WESTWIND NEWSLETTER

SERVING WINNIPEG SINCE AUGUST 27, 1951

Volume 2, Issue 1, July 16, 2026

 

Land Acknowledgement

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.

Today's Visitors

Today we were pleased to welcome Ed Thomson - Rotary Club of Winnipeg Charleswood.  Ed has a unique (and loud) ring tone on his phone!

Also attending were our speaker Evelyn Jijo and her mom Sonyia.

July 16 Speaker Evelyn Jijo - Adventures in Citizenship

President Bob introduced our speaker Evelyn Jijo, to speak about her experience at Rotary Adventures in Citizenship (AIC).


Evelyn recently graduated from John Taylor Collegiate and was a member of the
Rotoract Club. She was friends with previous AIC participants and applied for
sponsorship this year.


Evelyn said that this was her first trip outside on Manitoba. (She immigrated to Canada 10 years ago with her family and is looking forward to becoming a citizen next year.)


Her trip to Ottawa changed her view of Canada and she really enjoyed her time there. There were 200 participants and Evelyn said all of them were friendly and welcoming. She made many friends.


Evelyn said that she enjoyed visiting the senate and was impressed by the buildings
and talking to the pages. There were several social activities, and she found the city of Ottawa amazing. They attended a citizenship ceremony and Evelyn found this very moving.


Evelyn showed a number of slides of the various events and thanked our club for
sponsoring her trip.


She was asked what her future held. She said she was deciding between nursing and global law.


Bob thanked Evelyn for her enthusiastic presentation.

Summer Schedule - Updated

Stay up to date - mark your calendars for upcoming Rotary events.

 

RCWW Summer Schedule

July, 2026

July 23 - AGAPE

July 30 - No meeting - August long weekend

August 2026

August 6 - Regular Club Meeting - Silver Heights Restaurant

August 13 - No meeting

August 20 - Regular Club Meeting -  Silver Heights Restaurant

  • program includes cheque presentation to CRF
  • Monthly Draw

August 27 - AGAPE

Looking ahead, together: A message from RI President Olayinka H. Babalola

Check out the message from our new R.I President. His opening remarks are:

"As members of Rotary, we are all united across cultures, languages, and communities. Together, we share a responsibility not only to bring about change but also to ensure that the effects endure.

That is why this year, we are called to Create Lasting Impact.

When we work alongside communities, invest in people’s skills and leadership abilities, and measure our progress, we ensure that positive changes can continue in our communities and in ourselves long after a single project ends.

When we focus our efforts and work together, we can maximize our impact in the year ahead."

R.I. President Olayinka H. Babalola

WWRMW - Monthly Draw

Today's draw for $500:

Ticket # 197

Winner: Michael Kalimin

Seller: Bob Foster

Next draw: August 20
Rotary Ripple Effect Motorcycle Ride - July 25, 2026
 

Greetings to All Rotarians in Rotary District 5550,

We are writing to share with you some of the significant positive changes the Ripple Effect Program has made for the children and their communities in Guatemala.
The Ripple Effect Program addresses the educational needs of children living in challenging conditions in Guatemala, one of the poorest countries in South America.
The program was started by the Rotary Club of Winnipeg West in 1999. By 2010 the program had grown so much that they asked District 5550 to take it over.
Please see the attached description of the significant difference the Ripple Effect Program has made by building schools and providing additional educational support service for the education for the children of Guatemala.

This is the 15th year that Doug Mortin and Peter Neufeldt, of the Rotary Club of Regina Eastview, have co-ordinated the Ripple Effect Ride to raise funds to help the children of Guatemala get a life changing education.


Over these 15 years the Ripple Effect Ride has raised $161,500, - our target is to reach $200,000 this year! We would appreciate your help, but most of all, the children of Guatemala will be very grateful.


Income tax receipts will be provided for all donations over $20.00.

Please make donation cheques payable to:  Rotary District 5550 WCSF
Send cheques to:

Peter Neufeldt at 4532 England Rd, Regina SK S4R 4P5      or to

Doug Mortin, 391 Habkirk Dr, Regina SK  S4S 6A9
 

Please send e-transfers to Doug Mortin's mobile phone 306-596-3076

Please see the attachments for program descriptions, donation forms, and registration forms if you would like to ride with us on July 25, 2026.

With Thanks and Appreciation, 
Peter Neufeldt & Doug Mortin

Family of Rotary

Bob Foster advised us that Mike Maunder, former Westminster board member , and driving force behind the improvements at the garden/meeting place at 189 Spence Street is very ill.

Art Oakes advises that his wife Jocelyn Oakes experienced a fall and is recovering in hospital. Our club wishes to extend our well wishes and a speedy recovery to Jocelyn.

Fines Master

Today Bruce extracted a few dollars for the coffers.  Bruce was particulrily pleased with the advance notice Bob gave him with a late evening email the night before. Driving in from Kenora gave Bruce lots of prep time ;-)

Thought(s) For The Day - Bob's Words of Wisdom

It being a big sports weekend with the FIFA final, I was wondering what the classical philosophers had to say about sports. Interestingly, Aristotle had a great deal to say about sport. He promoted the concept of kalokagathia which is the balance between a healthy body and a smart, virtuous mind. He believed sport taught you how to be a better person in “real life”. By playing fair, showing courage, and respecting your opponent you build good character. Aristotle had a lot more to say about how participating in sport, if balanced with intellectual pursuits, made you a better person.

Our “Friends of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg West"

  • Terry Cooper
  • John Forrest
  • Craig Tataryn

 

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.

Our Club's Executive & Directors:

President - Bob Foster

Past President - Raman Talwar

Secretary - Brook Jones

Treasurer - Terry Cooper (interim)

Membership & Public Relations- Kelly Ryback

Fundraising (Giving) - Alan Goddard

Community Service - Jack Peterson

Director at Large - Dan Sutton

Public Image & Communication - Bruce McKenzie