January is Rotary’s Vocational Service Month, a great time to start leveraging vocational service in your club projects and activities. The Vocational Service in Action handbook can help you gain a better understanding of vocational service and provide you with ideas to practice it through your service activities, in your personal life, and in your career. Download the handbook and share it with your club members!
from the Desk of Anne Bermingham, Governor D7090
MY HOPES & WISHES FOR 2022
As the New Year unfolds, I wish every Rotarian in our District a healthy, happy New Year.
With six more months left in the Rotary year, I have many hopes and wishes. I will share five of them… In the hopes that you can help me to make them come true!
1. We grow the number of Rotarians in our District so that we have 2022 of us!We want and need more people to help us “serve to change lives”. Our Rotary International President has challenged each of us to bring one. In January, I will be doing just that - bringing a young female (under 35 years of age) into my Rotary Club of Hamilton AM as a new member. I am hoping you can do the same.
We are also encouraging clubs to create Satellite Clubs whose members are your members but meet at a different time or in a different way. Maybe you could volunteer with a few others to make this happen for your club.
The District Nominating Committee would like to present our new District Governor Designate - Dave Alexander of the Rotary Club of Welland. Dave will be serving as your Governor in 2024-2025. Read on to learn about Dave.
SERVICE, HERITAGE, LEGACIES: An Evening Celebration
Join Rotarians from across the district in an evening of celebration as we honor the work of YOUR Foundation. The evening will include inspirational videos from clubs making a difference throughout the district and abroad. We’ll be honoring past and present leaders of the district as we kick-off a campaign to establish a district wide endowment to ensure the legacies of the giants whose shoulders we stand on continue to provide funding for YOUR district grants. This will be an evening of fun hosted by the dynamic Beth Fleeton with costume changes you won’t want to miss! Those who register will receive a special cocktail recipe crafted and tested by district Rotarians.
This evening takes place on February 23, 2022 at 6:45 p.m. virtually on Zoom. For more information on this don't miss it event, and to register, read on.....
Congratulations to the following clubs who have set their goals to contribute to the Annual Fund and to Polio Plus in the RCC Goal Center (as of 12-14-2021):
Akron-Newstead
Hamilton After Five (annual fund)
Amherst
Hamilton Stoney Creek
Amherst South
Jamestown
Ancaster AM
LeRoy
Batavia
Lewiston, NY - NOTL, ON
Brantford Sunrise
Lincoln
Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus
Lockport
Buffalo Sunrise (annual fund)
Niagara Falls, ON
Delhi
Niagara Falls Sunrise
Dundas Valley Sunrise
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Dunkirk - Fredonia
Norfolk Sunrise
Dunnvile
St. Catharines
Falconer
St. Catharines South
Fonthill
St. Catharines Lakeshore
Fort Erie
Stoney Creek
Grand Island
Waterdown
Greater Jamestown AM
Welland
Hamilton (polio)
West Seneca
Hamilton AM
Westfield - Mayville
Not only is this the way we support the Rotary Foundation but also it is one of the criteria to qualify for District grants. If a club doesn’t set goals, then it cannot qualify. If a club needs help in setting goals, they can contact Jim Ellison, Foundation Fundraising Chair, by email at jdellison@gmail.com.
Posted by Sandi Chard
CHALLENGE COMPLETE!
Thank you again to Thie Convery for challenging the clubs in District 7090 to support Polio. The challenge to donate by December 15th $1725 USD. Thie would match the $1725. We opened the challenge dollar for dollar for Rotaract clubs. Thank you to Earlyact-Lockport, Niagara Rotaract and Buffalo Rotaract who together raised $1389.
It was a challenging year for many clubs, but 31 clubs rose to the Polio Challenge by raising funds in the Participate for Polio "bike/walk/run" event and direct donations to reach the minimum of $1725. Read on to view the club results!
The District Training Committee is pleased to announce that another session of the Rotary Leadership Institute will be held again this spring. These sessions will all be held virtually using ZOOM. Feedback from recent participants is that this format is working very well with everyone able to engage in a positive manner.
All Sessions run from 7 to 9.00 pm (some sessions to 9.15). Sign in for each session begins at 6.45 p.m.
The 7090 District Gift of Life Board of Directors announces the beginning of the annual sale of chocolate hearts. This sale begins each year before Valentine’s Day and continues again for Mother’s Day in May. The hearts are solid chocolate – either dark chocolate, orange chocolate or milk chocolate.
The hearts are obtained from Platters Chocolates, a well-known WNY confectioner. The cost is $10.00 per heart. To find out how to purchase chocolate hearts, get a speaker for your club or answer questions, please contact Valerie Phillips in Canada at valeriephillips@rogers.com or Pat Castiglia in the U.S. at ptcas34@gmail.com.
Rotary Club of Waterdown began selling tickets for their first 50/50 draw for up to $10,000 in the middle of September. They targeted a Canadian Thanksgiving Monday (October 11th) draw. They used word-of-mouth, email and social media as their channels of out-reach as well as in-person tables at the local BIA farmer’s market and local Rotary / Chamber golf tournament.
Nick Brown, Director of Fundraising explained , "Given this was our first 50/50 draw, we were very pleased with the results." Tyler Otterspoor, a Burlington, Ontario resident’s ticket was drawn and he took away $7155. Tyler explained he would put the money towards an engagement ring for his fiancé.’ Talk about a win-win-win!"
The members of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines collected and delivered a carload of socks, toiletries, gloves, books, gift certificates and many other gift items to The Raft to make up Christmas presents for all of their young clients.
The Rotary Club of Lockport appreciated the effort Immediate Past Governor Frank Adamson made to cross the Canadian/U.S. border to attend and share in the presentation of the Governor's Trophy to the club for the Year 2019-2020 with then Governor, Bob Artis (present for the presentation, but had to leave before the photo). The occasion was the club's annual holiday party held at the historic Palace Theater in Lockport and attended by about 40 people on December 9th. The trophy is now on display in the trophy case at Cornerstone Ice Arena - where the club now meets weekly at 12 Noon. At some point we will need to float the trophy back across the Niagara River for Fonthill to play catch up as it is the 2020-21 club recipient.
In the photo: (left to right): President Tracey Farrell, Assistant Governor and Immediate Past President Aaron Carlson, Immediate Past District Governor Frank Adamson and Past President Paul Lehman - 2019-2020.
The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville is rolling out its third season of “Project Christmas Card”. The club did a media blitz throughout the county and received over three thousand unused Christmas cards. Chairperson for the project Linda Dunn noted, “The support for the project has been overwhelming and we are so grateful for everyone who donated from all corners of our county and parts of Pennsylvania.”
For over 20 years, the Rotary Club of Hamilton AM members have hosted a Christmas Pancake breakfast for students and staff at Hess Street School in Hamilton, Ontario. With COVID restrictions not allowing volunteers in the school, late in 2020 club members started a Christmas Gift Bag program and this was recently repeated on December 16, 2021.
Members of the Lewiston/NOTL Rotary served as volunteers at Buffalo’s grooviest party of the year. THE WORLD’S LARGEST DISCO!
Besides digging out out their bell bottoms and platform shoes and movin’ to the groovin’, the club members worked from 6 pm until 3 am to ensure that the patrons enjoyed their evening.
The overall benefactor of the Disco is Camp Good Days, a residential summer camp which provides summer camping experiences for children, adults and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life challenges, but the Club’s efforts also benefited wildlife rehabilitation at Messinger Woods.
Pictured are (L to R) President Leslie Scibilia and Secretary Tommy Gerbasi.
Continue for more news about this proudly bi-national Rotary club.
The Rotary Club of Welland celebrated at a Christmas Social on December 14th. Thirty-three Rotarians, friends and family had a wonderful dinner at the Flying Squirrel in Port Colborne.
President Vic Kerschl gave a warm welcome to everyone saying it was great to see everyone in person rather than through Zoom, just beating the partial COVID-19 restrictions in Ontario.
The Rotary Club of Fonthill showcases its busy fall/winter activities on its website with three great stories leading up to the launch of the New Year 2022.
Eight Pelham Citizens Become PH Fellows
Nov 30, 2021: On Monday November 29, for the first time in over two years, the Rotary Club of Fonthill hosted an in-person Paul Harris celebration dinner. Held at Lookout Point Country Club and attended by nearly 70 Rotarians, friends, family and community members, the event allowed the club to honour and recognize the community service and commitment of a number of individuals.
Posthumous awards went to three local politicians who died while the club was not holding awards dinners. The late Gary Accursi, Mike Ciolfi and Ron Leavens were all honoured for their service to our community. Pictured (L to R): Jennifer Allen, David Schulz, Michele Ciolfi, Karen Leavens, David Weeks, Mall Accursi, Michael Accursi, Fred Arbour, Vilma Moretti.
Rotarian (and Past Assistant Governor), Wayne Massey contributed his expertise to designing and building a Little Lending Library for a condominium development in Ancaster. The condo corporation assisted with materials, but it was Wayne’s expertise which made this contribution to the community so valuable. Nice to know that we can “tap into” the skills and experiences of our Rotary leaders in such a wide variety of circumstances.
Wayne is a member of the the Rotary Club of Dundas Valley Sunrise.
The Eastern Hills Sunrise Rotary Club, located in Clarence NY, proudly reports that it provided enough funds for yet another HEART this fall for the Rotary Gift of Life program.
The club also provided additional support for a local Veteran’s assistance organization (Shawn’s Heroes for Life) and funded an innovative awareness program local organ transplant (One-8-Fifty).
The Rotary Club of Fort Erie (RFE) is working on continuing its efforts in improving literacy in the local community and extending it internationally. Currently in Fort Erie, there exists a small library at the LeisurePlex Indoor Ice Rinks (for little brothers and sisters to read books while their siblings play hockey), and a couple of Lending Libraries maintained by members of the club.
Past President John Maurice and Past President and Secretary Lorne White are developing RFE's latest generation - the Donating Library. The concept is similar to the lending libraries, but it will contain a magazine section to hold the Rotary Magazine to publicize Rotary. The magazine section will also hold flyer information of our/any club so that anybody can grab one to learn about the club and perhaps inquire about volunteering or even joining.
Pictured is John Maurice's tower ready for spring planting. Why is it called Donating Library, you may ask?
Considering the initial success with the Rotary Club Norfolk Sunrise ‘Take a Bite Out of Norfolk’ (TaBooN) initiative, the club was encouraged to take a 'second bite'; so, a Fall '21 edition of this popular community support event was thought to be a ‘must’. The club organizers kept the original aim to create a fundraiser that promoted the community and, at the same time, curated a wide and interesting selection of Norfolk food and products.
I am President of the Rotary Club of Niagara County Central. My name is Dan Ljiljanich. I am following in the footsteps of Past-President David Evans who helped navigate the club through the uncertainty of COVID-19. Though I would have hoped the pandemic was weakening, the new variant is attempting to create its own havoc. We can only hope and pray that Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, and yes boosters too, are the answer its demise. However, despite COVID, I am proud to say that Niagara County Central Rotarians have stayed true to the club's commitment to our community and the environment:
A project several years in the making was presented to the City of Jamestown, New York Planning Commission for review. Representatives from CPL (formerly Clark Patterson Lee) presented designs and plans for a new gateway welcome sign to the city to be located at the North Main Street city line. The design work completed by CPL is the culmination of several year’s collaborative work between the City of Jamestown, the Rotary Club of Jamestown New York and other contributors.
Last week a new polio vaccination clinic was dedicated in Karachi, Pakistan. The clinic and training center for outreach was developed by the Rotary Club of Karachi Sunset Millennium and funded in partnership with the Rotary Club of Jamestown, New York. On hand for the dedication and representing the Rotary Club of Jamestown was Rotarian David Troxell and his wife Marissa. They were graciously hosted by members of the local Karachi club.
Pictured left: Rotarian David Troxell administers the polio vaccine to a young Pakistani child at the new clinic in Karachi.
The chilly weather didn’t stop our Rotary members and volunteers on December 4th and 5th at the Sip Niagara event held in Lincoln. Lots of fun and smiles on all the volunteers faces. Thank you to Tim Hortons for supplying our volunteers with free hot coffee and timbits for all our shifts over the two days.
A shout out to all the organizations and individuals that helped park cars at Sip Niagara in support of the Rotary Club of Lincoln as they fundraised for the “Gifts for Kids” project. Also, a big shout out to the organizing team that worked diligently behind the scenes to make the fundraising opportunity possible. With the help of many community partners, the club was able to supplement the budgeted money of $8000 to go towards the project.
During the first week of December, members of the Rotary Club of Brantford-Sunrise delivered over 160 poinsettias to residents of five long-term homes in the Brantford/Brant Community. This is the club’s second annual Poinsettia Campaign, with many of the poinsettias donated by their own generous members. Last year’s initiative received a wonderful response from recipients, as did the delivery of geranium baskets this past summer. The small act of kindness went a long way to brighten the days of many community members.
Rotary members in Ukraine are helping neighbors return to their homes, distributing supplies from other countries, and organizing long-term aid — all despite being affected by the war
Across Europe, Rotaract members are using digital tools to share information and coordinate to help people who have been affected by the war in Ukraine
Six Rotary members were honored in March as People of Action: Champions of Girls’ Empowerment during Rotary Day with UNICEF in New York City. This distinction recognizes the honorees’ commitment to improving girls’ access to education, health, and sanitation and hygiene resources, as well as their work to create environments where girls can flourish.
of us to bring one. In January, I will be doing just that - bringing a young female (under 35 years of age) into my Rotary Club of Hamilton AM as a new member. I am hoping you can do the same. 
The District Nominating Committee would like to present our new District Governor Designate - Dave Alexander of the Rotary Club of Welland. Dave will be serving as your Governor in 2024-2025. Read on to learn about Dave.
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Thank you again to Thie Convery for challenging the clubs in District 7090 to support Polio. The challenge to donate by December 15th $1725 USD. Thie would match the $1725. We opened the challenge dollar for dollar for Rotaract clubs. Thank you to Earlyact-Lockport, Niagara Rotaract and Buffalo Rotaract who together raised $1389.
The District Training Committee is pleased to announce that another session of the Rotary Leadership Institute will be held again this spring. These sessions will all be held virtually using ZOOM. Feedback from recent participants is that this format is working very well with everyone able to engage in a positive manner.
The 7090 District Gift of Life Board of Directors announces the beginning of the annual sale of chocolate hearts. This sale begins each year before Valentine’s Day and continues again for Mother’s Day in May. The hearts are solid chocolate – either dark chocolate, orange chocolate or milk chocolate.
The members of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines collected and delivered a carload of socks, toiletries, gloves, books, gift certificates and many other gift items to The Raft to make up Christmas presents for all of their young clients.
The Rotary Club of Lockport appreciated the effort Immediate Past Governor Frank Adamson made to cross the Canadian/U.S. border to attend and share in the presentation of the Governor's Trophy to the club for the Year 2019-2020 with then Governor, Bob Artis (present for the presentation, but had to leave before the photo). The occasion was the club's annual holiday party held at the historic Palace Theater in Lockport and attended by about 40 people on December 9th. The trophy is now on display in the trophy case at Cornerstone Ice Arena - where the club now meets weekly at 12 Noon. At some point we will need to float the trophy back across the Niagara River for Fonthill to play catch up as it is the 2020-21 club recipient.
of Westfield-Mayville is rolling out its third season of “Project 
For over 20 years, the Rotary Club of Hamilton AM members have hosted a Christmas Pancake breakfast for students and staff at Hess Street School in Hamilton, Ontario. With COVID restrictions not allowing volunteers in the school, late in 2020 club members started a Christmas Gift Bag program and this was recently repeated on December 16, 2021.
Members of the Lewiston/NOTL Rotary served as volunteers at Buffalo’s grooviest party of the year. THE WORLD’S LARGEST DISCO!
Grand Island Rotary celebrated the Holiday Season with a party for Members and guests at the Buffalo Launch Club.
The Rotary Club of Welland celebrated at a Christmas Social on December 14th. Thirty-three Rotarians, friends and family had a wonderful dinner at the Flying Squirrel in Port Colborne.
Eight Pelham Citizens Become PH Fellows
Rotarian (and Past Assistant Governor), Wayne Massey contributed his expertise to designing and building a Little Lending Library for a condominium development in Ancaster. The condo corporation assisted with materials, but it was Wayne’s expertise which made this contribution to the community so valuable. Nice to know that we can “tap into” the skills and experiences of our Rotary leaders in such a wide variety of circumstances.
The Eastern Hills Sunrise Rotary Club, located in Clarence NY, proudly reports that it provided enough funds for yet another HEART this fall for the Rotary Gift of Life program. 
The Rotary Club of Fort Erie (RFE) is working on continuing its efforts in improving literacy in the local community and extending it internationally. Currently in Fort Erie, there exists a small library at the LeisurePlex Indoor Ice Rinks (for little brothers and sisters to read books while their siblings play hockey), and a couple of Lending Libraries maintained by members of the club.
Considering the initial success with the Rotary Club Norfolk Sunrise ‘Take a Bite Out of Norfolk’ (TaBooN) initiative, the club was encouraged to take a 'second bite'; so, a Fall '21 edition of this popular community support event was thought to be a ‘must’. The club organizers kept the original aim to create a fundraiser that promoted the community and, at the same time, curated a wide and interesting selection of Norfolk food and products.
A project several years in the making was presented to the City of Jamestown, New York Planning Commission for review. Representatives from CPL (formerly Clark Patterson Lee) presented designs and plans for a new gateway welcome sign to the city to be located at the North Main Street city line. The design work completed by CPL is the culmination of several year’s collaborative work between the City of Jamestown, the Rotary Club of Jamestown New York and other contributors.
Last week a new polio vaccination clinic was dedicated in Karachi, Pakistan. The clinic and training center for outreach was developed by the Rotary Club of Karachi Sunset Millennium and funded in partnership with the Rotary Club of Jamestown, New York. On hand for the dedication and representing the Rotary Club of Jamestown was Rotarian David Troxell and his wife Marissa. They were graciously hosted by members of the local Karachi club.
y weather didn’t stop our Rotary members and volunteers on December 4th and 5th at the Sip Niagara event held in Lincoln. Lots of fun and smiles on all the volunteers faces. Thank you to Tim Hortons for supplying our volunteers with free hot coffee and timbits for all our shifts over the two days.
During the first week of December, members of the Rotary Club of Brantford-Sunrise delivered over 160 poinsettias to residents of five long-term homes in the Brantford/Brant Community. This is the club’s second annual Poinsettia Campaign, with many of the poinsettias donated by their own generous members. Last year’s initiative received a wonderful response from recipients, as did the delivery of geranium baskets this past summer. The small act of kindness went a long way to brighten the days of many community members.
