February 29, 2008 Vol. 83 No 113 Rotary VOICE

Rotary Voice is published by The Rotary Club of

TODAY’S PROGRAMME

SPEAKER: PUBLIC POLICY ADVISOR

LOCATION: BALLROOM

______Sean Conway comes from an Ottawa Valley political family; his grandfather was a Liberal MPP during the era. “It is well that there is nothing so sacred in Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Mr. Conway was Rotary that it cannot be set aside in favor of elected to the Legislature in 1975 at the age of 24. things better. This is an experimental age in During his 28 years as an MPP, Mr. Conway was extensively a changing world, and all things which are involved in education, health-care and hydro issues and served worth while and progressive are the on the Ontario Select Committee on Constitutional Reform. A culminating effects of preceding success and key architect of the 1985 Liberal/NDP accord that led to the first failures.” change of government in Ontario in 40 years, Mr. Conway served as Minister of Education and Government House Leader From Peregrinations, Volume III in the government of Premier . After the 1990 “Our Neighbors on the South” election, he served as Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition by Paul P. Harris, President Emeritus and was a leading critic on the Liberal front benches until his retirement from the Legislature in 2003.

Mr. Conway is currently Special Advisor, External Relations to the Principal of Queen’s University, where he is also a Visiting Fellow at the University’s School of Policy Studies. Part of his role at Queen’s also includes collecting an oral history from the Right Honourable , former Prime Minister of , for the national archives. A public policy advisor with Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, Mr. Conway is also a regular political commentator on TV Ontario. A participant in the Churchill Society’s 2004 special outreach luncheon series, Mr. Conway is a passionate speaker on parliamentary democracy in Ontario—a topic that is particularly relevant and timely in light of the October 10, 2007 Ontario election and referendum on electoral reform.

WHAT YOU MISSED...

8 new members joined Director Maureen Bird at one of the ta- bles. This is an active group. Four of us are going to the Interna- tional Conference in LA in June. Mark Stoiko spoke about the great weekend at “Club” Scugog last May and 6 from the table may be there this year.

Tatiana Naimouchina introduced 4 visiting Rotarians and 12 guests. Daniel Johnston let us know about his latest love affair and how we also can enjoy Italian wines at the National Club on March 6th. Anna Abbruzzese enticed us with the expectation of untold delights on the “Orient Express” Icebeaker to be held April 26th. Don’t miss it! The Early Bird deadline fast approaches and there will be three draws for special ROTARY INTERNATIONAL THEME prizes for those who have their names in to the office for tickets. This is the “Event of 2007/2008 the Year”!!

THE ROTARY CLUB OF TORONTO Lorraine Nelson brought us up to date with the many activities of the Community Ser- vices Committee as they reach out to the problems of the homeless. We will be hear- The Fairmont Royal York ing shortly about their Environment sub-committee, chaired by David Wilson. (Health Club Level) 100 Front St. West Robert O’Brien gave us a brief introduction to our guest speaker Peter Russell, Profes- Toronto, Ontario M5J 1E3 sor Emeritus, University of Toronto, making his 5th visit to our podium. He is always Tel: (416) 363-0604 current and on target. “Two Cheers for ” is so very timely and Fax: (416) 363-0686 he put things into perspective by reviewing the results of 12 minority governments out Email: [email protected] Web site: www.rotarytoronto.com of the last 27 since 1921. Even 12 of the majority governments failed to receive 50% Meets Fridays - 12:15 p.m. of the popular vote. He expressed concern that a clear majority government results in

a more centrally concentrated power without the checks and balances as in the US Officers: federal system. The downside is that the instability can cause us to be at the polls too President: Susan Howson President-Elect: Bill Morari often. But it is an excellent way to develop skills of compromise and improve parlia- mentary debate. Vice President Bert Steenburgh Treasurer: Harold Fisher Marg Stanowski won a bottle of wine on the Ace of Clubs draw – keep that prize

Directors moving up! ~Maureen Bird Will Andras William Empey Maureen Bird Daniel Johnson The World Wine Tour Travels to Italy at The National Club Susan Hunter Pat Neuman Kevin Power Jeff Dobson March 6th at 5:30 p.m. Margaret Stanowski Michael Edmonds Sylvia Geist Chris Snyder On the heels of an extremely well received trip to the wine regions of Australia last fall, the Fellowship and Entertainment Committee Executive Director: Valerie Clarke announces that the World Wine Tour returns, by popular demand. Office Administrator: Yvonne Yu On Thursday March 6, we continue our adventure and travel to Club #55, Organized 1912 Italy, via the tasting rooms of the National Club. Oenephiles will District 7070 Governor: Lynda Ryder enjoy a selection of fine wines including Natale Verga Pinot Grigio, Prunettelli Chi- anti and a gorgeous Amarone della Valpolicella Luigi Righetti amongst others. As always, the sommeliers and chefs of the National Club have created an exquisite mar- riage of tasty delicacies to accompany the wine selections. Beef Carpaccio, Veal In- voltini, Chicken Cacciatora are just a sampling of the buffet and canapés offerings to BRANDED MERCHANDISE complement the luscious wines. Ricky Bhang and Brian Perry, the fine wine som- meliers of the National Club, will once again, provide tasting notes on each of our Your single source for corporate branded selections. Incredibly, we are able to offer this evening to our club members and their products, clothing, give-always and more. Vast friends for the $65 per person. Please contact the Rotary Office today to reserve your selection from over 10,000 Canadian and US place on the World Wine Tour. firms.

In-house custom garment designs & IceBreaker 2008 - “The Orient Express” manufacture. So you’ve bought your ticket to Icebreaker 08, and to fully complete the experience, Corporate premium programs, from initial catalogue development through to procurement, you want to come in elegant attire befitting the train’s reputation. Or perhaps you’ve web commerce (budget or credit card) and wanted to be a vintage character from Agatha Christie’s era, your favourite suspect - overall program management. or any of the mysterious cast of characters. Well this year’s event is Black Tie or 1930s Period Attire, so anything goes! For those wishing to have some fun and NEIL PHILLIPS make a splash, we’ve again teamed up with a local theatrical costume house. Chif- T: 905.670.6778 forobe is offering a special rental price of only $75.00 for any costumes for our event. E: [email protected] They have an incredibly varied selection, covering almost any era. Contact Information:

THE FOUR WAY TEST Carman Amini—(416)454-4443 (mention Icebreaker 08) & call to set up appointment 9 Davies Avenue (just before Broadview north of Queen), Suite 407 Of the things we think, say, or do: Note: Voice mail refers to “The Tantalizing Tart” (correct place/baked goods business

1. Is it the TRUTH? as well). Cash or cheque only.

2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? AUCTION sheets for a one night stay at The National Clubwill be on the tables this 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER Friday. Complete sheets and turn them in, email or call the office. Bidding will close FRIENDSHIPS? on March 17th. 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? February 29, 2008 Page 2

UPCOMING FRANK LIVSEY (1935-2008) SPEAKERS & EVENTS Frank Livesy passed away on February 17th, 2008 in Florida. Frank 2008 joined our Club in 1975 with the classification: Actuarial Services – Feb 29 Sean Conway he was Vice President of the firm Tomeson-Alexander Limited at the Public Policy Advisor time. Mar 7 Jack Mintz, Professor Palmer Chair in Public Policy Frank was born in England and received his education there. He University of Calgary came to Canada in 1961. At the time of his retirement he was Partner 13 R2R at The National Club with Hewitt Associates. A very successful actuary, Frank was nominated in 1997 by 14 Bob Maguire, Acting Assoc. Reg. Benefits Canada as one of the 20 most influential people in the pension and benefits Dir. Gen. Ont. S. for Indian & industry for his leadership in introducing flexible benefits plans. Northern Affairs Canada Apr 26 IceBreaker 2008 - During his 33 years with our Club, Frank volunteered with our Membership, Fellow- The Orient Express ship & Entertainment, Seniors’ and Attendance Committees and was always a very at The National Club quiet, reliable contributor to our Club. He could be seen many Fridays at the Atten- May 6 Bridge Wind-up Lunch at dance desk and his contribution to the success of our Seniors’ Christmas parties could Rosedale Golf & Country Club always be counted upon. 23 Camp Scugog PROPOSE A SPEAKER A private service was held in Florida and a celebration of Frank’s life was held on Feb- CONTACT - Didhiti Bhoumik, Chair ruary 27, 2008. PROGRAMME COMMITTEE

One on One with Ron Beaubien Chair, 2007-08 RI Membership Development and Retention Committee (Rotarian, January 2008)

“In the Rotary year ending 30 June 2007, new clubs were up by 187, and total membership was up by 1,380. However, Canada, the Caribbean, and the United States had a disappointing decrease of 4,600 members. I feel confident that over the next two years, Ro- tary will witness a change in approach, the rate of decline will lessen, and then our membership numbers will increase - as a direct result of these conferences.

What key message came out of the conferences? Rotary must change with the times! If we don’t change, Rotary is not going to survive. We have to be different to attract new members and to retain them. This requires a new attitude and an understanding that membership recruitment needs to be strategic. We can’t just wait for new members to walk in the door.

What do you mean by strategic? I mean approaching membership with the mind-set of the businesspeople many of us are. To get results, what works best is constant scrupulous attention to our entire business enterprise and embracing any ethical means of achiev- ing dependable growth of our customer base.

How does Rotary need to change? Rotary is over 100 years old. But we don’t have to act as if we were 100 years old. We need to get with the times. We have to ask ourselves, how do we make the club experience attractive and simple so people are willing to invest their time and energy? Are we looking for the most energetic people we know, regardless of age? What difference could Rotary make for them? Clubs need to be relevant; there are too many other volunteer opportunities that people can choose to get involved in.”

LOOKING AHEAD: FRIDAY, MARCH 7th

SPEAKER: DR. JACK M. MINTZ, PALMER CHAIR IN PUBLIC POLICY UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY TOPIC: “FEDERAL ECONOMIC POLICY: ON THE RIGHT TRACK?” LOCATION: IMPERIAL ROOM

Dr. Jack M. Mintz is Palmer Chair in Public Policy, University of Calgary. He serves on the boards of Brookfield Asset Management, CHC Helicopter Corporation, Imperial Oil Limited, Ontario Financial Authority, and several public and non-profit organizations. He is a research fellow of CESifo, Munich, Germany and the Centre for Business Taxation, Oxford University, UK.

Dr. Mintz is a regular contributor to the academic literature and print media. In 2002, Dr. Mintz’s book, most Favored Nation: A Framework for Smart Economic Policy, was winner of the Purvis Prize for best book in economic policy and runner-up for Donner Prize for best book in public policy.

Dr. Mintz was the President and CEO of the C.D. Howe Institute from 1999-2006, and Clifford Clark Visiting Economist at the Department of Finance, Ottawa, as well as Chair of the Federal Government’s Technical Committee on Business Taxation in 1996 and 1997. He was recently named as the 27th most influential tax expert in the world by the UK Magazine, Tax Business.

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