Rotary District 7910 Newsletter - May 16, 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.

Click here, for PDF version of May 16 issue of Rotary District 7910 Newsletter

2016 District Conference: Plymouth Rocks!

by District 7910 Conference Committee

May 20, 21 and 22

Hotel 1620 At Plymouth Harbor, Plymouth

DISTRICT CONFERENCE NOTICE!

Sorry: All Package Deals That Include Hotel Rooms Are Sold Out. If You Want To Register & Need A Hotel Room, click here

Click here to download the 13-page, 'everything you need to know' District Conference Booklet.

Click here to watch the three-minute promo video, produced by Assistant Governor Richard Simon

RYLA: Volunteers Sought

Volunteers are being sought for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.

Click here, to volunteer now

Club Visits

Invite District Governor Jim Fusco to your club's Installation and Special Events!

Just Ask!

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

jim.fusco2@gmail.com.

District Events: May 16-June 16

2016 District Conference - Registration Form

Friday, May 20–Sunday, May 22

Hotel 1620 at Plymouth Harbor (formerly Plymouth Radisson)

Plimouth Plantation: Discount Tickets

Friday, May 20–Sunday, May 22

Plimouth Plantation, Plymouth

Golfing at Squirrel Run Country Club

Saturday, May 21

12:00 noon–4:00 p.m.

Squirrel Run Country Club, Plymouth

Harbor Cruise: Lobster Roll Box Lunch, $40

Saturday, May 21

12:00 noon–4:00 p.m.

Plymouth Harbor

Harbor Cruise: Deli Box Lunch, $30

Saturday, May 21

1:00– 2:30 p.m.

Plymouth Harbor

Fellowship Event for New Members

Saturday, May 21

6:00-7:00 p.m.

Hotel 1620 at Plymouth Harbor (formerly Plymouth Radisson)

RI Convention

Sunday, May 29-Wednesday, June 1

Seoul, Korea

RYLA Sub-Committee Meeting- Volunteer RoundUp

Wednesday, June 8

6:00-9:30 p.m.

Holiday Inn, Boxborough

District Golf Fellowship League

Thursday, June 16

1:00-6:00 p.m.

Butter Brook Golf Club, Westford

View these plus more upcoming District Events

RI Spotlight

On the Road As An End Polio Now Coordinator

By Carol Toomey, Zone 32 End Polio Now Coordinator

This time of year— training season in Rotary — I am frequently invited to talk at various club and District events. Last week was no exception: I was at District 7910’s Assembly in Massachusetts. As I was preparing, I got to thinking about the many new Rotarians who joined recently and may never have been asked to give to PolioPlus. It is our job to ask them if they want to be part of history … and to help us get to zero. Yes, we have been “this close” for a long time. It is now time to think about getting to zero. Imagine telling your grandchildren that you were part of the polio eradication program and that they will never have to worry about the disease because people cared enough to support the eradication program. Read more, starting on page 10.

On May 12, Learn How To Achieve Fundraising Success

The Rotary Foundation helps Rotarians do good in their communities and around the world. This Thursday, May 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon (ET), join Rotary staff as they share volunteer tips for fundraising, helping your club to do more good around the world in the coming year.

Space is limited to 500 attendees - reserve your spot today!

Please note, webinar times are shown in US Central Time. Use the World Clock Meeting Planner to determine the time the webinar will take place in your area, at timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html

If you can't attend, register anyway to receive a link to the recording after the webinar.

More information about The Rotary Foundation and the Annual Fund can be found at Rotary.org.

GLI: An Incredible Rotary Leadership Opportunity

Global Leadership Institute is an intense leadership opportunity to be held this July 26 to 31 at the luxurious Dolce Convention Center in Norwalk, Connecticut. It is for global change-makers between the ages of 19 and 35.

During that week, participants will be personally and professionally pushed to become the leaders they have the potential to be. In the past, our professional tract has brought in speakers from TedX, Coca-Cola, IBM, Linkedin, the U.S. military, the U.S. Congress and many more. Our personal tract focuses on personal-building skills such as communication, relationship building, networking, public speaking, confidence, personality training, and business etiquette.

GLI will be accepting only 54 participants. This is one of the greatest benefits of the program. GLI has absorbed the Rotary model of "service above self" and the participant are given one-on-one help and guidance to learn what it means to be a global change-maker and great future or current Rotarian.

GLI is partnered with the United Nations. During that week, participants will be in the UN building for various activities.

For more information, click here.

Annual per-capita dues to increase $4

Dear Council on Legislation delegates, District Governors, District Governors-elect, and regional Rotary leaders,

Congratulations! The 2016 Council on Legislation was by all accounts a great success, thanks to the strong commitment, diligence and hard work of its delegates in carrying out the Council’s critical role in Rotary's governance.

The Council took a number of forward looking decisions on membership and meeting flexibility and other items, including increasing annual per capita dues by $4.

Please find more information here about the dues increase, why it was needed, and the impact it will have in supporting our organization’s work at all levels in the years ahead. I encourage you to share this information with Rotarians in your club, district, and region. You can also read a wrap-up of the Council’s actions on rotary.org.

Sincerely,

John Hewko

General Secretary

Rotary International

A how-to membership leads video

Click here for a new video that helps district and club leaders make the most of the recently enhanced Membership Leads resource. It shows how to track a prospective member from the initial membership-leads submission all the way to connection with a local club. It also outlines the role of club and district leaders in the redesigned process, highlighting how their participation will help strengthen membership, and features the new Rotary resources available to support them. Join the conversation in the Membership Best Practices discussion group to tell us how you’re using the new Membership Leads resource to grow and diversify membership.

RI Makes Changes in 'Brand Center' Online Tool

We hope that you've found Rotary International’s Brand Center a useful tool to create customized logos and brochures - and to tell Rotary's story in a consistent and engaging way.

We'd like to inform you of a recent change to the online tool. Starting today, April 4, any logos or brochures you create using one of our templates will be automatically deleted from your profile 30 days after your last change or edit. Logos and brochures created before April 4 will be deleted on May 2, unless you make a change or edit to the template.

We recommend that once you have finished your customized logo or brochure, you download the document in PDF, PNG, or JPEG format on your own computer.

Reminders of this change will be posted on Brand Center’s template and logo pages.

Zone 32 Foundation Webinar Now Available

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

To download in PDF format, click here

New Tools For Membership Tool Belt

Looking to enhance your club membership experience? Do you want to find opportunities for growth in your club? Club and district leaders now have a set of updated Membership Assessment Tools (formerly Club Assessment Tools) to help them strengthen club membership and add value to your club membership experience, so that more people will join and fewer members will leave.

For your convenience, you can download the entire publication, or just the individual assessments that are most relevant to your club.

The individual assessments, which walk users through evaluation and development of an action plan, include:

Historical trends show that there’s an increase in membership soon after the new year, so this is the perfect time to consider how you welcome new members into your club. Read how one club is using our New Member Welcome Kits to enhance their welcome and orientation.

Rotary Global Rewards: Sign Up Today!

Click here to learn more

Have you tried Rotary Global Rewards — Rotary International’s new member-benefit program that offers discounts on travel, hotels, dining, entertainment and more? Rotary Global Rewards will make your Rotary membership even more rewarding.

Click here to tell us your Rotary story. How has your life or your community been touched by Rotary? We’d like to hear about your experiences, your accomplishments, and your favorite moments. Add a photo, a video, or just a few sentences to share your Rotary Story.

2016-2017 Rotary Theme: 'Rotary Serving Humanity'

To download the image in JPEG format, click here.

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.

Note: Because of the District Conference this weekend, the submission deadline for the May 23 newsletter is this Wednesday.

Governor’s Message

A MESSAGE ABOUT THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE

By Jim Fusco

This Governor’s Message is the final one before the District Conference, so it will be short and concentrate on the DisCon ‘16.

We are having a GREAT YEAR and WE will CELEBRATE at the District Conference and have FUN!

Weather Forecast for Conference: Friday: sunny, 69 degrees; Saturday: sunny, 69 degrees; and Sunday, sunny, 64 degrees!

Here’s a quick report of my travels last week before we talk about the District Conference:

I attended the Foundation Committee’s Grant Qualification Seminar as well as the Membership Committee Meeting.
The District Fellowship Golf League was at Sterling Country Club, but I had a conflict and could not be there.
We held the final District Conference Committee meeting.
I went to Groton-Pepperell Rotary to present them with recognition from Rotary International President “Ravi” Ravindran for 75 years of service.
I attended the RYLA Committee Meeting.
I attended Leominster Rotary’s Wine Pairing Event.

This week will be mostly District Conference. But tomorrow, I will attend Fitchburg Rotary’s Community Awards Dinner, visit Littleton Rotary on Wednesday, and then head to Plymouth for the District Conference. It will be an exciting week.

District Conference: Here is an update on the District Conference: READ MORE

Click here to download or print the May 16 issue, in PDF format.

Click here for past issues.

Welcome, New Members

Please welcome the newest Rotarians in our district (alphabetical order by last name):

Gregory Kennedy, Framingham

District & Club Rounds

District Conference Committee Holds Final Planning Meeting

Big, hearty congrats to the 2016 District Conference Committee, most of whom are shown here, as they held their final planning meeting last Wednesday at the DoubleTree Hotel in Leominster.

Special thanks to Committee Chair Karin Gaffney (shown, seventh from right), and District Governor Jim Fusco (shown, sixth from left), for leading the months-long effort. (DG Jim - a.k.a. "Pilgrim" Jim - reminds us it's okay to wear white sneakers - his signature district-rounds footwear - at DisCon '16.)

During DisCon '16, this Friday, May 20 through Sunday, May 22 in Plymouth, we'll take and share another photo of the DisCon Committee. Hopefully, it will show those members who were not present at last week's meeting.

In addition to Karin and Jim, shown, left to right, are: Nancy Dinkel; Barbara Guthrie; Glenys Hachfeld; Pamela Anastasi; Michelle Gasbarro; Karen Fusco; Bob Cassidy; Klaus Hachfeld; Satya Mitra; Bill Domings; Steve Levistky; and Steve Jones-D'Agostino.

Acton-Boxborough Rotary Gets Local Cultural Council Grant, House of Representatives Citation

The Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough has received a grant from the Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council. In addition, the club has been presented a citation from the

Massachusetts House of Representatives for its Veteran's Day Breakfast last fall.

Shown at the grantee reception held in April is club President Diana Nestorova displaying the citation, which was presented by state Senator Jamie Eldridge and state Representative Jennifer Benson. (Photo: Frank Sibley)

Bedford Rotary Gets 'Trail Race' Coverage, Readies For 'Bike And Helmet Safety' Event

The Rotary Club of Bedford's first annual Trail Race was the lead story last week in the Bedford Minuteman. The club also got full-page coverage in paper's sports section, including lots of photos.

In other club news, the Bedford Police Department, in conjunction with Bedford Rotary, will host a bicycle and helmet safety event on Saturday, May 28 from 10 a.m. to 12:00 noon at 2 Mudge Way in Bedford. Residents are encouraged to stop by the Police Department’s parking lot. Free helmets will be given out to children, and cyclists can take a spin on the test track area that will be set up for the event. Last year, more than 120 bike helmets were distributed by Bedford Rotary. While the helmets are designed for children, the club encourages adults to purchase their own helmets. Read more

Groton-Pepperell Rotary Celebrates 75th

The Rotary Club of Groton-Pepperell was chartered on February 19, 1941. In recognition for their 75 years of dedication to the Object of Rotary and to

their commitment to the ideal of "service above self," the club has received a certificate from Rotary International President "Ravi" Ravindran.

District Governor Jim Fusco (shown, left) presented the certificate to club President Kyle Swaim (shown, right) during the club's meeting last Thursday.

Leominster Rotary Holds 'Classy' Wine-Pairing Event

“A classy affair awaits anyone lucky enough to get their hands on a ticket to [May 13’s] annual wine-pairing event hosted by the Leominster Rotary Club,” according to a recent article in the Sentinel & Enterprise.

‘This isn't going to be just cheese and crackers,’ Rotary Club President Claire Freda said. ‘People can expect a nice sit-down experience with some really great wine.’”

This was seventh time that Leominster Rotarians have hosted the event, which benefits the music programs of the city's middle schools. Freda told the newspaper that before her club's involvement, "there really was no vehicle to get money to the middle-school music programs, so we decided we wanted to promote their programs and get them this funding."

She estimated that, in years past, the event has raised close to $9,000 for the music programs at Samoset and Sky View middle schools. Last year, the event raised $2,500 for each of the schools, a number the club hoped to repeat this year.

As the newspaper reported, "The money is a great help," said Bob Landry, Samoset's music instructor and bandleader. "We've almost grown to depend on it. A lot of times, things are done for the high school because that's what people see, but the middle school needs help, too.

“Landry said students in his music program are able to get instruments through rent-to-buy programs, but some instruments the schools need aren't available through that method.”

Shown, left to right, are: District Governor Jim Fusco and Leominster President Claire Freda. To view event photos, click here.

Wellesley Rotary To Recognize Wellesley High Interactors

Tomorrow, the Rotary Club of Wellesley will recognize the achievements of the Interact Club at Wellesley High

School. The teens launched projects around Wellesley to personally interact with more than 500 students, and they created measurable outcomes.

Elements of the mental-health and –wellness project have reached other communities in Virginia and Puerto Rico. Nadja Reilly, Ph.D. (shown, right), of the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology will summarize the project and make presentations to the graduating seniors.

Needham Rotary Reality Fair Set For May 23

On Monday, May 23 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Needham Rotary will be helping with the sixth annual Reality Fair at Needham High School. The club looking for volunteers to help either as a resource at the help desk or at a vendor table, providing information to the students on a product or service they will be purchasing. You can help for either an hour or the entire fair.

You do not need any expertise. The club will provide all of the details and information for you to participate. Click here, to watch a Needham Channel report on the 2015 Reality Fair.

If you wish to volunteer, contact club President Rich Forte at rforte@wradvisors.com. He will e-mail complete details to you.

Worcester Rotary's Keynote Speaker Focuses on Pulitzer Winner Esther Forbes

Worcester Rotarian Matt Erskine (shown) addressed the Rotary Club of Worcester on May 12. He focused on Esther Forbes, an American novelist, historian and children's writer who received the Pulitzer Prize and the Newbery Medal. Forbes was born to William Trowbridge and Harriette Merrifield Forbes in 1891 in Westborough. She moved with her family to Worcester in 1898.

Forbes’ first novel, O Genteel Lady!, was published in 1926 and was selected as the second book for the Book of the Month Club. In 1928, A Mirror for Witches was published. In 1933, she and Albert Hoskins divorced. Although she retained her married name, she wrote under her maiden name, Esther Forbes.

(Photo: Rich Prager)

Nashoba Valley Rotary and Bolton Local's Next Bolton Repair Café On June 18

What do you do with a broken toaster or lamp? Or with a shirt or blouse with a seam that is ripped out? Toss it? No way! Bring them to the Bolton Repair Café. The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, with help from Bolton Local, is hosting the next Bolton Repair Café on Saturday, June 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.at Ayer Town Hall, located at 1 Main St. in Ayer. Residents of Bolton and surrounding towns are invited to come and find out what a Repair Café is all about.

Upcoming Bolton Repair Cafe:

Saturday, June 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Westborough Public Library, located at 55 West Main St. in Westborough

At the Repair Café, sponsored by Nashoba Valley Rotary, everything centers on making repairs. Knowledgeable volunteers will help repair items such as clean, mendable clothing, lamps, small appliances, computers and other electronics, bikes, toys, outdoor power equipment, and jewelry. They can also sharpen knives, scissors, and garden tools. You only pay for needed parts. If you know what parts are needed, please get them ahead of time and bring them to the Repair Café to save time.

Volunteers at the Repair Café will look at all items brought in and try to repair them. If the volunteers cannot repair something, they will offer suggestions about where you could go for repairs.

Unlike a “fix-it” shop, where people drop off items to be repaired and continue about their day, the Repair Café is meant to get people involved with the repair process and create connections with others in the community. People bringing in items for repair are asked to stay while your items are being fixed. You can just watch, help with the repair, fix the item yourself with help from volunteers, or just have a snack and visit with neighbors.

Promoting repairs will help reduce mountains of waste. According to organizer Ray Pfau, a Nashoba Valley Rotarian, “We throw away lots of things that often have

almost nothing wrong with them, things that could easily be used again after a simple repair. Unfortunately, many people have forgotten that they can fix things. Repair Café wants to change all that.” (Shown, right, is Ray Pfau addressing a recent Worcester Rotary meeting. Click here to view additional photos of that event by Worcester Rotarian Rich Prager.)

Repair Café is also meant to put neighbors in touch with each other in a new way. Neighbors may discover that a lot of know-how and practical skills can be found close to home. Pfau added, “If you repair a bike, a CD player, or a pair of trousers with previously unfamiliar neighbors, you look at them in a different light the next time you see them. Jointly making repairs can lead to connections in the community.” Making repairs can also save money and resources.

The Bolton Repair Café is sponsored by Nashoba Valley Rotary with support from Bolton Local and the Repair Café Foundation. The Foundation has been organizing Repair Cafés since 2010 in the Netherlands and has provided support since January 2011 to local groups in and outside the Netherlands wanting to start their own Repair Cafés.

For more information, contact Ray Pfau at 978-779-5545 or ray.pfau@alum.mit.edu, or visit www.nashobarotary.org.

Newton Rotary Seeks Sponsors May 21 'Talent' Event

The Rotary Club of Newton is gearing up for its Newton Has Talent, on Saturday, May 21.The club is hoping that you will support this event by being a sponsor. Here are some of the great reasons to do that:

Rotary Newton continues to grow and make more of an impact. They have welcomed 10 new members this year, and have done a variety of great things such as a lawn cleanup at a domestic-violence shelter, collected toiletries for the food pantry, donated books to the library, given dictionaries to third-graders, and more! They’re about to give grants to local community-service organizations plus scholarships to graduating seniors. The grants and scholarship are directly affected by the financial success of these two fund-raisers. Your support counts!

Internationally, Newton Rotary is spearheading a project to tackle the trash problem around the Taj Mahal. The goal is to help the neighborhoods around the Taj (which are desperately poor) benefit economically from tourism. The Newton club is working with clubs throughout the U.S. and India to make this happen.

Boston comedian Jimmy Tingle, who performs nationally, is hosting Newton Has Talent this year, which Newton Rotary expect to generate great attendance and lots of buzz. The event is part of the Newton "Festival of the Arts," so whatever the club does is amplified through that publicity apparatus.

By supporting this event, your business is exposed to a huge cross-section of the Newton and surrounding communities. Click here, for Sponsorship details, in PDF format.

WPI Rotaract Promotes Ecuadorian Earthquake Relief Effort

Through WPI Rotaract, Ecuadorian students at WPI have issued the following request for assistance in the wake of the recent devastating earthquake that struck their country:

"On Saturday, April 16, a 7.8 earthquake stuck our country, Ecuador. People lost family members, their homes, their sources of income and much more, leaving them homeless heartbroken. It is going to be a long journey for them to rebuild their homes and reestablish peace and serenity in them. However, you can help us raise awareness by donating to this fundraiser.

"Working side-by-side with the Ecuadorian Scouts Association, we have created a GoFundMe campaign where all the funds raised in the next days will be directly donated to the “Grupo Scout Liceo Internacional” (Boys Scouts of the International School), which will use the money to build emergency shelters for the survivors who lost their houses.

"If you would like to donate any other time, the link to our GoFundMe campaign is: https://www.gofundme.com/AidEcuador

"We are reaching out to you and to the wonderful WPI community because we were lucky enough not to lose any family members, but more than 500 (until now) people did. State officials have said that the expected victim count will surpass the 1,000 mark. This is why we feel in the obligation and the necessity to reach out to as many people as possible in order to help these families out.

"More information about the earthquake can be obtained in the CNN article (http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/18/americas/ecuador-earthquake/index.html), directly to our GoFundMe page, or by searching with the hashtags #ecuadorearthquake #AllEcuadorNeedsIsYou #prayforecuador. If you would like more information about the emergency shelters, you can visit: http://www.cd-ec.org/vivienda-emergente/

"Please, if you can share the GoFundMe link, above, with your family, friends and relatives, the people of Ecuador and us will thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for your support and generosity. Even a modest contribution helps and your support is greatly appreciated!"

District Conference: Things I want you to know

By Jim Fusco

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:

Major District & Club Happenings: Spring & Summer 20

May-September: District 7910 - 'Golf Fellowship'

Click here for golf flyer, in PDF format

Extended Deadline - Friday, May 20: District 7910 - Sign-Up Deadline for District Conference 'Golf Outing'

Click here for golf flyer, in PDF format

Saturday, May 21 or First 90 People to Sign Up: District 7910 - Sign-Up Deadline for District Conference 'Harbor Cruise'

Click here for cruise flyer, in PDF format

Saturday, May 21: Newton Rotary - 'Newton Has Talent'

Click here for talent flyer, in PDF format

Friday, June 3: Sturbridge Rotary - 'Dinner Dance'

Click here for dance details, 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

Sunday, June 12: Tyngsboro-Dunstable Rotary - 'Fishing Day'

Click here for fishing flyer (see below), in PDF format

Click here for permission slip, in PDF format

Saturday, June 18: Brookfields Rotary - 'Music & Raffles Scholarship Fundraiser'

Click here for fundraiser flyer, in PDF format

Tuesday, July 12: District Rotarian Wine Appreciation Fellowship - 'Wine-Dinner at La Morra Bicari'

Click here for wine-dinner flyer, 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.

Committee Spotlight

DGE Report: RYLA has 188 sophomore from 43 clubs

By Pat and Skip Doyle

The registration phase for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards has now ended and we can confirm that 188 sophomores from 43 clubs in District 7910 will be attending our RYLA leadership training event from June 24 to June 26 at Fitchburg State University.

These 43 clubs have offered scholarships worth $275 per student to deserving sophomores from the schools in their area. RYLA chairs from most of these clubs interviewed candidates looking for qualifications such as leadership potential, strong communication skills, and a dedication to community service. Ideally, clubs are the primary contact point for most student participants throughout their RYLA experience.

Each year, more than 10,000 students are sponsored in RYLA programs by Rotary clubs in more than 25 countries. Our program here in District 7910 emphasizes the development of leadership skills, citizenship and community service, and personal growth

and development. Thirty-three returning RYLAns serve as student leaders throughout the weekend. These students, who were chosen in January, have been training for months to facilitate the upcoming weekend.

A program such as this needs many hands to make it a success. And so, we now enter the volunteer phase of RYLA. Rotarians from across our district are invited to share their time and talent with these young people. Please click here and indicate the times that you have available, between 8:00 a.m. on Friday, June 24 and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 26.

To learn more about RYLA, click here.

District Governors-Elect Pat and Skip Doyle may be reached at pwdoyle2@ verizon.net and skipdoyle2@verizon.net, respectively.

Foundation Update: Club cash contributions to global grants incur 5% extra support charge

By Sanjay Deshpande

Global grants are funded through cash contributions made by Rotary clubs, district-designated funds contributed by Rotary districts and the resulting matching grants from The Rotary Foundation. For example, Global Grant No.1528425, led by Nashoba Valley Rotary, seeks to conduct malaria-reduction spraying in Malawi at a total cost of $60,600. The funding for the project, matching the total cost, is as shown below: READ MORE

Membership Corner: What are the initial steps in a membership effort?

By Tom Sturiale

While all Rotary clubs are grounded in the same fundamental principles, they differ in size, member profiles and community impact. Let’s consider the membership issues that may occur in some of the smaller clubs and how they may be addressed. Many of these clubs are in sparsely settled suburban areas where long distances prevail, few suitable venues are available, people commute to and from places of employment, and the number of professional and business folks is limited. What is a small club to do?

Like the wise man said, “When all else fails, read the instruction book.” Let’s go back to the basics of Rotary by carefully assessing the four objects of Rotary and applying them to our club in question. Paraphrasing them, we have the development of acquaintance or fellowship, high ethical standards, the ideal of service, and international service. Then, we have the Rotary motto of “service above self” as well as the “four-way test.” READ MORE

PR Tips: Use the official Rotary colors in your promotional materials

By Laura Spear

As Rotarians, we are smart, compassionate, persevering and inspiring - and Rotary International has selected a set of colors to express those attributes. You can find these colors in a variety of specifications: Pantone, CMYK, RGB for digital, and Hexadecimal for web. They are in Voice and Visual Identity Guidelines, which is available online at rotary.org/brandcenter. Reserve the Rotary Gold for “pops” of color and emphasis.

To learn more about PR for your club, click on the "Public Relations" section of the navigation bar of District 7910 website.

Laura Spear, chair of District 7910's Public Image Committee, may be reached at laura@spear.net.

RYLA Reminder: Volunteers sought

By Christine Pinney

Volunteer

s are being sought for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. Click here, to volunteer now. Add your name to your sessions and favorite slots.

If you have any questions, visit www.ryla7910 .org.

Christine Pinney, vice chair of District 7910's RYLA Committee, may be reached at christine@christinepinney.com

Mark Your Interact and Rotaract Calendars!

District 7910 will hold a joint Interact and Rotaract Training Seminar on Tuesday, September 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at place to be determined. This event is a follow-up to the separate Interact and Rotaract Training Seminars that were held last fall and this winter, respectively.

Read more about the Rotaract Advisor Training Seminar held on February 29 at Framingham State University, including video and slide presentations.

Polio Plus Report: District contributions status; New RI funding; New vaccine type

Status of District 7910 club contributions

By Carl Good III

To review and download the District 7910 polio-contributions report compiled by Rotary International,click here. Only four clubs have contributed more than $500 each, and only four have exceed our district's goal of $1,500 per club. The good news: Our district is 58 percent ahead of this time last year.

Carl Good, chair of District 7910's Polio Plus Committee, may be reached at carlgood@yahoo.com.

Boston Globe highlights Rotary role in polio fight

Click here to read a recent front-page article in The Boston Globe this week is about the change in polio vaccines, and mentions the role of Rotary in the fight to end polio.

RI provides $35 million in new funding

Rotary International has released $35 million in new grants to support the global effort to eradicate polio. The funds will build on last year’s historic achievement of stopping transmission of the wild poliovirus in Nigeria and all of Africa. Just two countries reported wild polio cases in 2015, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Rotary’s funds will go toward efforts to end the disease in those countries and seven others. Read more

New type of polio vaccine

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

Click here, for PDF version of May 16 issue

Submit Content

To submit content for consideration for the Monday, May 23 issue of Rotary District 7910 Newsletter, please e-mail it to District Governor Jim Fusco at jim.fusco2@gmail.com.

Note: Because of the District Conference next weekend, the submission deadline for the May 23 issue is this Wednesday. All text must be in Word format. All images must be in either JPEG or PDF format. Please identify the people, left to right, who are shown in your photos, including their first and last name as well as their club or other title.

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