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.
October 2 - Meeting Program
We're starting to feel at home at our new meeting location and again Smitty's staff treated us well. Our new venue is beginning to feel quite comfortable and kudos to the Board for making the change.
President Bob is away for the month of October so Kelly Ryback chaired today's meeting and did a great job. Kelly prepared and presented a PowerPoint presentation highlighting some of the work our club has been doing over the summer.
Kelly's slides opened with a return to the music of "Oh Canada" like we use to enjoy in days of past. It certainly helps our group's singing .... just saying!
Kelly's slides led to discussion, comments and remarks that are captured elsewhere in this newsletter. We also discussed potantial new hands-on projects and have tenatively agreed on a spring 2026 project of laying pathways at two sites on Spence Street. Kelly has secured free bricks and is storing them at his home over the winter. We also have some potential funding help coming from City Councillor Sherri Rollins.
RCWW Participates in Orange Shirt Day
Rotarians Kish & Kelly participated in the Truth & Reconciliation walk at the Forks on Sept. 30th.
Planting Day - Sunday, Sept. 28
On Sunday, Sept. 28 Winnipeg West Rotarians were hard at work at 283-287 Furby Street working on the landscaping project in conjunction with the Westminster Housing Society and other Rotary Clubs. Our workers were Al Goddard, Stan Rybuck, Helen Forrest, Bob Foster & John Forrest (sorry if I missed any). The work day was followed by a BBQ at 189 Spence in the tenant's common area (an earlier Rotary assisted project). By all counts, the day was a rewarding and productive experience.
Here's Helen's note to the WWRC volunteer group:
"It was a fabulous day.!! What a difference we made. Yes it was hard work but we met some awesome people. John and I had a great time at the BBQ at 189 Spence and met some more wonderful folks. One of them wishes to come to our meeting soon. John and I were the only club members at the BBQ, which was partly to thank Rotary. (We even had the fire box going and what a great place to socialize in the garden.)"
Way to go RCWW!
AGAPE Table (Sept. 25)
RCWW volunteers helped out again with our monthly meal prepartion day at Agape Table
Spence Street Fencing Project (Sept. 2025)
What an amazing job by RCWW; demolition, debris removal, post setting and new fence construction. Big job by a dedicated crew of Winnipeg West volunteers. Using a combination of materials donated by Westminster Housing & purchased by RCWW, our club provided the brute force and fence building expertise to construct a new fence for this Spence Street residence. Duplicating a design that fits in with the neighbourhood, the fencing crew worked over several days in September to complete this project.
Exceptional work and shout out to Rotarians Bob, Kelly, John, Al, Stan, & Terry. A special thank you to Stan's neighbour Ray Cote for his expertise.
Stan will be finalizing the project this weekend with the building & hanging of the gate.
By all accounts, this was a fun project and makes a significant difference to the Spence Street neighbourhood. Don't miss out on volunteering for the next project TBA!
Kelly & John
Kelly & John
John, Kelly, Bob and Al
Posts set
Stan reveals progress
Terry models fence
Golden Rainbow Fund
The Golden Rainbow Fund (GRF) year end conicides with the Winnipeg Foundation's fiscal year of September 30.
With the help of some generous donations by Winnipeg West Rotarians the GRF is in great shape and the fund is now generating income for the club that is reminiscent of funds raised by ChickenFest when it was in its heyday.
What this means is that we have a sustainable club capable of supporting and growing our current programs and potentially adding some new, to continue our work in the community.
Great job folks and a huge THANKYOU to all contributors.
A reminder too that donations are always welcome at any time of the year.
Paul Harris Award
As reported in the last WestWind, the Board has recommended an Honourary Paul Harris Award for Jim Step of AGAPE Table. The award will be presented at a dinner on October 30. The dinner is being held in conjunction with other Rotary Clubs to honour all the Paul Harris Award recipients. Dinner cost is $60 and the RCWW will subsidize the meal cost to the tune of $20, making your cost $40. Please contact Kelly Ryback if you are interested in attending.
Our Guests Today
No guests today.
Black Mariah
The pot is growing and the elusive Queen of Spades remains hidden. Thanks to Ernie & Art for saving the pot for another day!
Reminders & Announcements
Fellowship Lunch - Thursday, October 9 - Silver Heights Restaurant, 12:00 noon - possible location for November - St James Hotel - 1928 Eatery & Pub. Stay tuned.
October Board Meeting - day after Thanksgiving - TUESDAY, Oct. 14, 4:00 PM Smitty's Restaurant.
Reminder for volunteers for AGAPE - Oct. 23
October 30th Regular Club Meeting is CANCELLED - Instead members are welcome to attend the October 30th Paul Harris Dinner (details above)
Family of Rotary
Nothing to report today.
Still looking for volunteer to be our "Family of Rotary" reporter. Please contact the editor.
WWRMW
Next draw date, Thursday, October 16. $500 will be given away!
Terry Dick reports that our 2026 WWRMW application has been approved by LGCA and tickets will be in production soon. Dust off your customer lists and start thinking of new prospects for selling the 2026 monthly draw tickets.
Fines Master
Our fines master duties today were supposed to be handled by Bruce McKenzie. As we were a smaller group and time was runing out, the group decided to just throw in a few dollars and call it a day. (The real reason was that a few Rotarians were afraid of what Bruce might reveal and wanted to keep their secrets to themselves).
Club Photographer
Thanks to Terry for the Spence Street fence project photos.
Homework For The Week - All Rotarians
Consider applying for Family of Rotary reporter. Pay and benefits are great & you'll earn the unending adoration of the Board.
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
The purpose of life is to be useful and compassionate.
