Richard S. White - President 2013-2014 -The Rotary Club of Toronto
Posted by Carol Bieser
on Jul 08, 2014
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The Year in Review
On July 5, 2013, I assumed the Presidency of The Rotary Club of Toronto. For the four years leading up to the Centennial, the Club had worked very hard in preparing for the celebrations and spent countless hours vetting and approving the Centennial projects. Under the inspiring and tireless leadership of President Neil Phillips the Club’s Centennial Celebrations were the envy of the Rotary world. Highlights were the Founders Day Lunch at the King Edward Hotel, The Tanaka Lunch, the Gala Celebrations in the Canadian Room of the Royal York Hotel and, of course, all those special Centennial Lunches with amazing speakers during which we gave away a million dollars.
While this was going on, all the normal, everyday Club activities were quietly taking place including the Children’s and Senior’s Christmas Parties and Youth Day. At the request of President Sandy Boucher, I was privileged to establish the Strategic Planning Committee in the spring of 2012. This Committee worked hard over the next year to consult with the Club and establish a Strategic Plan to take the Club forward into its second century. A big thank you to the members of this committee – Lori Brazier, Greg Vermeulen, David Hetherington, Susan Hunter, Prince Kumar, Steve Smith, Sandy Boucher, John Whincup and Ric Williams – with special mention of John and Ric for their invaluable professional help and guidance.
I believe more than ever that The Rotary Club of Toronto is a standout in the Rotary world. Our past deeds speak for themselves. We have always had and continue to have the talented members and resources to carry out unique and meaningful projects which make a difference in the lives of the disadvantaged in our community and around the world. We run first class events which we carry off with style. Our Charitable Foundation is unique in the Rotary world. It has greatly increased our ability to initiate and help fund projects in our community. It is the envy of all Rotary clubs, many that are two or three times our size.
We are often quick to be critical of ourselves and apologetic for our size and clout in the District and in Rotary. We can tend to focus on our problems and lose sight of the Club as a whole. I say that we have got most things right, that we should be extremely proud of our Club, what it is and stands for and it’s accomplishments.
The Strategic Plan was approved by the Club Board in August of 2013. The Strategic Planning Committee decided to initially focus on implementing two parts of the Plan and I am pleased to report that I think we have made considerable progress on Membership and Communications.
Sandy Boucher and Lori Brazier along with Membership Chair and Bill Morari, are working hard to implement new programs and re-introduce old programs to keep existing members engaged. They are also focusing on finding and engaging new members by setting up mentors, having a new members table at lunches and getting the new members together as a group.
The Communications Committee transformed itself during the Centennial Year and this work has continued with the invaluable help of Chair, Sylvia Geist and Greg Vermeulen. Communications are crucial to the Club on many levels. It helps keeps the members informed and engaged. It puts us in touch with the outside community and those people who may become new members, those individuals and corporations who helps us in our work and those organizations and individuals who we help in the community.
The most important thing we can do over the years ahead is to continue to implement, change and work with the Strategic Plan so that the Club remains strong and vibrant.
It has been a great honour to be your President. I want to thank each and every one of you for your good wishes and your strong and unwavering support throughout the year.
My best wishes to President Steve as he takes over the gavel. I know that each and every one of you will give him your full support and continue to make a difference in the Club and the Community.