President Ken called the Family Day/ Paul Harris meeting to order at 6:00 Rev. Kev shared a few words about Susan before asking for a moment of reflection
Guests: Barb Coleman, Yvonne O’Neill, Chris Collins, Marg Tait, Carol Rowsell from Parkdale, Highpark, Humber Rotary Club and Lars Henriksson from the Toronto Eglinton Rotary, Mima Markicevic – guest of Bob G, Karen and Shane Watson

Lars and Carole gave us a detailed presentation on a Global Grant the we are participating  in. The grant will allow for 3-D prinying of limbs for those that have suffered injuries during the war in Ukraine

Program
Kathy, our Foundation Chair, shared the history of the Paul Harris Fellowship and some of the other worthy Port Hope citizens that the club has recognized in the past.

Kevin introduced Shane Watson our newest PHF recipient.
Shane and Karen moved to Port Hope in 1999 and he began his career at Cameco.
Since then Shane is or has been involved with:
Green Wood Coalition serving many years on the Board
The local unit for Habit for Humanity and Think Tiny Homes Northumberland developing a micro village concept for tiny homes in an inclusion of permanent small footprint homes as part of municipal housing strategies.
In 2023 he became ordained as a Deacon at St. John’s Church in Port Hope with responsibility to support those who suffer the most due to financial hardships, physical and mental health challenges and all forms of marginalization.
Karen and Shane became involved with Nightstop Northumberland with Rebound Child and Youth Services to provide homeless youth with short term shelter.
Shane thanked the club for the PHF and Rotary’s efforts in the community.

Kathy also made a very important presentation to Rotarian John Davidson, Presenting him with his PHF+2 pin for his ongoing support of of the Rotary Foundation

Other Business

Ron and Drina updated the club on the Flavors of Port Hope.

Ron mentioned a request from Emma Treney a former exchange student from Denmark for financial support for her studies overseas.
 

Next meeting March 16.

Library staff are organizing a drop-in open house. We are marketing it as Backstage Pass: a show and tell.  The date is Sunday, February 22 from 11 am to 2 pm. In addition to this special event staff will be on schedule and ready to deliver our regular service.   We hope that a wide range of the community attends especially those who don’t visit (often).

As you know, RYLS (Rotary Youth Leadership Symposium) is coming up this April — a program very near and dear to my heart. My challenge to you, as the incredible leaders you are, is this:

Let’s get at least one student from every club in our District to attend RYLS!

I can already hear some of you thinking, “Niecy, that’s a big ask!” But remember, this is where our collaboration magic happens.

• Maybe your club has the funds but no student — no problem!
• Maybe your club has a great student but limited funds — also no problem!

We can Unite for Good (see what I did there?) and make sure every willing student has the opportunity to experience this incredible weekend of self-discovery, leadership growth, and teamwork.

But, we have to move quickly! Applications need to be submitted soon.

This is a chance for our youth to find their voices, discover their potential, and become the next generation of leaders… and what better legacy could we leave as Presidents than that?

You’ve inspired change all year...now let’s inspire the future.
Let’s make this happen, team! 

Rotary Meeting- February 19th, 2026

Meeting was opened by Ken O'Neal at 6pm.

Ken acknowledged several guests from the Port Hope High School Interact Club.

Terissa Torres- President

Henry Elliot - Treasurer

Michael Parliament- President Elect 

Phoebe Kim- Staff Adviser

Change to evening's Program.

Unfortunately the guest speaker for this evening had an emergency which prevented her from attending. 

She will be rescheduled for another meeting.

There were several other speakers who had a chance to present.

Ron Tuttle

Item 1-Ron provided an update on the success of the Christmas Ham Fund-Raiser.

241 Hams were sold for a total of $8156. After deducting the cost of the hams ($5209) this produced a contribution of $2946 towards the clubs charitable budget. Excellent work Ron. 

Item 2-Several of the Little Libraries you will have seen around town that are sponsored by the club have needed minor repairs. Ron reached out to a friend,Tom Lowery, who was able to make the required repairs and kindly provided the necessary materials from his own stockpile without wanting to be reimbursed. Ron provided a thank you card and Tim Hortons gift certificate as a small expression of the club's thanks.

Thanks again to Tom.

Item 3- Ron provided an update on the very successful exchange experience of Julia Koutkova, our Inbound Youth  Exchange Student. She is now enjoying the hospitality of Steve, Drina and Aldona Tallo.

One of her current project is to raise funds to Support the Campbellford Hospital through her participation in the Polar Plunge. Based on the funds she has already raised through the club members in attendance this looks to be a very positive (though somewhat Chilly) endeavor.

The next Outbound Student, Isabel Dietrich will find out where she will be going when she and Julia will attend the Youth Exchange Winter Camp held at Camp Kawartha Feb 6-7. Isabel will also be participating in the Polar Plunge.

Paul Tait

Paul provided a useful update on the Service Project undertaken for 2025-26.

Among the projects recently completed included;

52 banners have been placed on the Avenue of Heroes ($2497)

Remembrance Day Wreaths. ($240)

Support for 3 students to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Symposium. ($1200)

Kitchen enhancements have been made to the new Youth Wellness Hub which opened on Dec.1,2025.(($9,113)

Contribution to Adopt a Village in Laos project.($2500)

Rotary Sponsorship of the Rolls Bus (new bus to arrive in Feb 2026) ($1000)

Support for the Hibernate Festival 2026. ($2000)

Prestation by PHHS Interact Club

3 senior members of the Interact club gave an excellent presentation on the current structure and focus of their club. In particular they highlighted their goals and aspirations and how they saw their partnership with Rotary building in the future.

They also laid out their goal of building an international committee whose first project was to raise money for

girls in the Dominican Republic who are currently without access to menstrual supplies.

After hearing their presentation the club agreed to their request for $500 to help with their fund raising effort.

Drina Tallo

Drina provided an update on the progress the important "Enjoy the Flavours of Port Hope" fund raising event to be held on February 28.

Drina confirmed that although over 60 tickets had already been sold the goal was at least 200 with a hope to  get closer to 250 . To reach the goal we need all club members to spread the word and encourage community participation.

The event is still looking for support in the form of donations for the Silent Auction.

Among the other notes from the evening ;

*A request for volunteers to participate in the "So Girls Can Go To School" sewing event on March 30.

*Notice that for the next meeting all members have been invited to view the new Youth Wellness Hub on Cavan Street after which members will return to the usual Club venue for dinner.