Service Above Self Awards

Skip introduced the program by reminding us that the Rotary International motto is Service Above Self. For the last 4 years Rotary Club of Scarborough has recognized and honoured the 3 Services – EMS, Fire and Police. The recipients of these awards are selected by their peers, as the ones who are most deserving.

For the EMS, Mr. Gord Webber was going to present the award recipient, but Mr. Webber had to answer an emergency involving his daughter. Skip introduced the Award Winner, Reverend Walter Kelly.

Reverend Kelly worked fulltime for the Toronto Police, but 4 years ago, the EMS Chaplin became ill, so he was invited to fill in. Reverend Kelly still volunteers for all 3 services, with well over 1000 hours of time logged. In the past, Reverend Kelly and his wife of 41 years have lived in Nicaragua, and were there during the 1972 earthquake, so the recent one in Haiti brought back very painful memories. Another memory he shared was that his Father was killed when Rev Kelly was very young, and then his brother became ill. It was a local Rotary Club who supplied a wheelchair for his brother. Reverend Kelly’s message is to live as a Christian, and go the second mile. He was honoured to be here and be presented with this award.

For Toronto Fire Services, Norm Clements, Platoon Chief East Command read from a statement about why Kevin Ashfield was nominated for this award. Kevin has been a Fireman since 1992, and is now at Hall 42 on Midland Avenue. Kevin is very involved in Camp Bucko, which is for children who have suffered burns. At Camp, they are able to meet others with similar injuries, and share stories to help them cope with their lives. The children come from the Hospital for Sick Children and St John’s Ambulance. On a personal note, Norm said that out of the 160 people in his command, his first choice would also be Kevin, because of all he does for the community.

Kevin humbly received his award, saying he loves kids and loves helping them.

For Toronto Police Services, Sergeant Shannon Dawson of 41 Division said it was an honour to introduce P C Bill McKee. Billy served 35 years on the force, and retired in April 2010. His dedication to the community showed especially in his work with schools, where he was liaison for core curriculum and extra curricular activities. These include Rodeos and the Smile Camp for children. Billy is also a North American Champion Town Crier, and is ranked 6th in the world. He is an excellent singer as well, as we heard when he joined us in the National Anthem. Billy will still volunteer his time, even weekends and nights, because of his strong work ethic and passion for helping.

Billy said he was overwhelmed by this award. He remembers Rotary because his Father died when Billy was 10 year old, and it was Rotary who delivered a Christmas Package to his family that year.

Gene Burns thanked all our award winners very much for their dedication and efforts for our communities.

Attendance

We had 36 members and guests, as follows:

Reverend Walter and Mrs. Lynda Kelly , Mr. Norm Clements, Kevin Ashfield, Shannon Dawson, Bill and Liz McKee, Sue Brown and Ariff Nakhunda.

Dr. Ruki Kondaj, Paul Whittaker, brother of Shirley, and Erik, a visiting Rotarian from Saskatchewan.

Open Membership Classification

Mike C announced that in keeping with the recent theme of Mortuaries and Monuments, this week’s membership category is Accounting.

Announcements

President Mike explained that the shovel propped on the podium was from this morning’s ground breaking ceremony for Habitat for Humanity. Mike was pleased that a number of members attended, and that he was able to meet the family we are sponsoring - Muhammad and Sajida Ayub and their 5 children. But now comes the stage where we have to do our part, by helping build their home – a hands on experience. Mike will let us know when this will begin.

He then asked how many members in the room were here 9 years ago, when we first all committed to work at Ribfest. Many hands were raised. Mike then asked if all of us had filled in our volunteer sheets. We need a total of 400 volunteer shifts to make Ribfest work, so everyone needs to fill more than 1 shift – and to get friends and family involved as well. And this year, we will not have a meeting on Tuesday Aug. 03, but we should all be at Thomson Park to do Clean Up. This is from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Mike congratulated Bob Johnston for his 60 years of service to the Masonic Lodge.

Josie advised that we have 87 Entertainers working at Ribfest for free! But we need to give bags of goodies to them all, plus the Karaoke Winners, so can everyone please contribute anything they can to these bags.

Mike also announced that D G Doug Byers says the C N Tower will be lit up in Rotary colours of Blue and Gold to celebrate Rotary’s 100th anniversary in Canada – June 19.
Further, Canada Post will be issuing a Commemorative Rotary Stamp on June 18.

Also – don’t forget to get sponsors for Ribfest.

Gerard announced that we had about 2 dozen Rotarians and Interactors at the Guildwood Day Parade last Saturday, where we gave out many Ribfest flyers. See the picture in the Bluffer we received today, of Robert Baxter Dennis driving the Rotary truck.
Next parade is the Highland Creek Heritage Festival on 19 June, so he needs volunteers to attend there as well.

Woods/Cunningham Wheel

With the pot at $450.00, the number was 40. Judy had it but was only able to spin a 10.

Sergeant-at-Arms – Gerard Baribeau

Gerard started with a Happy Buck, because 17 students from Camp Enterprise have volunteered for many shifts at Ribfest. He was also happy for the great weather we had on Guildwood Day.

Donna was sad because of the accident that happened to Gord Webber’s daughter that prevented him from being here.

Vic paid to try and get Mike to use the shovel this winter in his driveway.

Gary was happy that Ruth had successful cataract surgery.

Bruce was pleased he had participated at Habitat for Humanity, and is glad to be a Rotarian who can help with such things. He was also impressed with Bill McKee’s voice.

Ruki is happy to help increase the number of Rotarians in Scarborough.

Bill McKee – retired PC was thrilled to be here.

Mike Murton paid because he felt Habitat for Humanity was a wonderful program.

He then asked Donna to take a bow, because she had done so much work getting the Service Above Self Awards done, and organizing the program. Well done Donna!

Celebrations

CN Tower Lights Up for Rotary’s 100 Years In Canada

Toronto, Ontario --- On the evening of June 19, 2010, the world’s tallest tower, CN Tower will be lit up in Rotary Blue and Gold to honour Rotary International’s 100 years in Canada, it was announced today by Doug Byers, District Governor of Rotary International District 7070 , the Rotary District located right here in southern Ontario.

“We are very grateful to everyone at the CN Tower for honouring Rotary and all of the humanitarian acts of kindness that are accomplished worldwide by more than 725 Rotary Clubs with more than 27,000 members coast to coast in Canada”, Mr. Byers added.

“It is also the evening before more than 20,000 Rotarians from over 200 countries will descend upon Canada in the city of Montreal for the Rotary International Convention June 20 through 23, 2010. Many visiting Rotarians and their families will be staying after the Convention and traveling throughout Canada and there is no doubt that Toronto will be high on their list”, he said.

Rotary, the first service organization, established its first Club in Chicago in 1905. Rotary became international in 1910, when the first Rotary Club outside of the United States was formed in Winnipeg, Manitoba. And since that time, Rotary has grown.

There are some 1.2 million Rotarians in more than 32,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. Southern Ontario has more than 2,500 Rotarians in 54 Rotary clubs in District 7070 stretching from Toronto to Belleville in the east and north to Alliston.

The main objective of Rotary International is service, in the community and throughout the world. As volunteers, Rotarians build goodwill and peace, provide humanitarian service, and encourage high ethical standards in all vocations.

Polio eradication has been Rotary’s top priority since 1985, with more than $1.2 billion contributed to the effort. Rotary has provided the volunteers, advocates, and donors who have helped bring about a 99 percent decline in the number of polio cases. Since 1985, two billion children have been immunized, five million have been spared disability, and over 250,000 deaths from polio have been prevented.
“We don’t know exactly when the last child will be affected. But we do have the vaccines to wipe it out,” Mr. Byers said. “Countries do have the will to deploy all the tools at their disposal. If we all have the fortitude to see this effort through to the end, then we will eradicate polio.”

Written by:
David Andrews
Chairman
Rotary International District 7070
Public Relations Committee

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