MINUTES OF MEETING OF
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Editor: Past President Robbie Larocque
Meeting Called to Order at 6:30 PM: by President Hilda Finnigan
Grace: led by Robbie Larocque
“Oh Lord, The Giver of All Good,
We Thank Thee for our Daily Food,
May Rotary friends and Rotary ways
Help us to Serve Thee
All our Days”
Toast to the KING : David Mankiewicz
Land Acknowledgement: by President Hilda Finnigan
We respectfully acknowledge that the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood is meeting on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nations, within the jurisdiction of the Williams Treaties. We are committed to our responsibility of stewardship, in these relationships and for this land on which we learn, share and live.
Toast to Canada: Janice Coupland
Visiting Rotarians and Guests :
Welcome to our visiting guests John Baboolal, Orlando Joaquim, Deborah, Ulzaa Yanjmaa and Elaine Popp from D.C. and Ariel Sully from D.C.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
Happy Birthday Cha Cha Cha to Shashi Bhatti and Fahim Fikrat
ANNOUNCEMENTS / REMINDERS:
Hilda – reminded the club of the upcoming District Assembly. The assembly will be held on May 10, 2025 at Centennial College. This event is good for newer Rotarians and those who are looking to be on the Board. Dave noted that those who do choose to join the admission fee will be covered by the Club.
Dave A – reminds us of the fast approaching Reverse Draw. We have just over 150 tickets out now however our Goal is 200 (same as last year). Members should start thinking about who they sold tickets to last year. Members were encouraged to think about possible sponsors for this event too. The more the merrier. May 8 is but one week away.
Ted – We have about 60 or so silent auction items but we need about 10 more items. Send Dave A. a photo of the item and description and a Value and Dave will create a poster and post to our Facebook page. Dave has supplied everyone with the silent auction items and ticket sales lists from last year, and sample “ask” letters, and promo posters for this year.
Dave A - last weekend APR 26 – Rotary Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup – We were joined by the Oshawa Rotary Club, and the Courtice Rotary Club, Friends of the Second Marsh and many others along with our civic leaders to help clean up the Second Marsh.
Hilda – noted that a new order of Manure has occurred for 2025. 650 bags are on order and will remain priced that same. We will have on-line order this year. Delivery is available upon request.
Dave A. - MAY 12 – 11AM Join the Rotary Club of Oshawa , In place of their regularly scheduled lunch meeting. Where: Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North Google Maps link ACE Who: Rotarians and Guests are welcome to attend. All names must be submitted to Amber Derby, Past President by Monday, May 5th Parking Information: When you arrive to the campus, The Automotive Centre of Excellence is on your right as you round the curve. Please park in Founders Lot 2 which is the parking lot on your left at the first stop sign. Enter the gated lot by obtaining a ticket and we will provide a chaser ticket after check-in at ACE. Enter the ACE building via the north entrance doors, pass the elevators, turn right and follow the signs to the ACE security desk. Let security know you are meeting with Heather Nelson. Please wear closed toe shoes, you will not be admitted to the tour otherwise. Sign up with Dave Andrews before May 5.
Hilda – reminded the Club of the upcoming Peony Festival being held on June 6, 7 & 8.
REMINDER: Ted – updated us that the Maple Syrup Sales Fundraiser has been a great success so much so that fewer and fewer bottles are left. If you would like one, please be in touch with Ted as soon as possible.
SGT AT ARMS: Ted Morrison
ACE OF SPADES: The draw was won by Irina. The 9 of Spades was drawn. One less card left, for next regular weekly meeting. The pot grows even bigger!!
HAPPY BUCKS: Thank you to Ted Morrison for collecting our Happy Bucks.
Shashi B – is happy to see so many people here tonight
Ulzaa Y. – is very happy to be here tonight among friends
Orlando – is happy to be in attendance this evening
Larry P – has become quite good with a chainsaw, his friends at Church called on him when a tree needed trimming. However, they were very concerned about a Dentist using a chainsaw!
Ted M – attended Come From Away this week and was very impressed the show is much different when you are 4 rows out! The last time he saw the show he was effectively for rows from the back of the theatre
Dave A – is looking forward in the distance to October 15 for the next World Polio Day. Already confirmed by our friends at Durham College. Thank you Areil.
Fahim – is happy to have been recently on vacation with his wife in Los Cabos
Irina – is happy to so many old faces as she has been away from Rotary for a few weeks. She is also very happy to see so many new faces.
Linda – is happy to see so many people out this week and is looking forward to the Revers Draw.
Kim – is happy to have been away on vacation in March and has been away assisting with the recent Federal Election, she is happy to return to Rotary
The College and their sports teams had very successful years this past anniversary. The Durham Lords ladies had a perfect season, with the Soccer 7’s gaining Gold in their play. The Men’s basketball team placed first recently their previous first place finish occurred in 1997.
A recent collaboration with Lakeridge Health saw a program titled ‘Night Shift’ where the college’s nursing program students participated with an evening of true situations being brought to the labs by Lakeridge Health professionals for real life stressful situations. It was a remarkable success for the students involved.
Elaine spoke of some very empowering programs for many of the College’s male and female Black students. Along with a recent STEM program aimed at grade schoolgirls in Grades 6 & 7 so that they can have some exposure to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The young ladies are exposed to these topics and are witness that these fields are available to them at the college level.
Elaine provided us with an update on the Foreign Student cap which has been spoken to in the media lately. Indeed, the number of foreign students will be limited in the coming years. Durham College did not have a significant number of foreign students like some other colleges in Ontario. However, the funding model in Ontario has caps on tuition and in the coming years the colleges will need to re-consider some programs and the likelihood of staff reductions is real.
Knowing these realities Durham College is embarking on an updated Strategic Vision. This Vision will be informed by the College Board, the College Community and the Student population. The college and the strategic vision will result in the college looking different going forward and Elaine is fully confident that the College will thrive in the months and years ahead.
As with all post-secondary institutions there are in need of funding to purchase capital equipment. However, Elaine suggested an equally important way to assist the college would be through volunteerism.
Camille thanked Elaine for her informative talk about and update on happenings at Durham College.
Hilda adjourned the meeting shortly after 8:05 pm.
MORE INFORMATION IN THE CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Be sure to check out our Calendar for details.!!
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, YOU CAN MAKE UP: Go online at www.rotary.org go to the club locator and find a club or clubs near your destination. Or you can add the free App Rotary Club Locator to your phone for instant look up of any club in the world. Please mail or fax your make-ups to Secretary Janice Coupland, or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting.