Greetings fellow Rotarians from my hometown of Fonthill, Ontario. On Saturday, June 27th I was honoured to be sworn in by IPDG Bob Artis as your District Governor for 2020-2021 at our District’s first virtual Changeover event. It is indeed an honour and privilege to serve you over the next year, a year where “Rotary Opens Opportunities”, R I President Holger Knaack’s fitting theme for the times we are in.
Congratulations and best wishes to our new and returning District 7090 officers, assistant governors, presidents, and club officers.
I would like to acknowledge the “Service above Self” IPDG Bob Artis for his leadership, guidance, and mentorship for me over the past year. I look forward to working with the new DG chain - DGE Anne Bermingham, DGN Lisa Bishop, and Vice Governor PDG Melisa Schrock, as we plan out the next three years.
I believe that most of us have pivoted well in how we meet and communicate during this trying time. The Zoom platform has been embraced by most clubs and has been a Godsend for us. I believe that many of us will continue to use this medium when COVID -19 is behind us. Many are discovering that we can meet virtually and still set and meet goals. As noted in my last post to the newsletter ALL of my Official Club Visits will be via Zoom and I plan to complete these by September. I’m asking club presidents or secretaries to contact me for a date and time to meet.
Most of us have had to cancel significant fundraisers and we will all have to be creative moving forward. In this regard, a significant sum of money can be raised for worthwhile endeavours by redirecting money previously spent on club meals, which in most cases amounts to $500 - $1,000 per year, per member. Some clubs have asked their members to consider using a portion of this money to support local or global initiatives.
Under the leadership of PDG Melisa Schrock and DGE Anne Bermingham we have a revised District 7090 Strategic Plan, which I am using to set my goals as your District Governor. A major strategy, which has been added, pertains to The Rotary Foundation. Foundation giving in our District is at an all-time low and I would ask all of you to consider a donation to our charity, The Rotary Foundation. In my year I will continue to encourage every Rotarian in our District to make a personal contribution. Donations to the Annual Fund have dropped from a high of $300,000 in 2016-17 to $190,000 in 2019-20. (Membership has declined by 257 members to the end of June 2020 and may well be significantly lower as we start 2020-2021). These are the funds that we use to support District Grants and Global Grants, as well as District Scholarships, Polio, Vocational Training Teams, Student Scholarship, and Peace Fellow Education grants. Last year 10 of our clubs made NO contribution to the Annual Fund and 19 did not support the End Polio Fund. Pat Castiglia, in her new role as Foundation Director, and her team need your support to turn this around. We would be happy to work with you and your club in this regard. There are opportunities to make major contributions as a Major Donor, Bequest Society member Paul Harris Society member, or Benefactor. Pat and her team will be reaching out to offer virtual presentations at one of your upcoming meetings.
I am asking for your consideration and support of a major fundraiser, “Pedal for Polio” to be held in October and am hopeful that each club will help by finding a cyclist(s) to ride on your club’s behalf for pledges for this cause. Over the past few years RI Secretary General, John Hewko has been leading an international team in Miles to End Polio in Tucson, Arizona and last year 100 Rotarian cyclists raised $6 million. If all 2,000 District 7090 members pledged $50 and found one personal friend, family member, or colleague to pledge another $50 we could raise $200,000. With the Bill and Melinda Gate’s 2:1 match we would raise $600,000! If you would like to help me plan for this fundraiser please let me know. Your feedback is encouraged and welcomed.
Over the coming months, I will be challenging all of you to help us grow and prosper, as members, as clubs, as s district. Together we can Open Opportunities and be the best that we can be.
Frank Adamson
District Governor
Rotary Club of Fonthill, Ontario
IPDG BOB'S MESSAGE
To all Club Presidents, Directors, Chairs, and everyone that made up 'The Year of the Pandemic'.
A most sincere thank you for all you did in helping us through the worst year in Rotary's history. Your role was pivotal and unequal to anything imaginable, you kept your lights burning! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I am eternally grateful to have served as your District Governor for 2019 - 2020. My wife, Corine, and I appreciate each of you for your warmth and hospitality during our club visits.
Be blessed and stay safe.
Read on for our last Rotary Connects Letters.......
The District's Youth Exchange program recently unveiled its new and improved website. To view it, please click here.
The YE Committee also held an end of year celebration for its students that it made two videos for. This is the link to the 2019-2020 outbound slide show: https://youtu.be/lyp5XNvfV34 and this is the slide show for the 2019-2020 inbounds:https://youtu.be/tHFmiNgWajQ.
10 Best Practices to Make our Meetings and Email Communications Effective
Context:
In these crazy times, communication is so very important. We need clear messages. We need things that don’t overwhelm us. We need effective meetings as our energy can wane - especially when our world is mainly virtual. While always important (even in the best of times), we are using this moment in time to launch Practical Best Practices for Rotary District 7090 when it comes to meeting and email etiquette.
On Meetings:
Every meeting (even with just 2-3 people attending) needs to have some written objectives and an accompanying agenda. The objectives should clearly answer what it is that we want to accomplish by the end of the meeting.
Each item should clearly denote if it is “for your action”, “for your information”, “for your input” or “for your decision”. If it is “for your input” or “decision” - the question should be stated clearly. Perhaps you are not looking for input to all elements of the report but you do want input on “what obstacles might we encounter if we try to implement this new program in July?”
An effective meeting should have the vast majority of items as “for your input” or “for your approval”. People just coming together to share reports and updates is not an optimum use of people’s time.
One person needs to be appointed to capture the decisions and actions agreed upon coming out of the meeting. This should be circulated within 24 hours of the meeting ending. When meeting virtually, these can be captured in real-time and shared on the screen at the end of the meeting. Two additional categories you might consider beyond decisions made and agreed upon actions would be a list of items “for future consideration” and “notes” - other for your info items that should be captured for all to read.
On Emails:
Emails are for sharing information or exchanging documents. It was not designed to be used as a way to problem-solve. If the email is starting to get passed around and around with different ideas being written on each email, it is time to pick up the phone or call a meeting.
The only people who are expected to do anything upon receipt of the email are those in the TO line. Ideally, the task you ask each person to do should be clearly noted in the text as well - using their name and noting their task. If you are in the cc line - you are not expected to take any action.
Minimize those in the cc line. It is best to keep those people to a limit. Have a clear rationale as to why you are including them in the cc line. Use the 4-way test - “is it fair to all concerned” and “does it build goodwill and better friendships”. Minimize the number of times that you use the “reply all” function.
Subject lines are critical - it should convey the key message and type of response needed - e.g. for your information or for your input. Deadlines should be in the Subject: line as well.
If you are forwarding an email and adding another twist to the message, then edit the subject line. The subject line should always communicate the intent of the message to those in the TO: line.
There really are very few reasons, in the world of Rotary, to use the bcc line. It does not typically line up with the four-way test for it is often “not fair to all concerned”. It is not fair to the person on the bcc line who has to pretend they don’t know this information. It is not fair to the people in the TO line as they think the message is confidential when it is not.
In the Rotary world, July 1 is not only Canada Day but it is also the start of the Rotary year for every club. All the best to all the Rotaract and Rotary Club Presidents in the 70+ clubs that make up our District and warm best wishes to our new District Governor Frank Adamson as he starts his year.
For us who are working at the District level (all as volunteers like you), there is much to do. There is the usual running of the District which includes the managing of global and district grants, the planning for training, and the running of youth programs.
Over and above the day to day running of the District, we have the implementation of our strategic plan. The strategic plan is focused on things we want to do more of or do more consistently or even differently to make our clubs, and therefore our District, even stronger over the next three years.
A mission statement is your reason for being. Our raison d'etre at the District level is “inspiring and supporting all the clubs in Rotary District 7090 to be the best that they can be”.
How do we plan to do this?
We have five key strategies that are the focus of our work over the next three years. Below we will highlight two of the five key strategies and what your club might do to tap into these actions to strengthen your club.
For more information and all the strategies, be sure to check out the strategic plan. It is https://rotary7090.org/sitepage/district-strategic-plan. Look on the left-hand column and you will see our 2020-2023 strategic plan.
Also, be sure to read your District Governor’s article (in this newsletter) as he references some of the other actions planned - including ones to support The Rotary Foundation strategy that is part of our district plan.
The Rotary Club of Amherst has been designated supporters of the Western New York (WNY) COVID-19 Community Response Fund in recognition of our support. Under the leadership of Rotary Club Foundation President John Yurtchuk and Club President Izzy Taher-Abdallah, club members recently contributed $4000.00 to help meet the needs of people of WNY affected by COVID-19. Several members contributed individually also to help to fund this donation as the club's spring fundraiser was canceled.
By pooling funds with other foundations, organizations businesses, and individuals, the WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund supports immediate needs in the areas of health, human services, food, childcare, and frontline responders. To date, over six million dollars has been awarded to organizations in the WNY Region. The WNY COVID-19 Community Response Fund is coordinated by the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Health Foundation for Buffalo & Central New York.
The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada donated and delivered 3 Samsung tablets to the COVID-19 treatment centre at the St. Catharines Hospital, so patients can stay in touch with their loved ones virtually. President Barb Greenwood pictured delivered the tablets personally.
The club has continued to have weekly meetings every Tuesday at noon via Zoom, and is continuing to accomplish weekly goals to better serve the community: making a generous donation to the Salvation Army’s Eventide long-term care home for the purchase of personal protective equipment for staff, leaving non-perishable food items on their doorstep every week for President Barb and her husband Bill to pick up and deliver to Project Share and for the past 5 weeks - providing lunches to front line workers every Friday.
Service Above Self has continued through this pandemic.
Members of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore didn’t let them stop them from honouring departing Club President Eric Jones. When the traditional President’s Farewell Party had to be canceled, the club appeared at his home for a very quick get together and photo op with a sign featuring letters individually created by the members (and a few pink flamingoes) along with Thank You gifts. A BIG surprise for the out-going President and very much appreciated. As he put it, “It's not often that I am speechless but you managed to accomplish it!”
The individual letters making up the “Thanks Eric” sign were created by the following Rotarians:
E, R C & N. - Randi Dyck (also created the "balloon tree")
I - Joy Flegg
T – Rotarian Bob Miller’s granddaughter
H – AG Milica Kovacevich
A – Patricia Boyko
K – President-Elect Bruce Timms
S - Linda Landry
Note in the photos the careful social distancing of the membership!
Fighting Covid-19 / Rain / State Mowing Schedule! Yes, all the challenges were finally met on June 13th as Grand Island Rotarians and several of their friends cleaned the trash from Beaver Island Parkway. Although High School Interact Club members were not available to help (with schools closed), they should be available for the fall clean-up.
Thanks to all who helped in this effort, some of them in this composite photo. The April issue of The Rotarian was headlined: ‘Death by Plastic’. And there were numerous plastic cups, bottles, assorted trash, along the parkway. At this time, it is inconceivable to perform a Parkway Clean-Up without a large number of plastic bags. Grand Island Rotary will consider every possible alternative in the coming years.
Highway cleanup is one of a few activities clubs many clubs do and can keep doing while remaining masked and distanced.
Clarence Rotarians are well familiar with a group called WNY Heroes, which is a veteran's help organization run for and by military veterans to assist any military service personnel in need. After founder Chris Kreiger made a very powerful presentation at a club meeting, Clarence Rotarians started formulating a plan to get involved.
The opportunity arose to sponsor a dog for training specific to the needs of returning servicemen and servicewomen for support and, with the help of WNY Heroes, a Clarence resident was located for a service dog.
Rotarian Jim Morabito was invited to meet via Zoom with the organization and reported back to the board that it was one of the most moving experiences of his life. Jim passed along to the club board comments relating to all the good the Rotary Foundation does worldwide and that the club involvement with WNY Heroes ranks right up there with anything we've done. It reminds Jim of what he first heard PDG Art Wing pass along years ago: "What we do for ourselves dies with us............what we do for others lasts forever." Paul Harris.
Jim commented, "All of us in Rotary are fortunate to be able to assist in ways we can't even imagine."
Pictured are US military veteran Francis Cote` and his service dog which is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Clarence.
District Governor, Bob Artis joined the Rotary Club of Grimsby at their virtual club meeting on May 5th. During the meeting, two new members Selina Eckersall and Dean McCall (pictured) were inducted by Governor Bob and they were warmly welcomed by all members.
During the first week in April, the Rotary Club of Grimsby started a Rotary Speakers Series connecting its’ members and the community via Zoom during the very unsettling time of social distancing. At mid-day each Thursday an interesting guest speaker spoke about their area of expertise or interest and shared how COVID-19 was having an impact. The club also invited its’ local sister clubs, Lincoln Rotary and Grimsby Rotary @ Noon to participate in planning and attending future sessions.
To have a broader community impact and connect other service clubs whose members might be sharing feelings of isolation, the Rotary Speakers Series invited non-Rotarians to join in. The members of the local Chamber of Commerce, Probus Club, Canadian Federation of University Women, Lions Club, Toastmasters, and various retirees, artists, and church groups were invited to participate. From an initial attendance of approximately 30 people, attendance rose at some sessions to almost 100 participants.
Often the topic being discussed, as well as the weather outside governed the number of attendees. Excellent presentations by Niagara's acting Medical Officer of Health speaking about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the region; the CEO and Chief Librarian at the Grimsby Public Library informing us about library services that continued to be accessible; and the VP of Operations of Foodland /Sobeys grocery chain relaying the challenges and planning in food distribution, generated many questions during the moderated Q&A portion. A former CSIS director spoke about Cyber Security, the Principal of GSS, the local secondary school, helped us understand the impact on students and educators and the General Manager of an automotive parts manufacturer spoke of the impact of border closings and social distancing in the plant environment.
The thirteenth and final session of this season’s Rotary Speaker Series will happen in early July. The Chair of the Niagara Regional Council, Jim Bradley, will cap off the series with both a retrospective of the impact of the pandemic on the region and a look forward from the political and regional service perspective.
A huge thank you to the joint committee for running the series, spearheaded by Liz Fisk. By bringing so many community members into the family of Rotary, albeit for a brief time each Thursday; in a small way, Rotary connected our world in Grimsby and West Niagara!
Responding to community needs, the Batavia Rotary Club is contributing a $20,000 donation from its foundation to assure Genesee County residents have access to food and other essential items during this time of increased needs.
"We want to make sure the families and individuals are not suffering during this time of financial uncertainty and increased health concerns," said club President Bob Knipe. The Rotary Club tapped its endowment that was created by various fundraisers conducted throughout the years, he explained.
The contributions will be made in two waves. The first $10,000 is being donated now, primarily focused on assuring food supplies for needy families and for emotional support for senior citizens. "One hundred percent of the contributions are going to provide support directly to people, not for administration," said Rotarian Ed Leising, who has served on a special COVID-19 relief committee for the club.
The Salvation Army in Batavia will receive $7,000 for its emergency food distribution.
The United Way of Genesee County will receive $2,400 for its backpack program that provides food to families with school-age children.
Genesee County Office for the Aging will receive $600 toward emotional support for local senior citizens who have been isolated during this period of stay-at-home social distancing.
The second round of $10,000 funding will be released in about a month. "At that point in time, we anticipate having more of an understanding of the economic impact of layoffs and joblessness caused by the pandemic," said Rotarian Sharon Kubiniec.
"We are working to continue supporting the organizations that we have been sustaining for many years, but club members were adamant to respond during this unprecedented time of need for our neighbors," said President Knipe.
Shining the spotlight on 41 outstanding area high school students and offering a total of $2,400 in scholarships to eight graduating seniors were part of the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville’s Youth Services Committee’s actions during the 2019-2020 club year. Dan Smith is the club's Youth Services Chair. Smith stated, “The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville continues its tradition of honoring local teens for their many achievements and supporting them through various programs and scholarships. These outstanding young adults make positive contributions to their schools and communities. As they become tomorrow’s leaders, the future will be brighter because of their positive efforts.”
Each month, from September to June, the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville works with school administrators and counselors from the four high schools of the Brocton, Chautauqua Lake, Sherman and Westfield Academy Central School Districts to designate outstanding high school students to be named as a Scholars of the Month. A total of 41 students were given this recognition. For the first half of the school year, the honorees and their parents were invited to attend a dinner and special recognition program. Due to COVID-19, the program was unfortunately suspended for the second half of the school year. All of the students received a framed certificate and a pen from the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville.
The 2019-2020 Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville “Scholars of the Month” and their respective high schools were as follow: Brocton Central School District: Megan Gloss, Greg Lapp, Seth McFadden, Jenelle Grigelevich, Blaise Miller II, Jadniel Varela, Laura Johnston, Mary Conklin, Isaac Weaver, and Courtney Tobias; Chautauqua Lake Central School: Naomi Fisher, Phillip Maas, Karli Gifford, McKenna Dorman, Peyton D’Anthony, Liam Thompson, Logan Walczak, Sophia Woodis, Alanna Burlee and Madison Kramer; Sherman Central School District: Margaret Myers, Carrie Sands, Cheyanne Tapp, Rachel Applebee, Paige Phelps, Kate Wagner, Madeline Luden, Erin Denning, Parker Gratto and Bryce Fisher; Westfield Academy and Central School District: Isaac Caballero, Hayden Backus, Chloe Smith, Abigail Warner, Eliora Brown, McKayla Wolfe, Allyson Schaaf, Bradley Belmondo, Dylan Scriven, Katie Bodenmiller and Dhananjay Patel.
Also, the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville provided a total of $2,400 in scholarships, $600 for each of the four high schools. School officials selected award recipients who would be continuing with post-secondary education, and who exemplified leadership, honesty, and Rotary’s motto of ‘Service Above Self.’ Two outstanding Class of 2020 members from each of the four schools were each honored with a $300 award. Recipients of the 2020 Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville Scholarships and their respective high schools were as follow: Brocton CSD: Greg Lapp and Laura Johnston; Chautauqua Lake CSD: Peyton D’Anthony and Naomi Fisher; Sherman CSD: Cheyanne Tapp and Carrie Sands; and Westfield Academy and CSD: Bradley Belmondo and Katie Bodenmiller.
The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville also supports Interact Clubs in the Brocton CSD and Chautauqua Lake CSD. Interact Clubs are the high school service organizations that are affiliated with Rotary International. This Rotary Club bids a fond farewell to those Interactors who graduated this year.
This year the Rotary District 7090 SLAPSHOT (Student Leadership Award Program for Students High On Training), a weekend leadership experience for high school students held in Ancaster, Ontario, was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Also canceled was the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), a Rotary District 7090 week-long personal development seminar for adults, ages 19 to 27, held at SUNY Fredonia.
The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville proudly congratulates all of its Scholars of the Month, scholarship recipients, and graduating Interactors, and it wishes great success in the future for these outstanding young adults.
On June 12th, several members of the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville helped to trim weeds, while social distancing, at the Westfield Cemetery in Westfield, New York.
Volunteers included (left to right) Mike Harrington, Doug Richmond, Steve Stratton, Pete Bills, Tom Berkhouse (project chair), and Mary Swanson. Also, Westfield-Mayville Rotarian Janese Berkhouse served as the photographer.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Brantford donated $3195 to the Brantford Food Bank. This donation will help stock food bank shelves over the summer months. A "social distancing" cheque presentation was made to Heather Vanner of the Brantford Food Bank by Incoming President Mike Mears and President JoAnne Flood.
"Rotary kindled the spark within me to look beyond myself and embrace humanity."
Shekhar Mehta
Rotary International President 2021-2022
Greetings fellow Rotarians from my hometown of Fonthill, Ontario. On Saturday, June 27th I was honoured to be sworn in by IPDG Bob Artis as your District Governor for 2020-2021 at our District’s first virtual Changeover event. It is indeed an honour and privilege to serve you over the next year, a year where “Rotary Opens Opportunities”, R I President Holger Knaack’s fitting theme for the times we are in.
The District's Youth Exchange program recently unveiled its new and improved website. To view it, please click 
Happy New ROTARY Year!
The Rotary Club of Amherst has been designated supporters of the Western New York (WNY) COVID-19 Community Response Fund in recognition of our support. Under the leadership of Rotary Club Foundation President John Yurtchuk and Club President Izzy Taher-Abdallah, club members recently contributed $4000.00 to help meet the needs of people of WNY affected by COVID-19. Several members contributed individually also to help to fund this donation as the club's spring fundraiser was canceled.
The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada donated and delivered 3 Samsung tablets to the COVID-19 treatment centre at the St. Catharines Hospital, so patients can stay in touch with their loved ones virtually. President Barb Greenwood pictured delivered the tablets personally.
flamingoes) along with Thank You gifts. A BIG surprise for the out-going President and very much appreciated. As he put it, “It's not often that I am speechless but you managed to accomplish it!”
strict Governor, Bob Artis joined the Rotary Club of Grimsby at their virtual club meeting on May 5th. During the meeting, two new members Selina Eckersall and Dean McCall (pictured) were inducted by Governor Bob and they were warmly welcomed by all members.
food and other essential items during this time of increased needs.
On June 12th, several members of the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville helped to trim weeds, while social distancing, at the Westfield Cemetery in Westfield, New York.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Brantford donated $3195 to the Brantford Food Bank. This donation will help stock food bank shelves over the summer months. A "social distancing" cheque presentation was made to Heather Vanner of the Brantford Food Bank by Incoming President Mike Mears and President JoAnne Flood.
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