A graphic with photo of a smiling man, Rotary logo, and text that reads: a bit of club history with heart, a Rotary club member shares his story.

Rotarian Jim Schiedel, founding member of the Rotary Club of North Muskoka, kicked off the new year with a reclassification speech to club members filled with club history. 

“Back in 2001, I was a member of the Rotary Club of Huntsville and, as a founder and owner of a new business called Portage Group, I thought Rotary would be a great opportunity to network with other business people,” he said. “It didn’t take me long to realize that the only time you were allowed to talk about your business was when you did your classification speech. Any other time, you were slapped with a fine by the sergeant-at-arms. The membership fees were small compared to my fines.” 

Members broke into chuckles. 

A classification speech is given by new Rotary club members as a way to introduce themselves and their vocations to their fellow club members. The speeches also showcase Rotary as a vocational cross-section of the community it serves, while reiterating that all occupations useful to society are worthy of recognition. Some clubs encourage their long-time members to give reclassification speeches too. 

Jim said his interest in the club soon shifted from business promotion to Rotary and its priorities

He noted, however, he often found it difficult to balance the popular club’s weekly noon meetings with his fledgling business’s busy schedule.  

“After giving it a try for two years, I handed in my resignation,” he said. 

But shortly afterward, Judith Ruan, then president of the Rotary Club of Huntsville, asked if he would help launch a new morning Rotary club, rather than resign. Interest in Rotary had increased, and it made sense to launch a second club with a different meeting day and time to accommodate would-be members with different schedules. 

“I believed in the ideals of Rotary and was grateful for the opportunity,” said Jim. 

He, Judith, and fellow Rotarian at the time, Larry Mitchell, started the process of forming the new club, which required attracting the minimum 24 members. The aim was 12 women and 12 men. 

“We met weekly at Blackburn’s Landing, which is now Boston Pizza, for breakfast and a discussion on how and who we could attract as members. It took us close to 12 months, but by April (2004) we had the required number.” 

The club was charted as the Rotary Club of Huntsville-Lake of Bays on May 1, 2004. 

Larry became the new club’s first president, and Jim followed as its second. 

“Like our club today, we took on various projects to raise funds,” said Jim. 

When the club made a $50,000 commitment over five years to the new women’s shelter, members knew they needed a signature event that would help them raise a lot of money. The club, in partnership with the Huntsville Hospital Auxiliary, would soon run the community’s Dragon Boat Festival. 

He said the event helped raise the club’s promised $50,000 – but not without consequences. 

“We were burnt out as a club and lost many of our good members,” said Jim. “We agreed never to take on those large-type projects for fundraising again.” 

The club has since developed or adopted other signature community projects and fundraisers, such as the Huntsville Santa Claus Parade, Santa’s Light Up the Night Contest and Tour, Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions Kids to Camp, Helping Hungry Students hot lunch program at Huntsville High School, handmade perogy sales, and PerogyFest.  

The club changed its name to the Rotary Club of North Muskoka in 2018. 

Today, Jim is the club’s last remaining charter member. Why has he stayed with the club? 

“I can tell you I firmly believe in the ideals of Rotary. And I can tell you I believe in our club’s mandate to support underprivileged youth in our community,” said Jim. “But the real reason is the friendships and camaraderie that I have developed and continue to develop with our club members.”  

As an example, he recalled a recent dinner filled with laughter and warm-hearted moments with fellow club members, including friend and Rotarian Rob Attfield, who passed away January 6. He noted those cherished memories, and others, would stay with him always.  

“In other words, you are the reason,” he told club members. 

Jim went on to note that, two years ago, he sold his business and retired, and his life is now busier than ever. Activities include operating a bed and breakfast with his wife, Lynne, with early construction now underway on a new bed-and-breakfast guest house, launching a chicken-and-goat hobby farm with his daughter and fellow Rotarian, Cara, and training an Australian Shepherd puppy, Willow. 

"And with her boundless energy, Willow is either going to be the death of me or keep me healthy and alive with exercise for another 20 years-plus,” he smiled. 

Members thanked Jim not only for his talk and review of club history, but for his leadership and inspiring conduct as a Rotarian dedicated to his club and community.  

The Rotary Club of North Muskoka is a group of like-minded community members who make a difference for children and families in Huntsville and area. Interested in learning more about our club? Join us for our weekly meetings on Thursdays from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM. Contact info@rotaryclubofnorthmuskoka.com for details.