We’re excited to welcome Roman and Susan Slabyj, from Lead with Seeds, to our next meeting on Wednesday, September 17.Roman and Susan will introduce themselves and share the inspiring work of their organization, which focuses on education and sustainable agroforestry practices for youth and adults in rural Honduras. You can learn more about their impact here: leadwithseeds.org
Please note that this week, our meeting will be in room 232 (use the main entrance).
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 last meeting, Elaine Junk shared stories from her volunteer trip to Bujumbura, Burundi, where she supported the Burundi English School.
Her presentation gave us a glimpse into the power of education and service, and how volunteering can create a meaningful impact across the globe.
Jessica Carisa Britton Fund
The Jessica Carisa Britton Fund was created by our dear member Carisa Britton and her husband Neville, in memory of their daughter, Jessica Carisa Britton. Jessica was born on February 11, 2019, and though she left this world the next day, her love continues to inspire.
Through the Edmonton Community Foundation, Carisa and Neville established this fund to honour Jessica’s memory and help create the kind of world they wish she could have known: one rooted in compassion, empathy, and care for every life.
The fund focuses on two important areas:
Supporting families at the Royal Alexandra Hospital who have experienced the devastating loss of a baby, providing them with resources and guidance during such a difficult time.
Supporting schools in need in Edmonton by helping provide essentials such as meals and resources, ensuring children feel cared for, valued, and equipped to thrive.
We’re supporting Wings of Providence with a supply drive! Please bring any of the items below to the next two meetings, or arrange pickup/drop-off with Rachel. She will deliver everything to WOP in October.
New items needed:
Body wash, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste
Diapers (sizes 2–6) & baby wipes
Non-perishable food items & kids’ snacks
Baby food & baby formula
New or gently used items:
Kids’ snowsuits
Winter boots (kids, teens, women)
Winter jackets/coats (kids, teens, women)
Your donations will make a big difference for families in need—thank you for your support!
Rotarian Fellowship of Quilters and Fiber Artists
The Rotarian Fellowship of Quilters and Fiber Artists is a group dedicated to promoting quilting and fiber arts as an opportunity for fellowship and service. During most Rotary International Conventions, the fellowship has a booth where hand-crafted products are offered to attendees in exchange for a donation to the Rotary Foundation. At our last event in Calgary, over $9,000 USD was raised for TRF.
A select few items are now available through the Edmonton members of RFQFA. To acquire one of these items, contact Maureen Liviniuk (Mliviniuk@gmail.com) or Donna Nicoll (donna.nicoll@telus.net). We will verify that the item is still available and confirm delivery details. We will then ask you to make an on-line donation in Canadian dollars to TRF (Canada) Polio Fund in exchange for the item and an e-transfer to cover shipping costs, if required. In addition to the tax receipt, you will get points towards your Paul Harris.
📅 Date: September 20, 2025 🕠 Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. 📍 Location: Canadian Brewhouse
Join our IMPACT Club for an evening of fellowship, food, and fun! Enjoy a FREE pasta dinner with your choice of Tomato Basil Penne or Fettuccine Alfredo.
👉 Not a pasta fan? No problem—feel free to order from the menu instead. 👉 Open to all members and guests.
Along with great food and conversation, members will also connect on upcoming service activities like the Sinkunia Community Garden in September, Pints for Polio in October, and will plan for November & December projects.
The upcoming IndigenousSpeaker Series will feature Dr. Niigaan Sinclair, a renowned Anishinaabe scholar, writer, and public intellectual.
Dr. Sinclair will lead a timely and powerful conversation on Truth and Reconciliation, exploring the ongoing journey of healing and justice between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.
As a leading national voice, he brings deep insight, lived experience, and critical reflection to the issues that continue to shape our collective future. This session will highlight:
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action
The importance of education and allyship
The role individuals and communities play in building a more just and respectful society
📅 Date: November 6, 2025 🕖 Time: 7:00 p.m. 📍 Location: Blue Chair Café
Join Lead with Seeds for a special evening of community, food, wine, and music, all in support of their education and agroforestry work in Honduras.
Highlights include:
Curated wine and appetizer pairings from Bin 104 and the Blue Chair Café
Live music by local artist Beth Portman
Program updates from Honduras, with a special guest expected to bring greetings from the Santa Rita community
Tickets will be approximately $60 (details to follow in October).
For more information or questions, please contact Roman at rslabyj@gmail.com.
Inclusion Alberta’s Annual Breakfast Fundraiser
📅 Date: November 19, 2025 🕖 Time: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. 📍 Location: Edmonton Inn & Conference Centre
Inclusion Alberta’s Changing Lives, Changing Communities annual breakfast fundraiser is coming up soon, and all are invited to take part in this meaningful event.
This inspiring morning brings together community allies to help raise both awareness and funds in support of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Members and friends are encouraged to attend and consider becoming Table Captains, inviting others from their networks to join them. A Table Captain Kickoff will also be held online on October 22 (12:00–1:00 p.m.) to share more details and responsibilities.
You can find an invitation with full details here.
Self-Care Corner
A Slower September – 7-Day Challenge
September often feels like life is speeding up—busy calendars, back-to-back meetings, and the back-to-school rush.
To help ease the transition, Alberta-founded mental health startup DiveThru has created A Slower September, a free 7-day challenge designed to help you press pause and reconnect.
Each day, you’ll receive one simple practice in your inbox to support moving through the month with more intention and less pressure, because you deserve it.
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.
