MINUTES OF MEETING: Tuesday, 15 July 2025
Editor: Tess Pierce
Meeting Called to Order at 6:30 PM by President David Mankiewicz
Grace: Al Finnigan
Toast to the KING: Tess Pierce
Land Acknowledgement by President David Mankiewicz
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: John Baboolal
Visiting Rotarians and Guests:
Robina Brah (potential member & guest of Tess Pierce)
Amber McKinley & Ashley Addie (our speakers)
Birthdays and Anniversaries:
Linda Porritt – Birthday on 17 July (celebrating ‘39’ years)
Irina & Peter Hernandez – Anniversary on 18 July
Announcements:
Al Finnigan announced that Rotary T-shirts and golf shirts are now available for order. The golf shirt is $44.00, and the T-shirt is $14.00. He needs at least 10 of each to place the order.
Janice Coupland reminded us that our monthly social is July 29, and we will be at the Canadian Brewhouse. The start time is 6 pm. Please let her know if you and your partner will attend.
Dave Andrews pointed out that sign-ups for the club committees are limited. Since service is one of our core values, the club encourages each member to be on at least two committees. He used this time to obtain committee commitments from members at the meeting. He will send out a call for signups again.
Sgt at Arms: Linda Porritt
ACE OF SPADES:
Our guest, Ashley Addie, drew Linda Porritt’s ticket, and the chase is still on. Linda pulled the Queen of Spades.
HAPPY BUCKS:
Tess is happy to introduce her friend Robina to the club and to learn what her duties as VP ‘really’ include.
Hilda thanked everyone for the support and friendship she received following her daughter’s passing.
Dave A. welcomed our speakers.
Ted thanked Dave P for the referral to Dr Green. Ted also spoke of his experience of lawn bowling in the heat – maybe it was not the best idea.
Al did some half-hearted complaining about sharing the bed with a dog (and Hilda!).
Dave M laughed when talking about his vacation at Crystal Beach. Only one cottage had A/C. Guess where everyone congregated?
Bob K was happy that his wife Patti would be at lunch on Wednesday, and not to be outdone, Dave P. added that his wife Jan would be there too.
SPEAKERS: Amber McKinley & Ashley Addie
“It’s all about a feeling of family.”
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Dave A. introduced Amber McKinley and described her journey at Sunrise Developmental Support Services (SDSS). Amber began as a placement student in 2011 and is now the SDSS Executive Director. We were also introduced to Ashley Addie, who not only is a registered member of the Sunrise Day Program, but she also volunteers a couple of days a week. Impressive!
Amber’s pride and dedication were obvious as she described the history, membership, and the programs that Sunrise Developmental Support Services provides.
History
Sunrise is a registered charity founded in 1991 by a group of recent high school graduates who saw the need for equitable recreational opportunities for their peers with disabilities. Initially, it was a summer camp, but it has now grown into three main programs. There is something for everyone.
Who Can Participate?
Anyone 14 years or older is eligible for the Recreation program. Day programs focus on people transitioning from high school. Currently, there are 87 active members. There is no age cap, and currently, their oldest member is 50 years old.
Programs
The three areas of support include the Day Program, the Community Program, and the Recreation Program.
Day Program: This runs 5 days a week and includes lessons and support in life skills such as cooking and baking. Also important is the development of friendships and community engagement.
Community Program: Working in 3-month sessions, members learn in both structured and independent settings. Working with other community partners across Durham Region, members learn to navigate their community. One example of this is learning the transit system.
Recreation Program: Here, members participate in fun events such as dinner and a movie, and dances. Recently added to this is Camp Kodiak, an overnight summer camp for kids and teens (6 to 18 years old) with and without Learning Disabilities.
Questions from the club included what a disability is (they do not rely upon a formal definition), how members are recruited (word of mouth), and how activities are planned (members and families work with staff to decide).
Amber closed by thanking us for the $1000.00 donation they received in April.
President Dave closed the meeting at 7:50 pm.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, YOU CAN MAKE IT 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 Executive Secretary Dave Andrews or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting.