At the National Club, 303 Bay Street, Toronto
Jul 14, 2017
Throne Speech, President 2017 2018 Pat Neuman
At the National Club, 303 Bay Street, Toronto

July 1st brings a new theme for the 2017-18 RI year …”Rotary: Making a Difference”.

The Rotary Club of Toronto has been making a difference in the lives of Torontonians and others around the world for over 100 years, and we will continue to do so! This year we will observe our 105th year of transforming lives and making a difference to the many disadvantaged and challenged people in our local community.  Our club has been and will continue to be rich in tradition and expertise to make a difference to people’s lives for many more years. Our forefathers saw the potential to build this great club; we must continue to enrich the club with our vision of the future and what it holds.   We have much to be proud of, and, much to look forward to.

Over the past 4 years the Strategic Planning Committee has worked diligently on the six core drivers: Engaged Membership, Sustained Finance and Operations, Effective Committees, Inspired Communications, Sound Governance, and Strong Foundation and Philanthropy.  The committee has recently done an evaluation as to where we are and what now needs to be done to move into 2020. The Club Assembly team will be developing a program this summer to move this process along consistently.  In 2017-18 the Club Board will work closely with the Strategic Planning Committee to create action. We will do what needs to be done to encourage membership and insure that all members are engaged and involved.  Each member wants to feel a purpose in being a part of this great club. Many of us have been Rotarians for many years, because Rotary adds something to our lives and makes a difference! Through Rotary we make a difference every day in the lives of others, and we will continue to do so. We enjoy fun and fellowship, enriching our own lives, while we work together to “Make a Difference” to others.

This year, we will continue the work that has been done by the Board this past year in “Making a Difference” to our club. Change is good and is not always accepted however, change is what makes life interesting and keeps our club current and alive. We will embrace the different demographics of our club members and find a happy medium. It takes time but my favorite saying is “Where there‘s a will, there’s a way”.

As you are all aware, the RI Convention in June 2018 is coming fast and we will be very involved. Not only involved, but also registered for the convention! Yet, we still have our Club commitments to work on. If we work together, we will achieve. It will be a very busy year but I know we will make a difference.

To start things off, on a great year, filled with good times and fellowship, we have some key events coming up – so mark your calendar, get registered and be a part of the action: Golf Tournament August 17; Wine Tasting and Tour of wineries in the Twenty Valley area of Niagara, August 27; District Foundation Walk, September 10; Fundraising Food Truck Festival, October; District Conference, November 3 & 4; Club Assembly in November, to name a few…

I am looking forward to and welcome the opportunity to work with the Directors and Board in “Rotary: Making a Difference” this year! I am honoured to be your President and lead this wonderful club - together we will achieve our goal of making a difference to others and the world!