Volume 52, Number 19 November 27, 2008

Rotary Club of Toronto West

Rotary Grace – O Lord we stand for every race, from 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 – Nov. 20, 2008

We had a very healthy turn out (20) for our Fireside Chat at the Lambton Golf and Country Club.

President Nick opened the proceedings with a welcome to all, and gave us an introduction for the evening,

The first item on the agenda was the induction of our new member Paulo Leone, (classification – Printing, Commercial).

Paulo was presented with his Certificate of Membership, Four Way Test, and other literature relating to Rotary and the Rotary Foundation. After having his lapel pin presented to him, all the members present welcomed Paulo into Rotary and the Rotary Club of Toronto West.

Ron Manfield followed with a talk about membership, and the importance of it to the continuance to Rotary.

He mentioned that last year he became involved in a project which took him to about 50 clubs in the district, when he was dealing with the Rotary Perpetual Calendar. He was very successful, and this led him into the idea of promoting increased membership.

It is now time to put these thoughts into practice in our own club.

It is something that every member has to participate in, and Ron proposes to form a committee to deal with this.

John Stevenson followed, telling us about a movie that he is currently in the process of making dealing with the Rotary Club of Toronto West.

We saw the first showing, and John explained what it was all about, and told us some of the problems of directing such a movie. There was no script and everything had to be done ad lib, he had a minimal clear vision as to Who, What, When, Where and How. He tried to inject humour, and make it light hearted. But most of all he wanted to make it fun – not a lecture.

All members present were asked to comment on the movie and some very useful and constructive tips were given. John will be revising the initial effort and it will then be put on the website, and DVD’s will be burnt.

President Nick thanked all the members for attending, saying how nice it was to see the enthusiasm, and hoped that Ron’s proposals would bear fruit.

50/50 Draw

No draw last week.

Visitors

No visitors last week

Rotary Youth Impact Awards

Stephen Thiele requests that all members finalize their dealings with corporate sponsors by December 1. But don’t stop what you are doing, “Do it Now.”

Paul Collier handed out a package dealing with the receipts and numbering for the silent auction contributions, together with the instructions for use. Paul stressed that last year’s receipts and numbers must not be used for this year. Go out and get as many contributions as you can.

This Week

Our guest speaker is Andrea Nathanson, Executive Director of Qualicare. Andrea will be talking to us about “Developing a Healthcare Strategy”.

Etobicoke Centennial Choir

The ECC will be presenting a concert of music, titled “A Canadian Christmas”. Friday and Saturday Dec. 12th. 13th. at 7:30 p.m. Royal York Road United Church.

Classifications

1. Mechanical Engineer.

2. Patent Attorney.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

None this week.

Christmas Dinner Meeting

Make sure that you keep the date of December 18th. available for the Christmas meeting. This year it is being held at “The Tapestry”, Dundas Street.

The room will be opening at 6:30 p.m. for 7:15 p.m. dinner. Make this a very fun filled evening. Bring your family, friends, relatives and business people.

A good chance to introduce a possible new member.

Next Meeting Dec. 4, 2008

Mr. Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO, Toronto Community Foundation. Mr. Bhardwaj will speak to us on “10 years since amalgamation” How has the quality of life changed in Toronto.

Spoke Joke

A woman walked up to a little old man rocking on his porch. “I couldn’t help but notice how happy you look,” she said. “What’s your secret for a long and happy life?”

“I smoke three packs of cigarettes a day,” he said, “I also drink a case of whisky a week, eat fatty foods and never exercise.”

“That’s amazing,” the woman said. “How old are you?”

“Twenty six.”

Today’s Quote

The pathway to success is serving humanity. By no other means is it possible and this truth is so plain and patent that even very simple folk recognize it. Elbert Hubbard

John Hastings Proposal

After attending the Oshawa Literacy Conference, I noticed that there does not appear to be any Public Speaking platform for students as an organic part of literacy. And in Northwest 1 family of schools, some schools participate in public speaking, but in the end there is no pathway out of the school itself. This is the key role that the Rotary Club of Toronto West can play in a crucial and strategic way by supporting a trophy for NW1 Public Schools Competition, it would cover nearly 23 elementary schools.

Our president would present major trophies at the end of the competition, plus certificates

A current V.P. would have a committee of teachers involved in getting the program off the ground.

This would enhance our club profile throughout district 7070, and the GTA.

For his second proposal, details have just been completed of volunteer reading by staff and some students in some NW1 family of schools. John believes that much more could be done by involving high school students in reading.

This program would highlight the great need to start reading success in early years of child’s development.

It also provides an outlet for students mandated 40 hrs of community work before graduating.

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