John Burns has been involved in Rotary since 2007, volunteering in Rotary Club of Bowmanville Club projects as often as his working life permitted. Once he retired in 2014, John was able to dedicate more time and a greater commitment to Rotary and became a member. John has held many positions in the Rotary Club: Chair of New Member Committee ; Director of International Service; Vice President; President Elect; President in 2018-19 ; Assistant Governor in 2019-2020 for the Rotary Clubs of Bowmanville – Oshawa – Oshawa Parkwood and Assistant Governor in 2020-21 for the Rotary Clubs of Courtice - Oshawa – Oshawa Parkwood. ...
John was born in Scotland and emigrated to Canada, and is now a proud Canadian citizen. He is married to Pauline Calvert, a longtime Rotarian and Past President of the Bowmanville Club (2000-2001).They are the proud parents of two children, Rachel and Adam and are grandparents to four grandchildren. Rachel Boyd, true to family tradition, is now a most successful Past President of the Rotary Club of Bowmanville Rotary Club (2022-2023). Both Pauline and John retired from their respective careers in 2014, and now live in Newcastle in Wilmot Creek, a grouping of more than 1600 residents. Both are very involved in many activities and volunteering is a huge part of their days. Playing golf and travelling are much enjoyed when time permits.
John's worldwide career extended over 40 years and was largely centred in the Wood-based Panel Board Industry. He served as a negotiator, a problem-solver, and a manager of 400+ people as well as In project management and was also a self-employed consultant. Many of those skills will be employed as he serves as our District Governor in 2023-2024. Just as an interesting aside, John's second language is German.
With John's retirement in 2014, he was able to dedicate more time to volunteering, and he quickly became a committed Rotarian with the Bowmanville Rotary Club serving in many capacities including Chair of the New Member Committee, Director of International Service, President-Elect, and then President in 2018-2019. Becoming an Assistant Governor meant supporting the Rotary Clubs of Oshawa, Oshawa Parkwood, Bowmanville and Courtice, and in 2021-2022 he was named as the District Governor Nominee, and the rest is history. We wish John a most successful and exciting year in 2023-2024, and are looking forward to working with him, as we "Create Hope in the World".
John is delighted to have been chosen to lead our District 7070 Family in the 2023-24 Rotary year.