Club Information

Proud to also serve Puslinch Township

Guelph South

Come together as strangers,
work together as friends

We meet Thursdays at 7:30 AM
Springfield Golf & Country Club
2054 Gordon Street
Guelph, ON N1L1G6
Canada
Email:
info@guelphsouthrotary.ca
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President's Message 2020-2021

Russell Powell

member photo
Each year, Rotary renews itself with a new leadership team.  Rotary International President, Holger Knaack has chosen ‘”Rotary Opens Opportunities” as this year’s theme. Together we will engage in meaningful projects.  The opportunities are for people to meet and help others with a hand up. 
 
Once we accept the condition of the world, we can bring creativity and innovation to improve it.
 
 
Home Page Stories
THE NUTCRACKERS ARE COMING TO TOWN....
We are so excited to announce this new fundraiser!  For the month of November 2020 only this limited collection of nutcrackers will be auctioned off, the proceeds to worthy organizations supported by Rotary Club of Guelph South. 
 
 
Below is the first press release - watch this site for another that will follow within a few days with more information on the auction:
 
                                                           *****
 
THE NUTCRACKERS ARE COMING TO TOWN…….
 
In this stressful time of concern and challenges for everyone due to COVID-19, the Rotary Club of Guelph South is bringing a holiday spirit and excitement to our town!  Over 100 nutcracker characters are just waiting for their appearance and opportunity to adorn their new home(s) and put smiles on you and your loved ones’ faces this holiday season.  These unique and special nutcrackers have been assembled over 30 years with love and gratitude for the joy they have brought to family and friends during the holiday season and throughout the entire year!
 
The Rotary Club of Guelph South is bringing these lively characters to you in the hope you will not only enjoy them when you visit the display, but will also help Rotary raise important funds for charities in so much need of financial assistance during this time.  “This collection has been a passion for over 30 years,” says Sharron Riley-Persson, donor and Rotary Club member. “My family has enjoyed each new character every year (and perhaps more than one per year!) – with laughter, hugs and a joyful time to celebrate the season - and now it is time to give back to the community and share my long-time nutcracker friends”.
 
Sharron’s collection is going up for auction this season beginning Nov. 1st and this campaign will conclude midnight Nov. 30th.
 
“This collection is vast and unique – coming from locations across North America over the span of more than 30 years with such history to each character”, remarks Russ Powell, President of the Rotary Club of Guelph South. Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity WDG as well as other organizations supported by the Rotary Club of Guelph South such as Food4Kids Guelph, Sunrise Therapeutic and Olive Tree Projects.  Watch for clues and more information about this unveiling of THE NUTCRACKERS ARE COMING TO TOWN IN GUELPH on social media – there is also a reward for the most re-posts – visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/WheresWizard/ or email celia@digitalfrog.com if you would like Merlin to visit your garden
.
In addition to our generous members of the Rotary Club of Guelph South we are also extremely grateful to the following who are lending their support to this fundraising initiative:
  • Megan McCormick of McCormick Photography
  • Lorraine Kruse of Defined Space Staging and Decorating
  • Angelo and Adelia Ferraro, Andel Holdings Inc. Venue at 101 Wyndham Street
  • Joel Van Haastrecht (Haas Properties) Venue at 18 Wilson Street
For more information please contact:
Sharron Riley-Persson, 416-258-8588.
5th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Brunch
 
Each organization receives $1,000.00.  Sadly we were not able to host 10 volunteers from each organization as well for a special brunch and cheque presentation ceremony at Cutten Fields as we would normally do. Rotary Club of Guelph South is so grateful to the sponsors who help make this event possible, including presenting sponsor Davies & Mahnke Private Wealth Management and Hammond Power Solutions.
 
Check out the photo album (right side of website home page) and the photo carousel (left side of website home page) and watch the website www.rotaryvab.org for information on the start of nominations for organizations to be honoured at the 2021 Annual Volunteer Appreciation Brunch.
 
10 organizations    100 volunteers     $10,000 donations
TOUR DE GUELPH SUPPORTS FOOD4KIDS
Did you know that Tour de Guelph supports numerous local charities?

Tour de Guelph supports Guelph General Hospital and many other local charities through the Rotary Clubs of Guelph South and Guelph Trillium.

This year, Food4Kids Guelph will receive funding through Rotary Guelph South. Food4Kids Guelph is a charity that provides weekend food bags for school children who are at risk of going hungry on weekends. Because Food4Kds Guelph operates entirely on volunteerism, 100% of the proceeds they receive through Tour de Guelph will help them purchase food for filling the bags. 

You can feel good about that when you're out on your ride or walk this year! 
 
 
Thank You Deb Allen
Thank you Deb Allen for your incredible leadership over the past year.  You made sure our club never skipped a beat by immediately starting a Zoom Breakfast meeting.  We were able to still enjoy some incredible speakers and share  fellowship time.  This support was invaluable during our isolation time at home.  Thank you for guidance, patience and humour over the past year.   I think we are all in agreement that our year was still successful and continued strong to the end of your time.  Thanks for giving us your time and talents.  We look forward to our new President Russ Powell and of course to hopefully being able to meet back at Springfield face to face.  From all our members a very heart felt Thank you!! 
2020 TOUR DE GUELPH

Already over $60,000 net fundraising revenue raised of our
$100,000 goal!
Thank you to all those who have already registered and who have been fundraising!
This progress is all you! Incredible!
If you haven’t registered yet, you can still get in on this!
Registration will remain open until Sunday July 26th, 2020.

Have you already completed your ride or walk? Submit your photo to the Tour de Guelph 2020 Online Photo Album, presented by Elinesky Schuett Private Wealth Management of RBC Dominion Securities and hosted by GuelphToday.com.
 
In response to the COVID-19 crisis and in adherence with current physical distancing recommendations, Tour de Guelph 2020 will not be held in its usual single-day event format.
Instead, we welcome all new and past riders to register, fundraise, and complete one of our Tour de Guelph routes on your own, making sure you are physically distanced from other riders, any time on or between the fourth Sunday of June, 2020 and the fourth Sunday of July, 2020, (Sunday June 28th, 2020 to Sunday July 26th, 2020). Take a photo of yourself on your ride and email it to us, we’ll post it in a special online photo album. Please also share your pictures on social media using #TdG2020.  We are also welcoming those who prefer to ride at home on their bike trainer or stationary bike. We are also welcoming walkers this year!
 
Proceeds of Tour de Guelph support Guelph General Hospital. Did you know that every piece of equipment used in the direct care of patients at Guelph General are funded through community donations? Over the past six years, proceeds from Tour de Guelph have funded IV Pumps, an Ultrasound Machine, Respiratory Ventilators, and have also helped fund Interventional Radiology, a new CT Scanner and a new Centralized Cardiac Monitor. All this equipment is essential to the delivery of patient care at Guelph General.  This year, proceeds from Tour de Guelph are needed to purchase blood pressure monitors for the Hospital’s Day Surgery Unit. Blood pressure is an extremely important vital sign to monitor in patients undergoing surgery to ensure their safety.

BONUS!  All registered riders to fundraise $300 or more will receive an exclusive Tour de Guelph 2020 cycling Jersey!

 
In addition to supporting the Hospital, every year, many local groups aimed at youth development, family support, and community building are supported by Tour de Guelph proceeds through the Rotary Clubs of Guelph South and Guelph Trillium.
 
This year, through the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium, Tour de Guelph proceeds will help support The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington Food & Friends Program to supply healthy food to hungry minds. Proceeds will also provide financial support to HOPE House and their Harvest of HOPE program. The Harvest of HOPE is a volunteer-driven community garden harvesting farm-fresh produce for families across Guelph that makes good food more accessible in our community.
 
Through the Rotary Club of Guelph South, Tour de Guelph proceeds will help support Food4Kids Guelph which provides packages of healthy food for kids aged 1 – 14 years with limited or no access to food each weekend. Proceeds will also support the Volunteer Appreciation Brunch which is an annual initiative to recognize 100 volunteers from 10 local charities. Each participating charity receives a $1,000 donation!
 
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
 
 
ARNOLD BOLLIGER
We are sad to report that one of our Rotarians – member Arnold Bolliger – passed away on Saturday February 29th.  Arnold starting visiting us in 2007 and finally became a Rotarian, joining our Rotary club as a youthful 75 year old, in February 2008. Arnold contributed to the club in so many ways, serving on a number of different committees including Membership and Rotary Foundation.  Arnold was surprised and pleased to be honoured by the club with a Paul Harris Fellow in 2016.  He had one of the best attendance records of any member, was never without a smile on his face, and was a prolific fundraiser for worthy causes and events supported by the club.  It will take some getting used to, to seeing his usual chair empty at weekly meetings at Springfield Golf & Country Club.
 
RIP Arnold – thank you for your service to Rotary and our Rotary club - you will be missed.
 
(A photo album has been created, showing Arnold as a Rotarian through the years – see the frame on the right hand side of the club website, and the photo carousel on the left hand side)
Annual Pasta Dinner 2020
 
The Annual Pasta Dinner is in the books for 2020. We had a great turn out yet again and the food was amazing. Lots of hard work went into this event, especially from the kitchen staff volunteers that put in a 14 hour day! It's always great to see such an enthusiastic group of attendees from the community and of course, to raise money for great community organizations like Sunrise Therapeutic Riding Centre.
CHEQUE PRESENTATION
Presenting local charities we have chosen to give our fundraising dollars to is always a highlight of some of our Breakfast Meetings.  
Rotary Celebrating 100 Years in Guelph!
 
Rotary is celebrating 100 years in Guelph in 2020! There are now 4 clubs in the city, including ours, that all do great work putting service above self. Here's to 100 more!
 
2019 HOLIDAYS SCHEDULE
Posted on Dec 24, 2019
2019 HOLIDAYS SCHEDULE

Holidays Schedule
Due to the upcoming Christmas and New Years holidays we will not be holding our regular weekly breakfast meetings at Springfield as usual....      

Regular Weekly Breakfast Meetings at Springfield Golf & Country Club are being cancelled for the upcoming weeks:

       DECEMBER 26th 2019

       JANUARY 2nd 2020

 Watch our website for more information on the weekly programs being planned starting on January 9th 2020.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year....
From all of the members of the Rotary Club of Guelph South 

 

Read more...
Lutherwood Visits the Club
Carla from Lutherwood attended our meeting on October 3 to give us the run down on the employment services they offer to newcomers to Canada. They are doing great work to help people with training, networking, and other employment support in the Waterloo Region and Wellington County. 
 
 
An individual record for Tour de Guelph 
Charlie Barnes has ridden in tne Tour de Guelph several times and, each year, he manages to convince an enormous number of friends and family to sponsor his ride.
 
In June 2019, Charlie achieved a new record - the largest sponsorship amount ever collected by a single rider in the 6-year history of the Tour de Guelph.  Charlie collected $8,500 in sponsorships!
 
Congratulations - and sincere thanks - from all of us.
 
 
18th Anniversary!
Posted on Jul 31, 2019
July 31st 2019 marks the 18th anniversary of the chartering of Rotary Club of Guelph South (originally Rotary Club of Wellington South).  Our club – the newest of the 4 Guelph Rotary clubs – was sponsored by Rotary Club of Guelph-Trillium in order to service the growing south end of Guelph and neighbouring Puslinch Township. 
“Coming together as strangers, working together as friends”
The original group of 20 individuals, committed to Service Above Self, has grown and still counts 7 of the original Charter Members as members today. 
 
Charter President Bill Hammond + Presidents of the other 3 Guelph Rotary Clubs - 2001 Charter Celebration
The Charter Members plus Ralph Marziano (Rotary Club of Guelph-Trillium) - 2001 Charter Celebration
Our new Board of Directors 2020-2021
Welcome to our new Board of Directors for 2020-2021. They are: Russ Powell (President), Linda Craig (President-Elect), Debbie Allen (Past-President), Peter Clark, Alan Jarvis, Martin Litchfield, Linda Main, Blaire Rennie and David Turvey.
 
 
2019-2020 ROTARY YEAR
Posted on Jul 01, 2019
July 1st marks the start of the new Rotary year, and that means a new President!  Deb Allen will lead our Rotary club for the next year, very much following the lead of Past President Linda Main whose term just ended and who had a most successful year.
2019 TOUR DE GUELPH
Posted on Jun 15, 2019
We meant it when we said this would be our biggest and best ride yet. We are announcing our BIGGEST Prize Promo yet for youth riders who fundraise!Guelph South Rotary member Bella Hodgkinson (a.k.a. Idabelle, a.k.a. Idie) has secured two children’s mountain bikes, courtesy of Canadian Tire Saskatoon East. 
 
Read more...
Camp Enterprise 2019 - Student visits club meeting
Matteo Furfaro, from Bishop Mac High School, was one of the Camp Enterprise students that attended the 2-day workshop at University of Waterloo in May.  He spoke to our members about his experience and of winning the team prize for best business model for a start-up organization. He told us that his biggest learning from this experience was the chance to be exposed to business leaders and how they manage complex business issues.
 
2019 Volunteer Appreciation Brunch
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION BRUNCH
            The Rotary Club of Guelph South kicked off National Volunteer Week
With a Volunteer Appreciation Brunch at the Cutten Fields Club . One hundred volunteers from 10 local charities were recognized and honoured for their generous and dedicated hours of contribution to our community. Each charity also received $1,000. This years Recipients included Community of Hearts, Elderdogs, Foods4kids, Focus on Nature, My Kitty Café, Parish Nurse Program, Royal City Quilters, Rotaractors of U of G,
             The Seed and The Shoebox Project.  
Read more...
ROTARACTORS MAKE US PROUD
Posted on Mar 24, 2019
The University of Guelph's Rotaract Club held its annual Gala on March 2nd, and this year selected Food4Kids to be the beneficiary of the proceeds.
They attended our weekly meeting on March 21st to present $5,000 how amazing is that??
We are grateful to the Rotaractors for their support of this important project being championed in Guelph by the 4 Rotary Clubs.
 
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Posted on Mar 21, 2019
We were thrilled to be able to formally induct 2 new members today: Martin Litchfield (sponsor Russ Powell) and Charlie Barnes (sponsor Linda Craig).  Both have a long tradition of volunteer service, and becoming Rotarians is a natural progression.
   (l-r: Russ Powell, Martin Litchfield, President Linda Main, Linda Craig, Charlie Barnes)
FOOD4KIDS GUELPH - New Website
Posted on Mar 10, 2019
We're pleased to announce that Food4Kids Guelph has received confirmation of its non-profit incorporation, and is in the process of getting its charitable status finalized.  This exciting news is accompanied by their new logo and new website www.food4kidsguelph.ca - we hope you'll check it out!
 
Tickets are still available for the April 2nd fundraiser breakfast being held at Cutten Fields.  Help us ensure that more kids have their weekend food needs met by attending the breakfast or making a donation.
 
 
 
FOOD4KIDS FUNDRAISER - April 2, 2019
Posted on Mar 25, 2019
Tickets are now available SOLD OUT for the upcoming fundraiser in support of the @Food4KidsWW program in Guelph-Wellington-Dufferin. Help the Rotary clubs in Guelph as they address the issue of the 1500-1800 children in local schools who experience severe food insecurity in their homes.  Thanks to everyone for their support!
Many local school children already benefit from weekday, in-school nourishment programs such as breakfasts, snacks and/or lunches that are available to all children in the school.  But for the children facing severe food insecurity at home, there is a serious gap in their access to food over weekends and during school holidays.  Local food banks and food pantries are not able to cover this gap adequately, despite their best efforts due to the inability of families to access the food they require.  When children are nourished consistently their opportunities for a better future increase and their health and well-being are positively affected. They feel like they belong in their environment, whether it is the school classroom, playground or in the greater community.
 
Join us for breakfast, donate a silent auction item or become an event sponsor....contact us for more information and THANK YOU!
Upcoming Events
Club Leadership Team
President
Russell Powell
President-Elect
Linda Craig
Past President
Debbie Allen
Secretary
Linda Main
Treasurer
Blaire Rennie
Director
Martin Litchfield
Director
Alan Jarvis
Director
Peter Clark
Director
David Turvey
PHOTO CAROUSEL: Nutcracker Fundraiser (November 2020)
Home Page Download Files
October 2020
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Links
Speakers
EVENT CANCELLED
Oct 24, 2020
Flag raising ceremony at City Hall for World Polio Day

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this event outside City Hall has been cancelled.

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Photo Albums
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