President-Elect: Prince Kumar Vice-President: Jayson Phelps
Treasurer: Rick Goldsmith
Executive Director: Carol Hutchinson
RI President
Holger Knaack, Rotary Club of Herzogtum Lauenburg-Mölln, Germany
District Governor
Mark Chipman, Whitby Sunrise
Editor of the week: Maureen Bird
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Virtual Lunch, July 17, 2020 - 12 noon
Topic: RYLA – The RCT Impact
Speakers: Rodayna Abuelwafa & Michael Power – Rotaract Club of Toronto
Host: Neil Phillips
Rodayna Abuelwafa, is a passionate young professional who is aiming to push the human race forward and create a great impact in her community. She is a past Community Services Director with the Rotaract Club of Toronto and the past Project Manager for District 7070. Rodayna has a political science and a humanitarian work background; she also likes traveling, painting, reading and dance Salsa. Recently she started her own e-commerce store “Artesia Store”, feel free to check it out: https://artesiastore.com.
Michael Power is a commerce student at McMaster University, specializing in accounting. Currently, he is doing a 16-month internship at Ford Motor Company as the Payroll Accounting Intern. Michael is the past treasurer for Rotaract GTA Connect. He has also attended a number of Rotary events including last year’s Rotary International Convention in Hamburg. Both Rodayna & Michael were delegates at RYLA in 2019.
What you Missed - President John Fortney's Throne Speech
Remember: be careful what you wish for.
I have imagined, especially over the last two years, what my first meeting as President would be like:
I imagined we would be at The National Club and Bill Morari would make sure that we had a spectacular meal, being a member of the Club, the staff the best in Toronto, would be so attentive and happy for me. Many of you know I can be quite emotional so I was going to make a joke of it and have a box of Kleenex at each table and an especially large one at the podium. I would recognize the rest of my cohort from 1999 of whom I am the fifth to become President, an awesome class. Following the great meal, we would head to the Rooftop Lounge where I would host members for a celebratory drink.
I would have a table or two of friends, the proudest there being My Father and My Step-Mom. As most of you know, his funeral was on Monday and we only buried him yesterday. I know he was very proud of me and all of my philanthropic endeavours. He was still alive for Changeover and my official start as President of The Rotary Club of Toronto. Everything I learned about giving back to the community, looking after others and fairness to all began with him. Everywhere we lived across the Country Dad was always very involved and recognized for his contributions to his community.
A year out or so, I thought my biggest challenge would be the transition to a new Club structure, something more reflective of our club as it is today and more manageable for our available manpower. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about it. Change is always challenging, especially when dealing with a 108 year old institution. The Transition committee has worked tirelessly, starting with the Assembly team from last year Chaired by President-Elect Prince Kumar. They literally sifted through hundreds of comments from surveys, the assembly, focus groups and more. The Transition Committee was comprised of a wide range of members, including 3 Past Presidents, newer members, members with medium range tenure, even two of us who had over 20 years in the club and all members had been on a wide variety of committees.
Brigitte's and Glenn's serenade to John - sung to Dancing Girl
You can lead
You can chair
Having the time of your life
See that guy, dig his style
He is our President.
Friday lunch and you’re feeling low
Looking out for a place to go
Where they play the right music
All your friends you’ll see
You come to Rotary
Not everyone could have that smile
Looking good and your sense of style
Looking out for others
Always there to help
In every circumstance
And now you get the chance
You are our President
Hot and cute, must be heaven sent
President, choosing you was no
accident.
You can lead
You can chair
Having the time of your life
See that guy, dig his style
He is our President.
You’re a leader - you’re lots of fun
Get things going - get things done
Make board meetings a party
Teach them all to dance
In every circumstance
And now you get the chance
You are our President
Hot and cute, must be heaven sent
President, choosing you was no
accident
You can lead
You can chair
Having the time of your life
See that guy, dig his style
He is our President.
He is our President!!!
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OUR FOUNDATION COVID DONATIONS CONTINUE
From Susan Howson: Our Foundation’s COVID-19 grant review committee met recently and approved a grant request for COVID-19 support for:
All Saints Church Community Centre, in the amount of $10,000, to help cover the cost of their new kitchen and screening staff wages.
The foundation matching of donations made below is continuing until July 31st. We currently have received donations totalling $31,000. Let's make this even higher!
Every year our President-Elect attends the RI Convention, in 2020 planned for Hawaii. John Fortney was planning his Cocktail party and had already booked the Waikiki Yacht Club.
Alas, like so much these last four weeks, we did it virtually.
Our guests were club members, other Rotarians and Rotaractors as well as potential members. We hope they all enjoyed the event. Some managed to scrounge up flowered shirts and leis.
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RI and District Happenings
At the final District party on June 30th our club received two awards.
Ed Storie District Conference Award - to Toronto & Whitby Sunrise
This award is awarded annually to the clubs that have the best percentage attendance at the District Conference. We tied with Whitby Sunrise as large clubs.
Club Bulletin Award for our new Voice e-bulletin - thanks to our team and all who contribute information.
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District AIDS - Community Health Needs
Although we had to cancel the annual physical April Walk we are doing things virtually on July 29th at 7:00 pm.
Here are a few pictures from June Brown's garden. Everything is lush this year and because we are here full time and I can take care of the plants better.
Jackie put in one callaloo plant and is overrun with them. She took some over to Prince, a neighbour and gave some to her mom's PSW and they are thrilled with it.
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Neil and Mardi's Virtual Cooking Class
So pasta (spinach ricotta gnotti) and dessert this week. So obvious that little Victoria enjoyed it.
Two more weeks and then we think we will have a new surprise host. Watch for notifications.
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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. Contact Maureen Bird to set up your access. 416-804-3726.
Saturday nights - Virtual Cooking Class - contact Neil Phillips for invitation
For The Love of Gardening, Tuesday July 28, 4 pm
COVID-19 Staying Connected, Tuesday July 28, 7 pm
Virtual Cocktails, Wednesday TBD
Book Club, Thursday TBD
SERVICE ABOVE SELF
The Rotary Club of Toronto, Fairmont Royal York Hotel, H Level
