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People of Action

President's Message, 2025-26

Rady Osman

member photo

It is a great honor to serve as the new President of the Rotary Club of Ottawa.

   Since May 1st, 1916, when our club was officially chartered as Ottawa’s first service organization, generations of Rotarians have dedicated themselves to advancing the values of service, fellowship, and lasting impact. Today, as we proudly mark 109 years of continued service, we carry forward that legacy with renewed purpose and passion.
   I am truly grateful for your trust and support, and I look forward to this journey ahead—guided by the enduring spirit of Rotary and inspired by each of you. I believe deeply in the power of collective impact. Rotary uniquely empowers us to bridge communities, turn compassion into action, and transform ideas into tangible results. Together, we will continue to build on the strong foundation of those who served before us. We will embrace innovation while staying rooted in Rotary’s core principles. And we will ensure that our work—both locally and globally—reflects our commitment to a more inclusive, compassionate, and hopeful future.
 
Let us move forward with purpose, with unity, and with the belief that the work we do today shapes the world we leave for tomorrow.
 
In service and gratitude,
Rady Osman, Eng., Ph.D

President, Rotary Club of Ottawa  (2025-2026)

Club Happenings
York Public School Kitchen Project
Representatives from the Ottawa Rotary Club (Che Weist and Robert Therrien) were honored to attend a donor appreciation event at York Street Public School on May 15th, 2025.  In conjunction with its Children's Foundation, the Ottawa Rotary Club provided $8,600 to equip the school's new community kitchen.  This was only one of several amazing projects undertaken by the school this year.  We would like to thank the wonderful staff at York Street Public School, and especially their incredibly dynamic principal, Mr. Jonathan Coupland, for their tireless work and dedication to improving the school and making their community a better place to live and learn.
 
Ottawa Foodbank Volunteer Day

This past week, members of Rotary Ottawa club rolled up their sleeves and volunteered at the Ottawa Food Bank to help sort food donations. Together, we helped sort food for distribution to families and individuals in need across our community. It was a rewarding experience that embodied Rotary’s commitment to service above self.

Thank you to everyone who came out to make a difference—we’re proud to support such an essential organization in our city!
Downtown Historic and Fellowship Walk
On January 25th, members of the Rotary and Rotaract Clubs of Ottawa met for a guided historic walk of downtown Ottawa. We talked about the history of the Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill, the Chateau Laurier and Sparks Street, among the spots visited.

Read more...
Dictionaries 4 Life, Rotary Club of Ottawa
 
On a cold January morning, rotarians Angela Kelly, Robert Therrien and Ché Weist visited the Centennial Public School in Ottawa to distribute dictionaries to grade 3 students. This wonderful tradition has been coordinated for many years by rotarian John Lark.
 
The school staff and custodians were very welcoming. A guided tour of different classrooms showed  the professional care and extra attention provided, especially to young students with special needs. 
 
Read more...
December-4-2024 PARKDALE FOOD CENTRE - Recipes for Change

PARKDALE FOOD CENTRE - Recipes for Change

We have created a new style of event called Recipes for Change with aims to help fund our operations, provide an outlet for teams to engage with our community in the kitchen, and learn a little bit more about our food systems and have some deeper conversations about our relationship with the community and food security. Also it's super fun!
 
Everything is provided by Parkdale including ingredients, recipes, packaging, chef instruction and guidance, set up, tear down, and dishwasher.
 
Read more...
Community Financial Support in 2022-23
With support from the Rotary Ottawa Children's Foundation, the Community Service Committee funded these worthwhile local community-based charitable organizations and their projects in 2022-2023:   
Read more...
Podcasts and More
Upcoming Events
Adventure in Citizenship 2025 / Redécouvrons Notre Citoyenneté 2025
A unique and special program for 160 youth May 25-28! 
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
Lesson plan given a global reach

Rotary clubs in Ontario’s District 7070 ensure Durham College’s virtual classroom has a global reach

For the love of nature

Camp Kawartha in Ontario is turning out a new generation of environmental stewards

Calgary finale addresses peacebuilding, literacy, and human trafficking

Final day of 2025 Rotary International Convention highlighted current and future Rotary leaders

16,000 Rotary members and participants from 140 countries registered for the service organization’s international convention in Calgary

16,000 Rotary members and participants from 140 countries registered for the service organization’s international convention in CalgaryCALGARY (25 June 2025) – As Rotary’s international convention in Calgary draws to

Club Executives & Directors
President
Rady Osman
President Elect
Robert Therrien
Secretary
Maria Reyes
Treasurer
Spencer Henson
Ex-officio, Children's Foundation
Ché Weist
Director
Carol McCalla
Director
François Marier
Director
Sherri Daly
Director
David Devine
Chair - Community Service
Robert Therrien
Chair - Fellowship
Sherri Daly
Chair - International Service
Ché Weist
Chair - New Generations
Andre Bourdon

AIC partners / sponsors:

 
 

Desjardins Ontario Credit Union
 
 

The many Rotary Clubs across Canada who sponsor their students' participation and travel.
York Public School Kitchen Project
Representatives from the Ottawa Rotary Club (Che Weist and Robert Therrien) were honored to attend a donor appreciation event at York Street Public School on May 15th, 2025.  In conjunction with its Children's Foundation, the Ottawa Rotary Club provided $8,600 to equip the school's new community kitchen.  This was only one of several amazing projects undertaken by the school this year.  We would like to thank the wonderful staff at York Street Public School, and especially their incredibly dynamic principal, Mr. Jonathan Coupland, for their tireless work and dedication to improving the school and making their community a better place to live and learn.
 
Ottawa Foodbank Volunteer Day

This past week, members of Rotary Ottawa club rolled up their sleeves and volunteered at the Ottawa Food Bank to help sort food donations. Together, we helped sort food for distribution to families and individuals in need across our community. It was a rewarding experience that embodied Rotary’s commitment to service above self.

Thank you to everyone who came out to make a difference—we’re proud to support such an essential organization in our city!
Dictionaries 4 Life, Rotary Club of Ottawa
 
On a cold January morning, rotarians Angela Kelly, Robert Therrien and Ché Weist visited the Centennial Public School in Ottawa to distribute dictionaries to grade 3 students. This wonderful tradition has been coordinated for many years by rotarian John Lark.
 
The school staff and custodians were very welcoming. A guided tour of different classrooms showed  the professional care and extra attention provided, especially to young students with special needs. 
 
Read more...
Downtown Historic and Fellowship Walk
On January 25th, members of the Rotary and Rotaract Clubs of Ottawa met for a guided historic walk of downtown Ottawa. We talked about the history of the Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill, the Chateau Laurier and Sparks Street, among the spots visited.

Read more...
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.