Rotary District 7910 Newsletter - February 22, 2016
Upcoming EventsYou may submit event information per the District 7910 Promotional Guidelines. If your club does not use ClubRunner, please send your event information to Rotary District 7910 Newsletter. And make sure to add jim.fusco2@gmail.com to your club's distribution list.
NOTICE TO ALL CLUBS: You must send in your payments for your RYLA Students by this March 1!
Next RYLA Committee Meeting
Tuesday, March 1
6:30 p.m.
Holiday Inn, Boxborough
2016 District Conference: Plymouth Rocks!
by District 7910 Conference Committee
Click here to download the six-page 'District Conference Booklet,' which contains:
- Schedule
- Pricing
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Facebook "Like" Contest
Click here to watch the three-minute promo video, produced by Assistant Governor Richard Simon
Rotaract Advisor
Training Seminar
by District 7910
Rotaract Committee
NEW DATE, SAME PLACE: Monday, February 29, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Framingham State University: McCarthy Center, Third Floor, Faculty Dining Room
This free event is open to all Rotarians and Rotaractors
Click here to register now
Club Visits.jpg)
Invite District Governor Jim Fusco to your club's special events!
If you have any special club events that you would like me to attend or any inductions or presentations that you would like me to make, please let me know.
DG Jim
District EventsMonday, February 22-Monday, February 29
Monday, February 22
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn, Boxborough
Tuesday, February 23
Wednesday, February 24
4:00 PM – 5:30 p.m.
Hilton Garden Inn, Waltham
Wednesday, February 24
4:00– 5:30 p.m.
Hilton Garden Inn, Waltham
Holiday Inn, Boxborough
Monday, February 29
5:30-8:30 p.m.
Framingham State University
Monday, February 29
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Home of Assistant Governor Richard Simon, Sudbury
RI Spotlight
Cyclists raise more than $4 million in Miles to End Polio ride
The campaign to eradicate polio got a major financial boost from the recent annual Miles to End Polio bike ride, held as part of El Tour de Tucson, which took place last November 21 in Arizona. Rotary General Secretary John Hewko and a team of eight RI staff members helped raise $4.4 million. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match the funds 2-to-1, bringing the total contribution to PolioPlus to more than $13.5 million. To read more, click here.
RI gives $35 million boost to polio eradication
Rotary International recently released $35 million in grants to support polio-immunization activities and research in nine countries, including Afghanistan and Pakistan. The funds will build on last year’s historic achievement of stopping the transmission of the wild poliovirus in Nigeria and all of Africa. To read more, click here.
Zone 32 Holds Foundation Webinar
On February 2, Rotary Zone 32, of which District 7910 is a part, held a webinar titled “Best Practices to Improve Foundation Giving." If you missed that webinar, click here to watch video of it, and click here to download the PowerPoint presentation for it.
To read Zone 24 & 32's February 2016 Beyond Borders newsletter, click here.
Attend A Presidential Conference
Find innovative ways to improve your community by attending one of five presidential conferences in 2016, hosted by Rotary International President K.R. "Ravi" Ravindran (shown) and The Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair Ray Klinginsmith. Each will highlight one or more of Rotary’s areas of focus:
- Economic Development, February 27 in Cape Town, South Africa
- Literacy and WASH in Schools, March 11-13 in Kolkata, India
- WASH in Schools, March 18-19 in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Conferences will be led by local Rotary districts and are open to both members and non-members. They will feature engaging speakers, informative general sessions, and hands-on workshops. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with fellow leaders and take away new ideas and strategies to put into action.
Check Out Rotary Voices Blog
Check out Rotary Voices, the official blog of Rotary International. This blog features stories by and about Rotary members, Rotary program alumni, and the people we partner and work with.
Governor's MessageLots of things to do this week!
By Jim Fusco
I hit the ground running last Monday following our R&R in the Caribbean aboard the Royal Princess. I spent my first day back reading and responding to e-mails. On Tuesday, Pat and Skip Doyle held their second Pre-PETS session at the Holiday Inn in Boxborough, and I stopped in to say "hi" to the presidents-elect. (What a great class they are). I then attended the meeting for club RYLA chairs run by Christine Pinney. Great job, Christine. Read more
is newsletter, in PDF format.
Click here for past issues.
Download or print the meeting minutes for 2016 District Conference CommitteeDistrict & Club RoundsWellesley club's Bob Anthony co-authors column on Rotary clubs learning what it takes to fight global epidemics
Bob Anthony, a member of the Rotary Club of Wellesley and president of Adolescent Wellness Inc. along with Dr. William E. Russell, president of William Russell & Associates, Consultants in Education and Philanthropy, recently co-authored a column for the Metrowest Daily News titled "From polio abroad to teen depression at home." In the column, they address efforts by U.S. Rotary clubs to eradicate polio abroad and teen depression at home. Click here to read their column.
Click here for information on the Rotary Club of Brookline's first Teen Wellness Workshop on Sunday, February 28 in Brookline. Members of the Interact Club of Wellesley are helping to launch an Interact club in Brookline around that workshop, titled titled Peer Leadership and Depression Prevention.
Bob Anthony may be reached at bobanthony@adolescent-wellness.org.
Newton and Waltham clubs wear red in support of our troops
By Tony Bibbo
On February 10, Members of the Rotary Club of Newton joined with member of the Waltham club for a joint meeting at the Chateau 
Restaurant in Waltham. As host, Waltham provided Newton with a most welcoming event. In addition to club members, there were a number of veterans who joined as guests of some of our two clubs’ members. The speaker, Dave Mann, a retired member of the U.S. military, provided an excellent talk about his experience in World War II, during which he was unfortunately wounded and later received a Purple Heart.
Restaurant in Waltham. As host, Waltham provided Newton with a most welcoming event. In addition to club members, there were a number of veterans who joined as guests of some of our two clubs’ members. The speaker, Dave Mann, a retired member of the U.S. military, provided an excellent talk about his experience in World War II, during which he was unfortunately wounded and later received a Purple Heart. As a significant part of this event, many Rotarian wore red as a reminder to our troops, veterans and those to serve in the future that we have them in mind and thank them for their service. The meaning of this national movement of Wearing Red on Friday is about our support of the individuals noted above - not battles or military policy with regard to war or other military initiatives.
Following the moving presentation by Dave Mann, a number of Rotarians and veterans gathered for this photo while displaying the red worn in honoring our troops.
Tony Bibbo,co- chair of the Rotary Club of Newton's Public Image Committee, may be reached at ajbibbo@aol.com.
In other Newton news: This Wednesday, Febuary 17, the club holds its annual Paul Harris Dinner starting at 6:30 p.m at the home of Dick and Lee Hardaway. RSVP to either Tony Bibbo at ajbibbo@aol.com or Dick Hardaway hardaway@hardawayassociates.com.
Southbridge Rotary club sponsors new Interact club at Southbridge Middle/High School
By Jay Brenner
On January 26, Southbridge Town Council Chair Esteban Carrasco congratulated the members of the newly formed Interact Club of Southbridge Middle/High School for their spirit and desire to determine their own goals and create an outlet for service to their school and community. He encouraged them that the path they have chosen was a positive statement to their parents, the staff at SMHS and the community. The ideas and effort made to accomplish their goals will be a benefit to all.Southbridge Rotarian Jeff Davenport also thanked the students for so quickly jumping in and working together to brainstorm ideas and choosing to mentor the 8th graders to prepare them for work at the high school level. He also thanked Club Advisor Sheila Jalbert and Principal Melissa Earls for their efforts in making the Interact club a reality.
Jeff also asked the Rotarians present to stand. He then reminded the students that all of those Rotarians were ready to help them make their Interact club a success.
Shown, left to right, are: Southbridge Interactors Kaytlyn Mekal, Callie Mathieu, Gianna O’Brien, Mikayla O’Brien, Tori Trifone, Bill Chieng, Jake Boisvert, Jordan Velez Bomba, Ruben Rodriguez, Cam Boisvert and Kaleb Blackmore. Missing from the photo are fellow Interactors Ashleigh Prince, Jessica Emery and Jonathan Poulin.
Jay Brenner, president of the Rotary Club of Southbridge, may be reached at jbrenner64@gmail.com.
Ukraine Rotary Clubs Need Our Help With Recent Polio Outbreaks
Twenty-five years ago, the Rotary Club of Shrewsbury co-sponsored the first Rotary club in Ukraine, 
which was the Rotary Club of Kiev. Now, a quarter-century later, Ukraine needs our help with recent polio outbreaks in that eastern European nation.
which was the Rotary Club of Kiev. Now, a quarter-century later, Ukraine needs our help with recent polio outbreaks in that eastern European nation.Rotary in Ukraine has now has grown to more 43 clubs. Click here to watch a video posted by our fellow Rotarians in Ukraine regarding the recent outbreak of polio. It demonstrates that with low awareness and low vaccination rates, one plane ride can cause this disease reappear again overnight and anywhere - even in America. Ukraine Rotary clubs are looking for help. The best way is to make a donation of any size. To make a donation, click here.
Every donation gets amplified by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which donates $2 for every $1 donated by Rotarians. That causes each donation of $1 to triple to $3. Click here to learn more about that match.
Register Now For This Free 'New Generations' Event!District 7910's First-Ever Rotaract Advisor Training Seminar, which is open to all Rotarians and Rotaractors
NEW DATE, SAME PLACE: Monday, February 29, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Framingham State University - McCarthy Center, Third Floor, Faculty Dining Room.
To Register Now for this free event, click here
To download the two-page Event Flyer, in PDF format, click here
Youth are the future of Rotary. If you lead a veteran Rotary club, what are the diversity, energy and youth metrics for your club? Rotary is at a crossroads in terms of membership – particularly, in North America. Many clubs have stagnant, minimal or decreasing membership. Rotary International along with District Governor Jim Fusco and our district’s leadership of New Generations programs are addressing this issue. One of the solutions is to attract and engage younger members – those under 40 - and to develop strong and vibrant youth programs, in particular, Interact and Rotaract.
Register Now! for the 2016 District Conference!
In just 88 days - our annual District Conference will take place at The Hotel 1620 at Plymouth Harbor in Plymouth.Registration is now open. To register now, click here.
To watch the 'Pilgrim Jim' promo video, which was produced by Assistant Governor Richard Simon of the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, click here.
To download the 'Everything-You-Need-To-Know' District Conference Booklet, which contains the following, click here
- Schedule
- Prices
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Facebook 'Like' Contest
To download the District Conference Souvenir Book order form, click here.
Major District & Club Happenings: FebruarySunday, February 28: Brookline - Teen Wellness Workshop
Click here for a recent MetroWest Daily News column on teen depression, co-authored by Bob Antony of the Wellesley club. Members of the Interact Club of Wellesley are helping to launch an Interact club in Brookline around this workshop.
Monday, February 29: District 7910's 'Rotaract Advisor Training Seminar'
Rescheduled from February 8 due to snow storm
Thursday, March 31: District 7910 - Social Media Seminar
Friday, April 15: Deadline for the Rotary District 7910 Facebook Contest
Click here for contest details
Submit Major Club Happenings
Send flyers of your club's major events and activities, in either JPEG or PDF format, to Jim Fusco at jim.fusco2@gmail.com.
Committee SpotlightPETS Update: Presidents-elect, mark your calendars
By Pat and Skip Doyle
We and all of you have embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. We have attended the Rotary International Training Session in San Diego, so we are ready to help all of you become well-prepared club presidents in 2016-2017. Thirteen presidents-elect attended the first PETS Prep on February 11 at the Doubletree Hotel in Leominster. The reviews are in and those in attendance expressed satisfaction with the experience. One president-elect thanked Skip for twisting his arm to come. He felt he would not have been prepared for PETS without the experience of PETS Prep. Another said it was “great, a real eye-opener.” Read moreDistrict Positions: Grant Subcommittee
By Jim Fusco
The Rotary Foundation is the vehicle that allows us to do good in the world through District and Global grants. Operating procedures for the Grant Program are defined in the Rotary Foundation Code of Policies (COP) dated January 2016. Specific operating policies for the Grants Subcommittee are delineated in Section 7.020.2 of the COP. Read more
Membership Corner: Membership Tips For New Presidents
By Tom Sturiale
This is an exciting time for all the incoming presidents. You just completed pre-PETS and are about to go through the intensive PETS sessions. Information is coming at you like water through a fire hose. You never thought it was going to be this complicated. You are now beginning to understand how complex the job of being president of your Rotary club is going to be. You will also begin to appreciate the job your outgoing president has done. You may begin to have some doubts about your ability to handle the job. However, you still have four months before the mantle of the president is passed on to you. With the help of the current president and some time to absorb all the information, you will do fine. However, it will be important to utilize the next four months appropriately in order to start your new year on the right foot. Read more
PR Tips: Check out 2015 Rotary media coverage
By Laura Spear
Check out this Flipboard site to see 2015 media coverage of Rotary from around the world. The site contains 215 articles about Rotary, including polio progress, Rotary’s 100thanniversary in Hawaii, and recognition for six international women of action. Access Flipboard from a browser or use the Flipboard app on your smart phone, and select this “magazine” and other Rotary magazines to read new articles as they are published
Laura Spear, chair of District 7910's Public Image Committee, may be reached at laura@spear.net.
Peace Fellowships: Application Deadline Is May 31
By Terry Parker
Each year, Rotary International selects up to 100 individuals from around the world to receive fully funded academic fellowships at one of RI’s Peace Centers. These fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses. Read more2015-2016 District DirectoryView and Download (requires member login)
Submit Content
To submit content for consideration for the Monday, February 29 issue of Rotary District 7910 Newsletter, please e-mail it to District Governor Jim Fusco at jim.fusco2@gmail.com. The submission deadline is Friday, February 26. All text must be in Word format. All images must be in either JPEG or PDF format.
Watch our videos on YouTube
Contact Us
©Copyright 2015-2016
Rotary District 7910, Central Massachusetts, USA
2015-2016 District Governor Jim Fusco
Rotary District 7910 Newsletter Editor Steve Jones-D'Agostino