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The BreadBasket
Chair's Message
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For a living I work as a Creative Director (and Owner) of an Advertising and Design agency since 28 years back, after spending a number years learning the trade with multinational agencies like Ogilvy, Lintas etc I also run a Medal and Regalia design and workshop I also have a Design Broker procurement business assisting a broad range of businesses in designing and manufacturing everything items from Silk Ties to Brass Interior fittings in seriously limited quantities. and I publish a e-zine called Scandinavia Now
Besides this we are currently starting up the Swedish branch of iBrolly.com
For about twelve years I was a BETA software tester and reviewer for Adobe and others, and wrote a few columns. I was on of the people who help Photoshop enter the market and I still believe I am one of few who has read and tested the entire user manual. This also helped me master the program at an early stage and has ever since provided a backbone in a lot of advanced retouching work. The care for Rotary graphics became an early obsession but nobody in Evanston knew what I was talking about when I said we must protect, yet still nourish our trademark. Because nothing happened, I decided to set up the Library to set an example and help others. Through the years many have found the contents a great help, some have written and and told me so, but unfortunately an increasing number don't bother to.
And there are business (such as Jydske Emblem in Denmark) that have used my Graphics to decorate Mouse Mats and other items they sell and who bluntly refuse to pay a penny to me (or The Rotary Foundation) for their use. Even though I asked Evanston to react because the company was an Official Licencee andit was dealing in stolen artwork, they decided to turn a blind eye and said it was an issue they did not wish to get involved in. (one of my greatest RI disappointments!)
Yes I'm married to Helene, but we have no children of our own. But instead a number of godchildren and nephews and nieces. Hobbies? Well I work with thong that interest me so I feel very fortunate. But because I have an interest in industrial design I have this obsession for Garlic Presses. I also have the Worlds' largest collection, nearly 1,000 of them. Some exhibited at www.garlicpress.org.
I became a Rotarian at birth (just joking, but it feel like it sometimes). But formally a Member of Rotary Club of Stockholm Strand since December 1983. I was Club President in 2000-01 and have been on the board seven years (quick count). I was bestowed the honor of being an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Stockholm International a token of appreciation from that Club in helping them get started (they are an English speaking Club in the middle of a sea of Swedish Clubs, that sadly make very little effort to help) I also have two PHF to my name.
I am happy when others are happy. I recently convinced both Rotary Clubs I am involved in to together contribute seven Shelterboxes to Haiti. This made me happy.
Thank you for the invitation, Art I'm in fact a native of San Pedro, California. So any excuse to visit that part of the World is gladly accepted. I also have an invitation to visit San Diego from PRID Ron Beaubien and his wife who my wife and I took care of when they visited Stockholm prior to the Convention in Copenhagen. And believe it or not but we also have a supplier in San Diego that I spoke to on phone earlier today. So there are more connections.
I grew up travelling the World. May parents were in Swedish Diplomatic Service and spent nearly 30 years in various locations. This also taught me that the World is a small place. And made it very easy for me to see advantages of the Rotary network. And I enjoy visiting Clubs everywhere I go.
I believe I gained a lot from these travels and people I have had the privilege of meeting. But it also scares me when I meet people who see my experience as a threat or worse, with disbelief. What can be easier than sharing something you know and master?
So I continue to pass out whatever help I can. My experience tells me the effort is required, even though it may not be openly acknowledged.
But that's me, and thank you for letting me share you time.
Yours in Rotary
Tord
