Governor's Message - May 30, 2016
More On A Great District Conference!
By 'Pilgrim' Jim Fusco
As I told you last week, I am highlighting the District Conference in more detail in this newsletter. But first I want to mention two of my highlights from last week. On Wednesday, I visited Acton-Boxborough Rotary because I wanted congratulate them for a great year and recognize them for the awards they received at the District Conference. Acton-Boxborough received four awards: Presidential Citation-Gold; Youth Service Award; PR Make Your Mark; and PR Digital Marketing. While there I also had the honor of presenting a Paul Harris Award to club member MaryanneFleckner.
Below, I’m shown (photo, left) posing with Acton-Boxborough President Diana Nestorova, and along with Diane (photo, right) with Maryanne Fleckner.
On Thursday, I attended my club meeting (Montachusett Area Rotary) and had the privilege of presenting a Paul Harris Award to John Rossman and to Douglas Larson, who were instrumental in the work on our Global Grant in Gbanga. This was a joint grant with Ayer Rotary, whose president, Michael Phelan, was instrumental in the grant for his club. Michael has a great relationship with the Montachusett Area club and gave me the honor of presenting him with his Paul Harris +8 pin. Thank you and congratulations, Michael.
Shown, left to right: Michelle Gasbarro, Michael Phelan, John Rossman, Kelly Larson, Douglas Larson, and DG Jim Fusco.
Now, on to the District Conference. WOW! What a GREAT event! Here is a recap of what we did:
Friday:
District Business Meeting: We had a packed crowd and a quorum for the Annual Business Meeting. The highlight of the meeting was to vote on and approve 26 Resolutions. Click here to see the updated Resolutions as approved at this meeting.
Fellowship Reception: All were invited to this reception in the Hotel 1620 at Plymouth’s Harbor Grille and more than 100 people were in attendance. At this reception, special recognition was given to Foundation chairs, past district governors, major donors and members of the Bequest Society.
Paul Harris Dinner: Following the reception, we all migrated to the hotel’s Ballroom, where more than 190 people were in attendance. This event was emceed by John Sbrogna of Montachusett Area Rotary and featured an education on Paul Harris by Bill Lakso of Fitchburg Rotary, who was interrupted by a surprise visit by “Paul Harris.” A great presentation was made by Richard Pickering of Plimoth Plantation. Many awards – primarily, Foundation Awards – were presented, and here are a few:
- Citation for Meritorious Service Award to Roy Balfour of Shrewsbury Rotary
- International Service Award for a Polio Free World to Dr. Carl Good III, PhD, of Merrimack Valley Rotary
- The Rotary Foundation Service Award to Shirley MacPherson and Arnie Miller of Brookline Rotary, Lynn Duffy-O'Shea of Brookfields Rotary, Mike Thorton of Neponset Valley Rotary, Al Bowers of Athol-Orange Rotary, Ralph Hammond of Bedford Rotary, Richard Simon of Nashoba Valley Rotary, Michelle and Tony Gasbarro of Montachusett Area Rotary, Sanjay Deshpande of Wachusett Area Rotary, Mike Beek of Westford Rotary, John Sbrogna of Montachusett Area Rotary, Mark Blumentahl of Natick Rotary, Patricia Thorpe of Ayer Rotary, Tom Sawyer of Milford Rotary
- Vocational Service Leadership Award to Karen Jacobs of Brookline Rotary
- Major Donor Award to Satya and Supriya Mitra of Worcester Rotary
- Major Donor Award to Michelle and Tony Gasbarro of Montachusett Area Rotary
- Paul Harris Recognition to Dawn Phelan of Ayer Rotary and Melinda Nicholson of Bedford Rotary
Hospitality Sweets: After the Paul Harris Dinner, the majority of attendees migrated to the third floor to enjoy the Hospitality Sweets. Thank you to the following clubs for hosting Sweets - Brookline, Concord, Dracut, Marlborough, Montachusett Area, Newton, Westford, and Worcester - as well as to the Rotarian Wine Appreciation Fellowship, yet another host.
Saturday:
Fellowship Breakfast: We started the morning with more than 90 people enjoying the Fellowship, and I got an opportunity to that everyone for attending.
Taste of Rotary: Breakfast was followed by Taste of Rotary, which was attended by over more than people. This segment was coordinated by Bill Domings of Westborough Rotary and featured four segments: ESSEX Students; Understanding Personalities; “The Business Beat” and Rotary; and RYLA Exercises.
Free Time: From 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m., we had free time and attendees had an opportunity to enjoy a walking tour of Plymouth, a cruise on the Pilgrim Belle, golf at Squirrel Run, or a tour of either Plimoth Plantation or the Grist Mill. Many attendees chose to stay at Hotel 1620, enjoy the House of Friendship and spend time getting their photos taken in the photo booth.
Fellowship Reception: All were invited to this reception in the Harbor Grille and once again more than 100 people were in attendance. At this reception, special recognition was given to presidents, presidents-elect and new members.
Awards Dinner: Following the reception, we all migrated to the Ballroom, where more than 150 people were in attendance. This event was emceed by Steve Levitsky of Concord Rotary. A great presentation was made by Christopher Messier of Plimouth Plantation, playing the role of captain of the Mayflower. Many awards were presented and here are a few:
- Club of the Year Gold to Concord Rotary
- Club of the Year Silver to Bedford Rotary
- Club of the Year Bronze to Nashoba Valley
- Rotarian of the Year to Dick Andersen of Littleton Rotary
- Rotarian of the Year to Steve Jones-D’Agostino of Auburn Rotary
- Service Above Self Award to Klaus Hachfeld of Sturbridge Rotary
- Rotarian Spouse/Partner Service Award to Les Davis of Auburn Rotary
- Presidential Citation Gold to Acton-Boxborough, Concord and Nashoba Valley Rotary
- Presidential Citation Silver to Bedford and Gardner Rotary
- Presidential Citation Bronze to Brookline and Wachusett Area Rotary
- Presidential Citation for Interact Clubs to Bedford, Wellesley and Nashoba Valley Rotary
- Make Your Mark Award to Acton-Boxborough Rotary
- Club Service Award to Concord Rotary
- Community Service Award to Littleton and Worcester Rotary
- International Service Award to Concord Rotary
- Vocational Service Award to Bedford Rotary
- Youth Service Award to Acton-Boxborough Rotary
- Club Growth Award to Leominster Rotary
- Strategic Partners Award by Nashoba Valley Rotary
- PR Coverage Award to Brookline Rotary
Digital Marketing Award to Acton-Boxborough Rotary - Brand Compliance Award to Brookline Rotary
- Innovative Use of PR In A Project to Auburn Rotary
Hospitality Sweets: After the Awards Dinner, the majority of attendees migrated to the third floor to enjoy the Hospitality Sweets. Thank you to the hosting clubs.
Sunday:
Memorial Service: Carl Kaliszewski of Sturbridge Rotary conducted the service in which 26 Rotarians were remembered.
Fellowship Breakfast: Following the Memorial Service, 60 attendees gathered for breakfast before parting ways.
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View District Conference photos by Cheryl Rosen of Hudson Rotary, Rich Prager of Worcester Rotary, Skip Doyle of Northborough Rotary, and me:It was a great District Conference and I want to thank Conference Chair Karin Gaffney and her committee for organizing this great event.
I want to remind you again about a few things:
RYLA Volunteers Needed: Rotary Youth Leadership Awards is only four weeks away. While the program is being finalized, we now need volunteers. RYLA Vice Chair Christine Pinney asked me to remind you that as a rule of thumb a club should have 2 Volunteers for each RYLA student they are sponsoring. To volunteer, click here.
District Banners: Our district banners were prominently displayed at the District Conference. 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.
I now have only five more weeks to serve as your district governor and I will keep busy to the end. Thank you for a GREAT YEAR!
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to May 30 Newsletter