Kristin Light is a marketing strategist, vintage dance specialist, and award-winning speaker. Her multi-decade eclectic career spans both the boardroom and the ballroom. Co-founder of Refvik & Light Productions, her boldly simplistic marketing strategy launched the event company from literal rubble to multi-six figure revenue in its first full year. However, as a vivacious showgirl and successful entrepreneur, Kristin was perhaps the last person you’d expect to be suffering from a diagnosed mental illness. Following a brush with suicide that left her confined to a psychiatric ward, Kristin now speaks out to provide real insight and practical strategies that demystify the facts surrounding mood disorders and mental illness using inspirational (and often hilarious) stories from her own personal and professional life.
September 30, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation , Orange Shirt Day
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led initiative intended to raise awareness about the inter-generational impact of residential schools and to promote the concept that “Every Child Matters.” We wear the orange shirts in honour of Phyllis Webstad, who had her new orange shirt taken away on her first day at a Williams Lake, B.C. residential school.
It is hoped that on Sept. 30 Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians will have meaningful
discussions with each other about the legacy of residential schools, and also create bridges with
each other for reconciliation.
What You Missed Friday September 23rd.
Meeting back in person again is starting to feel like the old Rotary Club we love, just need more people to come out! So wonderful to see everyone, especially those who have been away for the summer. National Club served a great lunch, as usual, with their version of Chicken Parm! It was great, so was the Pumpkin Pie dessert.
President Jay started us off with a story on Squirrels which he expanded on later at the end of the meeting. This guy is GOOD! Informative and funny! I think we should keep him for a while longer.
The guest speaker was Karl Subban. His talk was genuine, inspirational and totally enjoyable. Karl is a Principal, Coach and most importantly a Father. His five children are all amazing testaments to their parents great love and nurturing. His two daughters were star athletes at University and all three of his sons were drafted to NHL teams. His eldest son PK just retired and his legacy on the ice is only surpassed by his generosity to the community. Even after being traded he is still very active in supporting Montreal’s Children’s Hospital, in fact, he donated $10 Million to the hospital.
Karl’s message resonated with everyone in the room. His energetic and infectious way of presenting had the room on its feet and had us “feeling” the impact we have on the Children we help. Almost like a revival. He says his philosophy on Children is grounded in what he has learned through the three main roles in his life: Teacher, Coach and Father. It is simple, yet, incredibly profound. All children start out with potential. This potential needs to be nurtured, encouraged. They need to KNOW they have potential. So many children have never had the chance to realize that they even had potential or to foster their potential, whatever that may be. He thanked us for what we do, so much of it encouraging potential in all young people we help. It really hit a chord.
President Jayson followed with multiple announcements and returned to Squirrels, manifesting his potential as a stand up comedian. Marcy Berg drew the wrong card and went home with a bottle of wine. The only thing that could have made this lunch better was to have more of you in the room, it is the energy we get from each other that makes this club great!
by John Fortney
Help Wanted!
Sign Up and Mark Your Calendars Now
Holiday hampers: every Rotarian is encouraged to invite guests to a party that they host and ask each guest to donate $40 toward a hamper. Also need a crew to pack the hampers on Dec 10th.
Holiday gift bags for seniors: crew to pack the bags (venue & date TBD), drivers to deliver the bags to various locations around the city (date TBD but will be a weekday in December).
Children's Christmas party - various tasks. Don Bell has prepared a list of tasks. Also need volunteers for the day of the party - December 4th at a venue at Don Mills & Eglinton
Steam Whistle night in March: need 1-2 people to field questions as we start the planning (our member Fabio will provide guidance).
Contact Don Bell
Lori Brazier
Steve Smith
New Member Kaiande (KAI) Devonish
Kaiande Devonish was born in the wonderful island of Trinidad and Tobago and moved to Canada in 2021.
She studied chemical engineering in Jamaica, and this is where she was first introduced to Rotary International, and joined the Rotaract club at her university in 2013.
Upon graduation she worked for the gov’t of Trinidad and Tobago at the ministry of Energy and Energy
Industries until migrating to Canada.
Having gone through the immigration process herself, she gained a great interest in immigration law and decided to enroll in Queens’ University law school to pursue this field and graduated with all As. Her goal is to open a Canadian immigration agency in the Caribbean.
Kai has always enjoyed giving back to her community as well as connecting with persons from all different backgrounds and Rotary gives her the opportunity to do both.
She is an avid reader, traveler and also loves camping and cooking.
After 42 years of serving Camp Scugog, Carol is retiring!
Join her celebration on Saturday, October 1, 2:00pm to 5:00pm
The 2022 District Conference “We Have a Dream” is almost here – a chance to rediscover and dream... Join our DG Iosef Ciosa
Life is about making choices, you made a choice to make a difference in the world, we made a choice to join Rotary and with like-minded individuals brought that dream to life. Together we build a better world.
Upcoming Events and Meetings!
October 7, 2022
No Meeting - enjoy Thanksgiving weekend
October 14, 2022 Join us for very exciting program which is going to be hosted at Centennial College -
937 Progress Ave (right off the 401)!
We have Dr. Craig Stephenson, President of Centennial College as our keynote speaker.
The menu will be a sustainable theme and the students will be cooking and serving for us.
In addition, we’ve got Craig Applegath (Founding Architect with Dialog) joining us again to give us a tour of Centennial’s
sustainable mass timber building at the end of lunch. And Safety boots are required for the tour but not lunch.
