President-Elect: Prince Kumar Vice-President: Jayson Phelps
Treasurer: Kurt Kroesen
Executive Director: Carol Hutchinson
Editor of the week: Natali Soroka and 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
JOIN US THIS FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2021 @ 12:00
GUEST SPEAKER: SARWAR KASHMERI
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SPECIALIST
AUTHOR AND COMMENTATOR
TOPIC: CANADA, US AND CHINA; GEOPOLITICS AND BUSINESS
HOST: BRIAN WESTLAKE
Sarwar Kashmeri is an international relations specialist, author, and commentator, noted for his expertise on U.S. global strategy and national security. He speaks frequently before business, foreign policy and military audiences. He is the host of Polaris-Live, featuring 30 minute live conversations on the business and geopolitical impact of China’s rapid rise to superpower status.
“China's Grand Strategy: Weaving a New Silk Road to Global Primacy”, (Praeger), his third book, was published in July 2019. It is a centennial book of the Foreign Policy Association where Sarwar is a Fellow. The book was released at a Washington D.C. launch on 7 November 2019 featuring Kashmeri and former U.S. Defense Secretary, Chuck Hagel.
He is also an Applied Research Fellow of the Peace and War Center of Norwich University, Vermont, USA. He served a four year term as a non-residential Senior Fellow at the Brent Scowcroft Center for International Security of the Atlantic Council in Washington D.C. He serves on the American Advisory Board of UK’s Ditchley Foundation.
Kashmeri has hosted “China Focus”, a podcast series for the Carnegie Corporation of New York and has recently discussed China’s Belt and Road Initiative on television with Deutsche Welle, the German news network, and in a series of interviews with Xinhua, China’s global news agency.
He is the author of the U.S. Army War College’s monograph, “NATO and the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy; Intersecting Trajectories" and is a frequent guest speaker at the United States Military Academy/West Point. Kashmeri has appeared in well-known publications including New York Times International, The Guardian, U.S. News and World Report, Xinhua, and Global Times. His TV appearances include CNN, Sky News, Euronews, CSPAN, and Fox. Formerly the CEO of a New York based international technology company, Kashmeri has also served as a communications advisor for several Fortune 100 companies.
He earned a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and a M.S. in Engineering, both from Saint Louis University.
There will be no Friday meeting or Voice on May 21 because of the holiday weekend - although we will still be in Lockdown. Watch for the invitation from the office with the link which will then also be available on the Club Calendar. Celebrate with President John with a cocktail in hand. Stay safe and socially distanced so that we can meet in person as soon as possible.
See Gold Ribbon Campaign below - wear something yellow at this meeting to support the Asian Community.
St. Vincent Volcano Eruption Fund
The Rotary Club of Toronto is coming to the aid of the people of St Vincent dealing with the devastation left by volcano eruptions last month. You can help too! We are matching donations up to $10,000! Work is being done by St. Vincent Rotarians on the ground.
Go to our website www.rotarytoronto.com select Donate now, scroll down past The Rotary Club of Toronto Charitable Foundation to Rotary Club of Toronto Philanthropic Fund. Donation Type will be “general”. Below that there is a option for designation. Choose St Vincent Volcano Disaster Matching. Tax receipts will be issued. Remember go to Philanthropic Fund not The Foundation. If you are a Rotarian mention your club name in the PO Box. This is open to all, not just Rotarians. It’s so easy! Thank you!
Our Club’s Diversity and Inclusion Working Group continues to heighten and spotlight the expression of all forms of racism. To fight against the injustices and denigration of minority groups, one needs to understand inherent unconscious bias and to be aware of the social and historical context of racism.
The Diversity and Inclusion working group remains focused on working with our communities to identify racism and advocate for change.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to statistics Canada, the proportion of visible minorities who perceived an increase in the frequency of harassment or attacks based on race, ethnicity or skin colour has increased significantly. The difference was most pronounced among the Chinese, Korean and Southeast Asian peoples, 60% of reports were from Asian women.
On May 20, 2021, The Asian Gold Ribbon Campaign hopes to raise awareness and is asking that yellow ribbons be worn. Because of the pandemic and our inability to receive or distribute these ribbons, we are asking people to wear anything they have that is yellow e.g. ribbons, underwear, hats, clothes, etc.
Be creative with the colour yellow, let us show support and participate in this campaign on May 20, 2021.
NOTE: Link will follow shortly in an email invitation.
Virtual World Water Summit 13
This year's World Water Summit will focus on the crisis on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in healthcare facilities (HCFs).
It is reported that in least developed countries that 22% of health care facilities have no water service and 21% lack sanitation service.
Confirmed speakers are:
Joanne McGriff, Emory University
John Oldfield, Global Water 2020
Virtual World Water Summit 13 – WASH in Healthcare Facilities
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.
Gardening Club will meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 4 pm...
Next date is May 18, 2021 4 pm.
To Join...
Contact Coordinator June Brown - june.brown554@gmail.com
Spring really is just around the corner. Flowers are blooming!
Virtual Cooking Club, Saturday May 29th, 6:00 pm
This week we reminisce about our many years at Camp Scugog - We do expect to be back in 2022!
In the meantime, think about your favourite meal or favourite memory and come prepared to share. Cook if you want.
Contact Neil if you are not on his list.
nphillips@dgn-marketing.com
Last chance for nominations!! Nominations open for the Dr. Bob Scott Disease Prevention Award and The Wilf Wilkinson Peace Award
Past District Governor Neil Phillips, on behalf of District 7070 is seeking nominations, both from within Rotary or potentially community partners for the Dr. Bob Scott Disease Prevention Award and the Wilf Wilkinson Peace Award.
Please note the May 15, 2021 deadline. Please do not hesitate to reach out should you have any questions.........
All submissions will be acknowledged when received.
THE DOCTOR BOB SCOTT DISEASE PREVENTION AWARD:
The Doctor Bob Scott Disease Prevention Award was inaugurated following Bob’s retirement as Chair of Rotary’s Polio Eradication program. It was commissioned to honour him for his significant leadership in efforts to reach The Rotary Foundation’s primary goal, namely the eradication of polio from the face of the earth.
Rotary clubs in District 7070 are invited to forward nominations for this award on an annual basis. Nominees can be Rotarians, Rotary Clubs, friends of Rotary, or organizations in our district.
Submissions should include a biography of the individual or group, and answers to the following in as much detail as possible:
1) How has this nominee contributed to preventing the spread or curbing the impact of sickness/disease?
2) What significant events have influenced this nominee in the field of disease prevention?
3) What meaningful leadership experiences, challenges, and actions of this nominee support this nomination?
4) What contact information can you provide of individuals who have worked with the nominee and can support this nomination?
The Award Committee will consider all nominations, and work with the District Governor in selecting the award winner. A maximum of one nominee will be selected each year. The award will be presented at a mutually beneficial time and place selected by the DG.
THE WILF WILKINSON PEACE AWARD:
The Wilf Wilkinson Peace Award was inaugurated following Wilf’s year as President of Rotary International. It was commissioned to honour him for his specific efforts in supporting the 4th Object of Rotary, namely the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace. Past winners include the late Jack Layton, War Child, and The Canadian Centre for Refugee and Immigrant Health Care.
Rotary Clubs in District 7070 are invited to forward nominations for this award on an annual basis. Nominees can be Rotarians, Rotary Clubs, friends of Rotary, or organizations in our district.
Submissions should include a biography of the individual or group, and answers to the following in as much detail as possible:
1) How has this individual/group contributed to defending, preserving, nurturing and promoting a culture of peace and non-violence?
2) What significant events have influenced this nominee in the field of peace and conflict resolution?
3) What meaningful leadership experiences, challenges, and actions of this individual/group can you speak to in supporting this nomination?
4) Can you provide names and contact information of individuals who have worked with the nominee and would support this nomination?
The Award Committee will consider all nominations, and work with the District Governor in selecting the award winner. A maximum of one nominee will be selected each year. The award will be presented at a mutually beneficial time and place selected by the DG.
Cost is US$65