Next Meeting
Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 4th. We'll be gathering in the 2nd floor boardroom, room 232—so please make a note of the location change.
We're thrilled to welcome Basel Abou Hamrah, Founder and Leader of Rainbow Refuge and the Newcomer Centre.
Basel arrived in Canada as a Syrian refugee in 2015, carrying the weight of war, loss, and the hope of starting over. As a queer newcomer, he quickly realized that while safety is vital, it doesn't always come with a sense of belonging.
In response, Basel co-founded the LGBTQ+ Newcomers Group in 2017 and launched Rainbow Refuge—Alberta’s first program supporting LGBTQ+ refugees and immigrants. Since then, he’s become a nationally recognized advocate, earning awards like the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and a spot on EDify’s Top 40 Under 40.
In his talk, Basel will share his powerful personal journey, the challenges queer newcomers face, and how we can all play a role in building more inclusive communities.
For those who cannot attend in person, the Zoom login for the meeting is Meeting ID 780 222 3440 Passcode Mayfield
Last Meeting Recap
Our last meeting was both eye-opening and educational! We were joined by Joseph Pedrola, Product Owner – Training at Amii (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute), who guided us through the fascinating world of artificial intelligence.
Joseph helped us see where AI is already showing up in our daily lives—from the obvious to the unexpected—and shared thoughtful insights on when it makes sense to use AI, and when it might not.
It was a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, and better understand a technology that’s shaping our world in real time.
Motions
At the RCEM meeting on Apr 15, 2025, a motion was made by Jeremiah Ondicho and seconded by Zaheer Lakhani that two additional Jasper Place students be granted funding at $500 each (total of $1,000) to attend a RYLA camp. Motion was passed.
Celebrating 50 Years of Service
Our club’s 50th anniversary is coming up in 2027, and we’re getting an early start on something special. The 50th Anniversary Committee is collecting stories, milestones, photos, and videos from members to create a commemorative project that captures our club’s rich history and community impact.
We’d love for you to be part of it!
Share your memories using this Form and help us tell the story of who we are and how far we’ve come.
If you have questions or want to chat about a specific project or moment, feel free to reach out to Jim Galpin, our Club Historian. Jim has been a proud member since March 15, 1977—an incredible 48 years of service and counting.
Northern Lights Rotaract Launches Toiletry Drive!
While volunteering at the Edmonton Food Bank, members of the Northern Lights Rotaract Club noticed a critical shortage of toiletry items—things like soap, toothpaste, and shampoo that many of us take for granted. To help fill the gap, they’ve kicked off a Toiletry Drive with a goal to collect 200 items by May 15, 2025.
You can help! Bring new toiletry items to our next meeting—they’ll be collected and delivered to those in need. Every item counts. Let’s support Rotaract in reaching their goal and making a real difference in our community!
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