WELCOME TO ROTARY CLUB OF GUELPH SOUTH'S WEBSITE
 
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

Bruno Marziano

member photo
     It is a pleasure to be the President of the Rotary Club of Guelph South for the 2017/2018 Rotary year.  Our club is a dedicated team of roughly 25 members who are very passionate about working with and helping charities, non-profits, etc. within our Guelph and Puslinch communities as well as internationally.      
     Our exciting and dynamic club likes to have fun during the events we put together to help our communities.  The very successful events of “Taste of Italy Pasta Dinner”, “Tour de Guelph Family Cycling Event” and “Volunteer Appreciation Brunch” raise over $50,000 annually to help out the organizations we support.
     Our club meets weekly on Thursday mornings at 7:30am at the Springfield Golf and Country Club.  We welcome you to come and join us for breakfast at one of our meetings to see what we are all about.
     Thanks for your time!
 
Home Page Stories
SHELTERBOX NOMINATED FOR NOBEL PEACE PRIZE!
Posted on May 21, 2018
In recognition of its humanitarian efforts in areas of extreme conflict.  Rotary and ShelterBox have worked together for more than 15 years, providing emergency shelter after disasters in all parts of the world.  The goal of ShelterBox is to keep families and communities together in crisis situations, providing emergency shelter and life-saving supplies to people forcibly displaced from their homes.  
Our Rotary Club purchased and donated 2 Shelter Boxes which were dispatched to Port-Au-Prince Haiti after the 2010 earthquake there.
Good luck to ShelterBox as it is up for much-deserved recognition for the good it has done.
FOOD4KIDS
Posted on May 22, 2018
The pilot project for servicing the Guelph area is progressing well, with the school year soon coming to a close.  The project team has been working through the logistics of this new program on a smaller scale with the intention of being able to incorporate more volunteers and increasing the number of students that can be serviced starting this fall.
 
We are grateful to the project team for all their work in getting this project started, and are looking forward to a full roll-out that more of us can be involved with.  Stay tuned!
                                      (Members of the Food4Kids project team)
CAMP ENTERPRISE STUDENTS
Posted on May 20, 2018
Rotary Club of Guelph South has, since 2007, sponsored senior students from Bishop Macdonell High School to attend the Golden Triangle Camp Enterprise 3-day residential business development program that is sponsored by 9 Rotary Clubs in the Guelph, Cambridge and K-W area.  The program this year ran from May 1st through 3rd in Waterloo.  This year we sponsored 4 students, and we were pleased to welcome 3 of them that were available to attend our May 17th weekly meeting and give us their impressions of their participation. Nestor Rivera, Happy Tran and Zachary Taylor shared how they were part of a break-out group that developed a business plan for a new business with a mens’ hair care product.  They also spoke about their visit to the Velocity Project and in particular how much food was made available to the participants!
    (Rotarian Frank Oudesluys, Happy, Nestor, Rotary President Bruno Marziano, Zachary)
In particular, Nestor expressed a desire to pursue involvement in a Rotaract Club after having observed the presentations by the Rotaractors.  While none of them had known about Rotary, or Rotaract, before taking part in Camp Enterprise, they now have a better idea of what both are and appreciated the opportunity to be part of the group that attended Camp Enterprise.  We were gratified to get the following feedback from their business teacher at Bishop Mac, Kevin Da Costa:  “I have spoken to the 4 students from BM who went and they all loved it! Extremely positive reviews and they were very grateful to have the chance to go.”
5th ANNUAL TOUR DE GUELPH - JUST OVER 4 WEEKS AWAY!
Posted on May 22, 2018
Time flies when you're having fun!  We can hardly believe Tour de Guelph is now just over 4 weeks away!  We've been having so much fun planning for this year's ride. It's going to be our biggest and best ride yet and we want you there with us!
 
The 5th annual event has an ambitious goal of $125,000.  We’re pleased to announce that there is already almost $50,000 raised – that’s 40% of the goal.  You can go to the www.tourdeguelph.ca website and make a donation directly, or you can sponsor one of the many teams that have already registered.  And – cool new feature for 2018 – when you make a donation online you have the opportunity of personalizing a Tour de Guelph e-card and sending it to up to 100 email addresses.  And of course you get your tax receipt emailed to you right away as well.  All proceeds of Tour de Guelph Five will help fund a new CT Scanner for Guelph General Hospital. Many other organizations will also benefit through the Rotary Clubs of Guelph South and Guelph Trillium.
 
New for 2018!  Everyone must choose: Ride-for-the-Jersey OR Register as a Free-wheeler
Ride-for-the-Jersey: When you agree to raise a minimum of $300, you'll receive an exclusive Tour de Guelph Five cycling jersey valued at $75 for free! On the day after the event, if you have not met this minimum fundraising goal, your credit card will be charged for the balance. For example, if you raised $220, your card will be charged $80. Note that you can set a higher fundraising goal to try to win one of the amazing top fundraiser prizes with no obligation to meet your higher goal. As long as you reach the $300 minimum, you will not be charged. You also have the option of purchasing additional jerseys when you register.
Free-wheeler: As a Free-wheeler, you decide whether or not you wish to fundraise. If you choose to fundraise, you set your own goal with no requirement to meeting a minimum fundraising amount and no obligation to meet your goal. You may still qualify for top fundraiser prizes and you may purchase a jersey for $100.00  – you'll get the jersey and a $25 charitable tax receipt.   
 
Distances & Pricing
Back by popular demand - the 75k route!  Tour de Guelph Five offers six routes:
 
 
Early Bird Price
Regular Price
Day-of Price
Route
May 12 - Jun 15
Jun 16 - 21
24-Jun
5k/10k loop 
$12
$15
$15
25k Bremner Memorial 
$30
$35
$40
50k
$50
$60
$70
75k
$55
$65
$75
100k
$60
$70
$80
160k century 
$70
$80
$90

Note that distances are not exact, they may vary by a few kilometers. Detailed route maps will be available on our website in June.
 
Sincerely,
Norm Litchfield, Rotary Club Guelph Trillium, Tour de Guelph Co-Chair,
Brian Cowan, Rotary Club Guelph South, Tour de Guelph Co-Chair,
Suzanne Bone, CEO, The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital
MAY IS ROTARY’S "YOUTH SERVICE MONTH"
Posted on May 04, 2018
May is the month when we focus on all Rotary activities that support the development of young people up to the age of 30 including Rotaract, Interact and even Rota-Kids.  Activities to support youth include Camp Enterprise, RYLA and Youth Exchange.  Our club has sponsored students in both RYLA and Camp Enterprise since 2007. 
 
Our Rotary Club, every year since 2007, has sponsored senior students from Guelph's Bishop Macdonell high school to attend the annual Golden Triangle “Camp Enterprise” a cooperative effort between multiple Rotary Clubs in the ‘Golden Triangle’ region surrounding Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph, Waterloo and Fergus. Selected students have the opportunity, at no cost, to attend a 3 day immersive camp at the University of Waterloo about business and entrepreneurship. Students will get to attend keynote speaker lectures and participate in collaborative activities culminating in a business plan presentation at the end of camp.  Camp Enterprise is free for Students - local Rotary Clubs cover the cost of lodging, meals etc. It cost Rotary about $350 per student. Because Rotary is investing so much in the students we ask the students for their commitment to attending the full camp itinerary, and for them to make the most of the Camp Enterprise experience.
  (L-R  Nestor, Happy, Lukus and President-Elect Linda Main. Zachary was at an Air Cadet event)
This year’s camp ran from May 1st through the 3rd, and on May 17th we’ll look forward to hearing from the students that we sponsored at our May 17th weekly meeting.  The Camp Enterprise program is a great way for our Club to contribute to the vocational development of local high school students.
 
DONATION TO SUNRISE - April 26th 2018
Posted on Apr 30, 2018
Puslinch Mayor Dennis Lever presented our $5,000 donation to Lynne O'Brien, Executive Director of Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre.  This donation is from proceeds of the 16th Annual "Taste of Italy" Pasta Dinner, an event held annually in Puslinch to benefit Sunrise.
 
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION BRUNCH
Posted on Apr 25, 2018
The 3rd Annual Volunteer Appreciation Brunch was held on Sunday April 22nd, having been delayed from the original date thanks to Mother Nature!  Although a somewhat smaller crowd than originally anticipated, all 10 organizations being honoured were still represented and gratefully accepted their recognition and donation. We were also thankful to the dignitaries who attended and expressed their appreciation, both for the organizations and volunteers and for the Rotary Club of Guelph South for hosting the event.
 
Nice comments have been received and posted on social media, for example:
“On behalf of Onward Willow Neighbourhood Group, thank you so much for hosting such a lovely brunch! Unfortunately our turnout wasn't that high with the postponement and all, but we really appreciate it and had a great time!  Susie Stauffer, Neighbourhood Support Worker”
 
         
Sandra Ellis, President - Family Counselling & Support Services along with                                     
Puslinch Fire & Rescue Chief Fire Prevention Officer Michael Roess
 Grateful to our sponsors - doesn't happen without their support!
 
 
 

Representatives of volunteer organizations plus (far right) Rotarians Ann Caine + Brian Cowan
Read more...
COMFORT QUILTS
Posted on Apr 23, 2018
On April 19th we had past member Cheryl Cowan speaking on her involvement with the Royal City Quilters Guild and our partnership with them in the creation of 200 "Comfort Quilts" over the past year.  Cheryl displayed some sample quilts and advised on the disposition of the 200 quilts.  She has since written an article for the upcoming RCQG newsletter that she has shared with us:
We are pleased and proud of our involvement with this worthwhile project of RCQG.
APRIL IS ROTARY'S "MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH MONTH" 
Posted on Apr 03, 2018
An estimated 5.9 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, inadequate health care, and poor sanitation — all of which can be prevented.
 
Rotary makes high-quality health care available to vulnerable mothers and children so they can live longer and grow stronger.  We expand access to quality care, so mothers and children everywhere can have the same opportunities for a healthy future.  Rotary provides education, immunizations, birth kits, and mobile health clinics. Women are taught how to prevent mother-to-infant HIV transmission, how to breast-feed, and how to protect themselves and their children from disease.  The Rotary Foundation reaches mothers and children in need by giving communities the help and training they need to take control of their own maternal and infant health care.
 
Rotary makes amazing things happen, like:
Mobile prenatal clinics:  Haiti has the highest maternal and infant mortality rate of any country in the western hemisphere. Rotary provided a fully equipped medical Jeep to volunteers and midwives to reach mothers and children in remote areas.
Cancer screening:  Rotarians provided a mobile cancer screening unit and awareness trainings around Chennai, India, where there is a high mortality rate of women with breast and cervical cancer due to late diagnosis.
Preventing injuries and deaths:  Rotary members launched a $3 million, five-year pilot to save lives of mothers and children during home deliveries in Nigeria. Since 2005, they’ve also repaired 1,500 obstetric fistulas — 500 more than their initial goal — restoring dignity and hope to vulnerable mothers.
 
“If mothers are empowered and healthy, so are their families, leading to an alleviation of poverty and hunger.” Robert Zinser, co-founder of the Rotarian Action Group for Population and Development and retired president for Asia at chemical giant BASF.
GREAT MARCH 2018 SPEAKERS!
Posted on Apr 03, 2018
We had some really interesting and diverse speakers during the month of March – thanks to the members for their assistance in organizing these weekly meeting programs.
Celia Clark thanking Canadian elite boxer/Olympic hopeful Sara Haghighat-joo
Jeff Merriman, Field Director for Water Ambassadors Canada
Michael House Executive Director Beth Harris
Karen Dowell thanks Gail Touchie, Regional Manager, West Central Ontario, Scientists in School
HISTORY OF THE ROTARY BELL
Posted on Apr 03, 2018
Ever wonder why every Rotary Club has one??
 
In 1922, U.S. Rotarians organized an attendance contest; the challenge was that the losing clubs would join in giving the winning club a prize.  The Rotary Club of New York City was declared the winner and to them was awarded as a prize a bell from a popular patrol boat, which was placed on wood that came from HMS "Victory", Admiral Nelson's vessel at the battle of Trafalgar. 
 
Since then, the bell used in Rotary meetings started to represent, as on the ships, order, discipline and the time to guide us through the weekly hour and a half meetings.  The bell informs us with its sound the beginning of the Rotary meeting, at which time people present should stand, same as at the end, in order to salute the national and Rotary flags.  The gavel symbolizes the authority invested in the Rotarian elected to the highest position in Rotary, and through him, reminds those present of his authority.   When presidents transmit their positions to their successors at the end of their mandate, they give the bell their last hit turning the gavel over to their successor, symbolizing the transfer of authority.
 
(Note: each Club has its own traditions with respect to use of the Rotary bell – it is just a symbol, its use is not cast in stone)
 
CONGRATULATIONS U OF G ROTARACTORS
Posted on Mar 28, 2018
On Friday March 23rd the University of Guelph Rotaractors hosted their annual Gala, this year to benefit the Start2Finish Running & Reading Program in Guelph.  Everyone, including the Rotary Club of Guelph South members that attended the event, had a great time and very much enjoyed the dinner.  Their Facebook page has some photos, including these:
  
 
   
WE TRULY ARE THISCLOSE....
Posted on Mar 28, 2018
Only 5 cases of polio worldwide so far in 2018!  Be proud to be a Rotarian and part of the monumental 30 year effort to eradicate this disease for good.
LAUNCH OF FOOD4KIDS PROGRAM IN GUELPH
Posted on Mar 28, 2018
Last week marked the launch of Food4Kids Waterloo Wellington in Guelph!  Food4Kids is a program that sends home food on Fridays with children facing food insecurity to help through the weekend.  The project will be a partnership of the four Guelph Rotary Clubs who are going to be volunteering and funding this program, with the SEED providing space and help with ordering, management and distribution.
On April 26th the weekly meeting will focus on this program.  Thanks to Hazel and Celia for their efforts on behalf of our Rotary club towards this new program.
In this photo, the steering committee is about to start the packing. Please help spread the word - we are so excited to make this happen.
To learn more about Food4Kids, check out the website https://www.food4kidsww.ca/gwd
 
Upcoming Events
 
 
Club Leadership Team
President
Bruno Marziano
President-Elect
Linda Main
Past President
Rich Van Dyke
Secretary
Dianne Paron
Treasurer
Peter Clark
Weekly Program Scheduling
Peter Clark
Adopt-A-Road Program
Peter Clark
Membership Chair
Frank Oudesluys
Rotary Foundation Chair
Dianne Paron
Public Relations Chair
Russell Powell
Youth Service Chair
Geoff Allen
 
 
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Speakers
FELLOWSHIP MEETING
May 24, 2018

Every couple of months we have a casual meeting, with no speaker or formal program, where everyone has an opportunity to enjoy each other's company!  We're so fortunate to have a club where everyone genuinely likes each other!

View entire list...
 
Photo Albums
 
RSS
Rotaract clubs honored for excellent service 2018

Top Rotaract honor goes to club that empowers women who have HIVRotaract clubs around the world earn awards for excellent

Final Exam

After a grueling year of preparation, two Rotarians and a Rotaractor face one last challenge before they can join the elite ShelterBox Response

Creating a family

After fleeing conflict in their own countries, a group of young Rotaractors is healing wounds and bringing cultures together in a Ugandan refugee

Rotary website wins Webby Award

Rotary.org wins Webby People's Voice

Former First Lady Laura Bush to speak at Rotary convention

Former First Lady Laura Bush to speak at Rotary conventionFormer First Lady of the United States Laura Bush, an advocate for literacy, education, and women’s rights, will speak at the 2018 Rotary Convention in Toronto this