Editor: Scott Vetter, Ass't Editor: Rosemary Parker
Rotary Thought
David Oliver: The Conference of the Americas is taking place this week in Los Angeles, California with a focus on “Building a Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Future” for our hemisphere. Being a Rotarian gives us the opportunity to make valuable connections. David challenged us to think about how we can work with other countries to make a positive impact throughout our hemisphere and the world.
Announcements
Kateri introduced us to the Canmore Singers who entertained us with a beautiful version of ‘O Canada’. You can check them out on YouTube.
Upcoming Meetings:
- June 15th – Meet at Happy Goat Café (35 Laurel St.) for 10:00 am to launch our Community Blend Coffee
- June 22nd – Meet at KS for our bursary presentations. Jeanine Parker will be chairing the meeting. Note: Members should arrive at noon.
- June 29th – Changeover and Club Assembly – location and time to be announced
Kateri informed us that Rotary International Convention 2023 will take place in Melbourne, Australia, May27-31 , 2023.
RI President Visiting Ottawa:
Our Rotary District (7040) is honoured to be hosting incoming Rotary International President Jennifer Jones as she begins her term in the new Rotary year. She, along with her husband Nick Krayacich, current Director and Vice-President Valarie Wafer and her husband Mark Wafer, Trustee Dean Rohrs and her husband Rhino Rohrs and current President's Aide Bryne Styles and his wife Randi Styles will be in Ottawa June 29 - July 1!
During their visit in our area, there are two events where all Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, family and friends are invited to participate and meet President Jennifer.
On Thursday, June 30 we will be hosting a Dinner and Dance that will celebrate the District Changeover and the Rotary Foundation. This will take place at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre, 200 Coventry Rd. Cocktails (cash bar) at 6 pm, dinner at 7 pm with dancing after dinner. Cost is $100 per person, Please register before June 23 here: District Celebration Dinner Dance
On July 1 we will be hosting an afternoon of softball and BBQ at the Miracle League of Ottawa Baseball Field, 3659 Navan Rd., Navan. Join in a friendly game of softball or cheer on the teams and enjoy a hamburger or hotdog. Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors and families are welcome! Food will be provided. There is no cost for this event but we will accept donations. Please register here: Softball and BBQ
Our Environmental Committee is working on several initiatives:
- A tree give away event with Ecology Ottawa.
The co-hosting responsibility will be to provide the location, tables, and community promotion for a tree give away event with Ecology Ottawa, potentially at South Keys Shopping Centre, with a suggested date of September 3rd. A separate RCOS table would provide club & membership information, Community Blend Coffee, and environmental education for Ottawa South residents.
The obvious benefits are numerous including the environmental ones such as TREES! and helping replenish Ottawa's tree cover after the devastating storm, mitigation of climate change, promoting education, care and love of nature. Additionally, this event provides for promotion of Rotary and Rotary Club of Ottawa South, raising funds, and would achieve one of the goals towards Silver Certification in the District 7040 Environmental Sustainability program.
- A partnership is being planned with the Perth Rotary Club to provide clean cooking stoves to a community in Guatemala.
The primary goal of a clean cooking stove is to reduce the amount of polluting and harmful fuels that households use every day to put food on the table.
- A fundraising event featuring a keynote speaker (in the fall). The committee is contemplating which speakers would be suitable to speak on environmental issues.
Golf Update: Chris has composed an email for members to use when soliciting foursomes, tee signs and prizes. This email will be available to all members so we can be consistent with our information when contacting potential participants.
Next Golf Committee Meeting: Monday, 13 June at 12:00 pm via Zoom.
Community Blend Coffee: Volunteers needed to promote our Community Blend Coffee at the Ottawa Summer Multicultural Festival and Bazar that is taking place on Saturday, June 25 from 11 am to 7 pm in the large hall of the SNMC Mosque (3020 Woodroffe Avenue). Get in touch with Kateri if you can help out at this event.
Join us for the Community Blend coffee launch at Happy Goat, Wednesday June 15 at 10am. Meet great speakers, delicious coffee and treats, wonderful people to socialize with, come to the party!
Meet New RCOS Member - Dave Humphries
David Thomas Humphries is 34 years old, and lives with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.
This hasn't stopped him from pursuing post-secondary education and a career. Dave is a double certified planner, both degrees from Quebec career school. One is an International Wedding and Event Planning Certificate and the other is an International Certificate in Festival and Live Productions. Dave has worked and volunteered with most festivals in the city, from the Dragon Boat Festival to Canada Day in Kanata.
Dave is very community-minded and even ran for his district school board in the 2018 election. As further testament to his commitment to community service, he's thrilled to be joining our club!
RCOS was at the Canterbury Community Association garage sale this past Sunday. It rained much of the day, so thankfully it was an indoor event. We sold some coffee, promoted Rotary and have a handful of people expressing interest in our club. Thanks to those who helped out: Jeanine Parker, Jeff Sirrs, Stephen Campbell (pictured above), Bruce Bayne, Kateri Clark and Scott Vetter.
The Community Blend coffee website is live; share the link, share the love, sell the coffee.
Next meeting is the Community Blend coffee launch!
Wednesday June 15 from 10 - 11 am
Happy Goat Coffee Company, 35 Laurel Street
Come join us for delicious coffee and tasty treats.
palsy. 
