THE PARKWOOD JOURNAL

OFFICIAL BULLETIN OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF OSHAWA-PARKWOOD

Mailing Address: 200-481 Taunton Rd W., OSHAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA L1J 0G3

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO:

ROTARY – People of Action

Rotary is where neighbours, friends, and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting change.

We're made up of local business, professional, and civic leaders. 

We meet regularly, get to know each other, form friendships and through that, we're able to get things done in our community. 

It's up to YOU.............Join leaders in our community

Be sure to share this with all of your friends and associates and ask them to get in touch with our Club President President Hilda Finnigan at 905-431-4258 or Club Past President Linda Porritt at 905-626-6386 

You are invited to our next Rotary meeting. You may wish to become a Rotarian. Dinner is on us. Isn't it time to give back to your community?.

THE OBJECT OF ROTARY

is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

FIRST The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

SECOND High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful

occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

THIRD The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;

FOURTH The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of

business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

Rotary Code of Conduct provides a framework for ethical behaviour that all Rotarians can use, together with The Four-Way Test, in their business and professional activities.

ROTARY CODE OF CONDUCT

As a Rotarian, I will

1. Exemplify the core value of integrity in all behaviours and activities

2. Use my vocational experience and talents to serve in Rotary

3. Conduct all of my personal, business, and professional affairs ethically, encouraging and fostering high ethical standards as an example to others

4. Be fair in all dealings with others and treat them with the respect due to them as fellow human beings

5. Promote recognition and respect for all occupations which are useful to society

6. Offer my vocational talents: to provide opportunities for young people, to work for the relief of the special needs of others, and to improve the quality of life in my community

7. Honour the trust that Rotary and fellow Rotarians provide and not do anything that will bring disfavour or reflect adversely on Rotary or fellow Rotarians

8. Not seek from a fellow Rotarian a privilege or advantage not normally accorded others in a business or professional relationship

THE ROTARY FOUR-WAY TEST

of things we think, say and do:

1. Is it the truth

2. Is it fair to all concerned?

3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

                               MINUTES OF MEETING OF

                                 Tuesday, 10 June 2025

                           Editor: Rotarian Tess Pierce

Meeting Called to Order at 6:30 PM by President Hilda Finnigan

Grace: led by Al Finnigan

“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: Farzana Ali

Land Acknowledgement: President Hilda Finnigan

We respectfully acknowledge that the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood is meeting on the traditional territory of the Mississauga 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: Emmy Iheme

 Visiting Rotarians and Guests :

Welcome to our visiting guests:

• Farzana Ali

• Amandeep Singh

• Julie Van Hartingsveldt (our speaker)

• Jackie Vieira (our speaker)

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:

Birthdays

• Dale Duke on 8 June

• Bob Elliott on 11 June

• Laura Carey on 13 June

Anniversaries

• David & Jan Penney celebrate on 12 June

• Sandy & Greg McDowell celebrate on 12 June

• Ted & Sharon Morrison celebrate on 14 June

ANNOUNCEMENTS / REMINDERS:

Hilda – Camille’s mother is very ill, and Camille has gone to Mexico to be with Mom. Please keep her and her family in your thoughts.

Hilda – Reminded the club of our Bingo duties on June 19 & June 28. Because of Camille’s emergency there is room on the Roster. If you wish to join in on the bingo FUNdraising contact Hilda to sign up.

Hilda – reminded the Club of an upcoming celebration of the 60^th Anniversary for the Rotary Club of Toronto East (D.G. Virginia’s Club) being held on June 13.

Hilda – The Peony Festival was a huge success. We sold all the syrup, most of the bird houses & squirrel feeders & manure sales were brisk.

Hilda – She cannot attend the Changeover Night for our District Governor and District 7070 Awards Night on June 18. It will be held at the Whitby Legion from 5 pm to 8:30 pm. David Mankiewicz & Tess Pierce will go to represent our club. Register HERE.

Hilda – Next week (June 17) is the President’s dinner. We need to sign up with Hilda in order to get accurate dinner counts. Cost of the dinner is $30, and spouses are welcome. The menu is the same as our Paul Harris event. We will also be inducting 3 new members.

Hilda – A Pickleball Tournament will be held on June 18^th sponsored by the Oshawa Senior Citizens 55+ group.

Hilda – Reminder July 1, there is no meeting.

Robbie – He is planning workers for the Front Table and needs some spots filled. Tess & Amandeep stepped up.

Dave A.–There is a celebratory event on June 19 at the Regent Theatre from 2 pm-4 pm. The Oshawa Walk of Fame will officially dedicate the stone plaques set into the sidewalks at the Four Corners in downtown Oshawa. We are invited to join the festivities.

Dave A.–The club committees for next year are now available for sign-ups. Please volunteer for at least 2 committees. A sign-up sheet will be distributed soon.

Ted–Sharon and Ted went to the Lobster Fest in Port Hope on June 7. The takeout container came complete with a giant lobster, multiple salads, and a nice steak.

Ted–Updated us on the Peony Festival. We had beautiful weather, happy volunteers and brisk sales. Syrup is now sold out, and birdhouses are almost sold out (much better than last year.)

Ted– Provided an update for the Kids Against Hunger. Because of reduced Foundation revenue, the grant received was $5000., down from $9000. This is the project of 5 Rotary Clubs, and this grant will still create 30,000 meals. He also gave a Polio update. Pakistan is still active, but the numbers are very low.

SGT AT ARMS:  Shashi Bhatia

ACE OF SPADES: The race is over! Dave Penney had the winning ticket and pulled the ACE. He announced that he will donate the winnings to the Foundation. Well Done!!

HAPPY BUCKS: Thank you to Shashi Bhatia for her ‘cheeky’ collecting of our Happy Bucks. She announced that next week, if you are not wearing your Rotary pin, you will be fined $5.00.

Dave A – Nice to see Jackie and Julie. He was also happy to wish Ted & Sharon on their 57^th anniversary. He remembered the wonderful dinner they shared 17 years ago at the Convention in LA.

Emmy – Was happy to discover the Lake on the Mountain in Picton. He enjoyed a sampling of the local beers.

Donald – He made us all laugh when he said, “Shashi told me to be happy”. He is active in helping refugees.

Robbie – Happy to be going on vacation in BC. They are flying there and taking the train home.

Tess – “I’m just happy to be here.”

Linda – Happy that her husband Craig finally has a date for his heart surgery. It is in August.

Dave M. – Went on a mini vacation at Lake Joseph & Windemere House & Resort.

Ted – Peony Fest was fun and profitable. Visitors who stopped by the tent made it clear that Rotary is well-known.

Dave P. – Announced he will donate his winnings to the Foundation.

Al – Wonderful time at Peony Fest.

Lennis – Happy to be here.

Bill C – His young granddaughter’s dance troupe competed and won 1^st place in all 5 categories.

Shashi – Happy to be learning how to be the Sargent-at-Arms.

Hilda – Peony fest was fun. Also happy to have 3 new members starting next week, and looking forward to ‘passing the gavel’ to Dave M.

SPEAKER:   
Our speakers this week were Julie Van Hartingsveldt, CFRE, MA, Executive Director, and Jackie Vieira Operations and Program Manager from the Durham Children’s Aid Foundation (DCAF)

Jackie started out asserting that ours was “her favourite Rotary club, and coming here was like a homecoming.”

Who We Are

Jackie described their Mission & Vision. Their Mission is to partner with Durham Children’s Aid Society to empower children, youth, families, and underserved members of the community through strategic fundraising, embracing diversity, and ensuring access to life-changing opportunities. Their Vision is a community in which every child, youth, and family thrives in happiness, surrounded by opportunities and unwavering support.

What We Do

The Foundation is the charitable branch of the Durham Aid Society. They raise funds to help vulnerable children of the Durham Region and beyond. Key programs include:

• The Holiday of Hope (Sharon’s Kids)

• Fore the Future Golf Tournament

• Day and overnight camps

• Support for young adults aging out of foster care

Their focus areas include Compassion in Action Fund, which provides lifesaving support to children and families facing urgent challenges. EmpowerED Futures Fund that provides tutoring, technology, and bursaries to help young people overcome barriers, build confidence, and achieve their educational dreams. Camps for Kids Fund which provides access to camps and recreational experiences year-round, offering children a chance to explore, grow, and thrive in a supportive environment. Holiday Hope helps kids feel the magic of the holidays—the joy of receiving a gift, the warmth of a festive meal, and the comfort of knowing someone cares. Human Trafficking Prevention and Recovery supports the CARE Team (Child Abuse, Recovery, and Empowerment) in their important work to prevent exploitation and provide recovery support for survivors.

How We Fundraise

Fundraising is done through events such as the golf tournament. They also accept in-kind donations that can include medical needs, clothes, furniture, and toys. Finally, they form partnerships and work with other charitable organizations. An example of this collaboration is Operation Backpack, where partners (like Simcoe Settlement House) work together to buy and pack 1000’s a backpacks for school.

Jackie thanked Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood for our continuing support and turned it over to Jackie to tell us some of the stories behind the support. One meaningful example was a woman who was recovering from human trafficking and needed her trafficking ID tattoo removed.

Questions & Comments

• Ted described Partners in Service and promised to forward their contact information.

• Lennis spoke of how the Children’s Safety Village now has a human trafficking segment.

• Linda asked about the connection to the YMCA day camps.

• Tess wondered how they find their clients.

Rotarian Robbie Larocque thanked our speakers for their community service and the informational talk.