Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16th and we’re excited to welcome Joseph Pedrola, Product Owner – Training at Amii (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute). Joseph will guide us through the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and help us understand where AI is already showing up in our daily lives.
He’ll also walk us through a live demo of a large language model—like ChatGPT—and share valuable insights on when (and when not) to use this kind of technology.
Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or just eager to learn, this session is sure to spark some great conversation. Don’t miss it!
For those who cannot attend in person, the Zoom login for the meeting is Meeting ID 780 222 3440 Passcode Mayfield
Last Meeting Recap
At our meeting on Wednesday, April 2nd, club member JJ Mitakaro shared insights about Kiva, a global nonprofit our club proudly supports.
Kiva fights inequality by connecting people through crowdfunded loans, empowering individuals and communities with financial opportunities. Learn more at Kiva.org.
Celebrating 50 Years of Service
Our club’s 50th anniversary is coming up in 2027, and to celebrate, the 50th Anniversary Committee is gathering stories, milestones, photos, and videos from members. Help us create a special commemorative project that highlights our club’s incredible journey. Share your memories and be part of this milestone using this Form.
Upcoming Events
Learn About Starting a Companion Club
Join us for a special orientation session on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. with Patrick Langano, a Rotary leader from the U.S. who has helped over 200 clubs launch successful Companion Clubs.
Patrick will introduce the concept of Companion Clubs—sometimes called Rotary Impact Clubs—designed for people who want to focus on projects over meetings, flexibility over formality, and action over structure.
Patrick will also walk through the step-by-step process of setting up a Companion Club, from early conversations to launching with 12–15 members and celebrating with a Charter Party.
What is a Companion Club?
A Companion Club is a type of Rotary satellite club that operates under the umbrella of a sponsor club. Unlike traditional satellite clubs that aim to eventually become independent, Companion Clubs stay connected to their home club long-term, supporting it while doing hands-on service.
Why it matters:
Companion Clubs give people choices in how they engage with Rotary—on their terms, in ways that work for their lives. They also strengthen the Home Club by expanding reach and impact.
Interested in attending? Request the Zoom link from Jeanette.
The 31st Rotary Integrity Awards are just around the corner—and we’d love to have a strong presence from our club at this inspiring event!
This special evening celebrates non-Rotarian Albertans who have demonstrated exceptional integrity and leadership in their communities. Each participating Rotary club nominates one individual whose actions reflect Rotary values in a meaningful way.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Chateau Louis Conference Centre 11727 Kingsway Avenue NW, Edmonton
Enjoy a night of inspiration, live music, great company, and fine dining as we recognize these outstanding local leaders.
RSVP by April 30 to rpoelzer@ualberta.ca.
Our club will be covering the cost of one table (8–10 seats), which includes our nominee and a guest. The remaining seats will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
District Conference
The Rotary 5370 District Conference - Edmonton will be held on May 25 & 26.
Our club will support your fees to attend this conference. We anticipate qualifying for the Group Rate - which is administered on the "honor system".
Send Maureen a copy of the completed registration and she will e-transfer you the money.
Calgary - Rotary International Conference
The Rotary International Conference is coming to Calgary this June, and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience this incredible event so close to home! Connect with fellow Rotarians from around the world, gain inspiration from dynamic speakers, and be part of something truly impactful. Get your tickets here.
Self-Care Corner - “Memory Clutter” vs. Cognitive Decline
Ever find yourself struggling to find the right word or recall a name, and immediately worry it's a sign of cognitive decline? Good news: it might just be “memory clutter”—a normal part of how our brains manage information over time.
According to researchers from the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest, this kind of forgetfulness is common and not necessarily linked to a serious issue. As we age, our brains continue to absorb, retain, and store so much information that pulling out the right word in the moment can simply be a matter of “too much in the filing cabinet.”
What is Memory Clutter?
Memory clutter refers to the accumulation of information and experiences—especially older or no-longer-relevant details—that can momentarily get in the way when trying to recall something specific.
Reassuring Findings
Dr. Lynn Hasher, one of the study’s authors, explains that older adults may take longer to find the right word not because of memory loss, but because their brains are processing more information. In fact, memory clutter can be a sign of normal cognitive aging.
The Upside
There’s a silver lining: memory clutter also means you have more knowledge and lived experience to draw from. This can actually improve decision-making, creativity, and problem-solving—especially for open-ended tasks.
So the next time a word is on the tip of your tongue, don’t panic. Your brain’s just busy sorting through a well-stocked library of memories!
How can we tell our story?
If you are working on a project or event or if you want to share your Rotary journey with others, we want to hear about it. And if you attend an event, take pictures or videos and send them to Victoria. We will use these for social media and bulletin posts.
Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship.
We invite you to join us at an upcoming meeting.
Club Information
Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m.
Chateau Nova Yellowhead
13920 Yellowhead Trail
Edmonton, AB T5L 3C2 Canada
We meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at noon at the Chateau Nova Yellowhead (and by Zoom for those who cannot attend in person), and the second Saturday at 10am by Zoom.
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