Governor's Message - April 18, 2016

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governor’s Message: Yet another increase in membership
 
By Jim Fusco
 
I am thrilled because this week we once again had an increase in membership. We now stand at 1,502 members or four more than when my year began. Keep up the great work in bringing in new members. If we continue to do great things in our communities and get these stories published in the local media, then we will continue this upward trend. I am sure that with everyone’s continued hard work we will end this Rotary year with an overall increase in membership. Remember that all you need to do is identify a person whom you believe would make a great Rotarian and ask them.
 
Last week, Past District Governor Tom Polito (shown, right) was in Evanston, Illinois representing District 7910 at Rotary International’s Council on Legislation. Tom gave me a call when the week-long session ended and pointed out two major decisions that were made:
  1. RI dues will be increasing by $4 per year for each of the next three years
  2. Rotary clubs now have an option to change their meeting requirements to two per month instead of weekly
Tom is writing up details of the COL results and will be providing a more detailed report in an upcoming newsletter. 
 
Our District Awards Committee has been hard at work determining the awards that will be presented at the District Conference on May 20-22 in Plymouth. The District Conference Committee met last week to fine-tune the schedule for this year’s District Conference, to be held from May 20 to 22 in Plymouth. Also last week, the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Committee met to continue planning for RYLA 2016 at Fitchburg State University.
 
And, the Red Sox held their first home series of the new season with a less-than-stellar three wins and three losses. On this, Marathon Monday, I am sure the Red Sox will start a new winning streak.
 
Brookline Rotary is all revved up as they plan to cheer on the Marathon runners from the Rotary Booth on Beacon Street. While I wish I could be there, I will be at Hotel 1620 in Plymouth working on the District Conference details. I will be back in time to attend the quarterly District Public Relations Committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Boxborough. On Thursday, I will be in Taunton representing District 7910 at the Grand Court, Order of the Amaranth, a Masonic-affiliated organization for Master Masons and their Ladies.
 
Facebook “Like” Contest: As promised last week, the winners of the our Contest are hereby announced: Westborough Rotary wins for most amount of “likes” by a club; and Auburn Rotary wins for highest percentage of “likes” by a club. Congratulations! Each club wins two tickets to the harbor cruise aboard the Pilgrim Belle at the District Conference in May. The great news is that last week, alone, we increased our “likes” by 19 to 638. Just because the Facebook contest has ended, do not stop asking your fellow Rotarians to “like” our page.
 
Westborough: Most Amount Of "Likes"
 
 
Auburn: Highest Percentage Of "Likes"
 
 
 
 
 
 
District Fellowship Golf: Don’t forget that the District 7910 Golf Fellowship League starts on Thursday, May 12 at Sterling Country Club in Sterling. Click here to register. And, we still have openings for the fellowship’s golf outing on Saturday, May 21 at Squirrel Run Country Club in Plymouth, during the District Conference. Click to register.
 
RYLA Volunteers Needed: Rotary Youth Leadership Awards is only two months away. While the program is being finalized, we now need volunteers. Christine Pinney has asked me to remind you that, as a rule of thumb, a club should have two volunteers for each RYLA student they are sponsoring. To volunteer, click here.
 
District Conference:  In just 32 days, on May 20 to 22, we will be celebrating your year in Plymouth. There is a bunch of things you should know, to make this an unforgettable experience. So here you go:
  • Package deals are available to save you money, so register now.
  • Saturday afternoon will be free time: Either take a harbor cruise on the Pilgrim Belle and enjoy a lobster roll lunch or a deli lunch; or play a round of golf at Squirrel Run, click here to register.
  • Business Meeting on Friday, and every club should send a delegate.
  • House of Friendship on Friday and Saturday, and every club should have a display.
  • Silent Auction on Friday and Saturday, and every club should donate an auction item.
  • Hospitality “Sweets” on Friday and Saturday, and every attendee should enjoy the fellowship. Click here, to reserve a "sweet."
  • Reception for New Members/Presidents/Presidents-Election Saturday. (Invitations were sent this past Saturday.)
  • Reception for Past District Governors as well as Major Donors on Friday. (Invitations were sent out this past Saturday.)
  • Paul Harris Dinner on Friday.
  • Keynote speakers from Plimouth Plantation during the Friday and Saturday dinners.
  • And much, much more!
For the complete 11-page District Conference Booklet (see, left), in printer-friendly black-and-white, click here.
 
To view the excellent three-minute promotional video (see, right), which was produced by Assistant Governor Richard Simon, click here.
 
Don’t forget that this is a family-friendly District Conference, so think about bringing your kids and grandkids.
 
Foundation Grants Qualification Seminar, formally known as Grant Management Training, is required for a club to qualify for grants as explained by Incoming District Foundation Chair Sanjay Deshpande in his presentation on both February 29 and at the recent Northeast Presidents Elect Training Seminar. Click here, to view and download the February 29 version, in PDF format. Two training dates have now been set: Saturday, April 30 at the Hilton Garden in Waltham and Monday, May 9 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Leominster; . For more information, click on the one you want to attend.
 
District and Global Grants for 2015-2016 Rotary year: Thank you to all the clubs for their efforts to close out the District Grants for 2015-2016 and being part of the District Grant Program. Thank you to the following team for helping the clubs close out their grants:
  • Roy Balfour: Hudson, Nashoba Valley, Natick, and Westborough
  • Richard Simon: Groton-Pepperell, Montachusett Area, Neponset Valley, Tyngsboro-Dunstable, and Wachusett Area
  • Joe Badenoff: Bedford, Brookline, Concord, Needham, and Newton
  • Bob Anthony: Acton-Boxborough, Auburn, Ayer, Fitchburg, and Littleton
  • Michelle Gasbarro: Framingham, Milford, Northborough, Shrewsbury, and Tewksbury
RI and District Semi-Annual Dues: All clubs have now paid their dues. Thank you! Just an early reminder: The next dues bills will be sent to you in July and they will be based on your membership numbers as reported as of this June 30. The amounts cannot be adjusted, so please ensure that your club’s membership records are complete and accurate as of June 30 so that it does not end up paying dues for members who will not be returning.
 
District Banners:  Our district banners have been busy. They are now available for you, so if you have an upcoming event or fundraiser and want to reserve one of the banners, please contact PR Chair Laura Spear at laura@spear.net.
 
Thank you for being part of a great organization and for being a Gift to the World.
 
We are having a great year!
 
Jim Fusco, 2015-2016 governor of District 7910, may be reached at  jim.fusco2@gmail.com.