ADG Shirley Ross introduced our DG Neil Phillips.
Neil Phillips has been a Rotarian for 20 years, when he was asked to become a member of The Rotary Club of Toronto (RCT) by his CEO, a fellow Rotarian. In his Rotary career, Neil has had the opportunity to serve in many different capacities and at several levels. In 2012-13 Neil was honoured to be President during RCT’s very busy Centennial year. He is a past member of the Rotary Club of Toronto Foundation, a Sustaining Member of The Rotary Foundation and a member of the Bequest Society, with multiple Paul Harris Fellow designations. Within RCT he has been awarded the William Peace and the Distinguished Service Award. On the heels of completing his term as Club President, Neil took on the positions of Assistant Governor and District Chair for Rotaract – roles in which he held until moving into the role of District Governor Elect.
He has worked in the marketing logistics, uniforms/branded merchandise and product co-packing and third party logistics industries for three decades. He is currently president of DGN Marketing Services.
In the community, Neil has held volunteer roles outside of Rotary, including board member positions with his tennis club and World Literacy Canada.
Neil is of British heritage, his parents emigrating from England directly after having both served in World War II. He has lived in British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario; and while sometimes conflicted about referring to himself as a Torontonian, calls Toronto his home today.
An inveterate traveler, Neil has explored all seven continents (with an eccentric definition of “off the beaten path”), and has a passion for literature and music. He enjoys all foods, and as a trained WSET and SWE wine educator, can often be found with his nose in a glass of wine. He lives with his partner, Mardi Michels, who by coincidence was a Rotary Exchange Student (Australia to Belgium) in her youth. Mardi is a French teacher, cooking instructor and food writer/author. In the past three years Neil & Mardi have become French landowners, busy restoring their historic home in Nérac, Gascony as a rental property. They are bossed around by Cleo, their opinionated Burmese cat.
He has worked in the marketing logistics, uniforms/branded merchandise and product co-packing and third party logistics industries for three decades. He is currently president of DGN Marketing Services.
In the community, Neil has held volunteer roles outside of Rotary, including board member positions with his tennis club and World Literacy Canada.
Neil is of British heritage, his parents emigrating from England directly after having both served in World War II. He has lived in British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario; and while sometimes conflicted about referring to himself as a Torontonian, calls Toronto his home today.
An inveterate traveler, Neil has explored all seven continents (with an eccentric definition of “off the beaten path”), and has a passion for literature and music. He enjoys all foods, and as a trained WSET and SWE wine educator, can often be found with his nose in a glass of wine. He lives with his partner, Mardi Michels, who by coincidence was a Rotary Exchange Student (Australia to Belgium) in her youth. Mardi is a French teacher, cooking instructor and food writer/author. In the past three years Neil & Mardi have become French landowners, busy restoring their historic home in Nérac, Gascony as a rental property. They are bossed around by Cleo, their opinionated Burmese cat.
DG Neil is not asking Rotary Clubs specific goals, but encouraging Clubs to do what we do - Make a Difference. His philosophy is to get out of the way. The best project ideas come from the Clubs. DG Neil wants to facilitate, not create road blocks.
We are always encouraged to invite new members into Rotary and particularly to follow up on RI leads through website. Make contact soon and personal.
Rotary's greatest advantage is Foundation, allowing clubs to direct funds. In D7070 that is $1,000,000 every year.
This year there is a focus on the RI Convention in Toronto in June 2018. An opportunity to attend and participate. This year Rotaractors will have a pre-conference and they will be celebrating 50 years.
District Conference will follow the Ted Talk format so successful in previous year's conference.
RI President Ian Risely's priorities for this year:
1. document volunteer hours on Rotary Club Central.
2. Plant a tree for every Rotarian.
District funding planting of trees along Hwy 401 Highway of Heroes. DG Neil wants to plant 30,000 trees before RI Convention in Toronto in 2018.
He also reminded us to have FUN. He is looking forward to attending events and for all Clubs to have a successful year.