Governor Gary Levine

Then Owen Sound, Ontario President Gary stands with his father, then Tamarac, Florida President Mickey along with ECC Governor Milton Peach.

I was born in Duluth, Minnesota and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It was here that I was first introduced to Kiwanis. Sitting at the dinner table I would often hear stories told by my father, then a Kiwanis member, about service projects and the friendship he made. I had the opportunity to accompany my Dad to Kiwanis functions and fundraising events, learning at an early age the importance of "Service". He taught me, that in this life, you must give more than you take.

I attended the University of Winnipeg and University of Alberta, with further studies in London, England. When I moved to Owen Sound to become the Program Manager for the local cable television station, I became reacquainted with Kiwanis and was soon invited to join the Kiwanis Club of Owen Sound.

I am married to my best friend and sage advisor Julia, a teacher, musician and gardener. Julia is very pleased to have celebrated her first anniversary of being inducted into the Kiwanis Club of Owen Sound. She is currently our Division 8 HIV Committee representative.

My stepson Matthew is working as a Geophysicist which takes him to the most remote regions of Canada. His brother Mark is Media Art Director for Twist Image, an advertising firm based in Toronto, Ontario. I have appreciated all of their support through our Kiwanis activities.

When serving as the Kiwanis Owen Sound Club President, I targeted membership growth as an important cornerstone of my administration. That year, through an innovative "Team Kiwanis" approach, the club saw a 40% increase in membership and was awarded a distinguished status.

In 2003, I began a two year term as Lieutenant Governor. I served first with Governor Joanne Murray and then with Dr. John Button. It was in my second term as LG that I was elected Class President and began serving our District Executive Committee. I served as the Chair of our District's Past Lieutenant Governor's Committee, our Community Service Committee and our ECC District Web Master. In 2007, I was honoured to receive a Mel Osborne Fellow award.

At our Niagara Falls convention I was elected Governor-Elect. This year, in Trois-Riviéres, you confirmed me as your Governor. I will do my best to live up to that honour.

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