District 7910 strives to create a safe environment for all youth who participate in Rotary activities. This is why we have created an educational webinar to inform Rotarians of the steps that should be followed to prevent any infringement on the safety of any youth involved with any District 7910 activity.
This webinar details the latest policies for youth protection as outlined by both Rotary International and District 7910.
The webinar illustrates how any Rotarian who is involved with certain District 7910 youth activities should have a background check conducted in order to ensure the safety of the youth under our direction during these activities.
District 7910 believes that Rotarians who participate in the following capacities are urged to conduct a background check:
Club Youth Chairs
Club ESSEX Chairs
Club Interact Chairs
Club RYLA Chairs
Interact advisers (the Rotary member who is the liaison with the Interact club - may be different from the Club Interact Chair)
Any Rotarian who participates at Youth events regularly
District 7910 was using Massachusetts CORI checks to conduct background on members who requested such however we have decided to switch to the more comprehensive ESSEX (Eastern States Student Exchange) background checks. These background checks go beyond the borders of Massachusetts are the same ones used by Rotarians for student exchanges in 36 District in the northeastern US, eastern Canada, and Bermuda. They have an annual renewal and include a $20.00 fee.
We feel due to the importance of ensuring safety of our students involved with Rotary activities, the move to this program is a valid one.
For more information on the Youth Protection Policy of District 7910, go to Youth Protection on the district website www.rotary7910.org or email me at tmgasbarro@gmail.com or contact me by telephone at 774-345-0100.
Dr. Zuniga is in Boston through June of 2018, attending the Harvard School of Public Health. He is a District Grant Scholar from District 4130 and the Rotary Club of San Nicolas. The Rotary Club of Brookline is hosting Jorge, and special thanks to Host Counselor, Past President Susan Rack.
Sergio Miguileti is also in Boston to study, working on his master’s degree in International Business at Hult International Business School in Cambridge. Now 23, Sergio was an exchange student out the Rotary Club of Sao Paulo, Brazil and spent a year in Indonesia. Upon his return, he joined Rotaract and has remained an active member ever since. He hopes to attend Rotaract and Rotary events and meetings while studying in Boston.
As early as 1911 our founder, Paul Harris, in his essay “Rational Rotarianism” said, “If by interposition of Providence I someday were to find myself standing on a platform in some great Coliseum looking into the eyes of every living Rotarian, and were to be told that I could have one word to say, without an instant’s hesitation and at the top of my voice, I would shout ‘Toleration!’”
Our founder Paul Harris has repeatedly iterated: “Rotarians respect each other‘s opinions and are tolerant and friendly at all times. Catholics, Protestants, Moslems, Jews, and Buddhists break bread together in Rotary.”
And it is this tolerant attitude that prompted Rotary International to adopt the following statement in 1933: “Rotarians in all countries should recognize these facts (differences), and there should be a thoughtful avoidance of criticism of the laws and customs of one country by the Rotarians of another country.” Tolerance is a key to understanding among different peoples and nations.
Wow. When we started down the path of thinking about surveying all the Rotarians in District 7910 we were told to expect a 2% response rate. We were told that we would strike gold if our response rate was up towards 5%. Guess what? Approximately 17% of us took the survey! That is an overwhelming response, and it shows that we Rotarians are passionate about what we do. What is more, many, many of us took the time to write extensive comments and helpful suggestions. THANK YOU ALL!
It would be unfair for me to provide my view of the survey at this stage without a complete analysis, but to avoid leaving you in suspense, I want to share 2 highlights from the survey. It is no surprise that clubs want more help with attracting and engaging membership. Clearly that is a need that we all share, and we are all trying to find ways to make how we conduct our business relevant in today’s society. The other clear message is that you want more opportunities to work on larger service projects with other Rotary clubs. Service is what makes Rotary unique, and doing hands on service is definitely a way to attract new members and engage existing ones.
So, what are the next steps? We are going to analyze the results and comments, and use those results to develop a strategic plan so all 51 clubs in the District can get the tools and resources they need to carry forth the objects of Rotary in their communities and around the world.
The first strategic planning session will be at the end of this month with the District leadership. Our goal is not only to develop a plan but to produce a report with the plan that explains the survey results and how it ties in to the strategic plan for the District.
While it is too late to answer this survey, if you have any suggestions as to how we can help the clubs better, please let me know. Of course, if you want to get involved in helping other clubs improve, we could always use more hands, especially as we build out our teams over the next several years.
On Saturday, September 30th we will be holding Visioning Facilitator Training. Registration and continental breakfast start at 7:30am, and the class will start promptly at 8:00am and end no later than noon. It will be held at the MIG Corporation located at 1 Acton Place in Acton, MA. We ask that you please register in advance for the training so we can plan accordingly for the materials and hand-outs – the cost to attend is $10.
This training is open to all Rotarians and we hope many of the current facilitator team will join in this training as a refresher and to meet and welcome new trainer candidates.
Visioning is a process that helps clubs by providing a vision for the future of the club and the beginnings of a written plan that promotes consensus, consistency and continuity. It allows club members the opportunity to dream about what their club could become and helps to renew everyone’s commitment to focus on what they can do to make the club even better than it already is.
Clubs that have completed a Visioning have found the process to be extremely beneficial for giving every member a voice in where the club is heading and what members believe is most important to the club. Several clubs are now scheduling to do Visioning a second time to refresh the planning that was done 3 or more years ago. It’s a great way to build consensus and a team approach to a club’s operations.
Many clubs have expressed interest in having Visioning done for their club, and therefore we need to grow and are looking for more people to join the Facilitation team. Training will include a brief overview of Visioning and the process that we use with the clubs and a breakdown of the team members and the various roles in each session. As a member of the Team, you will have the opportunity to travel to various clubs in the district who want to go through the visioning process; and you can pick which session is convenient for you as you do not have to attend all of them.
This workshop includes poster presentations by teens throughout the district. The favorites selected by the participants will be posted for other clubs to replicate through a 'District Projects Directory', complete with photos, procedure manual, and inter-club peer mentoring contacts.
In 2017-18, we’ll answer the question “What is Rotary?” with RI President-elect Ian H.S. Riseley’s theme, Rotary: Making a Difference.
“Whether we’re building a new playground or a new school, improving medical care or sanitation, training conflict mediators or midwives, we know that the work we do will change people’s lives — in ways large and small — for the better.”
Give to PolioPlus between July 1st and September 30 and you’ll be entered into a drawing – you could be Sleepless in Seattle to commemorate World Polio Day!
This year, World Polio Day will be held in Seattle in recognition of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
A generous District 7910 Rotarian has donated airfare and a hotel room for two to travel to Seattle for World Polio Day on October 24. We have two tickets for you to be in the audience for an invitation-only, exclusive event honoring Bill and Melinda Gates and sharing the latest updates on Rotary’s efforts to eradicate Polio. The donor requires at least $2,500 in contributions to have a drawing for the trip. If not, the donation for travel costs will go directly to PolioPlus.
All you have to do to enter: Make a donation to Polio Plus of at least $25 between July 1st and September 30, 2017.
If you make your donation on-line, it can be made any time right up to September 30. If you choose to do it by check, make it payable to the Rotary Foundation and indicate PolioPlus in the memo section with the name of your club, and mail it by September 22 to: Karin Gaffney 17 Bulkeley Road Littleton MA 01460
Every donation is eligible for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s 2:1 match, so your contribution is tripled.
GIVE GENEROUSLY: The more your give, the more chances to win:
Let’s keep up the effort and soon we will be celebrating Rotary’s tremendous achievement - the eradication of this disease.
What’s Included: round trip airfare from Boston to Seattle, hotel room for two nights in Seattle. You are responsible for meals and other incidentals. Please donate online today: https://www.endpolio.org/donate Thank you for helping Rotary to End Polio Now.
While many people have heard of Rotary, few people actually understand what Rotary clubs do. In fact, 35 percent of the public is unfamiliar with any Rotary program, including their local club. That’s why Rotary has created a new global ad campaign called “People of Action.” The ads are available for download at Rotary.org / brandcenter, where you’ll also find guidelines on how to use and localize each element, making it easier for clubs in any part of the world to tell their story in a consistent, compelling way.
Rotarians and their guests will enjoy a "Rotary Wine & Dine Night" on Friday, September 22 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Point Breeze, located on the shores of Webster Lake in Webster. Free parking and live music will be available. The event is sponsored by the Rotarian Wine Appreciation Fellowship.
Rotarians and their guests will enjoy a "Rotary Wine & Dine Night" on Friday, September 22 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Point Breeze, located on the shores of Webster Lake in Webster.
Attendees will order food and drinks from the menu, so the cost per person will depend on how hungry and thirsty they are!
6:00-6:30 p.m. Cocktails 6:30-8:00 p.m. Dinner 7:30 p.m. Live Music (no extra charge)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Wow. When we started down the path of thinking about surveying all the Rotarians in District 7910 we were told to expect a 2% response rate. We were told that we would strike gold if our response rate was up towards 5%. Guess what? Approximately 17% of us took the survey! That is an overwhelming response, and it shows that we Rotarians are passionate about what we do. What is more, many, many of us took the time to write extensive comments and helpful suggestions. THANK YOU ALL!
.png)
