Volume 52, Number 4 July 31, 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 – July 17, 2008

Our District Governor Mike Phelan, paid us his official visit, he was introduced to us by our District Governors Assistant, Diane Irvine, of the Rotary Club of Etobicoke.

We heard that our DG has been a Rotarian since 1989, as a member of the Rotary Club of Toronto East. His love of Rotary has been life long, his father having been a charter member of the Toronto East club.

Mike has taken on this year’s theme with great enthusiasm. Make Dreams Real will be the driving force behind our activities guiding the Rotarians in District 7070.

We were all reminded of the District Conference, with the hopes that many of us would be in attendance. The theme for this year’s conference is “Hands On.”

We heard next about the Four Way Test and how we should all have one displayed either in our home or place of business. The world is not what we see in the newspaper every day.

Rotary has many projects to emphasize. First and foremost, Water and Sanitation. Second, Literacy and Education. and third, Health & Hunger. With 26,000 children, under the age of 5 dying every day from preventable causes, we must not lose sight of these three projects.

Potable water is one of our most basic needs, how do we get it to areas that are now without water.

Education is one way of making sure that people’s needs are met and satisfied.

Mosquito nets, vaccines, and medical care.

All these are ways to improve people’s lives. Our PolioPlus Program has proved to the world what an organization such as Rotary can do when it sets its heart to it. Dr. Margaret Chu, World Health Organization, once said that I am making polio eradication, the organizations top operational priority on a most urgent if not an emergency basis.

DG Mike said a few words about the recent RI Convention in Los Angeles, and how proud he was to see the Canadian flag come down the aisle accompanied by our president Wilf Wilkinson.

President Nick thanked both DG Mike and ADG Diane for a very inspirational talk, and thanked them both for visiting with us today.

50/50 Draw

Past President Brian Hicks had the draw for the Joker, but to no avail. The draw now stands at $593.00.

Visitors

DG Mike Phelan, Rotary Club of Toronto East.

ADG Diane Irvine, Rotary Club of Etobicoke.

Lisa McDonald, guest of the Club.

This Week

To be confirmed.

Classifications

1. Pharmacy.

2. Chiropractic Medicine.

Financial Report

Mark Dawber, our very special Treasurer gave us a financial report.

Reporting that as of June 30th. Our happy bucks showed a net profit of $785.00. Our Community Funds showed a net profit of $50,573.00. Our Community Projects show a net profit of $30,699.00. Our cash position, including Club Funds, Community Funds, and our Charity Trust totals $103,018.00.

7 members still haven’t paid their 2008-09 dues. We expect to have a membership of 28 to get the club off to a good start.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

None this week.

Members News

It is always a sad time when members have to say farewell. Unfortunately, we have to report that two are going at the same time. Both Lynne Remigio, and Mike Walker have moved out of town. Both Lynne and Mike have been dedicated Rotarians since their first involvement with the Etobicoke Sunrise club.

Golf Tournament

A report on our annual Golf Tournament will be given next week.

Next Meeting Aug. 7, 2008

To be confirmed.

Dates to Remember

Sept. 12th. – Scotch Nosing and Noshing.

Oct. 24, 25, 26th. The 2008 District 7070 Conference at Deerhurst Resort.

Jan. 30th. 2009, Friday. The 10th. Annual Youth Impact Awards Banquet.

Spoke Joke

Two women are on a tour of the House of Commons when they are startled by the bells that summon members into the House.

“What do you suppose it means?” asks one of the women.

“I don’t know,” replied the other, wide-eyed. “Perhaps one of them has escaped.”

Membership & Extension

The first law for a club is: “The member is the most important decision maker in the club.” It is he or she who decides to join. It is he or she who decides to stay and join in projects. It is he or she who decides to leave.

The second law is to hold members, the club must provide each new and present member with ways to use and develop those special talents, and make it evident that those special desires for change can be achieved with the help of those within the club.

The third law for clubs refers to club extension affecting a change. Lasting change only comes when members own and cherish it.

The dynamics of the club, shows how every new member wants to make a personal change – join our fellowship – contribute to making our relevant community projects successful, and how he or she must personally buy in and take ownership of that change in their life if they are to stay a Rotarian.

When members take ownership of the plans, we get, “Lasting Change.”

Remember, the drive for new members is important. The loss of old members has its effect too. We cannot avoid it. We should take advantage of it.

The member is the most important decision maker in the club.

Let’s all apply and remember these laws in the year ahead. It will not only make us all better Rotarians, it will greatly improve our club.

======================================

Click here to view the SPOKE Archives

======================================