Governor's Message - June 13, 2016

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Governor's Message: Installations for the Class of 2016-2017 have begun
 
By Jim Fusco
 
This is a very special week because many clubs will be holding their installation ceremonies for their incoming officers. I want to congratulate each and every one of you for stepping up to the plate to lead your clubs for the 2016-2017 Rotary year, which begins July 1.
 
I was saddened to hear the tragic news of the nightclub shooting in Orlando, so we all should take a moment of reflection. Even with this tragedy, we still live in a great country and should realize that this is a special week. Tomorrow is Flag Day and a time to think about the great country we live in and the good that we do as Rotarians. I came across this special video about the history of our flag. I was so impressed by it that I want to share it with you and suggest that you think about playing it at your club meeting this week, prior to the Pledge of Allegiance. To watch the video, click here.
 
And, the third reason that this is a special week: Sunday is Father’s Day.
 
Including this issue, I have only three more editions of Rotary District 7910 Newsletter to produce. While I will miss sitting down each week at my computer to write my “Governor’s Message,” I am sure I will find something else to occupy my time.
 
Before I get into details in this newsletter I wanted to remind you of the following:
 
Foundation Donations: Please send in all your Foundation donations this week to ensure they get posted for this Rotary year, which ends on June 30.
 
Membership Rosters: Ensure that you have your membership list accurate and complete because you will be billed by Rotary International and District 7910 for your members of record as of this July 1. (See “RI and District Dues,” below.)
 
Pat and Skip Doyle (shown, right) will be installed as district governors on Sunday, June 26, taking leadership of our district on July 1. This will be bitter-sweet day for me as I turn over district leadership, but it will also be very satisfying because I know what has been accomplished in the past year and that the district will be in good hands going forward. It has truly been an amazing experience as I have traveled the district making visits, attending events, inducting new members and presenting Paul Harris recognitions. There was much that needed to be accomplished and we have done so much.
 
All of our Rotarians and partners who attended the Rotary International Convention in Seoul, South Korea have safely returned home and it is amazing to hear their stories. As you know, next year, the RI Convention will be in Atlanta and we already have more than 20 people registered to go. It will be amazing in Atlanta and I am sure District 7910 will be well-represented.
 
For me, last week was again on the quiet side, although I ended the week by attending Fishing Day sponsored by the Rotary clubs of Tyngsborough-Dunstable, Nashua, Lowell and Dracut with participation by Merrimack Valley and Westford. I am so proud to see our district’s clubs working together with another Rotary district. I am not a fisherman, but it was a blast. I did not catch a fish, but my granddaughter did. I'm shown posing with Bob Guernsey, president of Tyngsborough-Dunstable Rotary.
 
When I set my goals at the beginning of this Rotary year last July, I stated that I wanted our district to do a better job promoting scholarships and helping clubs with membership. My goal was to set up a District Scholarship Committee, with Tory DeFazio as chair, so we could do a better job. I believed that we were not effective enough in promoting the available scholarships. Although we have had some small committee meetings, the full Scholarship Committee will be meeting on Thursday to start the ball rolling. Another goal I had was to set up a District Resource Team that could help clubs with membership. Almost all clubs stated that they need help with membership and I believed the best way to help was to have a DRT, which will be holding its first meeting this Tuesday.
 
I am honored by the number of clubs who have asked me to attend their installation ceremonies, but unfortunately I can’t be in more than one place at a time, so I have had to give many regrets. I am looking forward to the clubs I will go to this week for installations and I am equally thrilled that I will be installing three new members this week.
 
District Fellowship Golf League: In May, the league played at Sterling Golf Course and all had a great time. The next round will be held at Butter Brook Golf Club this Thursday, June 16. This event is open to Rotarians and friends of Rotary, so talk it up. If you're interested in joining us on June 16, then click here.
 
Membership: Last week was not a good one because no new members were added and six members were terminated. Hopefully, the District Resource Team will be a help in growing membership. Don’t forget to ask … ask … ask.
 
Facebook is such an important tool for any organization and getting people to “like” our page is important. Reach out to your membership and Friends to have them “like” us. We are slowly growing our “likes.”  When my year began, we had just 465 “likes” and we needed to do better. We ran a Facebook contest from February to April and we are now at 649 "likes" - with the number increasing slowly each week. Plans are in the works for another contest.
 
RYLA Volunteers Needed: Rotary Youth Leadership Awards at Fitchburg State University is only three weeks away. Now, we need volunteers. Vice Chair Christine Pinney 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 Banners:  Our district banners are in high demand so I urge you to put in your banner request early. 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.
 
Shelter Box: Has your club ever thought about using the District Shelter Box as a PR tool or as a fundraising vehicle? ShelterBox and Rotary InternationalMany clubs have done so and in fact our Shelter Box was on display at last month's annual District Conference in Plymouth and will also be on display at the upcoming RYLA (see above). For hints on using the Shelter Box or to reserve it, click here.
 
RI and District Dues: Don’t forget that Rotary International and District 7910 dues are now based upon your membership data that are in Rotary’s database as of this July 1. No adjustments can be made to the RI or District invoice after they have been issued. I do not want you to end up paying for members who do not continue after June 30, so I urge you to ensure that your membership data are accurate in ClubRunner by June 30. The 2016-2017 officers will not have access to edit these data until July 1, so it is important that the '15-'16 club officers review them. I encourage all club officers to ensure they are registered on My Rotary. To register, click here.
 
RI on YouTube: Did you know that Rotary International has official online-media channels, including a YouTube page? You can find a wealth of Rotary-themed video that can be featured during one of your events. To check out RI's YouTube page, click here.
 
District Conference Photos: Check out the scores of photos by Cheryl Rosen of Hudson Rotary, Rich Prager of Worcester Rotary, Skip Doyle of Northborough Rotary, and me:
District Resolutions: During the Business Meeting portion of the recent District Conference, club delegates approved numerous changes to the District Resolutions. Click here to view the full, revised set of Resolutions, in PDF format.
 
I now have only three more weeks to serve as your District Governor - and I will keep busy to the end. Thank you for a great year!
 
Jim Fusco, 2015-2016 governor of District 7910, may be reached at  jim.fusco2@gmail.com.