Our Board of Directors 2026-27

We are People of Action

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, and leaders who volunteer their skills and resources to solve issues and address community needs.

 

 

Our club meeting is held on the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. 

Please check the calendar for all scheduled meetings.

For further details, please contact 

John Simpson at 

905-477-3013

 

 

Meeting Venue- 

Granite Club 

2350 Bayview Ave, North York, ON M2L 1E4

https://www.graniteclub.com

Club Executives & Directors
President
Secretary
Treasurer
Past President
Community Service
International Service
Rotary Foundation
Membership
Fundraising
Club Administration
Sergeant-at-Arms
Youth Services Chair
Public Image Chair
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Spouse/Partner Birthdays:
  • Laurie Magee
    October 5
  • Ann Butler
    October 11
Join Date:
  • Jorge Montalvo
    October 1, 1996
    30 years
  • Peter Vanek
    October 1, 1982
    44 years
  • Shawn Tahririha
    October 2, 2017
    9 years
  • Mark Young
    October 19, 2023
    3 years
Upcoming Events
  As RI president, Babalola wants to help restore members’ emotional connection to the organization and their sense of belonging.

“We do things for others, but Rotary is also our own,” he says. “When something is your own, you want to fight for it. ‘It is my duty to help it thrive.’ When you see how Rotary has made a lasting impact on your life, then you can tell that story.”

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Click on this link to make donations to this project.
https://willowdalerotary.org/page/donate/
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Our Rotaract club receiving the District Award
 
 
Rotarian Bin Liu visited us from the Tokyo Chuo Rotary Club.
 
 
At the Food Bank in December 2022 with two of our newest members.
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Service Above Self as the principal motto of Rotary because it best conveys the philosophy of unselfish volunteer service.
Rotary Logo for Salvation Army after school computer Lab project
Our Board of Directors for 2024-25
A Note From Our President
Together, let us embrace the ideals of Rotary, build upon our rich legacy, and create a brighter future for all.
"CREATE LASTING IMPACT"
Shawn Tahririha
At the Toronto East Rotary Blues Fest 2023. 
We were happy to assist the Rotary Club of Toronto with their Tree of Remembrance in Dundas Square in December 2022.
 
Willowdale Rotarians in Action.
Helping out at Global Medic to pack hygiene kit including water filters to be sent to countries which were recently faced with war, earthquake, and disaster in many other ways. Global Medic, is a registered Canadian charity that has provided disaster relief and life-saving humanitarian aid since 2022.
Receiving Paul Harris +1
Receiving the most new membership award for the District
2025-26 Rotarian of the Year - Vern Barney
 
 
 
 
Laurie Back, Margaret Adat & Heather Graham receiving distinguished service certificate for 2025-26
 
 
 
 
Mark Young receiving the service award to the board as Youth Director
 
 
 
 
Eric Azeez receiving the Paul Harris award
 
 
Home Page Stories

Making a Difference at J.K. Nyerere School – Arusha, Tanzania

With the sponsorship and support of Doug and his family, founders Margaret and Riyaz Adat, the Willowdale Rotarians have been working to improve educational opportunities and the quality of life for more than 900 students at J.K. Nyerere School in Arusha, Tanzania.

Through this ongoing commitment, the project has provided:

School uniforms and textbooks.
Three newly constructed classrooms.
Washroom facilities for both teachers and students.
A kitchen facility to prepare meals for more than 900 students, with ongoing funding for the school feeding program.
Scholarships to help students continue their education through high school and university.
Playing fields and sports equipment to encourage physical activity, teamwork, and healthy development.
Our Next Goal: A Reliable Source of Clean Water

Our next important initiative is to install a well at the school, providing a dependable source of clean water for students, teachers, and the school's daily operations.

This project represents another important step in creating a healthier, safer, and more supportive learning environment.

We are deeply grateful to Doug Ward and his family for sponsoring this meaningful initiative and to everyone who has contributed to making these improvements possible.

Together, we are helping build brighter futures for more than 900 children.

District Awards were presented to individual clubs for various achievements during the past year. Rotary Club of Willowdale received three awards, one of only two Clubs that achieved this number of awards. We received the following:

  • The Devon & Linda Biddle Annual Fund Certificate - this award recognizes the Club with the highest per capita contribution to the Rotary Foundation Annual Fund in the category of Clubs with 25-50 members.
  • The Bill and Delphine Patchett Polio Plus Certificate - this award recognizes the Club with the highest per capita contribution to the Rotary Foundation PolioPlus Fund in the category of Clubs with 25-50 members.
  • Norm Simpson Award for International Service -this award is given annually to the Club(s) in the District that made the most outstanding contribution to the International Service of Rotary during the preceding year.

 

An evening of gratitude, fellowship, and celebration as we honor our President and the incredible members who make Willowdale Rotary Club so special.

A taste of North York- Our club members volunteering along with North York Rotary Club

IN THE NEWS: Rotary International
Rotary projects around the globe – November 2026
Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in Canada, the Cayman Islands, Wales, India, and Indonesia.
The RYLA effect
A weekend in the Wisconsin woods sparks new perspectives on leadership for dozens of high school students in District 6250.
Picturing polio pioneer Dorothy Horstmann
For years, polio pioneer Dorothy Horstmann stood in the shadow of great men like Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin. Now she’s ready for her close-up.
Cross-generational club in Barcelona feels like extended family
The Rotary Club of Barcelona-Diagonal is focused on building bridges between generations.
Fight online misinformation this World Polio Day
Members of the International PolioPlus Committee seek to counter false narratives
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