Rotary International has designated August as Membership Month. The purpose is to draw attention to new and innovative ways that clubs and Rotarians alike can focus on increasing membership in our organization. While I agree that increasing the membership of Rotary International is always important, I believe that one of our top priorities should focus on making sure our current members are receiving the best possible membership experience in return for the time, talent and treasure that we ask of them. Rotary International President Barry Rassin has this same mindset. In fact, at the International Assembly in January, then President Elect Barry stated, “We are a membership organization. If we want to be able to serve, if we want to succeed in our goals, we have to take care of our members.”
When I heard him utter these words, I almost fell over! I thought…did I hear that right?? Members first, not membership numbers! FINALLY… someone who thinks like I do! I have always believed that we need to make sure that the experience we call “Rotary membership” was an experience that all of our members find valuable. I firmly believe that a happy, engaged member is a natural membership magnet. This is the message I hope to bring to clubs as I make my visits this year. Consider focusing on our current members.. their time is valuable. Make sure that the Rotary “product” we give them, has a perceived value. Much of that begins at the club level. Meetings should be purposeful, projects must be meaningful, and our fellowship should be welcoming. Every experience we offer should be intentional. When our members feel as though they are getting a good value for their time, talent and treasure… their excitement shines. They become enthusiastic about the projects they are working on, they engage their family and friends by sharing their Rotary story and they generate excitement about the organization… they become membership magnets without even realizing it! I call it “Rotary Juju”… their Rotary juju gets rolling, others get excited by their excitement and then naturally want to get involved in whatever it is that has gotten their friend or family member so excited. They want some of that juju for themselves, and they willingly reach out to us and ask how to get involved. What an easy way to attract and retain members! Keeping our current members satisfied and engaged may help to ultimately solve our long term membership problem. Of course this isn’t the only solution to solving this problem, but I will argue until the end of time.. that this could be a major step in the process.
As a club leader, think about this the next time you are planning your next club event. Is your club doing everything it can to address the current “needs” of your members? Are you offering opportunities to keep them actively engaged in projects? Are you consistently bringing ideas to the table that are in line with the creative, service minded culture of your club members? If the answer to those questions is “no” – then we need to chat! Let’s work together to find ways for you and your team to bring some Rotary juju back to your club! If you answered, “YES” – then fantastic! You are well on your way to having a vibrant and active Rotary club. I would suspect most of you are somewhere in the middle – and that’s ok! We have a fantastic team of resources at the district level whose sole purpose is to help your club find ways to improve your current membership experience! Email me at rotarianforever@gmail.com and I will be sure to put you in touch with someone from our Membership Committee who is more than happy to work with you.
While many factors will contribute to the future success of our organization, I passionately believe that staying focused on our current members and their experiences within our clubs, is very critical to that future success!
My fellow Rotarians, our District Governor Melisa, #Changemaker, wants you to "be the Changemaker". Each year our Rotary World use the same membership numbers 1.2M Rotarians. Let us begin to INSPIRE & INFLUENCE young professionals in our Rotary world, District 7090, and increase our numbers like never before. We can do it - be the changemaker.
Please join me and watch a Young Professional, Mitty Chung, e-club of Silicon Valley tell it like it is! Click HERE to view the video.
We all get many, many emails from Rotary and on Rotary related topics. I'm respectfully requesting you give your attention to this one. Our topic is the upcoming event planned for September 20 - 22, 2018 in Montreal.
Formerly known as the Zone Institute, we have renamed it the Zone Conference. So, what's the same, and what's the difference? The institute was originally designed to motivate, inspire and educate past, current and incoming district governors. That has not changed. We want and need as many past governor in attendance because we know there is a critical
mass of that talent and leadership that can make an event magical. The pledge of the entire planning team is that the event will be worthy of your time and resources.
What has changed. Historically, attendance at a Zone Institute was restricted to those in the governor line. If that wasn't you, you weren't allowed to register for the entire event. What we know though, and there are examples repeated over and over again, is that club and district Rotarians who have been able to interact with District Governors (past, present and future) get inspired by them and become more engaged in our organization. They get more involved. They aspire to higher levels of leadership, some of them even getting on the governor track. (Our organization and our Zones need more of that engagement NOW).
We decided to facilitate that process and open up Montreal to ALL Rotarians. We want to facilitate and be a catalyst for that engagement between our governors (their knowledge, leadership skills, and commitment) and club and district Rotarians. The goal is that it will be meaningful for all. The goal is that it will speak to all who attend.
District 3360 just completed their exchange with us and are inviting us to visit them from October 25 to November 15, 2018. The exchange will visit Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Northeastern Thailand.
Rotarian Kate Stratford of Simcoe is our Travel Agent and says, "Round trip air fare via Eva Airways from Toronto to Bangkok is the best value at $1,146.40 CN including taxes and fees." You may also use travel reward points. For those departing from US side, I suggest Mega bus or share ride.
These are a few venues in Bangkok, the city that never sleeps and Pattaya:
The event starts with check in at 8:00 a.m. Refreshments include a continental breakfast and lunch. Opening remarks commence at 8.30 a.m. with the six sessions in Parts 1, 2 and 3 starting shortly thereafter. The day wraps up at 4.00 p.m.
Your facilitators for each session are long time Rotarians who have a passion for Rotary and they share this passion and their knowledge during each session.
The cost for the day is $75.00 (CAN) and most clubs reimburse the registration fee to members.
We still need participants in all Parts so please register today by clicking REGISTER HERE.
For more information about Rotary Leadership Institute go to the event page. If you have any questions about the program or the day's events, please contact Glen Christensen, RLI Chair at 519.302.0060 or by e-mail at: bonglenchristensen@gmail.com.
We hope to see you at Niagara College on September 15!!
Olivia Sellick was sponsored by Rotary Club of Lincoln to participate in Akron, Ohio as part of the All American Soap Box Derby. Super Kids division. http://www.soapboxderby.org/aasbd-race-program/super-kids.aspx. This is open to all special needs kids ages 7 to 16. Olivia was last year’s Super Kid division champ at the Lincoln Soap Box Derby. This year’s Lincoln Soap Box derby will take place August 11th. Stay tuned for our newest champ.
In the words of our champion Olivia's father, "Olivia had a great time along with the rest of our family. Thank you so much for providing her with this opportunity, it’s an amazing set up and I can't believe the lengths folks have gone to put such an event together for all those unique and special children. It has been very humbling."
The Rotary Club of Akron Newstead held its 30th Annual Andrew Boncore Memorial Golf Tournament on August 10th at the beautiful Links at Ivy Ridge in Akron, New York. The event is in memory of one of the club’s founding members, Andy Boncore. What a success! On perfect, sunny day 107 golfers enjoyed fellowship, food and a great course that resulted in $13,500 raised for the non profit Blessings in aBackpack. This success was due to the generosity of our sponsors, the Akron Newstead community, the attendees and certainly the club members led by Rotarians Joe Capan and Bill Lunney.
Blessings in a Backpack is a unique charity whose mission it is to mobilize communities, individuals and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children America who might otherwise go hungry. It is hard to believe that 13 million kids in America don’t have enough food on weekends. That’s one in five who will eat meals at school during the week but is without access to affordable, nutritious food on Saturday and Sunday. Blessings in a Backpack sends kids home on Friday with backpacks full of satisfying and nutritious food. In administering the program, the club works closely with the local school district for the benefit of children in the Akron Newstead community.
Pictured are the winning mixed foursome with President Julie Klotzbach (2nd from left), Brian Perry, Scott Warren, Jim Meier, and Stacy Stawicki.
On August 11 and 12, 2018, the Rotary Club of Lewiston, NY & Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON participated in the Lewiston Art Festival as it has for the past 47 years. Working alongside the physicians and staff of the Center for Women of Mt. St. Mary's Hospital, the club sold hot dogs, hamburgers, Polish sausage, Mexican street corn and soft drinks to raise money to obtain a Panda Warmer to help in the resuscitation of newborns. In the past, the club has helped provide other important equipment including a transport isolet and oxygen blender.
In addition, the Club took the opportunity present a scholarship to a graduating student from Lewiston Porter High School, Lauren Mencobello, who will be going on to Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Pictured on the right (L to R): Club Secretary Tom Gerbasi, Lauren Mencubello, Club President John Cich.
This is what Rotary does…we make things happen. It all started with an email from Lena at Food4Kids. “I saw your social media post about Free Book Friday at Rotary Summer Literacy – do you have any left over books?”.
A few emails to our Literacy Captain Paul Takala and members of the ICYIC Committee and on Wednesday, August 8th, Hamilton Rotarians delivered over 450 new books to Food4Kids to put in the summer food backpacks. The food packages that will be delivered to the kids will include a new book. What a great way to feed the brain too! Thanks to our partners at the Hamilton Public Library and First Books Canada, books have been selected and packed for each child in the Food4Kids program.
This is the magic of Rotary. An email, a phone call and then the delivery of 450 books for children across our community. Food4Kids provides summer food packages for over 450 children across our community. Started as a weekend food program, the need to continue to nourish and feed children in the summer months continues. Rotary is pleased to make literacy education part of the summer program!
Ever wonder why you are a Rotarian? This is what is possible! A simple project that makes a huge difference in the life of a child. Why not introduce Rotary to someone new this month…during Membership Month? Proud to be a member of the Rotary Club of Hamilton!
Members of the Rotary Club of Buffalo Sunrise joined several Rotarians from other local clubs on Earth Day (April 22) to help with the removal of trash and invasive plant species around Rotary Park and Rotary Way, adjacent to the Peace Bridge. This was the first major event of a partnership between Rotary clubs of WNY and the Niagara River Greenway Commission to develop and maintain recreational areas and hiking and biking trails along the US side of the Niagara River, from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. (For more information about this project, contact PDG Kevin Crosby – Kevin@D7090.org)
Pictured (L to R): Rotarian Sal Gandolfo, Leah Norton (daughter of Jill & Greg), Rotarians Greg Norton, Jill Norton and Jamie Perry.
Buffalo Sunrise volunteers Angela Hintz, Liz Hole, Barb Ochterski, PDG Wally Ochterski, Bruce Baum, Dick Malo (not pictured) sort food collected at the Erie County Fair.
The Rotary Club of Jamestown honored deceased member Gordie Black at its recent 24th Annual Charity Golf Tournament. Black had been a long-time member of the club and was an avid golfer, playing year after year in the tournament, until his death in 2017 as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Pictured (L to R): Sally Black received a Paul Harris Fellow recognition posthumously for her husband from Sue Jones and Phil Cala at the 24th Annual Rotary Charity Golf Classic, held this year in Gordie Black’s honor.
The son of Warner and Gerda Black, Gordie graduated from Jamestown High School in 1948 and from Allegheny College in 1953, playing baseball throughout. After his graduation from college, Black served in the US Army. He returned to Jamestown and spent his working career in purchasing and sales positions, retiring in 1995. He was active in the Rotary Club of Jamestown, the United Way, past president of Moon Brook Country Club, the AAA of Jamestown, Family Service, and was a founding member of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. Mr. Black was a lifelong member of the First Lutheran Church, serving there as past council president, finance committee member and as an usher. In retirement, he was a member of the housing and foundation boards of Lutheran Social Services and as a Red Cross volunteer.
Black was married to the former Sally Nelson and father to Gordon Timothy of Charlotte, Robert Andrew of Fairport and Carolyn of West Chester, PA and grandfather to Jennifer and Claire of Charlotte. A loving family man, he was committed to making Jamestown a better place to live. Blessed with an infectious sense of humor, great pride in his Scandinavian heritage, an avid Detroit Tigers fan, and always ready for a round of golf, he has left a void in the lives of his many friends and family.
The Rotary Club of Jamestown presented his wife with a posthumous Paul Harris Fellow recognition in his honor – the second he has received. Black knew before his death that he was to receive this honor and chose to also honor his wife Sally with a Paul Harris Fellow recognition of her own. The Rotary Club of Jamestown presented Sally with her certificate, her medallion and her Paul Harris Fellow pin to commemorate the ceremony.
Mrs. Black was a graduate of Columbia University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and was the Director of Nursing for the Jamestown School of Practical Nursing for many years, deeply affecting the quality of nursing care in hospitals and nursing homes throughout our county. She was one of the first women to pursue her long-distance satellite degree, by driving to BOCES and pointing the satellite towards Cincinnati to finally acquire her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration. She went on the become Director of Nursing for Jamestown General Hospital where she again made a significant impact on the quality of patient care in Chautauqua County. She retired in 1988 and devoted her life to her family and enjoys playing bridge and golf.
Pictured (L to R): Sally Black received her Paul Harris Fellow medallion and pin from Rotarian Sue Jones.
The Rotary Club of Jamestown was honored to be able to present these Paul Harris Fellows to the Blacks.
Pictured to the right, Debbie Burkhard receives her Above & Beyond award from fellow Ellicottville Rotarians John Weismantel and Greg Cappelli.
Debbie Burkhard received a special award from her club at the annual Officers Induction Dinner at The Public House in Ellicottville NY. “Debbie always goes above and beyond the norm when it comes to helping with our local projects,” said Greg Cappelli, the past president. "She puts all of her effort to make sure that the particular event is a success. Whether it was the Facebook page or Chili Cook Off or Tuscan Moon or Irish Christmas, Debbie was front and center as a volunteer, insuring our success."
The entire club appreciates her dedication and selfless attitude.
District 7090’s Rotary E-Club of Social Innovators (RESI) is continuing to grow its global RESI network by chartering a Satellite eClub of Planet Shakers and a Rotaract eClub of Social Innovators (ReSI), as well as growing its social media presence on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Chartering Satellite eClub of Planet Shakers
Last month, RESI was approached by a global group who has been trying for about a year to charter a global e-club – originally to be called Rotary E-Club of Global Social Entrepreneurs, but now being called Rotary eClub of Planet Shakers – but they had not yet been able to reach the minimum number required to charter their own separate Rotary club. RESI has agreed to help this group by chartering a Satellite eClub of Planet Shakers as part of RESI. We now have received 15 completed RESI membership application forms from this Planet Shakers group from the following countries:
Philippines (8 members);
USA (2 members);
Austria (1 member);
New Zealand (1 member);
Nigeria (1 member);
Senegal (1 member); and
Spain (1 member).
Planet Shakers is a truly global satellite e-club with members on 5 continents (i.e., Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania). In addition, a number of the Planet Shakers members are Past Presidents of Rotary Clubs in the Philippines.
These Planet Shakers members have advised that the follower will be their Satellite eClub’s Charter Officers:
Chairperson: Mary Angela Moore (Manila, Philippines);
Chair-Elect: Professor Benedict (Manila, Philippines); and
Secretary: Sean Thomas (Madrid, Spain).
RESI and the Planet Shakers charter officers have decided that we now have sufficient completed RESI membership application for RESI to finalize and submit the Satellite Club application to Rotary International.
Growing RESI Social Media on LinkedIn & Facebook
Over the last month, the Rotary E-Club of Social Innovators (RESI) has also significantly increased its social media presence on both LinkedIn and Facebook. We launched our Rotary E-Club of Social Innovators (RESI) LinkedIn Group which has grown to more than 400 members, including Rotary International President Barry Rassin and Aide to Rotary International President & Past Rotary International Director John Smarge, in less than two weeks! And, we also doubled our Facebook presence with 150 Likes and 154 Follows on our Rotary E-Club of Social Innovators Facebook Page at: .
If you or any of your friends have an interest in social enterprise and other forms of social innovation, please visit either our Rotary E-Club of Social Innovators (RESI) LinkedIn Group or our Rotary E-Club of Social Innovators Facebook page to keep in the know.
For at least the past two decades, the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville has provided thousands of dollars in financial contributions to the Chautauqua Foundation, specifically in support of scholarships for music students who are enrolled in the Chautauqua Institution School of Performing Arts. This year five talented students, who benefited by the $1,000 partial scholarship donation made by the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club, gratefully offered a special performance at this organization’s July 31 meeting, which was held at the Lakeshore Assembly of God Church in Westfield.
Helen Baran, a past president of the club, who had arranged for this program, welcomed and introduced the five scholarship recipients. Pictured (L to R): Matthew Pearce, Youjung Won, Matthew Soibelman, Gretchen Pille and Jinhee Park and Helen Baran. Pearce, Won, Pille and Soibelman, who are enrolled in the voice program, each sang one or two selections. They were accompanied on the piano by Park, who is also studying at Chautauqua Institution this summer.
Matthew Pearce, from Union, Kentucky, is a tenor in the voice program. He is in his second year of his master’s program at The Julliard School. He performed ‘O Sole Mio [lyrics by G. Capurro; music by E. di Capua and A. Mazzuchi].
Youjung Won, a soprano in the voice program, is from Seoul, South Korea. She is enrolled at the Manhattan School of Music. She performed Heart, We Will Forget Him [A. Copland] and Will There Really Be a Morning? [R.I. Gordon].
Matthew Soibelman, whose hometown is Tarzana, California, is a bass baritone in the voice program. He is entering his senior year at California State University. He performed I’m a lonely man, Susannah [C. Floyd].
Gretchen Pille, a soprano in the voice program, is from Papillion, Nebraska. Having just graduated from the University of Kansas, she will be moving to New York City in the fall. She performed Loveliest of Trees [AE Housman, J. Duke] and Forever Young (from “Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan”) [J. Corigliano].
Jinhee Park is a pianist from Seoul, South Korea, and she currently lives in New York. She obtained her Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School and she is enrolled in post-graduate studies at The Manhattan School of Music. As the four vocalists sang their selections, Park accompanied them on the piano.
On July 10 the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville welcomed Sheila Chapman, a Brocton resident, as its newest member. Pete Bills, Membership Chair, led the induction ceremony, which was held during this Rotary club’s installation banquet at Noble Winery in Westfield.
Chapman, who has lived in Brocton for 13 years, is a retired high school math teacher. When asked why she elected to seek membership in the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club, Chapman responded, “I enjoy volunteering and giving back to the community. This seemed to be the essence of Rotary, and it made me want to be a part of this organization that gives back to so many.”
She is a volunteer instructor for the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) Driver Safety Program, and she also serves as its district coordinator and trainer. Her hobbies include quilting, reading and helping at her church. She started a Christian book club at the Ahira Hall Memorial Library in Brocton. Her spouse is Charlie Chapman, and they have four children and two grandchildren.
nswer to those questions is “no” – then we need to chat! Let’s work together to find ways for you and your team to bring some Rotary juju back to your club! If you answered, “YES” – then fantastic! You are well on your way to having a vibrant and active Rotary club. I would suspect most of you are somewhere in the middle – and that’s ok! We have a fantastic team of resources at the district level whose sole purpose is to help your club find ways to improve your current membership experience! Email me at 
st champ.
On August 11 and 12, 2018, the Rotary Club of Lewiston, NY & Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON participated in the Lewiston Art Festival as it has for the past 47 years. Working alongside the physicians and staff of the Center for Women of Mt. St. Mary's Hospital, the club sold hot dogs, hamburgers, Polish sausage, Mexican street corn and soft drinks to raise money to obtain a Panda Warmer to help in the resuscitation of newborns. In the past, the club has helped provide other important equipment including a transport isolet and oxygen blender. 
Buffalo Sunrise volunteers Angela Hintz, Liz Hole, Barb Ochterski, PDG Wally Ochterski, Bruce Baum, Dick Malo (not pictured) sort food collected at the Erie County Fair
