As you read this column, all of us will be approaching the Holiday Season and celebrating according to the customs, traditions, and religious practices we follow. For many, that will translate into time with family, friends and of course, our extended family and friends in Rotary. So, from my family to yours Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year! A special holiday greetings to ALL our Inbound Exchange Students: (Netherlands) Prettige Kerst (Czech) Veselé Vánoce (Finnish) Hyvää joulua (German) Fröhliche Weihnachten (Japanese) ークリスマス(Denmark) Glædelig Jul (Taiwan) Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan! (Italy) Buon Natale (Belgium) Vrolijk Kerstfeest (France) Joyeux Noël (Brazil) Feliz Natal e Próspero Ano Novo (Hungary) Boldog Karácsonyt (Australia) Merry Christmas; (Croatia) sretan Božić; (Sweden) god Jul; (Spain) A few different languages are spoken in different regions; in Spanish 'Feliz Navidad'; in Catalan 'Bon Nadal'; in Galician 'Bo Nadal'; in Basque or Euskara basque 'Eguberri on' (Austria) Frohe Weihnachten!
To ALL our host clubs and families, I THANK YOU and APPRECIATE YOU! Let’s make this a remarkable and joyful Christmas for our young guests. Imagine a young person, away from home in a strange and unfamiliar country, unknown school, classmates, family, culinary delights, culture, and lifestyle as well as a plethora of other unimaginable changes. This can be particularly unsettling during the holidays, however, even in the face of these uncertainties these young people have tremendous courage.
I am reminded that years ago in 1996 our son, Keith, was an exchange student to Bolivia. Back then, there were no social media platforms available. The only way to communicate long-distance was by phone, which was unreliable or by snail mail which was best. So we would often send letters and care packages for his enjoyment and happiness as he experienced a new life in Bolivia. Several months before Christmas we started thinking about what to send. Perhaps like other parents, we wanted his first Christmas away from home to be very special. After all, this was our first experience having a child abroad for an extended period of time. Although he had traveled to Japan for a short time as a wrestler with the late “Destroyer” a member of Rotary Club of Akron. We gathered, packed, and mailed items we thought he would enjoy. We made an extra special effort to have Christmas away from home to be as much of a holiday feeling in his new home away from home as possible. Fast forward…when Keith returned home from Bolivia we; his mom and I, friends and another Youth Exchange student from Japan (Mayumi) were all overjoyed to see him. His first Christmas home was our time to celebrate, rejoice and be thankful to the Holy One for his safe return home. On Christmas morning, part of our family tradition, we fed our sweet tooth before opening gifts. As we began opening our gifts from under the Christmas tree, Keith said, “Hey, I didn’t receive anything last year while I was away from you guys”. His mom and I looked at each other in complete disbelief. How could this be possible? We said almost in unison “We sent you Christmas gifts!” Unfortunately, they never made it to him. As parents, we were very proud in the manner in which he handled the situation. He never once called or wrote us letters complaining about how he perceived we had forgotten him for Christmas’. He had become a remarkable young man who learned not to complain but rather make the best out of the situation For our two countries it is my profound hope that this Holiday Season will be very special for ALL our Inbound Youth Exchange Students. That they will experience the joy of Holidays moving from the unknowns to growing in familiarity with a new country, school, classmates, culinary delights, culture, and family.
PETS 2 leadership training, for many years, used the MDPETS model and was delivered in Scarborough at the BMO IFL learning Centre – a world-class training facility. This was a one-day Saturday training event with a lead-in Friday evening event with a keynote speaker and involved an overnight stay.
In the fall of 2019, the District 7090 training team launched a comprehensive review to have the training repatriated to the district. The core reasons centered around ensuring district clubs receive relevant training that will not overlap PETS 1, provide greater control over training content, reduce commute time and expenses for presidents-elect given the distance and traffic congestion in the Greater Toronto Area, reduce the cost to each club and provide for alternating training between CAN/USA for fairness to clubs on both sides of the border. The decision was to launch the US side first given US presidents-elect had for many years been asked to drive to Toronto.
Of primary importance was ensuring the location would have highway access, central to the district and meet the standards of a four-star venue with excellent audiovisual, meeting room space, parking and hospitality. Given the district was leaving the BMO IFL Centre, the District 7090 team wanted to ensure that future presidents-elect would still enjoy an excellent leader experience delivered in a great venue.
The current training program scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2020, delivers the same training hours including two keynote speakers to reflect MDPETS while saving money and time. The budget process began with a review of three sites to gauge if we could meet our goals and not overly burden the district with a potential loss. There were several variables to contend with in establishing the per club cost which included potential speaker fees and travel costs, venue and other startup costs such as printing, lanyards, signage, etc.
As it stands now, clubs are paying 30 percent less than last year which translates into a $100 per club savings. The concept and fee structure was reported on and discussed at District Council earlier this year and the feedback was positive and constructive.
The District 7090 training team will have a much better understanding of the actual costs at the conclusion of the training. And, should there be an opportunity for additional cost savings, future PETS budgets will reflect those savings to the clubs.
For presidents-elect, if you have NOT registered for PETS 1 and or PETS 2 please do so NOW. It is both an expectation of Rotary International and District 7090 that all presidents-elect avail themselves of this mandatory training.
Your District 7090 training team has and is working diligently to ensure a great learning experience, which will prepare you for your exciting role in 2020-21. Let's get this show on the road! Register HERE.
A short while ago, I issued a challenge to all 7090 Rotarians, Clubs and Friends of Rotary to help rid the world of polio.
I promised to match all donations to the end of 2019, dollar-for-dollar, up to US$25,000.
I am truly overwhelmed by the response to my Polio Challenge.
We are approaching the year-end deadline – and we are also approaching the goal however we are not yet there.
It’s not too late to make your donation. We truly are this close!
Will YOU join us?
Thie C.L. Convery
Thank you to all the clubs and individuals that have taken up this great Polio challenge from Thie! As of this writing on December 12 we rest at only $3,953 USD short of her goal. Please remember that the $25000US becomes $150000US with Thie's challenge and the Gates Foundation 2 for 1 matching grants.
Saturday, October 24, 2020 Yes, this is “World Polio Day”!
On this day you will enrich YOUR Rotary World with Service Engagement, Motivating Speakers, One on One Mentoring for Service & Networking and YES, “Fun”!
Cost is $100 for Rotarians & Partners, and $20 for Rotaract and Rotary Youth (EarlyAct, Interact)
On Nov 27, 2019, the RotaryHIP District committee had a great afternoon and evening in Brantford. We started off with a tour of the Woodland Cultural centre including a video tour of the Mohawk Institute Residential school. We met, over dinner, with members of the Rotary clubs of Brantford and Brantford Sunrise before attending the lecture by Senator Dr. Mary Jane McCallum, who talked about her experience at residential school in Manitoba from age 4-16 which left her totally adrift and homeless. She managed to work her way into dental school and spent many years serving northern Manitoba reserves and is presently in the Canadian Senate actively working on raising awareness and understanding of First Nation issues. If you or your club wants to learn more about RotaryHIP please contact Marjorie Dawson at mevdawson@gmail.com.
The District held another successful Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) on December 7th at Niagara-on-the-Lake. Thirty-eight Rotarians attended and we were pleased to welcome six Rotarians from outside our district – five from Brampton and one from Burlington.
This was a fun-filled day with lots of Rotary fellowship and lots of learning taking place.
A special thanks to our facilitators Ralph, Kevin, Karen, David, Dick, Frank and Anne - please know that your efforts are appreciated!
Please mark your calendar for Saturday, March 21, 2020, when the next RLI will be held at Niagara County Community College, Sanborn, New York – we would love to see you there!!.
Pictured (left to right) are as follows: DGE Frank Adamson; graduates Richard Boyington, Brantford Sunrise; Ryan Bridge, Flamborough AM; Nancy Sherwin, Norfolk Sunrise; Liz Fisk, Grimsby; Lisa Raham, St. Catharines South; Janet Allan, St. Catharines Lakeshore; Katherine Fisher, Grimsby; Tommy Gerbasi, Lewiston-NOTL; Tom Peddle, Stoney Creek; RLI Chair Glen Christensen.
On Saturday, February 29, 2020, the Public Image Committee of District 7090 will hold a one-day hands-on workshop to assist clubs in developing their social media presence. This initiative is in response to clubs asking for individual assistance in developing their websites.
The workshop will focus on developing websites on Club Runner but will also have advice on developing a social media strategy and on how-to-do Facebook, Instagram, etc. It is hands-on so bring your laptop.
The workshop will be held at Brock University and will cost $40.00 Canadian. It will be open to the first 97 people to register. We hope at least one person from each club will attend. Registration will be on the District website by year-end.
Join the Vocational Training Team (VTT) Committee to ‘Connect the World’ as District 7090 is hosting an Incoming VTT Team from District 3330 Thailand (pictured left) to study and learn our education industry.
The Team will be here from April 11th to May 2nd. And, our District has much to do in order to host them. Here's how you can participate. VTT Committee members are being solicited to play a part in the many aspects of planning the events. Our initial organizational meeting will be January 4th or 11th at a place to be determined. We need committee members with educational backgrounds (teachers, administrators, etc.) with contacts in the Education industry to help us find and schedule appropriate venues for the Team to visit. We will also need US and CA Coordinators to schedule the events as well as recruit Rotarian Host Families to provide meals and housing. Drivers will also be necessary to provide local transportation.
Our international district is unique as we will be able to show both CA and US educational philosophies and methods. The Team will learn about the different ways we provide educational opportunities for people of all ages from all backgrounds. We have many facilities with early childhood education, grade schools, high schools, charter schools, colleges, universities, research entities, returning and literacy education, English as a second language, and many more entities that the Team can learn from.
So, as you can see, volunteers from all parts of District 7090 will be integral to making this a very successful VTT.
Please contact Dan Smith, VTT Chair with any questions and your area of interest at dsmith4416@gmail.com; phone 716-269-9900.
The Rotary Club of Lincoln was approached by the Brock Niagara Rotaract Club for help in supporting the Shoebox Project. A shout out to the Lincoln Rotarians who donated to support them along with the community and other Rotary clubs in the area that also stepped up to help.
A message from the President of Brock Niagara Rotaract Emily Wright.
"Thank you everyone who donated items and time in helping the Brock Niagara Rotaract Club tackle the Shoebox Project. We are so incredibly proud to announce that we will be donating TWENTY-SEVEN (yes 27!) shoeboxes to @shoeboxprojectstcatharines. We originally had a goal of donating 6, so this has overwhelmed us with joy. Our hearts are so full, we are grateful to be surrounded by such kind and giving people in our community!"
The Rotary Club of Buffalo held a fundraising raffle to win Wegman's gift cards. Pictured are new member Justin Friedman, who pulled the winning tickets, with Fundraising Chair, Susan Schwartz and Executive Director, Heather Culverwell looking on.
First prize of $2500 in Wegman's gift cards went to Charles Martorana, Second prize of $1500 in gift cards went to Paul Marzello (who then donated them to organizations in need) and Third prize of $750 went to Renee Downey. The total amount raised for the Buffalo Rotary Foundation was $3,667.36.
Rotary Club of Lancaster-Depew was pleased to join with the Lancaster Lions Club and Zonta for a Lancaster Service Club's Christmas Party. Held at Ripa's Restaurant, Walden Avenue, Lancaster, over 80 people were in attendance. Pictured left are the three club presidents: Adam Guglielmi (Rotary), Ann Detzler (Zonta), and Ed Carlsen, Jr. (Lions).
After the meal, we were presented with a lively show put on by the Lancaster High School Choir, pictured right.
On Sunday, December 8th, 2019, the Rotary Club of Hamilton East-Wentworth's Secretary Jim McDonnell presented Burlington Able Sail Director Jim Casey with a cheque to purchase a new coach boat for their Able Sail program. The club is spearheading a fundraising drive to replace the well used equipment required to operate the program.
The BAS program is a registered charity and was established in 2001 operating out of LaSalle Park Marina on Burlington Bay. The program is designed for clients with physical and cognitive challenges including stroke, MS, CP, Parkinson’s, traumatic head and neck injuries, arthritis, Autism, Downs Syndrome, paraplegics, spinal injury, typical ageing disabilities and the symptoms of social isolation. 70% of the program's clients come from Community Living Homes in Burlington, Brantford, Cayuga, Grimsby, Hamilton, Lincoln, St. Catherines and Waterdown.
A crowd of about 150 people enjoyed a free pancake and sausage breakfast in Simcoe on December 7th. The Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise decked the halls with boughs of holly as laughter, music, and excitement echoed out into the street. Through the eyes of animated children, Santa and Mrs. Claus were excitedly greeted. Children were thrilled to enjoy a delicious family breakfast and then meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Children, sometimes shyly, told Santa exactly what was wanted on Christmas morning, since all of them have been very, very good throughout the year. Each family was given an opportunity to have a picture with Santa at no cost. What a fantastic community service event to usher in the excitement of the Christmas season. This annual event was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise and supported by Simcoe McDonalds and the CAMHS Photo Club. Kristina Kett, a Rotarian attended the breakfast with her 9-year-old daughter Geneva, her 12-year-old daughter Allegra and Mac Campbell. Kett stated that she and her family attended because, “We are so happy to support a wonderful community event such as this, especially during the holiday season. The Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise has done a great job organizing this free event for the community.” Her 9-year-old daughter, Geneva stated “I am so excited about Christmas and I really loved the pancakes.”
Bids were flying at the Rotary Club of Akron Newstead’s 30th Annual Christmas Auction that benefits those less fortunate in the local community. Nearly 100 guests enjoyed a fun evening filled with good fellowship, good food and drink and tremendous generosity. The auction is one of the club’s largest fundraisers with this year’s event realizing nearly $17,000. Guests got into the action through live, Chinese and silent auctions. Also popular was the Rotary Angel Christmas Tree with ornaments that contained Christmas wishes of children. Guests became Angels when they adopted a child’s ornament. It wasn’t surprising that at the end of the evening all the children were “adopted”. The club works closely with the Akron Central School District in identifying where assistance is needed in Akron Newstead. Another example of the solid partnership between the club and the school is the high school’s vibrant Interact Club. A number of the Interact members demonstrated Service Above Self as they helped at this year’s Christmas Auction.
Pictured - club Rotarian Jeannine Morlacci is excited with her winning square in the Chasing the Aces board game. Volunteer Trevor Gray displays the 'Aces' board.
Rotary Club of Grimsby celebrated its 20th annual Fantasy of Trees held between November 22nd and December 8th. This is a signature community event held at the Grimsby Museum.
The exhibit included more than 40 beautifully decorated trees, festive wreaths and urns, gift certificates and other seasonal items.
The event enjoys support from 100 plus sponsors with more than three thousand people visiting the event. The raffle and silent auction raised over $20,000 for eleven local charities and for the work of Rotary. Admission is free of charge so that everyone can enjoy the exhibit.
Pictured (left) is Rotarian Marie Solvason who again constructed a lovely Reindeer family for the auction. Pictured (right) is a photo from the opening night celebration that included Rotarians, volunteers, sponsors and local politicians. The Chair of the event, Marilyn Cornwall, is in the center of the picture. Rotarians are wearing red scarves to commemorate the memory of Rotarian Bob Gowans who passed away in November. Bob was instrumental in getting the Fantasy of Trees started and always wore a red scarf to the event in his later years.
The Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore held its 2nd Annual Fall Fun Trivia Night. Held at Club Heidelberg in St. Catharines, the event was a sell-out with 35 tables of eight attendees each enjoying 100 Trivia questions organized over 7 rounds, a huge Penny Sale area and free popcorn and hotdogs!
This was a true International event with Past 7090 District Governors Marlee Diehl (2016-17) and Richard Earne (2006-07) pitching in to help.
February Event Now Open!
Mark your calendars for our 22nd Annual February Trivia Night to be held on February 15, 2020, at Merriton Community Centre in St. Catharines. Just click on this link to view our event page and order tickets.
District Governor Bob Artis and his lovely wife Corrine, attended the Rotary Club of Lewiston-NOTL on December 4, 2019 for his Official Club Visit. The club members felt positive that he is making some real progress addressing the concerns of the small Rotary club.
DG Bob did the honors of inducting Bob Cross back into the club and accepted its annual contribution to Polio Plus of $50 US per member (which will be matched by the Gates Foundation and by philanthropist Thie Convery.
The Rotary Club of Dundas Valley Sunrise held its annual charity auction on Tuesday, December 10, 2019. In 45 minutes, with approximately 50 in attendance, a total of $4,490 was raised for St. Matthew's House.
St. Matthew’s House in Hamilton, Ontario began in 1964 as a storefront ministry called The Compass to help residents of Hamilton’s north end. It formed as an outreach program of the Anglican Diocese of Niagara. It has now grown into a charitable, non-profit multi-service agency serving the needs of the community through children’s services, senior’s support, mental health and street outreach services and a Christmas Adopt-a-Family program.
At the auction, Bruce Eccles once again presided as "auctioneer" with Roger Stewart as his sidekick. Big winner for the day is, of course, St. Matthews House, but Rotary member Jessica Brennan walked away with a huge haul, which included a bonus gift of three collector plates with an "authentication" certificate. Okay, you had to be there. :)
Bruce kept the event lively and fun. The club sends a thanks to all who donated auction items and to all who bid on items.
On November 30th, several Rotarians, along with their families, and dozens of children from the Brantford Boy’s & Girls’ Club, dressed up as clowns and led the JCI Santa Claus parade through downtown Brantford. Clowns were encouraged to raise a minimum of $300 to participate, and local businesses generously provided sponsorship so children could attend. It was a chilly night, but everyone enjoyed the experience of bringing holiday cheer and candy canes to the parade spectators. The final fundraising tally isn’t known yet, but the club expects to raise at least $40,000, which will benefit the Brantford Boys’ & Girls Club.
Pictured are Rotarians dressed as clowns leading the JCI Santa Claus parade.
MEETING SANTA
There was great joy experienced by families at the annual Brantford Rotary-Children’s Christmas Party on December 1, 2019. Despite the lousy weather that unfortunately kept some attendees at home, those who were able to make it out were in high spirits as the children and families enjoyed a wonderful day throughout the Centre. They enjoyed music and snacks, arts & crafts and visits to the North Pole to meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The club was also able to 'pay it forward' by providing the numerous containers of leftover perishable food to individuals at a local homeless shelter. It was a truly magical day for families of special children with special needs.
Pictured are Lansdowne families meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus.
RYE GETTING SETTLED
The Rotary Club of Brantford and Rotary Brantford Sunrise Club welcomed 2 exchange students to Brantford in August; Alina, from Finland, and Joanne, from Taiwan. The girls are attending high school and are enjoying their experiences so far, which have included visits to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Toronto, and Buffalo. Rotarians are also enjoying getting to the know the girls and several have already invited them to dinners, movie outings and even Trick or Treating on Halloween. While Alina is accustomed to the cold weather, Joanne is learning to adapt and wisely purchased a warm winter coat from Roots on Black Friday. The girls are looking forward to spending Christmas with their host families and the upcoming Algonquin camping trip in February!
Pictured are Rotary Youth Exchange Students Alina and Joanne with Town Crier David McKee at Brantford’s Glenhyrst Gardens Christmas Lights opening ceremony on November 29th.
50 YEARS IN BRANTFORD
The Rotary Club of Brantford was instrumental in establishing the Boys & Girls Club of Brantford in 1969, and on Tuesday, December 10th, Rotarians, Boys & Girls Club of Canada, staff and alumni, along with other Community stakeholders, came together to celebrate 50 years of servicing the children and youth of Brantford. The club began in a church basement and within 6 months, had over 150 boys registered in programs. In the late 1980s, the Rotary Club of Brantford raised funds to build a new facility for them. Today, the Boys & Girls Club of Brantford operates in multiple locations throughout Brantford and provides service to thousands of children in the community. Congratulations to this wonderful organization!
Pictured are some of the Brantford Rotarians smiling ear to ear at the 50th Anniversary Bash on December 10, 2019.
December 12th, a landmark of Lockport, NY was put back into place at the corner of Main and Pine Streets - a pedestal clock that is just shy of the 100 years the club is celebrating. This time it has the Rotary emblem on its 4 faces in recognition of the funds the club provided as a match for the $38,000 the refurbishing cost.
As part of its centennial, the club has been carrying out 100 Acts of Kindness including taking in meals for Lockport Cares, an organization that provides short term housing for homeless people. Still to be completed is a high-quality sign for the developing Aaron Mosell Park in honor of a black businessman who provided bricks for an early 1800s school and was able to send his children to the school years before the Emancipation Proclamation.
Refurbishing a rusting and inoperational outdoor clock, at the onset, was seen as somewhat of a luxury. Yet, one cannot underestimate the value of creating a sense of place and engaging the community in supporting beauty and craftsmanship with such a project. Area clock rehabilitator, Chuck Roeser, world-famous for his skills, spent countless hours faithfully replacing and updating the clock.
Ownership of the clock will be by the City of Lockport and a dedication to transfer the clock will occur on Saturday, December 21st at 11 AM
Police Officers from LeRoy join other officers in Genesee County to take children shopping for Christmas gifts! The Rotary Club of LeRoy donated $500.00 in gift cards to make this event possible!
Thank you to our local Police Department for taking care of our children during the Holiday Season.
Panorama Christmas Farm Market comes to Norfolk! Visitors to the Simcoe Panorama are getting a special treat this year. In addition to the usual panorama displays, visitors are treated to a Christmas Farm Market unique to Norfolk.
The Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise, the Rotary Club of Simcoe, and other sponsoring partners were successful in establishing a Christmas Farm Market in Wellington Park, Simcoe, as a fundraising initiative to assist the Simcoe Panorama Committee’s revenue stream.
Rather than donating money towards a panorama display that does not generate any revenue, the Farm Market promotes local artisans and entrepreneurs, and generates revenue for Panorama. A win-win for all!
Following a donation from both Rotary clubs, the Norfolk Foundation, Simcoe BIA, Vittoria & District Foundation, Mr. Phil Race and a Federal grant covered the cost of 10 cabins for the Market, built by Abel Enterprises. Panorama is now a real destination to admire the Christmas displays, browse the cabins and do a little Christmas shopping. Available is unique local art, crafts, and wine. The vendors provided an array of unique products and artisanal items such as wine, cider, candles, charcuterie boards, holiday floral arrangements, cakes, jewelry, and Christmas ornaments to name a few.
Panorama visitors and Christmas Farm Market vendors have responded with enthusiasm. The two Rotary Clubs and Simcoe Panorama are looking forward now to expanding the program next year!
When Grand Island Rotarians (like John Harbison in photo) run the Salvation Army Kettle at Grand Island Tops Market, they are generally staid, softly ringing the little bell and needing to work at showing holiday cheer. Luckily there are G I Middle School Interact students (led by Advisor Carly Antonelli) joining him/her on select days to put a song in everyone’s ear during this holiday season. And they greatly increase the donations into the Salvation Army Kettle!
The 16th Annual Lamplighter Tour was, once again, a great success. The tour brings history to life with stories told in an entertaining way, as it recalls (and celebrates) the uniqueness of the Lincoln community.
The club appreciates the extraordinary team of actors, directors and other volunteers who committed so much of their time to make the show come to life this November along with the tremendous support throughout the community, from sponsors and audiences in making this and every production such a success. This year’s production was Cultivating Minds, a history of education in the Town of Lincoln.
Since its inception in 2004, the phenomenal success of the annual tour has enabled the Rotary Club of Lincoln to contribute to major local community projects. Specifically, the funds raised from the Lamplighter Tour are dedicated to building community through special projects that foster civic pride and enable advancement of cultural and economic development in the Town of Lincoln.
GET YOUR PURPLE ON
In support of World Polio Day - a flag raising at Town Hall. Thanks to Mayor Sandra Easton, Councilors and Town of Lincoln, staff and Lincoln Rotarians that supported this recognition. The flag was raised in the friendship garden after a short presentation to staff and council about polio and the effort by Rotary to eradicate the disease. The mayor, staff, councilors and Rotarians also participated in a "Purple Pinkie Activity". All had their pinkie finger colored with a purple marker just as the recipients of the polio vaccine are marked to keep track of who has received the vaccine.
Rotary has served Hamilton for 106 years since the Rotary Club of Hamilton was chartered on August 1, 1913 as the 82nd Rotary Club in the world.
One way Rotary serves is by investing in our future leaders by funding scholarships for their university studies abroad. From 1947 to 2013, Rotary’s Ambassadorial Scholarships Program was the world’s largest privately funded international scholarship program.
Over the years, many Canadian Ambassadorial Scholars studied abroad, such as Former Governor General David Johnston who studied law at Cambridge University; and many foreign Ambassadorial Scholars studied at Canadian universities, including McMaster.
In 2002, Rotary supplemented Ambassadorial Scholarships with fully funded Rotary Peace Fellowships to educate future leaders in peacebuilding and conflict management at Rotary Peace Centers in six universities around the world.
Each year Rotary funds 100 Rotary Peace Fellowships – 50 for Masters Studies and 50 for a 3-month intensive Professional Development Certificate Program. Applicants are recruited, interviewed and recommended by the +35,000 Rotary Clubs and 550 Rotary Districts worldwide resulting an annual global competition with approximately 1,500 applicants for the 100 fellowships.
Today, more than 1,200 Rotary Peace Fellows have graduated who are working towards peace and conflict prevention around the globe. Unfortunately, the applicants recommended by Rotary Clubs in Hamilton were unsuccessful in becoming Rotary Peace Fellows.
In 2013, Rotary’s Ambassadorial Scholarships were replaced by Global Grant Scholarships, as part of a new funding system introduced throughout Rotary. Since 2013, the number of Global Grant Scholarships has decreased significantly from the volume of Ambassadorial Scholarships in the previous decades.
This was the situation in November 2018 when Hamilton’s newest Rotary Club - Tonic After Five – set up its Scholarships Committee. Gordon Crann, Chair, has announced that - Tonic After Five's Scholarships Committee's efforts over the past year have resulted in the Rotary Club of Hamilton Tonic After Five being the lead Rotary Club in five Rotary Scholarships worth in total approximately US$350,000 as follows:
Hamilton’s first Global Grant Scholarship supporting a brilliant, young Maori doctor Matt Wheeler from Wellington, New Zealand doing medical research at McMaster University on thrombosis a major cause of heart disease in Maori and Pacific Islanders – US$30,000;
Hamilton’s first Rotary Peace Fellow in the Professional Development Certificate Program at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand – McMaster University Alumna and Sheridan College Professor in English and Communications Sonia Persaud – US$20,000;
Hamilton’s first Rotary Peace Fellow in the Masters Program at International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan – Mohawk College Alumna and YWCA Early Childhood Educator Salma Sultana – US$100,000;
Rotary Peace Fellow in the Masters Program at the University of Bradford in England - US Peace Corps Volunteer Shannon Carter from Michigan and currently serving in Ukraine where she has been trailblazing a new youth leadership development collaboration between US Peace Corps and Rotary – US$100,000; and
Rotary Peace Fellow in the Masters Program at International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan – Youth Project Manager at International Secretariat for Water (ISW) Natalija Vojno in Montreal, Quebec - US$100,000.
The club's Scholarships Committee is now working with an exceptionally talented young woman Tara Jamieson from Guelph on developing a future Rotary Global Grant Scholarship Application. Tara did her undergraduate studies in the Music Therapy Program at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, one of the top music schools in the world. After interning at the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, then working as a music therapist with disabled children in Austin, Texas, Tara decided she could do more for disabled children by going to medical school to become a pediatrician.
Unfortunately, because her undergraduate degree was in music – not pre-med sciences – she failed to be admitted to a medical school in Canada. Only one medical school offered her a spot – the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), where she is now in 2nd year. Even though she lacked a pre-med science background, Tara received the equivalent of straight As in all her first-year medical school courses, while simultaneously being a Semi-Finalist on the popular reality TV show “Ireland’s Got Talent”.
Pictured above: Scholarships Committee Members welcoming Rotary Global Grant Scholar Matt Wheeler and his family at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Over the years, many Canadian Ambassadorial Scholars studied abroad, such as Former Governor General David Johnston who studied law at Cambridge University; and many foreign Ambassadorial Scholars studied at Canadian universities, including McMaster.
The club's Scholarships Committee is starting to recruit Rotary Peace Fellowship Applicants for the club to coach, interview and recommend from February to May 2020. If you or someone you know has what it takes to be a future leader in peacebuilding and conflict prevention, then please contact Scholarships Committee Chair Gordon Crann via email at rotarycrann@gmail.com.
With generous community support, the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville collected and signed over 1,800 greeting cards to help area veterans and others have brighter holidays. The Christmas cards are currently being distributed to long term care patients in the five Western NY Veterans Administration Medical Centers of Batavia, Bath, Buffalo, Canandaigua, and Syracuse, as well as the VA Medical Center in Erie, PA.
Others who will receive holiday cards include Meals On Wheels recipients in both the north and south of Chautauqua County, patients of the Chautauqua County Office of the Aging, and the residents of the WCA Home. Westfield-Mayville Rotarian Sheila Chapman coordinated the cards collection and signing. She said, “The volunteer service office representatives in each of the facilities will handle the distribution of the cards to the recipients. Each was extremely excited upon hearing that their facility or agency would be receiving the cards for the veterans and others. They asked us to convey their heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to our project.”
Many area individuals, groups and Rotarians donated bags and boxes of high-quality holiday greeting cards. Collection sites were at the Patterson Library in Westfield and the Ahira Hall Memorial Library in Brocton. Over 5,000 greeting cards were donated. Cards not used this year will be saved for future use for the same purpose of brightening the holidays of long-term patients in Veterans Administration facilities and those of other agencies.
This year, two card signing sessions were coordinated by the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club at two libraries, one on Nov. 25 at the Patterson Library in Westfield, and the second session on Dec. 2 at the Ahira Hall Memorial Library in Brocton. In addition, 17 high school students of the Chautauqua Lake Central School Interact Club held a gathering in which they signed 320 cards. Rotarians and other kind-hearted individuals signed hundreds of cards on their own.
The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville extends its gratitude to all those who offered their overwhelming, kind support of this project. Special thanks are given to the following: Thomas Vitale, Patterson Library Director; Merrie Hanmann, Ahira Hall Memorial Library Assistant Director; Doris Godfrey and the Chautauqua Lake Central School Interact Club; Trinity Lutheran Church of Silver Creek; Michelle Cantrell and her mother of Warren, PA; Lori Harlow of Tidioute, PA; and the countless anonymous card donors and signers who helped to make this project a great success.
FEATURED PRESENTER
On his first official day as NYS Senator for Senate District 57, Senator George Borrello was the featured program presenter during the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville’s Nov. 26 “Rural-Urban Day,” which was held at the Lakeshore Assembly of God Church in Westfield. Mr. Borrello’s program outlined the Empire State Brands (ESB) project from its concept through its marketing strategy.
Invited guests to this special Rotary program included 38 high school students and school representatives from the four school districts of Brocton, Chautauqua Lake, Sherman, and Westfield Academy and Central School. Rotarians and community members were also in attendance. Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club President John Hamels welcomed all to the session.
This Rotary club’s annual event titled “Rural-Urban Day” was started in the early 1970’s by Rotarians Steve and Helen Baran. They established the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club’s tradition of inviting local agribusiness people, farmers, processors and anyone associated with agriculture to attend an annual, special program to learn more about agriculture and its economic impact in our county.
Mr. Borrello was born and raised in Silver Creek. He graduated from Fredonia High School and Purdue University. He is a businessman and a politician. Mr. Borrello served four terms as a Chautauqua County Legislator, and in 2017, he was elected as County Executive. In the 2019 general election, Mr. Borrello was elected as the NYS Senator for District 57. He and his wife Kelly reside in Sunset Bay.
“The overall concept of the ESB initiative is to have Chautauqua County serve as a centralized hub for the processing and distribution of quality hops, malt and specialty grains serving the craft beverage, bakeries and functional food sectors,” stated Mr. Borrello. Key points of his program included innovation, process flow, operational plan, impact on farmers, phased ag-products introduction, and marketing. Mr. Borrello said, “The concept for this project started a couple of years ago when then NYS Senator Cathy Young and I were touring the Cornell facility in Portland. We learned that in the pre-Civil War era, NYS was the top producer of hops in our country. Now almost 95% of the hops supply is grown in Washington State, yet most of the consumers of hops are on the East Coast. Hops and other grains can be successfully grown here. Why not grow quality hops and grains here, and harvest, process, store, and ship them from here?”
He continued, “Right now we have the Grape Growers Cooperative, and we can establish a cooperative effort with the hops and other grains. We have experts in growing hops now. We have farmers with the acreage and years of experience. Plus, we have support from the Cornell Cooperative Extension. After a $120, 000 feasibility study was conducted in August of 2019, the ESB was officially started by Chris LaCorata. We put in a consolidated funding application to NYS, and ESB was chosen to be funded to the tune of $3.2 million.” Mr. Borrello noted that ESB will combine three industries and service four markets under one integrated supplier using a vertical integration model. Also, he stated,
“U.S. big grain producers utilize a17-step process that may include up to 5 middlemen, and the grain is transported five separate times from its harvest to its end-markets. With ESB, we have reduced the process flow to 12 steps, which is a 30% reduction in steps from the planting and growing of hops and other grains through to the packaging and transportation to the customers. We will utilize an integrated platform, instead of fragmented chains, which will help to reduce costs and waste, and will build scale and a substantial supply base for the Eastern U.S. ESB will be the first of its kind in our nation.”
In terms of the operational plan, Mr. Borrello stated that “Chautauqua County will serve as a centralized operations hub. Up to 4,200 acres are needed from farmers for the growing of hops, grains, and barley. Our key focus is on Chautauqua County, and then we will expand out into neighboring counties.” Mr. Borrello said that ESB is looking at vacant commercial space in Chautauqua County to serve as one sizeable facility site. The outbound distribution will go to key markets in Buffalo, Erie, Pittsburgh, Cleveland and all of NYS, including NY City, all within a day’s reach.
He noted, “Believe it or not, we here in Chautauqua County are about one day’s drive of 25% of the U.S. population. Since the biggest buyer of American grown hops is Canada, our county has a geographical advantage. Quebec and Ontario are key Canadian export markets.”
On the topic of the impact on farmers, Mr. Borrello discussed growing contracts, crop diversification, deferred farm costs, and growing / harvesting support. He said, “With the right training, our farmers can do this. Some already are doing this. There will be efficiency with scale. ESB will offer training modules and best practices sessions on the 23-step process in hops production.” He noted that ESB plans to use three phases for its wholesale and retail growth of its NYS products. Phase 1 includes the wholesale ingredients; Phase 2 is its e-commerce platform, such as for the home beverage brewing market; and Phase 3 is functional foods.
“This is not just about beer. It’s about a truly diverse market,” Mr. Borrello stated. “ESB will market and brand the company and its product, while having partners with the growers. Right now, our dairy farmers are really struggling. The cost of doing business as a farmer in NYS is more than double than in PA. We need to diversify our products. If farmers grow grains for livestock now, with the right training they can grow grains like hops and barley.”
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The ESB initiative states that its major goal to be achieved by 2025 is to have “Chautauqua County and Western NY be considered as a world class growing community and East Coast supplier of hops and grains all over the world.” Mr. Borrello said, “Agriculture is the number one industry in Chautauqua County. How do we continue that for our children and future generations? We don’t want to compete with the Midwest and Anheuser-Busch. We want to work with craft brewers.”
To the high school teens in the audience, Mr. Borrello said, “You young adults here are the future of growth in Chautauqua County. We hope that you stay here after you graduate from high school.” After answering some questions from those who were present, Mr. Borrello concluded his program by saying, “This is a great place to live. I love our area. The Empire State Brands project is about creating sustainability so that you, your children and your grandchildren can stay here and enjoy our area. This is a new day.”
On behalf of the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville, President John Hamels presented Mr. Borrello with a small gift of appreciation and also a club trading banner. The Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club applauds NYS Senator George Borrello and those involved with the ESB project as they launch this industry in Chautauqua County. For more information about ESB, please contact Chris LaCorata at clacorata@gmail.com.
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A One Day District Conference 
On Nov 27, 2019, the RotaryHIP District committee had a great afternoon and evening in Brantford. We started off with a tour of the Woodland Cultural centre including a video tour of the Mohawk Institute Residential school. We met, over dinner, with members of the Rotary clubs of Brantford and Brantford Sunrise before attending the lecture by Senator Dr. Mary Jane McCallum, who talked about her experience at residential school in Manitoba from age 4-16 which left her totally adrift and homeless. She managed to work her way into dental school and spent many years serving northern Manitoba reserves and is presently in the Canadian Senate actively working on raising awareness and understanding of First Nation issues. If you or your club wants to learn more about RotaryHIP please contact Marjorie Dawson at 
Rotary Club of Lancaster-Depew was pleased to join with the Lancaster Lions Club and Zonta for a Lancaster Service Club's Christmas Party. Held at Ripa's Restaurant, Walden Avenue, Lancaster, over 80 people were in attendance. Pictured left are the three club presidents: Adam Guglielmi (Rotary), Ann Detzler (Zonta), and Ed Carlsen, Jr. (Lions). 
Rotarians are wearing red scarves to commemorate the memory of Rotarian Bob Gowans who passed away in November. Bob was instrumental in getting the Fantasy of Trees started and always wore a red scarf to the event in his later years.
ch enjoying 100 Trivia questions organized over 7 rounds, a huge Penny Sale area and free popcorn and hotdogs!
y". All had their pinkie finger colored with a purple marker just as the recipients of the polio vaccine are marked to keep track of who has received the vaccine.
With generous community support, the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville collected and signed over 1,800 greeting cards to help area veterans and others have brighter holidays. The Christmas cards are currently being distributed to long term care patients in the five Western NY Veterans Administration Medical Centers of Batavia, Bath, Buffalo, Canandaigua, and Syracuse, as well as the VA Medical Center in Erie, PA.