One of the things I enjoy most as District Governor is getting out into our District and seeing firsthand the creative ways our clubs bring Rotary into their communities. This past month was certainly no exception!
I was pleased to attend the Hamilton AM Rotary Club's 40th Ruby Gala, featuring a private concert by the Crash Test Dummies. It was a wonderful celebration with great community support—and I may have bought way too much at the silent auction! I’m calling it early Christmas shopping. My friends are getting some great gifts this year!
I also had a great time at our District 7090 Hamilton Tiger-Cats initiative, supporting Hamilton Rotary youth programs. It was a fantastic evening of football, fellowship, and Rotary spirit. Our next game is September 18 against the Montreal Alouettes, and I hope to see even more Rotarians, family, and friends joining us. Come out, join the fun, and help us continue supporting youth in our community!
Another highlight was the Rotary Club of Lincoln Sunset Music Series at Charles Daley Park. These free concerts bring families, friends, and neighbours together and are a great example of Rotary building stronger communities.
Rotary’s goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. We support education for all children and literacy for children and adults.
Our impact on education
The Rotary Foundation supports education through scholarships, donations, and service projects around the world.
Rotary members make amazing things happen, like:
Opening schools: In Afghanistan, Rotary members opened a girls’ school to break the cycle of poverty and social imbalance.
Teaching adults to read: Rotary members in the United States partnered with ProLiteracy Detroit to recruit and train tutors after a study showed that more than half of the local adult population was functionally illiterate.
New teaching methods: The SOUNS program in South Africa, Puerto Rico and the United States teaches educators how to improve literacy by teaching children to recognize letters by sounds instead of names.
Making schools healthy: Rotarians are providing clean, fresh water to every public school in Lebanon so students can be healthier and get a better education.
Enhancing educational systems: In Kenya, Rotary clubs are working with the Global Partnership for Education and local and national governments to advance life-long learning opportunities for poor and marginalized children.
What happens when Rotarians from across District 7090 get together and simply talk about membership?
A lot of good ideas get shared — and some important questions get asked.
At our August District Membership Zoom, the conversation focused on one of Rotary’s biggest challenges: not simply finding new members, but attracting the right people, welcoming them well, engaging them and giving them reasons to stay.
The discussion ranged from following up with guests and improving new-member onboarding to mentorship, corporate memberships, community partnerships, public image and finding new ways to introduce people to Rotary.
But one question stood out.
Is Your Club Ready for New Members?
We spend a lot of time asking, “How do we find new members?”
Perhaps we need to ask another question first:
“What happens when they arrive?”
Will they be warmly welcomed? Does someone follow up after their first visit? Is there a clear onboarding process? Does someone take the time to learn why they joined, what interests them and what they hope to get from Rotary? Will they quickly find a meaningful way to become involved?
Attracting someone to Rotary is only the beginning.
Want to learn more about Rotary and develop your leadership skills?
Then Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is for you. The future of Rotary and the service we give to our communities, locally and internationally, depends on strong club leadership. RLI increases your Rotary knowledge and leadership skills and improves the ability of members who are, or have the potential to be, in leadership positions in an environment that allows both fellowship and the opportunity to share experiences. The exchange of ideas with other experienced Rotarians alone makes the sessions worthwhile. All sessions are facilitated by experienced Discussion Leaders. RLI skills have applicability in our personal lives, volunteer service and our careers.
Most Rotarians have not been exposed to the great scope of Rotary around the world and have not considered what leadership skills are necessary to move their clubs forward.
Course sessions include as much discussion/participation as possible and include discussion groups, role-playing, problem solving workshops and creating projects.
RLI includes 18 sessions in total, divided into three Parts of six sessions each. RLI is offered virtually with each Part presented over three evenings which include two sessions of an hour each per night. Those completing each Part are eligible for the next Part.
Rotary and Project Mona’s House Set to Offer 2nd Area Training Opportunity in Lockport to Combat Human Trafficking
The global grant on Human Trafficking Education supported with funds from 15 District 7090 Rotary clubs, 2 district 1:1 matches and a Rotary Foundation match is set for Saturday, September 12th.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Niagara County’s Training Center at 4487 Lake Avenue, Lockport (Rt. 78 just north of the city) will host the event with doors opening at 11 AM, and a free lunch provided. The training will finish no later than 2:30 PM.
A different organization from the Batavia training, Project Mona’s House, will rotate into the cycle of 4 geographic events as an energetic and experienced resource.
All that is needed is to have the support of area Rotarians to attend themselves and identify and invite representatives of organizations and institutions that may help to multiply the knowledge and information about this insidious problem that can strike in any community large or small.
A direct call to Paul Lehman, Chair of the Steering Committee will help to answer questions you may have about the event: 716-984-5128.
Preregistration to enable a lunch count by September 6th is requested. Scan the Q-R code on the accompanying flyer or use the link developed by Project Mona’s House: www.projectmonashouse.com/events to easily register.
Y2Y is a transformative program that immerses Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth between the ages of 15 and 17 in Indigenous culture while fostering connections with a diverse group of young people from across Canada. They engage in meaningful cultural exchanges, learn about Indigenous traditions, and deepen their understanding of Indigenous history and heritage. This event is cost-free for selected participants. This includes travel to and from the event, accommodations, food and admission to facilities such as Museums. Only 50 youth will be chosen for this experience.
Interested youth must be:
A Canadian citizen or permanent resident,
Aged 15 to 17 at the time of the event, and
In a Canadian secondary school
Applications must be submitted online by the end of the day on October 30, 2026 at HonouringIndigenousPeoples.com. Selected applicants will be interviewed. Those selected for the program will be notified by November 27, 2026.
On July 18, Rotarians from Districts 7080 and 7090 once again teamed up for Rotary Roar – an evening of PolioPlus fellowship at Hamilton Stadium.
After days of smoke warnings and an afternoon tornado warning, the evening weather was surprisingly good. And the Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeated the Toronto Argonauts 24–23, hanging on to their one-point lead in the final seconds of the game. Oskee-wee-wee!
Once again this year, the event was a sellout. Our 80 guests arrived with enthusiasm for both the evening and the game, many sporting End Polio attire. There were also several District 7090 cycling T-shirts, including one worn by George Eastwood of the Rotary Club of Dundas. George wore his cycling helmet throughout the evening to promote a new District 7090 cycling partnership involving the Dr. Ron Mergl Memorial (Participate for Polio) Ride, Bike the Benchlands, and Tour de Dundas, and the causes supported by each ride.
In the Club Level Lounge, our District 7080 and District 7090 guests enjoyed plenty of food and fellowship. In fact, there was no shortage of delicious tailgate food! The game could be viewed from both indoors and out, and our 75 outdoor balcony seats were in constant use.
The evening was co-hosted by Elaine Richard, along with Past District GovernorFrank Adamson, End Polio Co-Chairs for District 7090, and Badar Shamim, Polio Chair for District 7080. The pre-game and halftime programs were packed with great speakers and PolioPlus content.
As District 7090 PolioPlus Society Coordinator, Elaine celebrated the success of our new PolioPlus Society, which welcomed 108 members in its first year. She also expressed her appreciation to the Rotary Club of St. Catharines for making Rotary Roar a special club event and bringing a group of 15.
The Director of Central Services for the Grand River Conservation Authority provided an update in August on the Rotary-supported restoration work underway at Apps Mill.
Brandon Heyer summarized the projects completed in 2025, and what's ahead for 2026-27. Brantford Sunrise Rotary has made a $134,000 commitment over 3 years toward upgrades at the Nature Area, and members recently visited the site for a first-hand look at the progress made. The County of Brant, City of Brantford and the GRCA are partnering on the future of the Apps Mill Nature Centre.
The goals of the GRCA are:
1. Protecting life and minimizing property damage from flooding and erosion.
2. Improving the health of the Grand River watershed.
3. Connecting people with the environment through outdoor experiences.
4. Building a future-oriented organization.
The GRCA will merge with 3 other conservation authorities in early 2027 to form the Eastern Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority. The original grist mill opened in 1841 on Whiteman's Creek, and operated for more than a century, closing in 1956. The property was purchased by the GRCA in 1970.
The Batavia Rotary Club is getting ready for one of our favorite fall traditions—the 8th Annual Trick or Trot 5K! On Saturday, October 24, 2026, runners, walkers, families, and Halloween enthusiasts will gather for a fun-filled event that combines fitness, community spirit, and plenty of spooky-season fun.
The Trick or Trot has become a popular Batavia tradition, welcoming participants of all ages and abilities. Whether you're a serious runner, a casual walker, or simply looking for a fun way to celebrate Halloween with the family, this event has something for everyone. Participants are encouraged to get into the spirit by wearing their favorite Halloween costumes as they take on the course.
Registration is open! Grab your running shoes, start planning your costume, and join us for a spooktacular day of fun while supporting Batavia Rotary and our community.
July was Maternal and Child Health Month in the Rotary world, providing an opportunity for Rotary clubs to recognize the importance of supporting mothers, babies, and families in our communities.
To celebrate the month, the Batavia Rotary Club chose to support a local organization making a difference for families right here in our community.
Throughout July, club members collected items from the "All Babies Cherished" wish list, gathering much needed supplies for mothers and children receiving assistance through the organization.
On August 6, Rotarians delivered the collection to All Babies Cherished.
All Babies Cherished is a nonprofit Pregnancy & Parenting Assistance Center located in Batavia.
The organization provides parents, grandparents, and guardians of all backgrounds and income levels with spiritual, educational, and material assistance.
August welcomed two new members to our club, Johnathon Ling and soon, Dr. Jim Hohensee. Members were also treated to an excellent presentation on value-based healthcare rather than a fee for services approach given by our own Jennifer Carlson. She noted that many patients are socially isolated, so their visit to the doctor is a significant point of engagement for them. Another point was that rather than trying to fight burnout in the health care workforce, we could try to change the work itself, so it is more inspiring that it is draining.
Buffalo Sunrise Rotarian Jeff Lebsack, Executive Director of the Riverline Project led a walking tour of his project to round out the month. The Riverline is based on a vision created by the community. It will transform the former DL&W elevated rail corridor along the Buffalo River into a string of vibrant and engaging experiences in nature that everyone can enjoy—right in the city, only minutes from downtown.
We are looking forward greeting RYE students Lyla from Italy and Rose from Taiwan at the end of August.
A September cleanup of the Towpath Pollinator Garden, our section of the Niagara Greenway and the installation of a Little Library at Towpath park in Buffalo are in the plans.
Dundas Valley Sunrise had its Duck Float in the annual Cactus Festival Parade where over 5000 folks watching the parade were reminded of the upcoming Duck Derby on September 26.
The next three days at the Cactus Festival the club had a booth where kids could select a little duck to win a prize while their parents purchased a ticket.
1000 plastic ducks will be dropped into Spencer Creek in Dundas and float downstream to the finish line.
The first across wins $2500, $1500 for second place and $500 for third.
Club President John Merrill and Ralph Montesanto prepare to sell tickets.
Tickets are still available but only to Ontario residents.
Scan the QR code in the photo.
PHOTOS: L, Parade Float; R, John Merrill, Ralph Montesanto (a.k.a. The Duck)
Fonthill Rotary Purse Bingo 2026 to benefit Birchway Niagara and the Pathstone Youth Mental Health Satellite program at the Meridian Community Centre in Fonthill.
The Purse Bingo Team of the Rotary Club of Fonthill is excited to announce our Annual Purse Bingo event is ready to go. This year’s Purse Bingo will be held at the Meridian Community Centre in Fonthill in the Accursi Room on Friday, October 30, 2026. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the games will start at 7 p.m.
The Team is collecting sponsorships for 10 designer purses and is preparing for an exciting evening of fun for the community. All proceeds from our Purse Bingo evening will go towards Birchway Niagara and the Pathstone Youth Mental Health Satellite program that is held at the Meridian Community Centre in Fonthill.
If you or your company wishes to sponsor a purse for $250 you will get one ticket, first chance at reserving a full table and the opportunity to be announced as one of our valued sponsors.
We are also gladly accepting donations from local businesses for our highly anticipated Luxury Gift Package. Should you wish to be a purse sponsor or make a donation please contact our team.
The Rotary Club of Hamburg once again lent its support to the Ronald McDonald House at 780 West Ferry Street in Buffalo by visiting the site on Aug. 13 and preparing a delicious evening meal for the families in residence. The Ronald McDonald House has provided the comforts of home for the families of young patients undergoing treatment at Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo for over 40 years. Along with its full and part-time staff, the Ronald McDonald House welcomes many volunteers. Rotarian Colleen Gibbons oversees Rotary’s meal preparation for the Ronald McDonald House, assisted by Rotarians and friends. The most recent meal featured barbecued chicken, boiled seasoned potatoes, corn muffins and two salads with sugar cookies for dessert. Pictured: Malachi Kofod, Colleen Gibbons, Krista Van Wagner and Rotarian Eileen Hotho. Van Wagner is a local chef and culinary teacher at Global Concepts Charter School and Kofod is the grandson of Hotho.
PHOTO (L to R): Malachi Kofod, Colleen Gibbons, Krista Van Wagner and Rotarian Eileen Hotho
Oh, What a Feeling! 40th Anniversary Ruby Gala a Success!
Liuna Station never looked so good!
Entering Hamilton's premiere event centre you were first struck by the big Rotary Wheel, a table of selected wines for the Wine Raffle and a lovely Silent Auction display.
While browsing the auction, complimentary wine was served.
The Rotary Club of Le Roy continues to make a meaningful local impact through service, education, and support for families in need.
Anchoring the eastern end of the Rotary District, the club brings Rotary’s spirit of service to life throughout the Le Roy community and has earned the Club Excellence Award, the most significant award a Rotary club can achieve, for 2025-26.
At its August 19 breakfast meeting, President Phil Plossl opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and Rotary’s Four-Way Test.
The club welcomed guests Jessa Dechant, instrumental music teacher at Wolcott Street School, and Ellen Plossl of the Le Roy Christian Community Project (LCCP).
A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of a Rotary Assistance Music Program (RAMP) check to Ms. Dechant.
The support will help advance instrumental music opportunities for local students, reflecting Rotary’s ongoing commitment to youth and education.
The Rotary Club of Lockport has installed a Peace Pole near the Flight of Five Locks in Lockport, creating a lasting symbol of peace, unity, and hope for the community.
The Peace Pole, which bears the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” serves as a reminder that peace begins with individuals and grows through kindness, understanding, and community connections.
The installation reflects the Rotary Club of Lockport’s commitment to making a positive difference in the community and promoting the Rotary ideal of “Service Above Self.”
The Peace Pole joins communities around the world in sharing a simple but powerful message:
May Peace Prevail on Earth.
The Rotary Club of Lockport is a community-minded service organization committed to making a positive difference in Lockport and the surrounding area. Through volunteer service, charitable giving, and community partnerships, the club supports programs and organizations that improve the quality of life for local residents.
As part of Rotary International, the Rotary Club of Lockport embraces the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self,” and works to promote fellowship, community service, and goodwill. The club’s members volunteer their time, talents, and resources to support important local causes and initiatives.
PHOTO (L to R): Bob Shaw, Steve Cotten and Larry Cappiello, Rotary Club of Lockport members
VOLUNTEERS are an integral part of the house tour success, and we would love to have Rotarians (and your friends) from the District join us. By volunteering for a half day shift, you receive a wristband that enables you to visit the other five homes free of charge. Sign up for volunteers will be going live Sept 11, so jump on as soon as you can to join us. Same link as above.
Not every Rotary gathering needs a fundraiser, a service project, or a meeting agenda. Sometimes, it can simply be about getting together, trying something new and having fun with Rotary friends.
That was the idea when the Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore invited members of the Rotary Club of St. Catharines and the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South to join us for our monthly social. What followed was a great evening of lawn bowling, laughter, friendly competition, and fellowship among all three clubs.
Our hosts at the Glendale Lawn Bowling Club started the evening with some instruction, teaching us the basics of the game before it was time to put our new skills to the test. Teams were deliberately mixed among the three Rotary clubs, giving everyone an opportunity to meet and get to know Rotarians they might not normally spend time with.
It didn’t take long for a little friendly competition to begin! There were plenty of laughs, a few surprisingly good bowls and, perhaps, a few that went in directions we hadn’t quite intended.
September is Basic Education & Literacy Month across Rotary International. To deepen our collective understanding of how education breaks cycles of poverty and transforms communities, the SOWNY E-Club invites all District 7090 members to join our monthly Rotary Media Club.
Rather than a traditional book club, the Media Club curates a monthly multimedia lineup, featuring a book, a film, and a podcast episode; allowing Rotarians, Rotaractors, and friends to engage through whichever media format fits their schedule.
September Media Lineup: Basic Education & Literacy
📖 Book: I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
Fresh off her keynote address at the 2026 Rotary International Convention in Taipei, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai shares her journey advocating for girls' right to education worldwide.
🎬 Film: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Based on the remarkable true story of William Kamkwamba, this film demonstrates how literacy, access to books, and practical resourcefulness can empower a young person to save their community from famine.
🎙️ Podcast Episode: Revisionist History - Carlos Doesn’t Remember (Hosted by Malcolm Gladwell)
Malcolm Gladwell examines the hidden systemic and economic barriers facing talented, low-income students in accessing quality education.
Well, it’s that time again. Our tenth annual Welland Rotary Bocce Social is coming up. The Rotary Club of Welland challenges you to come out for fun, fellowship, and good food. Create a great team name, uniforms or perhaps costumes, and, in good friendship, challenge others. We will have a pasta dinner and cash bar. This is a great team-building exercise and a chance to meet leaders in Rotary and other local groups.
DATE: Wednesday September 16, 2026
TIME: 5:30 Dinner; 6:00 Bocce Tournament
LOCATION: Casa Dante – 34 Lincoln Street West, Welland
COST: $55 per person
MEAL: Casa Dante pasta meal and dessert – family style with Casa Dante volunteers
Recently, at the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club meeting, Westfield YWCA Executive Director, Stephanie Stevens and GLI Program Director, Bonnie Hartley presented the ever expanding “Girls Leadership Initiative” at the Y.
The afterschool program is designed for local 8th grade girls and up. Here are just some of the goals:
- build self-confidence,
- learn to network and to learn that we need others in our lives
- develop community relationships,
- learn how to self-regulate anxiety and tune into internal self.
The entertainer and philanthropist Dolly Parton died 25 August 2026. This Q&A was originally published in the March 2010 issue of The Rotarian (now Rotary) magazine. Later that year, she spoke at the Rotary International Convention in Montreal, Canada.
Welcome to the SEPTEMBER 2026 
= 
= Learning
One of the things I enjoy most as District Governor is getting out into our District and seeing firsthand the creative ways our clubs bring Rotary into their communities. This past month was certainly no exception!
Rotary’s goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. We support education for all children and literacy for children and adults.
Membership: We Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone
Want to learn more about Rotary and develop your leadership skills?
Rotary and Project Mona’s House Set to Offer 2nd Area Training Opportunity in Lockport to Combat Human Trafficking
Y2Y is a transformative program that immerses Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth between the ages of 15 and 17 in Indigenous culture while fostering connections with a diverse group of young people from across Canada. They engage in meaningful cultural exchanges, learn about Indigenous traditions, and deepen their understanding of Indigenous history and heritage. This event is cost-free for selected participants. This includes travel to and from the event, accommodations, food and admission to facilities such as Museums. Only 50 youth will be chosen for this experience.
On July 18, Rotarians from Districts 7080 and 7090 once again teamed up for Rotary Roar – an evening of PolioPlus fellowship at Hamilton Stadium.
The Chair of the Rotary Satellite Club of Paris, Emily Davis, announced details of the Club's September Duck Derby Fundraiser. 
The Director of Central Services for the Grand River Conservation Authority provided an update in August on the Rotary-supported restoration work underway at Apps Mill. 
Buffalo Rotarians turned out for a great opportunity at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval Park - Ship N Shore. 
July was Maternal and Child Health Month in the Rotary world, providing an opportunity for Rotary clubs to recognize the importance of supporting mothers, babies, and families in our communities.
August welcomed two new members to our club, Johnathon Ling and soon, Dr. Jim Hohensee. Members were also treated to an excellent presentation on value-based healthcare rather than a fee for services approach given by our own Jennifer Carlson. She noted that many patients are socially isolated, so their visit to the doctor is a significant point of engagement for them. Another point was that rather than trying to fight burnout in the health care workforce, we could try to change the work itself, so it is more inspiring that it is draining. 
Dundas Valley Sunrise had its Duck Float in the annual Cactus Festival Parade where over 5000 folks watching the parade were reminded of the upcoming Duck Derby on September 26.
Fonthill Rotary Purse Bingo 2026 to benefit Birchway Niagara and the Pathstone Youth Mental Health Satellite program at the Meridian Community Centre in Fonthill.
The Rotary Club of Hamburg once again lent its support to the Ronald McDonald House at 780 West Ferry Street in Buffalo by visiting the site on Aug. 13 and preparing a delicious evening meal for the families in residence. The Ronald McDonald House has provided the comforts of home for the families of young patients undergoing treatment at Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo for over 40 years. Along with its full and part-time staff, the Ronald McDonald House welcomes many volunteers. Rotarian Colleen Gibbons oversees Rotary’s meal preparation for the Ronald McDonald House, assisted by Rotarians and friends. The most recent meal featured barbecued chicken, boiled seasoned potatoes, corn muffins and two salads with sugar cookies for dessert. Pictured: Malachi Kofod, Colleen Gibbons, Krista Van Wagner and Rotarian Eileen Hotho. Van Wagner is a local chef and culinary teacher at Global Concepts Charter School and Kofod is the grandson of Hotho.
Oh, What a Feeling! 40th Anniversary Ruby Gala a Success!
The Rotary Club of Lockport has installed a Peace Pole near the Flight of Five Locks in Lockport, creating a lasting symbol of peace, unity, and hope for the community.
The Rotary Club of Niagara-on-the-Lake is proud to present the
Wow! We sold out of hot dogs by 2:30 in the afternoon on Sunday at the 60th Annual Lewiston Art Festival on August 8 & 9.
Sometimes Rotary Is Just About Having Fun
Expand Your Learning: Join the SOWNY Media Club!
Rotary Club of Welland Bocce Ball Social
Recently, at the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club meeting, Westfield YWCA Executive Director, Stephanie Stevens and GLI Program Director, Bonnie Hartley presented the ever expanding “Girls Leadership Initiative” at the Y.
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