Volunteering in her community has been a life-long passion for Flin Flon native and Rotarian Jane Robillard.
Born and raised in the area, she has volunteered with various associations and projects throughout her life, including years she lived in Prince Albert.
When she moved back to her hometown, Robillard was looking for a way to become involved. The Rotary Club of Flin Flon seemed like a good fit.
“I really liked the things that the Rotary Club did,” she said.
With a soft spot for Rotary Park from her childhood, as well as Rotary Court seniors’ housing complex and various other projects on the club’s list of services, Robillard felt there was a place for her in the organization.
Set up as a male-only club until 1996, the decision to allow female members two decades ago was not without controversy.
“There were three of us ladies who wanted to join. A couple of members actually quit because they were changing the policy and allowing women to join,” she said of those early days.
With Rotary International changing its membership policy and other clubs in the zone following suit, Flin Flon got on board and allowed female members.
Today there are eight female members among the 47-member club.
“It took a while, but now the club has just gelled and we are well-accepted,” Robillard said. “I think the members realized that the women were good volunteers and had good perspectives to offer.”
As a sign of how far the club has come, Robillard became the first female president in 2000 and currently holds the position of secretary.
“There are a lot of different positions and we all work well together to run the club.”
The list of projects the local Rotary Club is involved in is impressive.
“Rotary Park continues to be a great place for kids to play,” said Robillard. She is also proud of the club’s commitment to Rotary Court, the 19-unit senior housing complex that fills an important need for the large senior population in the community.
Rotary Flin Flon is gearing up for a fishing derby this winter and will be hosting an air show featuring the Canadian Forces Snowbirds in July. Through these two major events, and other projects such as the annual Lobster Festival, the club has made a commitment to raise $75,000 for the new emergency room at the local hospital.
“The money we raise is put back into the community,” she said.
As part of Rotary International, the local organization also supports charity work on a larger scale.
The Rotary Exchange program gives youth an opportunity to explore the world and make connections with families in countless countries. The local club is hosting an exchange student from Columbia and local youth are currently visiting Denmark and Slovakia. Each July, exchange students from across the zone are hosted at Camp Whitney as a final send off before they head home.
“It gives the kids a chance to meet each other and make connections. Those who have been on exchanges get to ask questions of those who have been away. They come from all over the world and it’s really a neat experience to have them all together.”
Anyone interested in serving the community as a Rotary Club member is invited to speak to a current Rotarian. Names of potential members are brought forward to the club for acceptance.
“It’s a lot of fun, and it never seems like work,” Robillard said.
