Service Above Self
Who We Are
Local
The Rotary Club of North York is a group of like-minded individuals who want to make a difference in their communities through physically volunteering and providing financial assistance to various causes. The Club was chartered in March 1991, and is a member of District 7070 and the larger corporate body, Rotary International. Rotary is an organization that represents about 1.2 million Rotarians in 30,000 clubs in 162 countries around the world.
Our club has 15 members from many different occupations. Our members consist of men and women who are business owners, professionals, community leaders and retirees from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. We come together for the purpose of humanitarian service, and fun.
Our Club meets twice monthly on Wednesday mornings at 7:30 am for a light breakfast. We do a bit of administration but the focus is our speakers. We invite interesting speakers who present on current and relevant affairs, topics of their personal passion, or on their organization.
On alternate weeks each month, we perform a community service at a local place of worship, setting up for breakfast for those less fortunate in our community. In addition, at least four times a year we have fun socials such as a Holiday Party in December and Year-End “Presidents Transition” Barbeque, which includes member’s families.
A few months after a new member joins our club, they are asked to give a classification talk at our meeting, with a brief summary of his/her life, their vocation and how they got connected to Rotary. It also gives the new member an opportunity to promote and advertise their occupation and business.
Twice annually, we have Firesides where we discuss Club business over a meal. On those months in the year with five Wednesdays, we have a casual social at a local pub. Regular attendance at our weekly meetings is encouraged in order to keep in touch with Club friends and Rotary projects.
If a member is travelling, we encourage them to do a make-up at a local Rotary Club. Visiting Rotarians are welcome to attend any other Rotary Club in the world, and receive credit for make-up attendance.
Over the years, our Club has started or sponsored many projects, both local and international. Some the project descriptions can be found in the "Our Club at Work" tab.
We hope you are able to join us for a warm Rotary welcome at one of our meetings.
Our Vision
Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
We Are People of Action
Rotary is where neighbors, friends, and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders, and take action to create lasting change.
We Connect People
Rotary unites more than a million people. Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
We Transform Communities
We take action locally and globally. Each day, our members pour their passion, integrity, and intelligence into completing projects that have a lasting impact.
We persevere until we deliver real, lasting solutions.
We Solve Problems
No challenge is too big for us. For more than 110 years, we’ve bridged cultures and connected continents to champion peace, fight illiteracy and poverty, promote clean water and sanitation, and fight disease.
The mission of the Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. The Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.
International
The History of Rotary’s Four Way Test
The guidelines that worked to turn around a failing company during the years of the Great Depression serve today as the moral compass of the world’s largest service club organization, Rotary International.
“The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do,” is a protocol used by members of Rotary Clubs around the world as a nonpartisan and non-sectarian ethical code for personal and business relationships. The test was scripted by a Chicago businessman and Rotary Club member, Herbert J. Taylor, as he set out to save the Club Aluminum Products Distribution Company from bankruptcy during the depths of the Depression in the 1930’s.
When he shared it with his employees, it was eagerly adopted, and saved the company from financial collapse and it rebounded to become a profitable enterprise.
The 24 words of the test are as follows:
“Is it the truth?
“Is it fair to all concerned?
“Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
“Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”
Taylor shared the test with his Rotary colleagues, and Rotary International adopted it in 1940. It continues to be used by Rotarians worldwide to this day. Most Clubs, including The Rotary Club of North York, proudly display the text on a prominent banner at meetings. Our Club also observes the Test by having it read by our Sergeant at Arms, at each meeting.
When a new member joins our Club we encourage them to apply The Four-Way Test in all aspects of their lives; their families, personal relationships, friendships and in business.