This was an in-person meeting and a recording is not available.
Visiting Rotarians
Susanne Zbinden, District Governor, RC of Orangeville Highlands, Guest Speaker
Richard Delongte, RC of Guelph Trillium
Nicholas Cheng, Rotary Club of Waterloo
Guests
Donna Duncan, guest of Elena Shpinel
Tina Wilton, guest of Lumi Mironescu
Judy Proctor, guest of Bill Proctor
Happy Jar
Olu Ogunleye, was happy to be back home after a length time out of the country and to be back at Rotary.
Lumi Mironescu was happy to be at the meeting with guest Tina Wilton today. She was also very happy to see the report on our website of the work of our Ukrainian Committee, lead by member Okasana Tereshchenko, who we supported in getting out of the Ukraine and into Canada.
Club Announcements
A Better Tent City
Neil Swayze thanked those members who brought in items today and reminded all that we are currently collecting Personal Hygiene items such as soap, toothpaste, shaving items, deodorant, etc. for the residents of A Better Tent City. Members have until our next in-person meeting on February 9 to bring in items.
Program Highlights
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Our Program today was the annual visit by our District Governor, Susanne Zbinden.
Susanne is a proud member and past president of the Rotary Club of Orangeville Highlands. Susanne joined the Rotary Club of Orangeville in 2008 and became involved almost immediately, serving as Club Secretary for several years before being President of the club in the 2014-2015 Rotary year. After her year as President, Susanne became more involved in the district participating in district events and then later joining the D7080 Training Committee and Foundation Committee.
On the Training Committee Susanne started as a facilitator of various Rotary Leadership Institute sessions, and then later continued as Co-Chair of Presidents Elect Training Seminar and Club Leadership Training. Susanne has been the Chair of the Club Leadership Training in 2022 and 2023. Because of her passion for the Rotary Foundation, Susanne joined the District’s Foundation Committee in 2019 and has been the Annual Fund and Endowment Fund Chair since then
Susanne was born and raised in Switzerland and has lived in Japan, Mississippi, Hawaii and Florida to complete her education in Linguistics and International Relations. After getting married to her husband Richard Delongte, a member of the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium, Susanne moved to Orangeville in 2006.
Susanne is the co-owner of Koa Healthcare Corp., a company that was founded in 2020 and that imports and distributes dental healthcare supplies for cats and dogs. Susanne enjoys traveling to anywhere in the world, learning (even more) languages, quilting and knitting, a good glass of wine and reading anything that sounds interesting. She is a member of several Rotary Fellowships, including the “Rotary Wine Appreciation”, “Rotary Brew”, and “Rotary Quilt and Fiber Artist” Fellowships.
Susanne lives in Caledon with her husband Richard and their wonder dog Koa.
Susanne began her talk with a very personal story about why she has taken on the role of District Governor. It relates to a Rotary event she attended early in her Rotar career where the speak was a doctor specializing in Diabetes, after his presentation her husband, Richard, approached the doctor with many questions, This resulted in Richard becoming a patient of his, which in turn resulted in the discovery of liver cancer and eventually a liver transplant., which saved Richard’s life. So, in part, as a way to say thank you to Rotary, Susanne has taken on the role of District Governor. She also used her story to remind us that Any event (big or small), any project in your community or worldwide, any amount of funds raised has the potential to change, improve or save at least one person’s life.
Susanne then spoke about her vision for this year in our district which includes the following ideas / suggestions:
Unite for Good - Work with different organizations and join forces
Come up with at least one new and creative project or event to tell more people about Rotary - Try something new!
Incorporate Rotary’s Action Plan in your Club Planning
Enter and track goals for the next three years in Rotary Club Central
Have a solid Succession Plan
Increase Membership in your own Club, or start a Companion Club or Satellite Club
Please make The Rotary Foundation your charity of choice - Donate US$100 per year to be a Sustaining Member
Donations to the Annual Fund come back to the District in 3 years to support projects in the District and beyond
Consider leaving a lasting legacy by making a contribution to the Endowment Fund
Help our District increase the number of Paul Harris Society and/or Polio Plus Society Members
Have Fun!
The district is planning a Million Dollar Campaign to support the Rotary Foundation:
The goal of this campaign is to raise a minimum of USD 1 Million in new donations for the programs of TRF.
This can be done through cash donations, bequests, insurance policies or donation of stocks of USD 10,000 or more.
A special Million-Dollar-Celebration event will be held on Friday, 22 of May 2026 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.
If you are considering a contribution please contact Richard Delongte at richard.delongte@rotary7080.org
There will also be a District Epic Day of Service on May 16th.
Currently in 8 Countries
21 Districts in over 1200 Clubs
1264 Projects
Over 36,000 Rotarians and Community Members
Any Project is accepted: Shred it, Clean up, Planting trees etc.
To participate register your club and the event on the website epicdayofservice.org
Promote the event
Find sponsors
Share photos and information
Susanne is open to receiving comments or questions from Rotarians:
susanne.zbinden@rotary7080.org
susannezbinden@me.com
+1 519-217-6918
Caledon, ON - Canada
Closing Remarks & Reminders
Please see the following list iof upcoming events.
Jan. 26 – No Meeting
Feb. 2 – Committee Meeting Week
Feb. 9 – Financial Prospects and Possible Strategies for 2026 Robin Stanton , Rae Lipskie Partnership –Noon/Charcoal
Feb. 16 – No Meeting, Family Day
Feb. 23 – Challenges and Opportunities for Kitchner Centre – MPP Aislin Clancy – Evening/Double Tree by Hilton
Kitchener Rotary e-Newsletter
Susanne is a proud member and past president of the Rotary Club of Orangeville Highlands. Susanne joined the Rotary Club of Orangeville in 2008 and became involved almost immediately, serving as Club Secretary for several years before being President of the club in the 2014-2015 Rotary year. After her year as President, Susanne became more involved in the district participating in district events and then later joining the D7080 Training Committee and Foundation Committee.
