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.
Our Guests Today
Full house today! Guests included Ed Thompson & Elaine Thompson (Rotary Club of Winnipeg Charleswood) and Lloyd Rana principal of Principal Sparling School, along with our guest speakers Sherry Wells and David Yaki.
Snowbirds Return
Welcome home Stan Rybuck & Jack Peterson! Good to see you. Aren't you glad you came back to our balmy spring weather?
April 16 Meeting Program -
President Bob introduced our speakers; Sherry Wells & David Yaki. Sherry & David are part of the Esperanto Rotary Fellowship.
David said that there are many Rotary Fellowships. Fellowships are Rotary members that come together because of special interests, causes or similar associations. (Dan mentioned that the RCMP had a Rotary Fellowship)
The Esperanto Rotary Fellowship was the first Rotary Fellowship and was established 1928 at the International convention in Minneapolis.
David said that Esperanto can be learned in 37.5 hours of instruction over 15 sessions and suggested that learning it as a second language would make communication with other cultures much easier. Esperanto is easy to learn because the rules of the language are simple and there are no exceptions to the rules. He said that to learn French verbs you need a 500-page book, whereas for Esperanto you need one page.
In our world today, English is the dominate language and only 5% of the world’s population has English as their first language & only 20% of the world’s population is fluent in English. If everyone learned Esperanto as their second language communication would become simpler.
Sherry said that they are promoting the Esperanto Promise Project – 100 million people promising to learn Esperanto by 2028 – the year on the next International Convention in Minneapolis.
Bob thanked Sherry & David for their interesting presentation.
Sales are starting to come in and Jack announced a successful merging of the Zeffy excel export and the Access reporting system (developed by Mike Ludwick several years ago.) The result is we can keep Stan & Joe happy campers! Great work jack.
Gary also spoke about our new bulk orders program. Designed for customers with greater than 35 meals and prefer their food delivered in bulk trays rather than individual boxes, we are able to offer a discount for these large orders. For $20 we will deliver bulk trays of food (chicken, coleslaw & potato salad + assortment of drinks) together with paper plates, napkins, cutlery and serving utensils. We already have orders and can accommodate more. If you have customers who meet the 35 minimum criteria & would benefit from a buffet style bulk delivery, please let Gary or Bruce know.
Social media is alive and well and frequent posts are being made to Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn. Please check out the posts and like, share, follow & repost. Most importantly share so that all your own contacts see the posts. Don't have one of these accounts? Sign up. It's free and most importantly helps to promote your Rotary Club!
The Chicken Delight flyer hits the streets shortly, delivered via Canada Post unaddressed ad mail to over 200,000 homes, ChickenFest is being promoted.
Children's Rehabilitation Foundation ran an ad in this week's Wednesday edition of the Winnipeg Free Press featuring ChickenFest (see below).
Follow up, follow up, follow up …. now is the time to make sure all your past ChickenFest customers are placing their orders and your new prospects have the information and are also placing orders. Stuck for words or how to follow up? Use the weekly email templates as idea starters.
CRF Winnipeg Free Press Ad - April 15/2026
Some of your customers may find it convenient to use the Office Sign Up Sheet to collect orders from their staff
Promote, promote. promote and buy your own tickets. Don't wait until the last minute to buy your 50/50. The earlier you buy, the more momentum we build and it encourages others to buy. Help create the frenzy! Make the pot grow!
Fines Master Brook Jones captivated ???? us with way too much “fascinating history” of Canadian inventions today and allegedly raised some dollars for the good of Rotary. As a fines master Brook makes a great photographer ;-)
Chase the Ace
No one will ever accuse of Art of being a change maker. It took well into the meeting before Art could finalize sales for today's Chase-the Ace draw because he he didn't have change for several potential purchasers. Not that it mattered too much. Jack Peterson kept the pot growing by expertly drawing the 5 of diamonds.
Family of Rotary
We were very saddened today to learn of the passing Kish Modha a long term club member. Kish's obituary was shared earlier.
Kishor Ladhubhai Modha December 30th, 1943 -April 12th, 2026
In reaction to the recent passing of Ernie Halligan, our former member & past president Michael Charach along with input from another past president David Deane sent the following for publication:
“I put this together from what I could find in the resources and chatting with David. I am certain there is lots of history missing here but most of his Rotary high points are covered.”
"Ernie’s contributions and dedication to The Rotary Club of Winnipeg West were truly Immeasurable. While Ernie would have preferred we didn’t use the word ‘immeasurable’—being an accountant—he made a huge impact on the club, over all these years. He was always there to share his thoughts, offer a solution, and be a great friend.
He joined the Club back in 1983 and remained a member continuously until he passed away. Ernie’s sponsor was Jack Chambers. Chambers Fraser accounting, Chapman, Goddard & Kagen law, and St. James travel all clustered together in St. James formed a Winnipeg West Rotary business services hub of sorts.
He was elected president in 1988/1989. For the last 20 years, Ernie served as a director and the club treasurer. He was also a multiple Paul Harris fellow, deeply committed to Rotary’s ideals. In 2022, he received a presidential merit award from then-club president Mildred Turner (deceased). Mildred affectionately referred to him as Mr. Rotary and even arranged a special evening to honour him in 3D. She described him as devoted, distinguished and dependable.
His passing will leave a significant gap in the club, not only because of the work he did but also because of the friendship and camaraderie he shared with everyone."
Ernie in 3D
A tribute to Ernie Dec. 2022
Addressing the Club
Ernie & Judy @ Burton’s 100th birthday
Reminder: Ernie's wishes are that donations be made to RCWW's “Golden Rainbow Fund”. Please consider a donation in Ernie's memory:
July 2026 Rotarian Magazine - Canadian Supplement - story featuring RCWW's work with the Westminster Housing Society
Looking for speakers for May. Ideas, suggestions? Please contact Bob.
Did You Know?
April is environment month in Rotary. Plant a tree?
Homework For The Week - All Rotarians
Sell, sell, sell ChickenFest 2026.
Buy 50/50 tickets
Thought For The Day
Bob’s words of wisdom.
By now readers of the Westwind will know that Bob’s Words of Wisdom are not Bob’s words at all, but are usually cribbed from somebody else. So, this week, let’s take a look at freedom. Very popular concept these days; freedom of speech, freedom of information, freedom of action, freedom of expression, freedom of choice, freedom marches, freedom convoys, we live in a free society so I can do whatever. So, what did the expert have to say about freedom?
“The only freedom which deserves the name, is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it.” ― John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859
Or, Mill's famous "Do No Harm Principle” which more or less states that you should have the freedom to do pretty much whatever you want so long as you do no harm to others. Sounds a bit related to the second line of the Rotary Four Way Test: is it fair to all concerned.
Our “Friends of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg West"
Terry Cooper
John Forrest
Recognizing individuals in the community who choose to be associated with the Rotary Club of Winnipeg West for the purpose of making a difference without a full time rigid commitment. Can be individuals, businesses, friends, family, spouses.
“Friends of Rotary” are welcome at any of our Rotary events, lunch meetings, projects, & committee meetings.
Know anyone who fits the bill? Please send your nomination to any Board member for consideration.
