We’re well into our fourth month of this Rotary year and the engagements and “CONNECTIONS’ have been fantabulous! Most clubs are either on target or have outperformed expectations. For the 53 clubs that Corine and I have visited, we thank you for your warm hospitality and gracious welcome. I encourage you to continue CONNECTING with our global friends “Rotary Connects the World”. Here’s a random example of an unedited CONNECTION.
Eric Jones<ejones@vaxxine.com>
Sep 2, 2019, 2:57 PM
to Patrick. Rotary, me
Hello Patrick,
At the recent visit to our Club by DG Bob Artis, I was privileged to select your card from a bag of cards offered by the District Governor for District 7090.
I am happy to connect with you as just a small part of our on-going effort to make “ROTARY CONNECT THE WORLD”. As President of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines – Lakeshore (one of three Rotary Clubs in this City of 135,000), we reside in the beautiful Niagara Peninsula, an area with fruit trees, vineyards and about 150 wineries, all nestled between the Niagara escarpment ( a protected heritage site) and Lake Ontario, one of Canada’s five great lakes. However, most people locate us when we say we are about 7 minutes from Niagara Falls. I note when looking on-line that Cheshire appears to have a similar agricultural component along with protected greenbelts.
Regards,
Eric Jones, President ERIC P. JONES & ASSOCIATES INC.
The Memorial Service for our Departed Rotarians Can be Viewed Above
be sure to click here to View Online in header of newletter for the video to show or check it out on our home page
This article was written before the Conference cruisers set sail. Please read to see what they anticipated and accomplished and also check out their Facebook page, Sailabration District 7090 2019 Cruise for photos and videos.
We’re almost ready to set sail, the Rotarians and guests on the Allure of the Seas are ready to experience our first ever District Conference on a cruise and explore the greatness of how “Rotary Connects the World”. But even before we take our first step aboard, a great number of things have happened at our three designated stops.
Our team was fortunate to have Lezlie Murch, VTT Leader from 2015, create a day of excitement in St. Maarten. The group will be greeted by Rotarians from District 7020 representing 13 countries and local dignitaries. We will disembark and travel to the school that our District supported with a Global Grant for a total of $345,000USD. This school was demolished by Hurricane Irma and is still not functional. The students are currently taking classes at another location and we will have the opportunity to participate in some group activities with them. We will follow this with an International Rotary luncheon hosted by District 7090 with the Rotary Club of St Maarten Mid-Isle as our guest. The afternoon will be spent at Player Development, originally visited by the 2015 VTT and hosted by the Niagara Rotary Clubs in August 2016. This afterschool program is for at risk youth. We will engage in some activities with the children and meet the Early Act Club and learn about their International Project that includes the re-building of train, Engine 35 in the USA.
VTT 2019 Team Leader Jennifer Schoenhals, has created a ‘Discovery Project’ with the help of DG Bob Artis and co-committee members Caz Rodrigues, a former member RC of Buffalo and Esq. Betty Enrique, Director of NYS Office of Trade and Tourism for Puerto Rico. This group has created a connection with the Rotary Club of San Juan. A small group that includes Past Rotary International Director, Bob Menconi, our Rotary International President's Representative, Past District Governor Robb McLeod, Past District Governor Rick Sterne (also the RI Aide), and cruise Co-Chair Domenic Cortese will visit with the Mayor of Loiza. Loiza is a small coast community that was ravaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Over 800 homes are still without roofs and people are living in squalor. It is our hope to build a strong connection and partner with Hearts 9/11 to create a Rotary in Action project for a future venture to this area. Prior to our arrival, 75 first aid kits prepared by ‘Not Just Tourists’, led by Dr. Kenneth Taylor, RC of St. Catharines were shipped and received October 17, 2019.
The day in Labadee, Haiti was hampered by political turmoil in the country proper. This did not deter Cathy Henry of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South and Trees that Feed Board member. Cathy was able to arrange a shipment of Breadfruit Trees to the port of Cap Haitian for distribution at a later date. Although we could not physically plant the trees, we were able to contribute to the Haitian community.
This District Cruise has definitely embodied this year’s theme of Rotary Connects the World.
The next Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) will be held Saturday, December 7, 2019 (8.00 a.m. to 4.15 p.m.)
Hilton Garden Inn, 500 York Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
Please come and join other Rotarians from the District for a day of fellowship and learning.
There are three parts to RLI with each Part consisting of six-sessions over one day. You must take Part 1 before taking Part 2 and you must take Parts 1 and 2 before taking Part 3.
Come join us at Niagara-on-the-Lake on December 7, 2019.
Greetings from Rotary. Your Club and District Support (CDS) team is contacting you to remind you of the IRS’ annual filing requirement for all Rotary clubs in the U.S. and U.S. territories.
Note: If your club has already completed this requirement this year, please disregard this message.
Whether your club is a subordinate under Rotary International’s 501(c)(4) group exemption or is independently tax-exempt, the IRS requires that all Rotary clubs in the U.S. and its territories file an annual information return. For those clubs whose tax year follows the Rotary year, the deadline to file is 15 November. The form a club must file is dependent upon its gross receipts for the year. For more information, please see Frequently asked questions about annual reporting requirements for exempt organizations at www.irs.gov.
It is important that your club comply with IRS requirements. Please note that Section 6033(j) of the Internal Revenue Code automatically revokes the exemption of any organization that fails to satisfy its filing requirement for three consecutive years.
Our Frequently Asked Questions will answer many of the general questions you may have about Rotary clubs and the IRS. Please direct any specific questions regarding your club’s tax-exempt status or reporting requirements to local counsel, your tax adviser, or the IRS at www.irs.gov or 877-829-5500.
Please note this email has been sent to all club presidents, secretaries, executive secretaries/directors, and treasurers reported in our database with a valid email.
Thank you for your attention to this important reminder.
The Service Projects team is pleased to announce that Margaret Andrewes, of the Rotary Club of Lincoln, has accepted the position of D7090 Literacy Committee Chair. Margaret has a passion for literacy and Rotary service. She has served on her club board and many committees and working groups within the Best Friends District 7090 including several years as Assistant Governor. Welcome, Margaret!
Past Literacy Chair, Jackie Davis, of the Rotary Club of Lockport, has taken her dream job and has resigned her post. Jackie's long commitment of time and energy and talent to the role is much appreciated. Jackie, we still look forward to you at future Rotary events.
The Dundas Valley Sunrise Rotary Club recently celebrated with a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition dinner. Three individuals from “outside” of Rotary were recognized - Steven Parton, Bill Stewart and John Ellison. It was a splendid event with more than 70 people in attendance including District Governor Bob Artis and Corinne.
At the event, the club presented District Governor Bob with a cheque for $12 000 for the Rotary Foundation and Polio Plus.
As well as being named a Paul Harris Fellow, John Ellison, most notably recognized as the writer and performer of the popular song ‘Some Kind of Wonderful’, provided us with excellent entertainment.
On October 16, the Rotary Club of Lewiston/Niagara-on-the-Lake presented a check representing the proceeds from their annual Hot Dog Sale at the Terry Fox Run to Niagara-on-the-Lake Run Coordinator Joan King. The club annually sells hot dogs and hamburgers to raise funds to support this important cancer research fundraising event, which is held annually across Canada to honor Canadian cancer activist and Hero, Terry Fox.
The Lewiston/Niagara-on-the-Lake Rotary Club has, for 81 years, supported local initiatives on both the New York and Ontario sides of the Niagara River to improve the lives of our neighbors of all nations, races and creeds.
Pictured are (left to right) Joan King and Rotarian John Hopkins.
Pictured, the LeRoy Rotary Community Kitchen is receiving wonderful support from local teens! It takes a village to feed a family and that's exactly what the Rotary Club of LeRoy has been doing twice a month with its community kitchen since March of 2018.
Rotary Club of LeRoy's Eary Act and Interact clubs, at the direction of LeRoy Rotarians Christine Gephart and Samantha Vagg, bring their Pet Parade to the residents of the LeRoy Village Green Nursing Home. One of many community service projects this club's active Youth Services program sponsors.
A unique combination of the Rotary Club of Grand Island with its G I High School Interact Club, hosted a Town Supervisor Candidates’ Night on October 16, at the high school auditorium. About one-hundred interested citizens heard the three candidates respond to questions brought to the head table by Interact student ‘runners’. After sorting by Rotarian Mike Billoni, who chaired the the event, questions were asked of the candidates by four Interact leaders on stage.
The students were enthused, the candidates and audience got a chance to see Interact youth really participate in local issues, and the Rotary club was able to showcase one of its most promising youth activities.
The Rotary Club of Welland held its 4th Annual Bocce and Past Night on Wednesday, September 18th at Casa Dante. Eighty-three Rotarians, family, friends and sponsors came together to socialize and have fun. We thank our sponsors Enviro-Niagara, Meridian Credit Union, Turf Net Sports Supplies, Sterling Realty, Stolk Construction and Jiffy Lube (Welland) and we can’t forget our host Casa Dante.
The tournament winner was the women’s team from Stolk Construction with one of the Special Olympic teams runner up. Welland Rotary invites you to consider joining them next year during the club's 100th Anniversary!
On September 25, 2019, the Rotary Club of Welland held its annual Paul Harris Celebration at the Welland International Centre. Fifty Rotarians, partners, friends and recipients attended. The Paul Harris Fellow is the highest form of recognition given by Rotary clubs world-wide. It can be bestowed on a person, Rotarian or non-Rotarian. The award acknowledges "Service Above Self" which an individual has offered to their community, their nation or indeed to the world.
The Club honoured three (3) community volunteers this year with Paul Harris Fellowships.
Rosie Smith, known as the Heart and Soul of Welland making Welland a better place to live, was recognized posthumously. For over 50 years she was a tireless volunteer, dispatching kindness, generosity, understanding and most of all love for her community, especially the children. She willingly gave her time and touched so many people along the way. Her passion in life was family and ensuring that children, regardless of economic status, had access to free recreational activities. Born out of Rosie’s passion was the Welland Recreation Projects Association which she chaired for decades.
Port Colborne’s Jack O’Neill was a driving force behind the Niagara Gatekeepers program which supports seniors so they could live safely in their own homes. It started as a pilot project in Port Colborne and is now a network coordinated by Niagara Region. At age 85, he continues to volunteer as the hands-on president of the Friends Over 55 Recreation Centre in Port Colborne and Northland Pointe Nursing Home.
Sue Barnett of Welland has been a volunteer with Scouts Canada for 50 years as a leader, commissioner, and provincial trainer where she was awarded a Scouts Canada Community Service Award for her many years of service. Sue’s volunteer experience also includes assisting the Out of the Cold program at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, providing assistance at Rapelje and St. Charles Village for their Sunday services and visitations. She is also a lead organizer and volunteer for the food and hygiene pantry food bank in Welland. Sue is currently the chair of the District School Board of Niagara.
Three (3) Paul Harris Fellowships were also awarded to Welland Rotarians for their dedication to the Club and to the ideals of Rotary. Melissa Wells was recognized especially for her dedication to hosting international Youth Exchange students during the past couple of years. Ralph Malcolm, Chair of Youth Services was honoured for his support of the various Rotary Youth Programs during the past few years. Past-President David Alexander was acknowledged for his commitment to the Club during his presidential year.
Rotarian Fred Farnham was presented an Avenues of Service Citation from Rotary International recognizing, with deep appreciation, his outstanding efforts in each of the Avenues of Service.
Pictured left on September 25th five Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club members and one volunteer helped to beautify a several mile stretch of NY-394 and Portage Road in Westfield, New York by picking up litter. Some of the crew members were (left to right) Rotarians Barbara Fay, Sheila Chapman and Steve Stratton.
Pictured right - also participating in the clean-up commitment (left to right) volunteer Lynn Gresham and Rotarians John "Doc" Hamels, President, and Patty Benton, Club Community Service Chair and project chair.
During the October 8th meeting of the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville at The Parkview in Westfield, New York, Rotarian Pete Bills (pictured left) was presented with his Paul Harris Fellow level 3 (PHF+2) pin by Rotarian Patty Benton (pictured right), Club Foundation Chair and Past Club President. Bills, who joined Rotary in 1999, is a Past Club President (2014-2015) and currently serves as the club's Membership Chair.
Tickets sold out quickly for this year’s Catch the Ace fundraiser. The tickets sold and all wondered if this year’s Catch the Ace would run the full 40 weeks. Would the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise see another full run of luck for the Ace? The fun began in April. The Port Dover Legion was packed every week with excited ticket holders. All vying to catch the ace.
On October 4, 2019, the Ace was caught. The Ace of Spades was caught in week 24 of 40... Lucky Patti Powless chose envelope 10, containing the Ace of Spades. This made Patti the big winner of this year’s Catch the Ace: a progressive multiple-draw raffle lottery.
In the weeks leading up to October 4th, weekly draw winners were awarded prizes totaling over $12,000. Brought together in hopes of winning and comradery - there was standing room only.
Over $24,000 in profit will go back out into the community. This is the third year for this fundraiser, the first two years saw distribution of profits to community organizations such as the Norfolk General Hospital, the Norfolk Association for Community Living, HN Women’s Services and Indwell. These are just a few examples of the diversity of those supported by this initiative locally.
The ace was caught early, or earlier than last year. Now the Norfolk Sunrisers will have a bit more time to put this money to use. What will 2020’s Catch the Ace bring? See you next year!
The Rotary Club of West Seneca celebrated World Polio Day, October 24th with Pints for Polio! The event was held at The Flying Bison Brewery in Buffalo! It was an opportunity to bring attention to ending polio around the world. Guests received a commemorative End Polio Now glass, pizza and locally brewed beer. The club raised over a $1,000 for Polio Plus!
The Rotary Club of Lancaster-Depew is pleased to announce that we have chosen a clean water well project in Tanzania for the funds that we have been collecting through Art Raffles over the last few years. Pictured here - Adam Guglielmi, President of Rotary Club of Lancaster-Depew presents a check to Fiona Barreto, President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Amherst. Combined with funds from other clubs and grants, this six-digit installation will include a number of wells and sanitation projects. Lancaster-Depew will have it's own designated well.
On Saturday, September 21st, a team of Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Lincoln participated in the Lions' Annual Food Drive, working at various sorting stations throughout the morning. Rotary has participated in this event for over twenty years - driving, picking up donations, sorting and storing for Community Care of West Niagara.
In 2017, the Rotary Club of Lincoln made use of a District grant to provide storage shelves for donated food for Community Care of West Niagara and with the help of this food drive the shelves are filling up but there is always a need.
It being the 30th Annual Food Drive, the goal was to collect 30,000 pounds of food. Drum roll please...........the collection was 30,500 pounds!
Thanks to the Lions who take the lead each year and thanks to the hundreds of volunteers and community donations that help make our community a little bit better.
The Rotary Club of Hamilton completed its Adopt-a-Park clean-ups last month. This hands-on service project involves doing litter clean-up and beautification activities at a local park. The Rotary Club of Hamilton has two adopted parks - Jackie Washington Rotary Park and on the mountain TB McQueston Park. On the first Thursday of the summer months, members come to the park, enjoy a pizza lunch and then do a park clean-up (4 times per year). The City of Hamilton’s Adopt-a-Park Program delivers the Community Clean Trailer that has all the tools and equipment to do the clean-up plus beautification activities such as weeding and mulching shrub beds. The first Thursday of each month the Rotary Club of Hamilton holds a service project or fellowship activity in lieu of a regular lunch meeting. A great opportunity for a hands-on service project and indicative of keeping the local parks clean and green in Hamilton!
Rotary Club of Hamilton held its annual Fall Golf Classic on September 12th. This unique networking and nine-after-work golf tournament included food, beverages and prizes on every hole. A wonderful event included over $1000 in prizes courtesy of Eddie Bauer (Limeridge Mall). All the golfers had a great time eating, drinking and playing their way through 9 holes before enjoying a buffet dinner and silent auction. The fundraiser raised over $9500 to support local children’s charities and projects. Everyone is looking forward to the 2020 Rotary Fall Golf Classic!
The East Aurora Rotary Foundation President AJ Block (right) presented a check in the amount of $500 to Pastor Tim Freed (left), a member of the Board of Directors for FISH of East Aurora. Since 1974, FISH of East Aurora has served the Southtowns, providing food and clothing to families in need. Currently, they service approximately 370 families in the area. Donations of non-perishable food and clothing can be dropped off Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-Noon at their location, 960 East Main Street. For questions or to coordinate other donations, please call 716-652-7272.
The Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore Cheers to Literacy Lottery raised over $4000 to purchase leveled books for its School to Home Reading Program, now in its 10th year in local St. Catharines' schools.
Selected Students Grades 1 – 5 read to Brock University, Niagara College and community volunteers; take the book home to read to their families and the process repeats - increasing reading levels, comprehension, fluency, confidence and the joy of reading!
Pictured is Literacy Committee Chair Linda Landry announcing the winners of the 2019 Cheers to Literacy Lottery.
The Rotary Club of Brantford has had a busy fall so far! The club recently held its 6th Annual Rotary Perch Fry on Saturday, October 5, 2019, in support of the Boys’ & Girls’ Club of Brantford. This year’s event featured a new venue (the gymnasium of the Boys’ & Girls’ Club) and had a Hockey Night in Canada theme. The event sold out, and additional tables had to be set up for the diners! Guests were treated to All You Can Eat perch, along with all the traditional sides and salads, catered by a local restaurant, The Sherwood, which is owned and operated by Rotarian Dennis Duce.
The night featured a photo booth, a Live Auction, live music by Last Band Standing and the club even live-streamed the Leafs/Habs hockey game. The final fundraising tally isn’t known yet, but it was a great night and another successful year for the event! Congratulations to event Chair Andrew Schwalm and his committee!
Pictured left are Honourary Rotarian and Secretary Troy Antonie, volunteer Margot Kneale, and Rotary Club of Brantford President Jo-Anne Flood welcoming everyone at the Registration table. Pictured right is a definitely full house.
Brantford Rotarians support the Why Not Youth Centre in Brantford in partnership with the Rotary Club of Brantford Sunrise by hosting dinners on the 4th Monday of each month. With the drop-in centre not being open for the youth over the Thanksgiving long weekend, we wanted to do something to help. In a recent health check survey our club conducted, feedback indicated our members wanted to do more hands-on projects. So we collected hundreds of non-perishable snacks and drinks, and set up an assembly line where Rotarians made up care packages after our club meeting. We then delivered nearly 100 care packages to the centre where they were received by Why Not staff to be distributed in time for the Thanksgiving weekend.
Pictured left: Rotarians make their way down the assembly line, creating care packages full of non-perishable snacks for the youth at Why Not Youth Centre. Pictured right: Why Not staff Brooklyn and Charlie were on hand to take delivery of nearly 100 care packages to be distributed to the youth before the Thanksgiving long weekend.
Rotary Club of LeRoy's Eary Act and Interact clubs, at the direction of LeRoy Rotarians Christine Gephart and Samantha Vagg, bring their Pet Parade to the residents of the LeRoy Village Green Nursing Home. One of many community service projects this club's active Youth Services program sponsors.
The Rotary Club of Welland held its 4th Annual Bocce and Past Night on Wednesday, September 18th at Casa Dante. Eighty-three Rotarians, family, friends and sponsors came together to socialize and have fun. We thank our sponsors Enviro-Niagara, Meridian Credit Union, Turf Net Sports Supplies, Sterling Realty, Stolk Construction and Jiffy Lube (Welland) and we can’t forget our host Casa Dante.
During the October 8th meeting of the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville at The Parkview in Westfield, New York, Rotarian Pete Bills (pictured left) was presented with his Paul Harris Fellow level 3 (PHF+2) pin by Rotarian Patty Benton (pictured right), Club Foundation Chair and Past Club President. Bills, who joined Rotary in 1999, is a Past Club President (2014-2015) and currently serves as the club's Membership Chair. 
The Rotary Club of West Seneca celebrated World Polio Day, October 24th with Pints for Polio! The event was held at The Flying Bison Brewery in Buffalo! It was an opportunity to bring attention to ending po
lio around the world. Guests received a commemorative End Polio Now glass, pizza and locally brewed beer. The club raised over a $1,000 for Polio Plus!
The Rotary Club of Lancaster-Depew is pleased to announce that we have chosen a clean water well project in Tanzania for the funds that we have been collecting through Art Raffles over the last few years. Pictured here - Adam Guglielmi, President of Rotary Club of Lancaster-Depew presents a check to Fiona Barreto, President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Amherst. Combined with funds from other clubs and grants, this six-digit installation will include a number of wells and sanitation projects. Lancaster-Depew will have it's own designated well.
ole. A wonderful event included over $1000 in prizes courtesy of Eddie Bauer (Limeridge Mall). All the golfers had a great time eating, drinking and playing their way through 9 holes before enjoying a buffet dinner and silent auction. The fundraiser raised over $9500 to support local children’s charities and projects. Everyone is looking forward to the 2020 Rotary Fall Golf Classic!
rd. This year’s event featured a new venue (the gymnasium of the Boys’ & Girls’ Club) and had a Hockey Night in Canada theme. The event sold out, and additional tables had to be set up for the diners! Guests were treated to All You Can Eat perch, along with all the traditional sides and salads, catered by a local restaurant, The Sherwood, which is owned and operated by Rotarian Dennis Duce.
