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Create Lasting Impact

President's Message, 2026-27
Robert Therrien

     Dear Fellow Rotarians, Friends and Community Partners,

     On May 1st, 1916, the Rotary Club of Ottawa was officially chartered as Ottawa’s first service organization.  Since then, thousands         of local Rotarians have dedicated themselves to advancing the value of “Service Above Self” to make a lasting impact.  Fittingly,             creating a lasting impact happens to be Rotary International’s theme for 2026-27.   This theme encourages all of us, as people of           action, to work together to make a meaningful difference in our communities and around the world.

      As we proudly mark 110 years of continued service, we carry forward that legacy with renewed energy and purpose.  With your            help, we will continue to focus on meaningful actions and lasting impact be it via our community service and international service        projects, our fellowship events or in the delivery of our youth programs including our signature Adventure in Citizenship                        program.  Together, we will continue to build upon the strong foundation established by those who came before us.  

                                             I am truly grateful for your trust and support, and I look forward to working with all of you in the coming year.
 
                                             Yours in Rotary,
                                             Robert Therrien,  P.Eng.

                                             President, Rotary Club of Ottawa (2026-2027)

Club Happenings
Rotarians for making the Ottawa Walk so meaningful
Hello Rotarians,
 
Thank you so much for volunteering at the Ottawa Breakthrough T1D Walk. Your time, energy, and dedication helped create a truly special day for our community. 
As the check-in volunteers, you were the first greeting, and you did a terrific job!
Because of you, over 800 people came together in Ottawa—families, friends, and supporters united by a shared goal. Together, we raised over $135,000, bringing us one step closer to a world without type 1 diabetes.
We truly couldn’t do this without volunteers like you. Thank you for showing up, for supporting our community, and for helping make such a meaningful impact.
With gratitude,
Rosalie
 
110 Years of Service

In May 2026, the Rotary Club of Ottawa proudly celebrated a major milestone: 110 years of dedicated service to our community. Since its first regular meeting at the Château Laurier in 1916, where the Club’s founding members and executives laid the groundwork for its mission, the Rotary Club of Ottawa has grown into a cornerstone of service, fellowship, and impact across the capital region. The Club was grateful to receive a special recognition from City of Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe to celebrate this important milestone for Ottawa's first service club. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shelterbox Canada
On May 11, we had the pleasure of welcoming Ally Buck of Shelterbox Canada who gave us a presentation on its work around the world. Did you know that Shelterbox Canada was founded by Rotarians to provide shelter, essential items and technical assistance to help vulnerable people displaced by disasters? We are proud to be a Rotary Club that has made donations to Shelterbox Canada in the past.  
 
Thank You Letters from Students
The Community Service Committee is pleased to share the delightful thank you letters that we received from some of the students at Viscount Alexander Public School.  Every year, the Rotary Club of Ottawa delivers dictionaries to third grade students at four area schools, including Viscount Alexander PS.  These books are distributed under the Dictionary4Life (D4L) Program.  D4L is an international literacy project which was started by the Rotary Club of Battersea in the UK.  This year, our club plans to provide approximately 120 books to students at 4 local schools.  We would also like to acknowledge the leadership and support provided by the Rotary Club of West Ottawa over the past many years.  Our colleagues at the RCWO are responsible for coordinating the purchase, transportation and distribution of the dictionaries for participating clubs from District 7040 and 7810 (Thank you!).    
 
Coldest Night of the Year Walk
On February 28th, members of the Rotary Club of Ottawa as well as our exchange student and a spouse walked 5 KM in the annual Coldest Night of the Year joining hundreds of others walking through downtown Ottawa in support of the Ottawa Mission. We hit our goal of raising $1000 for the Mission through generous donations from family and friends of the participants, Rotarians, and a $260 donation from the Club's Community Service Committee to get us to that $1000. Thank you to everyone who supported us. The weather was mild and dry evening and it was a great fellowship and community service event. 
Ottawa Food Bank
Today, members of the Ottawa Rotary Club were proud to give back by volunteering at the Ottawa Food Bank. Our team spent the day sorting boxes of food to help ensure families in our community have access to essential meals when they need them most.

In addition to volunteering our time, we were honoured to donate $2,000 to support the Food Bank’s ongoing efforts to fight hunger across Ottawa.

A big thank you to everyone who participated and to the Ottawa Food Bank for the incredible work they do every day. Together, small actions make a big difference. 
 
 
Fellowship: Thirsty Thursday
On a cold January night, Rotarians paired together in a twist to our monthly Thirsty Thursday.
The lively conversation and hospitality warmed us during this fellowship event.
Visit of DG Fraser
Visit by District Governor Graeme Fraser
On January 12th, we welcomed District 7040 Governor Graeme Fraser to our first club meeting of 2026. District Governor Fraser spoke to us about the family of Rotary, the connections people make in Rotary and reasons why the join and stay, and the important work of Rotary and that of our club. He also presented Club President Rady Osman with a special recognition for our club's contribution to the End Polio Now: Countdown to History Campaign in 2024-25.
Thank you Graeme for your inspiring words, your camaraderie and your ongoing support. 
 
All members can contribute to the Polio Plus campaign through Donate | My Rotary
 
Coldest night walk
My Rotary Club is participating in the annual Coldest Night of the Year Walk on February 28th. Together with thousands of Canadians across the country, I'll be walking and fundraising to support people and families experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness in my community. Please consider supporting our team’s efforts by making a donation to the Ottawa Mission by clicking on this link: https://cnoy.w-ith.me/RotaryOttawa
You can also donate with cash or cheque (made out to "Coldest Night of the Year"). 
 
Read more...
Come Home in 2025
Operation Come Home (OCH) assists youth experiencing homelessness to achieve their goals, and avoid the experience of homelessness as an adult.  They offer of variety of crucial programs related to employment, education, housing, mental health and harm reduction for at-risk youth aged 16-29.   

The Rotary Club of Ottawa is proud to assist this important organization through cash donations and the purchase/donation of winter clothing items. 

Meeting Republic of Kosovo Ambassador
 
Rady, President, Ché, Chair, ISC and Children’s Foundation, met with H.E Adriatik Kryeziu,  Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo, at his request, to discuss increasing rotary collaboration between Kosovo and our club. Newly created rotary club in Prishtina will contact us to explore possible projects focusing on youth and health.
DG Graeme Fraser Visit
We were honoured to welcome District Governor Graeme Fraser to the Rotary Club of Ottawa this week!

Our President Rady Osman presented Graeme with a club banner as a symbol of fellowship and partnership — joined by Ché Weist, Ex-Officio, Children’s Foundation.

Thank you, Graeme, for your inspiring visit and engaging discussion with our members. Together, we continue to serve with purpose — and with fun!
Essential Needs Drive
On September 20th the Rotary Club of Ottawa teamed up with Operation Come Home to collect essential needs for vulnerable youth. We collected donations at the Shoppers Drug Mart in the Glebe and thank the public for their generosity. A great way for our club to help youth in need and come together in fellowship at the same time.
 
 
ShelterBox Canada Hero Awards
ShelterBox Canada Hero Awards

ShelterBox Canada is global community that believes shelter is a human right, enabling people to take steps towards recovery. Their mission is to provide shelter, essential items and technical assistance to help some of the world’s most vulnerable people recover and rebuild their homes after disaster. They listen and adapt support to the needs of each community, working together with those affected by disaster, alongside supporters and partners.
 
This year, the Rotary Club of Ottawa has been awarded the Silver Hero Status for the 2024-2025 year.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amazing work and thank you for all of the work you do in making the world a better place for us all.
 
 
 
Immigrant Women Services Ottawa

Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO) is a non-profit organization that provides immigrant and racialized women and their families with the supports and tools to achieve their full potential as members of Canadian society and participate in the elimination of all forms of abuse against women and children. 

The organization provides numerous services and programs that support women and children (e.g. crisis and counselling services, settlement and integration services, care for newcomer children, language and translation services, digital literacy programs, etc.).   The Ottawa Rotary Club is proud to provide support to the IWSO to help them relaunch their Milk Drive which provides milk weekly to needy families, directly helping immigrant children get the nutrition they need.

Podcasts and More
Upcoming Events
Adventure in Citizenship 2026 / Redécouvrons Notre Citoyenneté 2026
A unique and  special program for 160 youth May 23-27, 2026! 
See the Video too!
Free Reading Program
A complete, fun, interactive English literacy program for grades K to 6.  Click the logo to create a "classroom" on our club's campus, add your learners, and you're all set.  It's an engaging platform with over 3600 activities!
More info at Be Reading. 
Literacy lasts a lifetime. 
Rotary Club of Ottawa meets...

We meet In Person & Online
Mondays at 12:00 p.m.
Jack Purcell Centre and online
320 Jack Purcell Lane
Ottawa, ON K2P 2J5
Canada
Our club meets twice a month. 1. In-Person: Second Monday of the month at 12 pm at Jack Purcell Community Centre (320 Jack Purcell Lane). Please confirm your attendance. 2. Online: Fourth Monday of the month. Time: 7pm. Link to be sent.
Join Us Online [Login to view details]
District Site
Club Links
RSS
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Global gathering welcomes Rotary members from 140 countries and is expected to generate NT$1.578–1.735 billion in local economic impact.

Club Executives & Directors
President
Robert Therrien
President Elect
François Marier
Immediate Past President
Rady Osman
Secretary
Carina Dietze
Treasurer
Spencer Henson
Director
David Devine
Director
Nassim Barakat
Director
Sherri Daly
Director
Carol McCalla
AIC Program Coordinator
Margot Nicholls

AIC partners / sponsors:

 
 
 
 

The many Rotary Clubs across Canada who sponsor their students' participation and travel.
Rotarians for making the Ottawa Walk so meaningful
Hello Rotarians,
 
Thank you so much for volunteering at the Ottawa Breakthrough T1D Walk. Your time, energy, and dedication helped create a truly special day for our community. 
As the check-in volunteers, you were the first greeting, and you did a terrific job!
Because of you, over 800 people came together in Ottawa—families, friends, and supporters united by a shared goal. Together, we raised over $135,000, bringing us one step closer to a world without type 1 diabetes.
We truly couldn’t do this without volunteers like you. Thank you for showing up, for supporting our community, and for helping make such a meaningful impact.
With gratitude,
Rosalie
 
110 Years of Service

In May 2026, the Rotary Club of Ottawa proudly celebrated a major milestone: 110 years of dedicated service to our community. Since its first regular meeting at the Château Laurier in 1916, where the Club’s founding members and executives laid the groundwork for its mission, the Rotary Club of Ottawa has grown into a cornerstone of service, fellowship, and impact across the capital region. The Club was grateful to receive a special recognition from City of Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe to celebrate this important milestone for Ottawa's first service club. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shelterbox Canada
On May 11, we had the pleasure of welcoming Ally Buck of Shelterbox Canada who gave us a presentation on its work around the world. Did you know that Shelterbox Canada was founded by Rotarians to provide shelter, essential items and technical assistance to help vulnerable people displaced by disasters? We are proud to be a Rotary Club that has made donations to Shelterbox Canada in the past.  
 
Coldest Night of the Year Walk
On February 28th, members of the Rotary Club of Ottawa as well as our exchange student and a spouse walked 5 KM in the annual Coldest Night of the Year joining hundreds of others walking through downtown Ottawa in support of the Ottawa Mission. We hit our goal of raising $1000 for the Mission through generous donations from family and friends of the participants, Rotarians, and a $260 donation from the Club's Community Service Committee to get us to that $1000. Thank you to everyone who supported us. The weather was mild and dry evening and it was a great fellowship and community service event. 
Evening on the Rideau

On Thursday, November 7th, at the Art Gallery of Ottawa, members of the Rotary Club of Ottawa attended a fundraising event to support Operation Come Home in its valuable efforts to reduce, and hopefully eliminate, youth homelessness in Ottawa.