Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, May 7, 2026.

President Olaf chaired the meeting and welcomed everyone including guests Gina Spencer, Rotarian Janice’s daughter and Neil, Rotarian Linda’s spouse.

 Olaf informed Rotarians that ClubRunner, Rotary information and communication program will be upgraded to ClubRunner Nova. The format of Nova will look different but will offer an improved version of the older ClubRunner and more services for Rotarians at the club and district levels.  

 Guest Speaker

After lunch Rotarian Linda introduced the guest speaker Justin Brake. Justin who lives in Benoit Cove is an award-winning journalist and Editor in Chief of The Independent, Newfoundland and Labrador’s leading non-profit independent news outlet. newspaper,

 Justin began by speaking how he became involved in journalism and his belief that journalists do not need to hide their biases. He then spoke about and gave the history of The Independent newspaper. 

The Independent is a digital news publication that covers stories and issues in Newfoundland and Labrador. This weekly print publication newspaper was founded in 2001 as a weekly provincial paper which ceased publishing in 2008. The online version was launched in February 2011 and is a source for independent news and analysis.  Justin spoke how he began working for the paper and his belief in the importance of independent journalism using the old school approach of investigation and questioning. Justin began in 2012 as a reporter and is now the editor-in-chief of the digital paper. He believes the public needs good information and fundamental questions not often covered in the general media, answered. This led him to speak about Muskrat Fall, human right and economic issues. Justin feels that it is the function of journalists to discover the truth of an issue or situation.

 The paper has won many journalism awards including last year two RTNA Canada awards and this year The Independent has been named as a finalist in four categories of the 2026 Atlantic Journalism Awards, which recognize the best reporting and journalism produced in the Atlantic provinces throughout 2025.

Justin spoke about how he believed in the importance of independent journalism.

 The Independent covers many issues but for each copy the focus is on one or two. Justin ended his talk by answering several and varied questions before being thanked by Adam on behalf of the club for the informative and interesting vibrant talk.