TODAY’S PROGRAMME: FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2009 PROGRAMME: BRIAN BURKE, GENERAL MANAGER TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS LOCATION: THE IMPERIAL ROOM Brian Burke was named the President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 29, 2008. The 53-year-old Burke became the 13th General Manager in Maple Leafs history and brings over 20 years of National Hockey League experience in various roles to the franchise. Most recently, Burke served as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Anaheim Ducks from 2005 to 2008. In just over three seasons in Anaheim, Burke guided the Ducks to their first Stanley Cup (2007), first Pacific Division title (2007), and first-two 100+ point seasons (2006-07 & 2007-08). The Ducks also qualified for post-season contention in all three seasons, winning six-of-eight playoff series over that span. Burke received two outstanding honours in the summer of 2008. On June 6, he was chosen by USA Hockey as General Manager of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, and was named a recipient of the 2008 Lester Patrick Award for outstanding service to hockey in the United States on August 7. Burke was ranked No. 1 by The Hockey News in the magazine’s Annual GM Rankings in March of 2008, and was a finalist for The Hockey News Executive of the Year in 2006. He was named the Sporting News Executive of the Year in 2001, and was a runner-up for the same award following the 2005-06 season. Burke joined the Ducks after a six-year stint (1998-2004) as President and General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks where he revitalized the team and the community en route to consecutive 100+ point seasons and the 2004 Northwest Division title. Under Burke’s leadership, the Canucks improved their point total in four consecutive years from 1999-2003. Since the 2000-01 season, Burke’s teams have qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs all seven times, playing in 13 total postseason series. In addition, all seven of those clubs recorded at least 90+ points, including four 100-point seasons. Born in Providence, Rhode Island and raised in Edina, Minnesota, Burke was named the Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations by the Vancouver Canucks in June of 1987. Burke left Vancouver to serve as General Manager of the Hartford Whalers for one season in 1992, before joining the NHL front office as Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations in September of 1993. Some of his duties with the NHL included acting as chief disciplinarian by ruling on violations for on-ice player conduct, and working closely with Commissioner Gary Bettman on league direction and collective bargaining matters. After earning his Bachelor of Arts in History from Providence College in 1977, Burke signed with the Philadelphia Flyers prior to the 1977-78 season and won a Calder Cup Championship with the Flyers’ American Hockey League affiliate the Maine Mariners. He then returned to school and graduated from Harvard Law in 1981. Burke practiced law in Boston for the next six years, representing professional hockey players until joining the Canucks in 1987. Brian resides with his wife Jennifer and has six children: Katie, Patrick, Brendan, Molly, Mairin and Gracie. NIAGARA WINE TOUR Rotary Foundation Walk 2009 - District 7070 The Fellowship & Entertainment Committee is proud to announce our The Rotary Foundation Walk is set for September 27th 2009. This year the host latest social event: Escape to magnificent Niagara Wine Country! club is The Rotary Club of Quinte Sunrise. Discover some incredible local wines, stroll through vineyards, sa- vour tasty morsels and enjoy the fellowship of Rotary. The Foundation Walk will take place alongside Canada's largest airbase - at Cana- The date: Saturday, September 26! dian Forces Base Trenton home of 8 Wing Squadron. There are 2 planned routes: Our luxury coach will leave Union Station at 10.00am, first traveling one is to follow the beginning section of the "Highway of Heroes" east and west to Peninsula idge for a private tour, wine tasting and buffet lunch. along Highway 2 (a continuation of Dundas St. in Trenton) then north along RCAF Then onwards to Henry of Pelham for the afternoon, and back to To- Road. The route up RCAF Road leads to the second walk area which is located at ronto by 5.00pm. the impressive National Air Force Museum of Canada. The cost is $ 75.00 per person, and seating is limited, so sign up Walkers will be able to tour the museum inside and out, and view a full array of ASAP! Canadian military aircraft of the past 100 years. The displays include a World War Deadline for registration is Friday, September 4th in order for us to 2 Halifax bomber. This aircraft was shot down over Norway in 1945, returned to reserve the coach and finalise ar- Canada by museum staff in the 1990's and carefully restored to iis original wartime rangements with the wineries. condition. The museum's Halifax is currently the only one in existence. There’s a minimum requirement of Lunch will be served at the museum along with this year's exciting Rotary Founda- 35 people – so please don’t wait tion Walk festivities, announcements and the much anticipated awarding of next until the last minute to sign up. year's host club and Rotary Foundation Walk location. To sign up, contact the Rotary Of- We encourage all Rotarians to attend this once in a lifetime chance to see and ex- fice. For questions on the event, perience the beginning of our revered "Highway of Heroes" and thrill at our RCAF's contact valiant history on display at the famed National Air Force Museum of Canada. Henry Sun ([email protected] ). So bring your walking shoes, your camera and your pledges to Trenton on Septem- Sante! ber 27th 2009 and Walk the Highway of Heroes for Rotary! August 28, 2009 UPCOMING WHAT YOU MISSED LAST FRIDAY—Susan Hunter SPEAKERS & EVENTS 21 August, 2009 Aug 28 Brian Burke, General Just one day after the great storm that hit Toronto and surrounding area, we Manager, Toronto Maple Leafs were treated to a wonderfully sunny day on Friday. Our lunch meeting was Sep 4 No Meeting held in the Imperial Room and President Bert had a full agenda announcing 11 Danny McCoy st Olympic Sailor all of the activities happening in the club. At the 61 Golf Tournament, 15 International Cuisine several members and guests had to cut short their game because of the 18 Dr. Mary Tierney storm. Despite the crazy weather, a good time was had by all, and the en- Sr Scientist, Brain Sciences, ergetic team from New Haven Learning Centre were winners of the Tournament, as well as Sunnybrook Health Sciences recipients of the proceeds from this year's charitable event. 25 William Thorsell, CEO, ROM Mark Stoiko, the Chair for the Healthy Beginnings Committee, made an appeal for member- 26 Niagara Wine Tour ship at the podium. The Committee is focused on supporting initiatives and programs for chil- 27 District 7070 Foundation Walk dren from pre-conception to age 6. Meetings are held every 2nd Monday of the month. Mem- Oct 2 The Hon. Warren Winkler bers are encouraged to join the Committee to continue the great work of our members. Chief Justice of Ontario 9 Environmental Speaker (TBA) Lavinia Popinceanu was another speaker at the podium. She is the 2009/10 President for the 16 Robert Rotenberg, Rotaract Club of Toronto. Their club will concentrate on water health issues in the new year, Lawyer & Author, Old City Hall as well as literacy in Africa. In her remarks, Lavinia echoed RI President John Kenny's mes- 16-18 District 7070 Conference—The sage that Rotarians from our club are an inspiration to Rotaractors and that the future of Rotary Blue Mountain Resort lies in all of our hands. 23 David MacKinnon Our guest speaker today was Doug Byers, the District Governor for 7070, who outlined his 30 Richard McLaren very busy agenda. Membership is the number one priority for Rotary and Doug reminded us “Drug Testing at the Olympics” to "Get our 'Ask' in Gear". In other words, go out there and invite friends and colleagues to a Nov 6 Major Chris Brown Rotary lunch. Doug announced the agenda and date for the District Conference on October Baghdad 16th-18th in Collingwood with special guest speaker, “Mr. Water” aka Ron Denham. The PROPOSE A SPEAKER Foundation Walk is scheduled for Sunday, September 27th in Trenton so stay tuned for further CONTACT - James Statham, Chair details. PROGRAMME COMMITTEE [email protected] IMPORTANT NOTICE! THERE WILL BE NO MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 4th, 2009 THE NEXT MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th, 2009 “Spotlighting The Many Acts of Rotary” New Members Proposal Rotary District Conference 2009 The following new members proposal are pend- Oct 16-18, 2009—Collingwood ing in the club office. Please contact Chris Sny- We are delighted to announce that the Rotary District Conference will be held in Collingwood in mid- der, Chair, Membership committee for any com- ments. October 2009 at the Intrawest Blue Mountain Resort. Come and enjoy the crisp fresh air, the splendid colours of the falling leaves and a District Conference brimming with activities to be savoured and digested. Stuart Watts The Blue Mountain Resort facility and Collingwood lend themselves wonderfully to learning and shar- Scotiabank ing, as well as fellowship activities that will Banking—Loyalty Award programs allow you to renew friendships and forge new ones.Be prepared to be excited and challenged.