MINUTES OF MEETING: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Editor: Tess Pierce
Reminder
Maple syrup is ready to be distributed. Contact Ted Morrison to arrange to get yours.
It seems that this editor forgot to include a picture of Mr. Robbie (I love St Pat’s Day) in the March 18th Bulletin. Here is his smiling face. Sorry Robbie.
Don’t forget to email Dave Andrews with your meal choices for this meeting by Sunday night.
| CAESAR SALAD – large Crispy prosciutto | parmesan | croutons | romaine | creamy garlic dressing | BITTER GREENS SALAD GF frisée | radicchio | Spinach | lemon thyme vinaigrette | candied walnuts | crumbled goat cheese | diced roasted beets - Vegan without cheese |
CHICKEN TENDERS & FRIES 3pc chicken tenders with fries | SINGLE SMASH BURGER WITH FRIES 3oz patty | cheddar | hickory smoked bacon | traditional garnish | brioche bun |
| VEGAN PASTA | CRISPY SHRIMP TACOS 3PC Cole slaw | tempura battered crispy shrimp | pickled red onions | avocado | chipotle mayo |
TURKEY BURGER lettuce | tomato | crispy onions | cranberry aioli | toasted brioche bun | | Coffee & Tea |
Meeting Called to Order at 6:00 PM: by President David Mankiewicz
Grace: Camille
Toast to the KING: Lennis
Land Acknowledgement:
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: Al Finnigan
Visiting Rotarians and Guests:
Sarah & Sudeep Oommen (Sudeep’s induction tonight)
Prospective member Michael Jones
Milissa O’Conner (our speaker) & John O’Conner (Milissa’s spouse)
Also visiting from Redemption House family were Penny Waller, & Ryan Hunt
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Happy Anniversary to Kristen & Shawn Kellam (March 23), Amandeep & Kamalpreet Singh (March 24), and Farzana & Ateef Rahman (March 29)
Birthdays include Emmy Iheme (March 27) & Lennis Trotter (March 30) CHA CHA CHA.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Hilda:
- The Ploughman’s Choice sale is a go. Price per bag remains $8.
- May 23 is the Garden Club’s plant sale. We will have a table there to sell to Ploughman’s.
- Port Perry Spring Gala is Saturday April 25th Tickets are $150/each.
Dave A:
- Tickets for the Reverse Draw are available now. We need to sell 200.
- The District 7070 Assembly is May 23. All incoming board members encouraged to attend. The club covers your admission.
- Part I of Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) will be held at the Assemble. All members (especially new members & board members) are expected to attend, and the club covers your tuition.
- May 20 is the online Peace Forum. Register HERE.
- The Great Lakes Annual Cleanup is April 25 from 10 am-noon. We would like 20 volunteers from the club to join the fun. Family and friends can join in the event.
SGT AT ARMS: Larry H
ACE OF SPADES: Hilda had the winning ticket but drew the 7 Hearts. The pot is almost $500. Only 27 cards left.
New Member Induction
“Welcome Sudeep Oommen”
Dave Andrews introduced our newest member Sudeep Oommen. While Sudeep. Is new to our club, his connection to Rotary is deep. He started his Rotary journey in 2014 with RC of Ajax. In 2017 he transferred to the RC of Woodbridge to be closer to his office. He has held several leadership positions. At Woodbridge he was President (2019 & 2020), Secretary in 2021, and Foundation Chair in 2022. At the District level Sudeep was AG 2022, 2023 & 2024. and served on the District Conference Committee in 2022 & 2024. Sudeep is married to Sarah and has two children. He is a recruiting executive for Sun Life.
Our Speaker: Milissa O’Conner for the Redemption House of Recovery
In her very emotional presentation, Milissa spoke of how Redemption House helped her son recover from his addictions. She explained that, while RHOR was founded on Christian principles, it is an inclusive program that includes pretreatment support helping individuals select the treatment option best for them. Pretreatment takes 2-12 weeks. Post treatment options include both men’s and women’s recovery homes. Here residents live in a recovery-focused environment that fosters accountability, encouragement, and stability. The Region of Durham is their primary funding source. But RHOR also relies on individual and community support. One of the things RHOR is proud of is the staff all have lived experience with addiction. RHOR is a licensed treatment program that helps people work towards independent, sober living. Milissa showed two short videos. The most moving one was a video of her own experiences. Rotarian Al Finnigan thanked Milissa for her work and for her presentation.
President David Mankiewicz closed the meeting at 8:15 PM.
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 Executive Secretary Dave Andrews or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting.