June is the month that your NOTL Rotary Club asks you to renew your membership.
 
First, let me get the logistics out of the way:
     1. We have increased the annual membership fee to $325 – this is the first

         increase in several years.

     2. We ask that you pay the fee by June 30 at the latest, and that you pay it all at

         once, NOT with a 2nd instalment in December.

     3. The simplest way to pay is by electronic transfer notlrotaryclub23@gmail.com           You can also bring a cheque or cash to Carol Lipsett or Peter Manning for                 deposit.
 
Second, please renew your COMMITMENT at the same time you renew your MEMBERSHIP.  Let me spend the remainder of my message talking about commitment, which I will do in three different ways.  As I hope all of you know by now, we have stressed three objectives this year: Fellowship, Service, and Fun – let me use each of those as the heading for the three ways you can show commitment to Rotary and our Club.  What is REALLY IMPORTANT is to acknowledge that you may be able to show your commitment in one way, and not so much in another way. While we would love to see you achieve three out of three, we note that the late, great Meat Loaf once sang, “two out of three ain’t bad”.  So, even if it is tough for you to attend Tuesday meetings due to work or other commitments, you can still be a great Rotary member by showing your commitment in other ways.  (BUT – please try to get out on Tuesdays – we really want to see you!!)
 
Fellowship
The primary opportunity for fellowship is at our Tuesday meetings.  We have great speakers, good food (we are looking at ways to make it better), and great company. It is also the best way to stay up-to-date with what is happening in the Club, and to ask questions or share information – especially at monthly Club Assemblies.  There is also a broader opportunity for fellowship by becoming involved at the District level or in activities at other Clubs within our District.  There are plenty of other opportunities for fellowship, but let’s look at those under our headings of Service and Fun.
 
Service
There are three primary opportunities for service:

     1. Participate in at least one committee or event organizing team.  We have several committees that need ACTIVE members: community, international, youth, membership, foundation, communication, and marketing to name the most obvious.  We are always looking for people to step into a Board position and we will have several openings for 2026-27.  As for events, Holiday House Tour is the most obvious, but we also have Canada Day, Paul Harris, Ice Wine, Golf Day, and we tried a Fashion Show last fall.

     2. Participate in the many opportunities that come up during the course of the year, such as Ride for Polio, Polo, Adopt-a-Road, breakfast program, support for our exchange student, volunteering at the Holiday House Tour or Canada Day or other event.

     3. Give money – especially to the Foundation.  As we have repeatedly said, if you have the financial wherewithal to give to a charity, Rotary is one of the best charities you could choose.  If you need simple instructions on how to donate – either on a recurring monthly basis or each year, just ask – Joe Will, Peter Manning, Michael Bell, me, or many others.
 
Fun
If you aren’t already having fun being involved through the above categories of Fellowship and Service (and you WILL have fun), then this one is really easy – all you have to do is SHOW UP.  Sometimes, there is a cost to events, but we try to keep it reasonable, and usually a bargain relative to what you would have to pay for similar events.  So, when we announce an upcoming event, make it a priority and mark it on your calendar.  After all, it will be time well spent with friends.
 
Final Word
We want all of our current members to renew.  BUT only do so if you are prepared to make the commitment to be an active Rotarian.  As above, there are many different ways to show that commitment.  While we love to see our members at Tuesday lunch, that is only one way and it is certainly not the only way.  If you don’t think you can make any kind of commitment, please talk to any of us – Cindy, Chris, Michael, Tim, me, many others - and let’s try to find a way to make your membership meaningful.  For our new members, let’s work together to help you become more involved.  I think we can all be a little tentative at first, but it certainly should not stay that way.  When you open the door into Rotary, there is a whole world of opportunities to explore.  Please pay your money in June and please find a way to show commitment during the 12 months that follow.

Jamie Knight
President (416-554-1072)

 

Rotary Meetings

Our speaker calendar for the next few months is filling up fast. I am sure they will all be interesting and informative to our members and guests.

 

 

June      3        Lunch Meeting     Nancy Gilbert, Transform International,                                                                  (ISC Malawi)

            10       Lunch Meeting     Youth Exchange program - Paul Lalonde

            17       Social Event        Turnover meeting at Betty & Jamie Knight's home

            24       Lunch Meeting     Club Assembly - President Jamie's year end report,

                                                Emil's farewell presentation.