And truly, it’s rewarding to see the need, contribute to the solution, and watch the results unfold!
A Continuing Cycle of Success
So, in my inbox one morning in November morning, I read:
“You have repayments from five people, Kitty.”
Naturally, I checked my account! As of November 1, 2025, my balance shows a small total of $3.41:
Account balance: $3.41
Repayments: 5
Total amount repaid: $5.33
Currency exchange loss: $0.00
You might wonder, “Why doesn’t my account balance match my repayment amount?” (in this case, $3.41 vs. $5.33).
The answer is straightforward: some of my loans used lending credits — funds provided through Kiva promotions or matching programs from partner organizations. When loans made with these credits are repaid, those repayments return to Kiva, while repayments from my own contributions go back into my personal account.
Like many others on Kiva, my support is helping people succeed — and these repayments are proof that it’s working! Each time funds return, they can be re-lent to someone new. It’s a simple, powerful cycle of success that keeps on giving.
Lending through Kiva is genuinely fun. It reminds me of Rotary in spirit — contributing to the success of others and helping people achieve their goals. The difference is that Kiva loans are repaid, allowing you to lend again and again, continually expanding your reach.
When we donate to Rotary, we know our funds help to “do good in the world.” When we lend through Kiva, we see that good come full circle — repaid, re-lent, and rippling outward with every new opportunity we help create.
So, if you’ve ever wondered about micro-credit, micro-finance, or micro-lending, I encourage you to take a look at Kiva.org. It’s a small step that can change lives — including your own.
COMMUNITY SERVICE THROUGH THE YEARS
Pathways Health Centre for Children (Founder)
Bluewater Health – Maternal & Child Health Wing
YMCA – Swimming Pool
Inn of the Good Shepherd
Lambton College
St. Joseph’s Hospice
Huron House Boys’ Home
Community Living, Sarnia Lambton
Community Concerns for the Medically Fragile (Standing Oaks Home)
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RLYA)
DOW Centre for Children and Youth
Big Brothers – Big Sisters
Canada Food Grains
Scouts Canada – Camp Attawandron
Goodwill Industries
Rayjon Haiti Project
YMCA Youth Scholarship
Lambton County Music Festival Awards
Family Counselling Centre
Access Open Minds
Habitat for Humanity
Point Edward Minor Hockey Association
Junior Achievement
Numerous Schools – LKDSB and SCCDSB
…and much, much more
But no -
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever. In its place is something that you have left behind. Let it be something good. *
