Paul Schafer has worked in the arts and cultural field for more than fifty years as an author, advisor, educator, and administrator. He was Assistant Director of the Ontario Arts Council from 1967 to 1970, taught arts administration and cultural policy at the University of Toronto and York University, conducted numerous projects and missions for UNESCO, and is founder and director of World Culture Project. He has written many books on the arts, culture, and Canadian culture, including Culture: Beacon of the Future, Revolution or Renaissance: Making the Transition from an Economic Age to a Cultural Age, The Age of Culture, THE TRUE NORTH: How Canadian Creativity Changed the World, Will This Be Canada’s Century?, and, most recently, THE ARTS, Gateway to a Fulfilling Life and Cultural Age. He and his wife Nancy live in Markham, Ontario.
World Polio Day, October 24, 2020
Rotary has been involved in Polio Eradication since the beginning. Working with the UN, WHO and now the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation we are almost there. Africa was declared Polio-Free this summer, leaving only Pakistan and Afghanistan. Work continues through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Do you have and End Polio Plus t-shirt? Wear it on Friday for our meeting.
Our Club's Charitable Foundation has recently donated $10,000 to the PolioPlus Campaign at Rotary International. It has been doing this for many years. In our Centennial year the donation was $100,000.
The Rotary Foundation World Fund has received awards for many years for its stewardship. In the last five years it has funded over US$413,690,000 for projects around the world.
This year, as every year, our Club Charitable Foundation has donated $40,000 to the Annual Fund on our behalf.
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The Rotary Club of Toronto Charitable Foundation
This is a fund created by donations from our club members in 1951.
In order for your Rotary Club of Toronto Charitable Foundation to continue to support Rotary International programs, ShelterBox, COVID-19 emergency situations, the Club’s Philanthropic Committees and charitable groups that support disadvantaged and marginalized in our Toronto community, your Charitable Foundation does need your financial support. There was no fundraiser in 2019-2020 and Your Foundation has given out over $726,000 to more than 20 organizations. We are expecting the needs to increase this Rotary year. You may help your Foundation by making a donation now at this link:
if you wish to donate securities rather than cash please contact Carol at office@rotarytoronto.com for next steps.
We thank you for your past and ongoing support.
Susan Howson
President, The Rotary Club of Toronto Charitable Foundation
New Member Naomi Anderson Wong - Welcome!
Naomi is extremely happy to join Rotary, and comes from a diplomatic background with being born in Tokyo, living there as well as Hong Kong, The Philippines, London and now Toronto. Her father is now retired and was a Rotarian throughout his diplomatic career.
She attended Marymount International School in London, and International Schools while growing up. Contacts she has made overseas have been nurtured and she loves connecting with them, and hopes to introduce more of them to Rotary.
Naomi then went on to study liberal arts at Queens University and is currently involved in the event planning program at George Brown College.
She was a ambassador for Rotary at the Hamburg booth in Toronto. She also worked as a translator and manager for The Louis Vuitton Time Capsule exhibit.
She lives with her husband Eric and 12 year-old son Sebastian in Toronto, and is proud that her son became an ambassador for a global fitness program during COVID called Couch Potato Fitness raising funds for thousands of vaccines and syringes for Doctors Without Borders.
Naomi’s hobbies including giving back globally and to the community, home décor, travelling, art, special events and cooking, as well as the development and interest for all children’s enrichment.
She is a strong advocate for diversity, inclusion and kindness and plays a role on her company initiative for diversity and inclusion. She will go the extra mile to support community, and welcomes offering support to those in need.
What you Missed October 16, 2020
We were quite group!
President John is taking advantage of a few minutes just before the meeting to talk with some of us on the call. Staying Connected. Be prepared to turn your mike on to respond - then turn it off!
We were delighted to have Sharon Avery, CEO of the Toronto Foundation as our speaker. The Foundations is a Multi-fund charity with over $765 million invested on behalf of 500 partners. This is similar to our club foundation, which as mini-funds within it.
Its goal is to increase Impact Investments, currently at 5%, to up to 60% of its portfolio.
Many of us are aware of Social Responsible Investments, looking for companies who practice good ethical practices. Impact Investing seeks to benefit others. They have invested in low interest second mortgages through Habitat for Humanity where the repayment rate is over 98%. Windmill Microlending provides low rate loans for immigrants and refugees seeking to get Canadian recognition for qualifications from overseas. In three years they have seen annual income of the beneficiaries rise from $15,000 annually to $60,000.
John's closing: A Canadian version of stopping to smell the roses. I think the colours this year are extra brilliant. Over the weekend if you see a brilliant tree full of colour, stop, and think of what you do in Rotary and how a simple act from you can make someone else feel better and if you see a group of trees, or better a forest, you will see what all of us together can do.
Fellowship & Entertainment Activities
Pat Neuman, Chair
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. Contact Maureen Bird to set up your access. 416-804-3726.
Staying Connected - Tues. October 27, 7 pm
Contact Sylvia Geist sgeist@rogers.com
Hallowe'en Virtual Cocktails - NEW DATE - October 31..6 pm...Special guests invited...contact pat.neuman@rotarytoronto.com
Saturday Nov. 07 - Virtual Cooking Class - contact Neil Phillips for link
SERVICE ABOVE SELF
The Rotary Club of Toronto, Fairmont Royal York Hotel, H Level
