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This Week's News...
Imagine Membership District Meeting
Our first District 7910 Membership zoom meeting was held on Tuesday, August 23, and was well attended by members from across the District. Tracy Gagnon, our District Membership Chair led the discussion, which focused on several clubs that successfully increased their membership despite the challenges of the last several years.
 
Tracy introduced Jan Luchetti from Weston-Wayland, Johnny Ahern from the Leominster Club, Mark Vital from Marlborough and Álex Vera and Glenn Fossa from the Fitchburg club who discussed their success in attracting new members.   It was great to hear that in the first months of this new Rotary year these clubs have inducted significant numbers of new members. In addition to their recruitment efforts, they are learning about their newest members and embracing their passions with new service projects that enhance a sense of belonging and engagement. Several members commented on the importance of sharing our love of Rotary by asking potential members to join - the most effective way we know to increase your Club's membership.
 
For those unable to attend the meeting and who want to learn how Jan, Johnny, Mark, Alex, and Glen were so successful in growing their Clubs, here is a link to the recording we've posted on YouTube.
 
Meet our District Membership Chair
Tracy Gagnon has been a member of Rotary D7910 since relocating to MA in 2019. She was also a Rotarian in neighboring District 7930 while living in New Hampshire. Tracy is the Manager of Member Recruitment and Engagement for the North Central Mass Chamber of Commerce. Tracy is passionate about helping Clubs engage and grow their membership and can be reached by email at tlgagnon07@gmail.com.
 
 

 
Leaders Wanted!

Your District 7910 leadership team met on August 17 to work together to Imagine Rotary as we transition out of the pandemic. We are developing a multi-year strategic plan to align our goals and activities with those of Rotary International's Action Plan. Additionally, we are working to create materials and messaging that our Clubs can use to help tell Rotary’s story in your communities.

We need your help to help our clubs expand their impact in our communities:

  • We're working to build a world-class communications team to help deliver our message to both members and the public. If you have web design, social media, newsletter, strong written skills, or ClubRunner experience, we need you!
  • Join our Service Committee to help Clubs make a difference. This year, we're focusing on connecting Clubs to share resources, ideas, and talent to enhance our service and extend our reach.
  • Our Visioning Team assists Clubs with strategic planning to insure we deliver the best possible Rotary experience to current and future members.
Leadership in Rotary offers a world of opportunities to make connections, sharpen your skills, and most of all, make a difference. In addition to the above, we have many opportunities to become part of our team. Please contact District Governor Dr. Victor Tom to learn more...and thank you!
 
 
District 7910 Signs Pollinator Pledge
Leaders from Rotary District 7910, the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, the Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor, and the Rotary Club of Blackstone Valley have signed a Pollinator Resolution in joint support of helping to reduce pollinator loss. Pollinators, which are responsible for the reproductive success of more than 85% of the world's plants, have declined by more than 45% worldwide in the past 50 years. The resolution supports the goals of Operation Pollination, a public-private partnership designed to develop strategic partnerships to improve or create habitats for pollinators as well as provide educational resources to support this critical work. A number of Clubs in District 7910 are already engaged in projects that support pollinator habitat restoration, and we encourage all members to learn about and take action to support the goals of Operation Pollination. Operation Pollination is a simple 7th Area of Focus Environmental Framework — and growing Rotary “Movement “– that enables and encourages Rotarians to engage in pollinator protection and education projects. Learn more about how your Club can make an impact by visiting the Operation Pollination page at Rotary's Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) website. For specifics about how to design a pollinator project with plantings tailored for our geographic area, visit the Pollinator Partnership.

 
Rotary Wavelength: How & Why To Use This Unique Tool

Rotary Wavelength is a unique tool for finding Rotarians in district 7910 who you may want to connect with for service, volunteering, fun or business. 

Join us for an interactive 30-minute demo at 12 noon on Thursday, September 8, or Friday, September 9,  or for the night owls, at 8 pm on Monday, September 12. RSVP before the meeting by clicking on the dates below to receive the Zoom link:

Our topics will include: 

  • How to log in, update your profile, manage privacy and customize your Rotary “interest tags.”
  • How to find & engage Rotarians for service and charitable interests. 
  • How to find & engage Rotarians for business or personal interests (jobs, projects, etc).
 

 
ESSEX Youth Exchange Committee Expands 
Jane Schroeder, our Rotary Eastern States Student Exchange (ESSEX) Chair, is pleased to announce that Sherrie Whittemore (Framingham) and Sandra Burgers (Shrewsbury) are the two newest members of the 7910 Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) team and attended the ESSEX Summer Conference in PA in July. This conference was an opportunity to share best practices in supporting inbound and outbound HS exchange students as well as learning US State Dept. regulations governing youth exchange. Contact Jane for more information or a presentation on youth exchange:  jane.schroeder@comcast.net.
 
Study abroad programs create worlds of possibilities, lifelong memories and new friendships for both students and the families they live with during their time away. Designed for high school students, Rotary Exchange offers a fun, yet safe way to travel and immerse yourself in another country. In addition to building lifelong skills in leadership, understanding of other perspectives, and the ability to adapt to new environments, Rotary exchange students build lifelong friendships. Visit the ESSEX website to learn more.

 
New Fundraising Tool for Club Events
As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, many of our Clubs are rethinking their fundraising strategies. Several of our Clubs have successfully utilized a platform called EventGroove to facilitate sweepstakes, raffles, and other fundraisers. EventGroove is an integrated platform that supports in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. It allows Clubs to build and manage fundraising campaigns and offers a complete e-commerce solution. EventGroove helps manage all aspects of a fundraising event, including transaction management, branding and promotion, and reporting. EventGroove is easy to use, and several Clubs that have used it report impressive results.
 
Weston-Wayland Rotarian John Marchiony has created a consulting business to assist Clubs with their fundraising efforts using EventGroove. For Clubs who wish to engage in a fundraising event and who would like assistance doing so, John has developed an expertise with EventGroove along with several models to help Clubs meet their fundraising goals. Two clubs in our District are already engaged with the expectation of bringing their fundraising efforts to a new level. For further information, you can reach John by email at john@fairtoallpartners.com.

 
Pizza and Packing in Brookline
Brookline Rotary hosted its annual Packing and Pizza party on 8/25/22 where they fill backpacks with school supplies for low-income kids. Thanks to the generosity of several Rotarians who traditionally subsidize this program we were able to fill 50 Backpacks for distribution to two community partners, Steps to Success and Eastern Service Workers. Brookline Rotary has been filling backpacks for over 15 years, but because of increased costs more families are in need than before and materials are more expensive. Staples made a generous donation to the club allowing us to stretch our dollars. In addition to the supplies, Dr. Karen Jacobs, a member of the club and a clinical professor and a program director of Occupational Therapy at Boston University ensured that the backpacks were appropriate and that packers, parents, and students were provided instruction on the proper way to pack a backpack to protect students’ backs.

 
Tyngsboro-Dunstable Rotary's Annual Fishing Derby

The Rotary Club of Tyngsboro-Dunstable was delighted to host their Annual Fishing Day for special needs kids and adults after a hiatus of two years due to the pandemic. The weather was beautiful, the fish were biting and everyone enjoyed the day. Special thanks to the Tyngsboro Sportsman’s Club, the Nashua Rotary Club, and the Dracut Rotary Club for participating with their time, money, and energy.   Please contact Brian Day-Lewis for additional info.

 


 
Upcoming District Events
DG Visit to Lowell-Lunch
Aug 30, 2022
 
NEPETS Committee Meeting
Sep 03, 2022
 
DG Visit to Newton-Lunch
Sep 06, 2022
 
DG Visit to Wellesley-Dinner
Sep 06, 2022
 
DG Visit to Neponset Valley-Breakfast
Sep 07, 2022
 
DG Visit to Westborough-Lunch
Sep 07, 2022
 
Membership Meeting
Sep 07, 2022
 
DG Visit to Gardner-Lunch
Sep 08, 2022
 
DG Visit to Tyngsboro-Dunstable-Breakfast
Sep 08, 2022
 
DG Visit to Weston & Wayland-Dinner
Sep 08, 2022
 
Rotary@Work: Wavelength "How & Why"
Sep 08, 2022
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
 
Office Hours with DG Victor Tom
Sep 09, 2022
 
Rotary@Work: Wavelength "How & Why" (#2)
Sep 09, 2022
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
 
View entire list
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