On July 7, 2026, the Rotary Club of Welland held a Changeover Social, with 36 attendees, including 19 Welland Rotarians. PDG and past Fonthill Rotary President Frank Adamson called upon Ralph Malcolm to take the oath of the office of Club President. He presented him with the Club’s gavel and President Pin. He also installed the 2026-2027 Board.Past President Ray Tisi was presented with a Past President pin acknowledging a successful year of leadership. In his final remarks as 2025-2026 President, he stated “for the past year I've learned that being President of Rotary is a lot like being the captain of a ship. Most of the time you're confidently steering toward the horizon. Occasionally you're trying to figure out who moved the horizon. I've also learned that every Rotary club runs on three things:
Dedicated volunteers.
Coffee.
The phrase, "Sure, I can help with that."
He personally thanked Members of the past Board of Directors and presented 4 President’s Awards to Welland Rotarian Tammy Morden, Vic Kerschl, Melissa Wells and Brenda Dennis for their willingness to see a need and chose to step forward, not for recognition but because they care about our club, our community and our Mission of Service Above Self.
President Ralph Malcolm stated this is the last thing I thought I would be doing standing here giving my acceptance speech for the Presidency of the Welland Rotary Club. You all know my story of the last few years. I would not have been able to make it without the support of all of you and my family. Thank you.I am truly honored and humbled to accept the role of President of the Welland Rotary Club. Thank you for the confidence you have in me. It is a privilege to serve this Club, one that has already made such a meaningful difference in our community and around the world.
This year, I hope we continue to strengthen our impact in Welland, grow our membership, develop future leaders, and build even stronger connections within our community. Every new member brings fresh ideas. Every volunteer makes a difference. Every act of service, no matter how small, has the power to change someone’s life.
I encourage each of us to think about why we joined Rotary in the first place. Whatever brought us here whether it was friendship, service, networking, or the desire to give back, let’s reconnect with that purpose and invite others to experience what Rotary has to offer. None of what we achieve happens alone. It takes committed members, supportive families, dedicated volunteers, community partners, and generous sponsors.
A special guest arrived. Laura Dorling was a Welland Rotary Gold Medallion recipient in 1994, a RYLA participant in 1995 and an Ambassadorial Scholar in 2020 in Mexico. Laura recently returned to Fonthill after serving in the Office of the Executive Director for Canada, Ireland, and the Caribbean at the World Bank Group in Washington DC for several years.
PHOTO (L to R): Rotarian Frank Adamson, President Ralph MalcolmWelland