JULY 5, 2017

Barb Bocking takes over from David Chapman-Smith as our new President.

 
Outgoing President David C-S remarks:
 
 
Past President David C-S reviewed the club’s 5-year vision statement for 2016-20, and the primary first year goal, and gave examples of how there has been good progress in all areas of service, growth, fellowship and fun. 
 
Vision Statement:  By 2020, Toronto Eglinton Rotary will have grown significantly larger and be diverse, modern and vibrant because of its record of leadership, partnerships and outstanding service in its immediate community and internationally.
 
Primary First Year Goal:  Implementation of a plan of activities and changes that promote retention and enhanced growth of membership in the club, including:
 
  • More and stronger connections and partnerships in the community
  • Changes to club structure and communications to be more appealing to a diverse membership
  • Improved promotion/publicity/visibility, with more use of technology
  • Fellowship and fun
 
The last month of the year to June 30 had seen major improvements  in media and communications (e.g. new brochure, upgraded website, new members guide, online registration option), several new members and the successful  Chrystia Freeland  event.
 
He explained how the club was in a good financial and administrative situation, thanked a strong board,  Treasurer Lionel and Secretary Laura, and said that no president has had a stronger president-elect than he had in Barb Bocking. He presented her with a presidential pin.
 
David told how the experience of serving as president had drawn him closer to the club and its members, the district, and Rotary, and what a pleasure it had been.  He leaves the office  optimistic about the future of RTE and offering to remain fully involved. He concluded with offering help Barb except for the months of his upcoming trips to Brazil and New Zealand.
 
Words from our incoming president Barb B:
 
 
Barb began by saluting the work of David C-S over the last year, from dealing with a fire, to organizing the Freedom Singer event. She then presented him with a Past President Rotary pin and an engraved pen as thanks for his year of leadership. Bill M gave the club’s thanks.
 
Barb continued by commenting on the visioning exercise of two years ago that has been a positive experience. Also she feels that RTE is doing well and the club should consider itself as progressive and it is doing the right things. The membership committee should take pride that membership is up by about 20%.
 
Barb’s three goals for the coming year:
 
  1. To have all members engaged in the work of the club in some way. Committee duties are not onerous and are extremely valuable, especially the bingo group which brings in half of the club’s revenue.  New members are encouraged to attend committee meetings and the monthly board meetings to find out about club activities.
  2. Communication is central and essential and several venues will assist with this: the new web site, verbal communication, Laura W’s many consistently valuable messages, the weekly bulletin and the phone committee. She encourages members to give input to herself and to the board on what is important to them.
  3. Social events are also of prime importance; the Rotary After Hours evenings have been a great success;  and she hopes to have a social event every third month when there are 5 Wednesdays. This will begin with the barbecue she is planning for the last week of August.
She emphasized that Rotary is about its members: it is about the individuals who have joined a global organization with the goal of Service Above Self and concluded that she is looking forward to serving as president in the coming year.
 
Finally she commended the board members for their fine work and looks forward to working with them in the future but also hopes that others may take a turn. The current board members are: Laura W as secretary, Lionel L as treasurer for the club account and Walter W for the foundation account; David C-S and Norma D for the community committee, and Joe C for the international committee; Mike H for youth and vocational; Tim V for membership; Stephen B for fundraising; Lars H for bingo; Walter P and Mike M for media and public relations; and the POD chairs: Stephen B & Barb B; Lars H; Nilam B; David C-S.
Sponsors