Meeting Recording
This was an in person meeting and there is no recording.
President's Comments
President Elena welcomed all to our meeting this evening.
Guests
Faizal Jamal, guest of Hubert Singh
Riz Jamal, guest of Hubert Singh
Happy Jar
Lumi Miromescu is happy that daughter Ella had the opportunity to visit a club in Guelph to tell of her year in Japan as a Rotary Exchange students and also that she has visited a Rotaract club.
Club Announcements
NB! Due to the change in program scheduling (see below) next weeks meeting, March 30 is cancelled.
KITCHENER-NAZARETH ROTARY PARTNERSHIP - Holy Family School Computer Project
Richard Bruckeder, on behalf of Shawky Fahel, provided an update on our joint project with the Rotary Club of Nazareth.
- The purpose of the project is to provide 30-35 specialized eye-controlled computers for children with cerebral palsy at Holly Family School in Nazareth.
- For these children, these computers are not just technology; they are voices, windows to education, and gateways to hope.
- Shawky visited the school and witnessed children with cerebral palsy whose eyes are alive with intelligence, curiosity, and the desire to learn.
- At the Holy Family School, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between:
- Kitchener Rotary Club
- Nazareth Rotary Club
- Holy Family School leadership
- For six months, our team has worked tirelessly including:
- Peace Committee (Chair: Richard Bruckeder)
- • Robert Shipley
- • Shawky Fahel, Lead Project Coordinator
- • Paul Rostrup, Project Manager
- • Elena Shpinel, President
- • Tom Mennill
- • Lumi Mironescu
- • Global Grant Committee, District 7080
- We have submitted our Rotary Global Grant application which has been approved at the district level. And await Rotary International's hopeful approval.
Opera Don-Guanella Special Education Centre
Program Highlights
The scheduled speaker, Leigh McDermott from the Nice Day Shining Charity had to cancel at the last moment due to a broken arm ad a trip to the emergency ward! We were able to do some rescheduling and present the Kick Off to Our Online Auction instead.
Primarily for newer members we began with how the auction operations:
- Members solicit Items and/or sponsors
- Items are placed in the online Auction that runs from Nov. 7 to Nov. 21 (full description and photo provided for each item)
- The auction is promoted through social media, previous participants, lawn signs and by members to friends, family and colleagues
- Other district clubs are involved as well (upwards of 1,000 items in total)
- Each club earns the funds from the selling of their items
- Sponsorships help to cover expenses
- This will be our only major fundraiser this year and it is important that all members get involved.
Results from last year where then presented
First some stats from the whole group:
- Number Of Clubs = 8
- Number of Items = 1,531
- Number of Participants = 807
- Total Net Income = $111,384.29
Next our own numbers:
- Number of Active Members = 22
- Number of Active Friends of Rotary = 5
- Number of Items = 189
- Gross Income = $28,797
- Expenses = $ 3,568
- Total Net Income = $25,229
As shown in the chart, we have been trending around just over $25,000 a year in net profit for the past few years and we are hoping to break this trend this year with a bigger result. Every extra $ in net profit we earn allows us to do more good in our community.
Online Auction 2026 – Making it Happen!
- Each Member Needs To Bring In At Least $500 Worth Of Product or Sponsorships (10)
- It is important that we start early as many organizations / businesses allocate their community support funding early on the year. By September or October, it tends to soften and can be too late.
Auction Sources for Sponsors
- Employer
- Major businesses you frequent or have used recently . . .
- Major Appliance Dealers
- Home Renovations / New Roof
- Lawn / Garden Service
- Doctor / Dentist / Lawyer / Insurance Broker
- Car Dealership
- Golf Clubs
- Yourself / Friends / Family
Auction Sources for Donations
- Employer
- Retail outlets where you, or your spouse/partner, do regular business and are known to clerks/owner/manager
- Restaurants, Theatres you frequent
- New retail businesses or services looking to establish themselves in the area
- Cold Calls
- Personal Donation (you can get a tax receipt)
Auction High Return Items
- Gift Cards ($50+)
- Computers & Electronics
- Travel & Life Experiences
- Health / Spa / Beauty Care
- Outdoor & Backyard Items
- Clothing / Fashion / Jewelry
- Appliances & Home Décor Items
- Power Tools / Lawn Mowers / Snow Blowers
- Sporting Event Tickets & Memorabilia / Anything Golf Related
Auction Support Tools Package Coming Your Way
- 2026 Customizable Sample Letter of Request
- 2026 Sponsorship Form
- 2026 Donor & Item Information Form
- 2026 Tips Sheet
- 2025 Auction Items by Donor
- Lists all the items procured last year
- Please review and re-contact donor for a donation this year
- If unable to, let someone else know
- Avoid duplicate requests / Get ideas for new asks
We encourage all members to review the Tips Sheet and to customize the Request Letter and to keep copies in the car or brief case and use them when ever the opportunity presents itself. Stay tuned for regular updates and more tips.
Closing Remarks & Reminders
As mentioned above - the meeting on March 30th has been cancelled. As well, there is no meeting on Easter Monday, April 6th.
See below for details about events starting on April 13th.
Kitchener Rotary e-Newsletter
