Fall Gala Danny Cassidy 2024-08-17 04:00:00Z 0 North Scarborough Rotary Club,Rotary
February 2023 Directors Report Barry Smith 2023-02-23 05:00:00Z 0
Challenges in North Scarborough Gordon Brown 2022-09-07 04:00:00Z 0
The Warm Hands Project Trudy Tumusime 2021-11-19 05:00:00Z 0 North Scarborough Rotary,The Warm Hands Project,beanies,charity,cold weather,community services,mittens,schools,socks,stay warm,students,toques,warm hands,winter

Good To Be Back!

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It is always a good time meeting in person. For the second time since the pandemic, we met physically at our pub night last Thursday.
It was breathtaking to fellowship, share smiles and have great conversations. We are all certainly looking forward to resuming in-person meetings soon.
Good To Be Back! 2021-10-28 04:00:00Z 0
President Danny Cassidy scoops prestigious award. 2021-08-27 04:00:00Z 0

Paul Harris Fellow 2021

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Meet Jay Woo, recent recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award from our club. Jay is not only deserving of Rotary's greatest honour, he has earned it.
Paul Harris Fellow 2021 2021-08-18 04:00:00Z 0
Report on St Vincent volcano disaster Danny Cassidy 2021-05-03 04:00:00Z 0
Remembrance Day 2020 David Seemungal 2020-11-17 05:00:00Z 0
Paul Harris fellowship awards Barry Smith 2020-08-29 04:00:00Z 0
August 12, 2020 Caribean Festival Tony Baker 2020-08-15 04:00:00Z 0
August 5, 2020 Danny Cassidy 2020-08-10 04:00:00Z 0
July 29, 2020 Peter Masson 2020-08-02 04:00:00Z 0
July 22, 2012 Trivia night David Hardy 2020-07-27 04:00:00Z 0
July 8, 2020 Peter Masson 2020-07-08 04:00:00Z 0
June 10,2020 Danny Cassidy 2020-06-14 04:00:00Z 0
June 3, 2020 Danny Cassidy 2020-06-08 04:00:00Z 0
May 27, 2020 Mike Mushet 2020-05-29 04:00:00Z 0
May 13,2020 Dhanni Ramdeen 2020-05-19 04:00:00Z 0

SHN Opens New Stroke Centre

Article Source and Photo: SHN Website
 
In April 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic, the Scarborough Health Network remained focused on keeping a promise to the Scarborough community by opening a new Stroke Centre of Excellence at the Birchmount Hospital Campus. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Canada.
SHN Opens New Stroke Centre 2020-05-19 04:00:00Z 0

Nature And Nurture

by Picture by 
 
The traditional model of maximizing profits has its limits in certain communities; that's where social entrepreneurship comes into play. With help from a Rotary Foundation Global Grant, a community in rural Costa Rica is using ecotourism to enrich their families' future. 
Nature And Nurture 2020-05-11 04:00:00Z 0
May 6, virtual meeting #5 Arthur Retnakaran 2020-05-09 04:00:00Z 0
April 29, 2020 Arthur Retnakaran 2020-05-02 04:00:00Z 0
Arthurs Presentation COVD-19 Avrum Liederman 2020-04-24 04:00:00Z 0
April 15, 2020 Peter Masson 2020-04-20 04:00:00Z 0
1st pandemic virtual meeting David Hardy 2020-04-13 04:00:00Z 0

Scientist, Farmer, Innovator

by photography by 
 
“The most successful businesses are the ones that are profitable but that also help improve the lives of other people. A plainsman with a PhD, Bob Quinn uses his 4,000-acre Montana spread as a laboratory to revive an ancient grain, rethink agricultural practices, and reinvigorate rural communities." Click here to read the entire article https://www.rotary.org/en/scientist-farmer-innovator-rotarian 
 
 
Scientist, Farmer, Innovator 2020-03-24 04:00:00Z 0

Trick or Treat

Source: Rotary International 
By . llustration by Studio Warburton
 
"We all know plastic bags are trash, but sea turtles are often tricked into thinking they’re a treat. They munch on the floating bags, mistaking them for jellyfish, or eat other bits of plastic that look like algae or seagrass. More than 50 percent of the world’s sea turtles are estimated to have eaten plastic — and some of them have ingested hundreds of pieces of it. 
Trick or Treat 2020-03-24 04:00:00Z 0
March 11, 2020 Gordon Brown 2020-03-17 04:00:00Z 0
A Trip To The Bahamas Peter Masson 2020-03-04 05:00:00Z 0
YouthLink Donna Salamalay 2020-02-26 05:00:00Z 0
"Bird Photography" Frank Allison Peter Masson 2020-02-12 05:00:00Z 0
Feb 5,2019 Rocco Colangelo 2020-02-09 05:00:00Z 0
January 29, 2020 Courtney Fisher 2020-02-03 05:00:00Z 0
White Elephant Lunch Jim Boyko 2020-01-09 05:00:00Z 0

Hoops on the Hudson

Article by: Bryan Smith; Image credit: Fiona Aboud
Published: Rotary International website
 
"In Yonkers New York a basketball court provides life lessons for kids and adults alike. You hear the miracle before you see it. Shouts, laughter, the “thump!” “ping!” of bouncing basketballs colliding with a chain-link fence. The pounding of running feet, the shrill peal of whistles, the cries of encouragement.
Hoops on the Hudson 2020-01-03 05:00:00Z 0

East Scarborough Storefront

Picture: East Scarborough Storefront website
 
In December 2019 Storefront launched a fundraiser to replace two stove that no longer worked. The stoves in the Eco-Hub Community kitchen are a critical part of their community kitchen, which is also used to run programs like culinary training programs, helping participants develop foundational kitchen and food service skills.   
East Scarborough Storefront 2020-01-03 05:00:00Z 0
Dec 11, 2019 Basil Dias 2019-12-15 05:00:00Z 0
Our Warm Hands Program is underway! 2019-12-07 05:00:00Z 0
December 4, 2019 Danny Cassidy 2019-12-07 05:00:00Z 0
November 27, 2019 Donna Salamalay 2019-11-28 05:00:00Z 0
November 20, 2019 Dhanni Ramdeen 2019-11-20 05:00:00Z 0
Remembrance Meeting David Seemungal 2019-11-12 05:00:00Z 0
Oct 30' 2019 Arthur Retnakaran 2019-11-04 05:00:00Z 0

Breaking down Barriers

 
Since 1951 the Rotary Club of Ottawa has sponsored 'Adventure in Citizenship', a program that brings together youth from across Canada for a four day workshop   
Breaking down Barriers 2019-10-29 04:00:00Z 0
October 23, 2019 Jim Boyko 2019-10-27 04:00:00Z 0
OCT 23, 2019 Jim Boyko 2019-10-27 04:00:00Z 0
October 9, 2019 Arthur Retnakaran 2019-10-14 04:00:00Z 0
October 2, 2019 Arthur Retnakaran 2019-10-04 04:00:00Z 0
Wednesday September 25, 2019  Rocco Colangelo 2019-09-29 04:00:00Z 0
Who's Hungry in Toronto 2019-09-18 04:00:00Z 0
September 11, 2019 bas 2019-09-12 04:00:00Z 0
September 4, 2019 Danny Cassidy 2019-09-09 04:00:00Z 0
August 28, 2019 Arthur Retnakaran 2019-09-02 04:00:00Z 0

Nigeria reaches crucial polio milestone

Photo by Andrew Esiebo / Article by Ryan Hyland
Source: Rotary.org.  
 
"It’s been three years since health officials last reported a case of polio caused by the wild poliovirus in Nigeria. The milestone, reached on 21 August, means that it’s possible for the entire World Health Organization (WHO) African region to be certified wild poliovirus-free next year."
Nigeria reaches crucial polio milestone 2019-09-01 04:00:00Z 0
August 21, 2019 Barry Smith 2019-08-25 04:00:00Z 0

Adopt a Village - Laos

Rotarians in Laos.   
 
With a successful 2018/2019 winter season, approximately 25,000 rural villagers now have access to clean water. 
Adopt a Village - Laos 2019-08-19 04:00:00Z 0
August 14 2019 David Hardy 2019-08-17 04:00:00Z 0
Aug 7, 2019 Jim Boyko 2019-08-12 04:00:00Z 0
July 31, 2019 Rocco Colangelo 2019-08-06 04:00:00Z 0
July 24, 2019 Tony Baker 2019-07-29 04:00:00Z 0
July 17, 2019 Dhanni Ramdeen 2019-07-23 04:00:00Z 0
July 10, 2019 David Seemungal 2019-07-15 04:00:00Z 0
July 3rd, 2019 Dhanni Ramdeen 2019-07-07 04:00:00Z 0
June 26,2019 Basil Dias 2019-07-02 04:00:00Z 0
June 12, 2019 Rocco Colangelo 2019-06-12 04:00:00Z 0
June 5 2019 Maddy Chandrasekaran 2019-06-10 04:00:00Z 0
May 29, 2019 Courtney Fisher 2019-06-03 04:00:00Z 0
May 15,2019 Hardy 2019-05-18 04:00:00Z 0

Remembering Bill Patchett

We're saddened to learn of the passing of Bill Patchett, longtime philanthropist, community builder and member of the Rotary Club of Cobourg. Bill was also Past District Governor and Past Foundation Chair for District 7070. He continued to work tirelessly for Rotary's Foundation and we can think of no better way to honor Bill's legacy than to focus on the good work of the Foundation.  
Remembering Bill Patchett 2019-05-12 04:00:00Z 0
May 8, 2019 Jim Boyko 2019-05-10 04:00:00Z 0
May 1, 2019 Arthur Retnakaran 2019-05-07 04:00:00Z 0
April 24, 2019 Dhanni Ramdeen 2019-04-30 04:00:00Z 0
Milliken Park Cleanup - April 27 2019-04-27 04:00:00Z 0
Join Us at Milliken Park on April 27! 2019-04-21 04:00:00Z 0

Roots of Peace

Heidi Kühn, Rotary Club of San Francisco
Source: Rotary International; Photo by Ian Tuttle 
 
Heidi Kühn, of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, founded a nonprofit called Roots of Peace to remove land mines and revive farmland.
 
Roots of Peace 2019-04-10 04:00:00Z 0
April 4, 2019 Gordon Brown 2019-04-09 04:00:00Z 0
March 20th, 2019 Peter Masson 2019-03-26 04:00:00Z 0

Disaster Relief - Shelterbox

Picture: Shelterbox Canada
Tropical Cyclone Idai has torn through Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Madagascar. Thousands of families have been left homeless and urgently need shelter. Join us in providing much needed help via Shelterbox, Rotary's strategic partner in delivering aid where it's needed. To learn more: http://www.shelterboxcanada.org
Disaster Relief - Shelterbox 2019-03-26 04:00:00Z 0
March 13, 2019 2019-03-19 04:00:00Z 0
March 6, 2019 Gordon Brown 2019-03-11 04:00:00Z 0

RI President-Elect Announces 2019-2020 Theme

By Photos by 
 
"Rotary International President-elect Mark Daniel Maloney called on leaders to expand connections to their communities and to embrace innovative membership models. Maloney urged leaders to offer alternative meeting experiences and service opportunities to make it easier for busy professionals and people with many family obligations to serve in leadership roles. This should complement family activities, not compete with them."
RI President-Elect Announces 2019-2020 Theme 2019-03-07 05:00:00Z 0
February 20, 2019 Jim Boyko 2019-02-22 05:00:00Z 0
The Dynamic Leadership Speaker Series 2019-02-22 05:00:00Z 0
February 13, 2019 Arthur Retnakaran 2019-02-17 05:00:00Z 0
Dynamic Leadership Speaker Series David Hardy 2019-02-02 05:00:00Z 0

Rotary Clubs Unite to Fight Opioid Crisis

Source: Rotary.org  Article by Ryan Hyland
 
Lana K. Rouff, a member of the Rotary Club of Binghamton, New York, USA, knew she had to do something after attending the funeral of a young man who died of an opioid overdose. After months of doing research and consulting with health officials, substance abuse experts, educators, and media professionals, they had a plan: a Rotary Foundation global grant project, totaling more than $107,000. 
Rotary Clubs Unite to Fight Opioid Crisis 2019-01-31 05:00:00Z 0
January 24, 2018 David Hardy 2019-01-28 05:00:00Z 0
January 17, 2019 Danny Cassidy 2019-01-17 05:00:00Z 0
Jim Boyko's predictions for 2019. Barry Smith 2019-01-10 05:00:00Z 0
January 3, 2019 Dhanni Ramdeen 2019-01-10 05:00:00Z 0
Sushil Kumar Gupta Named Rotary International President in 2020 2019-01-06 05:00:00Z 0
Christmas lunch Rocco Colangelo 2018-12-16 05:00:00Z 0
December 6, 2018 Gordon Brown 2018-12-10 05:00:00Z 0
November 29,2018 Arthur Retnakaran 2018-12-03 05:00:00Z 0
November 22, 2018 David Hardy 2018-11-25 05:00:00Z 0
November 15, 2018 Kathleen Bremner-Gooch 2018-11-20 05:00:00Z 0
Remembrance Day Lunch Jim Boyko 2018-11-14 05:00:00Z 0
November 1, 2018 Arthur Retnakaran 2018-11-05 05:00:00Z 0

A Commitment to Positive Change

Rotary clubs in Canada invest in the PACT program, an urban peace initiative that aims to break the cycle of youth crime. Participation, Acknowledgement, Commitment and Transformation (PACT), founded over twenty years ago by Rotarians Dave Lockett and Dan Cornacchia focuses on teaching youth at risk essential life skills.

Article By Produced by 

 

A Commitment to Positive Change 2018-11-02 04:00:00Z 0
October 25, 2018 Peter Masson 2018-10-28 04:00:00Z 0
October 18, 2018 Barry Smith 2018-10-18 04:00:00Z 0
October 11, 2018 Dhanni Ramdeen 2018-10-17 04:00:00Z 0
October 4, 2018 Barry Smith 2018-10-05 04:00:00Z 0
September 20, 2018 Gordon Brown 2018-09-25 04:00:00Z 0
September 13, 2018 Basil Dias 2018-09-19 04:00:00Z 0
Supporting the Local Community 2018-09-13 04:00:00Z 0
September 6, 2018 Peter Masson 2018-09-12 04:00:00Z 0
Thursday August 23rd 2018 Saifoo Lau 2018-08-28 04:00:00Z 0
Thursday August 16,2018 Kathleen Bremner-Gooch 2018-08-22 04:00:00Z 0
Rotary partners with Mediators Beyond Borders 2018-08-22 04:00:00Z 0
August 9, 2018 Arthur Retnakaran 2018-08-15 04:00:00Z 0
August 2,2018 Jim Boyko 2018-08-07 04:00:00Z 0
Thursday July 19th, 2018 Arthur Retnakaran 2018-07-22 04:00:00Z 0

Forging A New Family

By Produced by 
 
After fleeing conflict in their own countries, a group of young Rotaractors is healing wounds and bringing cultures together in a Ugandan refugee settlement. Through the process the people in the club become replacements for those people they have lost.” 
Forging A New Family 2018-07-22 04:00:00Z 0
Thursday July 12, 2018 Peter Masson 2018-07-16 04:00:00Z 0
Thursday July 5, 2018 Gordon Brown 2018-07-09 04:00:00Z 0
Thursday June 28, 2018 Basil Dias 2018-07-02 04:00:00Z 0

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Accepts Award for Polio Eradication

Article: By Photos by 
 
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accepted Rotary's Polio Eradication Champion Award at the 2018 Rotary International Convention in Toronto. The award was established in 1995 to recognize heads of state, health agency leaders, and others who have made a significant contribution to polio eradication.  
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Accepts Award for Polio Eradication 2018-06-28 04:00:00Z 0
The Ride to Conquer Cancer 2018-06-20 04:00:00Z 0
The Paul Harris Scholarships Recipients 2018-06-05 04:00:00Z 0
Friday May 25, 2018 Saifoo Lau 2018-05-31 04:00:00Z 0
“No wills, Old wills and Poor wills Arthur Retnakaran 2018-05-22 04:00:00Z 0
Friday may 11, 2018 Kathleen Bremner-Gooch 2018-05-15 04:00:00Z 0
Local Food Drive 2018-05-13 04:00:00Z 0

Milliken Park Cleanup

Members of our club participated in the annual park clean up for Earth Day 2018. 
Milliken Park Cleanup 2018-05-13 04:00:00Z 0
Habitat for Humanity Jim Boyko 2018-05-08 04:00:00Z 0
Friday April 27th 2018-04-29 04:00:00Z 0
Mackenzie's Hope Donna Salamalay 2018-04-22 04:00:00Z 0
Two Former Sault Ste Marie Residents Meet in Toronto 2018-04-19 04:00:00Z 0
April 4 2018 Barry Smith 2018-04-08 04:00:00Z 0
Wednesday March 28, 2018 Rocco Colangelo 2018-04-04 04:00:00Z 0
March 21, 2018 Peter Masson 2018-03-27 04:00:00Z 0

Nowhere to Turn

 
Source: Rotary International.  Article By Produced by 
 
When thousands of refugees arrived in Berlin, Rotarian and Physician Pia Skarabis-Querfeld felt the need to do something to alleviate the strain on Germany's health care system.  
 
Nowhere to Turn 2018-03-25 04:00:00Z 0

Vision Quest: Insights from Barry Rassin 

Source: Rotary International   Photos by Alyce Henson
 
"There’s a disconnect between what we do at Rotary International – and do really well – and what Rotary clubs are doing. I’d like to bridge that gap. One of our strategic priorities is strengthening clubs, which involves things like membership and Foundation giving."
Vision Quest: Insights from Barry Rassin 2018-03-25 04:00:00Z 0
PACT Basil Dias 2018-03-18 04:00:00Z 0
March 7, 2018 Kevin Manuel 2018-03-12 04:00:00Z 0
Convention Host Hospitality Event Kathleen Bremner-Gooch 2018-03-05 05:00:00Z 0
Diabetes Canada Jim Boyko 2018-02-25 05:00:00Z 0
Celebrating 50 Years of Roteract 2018-02-22 05:00:00Z 0
Valentines Day David Hardy 2018-02-19 05:00:00Z 0
Wednesday Feb. 7, 2018 Arthur Retnakaran 2018-02-08 05:00:00Z 0
Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018 Barry Smith 2018-02-05 05:00:00Z 0
Wednesday January 24, 2018 Barry Smith 2018-01-29 05:00:00Z 0
Director Reports Dhanni Ramdeen 2018-01-23 05:00:00Z 0
Jim Boyko's Predictions 2018 Barry Smith 2018-01-17 05:00:00Z 0
White Elephant Sale Donna Salamalay 2018-01-08 05:00:00Z 0
Christmas Lunch Gordon Brown 2017-12-12 05:00:00Z 0
Wednesday Nov 29 2017 Peter Masson 2017-12-01 05:00:00Z 0
Visiting the Caribbean Basil Dias 2017-11-28 05:00:00Z 0
Wednesday November 15th Kevin Manuel 2017-11-20 05:00:00Z 0
Remembrance Day 2017 Maddy Chandrasekaran 2017-11-15 05:00:00Z 0
Toronto Rotary Online Auction - now on eBay! 2017-11-09 05:00:00Z 0
Gerd’s - The Road to Dempster Highway Rocco Colangelo 2017-11-06 05:00:00Z 0
Wednesday Oct. 25, 2017 Jacqueline Smith 2017-10-31 04:00:00Z 0
2018 International Conference David Hardy 2017-10-23 04:00:00Z 0
Wednesday Oct. 11 2017 Arthur Retnakaran 2017-10-17 04:00:00Z 0
Honorary members Lunch Jim Boyko 2017-10-07 04:00:00Z 0
Wednesday September 27, 2017 Dhanni Ramdeen 2017-10-02 04:00:00Z 0
Summerside PEI Donna Salamalay 2017-09-18 04:00:00Z 0

2017 Foundation Walk

 
Thanks to all who supported the Foundation Walk - together we raised over $1000! 
2017 Foundation Walk 2017-09-12 04:00:00Z 0
Action against Hunger Barry Smith 2017-09-10 04:00:00Z 0

The Poverty Project ...What If we all made a difference?

Photo by: Chun-Ta Lin/RI
 
Sloane Public School students, staff, parents and community engaged in a social justice project on poverty called the What If... ? Poverty Project. Students learned that poverty is not something that occurs only in poorer countries; it happens in our own backyard. With support from three Rotary Clubs - North Scarborough, North York and Toronto Eglinton - one of the project initiatives took place in May 2017 when the school held a food packing session.
The Poverty Project ...What If we all made a difference? 2017-09-07 04:00:00Z 0
Wednesday August 30, 2017 Maddy Chandrasekaran 2017-09-07 04:00:00Z 0
Toronto Real Estate Market Rocco Colangelo 2017-08-27 04:00:00Z 0

Flying To Fight Polio

Skydivers raise thousands for Polio Eradication.  Toronto Rotarians benchmark Michigan's fundraiser, raise money and have fun in the process. 
Flying To Fight Polio 2017-08-22 04:00:00Z 0
Join us for the District 7070 Foundation Walk 2017-08-22 04:00:00Z 0
Wednesday Aug. 16, 2017 Basil Dias 2017-08-21 04:00:00Z 0
Adopt a Village in Laos Gordon Brown 2017-08-14 04:00:00Z 0
Inspiration Around Every Corner 2017-08-08 04:00:00Z 0
St Vincent & The Grenadines Peter Masson 2017-08-07 04:00:00Z 0
White Whale designed to promote Peace and Self-Esteem 2017-08-01 04:00:00Z 0
Habitat for Humanity Updated Jim Boyko 2017-07-28 04:00:00Z 0
Wednesday July 12,2017 James Burchell 2017-07-24 04:00:00Z 0
Wednesday July 19, 2017 Arthur Retnakaran 2017-07-24 04:00:00Z 0
Rosewood Food Drive 2017-07-16 04:00:00Z 0

Strength in Diversity

Members of the Rotary Club of Solo Kartini in Surakarta, Indonesia collaborated with the Rotary Club of  Westport CT, USA in order to reduce the risk of dengue fever. This collaboration crossed religious and cultural boundaries in order to address one of the country's biggest public health threats. 
Strength in Diversity 2017-07-09 04:00:00Z 0
Final Club Meeting of 2016 - 2017 David Seemungal 2017-06-28 04:00:00Z 0
Wednesday June 21, 2017 Barry Smith 2017-06-23 04:00:00Z 0
Wednesday June 14, 2017 Barry Smith 2017-06-19 04:00:00Z 0
Wednesday June 7, 2017 Gordon Brown 2017-06-09 04:00:00Z 0
Courtney Fisher of Scarborough Rosewood Foundation David Seemungal 2017-05-30 04:00:00Z 0
Foundation Walk 2017-05-30 04:00:00Z 0
Welcome to Toronto 2017-05-25 04:00:00Z 0
Wednesday May 17th Barry Smith 2017-05-22 04:00:00Z 0
Agincourt Community Services Gordon Brown 2017-05-15 04:00:00Z 0
Muscular Dystrophy Canada Dhanni Ramdeen 2017-05-08 04:00:00Z 0
A Century of Doing Good in the World 2017-05-01 04:00:00Z 0
Welcome Wagon Rocco Colangelo 2017-04-27 04:00:00Z 0
Ride to Conquer Cancer Rocco Colangelo 2017-04-23 04:00:00Z 0
Let's Focus on Saving the Environment - Earth Day 2017 2017-04-22 04:00:00Z 0
8,000 Kilometers to Peace 2017-04-22 04:00:00Z 0
Park Properties Thank You Luncheon Peter Masson 2017-04-17 04:00:00Z 0
We're pleased to support Dinner & A Song in Scarborough! 2017-04-10 04:00:00Z 0
Join us for the Annual Milliken Park Clean Up! 2017-04-09 04:00:00Z 0
Buy Good Feel Good Expo Gordon Brown 2017-04-05 04:00:00Z 0
Wednesday March 29, 2017 2017-03-30 04:00:00Z 0
Are you using the Rotary App? Download now! 2017-03-28 04:00:00Z 0

What Makes Us Unique

“The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis but rather the feeling of being unwanted, uncared for, and deserted by everybody.” 
 
Saint Teresa
 
What Makes Us Unique 2017-03-19 04:00:00Z 0
Transcare Community Services Kevin Manuel 2017-03-15 04:00:00Z 0
Jacqueline Smith Classification Gordon Brown 2017-03-11 05:00:00Z 0

Better Transit for Scarborough

 
Join us for a Town Hall with Mayor John Tory
Learn more about the plans for a new transit network in Scarborough
 
Monday, March 13 2017
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Centennial Recreation Centre - Scarborough
1967 Ellesmere Road (west of Markham Road)
 
RSVP and enquiries to: scarboroughtransit@gmail.com  
Sponsored by: SCRO
 
 
Better Transit for Scarborough 2017-03-06 05:00:00Z 0
Director's Reports Rocco Colangelo 2017-03-02 05:00:00Z 0
Giving the Gift of Rotary 2017-02-25 05:00:00Z 0
District 7070 Youth Exchange Peter Masson 2017-02-23 05:00:00Z 0
Julliette's Place Peter Masson 2017-02-15 05:00:00Z 0
Emmanuel International Canada. Peter Masson 2017-02-12 05:00:00Z 0
Action Against Hunger Canada Donna Salamalay 2017-02-07 05:00:00Z 0
Doing More Together 2017-02-03 05:00:00Z 0
Emerging Markets Barry Smith 2017-01-31 05:00:00Z 0
Pub Lunch Arthur Retnakaran 2017-01-20 00:00:00Z 0
Jim Boyko's Predictions 2017 Barry Smith 2017-01-12 00:00:00Z 0
White Elephant Auction Jacqueline Smith 2017-01-08 00:00:00Z 0
Christmas Meeting Barry Smith 2016-12-14 00:00:00Z 0
Supporting Mackenzie's Hope 2016-12-11 00:00:00Z 0
Fogo Island Barry Smith 2016-12-08 00:00:00Z 0
P A C T David Seemungal 2016-12-07 00:00:00Z 0
Mt Kilimanjaro Climb for Polio Plus Dhanni Ramdeen 2016-11-26 00:00:00Z 0
Rotary Foundation Named 2016 World Outstanding Foundation 2016-11-21 00:00:00Z 0
TV Auction Dhanni Ramdeen 2016-11-17 00:00:00Z 0
Thank You for Making the 2016 Rotary Auction a Success! 2016-11-06 00:00:00Z 0
Rotary International Toronto Convention 2018 Barry Smith 2016-11-03 00:00:00Z 0
Because I am a girl Rocco Colangelo 2016-11-01 00:00:00Z 0
Virtual Reality Films Add New Dimension to Fight Against Polio 2016-10-27 00:00:00Z 0
30 Years of Service Celebration - November 8, 2016 2016-10-23 00:00:00Z 0
October 24 is World Polio Day - www.endpolio.org 2016-10-23 00:00:00Z 0
Toronto City Mission Gordon Brown 2016-10-21 00:00:00Z 0
Warm Hands Gloves Distribution 2016-10-20 00:00:00Z 0
Canadian Diabetes Association. Gordon Brown 2016-10-20 00:00:00Z 0
Honorary Members Meeting Kevin Manuel 2016-10-06 00:00:00Z 0
110 Squadron  Air Cadets Gordon Brown 2016-09-30 00:00:00Z 0
Rotary ICC’ Gordon Brown 2016-09-27 00:00:00Z 0

The Scarborough Hospital's Brave TO Run

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We're pleased to support the Brave T.O. Run that was held on September 24 in Morningside Park. This new adventure race was presented by The Scarborough Hospital Foundation and featured the challenges faced by Toronto’s first responders – from rope climbs to wall scrambles, testing participants to the max throughout the course. Obstacles along the course included the Confidence Maze, Wall Clear, Flight & Hurdle, Balance Pit, Tunnel Crawl to name just a few. 
The Scarborough Hospital's Brave TO Run 2016-09-19 04:00:00Z 0
War Child Rocco Colangelo 2016-09-08 00:00:00Z 0
District Governor Jim Louttit Arthur Retnakaran 2016-09-06 00:00:00Z 0
Roaring Rotarian Ale Now Available in Scarborough!   2016-08-29 00:00:00Z 0
Credit Counselling Society Peter Masson 2016-08-25 00:00:00Z 0
Fetal Alcohol SpectrumDisorders (FASD) James Burchell 2016-08-17 00:00:00Z 0
Paul Harris Scholarship Awards 2016-08-14 04:00:00Z 0
Habitat for Humanity Arthur Retnakaran 2016-08-12 00:00:00Z 0
Rotary Youth Leader Awards Donna Salamalay 2016-08-08 00:00:00Z 0
City Hope Summer Camp for Kids 2016-08-05 00:00:00Z 0
Adventure in Citizenship 2016-08-05 00:00:00Z 0
Another Successful Ribfest! 2016-08-05 00:00:00Z 0
City Hope. Summer Camp Peter Masson 2016-07-28 00:00:00Z 0
Climate Change Peter Masson 2016-07-25 00:00:00Z 0
TV Auction danny 2016-07-18 00:00:00Z 0
President Basil and the year ahead. Donna Salamalay 2016-07-07 00:00:00Z 0

Canada Day Citizenship Ceremony

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The first-ever Canada Day Scarborough celebration was held on July 1 at the Scarborough Civic Centre and Albert Campbell Square, from noon to 10pm. This two-day festival consisted of a Citizenship Swearing In ceremony, multicultural performances, food, kids activities and many more. On Canada Day, sixteen rotarians from all five Scarborough clubs welcomed ninety-four new Canadians who emigrated from twenty-eight countries; after the swearing-in ceremony at the Scarborough Council Centre, everyone enjoyed the festivities! Welcome to Canada!
Canada Day Citizenship Ceremony 2016-06-30 04:00:00Z 0
Zica Virus Gordon Brown 2016-06-29 00:00:00Z 0
RAPTIM Humanitarian Travel Barry Smith 2016-06-27 00:00:00Z 0
ACSA and Syrian Refugee Settlement in Scarborough Barry Smith 2016-06-15 00:00:00Z 0
Global Medic Barry Smith 2016-06-02 00:00:00Z 0
Precious Blood School Update Dhanni Ramdeen 2016-05-30 00:00:00Z 0
"If Trees Could Talk" Barry Smith 2016-05-19 00:00:00Z 0
Polycultural Immigrant and Community Services David Seemungal 2016-05-12 00:00:00Z 0
Adopt a Village.Laos Mandy Nwobu 2016-05-06 00:00:00Z 0
The Lung Association Rocco Colangelo 2016-05-01 00:00:00Z 0
Trailblazers Presentation Kevin Manuel 2016-04-21 00:00:00Z 0

Hope Air

Posted on Apr 15, 2016
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Our Club is pleased to support Hope Air, an organization that arranges free flights for Canadians who need healthcare. Participants in the presentation include from left to right:  Jim Burton, Chairman of the Board,and Rotarian (St. John's), Doug Keller Hobson, a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship medal and current Club President Gerd Wengler.    
 
Hope Air is the only registered, national charity that provides free flights to people who cannot afford the cost of an airline ticket to get to medical expertise or specialized medical technologies that usually exist only in larger urban centres.  This is done primarily through one of three programs:
 
1. The Commercial Airline Donation Program
2. The Flight Purchase Program
3. The Volunteer Pilot Program
 
To learn more about Hope Air, please visit www.hopeair.ca
Hope Air 2016-04-15 04:00:00Z 0
Stephen Lewis Foundation Basil Dias 2016-04-14 00:00:00Z 0
Canadian World Education Foundation - Tanzania Rocco Colangelo 2016-04-04 00:00:00Z 0
Pan-Am Gold Medal Winner & Olympic Hopeful 2016-03-29 00:00:00Z 0
Amarok Society Global Grant 2016-03-29 00:00:00Z 0

Warm Hands


A total of six hundred and seventy two pairs of gloves were delivered to seventeen elementary schools throughout Scarborough last fall as part of our annual “Warm Hands” initiative.
Warm Hands 2016-03-29 00:00:00Z 0

Operation Eyesight

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For many years now, we have been purchasing certificates from Operation Eyesight Universal as our ongoing gift of restoring vision to individuals with cataracts in Africa and India.
Operation Eyesight 2016-03-28 04:00:00Z 0
Mass Marketing Fraud Scams Gordon Brown 2016-03-24 00:00:00Z 0
Canadian Armed Forces Basil Dias 2016-03-09 00:00:00Z 0

Frank Lippa's Vocational talk

Posted by Peter Masson on Feb 23, 2016
Rota-Teller | Wednesday February 24, 2016
 
National Anthem: Basil Dias
Grace: Al Meredith
Toast to the Queen & Canada: President Gerd Wengler
 
Frank Lippa's Vocational talk Peter Masson 2016-02-23 05:00:00Z 0

Frank Lippa Induction

Posted by Barry Smith on Dec 02, 2015
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Date: December 2, 2015
 
Attendance: 17
        (including 2 guests: Our speaker, and our soon-to-be-inducted member, Frank Lippa)
 
Anthem: Gord Brown
Grace: Kevin Moore
 
Announcements:
           
- David Seemungal as Foundation Chairman suggested that every member throw $50 at the Rotary Foundation. Some complied immediately by hurling photocopied Fifties at David.         Member donations will be matched by the foundation.
- Gord Brown needs final numbers for the Dec. 11th Christmas Party by this Friday.
- Gerd passed around a donation sheet for members to commit to this year’s Christmas card fund.
- Gerd also read out a response that he had received from our newly minted Minister of Defence, which was not a form letter but a detailed reply to Gerd’s inquiries. Gerd was quite impressed.
 
Marbelous Draw was won, and lost, by President Gerd.
 
Sgt-at-Arms Davis Seemungal levied some fines for those without Rotary pins or badges.
Since Kevin Moore provided Dave Hardy’s badge to him at the meeting, he ratted him out to our Sgt-at-Arms, indicating that Dave would have been badgeless without Kevin’s timely intervention.
Jack Holman donated a Happy Buck because an elf had  finally cleaned up the Rotary box.
 
The Induction of our newest member, Frank Lippa, was carried out by Dave Hardy, Mike Mushet, Dave Seemungal and President Gerd, and Frank indicated his gratitude for being welcomed into our Rotary club.
 
Program:
Kevin Moore introduced our guest speaker, Arthur Biyarslanov. Arthur is an amateur boxer who won the gold for Canada at this summer’s Pan Am Games. Arthur was a refugee from Chechnya who arrived in Canada ten years ago and became a Canadian citizen three years ago. When Arthur arrived in Canada, he settled in the St. Jamestown area and trained at the Cabbagetown Boxing Club for six years. His brother was a boxer and introduced him to the sport, and with determination he trained hard until he had mastered the sport. He soon became the Canadian national boxing champion in his division. Although his first love was soccer, when he had to make a choice two years ago as to which sport upon which to concentrate his efforts, he chose boxing. So, he turned down a budding soccer career in order to train for the Pan Am Games as a boxer. He is now training for the Olympics. Canada has not won a gold in Olympic boxing for 40 years, but Arthur plans to change that in the next Olympic Games. Arthur plans to turn pro after the Olympics.
Frank Allison thanked Arthur for a very interesting talk, and shared with the club his own boxing successes in his native Liverpool. Suffice it to say that you’d better not mess with Arthur or Frank.
 
 
Gerd then terminated this very interesting meeting.
 
Frank Lippa Induction Barry Smith 2015-12-03 00:00:00Z 0
Nov 25, 2015 Dhanni Ramdeen 2015-11-30 00:00:00Z 0

Nov 18,2015

Posted by Dhanni Ramdeen
 
 
 
 
                                 
 
November 18, 2015
Chair: Gerd Wengler
Anthem: Alan Meredith
Grace: Gordon Brown
Attendance: 19.
Guests: 3 – Past District Governor, Ralph Jones, David Lockhart from PACT and speaker Ian Brown.
Announcements: 
David Seemungal – Read a letter on Rotary Foundation giving.
Dhanni Ramdeem – International Services Group meeting next Wednesday, November 25th, at the Baton Rouge Restaurant after the regular luncheon meeting.
Kevin Manual – Appealing for volunteers to sign up for the TV Auction and distribution of the TV Auction signage.
 
President Gerd called upon Dave Hardy, member of Community Services to present a check to David Lockhart from PACT in the amount of $2500.  David thanked our club for continued support to the project. Basil Dias indicated that PACT started as an Urban Peace initiative when Ralph Jones was District Governor.
 
President Gerd commented on the terrible terrorist attack in Paris and strongly urges that the Muslim leaders need to come forward and take an active role in the communities to condemn such acts.
 
Marbelous Draw: Mike Mushet
 
Frank Allison won the consolation prize of $5 which he quickly relinquished in the spirit of not having Alan Meredith leading the singing of the Anthem again.
SAA – David Seemungal.
Emmanuel Nwankwo thanked David Lockhard for the great job he is doing at PACT.
Sad Bucks from Jack Holman in losing a very good friend.
 
 
Happy Bucks from:
  • Dave Hardy grandson is now 4 years old.
  • Now that Gerd’s dog is “fixed”, their lives are severely disrupted.
  • David Seemungal on congratulating Gordon on another birthday. Happy Birthday Gordon!!
  • Ralph Jones commented that the Rotary club of Alliston has more female members than male. In fact, 6 of the last 7 presidents were women.
 
Basil Dias introduced the speaker Ian Brown, Economic Development Officer of the City of Toronto. Ian, an MBA graduate has been with the city of Toronto for the last 8 years and has been very helpful in the urban renewal campaign. Did you know Ian and John Tory, mayor of Toronto, went to the same high school?
 
Please tune in to the link for Ian’s presentation.  https://www.dropbox.com/s/oypsmn6nb3ldj8h/Ian%20Brown.MP3?dl=0
 
 
Frank Allison thanked Ian for the great job he is doing. Frank said that he has been in Canada for 50 years and although he did not live in Scarborough, he has been actively been doing business in Scarborough and presented Ian Brown with a certificate from Operation Eyesight.
Ian responded that he is so proud of the work that Dave Hardy is doing in the Scarborough Renewal Campaign.
President Gerd thanked Jack Holman to personally arrange for the funds to be sent out to the Bahamas for the Eleuthera project. Thank you Jack and be sure to get your money back from the club.
                                 
Nov 18,2015 Dhanni Ramdeen 2015-11-23 00:00:00Z 0

The science of aging.

Posted by Barry Smith on Nov 03, 2015
Date: Nov. 4/15
 
Attendance: 16 with no guests
 
Anthem: Carolyn Nicholson
Grace: Basil Dias
 
Announcements:
- Donna announced that there will be a Group 1 meeting following the luncheon meeting.
- Gordon reminded everyone about the upcoming Pub Night.
- Dhanni reported that our club has collected $16,000 in sponsorships and cash for the TV Auction.
- Gerd announced that in order to accommodate incoming VP Danny Cassidy, the board meetings will be held on the last Thursday of the month commencing January.
 
Mike Mushet conducted the Marbelous Draw which was won, and lost, by Arthur.
 
Sgt-at-Arms Al Meredith levied some fines and asked for Happy Bucks:
All were fined for not wearing poppies over the objections of Barry Smith who pointed out that they fall off too easily and Jack Holman who stated that the law provides that poppies are not to be worn until November 6th. These complaints fell upon the deaf ears of our beloved Sgt-at-Arms.
Arthur tossed in happy bucks for his Sault Ste. Marie visit and speaking engagement.
Dhanni was happy that she wasn’t fined.
Roland was happy that he’d just sold his house in Utah.
Carolyn was just happy.         
 
Program:
Gord Brown introduced today’s speaker, our very own Arthur Retnakaran, who spoke on the topic of “The Science of Aging”. Arthur received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin and was a research scientist with the Forestry Lab in Sault Ste. Marie from 1968 to 2004, working on Insect Molecular Biology.
Unfortunately, the reporter was operating on High School science, so this report is the dumbed down version of Arthur’s scholarly talk.
Arthur commenced his talk with a summary of the molecular make-up of living creatures, pointing out that the DNA template exists in the nucleus of every cell and is fed by the protein produced by the nucleus. At the genetic level, every gene is composed of three parts: the promoter, the coding region, and the termination sequence. The promoter turns the gene on and off, whereas through the coding region the cell can be programmed for different uses. Therefore, a cell can be coded to be a skin cell, a muscle cell, an organ cell, a nerve cell, etc. Genetics affects aging as well as everything else in the body, and what scientists are trying to achieve through various techniques is a balance between the death of cells and the creation of ‘immortal’ cells. As cells die, the body dies. Cells becoming ‘immortal’ is another term for becoming cancerous. So, the goal is to maintain our cells’ health.
DNA damage can be caused both by aging and by damaging agents (free radicals). Examples of damaging agents would be smoking and radiation. An indicator of aging is the Sirt 1 enzyme. The Sirt 1 level goes down as we age.
Arthur then provided examples of how different parts of our bodies age, and how and why this happens.
The brain is the most complex organ of the body. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that results from clumps of protein growing in the brain and damaging brain cells. Scientists are looking at solutions to this brain disease, such as introducing inhibitors that can control these adverse effects. Feeding of the brain’s neurons is one possible solution. Coconut oil is rich in Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) which feed the brain’s neurons.
The heart is a much simpler organ, but if it is starved of oxygen, it will also be damaged and age.
The pancreas controls insulin secretion. All cells require insulin or they will become starved. So, if the pancreas is damaged, the result is that the entire body will age through the condition known as Diabetes.
Arthritis is another condition that can contribute to aging through joint and bone damage. Hip replacements and similar relatively new procedures and drugs are being used to compensate for this aging factor.
Macular Degeneration represents an aging of the eye, which is related to the over expression of the VEGF gene.
So, to summarize, our genes control our bodily functions and, as they are damaged in one fashion or another, our bodies begin to break down. Accordingly, the scientific community is concentrating on finding ways to reduce and repair this genetic damage, and the future looks very promising in this regard.
There are basically three major methods that are being researched to combat aging:
1. Stem Cell Research - Stem cells can be programmed into becoming and therefore replacing or increasing the numbers of those types of cells that have been damaged, whether they be skin cells, nerve cells, brain cells, or any other type of cells in the patient’s body.
2. Gene Editing - This process allows scientists to deactivate, reactivate or replace genes, i.e. to repair the actual DNA of the patient, in order to cure diseases. This type of genetic engineering is a very promising approach that may very soon be able to cure such diseases as hemophilia.
3. Immunotherapy - This process involves producing antibodies in a test animal with respect to certain diseases that can then be injected into the patient. Arthur told the story about a woman who thought that drinking and bathing in the blood of hundreds of murdered young women would keep her young. There appears to be some truth to this theory, since scientists have rejuvenated old mice by flowing blood into them from young mice. Furthermore, they have isolated the protein in the blood that causes this rejuvenation. It is the GDF11 protein, which researchers feel has the potential of rejuvenating an aging body.
Arthur summarized that old age is a disease caused by genetic defects, and that new genetic technologies are being developed in order to correct these defects and, hopefully, at least delay the aging process.
 
Dhanni thanked Arthur for a very interesting and informative talk, but told him that he left out the fact that stress also contributes to aging, but that a lot of sex and Jack Daniels can relieve that stress, or at least act as a pleasant diversion from the aging process.
Gerd terminated the meeting while this reporter’s mind was still struggling with his aging brain to comprehend what the heck Arthur had been talking about.
The science of aging. Barry Smith 2015-11-04 00:00:00Z 0

Oct 28, 2015

Posted by Carolyn Nicholson on Nov 02, 2015
October 28, 2015.
Chairman- President Gerd Wengler       
O Canada-Gordon Brown
Grace-   Basil Dias
Attendance- 10 Members
Guests- 2 Guests- Steve Rutledge and Garry
 
Oct 28, 2015 Carolyn Nicholson 2015-11-03 00:00:00Z 0

Amerok Society

Posted by Kevin Manuel on Oct 23, 2015
Anthem:  Jacob Lakirovich
Grace:  Mike Mushet
Toast: Gerd Wengler

In attendance:       22     (including guests)
Guests:  Earl Creighton immediate past President of the Rotary Club of St Vincent south
Mike Conway from the Agincourt Rotary Club
Deepak Gupta and Amit Lahiri from Centennial College who are working with us on the creation of a new Roteract club
Amerok Society Kevin Manuel 2015-10-24 00:00:00Z 0
Oct 21,2015 Danny Cassidy 2015-10-24 00:00:00Z 0

Copy of Amerok Society

Posted by Kevin Manuel on Oct 23, 2015
Anthem:  Jacob Lakirovich
Grace:  Mike Mushet
Toast: Gerd Wengler

In attendance:       22     (including guests)
Guests:  Earl Creighton immediate past President of the Rotary Club of St Vincent south
Mike Conway from the Agincourt Rotary Club
Deepak Gupta and Amit Lahiri from Centennial College who are working with us on the creation of a new Roteract club
Copy of Amerok Society Kevin Manuel 2015-10-24 00:00:00Z 0
Oct 21, 2015 Kevin Manuel 2015-10-24 00:00:00Z 0

Julia Bubrin Classification Talk

Posted by Rocco Colangelo on Oct 13, 2015
Oct 14/2015 Rotary Luncheon
"Julia Bubrin Classification Presentation"
Chairperson: President Gerd Wengler
National Anthem: Jacob Lakirovich
Grace: Rocco Colangelo
Attendance: 13, including 2 guests: Lillian Colangelo and Jacquelyn Smith
 
Announcements:
       Jacquelyn Smith read a Thank You letter she received from Pamela Serti on behalf of Goodwill TENCO for the significant amount of donation given by the Rotary Clubs in Scarborough in June 2015
 
Jacob - last call for the upcoming concert!
 
Alan Meredith reminded us once again that we only have less than a third the minimum numbers of items required for the TV auction and please don't wait till the last minute to bring items in to avoid the last minute rush to enter the stuff on the system.
Gerd reported that he has $15K of sponsorships and possibly more in the way Thanks Gerd, Dhanni will be happy to record them for our Club. 
 
Marbelous Draw:  Jack Holman conducted the draw Gerd had the lucky ticket however the mutant marble wasn't found and lives another day.
 
SAA – Basil Dias - asked for happy Buck$ there were many from Arthur, Gerd, Jack and others
 
Program:   Alan Meredith - had the pleasure to introduce  Julia Bubrin to speak to us again but this time being  a member of the North Scarborough Rotary Club and tell us about herself.
 
Arthur Retnakaran - Thanked Julia for her interesting talk and welcomed her to the Club.

Please follow the audio link to hear Julia's interesting presentation.
 
 
 
President Gerd also thanked Julia and welcomed her to the Club and closed the meeting.
 
 
Julia Bubrin Classification Talk Rocco Colangelo 2015-10-14 00:00:00Z 0

Honorary Members Lunch

Posted by Rocco Colangelo
Reporter: Rocco Colangelo
Rotary Luncheon
Oct 7th 2015
  1. Chairperson – Gerd Wengler (President)
  2. National Anthem – Gordon Brown
  3. Grace – Peter Masson
  4. Toast to the Queen, Canada and Rotary – Gerd Wengler
  5. Attendance - 25 including guests
  6. Guests 3 – David Seemungal Dad Saty Seemungal, Lynn Wylie, Jack Wylie's spouse and Anna Jirkova guest of Peter Lightfoot.
  7. Announcements – Peter Masson wants us to stay focused on the 2015 TV Auction date is fast approaching and everyone should make an effort to bring in quality items.           
  8. Dhanni Ramdeen - Sponsorships and donation please see Dhanni.                                                                             
  9. Jacob Lakirovich - has tickets available for the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra
    Concert Oct. 24 at the Salvation Army Citadel Lawrence and Warden please see Jacob for tickets and details.                                                       
    Gordon Brown - Club Service meeting Thursday Oct 8 at Basil 7 PM                             
  10.  President Gerd - reminded us of the upcoming District Conference Oct. 23 - 25 please make and effort to attend. Check website for details.                                                                  
  11. Jack Holman - the Club Dues are now due.   
  12. Marbelous Draw – no draw this week.
  13. Sergeant At Arms – Gordon Brown only asked for Bucks. There were too many to recall but we all were happy to have the Honorary Members and quests present.
  14. Program – president Gerd introduced the visiting Honorary Members: Robert Brown, Charles Whitney, Roy Loch, Peter Lightfoot, Al McDougal, And Jack Wylie. Many questions were asked related to what is like not having to attend regular Rotary meetings, all admitted they miss the Rotary fellowship but are now enjoying their retirement.  They all liked our new meeting venue and happy to be invited today.                    
  15. President Gerd thanked all for coming, he then closed the meeting.
Honorary Members Lunch Rocco Colangelo 2015-10-07 00:00:00Z 0

Directors' Reports September 2015

Posted by Basil Dias on Sep 29, 2015
Rotary Club of North Scarborough
Rota-Teller
Wednesday September 30, 2015
By Basil Dias
 
Attendance:                   9 members, no guests.
 
Anthem:                          Jacob Lakirovich
 
Grace:                               Donna Salamalay
 
Toast to the Queen, Canada and Rotary:  President Gerd Wengler
Announcements:  
  Club Service (Group1) meeting at Basil Dias’ on Thursday October 8th at 7:00 pm.   
Community Service/Vocational Service meeting at Baton Rouge on Wednesday October 7 at 2:00 pm.
Jacob announced the upcoming Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra concert on Saturday October 24 at 8:00 pm at the Salvation Army Citadel. This performance, “Breaking Bad: Colourful Characters in Music”, is sponsored by our club. The program includes Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Overture To Don Giovanni; Alexander Rapoport’s “If Elvira Hadn’t Arrived In Time”; Georges Bizet/Pablo De Sarasate’s “Carmen Fantasy”; Igor Stravinsky’s “Petroushka”; and John Williams’ “The Imperial March (Darth Vader Theme) from Star Wars. 

Kevin reminded us that the TV Auction needs LOTS of quality items, with only one month left to bring them in. 

Alan also announced that to date (Sep 30) only two members had brought in items. Remember that we need hockey and other sports tickets, restaurant vouchers, hairdresser gift certificates, items from the local hardware stores, cameras, watches, jewelry, etc… Everybody we see or do business with each day is a potential donor.

Marbelous Draw:         Conducted by Kevin Manuel and won by Alan Meredith. The elusive mutant marble continued to elude Alan, who had to settle for $5.00.

Sergeant at Arms:         S/A Alan fined all in attendance who had not yet brought in TV auction items; this even included members who had items with them but hadn’t yet turned them in. 
 Happy bucks were collected from Gerd for his enjoyable trip to the East Coast, and from other happy members. (We’ll get you unhappy folks next time)
 
Today’s program was Director’s Reports, with Alan reporting for Dhanni and Basil reporting for
Gordon. It was emphasized that it is important to RSVP to invitations early, so that the
Event Chair can properly plan the event. Please accept or decline early.
 
A link to the recording of the Directors reports follows.
                                          
https://www.dropbox.com/s/asg3xosiy1v0h39/Directors%27%20reports%209-15.MP3?dl=0                                          
 
 
Directors' Reports September 2015 Basil Dias 2015-09-30 00:00:00Z 0

TV Auction 2015 "Kick Off"

Posted by Gordon Brown on Sep 08, 2015
Rotateller for September 9th, 2015
 
Past President Maddy opened the meeting
Anthem: Frank
Grace: Arthur
Toast to the Queen, Canada and Rotary – Past President Maddy
​Attendance: 11 including 2 guests
Guests: Maddy’s daughter Diya and Kevin Manuel’s wife Sharyn
Announcements:
          Gordon announced that there will be a Club Service Group meeting at Carolyn’s tomorrow Thursday September 10th at 7.00pm  
  • Peter announced on behalf of Donna that volunteers are needed for a Habitat for Humanity Build project at Brimley and Lawrence next week from Monday Sept 14 to Saturday Sept 19 to assist with serving breakfast starting at 7.00am. If you'd like to assist - please contact Gerard at gandjbaribeau@rogers.com or phone (416) 264-4527 Parking is across the street next to Thompson Park.
Marbelous Draw:
Peter conducted the draw and Maddy’s daughter drew the ticket which was claimed by Sharyn Manuel, but she couldn’t find the mutant marble so was given $5 as a consolation.
Sergeant-At-Arms:
Kevin Manuel didn’t fine anyone, but just asked for Happy Bucks: Kevin Moore contributed as he was happy to be in attendance. Jack Holman was happy to be 84 today. Dhanni contributed as she had recovered from an accident involving her thumb and a blender and having to have quite a few stitches! Peter was surprised last Saturday at the Baton Rouge with a surprise 80th birthday party for him with a lot of family members. Yet another birthday contribution from Arthur who was taken to a Blue Jays game for his birthday. Maddy was happy her daughter was back from a lot of traveling- including being at a music camp. Kevin Manuel was happy that Sharyn joined him for dinner and contributed the $5 that Sharyn just won! 

Program:
Our speaker today was Past President Maddy with her ‘TV Auction Kick Off’.
(Before she gave her presentation she reminded us of the Foundation Walk on September 20th at Morningside Park.)
The Auction this year is on November 27, 28 and 29 (the 29th being just for ‘pick up’). Important dates to be noted:
item entry and sponsorship deadline is October 30th
 delivery of items is November 6th
and sorting November 7th.
There are 5 teams this year and she will be e-mailing everyone in the next few days advising of the teams.
Maddy gave out some packages with information including a flyer that can be used, sponsorship information and item entry form. She advised that if you want to buy some hockey tickets (at cost) and then donate them you can contact Al Meredith. Maddy also advised that she had confirmed with Doug that tax receipts can be issued to individuals (not companies) for items that have a ‘clear value’. Dhanni is the sponsorship coordinator, so any sponsorships should be given to Dhanni.
 
[The noise from the birthday party next door during Maddy's presentation has made listening to her difficult. Here is the link]
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zwh7zx6b7iylvad/Maddy%20TV%20Auction.MP3?dl=0
 
Dhanni thanked Maddy for her presentation and the hard work she had done (and will be doing) for the Auction.
 
 There being no further business Past President Maddy closed the meeting.
TV Auction 2015 "Kick Off" Gordon Brown 2015-09-09 00:00:00Z 0

District Governor Michael Bell's 2015-2016 priorities

Posted by Peter Masson on Aug 25, 2015
 
 
Rota-Teller
August 26, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assistant District Governor Dr. Ravi Chouljian
District Governor Michael Bell 
Anthem: Peter Masson
Grace: Basil Dias
Toast to the Queen & Rotary: President Gerd
Attendance: 15 including 4 guests
District Governor Michael Bell, Jo-Ann Bell
Assistant District Governor Raffi Chouljian
David Seemungal’s daughter Dana
 
Announcements:
1. Basil (to everyone’s surprise) had no announcement!
2. Dhanni announced that the International (Group 4) would meet later this afternoon
3. Donna announced that the Community Services (Group 2/3) would meet Sept 2nd.
4. Board of Directors to meet @ Gordon Brown’s home Monday August 31st.
5. A dinner meeting is scheduled for Sept 9th @ 6:30 pm.  A special Baton Rouge menu will be provided for those attending.
6. Club dues are now “due” .  Same amount as last year but no meal tickets will be included.
7. September 20th is Foundation Walk.
8. Oct 23-25 is the District Conference at the Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto.
9 Gerd advised that the President’s Party generated $1,300 for the Foundation and about 30 attended on the Wengler outdoor patio on August 22nd.
10. October 7th will be Honorary Members day at the Baton Rouge. Correction (It will be a FREE lunch for the honoraries and Rotary wheels will be available for those who don't want to take UBER)
 
Marbelous Draw:

Donna was the winner of the draw but only $5 which she graciously returned to the club treasury.
 
Seargeant at Arms: 
Peter Masson together with Mike Mushet toured the room soliciting “happy” bucks. Much was returned to the club’s treasury from members attending.  Your scribe offered his thanks for a successful driver’s examination the day before he left for a two week vacation through Quebec and the Maritimes. That was followed by his 80th birthday on August 24th. He has discovered the folly of telling Facebook your birth date. He was inundated with a gaggle of greetings from near and far.
 
Program:
ADG Raffi introduced DG Michael Bell.  Michael has only been a Rotarian since 2005 but has gone on to be president of the Etobicoke club on two occasions and to chair the fabulously successful Toronto Ribfest held on July 1st weekends from 2011 to 2015 raising $650,000 for charitable work as a result. Raffi described Michael’s commitment to volunteer service including his activities at the District level.  Of note is that during the three years that he was club president he was instrumental in the addition of 42 new members during the last three years.
Michael then began his talk by taking us with him (figuratively) to the gathering of all incoming presidents of Rotary when President Ravi Ravindran urged all Rotarians “Be a gift to the World”. 
Please listen to the complete recording of Raffi’s introduction and Governor Michael’s presentation in the following link.
 
https://www.dropbox.com/s/c136lvq1k6d5cqk/Governor%20Michael%20Bell.wav?dl=0
 
President Gerd closed the meeting after a short Q and A session with DG Michael.
 
Next week’s program: September 2nd
Victor Lal, 2015 Paul Harris Scholar    Battling Depression
 
District Governor Michael Bell's 2015-2016 priorities Peter Masson 2015-08-26 00:00:00Z 0

RYLA 2015

Posted by Rocco Colangelo on Aug 18, 2015
Reporter - David Seemungal
                                                                                                Rotary Luncheon
                                                                                                   August 19th 2015
 
1. Chair - President Gerd Wengler
2. National Anthem - Gordon Brown
3. Grace - Jim Boyko
4. Toast to the Queen, Canada and Rotary - Gerd Wengler
5. Attendance - 16
6. Guests - Mike Conway, R.C Agincourt; Mike Zenteno, R. C. Markham Sunrise Basil's guest.
7. Guest Speaker - Anthony Poon our RYLA attendee who is also a member of Rotaract at York University.
  
8. Announcements - September 20th is Foundation Walk. Registration begins at 8:AM.
We still need sponsorships for the walk. Forms available from David Seemungal or President Gerd Wengler.
International Group will meet after regular meeting at Baton Rouge on Wednesday 26th. Hosted by Chair Dhanni Ramdeen.
President Gerd invited all Directors to meet with District Governor and ADG at 11.45am
before our regular meeting on Wednesday 26th. Please be on time.
President’s Party at President Gerd’s home in Milton on Saturday 22nd at 4pm.
 
9. Marbelous Draw - Alan Meredith, the mutant marble drawn belonged to the Mike/Gerd Coalition
who donated the consolation prize back to the club coffers.
 
10. SAA - Mike Mushet only asked for happy bucks, there were too many to recall.
 
The program today was a report from this Year's RYLA Candidate.
 
Rocco Colangelo - introduced the speaker, Anthony Poon, a Rotaractor who we sponsored to attend RYLA earlier this year.
He gave an interesting talk and answered several questions from members.
Please follow the attached audio link to hear all Anthony's presentation.
Dhanni Ramdeen - thanked Anthony for his presentation and presented him with an Operation Eyesight Certificate.
 
 
 
President Gerd closed the meeting reminding us of the DG visit next Wednesday August 26th.
RYLA 2015 Rocco Colangelo 2015-08-19 00:00:00Z 0

Air Cadet

Posted by Rocco Colangelo on Aug 11, 2015
Reporter: Arthur Retnakaran
Rotary Luncheon
August 12th 2015
  1. Chairperson – Gerd Wengler (President)
  2. National Anthem – Frank Allison
  3. Grace – Kevin Moore
  4. Toast to the Queen, Canada and Rotary – Gerd Wengler
  5. Guests(2) Anne Kozich, Program Development Officer, Air Cadets; 
  6. Cecile Thompson, President, Royal Canadian Air Force Association
  7. Attendance – 13
  8. Announcements – Sponsors and T-shirts for participants for the Foundation Walk on September 20th are available;  Rogers cup tickets are available at a reduced rate from Wallace/ Wengler and parts of the  proceeds will go towards the Foundation; International Group (Dhanni) will meet on August 26th after the meeting; Club Group (Gordon) will meet on August 27th; Community Group (Donna) will meet on September 2nd after the luncheon; Boar Meeting (Gerd) will meet on August 31st; All members have been informed appropriately.
    Scarborough Rotary Club has extended an invitation to join them on August 25th at the Scarborough Golf Club and also in helping out with the serving of Breakfast for the Women Builders of Habitat from September 14th to the 19th. Details are available with Basil Dias. President’s dinner will be at Gerd Wengler’s residence from 4:00 PM to 10 PM on August 22nd and details have been mailed earlier.
  9. Marbelous Draw – Dhanni conducted the draw and Jack won the draw but alas not the magic marble. He won the consolation prize of $5.
  10. Sergeant At Arms – Mike Mushet asked for Happy Buck contributions. Gerd got himself a super duper watch. Dhanni was happy to be back after a long hiatus due to a wicked cold. Basil went to Tobermory to see his kid. Arthur is going with his daughter’s family to Italy.
  11. Speaker – Anne Kozich, Program Development Officer for the Air Cadets spoke about introducing the Air Cadet Programs for the young kids. They have 110 kids varying in age from 12 to 19 and they were taught various life lessons for 7 years including gliding lessons. They meet for 3 days a week and occupy 3 rooms and the gym facilities at the Stephen Leacock High School by paying $10,000 to the TDSB. Shy youngsters who joined the Program ended up becoming confident leaders.
Mike Mushet thanked our speaker and presented Anne with a cheque in support to Air Cadet from our Club.
To listen to Anne Kozich's presentation, please follow the link.
 
Conclusion – Gerd thanked everyone for attending and concluded the meeting  by ringing the bell (In 1922, U.S. Rotarians organized an attendance contest; the challenge was that the losing clubs would join in giving the winning club a prize. The Rotary Club of New York City was declared the winner and to them was awarded as a prize a bell  from a popular patrol boat, which was placed on wood that came from HMS “Victory”, Admiral Nelson’s vessel at the battle of Trafalgar. And thus began the tradition of bell ringing!)
Air Cadet Rocco Colangelo 2015-08-12 00:00:00Z 0

Danny Cassidy "Ride to Conquer Cancer"

Chairperson: President Gerd Wengler
National Anthem: Dave Hardy
Grace: Carolyn Nicholson
Attendance: 13, no guests
 
Announcements:
Basil - thanked all those who participated in the Ribfest last weekend; this was a success!
Dave – during Ribfest ten people expressed interest in potentially joining Rotary, one attending
Scarborough Twilight’s meeting tonight; we also had three Rotarians from Belleville who were
interested in the Renewal Campaign.
Gordon – Group 1 meeting later this week
Gerd - The President’s party will be held on August 22. Please respond to the invite if you have not yet done so.
Gerd - Our meeting on September 9th will be a dinner meeting starting at 7pm.
Gerd - The Foundation Walk will be held on September 20th; we still need sponsors & support.
 
Marbelous Draw: Jim had the winning ticket, however the lucky marble eluded him; the consolation
prize was donated back to the pot.
 
SAA – Peter Masson gave the group a brief overview of the Civic Holiday; August 1, 1834 is also known
as “Emancipation Day”, the day when slavery was ended in the British Empire; this holiday is celebrated
in many former British colonies in the Caribbean. Peter then proceeded to collect happy bucks as
follows:
        - Danny: celebrating his son’s recent wedding
        - Danny: recently selected to join the Regional Advisory Council for the Rouge Valley Hospital
        - Jack: appreciated the article on the front page of the Sun, regarding a previous co-worker
        - Carolyn: on successfully passing an exam and is now a member of the Canadian Academy of Floral Art.
        - Basil: appreciating his great grand-father’s trip from Africa to St. Kitts, allowing Basil to ultimately migrate to Canada
 
Program:
Gordon introduced Danny Cassidy, our guest speaker this week. Danny shared his experiences
regarding the Ride to Conquer Cancer, proceeds of which go to the Princess Margaret Hospital. The first ride in
Toronto in 2008 raised $14.0M, in 2015 this increased to $19.6M; Danny estimates that he has cycled
over 224K KM during these rides.
 
Statistically Cancer is the leading cause of death amongst Canadian men and women. In 2015 it is
estimated that 41K men and 37K women will get cancer, with lung cancer being most prevalent form of
the disease for both sexes. The focus at Princess Margaret is on individual therapies versus “generic”
treatments. Danny then entertained the group with details of his 2015 ride, which included being stung
by a hornet, falling off his bike and ending up soaking wet in the rain.
 
Gerd thanked Danny for an entertaining presentation and presented him with a token of our appreciation.
He then concluded the meeting by wishing everyone a happy week.
 
Here are the links to listen to Danny's presentation
 
Next Week’s Program: The Blackhawk Air Cadets, Speaker: Cecile Thompson
Danny Cassidy "Ride to Conquer Cancer" Donna Salamalay 2015-08-05 00:00:00Z 0

Aga Khan Foundation

Posted by Donna Salamalay on Jul 28, 2015
Rota-Teller
29 July 2015
 
 
Chairperson:                President Gerd Wengler
National Anthem:         Peter Masson
Grace:                        James Burchell
 
Attendance: 15 including our guest speaker
 
Announcements:
Gerd - The President’s party will be held on August 22. Please respond to the invite if you have not yet done so.
Gerd - Our luncheon meeting on September 9th will be replaced by a dinner meeting. This is a trial to see if it will better accommodate our members’ schedules.
Gerd: -the key to access the Rotary box (for materials used during our weekly meetings) has been replaced with a combination lock. The secret code was shared with meeting attendees.
David S - The Foundation Walk will be held on September 20th. Registration will begin at 8AM. We are seeking sponsors so please advise if you have potential candidates.
Dave H - We have a replacement for Julia’s activities on the Renewal Campaign
Gerd - We have received a membership application that will be reviewed at the next board meeting
Donna - The first Community Services meeting will be held on Sept 2; location forthcoming.   
 
Marbelous Draw:  Won again by the Wengler-Muschet consortium!
 
SAA - Dave Hardy fined anyone who is not participating in the upcoming Ribfest this weekend. He then solicited Happy Bucks from the group as follows:
  • James: celebrating his daughter’s birthday
  • Peter: joining his family tonight to take in a performance of Shakespeare in High Park
  • Jack: successfully renewed his driver’s licence
  • Basil: on the longevity of one gentleman in the soccer team he founded a while back
  • Frank: for his granddaughter’s success in taking a selfie with Connor McDavid, an NHL hockey player who is also a neighbour.
 
Program:  
Our Guest speaker this week was Asif Pradhim, who is part of the Speakers’ Bureau with the Aga Khan Foundation. They meet with different groups to educate local communities about the non-for profit’s activities. The Aga Khan Foundation was established in 1967; the Canadian arm (AKFC) was established in 1980. AKFC is a registered Canadian charity and an agency of the worldwide Aga Khan Development Network, a group of development agencies with individual mandates that address social, economic and cultural dimensions of development. Active in 30 countries, these agencies share a mission to improve living conditions and opportunities for the poor, without regard to their faith, origin or gender.
 
Asif has an educational background and shared his experiences in Chitral, a town near the Afghanistan/Pakistan border. He discussed the fact that educators in the region are committed to developing young minds, regardless of the limited training materials available to them – the focus is on active learning and the ability to stimulate a child’s learning.
 
“Education is the most powerful force you can use to change the world” – Nelson Mandela
 
 
Asif's presentation can be heard on the following link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2chsr8xy7xebxxo/Aga%20Khan.mp3?dl=0
 
Conclusion: Gerd concluded the meeting by wishing everyone a happy weekend holiday
 
Next Week’s Program: Ride to Conquer Cancer, Speaker: Danny Cassidy  
Aga Khan Foundation Donna Salamalay 2015-07-29 00:00:00Z 0

Habitat for Humanity

Posted by Arthur Retnakaran on Jul 21, 2015
 
This photo is of the presentation of $1,800 to Habitat for Humanity
Left to right: Jeff Abraham (H for H), Arthur Retnakaran, President Gerd Wengler
Rota-Teller
July 22, 2015
 
Chairperson – President Gerd Wengler
National Anthem – Peter Masson
Grace -  Jim Boyko
Toast to the Queen, Canada and Rotary – Gerd Wengler
Attendance – 19 including 4 guests
 
Announcements –
Basil Dias – Urgent call for volunteers for the Scarborough Ribfest
David Hardy – Invitation for Guild Alive Art Festival
Gerd Wengler – President’s party on August 22nd at his residence (212 Queen St Street, Milton). No food or drink but a generous donation towards our club is requested.
Gordon Brown – Raised $575 at his Garden Party & BBQ.  Maddy & Sameer donated all the food
 
Happy Bucks – Sai Foo, Dave Hardy and Basil Dias had reasons to rejoice
 
Marbelous Draw – Jim Boyko conducted the draw and Frank Alison was the winner but not the magic marble and was rewarded with the consolation prize of $5. There was a unanimous sigh of sympathy from the audience!
 
Sergeant-at-arms – Frank Alison asked a question, “What do you know about Geriatric?” Apparently there is a soccer player named Geriatric (although I could not find it on Google). He collected quite handily.
 
Impromptu visit by the Assistant District Governor, Rafi ------?.  He congratulated the joint effort of the Scarborough Rotary Clubs in supporting Dave Hardy’s ground breaking initiative of the Scarborough Renewal Campaign. He announced the spin off effect of starting a Business Initiative. He presented a video message from the District Governor, -Michael Bell, which among other things had a rousing message from the Rotary International President, Ravindran asking all of us to “Be a gift to the world”.
 
Speaker – Jeff Abraham from Habitat for Humanity was introduced by Arthur Retnakaran and he gave a presentation on the activities of their organization. The program was started by Jimmy Carter in 1976 in the small town of Americus, Georgia where they built 62 homes. Habitat is active in 65 countries and a new home is built every 5 ½ minutes. Habitat runs a Social Service as well as an Outreach program building houses and running Habitat Restores that sells donated building materials and household goods. In order to qualify a low income family should invest 500 hours of “Sweat Equity” as a down payment. They provide 0% mortgage for the family. Their motto, “Not a hand-out but a Hand-up”   
                     
He was presented with a check for $1800 by our club by Arthur Retnakaran and Gerd Wengler and it was in honour of Arthur’s late wife, Sarsi  who was a tireless volunteer at Habitat Restore in Sault Ste. Marie. The donation  was a collective effort of Arthur, his 2 children, our club and the generosity of many members.
 
The Habitat for Humanity slide show follows : https://www.dropbox.com/s/zyxnxbzk1zuidcf/Rotary%20Club%20of%20North%20Scarborough.pptx.lnk?dl=0 
Jeff Abraham's remarks are found at this link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/h35v8a3r2oj4jey/Habitat%20intro%20%26%20Jeff%20.MP3?dl=0              
         
Conclusion – Gerd Wengler concluded the meeting by wishing everyone a happy week.
 
Next week's program: Aga Khan Foundation, Speaker Asif Pradhim
 
Habitat for Humanity Arthur Retnakaran 2015-07-22 00:00:00Z 0

Club Priorities for 2015/16

Posted by Peter Masson on Jul 14, 2015
 
 
 
President Gerd Wengler congratulated by
David Seemungal,
Foundation Chair re Paul Harris Award
 
Rota-Teller
July 15, 2015
Chair:            Gerd Wengler
Anthem:         Peter Masson
Grace:           Carolyn Nicholson
 
Attending 16 including Gerd Wengler’s guest Frank Lippa (P.H.Fellow)
 
Announcements:

● Standing ovation for support by Frank Lippa for the club and its programs after Gerd introduced Frank as our visitor to-day.
David Seemungal announced that Gerd Wengler has purchased another P.H. Fellow (as the Rotary Foundation urges us all to do) ... #4 pip for his pin. 
Scarborough Rib Fest is coming July 31 to August 3.  Basil is anxiously awaiting volunteers to fill our roster for parking and promotion of Rotary duties..
● Next week Gerd will be advising who has been assigned to which group. Most have indicated that they would remain in the same groups as last year.  But recent new members will be assigned after they have indicated their preferences.
● Jack Holman reports that he may only be contacted by phone, postal service or by carrier pigeon until his laptop has been resuscitated.
● Dave Hardy reported that there has been a good response for the Art in the Park event July 25 & 26.
 
Marbelous Draw:

Mike asked our guest, Frank, to pull the winning ticket.  This week it was Gerd again who held the winning ticket stub.  But $5 was the consolation prize ... returned shortly afterward.
Sergeant at Arms:
●Dave Hardy asked for hands up if you had volunteered for the Civic Holiday RibFest. Not many hands went up.  So the point was made .... we need the money and Basil is anxiously awaiting for volunteers to contact him.
●Gerd gave a happy (?) buck for his and Dorothy’s exhausting week.  Yes, this is what happens when an 8 week old puppy takes over your home.  Their laundry basket is being re-organized one sock at a time and she tears around the house as if she were on a racetrack then collapses only long enough to recharge her batteries.
● Basil confessed that when he visited the Scarborough club on RibFest business he was advised to be “Packett light” in his funding requests for the Foundation.
●Many others contributed happy bucks as we settled into our new routine of soup and our choice off the menu before the program part of the meeting.
 
Program:

James was given the honour of introducing President Gerd (even though he has been a regular fixture at the podium this past year).  But this time it was to look ahead to the new Rotary year 2015/16 when he is club president.
Gerd began by introducing our new R.I. President Ravi Ravindran from Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon). Gerd personally met him at R.I.’s Evanston head office when the 7070 group was visiting as part of the PETS program. The July issue of the Rotarian magazine tells a part of his story.  First having his tea business taken away from him and his family and then starting anew with an idea that all tea bags must be labeled and thus the growing business of packaging and labeling this most valuable commodity which is one of Sri Lanka’s major exports to the world. Now as R.I. president he is lucky to have more than a couple of days to return to visit his home country.
Gerd introduced President Ravi’s new Presidential Citation to be awarded to clubs directly by R.I. during his year in office.  These citations are intended to encourage clubs to make strides in the following areas:
 
Membership Development and Retention

Foundation Giving
Online Tool Adoption
Humanitarian Service
New Generations 
Public Image
 
All clubs are to set at least 15 goals and pay semiannual dues on time.
Each member is to receive the pamphlet that was handed out to all attending.  It will be the focus of the club membership and the Board as we prepare our response to the presidential challenge.
 
Donna thanked Gerd for his presentation and assured him that we will work toward achieving the goals that will crown his year with a Presidential Citation.
Links to a recording of Gerd’s presentation are attached: (Sorry but I was unable to join the two parts in order to integrate them.
 
 Part 1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/qfat0qbk6vas53r/150715_001.wav?dl=0
Part 2 https://www.dropbox.com/s/jz0krzrme7x0rn1/150715_002.wav?dl=0
 
Next week's featured presentation:
Enloe Wilson for Habitat for Humanity
Club Priorities for 2015/16 Peter Masson 2015-07-15 00:00:00Z 0

ACSA donation

Posted by Peter Masson on Jun 17, 2015
 
Susan Caswell, Park Property Management, Mike Mushet Rotary Club of North Scarboroough, Lee Soda Executive Director of Agincourt Community Services Association
 
 
Representatives of Park Property Management and the Rotary Club of North Scarborough present a cheque for $6,000 to the Agincourt Community Services Association (ACSA)
Mike Mushet, 2014/15 Director of Community Services for the Rotary Club is joined by Susan Caswell, Manager,  Human Resources of Park Property Management Inc. and Lee Soda, Executive Director of ACSA. They are presenting a $6,000 cheque to advance the work within the Scarborough communities. 
 
ACSA has been serving the Scarborough community since 1974 providing essential programs and services to over 70,000 community members yearly through their multiple sites.  Complete details can be found at their website: www.agincourtcommunityservices.com
 
North Scarborough Rotary Club has been a supporter of ACSA for many years and recently partnered with Park Property Management of Markham which has contributed $4,500 toward ACSA’s annual $50,000 goal to fund the local community in efforts to sustain and maintain the ACSA food bank.  ACSA’s food bank served over 15,000 unique individuals in 2014.
 
 
ACSA donation Peter Masson 2015-06-18 00:00:00Z 0

Afghanistan experience

Posted by Dhanni Ramdeen on Jun 09, 2015
 
Captain Ian Chen
 
Rota-Teller
June 10, 2015
 
Chair: Incoming VP Basil Dias
Anthem: Alan Meredith
Grace: David Seemungal
Attendance: 16.
Guests: 1; Captain Ian Chen
Announcements: 
Basil Dias – There will be a Goodwill “Donation Drive” on June 24th, organized by Jacklyn Smith. Please start collecting items such as gently used clothing, small household items, (no furniture) books, CDs, DVDs, Posters, etc...
 
Basil Dias – As part of the Arts & Cultural component of the Scarborough Renewal Campaign, there will be a “Dinner and a Song” event at the Olde Stone Cottage on June 21st. 
Basil Dias – We were informed by the Delta Toronto East hotel, effective July 1st, the luncheon cost will be increased to $30, plus HST and gratuity with a minimum of 15 attendees. Parking for the first 2 hours is included, thereafter parking is $4/hr. The contract will be on a month-to-month basis. The Board was advised and a decision will be made soon. The members will be informed accordingly.
David Hardy – Dave met with UTSC and they agreed to sponsor the Renewal Campaign conference on Oct. 15th.
Peter Masson – The Ribfest 2015 will be on Friday June 27th to Sunday June 28th at the Markham Civic Centre. Please speak with Rocco to book the time you will be volunteering.
Jack Holman – Congratulated Peter Masson on receiving his third Paul Harris pin at the annual PH Scholarship event last week.
Dhanni Ramdeen – The International Services group meeting will be next Wednesday, June 17th at the Delta Toronto Hotel right after the regular weekly meeting.
 
 
Dhanni read out an impressive beautifully framed “Thank You” letter from Bridge to Health expressing their gratitude for our contributions to their work on the Maternal Health clinics in Uganda. This was a District Grant project in 2013. (See below)
 
 
Bridge to Health
 
Marbelous Draw: Barry Smith
 
Dhanni won the consolation prize of $5 which she quickly turned over to the pot.
SAA – Alan Meredith.
Fines were given out to those who did not wear their Rotary pins and who will not be at the Ribfest.
Happy Bucks from:
  • Peter Masson on receiving his third Paul Harris Award pin. Congratulations Peter.
  • Jack Holman on June 10th being the “tax free day”
  • Barry Smith on not being fined as he was the substitute SAA today.
 
Basil Dias introduced the speaker Captain Ian Chen on his experience in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Ian joined the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve where he was active in the Logistic Division. From there he went overseas to Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2008. When he came back safely to Toronto, he completed his Executive MBA degree where he met Madhavi
Mike Mushet thanked our speaker for his service to our country and presented him with a certificate from Operation Eyesight.
 
 
Next Week: President Maddy Chandrasekaran will give us her "Swan Song" and the members will all be able to offer their analysis of her performance (otherwise known as a ROAST)
 
 
Afghanistan experience Dhanni Ramdeen 2015-06-10 00:00:00Z 0

Palliative Care Society of Trinidad & Tobago.

Posted by David Seemungal on Jun 01, 2015
This article was extracted from an article in the Newsday Magazine in Trinidad & Tobago
It was submitted by David Seemungal who was responsible for bringing this need to the attention of our club.  North Scarborough Rotary supported the program as part of International outreach.
 
Gateway to Heaven
By ANGELA PIDDUCK Tuesday, June 2 2015

Scores of patrons shared bowls of soup in the Hilton’s Ballroom at the Palliative Care Society of Trinidad and Tobago (PCSTT) Annual Poor Man’s Dinner on May 23. Unlike Oliver Twist, starved and mistreated, empty bowl in hand, after his allotted bowl, who mustered the courage to approach his master saying “Please, sir, I want some more”, this was rich and tasty vegetable soup, chicken soup and fish broth with dumplings, served with warm rolls, and second helpings were allowed.
 
This dinner is an annual fund-raiser organised by the Society to upkeep The Palliative Care Unit at Caura, now accepted as the first state-funded, specialist unit within the Caribbean, and is referred to by the Caura staff as the “Caura Hyatt” or by others as the “Gateway To Heaven.” 
The unit is a joint venture between the PCSTT and the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA). It was founded in April 2011 by Satyernand “Saty” and Chan Seemungal of Maraval in memory of their daughter, Trudy-Ann Seemungal-Velauytham, who died of lung cancer at age 48, in 2009. 
Working with an extremely dedicated team at Caura Hospital, NCRHA and the PCSTT identified and renovated a formerly derelict building within the hospital to produce the Caura Hospital Palliative Care Unit, a 12-bed, in-patient unit that provides high quality, compassionate end-of-life care for patients with any terminal illness in a peaceful and serene environment. Palliative care is, in essence, about caring for patients with illnesses that cannot be cured, relieving their suffering and supporting them and their families through difficult times. The aim of Palliative Care is therefore to improve quality of life. 
One of only two physicians in Trinidad with formal palliative care training – Dr. Neil Nijhawan – who is in charge of the Caura Unit – gave diners a comprehensive talk, accompanied by slides, on the services offered since the unit opened on August 9, 2014. The other physician, Dr. Ravindra Maharaj, runs a clinic located at the National Radiotherapy Centre in St James. 
Already, said Seemungal, president of PCSTT, more interest is being generated through a Master’s programme at the University of the West Indies, Mount Hope, now in its third year, with 30 students graduating from the last programme. Some of the services offered include “a ward-based palliative care consulting service at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC)”, explained Nijhawan. Patients remain under the care of their primary team, with the palliative care team providing specialist input; and out-patient clinics at the Caura Hospital Palliative Care Unit, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8 am to 1pm, by appointment only, so that patients do not have to come to clinic hours before their appointment and wait. 
“Referrals are accepted for adult patients with a diagnosis of any advanced, progressive, life-limiting illness. This includes end stage cancer, end stage organ failure (kidney failure, heart failure, dementia) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Typically, patients referred to the palliative care service have an expected prognosis of less than a year. Referrals are usually for the following reasons: 
* Complex symptom control, e.g. severe, uncontrolled pain. 
* Complex psychological or spiritual distress. 
* Respite following radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery or other palliative interventions. 
* Care of the actively dying patient.” 
“Effective palliative care requires a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care. We are fortunate at Caura to have a team that comprises nurses, doctors, patient care assistants, dieticians, social worker, chaplain and medical students, Nijhawan said. 
“Since the unit opened, we have had in excess of 300 referrals from all corners of TnT. Referrals come from hospital teams, GPs in the community, patients/relatives at home and ‘walk ins’. While palliative care has been traditionally affiliated with oncology/cancer services, it is not limited to patients with end stage cancer. At present, 83 percent of our referrals are for patients with end stage cancer (lung cancer being the most common – which mirrors worldwide statistics). But we are getting increasing numbers of referrals for dementia and other organ failure.”
Nijhawan also spoke of the success rate of the unit. 
“We have had just over 130 admissions to the in-patient unit since we opened. Seventy-four percent of the admissions are for end-of- life care, 22 percent for symptom control and four percent for respite. A common perception is that once someone is sent to a palliative care unit, they never go home again. However, at Caura, our discharge rate is approximately 40 percent - meaning that 40 percent of the patients who are admitted to the palliative care unit are well enough to return home. 
Unfortunately, quite a large number of patients referred to us (30 percent), pass away within 24 hours of that referral being made. This reflects (1) the fact that many patients are diagnosed with a terminal condition at a very late stage and (2) medical teams wait too long before they refer to the palliative care team – this is improving as we are now receiving referrals at the point of diagnosis. Obviously ensuring that more doctors are familiar with palliative care is a priority and this has already started with fourth- year medical students being introduced to palliative care at both the NRC in St James and at Caura. 
So many times we hear family or friends not wanting to use heavy pain killers but this doctor so well qualified in this field spoke about “Morphine for pain control as a global human right. Morphine availability varies around the world with some depressing statistics – 8 percent of the world’s morphine is consumed in North America and Europe but low and middle-income countries are home to 50 percent of all the world’s cancer patients. It is impossible to provide good quality pain control without a decent supply of morphine, and while we do have access to morphine in Trinidad and Tobago, there is room for improvement.” 
Nijhawan made the comparison, “If Uganda can compound its own liquid morphine for US $2 a bottle, then what is our excuse? Currently it costs approximately TT$ 500 for a 500ml bottle which is often beyond the means of many of our citizens.”
 
Copyright © Daily News Limited
Palliative Care Society of Trinidad & Tobago. David Seemungal 2015-06-02 00:00:00Z 0

F.A.C.E. in Egypt

Posted by Dhanni Ramdeen on May 26, 2015
Rota-Teller
May 27, 2015
 
 
Sai Foo Lau thanks Nevie Yasso for her presentation
 
 
The certificate given by the R.C. Cairo Rhein-Nile club to
R.C. North Scarborough 
 
Rota-Teller
May 27, 2015
Chair: VP Gerd Wengler
Anthem: Arthur Retnakaran
Grace: Basil Dias
Attendance: 16.
Guests: 2; Jacklyn Smith; Anna Panno
Announcements: 
  • Jacklyn Smith from Goodwill will be doing a “Donation Drive”  in late  June (date to be announced) to collect gently used clothing, small household items, (no furniture), books, CDs, DVDs, Posters, etc.. Please start collecting items for this drive.
  • Anna Panno announced that The Guildwood Extendicare nursing home is looking for volunteers to help with pushing residents on wheelchairs to the Guildwood parade on Saturday June 6th at 9:30 am to take residents to the parade. Please call Sandy Griffin, Resident Program manager at Extendicare for additional details.
  • Peter Masson - Next week’s lunch meeting, Wednesday, June 3rd is canceled.  Instead, there will be the Paul Harris Scholarship Awards dinner that evening at 6:30 pm at the Delta.
  • Basil Dias reminded us to please come out and enjoy the Charter Party on Friday, June 12th.  It’s really an enjoyable evening. Please respond to the invitation (“Accept” or “Decline”). Hopefully you will choose “Accept”.
 
Marbelous Draw: Mike Mushet
Saifoo Lau drew a meager consolation prize of $5, the beginning of a new 50-50 draw after our Lawyer, Barry Smith scooped up the mega prize last week of over $400.
 
SAA – Barry Smith.
Our SAA is still elated by his winnings last week that he decided not to fine anyone this week.
Happy Bucks from:
  • Arthur is happy to have his sister and brother-in-law visiting from Michigan.
  • David Seemungal enjoyed the Quinoa meal served by Gerd’s catering at the board meeting.
  • Jacklyn Smith – It was wonderful to see us.
  • Kevin Manuel will need a liquor licence for all the liquor donations at this year’s TV auction.
  • Oh and Jack Holman's gas price per litre was higher this week…Poor Jack for paying the big city price
  • Gerd’s new dog, Sadie was born and hopefully all goes well, they will have her in July. Possibly a Club runner announcement is highly anticipated.
Program:
Dhanni Ramdeen introduced our speaker, Nevine Yassa who started out as a Rotaractor in Egypt. She had the pleasure of translating Rotaract’s constitution from English to Arabic. Navine, has been a Rotarian at the Rotary Club of Scarborough since migrating to Canada.
Navine has worked on many International projects including the FACE project, a project that our club was a participant in to qualify for the District grant. The total application of funds was for $18,500. She went to Egypt to deliver and witness the disbursement of the funds. This project was in partnership with 6 Rotary clubs, including the Rotary Club of Rhein-Nile in Egypt.
 
Please listen to the Navine’s presentation from the link:
 
https://www.dropbox.com/s/nxurxo2df9l9kyg/FACE%20May%2027.MP3?dl=0
 
Navine's Power Point presentation follows:
 
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fpu8a6rtrmm3171/FACE%20delta.pptx?dl=0
 
Next meeting June 10 :Captain Ian Chen "How experience in the Canadian Armed Forces prepares you for life"
 
F.A.C.E. in Egypt Dhanni Ramdeen 2015-05-27 00:00:00Z 0

Scarborough Renewal Mayoral Event

Posted by Kevin Manuel on Apr 20, 2015
John Tory Scarborough Renewal
 
 
 
 
Rotary Club of North Scarborough
Rota-Teller

Apr. 21, 2015
Special Meeting with Mayor John Tory regarding the Scarborough Renewal Campaign held at Centennial College
 
 
In attendance: over 160 Rotarians and Guests
 
 
Program: 
Mike Cooksey of the Scarborough Club welcomed all to the event and introduced Ann Buller, President and CEO of Centennial College.
 
Ann gave a rousing talk on the history of Centennial College and the future of the College as she sees it.
 
Dave Hardy of the North Scarborough Club provided information on the Scarborough Renewal Program development and on the new recommendations from the Program. He then introduced Mayor John Tory.
 
Mayor John Tory spoke about many things:
-       He thanked Rotary and all involved for their work in the creation of the Renewal Program and related Action Plan and urged us to continue.
-       He advised that Government is not the solution to such things but that individuals will make it work
-       He also advised that Government will have a role but will need encouragement from us to get their part done.
-       His role is to unite various parts of the City, not to pit them against each other
-       He further pushed his concept of Smart Track and also the Scarborough Subway.
-       As part of this effort he referred to the Federal Gov’t Budget Transit initiative
-       He praised the new Scarborough Business Association
-       He advised that he wants to bring jobs to Scarborough. He felt that development will follow transit and jobs will follow development. He committed to moving some City jobs to the Scarborough Area.
-       He praised the Renewal Campaign
-       He advised that he is reviewing tax tools that the City has to attract business to Toronto and to Scarborough
-       He praised the Renewal’s initiative to rebrand Scarborough and applauded the “Food branding” concept, and felt that it was the first step in rebranding Toronto itself.
-       He referred to the Austin Music Festival which started in a similar way as the proposed Scarborough Music plan
-       He raised concerns regarding Youth Unemployment and felt that education was an important step leading to employment.
-       He felt the biggest Toronto issue is the employment and Wealth gap and felt that dealing with this is a business and moral imperative. Immigrants are seen as crucial to the process.
-       He felt that this effort, with the support of Rotary, will help achieve this and offered his leadership assistance and requested we advise him of the top three issues we need his assistance with.
 
 
Mayor Tory was thanked by Mike Cooksey for his presentation who invited all to partake in the fine beverages and food presented by the College Students.
 
 
Scarborough Renewal Mayoral Event Kevin Manuel 2015-04-21 00:00:00Z 0

PDG Mike Cooksey's update on RI Convention in Toronto 2018 & Foundation Walk

Posted by Gordon Brown on Apr 14, 2015
 
Past District Governor Mike Cooksey
 
Rota-teller for April 15, 2015
 
Attendance: 13 members and 1 guest
Anthem:  lead by Gordon                         
Grace:  by Basil
Toast to the Queen, Canada and Rotary: Vice-President  Gerd
Announcements:   
  • Gerd reminded us of ‘Jacob’s’ Scarborough Philharmonic Concert on May 2nd.
  • Gerd also reminded us that there will be no meeting next week (22nd) as everyone has been encouraged to attend the Mayor’s address on April 21st on the Scarborough Renewal Campaign.  
  • Dhanni announced her group will be meeting after our lunch meeting today.
  • Gerd was pleased that we were mentioned in the newsletter for the town in the Bahamas where we sponsored their fire truck.
Marbelous Draw was conducted by Mike Muchet. Our guest speaker Mike Cooksey drew the winning ticket with Arthur claiming the lucky ticket, unfortunately he couldn’t find the mutant marble, but was given $5 as a consolation.
 
Sergeant –At-Arms today was Basil. He fined anyone who was not wearing their Rotary pin. He also asked several members if they remembered what R.I.’s theme was when they were President – the only one who could remember was Barry Smith! Basil then asked for Happy Bucks. Frank contributed as he thanked Basil for doing all the research on the aforementioned Rotary themes. Arthur gave back his $5 winnings as he was happy his daughter had just told him she got a $20k increase in salary at her job! Sai Foo contributed as he was happy that he will be going with his son to London (Ontario) to compete in a karate competition. His son has a black belt in karate – and he is only 9 years old! Gerd also contributed as he enjoyed his trip to the Bahamas last week.
 
Program  Basil introduced Past District Governor Mike Cooksey. Mike spoke on three different topics:
  • He expressed his thanks to Dave Hardy and his staff (although Dave was not at the meeting) for all their hard work on the Scarborough Renewal Campaign and Mike also encouraged us to attend the meeting to hear Mayor John Tory address the issues raised in the Scarborough Renewal Report next week.
  • Mike advised there is a ‘Budget Breakfast Meeting’ at the Scarboro Golf Club a week on Friday (24th) to review the Federal and Provincial budgets that will have been announced earlier in the week. The cost is $25.
  • Mike is on the organizing committee for the R.I. International Convention being held in Toronto June 24th to 27th 2018. He advised that two of the main reasons Toronto won the bid was that Toronto has a reputation as being a safe city. The other being our infrastructure. The opening and closing ceremonies will be at the Air Canada Centre with the Convention Centre being the main centre of meetings. About twenty to thirty thousand people are expected to be attending. Ideas for entertainment are needed. Mike will be asking for volunteers to help in all areas of the convention.
  • District Walk for Rotary Foundation: This will take place on Sunday September 20th. It is being organized by all of the Scarborough Clubs. The meeting place is the park at Morningside and Ellesmere near the U of T Scarborough Campus.  It will include a tour of the PanAm games facility near there. Lunch will be catered by the Culinary School at Centennial College. It is hoped the walk will raise about $130k.
  • For more information here is the link:  http://www.rotary7070foundationwalk2015.org/
A recording of Mike’s presentation:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/vkk8m4tfyahq90k/Mike%20Cooksey.MP3?dl=0
Alan Meredith thanked Mike for his presentation and presented him with one of our 50th anniversary scotch glasses.
 
There being no further business Vice-President Gerd closed the meeting.
(No regular meeting next week because of Mayor John Tory meeting Tuesday April 21st)
Next meeting April 29th: 
   Plamen Petkov-VP Ontario - Business Resource- Canadian Federation of Independent Business Services 
 
 
                                            
PDG Mike Cooksey's update on RI Convention in Toronto 2018 & Foundation Walk Gordon Brown 2015-04-15 00:00:00Z 0

RDSP planning for persons with disabilities

Posted by Basil Dias on Apr 07, 2015
                                                                                        Rotary Club of North Scarborough
                                                                                                     Rota-Teller
                                                                                         Wednesday April 8, 2015

Attendance:    9 members, prospective member James Burchell and our guest speaker Joanne Niblock. 
Anthem:    Frank Allison
Grace:        Arthur Retnakaran
Toast to the Queen, Canada and Rotary: Chair, Past President Gordon Brown

Announcements:  
 
• Club Service (Group1) meeting at Frank Allison’s on Thursday April 9th at 6:30 pm.
• Gordon reminded us of the evening of cocktails with Mayor John Tory on Tuesday April 21st at Centennial College, 940 Progress Avenue (East of Markham Rd.) at 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. This is a presentation of the final report for the 2014 Scarborough Renewal Campaign and a celebration of this campaign. The club luncheon on Wednesday April 22 has been cancelled to encourage all members and friends to register for this fantastic event.
To register please follow this link: http://bit.ly/1BJrI4l
• Gordon also reminded us to register for the “Fireside” at Gerd’s office on Friday April 17th at 6:30 PM. This is a great opportunity for members to give guidance to the incoming president on club direction and future wish lists. Please make the effort to attend and remember that partners are welcomed.    • Kevin Manuel announced that the TV Auction meetings for this year are starting, and club participation is requested. Please contact Kevin to offer your help.

Marbelous Draw:    
     Conducted by David Seemungal, drawn by Joanne Niblock and won by Basil.  (only $5, the big pot is still available).

Sergeant at Arms:    
SAA Frank Allison fined members who had enjoyed an extended vacation in Cancun, and members who enjoyed a special meal, fruit and tea.
James was happy that his daughter has been accepted for the masters program in education. 
Jack was happy with the comedy show, and 
Arthur was ecstatic that his son and daughter have both contributed towards the Habitat for Humanity matching fund in honour of Arthur’s late wife.
     
Program:    
Gordon Brown introduced our guest speaker, Joanne Niblock, District Vice President, Retail Sales with Mackenzie Investments.
Joanne presented a very informative and enlightening talk on Registered Disability Savings Plans (RDSP’s), a program we previously knew very little about.   Launched in 2008 by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, there are matching contributions by both Federal and Provincial governments. To qualify, a beneficiary must be a recipient of a disability tax credit, be less than 60 years old, and have a valid SIN number. We heard about Canada Disability Savings Grants, Canada Disability Savings Bonds, maximum lifetime contributions and age eligibility.To learn more, please listen to Joanne’s presentation, or talk to David or Gordon. Editor’s note a short portion of the presentation was not recorded but Ms. Niblock’s presentation for the most part is attached at the following link:
 
https://www.dropbox.com/s/tkvy2z3kh3m7x06/RDSP%20presentation.MP3?dl=0

The slide show presentation is attached.:
 
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ur5oiq1kmao8bqg/2015%20RDSP%20Investor%20Presentation.pdf?dl=0

Kevin Manuel thanked Joanne and presented her with an Operation Eye Sight Certificate.
 
Next meeting April 15th, Mike Cooksey will brief us on this year's Foundation Walk
 
RDSP planning for persons with disabilities Basil Dias 2015-04-08 00:00:00Z 0

Directors Report

Posted by Rocco Colangelo on Apr 02, 2015
Rotary Club of North Scarborough - Wednesday April 1, 2015 - Rota-Teller “DIRECTOR'S REPORT”
 
Chair: Gerd Wengler,  VP
Anthem: David Seemungal
Grace: Arthur Retnakaran
Toast to the Queen, Canada & Rotary: Gerd Wengler
 
Attendance: 15 including 2 guests
 
Guests, Michael Conway from the Agincourt Club and Karl Kramer from the Toronto Club.
Karl explained that the # 55 on his name tag doesn't indicate his age but the # of his club,  the Toronto Club chartered in 1912.
Trivia: The Rotary Club of North Scarborough is # 4653 Chartered 1962.
 
Announcements:
 
Mike Mushet reported that the board has agreed that the Club will match Arthur's $500 in support of Habitat for Humanity in honour of Arthur's late wife.
 
Mike Conway talked about the fast approaching RYLA event and the District is encouraging Clubs to sponsor candidates for this excellent youth program; our Rotary Club is already searching for a candidate as it was announced by president Madhavi a few weeks ago. Mike also reminded us that the Agincourt Rotary Club is having a ‘Light Up Rotary’ benefit concert on April 11, 2015. If interested please contact him or Barry Smith. - See more details at: http://northscarboroughrotary.org/#sthash.KK8itJDE.dpuf
 
 
Gerd reminded us that president Madhavi sent us an e-mail informing us that the regular club meeting on Wednesday April 22 has been cancelled and would like to see maximum participation of all our members at the Mayor's Address Event on April 21st (see details below).  Note: We are required to register and pay in advance on line for this event.
 
Mayor's Address Event
Community Renewal Campaign Cocktails with Mayor John Tory
Tuesday, April 21, 2015, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Centennial College,  940 Progress Avenue
$35.00/person
Culinary tapas style food will be served. Cash bar available.
 
Marbelous Draw - Was conducted by Rocco.  Roland List held the winning ticket drawn by Donna, however since he didn't find the mutant marble only $5 consolation prize was awarded to him. The pot keeps growing...    
 
Sergeant @ Arms - today was Gordon Brown. Gordon encouraged everyone to register for the special meeting on April 21st. 
He asked for happy $$:
  • Barry Smith was happy to relieve himself of some change from his pockets he was carrying around.
  • Mike Conway would be very happy to see a good number from our Club attend their "Light Up Rotary" concert.
  • Roland donated his $5 because he was happy, I didn't catch what that was, oh well he will tell us again when he returns.
  • Gerd was happy his dog still takes him for long walks, or is that the other way around?
Program:
 
The program today was the director's report.  VP Gerd Wengler, introduced the respective group directors for their updates:
  1. Mike Mushet, Acting Director for group 2/3 Community/Youth Service provided the updates.Mike reported that their budget was approved by the board.Seventeen applications were received for the Paul Harris Scholarships Awards and are currently being reviewed for selection; the Paul Harris Award Presentations Dinner is set for June 2, 2015. The Camp Enterprise program has been put on hold for now, to be re-considered at a later date; the Warm Hands Project will continue; a park Cleaning Project is being considered; the School Breakfast program is in the process of being organized.The Scarborough Philharmonic Concert will be held on May 2nd.
     
  2. Dhanni Ramdeen, Director of the International Service, Group 4 also reported their budget is in place and approved. Operation Eyesight continues to get our support, as well as “Maternal House Care”, “ Sleeping Children Around the World”, "The F. A. C. E.” program and "Gift OfLife".Dhanni told us they have contingency funds for the Shelter boxes or a similar program. Also under consideration, Gerd will check with the local Rotary Club in the Bahamas if a worthy program is available.
     
  3. Gordon Brown, Director of Club Service, Group1 provided an update.The group has regular meetings, usually the 1st week of the month at someone’s home. In order for the weekly Rotary meetings to run efficiently, Gordon emphasized how important it is to follow the POD system, the duties and Sergeant At Arms.Guidelines and instructions are posted on the website for everyone to review. Every month and as time permits the group arranges a fellowship event. Frank Allison is in charge for the sick and visiting -- please advise Frank if anyone you know is not well. Rocco takes care of the advertising on the website, please bring to his attention anyone who would like to advertise or promote their business or service.Kevin Manuel schedules the weekly speakers brought in by POD in charge. Gordon also endorsed the Mayors' Address event on April 21st at Centennial College. The Fireside 2015 is at Gerd's office April 17.The date for the Charter Party is set for June 12, 2015 at the Scarborough Golf and Country Club.
A quote from our treasurer Jack Holman - "We Are Not Broke"
 
 
Gerd thanked the directors for their reports, all attendees including guests.
 
There being no further business for the good of Rotary VP Gerd closed the meeting.
Directors Report Rocco Colangelo 2015-04-03 00:00:00Z 0

Gerd's report on meeting RI President Gary Huang

Rotateller for March 25, 2015
Attendance: 9 (no guests)
Anthem:  lead by Arthur                           
Grace:  by David Seemungal
Toast to the Queen, Canada and Rotary: Vice-President  Gerd
 
Announcements: 
  • Barry Smith announced that Agincourt Rotary Club is having a ‘Light Up Rotary’ benefit concert on April 11, 2015. If interested please contact Barry.   
  • Gerd reminded us of ‘Jacob’s’ Scarborough Philharmonic Concert on May 2nd.
  • Gerd also passed on a message from President Maddy that Mike Cooksey suggests all Scarborough Clubs cancel their meetings during the week of the Mayor’s address on April 21st which all members are encouraged to attend – this will be discussed at the upcoming Board Meeting.  
  • There is a Directors’ meeting on Monday March 30th at David Seemungal’s
Marbelous Draw was conducted by Mike Muchet. Barry Smith drew the winning ticket with Arthur having the lucky ticket, unfortunately he couldn’t find the mutant marble, but was given $5 as a consolation.
 
Sergeant –At-Arms today was Rocco. He just asked for Happy Bucks. Barry was happy that he and Glennys had a great vacation in Bermuda – even though there was a delay in his flight, but because of the airline’s error they ended up flying First Class the next day. Gordon contributed as he and Susan had spent the past week (March Break) in Myrtle Beach. Arthur gave back his $5 winnings – tomorrow will be the anniversary of his wife’s passing and he told us that all the support he got from Rotary members helped a lot. Roland gave some bucks as he was happy he had just finished building a machine that makes hailstones and he will be sending it to China to be tested in a wind tunnel he had also built (if you want to know any more about this please contact Roland!). Roland was also happy that he was going to be attending a reunion of some fellow scientists.   
 
Speaker:  We had no speaker scheduled for today, so Gerd told us that he attended the dinner last night in Richmond Hill where the R.I. President Gary Huang was speaking. Gerd was expecting a very ‘commanding’ speaker; instead he said that he was the complete opposite - a very ‘humble’ person. While he was speaking though, Gerd said “you could have heard a pin drop”. 
Gerd and Arthur also entertained us with some jokes which we cannot publish! So no recording is attached today.
 
There being no further business Vice-President Gerd closed the meeting.
 
 
Gerd's report on meeting RI President Gary Huang Peter Masson 2015-03-27 00:00:00Z 0

Travelogue to China and India

Posted by Kevin Manuel on Mar 17, 2015
Rota-Teller
Mar. 18, 2015
Anthem:  Rocco Colangelo
Grace:  Gerd Wengler
Toast: Gerd Wengler

In attendance:    12        (including  guest)
Guests:  Joan Masson;
 
Announcements:
 
Kevin Manuel announced TV Auction dates and invited all to 1st TV Auction mtg. on April 15th at 7 PM. Contact Kevin for further info.
 
Gerd announced that our firetruck donated to Eluthra, Bahamas was actually used successfully recently. Further opportunities may be forthcoming.
 
Peter Masson announced that he will be collecting more PH scholarship applications - looks like 12 received so far (now 15.)
 
Marbelous draw conducted by Alan Meredith was drawn by Dhanni Ramdeen and won by Rocco Colangelo.
 
The mutant marble was not found and the $5 consolation prize was awarded
 
Sergeant at Arms. Rocco Colangelo
 
Fines:  Our SAA fined himself his winnings
 
Happy bucks were provided by: Jim Boyko that the Leafs are out of playoffs.
Joan Masson was happy but I couldn't hear why.
Arthur "sold" some coasters from his trip.
Frank Allison's grandson is working out with Toronto Argos.
Gerd did his taxes and his accountant agrees that Canada is a nice place and many immigrants to our country have been rewarded.
 
Program: 
Today’s speaker, Arthur Retnakaran, was introduced by Dhanni Ramdeen and he spoke about his recent trip to India and China.
 
Arthur was thanked by David Seemungal for his presentation and presented with a scotch glass.
 
A sound file of the presentation is attached as
 
A photographic tour of China and India follows:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/z1grbrr0hhtizf0/China%20-%20India%20Trip%20-%20Copy.ppsx?dl=0
 
Travelogue to China and India Kevin Manuel 2015-03-18 00:00:00Z 0

Sarah Palmer (NeuroConnect) on Personal Injury Accidents

Posted by Basil Dias on Mar 03, 2015
                                                                       
 Rotary Club of North Scarborough
Rota-Teller
Wednesday March 4, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

By Basil Dias
Attendance:    9 members and 1 guest speaker plus a late (better late than never) Rocco.
Anthem:        Gordon Brown
Grace:            Basil Dias
Toast to the Queen, Canada and Rotary:
              Chair, President-Elect Gerd Wengler
Announcements:    Basil announced the arrangements for Carole Jones, late wife of Past District Governor Ralph. Visitation on Friday March 6th at the W. John Thomas Funeral Home, 244 Victoria Street East, Alliston, from 2 to 4 pm and from 7 to 9 pm.
    Visitation on March 7th at the First Baptist Church, 550 Grove Street East, Barrie, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm, followed by the funeral service at 3 pm.
    The Agincourt Rotary Club is holding a benefit concert for Rotary on Saturday April 11, 2015, from 7 to 9 pm at 105 Gibson Centre (enter from Gibson Road); admission $30.00. Contact Ivan Leong at advanced@istar.ca
    An evening of music, singing and dancing featuring SANTHA.
    Club Service (Group1) meeting at Rocco’s on Thursday March 12th at 6:30 pm.
Today was the first $25 luncheon at the Delta.
    Many members lost electrical power today (no relationship to the $25) or had an extended commute because of non-functioning traffic lights.
Marbelous Draw:    Conducted by Frank Allison and won by Roland List (only $5, the big pot is still available … but only for those who attend and pull the mutant marble).
Sergeant at Arms:    SAA Gordon Brown fined all members who hadn’t been able to attend the wonderful euchre night generously hosted by Ruth and Danny Cassidy.
    Peter Masson contributed happy bucks for the end of the Vocational/Community Service POD.
Program:    Gordon Brown introduced our guest speaker, Sarah Palmer, Director of NeuroConnect. Sarah’s company provides advice and assistance after accident injuries, related to obtaining proper legal and medical advice and care. Approximately 50,000 Canadians per year suffer brain injuries, with 40% resulting from car accidents.
    Sarah discussed some of the benefits available from insurance, including income replacement, medical and rehabilitation, attendant care and death and funeral expence benefits.     
A separate recording of Sarah’s presentation is attached.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8dtwld5xv7xcxlb/Sarah%20Palmer%20NeuroConnect.MP3?dl=0

Peter Masson thanked Sarah and presented her with an Operation Eye Sight Certificate.

Next meeting March 11th Vicky Branco, TDSB Model Schools in Scarborough
Sarah Palmer (NeuroConnect) on Personal Injury Accidents Basil Dias 2015-03-04 00:00:00Z 0

Chinese New Year (The Year of the Sheep}

Posted by Basil Dias on Feb 10, 2015

Chinese New Year 2015

 
Commemorative $150 coin minted for Chinese New Year beginning Feb 19, 2015
 
 
Basil Dias, Jane Pang (Principalof Clearview School of Arts & Culture) and Saifoo Lau
 
Rotary Club of North Scarborough

Rota-Teller

Wednesday February 11, 2015

By Basil Dias

 

 

Attendance:        14 members and 3 guests

 

Anthem:              Gordon Brown

 

Grace:                  Mike Mushet

 

Toast to the Queen, Canada and Rotary:        Chair, President –Elect Gerd Wengler

 

Guests:     Joan Masson, Peter’s valentine, Jason (a friend of Wei-Chien’s) and guest speaker Jane Pang.

 

Announcements:              Jacob remined us of the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra concert on May 2nd, 2015 at the Salvation Army Citadel. Each Rotarian will be asked to sell 4 tickets for this amazing event, featuring Mozart.

                                          

                                            Basil announced that Carole Jones is in hospital with what may be liver cancer. Our prayers go out to Ralph and Carole at this time.

 

                                           Gerd reported on the Pre-Pets (president- elect training) this past weekend, also attended by Dhanni and Donna for the International Grants sessions. We heard about the up-coming Rotary Leadership Institute sessions, and the visit by R.I. President Gary Huang to the Richmond Hill Club on Tuesday March 24th (cocktails at 6:00 P.M.)

 

Marbelous Draw:         Conducted by Alan Meredith, drawn by Wei-Chien and won by Frank Allison (only $5, the big pot is still available).

 

Sergeant at Arms:  
       Jacob introduced us to a pharmaceutical game, guessing which drugs were advertized in which commercials. I think the answers were sleeplessness and snoring, but the scribe may have dozed off. There were a few happy bucks, but the scribe was still dozing!

 

Saifoo introduced our guest speaker, Jane Pang, Principal of Clearview School of Arts & Culture.

 

 A recording of Jane’s presentation follows:

 https://www.dropbox.com/s/e71dfyygu1t75yr/Chinese%20New%20Year.MP3?dl=0

Jane, who speaks both Cantonese and Mandarin, comes from the southern part of China where the customs are somewhat different than the north. She spoke to us about the traditions associated with Chinese New Year, including the 12 Zodiac animals rotating to represent the different years.

This year of the sheep, alludes to peace, harmony and tranquility. Sheep are tender, polite, filial, clever, kind hearted and sensitive to art and beauty. The Chinese symbols for sheep are similar to those for beauty and compassion, and the word for sheep is similar to the word for sun.

Traditional customs include giving lucky money envelopes, paper cutting, the lantern festival (which marks the end of the 15 day New Year’s celebration), lion dances and Chinese dumplings which sometimes contain lucky money.

Kung Hey Fat Choy

Roland thanked Jane for an insiteful presentation, and Gerd presented an Operation Eyesight certificate.

 

 

Chinese New Year (The Year of the Sheep} Basil Dias 2015-02-11 00:00:00Z 0

Scarborough Renewal Update

Posted by Arthur Retnakaran on Feb 03, 2015

FEBRUARY 4th, 2015

  1. Chair person -  Gerd Wengler (Vice President)  
  2. National Anthem  -  Peter Masson
  3. Grace – Mike Mushet
  4. Toast to the Queen, Canada and Rotary – Gerd  Wengler
  5. Attendance – 21
  6. Guests – Mandy introduced 3 of her lady guests, Ufuoma (originally from Nigeria), Tracy (originally from Ghana) and Nandi (originally from St.Lucia). David introduced his niece, Lillian who is visiting Toronto.
  7. Announcements:  Gordon Brown reminded everyone about the Club Service meeting at Cassidy’s on the 5th of February. Also he asked members to sign up for the Euchre evening if they so desire. Gerd Wengler announced that Gordon, Dhanny and Donna have thrown their hats in to become club directors for 2015/16. Basil Dias had a wonderful trip to Dubai and South Africa
  8. Marbelous Draw:  Jim Boyko. Roland List’s ticket was drawn once again but he failed to pick the magic marble. Everyone expressed their deep sympathy and he received the consolation prize of $5.
  9. Sergeant-at-arms:  Jacob Lakirovich.  All the recent travelers were requested to contribute.  Frank Allison was happy to see so many lovely ladies in the audience. Gerd Wengler had a sad buck for the passing away of her niece’s pet dog.
  10. Speaker: Julia Bubrin was introduced by Arthur Retnakaran and she gave an update on the great work being done by David Hardy and herself on the Scarborough Community development initiative. A glossy final report on the renewal campaign was provided to all members. Gerd Wengler thanked her for her fine efforts.  
  11. Conclusion: Gerd Wengler concluded by telling everyone an excellent rib tickler about the lady who told her hairdresser about her impending visit to Italy to see the pope.

Sorry but the recorder did not pick up Julia's address but we will have a further update.  Better luck next time with the "Record" button.

 

 

Scarborough Renewal Update Arthur Retnakaran 2015-02-04 00:00:00Z 0

Climate Change

Posted by Arthur Retnakaran on Jan 27, 2015

ROTARY LUNCHEON

JANUARY 28, 2015

  1. Chair person -  Gerd Wengler (Vice President)  
  2. National Anthem  -  Peter Masson
  3. Grace –  Mike Mushet
  4. Toast to the Queen, Canada and Rotary – Gerd  Wengler
  5. Attendance -  14
  6. Announcements: Mike Mushet announced that members of Community Service (Group 2 & 3) will meet on  Feb 4th after the Luncheon meeting at the Delta hotel venue.
     erd Wengler announced that the 4 working groups have been reorganized into 3 as Club Service (Group 1), Community Service (Groups 2 & 3) and International Service (Group 4).
    David Hardy provided an upbeat update on the Scarborough Renewal Campaign and a final report is on the way.
    Gerd Wengler announced that Donna Salamalay gratefully acknowledged the condolence card she received from the Rotary Club on her father passing away.
    Kevin Manual’s message to the club was conveyed to Gerd Wengler regarding the proceeds of the auction. A cheque for $ 20,833.64 will soon be sent to our club. Just for comparison we received approximately $16,000 last year. With the sponsorship proceeds of around $12,000 the total amount the club will receive is approximately 34 K.
    David Seemungal made a tongue-in-cheek announcement that a dangerous snow storm will be upon us and we should take the subway early to avoid the blizzard that will arrive on Thursday !
  7. Marbelous Draw: Gordon Brown.  Jack Holman’s ticket was drawn but he failed to pick the magic marble. Everyone expressed their sympathy and he received the consolation prize of $5.
  8. Sergeant-at-arms: Mike Mushet. He went to Happy Bucks without resorting to the usual unanswerable questions followed by fines!
    Jack Holman was happy that he was doing well after his harrowing experience.
     Gordon Brown was happy that Chelsea prevailed over Liverpool 2 – 1.
    Peter Masson reported that he attended an extradition hearing of one of his parish members and was happy that her case was amicably settled.
    Gerd Wengler was happy to report that he was in Germany during the weekend hobnobbing with celebrities such as the Lord Mayor of Hamburg! 
    Frank Allison was in the Cloud Forest in Costa Rica on a photography trip. Apparently when he went back to the pickup truck to get his camera and the tripod the truck started rolling back. It was ultimately stopped among other attempts using a tripod throwing his camera and tripod off the truck and was destroyed. But for this incident he said that the trip was wonderful especially the sloth they saw. 
    Mike Mushet was happy to report on his sponsorship of members to join the Royal Military Society. 
  9. Speaker:   Gordon Brown introduced the speaker, Earl Salzman and his cohort Paul Evans. He spoke on the dire predictions on the effects of climate change. It was a lively meeting with questions on the validity of some of his statements by Gerd Wengler and Mike Mushet. Dave Hardy thanked him for his presentation and gave him the details on the donation made on his behalf to restore the eye sight of a person in India.
  10. A link to that presentation is attached: https://www.dropbox.com/s/28o1mhqj37n1web/Climate%20change.MP3?dl=0
  11. Conclusion: Gerd Wengler thanked everyone for attending the meeting.
Climate Change Arthur Retnakaran 2015-01-28 00:00:00Z 0

Agincourt Community Services Association (ACSA) Lee Soda

Posted by Arthur Retnakaran on Jan 20, 2015

Image
Lee Soda Director of ACSA

ROTARY LUNCHEON

JANUARY 21, 2015

  1. Chair person -  Gerd Wengler (Vice President)  
  2. National Anthem  -  Peter Masson
  3. Grace – Lise Soda (Guest Speaker)
  4. Toast to the Queen,Canada and Rotary – Gerd  Wengler
  5. Attendance -  10
  6. Announcements:
    President Maddy made a brief appearance and mentioned that she has been confirmed in her new position with the TD bank and unabashedly canvassed for new business! She had to leave early to pay her parking ticket.  Reminder about this evening’s  meeting at the Scarborough Golf and Country Club at 7 pm, “Scarborough Community Renewal campaign – Final report”
  7. Marbelous Draw:
    Gordon Brown. Roland List’s ticket was drawn but he failed to pick the magic marble. Everyone expressed their sympathy and he received the consolation prize of $5.
  8. Sergeant-at-arms:
    Mike Mushet.  He was thankful that we are almost halfway into winter and did not ask any onerous questions but instead went into Happy and Sad Bucks. Gerd Wengler was happy that the price of his aircraft went up because of the cut in the BOC interest rate but said that he was not interested in selling it. Peter Masson was happy to see Jack Holman back after his bad car accident. Roland List was happy that his ticket was drawn and donated the $5 to the club.
  9. Speaker:
    Lee Soda, Managing Director of the Agincourt Community Services Association (ACSA), was introduced by Peter Masson. She spoke about the services provided by ACSA. The demand for food items (29,000 requests in 2014) far exceeded their holdings even with the items provided by the Daily Bread Food Bank. She was exploring other areas including Super Markets to augment her food Bank. She was grateful for the funding we had provided for buying food items. She was also connected with “Second target” for collecting food that was going to waste.  She mentioned that there was 1 shelter in Scarborough for homeless people but emphasized that this was a band-aid solution. Low cost housing and aid for mental illness was the long term solution for this problem. She said they do provide pet food to homeless people with pets in answer to  Gerd’s question. Mike Mushet thanked her for her informative talk and she was provided with  a certificate for the funding provided in her name to restore the eye sight of a person in India.
  10. Conclusion:
    Gerd Wengler concluded the meeting by wishing everyone a good week.

Lee Soda's presentation is attached at the following link: 
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jv6ny45emni46l2/ACSA.MP3?dl=0

Next Week's topic: Earl Salzman speaking about Climate Change 

Agincourt Community Services Association (ACSA) Lee Soda Arthur Retnakaran 2015-01-21 00:00:00Z 0

Boyko's 2015 Crystal Ball (sports,economy,politics international & Cda & investments)

Posted by Peter Masson on Jan 13, 2015

Image

                    Saifoo pinning Wayne with his Rotary pin as our newest member 

Rotary Club of North Scarborough
Rota-Teller
January 14, 2015


Chairman- Gerd Wengler
O Canada-
Grace-  

Attendance- 18 including guests
Jacquline Smith
Mike Conway
Wayne Chih 

Announcements-
• Group 4 to meet in next room after this meeting

Marbelous Draw- 
• Barry Smith tried to arrange both the mutant marble and the winning ticket for Roland List to draw but Roland will have to wait for another day when the win will be more than $5.00 today.

Sergeant at Arms-
• Mike Mushet took to the floor in search of happy bucks and any others he could draw out from the members present. 
•He singled out Barry Smith for particular attention since he admitted that he now has wonderful in-laws as a result of their son’s recent marriage. Even a money-back guarantee (for just one week) was offered as an inducement to pull many dollars out of Barry’s pocket.
• David Seemungal was happy for the time that he had in Trinidad and for the opportunity to see the palliative care facility that our club has been sponsoring together with the Foundation.
• Arthur was happy for the opportunity to visit his old Club in Sault St. Marie. They welcomed him back saying that they hadn’t heard a decent joke at their club since Arthur left for Torononto.
The trip to S.S.M. was more traveling than he had planned for.  It was snowing and blowing when the Porter pilot tried to land but he had to circle time and again until he finally gave up and went on to Sudbury to refuel.  Then the plane returned to Toronto.  Arthur’s next plane did land in S.S.M. but the pilot had to find a hole in the snow storm to be successful. After arrival and after 45 years of familiarity with the town Arthur found that he had driven his rental car into a hanger instead of his intended destination. Finally, Arthur ended up his friend’s house 2 hours late for a BBQ steak which my then was cold.  But the ample wine and cognac that his host served was a welcome tonic for all of his travel challenges.

New Member Induction:
Basil Dias on behalf of President Maddy introduced the Four Way Test to our newest member, Wayne Chih. (See the Four Way Test on our club’s website).  

Gordon Brown then read the four parts to the object of Rotary;
The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis for worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

1. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
2. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying by each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
3. The application of the ideal of service by each Rotarian’s personal, business and community life;
4. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

Finally, Saifoo Lau pinned the Rotary wheel on Wayne and all in attendance welcomed Wayne as our newest member. 

Program-
Jim Boyko was are features speaker to-day and gave an interesting review of his 2014 predictions from sports, to elections (especially Toronto’s and Ontario’s) and even of the “mushroom” prime minister Harper.  He declared that we had survived no “black swan” event unless you were holding black gold investments.

Then we were all awaiting his forecast of things to come in 2015. Again, he gave us his sports predictions, declared that Toronto’s politics will be more boring now that John Tory is in and Ford is almost out. Many questions surround the future leadership of the Ontario PC’s and the NDP whose leader virtually called the election that she lost. Now the rumour mill is awaiting a decision on THE DATE for a federal election.  Harper seems to be awaiting news of a financial fairy godmother to solve his post oil-shock election timing.  As to international events, Jim expects the oil prices will not go anywhere but down, the Keystone XL pipeline won’t get a nod until after Obama leaves office and the republicans take hold of congress and the presidency. In his discussion about the economy, both in Canada the US and now Europe, the “Quantitative easing” policy now in vogue at central banks is still a mystery to Jim.  If only some bright economist will explain how printing more and more money to buy bonds backed by doubtful debts e.g. Freddy Mac and Faney Mae mortgages will not be a recipe for runaway inflation to occur, Jim wishes he or she would speak up and enlighten us all.

Jim’s whole story of the past and the future can be listened to on the attached link.  Even his investment recommendations are there again.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kt4uahfhhxofclp/Jim%20Boyko%27s%202015%20predictions.MP3?dl=0


Next Meeting Jan 21st 
Lee Soda,  Director of ACSA (Agincourt Community Services Association) will be our guest speaker and will update us on the social needs in the Scarborough community that they service. This will fit well with the presentation later that evening of the results of the year-long study of the Scarborough’s Community Renewal Campaign. The highlights and results of the 2014 campaign will take place at 7:00 pm at Scarboro Golf & Country Club 321 Scarborough G & C Club Road.

Boyko's 2015 Crystal Ball (sports,economy,politics international & Cda & investments) Peter Masson 2015-01-14 00:00:00Z 0

Christmas White Elephant auction

Posted by Peter Masson on Jan 06, 2015

Rotary Club of North Scarborough
Rota-Teller
    January 7, 2015

Image

        Auctioner Al at work


Chairman- Gerd Wengler
O Canada- Peter Masson
Grace-   Dexter Gonsalaves

Attendance- 21 including guests
Dexter Gonsalves (Scarborough Bluffs R.C.)
Liz Fairbrass
Cheryl Meredith
Vern and Carol Barney (Willowdale R.C.)
Lilian Colangelo 
Wayne Chih

Announcements-
-Gerd Wengler presented an envelope with a cheque for the Club’s Foundation. The contractors and suppliers of Park Properties had made a $16,000 donation including $5,000 from (Paul Harris Fellow) Frank Liddett one of their main contractors. These contributions are in lieu of Christmas turkeys and other gift baskets that used to be provided to the company’s staffers before they were encouraged to give to the needs of the community via our Rotary Foundation.  
 
-A special announcement was made by Dexter to celebrate Basil’s birthday to-day # 70.
-Group 1 to meet at Kevin Manuel’s home at 6:30 pm on Monday Jan 12th.
-Group 2/3 to meet after this meeting at the Delta hotel.
- Vern Barney provided us with the details of the Christmas hams project that his Willowdale club has as a fund raiser each year.  He invited us to join them if we wished to sell hams.

Marbelous Draw- 
 Cheryl Meredith was the lucky winner of $5.  The big prize still awaits us all.

Sergeant at Arms-
A flurry of activity preceded the Sergeant at Arms as Doug Strype collected $100 contributions to the Foundation (tax receipt to follow) for a “Presidential Pardon” which will exempt the bearer for payment of fines at all meetings of the club during calendar year 2015.

-Basil Dias tossed $20 (or was that $40)  into the fine box to celebrate his birthday ..... but it was noted that he had a free lunch provided by Dexter.  It’s so nice to have friends when we grow older!

-Jim Boyko was happy that he had family join them over Christmas from Vancouver and they brought along what seemed to be a thousand pictures of their trip to Kathmandu in Nepal. Well they settled for just over 150 which was an eye popping experience.  Marti’s sister and brother-in-law just got out of Nepal after the tremendous ice and snow storm hit that killed many who were unprepared for the severe weather conditions in Nepal’s mountains.
-Wayne Chih just back from several weeks in China visited a hospital that is testing traditional medicine techniques over a 6 month period researching alternatives to kidney dialysis.  He also met his future partner during this trip.

Barry Smith was fresh back from his son’s wedding (location not revealed but warmer than Toronto) and Mike who, together with Sandra, joined them encouraged him to cough up money for the pleasure of seeing his son on his way ...even though there was 2 minutes of rain while away. Mike also encouraged him to pay up for his birthday as well and for the treat that the bride’s family picked up the bill at the end of the party.

Gerd was happy to be back home after their visit with dog in tow to western Canada where they survived  -40 C winter weather in Banff and in Saskatchewan.  Beautiful in winter but they preferred the fireside and mugs of Christmas cheer to going outside .... and the dog??

Program- White elephant auction

This was Al Meredith’s opportunity to surpass the auction record that has stood for years when Jack Wiley was the club’s auctioneer.

Well after much coaching and cajoling auctioneer Al collected $265 for the club’s treasury.

You can hear the process which was recorded as Allan pulled the dollars out of our pockets.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tq2gglxz4o1kux9/White%20Elephant%20.MP3?dl=0

Next Meeting Jan 14th
Jim Boyko will give his look back on the year 2014 and a look into his crystal ball for what may or may not happen in 2015.  Join us for fun and insight into the world of Canadian and international politics, the economic outlook and of course, Jim’s report on his investment recommendations last year and those for 2015.

Christmas White Elephant auction Peter Masson 2015-01-07 00:00:00Z 0

Christmas Carol Sing under the direction of Kevin Moore

Posted by Peter Masson on Dec 16, 2014

Rota-Teller
December 17, 2014


Chair:    David Seemungal
National Anthem: David Hardy
Grace: David Seemungal

Attending: 26 including guests:
Joan Masson •Judy Hardy •Lynn Wylie •Ben Zhao •Betti Allison •    Mark Ruhnke 

Announcements: •    
●    Dave Hardy – Hardy Stevenson and associates will present their one year consultation report and the 2015 Agenda to Rotary Clubs and the community on January 21, 2015 at the Scarboro Golf and country club. •
●    Dhanni Ramdeen – There will be no meeting until the New year. 
●    Mike Mushet Group 2 / 3 to have their 1st meeting of the year after the  Jan 7th noon hour meeting.


Marbelous Draw: Mike Mushet. Alan Meredith won the draw for the day but just $5:00 of it.

Sargent –at- Arms: – Alan Meredith. Alan gave out fines to Arthur Retnakaran for pushing and shoving during the buffet lunch earlier today. 

Happy Bucks from:
 •    Jack Wylie on the birth of their first great-grand child.
 •    Peter Masson happy that his wife Joan was able to attend the meeting. 
•    David Seemungal said he would travel to Trinidad on the 26 th of December to join his family over the holidays.. 

Program: 
Dhanni Ramdeen introduced our guest speaker, Kevin Moore, who then introduced– Mark Ruhnketo to lead members in numerous familiar Christmas Carols. 

Kevin stressed the need for both Christians and Moslems to live peaceably with one another to ensure the light in Bethlehem never diminishes. 

The Hotel Staff were presented with Christmas gifts for the wonderful service for the year ended.

 Gordon Brown thanked both Kevin and Mark  for their uplifting program to celebrate the Christmas season.

Our next meeting January 7, 2015 will be our annual White Gift fun/fund raiser.  Bring your offerings for so that others can be winners even though you might not have been!

Listen to the whole program on the attached link:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5i0sdarz5dv9fz3/Christmas%20meeting.MP3?dl=0

Your scribe to-day was: Mandy Nwobu

Christmas Carol Sing under the direction of Kevin Moore Peter Masson 2014-12-17 00:00:00Z 0

Funeral preplanning

Posted by Dhanni Ramdeen on Dec 09, 2014

Image

Eric Tappenden of Chapel Ridge Funeral Home

Rota-Teller

December 10, 2014

Chair: VP Gerd Wengler

Anthem: Peter Masson

Grace: Arthur Retnakaran

Attendance: 12.

Guests: 2; Eric Tappenden; ADG, Raffi Choujian

Announcements:  None

 

Marbelous Draw: Mike Mushet

Frank Allison was awarded the consolation prize of $5.

Sargeant at Arms – Barry Smith.

Fine was given out to Frank Allison who arrived late, snuck in and won the 50/50 consolation prize.

Happy Bucks from:

  • Gerd on flying 3 puppies and their mom from North Bay to Ottawa as a rescue mission.
  • Arthur received an invitation to write a book chapter.

Kevin Manuel introduced the guest speaker, Eric Tappenden, owner of the Chapel Ridge Funeral Home in Markham. Eric is a past member of the Markham Sunrise Rotary club and a Paul Harris Fellow in 2010.

Gordon Brown thanked the speaker and presented him with an Operation Eyesight certificate.

Please listen to the Eric’s presentation from the link.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/qpeaaaohmzp2c29/Funeral%20preplanning.MP3?dl=0​

Join us next week Dec 17th for our annual Christmas Carol sing with Rotarian Kevin Moore and his guest musicians. All members and guests are welcome.

Funeral preplanning Dhanni Ramdeen 2014-12-10 00:00:00Z 0

Dreams Take Flight

Posted by Donna Salamalay on Dec 02, 2014

December 3, 2014

 

Chair: VP Gerd Wengler

Anthem: Alan Meredith

Grace: Peter Masson

Toast: Gerd Wengler

Speaker: Josie Canning

Topic: Dreams Take Flight    

 

Attendance: 18 including our guest speaker.

&nb