Annual Holiday Party

Our Annual Forest Hill Rotary Club Holiday Lunch was well attended. 

Rotarians and their families as well as representatives of the 13 Charities we support were present to enjoy our Turkey Dinner. 

Highlight of the event was a special presentation made by District Governor Jim Loutitt and our own Past Governor David In

 

Rotarian Jim Moore was recognized for Distinguished Service to the Rotary Club of Toronto Forest Hill. We are all so proud of you Jim !

 

Aneeta was welcomed to the Club in a ceremony conducted by Past District Governor David Ing and confirmed by club members with a hearty round of applause. Aneeta is our fourth member to join our club in the last few weeks and is joined by Leo, Nadia and Norm with President Rod.  We look forward to hearing classification talks from all new members in the months to come.  

Past President Michael Lloyd made an interesting presentation regarding his quest to track down his family history. The resourceful Michael was able to explain how he was able to find his forbearers going back multiple generations with only his laptop.  Michael made his notes and methodology available to all club members who may wish to do a similar search.  Michael was thanked by President Rod and a donation was made to Landmines in his name. 

The Rotary Club of Toronto - Forest Hill was honoured to be addressed by Captain Mark McQueen and his guest, Commander Tim O'Leary, the Commanding Officer of HMCS York.  Captain McQueen spoke of the role of the Canadian Navy  in the interdiction of drug shipments from South America to terrorist organizations around the world. Commander O'Leary answered questions related to the importance of a Canadian naval presence in sovereign waters in the arctic region of Canada.

The Rotary Club of Toronto-Forest Hill was delighted to induct two new members at its meeting on Feb. 6, 2013: Nadia Kalnieva and Norm Waite.

Nadia was born and grew up in the Ukraine.  She has an exceptional and diverse educational background, having studied Decorative and Applied Arts, as well as Folkloric and Ethnographic Studies at the PhD level.  Nadia and her husband Stefan currently own and operate S & Sons Moving, voted #1 of the top five moving companies in Toronto.  Nadia and Stefan have two sons who are both competitive gymnasts on Team Ontario.  

Norm graduated from New York University with a Master's Degree in Psychology.  He's a retired bilingual educator who was a teacher, principal and acting superintendent.  He has excellent leadership experience as President of Opera Place Condominium and Past-President of Bay Cloverhill Community Association.  He is an active supporter of Toronto's Out of the Cold Program.  He has two children and and 4 grandchildren.

President Rod Verduyn and all club members extend a warm welcome to our two newest members!

Club members were delighted to welcome the Honourable Dr. Carolyn Bennett, Liberal MP, as guest speaker on Jan. 16.  Dr. Bennett is the daughter of Charter Member of our club,  Jack Bennett, who began the tradition of having roses delivered to every club meeting. President Rod presented a dozen beautiful roses to Dr. Bennett as a thank you for her address, "Idle Know More".  

Rotarian Erin Pleizier received a cheque from the club for her volunteer work with the Sarva Dharma Ashram. Erin will work for 4 weeks in Africa, providing clothing, primary health care, literacy support while also feeding 3 500 people per week! We commend Erin and her Rotary Spirit and look forward to hearing about her trip when she returns.

More than 50 Rotarians and guests attended our annual Holiday Party and celebrated with turkey dinner and song. District Governor Valerie Wafer and ADG Al Warren were in attendance to join the club in recognizing our local charity representatives.  Our charities received their annual donation from our club.

Wonderful seasonal music was performed by talented musicians led by Michael Lloyd.

Eglington club member Kathryn Langley-Hope made a special presentation, a donation to the Rotary Foundation, to thank Past President Milo Vassallo for leading the Malta Trip.

DG Valerie Wafer and Dianne Moore drew the winning ticket for the Spirit Draw.  The lucky winner was club member Phil Crawford.  This raffle draw raised $2300 for the club.

All in all, a great success and a wonderful way to celebrate the season!

A Club Assembly will be held tomorrow which will include several important updates and motions:

• Update on progress in reaching club goals for the yearMotions on allocation of club funds to local charities
• Motion on allocation of funds to new international area of focus
• Treasurer's Report  

And much more:  

• Special" presentation from U of T students to James and Chako for "Support Our Kids Holiday Party 
• Shoe Drive
• Holiday Party
• Spirit Raffle 

We need your voice!  Please attend this important meeting.

Mathew Bertin, a Community & Stakeholder Relations Specialist with Metrolinx, will be the guest speaker at our club on Nov. 21.

Topic: "Investing in our Future, Investing in our Region".

Mathew Bertin is a Community & Stakeholder Relation Specialist at Metrolinx. In this role, Mathew primarily works to build support for the Metrolinx vision and the need for investment in transportation by developing strong relationships with community partners and stakeholders from across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Mathew also oversees a number of community initiatives, including public education programs, shop local campaigns and job training initiatives.

“Lonely Poppy” 

"Thanking & Remembering"

Four local, Canadian Veterans of WWII will be returning to our club this year to join us for our 3rd Annual Veterans' Remembrance Day Luncheon. This event is important to our Rotary club since it provides an opportunity to personally thank these veterans for their contribution while remembering their fallen comrades. You are invited to participate.

Tickets are now on sale for this great raffle!  Cost is $10.00 per ticket.  The prize is a selection of 26 bottles of fine wines, spirits and liqueurs plus a pair of brandy snifter glasses in a handy shopping cart (see picture).

If you would like a book of tickets to sell, or if you would like to buy a ticket, please contact Dianne Moore at dianne@mooreglobal.com

Please support this great fundraiser in support of Toronto school breakfast programs and Street Health Nursing!

Dr. Robin Verduyn will tell the story of her two week volunteer trip to provide community medical care in rural Tanzania.

Dr. Verduyn completed her Doctor of Medicine at McMaster University, and completed her residency in family medicine at the University of Toronto.  She has an interest in global health and has been to Uganda and Tanzania on medical volunteer trips.  Currently she works at the Toronto Rehab-Lyndhurst Hospital, providing medical care for people with spinal cord injuries.  She also works at Blackcreek Community Health Centre caring for new immigrants and refugees in the Jane and Finch area. 

A great time was had by all at the Octoberfest celebration on October 17.  30 guests, including Rotarians and their friends and partners, enjoyed music, great food and even better fellowship.  Guests enjoyed bratwurst, saurkraut, authentic German potato salad and coleslaw, Black Forest cake, German wines and beers - and lots more.  We hope that this will become an annual event for our club!

The District Governor shared her leadership aspirations for District 7070 with club members of Toronto - Forest Hill at a recent club meeting. Club members were inspired by her message and her passion for Rotary.

DG Valarie also took the opportunity to recognize Marvin Graf for twenty years of service to Rotary.  Marv has been an exemplary Rotarian with perfect attendance!  Club members joined in congratulating our dedicated member, Marvin Graf.

Stefan Preisenhammer spoke to the club about money and the billions and trillions of dollars of debt that threaten the stability of world economies.

Speech Topic:
While spending billions and trillions of dollars on saving our banks and the economy, we sometimes overlook the obvious.  Taking a step back: What kind of monetary system do we have? How does our banking system actually work? Most importantly, what does it mean to you? Some astounding facts about what our bankers and experts seem to conveniently overlook. Note: What you DON'T know can hurt you most!

Yuki Nakamura is a filmaker, translator and interpreter who works independently for Japanese and Canadian media organizations.  She directed her first documentary, No More Hiroshima, No More Nagasaki, in 2007.  Her film won the "National Film Board Colin Low Award" for best Canadian documentary of the year.

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Ann McGuire of The Toronto Lung Transplant Civitan Club visited our club and gave a highly informative lecture on her experiences as a double-lung transplant recipient. She took us through the entire history of experiences from the day she was first diagnosed with COPD up to her transplant operation and recovery. She continues to enjoy a very full life and volunteers as a speaker on the topic of organ donation.

Photo: Ann receiving an appreciation certificate from President Rod Verduyn.

Speech Overview: Ann McGuire’s life began anew on September 20th, 2007. On that miraculous day, her Breath Day, Ann’s life changed. She received her gift of life – a double lung transplant.

It is always good to hear from a Rotary charity partner as update their supporters on their successes and challenges. This week's speaker partners with the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) in making an impact in Tanzania. Come hear Julie Caron and Aaron Miller of CWEF for a compelling message.

Dr. Francis Broun being thanked by Past President Michael Lloyd after a wonderful presentation on the history of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. 

Speech Topic: The Sistine Chapel
Named for its builder Pope Sixtus IV (uncle of Julius II), the Sistine Chapel is the prime target of tourists in the Vatican.  In 20 minutes, about the time that most people can stand being buffeted by the hordes, Dr. Broun will discuss the three stages of its decorations – the side walls, usually overlooked, created in the early 1480s by artists like Botticelli and Ghirlandaio, the ceiling, Michelangelo’s masterpiece (1508-12) and his highly personal vision of the Last Judgment painted on the wall behind the altar (1536-41). 

This week's guest speaker will help bring awareness to a Toronto-based organization that is having a positive impact on children with facial differences. Join us and be inspired!

Speech Title: "Let Your Passion Overwhelm Your Fear"

Organization overview:
Making faces is a non-profit organization that helps children with facial differences. We provide workshops that teach acting skills and improvisational games to both build confidence and develop important life skills. The children practice eye contact, voice projection, public speaking and creative storytelling and are encouraged to use their voices and express themselves in a fun, creative and safe environment. The games build their confidence and make them feel good about who they are and what they can achieve.

The workshops also offer the opportunity for children to meet other children with facial differences and provide a safe, caring environment where they can discuss differences, teasing and related issues.

Guest Speaker:
Michael Williams-Stark, the workshop instructor, was himself born with a severe cleft lip and palate. During the workshops he shows the children a photograph of himself as a child, "then I see the acceptance, their sense that I am one of them" says Michael. At one picture-sharing session, a little girl put her head on Michael's shoulder and said, "So you understand." "They know I've walked in their shoes and taken the same journey. If I can achieve my dreams, so can they. I want to inspire and nurture those dreams."

Michael used his experience of growing up with a facial difference and then becoming an award winning actor and musician to create a series of improv classes, specifically designed for children with facial differences. These workshops were extensively tested at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, with great success. Michael has also provided workshops at the Children’s Rehabilitation Centre in Windsor and at AboutFace.

Website: Making Faces

Date: Thursday, July 25/13
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Arrive at 12:15 p.m. to register)
Location: Hazelton Place Residence - 111 Avenue Rd., Toronto, ON
Cost: $24/ea for Members and Guests.
Includes: Buffet Luncheon with salad, main course, dessert and coffee/tea + Free Parking 

Our speaker's topic for this week is very timely since a number of members and guests will be visiting the US this summer, for business and/or pleasure. Mr. Westaway will provide an overview of tax regulations that help minimize the taxes that are payable in the US.

SNAP Downtown Toronto covered the Ping-Pong Table Ribbon-Cutting ceremony at St. Mike's and has posted 14 photos of the event in the on-line publication.

The event description follows below. Click for photos.

Rotary Dedication at St. Michael's College

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the first installation of an outdoor, concrete ping-pong table at St Michael’s College, was held in June and was initiated by Dianne Moore, a member of the Toronto, Forest Hill Rotary Club. This momentous occasion should be marked as a dedication to the community building project service, providing local residents and students with an outdoor, recreational game, a positive pastime with the intention of building up the community. Each table is worth over $3,800 and is a work of art weighing in at One Ton! The Ceremony was followed by a great lunch served in Charbonnel Hall for Rotary members and registered guests. For more information visit:
http://Rotary-TFH.org

The month of July brings many changes, including a new fiscal year for Rotarians. June 27th was the last club meeting under the auspices of our current board. President Kathy Verduyn took members and guests through a detaled review of this past year's goals and accomplishments in each major area. She concluded the meeing by turning over the reins to incoming President, Rod Verduyn. (When you have a good thing going, make an incremental change and keep it in the family!)

Incoming President Rod Verduyn with
Outgoing President/Spouse Kathy Verduyn

Rotarians James Matsumoto and Chako Setoyama once again opened their home to receive members and guests for a back-yard fundraiser. This one took place in their new home in Toronto on Sunday, June 23/13. This was a joint event for members of the Shinki-Kai Japanese Business Association and the Rotary Club of Toronto - Forest Hill. Many local Japanese businesses sponsored the food and entertainment for the event, featuring top restaurants and talented musicians.

James Matsumoto, President of Shinki-Kai with
Kathy Verduyn, President of Rotary TFH

Dianne Moore, a member of the Toronto - Forest Hill Rotary Club, has been the driving force behing an initiative to create and install permanent, concrete Ping-Pong tables in specific community sites in the GTA. The first one has been installed at St. Michael's College, U of T. The club meeting for the day was held at the site of the installation for a ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication of this community-building project. 

Lunch was served indoors, following the Ribbon Cutting ceremony, in Charbonnel Hall for Rotary members and registered guests. Photo coverage for the event was provided by SNAPDowntownToronto (click).

Student/Rotaractor Isabelle with (Grandma) Dianne Moore breaking-in
The Rotary Ping-Pong Table

Date: Thursday, June 20/13
Time: 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. (Ribbon cutting at 12 noon)
Location: Charbonnel Hall, 81 St. Mary Street, St. Michael's College, University of Toronto
Map Link: Click here

Our Incoming Vice-President for 2013-2014, Mr. Iosif Cisosa, was our featured speaker on May 30/13 and presented his "Classification Talk". This presentation is given by club members on their occupation or area of specialty to other members and guests.

 
Iosif Ciosa and President Kathy Verduyn

Speaker's Bio:
Iosif Ciosa is the Managing Director at CMBDCI. He has held this position since 2003. CMBDCI is a business consultancy firm that offers custom business solutions, targeted for small to medium sized enterprises. The services are: marketing, branding, business development services, business strategy, account acquisition, contract negotiation, market penetration and management consulting.

Iosif provides services to organizations looking to enter or develop within Canadian Markets. Industries serviced include:

* Consumer Products
* Industrial Products
* Industrial Services
* Natural Health Products
* Medical Services
* Importers and Distributors

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Enthusiastic and energetic Head Librarian, Elsa Ngan, of the local library in Yorkville will visit our club on May 23/13 to update members on Your Library in the 21st Century.

If you still think the local library is place for old books and silence, you need to need to meet Elsa and hear her talk about all the new resources and programs at our local library. Elsa will also highlight some of the events that are regularly scheduled for the Toronto Reference Library, located a few steps from the Yorkville Library.

Speech Title: "Library @ Your Fingertips"

Speaker's Bio:
Elsa Ngan is presently the Branch Head at Yorkville Branch, Toronto Public Library, a position she has held for two years. Previously, she worked as the Youth Services Specialist at North York Central Branch for four years. She has worked at various locations throughout the Toronto Public Library system, including the Bookmobile.

In her spare time, she likes to read historical fiction and mysteries. In addition, she is a big manga/graphic novel fan.

Web Link: http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/about-the-library/mission-vision-values/

We are honoured to have H.E. Mr. Milam Kollár, Ambassador of the Slovak republic and Mr. Jan Galoci, Trade Commissioner of the Slovak Republic, visit our club on May 16th to provide valuable information on doing business with Slovakia.

Speaker's Bio
Mr. Milan Kollár is a career diplomat who was born in Zvolen, Slovakia. He studied law at the Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia, before pursuing diplomatic studies at the State Institute for International Relations in Moscow. He also studied international law at the Pan-European University in Bratislava and holds law degree (iuris doctor) from the Comenius University.

To view his complete Bio before May 16th, please click on the link with his name in left panel under "Speakers". ....

Date: Thursday, May 16/13
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Arrive at 12:15 p.m. to register)
Location: Hazelton Place Residence - 111 Avenue Rd., Toronto, ON
Cost: $24/ea for Members and Guests. Guests no charge for 1st visit with sponsoring member.
Includes: Buffet Luncheon with salad, main course, dessert and coffee/tea + Free Parking 

Bangladesh has received a great deal of attention in the past few weeks as a result of a tragic accident at a garment factory in Dhaka. However, the country has been the focus of the Amarok Society for many years and this week’s meeting is an opportunity to hear about their encouraging work.

With the support of and in partnership with Rotary, Amarok Society, a registered Canadian (BC) charity (www.amaroksociety.org), is accomplishing something extraordinary for world education and world peace.

"We go into what may be the worst slums on earth, in Bangladesh, to teach children who are otherwise too poor to attend school. We do this by teaching mothers in the slums to become teachers of their own and their neighbours’ children. By this means we’re able to educate great numbers of children at very low cost. There is, however, a catch that makes this not only extremely effective, but also very difficult: the women we teach are the poorest Muslim women, who have been denied any education whatsoever themselves."

Dr. Tanyss and Gem Munro, founders of Amarok Society, have spoken at many Rotary meetings across Canada to tell Rotarians: how Amarok has managed to overcome the daunting challenges of our projects in these dangerous and forbidding slums; about the state of Bangladesh today; the ongoing threat of its ‘Talibanization’, and to thank Rotarians for their support.

Speech Title: "Bringing Education to the Slums of Bangladesh"
Date: Thursday, May 9/13
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Arrive at 12:15 p.m. to register)
Location: Hazelton Place Residence - 111 Avenue Rd., Toronto, ON M5R 3J8
Cost: $24/ea for Members and Guests. Guests no charge for 1st visit with sponsoring member.
Includes: Buffet Luncheon with salad, main course, dessert and coffee/tea + Free Parking 

Last week's theme of "literacy" is carried over into this week from a fun and educational perspective with a visit by Michael Kelly of Shakespeare in Action. 

Speaker's Bio
Michael Kelly is an actor, director, producer, teacher, and arts educator who has garnered critical and popular acclaim for his innovative work with young audiences. He is the founder and Artistic Director of Shakespeare In Action, and has attracted local, national and international media attention with features on TVO’s Imprint, Canada AM, W-5, and C.B.C.’s As It Happens.
 
His credits include directing many contemporary and Shakespearean plays as well as teaching master classes for The Stratford Festival, the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.

Michael is a part-time member of the Theatre Faculty at York University. He has also taught acting at George Brown College, Randolph Academy for the Arts, and the National Youth Drama School in New Zealand. He has abridged a series of Shakespeare's plays for young audiences aged 7-12, collectively titled "Shakespeare for Kids".

Speech Title: "Making A Difference with Shakespeare"

Organization Overview
Shakespeare in Action was established in 1988 by Founding Artistic Director, Michael Kelly. We continue to bring Shakespeare to young people across Ontario through innovative programs and critically acclaimed theatre productions.

Shakespeare in Action is a diverse theatre company that aspires to enhance the arts and education through exploring and performing Shakespeare's plays. We are dedicated to fostering literacy, enhancing creativity and promoting speech arts by making the language and stories of Shakespeare accessible and relevant to young audiences, their families and the community. Shakespeare in Action seeks to inspire audiences of all ages to discover Shakespeare's universal truths in our everyday world, showing the influence classical theatre has within our community.

Web Link: www.shakespeareinaction.org
 

Dear Members,
Please save your day for a fun meaningful fellowship day! :) 

Our own Marvin Graf, has organized a fellowship lunch on Sunday April the 14th 2013 at The Granite Brewery at noon. Great price all you can eat brunch for just $12.95 and parking is free underground.

Thank you to all 20 people who are confirmed and if anyone like to join us please contact Marvin or I, we have to inform the restaurant of our final numbers soon.

Address: 245 Eglinton Ave East, Toronto. http://www.granitebrewery.ca/contact/

thank you and see you all there!

1. World Literacy
Guest Speaker: Teresa Toten, Board Member, World Literacy
Event Assistant: Britt Novakowski, Communications Manager
Speaker’s Bio: See "Speakers" Side Bar
Organization overview:
World Literacy Canada (WLC) is a small, secular, registered charitable organization that uses literacy to fight poverty and advance the cause of social justice. We support and deliver a range of community-based education projects in Canada, India, and Nepal. With 56 years’ experience successfully delivering literacy education, we believe that illiteracy is both a cause and consequence of poverty. We see literacy as an essential element in the struggle for equality. Literacy is about much more than just reading and writing – it is about access to jobs, the market, and how we participate in an increasingly interconnected world. See "Speakers" Side Bar for more info.

Website: http://www.worldlit.ca/
 
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2. Toronto Foundation for Student Success

Guest Speaker: Shannon Quesnelle, Development Officer
Speaker’s Bio: See "Speakers" Side Bar
Speech Title: Removing barriers to success for Toronto’s at-risk youth
Organization Overview:
The Toronto Foundation for Student Success is an independent, registered charitable foundation created to help ensure that children and youth are ready and able to learn at school. To accomplish this TFSS addresses issues caused by poverty, including hunger and poor nutrition. See "Speakers" Side Bar for more info. 

Web link: www.torontofoundationforstudentsuccess.ca

Past-President Milo Vassallo with Past-District Gov. David Ing at the club meeting March 14th, 2013.

Sunday, March 10-2013 was the Premiere of Yuki Nakamura's documentary" Never Forget" at the Japenese culture centre. About 360 people attended the show and donated a total of $7,600. Kathy, Shannon and Rod were the club members who attended from our club. District Governor Ted Koziel and his wife Maureen came from Belleville to attend as well.

Great speaker, Eric Domville, delivering an "ocean of information" about Opera, on Feb 28-2013

Topic
Eric Domville, a volunteer speaker with the Canadian Opera Company visited our Club on the evening of Feb. 28/13 to provide an expert overview of opera at an introductory level. Eric supplemented his speech with a recording of a famous selection from Rigoletto.

Speaker's Bio
Eric Domville is a professor Emeritus of English at the University of Toronto, where he taught for thirty years, especially in the literature of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. His main research interest was in the life and works of the Irish Poet W. B. Yeats. In this field he published both with Oxford and Cornell University Presses. Since his retirement he has concentrated on the relationships between words and music. He has co-taught courses in song and opera in the Faculty of Music and the Glenn Gould School. He also gives pre-performance talks for the Canadian Opera Company and Opera Atelier. Twice a year he presents courses in opera and also in literature in the Continuing Education Division of St Michaels College at U of T.

Veteran's Remembrance Day Luncheon

The Rotary Club of Toronto - Forest Hill is hosting the 2nd annual Veteran's Remembrance Day Luncheon on Thursday, November 8, 2012. Four, WWII Canadian Veterans who were featured in the "Yorkville Remembers" series will attend along with members of the Toronto WWII Memorial committee. Our speaker for the event will be Kelly Rankin of The War Amps, who will update members the current work of this charitable organization. Reserve your spot today! Contact Paul Ferri via the link on the left column.

Details:
Event:       “Veteran’s Luncheon” (Free for Veterans!)
Speaker:   Kelly Rankin of The War Amps
Location:  Hazelton Place Residence, Lower Level
                  111 Avenue Rd. Toronto, ON M5R 2E3
Date:        Thursday, Nov. 8/12
Time:        12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Register at 12:00 p.m., Starts at 12:30)

Cost:
1.   $0 for Veterans & their spouse or caregiver
2.   $23 for Visitors, Rotary Club members and other guests

This event includes a buffet luncheon, coffee/tea and dessert.

Seating:   Very Limited! Reservations are required
Format:   Short speech and video plus an informal buffet dinner.

A. Welcome and Announcements

President Kathy Verduyn chaired the meeting and welcomed the guests today's luncheon meeting.

Upcoming Events:
• Social Night of Horse Racing at Woodbine Race Track. November 7, 2012
   Price is approximately $46/person paid in advance. See James Matsumoto
• Holiday party will be held in the evening this year. Date is Wednesday Dec 12th (7-9pm).
• Christmas cake sale to begin November 1, 2012
• November is Foundation month…..next meeting will see presentation of Paul Harris awards.

B. Speaker - Nancy Brant - Vice Consul, US Consulate - Toronto
Speech Topic: US Election

Introduced by: Paul Ferri
Paul also introduced Nancy's intern, Emman Rahman (former Rotaract member from Scarborough)

Photo: Nancy Brant - US Vice Consul

Highlights 

Nancy hails from Rhode Island……arrived in Canada with her family in April. Her background includes a sales career in the manufacturing sector of the American economy.

She thanked the club for the invite and the opportunity to speak about the forthcoming election in the United States.

Nancy's presentation included a discussion on
• The Historical perspective of the United States political system
• Youth and their influence on the 2012 Election
• The Growing diversity of the United States population
• Impact of Social media  in shaping the election outcome

Nancy also provided an historical review of the evolution of the two party system

The consensus was that the election will boil down to the challenges faced by the United States
• Creating jobs
• Reducing debt

Her speech concluded with a brief Q and A session and a "dummy vote"

C. 50/50 Draw

Ticket held by George Draghia was drawn. He won the consolation prize of a Tim Hortons gift card, leaving the jackpot alive another week.

Credits:
Notes: Russ Bayko
Pianist: Doug Clarke
Sgt. At Arms: Marvin Graf, Art Hall
Photo: Emman Rahman
Bulletin update: Paul Ferri

A. Welcome and Announcements

President Kathy Verduyn chaired the meeting and welcomed the guests today's luncheon meeting.
Kathy and Paul attended a District President's meeting of sharing ideas with other clubs
* Bingo last Saturday was run by Rod and Kathy
* Our club needs to explore fund-raising venues
Events:
* District Conference this weekend, Oct. 19-21
* Horse race November 7
* November 1, 2012 club meeting will honour several members of our club with Paul Harris awards. Please make an effort to attend to honour your colleagues.

Updates and ads for the club roster are due
Board wants to make a master set of old rosters to cover all present and past members, so please bring in any earlier Rosters you have at home. We only have copies of the last four issues.


B. Speech Topic:  "Kabul Cardiac Research Center, Afghanistan"
Speaker: Faridah Saadat
Introduced by: Jim Moore


Treasurer, Jim Moore & Guest Speaker Faridah Saadat

Highlights

Faridah spoke about the importance of having a one-of-a kind cardiac clinic in her native Afghanistan and its current challenges and needs.
Points:
* stats presented from the World Health Organization
* Overview of the services provided by KCRC
* There are 540 kids with congenital heart disease
* The KCRC receives minimal funding from the local government for the entire centre
* The centre received help from The Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) and local Afghans in Ontario
* The building was donated by the University
* Faridah presented stories and photos of individuals to personalize the message

Background:
Dr Asmat Naebkhil is the member of the Windsor (1918) Rotary Club who has returned to Afghanistan at great personal sacrifice to establish and run the Afghan cardiac research centre in Kabul. Asmat is a cardiologist and he received advanced cardiac training at Toronto General Hospital.

Jim Moore, formerly of Windsor club, also explained the method by which he was able to get medical equipment that was donated to Afghanistan. This was a very long, tedious process that took 18 months until the equipment arrived. The Windsor Rotary Club provided much of the equipment for the centre and also arranged for its safe shipment to Kabul via the US Air Force.
   

C. 50/50 Draw

Diane Moore was the lucky winner of the draw this week. She pulled the 2 of diamonds. Prize-Tim Hortons gift card, leaving the jackpot alive another week.

Credits:
Notes: Chris Markle
Pianist Doug Clarke
Sgt. At Arms: Marvin Graf, Art Hall
Photo and web update: Paul Ferri

A. Welcome and Announcements

Vice President Paul Ferri chaired the meeting in the absence of our President Kathy Verduyn, who was away on a business trip.

Guests: Rotarian Gary Corbett of the Seattle-University District Club and his wife Consuela as well as George Moraru, a guest of Jim Moore.
Meeting Notes: by Treasurer Jim Moore
Pianist Doug Clarke

Announcements:
Paul reminded members of the upcoming Consular Corps ball on Saturday, October 27th and urged any interested members to contact Past president Milo Vassallo for tickets.

B. Speech Topic:  "Crafting Kind" - A project of Rotaract Toronto for El Salvador
Speaker: Giuliana Martinez
Introduced by: Paul Ferri

Highlights

Our speaker, Giuliana Martinez, renewed our confidence in the coming generation with her impassioned presentation about the Crafting Kind project of Rotaract Toronto in support of the Pathways to Literacy El Salvador program sponsored by the Canadian Rotary Collaboration for International Development (CRCID) in partnership with Salvadoran and Canadian Rotary Clubs. The International Development Committee of Rotaract Toronto creates and sells handcrafted jewelry to raise funds for the Pathways to Literacy program in 3 schools in El Salvador. To date the Rotaract members have sold more than 500 items of jewelry and several members supported the cause by buying jewelry from Giuliana after the meeting. The project is near and dear to the heart of Giuliana who is a certified jewelry designer and gemologist and whose father and grandfather are active members of the Rotary Club of El Salvador.  Giuliana showed video clips taken at of one of the schools, illustrtating the conditions in the school and the impact of the Canadian support. She reported that $250 would support a student for a year, covering the cost of tuition, textbooks and school supplies, two school uniform and a sports outfit. Giuliana invited our Club to consider contributing to the program.  

Presentation of "Land Mines Certificate" by Paul Ferri to Giuliana Martinez in appreciation for speaking to our club.

 C. 50/50 Draw

Art Hall was the lucky winner of the draw this week. He pulled the Five of Spades, leaving the jackpot alive another week. Also, Director Michael Bartello conducted our "Toonie Time".

A. Welcome and Announcements

President Kathy Verduyn welcomed our guests and members.

Guests: Sally Anne Noznesky and Germaine Wong
Visiting Rotarian: Terry Chu, Rotary Club of Shanghai

Announcements:
President Kathy reviewed the upcoming events including:
* The District Conference
* The Horse Race Night
* "Foundation Month"
* Holiday Party

The Club Roster is being updated. Please send in your updates to Kathy Verduyn as soon as possible.

Club members are encouraged to send a letter to their local MP re: Federal Government support for Polio Relief.

B. Speech Topic: "Copper Thunderbird, a look at the man and the art" (Norval Morrisseau)
Speaker: John Newman of Kinsman Robinson Galleries, Yorkville
Introduced by: Paul Ferri



Highlights

John presented Norval Morrisseau as a "native Shaman, apprentice, ground breaking artist, trickster/performance artist and as a Canadian iconic legend. The creator of the 'Woodlands school of art', which did not exist before, Morrisseau created this visual vocabulary in the late '50s. and it has gone on to inspire hundreds of artists, and intrigue collectors from around the world.  John presented the myth, legends and anecdotal stories of Norval Morrisseau, with a continous display rotating display of actual images by the artist in the background. John pieced together the enigmatic puzzle known as Copper Thunderbird, and why he is arguably Canada's most important artist."

C. 50/50 Draw

Sally Anne was the lucky winner of the draw this week. She pulled the Queen of Spades so the pot continues to grow.

D. Closing Announcements & Reminders

The Consular Ball is coming up on Oct. 27th. Please see the separate story on this event.

A. Welcome and Announcements

Thanks to Iosif for taking the notes/minutes for this meeting.

President Kathy Verduyn welcomed our guests and members.

Guests: Yuki Nakamura (guest of James and Chako) and Teanna Lindsay (guest of Kathryn Hope)

Announcements:
The Consular Ball is scheduled for Oct. 27/12. See Milo for more information.
Guest Yuki Nakamura gave a quick overview of her work on a documentary movie she is producing about the Tsunami in Japan. Yuki would like to address the club in the near future with more detail and is asking the club to consider a sponsorship or supporting role for the project.

B. Speech Topic: "Project Jirapa"
Speaker: Janet Kelly of the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918)
Introduced by: Jim Moore (our past member of the Rotary Club of Windsor)

Highlights
Janet gave a very effective photo presentation of an eventful service trip to Ghana. There are no built roads, lots of wild animals and huge needs for helping the community. The club donated medical supplies and administered health care. There are not enough doctors & nurses and the patient/doctor ratio is incredibily high. Projects: rainwater capture; telehealth training using the Israeli model; school construction; donations of sports supplies.  

Link to Windsor Club's Project Overview

C. 50/50 Draw

Art Hall was the lucky winner of the draw this week. He pulled the 8 of Spades so the pot continues to grow.

D. Closing Announcements & Reminders

Jim Moore gave a preview of the upcoming speech on Ghana by . Janet will be here on Sep. 27th. 

Bingo is the key fundraiser for our club.  The proceeds are used to support many local initiatives.  Please do your part and volunteer to help with one or more bingos this year!

Photo of most recent "Bingo Volunteer" group

Time: Schedule for Volunteers: 8.00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Schedule of Dates for 2012 :

Sat. Aug. 11
Sat. Sept 8
Sat. Oct 13
Sat. Nov 10
Sat. Dec 8

To volunteer, please contact Sonam by email at sonam@infinitecare.ca  or call her at 647-295-1571

The Rotary Club of Toronto - Forest Hill was delighted to welcome another new member on Feb. 20.  Leobrun (Leo) Jean Baptiste is a community organizer and journalist, and is an employee of BMO Financial Group.  He has working experience in Canada and the USA in telecommunications, retail, procurement, and project management.  He is an active community member and a staunch supporter of projects in Haiti.

More than 30 members and prospective members met for a social evening of martinis and delicious nibbles at the National Club.  It was a lively night with lots of great conversation and laughs.  Milo arranged for a beautiful birthday cake for President Rod and led the singing of Happy Birthday. All agreed that we should make this a regular event. Thanks to Milo for being our gracious organizer and host! 

During a recent trip to Malta by a group of Rotarians and other participants, President Rod Verduyn of the Rotary Club of Toronto - Forest Hill presented a cheque for $1 000 to the President of Malta, His Excellency George Abela.  The donation will be used to support the Community Chest, a charity that resembles our United Way.  The visiting group was received by His Excellency in the same magnificent room in which heads of state are received.  This was followed by a private tour of the palace as well as a tour of the summer residence. 

This event was organized by former Consul General of Malta and Past President of the Rotary Club of Toronto - Forest Hill, Milo Vassallo.

Milo, an enthusiastic promoter of all things Maltese, hosted the group throughout the week as ancient temples, museums, churches and galleries were visited.  Two local Rotary clubs hosted the group at their meetings and friends of Milo's received them at their beautiful Maltese homes - for high tea on one occasion and a spectacular dinner on another.

All in all, this was a very memorable trip - and one that may be repeated in the future!

The lunch meeting on the 28th of November has been canceled.

Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration/Fundraiser

Our annual Remembrance Day program was well attended by members, guests and veterans.  All present were moved by the retelling of stories and experiences by the five veterans in attendance. We thank these veterans for taking the time to join us and to remind us of the sacrifices of all who served in war.

Rotary Club of Toronto Forest Hill Gala

The 2013 President's  Gala on May 4th Saturday night was a great success. Almost 80 Rotarians, guests and friends, resplendent in gowns and tuxedos, gathered at the Marriott for drinks, dinner, and of course, fellowship. During the handshakes and laughter, bidding on a host of gifts and dinners at local restaurants, sourced by Kathryn Langley Hope and Shannon Smith, was furious and raised hundreds for Rotary causes. PDG David Ing and his wife Helen, a member of York Club, were joined by a large group from the York Club. 

President Kathy, assisted ably by our own Michael Lloyd who acted as Master of Ceremonies for the evening,  spoke of the diversity of our membership and the highlights of our Rotary year.

The Focal Point of the evening was the presentation of 2 Paul Harris Recognitions. PDG David Ing presided while Milo Vassallo was recognized for his Club service. Milo, in a heartfelt acceptance speech, spoke to the part that Rotary plays in his life. Then turning the tables on David Ing, President Kathy awarded yet another Paul Harris to PDG David for his continuing support of Rotary Foundation.

 Music during our dinner and throughout the evening was provided by the Paul Weldon Trio.

 Many, many thanks to the all who attended and to the organizers. It was a great evening of fellowship and celebration!

Scholarship for Afghan Woman in Mongolia

 The Rotary Club of Toronto-Forest Hill, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918), is providing a scholarship to support a brilliant young Afghan woman to complete her studies in Information Technology at Mongolia International University in Ulaanbataar. Our student who is a native of a Taliban-controlled area of Afghanistan, had graduated with top marks from her high school and had also undertaken studies in English as a second language. She entered Mongolia International University on a full scholarship based on her academic record. Unfortunately the scholarship was terminated about a year ago for financial reasons. The young woman was faced with having to return to her home community in Afghanistan, with the prospects of either being forced into an arranged marriage to a much older man not of her choosing or risking injury, mutilation or even death as an educated woman.

We were informed of the girl’s plight by Dr Asmat Naebkhil, the founder and head of the Kabul Medical University Cardiac Research Centre, and a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918). Asmat appealed to our Club Treasurer Jim Moore, a former member of the Windsor Club. Thanks to the generosity of members of both Clubs, we have committed to meeting the challenge of providing this young woman with ongoing support until she graduates next year.

Individual contributions are welcome at anytime. Donations should be made payable to the Rotary Club of Toronto-Forest Hill with a notation in the subject line – Afghan student scholarship. All contributors will receive charitable receipts for income tax purposes.

So what is it like to live and study in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia? For starters, the weather is a challenge – going to plus 35 degrees in summer and as cold as minus 40 in the winter. Ulaanbataar, which has a population of about a million, is almost a “mile high” city in a wooded and mountainous terrain. The city is in a permafrost zone with many of its inhabitants, especially in outlying areas, still living in yurts. Mongolia International University is a private university founded in 2001 that has about 1000 students. MIU teaches its courses in English and has students attending from many countries including Russia, China, South Korea and Nigeria as well as Afghanistan. Our scholarship recipient is maintaining top grades. In her occasional free time, she enjoys hiking in the scenic countryside and also horseback riding.

‘King of Networking’ lands at Rotary Club

CTV Investigative Report

Select CTV News for June 7th, fast forward to the 17:30 minute mark

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100523/toronto_videovault_June_1000601/20100613/?hub=TorontoVideo

The latest issues of

End Polio Now , Every Rotarian, Every Year , Interactive ,  Membership Minute , The New Generations are all availbale here:

http://www.rotary.org/en/mediaandnews/newsletters/morenewsletters/Pages/ridefault.aspx

Linda Lundstrom - John Tory - David Miller - Paul Godfrey - Mark Dailey

Benjamin Tal - Bob Hunter - Barbara McDougall - Michael Bryant - John Arpin

Steve Paikin -  Stephen Brunt - Dr. Sheldon Levy - Don Drummond

 All have spoken at the Rotary Club of Toronto-Forest Hill

Who are you having lunch with today?

The homeless
Services for Seniors (Yorkminster Park Meals on Wheels)
The fight against Glaucoma and Spina Bifida
The Salvation Army (Meighen Manor), Sick Kids Hospital and CNIB
Digging wells to provide fresh drinking water in the developing world
Youth Services including Kids Help Phone and Youth Assisting Youth
Community events including North Toronto Hockey and Lacrosse
Eradication of Polio
Elimination of Landmines
Life-changing surgeries
International scholarship opportunities
Honouring our peacekeepers

We did this year.

We are in your community.
Join us if you want to do more than talk about it.