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.
New WestWind Format:
Ths is a new version of the WestWind Newsletter. We're still ironing out a few wrinkles so please bare with us. Any feedback is welcomed as we continue to refine our communications. Our goal is to have the WestWind, along with our Web & Social media presence help us tell our story and form the basis of a recruitment plan beginning in the fall. We should be proud to be Winnipeg West Rotarians. Let's share our story!
Club Calendar
Date
July 10
July 17
July 24
July 31
Event
Fellowship - Cork & Flame
Club Meeting - speaker Geneah Mahor, Adventures in Citizenship
Kelly introduced our speaker, Crystal Karpyshin from Hood & Dagger Productions.
Crystal said the name for their theater company is taken from Robin Hood & Cloak & Dagger. They are a community theatre company – she showed a short video promoting their
productions.
Their vision is to build community by producing great theater using everyday people.
In their first season they produced 3 plays using 75 volunteers and partnering with local
businesses. They raised $10,600 to support local charities. They are currently waiting for
approval of their charitable status. In 2025, they won the “Not for Profit of the Year Award”
presented by the Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce.
They use new cast members for every show and try to involve more people to help build the
community. Crystal said that the genres they focus on are mystery and adventure thrillers.
This year they will have 3 productions: The Haunting of Hill House (October 2025), The 39
Steps (February 2026) and Miss Holmes (May 2026)
Tickets cost $25.00 and each production has a run of 5 days. They will also have a VIP option
that includes a trolley ride, restaurant meal & then the show (estimated cost of $125.00).
Crystal said that they are always looking for ushers, cast members, and board members. Cast members in the 50+ age range are often needed.
Further info can be found on their web site at HoodandDagger.ca
Kish thanked Crystal for her interesting presentation and making us aware of her interestingorganization.
Family of Rotary
No news to report this week.
Committee Updates & Announcements
ChickenFest debrief June 19. Thankyou luncheon planned for July 31st during regular meeting at the hotel.
WestMinster Housing - great success over the past weekend of planting at 189 Spence. Special thanks to all volunteers. Se article below.
Golden Rainbow Fund - summer campaign kicked off with a "Legacy Theme".
Upcoming: WestWind redesign
Please see President Bob for more information on how you can help with our ongoing "hands-on" projects:
Gardening at 189 Spence
Agape table
R.I. President Message:
Cari amici,
Two weeks ago, I was in my living room playing with my grandchildren. A few days later, I was on a plane to Calgary, suddenly carrying the responsibility of leading this incredible organization. Life comes fast, but so often, it brings us exactly where we’re meant to be.
We begin this year with a clear message: Unite for Good. It is a simple phrase, but a powerful one. Because behind every successful Rotary effort, every act of service, every new member welcomed, every global challenge met – there are two things that matter most: friendship and trust.
This is how we build strong clubs. It’s how we create meaningful partnerships and transform global problems into local solutions. It’s also how we lead—not through titles or applause, but with humility, humanity, and heart. But let me be honest with you—this kind of leadership is not always easy. We’re human and yes, we make mistakes. We sometimes disagree, but in Rotary, we are called to something greater. Let us reflect on the full vision of Rotary:
Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
That last part is essential, because transformation doesn’t start with strategy. It starts with character and the way we treat one another. It starts with how we listen, how we support, and how we serve.
This year, I ask you to lead with that spirit. To grow Rotary through relationships. To make your clubs more welcoming, more flexible, more open to new ideas. To think big—but also to think beyond one year. Our term is short, but our impact can be lasting if we plan and act with continuity and vision.
Let us remember our key priorities: membership, polio, and peace. We are closer than ever to ending polio. We cannot stop now. We must keep the promise we made to the children of the world. And as for peace—Rotary has been building it for over a century. Every clean water system, every youth exchange, every maternal health project is a step toward peace.
I joined Rotary as a young professional, eager to help but terrified of public speaking. My fellow Rotarians believed in me and encouraged me to take on new roles, and in doing so, Rotary changed my life. It gave me courage and purpose, but above all, it gave me you: my friends, my team, my family around the world.
So now, my friends… take out your dreams tucked away in a drawer, especially those you thought were too big or bold to achieve. Let’s bring them into the light. Let’s Unite for Good—for our clubs, our communities, and our world. And let’s make this a year not only of service, but of joy, of connection, and of love.
With gratitude and affection,
Francesco Arezzo
President, Rotary International, 2025-26
Winnipeg Rotary Clubs/Westminster Housing Society partnership :
Westminster Housing Society is a provider of affordable housing in the West Broadway area in Winnipeg. Primarily, Westminster purchases and rehabilitates older housing for conversion to low rental units. They presently have 28 houses, a 12- nit townhouse complex and a 21-unit apartment block for a total of about 100 housing units.
Many of Westminster’s houses were purchased 20 or so years ago and were 70 or 80 years ago then. Westminster is currently undertaking a much-needed major maintenance, repair and upgrading program for their existing housing stock. Winnipeg Rotary Clubs have joined forces in partnership with the Westminster Housing Society to assist in this project.
For the limited (as always) funds available, Westminster is giving priority to interiors and to increased energy efficiency upgrades. There is little left
for yard work and some units are pretty barren when it comes to any sort of landscaping. As a first step in Rotary’s involvement, we have agreed to do a bit of “greening up” of a few properties. HFTC Landscape Architects are on board to provide advice on plant materials. Westminster’s property managers, Five Stones Property Management are participating. Rotary members will do the hands-on work and ensure that follow-up watering and so forth is done regularly.
Based on input from the Westminster Housing Board, the Tenants Association and Westminster’s property manager, it was decided to concentrate our initial efforts on 189 Spence and to a lesser degree 182 Spence. At 189 Spence, the front room is set aside as a “tenant’s hub” for tenant association meetings and other gatherings and is also used by the West Broadway Community Organization for meetings. 189 Spence is a double lot with some existing plantings in the side yard, and there is a small picnic table and bench. The users of the tenant’s hub wanted to develop
this space as an extension of the hub, for summer use, and as an informal outdoor drop-in space for tenants.
On Saturday, June 14, a group of Rotarians, Westminster Board members and tenants carried out a major weeding, pruning, general cleanup and
planting at 189 and 182 Spence. Areas overrun by weeds were cleared out and planted with a couple of trees and a number of perennials. Rotarian
volunteers are scheduled for regular watering of the new plantings. Subsequently, four folding chairs, two umbrella stands (umbrellas donated
by others) and two small folding patio tables were purchased to complete the upgrading of the space to a pleasant usable gathering place. A kid’s
swing set and two additional patio chairs have been donated by others.
Costs of the plant materials, compost & mulch, chairs & tables, etc. is being
shared by six Winnipeg Rotary Clubs.
It was extremely gratifying for the Rotarians involved in this effort to see the reaction of the tenants to the conversion of this space to something they can use and enjoy. In addition to tenant use, WBCO will be meeting there
weekly through July and August.
At 182 Spence, the tenant had asked for 5 blueberry bushes and the look on her face when these were planted made those Rotarians present think,
this is what Rotary is all about – getting out in the community, partnering, and helping make life a little better for others less fortunate than us, even
with small things.
This is Rotary impact. The June 14 event has received extensive coverage in two community newspapers, The Leaf serving the Wolseley and West
Broadway area and Streets serving the entire West End.
There are three remaining items which will complete the work at 189 Spence. The parking area at the rear is basically dirt and needs a couple of yards of gravel spread. There is a walkway along the side of the house which also is just dirt and is very muddy when it rains. A few paving slabs
would fix this. There is a small deck at the side of the house and the paint on this and on the old picnic table and bench is badly peeled and painting these would be a big improvement. These are easy things to do, it’s only for volunteers to step up and get them done. With those items completed we will begin discussion with Westminster about next priorities.
