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.