2009-2010

Date: July 27, 2010
Editor: Robert Tang

Vol. 60 – 04
   

Club Program
Past, Present & Future

Last Week: Brian McAuley - Muskoka Woods at Risk Youth
This Week: Ryan Rowland – Classification Talk
Aug 03: Ribfest Clean Up - 9:00 – 3:00, Thomson Memorial Park
Aug 10:

Ted Morrison District Governor

Muskoka Woods – Brian McAuley

Rotarian Gene Burns introduced Brian who is married and grew up in Toronto. Brian and his wife have 3 young boys, Carter, Mitchell, and Jack. After graduating from the University of Western Ontario with an Economics major, Brian worked in the field of finance, telecommunications and information technology. One day he would leave IBM after many years to pursue his current passion at the Muskoka Woods camp. He practices the 3 C’s; Camper, Counselor, and Career Man.
Brian starts by introducing Dave Burridge who is with an organization called Youth Unlimited, one of several partners of Muskoka Woods. Over the past 5 years, Youth Unlimited has been able to send 20 youths every year for a week or two at the camp. Muskoka Woods also works with other agencies such as the Children’s Aid, Salvation Army, Regent Park 614, Urban Promise, etc. that do similar work in other communities. To date over 340 underprivileged youth and their leaders have attended the camp.

Muskoka Woods is an 1100 acre Christian Youth Resort that welcomes all young people of all backgrounds to life changing experiences. Guests are aged from 7 – 17 years of age and comprise up to 27 different nationalities. The resort was originally started by developer John Boddy of John Boddy Homes. Camp guests can choose from 35 activities including water sports and athletics, media and arts, leadership and team building programs. The resort operates all year round on Lake Rosseau as a non-profit youth organization.

One of Muskoka Woods new initiatives is the Canadian Heroes Program. Sons and daughters of parents in our military get the opportunity to become camp guests each summer. This year the camp hosted 130 youth from the parents in active duty in Afghanistan. The Canadian Heroes program was initiated and initially funded by the generous donation of Tom Caldwell of Caldwell Financial Ltd.

Brian’s role is to extend a camp experience to youth with difficult circumstances, provide scholarships to exceptional youth who work at Muskoka Woods, and fund year round workers who mentor youth from Muskoka Woods in the communities. All of this is accomplished through raising funds from individuals, foundations, service clubs, and special events.

Brian points out that there is a pocket community in Scarborough that would be considered at-risk. His goal is to help us gain a better understanding of the challenges of this community, and to see youth in this community in a different light. Brian admits that seeing a “punk” strutting past him can be quite intimidating but he’s met some of these youth which Dave works with on a daily basis and they really are great kids – sometimes with a tough exterior though.

Dave deals with youth from government housing, single parents, and lower income families. He recalls a certain boy whom he dealt with for 8 years. At the time the boy was entering grade 9 and was in Canada for only 2 years having lived in the Caribbean prior. This individual joined the basketball camp but was subsequently thrown out a number of times for his behaviour. Dave also coached the same youth in high-school soccer and basketball. The youth was eventually sent to Muskoka Woods as a leader. He later successfully completed high-school and became a plumber despite having an absent father who was charged in a high-profile crime. Dave comments that “the harder the shell – the deeper the wound.” At Muskoka Woods the “pecking order” disappears, horizons are broadened, and the camp life opens one’s eyes.

Expanding this program required the construction of Timbergrove Lodge. The new facility is a 2200 square foot cabin specifically designed by and for our partners like Youth Unlimited. It is designed to provide comfortable accommodations including a common room with fireplace which helps build community amongst the group. Timbergrove Lodge will expand Muskoka Woods’ at-risk program from just over 100 to over 400 youth throughout the year. The project currently requires $35,000 to complete the construction.

In closing, Brian’s unique vision is “inspiring kids to improve the world by investing in those youth.”

Rotarian Kim Nilsson thanked our speakers on behalf of the Club and presented Brian a book on Toronto as a token of our appreciation.

 


Issue:

51, 52, 01, 02, 03

_________________


The Rotary Club of Scarborough

P.O. Box 386
Station "A"
Toronto M1K 5C3

www.rotary7070.org/
scarborough/

Meets Tuesday
12:30 p.m.
at the Scarboro Golf
and Country Club
__________________
          Officers          


President
Bruce Pettit

President - Elect

Past President
Michael Murton

Secretary
Geoff Dean

Treasurer
Buddy Ibe

Sgt-At-Arms
Gerard Baribeau
Moe Horenfeldt
__________________
         Directors         

Vice President
Bruce Petit

Club Service &
Bluffer Program

Robert Tang

International Service
Victor Shastri

Community &
Vocational Service

Adam McBrain

Fund Raising
Gary MacGregor

Membership
Lina Demerjian

__________________

Doug Byers
Governor - District 7070
Whitby Sunrise, Ontario

John Kenny
Rotary International
President
 

 

 

Attendance

There were 28 Rotarians and 4 guests in attendance. Victor introduced Murray Ford whom he met at the Rotary International Convention in Montreal. Murray is a Rotarian from East Nassau, Bahamas. Victor also welcomed back our 1st ever Associate Member Ruki Kondaj, a Pharmacist.

Open Membership Classification

No Classification this week

Announcements

President Bruce announced that Past District Governor Doug Dempsey has passed away.

President Bruce also announced that the Rotary Club of Parkdale is hosting their 6th annual golf classic on August 12th at the Royal Ontario Golf Club.

Josie Dayao thanked those who have contributed to the Ribfest Entertainers gift bags and Bob Johnson for his $20 contribution. Josie is still looking for more donations.

Gary MacGregor announced that there are still more Ribfest shifts available for those interested.

Woods/Cunningham Wheel

Rotarian Ruki spun the wheel and Donna held the winning number again! The 2nd spin however landed the ‘Queen’ of Spades this time.

In Memorium

It is with regrets that the board announces that Chris Bastmeyer wife of Case passed away on Monday July 26 after a lengthy and painful battle with cancer. The Club sends its heartfelt condolences to Case and his family. Funeral and visitation arrangements have not yet been made.

Sergeant-at-Arms – Gerard Baribeau for Millie Tavener

Gerard approached Geoff and questioned whether his attire was appropriate for the meeting. Geoff asked visiting Rotarian Murray from the Bahamas and he replied “any attire was fine!”

Judy paid a happy buck for having survived her move to her new condo.

Ishrani paid a sad buck for taking her badge home last week and forgetting to bring it back today!

Josie paid a happy buck and invited everyone to a Filipino event this Saturday evening.

President Bruce paid a buck for his daughter’s return back home after a 9 month volunteering experience. She’s now off to Montreal to see friends

Blue Badge Presentation

Dianna Wilson was called to the floor and was presented with her permanent Blue Badge by President Bruce.

Celebrations

Aug 02 Norm and Maxine Rhora – Happy Anniversary

UPCOMING EVENTS

RIBFEST 2010
Mark these dates on your calendar and plan to volunteer for
as many shifts as you can.
Remember that we need volunteers on
Tuesday August 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for clean up.
Please Bring A Rake!
ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT UNTIL THE RIBFEST STARTS


DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S VISIT
District Governor Ted Morrison will speak to the Club
at our luncheon on August 10, 2010
The District Governor will meet with
the Club President and the Directors and Officers at 11:30 a.m.


CLUB BBQ
Sunday September 12, 2010 at the Home of Mike and Sandra Cooksey

Upcoming Meetings -to update your information, e-mail Gary at garymac@clarkehenning.com

Club Service/Bluffer & Program Tuesday July 27 – 7:00 home of Audrey McCaskill
International Service Thursday August 5 – 7:00 office of Herman Pfaller
Community/Vocational Service Wednesday August 11 – 7:00 home of Jimmy Foster
Fund Raising TBA
Ribfest TBA
Membership Wednesday August 11 – 7:00 home of Mike Cooksey
Board of Directors Tuesday July 20 – 7:00 home of Bruce Pettit

Duty Roster

July 27 Aug 03 Aug 10
Attendance: Shirley Zinman Shirley Zinman Norm Rhora
Greeter: Mike Cooksey Mike Cooksey Alexandra Boutros
Introducer: Paul Peters - Gord Bennett ADG
Thanker: Adam McBrain - Bruce Pettit
Bluffer Editor: Chris Musselman Chris Musselman Karen Kimber