Throughout this year as District Governor, I have had the honor of being present at several youth-centric events and I have been blown away with the youth who were present and the projects they undertake. On May 11, I attended the chartering of a new Interact Club at the Veronica E. Conner Middle School on Grand Island. Boy was this an eye-opener. Carrie, Grand Island Rotarian, thought it would be a blast to have its two EarlyAct clubs and the new middle school Interact club and the re-aligned Grand Island Interact club come together; you see they had to rewrite who the GI Interact Club is so that the Conner Middle School could have its own Interact. There must have been 40 members there, plus teacher advisors and Rotarians. It was an end of year party! Welland’s Balloon man Freddy came to blow up balloons and twist and turn those into identifiable animals. He out-did himself with his attire and this balloons. This was my third Interact club to get started and there are two additional chartering’s to do before June 30. Fredonia started their Interact Club (was a Key Club) with 70 members. The St. Catharines club launched theirs in the fall with great fanfare. Holley’s has been so busy doing fun things like helping Holley Rotary with their beef eater dinner and a pancake breakfast that we never got to do the official part yet. June 5 we make it official. Also there is a new Interact Club in Jamestown, I am just waiting for the date for that one too. We have over 30 Interact Clubs in our District now. Well done to all who seek to develop Rotarians through learning the principles of Rotary at a young age.
The countdown for RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) is on, it’s now less less than a month away!! BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP. Over the years, registrations for RYLA have come in later and later and currently the numbers are worryingly low. We need you/your club to find candidates that can benefit from this year’s edition.
Dates: Sunday, June 11, at 3:30pm to Saturday, June 17, at 12noon
Location: State University of New York (SUNY), Fredonia, NY
Cost: For 2017, the program cost is $725 US per participant. Rotary clubs across District 7090 pay the cost of registration on behalf of the candidates they select. If you have questions or need more info, please contact: Sue O’Dwyer. Read more for additional details.
On July 1, 2017, one of our well respected D7090 leaders, PDG Karen Oakes, becomes the Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator (RRFC) for RI Zone 24 East.
In her role as RRFC, PDG Karen's primary objective will be to assist district leaders to support their clubs, whether that be in education through seminars, webinars, etc. or in assisting with problem solving in the Foundation reporting, humanitarian grants or just brain storming sessions on goal setting or reviewing new ideas for fundraising, recognition and celebration events.
As a district, we have enjoyed Karen's leadership and dedication to us and especially to all things Rotary Foundation for several years. She is not leaving us as she will remain our Council on Legislation Representative to the next Council in 2019 and will surely serve our new District 7090 Rotary Foundation Director, John Teibert, well as advisor.
Karen, we are pleased for you and wish you all the best in your new role. We are so proud of you!
"Club Leadership Training was fun, informative and a great chance to learn more about Rotary." Pictured: Randy Hendriks, key note speaker (center), receiving a thank you from the Anne Bermingham, CLT Chair, and DGE Reg Madison (left) on behalf of District 7090 and the training team.
On Saturday May 6, Rotarians from throughout our District 7090 arrived at Niagara College in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario for an action-packed event. The morning started off with an upbeat address by District Governor Marlee Diehl and incoming District Governor Reg Madison who explained with enthusiasm the Rotary 2017-2018 theme “Making a Difference”.
Is Your Club Really Ready to Recruit Young Professionals? Most clubs would love to bring in some young professionals as new members. But, many clubs aren’t sure about how they should recruit young professionals. Guess what? Recruiting young professionals really isn’t the most important issue. The most important issue is making sure your club is ready to attract, welcome and retain young professionals once they become aware of Rotary. As my friend, Amy Gringhuis (member of the Hamilton Tonic After 5 Rotary Club), put it, “You need to set the table before you invite your guests in for dinner.”
So, how do you make sure your club is ready to welcome and engage young professionals? We’re going to address that in workshops that will start in the fall. In the meantime, if you’re eager to get started, check out the ideas in this great article about Rotary International’s Young Professionals Summit.
On Thursday, May 4, District 7090 Endowment Fund Committee held a wine tour, wine tasting and seminar about how Rotarians and friends may leave a lasting legacy through our Rotary Foundation's Endowment Fund.
Recently, the Dundas Valley Sunrise Rotary Club used one of its morning meetings to honour several people in the club and the community for their contributions to make the world a better place for all.
Pictured are the Paul Harris Fellow recipients - Wayne Massey, Cam Whiffey, Randy Abel, John Janisse, Ralph Montesanto, Shirley Molloy and Suzanne Crago.
Karen Oakes, and her partner, Wolfgang Lindemann, visited the Rotary Club of Lancaster-Depew as its guests and to bring news on The Rotary Foundation.
In addition to her excellent presentation on TRF, PDG Karen also addressed the most recent progress toward the eradication of Polio and world conflict resolution. Pictured are President Brian Williams with Karen, following the meeting.
PDG Karen has significant Rotary depth, having served as Delhi Club President, Assistant Governor, District Governor 2010-2011, Director of District Rotary Foundation Committee 2012-2017, COL Representative 2016, and End Polio Now Coordinator Zone 24 East.
With the addition of two more new members in April and May, the Rotary E-Club of Southern Ontario – Western New York (SOWNY) has now accomplished its goal of doubling its membership by adding 9 new members in 2016-17 for a total of 16 members.
On April 17, 2017, David Lovelock from Brampton, Ontario joined the E-Club of SOWNY. David is a former member of the Toronto-Earlscourt Rotary Club, as well as a long-time volunteer with the Toronto International Microfinance Summit (TIMS). He is currently employed as Manager of Employment Services and Programs at Job Skills, an Employment Ontario Employment Services office in Brampton. During the Fall of 2016, David lectured on Non-Profit and Social Service Management at Seneca College in Toronto. He has joined the SOWNY Microfinance and Social Enterprise Committee.
On May 1st, the Chair of the Nominations Committee for the global Rotarian Action Group for Microfinance and Community Development (RAGM) announced the naming of two more of SOWNY's members to its Board of Directors by acclamation for three year terms.
Starting on July 1, 2017, E-Club of SOWNY member Albert Kim will take over as RAGM Funds Development Director from PDG Aziz Memon of the Rotary Club of Karachi, Pakistan. On May 8th, E-Club of SOWNY President Gordon Crann and Albert Kim attended a special dinner meeting of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South where PDG Aziz Memon was key note speaker on polio eradication. It was there that President Gordon has the opportunity to introduce his friend PDG Aziz to Albert as his successor on the RAGM Board (pictured are Albert Kim and Aziz Memon).
The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville was honored to have DG Marlee Diehl and her husband Bill Diehl at its May 13 Chicken BBQ & Auction in Westfield, NY/USA. The Diehls and over 200 attendees supported this Rotary club’s largest fundraiser of the year. Highlights included a Chiavetta's Catering freshly grilled on site barbecued dinner, a live auction for 45 items and experiences, a silent auction with over 100 items, gift baskets and certificates, and three different raffles (for a stainless steel grill and a gift basket, a “Canister of Cash,” and a 50/50).
In addition, there was an informational display about polio eradication efforts and this Rotary club’s PolioPlus Challenge. During the event, DG Marlee spoke about the many good deeds of our Rotary clubs. She stated, “Remember, we are really close to ending this terrible, totally preventable disease of polio in the world. Your help in this fight is so very important.” Pictured, President Mike Harrington and DG Marlee stand in front of a special display about this club's PolioPlus Challenge and RI's PolioPlus campaign.
The Rotary Club of Lockport celebrated the 100th anniversary of The Rotary Foundation in April with a Scrabblefest held at Script's Cafe in Lockport. Pictured is the gang enjoying fellowship and refreshment.
Recently, the Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore presented two new Paul Harris Fellows for exceptional community service, namely Debbie Burch and Richard Lafontaine. The recognitions were presented by Assistant Governor Cathy Henry. Pictured (left to right): Debbie, AG Cathy and Richard.
Recently, the Rotary Club of Jamestown took its regular meeting offsite to The Lawson Center located in Bemus Point, NY. President Gary Padak had the honor of introducing Craig Butler from The Lawson Center. Craig is a Trustee at The Lawson Center and was pleased to welcome Rotary members to the museum.
Craig explained some of the history of The Lawson Center. Dave Lawson himself was instrumental in making The Lawson Center happen. In 2008, a group of boat and historical enthusiasts got together to explore the viability of constructing a boating history museum in Bemus Point. One of the main drivers behind TLC was Bill Baldwin. Bill was very invested in the project and one of his first tasks was to meet with Dave Lawson and explore the viability of using the Lawson building as a base for the grand plan they envisioned. After a short courtship, Dave Lawson agreed to donate the building and thus, birth The Lawson Center. Without Dave’s generous donation, the project could not have become a reality.
The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls Sunrise was proud to present long-time Rotarian, Rich Gark, with the Paul Harris Fellow Recognition at a gala held in conjunction with the Niagara Falls Rotary Club.
Olean Rotarian Carl R. Vahl recently returned from cleft lip and palate surgery mission to Myanmar (formerly Burma) funded by a grant from The Rotary Foundation. The mission was sponsored and organized by Alliance for Smiles, Inc. with funding and cooperation from the RIF, Yangon Myanmar Rotary Club, Rotary International Districts 6910, 3350 and 5150 and the San Francisco, Lawrenceville, Dawson County, Jasper Lake Chatuge/Hiawassee, Canton Dahlonega Sunrise, Thompson, Greene, Putnam Oconee, and Columbia County Rotary Clubs.
The two-week mission took place from March 24 to April 6 at the Sitagu Arryundana Hospital in Sagaing Myanmar. The 16-member team included many Rotary members from across the USA including plastic surgeons from San Francisco and Holland. A total of 88 children were provided cost free clef lip, cleft palate and related surgery and a total of 113 surgical procedures were performed during 9 days of surgery.
Assistant Governor Frank Adamson represented the Rotary Club of Fonthill at the community's tree planting day. Pictured here is a group with AG Frank, including local Lion's club members and family. Fonthill is getting ready to meet the challenge made by incoming RI President Ian Riseley (Australia) for every Rotarian to plant a tree in 2017 - 2018.
Pictured (right) is AG Frank with Fonthill Mayor Dave Augustyn who joined in the tree planting.
On May 10th, 2017, the 4 youth clubs sponsored by the Rotary Club of Grand Island came together for a special celebration. The presenting of the charter for the newest Interact club, the Veronica Connor Middle School Interact Club (pictured). DG Marlee Diehl presented the charter and talked to the more than 50 students that came from the four clubs: the Huth Elementary Earlyact Club, the Kaegebein Elementary Earlyact Club, the Grand island High School Interact Club and the new Interact club at the Veronica Middle School. The two Earlyact clubs were initially organized by Mary Haggerty, Principal of Kaegebein Elementary school and the event was organized by Kerri Nowak. Both Mary and Kerri are members of Grand Island Rotary, as well as Brian Graham, the Superintendent of Grand Island School District.
On April 19, Phil Race and President Justin Bester presented Reg Madison with a triple Paul Harris pin and thanked him for all his contributions. Reg is the Governor Elect and has served the Rotary Club of Brantford Sunrise and District 7090 in many capacities since 2003.
Reg also has quite a life outside of Rotary. Reg and his wife Loretta love to spend time with the families of their three sons and three daughters. He somehow has some time left to enjoy travel, golf, curling, spectator sports, cooking and music. In 1998, Reg established a single malt tasting club with 22 members. The chapter now boasts more than 250 members who enjoy gourmet meals paired to fine whiskey.
On April 22,2017, the Lewiston/Niagara-on-the Lake Rotary Club held its' 3rd annual Pints and Polish Platter fundraiser at Historic Gadawski's Restaurant. This event helps support the projects of the Autism Center at Woman and Children's Hospital of Buffalo and is responsible for establishing programs in Niagara County to meet the needs of children and families affected by Autism.
As part of the 100 projects for 100 years of The Rotary Foundation, Paul Harris Society members of the Rotary Club of Clarence, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Clarence donated 3 computers complete with the latest software to The Upper Room of Christ Church on the east side of Buffalo, NY.
"Reverent Benning came to speak to our club", according to PHS District Chair Jim Morabito, "and I was completely blown away by this man's passion and outreach to his community. When I heard that our club had made a contribution to the church so underprivileged children could have a safe place to complete their homework and have the computers required for modern education I knew it was time to step up and do more. So, in addition to our club contribution, I gathered the other PHS members and off we went.
Friday, April 21st, 9 students from Clarence High school made a presentation to the Clarence Rotary Club about the Butterfly Effect. Simply put, the concept is to pay forward a donation and see what happens. With a donation of $2500, students were charged with identifying worthy areas in the community for application of Rotary goals of service.
On April 20th, the Rotary Club of Buffalo welcomed three new corporate members Howard Rich, Vice President-Corporate Relations, Stephen Rich Innovation Center Chef, and Joseph Borgese, Project Manager from Rich Products Corporation. Adding up, the club also added a new member in May, Dorothy Sands-Carboni.
They were introduced to the club by President Paul Hurley, Membership chair, Jeff Fancher and Co-Chair, Nora Eberl. Pictured (left to right): Howard Rich, Joseph Borgese, Stephen Rich, Jeff Fancher, Nora Eberl, Paul Hurley. Read on for more about each of these new Rotarians.
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Throughout this year as District Governor, I have had the honor of being present at several youth-centric events and I have been blown away with the youth who were present and the projects they undertake. On May 11, I attended the chartering of a new Interact Club at the Veronica E. Conner Middle School on Grand Island. Boy was this an eye-opener. Carrie, Grand Island Rotarian, thought it would be a blast to have its two EarlyAct clubs and the new middle school Interact club and the re-aligned Grand Island Interact club come together; you see they had to rewrite who the GI Interact Club is so that the Conner Middle School could have its own Interact. There must have been 40 members there, plus teacher advisors and Rotarians. It was an end of year party! Welland’s Balloon man Freddy came to blow up balloons and twist and turn those into identifiable animals. He out-did himself with his attire and this balloons. This was my third Interact club to get started and there are two additional chartering’s to do before June 30. Fredonia started their Interact Club (was a Key Club) with 70 members. The St. Catharines club launched theirs in the fall with great fanfare. Holley’s has been so busy doing fun things like helping Holley Rotary with their beef eater dinner and a pancake breakfast that we never got to do the official part yet. June 5 we make it official. Also there is a new Interact Club in Jamestown, I am just waiting for the date for that one too. We have over 30 Interact Clubs in our District now. Well done to all who seek to develop Rotarians through learning the principles of Rotary at a young age.
"Club Leadership Training was fun, informative and a great chance to learn more about Rotary." Pictured: Randy Hendriks, key note speaker (center), receiving a thank you from the Anne Bermingham, CLT Chair, and DGE Reg Madison (left) on behalf of District 7090 and the training team.
Is Your Club Really Ready to Recruit Young Professionals? Most clubs would love to bring in some young professionals as new members. But, many clubs aren’t sure about how they should recruit young professionals. Guess what? Recruiting young professionals really isn’t the most important issue. The most important issue is making sure your club is ready to attract, welcome and retain young professionals once they become aware of Rotary. As my friend, Amy Gringhuis (member of the Hamilton Tonic After 5 Rotary Club), put it, “You need to set the table before you invite your guests in for dinner.”
Karen Oakes, and her partner, Wolfgang Lindemann, visited the Rotary Club of Lancaster-Depew as its guests and to bring news on The Rotary Foundation. 
The Rotary Club of Lockport celebrated the 100th anniversary of The Rotary Foundation in April with a Scrabblefest held at Script's Cafe in Lockport. Pictured is the gang enjoying fellowship and refreshment.
Recently, the Rotary Club of Jamestown took its regular meeting offsite to The Lawson Center located in Bemus Point, NY. President Gary Padak had the honor of introducing Craig Butler from The Lawson Center. Craig is a Trustee at The Lawson Center and was pleased to welcome Rotary members to the museum.
Assistant Governor Frank Adamson represented the Rotary Club of Fonthill at the community's tree planting day. Pictured here is a group with AG Frank, including local Lion's club members and family. Fonthill is getting ready to meet the challenge made by incoming RI President Ian Riseley (Australia) for every Rotarian to plant a tree in 2017 - 2018. 
On May 10th, 2017, the 4 youth clubs sponsored by the Rotary Club of Grand Island came together for a special celebration. The presenting of the charter for the newest Interact club, the Veronica Connor Middle School Interact Club (pictured). DG Marlee Diehl presented the charter and talked to the more than 50 students that came from the four clubs: the Huth Elementary Earlyact Club, the Kaegebein Elementary Earlyact Club, the Grand island High School Interact Club and the new Interact club at the Veronica Middle School. The two Earlyact clubs were initially organized by Mary Haggerty, Principal of Kaegebein Elementary school and the event was organized by Kerri Nowak. Both Mary and Kerri are members of Grand Island Rotary, as well as Brian Graham, the Superintendent of Grand Island School District.
