Before we get into Laurie's story, first a message from DG Iosif:
Habemus DG 2025/2026
Niecy Dillon-Tyrovolas - Rotary Club of Whitby-Sunrise
Subject to the Challenge Period of 14 days.
With a heavy heart, I share with you the loss of Michael Parker, member of the Rotary Club of Cobourg, Past President, AG and our Chair of Disaster Relief. A celebration of life service was held this past Saturday morning at Best Western in Cobourg. We keep his wife Karen and kids and grandkids in our thoughts and prayers as they go though this difficult time.
Savour the Flavour fundraiser Whitby-Sunrise at Deer Creek Golf Club, Friday evening. Over 300 guests, community came together with Rotary members to raise money for the club. Local restaurants provided the food options.
The Robbie Burns Celebration with the Rotary Club of Bowmanville. A wonderful evening of traditional Scottish food and cheer. John had an interesting poem....
4th of February in person PETs and AGs training in Oshawa. DGE John Burns has returned from the International Assembly he will share with us the New Theme. Please ensure that the 2023/2024 club President and Executives are listed on ClubRunner. If your PE has not registered as of yet, please follow the link below:
Upcoming Happenings in our District!
RLI SPRING SESSION - starting in on February 8th February 2023 to register please follow the link below:
We need a minimum of 10 members to sign up for the training to commence, please register today.
WORLD UNDERSTANDING AND PEACE DAY SYMPOSIUM
You are cordially invited to an incredible Peace Symposium with music, art and incredible speakers on Thursday Febraury 23, 2023 at 7:00p.m. where you will hear Nobel Prize Winner Ouided Bouchamaoui who will join us all the way from Tunis, different entities that Rotary International is collaborating with to promote peace such as Mediators without Borders, The Peace and Economic Peace Centre, Rotary Inter-Country Committees (RotaryICC) and learn about how Rotary is collaborating with these different entities to extend peace and understanding around the world. Register today: https://rotary7070.org/event/world-understanding-and-peace-day-conference/
International Women's Day Celebration 2023
Come embrace women and equity in the district as we celebrate the women of Rotary District 7070! We gather March 8th @ 6pm in the Rotary Global Classroom at Durham College in a hybrid setting (In person and online) to celebrate fellowship and hear from female leaders of Rotary District 7070. Reception from 6 to 7 pm. Broadcast starts at 7 pm. Register here: https://rotary7070.org/event/international-women-s-day-celebration-2023/
Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup
Our 3rd Annual Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup Event (GLWC) is quickly approaching! Please mark your calendar for Saturday April 22 (Earth Day). More information to come from your District Environmental Action Committee. Thank you - Dan Coombes - Chair GLWC (dancoombes4@gmail.com)
Rotary Clubs in District 7070 -TAKE NOTE!!
The 2023 Rotary Youth Leadership Symposium (RYLS) is taking place, May 11-14, 2023 at the Ganaraska Forest Centre! The 3-night experience is geared toward youth between the ages of 17-23 and will offer an inspiring program including: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Reconciliation and Land Based Education, Hands-on Activities, Group Dynamics, Public Speaking, Outdoor Survival and GPS Geocache adventures along with campfires, friendship and tons of fun and learning!!! All this for only $375 per participant which covers all programs, accommodation, and meals. Rotary Clubs are encouraged to find and sponsor eligible participants within their community, as well as members of the Rotaract and Interact Clubs that they host. There are only 30 spots available! Online applications and further details will be available on the Rotary District 7070 website and all District social media channels by January 31, 2023. Stay tuned!!
Have a great week!
Cheers,
DG Iosif
Final thought:
A man asked for a small donation to a local swimming pool. So I gave him a glass of water.
Rotarian Laurie is a member of the Rotary Club of Cobourg and she shared her classification with us. She had a power point presentation with pictures as she told her story.
Laurie has lived in many places across the province and attended many schools. She likes people and enjoys getting to know and help people.
She was born in Brampton in 1973. Her grandparents were from Scotland and came to Canada after the war. Brampton was very small then. Her mother's brother Ian taught Laurie about Ying and Yang and and that you can choose to see the positive. Her Nana (her father's mother) raised their family. Her father started driving truck at age 16 and said he was a professional tourist.
Her mother raised three girls on her own. She lost a sister at age 16. They struggled financially and moved a lot. Laurie became adaptable.
She initially took nursing at Sheridan College. She moved to Northumberland County and decided she wasn't moving again. She married Wade McKeen. Their son Dennis is an electrical engineering tech.Son Chalmer is youngest and plays competitive hockey, and now competing in ice cross. There is a Matt who is a chartered accountant working for CRA as an investigator. (I know I didn't get all family and connections right). Their daughter Megan has studied everything and currently has an on line personal fitness business and clothing line and also works at Boston Pizza.
Laurie separated from her husband. It was her husband that got her into cars. A business with Wade - Cobourg Auto Collision. Laurie has worked and moved around a lot in the Cobourg / Port Hope auto sector, getting repeatedly recruited to different car dealers. She learned and grew. She has always been happy where she worked.
She recently moved to Brighton. She owns a property on Main Street with Bonnefire as business tenant on ground floor and 4 apartments above. One apartment is rented to Syrian mother and daughter.
People are her passion. She has joined Jacquelin real estate team and she is working to get her license.
She explained what Rotary means to her and why she joined. To motivate and inspire people.