Latest Club News:
 
 

At our May 27 meeting, our Incoming President Tim Schaufele presented the club’s strategic direction for the 2026–2027 rotary year. Introducing the theme "Connect, Serve, and Thrive Together," Schaufele outlined a clear mandate to shift from a "cheque-writing organization" to one focused on active, hands-on community engagement.

Key goals for the upcoming year include:

  • Targeted Growth: Growing active membership by lowering barriers to entry and fostering deeper social connections.

  • Hyper-Local Impact: Prioritizing hands-on local service projects, with a focus on community needs like food security, youth, and seniors.

  • Operational Transparency: Implementing project-based reporting so members can clearly see the direct impact of their time and financial contributions.

 

The presentation laid out an inspiring path forward to build a stronger, more engaged club.

Download the presentation here.

 

Upcoming Event: Don't forget to register for the free "Reach the Summit" event on June 6, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM at Brookfield Place (#1700, 225-6th Ave SW) where club members can learn how to create Rotary Action Plan for the club. Check your email for registration details.

At our May 20 meeting, we welcomed Eman Safadi, Community Outreach Manager for the BUMP Festival, to discuss how public art shapes our city.

Since 2017, BUMP has operated as a city-wide street art movement, challenging the idea that urban walls should remain blank. With over 460 public art installations, 160+ murals, and engagement from more than 135 Canadian artists, the festival is actively transforming Calgary. Safadi highlighted major achievements, including facilitating the tallest mural in the world and community initiatives like "Road Works," which empowered early-career artists to paint traffic barriers.

Looking ahead to 2026, BUMP plans to elevate its global reach through an Urban Art Conference, year-round programming, and new sculptural elements. Safadi’s presentation was a powerful reminder of how public art beautifies our daily spaces and fosters civic pride. If you missed Safadi's presentation, click here to view.

At our May 13 meeting, the club had the pleasure of hearing a fascinating classification talk from Cyrene Banerjee. It is hard to believe it has already been about a year since Cyrene officially joined the Rotary Club of Calgary Centennial!

Cyrene took us on a captivating historical and personal journey, starting with her deep ancestral roots. She shared the history of how Zoroastrianism arrived in India, tracing the migration by boat from Iran across the Indian Ocean to Veraval, India. She also highlighted the beautiful cultural legacy of her ancestors securing "Permission to Stay in Peace" upon their arrival.

Following what she described as "The Journey of the Heart", Cyrene's own life path has been truly global. Before making her final home here in Calgary, her journey spanned across several major international cities. She shared experiences from what she considers her "BEST years", which included living in:

  • Istanbul 

  • London 

  • Dubai 

  • Houston 

We are incredibly grateful that her worldwide journey ultimately led her to Calgary and to our RCCC family. Thank you, Cyrene, for sharing your rich heritage and your vibrant life story with us!

 

Click here for the presentation file

On May 6, Gary Williamson reported back to the club with a fantastic debrief on the District 5360 Celebrate Conference, which was held from May 1 to May 3 in Red Deer. Our club was well-represented by Gary2, Tim, Anil, Laura, Cyrene, Jordan, Ellie, Dennis, and Katarzyna.

First and foremost, we want to extend a massive thank you to the club for generously financing the registration for our first-time attendees! It made a world of difference.

The entire weekend was packed with incredible energy, starting with Friday's Dueling Pianos Party. We used the time to deepen our fellowship within our own club and build great connections with other Rotarians from across the district.

For those of you that were not able to attend the club meeting on May 6th, you can download the presentation file here.

 

 

Members of Rotary Centennial have been reading with grade one students at Connaught School in the Beltline Tuesday’s and Thursday’s for five years. After spending time reading with the students, we would feed soup provided by Meals on Wheels to all the grade 1 through grade 6 students who wanted soup. $5000 from the Rotary Club of Calgary was given to Rotary Centennial for Centennial’s help at their 2025 Big Book Sale. These funds were used to supply a book to each of the kindergarten, grade one and grade two students to improve their literacy. Some of the funds were also used to support a Childhood Unplugged event supporting children’s literacy in Calgary on April 22, 2026.

 
Watch the Calgary Stampede Parade on Friday July 3rd, 2026 from the best seats on the route!
 
The Prelude starts at 8:00am with the Parade starting at 8:55am. Our bleachers are located at the BEGINNING of the parade route, on the south side of 9th Ave and Centre Street, in front of Palliser Square (watch for our banners). Bleacher tickets are $40 plus fees and include coffee, juice, unlimited water, a pastry and a friendly Rotarian "yahoo"!
 
Funds raised by the Rotary Club of Calgary Centennial from the sale of the bleacher seats will be donated to local Calgary charities focusing on Mental Health & Wellness.
 
Get your tickets HERE!
 

Take a nostalgic walk down "memory block" with us as we share two wonderful glimpses into the history of the Rotary Club of Calgary Centennial.

Both of these cherished snapshots were taken at our former long-time meeting venue: the stately Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Looking back, they serve as powerful reminders of the dedication and strong fellowship that have built our club over the decades. Do you recognize any familiar faces?

 

This picture below was taken back in 1995. This image beautifully preserves a key moment in our history, complete with a key to identify the pillars of the club from that era. Look at those classic suits!

 

 

Fast-forward exactly ten years to 2003 as shown below. This more candid snapshot captures a joyful moment from a meeting, highlighting a slightly different generation of leaders and a warmer yet energetic vibe.

It is images like these that connect us to our rich legacy. Let us know who you recognize and share your memories. We'd also love to receive more pictures to highlight RCCC.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new Breakfast Sponsor Program!

This vital initiative helps us secure funding to maintain our weekly breakfast service and meeting space. We are incredibly grateful for the enthusiastic support from our inaugural sponsors who have already stepped up to make a difference.

A huge thank you goes out to:

CompanyWebsiteSponsor
Buzz Bosshttps://www.buzzboss.com/calgaryBrian Gibson
CIR Realtyhttps://cirrealty.ca/gary_williamsonGary Williamson
Green Drophttps://www.greendrop.com/Brian Gibson
Herschel Supplyhttps://herschel.ca/Gord Cormack
Miller Thomsonhttps://www.millerthomson.com/en/your-team/william-j-fowlis/Bill Fowlis
Tim Schaufele Professional Corphttps://schaufeleaccounting.com/Tim Schaufele

 

Their generous sponsorship will be celebrated with their logos proudly displayed on the back of our weekly agenda for all members and guests to see!

 
 

We are still looking for four more partners to join this fantastic group and help us meet our goal. By participating, you not only support the Club's essential services but also enhance the visibility of your company or individual classification. If you are interested in having your logo featured, please contact Gary Williamson (gary@myteamblue.com) for details on how to become a Breakfast Sponsor today!

 

At our February 11 Rotary Centennial meeting, we were honored to host Michael Chiasson from Access52, a public speaker, musician, and missionary dedicated to empowerment. Michael’s inspiring presentation focused on the message that everyone contributes and the power we have to shape our future and those around us. He encouraged members to reflect on their younger selves and acknowledge the time and effort put in by ourselves and others.

We thank Michael for his generous presentation and for gifting club members with copies of his newly published book, Things We Wish Our Parents Knew (Greenleaf Book Group Press, 2025). Many of our members were also fortunate to receive an autographed copy!

As a show of thanks for his presentation, the Rotary Club of Calgary Centennial will be donating to inoculate 80 individuals against polio, a commitment shared by Rotary clubs globally.

About Access52
Access52 is a Canadian charity on a mission to inspire the world one student at a time. They work to bridge the gap between students, their parents, and teachers by helping people see the significance of who they are through live and virtual speaking events.

To learn more about Michael’s work and Access52, visit:

 

 

Calgary Centennial

Rotary Club of Calgary Centennial

We meet In Person
Wednesdays at 6:45 AM
Ranchmen's Club
710 - 13th Ave S.W.
Calgary, AB T2R 0K9
Canada
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The Calgary, Centennial, Chinook, East, North, Heritage Park, West and Fish Creek Rotary Clubs have initiated a "one door" application for Rotary support in time, talent and treasure.  By applying once, your request for support will be shared with all eight participating clubs.  Please click the logo above to submit an application.
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