I am guessing this was a common refrain as July 1 clicked into being. Please join with me in welcoming the 68 newly minted Club Presidents of Rotary District 7090, who on July 1st stepped up to lead their clubs for the 2016 – 2017 year, as Rotary Serves Humanity. Hurrah! Hurrah! You are my heroes!
These Club Presidents worked hard learning how to effectively lead your club, reviewing the printed material, developing goals and bringing their board along side with their objectives. Also, though they all had other Saturday commitments they would have rather enjoyed, most understood Rotary International’s constitution requires attendance at all PETS training and hence most participated. We thank them for participating and we, the District Training team and I, know they are well prepared ensuring goals are met and everyone has fun, fellowship reigns and the year is a spectacular one. By gosh, it is a huge commitment! But, that said, it is an even bigger honor to be selected by the club members who know the selectee is a leader. I am so proud of each of our District’s 2016 – 2017 Club Presidents.
I am certain that each Past Club President has offered a helping hand to guide or willingly assume club roles or are silently working in the background ensuring their newly minted President is going to have a fabulous year. This cadre of members, the club’s Past Presidents, totally understand this commitment and strongly supporting their President, ensuring the next 365 days are rewarding for all.
There is another group I really appreciate and want to recognize, the club’s boards and committee chairs. Some board members or committee chairs may be feeling less than comfortable as you take your seat at the board meeting, perhaps because you count your Rotary experience in months, not years. You might even have queried, “Why me?” It is because your enthusiasm and wide open eyes are needed to help guide Rotary on its new journey. Oh no, I am not by a long shot saying that our seasoned Rotarian's sage wisdom is not equally needed. It is this combination, the 2016 Council and Legislature’s brave forward-looking resolutions and our 2016-2017 RI President John Germ’s strong stand on Rotary’s tweaking of itself that makes this year so exciting and so in need of a cross-section of our clubs' members to lead the way. As President John stated in the July “Rotarian” magazine, “We’ve got a service-minded generation coming up. We’ve got to get our message out to them, and we’d better do it fast.” To undertake this mission, it must be a grass root club level effort.
It will take every club openly discussing where they wish to see their club in 1, 3, 5 years and setting measurable goals to tweak their club to forge ahead ensuring we are the pathway for service-minded community residents to join and live Service Above Self!
Club Presidents Dare To Be All You Can Be in 2016 – 2017 As “Rotary Serves Humanity!”
Marlee Diehl, a member of the Albion Rotary Club, was installed as the new District Governor for Rotary on Sunday, June 26, leading 69 clubs in Western New York and Southern Ontario.
About 100 people from the two countries attended the District Governor changeover celebration on Sunday at Tillman's Village Inn. Diehl succeeds Kevin Crosby, a Lockport resident and member of the Buffalo Sunrise Rotary Club.
For over 46 years, the Rotary Club of Welland has recognized 10 graduates, one male and one female, from each of the five Secondary Schools in Welland. These students have been chosen by their peers and Guidance staff because they personify the motto of Rotary Service Above Self. They have made worthy contributions to the life of the school, the community at large and possess the qualities, abilities and interests that make them worthy representatives of their schools, at the same time achieving academic success. At our meeting of June 14th, we had the pleasure of meeting these remarkable young men and women. They presented a summary of the accomplishments, participation and contribution - not of themselves - but of one of their fellows.
The Ancaster AM changeover was a Murder-Mystery social event with mob attire in vogue. In-coming president Jack DiSalvia played his role well as the club’s Godfather. Following RI President John Germ’s theme of Rotary Serving Humanity, President Jack and club members aim to catapult the club forward to be an even greater force for good in its community by bringing in new “Millennial" members who, with existing members, will educate the community; engage all members; and enjoy Rotary together within Ancaster.
In the photo (left to right): Jessica Wooder – District Youth Exchange, Marty Schure - AG Area 2, Jack DiSalvia - Club President, Cathy Stampfli – President’s Partner.
On Wednesday, July 13, 2016 District Conference Chair Melisa Schrock, DGN, with her grandmother in tow, visited the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls, NY where she was the program speaker. DGN Melisa spoke about her Rotary experience at home and abroad.
DGN Melisa is a proud member of the Rotary Club of Akron-Newstead and included comments about her hands on involvement in her club's ongoing project in Mano, Sierra Leone, West Africa and some thoughts as she anticipates serving as District Governor in 2018-2019. Melisa is an enthusiastic, hands-on Rotarian and easily engaged her audience as she passionately shared the interesting activities agenda for the upcoming District Conference 2016 at Batavia Downs, October 21 - 23. She also helped welcome the club's newest member in good standing, Darrin Thomas.
In the photo: President Jesse J. Scott, with the assistance of her grandmother, presents DGN Melisa with the club's mug as a token of appreciation of their visit.
On Thursday, June 24th, the Clarence Rotary Club held the installation of the 2016-2017 officers at Brookfield Country Club in Clarence, NY.
Pictured (left to right): Secretary Jeff Feinen, President-Elect Keith Artis, President Chris Greene, Treasurer Kevin Petho, and Past President Chrissy Casilio-Bluhm.
On Tuesday June 28th, the Rotary Club of Lincoln said Adios to Alice Klamer and Hola to Jennifer Turner as the Presidency was passed to Jennifer from Alice. With a potluck Fiesta themed evening, the official changeover was held and the new members of the executive were sworn in, as follows: President: Jennifer Turner, Secretary: Erin Campbell, President Elect: Sue Foster, Treasurer: Andy Fluit, Immediate Past President: Alice Klamer, Vice President: Bob Groh, Directors: Sue Foster, Sue Miszturak, Barbara Mitges, Margaret Andrewes. In the photo - Jennifer Turner is being sworn in as president by outgoing president Alice Klamer.
At the July 9th official opening of the Rotary Memorial Park Skating Loop, Rotary Club of Waterdown President Jeff Kleven presented Judy Partridge, local Hamilton councillor, with a cheque for one million dollars.
On July 13, 2016, the Rotary Club of Lewiston, NY & Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON presented a scholarship check to graduating Lewiston-Porter High School Senior Abby McClermont to help her further her university education at Pittsburgh.
Pictured are (left to right): Mr. McClermont, Club Secretary Tom Gerbasi, Abby, and Mrs. McClermont.
On June 21, 2016, the Rotary Club of Welland held its annual Paul Harris celebration. 85 Rotarians, partners, friends and recipients attended. The Club recognized two community volunteers this year with Paul Harris Fellowships.
Claire Masswohl, former CEO of the Welland Heritage Council, a Welland native, has spent her life in the service of others in our community. From volunteering with her mother as a young kid, to founding various organizations that encourage inclusion of various community members like the Niagara Newcomer Service Alliance, and guiding the Welland Heritage Council to new heights, Masswohl has been a key player in the betterment of Welland.
20 Mobile Eye Clinic and Camps were undertaken covering some 250 villages in India during the period of September 9, 2015 through July 3, 2016. A total of 6,777 patients, both young and old, were screened, of which 535 cataract surgeries were performed and 4,157 received glasses.
The Gift of Sight Project, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hamilton Mountain and the Rotary Club of Navsari, Gujarat – India, is a global grant project initiated in June of 2014. The total value of the project is about $93,000.00 US with funds from the two participating Rotary clubs, a District 7090 Matching Grant and also a Global Grant from The Rotary Foundation.
Eric Sterne, son of Past District Governor Rick Sterne, was recently inducted into the Brantford Rotary Club by Rita-Marie Hadley, President. He is the 4th generation of Sternes to be members of the Brantford Rotary Club. Eric's great grandfather Ed Sterne was President in 1926. His grandfather Ted was President in 1961. His father Rick was President in 2004.
Pictured: President Rita Marie pinning Eric while his father Rick, grandfather Ted - in picture being held, and great grandfather Ed - in picture in front of clock, witness the proud moment.
The Rotary Club of Ancaster AM was chartered on June 11th, 1991 with 37 members. Twenty-five years ago, while returning from a District Council meeting and with both needing to transfer to a morning club (a new concept back then), founding members Bruce Pearson and Frank Stechey discussed and ultimately formed the A.M. Club. With help from the late Ron Ciancone, owner of Ancaster’s Mill Restaurant and then District Governor - the late Andy Proto, the club was chartered in the record time of 6 weeks. Currently, the Club still has 7 of its original charter members.
The photo shows Charter members (left to right): Bruce Pearson, Dr. Frank Stechey, Randy Raphael, Past President Dr. Tracy McMurter, Jean-Pierre Verbunt, Dennis Beecroft, Adrian Kloet. Missing from photo is Honourary member Dan Wentworth.
The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls Sunrise is proud to announce our Rotary Medalists for 2016. Each of the recipients are being rewarded for their academic excellence and dedicated volunteerism in the community. Representing Saint Michael High School are Amber Zupan and Kyle Lunn. Representing Stamford Collegiate are Rachel Dickinson and Garrick Phimister.
A good time was had by all at the Rotary Club of St. Catharines's Lakeshore President Linda Landry’s year end send off. Club Roma was the perfect venue to host the outdoor garden party. An open mic was kept very busy with members sharing a fond memory of one of our many fundraisers, exchange students, car rallies, etc.
Incoming Area 6 Assistant Governor Cathy Henry brought a warm welcome from the District. President Linda handed out Friends of Rotary Certificates. In-coming President Sandi Chard handed out recognition pins to our 4 remaining charter members, Jon Asplin, Bob Miller, Emilio Raimondo and Bruce Timms. A special thanks went out to the organising committee.
The Rotary Club of West Seneca recently held its change over dinner with distinguished guests Kevin Crosby, outgoing DG, and Marlee Diehl, incoming DG, in attendance to assist with the festivities.
In the photo above (left to right): A.J. Block, AG Area 13, new President Ed Bedient, DG Marlee Diehl, Immediate Past President Amy Thompson, PDG Kevin Crosby.
President Laurie Albertsson and Rotarian Jason Krempa present a grant check from the Buffalo Rotary Foundation for $7,080 toWNY Physically Challenged Youth Sports to purchase equipment for 6 sled hockey players. Accepting are Harold and Terrie Kothe.
Pictured (left to right): Harold Kothe, Terrie Kothe, President Laurie Albertsson, and Jason Krempa.
The Rotary Club of Hamburg installed its new president and slate of 2016-17 officers during the passing of the gavel ceremonies held June 28 at a picnic at the Taylor Road Park in Hamburg. The induction of new President Barbara Stanley and recognition of 2015-16 President Maria Guizzotti was overseen by District Governor Marlee Diehl and former Rotary Secretary Tom Johnston. Diehl, who had just assumed the leadership of District 7090 that week, and Johnston also bestowed Paul Harris Fellow awards to nine individuals; one posthumously.
In the photo: DG Diehl, President Barbara Stanley, Secretary Patricia Castiglia and Treasurer Cindy Taylor.
Members of Westfield/Mayville Rotary Club recently gathered at Noble Winery for a dinner evening and to conduct a changing of the “guard.” Hostess for the evening was Adele Harrington, outgoing president, who turned over her gavel to the new president, Mike Harrington. Adele now takes on the role of assistant governor. As AG, Adele will be the connection between AREA 16 clubs (Westfield-Mayville, Fredonia and Dunkirk) and District 7090, and will be instrumental in helping her clubs, the district - Rotary - grow stronger.
In photo: (Left to right, front row): Cindy Harper, secretary; Janese Berkhouse, president elect; Mike Harrington, president; Adele Harrington, past president/assistant governor. (Left to right, back row): Luci Petrella, Dan Smith, Youth Services; student activities; Tracy Bennett, board member; Tom Berkhouse, treasurer; Pete Bills, board member; Dave Travis, board member; Harry Barton, membership.
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On Thursday, June 24th, the Clarence Rotary Club held the installation of the 2016-2017 officers at Brookfield Country Club in Clarence, NY. 
At the July 9th official opening of the Rotary Memorial Park Skating Loop, Rotary Club of Waterdown President Jeff Kleven presented Judy Partridge, local Hamilton councillor, with a cheque for one million dollars.
The Rotary Club of West Seneca recently held its change over dinner with distinguished guests Kevin Crosby, outgoing DG, and Marlee Diehl, incoming DG, in attendance to assist with the festivities. 
