District Foundation Dinner Honors Club Awardees, Welcomes Polio Eradicator

Posted on Nov 15, 2019

Rotarian Ann Lee Hussey, a polio survivor whose life mission is to eradicate polio, inspired the annual District 7910 Foundation Dinner. The event was held on November 14 at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center in Framingham.

To view and download the event photos, click here. Make sure to click on the final image. It's a three-second video with an inspiring shout-out by: District Governor Pam Anastasi; members of the District Foundation Committee, chaired by Steve Sager; and, event keynote speaker Ann Lee Hussey.

During this event, Rotary clubs in our District also shared the inspiration behind their current Global and District Grants projects. And, several clubs were presented District awards. They are:

Support DG Pam’s Polar Plunge for Polio on February 29

Posted on Nov 14, 2019

District 7910 will join District 7930 on February 29, 2020 for D7930's 10th Annual Polar Plunge to Eradicate Polio. (Snow date: March 14.) To download the event flyer, in PDF format, click here.

At 11:00 a.m., District 7910 Governor Pam Anastasi will take the plunge into the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean at Long Beach in Gloucester. Her goal is to raise at least $5,000. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will then match it 2 to 1, so our $5,000 will become at least $15,000.

DG Pam's November Bulletin - A Little Different!

Posted by Pamela Anastasi on Nov 11, 2019

You may reach District Governor Pam Anastasi at pamela.anastasi@ebtc.com.

Deadline Extension! District Leadership Positions Available - Applications Now Due By November 25

Posted by Pamela Anastasi on Oct 11, 2019

Realizing that we are all busy and that it is a holiday weekend, we are extending the application deadline (originally, October 14) to November 25 for District Leadership Positions.

The future of our clubs depends on qualified candidates serving in leadership roles throughout the District. In order for our clubs to grow and have more impact addressing local and international needs, there must be Rotarians who will fill leadership roles and provide vision and management skills in support of the business aspects of running our District.

Rotary Leadership (Learning) Institute Registration is Open

Posted on Nov 11, 2019

If you or others have attended Rotary Leadership (and Learning) Institute, you would know the impact of this training program. RLI graduates often say that going through the program is what helped connect the dots for them - and made them feel like a Rotarian. In my mind, RLI is the best Rotary training around!

Please remind your club that the next RLI in our area will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Marriott Courtyard Marlborough. and registration is now open at www.rlinea.org. All the details on RLI as well as how to register are on the Home page of that website. This year's tuition is $110, which includes breakfast, lunch and the course materials.

To download my RLI presentation, in PDF format, click here. This is what I deliver to clubs when I visit, to speak about RLI.

Northborough Interact Service Project Benefits Worcester Shelter

Posted on Nov 18, 2019

By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter, Community Advocate

On a recent Saturday morning, nearly two dozen young members of the Northborough Rotary’s Interact Club gathered at the Northborough Police Headquarters to pack lunches that were to be delivered to a Worcester shelter later that day.

Interact clubs are youth-based Rotary International sponsored organizations affiliated with local Rotary clubs that bring together young people ages 12-18, who are committed to service above self while having fun and learning valuable leadership skills.

A Tribute to an Amazing Man: Doug Detweiler

Posted by Pamela Anastasi on Nov 16, 2019

It is with sincere sadness and disbelief that I notify you of the passing of Doug Detweiler, on Tuesday, November 12. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Concord for 46 years, and served as District Governor from 2013 to 2014.

Doug was a very dedicated and passionate Rotarian, and he truly lived his life by the motto of “service above self.” In addition to all his work in Rotary, he served on various non-profit boards, and volunteered at the Concord Free Public Library.

Doug was an avid learner. As such, he loved to read, and was a strong supporter of the Rotary Leadership Institute, which he fondly referred to as the Rotary “Learning” Institute.

Barry Friedman Saved Lives of Countless Children

Posted by Pamela Anastasi on Nov 16, 2019

Barry Friedman passed away on Tuesday, October 29. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Westwood,

Barry had decades of service with Rotary International, was the co-founder and president of the Gift of Life New England, which has provided dozens of children with life-saving heart surgeries. His dedication and perseverance for this program saved countless lives.

Neill Osgood Exemplified 'Service Above Self'

Posted by Pamela Anastasi on Nov 16, 2019

I am saddened that Neill Osgood passed away on Sunday, November 10. He was a dedicated member of Rotary Club of Charles River for more than 35 years, and served as the club's treasurer. He was very active in the club, and was a Paul Harris Fellow four times.

Neill was an Army veteran, and served during the Korean Conflict. He was known for his vibrant personality and his constant availability to family, church and community. He was also involved with many charities.

Neill had just turned 91 on November 6 - although he didn’t look his age. His friendliness and passion for service will be missed by all. He was a dedicated Rotarian, and exemplified “service above self.”

Charlotte Spinney: An Inspiration to All Who Knew Her

Posted on Nov 18, 2019

Members of the Rotary Club of Westborough and the community at large are saddened by the loss of Charlotte Spinney on July 24, 2019. She was an icon in the Westborough community, and an inspiration to all who knew her.

Remembering Ed Hall: 50+ Years of Service Above Self

Posted by Pamela Anastasi on Nov 08, 2019

It is with a heavy heart that I notify you of the passing of Ed Hall. He was a District Governor from 1987 to 1988 for District 7910, and he passed away on Thursday, November 7.

Ed was a member of the Rotary Club of Worcester for more than 50 years. In May 2017, he had the first-ever District award named after him: The Edward C. Hall Foundation Achievement Award.

Ed held numerous club and district positions, was a Major Donor, and received the Rotary Foundation Meritorious Service Award and the Service Above Self award. He also participated in many international foundation projects.

Of special note, is the work Ed did in Haiti. Through the use of advanced-engineering know-how and a touch of Yankee ingenuity, hard work and a Rotary Foundation grant of $475,000 matched by $25,000 of District funds, more than 30 solar-powered water systems were installed in many locations on the island nation.

Vad vet du om Sverige? (What do you know about Sweden?)

Posted on Nov 03, 2019

Certainly, you know about IKEA furniture and you’ve undoubtedly seen and tasted Swedish meatballs, but what do you really know about Sweden? The Rotary Friendship Exchange with Rotary District 2390, Southern Sweden, provides you an exceptional opportunity to learn much, much more about Sweden - and Swedes, in general.

Rotary’s Friendship Exchange is an international-exchange program for Rotary members and friends that allows participants to take turns hosting one another in their homes and clubs. Participants may travel as individuals, couples, families, or groups, and may be Rotary members or not. In 2020, our district will participate with Sweden in an RFE.

Southbridge, Sturbridge Clubs Exceed Food-Pantry Delivery Goal

Posted on Nov 05, 2019

District 7910 congratulates the Rotary clubs of Southbridge and Sturbridge for exceeding their 2019 goal by delivering more than 3,000 pounds of fresh, cleaned, organic produce, grown and delivered this year to St. John Paul II Food Pantry. And , they did it in only their second year.

World Polio Day Cheers Major Achievements Toward Global Polio Eradication

Posted by Ryan Hyland, ReliefWeb on Oct 25, 2019

If you haven't heard the good news, check out this article. We're getting closer.

Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) are celebrating a major milestone this World Polio Day: confirmation that a second type of the wild poliovirus has been eradicated, which is a significant step toward the ultimate goal of a polio-free world.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), announced the historic feat in a video address during Rotary’s Global Online Update on October 24. He said an independent commission of health experts certified the global eradication of the type-3 strain, which hasn't been detected anywhere in the world since Nigeria identified a case of polio that it caused in November 2012. The type-2 strain was certified as eradicated in 2015.

“That leaves just wild poliovirus type-1,” said Tedros (shown, in Nigeria). He also commended Rotary’s long fight against polio. “Everything you [Rotary] have done has brought us to the brink of a polio-free world.”

Nashoba Valley Named 'Best Club' of '18-'19

Posted on Oct 22, 2019

The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley has been named Best Club for Rotary 2018-2019 by Immediate Past Governor Steve Sager (left), shown presenting the award to club Immediate Past President Jacky Foster (right).

Among our District's 50 Rotary clubs, Nashoba Valley ranked in the top 3 in all categories - and had the highest number of points in total!

Rotary Peace Fellow Announces 'Building a Just Peace in Mexico and Beyond' Presentation in Worcester

Posted on Oct 11, 2019

Rotary Peace Fellow Matthew Johnssen, PhD., announces a presentation, Building a Just Peace in Mexico and Beyond by Pietro Ameglio on Tuesday, October 25 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Worcester State University. The event is free of charge!

'2019-2020 District Directory' Now Available!

Posted by Jim Fusco on Sep 30, 2019

Our 2019-2020 District Directory - at more than 300 pages - is available for download, in PDF format.

Note: The Assistant Governors will be be contacting the Club Presidents, to arrange for delivery of the District Directory.

Watch '20 RI Convention Promo Video

Posted on Sep 27, 2019

Check out the first promotional video for the 2020 Rotary International Convention, to be held next June 6 through 10 in Honolulu, HI. Click here to watch this one-minute video.

The City of Honolulu and Host Organization Committee welcome you with aloha to enjoy the sun, sand and fun of their island paradise.

DGE Diana Nestorova at GETS in Canada

Posted on Sep 21, 2019

District Governor-Elect Diana Nestorova is attending the Governor-Elect Training Seminar, part of the Rotary Zones 24 & 32 Conference in Niagara Falls, Canada. Congratulations, Diana! It's official!

RYLA 2019 Recap: Feelin' 800

Posted by Christine Pinney on Sep 20, 2019

Because of RYLA 2019, We have reason to celebrate!

We, Rotarians of District 7910, have directly impacted the lives of 800 people as a result of our 2019 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards in June at Fitchburg State University!

Check out the "Feelin' 800" we generated:

Charles River at Natick Days!

Posted on Sep 10, 2019

The Rotary Club of Charles River was recently out in the community of Natick at Natick Days with their fundraiser food-concession booth. Members grilled hot dogs, made fresh popcorn, and served drinks.

Does Your Club Need Help with its Public Image?

Posted by Susan Peghiny on Sep 01, 2019

Our District's Public Image Resource Team is here to help! We are a group of Rotarians who have lots of experience in social media, working with Clubrunner as users and webmasters, and Rotary.org and website development/content. Our goal is to help you understand the tools that are available so you can make your club’s outreach more effective.

Here’s what we can help you with and/or coach you on:

Visioning: Keeping What’s Great and Adding What’s Missing

Posted by Ron Faccenda on Aug 22, 2019

Summer is almost over and clubs across the district are working to finalize and implement their goals. This is a great time to consider a Visioning Workshop.

A Visioning Workshop can help ensure that your club’s goals are reflective of the values of your members, and that the goals have strong buy-in from the people in your club who will be carrying out these goals. If you are finding that your club’s goals are generating only a lukewarm response or that members aren’t stepping up to implement them, a Visioning Workshop could help get your club moving forward.

A Great Night at the Spinners!

Posted on Aug 11, 2019

Members of District 7910 had a great time at the Lowell Spinners game on Friday, August 9! Even though the team lost, it was a gorgeous night - and everyone enjoyed themselves. And the best part? We raised money to eradicate polio!

Shown are: Past District Governor Karin Gaffney (left), District Governor Pam Anastasia (center) and District Public Image Chair Sue Peghiny (right).

DG Pam Welcome

Posted by Pamela Anastasi on Jul 06, 2019

Hello everyone - and Happy Summer!

I am excited and honored to have the privilege of working with all of you over the next year! My two primary areas of focus are Membership and Public Image.

We do a great job attracting people to be Rotarians, but we need to make sure that we keep then active and engaged. Also, I believe that Rotary is still somewhat unknown in many communities; people have heard of it but they don't know who we are or what we do. I would like us to do a better job of letting people know what we do - and using social media to get the word out. I think that if every club sat down and made a list of all the projects that they supported in their local communities, people would be surprised and amazed at all we've done. Every club is active and engaged in their community; we just need to do a better job telling our story.