Division 9:

Toronto, Ontario

Governor Gary, Lieutenant Governor John Hermant and Former Lieutenant Governor Betty Wilson. Toronto, Canada's most populous city boast more then 5,500,000 people in it's greater area. It is serviced by two active Kiwanis Division; Division 7 and Division 9. Division 9, our Maple Leaf Division is headed up by Lieutenant Governor John Hermant. It was great seeing LG John again, having narrowly missed an opportunity to see him the week before while he was visiting my hometown of Owen Sound. That fifth Object of Kiwanis remains one of my favourite: "To provide, through Kiwanis clubs, a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build better communities."

Our visit to Division 9 exemplifies that Object. Not only did I get a chance to spend time with my former classmate, Key Club Administrator Ken Hanson,but also with Aktion Club Administrator Stuart McCormack, Circle K Administrator Jan Alexanian and former Lieutenant Governor Betty Wilson. Division 9, too, is the home of Past Governor Chuck McIlravey. Past Governor Chuck and Dorothy graciously allowed us to stay with them, completing what was a memorable Division visit. We attended a tightly run Divisional Council meeting (Caucus Meeting) Saturday morning and were delighted to be greeted by former Key Club Deputy Governor (now Circle K leader) Daniel MacDonald and the Key Club Lieutenant Governor (Division 10), Sanjay Zimmermann.

Circle K leader Daniel MacDonald and Key Club Lieutenant Governor Sanjay Zimmermann meet with Governor Gary Levine.

Lieutenant Governor John Hermant and Governor Gary congratulate President Quintin Palisoc of the Filipino Metro Toronto Club.

If the future of our country is determined by the quality of their presentations then we are in good hands. Daniel spoke of the upcoming Circle K convention in Toronto and appealed to the attending club officers for support.

The Toronto clubs are lucky. Often we proclaim that future of Kiwanis lies with our Service Leadership Programs. The Toronto clubs have an opportunity to help develop these programs by supporting the upcoming Circle K convention and then continuing that financial help for the Key Club convention this spring in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

That evening we were treated to an exciting Kiwanis interclub that acquainted us with the vibrant culture of the Philippines. The Kiwanis Filipino Metro, Toronto club was chartered just a few short months ago. Already they have expanded to the point that Club President Quintin Palisoc is talking about chartering a second Filipino club.

The youngest of our two serenaders captured every heart in the room.

The club meets at the new Filipino restaurant, Casa Manila. The food from the Philippines is great (although Pres. Quintin confessed to me that he asked them to go easy on the spices) and the atmosphere reminded me of a traditional Filipino wedding. We sang (and were expertly sung to), we danced, we laughed, we ... laughed some more.

Many new friends were made in Division 9 and Julia and I left feeling convinced that these Kiwanis clubs defiantly do provide a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build better communities.

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