October 13-15, 2000

Pictures from a great T-2000!

DG Ward's Wrap-up Message

Chair Bill's Wrap-up * Final Plans

RotaBear * Why We Attended

"RotaBear" & "Wardley Dooright" were at the conference! costume design by Jennie Doanne, Eastwood RC

June and I would like to thank all of the Rotarians, family, and guests who helped to make our Toronto conference such a success. We Created Awareness -- we had Fun -- we experienced Great Fellowship -- and we prepared to Take Action in the coming months.

Bill Stevens and his trusty conference committee and their many recruits worked from the wee hours of Friday morning until the opening of registration to make sure all was in readiness. House of Friendship display tables were setup, banners prepared, cookies set out and RotaTrain in place. With Marlene Brown, Earl Lewis and Fran Combar at the ready with their trusty cameras, the conference was ready to open.

The business session opened promptly at 2:30 PM with Jim Dorris at the helm and the wonderful voice of Tony Battaglia leading us in song. One of the highlights of the session was the election of Andrea Ives, of the Baldwinsville Club, as DG 2003-03. Congratulations, Andrea!

RI President's Rep. Frederic (Nick) Norton addressed the gathering and brought greetings from RI President Frank Devlyn. The second plenary session highlighted four Programs of Merit that included the Greater Utica Sunrise's Library Outreach, Toronto-Parkside's Redwood Shelter for abused women, Baldwinsville's Canoe Race for PolioPlus, and Camillus' Reading Intervention.

These are just a very few of the many, many excellent programs that were highlighted in the House of Friendship. While the plenary meetings were in session, our family members were entertained with a bit of Toronto region history. Peter Twist, of the King's Regiment of the Canada's, presented the Regiment's early history in the 1812-14 period.

Our traditional Friday evening International Dinner was kicked off by a pair of Redcoats escorting to front and center both the US and English Group Study Exchange teams. The Redcoats remained on-guard during the fantastic display of color as our Youth Exchange and Interact students presented their national flags.

District 7070 Governor Michael Cooksey welcomed us to Toronto. Past RI VP, Abe Gordon, the keynote speaker, took us on a delightful trip through the 95 years of Rotary's history. This was followed by an exciting presentation by the English Group Study Exchange team. We ended the evening program with our Youth Exchange students entertaining us with dance and song. An enjoyable and exciting time!

Saturday morning found us gathered for the annual Literacy challenge. Prior to the kick off of the mind-stretcher, we presented the mounds of school supplies provided by our Rotarians to school principle Bill Lee who accepted them on behalf of the Toronto Regent Park and St. Paul's inner city school children. Mike Phelane of Toronto District 7070 was our able contact and doer at that end. The winning team of the Literacy challenge donated their $1,000 winnings in golden coins to the Auburn/Cayuga Literacy Volunteers of America. The winning team was made up of: Lou Gigliotti, John Kogut, Larry Golden, Ed Paparella, Oliver & Everdina Tooker, Tony & Randy Battaglia and Dick Kahler. Rumor has it that this team spends the major potion of each morning working on word-scrambles over coffee and blueberry muffins.

The District Focus Programs presented Saturday morning included presentations of our New Generation Programs (Earlyact, Interact, Rotaract and Rotary Scholarship). The Toronto City Rotaract club participated with an excellent presentation and summary of their very active club. Maureen Ozols reviewed the Rotary Scholar program and introduced us to Juyen Kang, Yoko Asano, Koji Nishimoto and Sukhyun Park, who are hosted by D7150 clubs and are attending Syracuse University under this program. These presentations were followed by an excellent program by PDG Joe McCarthy on that timely subject, Membership Development and Retention.

The Rotarian families and guests were treated to Family Fun Programs while Rotarians were in the plenary sessions. George Reed, of the Oswego club, spoke of the rich history of Toronto and the lake Ontario region. A delightful look at the Life at the Toronto Zoo was presented by Dr. Karen Goodrowe. Saturday afternoon was a time to visit the zoo, the Toronto Science Center, take in the Lion King at the theater, tour greater Toronto on a selection of bus tours, or just plan relax in the pool or the other hotel facilities.

Saturday evening found us enjoying both the Governor's Banquet and the RI President Representative's address, from whom we learned about the power of a little sewing needle. This evening was climaxed with a dessert buffet and dancing.

Throughout the weekend, we were visited by Sgt. Wardly Doright of the Royal Mounted Anti-Apathy Police. He was looking for Sam Apathy and his gang of Ben Ther, Don That & Wont Work as well as Cant and Shant. To his delight, he was unable to find them in our midst. The powerful Do brothers (Can, Shall and Will) had kept Sam Apathy's gang away.

Sunday morning, we remembered those of our District Rotarians who had passed away this year. This moving and inspirational ecumenical memorial service was let by Peter Anderson of the Skaneateles Rotary Club. Following this service, Abe Gordon and Nick Norton made presentations that left us with good thoughts and challenges for the months to come.

One of the major highlights of the Sunday morning session was a presentation made by DGE Bruce Frassinelli who, along with his two lieutenants (Sara and Toga), showed up dressed in togas. This fun display prompted one of our English friends to ask, "Does this mean I can remove my tie?"

It was a wonderful weekend, with great Rotarians and their families, who enjoyed each other's company, shared their successes in service to others, celebrated Rotary as a family affair, and regenerated their enthusiasm in Rotary. We enjoyed and learned, and hope to see all of you in Saratoga, September 21-23, 2001. - District Governor Ward T. Vuillemot

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To the District 7150 Rotarians and Families who were part of Toronto 2000: On behalf of DG Ward, June, Wardley, RotaBear, and the entire Conference Committee, I want to thank you for being part of the Toronto 2000 District Conference. Yes, we had a great city hosting us, and a superb facility with a staff that knows how to provide great service; and we filled the weekend program with top-notch speakers and presenters, from the displays in the House of Friendship to those who shared their ideas during Plenary Sessions.

But all of those features put together without YOU would not have made a memorable weekend, and we thank you for being there with us. And based on the many compliments and comments we've heard, you had a lot of fun mixed in with the friendship, learning, and sharing ideas about Rotary.

Now that Toronto 2000 is just a memory, I encourage you to Create Awareness about Saratoga 2001 in your Club and Take Action by urging every Rotarian you know to be part of that event. I know that Mary and I are looking forward to next September 21, and hope to see you all there! - Bill Stevens

• Learn more about Rotary and the programs of Rotary
• Work on the future with District leaders and the leaders of other clubs.
• Programs that get to the point of Rotary ­ A balance between the basics and new ideas and projects you can use to make a difference in your club and your community.
• Recipes for success from other clubs.
• Sharing of program ideas displayed in House of Friendship.
• The talent and energy of the Youth Exchange and Interact Students.
• Finding common ground with the Group Study Exchange Team.
• Speakers with something to say and something you can use.
• Assigned seating at dinners.
• Hospitality Suites!!
• Fellowship with other Rotarians and their families
• Plenty of time for fellowship in hospitality suites at the end of the evenings.

• See a great city!
• Stay at the beautiful Inn on the Park with great, convenient facilities in a central location in Toronto.
• Great food!
• Programs designed for the family (including kids of all ages) with the Toronto Zoo or the Ontario Science Centre.
• Baby Sitting services available from local Interact and Roteract members at the hotel.
• Tickets available for one of the great plays in Toronto (we are working on "The Lion King")
• The Ontario Science Centre directly behind the hotel.
• The Toronto Zoo nearby.
• Greektown, Chinatown, West Queen Street and the other colorful neighborhoods in Toronto.
• The Royal Ontario Museum of Art.
• The CN Tower and The Skydome.
• World class shopping.