October has been another very full and productive Rotary month. Congratulations to the many Clubs who completed their major fundraisers this month. There were parades, festivals, and tournaments, and the countless volunteer hours that go into it all. It has been such a pleasure to learn about them all. I wish I could attend every single one!
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We're just back from the Zone Institute in Hartford, CT. where District Governors Elect, Governors Nominee, and Leadership Teams from Northeastern US, all of Canada and Alaska meet to train for their positions. Our District was well represented!
We had the opportunity to listen to wonderful speakers. Rotary International President Ian Riseley addressed the group several times, as did our new Vice President Dean Rohrs. Many of you will remember Dean from our Mid-year/Pre-PETS meeting at White's last winter.
One of the most memorable speeches was from Sylvia Whitlock of Claremont CA who told us about becoming the first woman Rotary Club President and the long and hard road to get there. She was humorous, moving, and impactful.
Additionally, Mike McGovern, Rotary Club of South Portland ME and Polio Plus Chairman, reported that in 2017 so far, only 12 new cases of polio have been reported globally. We're SO close.
I've learned that these large Rotary events always include the most wonderful speakers and I always walk away with new inspiration and ideas...and new reasons to be proud to be a Rotarian. See Photo Album on D7950 for more Zone Institute pictures.
Youth Conference
Calling all clubs!! Get the word out to your Interact and Rotaract clubs that this year's youth conference will take place in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on Saturday, May 19th for Interact and Friday and Saturday, May 18-19 for Rotaract at the annual District Conference. The youth conference will be affordable, fun, and informative. The program will once again be a collaboration of Rotaractors and Interactors who decide the program content and lead most of the workshops and discussions themselves. Last year's conference was a big hit among attendees, and we hope to make it even better this year.
We are looking for Rotaract and Interact leaders who would be willing to be a member of our planning committee. For more information, please contact Sharon Johnson, Youth Services Chair, agsharon7950@gmail.com. See you in May at the conference!!
Reminders:
Don’t forget to register for the Foundation Dinner on November 9, Venus de Milo, 755 Grand Army Highway, Swansea. Social Hour, 5:30-6:45, Dinner-7:00. Register on the District Website by Nov1 at Rotary7950.com. Come be inspired by keynote speaker Razia Jan, Past President of Rotary Club of Duxbury, and founder and president of the Zabuli Education Center in Afghanistan.
There will be a brief Rotary International Awards ceremony and an opportunity to display your projects flyers on tables at the back of the room. I have this years’ Rotary theme tie signed by Ian Riseley, President of Rotary International, for auction. Look for it on the display table at the back of the room. The proceeds will be donated to The Rotary Foundation. Bid high and bid often!
Rotary helps disaster victims
The Rotary Foundation and Rotary clubs are helping communities battered by severe weather and earthquakes. Four Rotary Foundation Donor Advised Funds have been set up to accept donations for hurricane and earthquake victims.
- Puerto Rico, Account name: Puerto Rico Recovery, Account number: 614
- Mexico earthquakes, Account name: Mexico Earthquake Recovery Fund, Account number: 613
- Hurricane Harvey, Account name: Gulf Coast Disaster Relief Fund, Account number: 608
- Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Account name: Hurricane Emergency Relief Fund, Account number: 296
You can contribute by check or wire transfer or online with a credit card. You'll need to provide the DAF (Donor Advised Fund) account name and number listed above. When contributing via credit card, please check the address box to share your address with Rotary. www.your-fundaccount.com/rotary/howtocontribute.asp
Be advised that DAFs do not necessarily fund Foundation grants or activities. Donors will not receive Paul Harris or Major Donor recognition for gifts to DAFs and the donations will not appear on your Donor History Report.
Spotlight: Clothing Drive by AG Ed McDonough: Area 10 collected over 2,000 items of clothing for victims of the recent disasters. The clothing will be sent to Puerto Rico and Texas. Puerto Rico especially needs a great deal of help before a return to a normal life is possible. A special thanks to Ray Butterfield of the Rotary Club of Cranston for storing the clothing, and to the Rotary Clubs of Warwick, Cranston and Providence for their clothing contributions. While 2,000 items of clothing may seem like a lot, it is a small amount compared to the number of people in need. Rotary is about Service, and this project proved that axiom true. Thank you to all that helped.
Spotlight: Rotary Youth Exchange
The last weekend in September saw the three inbound exchange students participating in an orientation with a total of fifteen students from three districts representing ten different countries. Along with team building activities, the program was led by past Rotary exchange students interacting with the new students and presenting the rules of the exchange in an engaging manner. All students participated in making vision boards, and then had the opportunity to explain what their vision of the exchange would be.
A highlight of the weekend was a visit to a local pumpkin farm and navigating a corn maze. No one got left behind so all went back to the camp and enjoyed the cider doughnuts. While the students got to know each other, the adults involved were reminded again of the value and enjoyment of working with our youth.
Spotlight: New Bedford Rotary Club Back to School Backpack project
Members of the New Bedford Rotary Club ready to stuff backpacks with school supplies for Child and Family Services of New Bedford. Supplies provided through a Rotary District Grant as well as funds from the Rotary Club of New Bedford's fundraising efforts.
Spotlight: The Rotary Club of Wakefield and Water for Cambodia has been addressing clean water and literacy in Cambodia for over 10 years. They are now expanding their services, actively engaged in the villages of the Siem Reap province of Cambodia, to include WASH (WAter, Sanitation and Hygiene).
Water For Cambodia has been the recipient of one 3-H grant and 3 Global grants. The project continues to exemplify the great work that The Rotary Foundation supports. “Our mission to continue building on our reputation both locally and globally.”
Go to Rotary7950.com to see more pictures in the “Wakefield in Cambodia” photo album. The areas of focus outlined in the pictures reflect the RC of Wakefield’s commitment towards Literacy (children & classrooms), clean water (BSF units and wells), Sanitation (latrines) and Hygiene education. This has all been possible with contributions from several clubs in District 7950.
Spotlight: What is Rotaract?
Rotaract brings together young people ages 18-30 in universities and communities worldwide to organize service activities, develop their leadership and professional skills, and have fun. Rotary clubs sponsor them, but Rotaract club members manage and fund their clubs independently.
District 7950 is proud to have the following Rotaract Clubs with more being formed: Cape Cod Community College, Community College of Rhode Island, Stonehill College, University of Rhode Island and New England Institute of Technology.
Spook & Skate
Fundraiser
If you are interested in starting a Rotaract Club please contact Beth Leconte, District Rotaract Chair, at 401-871-8412 or via email at bleconte@uri.edu. Visit Rotary7950.com to read about what these amazing Rotaract clubs are doing.
Hope to see you all at the Foundation Dinner or at my next club visit.
Steve
