June 2022 Bulletin (Jun 29, 2022)

Greetings from District Governor Billy Roberts

Serve To Change Lives!  This is the theme we labored under for these wonderful weeks and months.  Together Rotarians across our district 7950 and across the planet stepped forward to demonstrate our humanity responding to unanticipated and tragic circumstances in our communities and elsewhere in the world.  Hearts joined to create a force for good that lifted our vision and forged deep friendships.

Facing unthinkable turmoil in country after country, witnessing peoples and kindreds endure hunger and homelessness, uncovering and dismantling longstanding pathways used for trafficking women and girls, raising consciousness and promoting Diversity Equity and Inclusion within our ranks and among our collaborators, welcoming new enthusiastic members to join us and celebrating our history of decades of service.  Together we stood each day as members of Rotary District 7950, the sacred homelands of the Wampanoag and Narragansett peoples, humbly offering our exertions and our treasure to bring relief to those in need.  Our Rotary legacy of service opened vistas for children, youth and adults whose life possibilities were enhanced.  These selfless acts are acts of courage and acts of love to those who live in our midst. And they Serve to Change Lives.

It has been an honor to serve you as District Governor witnessing first hand the powerful influence and often sacrificial service you’ve made as dedicated promoters of the well-being of humankind.

In a few days I pass the gavel to our new District Governor, David Sampson and join you in looking to him for inspiration and leadership.  We welcome him and his team to this service!

Thank you for your participation as an integral member of the Rotary District 7950 Team in the 2021 – 2022 Rotary year.

To each of you I say –“Well Done!” I will never forget you!

Meet Me Video

Annual District Conference: A Truly Memorable Event!

The annual District Conference was held on May 6^th and 7^th at the Sea Crest Beach Hotel in Falmouth, MA—our first District Conference since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

By all measures, the Conference was a great success! Nearly 200 Rotarians attended, representing a majority of clubs in our District. The Conference included a mix of plenary meetings with updates from District leaders and awards & recognition for exemplary service; informative break-out sessions; House of Friendship - a showcase for club projects; and of course, many opportunities to catch-up with old friends and make new ones.

While the Conference covered a wealth of topics, the progress our District is making in the area of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion was an underlying theme throughout both days. In the year ahead women will represent half of the District Governor team; District Governor David Sampson, District Governor Elect Angela Ponte, District Governor Nominee Sharon Johnson, Immediate Past District Governor Billy Roberts, who each played an important role in the Conference.

In recognition of our debt to Native Americans as the caretakers of the lands on which we live and serve, the conference was opened with a prayer by Rotarian and Indigenous tribe member, Amy Wyman. On Saturday morning, District DEI Chair Joe Small spoke about the progress clubs are making in recruiting a more diverse membership and their efforts to promote understanding and amity in their communities. Following his talk, District Governor Roberts presented citations to 19 clubs for their exemplary work in this area. Guest speaker for Saturday’s lunch was Dr. Nohelani Lawrence, a young African American woman who grew up on Cape Cod and now serves as Director of Wellness and Clinical Services for the New York Giants.

Valerie Wafer, Rotary International Vice President, was the keynote speaker at dinner on Friday. Saturday’s dinner welcomed former recipients of the Dr. Percy Hodgson Memorial award as we welcomed Lori DiPersio of the East Providence Seekonk Club for outstanding and dedicated service into those ranks. A Murder Mystery dinner played by all present was a fun-filled and boisterous evening concluding with hospitality suites sponsored by the Barnstable Sunrise, Braintree and Weymouth Clubs.

What a great time we had, learning, discussing, laughing, and eating! Truly memorable!

District Installation June 30

Our District Governor Installation will be held at the Sea Crest Beach Hotel in North Falmouth MA on June 30th. Welcome to new District Governor David Sampson and his leadership team!