We were delighted to welcome former RCLS member,  Lorna Gunning Fratschko, on her official District Governor visit to our Club.  Lorna's presentation explained the power of Rotary  to “Create Lasting Impact” with projects like Yinka's Coco Polio Challenge  geared to ultimately satisfy the RI goal of Peace.  To do this, we need to continually invite like-minded individuals to become members and were pleased to welcome  and induct Chinaza Okorie and Ramazan Centintas as our newest RCLS members.  Former RCLS member and PDG Al Hardy and his wife Bernice as well as several visitors joined in the celebration.

This month’s Rotary Interational theme is: Rotary Foundation Month.

Every Rotarian is encouraged to make an annual donation to the Rotary International Foundation of a minimum of $100.00 U.S. to support the work of Rotary around the world.  The slogan is, “Every Rotarian, Every Year”.  If you do contribute this minimum, Rotary considers you a “Sustaining Member”.

Why should you donate?  The Rotary Foundation earns interest from your donations for 3 years and then returns 50% of the principal of all those donations in our District to our District (6330) for District Grants, Global Grants and Vocational Training Teams (VTTs). The more individual Rotarians who donate and the greater their gifts, the more money our District has to do the work of assisting in our community and abroad.  You do receive a tax receipt for every donation you make to the Rotary Foundation.

Additionally, you earn points for your donations.  Once you have cumulatively donated $1,000.00 U.S., you have earned 1,000 points and will receive a Paul Harris Fellowship – a high honour in Rotary. 

Donations to PolioPlus also receive points and can help speed you to a Paul Harris Fellowship.  When you donate $100.00 U.S. annually to PolioPlus you become a member of the PolioPlus Society.

Sara and Joan were some of the many Rotarian volunteers, including Rotaractors Ayush and Majo, who canvassed shoppers at the Masse's No Frills on World Polio Day collecting funds to Meet RI President Yinka's Coco Challenge to raise $1 million dollars this Rotary year to help vaccinate one million children.  For every US dollar raised, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation matches Rotary funds for polio eradication with $2.

Brenda Rouse had the pleasure of presenting the RCLS 2026 JERODA award to Kathleen Murphy.  Second picture shows all Area 4 JERODA recipients:  Lillian Reid, London Hyde Park: Gary Plomske, London North; Kathleen Murphy, London South; Sheila Wilkes, London Lambeth; Keith Morrow, London Downtown.  Second Row shows Kathleen presenting a Paul Harris award to RCLS recipients, Nigel and Rhonda Gilby

Youth Exchange Officer, Akhil Antony reports that our district hosted Interviews for 2027 Outbound Student exchange applicants at Goderich, ON. During the event, we interviewed nine outbound applicants who signed up for the program this year from our District. We are proud to note that two of those applicants, Ella and Ryleigh, came directly from the Rotary Club of London South.

The fair gave our current inbound and rebound students a fantastic space to set up booths and share unique pieces of their home countries with the community. Our current host student from Poland, Mary Kraciuk, set up a popular booth featuring traditional Polish sweets for the visitors. Mary did an amazing job sharing her culture, and she even managed to convince at least three local students to consider visiting Poland in the future..

London Rotaract President, Ayush Shah, explains what he believes are the reasons to join Rotaract (and Rotary) - show up, learn, connect and take the opportunity to support others in your community.  Their small but mighty club of six is looking for opportunities to volunteer, participate and receive mentorship.

Several RCLS members and friends attended  Nshwaasnangong Child Care & Family Centre on October 3 to celebrate the completion of the greenhouse we built for them.

Let’s turn our attention to how our Club might create lasting change in this sphere. Micro loans often help female-led households start their own enterprises to lift their families out of poverty. When we collaborate with other charities like ‘Soles 4 Souls’ and collect gently worn footwear, we give women a leg up in the developing world to create their own businesses selling shoes. 

What’s your economic idea for our Club to spark enterprise somewhere in the world?

RCLS member David Knoppert enlightened us on the devastating humanitarian situation in GAZA and The West Bank with the demolitions, displacement and settler violence resulting in impeded access to Health Care and other life essentials.