Will Scott, PhD, is the CEO of the Toronto Public Library Foundation. He previously served as the Chief Advancement Officer at Evergreen, the largest environmental organization focused on urban issues in Canada, where he led the team that grew annual revenues by 50% and secured over $10M of capital investments for its Toronto hub, Evergreen Brickworks.
Will has worked as an educator in many settings throughout his career, including public schools, prisons, rural indigenous communities, and elite universities. As a former urban public school teacher and history professor, Will has an abiding commitment to literacy and education. He has spent much of his adult life working in multi-racial settings outside of Canada, most recently in Hawai’i, and moved home to Ontario with his husband and daughter in 2016. He received his BA (Honours) from Dartmouth College and his MA and PhD in History from the University of California, Berkeley.
President Jayson opened our in-person luncheon meeting in the Howland Room at the National Club. It was full to capacity and even more chairs had to be added.
James Statham introduced our speakers, Brian and Sandy Stewart, both 40 plus year veterans of the film industry. They spoke passionately on The Making of An Activist. Their latest film in the Sharkwater series is “Sharkwater Extinction” and they have set up the Rob Stewart Foundation Canada in the name of their late son Rob Stewart who died tragically when diving off the Florida Keys while filming this movie. Many of us will remember Rob’s talk to our club about shark fin harvesting and the devastating effect is was having on the shark population and the delicate balance of aquatic life. It’s not just sharks and oceans that are at risk but healthy waters are essential to human existence on earth.
Brian and Sandy have tirelessly continued the work Rob started. They are developing new projects to help further protect sharks and oceans. We have a long way to go. Through film excerpts and timelines, they described Rob’s relentless campaigns for ocean conservation.
Following the Stewarts, Don Bell spoke on the plans for supporting the Daily Bread Food Bank. He is asking Rotarians to consider having HOLIDAY HAMPER PARTIES IN OUR HOMES to encourage each guest to donate $40 – enough money to buy two holiday hampers of food.
Yes, by popular demand, our cocktail-hour “Rotarian to Rotarian” networking evenings are making a return in 2023.
For a mere $20, come and enjoy great hors d'oeuvres at The National Club – and more importantly, engaging conversation with fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors and guests.
More details to follow closer to the date, but for now, mark Wednesday, January 25th in your calendar.
Coming Soon!
Friday, November 11th, our Special Remembrance Meeting
Cpl (Ret.) Tim Laidler
Veterans Transition Network
Friday, November 18th, Ted Barris
WWII: The Great Escape
Friday, November 25th, George Zagarac
Waterfront Toronto CEO
Friday December 2nd, Amy Barron
Digger, Teacher, Soldier, Spy: Lawrence of Arabia & the Middle East
PP Neil's Famous Tastings Club
I wouldn't order a Gin & Tonic. I find it bitter and too strong on the nose. I simply don't enjoy it.
So what do Rotarians do when given an opportunity to grow? We face it head on and “taste" 18 different Gins from around the world.
We started with the definition of Gin. We saw Gin Lane and learned about the Martini. We learned the chemistry, the styles, the mixes, the flavour wheel, Navy Strength, and the countries that drink the most Gin.
We had Gins from countries such as England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Greece, Argentina, South Africa, and Japan. We even had some from right here in Canada from Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Nova Scotia.
We had 3 fights and voted on each and did one final overall ranking. I could not have asked for a better Saturday afternoon of fellowship.
And yes, my next order is a English Hayman's Old Tom Gin, neat.
Says Jay Llave
R2R – it’s back!
Yes, by popular demand, our cocktail-hour “Rotarian to Rotarian” networking evenings are making a return in 2023.
For a mere $20, come and enjoy great hors d'oeuvres at The National Club – and more importantly, engaging conversation with fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors and guests.
More details to follow closer to the date, but for now, mark Wednesday, January 25th in your calendar.
November Birthdays
1 - Kelsey Horning
3- Terry Wray
7 - Denise Inglis
8 - Harvey M. Sullivan
9 - Blair Spinney
11 - Michele Guy
13 - William H. Gleed
14 - Joe Goulart
14- Jeffrey Pollock
20 - Jayson Phelps
24 - Kevin Power
26 - Kaiande Devonish
28 - Andy Wedderburn
30 - Kim Hunter
30 - Robert A. O'Brien
Help Wanted!
Sign Up and Mark Your Calendars Now
Holiday gift bags for Seniors: crew to pack the bags (venue & date TBD), drivers to deliver the bags to various locations around the city (date TBD but will be a weekday in December). This is in lieu of a party.
Steam Whistle Fundraiser in March: need 1-2 people to field questions as we start the planning (our member Fabio will provide guidance).
