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 first Thursday at 12.30pm and 

third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. 

Please check the calendar for all scheduled meetings.

For further details, please contact 

John Simpson at 

905-477-3013

 

 

Meeting Venue- 

Don Mills Retirement Residence 

2 Green Belt Dr, North York, ON M3C 0P4

Club Executives & Directors
President
Shawn Tahririha
Secretary
Heather Graeme
Treasurer
Margaret Adat
Past President
Howard Back
Community Service
Laurie Back
International Service
Hesam Mirzaei Rafsanjani
Rotary Foundation
Peter Vanek
Membership
David Graeme
Fundraising
Eric Azeez
Club Administration
John Simpson
Sergeant-at-Arms
Al Warren
Youth Services Chair
Jobson Easow
Public Image Chair
Jobson Easow
Links
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays:
  • Peter Vanek
    November 7
  • Stephen Phillips
    November 11
  • Shawn Tahririha
    November 12
  • Roger Basu
    November 22
Join Date:
  • Mahdieh Fetrati
    November 25, 2024
    2 years
  • Bob Bettson
    November 28, 2001
    25 years
  • Alice Bonavia
    November 29, 2016
    10 years
Upcoming Events
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  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
Annual Festive Christmas Lunch

🎄 Rotary Club of Willowdale – Annual Festive Christmas Lunch

Celebrate the Season • Share the Joy • Support a Worthy Cause

The Rotary Club of Willowdale warmly invites members, families, friends, and guests to celebrate the holiday season at our Annual Festive Christmas Lunch. Join us for an afternoon of festive fellowship, delicious food, Christmas carols, and giving back to our community. In keeping with our long-standing tradition of supporting The Salvation Army, proceeds and donations from this event will benefit the Salvation Army After School Program, helping support children and families in our community.

🎄 Event Details

Date: Thursday, December 10, 2026
Time: 12:30 PM
Venue: The Thornhill Club
7994 Yonge Street, Thornhill, ON L4J 1W3
Cost: $80 per person

✨ Event Highlights

Live Christmas music and carols performed by members of the Salvation Army Band

Exciting raffle prizes

Cash bar

Festive fellowship with family and friends

An opportunity to support a meaningful charitable cause

Bring your family and friends and celebrate the spirit of Christmas with us!

❤️ Supporting The Salvation Army - The Rotary Club of Willowdale proudly continues its tradition of supporting the Salvation Army After School Program. We encourage attendees to make a donation in addition to their lunch payment. Tax receipts will be issued for eligible donations.

💳 Payment Options

Option 1: E-Transfer -Christmas Lunch – $80 per person

Send payment to: general.willowdalerotary@gmail.com Please include "Christmas Lunch" in the payment reference.

Donations to the Salvation Army After School Program -Send donations to: donations.willowdalerotary@gmail.com

Please include "Salvation Army After School Program" in the payment reference. Donation tax receipts will be sent following the event. Please provide your email address.

Option 2: Payment by Cheque

Please bring two separate cheques, both payable to:

Rotary Club of Willowdale

Cheque 1: Payment for Christmas Lunch ($80 per person)

Cheque 2: Your donation to the Salvation Army After School Program. Please provide your email address to receive a donation tax receipt.

Already paid? Kindly advise our team at check-in if you have made your payment in advance.

📩 RSVP by Friday, December 4, 2026- Please confirm your attendance by emailing: heatheregraeme@gmail.com

We look forward to celebrating Christmas together while continuing our Rotary tradition of Service Above Self. Together, let's spread Christmas cheer and make a difference in our community!

Rotary Club of Willowdale
Service Above Self

Ham & Cheese Sale

The Rotary Club of Willowdale is pleased to announce our upcoming Ham & Cheese Sale!

We invite all members to participate and support this fundraising initiative.

Order Deadline: Friday, November 13, 2026

All proceeds from the sale will go toward supporting local community initiatives and making a positive difference in our community.

Your participation and support are greatly appreciated. Please consider placing an order and sharing this fundraiser with family and friends.

Thank you for your continued generosity and commitment to serving our community!

Warm regards

Rotary Club Of Willowdale

J.K. Nyerere, Arusha-Tanzania School visit

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.

Read more...
District Award 2025-26

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.

 

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