The Rotary Club of Toronto
Club 55 -  Founded 1912
June 10, 2022     Volume 109     Issue 38
Virtual Only Friday Meeting June 3, 2022

Keynote Speaker: Jon Allen 

Topic: Building Bridges and Saving Lives: Rotary and Project Rozana Bring Together Palestinian and Israeli Doctors for First Ever Joint Course In Advanced Trauma Life Support

Host: Past President Brian Westlake

12:00 noon for members and 12:15 for guests

Born in Winnipeg in 1950, Jon Allen (LL.B., University of Western Ontario, 1976; LL.M., International Law, University of London School of Economics, 1977) joined the then Department of External Affairs in 1981.

In addition to postings abroad in Mexico City (1983-85), New Delhi (1989-92) and Washington (1997-2001), Mr. Allen spent his early career in the Legal Bureau of the Department representing Canada in disputes under the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement and working in the areas of human rights, humanitarian and environmental law.

Mr. Allen also held the positions of Director General, North America Bureau (2001-2004) and Minister (Political Affairs) at the Canadian Embassy in Washington (2004-2006). As Assistant Deputy Minister, Americas (2010-2012), he managed Canada’s relations with North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.

From 2006 to 2010, Mr. Allen was Canada’s Ambassador to Israel. From 2012 to 2016 he was Ambassador to Spain and Andorra. From December 2012 to July 2014, he was Chargé d’affaires a.i. to the Holy See.

He is currently a Senior Fellow at the Munk School  and at Glendon College, York University, and a Distinguished Fellow of the Canada International Council. He is the Chair of Project Rozana, a not for profit whose objective is to build bridges between Palestinians and Israelis via the health sector, and a Member of the Board of Transparency International Canada.
And Guest Speaker Walter Ruby
Walter Ruby is a veteran journalist and activist in Muslim-Jewish relations who has organized hundreds of ‘twinning’ events bringing together thousands of Jews and Muslims in over 30 countries around the world. Ruby presently serves as president of Jews and Muslims and Allies Acting Together (JAMAAT), a grass roots interfaith group in Greater Washington.
Ruby is the co-author with Muslim-American writer Sabeeha Rehman of We Refuse To Be Enemies: How Muslims and Jews Can Make Peace, One Friendship At A Time published in 2021 by Arcade Publishers.  He also serves as chair of the International Service Committee of Rotary eClub 7610 in northern Virginia.
Join Virtual Meeting Here
New Member Kelsey Horning
Kelsey was born in the GTA but spent most of her childhood and teenage years in western Canada. She attended the University of British Columbia where she completed a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Political Science and a minor in Economics. She then attended law school at the University of Saskatchewan where she completed her Juris Doctor. After graduating, she moved to Toronto where she has worked for a legal technology startup in legal practice, and is currently working on an editorial team creating and updating resources to keep other professionals informed.
 
Kelsey is committed to the service and fellowship of Rotary and appreciates the mix of the global and local it provides. As a transferring Rotarian, she has come to appreciate Rotary values and is eager to continue her Rotary journey in this club.
 
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, music, getting outdoors, travelling and experiencing new places.
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The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell and President Prince Kumar
When They Call, Rotary Responds
 
When the fourth Covid wave hit in December 2021 our club was contacted to assist.  Calls were made, funds were obtained and volunteers stepped up to the plate.
 
With help from Costco, Home Depot, the Hellier Foundation and Humphries Funeral home among others, we managed in a few days to obtain 310,000 N95 masks to distribute to shelters and other needy groups in the city.
 
This is in addition to about $250,000 we contributed in 2020 to groups throughout the GTA working to cope with Covid.
 
 
President Prince Kumar was pleased to accept on behalf of all our club members an invitation to the Garden Party at Aga Khan Museum this past Sunday for the Platinum Jubilee hosted by Her Honour, The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
 
Tornado Hits Uxbridge - Rotary to the Rescue
 
2 weeks ago, under joint Presidential authority for emergencies, Prince and Rick approved $5,000 to set up a matching grant campaign with The Rotary Club of Uxbridge Charitable Foundation to support the community work in response to the recent tornado in the Uxbridge area.  Our matching funds have not only been met to a full $10,000 impact, since then the Rotary Club of Uxbridge has been able to secure 2 additional corporate sponsors for an additional $10,000 to increase the matching campaign.  Rotarians on the ground continue to do due diligence and provide the much needed support to help with food insecurity and displacement relief efforts as it relates to this tornado.  Here is a short video on CBC on the carnage that the tornado left behind:  https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2036291651721
 
Seniors Working Group Activity
 
Our club, in association with REKAI Centre and the NGO Caring Touch Inc. are holding a Seniors’ Social on June 21 afternoon at REKAI Senior’s Home at 160 Wellesley Street East Toronto.
 
Join the event which will be held in a fun-filled welcoming atmosphere and provide a spark of life to about 100 Seniors in a Long-Term Care Home, especially to LGBTQ Seniors and promote social inclusion among LGBTQ Seniors.
 
No pre-registration is required but please do not forget your mask and vaccine certificate. For any other question, please contact Probir Chatterjee at probir.chatterjee@rotarytoronto.com or 647 237 1018.
 
 
Impact Report - Don't Mess with the Don

Lawrence Warriner - President and​ Co-Founder presented a summary of the major work the group had done to make a difference in one of Toronto's main waterways.
•Total amount of garbage – 207,875 pounds of garbage cleaned
•Total amount of Dog Strangling Vine removed as garbage – 20,000 pounds
•Total number of bags – 9095
•Total number of volunteer hours – 15,134
•Total number of clean ups – 91
See More of Their Work Here
“Celebration, Convocation and Changeover!"  
 
June 24 at The National Club – Hybrid event to celebrate every single Rotarian, partner organization and speaker!  This will be a sold out event and seats are going fast.  Don’t miss your chance - Register now for in-person (lunch ticket or $65) or virtual attendance: 
 
 
This will be Prince's last meeting as president as he hands over the gavel to Incoming President Jayson Phelps. Join us from Noon to Two! Lots going on.
 
Wear Black & White party chic.
Rotary International Convention, Melbourne Australia, June 4-8, 2023
 
Dear Rotarians, chers amis Rotariens
 
I would like to invite you to register early to the Rotary International Convention in Melbourne next year as there are great savings by doing so before June 12, 2022 (midnight). The registration fee is $425 USD before June 12, 2022 and it increases after that and up to $675 USD after April 1, 2023.
 
As President Elect for 2022-23, I will have the honour to host a fabulous party for all Rotary Club of Toronto members attending the Convention. I know it's a little far for a party but if Australia is on your bucket list, this is an amazing excuse to get planning. Attending a RI Convention is where one realises the reach and impact that we have worldwide. You will be inspired, I promise you.
 
 
Kindly,  Anny-Sandra Hamel    416-970-4084
RI Incoming President Jennifer Jones
Join our Newest President and the first female Rotary International President on July 5, 2022
 
WHAT: Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup 
WHERE: Sunnyside Park and Sir Casimir Gzowski Park, located beside the Humber River and Lake Ontario
WHEN: Tuesday July 5 - 10:00a to 1:00p

Click Here to Register 

Packing 'Kids Against Hunger' at Humber College Lakeside - two shifts, 12-2 and 2-4 - Contact Sergio.amatller@rotarytoronto.com

Dinner at Toronto Botanic Gardens (formerly Edwards Gardens), Lawrence and Bayview

unfortunately this is sold out.

 
Save the Date!
 
Thursday Sept. 15, 5 p.m. – 8.30 p.m.
St. James Cathedral Centre Event Venue
65 Church St. Toronto (Adelaide and Church)
 
Miinawaa – Eyiizh/ And — Both
A Rotary/Indigenous fundraising event of community coming together

 
Join us as we celebrate Rotary fellowship and Indigenous culture. Miinawaa—Eyiizh / And — Both will bring together Rotarians and Indigenous guests for an evening of stirring Indigenous entertainment and exciting live and silent auctions. Guests will also enjoy Indigenous-themed hors d’oeuvres from En Ville catering, and a cash bar.
 
Tickets are $100, a portion of which will receive a charitable receipt. Please go to:
 
Our partner for this evening, which will receive half the proceeds, is Keeping the Circle Strong Camp Programs, supported by the Indigenous Spirit Fund (Native Child and Family Services of Toronto). The camps allow young people, many of whom live in city apartments and basements, to have their first experiences connecting with nature. At the camps they learn the history of the land, culture and land-based survival skills, and participate in teamwork tasks that build confidence and self-esteem.
 
The other half of our proceeds will go to our Club’s philanthropic committees.
 
Be sure to join us as we gather to make a difference in the lives of Indigenous children and young people!

Upcoming Events and Meetings!

June is Pride Month

June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day

 
June 17, 2022 - Hybrid Meeting
Speaker Maurice Switzer - National Indigenous Peoples Day
 
June 22 - 6:00 - National Club
Thanks to Prince
Register with Binoy.Luckoo@rotarytoronto.com
 
June 24, 12:00- 2:00
Prince's final presidential meeting
 
June 26, 2022
Rotary in Pride Parade
 
 
Our new address is:
The Rotary Club of Toronto
TD Canada Trust Tower
161 Bay Street, 27th Floor
Toronto, ON  M5J 2S1
same phone 416-363-0604
Our website is here
Officers:
President: Prince Kumar
 
President-Elect: Jayson Phelps
Vice-President: Anny-Sandra Hamel
Treasurer: Kurt Kroesen
 
Executive Director: Carol Hutchinson
 
Editor of the week: Maureen Bird
 
rotarytoronto.com      416-363-0604
Charitable Foundation President:
Rick Goldsmith
Vice-President: Richard White
 
RI President: Shekhar Mehta, Rotary Club of Calcutta-Mahanagar, West Bengal, India.
 
 
District Governor
Ron Dick, Rotary Club of Oshawa
See All Bulletins Here
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