March 03, 2026: International Women’s Day invites us to celebrate women’s leadership and resilience; Rotary’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Month challenges us to look at the systems that shape daily life. In many parts of the world, access to safe water determines whether girls attend school consistently, whether families remain healthy, and whether women spend hours each day carrying water instead of building opportunity. For the Rotary Club of West Ottawa, one long-standing answer to that challenge is found in the work of our member, Beatrice Osome, and the project many of us know simply as Bea’s Wells.
February 24, 2026: As winter continues across Ukraine and critical infrastructure remains under attack, families in Kharkiv are enduring freezing temperatures without reliable heat or electricity. Through a direct Rotary-to-Rotary partnership, the Rotary Club of Arnprior is leading a renewed effort to fund warm, waterproof blankets sewn locally and distributed to those sheltering in basements, subway stations, and humanitarian hubs. Rotary Club of West Ottawa members and friends are invited to help bring warmth, dignity, and hope during this urgent winter campaign.
February 21, 2026: With deep sadness, we share the peaceful passing of our fellow Rotarian, Doreen Ann Ide (née Fisher), on Tuesday, February 10, at the age of 86. A cherished member of the Rotary Club of West Ottawa since 1996, Doreen exemplified Service Above Self and served her Club with dedication, including as a member of the 60th Anniversary Committee.
February 18, 2026: This spring, the Rotary Club of West Ottawa will sponsor two exceptional students for fully funded national leadership experiences: one through an immersive leadership camp in Eastern Ontario, and one through a nationally recognized civic engagement program in Ottawa. With firm deadlines approaching and one sponsored space available for each opportunity, students are encouraged to review the details carefully and apply early.
The Free Reading Program is our online English literacy platform designed to build strong reading, writing, speaking and comprehension skills.
With more than 260 units and over 3,600 fun, interactive activities in levels K to grade 6, the Free Reading Program (FRP) covers phonics, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and creative writing. Each person learns at their own pace, building skills through games, stories, and engaging exercises that are enjoyable and rewarding.
Great for those learning at home, those who want extra resources, those new to English or who have trouble learning, and to organizations who support literacy. By offering this accessible, professional solution, we help learners young and old gain confidence, open doors to opportunities, and spark a lifelong love of reading and writing.
Ask us for access!
It's completely free and private. There are no pop-ups or nags and your email address is never shared. Lots more info at www.bereading.org, or email freereadingprogram@rcwo.ca.
Attn. Rotary Clubs, Non-Profits, Private Sector - Get a Branded Campus
Get your own Free Reading Program (FRP) campus with your organization's name and logo on each activity!
Rotary Clubs: Apply here to get your branded FRP campus at no cost. Bring literacy learning to your community.
Non-profits, Private sector: Apply here to get a branded FRP campus with your organization name and logo on every activity. This not only gives your organization its own online professional literacy solution, it highlights the value of your organization to the community, and for non-profits, may lead to grant opportunities and donations.
With the Free Reading Program, we realize our commitment to basic education and literacy by making reading and writing free, fun, and available to all.
Ottawa, ON K2C 1N2
Canada