President Changeover - Friday Rotary Lunch June 13, 2025

Dear fellow Rotarians, distinguished guests, and dear friends and family,

 

The clock is ticking!

 

We're racing toward the thrilling finale of our 2024-2025 Rotary Year, and what an incredible journey it' has been!

 

In just minutes, I'll be passing the gavel and earning that prestigious "Past" before my President title – joining a legacy of leaders who've powered our Club forward for an astounding 113 years. What a privilege to be part of this unstoppable force of service and fellowship that keeps marching forward, stronger than ever!

 

 

I look forward to learning more from the Past Presidents to keep serving our club and communities we help.

 

As I stand before you tonight as your outgoing President, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for what we have accomplished together this year. The Rotary Club of Toronto has always embodied the spirit of "Service Above Self," and this past year has been a testament to the power of our collective commitment to making a difference in our community.

 

Tonight, we gather not just as members of The Rotary Club of Toronto, but as part of a global fellowship that spans continents and cultures. We are united by Paul Harris's vision of service above self, and we carry forward the torch of making a difference in our community and beyond. Whether we're supporting local literacy programs, contributing to global polio eradication efforts, or providing clean water to communities in need, we demonstrate daily that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things when they work together.

 

When I reflect on our journey together, I see not just the work we've done, but the lives we've touched and the hope we've created throughout Toronto and abroad. Our club has been a beacon of service, addressing some of the most pressing needs in our city with compassion, dedication, and unwavering resolve. It has been the honour of my lifetime to serve as your President, and I want to take a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey we've shared.

 

 

In a city where too many families struggle to put food on the table, we have stood as champions against hunger. Our members have opened their hearts and wallets, raising significant funds for food banks across Toronto. But we didn't stop at writing cheques – we rolled up our sleeves and got our hands dirty. Our members & family have packed food items, sorted donations, and personally delivered sustenance to shelters throughout our city.

 

We've seen firsthand the gratitude in people's eyes when they receive not just food, but the dignity of knowing their community cares about them.

 

 

Thank you, Past President Don Bell, Erol Paulicpulle, past member Andrew St-John, and their teams for leading these projects.

 

 

Our commitment to the environment has taken many forms this year. We've participated in park cleanup initiatives, removing litter and debris from some of Toronto's most cherished green spaces. Our members have worked tirelessly to build shelters for animals, ensuring that our city's wildlife has safe havens during harsh weather. These efforts represent more than environmental activism – they demonstrate our belief that a healthy community requires a healthy environment for all its inhabitants, both human and animal.

 

 

We even made it in The Rotary Magazine for the work our Environmental Work Group did at the Toronto Wildlife.

 

 

Thank you, Kurt Kroesen, for leading the members of the Environmental Working Group.

 

 

Perhaps no work has been more rewarding than our holiday initiatives for children with disabilities. During the season when joy should be universal, we've made sure that several children feel the magic of the holidays. With the help of organizations such as the CNIB, the Easter Seals, Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf, Starlight Foundation, and Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, and of course the Toronto Police Service, our members have organized special events, provided gifts, and created experiences that bring smiles to faces that deserve every happiness. These moments remind us why we serve – because every child deserves to feel valued and celebrated.

 

 

Our club was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by the Toronto Police Service for our partnership with The Auxilliary Toy Drive in December 2024.

 

 

Thank you Mark McQuitty and your team for all the work you did during the 2024 Children’s Holiday Party.

 

 

Our senior community members, who have given so much to build the Toronto we know today, deserve our respect and care. This year, we've raised funds to acquire essential items and comfort goods that our members personally pack and deliver to our seniors' care partners for delivery to the Seniors throughout the city. These holiday hampers often mean as much as the items themselves – they remind our elders that they are not forgotten that their contributions are remembered, and that their community continues to care for them.

 

I would like to Thank Jake Tran and the Seniors Working Group for leading the team of Rotarians who made this happen.

 

 

 

One of our greatest strengths as The Rotary Club of Toronto has been our commitment to celebrating the rich diversity that makes our city so vibrant. Our International Dinner series, brilliantly led by the KNK team, has been nothing short of extraordinary. Through these gatherings, we've not only enjoyed incredible cuisine from around the world, but we've also deepened our understanding of different cultures, traditions, and perspectives within our own membership. Each dinner has been a testament to how diversity enriches our club and strengthens our bonds as a Rotary family.

 

 

Thank you, Past President Neil Phillips, Kai Devonish, & Kaitlynn Almeida for organizing these amazing events.

 

 

But we know that Rotary is about more than fellowship – it's about Service Above Self.

 

This year, our club has truly embodied this motto through our hands-on sweat equity projects. Whether we were sorting food and packing boxes at the food banks, working alongside young people at Camp Scugog to create lasting memories, cleaning the Don Valley area or building animal shelters to provide safe havens for our four-legged friends, we've shown that Rotarians aren't afraid to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

 

 

 

These projects have reminded us that sometimes the most meaningful service happens when we put down our wallets and pick up our tools. The satisfaction of building something with our own hands, of making a direct difference in someone's life, is irreplaceable.

 

Thank you, Past President Susan Howson for leading our Camp Scugog retreat for over 15 years, Past President Don Bell, Past President Kevin Power, Kurt Kroesen, and Andrew St John, for taking the lead on these projects.

 

 

This year has also been remarkable for how we've connected with our broader Rotary family. Our participation in the Rotary District Conference allowed us to learn from clubs across our region and share our own best practices. The energy and inspiration from that gathering has carried through everything we've done since.

 

 

Our collaboration with fellow Rotary clubs has been particularly meaningful. Marching together in the St. Patrick's Day parade with the involvement of some of the organizations we have supported over the years, such as the Sherbourne Health Bus and Sprint Seniors Care Ride Program, we showed our community that Rotary clubs stand united in service.

 

 

Our Beaujolais event with the Rotary Club of Etobicoke created new friendships and strengthened the bonds between our clubs. At Christie Pits for World Environment Day, working alongside other Rotary clubs, we demonstrated our collective commitment to caring for our planet.

 

 

And perhaps most touching of all, our Tree of Remembrance project, where we invited other Rotary clubs to join us in honoring those we've lost, showed how Rotary can bring comfort and healing to our communities in times of grief. But also talking to the public and promoting Rotary awareness.

 

 

Thank you, Past Presidents Neil Phillips, PDG Iosif Ciosa (RC Etobicoke), President Lynda Ryder (RC Etobicoke), Past Presidents Jayson Phelps & Anny-Sandra Hamel, and the members of RC Toronto Sunrise, RC Toronto Tibetan, RC Whitby Sunrise, Bowmanville RC, RC Etobicoke, and UoT Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity, and of course the many members of The Rotary Club of Toronto. We also had a few members of the charitable organizations that helped spread the word about the good work of Rotary at the Tree of Remembrance.

 

 

Throughout this year, we've made it a priority to be present – not just as individuals, but as representatives of The Rotary Club of Toronto. At community events, district gatherings, and collaborative projects, we've shown up consistently, building relationships and demonstrating what it means to be part of something larger than ourselves.

 

This visibility has not only benefited our community but has also attracted new members who see the value in what we do and want to be part of our mission.

 

 

Our club was represented at the District Foundation Walk, at the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise Peace Pole ceremony, at the Rotary Club of York - Markham Chinese New Year celebration. Some of us were also present at the Save the Grace Fundraiser, The Liver Foundation Gala, the St-Michael's Hospital Founder's Gala. And by invitation from the Churchill Society & Past Presidents Robert O'Brien and Michele Guy, I was humbled and privileged to meet former Prime Minister Jean Chretien.

 

 

For fifteen years, our Steam Whistle event has proven what we can achieve when passion meets purpose. Under Fabio Ventolini's extraordinary leadership—recognized with the Paul Harris Award last week - this flagship fundraiser has built a loyal following of supporters who return year after year because they believe in our mission.

Now imagine what we could accomplish if we unleashed that same innovative spirit across multiple fundraising initiatives. Every dollar we raise means another child receiving clean water, another community gaining access to education, another family lifted from poverty. The Steam Whistle event has shown us our potential—now it's time to multiply that impact.

 

Let's honour Fabio's legacy by building upon this solid foundation and creating new pathways to change lives. Together, we have the power to transform our fundraising success into an even greater force for good.

 

 

 

During the 2024-2025 Rotary year, we've welcomed an outstanding group of 11 passionate new members who have already begun making their mark on our organization. Actually, we're celebrating 12 amazing additions to our Rotary family, but our newest member couldn't join us today due to work commitments – which means I get to present our incoming President with the perfect welcoming gift!

 

To each of these remarkable individuals who have chosen to answer the call of "Service Above Self," thank you for bringing your unique talents, fresh perspectives, and unwavering commitment to our mission. Your dedication to serving our communities doesn't just strengthen our club – it amplifies our collective impact and reminds us why Rotary continues to change lives around the world.

 

Here's to the incredible service journey ahead!

 

 

Through our dedicated Research & Appeals Committee and our Community Outreach Committee work, we've evaluated and funded numerous projects through The Rotary Club of Toronto Charitable Foundation. These initiatives have extended our reach far beyond what any individual member could accomplish alone. Each project represents careful consideration, thorough evaluation, and strategic investment in our community's future. The ripple effects of these funded projects will continue to benefit Toronto for years to come. Our Foundation has funded over $1.1M this year alone for projects across the city and abroad.

 

I would like to thank President Richard White and his Board of Director as well as Past President Jeff Dobson who chairs Research & Appeals, and Past President Bert Steenburgh who chaired Community outreach, as well as all the members of these committees.

 

 

I thank our Marketing Communications Committee, led by Brinda Luckoo, for their outstanding work producing The Voice, our club newsletter. Their efforts kept both our members and the broader community informed about the impactful projects our club undertakes throughout the year. The MarCom team also did a great job of promoting our events and managing our social media channels - such a vital way to communicate the great work we do!

 

President-Elect Dauna Jones Simmonds, Vice-President Pauline Lyons, Vice-President Elect Sergio Amatller, Jeffrey Pollock, Marcy Berg, Mark McQuitty, Maureen Bird, Mitra Goodarzi, Neisely Eugene, Peter Simmie, and Past President Richard White.

 

 

Our Club Service Committees Chairs:

Peter Stephenson (Governance), Past President Anny-Sandra Hamel (Nominations), President-Elect Dauna Jones-Simmonds (Honours & Awards), Natalie Lewin & Alex Brown (Member Engagement), Brinda Luckoo (Marketing Communications), Past Presidents Neil Phillips & John Fortney (Program & Logistics), Mitra Goodarzi (Events), Past-President Michele Guy (Past Presidents Council).

 

Our Philanthropic Committees Chairs:

Mark McQuitty (Int;l Service), Sergio Amatller (Scholarship), Past President Bert Steenberg (Community Outreach), Past President Jeff Dobson (Research & Appeals).

 

Our Working Groups Champions:

Kurt Kroesen (Environment), Sylvia Geist (Veterans), Jake Tran (Seniors), Bill Empey (Indigenous Partnerships), Nikita Williams (IDEA).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brinda, you have always been my biggest supporter. I thank you my love! I hope I can do as much for you as you start your journey as a director on the club Board.

 

 

As I pass the torch to our incoming President, I do so with complete confidence in the future of The Rotary Club of Toronto. The seeds we've planted this year will continue to grow, nourishing our community for generations to come. The relationships we've built, the systems we've established, and the reputation we've earned position our club to achieve even greater things in the years ahead.

 

The true measure of our success isn't in the numbers we can report, though those numbers are impressive. It's in the food-insecure family that had dinner tonight because of our efforts. It's in the cleaner parks where children play safely. It's in the joy on a disabled child's face during the holidays. It's in the comfort of a senior who knows they're not alone. It's in the funded projects that will continue creating positive change long after tonight.

 

We are Rotarians. We are servants. We are the embodiment of what happens when good people come together for great purposes. Thank you for the honour and privilege of serving as your President and thank you for being the kind of people who make service not just a motto, but a way of life.

 

Together, we have made Toronto stronger, kinder, and more compassionate. That is a legacy we can all be proud of.

 

Here's to another year of meaningful service, lasting friendships, and positive impact in Toronto and beyond.