I’ve now completed 18 official club visits, and every visit continues to remind me just how much heart, energy, and service there is throughout our District.
Over the past few weeks, I was thrilled to officially sign off on a new Rotaract Club at Babson College—an exciting step as we continue to grow Rotary and inspire the next generation of leaders and changemakers.
I also enjoyed a wonderful leadership outing with PDG Johnny Ahern and DGE Jack Colamaria at DGN Susan Wilkinson’s home. It’s always meaningful to spend time together, share ideas, and strengthen the friendships that make Rotary so special.
Of course, I’ve managed to squeeze in a little hiking between club visits! Along one rail trail, I came across a bench donated by the Rotary Clubs of Leominster and Montachusett Area. I learned there is another bench along the same trail donated by the Fitchburg and Fitchburg East Rotary Clubs, so I guess I’ll just have to go back and find that one too!
My own Rotary Club recently served dinner at the Daybreak Shelter in Lawrence and presented the shelter with a bench we earned through collecting and recycling plastic. What a wonderful example of how one service project can benefit both our environment and our community.
I also had the honor of attending the dedication of a Peace Pole installed by the Wachusett Area Rotary Club. Seeing clubs embrace projects that promote peace, understanding, and hope is incredibly inspiring.
At the District level, we are also continuing to look for ways to help our clubs make an even greater impact. The District purchased a closed-captioning device to make meetings more accessible, and the Trustees voted to provide up to $350 toward a Peace Pole for every club in the District that would like one.
And I’m especially excited to share that the Trustees also voted to fully fund every District Grant request submitted this year, up to the maximum of $3,000! That means even more meaningful projects, more lives touched, and more opportunities for Rotary to make a difference in our communities.
Last week also brought a very special reminder of just how deep the roots of Rotary friendship can grow. I attended a reunion of the Northeast Link Committee, and it was so wonderful to see everyone again. Between just eight of us, we represent a combined 286 years of Rotary service! That is an incredible amount of friendship, service, leadership, and Rotary history gathered in one place.
For my fellow Rotary “old-timers” who remember the Ambassadorial Scholarship program, Northeast Link was the program that trained both our incoming and outgoing Ambassadorial Scholars. It was wonderful to reconnect with people who shared such an important chapter in Rotary’s history and to remember the role we played in helping young people build international understanding and lifelong connections around the world.
These past two weeks have been filled with service, fellowship, leadership, inclusion, peace, generosity, and friendship—all of the things that make Rotary so extraordinary.
As I continue traveling throughout the District, I’m reminded again and again that Rotary’s greatest strength is its people. Whether someone has been a Rotarian for decades or is just beginning their Rotary journey, each of us has the opportunity to leave a lasting mark on our communities—and on one another.
286 years of Rotary service in one room is a powerful reminder that while programs may change and years may pass, the friendships, memories, and commitment to Service Above Self endure.
I can’t wait to see what the next two weeks bring! Let's continue to create Lasting Impact together!