Meeting Minutes – August 6, 2025
Attendance
Connor Visser, Marie Visser, Mellissa Murphy, Catherine Foy, Shannon Lavigne, Elspeth Theriault, Janice Jones, Nancy Philip, Ferd Longo, Sharon Davidson, Lou Davidson, Evan Linnell, Shauna Moore, Pam Guta, Scott Dickson
Guest Speaker: Jaine Klassen Jeninga - Chairperson of the Board KPRDSB
1. Celebrations
- Congratulations to Pam for winning the lucky draw, who generously donated her winnings back to the club.
2. Announcements
- Sponsorship Outreach for Movie Night: Sharon distributed Rotary sponsorship letters to Roy Nichols Dealership, the Tribute Communities Centre, and Pharmasave Courtice. Additional letters were given to members for further outreach.
- Treasurer’s Report (Marie Visser): July’s Card Bingo raised $513.00, with $436.05 in net profit after Ontario Shores holdback. All Blue Jays baseball tickets have been sold. Proceeds funded the club’s committed donation to SafeHope Home.
- Special Meeting Change – September 12, 2025: Meeting moved from September 10 to Friday, September 12 at the Bulldog Pub to welcome past Youth Exchange student Leonard Dohn (2012–2013) and his family. Invitations sent to past members; Ferd suggested a Blue Jays jersey for Leonard and gifts for his family.
- Club Movie Night – November 19, 2025: Invitations will be extended to Rotary clubs across Durham Region. Proceeds go to the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation. Members are encouraged to secure sponsorships to cover theatre costs. Tickets $20 each (tax included; concessions not included).
- Blue Jays Game – August 16, 2025: Bus departs between 12:00–12:30 PM (Marie to confirm).
- Card Bingo Menu Update: Menu remains unchanged; chicken sandwich is breaded, not grilled.
- District Governor’s Joint Meeting – September 25, 2025: To be held in Bowmanville with Bowmanville Rotary.
- Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue Open House – August 16, 2025: Presented by Evan Linnell. Two sessions: 9:00 AM–1:00 PM or 3:00 PM–7:00 PM. Tickets $5. Visit www.sopercreekwildlife.com for details.
3. Guest Presentation
- Speaker: Jaine Jeninga – Trustee, Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
- Topic: Public Education Today
- Focus on equity, inclusion, and diversity to foster student success, lifelong learning, and community enrichment.
- Board overview: 87 schools serving over 35,000 students across 7,000 square miles; 20,000 students transported daily via 700+ bus routes.
- Strategic four-year plan reviewed every six months with community consultation.
- Emphasis on differentiated learning and Indigenous education (Curve Lake, Alderville, Hiawatha communities).
- Graduation requirement: 40 hours of volunteer work.
- “Learning Matters” action plan promotes student capability, unique learning styles, and trust among students, families, and communities.
- Upcoming schools: Northglen Orchard P.S. (Jan 2026), Newcastle K–12 (Fall 2028, capacity 1,400), Millbrook (likely K–6 upon completion).
4. Birthdays – August
- Sami Elhajjeh – August 10
- Nancy Philip – August 21
Meeting Adjourned: 8:12 PM