Weekly update Rotary Club of Etobicoke

District Governor: Ted Morrison RI President: Ray Klinginsmith Week September 08, 2010

Board 2010 - 2011 President: Diane Irvine, Vice President: Ron Miller, Sr. Director: Frederik Martin, Past President: Paul Roeser,

Secretary: Ron Miller, Treasurer: John Valvano. Directors: Richard Chapman, Alex Woda, Carol Weber Christine Woodman

Speaker: September 15, 2010 – Brock Buchanan Visit Tanzania

Website: www.rotaryetobicoke.org

Today’s Speaker – Sid Harman – Brampton-Heart Lake Rotary Club

President Diane introduced Past District Governor

(District 7080) Sid Harman. Diane said she met Sid at Multi PETS in the spring. Sid began by saying he had been at our club a number of years ago. He knew where we were but wasn’t sure where to turn off the 427 to get here or what street to turn off of Bloor. He said he could have used one of the electronic GPS devices (if he had one), but instead he checked his trusty 2008 Toronto Area Map book and found his way here. He added that he has three children. When they were going someplace in the car the kids would always call out “shotgun” to get to sit in the front passenger seat. Sid would then tell them that he wasn’t sure exactly where they were going. It was the job of the child in the front seat to look up where they were going in the map book and be the guide. Soon he had three children who knew how to use a map. He first visited our club in October 1978. He had been at a meeting with one of our members who told Sid that he had to go to the Rotary Meeting.

This member told him that he had missed 2 meetings in a row and couldn’t miss another. He invited Sid to go with to the meeting. This member was Doug Hartry. Sid had been referred to Doug in hopes Doug could help him find a job in the industry since Doug knew everybody. Doug would know if there were any openings. Hence, in February, 1979 Sid joined Confederation Life. Sid occasionally plays golf with Doug and said Doug has always been “leading the way” in everything he does. The RI theme a few years back was “Lead the Way” and Sid said he wanted to give Doug his “Lead the Way” lapel pin for all the great work Doug has done over the years. Sid said that he was sorry that Lynda Ryder wasn’t here today. He gets together with Lynda during PETS+. He met Lynda well before both became Governors. He had worked on a team with Lynda and Mike Cooksey on what constituted effective meetings. PODS came from these meetings. Sid thinks PODS is an effective means of getting members involved and active (especially newer members). He also wanted to congratulate Michael Bell on being a Past President and a current Assistant Governor. Sid thinks the AG should stand for Area Governor as they perform a key role for 4 to 5 clubs. Sid thinks that this is one way to get clubs to work together to promote Rotary, or to get together of various projects. This best practices concept of clubs working together could be co-ordinated by the AG’s. One of the big opportunities in Rotary may be “hands on projects”. We are good at fundraising, but there is a real opportunity to go out into the community and do important work that makes a difference. This would be a chance to directly involve more of our members. Partnerships with

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other groups on these projects could also help raise Rotary’s visibility in the community. Sid now wanted to talk about the Grade 3 Dictionary Project that his club and district are involved in. Clubs in District 7080 are delivering dictionaries to Grade 3 students in their area. They also have developed a bookmark for it. Some people say, “Why do they need a dictionary?” and “Does it a make a difference?” Sid says that when the Rotary members personally deliver the dictionaries to every child in Grade 3, the children have an immediate sense of ownership of the book. It is theirs. The dictionaries are a gift to each student to use at school and at home for years to come. The goal of this program is to assist all students in completing the school year as good writers, active readers and creative thinkers. They can look up unfamiliar words, check spelling and in so doing enhance their own independence and confidence. Sid added that the parents have been very grateful to Rotary for this program. The dictionaries are delivered in the fall so that the children get to know how to use the book.

Monthly Feature – GSE Corner A new monthly feature which will cover the activities

of our Inbound and Outbound GSE Students.

Toronto, Ontario.

By Debra Selkirk

The Club's Rotary exchange student, Alejandra

Medrano, 17, arrived last Thursday morning from

Zacatecas, Mexico. She was greeted by Mark and

Debra Selkirk, Hugh, Ruth and Allison Williams, Ron

Miller and Mark Winston.

Ale has had a busy first week. She is already settling

in with her first of four host families in Markland

Woods. She has been registered at Father John

Redmond Catholic Secondary School, taking courses

at the grades 11 and 12 level. On the weekend she

watched the air show and went for dinner to the CN

Tower. She is learning to take the TTC using her

student pass and has already used the self checkout

at the grocery store! She was delighted to find her

Doritos Nachos flavour at the grocery store! But if

you ask her what the biggest difference is that she

has noticed so far, she will tell you it's the toilets -

they all flush differently! This weekend she is at the

district orientation, September 26 at the Foundation

Walk and at the end of October, at the district

conference in Niagara Falls! If you run into her,

please introduce yourself and w

We are encouraging all Club members to spend some

time with Ale between now and the end of June.

Please set aside an afternoon or a weekend to make

plans, whether it is a formal outing to a museum or

art gallery, a hike, the theatre or a Raptors game, a

family dinner or party, restaurant or burger joint, the

cottage, High Park, Canada's Wonderland, the

Toronto Zoo...the list is endless!

If you have some time, please contact Debra Selkirk,

our Club's youth exchange officer at 647.344.7065.

We are trying to funnel all calls through one person

so Ale isn't receiving calls from people she does not

know, for her own safety. Please also note that

district guidelines demand that any plans that

include overnight accommodations require a police

check. This can be done online for around

$25.elcome her to Canada!

***********

Chile, South America

By Emily Winson

Hola from Chile!

Sorry this is a bit late, but I wanted to wait until after

my first rotary meeting to report to you.

I have been here exactly two weeks already, but I

must say, it feels much longer. I think it is because I

am so used to things now and I've finally settled in to

the Chilean lifestyle. I was supposed to start school

last Thursday, but due to a stomach bug, I was

delayed a day. After being in school for six days, I've

gotten to know most of my classmates and make

many friends. Everyone is so welcoming and

interested in the foreign "intercambio". I'm really

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enjoying school because of the inviting feel of it and

the fact that everyone is so nice. Although I don't

understand a word the teachers are saying, I feel like

I'm picking up the language when talking to my

friends and family. Luckily I have a friend that is

practically fluent in English that helps me with

understanding school work. We have promised to try

and speak Spanish to each other when not talking

about school work in order to help me learn the

language. Unfortunately, I find my English to be

getting worse and worse (which I hear only happens

more as time goes on). As most other exchange

students must be feeling, school is quite different

than the Canadian educational system. It's hard to

describe, it's just very... different! Firstly, unlike high

school in Canada, it is not high school at all. The

school contains kids from six years old to eighteen

years old. There is only one class of each grade and

we spend every class with each other. There are very

few electives and many more mandatory courses.

Currently I am in the equivalent of grade eleven

taking History, Chemistry, Physics, Biology,

Philosophy, Language, English, and Math. I'm having

a grand ol' time despite the fact I don't understand

much while in class.

Adjusting to the different ways of life in Chile was

very odd at first; especially eating. Lunch is not until

mid-afternoon and it is the biggest meal of the day.

We then don't eat until about nine o'clock at night

which is called "onces" (on-say) - literally, tea time.

This consists of tea and bread. Another thing that

took me by surprise was greetings. Like Remi

mentioned in Belguim, they kiss each other on the

cheek as a greeting. It was very weird to do this to

people like your principal and teachers. Chileans are

a just very friendly and tender person (which is great

especially when you're foreign!)

Regarding the rotary meeting today; it was a lot of

fun. I didn't know what to expect going into it, but it

turned out to be a reunion of all the outbounds of

2009-2010 from my district. Which means I got to

see Dante! It was great to see a familiar face and

reconnect with him. A girl from Cambridge, Ontario

was there too, who I instantly befriended. Her district

donated an ambulance to Santiago so we went to

the presentation of it together. After many photos

and "thank you's" we went back to the reunion of the

returning outbounds. Most exchangees went to

North America so we could actually communicate

with them in Spanglish (however, mostly English)!

We had a great time and have made plans to see

everyone again.

Well that's it for the month of August. I hope all is

well in Canada.

Talk to you in a month!!

Visitors & Guests

Visiting Rotarians:

Brock Buchanan – Moshi, Tanzania

Sid Harman – Brampton-Heart Lake

Rotary Makeup

Nigel Brown – Rotary Club of Dublin, Ireland.

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Happy Bucks

Paul Roeser – Paul was happy to say that he

attended the dinner for the visiting Rotarians from

Italy (District 2100) that was held back in June prior

to their attending the RI Convention in Montreal. At

the dinner they gave Paul a few mementoes to

commemorate their visit, and Paul wanted to

present them to our Club today. Included were club

banners from the Pompei-Opionti-Vesuvio Rotary

Club, the Salerno Rotary Club, and 2 District 2100

banners. As well there were other bits and pieces of

Italian art and a silver cup. Paul thought the silver

cup would be great for collecting our weekly Happy

Bucks in.

Nigel Brown – Nigel was happy to be back. He was

away for a few weeks and apologized for being

“delinquent” in his Rotary duties. While he was

away he visited Ireland and England. While he was

in Ireland he attended a meeting at his former club

in Dublin, and they extended their greetings to our

Club. Nigel added that the Dublin club is the 2nd

oldest Rotary Club outside the U.S. Coincidently,

Nigel is going to be in Winnipeg next week and he

will be attending a meeting at the Winnipeg Rotary

Club which is the oldest club outside of the U.S.

Nigel also wanted to mention that since he is in

charge of the PODS for October he is looking for any

volunteers. Nigel said again that he was glad to be

back as “holidays are great, but...”

Michael Bell – Michael was happy to be here today

as he didn’t think earlier that he would not be able

to make it here this week. He had been helping

move his Mother’s furniture but they had made

“enough progress” to allow him to attend. He was

also happy to see his friend Sid Harman here today.

Michael says he has known Sid for almost 35 years.

Michael was happy as well to announce that the

guest he brought to the luncheon the day DG Ted

Morrison was here has decided to join our club, and

has just recently sent in his membership application.

Michael noted that Steve Allen from CoolCheck, who

is currently a member of the Toronto Rotary Club, is

also planning to become a member of our club. And

to top this off, Michael says he was speaking with his

Chiropractor last week who may also be interested

in joining the club.

Hugh Williams - Hugh was happy to say that as the

new Membership Director he wanted to thank

Michael for his help in getting new members for the

club. Hugh also was happy to talk about “young

people”. He was happy that our Rotary Exchange

Student Alejandra (Ale) Medrano arrived at Pearson

Airport last week and was greeted by several of our

members. Ale will be staying with Hugh’s family

from April on, and she is currently staying with her

“first” family. Ale will be attending Father John

Redmond, which is also the school that Hugh’s

daughter Allison attends. Hugh was also happy to

say that as part of the school’s international studies

program, Allison will be doing her first term this year

at school in Atri, Italy. Hugh thinks Father Redmond

is “such a great school” for both welcoming our

Exchange Student Ale with open arms, and for great

programs like their international studies which has

given Allison an amazing opportunity to study in

Italy.

Doug Hartry – Doug was happy to say that on

September 10th

he and his “sweetie” will be

celebrating their 61st

wedding anniversary.

(Congratulations Doug and Maxine) Doug said they

are not having a party this time as there were “too

many rowdy people at the last one”. He also said

that Maxine had to go into the hospital for some

surgery on the 14th

and wanted to get through that

first. (Our best wishes to Maxine)

Christine Woodman – Christine was happy to

announce that the Smartboards the club sponsored

have been delivered to George R Gould Junior

School, Etienne Brule Junior Public School, and

Wellesworth Junior School. If any members would

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like to see the Smartboards demonstrated they are

welcome to drop into the schools anytime.

Clarification – Last Week Christine Woodman

Christine Woodman wanted to clarify the two events

she announced last week;

The York ROTARACT Club is having a fund raiser on

October 8th

to raise money for disaster aid for Shelter

Box. They are holding a concert and raffle and are

looking for donations of prizes to raffle off.

Youth Without Shelter, a worthwhile organization

that our club made a donation to last year is holding

their AGM September 16th

at 6:00 PM at 220

Humberline Drive. Any of our members interested

are welcome to attend. They would be happy to

have representation at their meeting as their way f

saying “thank you”. Contact Christine for further

information.

50/50 Draw Hugh Williams – 4 of Spades. The Pot keeps growing.

Ribfest Sponsors’ Luncheon

Martha MacGray wanted to advise everyone that

the Ribfest Sponsors’ Luncheon will be held on

Wednesday, September 22nd

. This is where we can

get “face to face” with our Ribfest sponsors to thank

them for their participation. A letter will be sent out

to the sponsors shortly to invite them to the

luncheon. Martha wanted to remind all the

members that were involved in getting the sponsors

for Ribfest to follow up with them to make sure they

are aware of the luncheon. It is important that we

get as many of our sponsors to attend as it can set

the foundation for their participation again as we

build towards next year’s Ribfest. Ralph Chiodo

added that Joanna Tudorache was going to prepare

the certificates that will be presented to the

sponsors at the luncheon.

Rotary TV Auction – November 26 –

27, 2010. Please note that we have a Citywide Rotary TV

Auction this year, as all the Toronto Rotary TV

Auctions (Metro West, East York and North

Scarborough) from previous years will combine into

ONE, therefore, the viewership will be much higher

than the previous years.

The event will be held on November 26th

, Friday and

November 27th

, Saturday, totalling 19 hours on air, it

can be viewed by Rogers TV in 650,000+ homes in

the GTA.

In view that the telecast will be held at the East York

Civic Centre, we have an earlier deadline for donor

items this year, the deadline will be on October 29th

,

Friday, as we must deliver all the items to East York

by November 1, 2010.

I can pick up the donor items at our luncheon

meetings or at your home or office as we do not

have a warehouse to drop off items in the west this

year.

Contact Angela Wong-Liao, Cell (416) 529-2888:

email angela@moneylady.ca. Rotary TV Auction

Website: www.rotaryclubauction.com.

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Rotary Club Bulletin is Reported By Ron Miller

and Edited by Frederik Martin. Pictures courtesy

of Diane Irvine.

Dates to Remember Ribfest Sponsors Luncheon – September 22, 2010.

Contact Michael Bell Tel: (647) 430-3427.

Rotary Foundation Challenge Walk – Alliston.

September 26, 2010. Contact Ron Miller Tel: (416)

763-0319.

Micro Finance Conference & Gala – Allstream

Center, Toronto – October 01 – 02, 2010. Contact

Ron Miller (416) 763-0319.

District 7070 District Conference – Sheraton

Fallsview, Niagara Falls. October 22 – 24, 2010.

Contact Ron Miller (416) 763-0319.

Rotary Etobicoke Website Please visit our website www.rotaryetobicoke.org. Check on upcoming speakers and other Club and District events. You can update your profile, change address, phone numbers etc. President Diane has updated the content on the web site. Look forward to the new version of Club Runner which will have some new features which will be coming very soon. Website: www.RotaryEtobicoke.org

New Generations Gives Rotary A New Avenue To Serve This September's New Generations Month takes on

a different meaning than in the past.

The commitment to getting youth and young adults

actively involved in Rotary was strengthened in April

when representatives at the Council on Legislation

approved New Generations as the fifth Avenue of

Service. Read more.

RI President Ray Klinginsmith says the new Avenue

of Service improves the value of youth programs and

their impact on Rotary's future.

"The Council wanted to be sure New Generations

programs were given adequate attention by clubs,"

says Klinginsmith. "Rotarians just want to be up front

and recognize the importance of these programs.

New Generations isn't just important to the future of

Rotary but also our communities and the world."

New Generations Service acknowledges the positive

change implemented by youth and young adults

involved in leadership development activities,

community and international service, and exchange

programs that enrich and foster world peace and

cultural understanding. Programs include RYLA,

Rotaract, Interact, and Rotary Youth Exchange.

"We truly have the finest youth programs in the

world," says Klinginsmith. "Their intrinsic value

continues to escalate. We do a great job with these

programs, we just need to give them more

visibility."

New Generations joins Club Service, Vocational

Service, Community Service, and International

Service as an Avenue of Service. Before starting a

project, Rotarians are asked to think broadly about

how their club and its members could contribute

within each avenue.

Klinginsmith says the best clubs are the ones that are

well balanced.

"Strong clubs are involved in all five of the Avenues

of Service," he says. "The ones that don't have New

Generations programs are missing a part of the great

adventure of Rotary."

September PODS Team Sharon Lee, Joe Bulger,

Ralph Chiodo, Mario Girardo,

Christine Woodman, Mark Selkirk

Stan Long, Karen McMillan,

James Simon, Carol Weber.