This was an in person meeting and no recording is available.
President's Comments
President Vince welcomed all to the meeting tonight.
Guests
Jonas Sene LeJune, former Exchange Student, Guest of Boyd Pendleton
Happy Jar
Jonas Sene LeJune, who was an RI exchange student from France two years ago, was happy to back with us. Since returning home he has completed high school and is now at university studying Chemistry. He said his exchange year helped him to grow personally and become more mature, helping him to get through some difficult situations. When asked what he misses most about being in Canada he said Poutine and Tim Hortons!
Jenna Hammond is very happy that she got married to Andre last weekend! She was also pleased that this was part of a family reunion.
Lew Ford and wife Inge are happy and excited that they have made some major decisions and plans for themselves. As a result of his diagnosis of an early form of Alzheimer’s, they have decided to sell their home and move to a facility that will provide different levels of care as circumstances change. They feel they are in good hands, are not scared, and are looking to make the best of what they have now.
President Vince was happy to learn about two of our newer members and that Lew Ford is continuing as chair of our Indigenous Relations Committee.
Club Announcements
Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA)
Please note that the RIA is part of Doors Open Waterloo Region again. They are thrilled to be accepted as a site for two years in a row -- a rare honour. Visitors can expect a self-guided tour of the facility, with researchers on hand to share their latest work to help people age well.
Doors Open Waterloo Region is on Saturday, September 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the details are here:
Summer is almost over and the time to get into high gear for soliciting donors and sponsors is now, if members have not already done so!
Member Committee Selections
President Vince reminded members to be sure to complete the Committee Selection Form recently distributed and return to Secretary Bill by September 4.
Save the Dates
Several “extra” club meetings and events are being planned outside of our regular meeting schedule. Please be sure to reserve the following dates:
Nov. 2 – Tour of Schlegal-UW Research Institute for Aging, Evening
Nov. 30 – Holiday Social (Tentative Date)
Dec. 7 - KidsAbility 70th Anniversary Tour / Club AGM, Evening
Cluster Event
On Tuesday, September 15 an event has been planned to which all local Rotarians are invited. It will be an open Discussion with the Directors of Education for both the local Public and Catholic School Boards. It will be held at the Granite Club in Waterloo starting at 5:30 p.m.
Our program today was two Member Who Am I's. First up was Olu Ogunleye
Here are excerpts from his presentation:
I was born on January 16th and raised in Nigeria, West Africa — a heritage I carry with real pride. I'm also a Christian, and my faith shapes how I try to show up for people every day. One place that shows up practically is in the media department at my church, where I serve as a sound engineer, and I also handle photography and videography for our services and events. It's a small but meaningful way I get to put technical skills to work for something bigger than myself.
On the career side, I've spent more than ten years working across the information technology industry. Over that time, I've built a strong, hands-on foundation — and more recently, I've been moving toward a new focus: cybersecurity. I'm drawn to the security side of IT because it's really about protecting people, not just systems — making sure the technology we all rely on is actually safe to use.
Right now, I work as a Specialist in IT Operations at Ontario Health, where I help keep the critical systems behind organ and tissue donation running reliably, every single day. That means when a patient is waiting for a life-saving transplant, and when a donor is making that gift possible, the technology behind the scenes simply cannot fail — and that's the piece of the puzzle I get to help protect.
Outside of my day job, I also run my own registered company called Maydel Touch Inc. Through Maydel Touch, I help people and businesses with everyday tech needs — things like mobile device and laptop setup and repair, security awareness training, home and office network setup and protection, full system builds from scratch, and even smaller things like screen protectors and mobile accessories. If you'd ever like to learn more, you can find me at maydeltouchinc.ca.
I'm also an AI specialist. I train individuals and teams on how to use AI tools effectively, so they can get real, practical results in their day-to-day work. And beyond training, I build AI agents — custom automation that helps businesses and individuals move faster and get quick, reliable results.
Away from work, family comes first for me. I'm happily married with three children, and they're my biggest source of joy and motivation. When I do have free time, you'll usually find me playing soccer, at the gym, surfing the net, or just learning something new — I genuinely enjoy picking up new skills. And if there's something to build or fix, I'm the one who wants to get my hands dirty — I love handy work and anything construction-related.
So why Rotary, and why now? My goal, simply put, is to serve with all humility and to be a vessel of service — giving back to my community and to the environment around me. When I look at what Rotary stands for — community care, service above self, fellowship, lasting impact, integrity, and a truly global perspective — I see values I already try to live by. That's exactly why I'm here today.
Thank you so much for having me, and for taking the time to get to know a bit more about who I am. I'd love to answer any questions, and I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you as well.
Next, we heard from Yuliia Poliakova.
I grew up in a small village in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, with my parents, grandparents and older brother.
From childhood, I loved learning and creative activities — drawing, sewing and making things by hand.
At 14, I moved about 60 km away from my parents to attend one of the best schools in the city.
I studied Applied Mathematics at university.
During my university years, I became passionate about hiking and mountain climbing.
I met my future husband through mountain activities, and he later proposed to me on the summit of Hoverla, the highest mountain in Ukraine.
We married on July 5, 2014.
A few days after our wedding, we left our apartment in Donetsk because of the war, expecting to be away for about two weeks. We never returned
We started over in Lviv, where our son Mykhailo was born, and later moved to Kyiv.
After the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, I left Ukraine with our five-year-old son while my husband had to remain in Ukraine.
After several months in Germany, my son and I came to Canada.
We settled in Kitchener, where we received incredible support from people in the local community.
My husband and I were separated for two years before our family was finally reunited in Canada.
Today, I hope Canada will remain our family’s home.
Education & Career
I started working as a web developer while I was still at university.
My professional background includes web development and digital advertising.
After arriving in Canada, I found the IT job market challenging and needed stable employment.
I currently work in manufacturing as an operator and also help with equipment setup and adjustments.
My career path has been somewhat unconventional: Applied Mathematics → Web Developer → Digital Advertising → Factory Operator
These changes have taught me that professions and circumstances can change, but my ability to learn and adapt stays with me.
I want to continue learning, developing my skills and exploring future professional opportunities.
Community & Rotary
After receiving so much support when my son and I arrived in Canada, I developed a strong desire to give back.
I began volunteering in the Ukrainian community and organizing creative workshops for children and adults.
Creativity unexpectedly became my connection to Rotary. At a Ukrainian community event, Oksana noticed a handmade brooch with an embroidered map of Ukraine that I had created. Through that conversation, I learned more about Rotary Kitchener.
I first became involved with Rotary as a volunteer, then became a Friend of Rotary, and later a Rotarian.
I realized that I wanted not only to participate in existing projects but also to bring my own ideas and work with others to turn them into meaningful community initiatives.
My background in web development and digital work naturally led me to PR & Communications.
I also value opportunities to involve my son in community service. I want him to grow up understanding that being part of a community also means contributing to it.
A Few Things That Describe Me
I’m curious and love learning.
I’m creative and enjoy making things with my hands.
I have a tendency to choose challenges rather than the easiest path.
I’ve learned to adapt when life changes unexpectedly.
One of the most important lessons my life has taught me is: I can’t always choose my circumstances, but I can choose what I do next.
When I came to Canada, this community helped me feel that I wasn’t alone. Now I want to be one of those people who helps someone else feel the same way.
Closing Remarks & Reminders
Please see below for details about upcoming meetings and events.
Aug, 31 – No Meeting
Sept. 7 – Labour Day – No Meeting
Sept. 14 – The Working Centre – Operations at ABTC and Wider Projects - Joe Mancini, Director – Noon/Charcoal
Sept. 15 – Cluster Event – Open Discussion with Local Directors of Education, Granite Club, Waterloo, 5:30
Sept. 19 - Doors Open Waterloo Region 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
Sept. 28 – Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts in Waterloo Region– Inspector Aaron Mathias, WRPS – Evening/Double Tree
Oct. 3 – District Conference, Canadian Conference Centre, Brampton
Oct. 19 – Fall Dom Cardillo Trail Clean Up
Nov. 2 – Tour of Schlegal-UW Research Institute for Aging, Evening
Nov. 30 – Holiday Social (Tentative Date)
Dec. 7 - KidsAbility 70th Anniversary Tour / Club AGM, Evening
Kitchener Rotary e-Newsletter
Away from work, family comes first for me. I'm happily married with three children, and they're my biggest source of joy and motivation. When I do have free time, you'll usually find me playing soccer, at the gym, surfing the net, or just learning something new — I genuinely enjoy picking up new skills. And if there's something to build or fix, I'm the one who wants to get my hands dirty — I love handy work and anything construction-related.
