Charles delivered a very interesting and informative presentation to our Rotary Club
exploring the intersection of storytelling and business, using the analogy that
'all the world's a stage'
Drawing from Shakespeare's blend of artistry and business acumen, it argues that success in today's market arises from strong communication and brand storytelling. Central to this concept is the idea that customers buy transformations, not merely products. Thus, entrepreneurs should focus on how their offerings can change the customer's life rather than simply touting their features.
A critical theme is positioning the customer as the hero in their own story, with the
business acting as the guide. This contrasts with the tendency of many businesses to
position themselves as the hero, which can alienate customers who are looking for
relatable guidance and support.
Charles emphasized the power of storytelling in decision-making processes.
Neurological research shows that emotional storytelling resonates deeply, stirring both the storyteller and the audience's emotions. Charles suggests that utilizing the classical roots of theatre, where audiences engage with real-time narratives you can foster a deeper connection than passive forms of storytelling.
Key techniques for effective storytelling include understanding the audience's
perspective and creating urgency within the narrative. This involves a structured
approach to brand storytelling, using frameworks like the hero's journey to ensure all 7 critical human touchpoints are covered. This is the StoryBrand framework.
To bring a brand's story to life, Charles outlined three essential 'rooms' of theatre: the writer's room, rehearsal hall, and stage, emphasizing collaboration and adaptation. Entrepreneurs must understand that their website and marketing strategies serve as a reflection of their brand story, thus clear messaging and a well-defined unique value proposition (UVP) are vital for guiding customers through their journey.
Furthermore, while AI can aid in creating brand positioning and context, it lacks human nuance and authenticity. Charles explained how AI tools, like Ella from storybrand.ai, can streamline processes, but emphasizes the importance of human curation and connection to maintain authenticity in story delivery.
In conclusion, Charles reiterated the necessity of transforming marketing practices from a focus on self-promotion to positioning businesses as empathetic guides in a
customer’s journey—transforming how stories are told in commerce. By leveraging
effective storytelling, businesses can enhance engagement and ultimately drive success in the market. Charles encouraged us to consider these insights in our respective fields to foster connection and growth. Indeed Rotary can use our success stories to more effectively connect with our audiences.
President Binoy thanked Charles for his very informative presentation. Charles’ speech has shed light on the incredible potential of AI within the realm of storytelling. By embracing these advancements and working together, storytellers and AI technology can forge a path towards a more diverse, inclusive, and immersive future of narrative experiences. This is especially important in an era where connection and empathy are more vital than ever.
We had a very attentive crowd at the meeting!
The wonderful Chefs at the National Club treated us to a special dinner in celebration of Chinese New Year!
Such creative plating for our dessert!
President Binoy welcomed Camellia Mohammadi - the newest member to our club!
President Binoy asked us to commemorate Black History Month by reflecting on the invaluable contributions made by black individuals in shaping our communities and our world. May we take this opportunity to learn from the amazing stories and experiences that make up our collective history, and continue to work towards a future where diversity, equity, and inclusion are cherished and celebrated.
Written by Dr Christine Cote (who also harnessed the power of ChatGPT in the writing of this article!).
Pictures courtesy of Irene Kuan!
President's Roast
On January 29th, our President had a roast which was not only funny but also full of great memories! Thank you to the organizing committee who put on such a fabulous event.
Special thanks to our outstanding Roast Team - Past President Anny-Sandra, President-Elect Dauna, Vice-President Pauline, Marcy and Mitra for their incredible efforts in making this event a night to remember!
2025 Presidential Roast Team with President Binoy and his spouse Brinda - Photo Courtesy of June Brown
Our Club was featured in Rotary Magazine - Jan 2025 Edition!
Rotary is the official magazine of Rotary International which ran a story about the wonderful work that has been done by Rotarian from our club to support The Toronto Wildlife Centre. Great job from the Environment Working Group championed by Kurt Kroesen !
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
Lunch Meeting - Feb 21st
Terry Fallis
A two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, Terry Fallis is the award-winning author of nine national bestsellers, six of them#1 bestsellers, including his latest, A New Season.
His debut novel, The Best Laid Plans, won the 2008 Leacock Medal, the 2011 edition o f CBC Canada Reads, and was adapted as a six-part television miniseries, as well as a stage musical. He won the Leacock Medal a second time in 2015 for No Relation.
Terry’s new book ‘A New Season’ explores themes of growing old, grief and friendships using humour to discuss the more serious themes in life.
He lives in Toronto and teaches in the creative writing program at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies.
St Patrick's Day Parade - March 16th
Several clubs will be taking part in the Parade - including our own club. The Rotary Float will include 3 vehicles from Sprint’s Ride Program and one of the Sherbourne Health buses which was kindly donated by our club. This is a great opportunity to increase the awareness of Rotary in the Community. Let’s have lot of Rotarian join the parade and the after parade fun!
Please register on our Club's home page by clicking HERE.
Picture from past parades:
Royal Flush - March 27th
The final Steam Whistle Fundraiser promises to be extra special as it is the final year of this great event. Fabio needs our support to make this event a success - please contact him at fabio.ventolini@rotarytoronto.com
RLI is a series of courses designed to deepen your understanding of Rotary’s mission and its programs locally and internationally. With three progressive parts, the courses are fast-paced, interactive and engaging. You will walk away knowing more about Rotary and how you can make a difference and an impact within the club or the district.
Who should attend?
A new member
Active Rotarians
Current and incoming club Board of Directors
Current and future club leaders
Any interested Rotarian!
WHEN: Saturday, March 29, 2025, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (breakfast & lunch included!).
WHERE: Centennial College Event Centre, 937 Progress Avenue, Scarborough, Ontario
Contact Susan Hunter at susan.hunter@rotarytoronto.com if you have any questions.
WANTED:Charities who need us.
The Community Outreach Committee is on the lookout for charities working within the downtown Toronto area that we haven't crossed paths with who could benefit from our support. If you know of a registered charity that supports our local Toronto community and could use a helping hand, please contact Community Outreach Committee Co-Chair Bert Steenburgh (bert@stonefortress.ca) with the charity's name and any other intel you have. We will take it from there and follow-up on the lead.
Be on the lookout: If you see a social media post in the months ahead regarding community outreach, we would appreciate your support in re-posting/sharing with your social media networks to spread the word.
The fine print: In the past, we have supported food banks, seniors' centres, shelters for those experiencing homelessness, and music programs for children, among many others. Funding requests for travel, conferences, advocacy, and large capital campaigns are generally not eligible.
New Member - CAMELLIA MOHAMMADI
Camellia is a Polymer engineer with over 12 years of experience in the polyurethane and chemical industries across the Middle East, including Iran and the UAE.
She holds a master’s degree in Polymer engineering and is the founder of polynetz, a b2b platform that connects suppliers and customers globally to drive supply chain efficiency and market growth.
She is passionate about exploring technology-driven solutions, particularly those that support women entrepreneurs and startups and as a new immigrant to Canada, she is committed to becoming a valuable member of her community.
Camellia enjoys traveling, trying diverse cuisines, and engaging conversations.
February Birthday Celebrations!
On Behalf of all our members, we wish a very Happy Birthday to everyone celebrating their birthday in February!
Rotary Club of Toronto
Membership Anniversaries
On behalf of the entire club, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations and heartfelt appreciation to those celebrating their Rotary Club of Toronto anniversaries this quarter (January to March 2025).
Your dedication, commitment, and invaluable contributions have played an integral role in our club's success and impact throughout the years.
Your unwavering support and tireless efforts continue to inspire us all, and we are honored to have you as part of our Rotary Club Toronto family.
Thank you for your service and for embodying the spirit of Rotary in everything you do.
Here's to many more years of fellowship, growth, and shared accomplishments!
Message from President Binoy
WhatsApp Group
We have 80 members on The Rotary Club of Toronto WhatsApp Channel - it's a great way to communicate with each other! Ask to join - any member can add more people to the group.
Would you like to write for the Voice or have a story or picture to share?
Contact Brinda Luckoo at brinda.luckoo@rotarytoronto.com
