Here we are at the beginning of our second century. The Club has had an exciting and rewarding Centennial Year during which we gave away over a $1 million, had many special events and lots of good press. We raised our profile in the City of Toronto, with Rotary District 7070 and with Rotary International. We also celebrated our accomplishments going back to 1912 – major events and amazing projects that the Club has undertaken in the past. We have an enviable legacy to live up to.

The Rotary Club of Toronto is a living entity. How do we go forward from here? There is a danger in becoming complacent and reverting to doing things that same old way. It is important to examine everything that we do and determine if we can do it better or in a different, more effective way. We will shortly have a dynamic strategic plan in place which will carry us into our second hundred years. During the past few years, we have expanded our horizons, launched many successful projects and gained valuable experience in running events and the Club itself. We need to build on these strengths and embrace and use new tools such as social media to further the goals of the Club and its members. This will mean getting even more involved with our community and continuing to be relevant and effective in addressing its needs. How do we support the larger Rotary and Rotaract family and its projects and goals?

 

 

 
A large part of our focus will need to be on the Club itself. We need not only to expand membership, but also to make sure that we attract committed members who reflect the rich diversity of our community and its needs and desires. Fellowship is a key component of being a Rotarian. We are all looking for meaningful friendships with like-minded individuals. It is the responsibility of every member to welcome, mentor and engage the new members and encourage them to take on more interesting and challenging roles in the Club in line with their own time and interests. And above all, we need to continue to have fun while pursuing “Service Above Self”!  

Richard S. White

President 

The Rotary Club of Toronto