Voice June 7th, 2025 (Jun 07, 2025)

As we observe Pride Month this June, we're reminded of Rotary's fundamental commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Rotary Club of Toronto thrives when we welcome people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in Service Above Self.

Pride Month celebrates the courage, resilience, and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals in our communities and around the world.

True to our core values of integrity and respect, let us use this month to strengthen our commitment to building communities where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their unique talents. When we embrace diversity in all its forms, we become stronger advocates for peace, understanding, and service.

Together, let's continue to work towards a more accepting and loving world, upholding our shared values of "Service Above Self."

Happy Pride Month!

Message from President Binoy

Wednesday June 4th, 2025

Dinner at The National Club

Keynote Speaker: Rebeccah Love, Filmmaker

Psychosis, Civic Responsibility and the Imagination

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At our Rotary dinner, we shared a night of heartfelt reflection, humour, and celebration.

Past President Kevin Power came to the stage to surprise everyone announcing that a club member will be receiving an award tonight. But he would not reveal any further details, hence leaving everyone wondering.

The official meeting then began with the Traditional Lands Acknowledgement by Bill Empey and a thoughtful invocation by President Binoy, who reminded us of the importance of nurturing mental wellness.

Past President Jayson Phelps and his great friend Rohit Tamhane then took over the lectern – President Binoy was wondering what’s going on with all these unplanned appearances at the lectern. The two were actually setting the stage for an engaging and memorable program.

Past President Jayson later returned to the stage alongside Rohit and Carol Hutchinson to deliver a playful, theatrical lead-up to unveiling this year’s Paul Harris Fellow recipient, and again leaving the lectern with everyone wondering who is actually the Paul Harris Award winner.

Ultimately Past President Kevin Power came to the lectern to officially reveal the Paul Harris Award winner.

A dedicated Rotarian since 2006, Fabio Ventolini was recognized for his extraordinary service over the years including co-chairing our golf tournaments, orchestrating the successful Steam Whistle fundraiser, and contributing meaningfully across countless club initiatives. His tireless dedication and generosity truly embody the Rotary spirit. The moment was met with a standing ovation and warm embraces from his loved ones.

Later in the evening, Past President Prince Kumar introduced our keynote speaker, Rebecca Love, who is an accomplished filmmaker and mental health advocate. Rebecca shared her lived experience with psychosis and the healing power of friendship, art, and community. Her touring production, Fortescue - which she wrote, produced, and directed - chronicles the raw journey of womanhood and recovery through a compassionate lens. A donation was made in her honour to Sistering, a Toronto organization providing 24/7 support, food, shelter, and health services for women and gender-diverse people facing hardship. Her story left us with a resonant reminder of how empathy and Rotary values can shape lasting change.

Written by Youri Wims

Pictures courtesy of Past President John Fortney and Kai Devonish

Short Extract of Rebecca Love's speech

President Binoy Luckoo, Rebeccah Love, Actor Tyson Coady

"Once every two months, for a singular day, my physical pain is so excruciating that I curl up into a ball, in bed, and wish I was dead. It’s a terrifying situation to be in, on the physical and psychological front. I often call my parents, who will drop off food and talk to me on the phone, but I am very hesitant to reach out beyond this:

Mum: “Why don’t you call a friend, Rebeccah?”

“They’re all busy at work, the last thing I’d ever want is to become a pitiful little voice on the other side of the phone. It’s a sick person’s worst nightmare to be a burden on anyone, and plus, there’s not much they can do: I’m already working under the city’s top doctors. My friends can't really do much to help."

When the invitation was extended to me to deliver a talk at the The Rotary Club of Toronto, I was given about six months to figure out what I was going to say. I had grown up at the Rotary Club, which met at the Royal York for lunch, listening to speakers like Bob Rae and Paul Martin and Romeo Dallaire. It was wild for me to imagine myself as the guest speaker, I spent months brainstorming: I don’t occupy the same portfolios as these national leaders, but my unusual position allows me to give voice to the thousands of not hundreds of thousands of voiceless sick and disabled people around the country whose illnesses and disabilities leave them suffering in silence, in sick beds, hospitals, seniors homes, prisons, shelters, encampments, and some of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in the country. People whose physical and emotional pains are so drastic that they are barely keeping their head above water, situations often exacerbated by poverty, abuse, discrimination and systemic injustices.

The focus of my talk was on ‘Fortescue’, screening July 24 to 26 at the Carlton Cinema, looking at the questions about psychosis and caregiving that surface in our narrative. With an enormous emphasis on the Future of Film Showcase (FOFS), Eric Bizzarri film festival which is playing an essential role in shaping our national narrative around independent cinema.

Lots of young people, in approaching adulthood, seem to get the impression that the pursuit of wealth, property, and institutional power needs to be one of the highest priorities. Wouldn't it be nice if collectively we found a way to gently shift this mindset away from individual gain towards a place of community care. It's so possible to lead a rich life, where you have everything you need to succeed, while also prioritizing the needs of suffering people in your communities.

Grateful for this opportunity to speak openly about suffering and care.

With an enormous thank you to President Binoy Luckoo for the invitation."

Written by Rebeccah Love

Picture courtesy of Past President Prince Kumar

Paul Harris Award Winner

Fabio Ventolini

Speech by Past President Kevin Power (Honours & Awards Committee)

"Thank you, President Binoy. You may or may not be aware but I am up here with the special privilege of announcing our club’s latest Paul Harris/William Peace award recipient.

Thank you, Jayson and Rohit, for your comments over the dinner.

A little background on how we get here, where we are this evening. I had the unique opportunity to recently sit on our club’s Honours and Awards Committee. Honours and Awards is responsible for the selection of recipients for the club’s major awards. The award I am here to talk about today is the Paul Harris/William Peace Award.

This award is made to Rotarians for the highest level of service at the Club level over a number of years. To qualify for a Paul Harris the member must have received a Club Builder Award, provide 10 years of service to the club and be judged on their accomplishments and contributions to our club following their Club Builder Award.

Honours and Awards conducts background research and due diligence to assess the qualifications of those eligible for the award. Some may wonder with this diligent research at Honours and Awards how did this Rotarian get selected? Many may not be aware of the significant contributions he has made to our club over his time as a member, so I will take a few minutes to share these with you.

Our award recipient received their club builder in 2010/11. They subsequently have served on the club board, the fellowship and entertainment committee, the golf organizing committee, the fundraising committee, the nomination committee, the Tree of Remembrance committee and the events committee, and they are a regular donor to club activities over the years such as golf, the Tree of Remembrance and our annual Steamwhistle fundraiser. They participated in various club events and volunteer activities, including being a regular at our golf tournament and attending at Daily Bread to pack food hampers. As well as some “acting” at a Presidential roast.

His dedication and success as a club fundraiser are truly noteworthy. This Rotarian found an activity that he enjoyed and turned this activity into a major event that would become a fundraiser for our club. For 15 years he was the event leader, spearheading our club’s major fundraiser each year at Steamwhistle. Many members would not see the behind-the-scenes amount of work and effort that he expended each year to keep making the event bigger and better. The stress of filling tables, getting sponsors, getting prizes, organizing volunteers and dealing with the venue. Fundraising in this club is a very challenging task. With his consistent commitment, effort and effectiveness, he was able to turn our annual fundraiser into a fun event each year, and a great financial success for our club and our philanthropic activities. His efforts reflect his passion for service.

Since joining the club in 2005, this Rotarian has demonstrated his unwavering dedication and support to our club, contributing to our club’s mission and activities. His ability to engage others in these efforts have positively impacted the club’s success.

Our latest Paul Harris William peace Award winner, is Fabio Ventolini. Joining us this evening is his wife Sandra, and children Luca and Tess. I would like to invite President Binoy up to the podium along with Fabio for the award."

Congratulations Fabio!

What an extraordinary privilege it was to present Fabio with the Paul Harris Award – a moment that filled my heart with profound joy and pride.

For fifteen remarkable years, I've watched Fabio embody the very essence of what it means to be a Rotarian. His dedication flows not from obligation, but from genuine love for his community. He has been the quiet force behind countless initiatives, never seeking recognition, but simply serving because it's who he is.

This award celebrates so much more than his individual achievements – it honours the ripple effect of his kindness and the legacy of service he has built day by day. Every project he has championed has strengthened not just our club, but our entire community.

To Fabio and his wonderful family, who have supported his journey with such grace, please know how deeply grateful we are. Your partnership has made all of this possible.

On behalf of every member of The Rotary Club of Toronto, Fabio, your passion ignites our own, and your vision fills us with hope for the future. We look forward to your continued leadership and the even greater impact ahead.

Thank you, Fabio, for being the embodiment of "Service Above Self" and for showing us what it means to serve with both excellence and humility.

With heartfelt congratulations and deepest gratitude,

President Binoy Luckoo

Pictures Courtesy of President Binoy, Past President John Fortney, & Kai Devonish

Toronto Police Service Recognition

In attendance at tonight's dinner meeting were:

Carrie Malin, Toronto Police Auxiliary Toy Drive Founder
Rick Jordan, Toronto Police Auxiliary Staff Sergeant
Mel D'Mello, Toronto Police Auxiliary Sergeant

Representing the Toronto Police Service, the three officers from the Toronto Police presented a Certificate of Appreciation to The Rotary Club of Toronto in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the 31st Annual Auxiliary Toy Drive.

This award highlights the meaningful partnership between The Rotary Club of Toronto and the Toronto Police Service in supporting families and children in the community during the holiday season. The Auxiliary Toy Drive represents decades of community service, bringing joy and essential support to those in need throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

The Rotary Club of Toronto's participation in this initiative exemplifies the club's commitment to community service and its dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of local families. Such collaborative efforts between civic organizations and law enforcement demonstrate the power of community partnerships in addressing social needs and fostering goodwill.

This recognition serves as a testament to the club's ongoing efforts to serve others and strengthen community bonds through charitable action.

For over 92 years, The Rotary Club of Toronto’s Children with Disabilities Holiday Party has been a beacon of joy and inclusion, and it exists because of the dedication and compassion of so many.

To the Toronto Police Service and its incredible officers, your partnership transcends duty - you bring warmth, laughter, and genuine care to every interaction with our children and families. Your commitment to serving our community in this deeply personal way touches hearts and creates memories that last a lifetime.

To our invaluable community partners - Easter Seals, CNIB, Bob Rumball Centre for The Deaf, Starlight Foundation, and Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital - you are far more than collaborators. You are champions who understand that every child deserves to experience the magic of the holidays. Your unwavering support and expertise help us reach families who need this celebration most, ensuring no child is forgotten during this special season.

And to our remarkable Rotary Club of Toronto members and our energetic Rotaractors, you are the heart and soul of this event. The countless hours you volunteer, the creative energy you bring, and the genuine love you show these children and their families exemplify the very best of Rotary's spirit of service. Your dedication transforms a simple gathering into something truly magical - a day where differences disappear and pure joy takes center stage.

Together, we don't just organize a party - we create hope, build connections, and remind every family that they are valued and loved by their community.

Thank you for being the reason this beautiful tradition continues to flourish and for proving that when we work together, we can indeed make the world a little brighter for those who need it most.

Written by Brinda Luckoo

Pictures Courtesy of Past President John Fortney, Past President Prince Kumar, & Kai Devonish