As we wrap up another remarkable Rotary year, we can look back with pride on twelve months filled with service, fellowship, and impact. The Rotary Club of Edmonton West continued to live our motto, Service Above Self, by supporting our community, strengthening international partnerships, and celebrating an important milestone in our club's history.
This year marked our 70th Anniversary, providing an opportunity to celebrate seven decades of service while looking ahead to the future. Members and guests gathered to recognize the incredible legacy of our club, honour those who have come before us, and reaffirm our commitment to making a difference locally and around the world.
Our members once again demonstrated that hands-on volunteering is at the heart of our club. Whether sorting food at the Edmonton Food Bank, serving meals with Boyle Street Community Services, cooking at Ronald McDonald House, collecting food through Tackle Hunger, ringing bells for the Salvation Army, planting trees, cleaning our Adopt-a-Highway section, our members generously gave their time and talents throughout the year.
International service remained a cornerstone of our work. A multidisciplinary team travelled to Guatemala, providing eye care, medical care, surgeries, chiropractic care, and health education to hundreds of patients in underserved communities.
Supporting youth continues to be one of our greatest investments. Through scholarships, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, Youth Exchange, Adventures in Human Rights, and our support of Rotaract and Interact clubs, we continue to encourage the next generation of leaders and community builders.
Fundraising efforts once again made our work possible. Our members worked tirelessly to support our Golf Fundraiser and casino that provide the resources needed to support our many local and international projects.
This year also saw our club continue to champion peace and community building. Our 70th Anniversary legacy project contributed to Edmonton's designation as an International City of Peace, a fitting reflection of Rotary's commitment to building understanding and goodwill.
Of course, Rotary is about more than projects. Throughout the year we enjoyed weekly meetings, guest speakers, fellowship events, celebrations, and countless opportunities to build friendships while working alongside one another. It is these relationships that make our club strong and make service so rewarding.
None of this would be possible without the dedication of our members, partners, volunteers, sponsors, and community organizations. Every hour volunteered, every dollar raised, and every act of kindness has made a meaningful difference.
As we look ahead to another Rotary year, we do so with gratitude for all that has been accomplished and excitement for what lies ahead. Thank you to every member who has contributed their time, energy, ideas, and passion. Together, we have made our community—and our world—a little better.
Here's to another year of friendship, service, and making a difference.
Community Service
Hands-on service is the foundation of the Rotary Club of Edmonton West. Throughout the year, our members volunteered their time, skills, and energy to support organizations that make a real difference in our community.
From serving Thanksgiving dinner at Boyle Street Community Services and sorting donations at the Edmonton Food Bank, to ringing bells for the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign, our members stepped up wherever help was needed. We planted trees through Root for Trees, participated in Adopt-a-Highway cleanups, supported residents at CapitalCare Grandview through our concert series and other hands on projects, and volunteered with Purolator Tackle Hunger at Edmonton Elks games.
In addition to volunteering, our club proudly supported a number of organizations through financial contributions, including YONA, the Zebra Child Protection Centre, Wounded Warriors Canada, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta, Sinkunia Community Development Organization, and other local and international initiatives that align with Rotary's commitment to improving lives.
Whether helping provide food for families, creating a safe place for a child to sleep, enhancing Edmonton's green spaces, supporting youth and families, or bringing companionship and joy to seniors, our members are making a lasting impact. Through these collective efforts, the Rotary Club of Edmonton West continues to demonstrate that Service Above Self is more than a motto—it is the way we build a stronger, more caring community.
We extend our sincere thanks to every member, family member, and friend who volunteered throughout the year. Your generosity, enthusiasm, and commitment to serving others make these projects possible and strengthen the impact we have together.
Throughout 2025–2026, our longstanding partnership with CapitalCare Grandview continued through a variety of hands-on volunteer projects and financial support that enhanced the quality of life for residents. Club members funded internet service in the Rotary House of Friendship, refinished three wooden patio benches we had built two years earlier, completed the fall garden clean-up, stripped and refinished two office tables, and replaced the tiles surrounding the fireplace in the Rotary House of Friendship. We also set up the outdoor Christmas lights and decorations, helping create a festive and welcoming environment for residents during the holiday season. Our club provided $2,000 to support a new professional musicians program, paid for the tuning of the Grand Piano, and enjoyed giving back through three concerts performed by Al's band. In addition, we participated in the Accreditation Canada survey, sharing our positive experience working with the leadership and staff at Grandview. These efforts reflect our continued commitment to supporting Grandview and enriching the lives of its residents through service and fellowship.
The New Directions Committee continued to strengthen our club's commitment to Indigenous reconciliation, peacebuilding, and meaningful partnerships throughout the year.
We participated in the District 5370 Gilman Cardinal Indigenous Speakers Series and, in September, partnered with Honouring Indigenous Peoples to host an online presentation by Nigaan Sinclair. Later in the fall, Doug Sollows and John Donner attended a Métis history talk, tasting, and exhibition in St. Albert, further expanding our understanding of Indigenous history and culture.
Our club also continued its strong partnership with the Alexander First Nation chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP). Several members participated in an on-reserve bed build in August, helping provide complete beds—including frames, mattresses, bedding, pillows, and blankets—to children who would otherwise sleep on the floor. Nearly 50 beds were delivered through the program this year.
Alexander SHP has also integrated the program into the Miyo Mahcihowin employment initiative, which helps participants develop job skills while giving back to their community. Rotary members have been invited to speak about both Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Rotary at each program intake and to participate in building beds alongside participants.
A significant milestone this year was Edmonton being recognized as an International City of Peace, thanks to the leadership of Ingrid Neitsch and Bev Yee. The announcement was followed by a well-attended Peace Pole display at City Hall, and the momentum continues with the City Hall Peace Ceremony on July 1.
Looking ahead, we will welcome Crystal Arcand as our guest speaker at the July 20 meeting to share updates on both the Alexander SHP chapter and the Miyo Mahcihowin program. Our club has also been invited to participate with a booth at Treaty Days and to help celebrate graduates from seven cohorts of the Miyo Mahcihowin program this fall.
Membership Committee Report
The Rotary Club of Edmonton West began the 2025–2026 Rotary year with 37 active members and set a goal of growing our membership to 40. During the year, we said goodbye to two members—one who transferred to another Rotary club and our dear friend and fellow Rotarian, Vicky Grabb, who passed away. While we miss Vicky, we are grateful for her years of service and friendship.
We were pleased to welcome five new members to our club, including one member transferring from another Rotary club. Their enthusiasm, experience, and commitment to Service Above Self have strengthened our club and positioned us to achieve our membership goal of 40 active members.
Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome back a former member who will be reinstated at our Turnover Meeting on July 6, continuing the positive momentum into the new Rotary year.
The Membership Committee remains committed to working with the Board and all club members to attract new members, warmly welcome prospective Rotarians, and foster an engaging club environment that encourages long-term membership and active participation.
Membership Committee
Bruce Hobin, Chair
Duart Berg
Bev Yee
New Generations
Investing in young people continues to be one of the Rotary Club of Edmonton West's greatest priorities. Throughout the 2025–26 Rotary year, we supported programs that empower youth to develop leadership skills, build confidence, and create positive change in their communities.
Our club is proud to sponsor the MacEwan University Rotaract Club and co-sponsor the Northern Lights Rotaract Club. It has been inspiring to see Rotaract members volunteer alongside our club at community events, fundraisers, and service projects, strengthening the connection between generations of Rotarians.
We also continued to support the Ross Sheppard High School Interact Club, encouraging students to embrace the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self through volunteerism and community service.
Our club remained committed to District youth programs, including RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), Rotary Adventures in Human Rights, and Youth Exchange, providing life-changing opportunities for young people to grow as leaders and global citizens.
Another valued partnership is our support of the 395 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron. Throughout the year, our club has assisted the squadron in providing leadership, citizenship, and personal development opportunities for local youth. The Air Cadet program helps young people build confidence, teamwork, discipline, and community service skills while participating in aviation, outdoor activities, and leadership training. We are proud to support a program that helps develop the next generation of leaders in our community.
The club also continued its support of the George Grover Leadership Scholarship, helping students pursue post-secondary education while recognizing their commitment to leadership and community involvement.
The future of Rotary is bright because of the enthusiasm, passion, and dedication of the next generation. We are grateful to our members who mentor, encourage, and invest in young people, ensuring that the values of service, leadership, and fellowship continue for years to come.
Guatemala Eye Project
In March 2026, members of the Rotary Club of Edmonton West once again travelled to Guatemala to participate in our annual Guatemala Eye Project. This year's mission was our largest and most comprehensive to date, bringing together a multidisciplinary team committed to improving the health and quality of life of people living in underserved communities.
Led by Dr. Ben Doz, the team included an optometrist, ophthalmologist, medical doctor, registered nurse, chiropractor, and twelve dedicated Rotary volunteers. Over the course of the mission, clinics were held at Cipecadi in Antigua, serving children with disabilities, before the team travelled to Huehuetenango and San Rafael. Together, the team provided eye care, medical services, surgeries, chiropractic treatment, medications, and prescription and reading glasses to more than 2,000 patients during the mission.
The impact of the project extends far beyond the medical care delivered during the week. Restoring someone's sight means a child can succeed in school, a parent can return to work, and an older adult can once again live independently. For many patients, this care would not have been available without the dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of our supporters.
A special thank you goes to Dr. Ben Doz and his wife Marley for their exceptional leadership and to our partners in Guatemala, whose planning, coordination, translators, and volunteers make this mission possible year after year. We also thank every member of our medical and volunteer team for their compassion, professionalism, and commitment to serving others.
Report 2025–26
The Rotary Foundation continues to play a vital role in supporting Rotary's work around the world, funding projects that promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, support education, grow local economies, and protect the environment.
For the 2025–26 Rotary year, the Rotary Club of Edmonton West set a goal of contributing $4,000 USD to the Foundation's Annual Fund and $1,000 USD to PolioPlus, in addition to the generous personal donations made by individual members.
As of June 15, club members had contributed an outstanding $8,418 USD to the Annual Fund and $1,532 USD to PolioPlus, exceeding both fundraising goals even before the Club's own contribution is included.
This year, we were also pleased to celebrate two members achieving Paul Harris Fellow recognition, bringing our Club total to 4 Paul Harris Fellows and 21 Multiple Paul Harris Fellows. These recognitions honour individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to The Rotary Foundation through their generosity and support.
Since the Rotary Club of Edmonton West was chartered, the Club and its members have contributed an impressive $889,469 USD to The Rotary Foundation, helping improve lives and create lasting change in communities both locally and around the world.
Interim Foundation Chair: Bruce Hobin
Building Peace Through Service
The Rotary Club of Edmonton West believes that peace is built through service, understanding, and strong communities. Throughout the year, we continued to support initiatives that promote inclusion, reconciliation, and positive community engagement.
One of our proudest achievements was partnering with the District 5370 Peace Committee to help prepare the successful application for Edmonton to become an International City of Peace. On April 22, 2026, Edmonton was officially recognized as the 474th International City of Peace, joining Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto, and Calgary. This milestone reflects our community's commitment to creating a more peaceful and inclusive city.
The celebration continues on Canada Day, when a Peace Ceremony at Edmonton City Hall will feature the unveiling of a Peace Pole and a proclamation from the Mayor's Office, marking the beginning of Edmonton's journey as a City of Peace.
The District Peace Committee continued to build peace leadership by offering facilitated peace conversation training, the Peace Game program, peace activities at the Whitehorse Conference, and expanding its Peace Literacy Project into Interact Clubs at local high schools.
We are especially proud of our own Ingrid Neitsch, whose leadership and commitment to Rotary's peace initiatives continue to inspire our club and the district. Ingrid led the Peace Ceremony at the Whitehorse District Conference and has been instrumental in advancing peace education and dialogue throughout District 5370. In recognition of her outstanding dedication and service to Rotary, Ingrid was honoured with The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service, one of Rotary's highest recognitions for exceptional service to The Rotary Foundation.
Together with our District partners, the Rotary Club of Edmonton West is helping create a stronger, more connected community where peace is built through understanding, education, and service above self.
Annual Golf Fundraiser
The Rotary Club of Edmonton West's annual Golf Fundraiser continues to be one of our signature fundraising events and a wonderful example of what can be accomplished when a community comes together.
Last year's tournament raised $27,000 in unrestricted funds, providing our club with the flexibility to respond to community needs and support a wide range of local and international projects throughout the year. Every sponsorship, auction donation, and round of golf helps Rotary continue its mission of Service Above Self.
A very special thank you goes to Spencer Mueller, Chair of the Committee. Spencer's leadership, dedication, and countless hours of planning ensure that this event continues to grow and succeed year after year.
We would also like to recognize Lorne Proctor for his outstanding work organizing the live and silent auctions. Through his dedication in securing exceptional auction items and coordinating the auctions.
This event would not be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors. Their continued partnership and commitment to giving back are the foundation of the tournament's success, and we are sincerely grateful for their generosity.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the many volunteers who dedicate countless hours before, during, and after the tournament. From setting up the course, selling raffle tickets, welcoming golfers, and ensuring everything runs smoothly, our volunteers are the driving force behind this event. Your enthusiasm, teamwork, and commitment are truly appreciated.
To everyone who sponsored, donated, volunteered, and participated—thank you for making another year a tremendous success. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in our community and beyond.
We are already looking forward to our next tournament on Thursday, July 23, and will welcome back our golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters for another fantastic day of fellowship, fun, and fundraising. We can't wait to see you on the course!
Join Us for Our Annual Changeover Meeting
As we celebrate another outstanding year of service, fellowship, and impact, we invite all members, family, friends, and guests to join us for our Annual Changeover Meeting on Monday, July 6.
This special evening is an opportunity to thank Lorne Proctor for his dedicated leadership and service as President of the Rotary Club of Edmonton West during the 2025–26 Rotary year. Under Lorne's guidance, our club continued to make a meaningful difference in our community and around the world through hands-on service, successful fundraising, and support for Rotary's many initiatives.
We will also proudly welcome John Donner as our incoming President. John's passion for service and commitment to our club will lead us into an exciting new Rotary year filled with new opportunities to make an even greater impact.
We hope you will join us as we celebrate Lorne's accomplishments, welcome John to his new role, and look forward to another year of fellowship, friendship, and Service Above Self.
We look forward to celebrating with you on July 6!
Date: July 6
Time: Cash Bar opens at 5:30pm, Dinner at 6:30pm
Location: Chateau Louis Conference Centre
Cost: $65 per person
