THE PARKWOOD JOURNAL

OFFICIAL BULLETIN OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF OSHAWA-PARKWOOD

Mailing Address: 200-481 Taunton Rd W., OSHAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA L1J 0G3

 

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO:

ROTARY – People of Action

Rotary is where neighbours, friends, and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting change.

We're made up of local business, professional, and civic leaders. 

We meet regularly, get to know each other, form friendships and through that, we're able to get things done in our community. 

It's up to YOU.............Join leaders in our community

Be sure to share this with all of your friends and associates and ask them to get in touch with our Club President President Hilda Finnigan at 905-431-4258 or Club Past President Linda Porritt at 905-626-6386 

You are invited to our next Rotary meeting. You may wish to become a Rotarian. Dinner is on us. Isn't it time to give back to your community?.

 

THE OBJECT OF ROTARY

is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

FIRST The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

SECOND High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful

occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

THIRD The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;

FOURTH The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of

business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

 

Rotary Code of Conduct provides a framework for ethical behaviour that all Rotarians can use, together with The Four-Way Test, in their business and professional activities.

ROTARY CODE OF CONDUCT

As a Rotarian, I will

1. Exemplify the core value of integrity in all behaviours and activities

2. Use my vocational experience and talents to serve in Rotary

3. Conduct all of my personal, business, and professional affairs ethically, encouraging and fostering high ethical standards as an example to others

4. Be fair in all dealings with others and treat them with the respect due to them as fellow human beings

5. Promote recognition and respect for all occupations which are useful to society

6. Offer my vocational talents: to provide opportunities for young people, to work for the relief of the special needs of others, and to improve the quality of life in my community

7. Honour the trust that Rotary and fellow Rotarians provide and not do anything that will bring disfavour or reflect adversely on Rotary or fellow Rotarians

8. Not seek from a fellow Rotarian a privilege or advantage not normally accorded others in a business or professional relationship

 

THE ROTARY FOUR-WAY TEST

of things we think, say and do:

1. Is it the truth

2. Is it fair to all concerned?

3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

 

MINUTES OF MEETING:  Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Editor: Tess Pierce

Meeting Called to Order at 6:30 PM

Grace: Camille Miquel-Farfan

Toast to the KING: Yvonne Henry

Land Acknowledgement: President Dave

We respectfully acknowledge that the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood is meeting on the traditional territory of the Mississauga of Scugog Island First Nations, within the jurisdiction of the Williams Treaties.  We are committed to our responsibility of stewardship, in these relationships and for this land on which we learn, share and live.

Toast to CANADA: Lennis

Visiting Rotarians and Guests:

Janet Thornsteinson, our speaker

Jeff Thornsteinson

Shauna Moore, ADG

 

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES:

Bill Creamer Dec 3

Reg Malachowski Dec 11

Rhonda & Bob Stewart Dec 13

 

• Dave A

Cakes & hams ready to be picked up. Bill has the balance of the order here in his car. Please remit payments to Linda P before Christmas.

The Local Buzz is asking our 2 Rotary Clubs to sponsor ads (3 ad from each club) for a full Rotary Page in their monthly newspaper. We need your commitment by December 15 for the Feb 2026 issue. Contact Dave A. for more information. Check out a recent issue HERE.

Phone & Address Lists. The updated lists are ready. Please contact Dave A if you have any corrections.

Ted is home and doing great. Give him a call.

SPEAKER: Rotarian Janet Thornsteinson

Sew Girls Can Go To School

Dave Andrews introduced Janet. As a Whitby Sunrise Rotarian, Janet is a community leader. After her children ‘retired’ from their hocky fun she searched for like-minded community leaders and found her Rotary family. Janet is part of the Vocation committee, Youth committee, and just finished chairing the International Service committee. In addition to travelling to the Dominican Republic, she went to Laos to help Steve Rutledge in the Adopt A Village Laos project. In early 2026 she will go to the Dominican Republic to aid the villages near Consuelo Sugar Cane fields and help install solar lighting, do housing repairs and, ofr course, deliver over 500 kits to girls at the rural schools.

 

 

Fighting period poverty one kit at a time

Janet shared her personal journey to become the spokesperson and facilitator for this project that provides menstruation kits to girls in the Dominican Republic (plus Laos, and Cambodia) She demonstrated what each kit contained and how the items were made. Each kit comes in a reusable tote with 12-14 liners, 2 leakproof shields, 2 pairs of underwear, a Ziplock bag (for used pads), a washcloth, washing soap, and hand soap. Sometimes they include toothpaste and toothbrushes.

Janet facilitates sewing events where everyone can help, make these kits. There is no need to know how to use a sewing machine. She has it organized so that everyone can contribute.

She is often asked why this project is so important and she provides these six reasons.

1. When we educate a girl, the whole community benefits.

2. Boys used to think that girls dropped out of school because they were stupid.

3. School builds self esteem and self-worth for tomorrow’s leaders.

4.  This leads to better relationships with less abuse.

5. Helps break the cycle of early pregnancy.

6. Fathers are proud of their daughters.

 

Q&A

Yvonne asked when are the sewing events? 

     Usually in March and April and in fall from Sept. to Dec. She is going to come to our club in March.

Shashi asked about sewing classes for girls to learn.

     It is hard to do this because machines don’t fair well in that climate and the schools don’t even have textbooks or electricity.

Dave A asked Janet to describe the living conditions.

     They are deplorable with little sanitation, poorly constructed houses, and no money to buy necessities.

Neil asked if there is a wish list that people can access.

     Yes. Medical supplies, Bras, panties, dental supplies, baseball caps and long sleeve T-shirts are all needed.

 

Rotarian Larry Hurren thanked our speaker.

For more information visit Sew Girls Can Go To School Facebook page.

 

Meeting adjourned by  President Dave @ 8:15 pm    

IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, YOU CAN MAKE UP: Go online at www.rotary.org go to the club locator and find a club or clubs near your destination. Or you can add the free App Rotary Club Locator to your phone for instant look up of any club in the world. Please mail or fax your make-ups to Executive Secretary Dave Andrews or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting.