Third
Quarter Report
Rotary Year 2003 - 2004
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MEMBERSHIP fFireside Chat Evening: Pat and Doug Robertson hosted an evening in mid January for newer members to discuss and learn about various aspects of Rotary Life. The meeting was also attended by 'senior' (read old!) members with extensive background in Rotary life. Home Hospitality: An evening in February and another in early March were set aside for this event with hosts-Julie Wang, Gord and Mary Park, Ron and Lynn Denham, and Mary Claire and George Heintzman. All welcomed member guests to a wonderful evening in their homes. The Membership Committee's recommendations arising from the results of the focus group and the questionnaire undertaken in late 2003 were presented to the board.. Some of the recommendations being considered include limiting the lunch time singing to the national anthem, birthdays and occasional events; reduce Banner comments about the speaker to allow more space for current club activity information; have copies of the quarterly report available at the front desk for several weeks in addition to being on the Club web site; and determine the practicality of invoicing members quarterly in advance for lunches - to be credited with 'make up' proof of having missed a lunch. During this quarter we welcomed three new members, Walter Wells, Carlton Branch, and Lynne Jones. Welcome and hope you enjoy and that you take every opportunity to be involved in Club activities. Comments and suggestions from new members about the Club are important and appreciated. In addition to our new members we welcomed back John Bonnick following a lengthy illness.. Sadly we lost a long standing member and good friend when Ed Fox who died in January and then after a lengthy illness a more recent member, John Dickson died. We miss them both. We expressed our regrets to member Kathryn Hope Sobolof on the death her father, Arthur Langley - a long standing Rotary member. Near the end of the quarter the Membership Committee began organizing the annual Lobster Night on May 10th. Committee member Fred Daramshi is chairing this year's event at the Mission to Sea Farers . A maximum of 80 tickets are available for sale and a full house is anticipated. PROGRAM We were fortunate to have some interesting speakers during this period such as Rotarion Dan Cornacchia telling us of the volunteer program to assist police and others in a resolution program to reduce youth crime .He challenged our members to become involved in the program by providing occasional support. Once again members are reminded that we are all responsible for helping Chris Tworkowski, Evelyn Murphy and the other members of the Program Committee in finding speakers for our weekly meetings. TREASURER As
of March 31st, draft Club balances mounted to: FUND RAISING 2004
Fund raising started with the O' My Gosh auction in January raising
funds to support some of our activities at St. Benedicts in St.
Vincent. Kathryn Hope Sobolof received an certificate of appreciation from the Salvation Army for arranging for the many Club members who participated in the their December 'kettles' program. The Army also presented the Club with a certificate quoting a dramatic increase in donations due to our efforts. Congratulations to all! FOUNDATION FUND In addition to the Club and other accounts mentioned above, the Foundation Fund is maintained, consisting of the McLure Fund which principally funds medical training in under developed countries and the general fund used for most other projects. As of March 31st the Fund draft balance was in excess o f$310,000.. COMMUNITY SERVICE At the first meeting is January the members approved a donation of $50,000 towards construction of a library forming part on a new Salvation Army facility being built in downtown Toronto. The Committee brought this project to the members in December for consideration with the vote in January. The Committee was involved with the organization of Brush-A-Mania, a program to promote dental health and deliver through elementary schools in the City of Toronto. Three members of the Committee represented Rotary through direct delivery of the program. The Committee considered and put forward a recommendation to the Board to provide financial assistance of $3,760 to sponsor the Trinity home Hospice newsletter entitled 'In the Know News from Home Hospice' and a Hospice publication entitled 'how Can I Help?. During this period the Committee began deliberations about the Club undertaking a project to celebrate the centenary of Rotary, specifically a Toronto Council of Rotary Clubs' project to partner with Habitat for humanity to build 10 town homes in downtown Toronto. WORLD COMMUNITY SERVICES 1-The proceeds of the O' My Gosh auction purchased two couches and a power washer for the Day Nursery. In addition supplies and craft materials were shipped in February. We continue to correspond with sister Nyra and are waiting for further information on the pending purchase of additional land to rebuild the facility. We have arranged to receive a donation of 150 toothbrushes and ancillary equipment from a dentist for shipment to St. Vincent's. 2-White River Aids Clinic With Ron Denham and the White River Rotary club we are working towards the purchase of a used x-ray machine for the White River Aids Clinic in South Africa. The machine costs $30,000 of which our club will pay $7,500, the White River Rotary a certain amount with the Burns Foundation making up the balance.
The
Committee's activities this quarter included: 50TH ANNIVERSARY Plans are progressing quite nicely. The Committee has worked on the evening program agenda and we believe this event will hold something wonderful for all ages and tastes. Our
focus will be an evening of nostalgia and fellowship, lovely environment,
great food and Tickets are available from Joanne Smith by calling 416 925 7346 and will on sale at our weekly luncheon meetings days as the time draws closer. Don't delay. Call today. A good time is guaranteed! TORONTO COUNCIL OF ROTARY CLUBS Gord
Park and Ed Unger have been attending meetings of the Council concerning
the probable Rotary centennial project of Habitat for Humanity homes
discussed above.
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