Volume 49, Number 3                                                                             July 21, 2005

 

Rotary Club of Toronto West

 

Rotary Grace – O Lord, we stand for every race, for every creed from every place, to give our thanks and say our grace for food, for health. May peace embrace the world through Rotary.

 

Last Week – July 14, 2005

            We had the pleasure of having a RYLA recipient visit with us and tell us of his experiences in his RYLA leadership training week in Belleville

            Walter McIntyre introduced Mohamed Jama to us, saying how he met Mohamed, and of Mohamed’s affiliations and achievements.

            Mohamed started off by telling us how the group of them first got on the bus, thinking that they were all leaders, but there was not much conversation between them, certainly for the first half hour or so, but on the way home it was a different story and quite a contrast to the way up, they couldn’t stop talking. They felt as though they had become quite a family.

            Mohamed told us about how they taught them to understand themselves and others, and how first impressions usually last a lifetime.

            He spoke highly of Rick and Dianne, who helped in training them and in organizing their activities, while facilitating the programs.

            He learnt communication skills, as well as leadership skills, but his personal favourite was, Why do we want change. They were blindfolded and they had to perform a group activity without the aid of sight. It turned out very successful.

            Mohamed then said that what he had leant and what he will always cherish from that week was: that he should have a life dedicated to service, and he quoted the Rotary modem of “Service Above Self”. and he learned a lot about what Rotary was all about.

            He spoke about the PolioPlus program and how it was so successful worldwide, and he hoped that this could be followed up with a similar program against the even more devastating diseases AIDS and HIV.

            He learnt that we all have flaws, even very successful people have flaws, They can be big or they can be small, but the program helped them to minimize those flaws by accepting them and managing them well.

            Mohamed ended his talk by quoting from George Bernard Shaw about Service. (See back page).

            Mohamed said that he was very impressed with his Rotary experience, and hoped to be involved with Rotary in the future.  

 

Wine Draw:

            Last weeks lucky winner was our newest member Kevin Carmichael. Congratulations Kevin.

 

Visitors:

            A very welcome visit from our District Governor’s Assistant Phillipa Welch, Rotary Club of Beeton.

 

This Week:

            We are pleased to welcome Ruth Snowden. Ruth will be talking to us about dealing with a change in an organization.

 

Classifications:

1. Retail Florist.

2. Director of Education.

 

Birthdays & Anniversaries:

            Wedding Anniv. – Keith and Joan Oman – July 20th.

            Birthday – Susan McCoy – July 23rd.

 

Members News:

            Who is the member that was so keen to get to our meeting last Thursday that he didn’t think that a red stop sign meant Stop. We learn something every day.

 

Next Week – July 28th.

            A classification talk from our newest member Kevin Carmichael. Kevin’s classification is: ”Law Enforcement.“

 

50th Birthday

            This Saturday, July 23, 2:00 p.m. at 61 Shaver Avenue N. Susan McCoy will be celebrating her birthday, All are welcome. No gifts please, but you can bring non perishable food products for the food bank.

 

Hip Hip Hooray

            Ron Manfield mentioned that in support of the Hip Hip Hooray project, The Toronto All-Star Band will be performing at the Lula Lounge on Sunday August 21st. 6:00 p.m. Admission $20.00.

            Contact Ron for further details.

 

Rotary Foundation Presidents Walk

            Jagjit announced that he has some Rotary Crested Jerseys specially prepared for the Foundation Walk. Even though you are not able to attend the walk, buy a jersey and support the run.

 

Spoke Joke:

            A farmer was milking his cow. He was just starting to get a good rhythm going when a bug flew into the barn and started circling his head. Suddenly, the bug flew into the cow’s ear. The farmer didn’t think much about it, until the bug squirted out into his bucket. It went in one ear and out the udder.

 

George Bernard Shaw

            This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one: being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

            I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.

            I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no ‘brief candle’ for me. It is a sort of splendid torch that I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.

G.B.S.

 

Club Clinic

Q.        I’ve been appointed to serve on a club committee. What can I do to prepare for this role?

A.        First, review the relevant sections of the Club Committee Manual, to learn about your committee’s responsibilities. You can get this manual from your president-elect. Next, talk with current members of the committee about their activities. Finally, attend your district assembly to meet your counterparts from other clubs. You‘ll learn ideas and strategies for strengthening your committee activities.

 

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