As we approach Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to you for the generosity, friendship, and fellowship you bring to
The Rotary Club of Toronto.
Your care and commitment continue to make a difference not only in our city but around the world, from supporting clean water initiatives with First Nations communities here in Ontario to helping eradicate polio globally. Together with Rotarians across Canada, we’ve achieved remarkable milestones this year, including exceeding The Rotary Foundation’s US$500 million fundraising goal and advancing Canada’s leadership in global health and education. Each project, partnership, and act of kindness reflects the spirit of community that connects us all.
Building on Our Legacy - Reaching New Heights Together
October 1st Dinner Meeting
On Wednesday October 1 st , President Dauna took members through a presentation on our club's 2025-2026 Rotary Year strategy. She began with a reminder of how fast the year has been moving with 3 months already passed since beginning her term.
To start, as with any good presentation, we had a quick history lesson. Honouring our club’s past by highlighting many of our signature accomplishments such as the Sherbourne Health Bus, Cabbagetown Youth Centre, and our contributions to international efforts on polio eradication. Some of these were known to newer members like myself but many I learned of for the first time and some were from decades before I was born. It was useful to properly understand the impactful work on which our club sits today as the base from which we now work.
Next we looked to embrace the present as attention was drawn to current initiatives which our club has taken on and have become a key part of our current work such as the Tree of Remembrance and many of our recurring sweat equity projects like Camp Scugog. Both of these examples were for me as they have been for others the first experience with our club outside of regular meetings.
Finally, we looked at shaping our future. This is where our clubs 2025-2026 strategy was shared and included sharing the results of the Member Engagement Survey. The strategy looks at building in three areas. Enhancing our brand and image, work that the Marketing & Communications Committee has already taken up. Growing membership, something that we continue to see with new inductions at meetings and new faces in the crowd. Third, strengthening engagement and integration which looks to retain those new members and engage them while also re-engaging existing members who may have forgotten about the many different ways to be involved in our club or are not aware of the newer ways in which they can contribute.
The much-anticipated results of the survey can be summarized by an overwhelming call from members for more connection, more opportunities to take meaningful action, and the ability for inclusive engagement. These results support our existing commitments, for example our hybrid meetings make staying engaged more accessible though it was acknowledged there is more that can be explored in this area.
Ending on a high note, or Zenith as President Dauna put it, members were reminded that we all have a role to play in building on our legacy. Through roles on a committee or working group or simply as an engaged member taking part in meetings, events or sweat equity projects, it takes something from each of us to make our club special.
Written by Liam Hancock
Welcome New Member Tomi Gbeleyi!
Tomi Gbeleyi is a Sales Manager for Google Advertising Solutions, where she supports the growth of small to medium-sized Canadian businesses. She brings over a decade of experience specializing in tech sales and digital marketing.
She was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, moved to Fredericton, New Brunswick and now proudly calls downtown Toronto home.
Tomi enjoys art exhibitions, theatre and travel. She is an avid runner and member of the city’s many run clubs.
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
Club Meetings
Friday, October 17, 2025
The National Club
Noon
—
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
The National Club
6PM
Other Events
Club Events
International Dinner Series - Ukraine
November 12th
Join us for a menu that blends traditional Ukrainian fare with contemporary flair, complemented by craft beer and curated cocktails. Will there be a featured Rotary Supports Ukraine cocktail? You'll have to come to find out... Served family-style for sharing, we'll start with a sampling of salad, cured meats, zakuski and herring. Mains will include shashlik, schnitzel, yarenyky, deruny and shachapuri. No idea what any of this is? All the more reason to come! For dessert, Sour Cherry Varenyky for all.
Located in Bloor West, the evening cost is $45pp including tax and gratuity. Drinks, as always, on your own.
Space is limited, so sign up soon. Family, friends, Rotaractors, prospective members or anyone out for a good time welcome. :-)
To sign up for this exciting culinary excursion, end an email directly to Kaitlynn at: kaitlynn.almeida@gmail.com
NOTE: In fairness to the restaurant, late cancellations or no-shows will be charged $45 by the RCT Office. No exceptions. (And you are responsible for your guests.)
Its District Conference Time! Do you have your flip flops/onesies/heart full of fun ready? If you have not registered, please do so today as there are only about 15 spots available.
For all members who have joined or wants to join the WhatsApp Group, please note that we will use your first name & last name - no business name or acronym please. Thank you.
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