RotaryHIP (Honouring Indigenous People) is an organization dedicated to promoting awareness of indigenous knowledge systems, language and culture. HIP seeks to build relationship and connects Allies with indigenous communities to remove obstacles and to inspire learning.
Jim and Marjorie Dawson of the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise have agreed to help form the district committee to help clubs become involved in the HIP goals to educate first of all ourselves in Indigenous issues, then broaden that to community and also to focus on improving education outcomes in First Nation schools. If you are interested in joining the District RotaryHIP committee, please contact Lisa Bishop at delhipeople@sympatico.ca.
The prime role of the committee will be to act as a clearing house to share ideas across the district, to help clubs become informed of indigenous issues, help clubs connect with local First Nations communities and to work on service projects together. There are a number of clubs working on service projects and with connections to First Nations communities and this is a chance to share that knowledge and strategies and to encourage the involvement of individual members or clubs. If you have projects or connections, please let us know so we can build a list of all projects that are ongoing in the district.
Clubs are encouraged to join RotaryHIP.org and check out the many resources on the website. There are speakers available for clubs to educate themselves on Indigenous issues and ideas for service projects. For more information or if you have questions please contact Marjorie Dawson at MEVDawson@gmail.com or call 519 5833328.
Angela Carter: We are pleased to announce that Angela Carter, a member of the Rotary Club of Fonthill, has accepted the position of Membership Director effective January 1, 2020. PDG Kevin Crosby will remain in the position from July to December 2019. Angela has served the district in many different capacities and will be a tremendous asset in her role on the Membership Team. As the Director, she will oversee the New Member Orientation, Retention, Recruitment, and Accessibility and Global Rewards committees. (Our announcement last month contained incorrect information!)
Susan Czyrny: July 1, 2018, we are pleased to welcome Susan Czyrny as our new Director of Training! Sue is a member of the Rotary Club of Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC) and has been an integral part of the training team for the past few years. Susan has helped to develop the curriculum for PETS training and assisted with Club Leadership Training as well. She is currently involved with planning the District Conference taking place this Fall. If you are interested in getting involved with our training team, please reach out to Susan at smczyrny@gmail.com.
Sandy Chard: The next Rotary year will see a new face in the role of Chair for the Annual Fund. Rotarian Sandy Chard of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore has been a long time supporter of The Rotary Foundation and is excited to take the lead in inspiring our membership to support our Foundation. Sandy’s term will start July 1, 2018. If you are interested in learning more, or joining the team, reach out to Sandi at sandichard@gmail.com.
All are invited to COME to the dinner celebration on Wednesday May 1st and meet this exceptional VTT (Vocational Training Team) and participate in their presentation as our Brazilian District 4480 Hosts will hear. You will be sending them off in style as they embark on their trip from May 8 -29th.
The dinner, 6-9PM, will be held at the Holiday Inn & Suites Parkway Conference Centre, 327 Ontario Street, St Catharines, Ontario. Reserve your spot by registering by April 25th at https://rotary7090.org/event/bon-voyage-for-vtt-to-brazil/.
Enjoy dinner for $30 CA, including tip and tax.
Tossed Garden Greens with Cherry Tomatoes & Cucumber Slices drizzled with House Dressing
Bakery Fresh Rolls & Butter
Sliced Ham with Apple Calvados Sauce
Roasted Potato & Vegetable
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Strawberry Sauce
Freshly Brewed Coffee, Decaf & Tea
Like and Follow us on Facebook at “VTT 7090 to Brazil 4480”
Gui grew up in Brazil and did a Rotary Youth Exchange in Canada in 2016-17. He is currently taking pre-med, hoping to qualify for med school next year. Here is what he had to say about his year here.
As a teenager growing up in Brazil getting up early was not something I did. On exchange, I was allowed to join the rowing team and I had to get up Monday through Friday at 4am (!) for rowing practices before school started. Funny enough, that has become one of my best memories of my exchange.
As a Rotary Youth Exchange Student inbound, I got to explore other people’s culture and understand the way they live. That led me to a better understanding of the diversity of peoples, their religions and their behaviours. As a consequence of that, I feel much more tolerant and capable of sharing respect with others. That was only possible because the program allowed me not only to go to school in a different country, but also live with people that were willing to host me in their home. It was a unique experience that gathered responsibilities at school and at home, but in a fun way as I discovered new things every day. Sharing my knowledge with my host parents, host siblings and friends felt like I really am a person capable of contributing to society through friendship, and so I feel much more connected to people as I have many friends not only in Canada but worldwide. Plus, facing adversities in another country made me realize that becoming an adult brings you responsibilities, and it doesn’t matter where you are. Having full support of the Rotary members and my host families helped me go come through the difficult times, especially when I missed home.
Rotary’s goal of having the youth grow with a better understanding of the world and its peoples was certainly achieved during my experience. I recommend it to those who want to have a great time and make lifelong friends while they keep their studies up, and also enter other people’s homes and culture with much respect and an open mind.
Being back in Brazil, I truly miss the family and friends I made whilst on exchange. Thank you Rotary for extending my world view!
Grand Island’s EarlyAct clubs (with help from Grand Island’s Interact clubs and the Buffalo Rotaract Club) raised over $600 for End Polio Now by holding a set of Purple Pinkie sessions at their schools. Students and their parents donated to have their pinkies purpled, just as happens in Afghanistan / Pakistan when polio drops are administered.
Now the Rotary Club of Grand Island is using the kids success to ‘shame’ their fellow Rotarians into writing their checks for the End Polio Now drive!
It's cold out there! The Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) was held on Saturday, February 23, 2019. CNOY is a family-friendly national walk-a-thon that helps raise funds for charities that serve hungry, homeless and hurting people in your town, and in 136 communities across Canada.
Martha Kralt, Margaret Andrewes, Sue Foster, Rob Foster, Lindsay Dresse, Joe Lowes, Gayle Lucas-Roth, Paul Roth and non-Rotarian friend Cathy Davies walked and/or volunteered throughout the event!
The pink flamingo of change also participated in the walk! #pinkflamingoofchange #rotarydistrict7090.
Much fun was had as Lincoln Rotarians connected with others in the community all supporting this very important event. From volunteering in running the event, walking, being chili cook off judges and sponsoring its team, the club made an impact on the lives of many often overlooked individuals and families.
Thank you to the Rotarians who participated and donated to this cause. Over $43,000 was raised with the club raising a total of $2,400 the 4th highest team total for the area.
The national goal was $5,000,000 which was surpassed with a total of $5,474,463 with donations being accepted until March 31, 2019
Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor dark of night kept three Norfolk Sunrise Rotarians from traveling to the remote northern community of Pikangikum to deliver much needed supplies and offer basketball clinics. Jim and Marjorie Dawson, along with Pete Wheatley drove 4,400 km over six days, pulling a trailer which included mountain bikes for the bike program, 25 basketballs courtesy of the Toronto Raptors, instruments for the music program, over 100 skates, and 75 boots that were donated by generous local groups, businesses, and individuals.
Pikangikum is located approximately 100 km northwest of Red Lake, Ontario and is one of the largest First Nation communities in northern Ontario, with the highest on-reserve population of approximately 2,300. An estimated 75% of the population is under twenty-five years of age. The large population has had a significant impact on infrastructure, programs, and services available at the community level. Community based programs are under-resourced, thereby compromising the community’s ability to meet their needs. Consequently, the community often faces health, social, and crime-related crises (such as medical emergencies, suicides, alcohol/drug/solvent misuse incidents, and a higher crime rate). From January to the end of March, Pikangikum is accessible by vehicle on the winter ice road.
The three Rotarian travelers enhanced the lives of the Pikangikum youth by exposing them to some much needed diversion. Peter Wheatley, an accomplished basketball player and coach, provided a basketball clinic for the senior boy’s team and introduced the girls to basketball. It is uncertain if these Rotarians, when deciding to drive, fully realized the impact of dodging severe weather conditions to make the three day trek. The winter ice road was described as a “roller coaster” made of sheer ice and to add to their adventure, they learned the art of squeezing to one lane when traveling over swampy areas while dodging transport trucks. The winter road is only open for six weeks annually and is the main source of supplies for the community. Continue......
While in Portugal, Assistant Governor Coordinator, Robert Morrow, delivered the donation from the Rotary Club of Dundas Valley Sunrise to a charity which is working to replace the tattered uniforms of the “bombeiros” (volunteer firefighters) in the Algarve. After battling forest fires for months, their uniforms were basically destroyed from sweat and burns.
To raise the money to replace the uniforms, the club held an event in association with a local satellite (club), and the a local chapter of the Rotary Wine Appreciation Fellowship. The evening was warm with wonderful fellowship and resulted in enough money to buy four uniforms (about 1400 Euros or C$2000).
This is just another example of the wide reach of Rotary throughout the world - Being an Inspiration to others.
On March 13, District Governor Melisa Schrock visited the Rotary Club of Lewiston, NY & Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON. She led an inspirational open discussion of the challenges for Rotary moving ahead that was truly motivating and, above all, honest.
While there, the club presented her with its annual donation to Polio Plus. Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 30 years. Rotary has helped immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. So far, Rotary has contributed more than $1.8 billion toward eradicating the disease worldwide.
Pictured are District Governor Melisa Schrock (right) with the flags and (left) with President John Cich and the "big check".
The Rotary Club of Lancaster-Depew was pleased to host PDG Jack Amico for a discussion on district happenings, Gift of Life, and to present our annual contribution for the Million Dollar Challenge.
Shown, Immediate Past-President Rob Benzel presents the club's annual contribution to PDG Jack Amico.
The Rotary Club of Hamburg inducted Ed Hamerski at its February 26 meeting. President Brandi Reed, left, and Rotarian David Evans, right, who sponsored Hamerski, conducted the ceremonies welcoming the new Rotarian into the club that was founded 77 years ago.
Ed lives in Lake View, is employed by the New York State Department of Transportation and owns Classic Image Landscape.
The Rotary Club of Amherst, Mike Randall, president, hosted an Area 11 mixer at Risotto. About 30 Rotarians came together and enjoyed both a nice meal and a lot of good fellowship. Accomplishments and ideas were exchanged among club leaders.
Likely the most inspirational presentation was given by Evan Pleasanton-Pruitt, president of the Amherst Early Act Club, pictured right with his mentors. He collected funds for their Purple Pinkie project and a pie auction which yielded $227, donated to Polio Plus.
DGE Bob Artis and AG Rob Benzel are shown in the picture to the left.
Topping off 100 years of Service Above Self this year, the Rotary Club of Batavia was recently recognized by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce for their unique service to the community.
The Chamber of Commerce recognizes local businesses and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the community. For the Rotary Club of Batavia that meant being honored as the recipient of the Special Service to the Community Award.
Pictured are the Rotary Club of Batavia Members who attended the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner.
Congratulations on reaching this milestone and the award, Batavia Rotarians!
Two past club presidents, who happened to be married to each other, received special recognition as Paul Harris Fellows during the March 26 meeting of the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville. Rotarians Dr. Stephen Stratton, DDS and Patty Benton were honored by James Wakeman, Club Foundation Chair, during a presentation which was held at The Parkview in Westfield.
Pictured left to right, Wakeman, Stratton and Benton.
Wakeman stated, “Our Rotary club has other husbands and wives who are both Paul Harris Fellows, but none who received the honor at the same time. The timing associated with this shared commitment to Rotary makes this presentation that much more special.” Stratton was awarded his second Paul Harris (PH+1) pin, having earned his first in 1989. As the presentation was given, Wakeman said, “Steve joins a remarkable company of people throughout the world, who are recognized for their devotion to the ideals of good will, peace and understanding.” Upon receiving this honor, Stratton stated, “By contributing to The Rotary Foundation, I can be sure that my dollars are being spent for the most good, by the most responsible, caring people.” Benton was also honored with a PH+1 pin with a sapphire embellishment for earning the PH second level award. Wakeman announced, “In achieving the second level of the Paul Harris Fellow status, Patty is recognized for her continuing support of the ideals of Rotary and The Rotary Foundation, whose motto is ‘Doing Good in the World.’” Benton said about her honor, “I first became aware of the Paul Harris Fellow recognition when The Rotary Foundation’s Polio Plus Campaign was promoted at our club. For a relatively small amount of money, I am able to contribute immensely, and to quote the sixth president of Rotary Arch Klumph, ‘for the purpose of doing good in the world.’”
Encouraged to join Rotary in 1978 as a way to meet people in the community and to participate in Rotary activities that would benefit the local, regional and world community, Stratton has served the club as secretary, vice president, president in 1981, board member and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards chair. He hosted a Rotary Exchange student, and has been an active participant in all club fundraisers over the years. He served lunch to the masses of cross-country skiers after the annual ski marathon; parked cars for the annual Ice Castle in Mayville; and helped to build tent platforms at Camp Merz. He continues to participate in the club's highway clean-up.
Benton, who joined Rotary in 1991, became the club's first female president in 1995. She also served as secretary, vice president and board member. In 1993-1994, she hosted a Rotary Exchange student from Colombia. She reluctantly resigned from Rotary in 1998 due to career obligations. During the years when she was not able to continue her membership, Benton still helped with the club’s annual Gold Rush and auction events. After she retired in 2017, she rejoined Rotary. She currently serves as a board member and community service chair. As a member “back in the day,” she participated in all of the club’s fundraisers and activities, including Ice Castle parking, Camp Merz tent platform project, and highway clean-up. For years, Benton helped with the annual Gold Rush event by procuring all of the food, as well as baking 300 potatoes in a pizza oven! She currently chairs the “Rotary Scholarship Pancake Breakfast.”
The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville congratulates Steve Stratton and Patty Benton on earning their Paul Harris Fellow awards, and it offers its gratitude to them for their commitment to service and to the ideals of The Rotary Foundation and Rotary International.
D7090 Rotarians!
Connecting the World! 
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liver much needed supplies and offer basketball clinics. Jim and Marjorie Dawson, along with Pete Wheatley drove 4,400 km over six days, pulling a trailer which included mountain bikes for the bike program, 25 basketballs courtesy of the Toronto Raptors, instruments for the music program, over 100 skates, and 75 boots that were donated by generous local groups, businesses, and individuals.
She led an inspirational open discussion of the challenges for Rotary moving ahead that was truly motivating and, above all, honest. 
collected funds for their Purple Pinkie project and a pie auction which yielded $227, donated to Polio Plus. 
