Wow!! That is the only word I can summon from my mind that describes best our experience of our first 25 official club visits. The venues, the hospitality shown us, the humongous list of activities that are Making a Difference in communities in the District and the world, but most of all the people, the Rotarians we’ve met who have impressed us. If you were attempting to solidify your belief and commitment to Rotary there is no better way than to first read of the multitude of good being done by all of our clubs and then days or weeks later visit those clubs and see the faces and get to know the phenomenal people behind it all. Yes, you do so much good in this world, you are Making a Difference! I am so proud to be your Governor!
Above, I am "the guy in the funny glasses" with the Rotary Club of Stoney Creek! What a way to start the day! Below, Grand Island welcomed us with a Making a Difference cake! Just two of many memorable club visits.
One thing I have noticed is there are a limited number of clubs who to date have entered their Foundation and Rotary Citation goals on the new improved Rotary Club Central. I would urge those who have not yet done this to please make it a priority in the coming weeks so both the District and Rotary International will have a picture of what to expect in this year. After all, you wouldn’t leave on a trip without knowing where you were going. On the 19th, we meet with the Canadian club presidents and the following night the U.S. club presidents where assistance will be provided to ensure this important task is completed.
We had a lengthy discussion at District Council about the many tragedies that have befallen us recently; forest fires in British Columbia, Manitoba and California, the devastation of hurricanes Harvey and Irma and we’ll be providing guidance by a communication to clubs and a posting of the message on the District website homepage.
It is difficult to fathom that officially fall is almost upon us; where did the summer go? I ask all clubs to consider some type of activity in their communities on Tuesday, October 24th, World Polio Day. We are ‘This Close’ to eradicating this horrible disease from the face of the earth and do need to let our public know of our involvement and passion by some activity in each of our communities. Whether it is handing out information to our public or a fund raising event, let’s take this opportunity to blow our horn about ending polio!
October also marks the date of the 2017 District Conference and I urge you to please register for this outstanding event at the White Oaks Conference Centre, Resort and Spa. The event begins Friday, October 27th and concludes prior to noon, Sunday, October 29th. The mix of fellowship, great speakers and breakout sessions at this fabulous location will indeed be a treat. There is something for everyone and you can choose your participation for the weekend from the complete conference package to a buffet style selection on the website http://www.districtconference7090.org/. Please join us for a wonderful weekend of fun, fellowship and growth in Rotary!
Next month also means that many of the District leaders will be attending the Zone 24 Conference in Hartford and I’ll share our experience with you next month. So have a happy and safe Halloween! Thanks for all you do Making a Difference!
District grants give Rotarians freedom in determining how to best spend funds donated to The Rotary Foundation in their district. Each Rotary year, districts may apply for one district grant, which can be used to support one or more projects, based on that district’s interests and needs.
The Rotary Foundation funds district grants with District Designated Funds (DDF). Each year, your district may request up to half of your available DDF, which in turn represents half of your district's Annual Fund donations from three years earlier. This system, known as SHARE, enables Rotarians to benefit from the short-term investment of their donation dollars.
To review the Foundation Committee’s 2017-2018 District Spending Plan which includes the individual club’s approved District Grant, please follow this link…. Or go to the District 7090 website, click on the District Committees tab, go to The Rotary Foundation, follow to the District and Global Grants, then District and Global Grants 2017-2018 and look for the file “2017-2018 Approved District Grants”.
...The District Membership Machine that is. Recruiting new members and retaining current members is a basic goal for all our clubs. At the District level, we are actively developing more resources and support to assist clubs in achieving their membership goals. We have four new District committees:
Congenital heart disease is the number 1 birth defect worldwide. Each year, 1.3 million children are born with congenital heart disease. Sadly 93 % of them are born in a country that cannot provide them the necessary Lifesaving care. For over 4 decades, the Global Network of Gift of Life has been a beacon of hope for children with heart disease and their parents. In surveying the 76 Gift of Life programs around the world, more than 27,600 children from 78 countries have received care. The strategy is to develop sustainable pediatric cardiac centres of excellence and the empowerment of doctors and nurses to treat children in their own country or region of birth. Support from Rotary clubs and districts, and healthcare partners have created such centres in Uganda, El Salvador, Jamaica and Romania helping to ensure that reliable care will be provided to children in those areas. The reach has extended this year to provide hope to children in the Middle East.
Registrations have closed for the next Rotary Leadership Institute which will be held on Saturday, September 23, at the Niagara County Community College in Sanborn, New York, but on Sunday, September 24, registration opens for the December 2, 2017 session being held at Niagara College, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario campus. The third and final RLI session for the 2017 - 2018 Rotary year is scheduled for March 24, 2017 at Niagara County Community College, once again in Sanborn New York.
Thanks to kindhearted participants and generous sponsors, the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville’s “PolioPlus Challenge” Charity Miniature Golf Tournament scored a hole in one with raising $2,431 for the fight against polio. This event, which was held on the morning of August 19 at Webb’s Miniature Golf in Mayville, NY, featured 12 foursome teams competing for great prizes, a putting contest, a silent auction, an informational display about polio, refreshments and lots of laughs.
Rotary Club of Hamburg members and friends recently enjoyed a tour of historic sites in the Buffalo Harbor area in downtown Buffalo and Canalside on a Buffalo DOUBLE DECKER bus. The tour, narrated by owner/operator “Officer O’Connor" (Joel Dombrowski) was historically factual and very entertaining. Members are considering an upcoming murder mystery or ghost tour.
On Sunday July 30th, the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls, ON launched a brand new Rotary event to raise funds for the new YWCA shelter home for families. The local chapter of the YWCA (a nonprofit organization) provides shelter, food and assistance to women and families in poverty throughout the Niagara Region.
The event was hosted by the Fort Erie Race Track, where about 200 people attended to support the event and enjoyed an amazing buffet lunch at the Prince of Wales Dining Room, while betting on horses and enjoying a beautiful view of the track.
The one-day event managed to raise $6,000.00 for the new YWCA shelter home for families.
The Rotary Club of Grimsby recently donated $1,000 to the annual Amethyst for ALS fundraiser. This money will be used in support of patient care and equipment services for residents suffering from ALS in the West Niagara area. Hamilton Health Services currently assists 350 patients with ALS ( Lou Gehrig's disease) and as yet there is no cure.
It is hoped that other Clubs in the Hamilton area would consider the annual Amethyst for ALS fundraiser as one of the charities supported.
Pictured here is President Jim Howden presenting cheque to Amethyst for ALS supporter Paul Murphy.
Paul Murphy was a member of Rotary for many years and is currently a honorary member of the Grimsby Club.
For several years, the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise has supported the Children's Nutrition Network (CNN) by donating funds in support of a program that made apples available to the children of our local schools. This program has been so successful that, now, it is able to stand on its own without our seed money.
Bearing this success in mind, the CNN is now aiming to expand the scope of the program to include a much wider range of farm fruits and vegetables and, in so doing, to better develop a good sense of nutrition in our young people. As we did in helping to get the apple program going, RCNS is pleased to support the CNN in their aim to expand and better their farm-to-school program.
The Rotary Club of St. Catharines has resumed its Breakfast Program serving the children at Lincoln Centennial School early every morning of every week during the school year. The menu varies each day to include a protein, a fruit and a starch. Of course, the students’ favourite day is pancake day! Rotarian volunteers as well as community volunteers are scheduled to prepare, cook, serve and clean up breakfast five days a week. The club started the breakfast program seven years ago and it is very well received by the students, parents, and teachers at the school.
The pieces are STILL literally coming together for this major project that will shout Rotary from the corner of State and Union in Lincoln Park in Olean, NY.
District Governor Reg Madison visited the Silent Policeman, work-in-progress, on Tuesday, August 22 after his official club visit. Pictured, left to right, are DG Reg, Mary Kay Worth – AG Area 15 and Project Coordinator, Club President Patti Gulnac, and Stone Artist Isaiah Rashad II.
The placement of the 18 inch, custom made, bronze Rotary Wheel on the top shouts out “ROTARY!” The four sides of the base capture the 4-way test of what Rotarians say, think and do. Carving is expected to be completed this month. The completed monument will be 9.5 feet tall.
Thanks to kindhearted participants and generous sponsors, the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville’s “PolioPlus Challenge” Charity Miniature Golf Tournament scored a hole in one with raising $2,431 for the fight against polio. This event, which was held on the morning of August 19 at Webb’s Miniature Golf in Mayville, NY, featured 12 foursome teams competing for great prizes, a putting contest, a silent auction, an informational display about polio, refreshments and lots of laughs.
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