Wachusett Area Sets 'Serving Is the Heart Of Rotary' For Valentine's Day

Wachusett Area Sets 'Serving Is the Heart Of Rotary' For Valentine's Day![]() The Rotary Club of Wachusett Area is sponsoring Serving is the Heart of Rotary on Sunday, February 14, with a Grab & Go Lasagna Dinner for Wachusett-area seniors. |
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Brookline To Screen 'Brookline, Facing Civil Rights' On January 28![]() The Rotary Club of Brookline is screening “Brookline, Facing Civil Rights, a work-in-progress 23-minute documentary film by R. Harvey Bravman, on Tuesday, January 26 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. The Brookline club is starting its monthly evening meeting with this special program in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. |
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Local Ways To Take Part In MLK Jr. Day![]() District 7910's Social Equity Task Force shares these local opportunities to participate in Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations on Monday, January 18. |
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Westborough Achieves 'Trex Plastics Collection' Goal![]() The Rotary Club of Westborough had quite a successful Trex Plastics Collection Drive on January 16 at Kohls' in Northborough. With this latest collection, we have achieved our goal of 500 pounds in less than two-and-a-half months. |
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Summary And Video: Rotary At Work's January Economic Forum![]() Paul Harris started Rotary asking fellow business professionals to use their skills to help their community. People join Rotary for fellowship, networking, but, unlike some Business Networking International groups, to also have an impact on their community and their world. Fellowship and networking are often overlooked, yet are Rotary's most powerful tools. Vocational service is one of Rotary’s main efforts. It is in that context that Rotary developed the "Rotary Means Business fellowship years ago for Rotarians, to help fellow Rotarians grow their businesses. |
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Franklin's First Virtual Event Set For February 12![]() The Rotary Club of Franklin is holding its very first virtual event, so this means anyone around the globe can participate. The event is called Say It With Art: A Valentine Date Night & Live Virtual Fine Art Auction. All purchased art will be framed and be shipped to your home address - free shipping within the U.S. |
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Red Cross Recognizes Tewksbury Club, Wamesit Lodge For Blood Donations![]() In 2020, through the efforts of the Rotary Club of Tewksbury and the Wamesit Masonic Lodge, the Red Cross was able to move many of its blood drives, which were cancelled in other donor buildings because of the COVID-19 pandemic, to the Tewksbury Masonic building. |
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10 Ways To Be A Peacebuilder In The New Year![]() Resolve to be a peacebuilder in 2021. Peace underscores much of the work that Rotary members do in improving communities around the world. |
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Acton-Boxborough Masks Up To Support Community Supper![]() On January 6, the Mt. Calvary Community Supper was hosted by the Naidoo family with the support of the Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough. |
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DG Diana Inducts Two Worcester Members![]() The Rotary Club of Worcester was fortunate on January 7 to have DG Diana with us. During the Zoom meeting, we were also joined by two new club members. |
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Hot Off The Press: January's District Newsletter![]() Our top stories are: December's 'Jingle & Mingle' Party Highlghts; Connect with Rotary's Service and Project Partners; and, Upcoming Club Events. To read the entire January newsletter, click here. |
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Connect With Rotary's Service And Project Partners![]() Rotary’s service and project partners are finding creative ways to connect while gathering in person is difficult. Look at what they’re doing and get inspired. |
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Tip O' The New Year's Hat To Our District 7930 Friends![]() This is a slighly edited version of a December 11, 2020 story on WickedLocal.com: Local Rotary clubs in District 7930 and Rotary International collaborated to deliver a $44,950 grant to non-profit Care Dimensions, the largest hospice- and palliative-care provider in Massachusetts, to be used for the purchase of personal protective equipment for their frontline workers.
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Wellesley Named A 'Wellesley Hero Of 2020'![]() |
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Southborough Marks 60th Year With Exemplary Service![]() This is a slightly edited version of a December 29, 2020 article on MySouthborough.com: This year, the Rotary Club of Southborough had big plans. In addition to supporting annual traditions, the Southborough chapter was looking forward to celebrating its 60th year. Then COVID-19 reared its ugly head.
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Top 5 Things To Know In January![]() Here are our Top 5 Things To Know In January. 1. Register Now:
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Newton Raffles 'Monster Gourmet Gift Basket' To Support COVID-19 Research![]() Support the Rotary Club of Newton's Monster Gourmet Gift Basket Flash Raffle. All net proceeds will support COVID-19 research. |
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Give Back To Rotary This Holiday Season With Rotary Global Rewards![]() Rotary Global Rewards wishes you a happy holiday season. We hope that you are healthy and safe. Consider giving back to Rotary with Rotary Global Rewards. |
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February 1 Deadline: Nominate Your Outstanding Rotaract Project![]() Does your Rotaract club or district have an outstanding project? Nominate it to the 2020-2021 Rotaract Outstanding Project Awards, to receive recognition from Rotary International and inspire others around the world to take action! |
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Worcester Rings Bells For Salvation Army![]() There was a lot of fun on December 19 at the Walmart store in Worcester. Salvation Army bellringers from the Rotary Club of Worcester had a party talking to each other - and to any customers and donaters who would listen. |
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Rotary Involvement With COVID-19 Vaccination![]() In these difficult days, we are so heartened to receive such uplifting reports on the unrelenting efforts of our Rotary members who have responded in their communities against the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the single question we hear time and again as we traverse the virtual world is, “Are we getting involved with COVID vaccination?” Considering the success and expertise we have gained in our polio eradication effort, this question is both natural and timely. The answer is yes. We will have an important role in the months ahead. |
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Rotary International's 2020-2021 Annual Report![]() Rotarians and Rotaractors worldwide unite in service to improve communities near and far. Together, we: promote peace; provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; support education; fight disease; save mothers and children; grow local economies; protect the environment; provide disaster relief; and eradicate polio. This work takes commitment, knowledge, leadership, and above all, determination to take action.
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Weston And Wayland Holds First-Ever Christmas-Tree Sale![]() Please purchase your Christmas trees this year in Weston, to support scholarships, food-security projects and other charitable initiatives of the Rotary Club of Weston and Wayland. |
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Worcester Zooms Glögg Party![]() The Rotary Club of Worcester has great Glögg Party on December 17 via Zoom, with fun, friends, frivolity and imbibing. Some kids and animals came, too - they just had little sips. |
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Highlights: Our 'Jingle & Mingle' Holiday Zoom Party![]() Scores of Rotarians throughout District 7910 joined the fun on December 16 for our district's 2020 'Jingle & Mingle" Holiday Zoom Party. Rotarians - including District Governor Diana Nestorova - wore their festive holiday apparel, hats and fascinators while mingling in the main room with friends, old and new. |
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Acton-Boxborough’s Virtual Silent Auction To Aid Worthy Local Causes During COVID-19![]() This year, the Acton Food Pantry and the Domestic Violence Services Network need more assistance than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Help the Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough to assist these two worthy local causes by supporting the service-above-self club's Bid for Brighter Futures virtual silent auction. The online event which was previously planned to start on February 11, 2021 and end on February 27, 2021 with a Gala Presentation will now take place during the Spring 2021. Stay tuned for the upcoming dates. |
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Support Our 2020 Rotary Foundation Appeal![]() It’s been quite a year. A global pandemic. Economic disruption. A renewed focus on social injustice. Climate change. And. through all this, Rotarians continue to demonstrate "service above self" in our communities and across the globe. Whether we’re restocking food pantries, helping to provide clean water, fighting addiction, eradicating polio, or supplying critical personal-protective equipment to our first responders, funding from The Rotary Foundation makes our work possible. |
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Acton Boy Scouts Troops' Holiday-Tree-Removal Fundraiser![]() Over the years, Acton Boy Scouts of America Troop 284 has picked up holiday trees as a fundraiser to support local troop activities. This year, Troop 284 is joining forces with Troop 1, also from Acton, to expand the fundraiser to better support scouting in Acton and our community. This event allows the scouts to give back to the community by helping families with holiday-tree removal.
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Neponset Valley Sunrise Plays Secret Santa/Shopper![]() In these interesting times, it is great to know that your local community members have got your back! The Rotary Club of Neponset Valley Sunrise was out a couple weekend ago, dropping bucks for gift cards from Salem Food Market, El Centro, La Taquria, Midway, Blue Ribbon BBQ, Big Bear Cafe, Brickhouse Cafe, Pizzadoro’s, Cathay Kitchen, Harrow’s, and Risers - all, in Dedham. |
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Hot Off The Press: Our December Newsletter![]() Our top story is our December 16 JINGLE & MINGLE Zoom Holiday Party. To read the entire December newsletter, click here. |
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Register Now: Our Economic Forum 'Brainstorming Session,' January 5![]() The essence of a Rotary Fellowship is to engage with Rotarians around a common interest. In keeping with January being Rotary Vocational Service Month, District 7910 invites all interested Rotarians to a one-hour Brainstorming Session on ways we can help with jobs, growth and mentoring. The session will be held on Tuesday, January 5 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. |
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Register Now: Virtual RLI, January 23 - Best Training About Rotary For Rotarians![]() Registration is open for District 7910’s RLI NEA's Seminar on January 23, 2021. Rotary Leadership (and Learning) Institute is delivering The Best Training about Rotary for Rotarians for only $25 - and, virtually via Zoom, making attending more convenient than ever!
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Announcing '19-'20 Foundation Award Winners![]() We are excited to announce the Foundation Award winners for Rotary 2019-2020. Merrimack Valley took home three banners, while Billerica, Charles River, Leominster, Montachusett Area, Nashoba Valley and Needam each won two banners. Big, hearty congratulations to all of the winners! |
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Marlborough Personalizing Santa Video Letters - Deadline Sunday, December 13![]() Are your kids bummed out because they can’t see Santa in person this Year? 'Dear Santa' is the virtual solution! The Rotary Club of Marlborough is producing personalized videos of Santa answering your child’s wishes — with a little extra added. |
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Acton-Boxborough Collects Food For Acton Food Pantry![]() The Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough has collected 361 pounds of food for the Acton Food Pantry. Contributors shown are, left to right: Claude Miquel, Ann Sorvari, Diana Nestorova, Maureen Masciola, Johan Sorvari, and Padma Jonnavithula. |
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Charles River Donates Supplies To Metrowest Medical Center![]() The Rotary Club of Charles River has donated 1,500 medical masks and candy to the snack room of MetroWest Medical Center for first responders. The club, which serves Ashland, Framingham, Natick and Wellesley, thanked the nurses for their tireless commitment to the health of our community in the fight against COVID-19.
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Watch November's 'Open Doors With DG Diana:' Rotary Foundation![]() The monthly "Open Doors with DG Diana" online meeting on November 17, with more than 120 attendees, focused on The Rotary Foundation. Our keynote speakers were Past Rotary International President Ravi Ravindran, chair of the Board of Trustees of The Rotary Foundation; and Amanda Lanigan, of Worthy Village, a Rotary Peace Scholar. November is Rotary Foundation Month, which we celebrated during this online meeting. The amazing program also reviewed the District Grants and Global Grants that our clubs have participated in since July 1, and heard testimonials from our Rotarians and people we've helped with our grants. During the online meeting, the Rotary clubs of Charles River and Northborough had the best member attendance (per capita). They will each receive a Paul Harris award. The clubs will decide which one of their members will be awarded a Paul Harris, and the District will make contribution in that person's name. Because the online event - this year's District Foundation Meeting - was free, we encourage you to make a donation of $20 or more to the Rotary Foundation's Annual Fund. To make your tax-deductible donation, click here. |
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Save The Date: Acton-Boxborough's 'Bid For Brighter Futures' Virtual Silent Auction, February 11-27![]() Save the date to bid early - and often - to benefit two worthy local causes! Join the Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough for our virtual silent auction, Bid for Brighter Futures, from February 11 through February 27, 2021. |
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Get Ready To 'Jingle & Mingle' Starting Tonight At 7:00 On Zoom![]() Beat the Storm Gale Blues! Charge up your laptop - and, if needed, use your smartphone as a mobile hotspot! Register now - and for free - for District 7910's 'Jingle & Mingle' Zoom Holiday Party, which starts at 7:00 tonight. It's open to both Rotary members and guests! To register for free - and get tonight's Zoom meeting link - click here. |
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Westborough's Elliott Rittenberg Named 2023-2024 District Governor![]() We are excited to announce the selection and confirmation of Elliott Rittenberg, from the Rotary Club of Westborough, as our 2023-2024 District Governor. Congratulations |
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Top 5 Things To Know In December![]() Here are our Top 5 Things To Know In December:
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How Your Dollars Change Lives in District 7910![]() With Rotary Foundation Month coming to a close and the holidays just around the corner, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your investment in the Foundation! We’d like to share with you these inspirational stories of impact. Thank you for your contributions to The Rotary Foundation! We couldn’t have done it without you! |
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Shrewsbury Sets Table For 'Holiday Gift And Giving' Online Basket Auction![]() This fall it became clear that the Rotary Club of Shrewsbury's traditional in-person meetings and fundraising opportunities were going to be impossible because of the pandemic. With some brainstorming, club members decided to try something unconventional - and the Holiday Gift and Giving Online Basket Auction was born! |
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Acton-Boxborough's Virtual Silent Auction Set For February To Benefit Worthy Local Causes![]() Get ready to bid early - and often - to benefit two worthy local causes. Join the Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough this February for its virtual silent auction, Bid for Brighter Futures, a fundraiser in support of the Acton Food Pantry and the Domestic Violence Services Network. |
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Celebrating Service-Above-Self Lives: Skip Hall, Gary MacConnell and Tom Sturiale![]() As we mourn the passings of long-time and dedicated Rotarians Preston "Skip" Hall (on left), Gary MacConnell (in middle) and Tom Sturiale (on right), we also celebrate their decades of tireless and dedicated service above self to their clubs and their communities. Skip and Gary were long-time members and past presidents of the Rotary Club of Worcester club, while Tom was a long-time member and past president of the Rotary Club of Framimgham. |
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New Videos In Rotary's PSA Campaign![]() New videos have been added to Rotary International's Public Service Announcement campaign. |
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Newton's Elves Seek Toys For Kids![]() The Rotary Club of Newton is so happy to be partnering this year with our friends at The Village Bank, to help ensure that every kiddo in Newton has a special winter holiday this year! |
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November Is Rotary Foundation Month![]() See how our Rotary Foundation and our Rotarians are creating lasting change across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. |
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Framingham Supplies Ramp For Elderly Shut-In![]() In its most recent random act of kindness (RAK), the Rotary Club of Framingham has supplied a handicap ramp for Bridget, an elderly, wheelchair-bound Framingham woman living with her daughter Carol’s family and struggling with health and financial issues. |
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Bedford Runs 'Bike-Helmet Give-Away,' '9/11-Memorial Clean-Up' Events![]() Bike-helmet give-aways and a 9/11-memorial clean-up were the focuses of two recent, successful Rotary Club of Bedford events. |
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Hot Off The Press: Our November Newsletter![]() Our top story is Rotary Foundation Month. To read the entire November Newsletter, click here. |
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Westborough Launches Trex-Recycling Effort![]() The Rotary Club of Westborough is excited to announce its new Trex Recycling Challenge Program. |
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'Pie In The Sky' Time In Newton![]() The Rotary Club of Newton is again partnering with The Presti Group to support Community Servings. Order pies for yourself, your friends, and your colleagues. And/or, make a donation to help Community Servings deliver medically tailored, nutritious, scratch-made meals to chronically and critically ill individuals and their families. |
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Guide To Foundation Grants For Clubs |
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Marlborough's Recycling Event Most Successful Yet![]() This year, the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce joined with the Rotary Club of Marlborough in their 10th annual Community Recycling event on September 26 and October 24 at the Navin Rink parking lot in Marlborough. After a wildly successful event on September 26, the October 24 event was even more successful — indeed, it was the most successful recycling day in the 10-year history of the semi-annual event. |
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Rotary Youth Exchange: Your Passport To Adventure![]() For more than 40 years, Rotary Youth Exchange has been one of Rotary’s best-known programs. As an official program, it dates to 1975 — but, by that time, Rotary clubs had already been sending students abroad for decades with the aim of promoting international understanding and friendship. |
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Foundation 101 |
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Rotary Youth Exchange News |
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Training RYLAns To Make Effective Presentations![]() Rotary Super District 6400 has been working to create a Rotary Youth Leadership Awards event that is self-sustaining - essentially, run by Rotaractors and Interactors. Super District 6400 is a group for Rotarians connected to Rotary District 6400, which serves the southwest part of Ontario, Canada and the southeast part of Michigan. |
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Rotary Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Webinar, November 12![]() A Rotary DIversity, Equity, Inclusion Webinar is set for this November 12 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) The free webinar focuses on The Power of Connection with Diverse Communities, with moderator Beth Keck, practitioner-in-residence for China Studies at The Johns Hopkins University SAIS.
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Watch Brookline, RI Polio-Eradication Videos![]() To help mark World Polio Day 2020, which was on October 24, both the Rotary Club of Brookline and Rotary International produced polio-eradication videos. |
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Join The 'Virtual World Interact Week' Party![]() Join the virtual World Interact Week party to celebrate the power of Interact, featuring a special guest appearance, exciting new announcements, and an opportunity to connect with Interactors around the world. In addition to joining the virtual party, take action with your Interact club with these ideas to celebrate World Interact Week: |
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Guide To Hybrid Club Meetings![]() Rotary District 7930's Public Image and Technology Committee, in cooperation with its Membership Committee, has published a Guide to Hybrid Club Meetings. |
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Rotary Public Image Update: November 2020![]() Here is the next Rotary Public Image update!
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Register Now: 'Open Doors With DG Diana' On Rotary Foundation, November 17![]() Register now for District 7910's 2020 Foundation Meeting. This year, it's free and online, via Zoom. Note the earlier-than-usual start time, 6:00 p.m. (ET), to accommodate our international guests. To register, click here. |
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Amanda Lanigan![]() Vice President, Director at Worthy Village, Amanda Lanigan has worked as an educator in various capacities for nearly a decade. A Rotary Peace Fellow, sponsored by district is 7950, she is currently currently studying for her Masters in Conflict and Resolution as a Rotary Foundation Peace Scholar, abroad in Sweden. Amanda holds a BA degree in History, with minors in Political Science and Secondary Education from Bridgewater State University. She has worked on education and cultural exchange programs in Mexico, Guatemala, and Cape Verde. Amanda was involved with volunteer work in Guatemala and was deeply touched by the passion, work ethic, and community of all those involved. Upon returning home, she immediately began making an effort to bring opportunity into the organization, and continues to work on a daily basis to build Worthy Village. Through her efforts, our programs and methods were featured in the United Nations’ Youth Science-Policy Interface Publication on Disaster Risk Reduction. Amanda is deeply passionate about fostering cultural exchange and service learning opportunities for young people and adults. Amanda hopes to explore the intersection of climate change and conflict, specifically regarding migration and food security. She is also interested in researching how peacebuilding methods can be utilized to empower marginalized groups. Amanda has ten years of experience in the education and non-profit sectors. As an educator, Amanda aided in the development of programs designed to foster leadership, inclusivity, community service, and global citizenship. In the non-profit sector, she has worked with community leaders to develop programs focused on education, economic empowerment, and social services for underserved populations. She has also worked to enhance sustainability and cross-cultural communication in the non-profit sector. Over the summer, Amanda conducted research for International IDEA for her Applied Field Experience. There she conducted research on the impact of COVID on elections and Special Voting Arrangements. Currently, she is interning at Uppsala University with the Policing and Political Violence Project, and conducting research for the Dallaire Center of Excellence in Toronto on climate change and conflict. |
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Addressing Modern Slavery Worker Vulnerability During COVID-19![]() Note: Tatyana Kobb, a member of the Rotary Club of Newton and Rotary International's ambassador to the United Nations, shared this story. A key focus on the U.N. is to end modern-day salvery. This story is from Asia Global Online. The massive labor dislocation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has left millions of Asia-Pacific workers more susceptible to exploitation. Matthew Friedman, CEO of The Mekong Club, an international labor-rights advocacy group, explains how the coronavirus has created new vulnerabilities and what companies and managers can do to help mitigate abuses and keep workforces safe. |
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Successful Greater Merrimack Valley 'Coats For Our Kids' Drive![]() Rotary clubs serving the Greater Merrimack Valley area came together recently to collect more than 200 new coats during the Coats for Our Kids drive. The Billerica, Tyngsboro-Dunstable, and Westford clubs were looking for coats for all ages, from infants to teenagers. |
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Northborough Raises $1,600 With Online Trivia Competition![]() Watch the Rotary Club of Northborough's Applefest Streetfair Online Trivia Competition, held on October 24. |
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Leominster Donates WASH Items For Local Use![]() The Rotary Club of Leominster had planned to send one of its Rotarians last March to Guatemala on a Global Service Project. The WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) project at the 23 primary schools in Guatemala is designed to invest in water and sanitation systems and provide comprehensive hygiene and menstrual education. |
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Attend Virtual West Africa Project Fair, November 9-13![]() Given the challenges of hosting in-person events, many Rotary project fairs will be hosting virtual events this year. They include one in West Africa, which invites clubs elsewhere in the world to join in. |
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Northborough Kids Coat Drive Needs Sponsors![]() A Kids Coat DrIve, sponsored by Northborough Helping Hands and promoted by the Rotary Club of Northborough, still needs coat sponsors. The drop-off deadline is November 18. |
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Promoting Your Events![]()
TIP 1: Flyers should be saved as PDFs (for print publishing) or JPEGs (for online publishing) For print or paper publishing, save the flyer as a PDF. For online or digital publishing, save the flyer as a JPEG. TIP 2: Select High Resolution Whenever possible, save your images as high resolution, so that they will appear as high-quality, crisp images.
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NBC's Kristen Welker: Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship Recipient![]() Did you like the outstanding job NBC-TV reporter/anchor Kristen Welker did of moderating last week's Trump-Biden Debate? If so, you may be interested to know she is a recipient of a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship. |
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Charles River Donates Masks To Natick Veterans![]() The Rotary Club of Charles River has donated 500 masks to the Natick Veterans Department to thank military veterans for their service. |
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Worcester Covers COVID-19, Kids Clothing And Halloween Candy![]() The Rotary Club of Worcester has been quite busy with service above self in recent weeks, covering COVID-19, kids clothing, and Halloween candy. |
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The State Of Rotary Membership![]() COVID-19 has posed new and previously unimagined challenges. But within every challenge can be an opportunity - in this case, for Rotary membership efforts. |
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Engaging Alumni To Strengthen Rotary![]() Each year, thousands of people become part of the family of Rotary by participating in Rotary programs, including Rotary Peace Fellowships, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), and New Generations Service Exchange. After a positive experience in these programs, Rotary alumni often wish to join a Rotary or Rotaract club. |
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Southborough Helps Local Families Facing Food Insecurity
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Help Mark World Polio Day - One Day, One Focus: Ending Polio![]() World Polio Day is today! Tune in for Rotary International’s World Polio Day Online Global Update, streamed in multiple languages around the world. To watch the 32-minute video, click here. |
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Move With Worthy Village, November 7 and 8![]() A group of 21 Rotarians and non-Rotarians from District 7910 had planned to conduct a service mission last March in the Lake Attilan area of Guatemala, which is served by the charitable, non-profit Worthy Village, co-founded by Julia Rayberg, a native of Rockland, Massachusetts. That trip was indefinitely postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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Second District Rotaract Meeting Held On Zoom![]() On September 30, District 7910 held its second District Rotaract Zoom Meeting since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last winter. This was the first meeting since colleges resumed their Fall 2020 schedule. |
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Watch October's 'Open Doors With DG Diana:' Community And Youth Service During COVID-19![]() ![]() |
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Billerica Creates Rotary Room For Traumatized Children![]() The Rotary Club of Billerica had learned about students who had only trash bags for their belongings. Because of home circumstances, they were forced the night before to be taken into custody by the state Department of Children and Families. The DCF office in Chelmsford covers Ayer, Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Lowell, Pepperell, Shirley, Tewksbury, Townsend and Westford. |
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Growing Membership, Fellowship Through Service ProjectsService projects help Rotary clubs promote themselves, engage their members, and attract new members. They also let Rotarians involve their family and friends to participate in Rotary, and to increase collaborative efforts with other community-service groups in the area. |
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Potential Global Grants With Overseas Clubs![]() Is your Rotary club looking for a Rotary Global Grant project to get involved with? Look no further. Here are six overseas Rotary clubs seeking funding partners.
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Neponset Valley Sunrise's Duck Race To Live-Stream October 24![]() The Rotary Club of Neponset Valley Sunrise is small but enthusiastic. For the last 18 years, we put together a Duck Race in June as our major fundraising event. This year, however, the coronavirus forced us to evolve in new ways. |
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Brookfields Completes Desk-Shields Project For Schools![]() Wrapping up a project that began in August, the Rotary Club of the Brookfields and its partners now have assembled and delivered more than 125 protective Plexiglass desk shields to seven elementary schools in our area. The schools receiving shields are located in Brookfield, East Brookfield, North Brookfield, Spencer (Wire Village), Sturbridge (Burgess), Warren, and West Brookfield. |
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A Hurricane Force: Bahamian Rotarian Roosevelt Rolle Jr.![]() Growing up in Nassau, Bahamas, Roosevelt Rolle Jr. remembers how his parents extended a hand to neighbors who needed food or to friends who were without a place to stay. In high school, Rolle joined Interact, and after college, the Rotaract Club of Freeport. “My love for Rotary grew another notch,” he says, “because we had so much fun and we did a lot of volunteer work in the community.”
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'Service Above Self Award' Nominations Sought By RI![]() The purpose of Rotary International's Service Above Self Award is to honor outstanding Rotary and Rotaract club members whose service activities deliver an impact to humanity. The award is granted to up to 150 Rotarians and Rotaractors each year, and no more than one recipient from each district. |
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Acton-Boxborough Scares Up Contest Entry![]() The Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough has scared up an entry for the fifth annual Scarecrow Making Contest at Acton’s Cucurbit Farm. The contest, which kicked off on September 1 and goes through October, benefits the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. |
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Littleton Discovering Rotary Community Corps![]() In many parts of the world, Rotary is a very prestigious institution that you must be invited to join and, as you know, costs a lot to belong to - especially, in developing countries. The result is that, in much of the world, Rotary is something to aspire to. While at the Rotary International Convention in Seoul, South Korea, I discovered the Rotary Community Corps concept. A Rotary Community Corps is a way for members of the local community to participate in Rotary without membership costs. It's also a way for aspiring Rotarians to show their commitment to service above self. |
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Watch Don Wilson's 'Building Rotary Membership Through Passion And Asking' Workshop![]() Did you miss our Building Rotary Membership Through Passion And Asking workshop on September 16? To watch the presentation by Don Wilson, author of What’s Your Woobie? – Simple Strategies on Your Uncomfortable Path to New Opportunities, click here |
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Hot Off The Press: Our October Newsletter![]() Check out the District 7910 October Newsletter. This month's cover story: COVID-19: The Real Science. |
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Join October's 'Open Doors With DG Diana:' Service Projects![]() Join District Governor Diana Nestorova and dozens of your fellow District 7910 Rotarians on October 15 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. This month, our topics will be local community-service and youth-service projects. It's free. |
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One Day. One Focus: Ending Polio - World Polio Day, October 24![]() This year, World Polio Day is observed on October 24. This annual observance was established by Rotary International in order to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk, the developer of a vaccine against polio. |
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RYLA '20-'21 Kick-Off Is Coming![]() We need your ideas to create the best RYLA ever. Yes, things are different now. The young people of District 7910 - our future leaders - need us more than ever. They need us to encourage and coach them, and to share our passion for service and our knowledge of all things Rotary. In the spirit of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, in this time of COVID-19, we will mentor with compassion and creativity, we will put our diverse heads and hearts together to innovate to create opportunities for learning and connections. |
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Looking For Creative Online-Fundraiser Ideas?![]() If your club is looking for a creative online fundraiser, check out what Rotary District 7980 in Southern Connecticut is doing. Using Eventgroove Fundraising's platform for clubs, they've adopted and launched an extraordinary all-in-one fundraising platform. |
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Nigerian Rotarian Named One Of Time's '100 Most Influential People'Dr. Tunji Funsho, chair of Rotary’s Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee, joins 100 pioneers, artists, leaders, icons, and titans as one of Time's "100 Most Influential People." Time recognized Funsho for his instrumental leadership and work with Rotary members and partners to achieve the eradication of wild polio in the African region. He is the first Rotary member to receive this honor for work toward eradicating polio. |
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Education During COVID-19: Pathway Out Of Poverty![]() For years, Rotary clubs and districts have been using The Rotary Foundation's Global Grants to work with our partners to expand access to learning, realizing that education is a pathway out of poverty. The COVID-19 pandemic, with school closures, loss of jobs, and social distancing, has threatened to reverse some of those gains. Learn how Rotary and partner organizations are pivoting to meet the challenges imposed by the pandemic, including supporting remote learning. And find out how you can make sure your grant project has the desired impact and leads to sustainable outcomes. |
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Concord Builds Beds For Needy Kids, Membership Growth![]() All children need a bed to sleep in. That is the mission of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a national non-profit that works to build thousands of beds for children so that no child anywhere across the nation will be sleeping on the floor. Getting thousands of children off the floor was the goal of SHP’s Build Day on September 26, called “Bunks Across America 2020,” during which local chapters built as many beds as possible on this one day. That may be 20 or more beds being built per chapter, and together across the nation with all the other chapters combined efforts, it amounted to thousands of beds being built in one single day. |
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RI VP Johrita Solari To Address Boston 7![]() On Wednesday, October 7 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. the Rotary Club of Boston 7 is excited to have Rotary International Vice President Johrita Solari as their guest speaker. |
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District Leadership Nominations: Accepted Through October 8, Interviews On November 4![]() We are beginning this year’s nominating cycle for district leadership positions, which is an exciting time for District 7910. 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. |
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Rotary Zone 32 Promotes Public Image Efforts |
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Nashoba Valley Delivers For Rotary Million Mask Challenge Tour![]() Members of the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley have been delivering masks to organizations in the Bolton, Lancaster and Stow area, including public-safety offices and nursing homes, as part of the Rotary Million Mask Challenge Tour. Several hundred masks have been delivered with plans to deliver at least another 500 more. More masks will ship in early October. If you or your organization needs masks, contact info@nashobarotary.org. |
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Watch September's 'Open Doors With DG Diana:' Fundraising And Membership![]() On September 22, numerous Rotarians took part in "Open Doors With DG Diana," an online session focused on fundraising and membership. To watch the 67-minute video, visit this page. To read the minutes, visit this page. Note: To access the page, you need to be an active Rotarian in District 7910, and login to the District's ClubRunner account. Check out past "Open Doors With DG Diana:' (member login is required) |
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Acton-Boxborough Celebrates First Child Heart Surgery In Pune, India Project![]() The Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough, the international partner in a Rotary Global Grant called "Healthy Children, Happy Nation," initiated by the Rotary Club of Pune Pristine in Pune, India, is thrilled to announce that the first of 50 planned child heart surgeries has been successfully completed.
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Virtual Project Fair With Clubs In Equador![]() Greetings from District 4400 in Ecuador! Are you looking for an international project? Are you looking for a partner? Find them in our XV Project Fair! |
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Register: 'Open Doors With DG Diana' On Fundraising During The Pandemic, September 22![]() Come one, come all to the monthly Zoom meeting “Open Doors with DG Diana." This month's timely topic will be: Fundraising During the Pandemic. The meeting will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m. To receive the Zoom link, register here in advance.
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What Rotary Has To Offer Young Members![]() What’s life like for people between the ages of 18 and 35 in the Boothbay region of Maine? Through Rotary, young people take on leadership positions that expand their skills while they serve. Rotary does more than help during a crisis like COVID-19; it provides experiences that translate into a better future in any career. |
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Social Equity Task Force - Diversity, Equity And Inclusion![]() District 7910 has formed a Social Equity Task Force. This group will address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our clubs and our communities.
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'Raise For Rotary' Now Live![]() There’s a new way you can raise funds for The Rotary Foundation. Our new peer-to-peer fundraising platform, Raise for Rotary, is now live in English! This new fundraising tool is easy to use, shareable on social media, and gives donors recognition credit! |
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Don Wilson's 'Building Rotary Membership Through Passion and Asking'![]() Invest one hour of your time on Wednesday, September 16 starting at 5:30 p.m. and it could dramatically change your Rotary club’s membership trajectory. Take part in a fast-paced, interactive session with Don Wilson, renowned sales educator, featured TedX speaker, and author of What’s Your Woobie? – Simple Strategies on Your Uncomfortable Path to New Opportunities. |
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District 7910's Global Grant In San Andres, Mexico: Friendship And Service 20 Years In The Making![]() This is a story of international service and friendship with the San Andres community and its Rotary club, on the East Coast of Mexico. It is 20 years in the making! |
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Hot Off The Press: Our September Newsletter |
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Finding Confidence In Rotary Youth Exchange![]() Binish Desai (shown on the right) began working on an eco-friendly brick made out of recycling and waste, when he was 11. The former Rotary Youth Exchange student, inventor, and entrepreneur credits Rotary with giving him the support to pursue his dreams. Now he’s giving back through a new Rotary club. |
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Support Needham Rotarian's Hunger-Relief Effort In Bujuuko, Uganda![]() COVID-19 is miserable for those without food. My name is Sylvia Balungi Kiggundu and I currently reside in the Waltham and am a member of the Rotary Club of Needham. COVID-19 has been hard for me — I am a certified nursing assistant who continues to go daily to my work, taking care of older people who need my help. I am blessed to be able to be on the front lines helping, and I pray for my clients and their families to avoid this horrible disease. |
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Southborough Rotarians Pre-Screen Town Voters On Primary-Election Day![]() A big shout-out to Rotary Club of Southborough members Acacia and Will Warren, Anu Sehgal, Christine Narcisse, John Cook, and Sue Mankaruos, who were on deck at the September 1 Primary Election voting location in Southborough, helping the Town Clerk's Office pre-screen voters with health questions. |
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RI's Michael McGovern On The' Plus' in PolioPlus![]() With the recent announcement that the entire continent of Africa has been declared free of wild poliovirus, we have met a major milestone in the battle to remove the threat of this terrible crippling disease from the planet Earth. But it's much more than polio - that's why we call it PolioPlus. |
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![]() Your Rotary club wants to do an international project. A Rotarian involved with health-care projects in another country invites you to visit. You feel it’s important to see the needs firsthand, but your club members are not interested in making the trip. Instead, some suggest donating surplus medical equipment, which they think any health-care project could use. What would you do? |
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Virtual Rotary Leadership Institute Set For September 26![]() The best Rotary training program is coming! The Rotary Learning/Leadership Institute will be held virtually for the 2020-2021 Rotary year. This is the program that answers all questions about Rotary, whether you've been a Rotarian for one month, one year, or one decade. The three-part program was developed over the past 28 years by former district governors and club presidents, to meet the needs of club leaders and all Rotarians seeking a better understanding of Rotary. |
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Public Image 101 |
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Westborough Awards Scholarships To Five Seniors![]() The Rotary Club of Westborough has awarded scholarships to five local seniors. The scholarship program recognizes students who are contributing to the Rotary vision of a world where people unite and take action, creating lasting change in our communities and across the globe. |
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How To Optimize Your Hybrid Meetings![]() The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Rotary clubs to get innovative, and perfect ways to hold virtual meetings. Now, some areas are resuming in-person meetings. But not every member is excited to return. Rotary coordinators in eastern Canada and the United States share their tips for hosting compelling hybrid meetings that will keep every member engaged, including those still preferring remote connections. |
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Westborough Invites Requests From Community![]() As the newly inducted president of the Rotary Club of Westborough, I am dedicated to “strengthening the club’s mission of providing service to others in our town." As such, we are reaching out to the community for suggestions to help with local projects that serve Westborough and the Worcester County community. |
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African Region Certified Free Of Wild Poliovirus![]() It our pleasure to announce to you that the African region has just been certified as free of wild poliovirus. Rotary members have played an invaluable role in the effort to rid the African region of wild polio. We should be proud of all the hard work that we’ve done to eliminate the wild poliovirus throughout Africa and in nearly every country in the world. |
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Nashoba Valley Donates Backpacks, School Supplies, Pantry Items![]() The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley stepped in this year to supply backpacks and school supplies to both Lancaster and Stow. More than 130 backpacks were assembled between the two towns for kids who might struggle to have the required supplies. |
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Why Being Kind Is As Important As Ever![]() Your parents told you to be nice to people. Guess what? They were right. Here’s why. Doing good doesn’t only benefit other people. It helps us, too. |
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Why Being Kind Is As Important As Ever![]() Your parents told you to be nice to people. Guess what? They were right. Here’s why. Doing good doesn’t only benefit other people. It helps us, too. |
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RI President Urges Rotarians, Rotaractors To 'Embrace Our New Reality'![]() Greetings, fellow Rotarians and Rotaractors!I am so honored to serve as your president this year. We have important work ahead of us at Rotary, and we are going to have a lot of fun as we do it. Last year, we launched our five-year Action Plan to build a stronger future for Rotary. We are working to increase our impact, expand our reach, enhance participant engagement, and increase our ability to adapt. The last several months have shown that we — as Rotarians and Rotaractors — can realize these goals as we forge a new path for the future. |
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Share Your Ideas At RI's 2021 Convention In Tapei![]() Do you have an idea or project that you want to share with your Rotary family during Rotary International's 2021 Convention in Tapei? Breakout sessions can inspire attendees, help them polish their leadership skills and give them new ideas for projects, fundraising, strengthening membership, and more! |
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Let's Be Social! |
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Nominate Your Outstanding Rotaract Project By February 1![]() Every year, Rotary International recognizes the top Rotaract projects around the world in the Rotaract Outstanding Project Awards. One club and multi-club group receiving top honors will each be awarded $1,000 to support their projects. Nominations are now open. |
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Check out August's 'Open Doors With DG Diana:' Your District Leaders And Friends![]() Our District held its very first monthly "Open Doors with Diana, Your District Leaders and Friends" on August 12 via Zoom. Club presidents and officers, district leaders and all Rotarians were invited to talk about current issues, brainstorm ideas, and share best practices. |
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Watch '20 Rotary Virtual Convention's Breakout Sessions![]() Rotary International's first-ever Rotary Virtual Convention, in June, attracted more than 60,000 registrants and 175,000 viewers during its weeklong program. The robust participation shows that Rotary members are finding ways to experience key parts of Rotary’s annual international convention, fellowship and fun, despite the COVID-19 pandemic that forced the cancellation of the in-person convention that had been planned this year for Honolulu, Hawaii. |
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Hot Off The Press: Our August 'District Newsletter'![]() To read our District Newsletter for August, click here. To view past newsletters for 2020-2021, click here. |
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Jennifer E. Jones Makes History, Becomes First Woman Named RI President-Elect![]() Jennifer E. Jones, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, has been nominated to become Rotary International’s president for 2022-2023, a groundbreaking selection that will make her the first woman to hold that office in the organization’s 115-year history. She would officially become president-nominee this October if no other candidates challenge her. |
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Register: Free Zone 28 & 32 Online Summit, September 23-25![]() If you have already registered for the Zone 28 & 32 Online Summit on September 23 through 25, thank you! If you haven't already done so, please register now - it's free - and join your friends from throughout Zones 28 and 32 via Zoom for our annual gathering. Traditionally known as the Zone Institute, it's now a series of online opportunities to interact with Rotary’s movers and shakers, including breakout sessions for all attendees. The daily sessions will begin at 7:00 p.m.
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Fundraising In A Changed World![]() Here are six important considerations that go into a successful online-fundraising event. |
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Update On District Grant Proposals![]() September 2020 Update: District Grant Subcommittee Recommending All Requested District Grant Awards Be Funded at Their Full Value The District Grant Subcommittee has reviewed all 18 district grant proposal submissions (with 19 clubs participating) and is passing its recommendation to the Foundation Advisory Board (FAB) that all requested District Grant awards be funded at their full value. After we receive FAB approval (sometime this week), emails of awards will be sent out to the Points of Contact (PoC) on the grant proposals. At that point, if a club has funds (or can deposit funds) in their dedicated district grant accounts, they can actually start purchasing supplies for their district projects."
August 2020 Update: While the deadline for District Grant proposals was June 30, we allowed clubs to refine their proposals up to July 27. That's when proposals were being made available for review by the District Grant Subcommittee.
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What's Up with RYLA?![]()
In the next week, our 150 registered RYLA student Attendees and Alternates will be invited by our Group Facilitators(GF) to a small local group online Get-to-Know-You session.
Announcing RYLA Meetups! |
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New Youth Program: Youth of Action, Making A Difference![]() Mirroring Rotary International's People of Action campaign, we are starting a new district-wide program, a monthly youth forum called Youth of Action, Making a Difference. It'll be a series of online and, when possible, in-person sessions to bring young people and Rotarians together to discuss the challenges and opportunities of living in today's society. We want to create a sustainable program for our young people. The ultimate goal is for Rotarians - and young people related to Rotary - to go back to their communities and do service projects together related to these issues. |
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Register: 'Open Doors' With DG Diana And Your District Leaders And Friends, August 12![]() Come one, come all to the monthly Zoom meeting “Open doors with DG Diana and your District leaders and friends." Club presidents, officers and all Rotarians are invited to talk about current issues, brainstorm ideas, share best practices, and experience this fellowship. The first one is set for Wednesday, August 12 at 6:30 p.m. Click here, to register |
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Join Northborough To Help Partners In Health StopCOVID![]() A member of the Rotary Club of Northborough was inspired by a personal conversation with Dr. Paul Farmer, co-founder of Partners In Health. Her enthusiasm, shared with her club members, led the Northborough club to work on a presentation about Partners In Health and StopCOVID, its response to COVID-19 pandemic. To view the StopCOVID presentation, made during a recent online club meeting, click here. To watch the 1-minute StopCOVID video, click here. |
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Important Changes In Global Grants Started July 1![]() It would be an understatement to say the world is facing a global crisis of a magnitude never seen before by this generation. Many of our communities lack funding and are struggling to provide the very services and qualities that would otherwise have made life comfortable. Many of our own members have been seriously affected, both in terms of their health and in terms of their finances. In these circumstances, the Board of Trutee of The Rotary Foundation must make decisions that enable our organization to persevere and thrive. We cannot do that without your complete help, support, and understanding.
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RI Liability Insurance And COVID-19![]() Rotary International's Liability Insurance policies have been renewed for the policy term July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. The RI liability policy effective July 1 includes a communicable-disease exclusion that applies to COVID-19. Communicable-Disease Exclusion This global pandemic has created tremendous challenges for the Rotary community as well as the for insurance industry. As insurers are inundated with COVID-19 claims for loss of business, most insurers are now excluding coverage for liability claims arising from communicable diseases, including COVID-19. As a result, the current general-liability policies for the RI insurance program have a communicable-disease exclusion. This means the policy does not apply to any liability or any other loss, cost, damage, expense, injury, claim or suit, arising out of, or resulting directly or indirectly, in whole or in party from a communicable disease, including COVID-19. |
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Don Wilson - Building Rotary Membership Through Passion and ASKING![]() Many Rotary Clubs have challenges with membership growth. Invest an hour that could change your Club’s membership trajectory in a fast-paced, interactive session with Don Wilson. Upon registration you will receive a Zoom log in. Registration will open soon at www.rotary7910.org. ![]() |
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District PolioPlus Committee Seeks Three More Members![]() The worldwide PolioPlus program has been responding to COVID-19. The community of health workers, the surveillance system, and health-care supplementation, created to help us in the eradication of polio, is a powerful engine, primed to work on any biological threat. The PolioPlus engine stopped Ebola in its tracks in Africa. Today, that engine is being used to effectively halt the spreading of COVID-19 in the countries where PolioPlus has teams. We are preparing an informational program to relay the importance of funding the PolioPlus program to eradicate polio. The program will also to give the world the tools, procedures, and local connections needed to combat outbreaks of other diseases. |
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Southborough Seeks Your Help On 'Project Spirit!'![]() Muncipal clerk’s offices around the Commonwealth are struggling with an overwhelming workload due to the pandemic during upcoming elections. Ensuring the functioning of clerks’ offices is going to require more hands on deck than ever before. Project Spirit!, as in the Spirit of 1776, is a volunteer initiative from your local Rotary club to lend a helping hand during this time of a pandemic, social unrest and elections. |
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Acton-Boxborough Partners In $94,000 COVID-19 ICU Project For India Hospital![]() The Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough is the international partner in a $94,000 COVID-19 intensive-care-unit project at Surya Sahyadri Hospital in Pune, India. This project, set in motion by the six Rotary clubs of Pune, India, was created to fund the fight against this terrible new disease. ![]() The Pune project has funded personal-protective-equipment |
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Sturbridge Continues Supporting Traumatized Children - You, Too, Can Help![]() Children who have lost a parent, sibling or grandparent can be traumatized for many years despite loving attention from relatives, teachers and friends. The Rotary Club of Sturbridge has worked the last two years with Comfort Zone Camp (CZC), a 20-year-old, non-profit bereavement organization led largely by parents who have lived through this experience. CZC organizes person-to-person and virtual camps free to the children, where professional counselors provide life-changing improvements for the kids and guidance for their parents. Recently, Sturbridge club program speakers Sherri Pelski and Anne-Marie Worthy, representing CZC, were linked via Zoom, and attendance was made available to all Rotarians in District 7910. |
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Rotary Clubs Respond with COVID-19 projects![]() Take a look at the projects these clubs initiated in response to COVID-19. |
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Movie Music Scoring with Professor Patrick Kirst
In Rotary year 2000-2001, Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar Patrick Kirst from Germany was host-counseled by the Sturbridge Rotary Club, while he studied at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. He studied further at New York City University until “9/11” impacted him deeply; he lived just 10 blocks from Ground Zero! He subsequently continued studies at the University of Southern California in LA, under distinguished composers such as Academy Award nominee David Raksin, Golden Globe nominee Christopher Young, Jack Smalley and Grammy Award winner Joe Harnell. |
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Ayer's World-Famous Ducky Wucky River Race Looking for Ticket-Selling Partners![]() Has your club's fundraising added up to a big goose egg because of the pandemic? Now's your chance to feather your charity nest by selling tickets to the Rotary Club of Ayer, Shirley, Harvard and Devens' world-famous Ducky Wucky River Race on August 29 in Ayer.
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Congratulations From Someone Who Shall Go Unnamed![]() To watch a video of Diana Nestorova being congratulated upon her installation as 2020-2021 district governor by someone you're sure to recognize, click here. |
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Videos Of '20-'21 District Installation Ceremony![]() On July 9, District 7910 held its first-ever Zoom District Installation Ceremony! All participants are now part of history. The Ceremony an evening of:
Here are additional videos from the '20-'21 installation Ceremony on July 9: |
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Newton Rotarian Tatjana Kobb Named RI Representative To UN![]() We are delighted to congratulate Newton Rotarian Dr. Tatjana Kobb for her appointment as a 2020-2021 Rotary International Representative at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. She was selected for this role by RI President Holger Knaack. She has been a member of the Rotary Club of Newton since October 2017, and continues her membership while residing temporarily in China. The president of RI annually appoints Rotarians and Rotaractors to serve as UN representatives, with an aim of fostering relationships with UN agencies and key international organizations and raising awareness of Rotary programs, while keeping Rotary informed of their organization's initiatives. The network advances a century-old tradition of fostering global harmony. Through the representatives' participation in various high-level meetings and events, they help advance the aims of Rotary around the world - chief among them is the eradication of polio and new actions, including the seventh Area of Focus: the environment. |
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Kevin Sullivan: Opened His Home to Many Young Students![]() Kevin Sullivan, a member of the Rotary Club of Bedford since 1998, passed away suddenly on July 15. He was very involved with the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, the Youth Exchange Program (ESSEX), and the Gift of Life. He opened his home to many young students, led the Group Study Exchange to Egypt and many more. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Ellen Sullivan, and her family in this difficult time! To read Kevin's obituary, click here. |
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Allen MacPherson: Embraced 'Service Above Self'![]() It is with a very heavy heart that I announce that Allen MacPherson from the Rotary Club of Brookline passed away on June 14. He was a long-time Rotarian who was very active in the club, along with his wife, Shirley MacPherson. Allen truly embraced the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self,” and was a member of several other local organizations including the Brookline Elks, Beth-horon Lodge A.F., and the Brookline VFW. He was also a Naval Veteran who served in the Korean War. |
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Upcoming Club EventsVoting January 10-24 Wellesley's 'Got Pets' Photo and Video Contest Vote for your favorites, all while helping a good cause. Download flyer February 12 Franklin's Say It With Art: A Valentine Date Night & Live Virtual Fine Art Auction February 14 COMING SOON April 13-30 Acton-Boxborough's 'Bid For Brighter Futures' Virtual Silent Auction
Bid early - and often - to benefit two worthy local causes, the Acton Food Pantry and the Domestic Violence Services Network. at our virtual silent auction. |
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CLUB NEWSTo send us your story, click here. For comments, questions or technical issues about using this online form, contact us at rotaryd7910@gmail.com. To check out our Events calendar, click here. For comments, questions or technical issues about using the Events calendar, contact us at rotaryd7910@gmail.com. |
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DISTRICT NEWSTo send us your story, click here. For comments, questions or technical issues about using this online form, contact us at rotaryd7910@gmail.com. To check out our Events calendar, click here. For comments, questions or technical issues about using the Events calendar, contact us at rotaryd7910@gmail.com. |
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FIND A DISTRICT OR CLUB STORY![]() To find an archived story on this website, enter an identifying word or phrase into the search box at the top of this page. Examples: Acton; Boxborough; Diana Nestorova |
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District Installation Registration is Open!You are invited to join 2019-2020 District Governor Pam Anastasi and 2020-2021 District Governor Diana Nestorova for an evening of celebration, and be part of history in the making. Come join us in #District7910's first-ever - and hopefully our last - Online Celebration. We are moving forward from our experiences with “Rotary Connects the World” into our new year, as we take action to create lasting change by “Rotary Opening Opportunities”. Invite your family to celebrate and support our #Rotarians and leaders of District7910. The one-hour agenda will consist of presentations by District 7910 leaders, District Governors changeover from '19-'20 to '20-'21, Assistant Governor and Club President recognitions, a few surprises, and lots of FUN!!! Please, register by clicking: rotary7910.org/event/district-installation/ Registration will close on Wednesday, July 8. Once the event is closed to registrations, you will receive a link to the meeting. Yours in #Rotary, Diana Nestorova District Governor, 2020-2021 |
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Make Your Tax-Deductible, End-of-Fiscal-Year Donation to The Rotary Foundation![]() First and foremost, I wanted to say "Thank You" to you and your clubs for all the great work that you do throughout the year. All of the service projects, donations of time, improving your communities and international projects - many of which were done with funding from The Rotary Foundation. The fact is, without donations to the Foundation, many projects would not happen. Unfortunately, this year, due to these unprecedented pandemic times, our District's Foundation contributions are way down. Therefore, I am asking that you join me in making a tax deductible, end-of-fiscal year donation to The Rotary Foundation. |
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'20-'21 DG Diana Nestorova: Now Is The Time To Be Revolutionary![]() We start the 2020-2021 Rotary year with a changed world because of the global health pandemic. What an opportunity to have an even greater impact and engage members in an entirely new way. Let’s not waste a good crisis. This is the time for change, historic change in Rotary – new meeting schedules, new meeting platforms, new club models, innovative and flexible club formats, elevating the status of Rotaract clubs to be members of Rotary International, dual membership in Rotaract and Rotary, and a well-balanced membership that celebrates diversity. As Paul Harris famously said: “Rotary has to be revolutionary from time to time, and now is the time to be revolutionary." |
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Rotaract Rising![]() Editor's Note: This story originally appeared in the May issue of The Rotarian magazine. Since publishing, Interota has been postponed to 2021. To learn more about next year's Interota, click here. "The ongoing evolution of Rotaract is redefining its place within Rotary. 'It’s a new era,' says one enthusiastic Rotaractor." At midnight on June 30, hundreds of Rotaractors will ring in the new Rotary year together. They’ll also be celebrating Rotaract’s ongoing evolution, including the expansion of Rotary membership to include Rotaract clubs. “It’s really exciting,” says Ignacio González, a member of the Rotaract Club of Oriente de Talca in Chile. Until recently, Rotaractors have been considered Rotary program participants. “Now,” says González, who serves on the Elevate Rotaract Task Force, “we are a part of Rotary. It’s a new era for Rotaract." |
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Roger Frost: Proud and Enthusiastic Rotarian![]() Roger Frost passed away on June 16 at the age of 96, after a brief period of declining health. A proud and enthusiastic Rotarian, he was a 70-year member of the Rotary Club of Worcester, a Paul Harris Fellow, a past club president, and a past district governor. Countless times his children and grandchildren heard him recite the Rotary motto: “Service Above Self.” Roger became the third-generation owner of Frost Stamp Works in Worcester, renaming it Frost Manufacturing Corp. and growing it from a small rubber-stamp shop to a full-service sign and stamp business. After their family was grown, Roger and his wife, Nancy Frost, moved to Holden and traveled the world, visiting more than 25 countries—often while attending business or Rotary conventions. In 1989, they were in Beijing during the Tiananmen Square protests - their hotel, just blocks away from where the massacre took place. |
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Rotary International Convention - Register Now! Free! Virtual!![]() Come hear interesting speakers such as Rotary International President Mark Maloney, news anchor Mark Wright, and Emmy-winning journalist Alisha Davis. Attend virtual break-out sessions on topics such as using virtual tools in these times of COVID-19, growing your club, and engaging youth. Hear our own District 7910 members, Laura Spear and Carol Toomey, present! Learn about the theme for 2020-2021, Rotary Opens Opportunities, and learn about the Hawaiian mural project to promote world peace. |
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Watch RI's 'End Polio Now' Virtual Meeting - Donate By June 15![]() On June 10, Rotary International held a special Zoom meeting for all Rotarians, requesting that everyone consider donating their lunch money to End Polio Now. It was a livestream event of esteemed polio-eradication leaders, reminding us about the important work that still needs to be done to stop this horrible disease. As you may know, RI has a shortfall of $15 million of our $50-million worldwide goal for to End Polio Now. To maximize our 2-to-1-match from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, we need to create an opportunity for every Rotarian to give. Currently, only 9 percent of Rotarians have given to End Polio Now. |
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Annual District Business Meeting on June 17 via Zoom![]() Each year, our District is required to hold an Annual Business Meeting. Typically, this is held during our District Conference. However, since this year's District Conference had to be cancelled, we need to hold the meeting separately. Therefore, your presence is requested at the Annual Business Meeting of the Rotary Clubs of District 7910. It will take place on June 17, 2020 via Zoom, starting at 5:30 p.m. It is expected that this important annual meeting will run between 60 and 90 minutes. |
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Donate Your Lunch Money To End Polio Now![]() Rotary International has a shortfall of $15 million in its $50-million worldwide goal to End Polio Now. Currently, only 9 percent of Rotarians have given to End Polio.To maximize RI's 2-to-1 match from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, RI has created an opportunity this Wednesday, June 10 at 12:00 noon (ET) for every Rotarian to give. |
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Steve May: Many Friends In Our District![]() It is with great sadness that I inform you that Past District Governor Steve May, from District 7930, has passed away. He was formerly a member of the Rotary Club of Reading, and had many friends in District 7910. |
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Brookline Club To Zoom Speakers From Nepal, India, China![]() Our membership in Rotary International presents us with a unique opportunity, in the time of COVID-19, to fully take advantage of our mission to join forces and help solve global issues of health and economic development, along with Rotary's four other Areas of Focus Among the other service organizations, we as Rotarians are singularly positioned to talk directly with our counterparts in other countries and share experiences and best practices. ![]() With that in mind, the Rotary Club of Brookline has schedule three speakers from three different countries for its Zoom meetings on the first three Thursdays in June, at 12:00 noon. The initial countries are Nepal, India and China. The Brookline club hopes to include, at later dates, England, Italy and Brazil. All these speakers are known to the Brookline club through its work in Rotary. |
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2020 Rotary International Convention To Be Virtual![]() Schedule at a glanceGeneral sessionsSaturday, June 20General Session 1: Together, We Connect
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In-Person RYLA 2020 Canceled Due to COVID-19 Pandemic![]() Together with District Governor Pam Anastasi, our District's RYLA Committee has canceled the in-person RYLA 2020, scheduled for this June 26-28 at Fitchburg State University. The next in-person RYLA is scheduled for June 25-27, 2021. However, we may hold a fun virtual event this year, organized by RYLA 2020 group and program facilitators. Fitchburg State University has canceled all June 2020 event-space rentals, including the in-person RYLA 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The District's RYLA Committee has been talking about this unfortunate possibility for some time. |
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Wellesley Club's Effort to Make Meals for Health-Care Workers Draws Boston TV Coverage![]() When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Rotary Club of Wellesley to cancel its annual “Taste of Wellesley” event, club members decided to raise money for local restaurants so they could provide meals to health-care workers. The club's service-above-self effort has received excellent Boston TV coverage. Fourteen Massachusetts restaurants are banding together to help raise money to make meals for those on the frontline of the this pandemic. In Wellesely, they are Alta Strada, Cafe Mangal, Captain Marden's Seafoods, Comella's Restaurants, CrepeBerry, Fiorella's Cucina, Juniper Smith, Takara Wellesley, Whim Chocolate and Wollensky. |
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Northborough Club Supports Partners In Health's COVID-19 Fight![]() A member of the Rotary Club of Northborough was inspired by a personal conversation with Dr. Paul Farmer (shown below), co-founder of Partners in Health. Her enthusiasm, shared with club members, led us to work on a presentation about Partners In Health and its response to COVID-19. Please take the time to view the presentation, from our latest club Zoom meeting, and consider joining us in our campaign to support the efforts of Partners In Health. To watch the 21-minute presentation, click here. Please consider giving generously to Partners In Health - especially, during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. To donate now, click here. |
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District 7910 Coronavirus Update![]() Updated April 28, 2020 The District leadership continues to monitor the evolving circumstances regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID 19). Our primary concern is the health and well-being of all Rotarians, their families and the community. Concerns about the coronavirus continue to prevail, and there is no immediate solution. Therefore, effective immediately, all in-person District meetings will be cancelled through May 18, which is when Governor Charlie Baker has extended a stay-at-home advisory and a non-essential-business closure. Meetings are still able to occur via Zoom, teleconferencing, etc. As far as Club meetings, I strongly suggest that clubs cancel in-person meetings for the next few weeks. However, I will leave the final decision up to each Club and its Board of Directors. Best Practices that everyone should focus on doing: |
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District Training Assembly Held on Zoom Online Platform![]() Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our District Training Assembly took place on the Zoom online platform. The District Assembly was training for the Rotary year 2020-2021 for all Rotarians who want to learn new ideas and best practices - especially, incoming Club leaders who are looking to strengthen their skill set. Various sessions were available to cover relevant topics that will impact both you and your club. All training sessions were two hours, and started at 7:00 pm. The seven sessions were as follows: |
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Stay Active during COVID-19 Pandemic![]() COVID-19 has definitely brought the word perspective to the forefront for us all. Across Rotary's global network of Clubs and its members, COVID-19 has placed us all in unprecedented territory. Far from life as normal, far from business as normal. Members and leaders at all levels of our organization are faced with decisions they never believed they would encounter, and they are asking for guidance on how to deal with this global pandemic relative to Rotary. We are all being asked to be socially responsible. That shouldn't be a heavy lift for us. We have been socially responsible as an organization for more than 115 years. Let's spend some time thinking of the opportunities, not just the challenges. Can these canceled events, fundraisers and meetings become future service projects when the time is right? How can technology (Zoom, Skype, GoToMeeting, and other platforms) help us to stay connected during this time, and how can that knowledge help us to grow Rotary going forward? How can we find ways to support the most vulnerable populations affected by this pandemic? Here are some suggestions on how to keep your club members connected - and to be Rotary active: |
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2020 Rotary International Convention Canceled![]() Dear Rotarians, Rotaractors, and friends, Let me get right to the unfortunate news — the Rotary International Board of Directors has decided to cancel the 2020 Rotary International Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. We are all part of the Rotary family, and your safety remains our highest priority. Like the more than 20,000 registrants who planned to attend this year’s convention, I am very disappointed. However, this is the right and necessary decision to protect the health and safety of convention attendees, as well as those who call Honolulu home. At this point, we are unsure that Rotary could adequately protect convention-goers from the risk of COVID-19 infection en route to, during, and after the convention. We are also unsure if restrictions on travel to the United States will be lifted by June. We have heard from a number of you who voiced concerns about gathering at the convention this year. I also heard from many who were hopeful that we could continue with the convention as planned. The Board was very diligent and considered all the facts before taking this decision. At this time, we kindly ask that you do not contact RI Registration to inquire about your registration, ticket or housing cancellations as we work diligently to inform all attendees. Here is an overview of our plans for handling refunds and travel logistics. |
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Mark Hasso: A Passionate Rotarian![]() It is with a very heavy heart that I announce that Mark Hasso passed away on March 16, 2020. He was a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Southborough. Mark was a passionate Rotarian who was very active in the club. He was also a well-respected teacher at Wenworth Institute of Technology, in the Engineering Department. |
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Worcester Celebrates 108th Anniversary![]() |
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Rotary International Recommends Canceling or Postponing Meetings or Events![]() Dear Fellow Rotarians, The COVID-19 coronavirus is affecting every aspect of our lives in real time, and this puts Rotarians in an unfamiliar place. As People of Action, we are most comfortable when we are fully engaged in the world – moving freely, meeting openly, and offering helping hands. These are very difficult times for people who, like us, are at our best when we are learning, growing, and serving—together. We are also leaders in our communities, and these times call for leadership. In many ways, this also is our time. We have proven abilities to reach out and collaborate to offer immediate help to people in need at a rapid pace. These are precisely the skills needed all over the world today. The global effort against COVID-19 depends on actions taken in every country. Rotary has the unique ability to help improve those efforts in every community and every country. |
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DG Pam Raises $10,000+ in Polar Plunge for End Polio Now![]() While DG Pam's goal was to raise at least $5,000, she raised more than $10,000. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match it 2 to 1, so our $10,000+ will become more than $30,000. To watch a video of DG Pam, PDG Steve and other Rotarians taking this year's Polar Plunge, click here. |
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Nashoba Valley's Cabin Fever Winter Festival Raises $7,000 For Local Community-Building Efforts![]() Nashoba Valley's first annual Cabin Fever Winter Festival has raised a net of $7,000. All net proceeds will be used by the event's host, the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, to benefit needy individuals and families in Bolton, Lancaster and Stow. This fun-for-all-ages outdoor event, which took place on February 1, 2020 on Bolton Town Common in Bolton, attracted more than 300 hearty souls.
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District Conference: Registration Now Open For A La Carte Package Specials![]() To read all about the District Conference, click here. To register for the District Conference A La Carte Package Specials, click here. |
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George Siener: Longtime Rotarian, And Navy And Army Veteran![]() It is with great sadness that I share with you that George Siener, of the Rotary Club of Ayer, passed away on January 30 – he was 94. He was a longtime Rotarian, and served proudly in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army. |
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Hawaii 2020!![]() |
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DG Pam's January 2020 Video NewsletterCheck out my January 2020 Video Newsletter! To watch the video, click here. For more information, please contact me at pamela.anastasi@ebtc.com. DG Pam & Salem |
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Puerto Rico Disaster-Relief Information and Donations![]() As many of you know, Puerto Rico is suffering as it was struck by an earthquake and then a serious tremor earlier this month. The Rotary clubs in that area are working very hard to raise money to help the community survive and rebuild. |
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Seven Rotarians Become RLI Graduates![]() Seven Rotarians graduated from the District 7910 Rotary Leadership Institute, held on January 25 in Marlborough. They are shown posing with District RLI Chair Dave Kaiser (far left), District Governor Pam Anastasi (second from right), and RLI Regional Vice Chair Liz Cullen (far right). |
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Remembering Eldon Strickland Jr.: 30+ Years Of Perfect Attendance![]() It is with great sadness that I share with you that Eldon Strickland Jr. passed away on January 23. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Ayer, Shirley, Harvard & Devens, and a past president of that club for 1978-'79. |
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Registration for District Conference is Open!Don't miss the Discount Package Pricing for our 2020 District Conference on May 3 to 5 in Salem! It'll be a great weekend, including a New Member Reception, Paul Harris Dinner, and Club Awards Dinner - plus lots of other activities in between. Click here to check it out! |
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Nashoba Valley's Bolton Repair Cafe Attracts 74 Residents, 32 Volunteers![]() The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, with support from Bolton Local and the Repair Cafe Foundation, hosted a Bolton Repair Cafe on Saturday, January 11 at the Florence Sawyer School in Bolton. We had 74 residents of Bolton and surrounding towns come and find out what a Repair Café is all about, and 32 volunteers to serve them. A bell, which gets run when an item is fixed, was rung many times. Click here to view event photos. |
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Random Acts of Kindness at Framingham RotaryOn December 21, the Random Acts of Kindness Committee of the Rotary Club of Framingham gave out 40 $50 bills to children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest. The gifts were presented by RAK Committee members Ken Erdelt (chair), Jim Patterson, Bob Schecter and Tom Sturiale. ![]() |
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DG Pam's December Video Bulletin |
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DG Pam's December Newsletter! |
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Rotary Club of District 7910 Passport (Provisional) Officially Launched![]() On December 11, the Rotary Club of District 7910 Passport (Provisional) officially launched by electing officers and approving a draft of Club Bylaws. The initial set of officers is: Karin Gaffney (second from left), president and interim membership chair; Ron Bott (center), interim secretary and interim treasurer; Tatjana Kobb (on screen), foundation chair; and, Tamar Russell Brown (second from right), public-image co-chair, and Steve Jones-D'Agostino (holding screen), interim public-image co-chair. (The position of president-elect has yet to be filled.) Also shown is club member Sam Squailia (far right). The next meeting of the Passport Club will be on December 30 at 6:00 p.m. (ET) via Skype. Tatjana Kobb, who is organizing the Skype call, may be reached at t.kobb@northeastern.edu. |
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Register NOW for the 2020 RI Convention |
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RI Convention in Hawaii! Register Now! |
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Congratulations to District Trustees and RI Delegate Selections![]() Please join me in congratulating Jacky Foster (shown, left) of the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley and Ed Tarquinio of the Rotary Club of Fitchburg East for being selected as Trustees of the District Funds. Jacky is an immediate past president of her club, and serves as an assistant governor. Ed is a past president of his club, and is a retired CPA. They are both looking to get more involved with the District, and we are excited to have them as Trustees. Additionally, I am pleased to announce that Carol Toomey (shown, below) of the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley will be our Delegate to the Rotary International Council on Legislation. Carol, a longtime Rotarian and a past district governor, had previously served in this capacity. |
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Congratulations to '21-'22 and '22-'23 District Governor Nominees![]() Please join me in congratulating Cliff Rober (shown, left) as the 2021-2022 District Governor and Victor Tom (shown, below) as the 2022-2023 District Governor for Rotary District 7910. Cliff is a past president of the Rotary Club of Bedford, and is currently serving as the District Sergeant at Arms. Victor is also a past president of the Rotary Club of Bedford, and is currently serving as chair of the District Rotary Foundation Grants Subcommittee and an assistant governor. Both were selected on December 9, 2019 by the District Nominating Committee. Once confirmed, they will assume the role of District Governor Nominee (DGN) and District Governor Nominee Designate (DGND), respectively. |
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'Food for Thought: Fighting Student Hunger on College Campuses,' December 3, Wellesley![]() MassBay Community College and the Rotary Club of Wellesley have joined efforts to combat food insecurity at the college. To launch this partnership, the two organizations will host a public community presentation: Food for Thought: Fighting Student Hunger on College Campuses. This event, on December 3 in Wellesely, will include MBCC President Dr. David Podell (shown, below), who will speak about the negative impact of food insecurity on students at the local campus, the initiatives MassBay has put in place to help students, and how the public can help in this effort. The event is free and open to the public. |
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Latest Set of District 7910 Resolutions Now Available![]() Click here, to download the latest District 7910 Resolutions, in PDF format, effective July 1, 2019. |
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Rotary Leadership (Learning!) Institute Registration Is Now Open![]() If you or others have attended Rotary (Learning!) Leadership Institute, you 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! The next RLI in our region will be held Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Courtyard Marriott Marlborough in Marlborough. Registration is now open. Click here to get more information, and to register. All the details on RLI as well as how to register are at that link. This year's tuition is $110, which includes breakfast, lunch and the course materials. |
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District Hawaiian Holiday Brrrrrrunch!For more information, contact District Governor Pam Anastasi at pamela.anastasi@ebtc.com. |
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Northborough Interact Service Project Benefits Worcester Shelter![]() 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. |
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Charlotte Spinney: An Inspiration to All Who Knew Her![]() 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. |
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Barry Friedman Saved Lives of Countless Children![]() 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. |
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Neill Osgood Exemplified 'Service Above Self'![]() 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.” |
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A Tribute to an Amazing Man: Doug Detweiler![]() 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. |
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District Foundation Dinner Honors Club Awardees, Welcomes Polio EradicatorRotarian 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: |
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Support DG Pam’s Polar Plunge for Polio on February 29![]() 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. |
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Rotary Leadership (Learning) Institute Registration is Open![]() ![]() 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. |
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DG Pam's November Bulletin - A Little Different! |
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Remembering Ed Hall: 50+ Years of Service Above Self![]() 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. |
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Southbridge, Sturbridge Clubs Exceed Food-Pantry Delivery Goal![]() 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. |
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Vad vet du om Sverige? (What do you know about Sweden?)![]() 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. |
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World Polio Day Cheers Major Achievements Toward Global Polio Eradication![]() 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.” |
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District Foundation Dinner, November 14, Framingham![]() Don't miss this inspirational event featuring our keynote speaker, Ann Lee Hussey! Meet her during the District Foundation Dinner, to be held on Thursday, November 14 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center in Framingham. Hussey has made the eradication of polio and the alleviation of suffering by polio survivors her life’s work. In the past 12 years, she has actively participated in 25 volunteer National Immunization Days teams. She has organized and led the last 18 NIDs teams herself, choosing to take them to places that do not often see westerners – Bangladesh, Chad, Mali, Niger and Nigeria as well as less “touristy” destinations in Egypt and India – where the need is greatest, and where the publicity and goodwill surrounding the trip are as critical as the immunizations themselves to help communicate the need for eradication. |
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Deadline Extension! District Leadership Positions Available - Applications Now Due By November 25![]() 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. |
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Rotary Peace Fellow Announces 'Building a Just Peace in Mexico and Beyond' Presentation in Worcester![]() 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! |
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'2019-2020 District Directory' Now Available!![]() 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. |
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Watch '20 RI Convention Promo Video![]() 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. |
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DGE Diana Nestorova at GETS in Canada![]() 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! |
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RYLA 2019 Recap: Feelin' 800Because 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: |
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Charles River at Natick Days!![]() 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. |
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Does Your Club Need Help with its Public Image?![]() 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: |
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Visioning: Keeping What’s Great and Adding What’s Missing![]() 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. |
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A Great Night at the Spinners!![]() 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). |
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TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME!Join your friends across the district as we cheer on the Lowell Spinners AND help raise money for EndPolioNow! Use the promo code ROTARY to ensure you're seated in the right section. For tickets CLICK HERE! ![]() |
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DG Pam Welcome![]() 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. |
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Framingham's Random Acts of Kindness![]() Random Acts of Kindness is quickly helping expand the influence of the Rotary Club of Framingham! Recently, the club engaged in two separate acts to help solve an Iraqi immigrant mother's transportation problem, and to help repair housing for an elderly couple. Needed Home Repairs Framingham’s Jim Goodreau and his wife, Christine Goodreau, were in dire need of a helping hand, and quickly. Jim is recovering from cardiac arrest— Christine gave him CPR until the EMTs arrived—and couldn’t risk the exertion needed to repair the un-lockable front door or the damaged storm door in their Landseer Avenue home. Moreover, the dishwasher wouldn’t work. Unfortunately, the couple couldn’t pay for the needed repairs because Christine had just lost her job. |
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Membership UpdateDuring Rotary 2018-2019, the District 7910 Membership Committee introduced several initiatives to help clubs attract and engage membership. These initiatives will continue, and new ones will be introduced in 2019-2020. New Member Orientation Events were held during Fall 2018 and Spring 2019, with 60 total attendees. These events introduce newer (two years or less) and prospective members to the various facets of Rotary in a fun and interactive way. Clubs are encouraged to send their newer and prospective members to these events. Feedback indicates that attending these events significantly improves member retention. The next events are scheduled for October 3, 2019, and April 4, 2020 (during the District Assembly). |
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Bedford's 7th Annual Meals for KidsRecently, 18 members of the Rotary clubs of Bedford, Burlington, Burlington Breakfast, Tyngsboro/Dunstable, and Kobleskill, NY plus the Rotarcat Club of MIT, representing three districts, joined more than 200 volunteers from the local community plus corporations Anika Therapeutics and BAE Systems to package more than 40,000 meals. Rise Against Hunger will distribute these meals to school meal programs in developing countries. This brought our seven-year total to more than 400,000 meals. |
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A Week of Service with Veterans Center and Home![]() Rotary club members from Districts 7910 and 7930 joined together last week to cover a week’s worth of meal shifts at the New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV) in Boston in honor of Memorial Day. Ten meals were served by District governors and the following clubs: Billerica, Wellesley, Nashoba Valley, Tewksbury, Newton, Winchester, Brookline, Charles River and Lowell. |
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District Grant Projects 2018-'19District 7910 Rotary clubs were active this year utilizing The Rotary Foundation's funds that came back to our District in the form of District Grants. During Rotary 2018-'119, 21 District Grants were funded and executed by the clubs, to better our communities. The service projects broadly fell into four of the Rotary Foundation's six areas of focus. Clubs made an impact in Disease Prevention, Treatment and Health, Maternal and Child Health, Basic Education and Literacy, and Economic and Community Development. In addition, we implemented two Global Grants - one was our District Service Project that built stoves in Guatemala in order to reduce respiratory illness in the community. Ten Rotarians traveled there to work with Rotarians from the host club. The other Global Grant that was approved this year involved the Rotary Club of Concord's egg-farm project in Haiti. Here are details of the District Grant projects: |
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Volunteer at RYLA This Year!![]() RYLA needs you to Volunteer June 28-30! 1. Watch this 2 minute "Volunteer at RYLA" video <CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO>: 2. Signup today! <CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP> 3. Learn more about RYLA <CLICK HERE> Follow the article continuation to learn more! |
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DG Steve's May Message![]() May is here! We have a lot going on in the District. Clubs are busy with their fundraisers and finishing up their service projects. Everyone is making the push to finish out this Rotary year strong and train the new leaders to do more than we did this year. Rotary's theme for May is Youth Service Month, Rotary's annual celebration of all the ways in which we support young people to fully explore and develop who they are and what they have to offer this world. Young people are our future and the future of Rotary. Rotary International President, Barry Rassin Says, "Everywhere I go, I meet people of all ages whose lives have been changed by our youth programs. They tell me how, five or 15 or 25 years ago, Rotary Youth Exchange taught them a new language or introduced them to a new culture. Their eyes light up when they talk about how New Generations Service Exchange helped them advance in their career, or about how membership in Rotaract first ignited their passion for giving back to the community". It is fitting that this year's Council on Legislation elevated Rotaract clubs to the same level as Rotary Clubs. The change broadens the definition of membership in Rotary International to include Rotaract clubs, and is intended to increase the support that Rotaract clubs receive from RI and to enhance their ability to serve. Of course, much more was done during this year's Council on Legislation. To learn more about what happened, CLICK HERE for more on this year's COL. Last week we celebrated Rotary at our District Conference! It was a wonderful weekend shared with Rotarians from five (5) districts representing all of Massachusetts, all of Rhode Island, southern New Hampshire, Southern Vermont, and Northern Connecticut. We started out last Friday with our celebration of Paul Harris and The Rotary Foundation, followed by our annual business meeting of the clubs, a gala dinner dance, and Saturday's Game of Throneless interactive focus on homelessness. CLICK HERE for more on the District Conference. At the conference two of our Rotarians were recognized for their achievements. Rotarian of the Year went to PDG Jim Fusco! CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THE ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR. The Ed Hall Outstanding Foundation Achievement Award went to Jorge Yarzebski. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THE ED HALL FOUNDATION AWARD. Congratulations to both Jim and Jorge for their outstanding contributions to Rotary! In other District news, the District Rotary Foundation Scholarship Subcommittee awarded a $35,000 Morley scholarship to O'Mara Taylor of Wayland for her graduate studies at Oxford University! CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT O'MARA AND THE MORLEY SCHOLARSHIP. Congratulations to O'Mara. Lastly, there are four reminders for our clubs: 1) Please update your 2019-20 Officers and Directors in ClubRunner. The District Directory is being prepared and we want your most current information in this Directory. Please contact your assistant Governor if you are not sure how to update your information; 2) Please start filling out the club planning guide and get it ready to submit on July 1. Your club members worked hard this year, and it is important to give them the recognition they deserve. This planning guide serves as the basis for District recognitions. DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE HERE; 3) Save the Date of June 18, 2019 for District Governor Elect Pam Anastasi's Installation Celebration!l and 4) Save the Date of July 31, 2019 for the District Awards Dinner! Go Get 'Em! |
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Contribute to The Rotary Foundation Today!![]()
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2019 District Conference Wrap UpWhat a weekend; what a conference! Those who attended had a fantastic time mingling not only with clubs in our District, but with Rotarians from clubs in all of the Rotary districts that surround District 7910!!! We started off with the Paul Harris Luncheon (with about 200 Rotarians) and heard presentations of the significant Rotary Foundation funded projects in each of the Districts. District 7910 highlighted the Guatemala Stove Project, and we also heard about a vocational training team trip to Cape Town, South Africa, and the Safe Passage project in Guatemala. Jorge Yarzebski from the Westborough Club was presented with the Ed Hall Rotary Foundation Award. Click here for more information on Jorge's award! The annual meeting of the clubs followed the luncheon. Reports of the Membership, Foundation, Youth, Assessment, and Nomination Committees were presented, as were the Secretary's and Treasurer's reports. New resolutions were adopted, and the meeting concluded in time for Rotarians to partake in some refreshments before dinner. |
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Ed Hall Foundation Award Goes to Jorge Yarzebski![]() Congratulations to Westborough Rotarian Jorge Yarzebski, the 2018-2019 recipient of the Ed Hall Outstanding Foundation Achievement Award! Jorge was recognized at this year's District Conference for the numerous efforts to better the world through The Rotary Foundation. He has been involved with at least seven Global Grants or their predecessor Matching Grants, including being one of the founders of the Global Emergency Medicine Initiative (GEMINI). |
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Rotarian of the Year - Jim FuscoPast District Governor Jim Fusco was presented the 2018-2019 Rotarian of the Year Award at the District Conference by District Governor Steve Sager! Everyone knows the tireless effort Jim makes to help the clubs and the district, and this year he went above and beyond the call of duty. |
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2019 Morley Scholarship Awarded![]() District 7910 is pleased to announce that O'Mara Taylor of Wayland is the recipient of the $35,00 2019 David & Eleanor Morley Endowed Global Grant Scholarship. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Framingham, O'Mara is a graduate of Vassar College. She plans to spend the 2019-2020 academic year in graduate studies at the Saïd Business School of Oxford University. Her Rotary Area of Focus is Maternal & Child Health. |
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Volunteers Needed for Next Moca Trip![]() The next trip to Moca, Puerto Rico is scheduled for May 16-20, and volunteers are needed. The project, funded by a Rotary Foundation District Grant, partners with three Rotary clubs in the Moca area, and delivers approximately $20,000 worth of items to replace articles destroyed by Hurricane Maria, including beds, mattresses, washing machines, refrigerators and stoves. There are spaces available for volunteers to help. Please contact Gary Hough as soon as possible if you are interested in this mission. Gary can be reached at 508-335-5336 or holdenhunt@aol.com. Read the continuation for more information. |
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Eat, Meet & Party on May 3rd & 4th!![]() It’s almost time to Eat, Meet & Party (the event formerly known as “The District Conference”)! We’re doing “The District Conference” a little differently this year. Eat, Meet & Party is all about celebrating our club & individual accomplishments, recognizing some folks who have gone above and beyond the call for our district, and meeting & enjoying the company of Rotarians across our district (and some from a few other districts too, if you’re so inclined). Every single member in the district is welcome and encouraged to attend! Have you registered yet? On Friday, May 3rd we’ll recognize our Paul Harris Society Members & Fellows and announce this year’s Foundation Award Winner. Then, we’ll have a quick District Business Meeting. PLEASE send at least one representative from your club to vote! (Credentials document attached). While only 1 member from each club can vote, ALL are welcome to attend. This is a GREAT way to learn about how your district works and how your dues are managed. That evening we’ll put on our party clothes and dancin’ shoes for cocktails, dinner & dancing (we have an amazing, award winning-band…don’t miss this!). Rotarians are known as people who know how to have a good time. Let’s live up to that reputation! Saturday, May 4th starts with an opportunity for you to participate in something completely different. “Game of Throneless”, a full engagement simulation that will totally challenge what you think you know about homelessness and test the boundaries of your comfort zone. Then, we head over to Fenway Park for a tour of one of the most unique ballparks in the country (batting practice, anyone?), and finally close out this fun weekend with a relaxing Boston Harbor Cruise that evening. There’s a LOT to love here – and everyone will love it more if YOU’RE there! To get details, register, and book a room at the hotel (if you wish), click HERE today! |
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DG Steve's April Message![]() Welcome to April! Spring is here. Our team has returned from Guatemala on a very successful trip, and the District Conference is coming up. But first, a word about Rotary International's monthly theme for April: Maternal and Child Health. It is one of The Rotary Foundation's six (6) areas of focus. Every day mothers risk their lives giving birth and millions of children die each year from treatable, preventable causes. At least 7 million children under the age of five die each year due to malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. To help reduce this rate, Rotary provides immunizations and antibiotics to babies, improves access to essential medical services, and supports trained health care providers for mothers and their children. Rotary’s projects ensure sustainability by empowering the local community to take ownership of health care training programs. More information on Rotary's work in maternal and child health is found <HERE> Guatemala Project. While our global grant to build stoves in Guatemala focused on disease prevention, it was clear to all of us that we were impacting maternal and child health also (and saving the environment). All of our Rotarians who travelled to help install the stoves were impacted by the people we helped. The saying that when you set out to help others you end up helping yourself rang true with this trip. Some of our first time global grant participants were stunned at the squalid living conditions of the people. Others were impacted by how grateful the entire villages were with what seemed like a small act to us. I was personally impacted by a scene repeated several times during our visit. We walked into one home (typically an adobe structure with a tin roof that had one room for living (for a family of 10) and another for the cooking area. When we walked in one of the kids ran out to get their father off his job to see what we were doing. The father (or grandfather) would come rushing to the house and start talking a mile a minute in his native Tz'utujil language. About 80% of all communication is non-verbal, and even though none of us spoke the Mayan Tz'utujil tongue, we all understood that he was thanking us and telling us how this was helping his family. A few pictures from the trip are on the continuation page of this article, and we will have a full story up on the website soon. In all, Rotarians from our district installed 100 stoves in 2 Mayan villages of San Pablo La Laguna and San Marcos La Laguna. There are an additional 85 stoves that will be installed by local Rotarians and our partner HELPS International. District Conference. The program for the District Conference is shaping up, but we need every Rotarian from the District to attend and participate! Please, please, please do not wait any longer to sign up. We need to provide head counts to the hotel and make final plans. Talk to your club about rescheduling your meeting so you can all be part of the Friday luncheon on May 3, 2019 celebrating not only our Guatemala Stove Project, but other Rotary Foundation funded projects this year. We also need you to send delegates to our annual business meeting of our clubs. Friday evening is a spectacular dinner dance gala. Trust me, you do not want to miss this opportunity to celebrate Rotary and reconnect with Rotarians from other clubs. There is something for everyone! Saturday has an awesome program! We will start with a wonderful breakfast, but then our youth (Interactors, Exchange Students, RYLANS) assisted by Rotaractors from all five (5) districts will be there to focus on homelessness in a program entitled the Game of Throneless. Like a reality fair, our youth will be randomly assigned "homeless" for you to interact with. The morning concludes with a soup kitchen style lunch with the kids and adults, and a frank discussion on how we can be part of the solution. There are also optional trips to Fenway Park for a tour and batting practice, and a Boston Harbor Cruise, adn everything else you expect from a District Conference ![]() Please sign up today at <THIS LINK> or just tell everyone to sign up at bit.ly/D7910-Conference2019, and please share the flyers below with your club. Have a great April. Click the Read More Link for Guatemala Pictures. Check the website, facebook and Instagram regularly for updates on what's happening in District 7910. Remember to submit your club's stories and event flyers. DG Steve ![]() ![]()
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REGISTER NOW FOR DISTRICT CONFERENCE![]() SIGN UP NOW FOR THE 2019 DISTRICT CONFERENCE! We have an awesome program; you do not want to miss it. Friday May 3, 2019 Paul Harris Luncheon celebrating the Rotary Foundation Annual District Meeting of the Clubs Gala Dinner Dance Saturday May 4, 2019 Breakfast Game of Throneless - Joint Rotarian, Rotaract and Interact Focus on Homelessness Event Soup Kitchen Lunch Optional Activities: Fenway Park Tour and Batting Practice Indoor Water Park Harbor Cruise Follow Read More for flyers to share with your club! |
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Columbia Service Project A Success![]() At the end of February, a group of Rotarians and friends traveled to Cartagena, Colombia on an international service project. This trip was the brainchild of Framingham Rotarian Dick Manelis, who works to offer an international-service opportunity every year or so. |