Rotary District 7910 Newsletter - March 7, 2016
Upcoming Events
You may submit event information per the District 7910 Promotional Guidelines. If your club does not use ClubRunner, please send your event information to Rotary District 7910 Newsletter. And make sure to add jim.fusco2@gmail.com to your club's distribution list.
2016 District Conference: Plymouth Rocks!
by District 7910 Conference Committee
Click here to download the eight-page 'District Conference Booklet,' which contains:
- Schedule
- Pricing
- Hospitality 'Sweets' Request Form
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Facebook "Like" Contest
Click here to watch the three-minute promo video, produced by Assistant Governor Richard Simon
Club Visits
Invite District Governor Jim Fusco to your club's special events!
If you have any special club events that you would like me to attend or any inductions or presentations that you would like me to make, please let me know.
DG Jim
District Events
Monday, March 7-Monday, March 14
Tuesday, March 8
6:00-8:00 p.m.
Office of Assistant Governor Steve Levitsky, Acton
Tuesday, March 8
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn, Boxborough
Thursday, March 10-Saturday, March 12
Sunday, March 13
12:30-5:30 p.m.
Holiday Inn, Boxborough
Thursday, March 17
6:30-9:00 p.m.
DoubleTree Hotel, Leominster
Saturday, March 19
7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
York County Community College, Wells, ME
Saturday, March 26
7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Amica Mutual Insurance, Lincoln, RI
Tuesday, March 29
7:00-8:00 p.m.
Register for the Jubilee of Rotarians
Don’t miss a rare opportunity to celebrate Rotary with Pope Francis during the Jubilee of Rotarians on April 30 in Rome. This special Jubilee event, called on by Francis, is a commitment to serve with joy and in peace across the world. The registration deadline is March 15. Learn more about the Jubilee, click here.
Attend A Presidential Conference
Find innovative ways to improve your community by attending one of five presidential conferences in 2016, hosted by Rotary International President K.R. "Ravi" Ravindran (shown) and The Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair Ray Klinginsmith. Each will highlight one or more of Rotary’s areas of focus:
- Literacy and WASH in Schools, March 11-13 in Kolkata, India
- WASH in Schools, March 18-19 in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Conferences will be led by local Rotary districts and are open to both members and non-members. They will feature engaging speakers, informative general sessions, and hands-on workshops. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with fellow leaders and take away new ideas and strategies to put into action.
On February 2, Rotary Zone 32, of which District 7910 is a part, held a webinar titled “Best Practices to Improve Foundation Giving." If you missed that webinar, click here to watch video of it, and click here to download the PowerPoint presentation for it.
To read Zone 24 & 32's February 2016 Beyond Borders newsletter, click here.
RI Membership Resource Guide: Winter 2016
Rotary Global Rewards: Sign Up Today!
Click here to learn more
2016-2017 Rotary Theme: 'Rotary Serving Humanity'
Check Out Rotary Voices Blog
Check out Rotary Voices, the official blog of Rotary International. This blog features stories by and about Rotary members, Rotary program alumni, and the people we partner and work with.
Governor's Message
Keep sending me your news and information!
By Jim Fusco
I am proud to present you with our 35th Newsletter of my Rotary year. So many great things have happened and the time has flown by. I am so happy to hear the great feedback on the newsletter and I am happy that I decided to publish the newsletter weekly. There is so much to include that it needs to be published on a weekly basis. You are the ones who are making it a success because so many of you are sending me information to be included. Please keep the information coming. Read more
Click here for past issues.
(Rotary member login is required)
Welcome, New Members
Please welcome the newest Rotarians in our district (alphabetical order by last name)
- Reese Gorini, Ayer
- Joshua LoPresti, Concord
- Maurice Poirier, Sturbridge
- Lynne Henderson Searle, Ayer
District & Club Rounds
District Conference: Things I want you to know
By Jim Fusco
I will run “Things you should know” in every Newsletter until the 2016 District Conference on May 20 through 22 in Plymouth - and I will highlight different items each week. This week, I am presenting “Saturday afternoon free time.”
We have two prepaid options for you to celebrate your free time on the afternoon of Saturday, May 21. Free time will be from 12 noon to 4 pm. Register for only one of these options because they will be occurring at the same time.
- Harbor Cruise aboard the Pilgrim Belle: click here. Five-minute walk from the hotel. 1-1/12-hour cruise of Plymouth Harbor. You must register and pay for this event in advance because space is limited. Your price includes a box lunch: for Deli Box lunch $30, click here; and for Lobster Roll, $40, click here.
- Golfing at the Squirrel Run Golf Course: click here. 14 minute drive from the hotel. Tee time is 12 noon. A great opportunity to golf at the beautiful Squirrel Run Golf Course. Price is only $40 person and includes your golf cart. Space is limited so make your reservations early: click here.
Many other things to do
There are also many other things in the Plymouth area you can do. Here are a few suggestions. Registration is not required for these activities:
- Plymouth Rock: Hotel 1620 at Plymouth Harbor is only 75 feet from the waterfront, and Plymouth Rock is only a short walk away, along the harbor. After seeing the Rock, just stroll along Water Street and enjoy the quaint shops.
- Plimouth Plantation: 13-minute drive from the hotel. In our House of Friendship, there will be a display by Plimouth Plantation. Stop by the display and pick up your discount tickets. Enjoy Plimouth Plantation on Saturday afternoon and again on Sunday, with admission.
- Walking Tour of Plymouth: Just walk out the front door of the Hotel 1620 at Plymouth Harbor and you will be a short walk from quaint shops, restaurants, ice cream shops, souvenir shops, wineries and more.
- Stay at Hotel 1620: If you choose not to leave the hotel, there would plenty to do. Wander through the House of Friendship and see all the great displays that your clubs and District 7910 have created. Or, just enjoy a leisurely afternoon at the indoor pool.
For our eight-page Everything-You-Need-To-Know Conference Booklet, which contains the Schedule, Prices, Hospitality “Sweets” Application Form, Frequently Asked Questions, and Facebook “Like” Contest, click here.
In just 74 days - our annual District Conference will take place at The Hotel 1620 at Plymouth Harbor in Plymouth.
Registration is now open. To register now, click here.
To download the District Conference Souvenir Book order form, click here.
To watch the 'Pilgrim Jim' promo video, which was produced by Assistant Governor Richard Simon of the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, click here.
Needham Rotary Holds Third Annual Music & Awards Night
The festive event took place on January 30 at Needham Town Hall with eight musical groups competing for prizes in the two categories: open; and student. Winners were Alissa Musto, in the open category, and, for the second year in a row Needham High's a cappella group, The Subway Dwarves, which took top prize in the student category.
More than 150 people attended, with proceeds from the event helping to fund Needham Rotary’s Project Fund, which provides grants to local organizations. This event has clearly struck a chord with local musicians, and has clearly raised awareness of Rotary in both Needham and surrounding communities.
Westford Rotary, Cameron Senior Center Host Senior Winter Luncheon
The joyous event for more than 45 seniors took place on February 3 the Westford Regency Inn. Small goodie bags were given to each senior attending from the Westford Rotary. A Daisy Troop made the table decorations. Club President John Flanagan and club Social Media Chair Patti Mason represented Westford Rotary at the luncheon. Everyone who attended said they had a good time and enjoyed the entertainment - and did some dancing, too.
Brookfields Rotary Pancake Breakfast Benefits Local Horse Farm
On January 10, Henault Morgan Farm in Warren saw its horse barn and all of its hay destroyed by arson. A few weeks later, on February 28, the Rotary Cliub of Brookfields held a Pancake Breakfast to at the Warren Senior Center to raise money for the farm owner, Elyse Henault. The event was put on by seven Brookfields Rotarians, three volunteers - including two students, one of whom had taken part in RYLA and will be graduating this June - and Elyse, who's shown posing with the two students.
Tickets sold for $7 and, after expenses. At the Brookfields meeting following the breakfast, the club presented Elyse a check for $1382.25. This shows what a small club can do with volunteers and a lot of determination.
Ayer Rotary Inducts Two New Members
The Rotary Club of Ayer recently inducted Reese Gorini (shown, second from right) and Lynn Henderson Searle (shown, third from right) as new members. They are shown posing with District Governor Jim Fusco (second from left), club President Michael Phelan (far left) and club Past President Bryan Sawyer (far right).
Concord Rotary Inducts New Member
The Rotary Club of Concord recently inducted Josh Lopresti (center) as a new member. He is shown posing with club member Alan Bogosian (left) and club President Sharon Spaulding (right).
Wellesley Rotary Pushes 'Chicago City Limits" To Fund Peer Leadership And Depression Prevention Project
Rotary sponsors community Interact clubs for ages 12 through 18. When the Interact club for Wellesley was launched, it adopted the Peer Leadership and Depression Prevention (PLDP) project. For the first time, the entire freshman grade at Wellesley high school – more than 300 students - completed the full curriculum. More than a dozen Interact peer leaders co-facilitated so that small group discussions were possible, allowing each freshman to address healthy stress management and symptoms of depression, including suicidal ideation. Pre-and post-curriculum surveys confirmed very positive outcomes, so the program should continue each year.
To fund PLDP, the Rotary Club of Wellesley is selling tickets to a "Chicago City Limits," a family comedy show, on Saturday, March 12. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Ukraine Rotary Clubs Need Our Help With Recent Polio Outbreaks
Twenty-five years ago, the Rotary Club of Shrewsbury co-sponsored the first Rotary club in Ukraine, which was the Rotary Club of Kiev. Now, a quarter-century later, Ukraine needs our help with recent polio outbreaks in that eastern European nation.
Rotary in Ukraine has now has grown to more 43 clubs. Click here to watch a video posted by our fellow Rotarians in Ukraine regarding the recent outbreak of polio. It demonstrates that with low awareness and low vaccination rates, one plane ride can cause this disease reappear again overnight and anywhere - even in America. Ukraine Rotary clubs are looking for help. The best way is to make a donation of any size. To make a donation, click here.
Every donation gets amplified by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which donates $2 for every $1 donated by Rotarians. That causes each donation of $1 to triple to $3. Click here to learn more about that match.
Major District & Club Happenings: March & April
Thursday, March 31: District 7910 - Social Media Seminar
Click here for seminar details, in PDF format
Wednesday, April 6: Tewksbury - Taste of the Town
Click here for taste details, in PDF format
Friday, April 8: District 7910: Ad Deadline for District Conference Souvenir Book
Click here for the order form, in PDF format
Saturday, April 9: Uxbridge - Wine and Chocolate Tasting
Friday, April 15: District 7910 - Deadline for Facebook Contest
Click here for contest details, in PDF format
Wednesday, April 20: District 7910 - Deadline for District Conference Hospitality 'Sweets'
Click here for request form, in PDF format
Saturday, June 4: Worcester - Celebrate Community Gala
Click here for event details, in PDF format
Click here for sponsorship opportunities, in PDF format
Submit Major Club Happenings
Send flyers of your club's major events and activities, in either JPEG or PDF format, to Jim Fusco at jim.fusco2@gmail.com.
District 7910 Holds Its First-Ever Rotaract Advisor Training Seminar
By Carl Gomes
On February 29, the first-ever District Rotaract Advisor Training Seminar was held at Framingham State University. This was part of a long-term strategy and commitment that District Governor Jim Fusco is developing with his New Generations team to empower and grow all youth programs in District 7910. This effort began several months ago, when Jim challenged Ron Bott, District Interact chair, and me as District Rotaract chair to recommend to him what could be and needed to be done to strengthen and grow both Interact and Rotaract in our district. Read more, including video and slide presentations.
RYLA Next Steps: Promote applications
Promote Rotarian Youth Leadership Awards applications with RYLA flyers and public relations.
Interview the applicants, using these documents:
- Applicant Selection Guidelines
- Applicant Interview Questions
- Applicant Evaluation Forms
To download the Club Pack, which contains those three documents, click here.
The Club Pack is a valuable resource for both RYLA chairs and Rotary Clubs.
Membership Corner: A suggested strategy to increase your club membership
By Tom Sturiale
Let us assume your club’s leaders and members have decided to increase your Rotary club’s membership. Let us further assume your club has a few issues regarding size, venue, costs, objectives and meeting agendas - and maybe a few other issues. It has been a very difficult environment in which to attract and induct new members. What to do? Maybe an effective first step would be to separate each of the major issues and address them, one by one. Read more
District Positions: Guidelines for Stewardship Committee
By Jim Fusco
The recipient of a grant or award, the grant's sponsor in application, the project committee, the selection committee, and all others associated with the grant or award are expected to:
- Treat Rotary Foundation grant funds as a sacred trust to be constantly safeguarded from loss, misuse, or diversion and to be used only for the stated purpose that shall be strictly interpreted by Rotary Foundation Code of Policies 75, January 2016.
- Exercise the highest attention to the prevention of even the appearance that Rotary Foundation funds are being used in an improper manner, whether such appearance may be in the eyes of Rotarians or the general public. Such attention is expected to go beyond that afforded to the use of private or corporate funds.
- Assure competent and thorough oversight of the project with clear delineation of responsibility. Read more
PR Tips: Rotary newsletter template available
By Laura Spear
If you are looking for a simple Microsoft Word document template for your club newsletter, Rotary International has added a new template to its Brand Center. (Sign-in for RI website is required - this is not available pon ClubRunner.) You can also find the template on the District 7910 website: Click here. You can swap out pictures, edit headlines, and add your own club’s news and activities. The font styles and colors all meet the new Rotary branding.
Laura Spear, chair of District 7910's Public Image Committee, may be reached at laura@spear.net.
Register TODAY: District 7910 Social Media Seminar
To Register Now, click here
Are you ready to get social? Mark your calendars for March 31! It's time for our District 7910 Social Media Seminar. The content for this seminar resulted from our third-quarter District PR Meeting and is designed for new and not-so-new users of social media. Attendees can mix and match - attend a Facebook Tips and Tricks session, a LinkedIn 101 session, and a Videos session, for example. To get the most out of the event, have several members of your club attend. The best part ... it's free!
Post-PETS Reminder: Training, training, training
By Pat and Skip Doyle
Post-Presidents Elect Training Seminar (a.k.a. District Assembly) is an annual opportunity to inspire and prepare club leaders before they take office.
When and Where:
- Friday, April 8, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- Holiday Inn, Boxborough
Purpose:
The purpose of this seminar is to:
- Prepare incoming club leaders for their year in office and build their leadership teams
- Give the district governor-elect and incoming assistant governors and district committees the opportunity to motivate club leadership teams and develop their working relationships
All those who accept key club leadership roles are encouraged to attend Post-PETS.
Participants:
Participants should include:
- Presidents-elect (who are required to attend both the PETS and the Post-PETS seminars)
- Incoming club secretaries
- Incoming club treasurers
- Incoming club committee chairs (especially, chairs of the administration, membership, public relations, and service projects committees)
Pat and Skip Doyle, co-district governors-elect, may be reached at pwdoyle2@ verizon.net and skipdoyle2@verizon.net, respectively.
Foundation Grants: 2016-2017 and Beyond
By Sanjay Deshpande
During the Foundation Transition meeting on February 22, I, as incoming District Foundation chair, made a presentation titled "Foundation Grants in 2016-2017 and Beyond." To view and download the presentation, in PDF format, click here.
Sanjay Deshpande may be reached at sanjdesh51@aol.com.
A new type of polio vaccine has been produced that can provide a better injectable to people in Third World countries. Click here to watch a recent Australian TV news report on the Vaxxas Nanopatch.
Bandey-Hefler Reflections: Farewell photos and promo video
Click here to view photo highlights of the 2015 Rotary Bandey-Hefler Fellowship Exchange between District 7910 and Districts 1110 and 1145 in England
Click here to view the promotional video for 2015-2016 Bandey-Hefler program in District 7910
Peace Fellowships: Application Deadline Is May 31
By Terry Parker
Each year, Rotary International selects up to 100 individuals from around the world to receive fully funded academic fellowships at one of RI’s Peace Centers. These fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses. Read more
View and Download (requires member login)
To submit content for consideration for the Monday, March 7 issue of Rotary District 7910 Newsletter, please e-mail it to District Governor Jim Fusco at jim.fusco2@gmail.com. The submission deadline is Friday, March 4. All text must be in Word format. All images must be in either JPEG or PDF format.
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©Copyright 2015-2016
Rotary District 7910, Central Massachusetts, USA
2015-2016 District Governor Jim Fusco
Rotary District 7910 Newsletter Editor Steve Jones-D'Agostino