The Rotary Club of Winnipeg West acknowledges that our meetings, held virtually or in-person, are held on Treaty One lands. We do this to reaffirm our commitment and responsibility in improving relationships between nations and to improving our own understanding of local Inuit, Metis, and First Nations Peoples and their cultures and rights.
We recognize that the clean water we are drinking is sourced from the Shoal Lake 40 First Nation.
November 13, Fellowship at 1928 Eatery & Pub
The 1928 Eatery & Pub located in the St, James Hotel provided a fun venue for our "second Thursday of the month fellowship lunch."
Great turn out today for our informal lunch. A few laughs, some good pub style food and a few beers were served.
Did you know that Kelly Ryback is the guy who books these venues for us? Another winner Kelly!
Laughs all around
Good venue
Beer for lunch
November 20 Program - Speaker Gem Munroe - Amarok Society
President Bob introduced our speaker, Gem Munroe from the Amarok Society. Gem &
his wife Dr Tanyss Munroe have been working with the Amarok Society for the past 20years bringing education to the poorest of the poor in the world.
Gem described the conditions in Bangladesh. This is the poorest country in the world
and makes the odd headline when there is a disaster, but the country is generally a
disaster area with over 200 million people in the size of a country ΒΌ the size of
Manitoba.
They started with a mission to educate the people in the slums and everyone told them that this was an impossible task. The method they used and continue to use is to educate mothers who then commit to educate at least 5 children. The schools are
usually shacks with dirt floors. Over a 3-to-5-week period they teach mothers to become teachers. They teach them basic literacy, numeracy, English and conflict resolution.
Gem said that the women in the slums are often married by age 10 and have a
vocabulary of 600 words (versus 15,000 words we as Canadians have). Their situation is one of depression & hopelessness.
Education completely transforms the people and those around them and they become leaders in their society. The slums have been largely transformed, and childhood marriage no longer occurs.
Gem also mentioned books he has written regarding the situation and bringing
education and hope to these people. He believes that an educated and peaceful world is possible
Bob thanked Gem for his interesting and eye-opening presentation.
Gem Munroe
Listening Intently
Bob thanks Munroes
Special Guest Today
Today we welcomed potential new member Chris Irene. Chris has a very interesting background including an early start with Rotary as a member of Rotaract in Nigeria.
We look forward to officially welcoming Chris into our Club in the near future.
Thanks to Ernie!. We have a hands-on volunteer opportunity for Monday, Dec. 24 at the Christmas Cheer Board. From 10:00 am to Noon we will be helping out at the Christmas Cheer Board at 133 Paramount Road.
Interested in helping? Contact Ernie at: ernie@chambersfraser.ca
Welcome Back ?????
President Bob asked Bruce McKenzie to address the club with the new "Rotary Reconnect - Reach Out & Rebuild" initiative.
We're asking all Rotarians to select one, two, three or more past members to rejoin RCWW to help us "make a difference" in Winnipeg.
With our renewed and growing presence and enthusiasm in the Club, the time is right to rebuild our numbers and continue to grow the impact we make in the community.
We are offering a $100 signing bonus to returning members to applied to their first dues payment.
Invite them out to lunch .... their first lunch is on us!
WWRMW
November 20 draw winner: Dan Sutton!
Guest Tanyss Munroe pulls the winning ticket & Terry announces the winner .... Dan Sutton
Congrats Dan!
The Final WWRMW Draw will be held on December 18 at our Christmas Luncheon.
This is the big one!
$2,000 will be given away to one lucky winner!!!
The 2026 WWRMW draw tickets have been distributed!
Don't forget to sell your allotment of 2026 WWRMW tickets.
Bring your sold ticket stubs to Terry for entry into the 2026 draws. Money goes to Ernie.
The more we sell, the more we can do in the community!
If you're not currently an RCWW member but want to purchase some tickets, please content Terry Dick at tdick@westlandinsurance.ca or any other Winnipeg West Rotarian.
Black Mariah
The Queen revealed herself today! Terry Dick walked away with a reported $300 for pulling the Queen of Spades!
This will be the last Black Mariah draw. In the new year, a new weekly draw will be introduced with a guaranteed weekly winner.
There will also be a fun chance to win at our upcoming Christmas Luncheon.
Salvation Army Kettles
Al Goddard is organizing our volunteering for the Christmas Kettles at Polo Park on Saturday, December 20. Want to help out? Contact Alan: aggoddard@gmail.com
Alan has been organizing this event for many, many years. Atta boy Alan!
Christmas Luncheon - Reserve Now!
You and your guests are invited to our annual Christmas Luncheon.
We are at Breezy Bend Country Club on December 18th, 2025.
Please RSVP to me by Monday, December 8th.
Please provide payment to Ernie Halligan.
Activities will include a new fun draw - guaranteed winner !
Meal Service:
Fresh Buns & Butter
Assorted Salads
Carved Beef with au jus and horseradish
Perogies with sour cream and green onion
Chicken Parmesan with tomato sauce
Roasted Vegetables
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Dessert Table
Coffee Service
Bar will be open for your own purchase and indulgence
Family of Rotary
No report today.
Fines Master
A master indeed! With his usual wit and good humour, Alan Goddard extracted fines from the group. Good job Alan!
Reminders & Announcements
Regular Club Meeting - December 4 - Speaker - Terese Taylor publisher/Editor of the Streets and Leaf community newspapers.
Fellowship Lunch - Thursday, December 11, 12:00 noon - Ye's Chinese Buffet - 616 St James St, Winnipeg, MB R3G 3J5
Christmas Luncheon - Breezy Bend Dec. 18
NO MEETING DEC. 25 OR JANUARY 1
Regular Club Meeting -January 8- Smitty's - Open discussion for all members "shaping our future"
Rotary Beer Still Available!
Stock up for the Holidays!
Bob still has some beer available. Buy in quantities of 6, 12 or 24.
Contact Bob to get yours now!
(Reviews are very positive of taste and effect!)
Upcoming Initiatives - More Info. to Follow
New Local projects considering - washer/dryer - AGAPE table
Ukraine - donation to aid war torn Ukraine - Christmas gifts / generators
Interact sponsorship - local High School under consideration - RCWW to be sponsoring Club.
Homework For The Week - All Rotarians
Provide Bob with suggestions for alternate Community Service ideas - Agape is good but maybe something that doesn't involve early mornings!
Provide us with email addresses for those whom you would like to receive the WestWind Newsletter (spouses/partners/family/friends/prospects)
Share this Newsletter with someone!
Thought For The Day
"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door" or "Do something today that your future self will thank you for".
(Reviews are very positive of taste and effect!)