London-Middlesex Branch

RiverBend club-house dining room

About Our London-Middlesex Branch

Our Branch is located in the centre of south-west Ontario and is proud of the region’s reputation for excellent Health Services at University Hospital and St Joseph’s Hospital, as well as many medical research centres in the city. London also has an influx of students each fall attending either Western University or Fanshawe College. We are a multi-cultural region with agricultural, technical, social and artistic endeavours within our broad boundary.

Our RWTO Branch has six luncheon meetings each year, held at the Riverbend Golf Clubhouse just north west of Byron in the west end of London. There are three meetings in the fall on the fourth Thursday of September, October and November and three on the fourth Thursday in March, April and an AGM Banquet in May.

In mid-August a Program is published and mailed to all members describing the luncheons’ Speaker and Topic, and each month’s Outreach (for a charitable donation) along with reminders to renew membership for the new year with dues of $55.00 payable by September 30th each year as well as payment for each luncheon at least two weeks in advance of each luncheon so that the correct number of lunches are ordered. The cost of the five luncheons September, October, November 2024, March and April 2025 is $35.00 each. The cost of the May Banquet in 2025 is $45.00, payable by e transfer, cash or cheque.

When a new member joins they are introduced to members attending the luncheon and welcomed with a carnation and a RWTO pin. Their next luncheon is free as a thankyou for joining.

Regular emails or phone calls are made to all members about upcoming events and activities.

Pre-Covid we had 240 members and an average of 110  attending the luncheons. This year our membership is rebounding to about 230 members and the numbers attending luncheons is rising to 100+ . Approximately 80% of our members attend at least one or more, of the luncheons each year.

If a potential member is interested in joining our Branch, they may wish to contact our Membership Chair, Karen Tierney by email and arrange to attend one of the luncheons before making a commitment to join. If so, you will likely meet former colleagues from one of our local school boards, or private schools and definitely meet new friendly acquaintances.

Once a year a newsletter, Chalktalk is published at the beginning of February and emailed to members with an email address and a paper copy is mailed to about 40 members without access to email. The newsletter describes all the activities of our Branch that have taken place in the previous calendar year which is useful for potential members to read as well as members who were unable to attend some of our meetings and activities.

London-Middlesex Interest Groups Information

Payment for Membership and Luncheons may be made in cash, by cheque (payable to RWTO London-Middlesex and mailed to Jane Williams, 18 Winder Grove North, London, ON N6K 4K6) or by e-transfer. All luncheons must be paid for at least two weeks in advance to ensure the correct number of lunches are ordered. If after advance payment has been made for a lunch, a cancellation is necessary, the refund request must be made to Sandra McKeen (519-672-5035) or to Jane Williams  (519-473-5160) two weeks in advance of the luncheon date.