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Club Executives & Directors
The Rotary Club of Toronto President
President Elect
Vice-President
Treasurer
Executive Director/Secretary
Executive Committee Chair
Honours & Awards Liaison Director & Chair
Strategic Planning Liaison Director & Chair
Club Assembly Liaison Director & Chair
Goverance Liaison Director
Audit Committee Liaison Director
Membership Development Liaison Director
Fundraising Liaison Director
Marketing & Communications Liaison Director
Fellowship & Entertainment Liaison Director
Program Liaison Director
Seniors Citizens' Liaison Director
Women's Initiative Liaison Director
Aboriginal Service Liaison Director
Youth & Children Liaison Director
Healthy Beginnings Liaison Director
International Service Liaison Director
Community Service Liaison Director
District 7070 Liaison Director
Rotaract Clubs Liaison Director
Chair of Governance
Chair Audit Committee
Chair of Fellowship and Entertainment
Chair Membership Development
Chair of Marketing and Communications
Chair of Fundraising
Chair Program Committee
Chair Aboriginal Service Committee
Chair Healthy Beginnings Committee
Chair International Service Committee
Chair Senior Citizens' Committee
Chair Community ServiceCommittee
Chair Youth & Children's Committee
Chair Women's Initiative Committee
Chair Children's Christmas Party
Chair Youth Exchange Program
Chair Youth Day Sub Committee-Youth & Children
Chair Retention Sub Committee-Membership
Co Chair Voice Sub Committee-Marketing & Communications
Chair New Members Sub Committee-Membership
Co Chair Voice Sub Committee-Marketing & Communications
Co Chair Environmental Sub Committee
Co Chair Environmental Sub Committee
Chair Research & Appeals FDN
Chair RCT & Argo Community Champion Scholarship Committee
President, RCTCharitable Foundation
Chair of Investment Comittee-FDN
RSS
Korean sailor makes waves for End Polio Now
Enjoying calm winds and peaceful Pacific waters, Seung Jin Kim dove off his 43-foot sailboat, the Arapani, to swim with some dolphins nearby. The serenity that day near the equator was a stark contrast to the 60 mph winds and 23-foot waves he had to fight around Cape Horn, the southern tip of South America. But Kim, a veteran sailor and member of the Rotary Club of Seokmun, in Chungcheongnam, Korea, expected such challenges when he set out in mid-October on a 25,600-mile journey around the world. In addition to fulfilling a lifelong dream, Kim is using the trip to raise awareness and funds...
Monrovia club’s Ebola fight not finished
After the first cases of Ebola reached Liberia's capital, Monrovia, last June, local Rotary members feared that the city's limited health care system wouldn't be able to contain the highly infectious, often-deadly disease.
Those fears were realized when infections quickly multiplied, underscoring the speed with which Ebola can spread in an urban center. It was the first time the hemorrhagic fever had threatened a major city since it erupted in West Africa last March.
Now, after months of crisis-level response, and with the number of new cases declining, club members are looking to the long...
Rotary member takes fundraising to new heights -- the summit of Mount Everest
Despite his longstanding interest in polio eradication, polio was not on Joe Pratt's mind as he prepared for a mid-April 2012 climb of Mount Everest, the highest mountain on earth. But that changed in late 2011, when the resident of Nottingham, New Hampshire, USA, participated in a polio immunization project in Pakistan with fellow Rotary member Steve Puderbaugh.
Moved by the efforts of the Pakistanis to battle the crippling disease, and by the vulnerability of the young victims, Pratt reset the focus of his climbing adventure. Pakistan is one of three countries where polio has never been...
San Francisco club reveals formula for growth and retention of members
Members of the Rotary Club of San Francisco Evening meet at a wine bar after work, share a social outing, and promote all their activities on social media like Meetup and Facebook.
As the first evening club in the city, it has attracted many young professionals from Silicon Valley tech firms whose work schedules keep them from joining a more traditional club that meets for breakfast or lunch. But more than that, the evening format has helped the club grow by 30 percent since it received its charter in mid-2013.
Danielle Lallement, who was its charter president, says the club has been...
Colorado joins Kosovo club to restore sanitation in blighted local schools
Blighted schools in the mountain city of Peja in western Kosovo are a reminder of the ethnic strife and war that ravaged this area in the 1990s.
To restore ruined sanitation facilities in some of those schools, local Rotary members recently partnered with their counterparts from Colorado, USA. Though residents have been slowly rebuilding the city's infrastructure after years of neglect under earlier governments, most resources are going to improve roads, rebuild homes, and create new businesses. Little money remains to restore the schools.
As a result, students have fallen ill, stayed home...
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Club Information
Welcome to Our Club!
Service Above Self
We meet Fridays at 12:15 p.m. please arrive no later than 12:00 noon
The Fairmont Royal York
The Fairmont Royal York
100 Front Street West
(Meeting Room, subject to change weekly- call the Rotary office: 416-363-0604)
Toronto, ON M5J 1E3
Canada
(Meeting Room, subject to change weekly- call the Rotary office: 416-363-0604)
Toronto, ON M5J 1E3
Canada
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Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Mar 31, 2015
A lawyer by training, Mark Sakamoto has enjoyed a rich and varied career. He began his professional career in live music, working with several international acts. He has worked at a national law firm (Heenan Blaikie LLP), a national broadcaster (CBC) and has served as a senior political advisor to a national party leader (Michael Ignatieff).
He is an entrepreneur and investor in digital health and real estate. He is the Executive Vice President, Business Development for Think Research Group, a leading health care software company. Mark sits on the Board of the Ontario Media Development Corporation and the University of Toronto’s Trudeau Centre for Peace, Conflict and Justice at the Munk School of Global Affairs.
Mark Sakamoto’s book Forgiveness: A Gift from My Grandparents is a number one national bestseller and shares remarkable true stories about two Canadian families, Japanese and Canadian, that were at war with each other and found peace and forgiveness together against one of the darkest periods in Canada’s history.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Mar 17, 2015
Guest Speaker: Friday, March 27, 2015
Topic: “Science and Compassion in the New Psychiatry”.
Location: Imperial Room - Fairmont Royal York
Dr. Paul Garfinkel is currently Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto and Staff Psychiatrist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
He obtained his medical degree from the University of Manitoba in 1969, and following an internship at the Toronto Western Hospital, did a psychiatric residency at the University of Toronto. He then studied in the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto and later joined the staff of the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Mar 17, 2015
Guest Speaker: Friday, March 20, 2015
Topic: Rotary's Commitment to the UN Millennium Development Goal​ # 15
i.e. To Reduce by 50% the World Population Without Potable Water and Adequate Sanitation.
How Can This Be Achieved?
Location: At the National Club
Ron Denham received his education in England where he obtained a B.Sc. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering.
After obtaining an MBA in Business Administration, he entered the management consulting profession, eventually becoming Senior Partner and Vice Chairman of KPMG Management Consulting, Canada’s largest management consulting firm. In this capacity he played a major role in development projects in Peru, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Greece, Algeria, Senegal and Cuba, Subsequently he joined A.T. Kearney where he was Director responsible for developing the Canadian practice.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Feb 17, 2015
Guest Speaker: Friday, March 13, 2015
Location: Upper Canada Room, 18th fl. at the Fairmont Royal York
Sheldon Levy is President and Vice Chancellor of Ryerson University, and has been a respected postsecondary leader and analytical visionary for the past forty years. He previously served as Vice President Finance and Strategy, University of Ontario Institute of Technology; Vice President Government and Institutional Relations, University of Toronto; President, Sheridan College; and Vice President Institutional Affairs, York University.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Mar 02, 2015
Guest Speaker, Friday, March 6, 2015
Topic: "Farewell Chief William Blair- A Decade of Outstanding Leadership"
Location: Fairmont Royal York, Upper Canada Room
William Blair was appointed Chief of the Toronto Police Service on April 26, 2005. The City of Toronto is a vibrant city covering 636 square kilometres with a diverse population of more than 2,600,000 people. The Toronto Police Service employs over 5500 police officers and 2200 civilian employees, making it the largest municipal police service in Canada and one of the largest in North America.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Jan 14, 2015
Guest Speaker for Friday Lunch, February 27, 2015
Location: at the Fairmont Royal York in the Imperial Room (Main Lobby)
Topic: Innovating for Sustainability: Unlocking the Potential of Public Health Canada
Danielle Martin is Vice-President, Medical Affairs and Health System Solutions at Women's College Hospital (WCH) and a family physician in the Family Practice Health Centre at WCH. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and the Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto.
Posted by Carol Bieser
on Feb 17, 2015
2015-Youth Civic Leadership Awards
Young People are our future!
2015 Youth Civic Leadership Awards
At The Rotary Club of Toronto, we believe that young people in our city are not only our future, they are our present.
Youth in the City of Toronto show civic leadership in many ways across all sectors of our society. We believe if we wish these young people to continue their leadership with compassion, creativity and tenacity, we must acknowledge and celebrate their many accomplishments.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Jan 13, 2015
Guest Speaker for Friday Lunch, January 23, 2015
Location: In the Ballroom
at Fairmont Royal York
Topic: Care, Compassion and Respect for our Veterans
Erin O'Toole was first elected to the House of Commons in November 2012.
In January 2015, Mr. O'Toole was appointed Minister of Veterans Affairs. Previously, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade in September 2013.
Mr. O'Toole graduated from the Royal Military College in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree (Honours) and was commissioned as an officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
In January 2015, Mr. O'Toole was appointed Minister of Veterans Affairs. Previously, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade in September 2013.
Mr. O'Toole graduated from the Royal Military College in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree (Honours) and was commissioned as an officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Jan 13, 2015
Guest Speaker for Friday Lunch, January 30, 2015
Location: In the Upper Canada
at Fairmont Royal York
Topic: Human Rights Watch
Jasmine has been the Canada Director of Human Rights Watch since the office opened in 2004. Human Rights Watch in Canada is focused on outreach, fundraising and advocacy. Under Jasmine’s leadership , the Canada Committee has grown to 50 members in Toronto and Ottawa. Before joining Human Rights Watch, Jasmine was the Executive Director of the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research and prior to that she was in-house counsel for Crown Life Insurance Company, specializing in employment law.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Jan 30, 2015
Guest Speaker: Friday, February 6, 2015
In the Upper Canada Room - 18 floor of the Fairmont Royal York
Topic: The Voices of Children: Ending Violence and Exploitation Against Children
Passionate about protecting the rights of children around the world, Mark Lukowski has been Chief Executive Officer of Christian Children’s Fund of Canada since April 2009.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Jan 13, 2015
Guest Speaker for Friday Lunch, Jan. 16, 2015
Location: The National Club - 303 Bay Street
Topic: The Role and State of the Canadian Military Chaplaincy
Rob was born and raised in Oakville. After feeling a call to the priesthood he began his seminary training in 1986 at Resurrection College Seminary at St. Jerome’s College, University of Waterloo. After graduating with a BA in Philosophy in 1989 he began his theological training at St. Peter’s Seminary at the University of Western Ontario graduating with a Master of Divinity degree in 1993. Rob was ordained a Deacon on April 17, 1993 and a priest on May 7, 1994 for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton. While with the Diocese of Hamilton, he served in parishes in Brantford, Guelph and Hamilton.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Nov 21, 2014
Guest Speaker for Friday Lunch, December 5, 2014
Lunch Location: The National Club
Mr. Patrick O’Driscoll is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Corby and has been a director of Corby since July 2009. Mr. O’Driscoll’s career in the Spirits and Wine industry spans over 25 years. Prior to joining Corby he was the Chief Executive Officer of Malibu-Kahlúa International, a dba of Pernod Ricard U.S.A. LLC, from 2007 to 2009.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Nov 14, 2014
Guest Speaker for Friday Lunch, November 28, 2014
Location: Fairmont Royal York - Upper Canada Room, 18th floor
Topic: The World Remembers
R.H. Thomson, one of Canada’s foremost actors and directors, includes among his accolades the Toronto Drama Bench Award for “outstanding body of work” spanning thirty years and covering theatre, film and television and the Gascon-Thomas Award recognizing his career in the arts. On stage, his theatre roles have ranged from Marc Antony in Julius Caesar at Canada’s Stratford Festival to Glenn Gould in the plan Glenn. R.H. Thomson was Artistic Director for the 1991/1992 Season of Toronto’s World Stage Theatre Festival as well as the Co-Artistic Director of the Shakespeare Works until 2006. He hosted Man Alive on the CBC for three seasons.
Posted by Carol Bieser
on Aug 14, 2014
Fearless Leaders Richard White (Club President 2013-2014) and Pat Neuman (Chair of Fundraising) show the rest of the volunteers how it’s done!
RIBFEST 2014-by Shannon Lundquist
Another Canada Day and another scorching hot Ribfest! With over 100,000 attendees to the 15th Annual Toronto Ribfest, anticipated net proceeds to Rotary charities will total over $60,000. All told, 97 boisterous volunteer Rotarians from Toronto and Sunrise, as well as Rotaractors from UofT and Toronto, contributed more than 665 hours to greeting at the gate. Action was non-stop and there was never a dull moment.
Ribfest brings out the heat (and humidity) for both tasty treats and those in search of shelter! Our own celebrity judges: Richard (chicken), Steve (pulled pork) and Pat (ribs) can attest to the delicious quality and variety. Food Network, here they come!
Posted by Carol Bieser
on Dec 13, 2013
In the Upper Canada Room, at the Fairmont Royal York
Ron is a keynote speaker who is starting to aid senior business leaders and is a relationship management expert.
Ron is a married father of 4, who resides in Toronto.
Ron built his career in finance with Euro Brokers Canada Ltd./Maxcor Inc., where he held increasingly progressive roles culminating in the role of Vice President.
In 2000, Ron was one of two Canadian employees selected to close the Canadian operations and shift the Canadian business to New York City and excelled in the larger, fast-paced trading culture consisting of 350 specialized brokers.
Working in the World Trade Center and surviving the life-changing events of 9/11 in NYC, Ron was the last known man out of the South Tower of the World Trade Centre. Twice during the ordeal, Ron was just minutes away from being killed.
Posted by Carol Bieser
on Aug 01, 2014
President, Steve Smith to Make Opening Kick-Off for New Rotary Club of Toronto- Toronto Argos Scholarship Winner
– by Nancy Schaefer, Chair, Scholarship Committee
Our Centennial Scholarship Committee is proud to announce the year - three winner of The Rotary Club of Toronto and the Toronto Argonauts’ Community Champion Scholarship. Our unique scholarship is designed to send a deserving high school student to a local university with a four-year tuition scholarship. The student must demonstrate academic achievement, community volunteerism and financial need. This year’s winner is John Chen.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Nov 11, 2014
Guest Speaker for Friday Lunch, November 21, 2014
Location: Fairmont Royal York - In Tudor 7 & 8
Topic: Kids Against Hunger
Wayne McConnachie:
Did you know that about 1 billion people on this planet go to bed hungry each night, and that a child dies every 6 seconds due to a hunger-related cause? It is these alarming statistics that motivate Wayne McConnachie to be a part of the solution.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Oct 31, 2014
Guest Speaker for Friday Lunch, November 14, 2014
Location: Fairmont Royal York - Upper Canada Room, 18th floor
Topic: Lessons in Partnership: What Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle Taught Us About Working Together
Ray Argyle is the author of five books, the most recent of which is The Paris Game, which describes the Liberation of Paris and France which marks its 70th Anniversary this year and was the turning point of the War. His other books include Turning Points, the Boy in the Picture, Scott Joplin and the Age of Ragtime, and Joey Smallwood, Schemer or Dreamer.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Oct 28, 2014
Remembrance Day Guest Speaker for Friday, November 7, 2014
Lunch Location: The National Club
Brigadier General Julian Chapman joined the Canadian Forces in 1980. He graduated with a baccalaureate in History and Political Science from the University of Toronto. BGen Chapman began his military career in Toronto Scottish Regiment as a Private. He was commissioned in 1982 and has held most of the officer appointments in the Regiment. His staff experience includes five years at Toronto District Headquarters which is now known as 32 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Oct 29, 2014
Take some time to give thanks
for all those in the armed forces
who have made sacrifices
to preserve our rights and freedoms.
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Oct 28, 2014
Guest Speaker for Women's Committee Friday Lunch, October 31, 2014
Location: Fairmont Royal York - Ballroom, C Level
Topic: Understanding Alzheimers: Why 70% Of New Cases Are Women
Lynn Posluns is Founder and President of the Women’s Brain Health Initiative, the global charitable foundation raising money for research and education to combat brain-aging diseases that affect women. While serving as Founder and Chair of Women of Baycrest, Lynn recognized the need to raise awareness and funds beyond Toronto to help women stay brain healthy longer. Lynn’s passion and commitment for the cause now continues on a worldwide basis supporting worthy institutions that want to combat this impending crisis.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Oct 21, 2014
Special Guest for Friday Lunch, October 24, 2014, World Polio Day
Location: Fairmont Royal York - Upper Canada Room, 18th floor
Back in the day, young Roger Ashby was considering life as a university student, had even paid his deposit, when a radio station in Hamilton stepped up and hired him during the summer. Ashby decided to forego university and embarked on what would become a rather remarkable career in radio. Ashby was a radio nut even as a kid and his dad set up a home-made radio studio in the basement, with speakers throughout the house, and Ashby would practice his "broadcasting" every afternoon after school.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Oct 10, 2014
Guest Speaker for Friday October 17, 2014 Zone Lunch
Location: Fairmont Royal York - Concert Hall on C. Level
Welcome Zone Institute Delegates and Other District Guests
K.R. "Ravi" Ravindran is CEO and founder of a publicly listed company with a worldwide clientele in the tea packaging industry. His company, Printcare Plc, is the winner of national and international awards of excellence. He also serves on the board of several other companies and charitable trusts. He is the founding president of the Sri Lanka Anti-Narcotics Association.
A Rotarian since 1974, Ravindran has served RI as treasurer; director; Foundation trustee; committee member, vice chair, and chair; task force member; RI training leader; and district governor.
As his country's national PolioPlus chair, Ravindran headed a task force consisting of the government, UNICEF, and Rotary and worked closely with UNICEF to successfully negotiate a ceasefire with the northern militants during National Immunization Days. He also chaired the Schools Reawakening project, sponsored by Rotary clubs and districts in Sri Lanka, to rebuild 25 tsunami-devastated schools to benefit 15,000 children.
Posted by Carol Bieser
on Jul 08, 2014
Fellow Rotarians
Welcome to the New Rotary year! I am honoured and delighted to serve as President for the 2014/15 year and look forward to working together to continue the good works of this great club.
As a result of the tireless contributions of our current members, and those members who have served over the last 101 years, the Rotary Club of Toronto has made a significant contribution in the lives of an innumerable amount of people in our community and abroad. And we will continue to do so.
The spirit of Rotary and the philosophy of “Service Above Self” has remained constant since our club was founded. The reasoning, the “Why”, we become Rotarians has not changed over the years. The goal of making a difference in the lives of others remains as strong today as when we began in 1912. With the passage of time, however, demographics change and the ways in which we perform and deliver our services to the community has evolved. Today we are an organization of men and women from many varied backgrounds (and age groups!) that bring an extensive and diverse set of talents and skills to the table. This is the “Power of Rotary” today. And in order to thrive, we must continue to attract likeminded people who will join us. In the words of a certain poet/songwriter, the Times They are a’ Changin’! In fact, have changed. And we must continue to evolve with the times. This does not mean that we abandon the tradition of our great club. It means that we must build on it and find innovative ways that are even more effective and to continue evolving so that we can attract new members, including young professionals and corporations, with similar altruistic goals. This is the basis our Strategic Plan.
Posted by Carol (Bieser) Hutchinson
on Sep 11, 2014
Official Visit of Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince Couple of Denmark
Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark will be our guests of honour at The Rotary Club of Toronto luncheon meeting to be held on Friday, September 19, 2014, in the Concert Hall at the Fairmont Royal York.
IMPORTANT; THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT THERE ARE NO MORE TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR MEMBERS OR GUESTS!
We will be honoured by the presence of their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess of Denmark who are attending in support of our guest speaker, Thorkil Sonne, the Founder and Chairman of “Specialisterne” and the not for profit “Special People Foundation”. The Foundation has as its mission the enabling of one million jobs for people with autism and similar challenges.
On the occasion of the official Canadian visit by the Royal Couple from September 17 to 19, a large Danish business delegation headed by the Danish Minister for Trade and Development Corporation will travel to Ottawa and Toronto to strengthen and increase existing business relationships between Denmark and Canada. Danish companies in fashion, healthcare, pharma, medical devices, food and beverage, building construction, interior design, city planning and energy efficiency fields will be represented.
Posted by Carol Bieser
on Sep 11, 2014
Thorkil Sonne, Founder of the Danish Social Innovation Specialisterne
Theme:
More and more people are being diagnosed with a disability and struggle to find meaningful and productive jobs in the labor market. At the same time many businesses face a shortage of skilled employees. The gap between untapped talent among people with disabilities and vacant jobs can be reduced or even removed. The founder of the Danish Social Innovation Specialisterne will share experience from Denmark and Canada and discuss how stakeholders can work together to realize the goal to enable One Million Jobs for people with autism and similar challenges.
Biography
Thorkil Sonne is the founder and chairman of Specialisterne and Specialist People Foundation. Thorkil first became involved in autism when his son Lars was diagnosed with infantile autism in 1999. He became active in Danish Autism Society, eventually leaving his Technical Director position in an IT startup company to establish Specialisterne in 2003. Thorkil has since played an active role in global social entrepreneurship, and was named an Ashoka Fellow in 2009 and Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur in 2012. He is now based in the United States where he is driving the expansion of the Specialisterne model.
Speakers
Mar 31, 2015
Rotary Members and Guests Cocktails Networking
Tuesday, Evening At the National Club-Committee Updates
Apr 03, 2015
Apr 10, 2015
Mark Sakamoto, Author, Lawyer & Political Advisor
Ending Violence and Exploitation Against Children- in the Upper Canada Room
Apr 17, 2015
Apr 24, 2015
May 01, 2015
May 08, 2015
May 14, 2015
May 15, 2015
May 22, 2015
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