Assistant District Governor & District 7070 DEI Lead
Creating a culture of belonging at Rotary
Shauna Moore delivered an inspiring presentation to our club on creating a culture of belonging. She encouraged members to ‘knock down walls and build bridges’ while embracing change by adding to existing traditions to reflect the diversity of our communities. Through thought-provoking questions and actionable steps, Shauna empowered members to foster inclusion, accessibility, and empathy within our clubs as we unlock the ‘magic’ of belonging.
Shauna started by defining what belonging actually means : it is the feeling of security and support when there is a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity for a member of Rotary. It is when an individual can bring their authentic self to The Rotary. Creating genuine feelings of belonging for all is a critical factor in improving engagement.
Shauna highlighted the power of connection, the beauty of unity and the remarkable achievements we can accomplish together by championing DEI. She reminded us that whilst our traditions and practices may be different, we are here together, guided by the 4-Way Test, with a desire to make our world better!
President Binoy also highlighted the remarkable achievements within our own club – this includes 5 Women Presidents (including one of Filipino descent), 2 LGBTQ+ Presidents, 2 President of Indian origins and 2 incoming Presidents who are women of colour. The current board of Directors is split 50/50 between women and men. President Binoy talked about the pride he feels in the diverse membership – showcasing this as a testament of our diversity.
Our President thanked Shauna and reminded us that DEI is an ongoing process and that we should remain dedicated to creating a more inclusive and equitable Rotary community through impactful projects and initiatives ensuring that everyone feels empowered and welcome.
President Binoy also thanked District Governor Virginia O'Reilly for attending our meeting.
The meeting concluded with a few announcements, with the first one from Fabio Ventolini.
Fabio took to the lectern to announce the 15th and final Steam Whistle Fundraiser called Royal Flush. It will be held on March 27th. It promises that it will be extra special as it is the final year of this great event. Fabio needs our support to make this event a success - please connect with him at fanio.ventolini@rotarytoronto.com. More information will be available very soon on our website.
The meeting wrapped up with a beautiful rendition of Happy Birthday for our President led by Past President Anny-Sandra - a great way to finish the meeting!
Everyone paying attention to the speeches!
Written by Nikita Williams and Brinda Luckoo
Photos courtesy of Past President John Fortney
On January 20th, our Past Presidents held their annual dinner at The National Club. An amazing brain trust of experience and legacy represented by 30 years of Past Presidents.
Front Row - Don Bell (2000), Jack Robertson (1992)
Middle Row - Richard White (2013), Anny-Sandra Hamel (2023), Susan Hunter (2016), Michele Guy (2001), Susan Howson (2007), Jayson Phelps (2022), John Fortney (2020)
Back Row - Robert O'Brien (1995), Sandy Boucher (2011), Geoffrey Johnson (2004), John Lloyd (2006), Rick Goldsmith (Fdn President 2022), Bert Steenburgh (2009),
Neil Phillips (2012), Brian Westlake (1989), Kevin Power (2019), Jeff Dobson (2018)
Picture courtesy of Past President John Fortney
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
Dinner Meeting - February 5th
Charles McFarland
Storytelling, AI and the New Digital Marketplace
Born in the UK of Canadian parents, Charles has an M.A. from Cambridge University and trained in British theatre before building his 25-year career as a theatre producer/ director (of over sixty shows across Canada, including at the Stratford Festival and the Canadian Opera Company). He has held many performing arts executive positions, including at the Canada Council for the Arts and several regional theatres.
Charles has combined his creative experience with seven years’ executive coaching in the FocalPoint franchise, and now with four years as a Certified StoryBrandTM strategist and coach, into a unique communications and marketing business, the Theatre of Commerce.
In 2025, Strategy and Storytelling + AI can unleash the power of an organization in its people - releasing their inherent creativity to face the challenges of the digital marketplace.
St Patrick's Parade - March 16th
Several clubs will be taking part in the Parade - including our own club. The Rotary Float will include 3 vehicles from Sprint’s Ride Program and one of the Sherbourne Health buses which was kindly donated by our club. This is a great opportunity to increase the awareness of Rotary in the Community. Let’s have lot of Rotarian join the parade and the after parade fun!
Picture from past parades:
WANTED:Charities who need us.
The Community Outreach Committee is on the lookout for charities working within the downtown Toronto area that we haven't crossed paths with who could benefit from our support. If you know of a registered charity that supports our local Toronto community and could use a helping hand, please contact Community Outreach Committee Co-Chair Bert Steenburgh (bert@stonefortress.ca) with the charity's name and any other intel you have. We will take it from there and follow-up on the lead.
Be on the lookout: If you see a social media post in the months ahead regarding community outreach, we would appreciate your support in re-posting/sharing with your social media networks to spread the word.
The fine print: In the past, we have supported food banks, seniors' centres, shelters for those experiencing homelessness, and music programs for children, among many others. Funding requests for travel, conferences, advocacy, and large capital campaigns are generally not eligible.
February Birthday Celebrations!
On Behalf of all our members, we wish a very Happy Birthday to everyone celebrating their birthday in February!
Rotary Club of Toronto
Membership Anniversaries
On behalf of the entire club, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations and heartfelt appreciation to those celebrating their Rotary Club of Toronto anniversaries this quarter (January to March 2025).
Your dedication, commitment, and invaluable contributions have played an integral role in our club's success and impact throughout the years.
Your unwavering support and tireless efforts continue to inspire us all, and we are honored to have you as part of our Rotary Club Toronto family.
Thank you for your service and for embodying the spirit of Rotary in everything you do.
Here's to many more years of fellowship, growth, and shared accomplishments!
Message from President Binoy
WhatsApp Group
We have 80 members on The Rotary Club of Toronto WhatsApp Channel - it's a great way to communicate with each other! Ask to join - any member can add more people to the group.
Would you like to write for the Voice or have a story or picture to share?
Contact Brinda Luckoo at brinda.luckoo@rotarytoronto.com
