President Barbara opened with O Canada; toast to King and Country, RI; Trish led 4-Way Test.

Visitors today were Bob Warnock and Major Michael Wellwood and Marianne Wellwood, parents of Col B. Maureen Wellwood, MDS, MEd, OMM, CD

Born in London, Ontario, Maureen Wellwood started her military career at the age of 18. After attending military college, she completed infantry officer training in 1995 and joined the Royal 22e Régiment.

Maureen deployed to ex-Yugoslavia (96-97), Bosnia (99-00), and Kandahar, Afghanistan (09-10). She also participated in two domestic operations, including the 1998 ice storm in the Montreal area and the flooding near Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu in 2011. She commanded at platoon and company level within the infantry battalions of the Royal 22e Régiment, and at unit level in the 2 Canadian Division Training Centre. Her extra-Regimental roles include Division Commander at CFLRS, staff officer at JTFE, Senior Military Assistant to the Minister of National Defence, and Deputy Commander of Canadian Forces Base Borden and Military Personnel Generation Training Group. She has been recognized by the CDS, Comd Canada COM and Comd CA with commendations for her excellent performance in various roles, and has been admitted as an officer to the Order of Military Merit.

After a one-year deployment in 2021-22 as Task Force Commander of OP CROCODILE, Canada’s contribution to the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she is currently attending National Security Program in Canadian Forces College, Toronto.
Promoted to her current rank in 2021, she is the first woman in the Canadian Infantry to attain the rank of Colonel. In April 2018, she was recognized as one of the Top 20 Women in Defence in Esprit de corps’ “Breaking Down the Barricades” and has since been recognized as one of the 2018 Top 100 Canada’s Most Powerful Women.

Maureen is a Bachelor of Military and Strategic Studies from Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean, a Master of Defense Studies from Royal Military College, and a Master of Leadership in Education from Yorkville University.

She lives with her spouse Naran Leseigneur and their two sons Aidan and Félix.

 

Summary of Maureen’s speech:

Rotary meetings have been pivotal in her life.

She reported on a Canadian Forces initiative in Congo over which she has coordinated intelligence. 1500 Canadian Military persons work with staff from 50 other countries (40 units/14contingents) under the umbrella of the United Nations MONUSCO https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MONUSCO . It is the largest and longest-lasting (23Years) Canadian effort. 110 illegal armed groups (militia or terrorists) exist at any given time. There is a disagreement between countries regarding the mandate; some countries want to be more proactive against non-imminent threats.

Of any place in the world, Congo has the greatest number of forces to endanger life, e.g., volcanoes, snakes, low health standards, and reduced value of life. She has heard of people “burned at the stake”. She was taught that, while travelling if an accident occurred, stay in the vehicle, and leave the scene. Armed groups operate by burning houses, killing, kidnapping, taking food and supplies, raping (9 of 10 women), and turning boys into child soldiers/cooks. Congo’s government is unable to protect its citizens. Some UN Troup Contributing Countries treat the experience as a vacation. This is an operational deployment (Chapter 7) not just protecting a border (Chapter 6). Canada continues to support NGOs such as orphanages.

Q&A Stew- Canada has been criticized for not contributing to NATO proportionately (as a percent of GDP) like other countries such as the US. Colleen: depends on how you analyze the contribution but could be re-evaluated. Stew- Is northern Canada safe from incursion by other countries? Our sovereignty is not under threat, nor is the Northwest Passage.

Bob asked about Recruitment. There is a crisis in recruitment. A recession normally leads to more enrollment, but not this time. Maybe Canadians are anti-authority/rules. The Forces are looking for everyone, but Indigenous people and ethnic Canadians are underrepresented.

Bill recognized the adversity Colleen has faced, for contributing to the protection of Civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and for her very informative presentation.

Colleen drew Stew’s ticket for the 50/50 draw.

 

The date of our Christmas Party has been changed to Thursday, Dec 15^th.

Location:  Seniors’ Centre

Time:  5:30 for social; 6:00 for dinner which will be a Christmas Turkey Dinner

Cost: $30 per person. Please get a ticket in advance from Trish Shouldice

Christmas 50/50 Draw We are unable to participate in this activity at the Horton Christmas Market and are checking other Christmas market venues.

 

From Katherine Hahn, Stratford Re youth programming: Calling all Rotarians involved in Youth programming. Don't miss this informative session;

 

Doug Tarry Homes has asked our club to attend their open house at their 2 featured homes 19-20Nov22 from 12-4pm. The Tiny Homes YMCA project will be the recipient of our collections. Barb will make signs.

 

Pat collected names of those wanting to participate in the ACT Theatre 2Dec22 and dinner prior to the play.

 

Pat was Fine Master and asked: Which 2 Rotary organizations are in focus in November this year? Foundation and Interact. We got the answer but got fined anyway.

Stew- invited anyone who wants to stargaze using his telescope, got some new clothes, got coats for YWCA kids.

Bob- nice to see everyone, especially Ron

Nancy- Church Bazaar, COVID recovery, they now have sidewalks

Barb- Bob’s visit to Rotary, Col B. Maureen Wellwood

Ron- weather, Barb’s family, 91^st container of school supplies leaving Grand Bend Rotary

Mark- Col B. Maureen Wellwood, 61^st in-law anniversary, grandkids

Maggie- Col B. Maureen Wellwood

Bill- Col B. Maureen Wellwood, Bob’s visit today

Trudy- trip to Vegas talked to interesting people e.g., a woman who is a “Manifestations Manager”, Col B. Maureen Wellwood, Interactor 60^th anniversary 5Nov22

Malcolm- Sr Centre made very attractive placemats, grandchildren helped 2 at a time in the garden

Pat- Col B. Maureen Wellwood, grandchildren, Lost one off her ATV but did not get run over

Before she rang the bell, Barbara said she would be the finemaster next week.