President, David Hetherington, District Governor, Michael Bell and Assistant District Governor Mary Lou Harrison
 
Guest Speaker Friday, July 24, 2015
Location:  Imperial Room, Fairmont Royal York
Topic: "Looking At Our Clubs Through Fresh Eyes"
 
Michael believes that, as Ghandi said, “You have to be the change that you want to see in the world”.
 
His involvement in Rotary allows him to do this. Michael was born and raised in the west end of Toronto attending Royal York Collegiate, York University and Humber College. He spent the majority of his business career running the family fur business before selling it and retiring in 2008.
 
 
 
He is married to his wife Jo-Ann and between them they have six children and seven grandchildren. Whether it was chairing the board of managers at his local church, serving as president of his local BIA (Business Improvement Area), or as president of his national business association, Michael has always been involved in volunteering where he saw a need.
 
In 2005, he was invited to the Rotary Club of Etobicoke’s 75th Anniversary celebration. This was where he first heard Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self” which spoke to him in a way that he knew this was the place where he could really help to make a difference. 
 
President of the Rotary Club of Etobicoke in 2008-09 and again in 2013-14, Michael has been active in helping to add 42 new club members in the last three years. In addition, he has chaired his club’s largest fundraising initiative, Toronto Ribfest from 2011-13, raising over $650,000 for charity during that time and helping this local event to become perhaps the largest community fundraiser in Canada over the July 1st holiday weekend. At the District level, Michael has been an Assistant District Governor, a member of the Membership Committee, Long Range Planning Committee and the Paul Harris Society Committee.
 
Michael and Jo-Ann are both Paul Harris Fellows and Major Donors. In addition, Michael is a member of the Paul Harris Society, the Bequest Society, and a Benefactor. The Rotary Action Groups to which Michael belongs are, RAGM (Rotary Action Group for Microfinance)and WASRAG (Water and Sanitation Rotary Action Group).
 
Michael believes that as Rotarians we must be relevant and have fun in order to be successful. He is very much looking forward to his term as District Governor and to leading our District through service.