Rotary 7080 DG-John Gilvesy

John is a Past President and has been a member of the Rotary Club of Tillsonburg since 1987.  He has served for 3 years as the Area Governor of the Woodstock-Oxford Cluster and is a past Director of the International Services Committee.  He assumed the role of District Governor in July 2018.

 

John grew up and still lives on a farm near Tillsonburg.  John and his wife Sandra have a daughter Sasha, married to Ryan McGrath, and two grandchildren, Nyla and Bennett.  Their son David is married to Jill Buchner.

 

John is a professional engineer and builder, and with Sandra, owns Gentrac Building Corporation and Permterra Development Corporation.  He has served as Past President of his local real estate board, past member of the Ontario Commercial Council, past Director of Goodwill International Great Lakes, and is Past Chair and current Director of his local utility. 

 

John is a member of the Rotary Action Group for Microfinance and Community Development and believes that for lasting peace we need to assist those living in extreme poverty …”teach them how to fish”.   Rotary has both the resources and networks to make significant impact. 

 

John and Sandra feel fortunate to have travelled internationally and often share stories about the Rotary International Conference in Bangkok, Rotary missions in India, Philippines, and most recently, in Honduras.

 

John said “Rotarians deliver hope”.  We are lucky here that we don’t have to deal with extreme levels of disease and poverty.  Rotarians, 1.2 million strong, can create waves around the world, as water ripples from stones. 

 

Rotary has three primary goals this year.

 

First, RI would like each club to increase membership by 2 (with 1 female).  Our club could push for a citation award with distinction (5 new members).  John encouraged us to identify our classification on our website.  This could serve as a skills matrix so others know what skills can be shared.

 

Second, we need to do a better job promoting ourselves.  In India, membership is exploding.  This is due in large part to a National Immunization Program in the 80’s.  Those affected now want to be members.   One example of an investment many years ago that is now reaping benefits.

 

Three, our efforts can be multiplied many times over.  Bill and Melinda Gates are matching 2$ for 1$ that Rotary raises for Polio.   Global grants from Rotary can help multiply as well. 

 

What post-Polio projects should Rotary be involved with; helping poor, clean water, microfinance? 

 

John was promoting a microfinance project in Honduras.  If each of 50 clubs in the district contributes $1,500, for a total of $70,000, with grants this could become $400,000.  Then with bank leverage of 5 to 1, this could become $2,000,000 for microfinance loans.  This would create tremendous impact on community development in Honduras.

 

In summary, John said as Rotarians we can and have the platform from which to inspire communities.

 

Recorded by Duane Eby