President-Elect: John Fortney Vice-President: Prince Kumar
Treasurer: Rick Goldsmith
Executive Director: Carol Hutchinson
RI President
Mark Maloney, Decatur, Alabama
District Governor
Beth Selby, RC of Cobourg
Editor of the week: Maureen Bird
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Rotary Youth Day, June 5, 2020
Interlude 12:00 pm, Meeting 12:15 pm
Host: Sarah Hui
Topic: Rotaract - Year in Review
Presenters: Rotaract Presidents
Angela Chen is a recent graduate from the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Neuroscience. She joined the University of Toronto Rotaract Club in 2016 after graduating from her role as Marketing Director in her high school’s Interact Club.
Aside from Rotaract, Angela can be found doing neuroimaging research at the Faculty of Dentistry or working in the SickKids Emergency Department. In the fall, Angela will be starting Nursing school.
Amna Majeed has recently graduated from the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Immunology and Human Biology, with a citation in French. She loves working with her school and local community, and has been working with the UofT Rotaract Club since 2016.
If not working with Rotaract, Amna can either be found at Toronto Western Hospital working at the Mood Disorders Unit or alongside Women in Science and Engineering, as conference chair. In the fall, Amna will matriculate at the University of Toronto Medical School.
Stacey Chikoto is the current President of the Rotaract Club of Toronto. She currently works as a Project Coordinator at Toronto Research Chemicals.
Stacey's journey with Rotary started many years ago in Interact in Zimbabwe in 2011. Since moving to Canada Stacey has been involved with Rotaract initially in St John's, N.L. and in the past three years with the Rotaract Club of Toronto.
Stacey enjoys the connections and friendships she has made through Rotaract and Rotary and is kept inspired by being surrounded by fellow Rotaractors who are passionate about making a positive impact in their community and beyond.
For those with an active @rotarytoronto.com account please join here.
The virtual meeting opened with the pleasant and familiar sounds of Glenn Davis and Brigitte Bogar entertaining us with beautiful music including a moving rendition of Danny Boy. President Power did the normal formalities and then introduced the head table. John Andras was there as the Sponsor of our new member Mark McQuitty who had the honour of being the first “Virtual New Member Introduction” in the 108 year history of the Rotary Club of Toronto. We later learned that his professional experience and commitment to the community would be a wonderful asset to our club.
Pat Newman and the Fellowship and Entertainment Committee continue to be active. This past Wednesday the Camp Scugog Gang had a virtual cocktail bash; they spent the time remembering the “good old days” and the more recent “good new days”. Everyone is looking forward to making a difference in the lives of inner city kids and families. We continue to have so much fun, fellowship and gourmet food, it is unbelievable!
The Club Executive met on Wednesday about Lunch Tickets. Members Should Not Throw Out Their Lunch Tickets. Decisions will be made at later meetings about how to put these tickets to good use.
We learned from President Elect John Fortney that Our Club Phil COVID-19 Committee approved a $10,000 grant for the seniors living at the Wigwamen Terrace, Amik and Church St. Nishnawbe Homes Sites and for Indigenous Elders and Seniors Meals programs. A second $10,000 went to Sistering–A Woman's Place and their Grocery Cards Program.
Valarie Wafer our Guest Speaker today was introduced by Past President Robert O’Brien. Her Bio is in the Voice last week. Robert pointed out that they began 6 months ago trying to get her as our speaker. Valarie is a very active and interesting individual who was Governor of District 7070 in 2013–14 and now resides in Collingwood. She will be serving on the Rotary International Board this coming year and attended their first Virtual meeting in April. There is a lot of excitement about the challenges and opportunities that this COVID 19 year presents.
One of the important things they did was to take the 2020 Rotary International Convention “ON-Line”. A Pandemic Task Force has been formed to look into additional future solutions and opportunities. Valarie delivered a very upbeat talk about the opportunities this special year will present to our organization worldwide. She talked about virtual technology bringing us closer and the ability to have translation available makes these opportunities even more exciting. I think we can all be very proud of the great work Valarie has done in the past and now will continue representing us all on the Rotary International Board. It is her belief that Rotary is built for the kind of change we will experience as we move past this time of COVID-19.
Kevin reminded us as the meeting was concluding, that next week's meeting is dedicated to Youth Day and then announced that Caroline Purden was the winner of the Ace of Clubs weekly draw. Meeting adjourned.
The Foundation Research & Appeals and the Phil Fund COVID Relief committees continue to meet regularly to assess financial requests in this difficult time.
This week the Foundation Committee approved a grant of $15,000 to Dancing With Parkinson's. They are providing online daily dance and exercise to over 400 persons in the GTA and thousands across the country
Please respond below and donate for the second phase of our assistance to charities. The Foundation is matching up to $100,000 until June 30th. These funds will be distributed after July 1st. Be generous and take advantage of this doubling of your donation.
Mark currently leads Windsor Park Capital Corporation, a firm that invests in business opportunities that are socially responsible and financially attractive.
Before establishing Windsor Park, he spent 20 years as a fundraising consultant (13 as President of a Toronto-based fund raising consultancy) working at a senior level with teaching hospitals, community hospitals, multi-level healthcare organisations and post-secondary education institutions successfully designing and directing campaigns with financial objectives ranging from $500,000 to $40 million. Before entering the fund raising business, he worked as an advisor on Parliament Hill.
Mark has always been involved in the community. He was a founding member of the National Capital Junior Board of Trade, served on the boards of Ottawa Ballet and the Ottawa Carleton Board of Trade and was a member of the Ottawa Civic Hospital Community Advisory Committee.
In Toronto, he was a long-time board member at the Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf, and currently sits on the board of the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation.
What attracts him to Rotary isn’t just fellowship, but the opportunity to roll up his sleeves and work on projects that make a difference.
He loves sailing, good food, good drink, theatre and a great concert – TSO, jazz or rock.
Born and raised in Montreal, he lives in North Toronto with his wife Susan not too far from where she grew up.
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Let's Be Personal - Bert Steenburgh
ed note - apologies for missing the Rotary involvement part of Bert's address last week - Maureen
I treasure all 3 aspects of Rotary equally
Service
Fellowship
Business and personal networking
I truly enjoy participating as chair of the Program Committee, not just because I enjoy program planning, I really enjoy the camaraderie and friendship I have with the people who work with me on the committee.
My theme in the year I was President was “Every Member Engaged” I continue to believe that is a key principle for me as a member of the Rotary Club of Toronto. I believe it is fundamental to ensuring our club remains vibrant and impactful.
Thanks for the opportunity to be personal about my membership in the club.
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Fellowship & Entertainment Going Strong
Virtual Cooking Class - Pork many ways!
Who knew that one piece of meat could be treated in so many ways - marinated, slow-cooked, BBQed, sliced, pulled to shreds or piled on buns. It paired so well with such a variety of cabbage-based sides. Thank you again Neil and Mardi! Next week - pasta.
F&E Activities
We are here for the long term so please join in. All events are listed on our Google Calendar accessible through your @rotarytoronto.com account or find the emails sent out in advance.
Saturday nights - Virtual Cooking Class - contact Neil Phillips for invitation
COVID-19 Talking Helps, Tuesday June 9, 7 pm
Virtual Cocktails, Wednesday June 10, 5:30 pm
Book Club, Thursday June 11, 2 pm
For The Love of Gardening, Tuesday June 16, 4 pm
Euchre with Jay Llave, Tuesday June 16, 5 pm
COVID-19 Talking Helps, Tuesday June 23, 7 pm
Virtual Cocktails, Wednesday June 24, 5:30 pm
Book Club, Thursday June 25, 2 pm
For The Love of Gardening, Tuesday June 30, 4 pm
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RI and District Happenings
Rotary International Convention is Virtual this year! With travel restricted and dangerous the entire convention will be online from June 20 to June 26. This will be a unique opportunity for members around the world to participate. We expect far more will be able to join in than the 25,000+ who actually attend conventions in person.
