Volume 48, Number 47 June 29, 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 – June 23, 2005

We had the pleasure of having Walter McIntyre, classification: Ministry – Community Service, give his classification talk.

He told us that he was from a small community, just outside London, Ontario, and that he grew up in the countryside near Strathroy, where his grandfather had a farm. He went to the University of Western Ontario, and while there, he rented some land from the University, and started a nursery. He said that in the first year of operation, he made so much money that he had to sell his car. But the next two years were more successful. He married at about that time, and they managed to buy a house.

He successfully settled down in that area, and started a 100 acre nursery farm. It was about that time that they had a son, and with Walter’s interest in the ministry, it was a disappointment to find out that their son Russel, did not share that interest, but he did take an interest in his son.

Through many activities with his son and other children from the youth groups, Walter found himself getting interested in their activities, and it wasn’t long before he was asking himself the question, how do I let Jesus into my heart, He let this thought develop, and soon he was down on his knees , which brought a change into his life that he did not expect., he was filled with a desire to read the bible,

Through all good, there is also sadness. In accepting the church, and making a commitment to God, it also caused the breakup in Walter’s married life and he and his wife were divorced.

So that he could spend more time with his son, he joined church youth organization, and Walter is amazed that even to this day, these youths are such wonderful Christians and so full of life.

Walter told a very interesting story about the way he managed to get Bible Clubs into all the schools in Middlesex County. This was after much discussion with, and refusal by the school board.

Eventually the worm turned and Walter ran for office on the Schools Board of Trustees and was elected..

From there, he came back to Toronto and obtained his Masters Degree in Divinity.

Walter finished up by telling us how he went to Somaliland, and he related the work that he had been doing to the work that Rotary believes in.

Wine Draw:

Once again your favourite editor was the lucky winner. The applause was deafening, or was it a 747 passing overhead?

Visitors:

No visitors last week.

This Week:

A highlight of the year, when we have the opportunity to thank our outgoing President, Jagjit, for a year well done, and at the same time meet our incoming President, Stephen Thiele, and the new Board of Directors.

Classifications:

1. Police Management.

2. Communications – Telephone.

Birthdays & Anniversaries:

Joined Rotary – Terry Vango – July 1^st.

Hip Hip Hooray

Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Ron Manfield will be playing the piano outside Quiznos Sub, 427 Yonge St. in support of the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation.

Go along, and give them your support.

Members News:

We were all very sorry to once again see that President Jagjit had come off second best in a car accident. While not his fault, as he was stationary when it happened, he still has the discomfort of suffering from some neck damage. Get well soon, Jagjit.

Sailing Along

Keith Oman prepared us for the up and coming Easter Seals Blind Sailing Tournament, and referred us back to the interest that we have shown previously. Be prepared for more information to follow.

Next Week – July 7th.

Our incoming President Stephen Thiele, will not only be telling us some of his plans for the 2005-06 Rotary year, but also some of his experiences at this years Rotary International Conference in Chicago.

Spoke Joke:

An elderly gent and his wife were invited to his friend’s home for dinner. He was impressed by the way his friend preceded every request to his wife with endearing terms - - calling her Honey, My Love, Darling, Sweetheart, etc. etc.

The couple had been married over 60 years, and they were still clearly in love. The man leaned over and said to his friend, “I think it is wonderful that, after all these years, you still call your wife those loving pet names.”

The old man hung his head and replied, “I have to tell you the truth,” he said. “I forgot her name about 5 years ago.”

Club Service

What better way to end the Rotary year than to dwell a moment on what really makes a Rotary club tick.

Club Service is Rotary’s First Avenue of Service, and is regarded by many Rotarian leaders as the most important part of the club mechanism, because without a vitally functioning club, little else can be performed via the three other Avenues of Service. A significant distinction between Club Service and the other three Avenues of Service is that Club Service is directed toward the internal functioning of the club – to maintain its health and vigor – while the other Avenues are directed outward toward the local community and the larger world in which we live.

The purpose of Club Service is to foster the successful administration of a Rotary club. Members do this by regularly attending meetings, sponsoring new members, participating in club fellowship, taking part in programs, serving on committees, and on the club’s Board of Directors, and by representing the club in outside activities.

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