Changeover! at the National Club, 303 Bay Street, Toronto

One year ago I was handed the gavel which is representative of the office of President of The Rotary Club of Toronto, Carol dutifully put it away and I haven’t seen it since.  However; we carried on and set about the task of managing the Club’s many activities.  I was blessed with a very capable Board of Directors who set about balancing the Club’s budget, which had slipped into a deficit.  With the aid of our treasurer, James McAuley we returned “off budget” items back to the budget to give as a much more realistic idea of the Club’s future financial picture.  This resulted in new funding for the Children’s and Seniors Christmas parties from our Foundation to avoid depletion of the Club’s Philanthropic Fund.

With the cooperation of MRCC’s CFO we managed to return to a printed Roster of members – a great help to those of us who our technologically challenged.

When the devastating Fort McMurray fires hit we were able to approach our Foundation for $30,000 in matching grants for the rebuilding of that unfortunate town in Alberta. The Etobicoke Rotary club joined us in the effort which resulted in an additional amount for the cause in excess of $20,000.  This resulted in a total aid package of more than $83,000.

I could not have done this job without a lot of support.  I want to thank Susan Hunter her sage advice and for heading up the Strategic Planning Committee which continued to implement improved training for committee chairs and Liaison Directors to ensure more effective committees. I thank Pat Neuman for her support and tireless work in support of our fundraising projects.  Further, I thank them for their friendship, which I value.

I also want to express my appreciation for the guidance of  those past presidents who reside within 50 feet of my office; Richard White, Susan Howson and John Andras. I like to keep my resources close at hand.  Further appreciation goes to  my board members: Lori Brazier; Harry Figov; Carolyn Purden; Marg Stanowski; (President Elect) Susan Hunter, (Vice President) Pat Neuman), Ross Amos, James Hunter, , Binoy Luckoo, Kevin Power, Peter Simmie, Harry Figov, Shannon Lundquist, Carolyn Purden, Dina Rashid and Barbara Thomson.  They all had to devote substantial time and effort to ensure that the affairs of our Club were kept in order.

    Finally let me thank (Foundation President) Peter Love, with whom I enjoyed working in a true spirit of cooperation and charitable giving at its best.  As I hand over the gavel to Susan Hunter, I know she is prepared, capable and eager to get going, I wish her well.

  To all of you, our Club members, I thank you for the privilege of being your President, it has been an honour and a most enjoyable personal experience.

David Hetherington.