Our new Hamilton AM President, Clare Freeman, joined 3 Past District Governors, Anne Bermingham, Reg Madison and  Rick Sterne, in a casual pint and pub lunch at The George Hamilton in Hamilton, Ontario.  Owned by a fellow Rotarian Mike Peters, this restaurant is a perfect gathering place to talk about the year ahead.  Also at the event was 7090's new District Governor Lisa Bishop as well as special guests Bryn and Randy Styles.  Bryn was a member of the Board of Directors of Rotary International in 2012-2014.  Over this past year, he has been an Aide to our Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta.  Bryn brought greetings from new Rotary International President, Jennifer Jones and talked about the wonderful Imagine Rotary Canada Tour in which she is currently involved.

 

Also present were inveterate lunchers from Hamilton AM, Paul Lakin, John Mokrycke and Mark Ewer.

 

The Chautauqua Institution has been visited by political figures, celebrities, artists, musicians, scientists, and writers since its founding in 1874. The Institution has been visited by four sitting United States presidents including Ulysses S. Grant and Theodore Roosevelt who was quoted as saying that Chautauqua is "the most American thing in America." And with that backdrop, the Rotary Club of Amherst South hosted a group of Rotarians from Latvia, who were visiting District 7090 as part of Rotary Friendship Exchange.

 

Amherst South Rotary Club members Julie Ponkow and Sandy Nobel, who have places on the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution played host to 10 Rotary members from Latvia who hail from Rotary District 2410 which covers part of Sweden and Latvia. The visitors were participating in the Rotary Friendship Exchange with District 7090.  With AG Aaron Carlson playing the part of the driver, the visiting Rotarians came to Chautauqua and were welcomed at the morning lecture series and then toured the historic grounds, taking in the beautiful scenery and shops.

 

 

It brings me great pleasure to wish all of you in The Family of Rotary, “HAPPY ROTARY NEW YEAR”! July 1st starts off our New Year in Rotary with two big Rotary Milestones:

 

Rotary International’s First Women President, Jennifer Jones, and, Rotaract Members becoming full members in Rotary. WOW! Truly these two milestones show intentional steps for equity and inclusion. Jennifer Jones is the right leader, at the right time in Rotary. She asks us to be intentional in seeking out and inspiring aspiring leaders in all types of roles in Rotary. We are all adopting welcoming, accepting environments to engage our members and friends of Rotary.  Pictured (l-r) 22-23 RIP Jennifer Jones and DG 7090 Lisa Bishop at the Imagine Tour in Toronto on July 5. 

 

 

I personally thank those who over the years, networked with me and supported me as mentors, and friends in Rotary. That IS WHAT ROTARY IS…networking, mentoring, supporting, having care and concern for others, especially the causes we as Rotarians support in our local and international communities.

 

As we IMAGINE, Let’s have FUN!  Let’s be sure to have fun and enjoy fellowship.  

 

I really look forward to seeing everyone this year! Be sure to connect with me to join in a club celebration, fundraiser or service project. With the borders opened, I want to get out and join you, as you and your club IMAGINE Rotary in 2022-23. My email is: delhipeople@sympatico.ca

 

It is an honour to serve as the 2022-23 District Governor, of our Best of Friends D7090. Thank-YOU for all you do for Rotary.