From a background of immense personal challenge and tragedy, which he chronicles in his book It’s the Right Time Now, Dan has become an inspiration and role model to individuals across Canada. As a professional speaker and leadership expert, Dan has motivated many people to achieve their full potential. As a life-long learner, he has completed leadership training with the Zappos’ Team in Las Vegas and the Disney Institute in Florida.
Active in community development initiatives Dan lends his time to many philanthropic endeavours. His deep commitment to making a difference to those in need led to the creation of the Day of Hope and Leadership which has raised close to one million dollars for Carea Community Health Centre and the establishment of The Hope Centre of Learning. The objective of the Centre is to enhance people’s opportunity for learning and was built on the belief that we can do more, be more, and help more when we learn more.
Dan’s leadership and contributions have been widely recognized and he has received several honours and awards for his work, including the Business Person of the Year by both the Whitby Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, the CAMH Courage to Come Back Award, Paul Harris Fellow and the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medallions. In 2011, Dan was conferred a Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, by the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.
As a Regional and City Councilor for Oshawa he chaired the Finance Committee. As a member of the Health and Social Services committee at the Regional level, he was instrumental in getting the mobile health unit on the streets. In his capacity as President of the Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation, Dan worked successfully to bring to Durham the Building Up training program that provides employment opportunities for residents of supportive housing as well as the Rogers Connected for Success program which provides high-speed internet access to people living in rent-subsidized non- profit housing.
Dan takes his role as Mayor of the City of Oshawa to heart and feels very blessed that he has been given the opportunity to serve and to help people in his community every day.
He is committed to leading in a way that will bring out the best in all of us and be the light that brings hope, optimism, and pride to this great city.
President John Fortney opened the meeting with the usual invocation and national anthem, and welcomed guests - including some potential new members.
I was able to highlight our Community Service Project during the District Conference on June 26th as well as our Diversity and Inclusion messages for the week.
Naomi Anderson Wong - a new member who joined us during the pandemic - delivered her Let’s Be Personal speech, Wonderful that she has organized numerous virtual events over the last few months!
Vigen Ghazarian introduced our guest speaker. Raffi Sarkissian educated us about the Armenian genocide which is cited as one of the greatest tragedies of the last century, resulting in over 1 million deaths, countless deporations and interments in concentration camps. Canada played a pivotal support role during this time:
Canadian missionaries risked their lives to save Armenians
Between 1918 and 1920, Canadian Sunday school children, affected by reports of starving Armenian children of the same age, collected $300,000 ($3 million estimated value in today’s dollars)
Churches held “Armenian Sundays” to raise awareness
School children donated sweets and some full meals
Governor General Julian Byng created the Armenian Relief Association of Canada (ARAC) to improve coordination of relief and fundraising efforts
Over $1 million raised through newspapers The Globe and The Toronto Daily Star
109 orphan boys brought to Georgetown between 1923 and 1927 (this was Canada’s first act of international humanitarian aid) - with donations collected to provide for these boys
Canada continued to lobby for an independent Armenian state and maintained opposition to ongoing Turkish rule.
In 1932, the Canadian Government allocated $300,000 to Armenian Canadians for their personal and material losses in the Ottoman Empire - paid out of reparation funds received from Germany.
April is now recognized in Canada as Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month.
Sadly, ongoing turmoil in the area has destroyed many monuments and historical sites. The Turkish state also propagates denial of the atrocities. We all owe it to ourselves to learn more, so that future generations do not suffer.
Community Service - District Conference June 26, 2021
Lori invited members, families and friends to join the Community Services Committee for a hands-on service project in conjunction with the District 7070 conference on June 26, 2021. After enjoying the kick-off of the conference on Zoom in the morning, we will meet up in groups of 5 in either Coronation Park (Lakeshore West at Strachan) or Trillium Park (next to Ontario Place) to pick up trash and beautify our lakeshore. Gloves, masks and social distancing required.
We need minimum 10 Rotarians to register with the District as soon as possible by clicking below. Please also email me at lori.brazier@rotarytoronto.com to confirm interest in the hands-on service activity.
Foundation Update from Vigen Ghazarian – Important Changes are Afoot!
In this instalment, we review the history and impact of your Foundation
Few Rotary clubs have a Foundation and even fewer — a sizeable Foundation. With assets of over $21 million, the Rotary Club of Toronto Charitable Foundation is among the largest club member-controlled Foundations in Rotary. While it is a separate legal entity from the Club, under the by-laws of the Foundation, the Directors of the Foundation must be members of the Club, and six of the eleven Foundation Directors must be nominated by the Club’s President.
“If we didn’t have the Foundation, what could we be doing now?” asked Brian Westlake — a Rotarian since 1977, Past President and an Honorary Director of the Foundation — when we were chatting about the Foundation and its Investment Committee recently.
Brian was referring to the significant difference that the Foundation — and our Club by extension — has made to the Toronto community in the past 70 years, supporting charitable organizations whose work benefits children, youth, women, seniors and indigenous people, as well as disadvantaged and marginalized groups, including the homeless and the poor.
According to David Hetherington — a Rotarian since 1977, Past President, an Honorary Director of the Foundation and current Chair of the Investment Committee — the Foundation has given out over $15 million (not adjusted for inflation) in charitable grants in the last three decades alone, and has donated over $700,000 annually in recent years. The Foundation has made large donations to or has helped start many organizations, including West End Crèche (now Child Development Institute), Covenant House Toronto, Pine River Institute, SPRINT Senior Care, Sherbourne Health Bus, Gateway Linens and Disposal Services, The Laughlen Centre, The Rotary Club of Toronto Transition Centre at St. Michael's Hospital, Youth Employment Services and many others.
“The legacy and future of the Club are dependent on the foresight of the people who started the Foundation,” said Brian. So true. The Foundation was established in 1951, with a $1,000 donation (about $10,000 today) from club member Bill Coutts and through the efforts of members Norman Simpson, Neil Peterson and others who too made donations and encouraged others to give. Two decades later, member Bert Cowan’s donation in memory of his late wife Jean Cowan doubled the size of the Foundation. Today, about half of the Foundation’s total assets can be attributed to Bert Cowan’s incredibly generous donation.
The seed that was planted 70 years ago needed care and love to grow. The Foundation’s Investment Committee, which has consisted of Club members with investment qualifications and experience, has done a stellar job managing the assets of the Foundation over the decades. This has strengthened the ability of the Foundation and Club to continue helping those in need and grow the impact on people’s lives.
In our next instalment, we will speak about the Investment Committee — about the great work it has done and the recent changes to its mandate.
Join the Indigenous Service Committee for A Virtual Tour
Wednesday, May 5, 7 pm
The Indigenous Service Committee are sponsoring a virtual tour of Canada's first Residential school, The Mohawk Institute that was built in Brantford and is a profound educational experience toward truth and Reconciliation. Many of you had tours first hand before Covid.
As Prime Minister Paul Martin stated, it is hard to believe the last school closed in 1996, almost yesterday. Our club provided seed monies to film and interview survivors which will be part of the 45 min. video tour.
The Woodland Cultural Institute manages this site, as well as the adjoining Six Nations Museum, gallery and library. All facilities are worth the visit after Covid clears.
InSC is covering the cost but donations will be accepted.
Mardi had us do another risotto, but this one requiring a lot less stirring! We baked it with squash and mushrooms. Those that wished added chicken and all were enjoyed.
May 30th is Scugog Night!!
So we can't be there so come prepared with your favourite dish from our 12 years of fun and work.
But you don't need to cook. Come for the company and conversation. contact
The WASH Rotary Action Group is a vibrant and ever-growing organization with 1,500 members across 80+ countries. Our work is widely recognized as making valuable contributions to the WASH Sector, both within and outside of Rotary. This Action Group is supported by a small and effective volunteer Operations Team. With the approval of Rotary International our organization is now going to be called "Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Rotary Action Group" or "WASH Rotary Action Group" to reflect the emphasis Rotarians are placing on hygiene as an important component of projects. You are invited to view all of the issues of the WASRAG, newsletters and learn more about volunteer opportunities at:
