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
Rotary Club of Toronto Virtual Christmas/Holiday Party Virtual Meeting
FRIDAY DECEMBER 18, 2020
TIME: 12:00 TO 1:15 PM
HOST: DAUNA JONES-SIMMONDS
Dress up for the festivities and have some pre-Christmas snacks and/or cordials handy.
Duana has organized an activity full of great music thanks to Alan Ely, and some Steel Pan Caribbean Christmas music (curtesy Pan Fantasy) just in case you wish to get up, shake those legs and dance!
Our fellow Rotarians have put a lot of effort into pulling their videos together. It’s our duty now to cheer them on by participating in this historical luncheon. Thanks to everyone for your contribution in helping to make this, our first Virtual Christmas Luncheon, a success!
Thanks to the Christmas Party Committee:
Krystyna Benyak, Carol Hutchinson, Prince Kumar, Pat Neuman and Dauna Jones-Simmonds
John's Christmas message will be posted on our website in the next few days.
The Club's Annual General Meeting PART # 1, will be held during the regular lunch meeting this Friday December 18, 2020, at the end of the Club Christmas Virtual Party Meeting for the purpose as follows:
The only point of business of The Annual General Meeting Part #1 will be for the purpose of the acceptance of the audited Financial Statements for the year ended June 30, 2020. A digital copy of the Club's Financial Statements will be available at any time following the AGM by emailing Carol at: office@rotarytoronto.com.
In the month of January (date to be determined), The Annual General Meeting PART 2 for the purpose of electing a Vice President and 3 Directors for a three-year term commencing July 1, 2021, a Treasurer for the year 2021 - 2022 and the appointment of the auditors for 2020-2021 will be conducted at that time.
Happy Hanukkah!
Special wishes to Sylvia Geist and Harry Figov as they celebrate the lighting of candles in the Menorah.
Thank you Sylvia for sharing your lovely antique menorahs with us during our Saturday cooking event. They are symbols of hope, joy and sharing and so welcome in these difficult times.
Christmas for Children
It was very sad to miss holding our Special Christmas Lunch for disabled and disadvantaged children, an event which our club has hosted every year since at least 1919.
But the needs go on and Past President Pat Neuman volunteered to assist The Toronto Star Christmas Fund by delivering packages to the most needy families - in a COVID-safe way.
New Member SASAYAMA Takuya
Consul-General of Japan in Toronto
Mr. SASAYAMA Takuya joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) in 1988. His past work experiences include political and economic affairs, as well as legal fields, with international postings in Mexico, Malaysia, Korea, and the United States of America. He most recently served as Minister in the Political Affairs section at the Embassy of Japan in Ottawa, where he was also a Rotary member.
Mr. Sasayama’s hobbies include various sports such as golfing and skiing, as well as spending time outdoors observing local animals and wildlife. Being a diplomat, he is passionate about promoting Ontario - Japan relations, and looks forward to being a part of the community at the Rotary Club of Toronto.
He is joined in Toronto by his wife Mariko and their son.
Club Transition 2021
“What’s coming in 2021???"
Join us for casual, fun and informative talks about our Club and its new structure…
Are YOU wondering…..
What will be the difference to what we have now? Will you be able to suggest a new project? How does that work?? What do you do?? How do you join in on a project and how do the new committees work?
Dawn-Marie King, Anny-Sandra Hamel and Pat Neuman will host a series of casual talks on the new structure..don’t be shy….join us on Monday, January 11, Thursday January 21, Monday February 1 or Thursday, February 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.. to ask questions and familiarize yourself with the process.
Transition Talks, Newsletters and the full document are on the Google Drive – “All members” shared drive folder here:
We were welcomed to Christmas music from Brigitte and Glenn, culminating in a rendition of Silent Night in English, German, Danish and Swedish. Thank you.
It was great to see among our attendees Binoy and Brinda Luckoo who are recovering well from their bout with COVID. Sergio Amattler and his wife Cinthia are also recovering well.
President John had the great pleasure to introduce another new member,
Mr. SASAYAMA Takuya.
Past President Neil Phillips introduced our guest speaker - His brother, journalist Andrew Phillips who worked in Washington 1996-2001. Donald Trump gave him a tour of the tower under construction where he was including a $3mil (at that time) personal apartment. D.T. proceeded to yell at a worker up on a ladder and Andrew thought - What kind of a jerk does that?
Politics in the US has been polarized like no other time and repositioning will not be easy. Will D.T. make a comeback in 2024? Grover Cleveland was defeated in 1888 but came back to win in 1892. January 20, 2021 is still a long ways off.
Community Service Committee brings you the Reverse Advent Calendar with the help of Robin Hood Army Canada (RHAC). From now till Jan 7th, 2021 –The concept is simple - just set up a box in your home and EVERY DAY, put ONE item in that box. Clothes, toiletries, food are good choiceds. Robins (volunteers of RHAC) will take care of distributing all your donations to the homeless community and people-in-need at various shelters.
Between Jan 8 and 10, 2021 – Robins will pick-up the box in a contactless manner from outside your home, as long as you reside in one of these cities: Toronto, Hamilton, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Mississauga, Brampton, Etobicoke, Richmond Hill or Markham.
Simply put the box outside in the morning of the pick-up date. If the above dates do not work, you can drop off your Advent Calendar Box outside Prince’s house in Guildwood, Scarborough the weekend before (Jan 2 or 3).
Confirm your participation as soon as possible by registering here: http://Tinyurl.com/RHAC2020 and select your pickup preferences for Jan 8 to 10, 2021.
Contact Lori Brazier for details or to get your RCT COVID Guidelines and RCT Liability Release Waivers for events.”
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.
Across the Canadian Borders…..
Happy Hour with Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Wakamow Rotary Club members: Zoom call on Friday January 8 from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Let’s chat about some of their social and fund raising ideas…some great projects that not even the pandemic could stop!!!!
Virtual Dinner Club starts in January.. second weekend of the month ….would you like to be a guest? Contact Pat Neuman pat.neuman@rotarytoronto.com More to follow on ClubRunner…
Cooking Club continues on the first Saturday of the month… contact Neil Phillips nphillips@dgn-marketing.com
Euchre Tournaments continue on the third Tuesday of each month 5 pm contact Jay Llave jay.llave@rotarytoronto.com
Previous weeks recordings – if you missed them – we got you covered…a. Dec 4 The American Election by Andrew Phillips : Click here to watch: https://youtu.be/CtVJYGx93HQ
b. Nov 27 Friendships and Philanthropy – A feel good luncheon: Click here to watch: https://youtu.be/P5rZEogzCBM
d. Nov 13 The Impact of COVD-19 on Indigenous Communities by Renee Linklater, Director of Shkaabe Makwa at CAMH: Click here: https://youtu.be/5cdy3dpNrZU
SERVICE ABOVE SELF
The Rotary Club of Toronto, Fairmont Royal York Hotel, H Level
