Welcome to Rotary Volunteers in Action - CW (RAGAS)

We’re proud to be Canada’s first RAGAS (Rotary Action Group Against Slavery) cause-based club and the first eClub in District 7080, chartered in July 2024.
 
Our mission is twofold — to raise awareness about human trafficking and to champion youth and diversity in our community. As part of RAGAS, we work to connect, empower, and equip Rotarians and community members to help end modern slavery and human trafficking — locally and globally.
 
We’re also excited to include Interact and Rotaract members as part of our growing Rotary family.
 
 
 

Find out more about RAGAS in Canada
 
 
Our Rotary in Action
Community Hero Award Honours Local Leader in Service

Rotary Volunteers in Action - CW is proud to recognize Alyssandra Kent, Executive Director of Community Resource Centre, as a recipient of this quarter’s Community Hero Award.

Presented to individuals who exemplify the Rotary ideal of “Service Above Self,” the award celebrates leaders who make a meaningful and lasting impact within the community. 

Through her leadership, compassion, and dedication to supporting local families, Alyssandra continues to strengthen and uplift the community through the work of the Community Resource Centre.

Her commitment to service, advocacy, and creating positive change reflects the core values of Rotary and the spirit of community leadership.

Congratulations, Alyssandra, on this well-deserved recognition!

Community Hero Award Recognizes Emerging Global Leader

Image of 3 women, Nathalie in the centre receiving her award

The Rotary Club’s second Community Hero Award of the quarter has been awarded to Rotaractor Nathalie Alaves in recognition of her outstanding leadership, service, and commitment to creating positive change both locally and globally.

Nathalie was recently featured in a Rotary District 7080 article highlighting her selection as part of the Canadian delegation for the prestigious Ship for World Youth 2026 program. The international leadership initiative brings together young leaders from around the world to foster cross-cultural understanding, collaboration, and global citizenship.

Through her involvement in Rotaract and dedication to service, Nathalie exemplifies the values of Rotary and the spirit of community leadership. Her passion for making a meaningful impact and building connections across cultures reflects the qualities of a future changemaker.

Congratulations, Nathalie, on this well-deserved recognition and exciting opportunity!

Read the article here: Local Rotaractor Selected for Prestigious Global Leadership Program

Community Volunteers Help Raise Over $36,000 for Aboyne Rural Hospice

Thanks to the incredible efforts of volunteers and community supporters, this year’s Smile Cookie campaign raised $36,547 in support of the Aboyne Rural Hospice. 

Local Tim Hortons owners Peter and Melissa Moorhead shared their appreciation for the volunteers whose hard work and positivity helped make the campaign an even bigger success than last year.

The fundraising journey continues, with the hospice team looking forward to connecting with the community at upcoming events, including the Fergus Lions Home Show and the Ride to Remember and Renew cycling fundraiser this September.

A Name That Reflects Action and Purpose

A new name is marking an exciting chapter for the Rotary club formerly known for its pioneering work as Canada’s first Rotary Action Group Against Slavery (RAGAS) cause-based club and the first hybrid club in District 7080. Now called Rotary Volunteers In Action – CW, the club’s new identity reflects both its Rotary roots and its commitment to action-driven service. Grounded in Rotary’s values of fellowship, integrity, and Service Above Self, the name emphasizes the club’s mission to create meaningful impact both locally and globally.

       

Each part of the name carries significance. “Volunteers” highlights the dedicated, hands-on individuals who drive the club’s initiatives and community work. “In Action” reinforces the club’s focus on turning ideas into real change through purposeful service projects and advocacy. “CW” proudly represents Centre Wellington, recognizing the club’s local roots while maintaining a broader global outlook. Together, the new name captures the spirit of a modern Rotary club focused on service, collaboration, and action.

Rotary Volunteers Help Decorate Smile Cookies for Big Brothers Big Sisters

photo of Barb Lustgarten Evoy and Hillary Rooyakkers, holding up a smile cookie.Rotary members lent their hands—and creative icing skills—to support Big Brothers Big Sisters during this year’s Smile Cookie campaign at Tim Hortons in Fergus. Rotary Co-President Barb Lustgarten Evoy and Rotary member Hillary Rooyakkers volunteered to decorate the iconic (Christmas themed) smile cookies, helping raise funds that directly support mentorship programs for local youth.

The two spent the morning adding cheerful faces to hundreds of cookies, each one contributing to a cause that strengthens connections and opportunities for young people in the community. Tim Hortons’ Smile Cookie campaign continues to be a beloved local tradition, bringing organizations and volunteers together to make a meaningful difference—one cookie at a time.

First Two Recipients of the Community Hero Awards

Our Rotary club proudly presented our inaugural Community Hero Awards, recognizing two local leaders whose everyday actions make a meaningful difference in our community.

photo of three people: Barb Lustgarten, Jeremy Hewitt and Lori FerberPhoto of Hillary Rooyakkers, Lori Ferber, Rachel Gowing, Barb Lustgarten and Cathy CampbellJeremy Hewitt, Manager of Zehrs Fergus and Rachel Gowing, owner of Raelyn Hair Studio were honoured for their outstanding service within Centre Wellington.

Rotary members celebrated both award recipients for embodying Rotary’s values of service, leadership, and making a positive impact close to home. The new Community Hero Awards highlight individuals whose quiet dedication strengthens the fabric of the community, inspiring others to give back in meaningful ways.

We send a huge thanks to both of them for everything that they do!

Centre Wellington’s First Peace Pole Unveiled
Photo of the wooden peace pole.
A new symbol of hope and unity now stands in Centre Wellington — the community’s very first Peace Pole. Installed through the efforts of Rotary members and community partners, the Peace Pole bears the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in multiple languages, serving as a reminder of Rotary’s commitment to peace and understanding locally and globally.
 
photo of the base of the pole, logo is RAGAS
At the base of the pole, the RAGAS (Rotary Action Group Against Slavery) logo is proudly displayed — symbolizing our Rotary club's dedication to ending modern slavery and supporting human rights. This is one of the key causes that our club actively stands for, promoting peace through freedom and dignity for all.
 
The unveiling ceremony brought together residents, Rotarians, and local leaders to celebrate the shared vision of a more peaceful world.
 
Thank you to everyone who made this project possible and joined us for this meaningful event!
 
Read more at PeacePole.org
New Service Group in Centre Wellington 'Pushing the Envelope'

photo of Barb Lustgarten-Evoy and Lori FerberA new Centre Wellington-based Rotary club is trying to "push the envelope" of what a service group can look like. 

Launched just over a year ago, the Rotary District 7080 E-club is a new volunteerism-based service club co-created by Centre Wellington Coun. Barb Lustgarten-Evoy, a longtime Rotary Club member who said she wanted to create a new club that was different than traditional service-based organizations.

"The way I see it, the more service clubs, regardless of their name, the more people living in service and having different opportunities," said Lustgarten-Evoy.

Read more...
Centre Wellington Centre Wellington Service Clubs Unite for a Free Family Picnic!
graphic showing all the logos for Rotary, Lions Club, Kinsmen, and the Legion, with Zehrs Fergus and seven local service clubs are coming together to host a fun-filled community picnic behind the Fergus Sportsplex on September 27 from 12–3 p.m. Bring your own picnic or enjoy a free lunch, and take part in arts & crafts, face painting, Waddies, a scavenger hunt, and more family-friendly fun.
 
This collaboration between the Rotary (RAGAS) 7080 eClub, Elora and Fergus Legions, Fergus, Elora, and Belwood Lions Clubs, the Kinsmen Club of Fergus & District, and the Fergus Elora Rotary Club celebrates community spirit and connection.
Read more...
Rotary 7080 eClub – Canada Day Volunteers

Photo of a group of peopleWe’re excited to welcome new and returning members to our June Fellowship Meeting as we finalize plans for this year’s Canada Day Celebration!

Join us July 1 at the CW Community Sportsplex in Fergus from 7:00–9:30 pm for an evening of cultural performances, live music, face painting, arts and crafts, henna tattoos, tasty food trucks, Canada-themed ice cream, and a fireworks show at 9:30 pm, proudly presented by the Township of Centre Wellington, in partnership with Rotary 7080 eClub.

District 7080 Club Innovation Award Winner
photo of Barb being presented with a certificateBarbara Lustgarten-Evoy, President of the 7080 eClub, was honoured with the Club Innovation Award at the District 7080 Crossover and Awards Night on June 13. This award recognizes her outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing RAGAS (Rotary Action Group Against Slavery) initiatives across Canada and internationally.
 
As the Canadian Ambassador and Global Director for RAGAS, Barbara has elevated Rotary’s Avenues of Service through innovative action, community outreach, and public education. Barbara’s vision also helped establish 7080 eClub, Canada’s first RAGAS cause-based club, engage Interact and Rotaract members, launch the RAGAS Canada website, and mobilize action against human trafficking, truly reflecting “Service Above Self.” Congratulations, Barbara — we’re so proud of you!

What Canada can do

Field Notes - Rotary Canada Magazine, January 2025
 

The Rotary Action Group Against Slavery in Canada is looking for ambassadors from each of Canada’s more than 700 Rotary clubs to champion the elimination of human trafficking in the country.

The national group is part of the international Rotary Action Group Against Slavery, which includes members from dozens of countries.

Rotary is a respected voice in Canada, says Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy, and bringing Rotary members from all over the country together to advocate on this issue will make a demonstrable impact. "To effect real change, we have to work at changing the laws, work at changing the way things are done," says Lustgarten-Evoy, a member of the Rotary E-Club of District 7080 and the Canadian coordinator for the human trafficking eradication project. To that end, the action group must "connect Rotarians to one another and to the people doing the work around the country. That’s how we get heard, and that’s how we make the change we need to make."

An interactive map, which is scheduled to go live on the action group’s website after this issue’s publication date, will link Rotary members with vetted potential partners. The District 7080 e-club, the first antislavery cause-based e-club in the country, is working in alignment with the national action group.

In 2022, the Canadian government recorded about 530 instances of human trafficking reported to police, and a nationwide organization that operates an anti-trafficking hotline tallied about 2,200 victims and survivors between 2019 and 2022. Because experts believe that trafficking is underreported, particularly among historically marginalized groups, these figures do not capture the full extent of the problem. The Canadian action group is working with Honouring Indigenous People and has a trafficking survivor on its board to help ensure that its work is inclusive and considers survivors’ perspectives, Lustgarten-Evoy says.

Supporters of the cause are encouraged to attend this year’s Rotary International Convention in Calgary. "We want as many people representing RAGAS as possible so we can show the rest of the globe what Canada can do," Lustgarten-Evoy says.

Learn more and get involved at ragas.ca