Congratulations to the following members elected to our board at the second half of our General Meeting.
Jayson Phelps will assume the duties of Vice-President on July 1, 2020.
Club Directors for the three-year tem July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023 are Kurt Kroesen, James Statham and Andrea Tyrone. Blair Spinney will serve a two year term starting July 1, 2020.
More next week.
A Happy January Birthday to all!
2 June Brown
4 Paul Truelove
8 John Lloyd
10 Andy Bush
11 Tim Lang
14 Dauna Jones-Simmonds
16 Don Bell
16 Rohit Tamhane
19 Binoy Luckoo
21 Richard White
23 Daniel Massicotte
27 Keshav Chandaria
27 Jeff Dobson
28 Doug Hughes
What You Missed January 10, 2020 - John Cairns
By Maureen Bird
We always start our new year with an inspirational message and John certainly came through. He was warmly welcomed by a full house in the Imperial Room. The very thought of recovering from such devastating injuries is mind-boggling. He recalls lying there in the trainyard looking at his crushed arm and leg, thinking what now. He remembers the sound of a zipper on a body bag - actually a pressure suit to reduce shock.
His recovery was not easy and took years. He tried suicide three times. But he gradually recognized that it is how you choose to respond that allows you to change you. It was the spark on being told that only one in ten survives what had happened to him that created the ember to restart his life. He learned to embrace challenge as a friend, not an enemy
He referred to the Power of Rotary - what you put in is what you get out. And he has put in so much, not just as a Rotarian. He founded Voice of Victory and has been an inspiration to so many. He founded Wheelchair of Hope and worked to get beach mats in his area so all could enjoy getting to the water.
He challenged himself, climbing Kilimanjaro and reaching the base camp of Mount Everest. You determine your attitude - when life happens you must be all in.
He finished his talk with the 220 km bike ride he made recently from Trenton to Toronto with Wounded Warriors. On a hill his leg was hit with lactic acid and he thought that he could go no farther. Then there was a gentle hand on his back from one of the veterans and a calm voice saying, "Sir, I've got you. We're in this together, to the end", and so he carried on.
We also heard about Progress Place on March 5th - we can all help. Richard White won the wine!
John making a point
Bert, John and Kevin welcome 2020
Our Robin Hood Army has excelled once again!
Saturday’s event was very special as it was part of a “mega drive” to launch off 2020. Here is a summary of what we achieved together - not just in Toronto but in Mississauga/Brampton & Richmond Hill as well. You all helped make it happen and I am so grateful as is Prince (if I may be so bold as to speak for him).
Target: 1000 meals
Delivered & served: 1331 meals
PLUS 125 donations of laptop, phones, cameras, hygiene products, cookware, clothing, shoes, and bedding.
Thanks everyone on our team for coming out Saturday to help serve dinner at Strachan House. Hope you enjoyed the experience and will encourage other Rotarians to participate in future.
Special thanks to Jackie for her cake which I understand was a huge hit with the ever-grateful residents at Strachan House.
And kudos to Marcy who took charge earlier in the day at Savard's Women’s Shelter where she has taken a leadership role as a full Robin in RHA. Marcy will shepherd our monthly drives at this shelter.
Please look for the post on The Rotary Club of Toronto. Like and share it to increase its impact.
Feel free to post about your experience in the comments or in a post to your personal social media pages.
Help us #BeTheChange
Cheers
Lori Brazier
Jackie's Cake!
Sergio always smiles!!
El Salvador Sweat Equity January 10-20, 2020
Thirteen Rotarians and friends, including Joyce and Brian Westlake and Annelise Taylor and husband Alex, set off on the 10th to meet with San Salvador Rotarians. The goal was to build five homes during the week. The latest blog:
Another incredible day in El Salvador.
Today we worked to complete the brick laying and pointing of 2 different family homes in Talnique. It was labour intensive but extremely gratifying to see the work being completed. The future homeowners were also enthusiastically involved in the labour and looking forward to moving in with their families. We also were paid a visit from members of CASE (Comite Apopense para la Salud y Educacion), a volunteer group from a Charitable Organization located in Mauricio’s hometown of “Apopa” whom focus on the gathering of funds for various Health and Education related projects in the town. Their current project consists of building a Clinic which will provide free Dental and Eye care for the most disadvantaged residents of Apopa. The Rotary Club donated $900 USD to the Organization which will assist with the medical equipment needed in the facility. Via Rotary El Salvador, Tito (our local trip organizer and fellow Rotarian), also committed to donating a number of pairs of eyeglasses for children which CASE gratefully accepted. In the evening, the group had dinner on a mountainside restaurant called “Restaurante Cachivaches” where we enjoyed the most incredible Seafood. Tito, his wife and several other El Salvadorian Rotarians also joined us.
The team handing over ownership to family
Joyce and Annelise hard at work!
Let's Be Personal - John Fortney
Everyone, especially my father, thought I was going to be a banker. I didn’t love it. With a brief stop at Polo Ralph Lauren, I found my calling in Real Estate. I was licensed November 1989 and made the move to Harvey Kalles Real Estate in 1995.
The first year I actually wound up in the top ten at Kalles. But then, without much warning, I went from a frenetic pace to late stage cancer. I was stage IV D; there is no E. With the love and support of an amazing partner, family, friends and colleagues and a good dose of Chemo I beat it! After losing about a year or so it didn’t take too long to get back into the groove and be one of Kalles’ top producers again. I love houses. I love people. I love what I do.
Why Rotary?
Most of my life I have been organizing parties or volunteering.. It was on the Toronto Junior Cotillion committee that I met debutante Julie Byrnell, now Andras, who would become one of my very closet friends. I think Julie had aspirations of being Mrs. Fortney; BOY, that was an awkward dinner! Thankfully, she found an even better John!
After my cancer I wanted to do Philanthropy in a more organized way and John and Julie suggested Rotary. I wasn’t sure if at the time I could afford it. I never looked back; it has become part of who I am. One thing I Have learned is that in Rotary, you never do anything alone…. It’s teamwork! I want to leave you with one thing and it is this: If you should be tapped for something, chair of an event or a committee, one of the boards, Vice President or anything else, take the challenge. You will never be alone in this. Everyone wants you to succeed and the club to be its best.
Release Trauma Report By Sylvia Geist
I would like to briefly update everyone on the successful forum that took place on November 26, 2019 entitled “Release Trauma, Transitional Issues Faced By Former Military Personal”. It was sponsored by our club in partnership with Ryerson University.
Twenty-seven participants, Veterans, family members, community agencies came together to discuss issues and priorities of Veterans who leave the military and re-enter civilian life. They were passionate and eager to share their concerns and knowledge with us and their colleagues.
I would like to thank the Forum’s working group for their commitment and continuing interest: Robert O’Brien, Peter Stephenson, Rohit Tamhane, Bob Cartildge and Bill Morari. They facilitated lively discussions at the participants’ tables. Ryerson Professor Chris Munro’s expertise and life experience was invaluable to the committee.
There were 4 general headings that emerged!
Heading 1: The Actual Release Trauma Process can often trigger issues of grief, anger and potentially aggressive behaviour. The impact of social isolation, loneliness, and significant losses cannot be underestimated.
Heading 2: A High Risk Veterans Group exits
They are the most vulnerable/most traumatized group of veterans who can become homeless, depressed, drug-addicted, mentally ill, experience family disintegration, become unemployable and, most tragically, commit suicide. On your tables, there is a Toronto Star article that focuses on just one of these serious issues, homelessness.
Heading 3 Access to the existing support services is highly problematic and extremely complicated.
Heading 4. The Canadian public (corporate and civilian) is largely unaware of the issues of ‘release trauma’ and its costs
Two Major Recommendations:
Treatment, Rehabilitation, Education and Employment services/resources need to become more integrated, , sustainable, efficient, and easily accessible, particularly for the High Risk Group
Develop a Public Awareness Campaign highlighting issues and concerns associated with release Trauma
Of course, there were many more significant recommendations.
An exciting next step! A 15-member Veterans Community Consultation Group has been established to continue to work with our club to identify meaningful and realistic projects. A formal report including recommendations will be submitted to the board for its consideration.
Any member who is interested in contributing to this work, please join our working group and come to our joint meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 6:00 to 8:00 o’clock Also please reach out to any friend or colleague who you think would like to join our club to address the needs of Veterans, please let us know.
John making a point
Jackie's Cake!
Sergio always smiles!!
The team handing over ownership to family
Joyce and Annelise hard at work!