President-Elect: Prince Kumar Vice-President: Jayson Phelps
Treasurer: Kurt Kroesen
Executive Director: Carol Hutchinson
Editor of the week: Maureen Bird
Charitable Foundation President:
Rick Goldsmith
Foundation Vice-President: Barbara Thomson
RI President
Holger Knaack, Rotary Club of Herzogtum Lauenburg-Mölln, Germany
District Governor
Mark Chipman, Whitby Sunrise
Friday, April 23, 2021 - Time: 12:00 Noon to 1:15 PM
Guest Speaker: Raffi Sakissian, Principal of the A.R.S. Armenian Private School
Topic: "The Legacy of Armenian Genocide and Canada's Response"
Host: Vigen Ghazarian
Rotarian and Guests: RSVP to office@rotarytoronto.com
if using Google Meet to be admitted to the meeting.
Raffi Sarkissian was born and lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He holds a B.A Hons. in History (2006) and a Master of Education from York University (2012) a B.Ed from Trent University (2008) and is a Doctorate of Education Candidate at Western University. He holds full principal’s qualifications and Ontario College of Teachers’ certifications in the primary, intermediate and senior divisions. He is currently the principal of the A.R.S. Armenian Private School.
Raffi has conducted extensive research in genocide and human rights education and is the founder, former chair and current board member of the Sara Corning Centre for Genocide Education. He has 20 years of experience in leadership positions in Canadian-Armenian organizations which included executive roles in the Armenian Youth Federation, Armen Karo Students’ Association and the Armenian National Committee of Toronto. Raffi has co-authored a collection of poems titled The Reflecting Crane (Խոկացող Կռունկը) and has contributed a chapter titled The Benefits and Challenges of Genocide Education: A Case Study of the Armenian Genocide in Understanding Atrocities: Remembering, Representing and Teaching Genocide published by the University of Calgary Press.
We continue to have our virtual meetings with President John leading from so many locations as he works through his residence moves.
Kurt Kroesen spoke about the upcoming Earth Day events. Dauna Jones-Simmons gave us her Diversity and Inclusion message and Past President Bob Smith was our Let's Be Personal Speaker.
Bill Empey had the pleasure of introducing the Honourable Roy Cullen, a former member of our own Rotary Club.
Although his work was dealing with Money Laundering In British Columbia he did bring in statistics from other area as well. Money laundering through casinos has been massive in the billions of dollars. FINTRAC (Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre) was established in 2000 but there is still a lack of regulatory management and oversight, with no requirement for lawyers to report suspicious transactions. Real estate ownership by non-residents is also a concern with purchases being made by cash. There needs to be a registry of beneficial ownership as so much of BC's homes are owned through layers of numbered companies. Higher prices have contributed to homelessness and increased opioid problems. This is not a victimless crime.
The RCMP Proceeds of Crime unit in BC was eliminated and needs to be reestablished at the federal level. FINTRAC needs its mandate and powers increased in order to effectively deal with this billion $ problem and make real change. His Cullen Commission is in the news this week.
Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions are those expressed by the Speaker and do not necessarily reflect the official views or opinions, policy or position of The Rotary Club of Toronto or its Members.
I started life on a family farm in rural Ontario with my formal education in a red brick schoolhouse, with one teacher instructing 8 eight grades with the student body varying between 25 and 30.
I like to think that I never stopped learning, but formally I studied economics at York University, and I completed The Canadian Securities Course.
Occupationally, I spent two years working at the Bank of Montreal, starting in London Ontario then transferring to Toronto.
But the move with my small town mind was cause for me to change careers
Surprisingly, i did not leave the city but went to work at a company
quaintly named the Trustees of the Toronto General Burying Groundsnow known as the Mount Pleasant Group.I stayed for 30 years, the last twenty of which I was President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the corporation. While there, we expanded the business geographically to include a number of new facilities, offerings of memorial products & and other related services and created a funeral business named The Simple Alternative.
My first contact with Rotary actually occurred in 1962 when I was chosen to represent the Rotary Club of London West at a weeklong camp held on the eastern shore of Lake Huron. It was entitled “Seminar for Tomorrow's Leaders”. I found that we offered a similar experience in our Camp Enterprise Program
I joined the Rotary Club of Toronto Forest Hill early in 1976 where I remained for two years and was very active in work with Crippled Children. Then in 1978 I accepted an invitation to join The Rotary Club of Toronto making this my 45th year as a Rotarian.
In the early going I was recruited by our member John Spragge to attend the Blue Mountain Camp weekend where a group of members would spend the weekend painting the campers cabins. I did not miss a camp weekend thereafter until the Society sold the property
I am overwhelmed with so many highlights and memories that I realized it is impossible for me to do this presentation any justice. At the time of my joining, our Club was in the midst of fundraising to build the Rotary Club of Toronto Laughlen Lodge, a huge senior citizens residence in downtown Toronto that cost in excess of 7.5 million dollars. It was the reputed to be largest project by a single Rotary Club in the world, up to that time.
I served on the Strategic Planning Committee in Alan Martin's year which developed a process to be used in seeking out signature projects from time to time. The first project, which I was pleased to announce to the Club as President, was the Health Bus. It continues to provide its services in a meaningful manner today - although the actual bus has changed several times due to wear, tear and changing needs.
I have served on countless committees and special task forces over the years, some more successful than others. I had the privilege of serving as Club President in 1994-95. I also served on the Rotary Toronto Charitable Foundation for about 12 or 13 years and as its President for three of those years.
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.
Virtual Cooking Club, Saturday April 24, 6:00 pm
This week Mardi and Neil will be having us do baked risotto - far less stirring! You don't have to cook - it is an opportunity to just chat. Contact Neil if you are not on his list.
nphillips@dgn-marketing.com
Virtual District Conference, Saturday June 26, 2021
from Lori Brazier
We have a $500 district grant for participation this day!
Here is what the day will entail:
Minimum 10 members of RCT must attend both the morning portion (9 am - noon) of the Conference (Keynote speakers – Evan Burrell, incoming RI VP Val Wafer, Honouring Indigenous People and the Environment, Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup video and a celebration of Rotary Superheroes) as well as our club's chosen community engagement project from 1-4 PM
Our community engagement project is to pick up garbage in either or both Coronation Park or Trillium Park (Lakeshore West) in small groups of 5 with social distancing for anyone not part of the same household
We will take photos and videos for social media and tag them #rotary7070 and @rotarydistrict7070 in your posts
RCT participants must sign the Covid waiver and guidelines to participate
Cost is a $10 donation to RI Foundation
We need minimum 10 Rotarians to register with the District as soon as possible by clicking below. Please let Lori know if you are joining.
