Membership Is Open – You're Invited!

Rotary South is more than a club — it's a community of changemakers. We invite you to attend a meeting, share your passion, and discover how you can help create lasting change.

 

Upcoming Events
Watershed Cleanup
Apr. 18, 2026 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Old Genridge Rd
Rotary Lunch
Apr. 28, 2026 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Johnny Rocco's
Paul Harris Celebration
May 07, 2026
Amici's Banquet Hall
Board Meeting
May 11, 2026 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Johnny Rocco's
Because We Care - Comedy Fundraiser
Because We Care - Comedy Fundraiser
May 23, 2026 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-04:00)
92 Saint Paul Street
Rotary Lunch
May 26, 2026 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Johnny Rocco's
Rotary Lunch
Jun. 02, 2026 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Johnny Rocco's
Board Meeting
Jun. 08, 2026 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Johnny Rocco's
Rotary Lunch
Jun. 23, 2026 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Johnny Rocco's
Rotary Lunch
Jun. 30, 2026 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Johnny Rocco's
Club Stories
St Catharines South steps up for REACH Niagara

Guided by Rotary’s enduring principle of Service Above Self, the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South is proud to announce a $5,000 donation to REACH Niagara in support of its essential street health services.

“Service Above Self isn’t just a motto—it’s a call to action,” said Ashleigh Doyle of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South. “When we saw the scope and impact of REACH Niagara’s work right here in our own community, we knew this was an opportunity to step up and make a meaningful difference.”

As Rotarians, members of the club are deeply committed to strengthening the communities they call home. After learning more about the growing need for accessible healthcare across Niagara—and the barriers many individuals face in accessing traditional systems—the Club was moved to take action.

Through more than 20 clinics across the region, REACH Niagara meets people where they are: in shelters, at food banks, in encampments, and within community spaces. Their team delivers primary care, mental health support, and vital connections to services for individuals who might otherwise go without care.

Importantly, REACH Niagara operates without stable base funding, relying on community partners to sustain and grow its services. The Rotary Club of St. Catharines South hopes this contribution not only supports their work, but also inspires other Rotary clubs and community partners to join in.

“Service Above Self isn’t just a motto—it’s a call to action,” said Ashleigh Doyle of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South. “When we saw the scope and impact of REACH Niagara’s work right here in our own community, we knew this was an opportunity to step up and make a meaningful difference.”

Last year alone, REACH Niagara supported nearly 6,000 individuals through close to 14,000 clinic visits, demonstrating both the scale of need and the importance of accessible, community-based care.

“We know Rotary clubs across our region share a deep commitment to service,” Doyle added. “There is an opportunity for clubs to come together and amplify this impact— ensuring organizations like REACH Niagara can continue to provide care, dignity, and support to those who need it most.”

Importantly, REACH Niagara operates without stable base funding, relying on community partners to sustain and grow its services. The Rotary Club of St. Catharines South hopes this contribution not only supports their work, but also inspires other Rotary clubs and community partners to join in.

“We know Rotary clubs across our region share a deep commitment to service,” Doyle added. “There is an opportunity for clubs to come together and amplify this impact— ensuring organizations like REACH Niagara can continue to provide care, dignity, and support to those who need it most.”

“We are thrilled to receive this generous contribution,” said Carolyn Dyer, Executive Director of REACH Niagara. “It is donations like this that help our organization ensure we are delivering the highest quality care week after week for our clients. This consistency enables us to build trust and relationships and ultimately have better health outcomes for the people we serve.”

The Rotary Club of St. Catharines South is proud to support initiatives that address urgent local needs and strengthen the fabric of the Niagara community.

To learn more about REACH Niagara and how to support their work, visit www.reachniagara.com.

Laugh for a great cause

Because We Care Comedy Fundraiser

Get ready for a night of chuckles, belly laughs and maybe even some snort-worthy moments - all for an amazing cause! The Rotary Club of St. Catharines South, in collaboration with the May Court Club of St. Catharines, proudly presents the Because We Care Comedy Fundraiser, part of the 8th annual Garden City Comedy Festival this May.

Why laugh? Because it feels good - and because your laughter will help support the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Marotta Family Hospital, a cozy haven where families with sick or injured kids can grab a bite, take a breather, and maybe even plot their next pun.

About the Evening

Hosted by fan favorite Chris Jarvie, this night promises more laughs than a toddler with a permanent marker:

  • Gerry Hall – the king of clever one-liners
  • Silvi Santoso – bringing wit, charm, and enough energy to power a small city
  • Special guest Ronnie Edwards – guaranteed to have you laughing until your cheeks hurt
  • Headliner Evan Carter – Canadian comedy royalty. Evan has appeared on George Stromboulopoulos Tonight, starred in CBC and Comedy Network specials, and is a regular on CBC radio. His comedy is clean, clever, and legendary—basically, the kind that makes you say, “How is he this funny and still allowed on radio?”

Show details

May 23, 2026, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Spotlight Comedy Club, 92 St Paul St, St. Catharines, ON

Tickets are $25 per person

Win Prizes, Do Good, Laugh Hard

On top of the comedy, there will be raffle prizes up for grabs. Every dollar raised goes straight to supporting families at the RMH Family Room. Think of it as your chance to laugh loudly while giving generously!

So come out for a night of fun and laughter that really counts.

Buy your tickets now! 

Service above self in action
 
Saban Basic (pictured above) is a dedicated Rotarian with the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South in the Niagara Region. He currently serves as Vice Chair of International Service—living Rotary’s promise of “Service Above Self” in a way that is steady, practical, and quietly powerful.
 
What makes Saban’s leadership stand out is not volume—it’s direction. With his guidance, our club didn’t just “do projects.” We learned how to take our message into larger cities, build awareness beyond our usual circle, and bring more people into the work. Many joined because the cause became clearer, closer, and real.
 
In recognition of that leadership and vision, Saban has been selected as Chair-Elect of International Service (2026–27) and President-Elect (2027–28)—a progression that reflects the trust placed in him by fellow Rotarians, and the respect he has earned through consistent service.
 
Saban has also received Paul Harris recognition, an honor that reflects meaningful commitment and lasting impact. Locally, he has helped mobilize practical support—like sustained peanut butter jar drives for food banks and shelters—simple actions that keep shelves stocked and families fed. Internationally, he has supported efforts in Bosnia and stood behind the fight against child malnutrition—always with the same approach: focused, respectful, and results-oriented.
 
And that’s the part worth underlining: the model works because it is simple, sustainable, and built on collaboration. Not complicated systems—just people doing the right thing, repeatedly, and doing it together.
 
By the end of 2025, through these combined efforts, 78,000 children under five had their lives restored, and 15,000 pregnant and lactating women received essential nutrition support—helping prevent anemia, strengthening mothers during lactation, and supporting healthier births. The numbers are significant, but the real story is stronger: each number is a name, a home, and a future that did not collapse.
 
Niagara hands are reaching children thousands of miles away.
 
If there is one challenge that remains, it is not the model. It is not the will.
It is funding—the fuel that allows a proven approach to reach the next child before it becomes too late.
 
Saban’s leadership has helped our club think bigger while staying grounded. He reminds us that you don’t need noise to create impact—you need clarity, consistency, and people who keep showing up. That is what he has done in Niagara and beyond, and that is why his service continues to ripple outward—quietly, steadily, and with purpose.
 
The work is proven—what we need now is more champions to fund the next wave.
 
Najeeb Syed. 
President Elect RCSS.
Growing Food. Growing Hope. Growing Rotary Impact.

 

Our Rotary Club is proud to be part of Trees That Feed Foundation (TTFF)—a powerful, Rotary-connected initiative helping communities around the world grow long-term food security through tree planting. Since its beginnings, TTFF has donated over 400,000 trees globally, tailoring each project to the needs of the community—whether that’s breadfruit, mango, avocado, June plums, or other locally appropriate crops. Wherever there is a Rotary club and a need, TTFF works to get the right trees into the ground.

What started as a small project in Jamaica has grown into a globally recognized program, supported by Rotary clubs, NGOs, corporations, and individual partners. TTFF’s impact spans continents—from Uganda, to Pakistan, where trees planted in southern regions are being cared for locally, to Abaco in the Bahamas, where Rotary-supported reforestation following Hurricane Dorian is now a major success story, with trees mature and bearing fruit just three years later.

At the heart of our club’s involvement is Rotarian Cathy Henry, whose dedication, passion, and belief in this work continue to inspire action. Cathy has been a driving force in championing this initiative, helping our club live out Rotary’s commitment to sustainable solutions that nourish families, strengthen communities, and protect the planet. This is Rotary service at its best—rooted locally, growing globally.

Learn more about Trees that Feed Foundation

Rotary Club of St. Catharines South Hosts Memorial Walk-A-Thon Honouring Brock University Student and Supporting Life-Saving Nutrition in Pakistan
 
Thorold, ON - The Rotary Club of St. Catharines South will host the first annual Alina Masud Memorial Indoor Walk-A-Thon on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 3:00–6:00 p.m. at Canada Games Park in Thorold, honouring the life and legacy of Alina Masud, a Brock University student remembered for her compassion and generosity.
 
Organized by the Club’s International Committee, the fundraiser reflects Rotary’s long-standing commitment to addressing child malnutrition in Pakistan, Alina’s ancestral homeland. Funds raised will support the procurement of therapeutic food and essential micronutrients for children under five, as well as pregnant and lactating women - interventions that are proven to save lives when delivered on time.
 
Through partnerships under the Trust for Malnutrition & Stunted Growth (TMSG), Rotary-led efforts have already supported treatment for tens of thousands of children and mothers.
Registration for the walk is $10, and members of the public are encouraged to participate alongside family, friends, and workplace teams.
 
 
By hosting this event, the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South aims to honour Alina Masud’s legacy by turning remembrance into meaningful, life-saving impact.
Proudly supporting Eden youth to attend annual Secondary Schools United Nations Symposium
 
In November, President John and Youth Director Dan once again proudly presented a cheque for $3,200 to Eden Secondary School to help send 16 outstanding students to Montréal for the 2025 Secondary Schools United Nations Symposium (SSUNS).

We’re thrilled to have supported these students in experiencing an inspiring weekend of debate, diplomacy, and global problem-solving alongside peers from across North America. SSUNS is known as one of the most diverse and impactful high-school conferences, offering students the chance to engage in meaningful discussions on some of the world’s most pressing geopolitical issues.

Our club is proud to support opportunities that empower young people to lead, learn, and make a difference. Congratulations to the entire delegation on what we know was an unforgettable experience!

📸 Pictured: President John, teacher Sebastian Habjan, students Ryan and Scout, and Director Dan.
How a St. Catharines South Idea Grew Into a Global Rotary Movement

Sometimes, the biggest impact starts with a single idea. In 2015, Rotarian Najeeb Syed shared a simple concept with Rotary International: “Every Rotarian should plant one tree.” Though the initiative didn’t launch immediately, it inspired the “One Tree, One Rotarian” movement that would later see millions of trees planted worldwide.

Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup
As part of World Earth Day, Rotary Clubs from one end of the Great Lakes Watershed, to the other, are cleaning a vast area of our homeland, removing litter wherever it may be.
Interact  Club
 
Eden Secondary School Interact Club, sponsored by South
Raising over $40,000 for Pakistan Flood Victims
Congratulations to Najeeb Syed, a very active member of our club and the chair of the International Committee who in the last month has raised over $45,000 to help feed Pakistan Flood victims.
World Polio Day is October 24

World Polio Day, held every year on October 24, is an opportunity for Rotary members to rally the world around the fight to eradicate the disease forever. Since 1988, we have seen a worldwide reduction in polio cases of 99.9%. For more than three years, we've seen wild polio cases in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

This year the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South will be joining the other Rotary Clubs of St. Catharines (Downtown an Lakeshore) in a flag raising ceremony taking place at the St. Catharines City Hall on Friday October 21st, 2022. Please join us in being part of this very important ceremony. 
 
More information will be posted here.
Do you wear your Rotary pin?
King Charles III does.
 
 
His Royal Highness King Charles III wearing his Rotary International pin arrives at the Mey Games 2017 in Scotland on Saturday August 5, 2017.
 
He is an honourary member of the Rotary Club of Banchory-Ternan UK.
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