As I write this, excitement is building around the world for June 11, the start of the FIFA World Cup. For the first time in history, Canada will be one of the host nations, sharing the honour with the United States and Mexico. It is a remarkable milestone for our country and an opportunity to showcase Canada to millions of visitors and billions of viewers worldwide. 

What I find most inspiring about the World Cup is not just the competition itself, but what it represents. For a few weeks, people from every corner of the globe will come together to celebrate a shared passion. Nations that may disagree politically, economically, or culturally will stand side by side in stadiums, cheering, laughing, and sometimes crying together. Sport has a unique ability to remind us of our common humanity. 

In today's world, that reminder feels especially important. Our headlines recently are filled with stories of war, conflict, economic uncertainty, and rising costs that affect us all. Families are feeling the pressures of higher food prices, fuel costs, and housing expenses. It can sometimes seem as though the things that divide us are receiving far more attention than the things that unite us. 

Events such as the World Cup provide a welcome and healthy distraction. They give us a chance to celebrate excellence, perseverance, teamwork, and hope. They remind us that while competition exists, so too does respect. The greatest teams are not simply collections of talented individuals; they are groups of people who work together toward a common goal, each contributing their unique strengths for the benefit of the whole. 

That lesson resonates strongly with Rotary. 

As we approach the end of another Rotary year, I have been reflecting on what our club has accomplished together. Like any successful team, our achievements are the result of many individuals contributing in different ways. Some members lead projects. Others quietly volunteer behind the scenes. Some provide ideas, others provide hands-on support, and many do both. Every contribution matters. 

My term as President comes to an end on June 30, and over the coming weeks I will have more opportunities to express my gratitude. However, with the spirit of teamwork very much on my mind, I want to begin by offering a heartfelt thank you to all members of the Rotary Club of Wellington. It has been a privilege to serve alongside such a dedicated group of people who consistently demonstrate Rotary's ideal of Service Above Self. 

Like a great World Cup team, our club succeeds because we work together, support one another, and remain focused on a purpose larger than ourselves. The friendships we build, the projects we undertake, and the difference we make in our community are all possible because of that collective effort. 

As the world prepares to celebrate the beautiful game, I hope we can also celebrate the power of teamwork, community, and shared purpose. These are values that transcend borders, unite people, and continue to make Rotary a force for good in our community and around the world. 

Yvonne Buys President 2025/26 

Thought for the week..

“Sport has the power to change the word. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.” — Nelson Mandela