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The Rotary Club of London South's President, Joanne Johnson, welcomes you to our club.

Are you ready to connect to the world? At The Rotary Club of London South we work together to make a difference right here in London. Come and join us for a breakfast and enjoy great speakers, laughter, and see the impact Rotary makes locally and around the world. We are always looking for inspired people to join us.

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Avenue of Service Director

Kevin Blaney

Some Great Rotary Videos

Rotary introduces Bill Gates

Polio

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Rotary International

Rotary Foundation receives highest rating from Charity Navigator for 12th consecutive year

Rotary Foundation receives highest rating from Charity Navigator for 12th consecutive

Nigeria reaches crucial polio milestone

Nigeria reaches crucial polio

Shekhar Mehta of India selected to be 2021-22 Rotary International President

Shekhar Mehta of India selected to be 2021-22 Rotary International

Fighting poverty on a small scale

A collaboration between Rotary and Heifer continues to produce big results, helping small farms provide healthier, locally-sourced

Rotary and ShelterBox celebrate the power of partnership

Rotary and ShelterBox celebrate the power of partnershipEvanston Ill., Rotary International announced on 3 June a three-year partnership renewal with its disaster relief project partner, ShelterBox. For almost 20 years,

Science Fair Presentations
Sep 20, 2019
Melinda Grant- Isaiah Projects
Sep 27, 2019

Chris Ryan - London International Airport

Chris Ryan, CFO of London International Airport brought us up to date with the planning at the Airport and recent developments. London is fortunate to have an airport with strong infrastructure. The runway is long enough to handle heavy aircraft and is a hub for Southern Ontario. Toronto's Pearson is limited in its capacity and limited by the layout of runways. LIA has planned to take more that one million passengers in 2020. The addition of the low cost carrier Swoop expands the number of Canadian and international cities served by London. The Airport adds $50 Million in taxes, 1400 Jobs and $137 Million in GDP to our local economy for each one million passengers served. The impact will only increase in the future. The addition of a new flight school at Fanshawe will also be an advantage to the Airlines industry.

Chester Syzpula -LIT

Chester Syzpulam, a Licensed Insolvency Trustee at BDO, explained the role of a LTI in working with individuals to resolve serious financial problems. Under a trustees guidance individuals can arrange for consolidation of debt, a consumer proposal or as a last resort bankruptcy. There is an increasing trend for individuals needing this type of help - up more than 10% from last year. Trustees are regulated by legislation under Canada Revenue and are officers of the court and responsible for fair dealing with creditors and debtors. Two financial counselling sessions are part of the the debt services under this legislation. Fees for a trustee are paid as part of the resolution to debt programs under a tariff set by the legislation.

Chester also provided informaton about financial wellness and recommended everyone check their

Welcome and Birthday Party for Duda

A great time was had by all at the Welcome and Birthday party for our Exchange student Duda Dercy. Special thanks to Anette for hosting the party and arranging for all the goodies.

Duda Dercy our new Exchange Student

Duda Dercy our new Exchange Student was introduced to our club by Brenda Rouse.

Carolyn Martyn -Shine Health and Wellness

Carolyn Martyn - Owner and health and wellness coach from Shine, talked to us about health and wellness from the inside out. She emphasized the importance of proper nutrition on the brain including the relationship of fat and sugar to proper brain health. Other important factors in wellness include exercise (cardio 3-4 times a week) and the proper amount of sleep.

Linda Badke Classification Talk

Linda Badke presented her classification talk at our July 26th meeting. Linda grew up in Montreal, graduated from Queens and started teaching deaf children in Winnipeg. After several years in Winnipeg she moved to Ontario and ended her teaching career in Dorchester teaching various split grades from 1 to 4.

Alex Purdom's Classification and much more

Alex Purdom gave us some insight to his family and his profession. Besides being a Golf player at a high level, Alex showed some high level work he has done on the CN Tower walk, including leaning backwards over the city of Toronto. He has a long family history with Western and is a member of a fraternity his grandfather helped establish in the 1940's.

On a professional level Alex described the long run performance of various investment strategies and results of fund managers. Despite the relatively indifferent performance of fund manages, individual investors perform even worse due to their short term focus and trying to time the market and loss aversion attitudes. His firm endeavours to make an impact on their client's, whether it is investing for retirement or helping to finance a child's education. Alex provided detailed review of market performance and long range perspective. Their approach is understanding a client's goals, making a plan, acting on the plan, and monitoring progress.

Jim Waite National Olympic Curiing Coach

Jim Waite, coached National Olympic men's curling teams in the 1998, 2002 2006 and 2010 Olympics. He provided a behind the scenes stories about the men's teams and Olympic curling. We found out why the team in Turin was called Team Canada and not Team Gushue. The pressures and expectations of the teams add to the competition. Jim shared stories about phone calls from the the Prime Minister, joys and sadness of some of the Olympians, and the trill of the opening parade of athletes.

Jim also brought some paraphernalia from past Olympics including uniforms and the torch carried by volunteer runners across Canada. Jim ran his quarter mile segment in St. Thomas.

Although he did not mention it in his presentation he is the coach of the National Mixed team that won Gold in Worlds in Kelowna in 2018.

Dist Gov Visit and Change Over

The July 5th meeting had a packed agenda. District Governor Tony Sheard's official visit to the club coinsided with our club change over meeting. We were hououred to have the DG swear in President Joanne and the board of directors and avenue of service chairs for the new Rotary year. Past President Bill started the meeting as his last official act and he thanked the club for supporting him in a successful year which saw our membership grow and our fundraising increase.

DG Tony explained his goals for increased membership, expanded promotion of the things we do, support for the Foundation, success through integrity, inclusiveness, diversity and "DOGOODERY". He challenged us to participate in his Rotary Glasses photo promotion.

Seminar for Tomorrow's Leaders Teta and Andrew

Andrew Kozacuk and Teta Dore, students we sponsored for the "Seminar for Tomorrow's Leaders" gave us their evaluation of the Seminar. Both student came away from the weekend charged up and positive about the experience. They made new friends, overcame initial wariness about meeting so many new people. The Seminar included motivating speakers, learning about leadership and finding out kindness and caring is contagious. One experience in caring was the "blind lunch", in which one student was blindfolded and others helped them to get their lunch. Both felt it was a life changing experience and made them more positive in their life and return to school.

Museum London Offsite Meeting

Our offsite meeting at Museum London was a success. We met for breakfast in the cafe follow by a guided tour of some of the exhibits and "back room" collection. The tour was lead by Brian Meehan the Executive Director of the museum. We saw the finished construction that was underway at our last visit.

The art collection incorporates local paintings and renderings starting in 1839 with watercolours by garrison officers stationed at what is now Victoria park to current art work from local artists. The collection also includes group of seven paintings, Paul Peel works, and many important donated items. The tour took in some of the permanent displays and special exhibitions.

We saw the vaults where art is stored to protect it from heat and humidity.

We visited the vast collection of historical items the museum houses to keep London's history alive.

A great off site meeting and tour.

Dr. Frederking Acadmic Dean at Brescia

Dr. Frederking, Dean of Academics Brescia College at Western, outlined the changing character of University Education. Educators, students, and employer expectations are all in flux. In the past, the lecture format was the main method of delivering educational content. Now, students come to the classroom equipped with extensive resources at their fingertips via Google and other resources and expect more from their educational experience. The "Ivory Tower" has disappeared.

Fewer educators are on a tenure track and their relationship to the University is therefore different. Employers expect graduates to come to the workforce with the ability to work effectively others and analyze problems with critical thinking.

Brescia tries to provide an technical education with a strong ethical foundation which will prepare students with the ability to face a changing environment. Work is changing Brescia is preparing women for occupations which will develop that can not be currently envisioned.

DFG Kits to Senegal

Recently packed kits are being sent to Senegal with the aid of a District Grant from our club and packed by these volunteers.

Past President Lorna's Career Update

Past President Lorna brought us up to date with her career developments. Since finishing her Master's thesis, Lorna has created the LGF Group to manage all of her creative and business activities.

Lorna has used her thesis as a basis for a new book dealing with euthanasia and the many complex ethical and emotional issues surrounding Medical Assisted Dying. The working title of the book is "It Takes a Village". It is her hope the book will encourage dialogue. Judging from the meeting the topic certainly will encourage discussion.

She is working on a number of other projects including a "here comes the sun" event and the "Save and Impact" program with Schooley Mitchell which allows her clients to direct up to 10% of her billing to a charity,

Lorna is busy as an author, business person, Mother, Grandmother and Rotarian.

Jay Lawrence and Nicole Kamiki YFC Basketball

Jay Lawrence and Nicole Kamiki described the importance of basketball their lives and their experience in growing up in South Africa under apartheid. Jay outlined the development of the YFC basketball program from a "place to hang out" to a more competitive level of sport. The program grew and changed from a casual pickup games to an organized competitive league in the Compass league. He emphasized coaching as a mentoring and connection process that will help young men be better men, husbands, fathers and individuals. The basketball program has taken young men from the Glen Carin and other economically disadvantaged areas and allowed them to develop travel and have new experiences.

Nicole described her experience growing up in South Africa at the end of apartheid, going to school in a "white" school sponsored by Germany, and playing basketball at a high level- including the national team. She was scouted by an American coach and given a scholarship to a university in Tennessee where she completed her undergraduate education. She wanted to do graduate level studies and she searched out Canadian universities that would provide scholarship opportunities and found an opportunity a Western. Nicole completed her Ph.D and is a researcher at Western. Her husband plays

basketball with Jay and discussed the Compass basketball program with him. They are developing a program for young women to play in a league and hopes to provide the same character development the young men have seen.

A Busy Day for RCLS

It was a busy day for Rotarians at London South. Our regular meeting's speaker was Mike Crosby from the Greenhouse Academy. The GHA is a commercial greenhouse that focuses on growing plant material and young people. Mike noted that there is a 20% dropout rate in some classes and students have a difficult time relating to the workplace. The GHA links the education system with a commercial organization and helps students understand a work environment. They plant seedlings, answer the phone and help with some of the commercial aspects of the business. Other organizations such as TLC landscaping, Blue Jay Irrigation, and Unilock have joined with GHA to demonstrate to students that careers can be built in the horticultural and related businesses.

In addition to an interesting speaker Kevin Blaney presented Jessica Blaney with a Paul Harris Fellowship in recognition of her graduation from Fanshawe and overcoming several obstacles.

At White Oaks Public School a volunteer appreciation luncheon was held in recognition of volunteers who help out at the school- including our pancake crews. We were treated to a number of tunes played by members of the band, a stomp dance presentation, and presentation by the drum club.

District Learning Assembly

Four Members of our club attended the District Learning Assembly/PETS held in Sarnia and broadcast to Owen Sound. President Bill, Vice President Joanne, Kathleen Murphy, Joan Fisher and Jim Thomas attended on behalf of our club. We heard and up date from DG Jim on progress this Rotary year. We have turned around the decline in membership and added a significant number of new members and chartered a Passport Club. As a welcome to the Passport Club, President Bill and Vice President Joanne presented a cheque from our club to provide registration to the Foundation Seminar for the Passport Club.

DGE Tony reviewed initiatives by RI in environmental issues and the new RI and District strategic

plan. The plans provide for continuity of efforts and sustainability of direction. Emphasis was placed on growing membership, increasing Foundation contributions, expanded reach by clubs and increased public image. All of these initiatives are linked for DGE Tony's year, DGN David's year and DGNN Erin's year. DGE Tony pointed out that the Council on Legislation is meeting currently and will require review of by-laws

Breakout sessions were provided for membership development, Youth Services, Rotaraction, Service Project Sustainability, and Social Media image management.

Brian Elliot Habitat 4 Humanity

Brian Elliot the CEO of Habitat For Humanity Heartland Ontario explained the three main functions of Habitat for Humanity and their impact. Habitat's principal functions are 1) Build projects, 2)ReStores, and 3)Family Services.

The Heartland Division employees 75 people and hosts hundreds of volunteers at their projects. Brian explained the lasting impact of home ownership. 65% of their new owners come from social housing and 60% of those access social services. With home ownership the reliance of social services is reduced and the educational achievement of children in the program increases.

Each family must put in 500 hours of service to the project or community service. The homes usually take 6 months to complete from concept, land purchase to build completion. The mortgage is on the house is interest free and his held by Habitat. The revenue from the mortgage is used to finance further projects. The houses are priced at fair market value. The mortgage are based on ability to pay and there is no downpayment. New owners are given an orientation to home ownership which includes budgeting, training on maintaining a home, and how to be a good neighbour.

Kelly Franklin - Equine Therapy for Survivors of Abuse

Kelly Franklin described the use of horses in helping survivors of abuse start their recovery. However, Kelly brought us so much more information about human trafficking especially along the 400 series of highways. London in particular is a frequently used stop over spot because of the junction of the 401 & 402 and easily accessible hotels along the Wellington strip. Some of the statistics Kelly reported were shocking. Trafficking in you girls is on the rise and has become the second highest level of crime second only to drug dealing. The median age of girls starting being trafficked is 13. A pimp can earn $250,000 to $300,000 from a girl in a year. The girls are recruited by romancing and drugging them.

Kelly has trained Police in identification of trafficked girls and other groups. She provides level one training to seniors because seniors frequent Tim's, McDonalds and other coffee shops where identification can be made. The solution is stopping demand. The average "john" is a married man with children, a post secondary education and earning $70,000.

To increase awareness of the problem a one hour presentation is being made at all the On Route stations on the 400 series of highways on July 30th from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. July 30th is also the " International Day to End Slavery."

John Matsui - Author

John Matsui talked about his road to being an author. John was a reporter for the London Free Press for two decades but left to work on the "YES" campaign during the Quebec referendum on separation. After the YES campaign he founded a consulting company named Making Headlines and was in the process of winding down the company when he started his career as an author. With some advice from friends, who were authors, he wrote his first book Late Bite. He finished the first draft in 16 days and after some editing published it with Amazon. He has publish three sci-fi novels: Late Bite, Gravity Games, and Lycanthorpe Rising

John explained the complexities of the publishing business and problems in distribution. He has several books on the way in the sci-fi genre and a number of other creative endeavours including screen plays and preliminary productions of movies.

The culture of creative arts in London is strong and could be a new wave of economic expansion in our city. John gave several examples of the depth of creativity in London such as the 400+ membership in the authors/writing group in the city.

A sense of humour and optimism ran through his presentation.

Alex's Induction and Dawn's classification talk and much more

It was a busy meeting on March 22 - Alex Purdom was inducted as our newest member and Dawn Kershaw gave her classification speech.

Alex induction ceremony was lead by PDG Al Hardy and Alex's sponsor David Kirwin presented Alex with his Rotary pin under the watchful eye of President Bill.

After the Induction ceremony all club members greeted Alex with a warm handshake.

Dawn Kershaw gave her classification speech. Dawn Rotary history extends back to her mother who was the London Club's Administrative Secretary. As a child she stuffed envelopes for the March of Dimes at the Rotary office and later she was an exchange student in Germany. Dawn returned to study law in university and obtained a bachelor's in law at U of T and a Master's in Law at Dalhousie and along the way obtained a BA.

Dawn practiced law in Stratford and London for several years before taking on adjudicator roles in several tribunals including Human Rights, licensing appeals and the parole board.

She met her husband Steve through a contact she made in Nepal on a walkabout. They have a daughter who is interested in dressage and skating. Dawn brings an interest in international affairs to our club and will serve on the international committee and will be hosting an exchange student from Brazil next Rotary year.

Ron Posno - Living with Dementia

Posted by James (Jim) Thomas

Ron Posno described living with dementia. Ron was in a small plane crash and suffered a concussion that left him in a coma for 12 days. Concussions lead to some type of dementia in 80% of cases. He was diagnosed with Minimum Brain Disfunction (MBF). There are now half and million cases in Canada and it is seldom discussed. The toll on families and care givers is significant yet we don't discuss it.

Ron described the three stages of dementia and the importance of planning for the future if diagnosed. He also talked about how to respond to someone with dementia- not "being sorry" but being a listener and showing support. The key is living in the present and enjoying was individuals can do not what they have lost.

Ron highlighted the importance of having a life plan, including a will and health care advocacy.

East Coast Kitchen Party Update

Posted by James (Jim) Thomas

Patti, Kathleen and Lorna brought us up to date on the planning for the East Coast Kitchen Party on May10th

. Patti gave directions in making an ugly stick.

Curling Fellowship Bonspiel

Lorna Gunning Fratschko and Brenda Rouse proudly display the trophy they won at the Cambridge Rotary Bonspiel on March 7 with teammates Sandy Ronson and Harry Moffat

LGBT Youth Exchange Students

On March 7, Kirk Langford enlightened our Club informing that communicating with LGBT students is no different than any other Exchange Student. As a teenager, Kirk was an outbound exchange student to Brazil and spoke openly about his "coming out" during third year University. Kirk is currently the District Public Relations Coordinator and Outbound Coordinator for Youth Exchange Students.