MINUTES OF MEETING: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Editor: Tess Pierce
Meeting Called to Order at 6:30 PM: President David Mankiewicz
Grace: Robbie L.
Toast to the KING: Bev F.
Land Acknowledgement: President David Mankiewicz
We respectfully acknowledge that the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood is meeting on the traditional territory of the Mississauga’s 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: Lennis T.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests:
Our Speaker Johanna de Boer
Ajax Rotarian Dale Pratt guest of Dave A.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
March 3 Elfrieda & Peter Dueck
March 14 Elfrieda Dueck
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Dave A.: NEXT TUESDAY – EARLY START TIME. Registration and Socializing starts at 5 PM. Dinner meeting starts at 5:30 pm. Followed by a Hands -On Project - Sew so Girls Can Go To School with Janet Thorsteinson. Family and friends are encouraged to join us. WATCH YOUR EMAILS FOR DETAILS.
Robbie: Ready or fun and games for our St Pat’s party at Whiskey Johns on WEDNESDAY MARCH 18? Robbie also needs volunteers for the Safety Village Spring festivities on Fri April 3 during the day and Sat April 4.
Tess: Save the date- March 29th. Polar Bear Plunge “Freezinforareason” I'm taking the PLUNGE. Join me at Lakeview beach to jump into Lake Ontario to raise money for Rotary initiatives. Join my team "Team Tess" and jump with me IF YOU DARE! Or just watch from your warm car. My fundraising goal is $300.
Tess: The District 7070 Assembly is scheduled for May 23. All board members are encouraged to attend. Cost of the registration is covered by the club. I will provide registration details when available.
Ted: Maple syrup will be delivered March 25 or 26. Once the delivery time is finalized, we will meet at Bill Creamer’s garage for the labelling party. Those of us with large orders should arrange to pick up their bottles that day.
Dale Pratt: Join the Rotary Club of Ajax on March 31 to celebrate 75 years of service with an engaging Speaker Series event that includes dinner, entertainment, and timely conversation. The program features a keynote address and discussion with Daniel Tisch, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. Tisch will offer insight into the current and evolving state of USA–Canada trade relations. If you cannot make it, you can support a student’s attendance. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
SGT AT ARMS: Camille
ACE OF SPADES: Ted M had the winning ticket and drew the TWO of HEARTS. The ACE is still in the deck. There are only 28 cards left with a pot of almost $500.
Happy Bucks!
Bev F is happy to be home after a great trip to Puerto Vallarta. They did hear and see some evidence of the cartel violence, but they were quite safe in their resort. She is looking forward to her trip to Montreal to see her beloved Habs play the Leafs.
Robbie had a great time at the western-themed Flavours of Port Hope. It was fun and delicious, and he got to see Ted and Dave A in their cowboy finery.
Dave A was happy to finally have Johanna speaking to our club.
Dave M had a fabulous time in Florida and the Keys. Miami was fun and he & Rachel will definitely take another cruise.
Bob K was happy not to have the winning ticket for the Ace.
Ted Morrison “The Power of Giving?”
In previous Moments Ted asked, “What is Rotary?” and “Who is a Rotarian?” This week he asked us to explore the power of giving. When we are asked why we joined Rotary, our most common response is “to give back to the community.” When talking about giving we often focus on the impact of providing meals or giving vaccinations. These are important and are the visible impacts. But tonight, Ted focused on how giving transforms us. We are reminded that we are part of something larger than ourselves and our actions produce a ripple effect in ways we may not fully see.
We are transformed. Giving lifts our spirits, sharpens our sense of purpose, and fills us with a quiet kind of joy. This doesn’t need a press release or a lapel pin to be real. It’s that feeling we get when we know we’ve made someone’s day a little easier. It’s knowing we are living our values. Values + action -- that’s where the real magic of Rotary happens.
Every act of giving, no matter how small, strengthens our community and us. It connects, humbles, and reminds us that the best part of life are the parts we share. By giving to the Rotary Foundation, we share resources with the rest of the world through Global Grants that connects a club in Oshawa to a life-saving water project in a remote village far away from us.Giving to the Rotary Foundation fuels hope, strengthens communities, educates children, and reduces the threat of disease. More importantly these connections promote peace far beyond the reach of one club. Our donations turn compassion into change creating a lasting impact around the world.
SPEAKER: Johanna de Boer: Rotary & IEP Positive Peace Program
Dave A. introduced our guest. Our speaker this evening is Johanna de Boer, a proud Rotarian of nearly nine years and a deeply committed advocate for Rotary’s peace mission. She currently serves as the Education Chair for the London Peace Envoys based in London, England, and will take on the role of President in 2027. Johanna brings a thoughtful, global perspective to peacebuilding, with a particular focus on how Rotary can reflect, model, and extend peace across the Commonwealth.
Peace is more than the absence of violence —
it’s creating and sustaining societies that allow all people to flourish. Launched in 2017, the Rotary-IEP Partnership – through IEP’s Pillars of Positive Peace framework – equips Rotary members with knowledge, resources and tools to apply innovative peacebuilding approaches to their communities while addressing underlying causes of conflicts.
Why Positive Peace?
The Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) Positive Peace research demonstrates that lasting peace cannot be built merely on the absence of violence, but rather requires a supportive social system inclusive of factors such as good governance, access to needed services, a sound business environment and respect for the right of others.
Ro
tary's Areas of Focus - peacebuilding and conflict prevention, but also disease prevention and treatment, water, sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and community economic development - all integral investments in Positive Peace.
IEP's research is proactive work that helps illuminate the factors that drive peace, providing data that peacebuilders can utilise to enhance the impact of their initiatives.
This means moving away from reactive responses to proactive initiatives like clean water projects in Laos or the Khosian Water Project in South Africa.
There are three main ways to get involved. (1) the Rotary Peace Academy, (2) the IEP Ambassador Program, or (3) becoming a Positive Peace Activator.
Building Peace Literacy
Getting Involved
To get more information on this partnership and to get involved go to the Rotary-IEP Hub.
Ted Morrison thanked our speaker.
President Dave rang the bell to end the meeting at 7:55 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.