FOUNDATION DINNER
165 Rotarians attended he annual Foundation Dinner on November 14. Guest speaker Michael McGovern, PRIVP, spoke about where we currently are and where we need to get to in the eradication of polio. In addition, all major donors to the Rotary Foundation were honored along with the two newest major Donors, PDG Greg Roche and his wife, Donna, of the Bourne Sandwich Rotary Club and PAG Richard Applebaum of the Providence Rotary Club. Foundation awards for 2018/2019 were also presented to the clubs listed below. In addition, a raffle and card game raised over $5,000 toward the eradication of polio.
Total Per Capita Annual Fund giving by a Rotary Club
1st Place $808.89 Barnstable Sunrise, MA
2nd Place $319.23 Scituate, RI
3rd Place $286.06 Osterville, MA
Total Annual Fund Giving by a Rotary Club
1st Place $13,806 Fall River, MA
2nd Place $11,540 Weymouth, MA
3rd Place $10,012 Osterville, MA
100% The Rotary Foundation Giving
Braintree, MA
Brockton, MA
East Providence, RI/Seekonk, MA
Fall River, MA
Harwich/Dennis, MA
Scituate, RI
Wakefield, RI
Weymouth, MA
Every Rotarian Every Year
Brockton, MA
Fall River, MA
Harwich/Dennis, MA
Scituate, RI
Weymouth, MA
Total Giving by a Rotary Club
(All Foundation Funds)
1st Place $31,993 Weymouth, MA
2nd Place $22,139 Fall River, MA
3rd Place $11,825 Quincy, MA
End Polio Now – Countdown to History
(Awarded to Rotary Clubs that contributed at least $1,500 to Polio Plus)
Braintree, MA
Chariho, RI
East Greenwich, RI
Fall River, MA
Middleboro, MA
Middletown, RI
Quincy, MA
Weymouth, MA
Woonsocket, RI
Yarmouth, MA
DECEMBER IS DISEASE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT MONTH
We as Rotarians believe good health care is everyone’s right. Yet 400 million people in the world can’t afford or don’t have access to basic health care. Disease results in misery, pain and poverty for millions of people worldwide. That’s why we:
- lead efforts both large and small, setting up temporary clinics, blood donation centers and various training facilities in underserved communities struggling with outbreaks and health care access
- design and build infrastructure that allow doctors, patients and governments to work together to provide basic needs and services
- sponsor a WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Program) in underdeveloped areas of the world.
We can all participate by designating a donation to The Rotary Foundation designated to Disease Prevention and Treatment. To donate today, go to: https//www.rotary.org/en/donate
PRESIDENT/PRESIDENT-ELECT TRAINING EVENTS
There has been a date change for the Mid-Year President/President-Elect training. Instead of February 15 the event is set for Saturday February 8, 2020 at Whites of Westport and will include training for current Presidents, President-Elects and any other Rotarian that want to learn more about Rotary or become more involved with their clubs. In addition, a Grants Training Seminar will be conducted which will qualify clubs for 2020-2021 district and global grants.
NORTHEAST PRESIDENT ELECT TRAINING
AND ASSISTANT GOVERNOR TRAINING (NEPETS)
The annual President-Elect and Assistant Governor training is scheduled for March 5-7, 2020 at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference center in Framingham, MA. Cost of this event for all President Elects and Assistant Governors is paid for by District 7950. For President-Elects, rooms for the event should be covered by each of your clubs. Please mark your calendars for this great event, where you will learn and share valuable information to help your clubs be vibrant and exciting during your year as President.
DISTRICT CONFERENCE
Our annual District Conference is scheduled for May 1-3, 2020 at the Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis, MA. Online registration will open on December 20, 2019 with an early bird registration for the complete conference being offered at $269 per person until February 28, 2020. After that date, registration for the conference will increase to $309 per person. In addition, there will be an a la carte registration offered for various programs and conference days for those that cannot attend the complete conference. Register at www.rotary7950.com
A special rate for the hotel rooms has been negotiated for this conference at the Cape Codder Resort. Room rates for rooms at the resort are $125 per night plus taxes. These rates are only guaranteed until March 31, 2020. You must make your own room reservations by calling the resort directly at 855-861-4370. Please mention Rotary District 7950.
The District Assembly usually held in April will be combined with this conference - on Saturday from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM and includes lunch. A special conference fee of $45.00 (lunch included) will be available for those who can only attend the District Assembly. The District Assembly will include six various breakout sessions along with a General Session at lunch. The District Business meeting will follow at 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM.
A fantastic conference is being planned for all, great speakers, great breakouts, great fellowship, so mark your calendars and plan on being a part of it.
FIVE WAYS TO BOOST MEMBERSHIP
BY BOOSTING YOUR PUBLIC IMAGE
by Art Norwalk, district public image chair
As Rotarians, most of us try to talk up our clubs as often as we can: to friends, colleagues, even people we meet casually. But often we get disappointing reactions, starting with the blank stare of total ignorance and moving on to inaccurate or outdated preconceptions (no women, attendance requirements, strict classifications, etc.). It’s really tough to get people interested in joining when they start from those positions.
One of the most effective things every club can do to help in the crucial task of growing membership is to boost understanding of Rotary in the community. Our committee recommends five basic steps to start getting your club’s public image in shape:
- Update your club logo. Rotary International has adopted new graphic standards for a more contemporary look while preserving the iconic wheel. You can download a simple template to create your new club logo at https://brandcenter.rotary.org/en-GB/App/Approval/AdrenalineTemplate/Details/19?RedirectUrl=%2Fen-GB%2FApp%2FApproval . You’ll need a MyRotary account to get there.
- Create or update your club website. The first stop for anyone interested in Rotary in your town will be an internet search, and if your club doesn’t pop up right on top you’re pretty much out of the running. Your site should serve as both an invitation to prospective new members and a rallying point for current members.
- Create or update your Facebook page. There are lots of social media choices but Facebook is by far the largest and most likely to include Rotary member prospects. Consider building a strong page there and updating it regularly before adding others (Instagram, Twitter, etc.).
- Create a club brochure. Use the template at https://brandcenter.rotary.org/en-GB/App/Approval/AdrenalineTemplate/Details/12?RedirectUrl=%2Fen-GB%2FApp%2FApproval%2FAdrenalineTemplate%2FSearch%3Fpage%3D1%26pageSize%3D20%26k%3D16 to create a professionally-designed brochure describing your club and the benefits of membership.
- Check (and fix!) your road signs. Do you have Rotary signs on major roads into town? Are they in good shape, with accurate information on meeting time and location? h/t (hat tip) Harvey Trieff.
The district’s Public Image committee will be happy to help get you up and running on any of these activities. Click
here to find out how.
Introducing - the New and Improved Learning Center!!
By Charlene J. Jarest, District Governor-Elect
Rotary International has made a very serious upgrade to the Learning Center at My Rotary! There are numerous learning modules all designed to give each of us an opportunity to learn and explore at our own pace. There are modules relating to Club Roles – President, Treasurer, Secretary and Club Committees.
You may also learn by topic, with modules addressing Membership, Fundraising, Projects, Grants, Public Relations, Rotaract, Interact, and others. There are modules that address important topics relating to Rotary International, itself. Most of the modules are not too long, and the longer ones can be viewed in pieces. When you return to the article, it will pick up where you left off. Completion of each module earns a Certificate of Completion – a fun reward!
All of the incoming club presidents are being presented with an actual curriculum, devised from the Learning Center, which will be completed by the time they go to Presidents-Elect Training Seminar. This will enable them to have meaningful discussions when they get there, rather than just listening to lecture.
By now, everyone in the district should have a My Rotary account, so that you can take advantage of all of this content! If you haven’t registered yet, register for an account:
Account Registration -My Rotary
And, then, my friends, explore!!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
The District Leadership Team would like to wish all of the Rotarians and their families in District 7950 a Joyous Holiday Season and a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
Steve