Weekly update Rotary Club of Etobicoke

District Governor: Bob Wallace RI President: Kalyan Banerjee Week July 27, 2011 Board 2011 - 2012

President: Ron Miller, Vice President: Hugh Williams, Past President: Diane Irvine, Secretary: Nigel Brown, Treasurer: TBD. Directors: Michael Bell, Justin Di Ciano, Carol Weber, Gary Hepworth, Alex Woda,

Christine Woodman.

Next Week’s Speaker: August 03, 2011 – Jennifer Wang of New Tang Dynasty Canada

Website: www.rotaryetobicoke.org

Today’s Speaker – Sean Bow Scouts Canada

Sharon introduced our guest speaker, Sean Bow. Sean has been a member of Scouts Canada for 12 years and is currently a Venture Scout. During his time in Scouts, Sean has been a Six Star Scout, received every interest badge there is, has earned the Chief Scout’s Award and just this past Spring been awarded the Gold Cross for Gallantry.

Sean is very active within the Greater Toronto Council for Scouts Canada, represents the youth members for his area of Etobicoke & The Alders as an Area Youth Commissioner and also sits on the Outreach Committee helping to promote Scouting throughout the city. To top-off his Scouting resume, Sean is currently working on his Queen Venturer & the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Born and raised in Etobicoke, Sean has 2 brothers and enjoys participating in sports of all sorts. He especially loves spending time at his family’s cottage in Muskoka, and in Algonquin. This Summer Sean is working hard at Camp Termak running the paddle sports program. In the Fall, Sean will be going to Grade 12 at Ursula Franklin Academy. Sean began with, “It starts with Scouts”. Why? Because “it’s a huge adventure and tons of fun!” In his case, his interests and a lot of his friendships started with Scouts. He joined Beavers in the Fall of 1999 – it was his parent’s idea, though Scouting was a family thing with several generations of the family (on both sides) involved. By that time Sean’s parents were on the Group Committee so Glen, Sean’s younger brother turned up at a lot of meetings as a “Beaver-wanna-be” but he had to wait 3 years before joining. I should point out that a topical but tongue-in-cheek slide presentation prompted by his mother ran as Sean spoke. The Beavers are about fun and friendships, and each week the troop ran around until their legs about fell off and also made craft items. But Sean wasn’t really into arts & crafts, or noise, so the next Fall he moved to a different group, and that was where the friendships began, which still continue today. The leaders were new to this but they were more into games and activities like going out to explore the parks and buggy races - and sleepovers in the church hall after watching movies & eating hotdogs. “It was great!” The Beavers troop had a terrific “Hawkeye” who ran a well balanced program - “The way he could calm

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down a group of 6-year olds by simply opening a picture book *was+ magical!” The parents were great too, joining the kids for annual group camps in Winter & Spring and sleeping over in the church in the Fall. Sean mentioned aspects of his Scouting, involving a Remembrance Day Service which ties-in with a sleepover, and parents & kids attending West Scarborough’s Winterama where the kids had a ball tobogganing, throwing snowballs through hula hoops, playing soccer with earth balls in the snow and more. In the Spring there is always a group camp, somewhere near the Bruce Trail so the Beavers can explore whilst the Scouts go hiking. And one gem of inside-knowledge: Beavers are the best fundraisers because they are irresistible! Sean went to Cubs because his Beaver troop was closed down due to insufficient volunteers. He joined the 7

th Etobicoke Central group and met Cory,

a friend with whom there is plenty of competitiveness, but underneath, they look out for each other. The Akela has running the Cub program down to a fine art: 6 stars, 3 years – simple math! But there was something for everyone and they learned about computers, astronomy & cooking as much as about scouting. Sean admitted he had a learning difficulty and didn’t learn to read until Grade 4 and still tries to avoid writing. But at Cubs, Scouts and later Venture Scouts he could be successful. He says he can pitch a tent, do orienteering, build a great campfire and knows a spruce from a pine. The programs have given him the confidence to feel good about himself and the belief that he can do whatever he wants in life. The camps were the best bit of scouting to Sean – whether falling off logs into icy creeks, finding out about raptors or learning to be “Sixers” at weekend events – the result was the same – big smiles on their tired faces when they reached home. But having earned all his “Six Stars”, he “went up” to Scouts. He made more friends there and they together formed what was known as the “Gruesome Foursome”. He recognised the great help given by his leaders, who took them camping more than any other Scout group in Toronto last year. He also

thanked the leader’s spouses for letting them go off so much at weekends! But the Scouts also do a lot of community work, whether helping horticultural club members carry in their displays at a flower show or helping behind the scenes at the Christmas Santa Parade. They also plant trees and maintain re-forested areas with the Toronto Conservation Authority. There is an annual commemoration in February of Lord & Lady Baden-Powell, founders of the worldwide scouting movement, when there is a church service & family banquet. Scouting isn’t Christian but spirituality is part of their program and they have visited a mosque and a Hindu temple. “However, it is hard not to be moved by the work of Mother Nature when standing on top of a mountain in the Laurentian’s doing a high ropes course at a jamboree or watching a sunset over a Halliburton lake at a camp, and to acknowledge the importance of co-operation and the support of those around us when standing by a cliff while a tornado goes tearing by terrifyingly close.” The scouting program expands on that of Cubs. The elements are the same: games, creative expression, spirituality and of course the outdoors (where would Scouts be without the “out”?) but at a more advanced level. Leadership and community service are emphasised more. “All of which sounds great ... but is it a really good program for kids? Did it help me and my friends? In my opinion ... definitely! One of the biggest ways is healthy living.” With overweight couch potatoes, overstimulation from electronics and unhealthy indoor living amongst many kids todaay, scouting is a great alternative. There is always something to do as a Scout! And actually doing something is far better than pretending to do it on a screen. Sean related the story of a Scout called Cory who just “got by” at the start, avoiding learning anything at school and hating his uniform and authority. But through Venture Scouts and being in a stimulating situation he had learned pride in his appearance, enough confidence to discuss his views with adults and found that “doing” was a better learning tool than being told. Many Scouts will tell you the best thing about jamborees is meeting new people from around the

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world who share your interests and priorities – like outdoor sports and an interest in Nature. Sean finished his Chief Scout Award in January 2008 and in the Spring, progressed to Venture Scouts. Ventures balance the fun with the work by developing ideas and running camps for Scouts & Cubs. He also discovered “Moots” which are meeting places for other Ventures & Rovers. They are run on “teenager time”, so tend to go all night and only get going again in the afternoons! Part of Ventures is to explore vocational opportunities. Sean has found that his experience with scouting is helping him to build his resume with volunteer work & leadership training. There are not many people his age who can say they have used their first aid training and organised camps for 850 Scouts! It looks good on his resume and, he admitted, “feels great too!” Then Sean became a little more serious. He said, “I suspect however that the reason I was asked to speak to you today was because of the pretty gold medal I was awarded this past Spring – the Gold Cross for Gallantry. I am an average teenager. I’m not on any big crusade.” He said he was sick of being in classes where teachers told pupils to behave, rather than teaching those that wanted to learn. He behaves correctly because it is the right thing to do. He isn’t interested in drugs – he gets his highs from snowboarding, crossing the finish line in a Dragon-boat, going for a walk with his girlfriend and more. In April 2010 the school drug dealer hit on him because he didn’t use or buy drugs and felt threatened at not having anything to hold over him. He threatened Sean with a knife, which made him mad, he said. Sean “shopped him” on Crime Stoppers, but nothing happened unfortunately. Things then continued for a while with the dealer & his cronies being bullies and disrupting classes. In early May Sean and his friends were presenting a study worth 30% of their marks and the druggies were being disruptive. They ignored appeals from the teacher. Finally, Sean stopped the presentation and told them to be quiet and show them the

respect they had been shown the previous week when it was their turn to present. This was the first time someone had stood up to them in public. Unfortunately, the next day the dealer & his 2 buddies met Sean in an alley and threatened him with a knife. He took the knife off them and threw it away. He was angry and a bit scared. He went home and spoke with his parents about it. He tried Crime Stoppers again with no result. At school the next day he went to report the thug and was advised to go to the police, which was not an easy decision to make because it was not anonymous, like Crime Stoppers. The dealer was arrested and his 2 mates suspended. But with Facebook and cell-phones, everyone found out what had happened and Sean was soon threatened by other drug-related trash (my word, Ed) and Sean was given protection by the school security officer, and teachers, many of whom had never even taught him. That weekend was a Moot and it was good to be out in the countryside, Sean said. Unfortunately, the “suppliers” had been boasting that they were going to “get” Sean, burn down his house and so on. The police were informed. In the end the threats died down, the dealer went to court and now goes to a different school. “It’s been a tough year ... the threats were easier to deal with than the shunning that I got most of last year.” “So how did scouting affect all this?” Sean asked. “Not doing drugs in the first place because I have better things to do with my time - and life is probably the biggest. Knowing that honour and integrity aren’t just words and standing up for yourself and others when those around you try to bully you ... these are the things I have had modelled by my leaders and taken to heart with my Scout Promise and Law.” He explained that he was probably less afraid of knives because as a Scout he’s been using them since he was a Cub. And his friends stuck by him when others were cowed by the threats. Scouting is indeed a wonderful organisation for our youth and Sean is a wonderful example of the organisation! Sean was given a standing ovation by all at lunch..

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Presidents Corner

Pres Ron two quotes from past RI presidents. The 1917 – 18 President was E Leslie Pidgeon, the first president from outside the USA, from the Rotary Club of Winnipeg, Manitoba: “Rotary is a living force, first, because it holds a doctrine of human relationships which is true to universal fact, and second, because it does not hold its doctrine passively, but proves its existence by its expression for humanity’s uplift” – quoted at the 1918 convention. The 1918 – 19 President, John Poole from the Rotary

Club of Washington, DC said, “The International

Association of Rotary Clubs has fairly won its title,

for the sun never sets on Rotarians” – quoted in The

Rotarian, August 1919.

High School Scholarship

Program Cheque

Presentation

(L to R; Opal, TDSB Trustee Pamela Gough, Devindra

Lall, Vanessa Koch, Sarah Mikha, and Muni Sian)

Sarah Mikha $ 2,000.00 – York University (from

Father Henry Carr),

Vanessa Koch $ 1,750.00 – Ryerson University

(From Scarlett Heights)

Muni Sian $ 1,250.00 University of Guelph-

Humber (from North Albion Collegiate).

Devindra Lall $1,000.00 Seneca College.

Visitors & Guests

Guest Linda Robb – Guest Gary Hepworth Sarah Mikha with her mother Adiba and sister Sally, Muni Sian, Devandra Lall & Venessa Koch. Speaker Sean Bow with his mother Beth, father David, family friend Riley MacDonald and Scouts Canada representative Catherine Henry. Pamela Gough, Trustee, Toronto District School Board and guest of Opal Rowe. Visiting Rotarians Milo Vassallo – Rotary Club of Forest Hill Brock Buchanan – Rotary Club of Moshi, Tanzania. Rotary Make-Ups Frederik Martin – Wednesday July 27 – Rotary Club Toronto Eglinton.

50/50 Draw Ken Bromley - 4 of Hearts. Gary Hepworth was

rather luckier by winning the second draw Wine

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of the Week, generously supplied by Christine &

Russell Woodman.

Wine of the Week – a 2008 Valpolicella Superiore

DOC Ripasso, LCBO # 160374, retailing for $16.95.

The vineyard is located on the limestone & clay soils

of the sunny Veronese hills. The wine is a blend of

Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella & Cabernet

grape varieties. The grapes are selected and air

dried for a month to increase the sugar content.

After that time the grapes are gently pressed

followed by a long fermentation on the lees in order

to extract as much of the tannin as possible to allow

long cellaring, followed by a natural malolactic (non-

oxygenic) fermentation to impart softness and

roundness as well as reducing acidity. The wine is

aged for 6 – 8 months in traditional oak casks,

bottled and kept a further 3 months before release.

The wine is ruby red with a nose of red berries and

ripe cherries, very soft on the palate with full

flavours and a long finish. It is perfectly suited to

strong flavoured dishes such as game, roast meats

and strong cheeses. Cheers!

Club Membership Dues And finally, MEMBERSHIP DUES!!! Yes, it is that time of the year and yes, we would love to keep seeing you at meetings & events. Please put your cheques into the mail today or better still, attend next week!

Happy Bucks

Sharon Lee – Sharon was happy to announce that

her sister had been awarded her MBA in Glendale, Arizona last Thursday. It was hot there, she said – to which someone pointed out it was here too! Opal Rowe Opal was very happy to report that she

had received a whole bundle of thank you letters from one of the schools supplied with dictionaries. The letters are really sweet. Some excerpts are: “Rotary is the best thing ever”, “Thank you for the dictionaries. It was very kind to do that. I wish I could do something to show my thanks”, “[the dictionary] looks big so that means there are lots of different kind (sic) of words ...”, “I hope you helped other kids like you helped me”, “The dictionary is very special. We will share it with neighbours, family members, cousins, and relatives”, “Thank you for the dictionaries. We will not break them. We will take care of them because some people don’t have dictionaries” and “I wonder if you make other things besides dictionaries. Oh well, whatever you make, I’m sure everyone will be satisfied. Thanks a ton. You really helped me. Not just me but all of Grade 3.” Milo Vassallo Milo thanked the club for the warm

welcome he received, as always!”

Dates to Remember

Board Meeting – Monday August 8

th, 2011. Nigel &

Bernadette’s Residence, 437 The Kingsway (just East

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of Islington) at 5.30pm. Would those attending

please park tightly so all cars will fit in the driveway!

Contact Ron Miller Tel: (416) 763-0319.

District Governors Visit – Wednesday August 10th

,

2011. A Short Board Meeting at 11.30 am. Contact

Ron Miller Tel: (416) 763-0319.

Heidelberg Youth Chamber Orchestra and the

Durham Youth Orchestra perform Beethoven’s 7th

Symphony. Friday Sept 02 and Saturday Sept 03,

2011. UOIT Regent Theatre, Oshawa. Tickets cost

$60.00 with the 50% funding to Polio Plus. Contact:

Nigel Brown

Rotary District 7070 Foundation Walk – Sunday

September 11, 2011. Venue Ganaraska Forest

Center, Cobourg. Contact: Ron Miller Tel (416) 763-

0319.

Trillium Hospital Tour of ENT

Facility

Reported By Nigel Brown * Pictures Courtesy Ron Miller.