GOVERNOR LISA'S AUGUST MESSAGE - IMAGINE YOUR BEST ROTARY
When did you join Rotary? Why did you stay? Did your experience in Rotary lead you to engage your family, friends and neighbours in Rotary activities?
These are questions we all need to ask ourselves and reflect on what drew you to join Rotary, and keep you engaged as a member. Our personal experience in Rotary should be shared to attract new members and support these new members seek our their own Rotary Experience.
MY ROTARY MEMBERSHIP - WHY I JOINED AND WHY I STAY, a Message from Scott Marcin, DGE
It wasn’t so much as an offer or a choice, but it was more like “Our Rotary Club meets on Wednesday Night at 6:15, I will see you there.” My client, and now fellow Rotarian, Brian Rusk, I think just invited me to a Rotary meeting. It was the right time. I knew about Rotary and all the great things they do, and I did want to be involved in volunteering in my community. And the time seemed right. My business was stable, and my twins were a bit older, and I had the extra time to give to Rotary. And before I knew it, I was being inducted into the Rotary Club of Amherst South.
COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION, Thoughts from Dave Alexander, DGN
Community service projects can mobilize many stakeholders to work together on challenges one group alone may not be able to manage. The Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup, tree planting, or community garden installations are a few examples that make a difference over the long term. Sometimes these projects start at the club level from a suggestion of a speaker or acting on a conversation between a few colleagues. To strengthen and expand the initiative a project may be done jointly between two or more clubs. With Rotary adding Environment as our newest area of focus we can see Clubs and Districts developing new and exciting projects. It is not a stretch to look for these ideas and seek out details.
It's going to be an energizing and exciting year as we honor our seasoned Rotarians and induct more members than we ever thought possible.
From innovative recruitment and retention strategies to Membership best practices, your District Membership Team is already hard at work, meeting with District, Zone, and Regional leaders. A strong foundation is being built upon to empower clubs to tackle the problem of attrition while emboldening attraction methods.
The search is on for District 7090 clubs keen to share their projects based on Rotary International’s theme for September. A D7090 Rotary Web Talk, scheduled Wednesday evening, September 21, 2022, is your opportunity to showcase what your club is doing to foster the love of reading and elevate basic education and literacy in your local community &/or elsewhere in the world. You’ll have 5-10 minutes to tell your story and inspire other clubs to IMAGINE and get going with similar projects in Rotary year 2022-23.
SIGN UP NOW to be a Basic Education and Literacy SHOWCASE PARTICIPANT on September 21!
Photo Credit: Rotary International Basic Education & Literacy Action Group Newsletter - June 2022
Posted by Aaron Carlson
D7090 ROTARIANS HOST LATVIAN DELEGATION
Rotarians from three clubs in Latvia traveled to District 7090 for a Rotary Friendship Exchange. They arrived on June 27th and were hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Simcoe and St. Catharines during their stay in Canada. They toured the Warehouse of Hope, Welland Canal, Niagara Falls, and enjoyed a delightful production of Damn Yankees!
On July 4th they crossed over into the United States portion of our district where the Rotary Clubs of Lockport, Akron, and Amherst South hosted them. They enjoyed a traditional hometown fourth of July parade in Akron, toured the Lockport Canal, stayed at the Chautauqua Institution, viewed a world class ballet performance and explored the Martin House.
DID YOU KNOW WE HAVE A DISTRICT FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER?
It is on the district website on the 15th of the month as well assent to Rotary Foundation chairs and Presidents. You can find it as well at https://www.rotary7090.org/page/rotary-foundation-district-newsletter. Monthly updated articles are found on Polio Plus, District grants and Global grants, as well as dates of upcoming events.
The Board of Directors of the Gift of Life would like to thank all the District 7090 Rotary Clubs that supported our chocolate heart sale either at Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day. Through the generosity of individual club members and club donations, we have raised enough money to support cardiac surgery for two children.
July 2nd, 2022 was the 200th Anniversary of the refounding of the Village of Lewiston in the aftermath of its burning in 1813 by the British and their allies and the rescue of the population by the Tuscarora people. The Lewiston/NOTL Rotary carried the Club banner and the flags of both Canada and the USA in the Bicentennial Parade, proclaiming 200+ years of friendship between Canada and the USA as well as renewing our gratitude to our neighbors and friends in the Tuscarora Nation.
Pictured left are Bruno Scrufari (Rotary "Mascot"), Lewiston Rotarian Frank Scelsa, Grand Island Rotary President Sherry Miller, Lewiston Rotarian John Cich, Lewiston Rotarian Barbara Cich. Pictured right are the Rotary Wheel and Flags given to the Lewiston/NOTL Rotary by their friends in the Rotary Club of Fort Erie, Ontario.
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 Rotary Club of Hamburg installed its new slate of officers June 28, 2022, in ceremonies that also marked the service organization’s 80 years of existence. It was founded on Feb. 24, 1942 and chartered in June that year. Diana Straube was sworn in as the new president. Tim Hoelscher, CPA was sworn in as treasurer and Tim Straube took the oath as secretary for the Rotary year of 2022-23 which begins on July 1. District Governor Elect Scott Marcin, Rotary Club of Amherst South, administered the oath of office.
At recent Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville meetings and gathers, club's Rotarian of the Year by outgoing President Dan Smith for all of her "behind the scenes support and service".
TheRotary Club of Hamilton’s summer literacy camp has come to an end, and the children that participated all had smiles and excitement on their faces. This was the 22nd year that literacy summer camp has taken place, and the Rotary Club of Hamilton has sponsored it for 10,000 children since its inception. This is a free camp offered by Rotary Club of Hamilton, allowing all families within Hamilton the opportunity to send their child to a camp regardless of their financial situation.
FUNraising PLANNING UNDER IDEAL OUTDOOR CONDITIONS
As east and west coasts of North America swelter in heat, humidity, fires; Grand Island Rotary had a pleasant outdoor meeting on July 27 under ideal conditions to review possible FUNdraising projects for the coming year.
More than 50 years ago, the Rotary Club of Buffalo and the Buffalo News were the original sponsors of Cradle Beach, a camp in Angola on the lakeshore for kids, who due to handicap or economic situation, would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend summer camp. Buffalo Rotary has been active with the camp and has been putting on Sunshine Days for years. Due to COVID, that activity stopped for two years, but Rotary was back this year on July 13 to host a carnival for the kids. More than 15 Rotarians from the club helped run games, provided snacks, led pony rides, a dunk tank and more. The carnival was preceded by a great picnic for the volunteers at this beautiful setting.
On June 26, one leg of the Canada Games Torch Relay took place in Niagara Falls. There were about 150 participants in the relay, some of whom were runners, some supporters and 28 Rotarians and partners from both the Niagara Falls and the Niagara Falls Sunrise clubs.
HUGELY SUCCESSFUL FUNFEST PROVIDES CONTRIBUTION TO BIG BROTHERS, BIG SISTERS
The Rotary Club of Fonthill was pleased to present a donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) at the club’s meeting recently. The funds are being provided to assist with the ongoing operations of BBBS in the Niagara community. The funds come from the proceeds of the hugely successful Niagara Family Funfest 2022.
The Rotary Club of Welland has, for over 102 years, supported initiatives to provide for women, children, and youth in need. We are pleased to support the Pathstone Foundation’s River House RENO Capital Campaign with a $5,000 donation.
The Rotary Clubs of Ellicottville and Olean met recently to swear in their respective Presidents and discuss their ongoing and upcoming events. John Weismantel, Assistant Governor for Area 15 attended and led the swearing-in ceremonies for Doug Anderson, president of the Rotary Club of Ellicottville, and Paula Bernstein, president of the Rotary Club of Olean. The meeting was held at the West Rose restaurant in Ellicottville.
Pictured here - Doug Anderson, left, past and current Rotary Club of Ellicottville president; and Paula Bernstein, right, past and current Rotary Club of Olean co-president, were sworn in during a recent meeting at the West Rose in Ellicottville.
Despite some rain at the beginning of the relay - the weather cleared, and a very successful Torch Relay took place in Lincoln on Sunday, July 24. The pep rally and start line was at Rotary Park and the finish line at the Lincoln Cultural Centre Jordan Historical Museum of the Twenty.
Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Lincoln and friends of Rotary manned the exchange points and assisted in the hand off of the torch between the relay participants.
A Rotarian for over 50 years, Joseph Powell joined Rotary in 1969. His daughter Lisa Powell Fortna standing to his left has been a member of the Rotary Club of Dunkirk-Fredonia since 2016. Most recently the father-daughter duo have been joined by a third generation Powell - Jane Fortna, who just so happens to be a collegiate summer intern at Prevention Works, under the supervision of Executive Director Melanie Witkowski. President Mel, who stepped up as a new Rotarian to be President Elect, now holds the highest office in the Dunkirk-Fredonia club.
September 30th has been declared Orange Shirt Day across Canada, in recognition of the harm the residential school system did to children's sense of self-esteem and well being, and as an affirmation of our commitment to ensure that everyone around us matters. The orange shirt is the story of Phyllis Webstad, who as a 6 year old attended a mission school in British Columbia. Phyllis, along with many other survivors, is coming to Niagara Falls for Orange Shirt Day, and leading up to that, the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls Sunrise is hosting her for a luncheon on Tuesday, September 27th, at Club Italia, where she and another survivor will be our speakers. Tickets will go on sale mid-August. For ticket information, please contact President Carrie Zeffiro at carrielzeffiro@gmail.com.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee led Liberian women in a nonviolent movement that helped end their country’s civil war. Now, she’s working to help other girls and women realize their own power. Hear her speak at the 2023 Rotary International Convention in Melbourne.
Cataclysmic seasonal fires — overall made more destructive and more frequent by climate change — have struck in Australia and the western United States, prompting action from local Rotary clubs.
When did you join Rotary? Why did you stay? Did your experience in Rotary lead you to engage your family, friends and neighbours in Rotary activities?
It wasn’t so much as an offer or a choice, but it was more like “Our Rotary Club meets on Wednesday Night at 6:15, I will see you there.” My client, and now fellow Rotarian, Brian Rusk, I think just invited me to a Rotary meeting. It was the right time. I knew about Rotary and all the great things they do, and I did want to be involved in volunteering in my community. And the time seemed right. My business was stable, and my twins were a bit older, and I had the extra time to give to Rotary. And before I knew it, I was being inducted into the Rotary Club of Amherst South.
Community service projects can mobilize many stakeholders to work together on challenges one group alone may not be able to manage. The Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup, tree planting, or community garden installations are a few examples that make a difference over the long term. Sometimes these projects start at the club level from a suggestion of a speaker or acting on a conversation between a few colleagues. To strengthen and expand the initiative a project may be done jointly between two or more clubs. With Rotary adding Environment as our newest area of focus we can see Clubs and Districts developing new and exciting projects. It is not a stretch to look for these ideas and seek out details.
It's going to be an energizing and exciting year as we honor our seasoned Rotarians and induct more members than we ever thought possible. 
The District Training Team is please to announce that the Rotary Leadership Institute is being offered virtually again this fall via ZOOM.
The search is on for District 7090 clubs keen to share their projects based on Rotary International’s theme for September. A D7090 Rotary Web Talk, scheduled Wednesday evening, September 21, 2022, is your opportunity to showcase what your club is doing to foster the love of reading and elevate basic education and literacy in your local community &/or elsewhere in the world. You’ll have 5-10 minutes to tell your story and inspire other clubs to IMAGINE and get going with similar projects in Rotary year 2022-23.
Rotarians from three clubs in Latvia traveled to District 7090 for a Rotary Friendship Exchange. They arrived on June 27th and were hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Simcoe and St. Catharines during their stay in Canada. They toured the Warehouse of Hope, Welland Canal, Niagara Falls, and enjoyed a delightful production of Damn Yankees!
It is on the district website on the 15th of the month as well as sent to Rotary Foundation chairs and Presidents. You can find it as well at 
The Board of Directors of the Gift of Life would like to thank all the District 7090 Rotary Clubs that supported our chocolate heart sale either at Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day. Through the generosity of individual club members and club donations, we have raised enough money to support cardiac surgery for two children. 
July 2nd, 2022 was the 200th Anniversary of the refounding of the Village of Lewiston in the aftermath of its burning in 1813 by the British and their allies and the rescue of the population by the Tuscarora people. The Lewiston/NOTL Rotary carried the Club banner and the flags of both Canada and the USA in the Bicentennial Parade, 
proclaiming 200+ years of friendship between Canada and the USA as well as renewing our gratitude to our neighbors and friends in the Tuscarora Nation. 
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.
he Rotary Club of Hamburg installed its new slate of officers June 28, 2022, in ceremonies that also marked the service organization’s 80 years of existence. It was founded on Feb. 24, 1942 and chartered in June that year. Diana Straube was sworn in as the new president. Tim Hoelscher, CPA was sworn in as treasurer and Tim Straube took the oath as secretary for the Rotary year of 2022-23 which begins on July 1. District Governor Elect Scott Marcin, Rotary Club of Amherst South, administered the oath of office.
At recent Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville meetings and gathers, club's Rotarian of the Year by outgoing President Dan Smith for all of her "behind the scenes support and service".
The Rotary Club of Hamilton’s summer literacy camp has come to an end, and the children that participated all had smiles and excitement on their faces. This was the 22nd year that literacy summer camp has taken place, and the Rotary Club of Hamilton has sponsored it for 10,000 children since its inception. This is a free camp offered by Rotary Club of Hamilton, allowing all families within Hamilton the opportunity to send their child to a camp regardless of their financial situation. 
As east and west coasts of North America swelter in heat, humidity, fires; Grand Island Rotary had a pleasant outdoor meeting on July 27 under ideal conditions to review possible FUNdraising projects for the coming year.
More than 50 years ago, the Rotary Club of Buffalo and the Buffalo News were the original sponsors of Cradle Beach, a camp in Angola on the lakeshore for kids, who due to handicap or economic situation, would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend summer camp. Buffalo Rotary has been active with the camp and has been putting on Sunshine Days for years. Due to COVID, that activity stopped for two years, but Rotary was back this year on July 13 to host a carnival for the kids. More than 15 Rotarians from the club helped run games, provided snacks, led pony rides, a dunk tank and more. The carnival was preceded by a great picnic for the volunteers at this beautiful setting.
On June 26, one leg of the Canada Games Torch Relay took place in Niagara Falls. There were about 150 participants in the relay, some of whom were runners, some supporters and 28 Rotarians and partners from both the Niagara Falls and the Niagara Falls Sunrise clubs.
The Rotary Club of Fonthill was pleased to present a donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) at the club’s meeting recently. The funds are being provided to assist with the ongoing operations of BBBS in the Niagara community. The funds come from the proceeds of the hugely successful 
The Rotary Club of Welland has, for over 102 years, supported initiatives to provide for women, children, and youth in need. We are pleased to support the Pathstone Foundation’s River House RENO Capital Campaign with a $5,000 donation.
The Rotary Clubs of Ellicottville and Olean met recently to swear in their respective Presidents and discuss their ongoing and upcoming events. John Weismantel, Assistant Governor for Area 15 attended and led the swearing-in ceremonies for Doug Anderson, president of the Rotary Club of Ellicottville, and Paula Bernstein, president of the Rotary Club of Olean. The meeting was held at the West Rose restaurant in Ellicottville. 
Despite some rain at the beginning of the relay - the weather cleared, and a very successful Torch Relay took place in Lincoln on Sunday, July 24. The pep rally and start line was at Rotary Park and the finish line at the Lincoln Cultural Centre Jordan Historical Museum of the Twenty.
A Rotarian for over 50 years, Joseph Powell joined Rotary in 1969. His daughter Lisa Powell Fortna standing to his left has been a member of the Rotary Club of Dunkirk-Fredonia since 2016. Most recently the father-daughter duo have been joined by a third generation Powell - Jane Fortna, who just so happens to be a collegiate summer intern at Prevention Works, under the supervision of Executive Director Melanie Witkowski. President Mel, who stepped up as a new Rotarian to be President Elect, now holds the highest office in the Dunkirk-Fredonia club. 
September 30th has been declared Orange Shirt Day across Canada, in recognition of the harm the residential school system did to children's sense of self-esteem and well being, and as an affirmation of our commitment to ensure that everyone around us matters. The orange shirt is the story of Phyllis Webstad, who as a 6 year old attended a mission school in British Columbia. Phyllis, along with many other survivors, is coming to Niagara Falls for Orange Shirt Day, and leading up to that, the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls Sunrise is hosting her for a luncheon on Tuesday, September 27th, at Club Italia, where she and another survivor will be our speakers. Tickets will go on sale mid-August. For ticket information, please contact President Carrie Zeffiro at carrielzeffiro@gmail.com.
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