Volume 52, Number 9 September 11, 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 – Sept. 4, 2008

Stephen Thiele introduced our guest speaker Jeffrey Rosekat, telling us that Jeffrey is a lawyer concentrating on bankruptcy and insolvency litigation. He is also a volunteer with the Child Advocacy Project, which is a joint effort by the Advocates Society and Justice for Children and Youth.

Jeffrey told us that Justice for Children and Youth believes that children and youth must be recognized as individual and equal rights-holders, deserving of special protections under the law.

They provide direct legal assistance in all areas of children’s law to eligible young people in and around Toronto.

They publish educational materials for youth, examples of which were handed out.

They also believe: that young people require encouragement to identify their own needs.

They advocate for systemic reform, and monitoring and responding to current developments and proposed changes to the laws which affect children and youth.

The Youth Action Committee helps to inform many of the positions which they take in their law reform work. They run a program called “Street Youth Legal Services”- a program which delivers legal information and services directly to street-involved youth at drop- in-centres and shelters.

Jeffrey told us about a couple of cases where youth challenged the constitutionality of provisions in the law. One case was where a 14 year old girl challenged the Manitoba child welfare legislation, which allowed child protection authorities to override her refusal of a blood transfusion. Another was where the Principal of a Sarnia High School had invited the police into the school with sniffer dogs to search for drugs anytime.

Justice for children and Youth aims to provide legal assistance for young people in terms of justice, empowerment, and voice.

President Nick thanked Jeffrey for a very interesting and educational talk.

50/50 Draw

John Hastings drew the chance to pick the Joker, but he didn’t quite make it. Only nine left now. The winner would have received $646.00.

Visitors

Paolo Leone, a guest and friend of Terry Donohue. Sarah Yun, a guest of the club, and nominee for a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship.

This Week

Our speaker for today is our own member John Hastings with a surprise subject. But knowing John, it is bound to be interesting.

Classifications

1. Paint Retailing.

2. Driving Instruction.

Members News

Mark Dawber is off on another Rotary Golf Vacation for two weeks. This time to Prince Edward Island.

Doug Williams has returned from a vacation to the Maritimes. He certainly picked the nice weather.

Rotary Foundation Walk

While the weather was a little on the damp side, the spirits certainly were not. We were represented by President Nick, Ron Manfield, Paul Collier and Mark Dawber. The total money collected is in the region of $750.00. This will be confirmed next week.

District Literacy Conference

The District Literacy Conference is being held on Sept. 20th. For more details see President Nick.

District Conference

October will be shortly upon us, the time for our Annual District 7070 Conference. This year it is being held at the Deerhurst Resort near Huntsville. Let President Nick know if you are able to attend.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Wedding Anniv. – Bob & Rea Sexton – Sept. 9th.

Next Meeting Sept. 18, 2008

To be confirmed.

Spoke Joke

“What were you doing when the police arrived?” the judge asked the defendant.

“Waiting, sir.”

“For what?”

“For money.”

“And who was supposed to give you money?”

“The man I was waiting for.”

“Why was he supposed to give you money?”

“For waiting.”

“Enough!” exclaimed the exasperated judge. “What do you do for a living?”

“I’m a waiter.”

New Generations

Rotary International has designated the month of September as New Generations month, a time to highlight Rotary’s commitment to youth.

We should all share Rotary with young people during September, since over 400,000 Interactors and Rotaractors worldwide are adding to Rotary’s achievements with service projects of their own. By sponsoring a Rotaract or Interact club, a Rotary club not only helps young people gain the maturity that comes from voluntary service, but will Serve People more effectively by channelling youth energy and spirit.

Service to Youth

What do we understand by Service to Youth?

It means those things that a Rotarian does as an individual or in cooperation with his/her club to promote the mental, physical and moral well being of youth worldwide.

The Rotarian seeks to help them develop into good citizens through recreational programs, prevention of juvenile delinquency and drug abuse, vocational guidance and training programs and financial assistance.

The “answer” is only the beginning. Youth Service covers a wide range of activities...all inspiring, all worth the effort.

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