Rotary District 7910 Newsletter - May 2, 2016
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Upcoming EventsYou 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
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 11-page, 'everything you need to know' District Conference Booklet, which contains:
- Schedule
- Pricing
- Hospitality 'Sweets' Request Form
- Cruise Registration Form
- Golf Registration Form
- Frequently Asked Questions
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
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 EventsMonday, May 7-Tuesday, June 1
District Council (Moved from May 2)
Wednesday, May 4
6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
DoubleTree Hotel, Leominster
Holiday Inn Boston-Peabody, Peabody
Monday, May 9
5:30-9:00 p.m.
DoubleTree Hotel, Leominster
Monday, May 9
5:30-9:00 p.m.
DoubleTree Hotel, Leominster
Tuesday, May 10
6:30-9:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn, Boxborough
Wednesday, May 11
6:30-9:00 p.m.
DoubleTree Hotel, Leominster
Thursday, May 12
12:00 noon-5:00 p.m.
Sterling Country Club, Sterling
Thursday, May 12
6:00-9:30 p.m.
Holiday Inn, Boxborough
Saturday, May 15
12:30–5:30 p.m.
Holiday Inn, Boxborough
Friday, May 20–Sunday, May 22
Hotel 1620 at Plymouth Harbor (formerly Plymouth Radisson)
Friday, May 20–Sunday, May 22
Saturday, May 21
12:00 noon–4:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 21
12:00 noon–4:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 21
1:00– 2:30 p.m.
Plymouth Harbor
Saturday, May 21
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Hotel 1620 at Plymouth Harbor (formerly Plymouth Radisson)
Sunday, May 29-Wednesday, June 1
RI SpotlightOn 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. On 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.
Nine out of 10 Rotarians have asked Rotary to provide more services, and it was clear to the Council, based on the five-year financial forecast presented by the [Rotary International] Board, that without the dues increase, service to clubs and districts would have to be decreased. As a result of the Council’s action, dues to RI will increase by $4 per year in each of the years 2017-'18, 2018-'19, and 2019-'20. The increase will enable us to enhance Rotary’s website, improve online tools, add programs and services, and make other advancements to help clubs grow their membership and better serve communities.
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,
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
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:
- Representing Your Community’s Professions: A Classification Assessment
- Diversifying Your Club: A Member Diversity Assessment
- Finding New Club Members: A Prospective Member Exercise
- Improving Your Member Retention: A Retention Assessment and Analysis
- Enhancing the Club Experience: Member Satisfaction Survey
- Understanding Why Members Resign: Exit Survey
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.
Rotary Global Rewards helps you share Rotary by:
- Doing more good work: Involve more members in Rotary projects with savings on truck rentals, airfare, and hotels.
- Building Rotary friendships: Forge richer friendships with fellow members with your dining and entertainment offers.
- Sharing our story with someone new: Tell people about Rotary’s work when you use discounts at coffee shops and restaurants.
Our rewards program is even more special now because members are invited to build it. This fall, Rotarians can add their company’s special offers to our growing portfolio of Rotary Global Rewards.
Where will Rotary Global Rewards take you? Sign in to My Rotary, go to the Member Center, and learn more. If you don’t have an account, create one now at www.rotary.org/myrotary.The good you do comes back to you!
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'
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.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE!
WHILE THE PACKAGE DEALS HAVE EXPIRED, YOU CAN STILL REGISTER TO ATTEND.
TO REGISTER FOR MEALS, CLICK HERE.
TO BOOK A HOTEL ROOM, CALL 508-747-4900.
Register Now! Click here
Governor’s Message: PDG UB Bhat of D3910 in India to address Acton-Boxborough this WednesdayBy Jim Fusco
Final reminder: Acton-Boxborough will have a great speaker at its lunch meeting this Wednesday, May 4. Their speaker is Past District Governor (2008-2009) UB Bhat of District 3910 in Bangalore, India, who will talk about his experiences as a passenger on the Indian Airlines flight that was hijacked. He was held hostage for nearly two weeks and has a great story to tell. If you plan to attend this presentation, please let club President Diana Nestorova know so the restaurant has a reasonable count. Contact Diana at diana_nestorova@hotmail.com. They ring the bell at 12 noon.
For more information on PDG UB Bhat (shown, right), click here and click here.
'17-'18 RI President to attend NEPETS '17: Ian H. S. Risisley, Rotary International president for 2017-2018, from the Rotary Club of Sandringham in Victoria, Australia, has confirmed that he will be at next year's Northeast Presidents Elect Training Seminar, which will be starting March 9, 2017 in Framingham. It is always an honor when the incoming RI president joins us as the keynote speaker at the Thursday night dinner. This event sells out, so mark your calendars.
Membership held steady last week. Hopefully, the increase will resume this week. Let’s continue to do great things in our communities and get these stories published in the local media. Then, we will continue the upward trend in membership. Remember that all you need to do is identify a person who you believe would make a Great Rotarian and ask! READ MORE
Click here to download or print this newsletter, in PDF format.
Welcome, New MembersPlease welcome the newest Rotarians in our district (alphabetical order by last name):
Rotarians In MemoriamPlease remember this Rotarian, who recently passed away (alphabetical order by last name):
District & Club RoundsFitchburg, Montachusett Area Rotary Hold 'Take Me Out To The Ball Game!' To Benefit The Arc
Spring was in the air and it was time for outdoor activities, spring cleaning, baseball games and the fourth annual "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" fundraiser benefiting The Arc of Opportunity! For the fourth consecutive year, Fitchburg Rotary and Montachusett Area Rotary partnered to hold this event, which benefited The Arc’s Recreation and Family Support program.The event was held last Friday, April 29 at The Arc, in the Vocational Work area that was turned into a replica of Fenway Park. The replica featured the “Green Monster,” where they kept score of the live game being played between the Rex Sox and the Yankees, and many other themed touches.
Shown, left to right, are District Governor Jim Fusco, past president of the Montachusett Area club, posing with Montachusett Area President Leslie Storrs and Fitchburg President Wayne Carney during the April 29 event.
Attendees of this event really got into the spirit from all of the baseball amenities offered for the low-entry price of only $10 per person. Their ticket got tjem entered into a raffle to win a big-screen TV, play baseball-themed games, participate in the beer-tasting hosted by local breweries, and enjoy the baseball game, food and popcorn. There was a live DJ at the event playing your favorites, hosting the “Sweet Caroline” sing-a-long and announcing the score from the live game going on between the Red Sox and the Yankees. There was a live auction at the event as well, hosted by Rick Clouthier, where attendees got a chance to bid on some of the baseball memorabilia that are featured. A cash bar at the event was also featured, where attendees got a cold beer or wine to go with that hot dog with chili they just got.
While this event was held at The Arc, it was a Rotary fundraiser and possible only by the hard work, dedication and partnership of the Fitchburg and Montachusett Area clubs. Rotarians from both clubs volunteer their time to organize the event, solicit donations of food, services, and items, sell tickets, get sponsors, make decorations and set up for the event. Rotarians also staffed the event - serving food, selling tickets at the door, hosting the games and raffles and just making sure everyone had a great evening.
State Representative Stephen Hay wanted to put us over the top so he pledged $20 for every Red Sox run scored and many joined the pledge. When it was over the Red Sox beat the Yankees 4 to 2 and over $600 was raised through the pledge. Thank you to all who took the pledge.
Nashoba Valley Rotary and Bolton Local's Next Bolton Repair Café Is On May 14
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, May 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held in the cafeteria at the Florence Sawyer School, 100 Mechanic St. in Bolton. The school is located behind the Emerson School, which is on the same driveway/street. Residents of Bolton and surrounding towns are invited to come and find out what a Repair Café is all about.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.”
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.
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.
Repair Cafés are springing up in the local area. The Westborough Public Library and the Westborough Rotary Club held their first Repair Café on March 19. The Stow Council on Aging held their second Repair Café on April 16. The Ayer Recycling Committee and the Littleton Common Makers will be holding their first Repair Café in Ayer on June 18.
For more information, contact Ray Pfau at 978-779-5545 or ray.pfau@alum.mit.edu, or visit www.nashobarotary.org.
Westborough Rotary Hears From PDG Carol Toomey About Polio Eradication
The Rotary Club of Westborough recently welcomed guest speaker Carol Toomey, a past district governor and a past president and current member of Nashoba Valley Rotary, to speak with about polio eradication. Rotary’s effort to eradicate polio started 37 years ago in the Philippines as a local project that grew to a district project and then grew further as a country-sponsored project. Talk about the power of a local idea!Since then, Rotary’s commitment to immunization and prevention of the spread of polio has been consistent and unwavering. Today, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9 percent worldwide and type 2 wild polio has been eradicated! The fight continues in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, where new cases of polio are still the norm.
We are closer than we’ve ever been to ending polio worldwide. Between this April 17 and May 1, 155 countries and territories around the world are stopping the use of trivalent oral polio vaccine, which protects against all three strains of wild poliovirus. This extensive, fast, globally coordinated initiative will result in the use of bivalent OPV, which protects against the remaining two wild polio strains, types 1 and 3.
Now more than ever, it is important that we remain committed to our goal to end polio. How can we do this? Simple – raise money and donate individually to the 
cause through the PolioPlus Fund. It costs $0.60 per vaccine. A cup of Starbucks costs $2.10! A glass of wine at Tavolino’s, $9.
cause through the PolioPlus Fund. It costs $0.60 per vaccine. A cup of Starbucks costs $2.10! A glass of wine at Tavolino’s, $9.Imagine how many lives we could save with just a little effort and thought! Join Sandy Kearney and other members of Westborough Rotary in the club’s 2016 effort to raise awareness and money for the cause!
Newton Rotary Seeks Sponsors For Two May Events
The Rotary Club of Newton is gearing up for its two spring fund-raising events: the Craft Beer Festival on Thursday, May 12; and Newton Has Talent on Saturday, May 21. The club is hoping that you will support them 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 Netwon 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 (read "visits to the website where your ad will appear"). The Craft Beer Festival established itself last year as a great event – especially, for young professionals. The club expect its success to only increase going forward. Both events are part of the Newton "Festival of the Arts," so whatever the club does is amplified through that publicity apparatus.
By supporting both events, your business is exposed to a huge cross-section of the Newton and surrounding communities. And when you support one event, you get a 50-percent discount when you add the second event. Click here, for Combo Sponsorship details, in PDF format.
Ayer Rotary Makes Family Holiday Possible
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Last November was a time of the year when most families planned holiday gatherings. But for some Ayer area residents, attending a holiday dinner with family simply wasn’t possible because they physically can’t leave their homes. Last November 14 and 15, the Rotary Club of Ayer, which also covers Harvard, Shirley and Devens, changed that situation for one Shirley couple. The club built a wheelchair ramp for two elderly residents who had been virtually housebound for several years.
“This is wonderful,” the ramp recipient, a 92-year-old man, said. “I can’t thank you people enough. Now we can go to our daughter’s for Thanksgiving. It will be the first time in years that we’re able to go.” The man’s wife has severe rheumatoid arthritis and was not able to go up and down the three stairs to her front door. In order to leave her home, she had to be physically carried out by two people.
“The ramp is a life-changing gift that gives them back some of the freedom they have lost,” said the couple’s daughter, Lyn McClellan. “The Rotary’s kindness, skill and hard work has given them the best gift they could receive this holiday season.” She added, “The Rotary Club will definitely be one of blessings we will give thanks for this Thanksgiving.”
Shown, left to right, posing on the wheelchair ramp are these Ayer Rotarians: Newsletter Chair Jason Kauppi; Paul Garland; Bonnie Murray; Chris Lilly; President-Elect Donna Savary; and Secretary Patricia Thorpe.
The ramp built last fall was the second such ramp built in the area through Ayer Rotary's Ramps for Freedom project. The project was initiated last year, when a speaker visited the club and told of his niece, a young mother of two children who was wheelchair-bound due to multiple sclerosis. The Club donated funds to an organization dedicated to helping people with MS, but realized that there were likely people in this area who were in the same position: prisoners of their own home because of a handicap or illness. The club decided to do something to help local residents who needed a wheelchair ramp and the Ramps for Freedom project was born.
In order to help fund the project, the club applied for, and was awarded, a District Grant through The Rotary Foundation. Other funds needed for the project were raised through the club’s annual Night of Comedy, the Apple Blossom Festival and the Ducky Wucky River Race. The ramp was built using Rotarian and volunteer labor.
It is the club’s goal to keep the project moving forward and to help as many area residents as possible. There is an application process for the need-based ramps. The club is primarily focusing on building ramps in its footprint of Ayer, Shirley, Harvard and Devens, but will also take applications from any resident in the Nashoba Valley area.
“This is what Rotary is all about,” says club President Mike Phelan, “Helping others in our community.” Rotary’s motto is 'service above self' and the Ramps for Freedom project demonstrates that value. "
For more information about the Ramps for Freedom project, or to make a donation to help support Ayer Rotary's wheelchair-ramp efforts, please contact the club at ayerrotary@gmail.com.
Concord Rotary Marches In Concord Patriots Day Parade
Concord Rotary Marches In Concord Patriots Day Parade
The Rotary Club of Concord participated in the Concord Patriots Day parade on Monday, April 18 with a walking unit. Twenty-one Rotarians, family members and club advisor, Assistant Governor Ralph Hammond, marched! It was a beautiful day and a wonderful way to promote Rotary with the club banner and Rotary hats! Shown, far right, holding the banner is Concord President Sharon Spaulding.
Wachusett Area Rotarians Do Charleston And Swing At 'Roaring 20s' Fundraiser
The Rotary Club of Wachusett Rotary danced to the upbeat music of the Charleston and Swing eras during its 
"Roaring 20s" fundraiser last Friday, April 29 at The Manor Restaurant in West Boylston.
"Roaring 20s" fundraiser last Friday, April 29 at The Manor Restaurant in West Boylston.Shown, left to right, are: District Grants Subcommittee Chair Jorge Yarzebski and his wife, Lizette Yarzebski; District Governors-Elect Skip and Pat Doyle; District Governor-Nominee Steve Sager; Incoming District Foundation Chair Sanjay Deshpande; and District Webmaster/Newsletter Editor Steve Jones-D’Agostino.
Worcester Rotary Learns About American Cancer Society's Relay For Life
Lauren Falco, community manager for the American Cancer Society in Worcester, addressed the Rotary Club of Worcester during its April 28 luncheon meeting. She spoke about the Society's fund-
raiser, Relay for Life, which will be held on Friday, June 17 at 6:00 p.m. at Worcester's Burncoat High School.
raiser, Relay for Life, which will be held on Friday, June 17 at 6:00 p.m. at Worcester's Burncoat High School. Click here, for more information on, to sign up for, and/or to donate to the Relay for Life.
WPI Rotaract Promotes Ecuadorian Earthquake Relief Effort
"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!"
"If you would like to donate any other time, the link to our GoFundMe campaign is: https://www.gofundme.com/AidEcuador
"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!"
Nashoba Valley Rotary Brings Financial Reality to Nashoba Regional High Sophomores
On April 15, 271 sophomores at Nashoba Regional High School learned a little more about life ahead of them in the high school’s fourth annual financial Reality Fair. Organized by Nashoba Valley Rotary with support from the high school’s Guidance Department and Clinton Savings Bank, the Reality Fair presented a financial-learning experience for all 10th-grade students in an interactive and fun format.As part of their career-exploration curriculum, the students researched a career and related salary and were presented with a monthly pay stub, complete with taxes and student loans. The students then had to use their net earnings to purchase housing, utilities, insurance, transportation, food, clothing, and other personal items. They also had to deal with 401(k) contributions, entertainment and recreation temptations, and a spin on the Wheel of Fortune, which represented life’s unexpected windfalls and financial fortunes or misfortunes.
“All of the students were so engaged and seemed to learn something from this experience.” says Laura Spear, a member of Nashoba Valley Rotary and the event organizer. “Our volunteers had so much fun working with the students and seeing the light bulb ‘turn on’ when they realized how quickly a paycheck can be spent! One student even returned two Porsches he had purchased.”
About 60 volunteers from local businesses, the community, and various Rotary clubs staffed service tables to help teach the students the reality of financial management. Nashoba Valley Rotary President Jim Stone comments, "This is our fourth year of sponsoring the Reality Fair, and I am delighted this event is now a tradition at the high school. I really appreciate our partnership with the high school and Clinton Savings Bank to make this life-changing program a success. “
Nashoba Valley Rotary serves the towns of Lancaster, Bolton, and Stow, giving life to the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self." For more information, send an e-mail to info@nashobarotary.org or visit www.nashobarotary.org. And, "like" the club's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nashobavalley.
Ayer Rotary's Famous Ducky Wucky River Race Billed For May 7
The date for the famous Ducky 
Wucky River Race is set for May 7 and one lucky duck will win the grand prize of dinner for two anywhere in the world. Tickets are now available from Ayer Rotary members and participating ticket sellers.
Wucky River Race is set for May 7 and one lucky duck will win the grand prize of dinner for two anywhere in the world. Tickets are now available from Ayer Rotary members and participating ticket sellers.The race will kick off at 4:30 p.m. - rain or shine - with up to 5,000 rubber ducks racing down the Nashua River in Harvard. The bib number on the winning duck will determine which ticket holder wins the grand prize. Past prize winners have traveled to Venice, Paris, Tokyo, Cape Town, Sydney, and Jakarta.
Tickets will also be available on race day at the annual Apple Blossom Festival on Harvard Common. The festival is a popular family attraction featuring live music, shopping, food,children’s games and fire truck rides. The festival is held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Ducky Wucky River Race and Apple Blossom Festival are the signature fundraisers of Ayer Rotary, which contributes all proceeds to charitable causes. The club serves the Ayer, Shirley, Harvard and Devens communities.
Ayer Rotary' recent community-service projects include Ramp to Freedom, which builds handicapped ramps for housebound people in the region. The club also annually provides scholarships to high school seniors and supports the Loaves & Fishes food pantry and numerous other worthy causes.
Ayer Rotary is able to make such contributions through the outpouring of community support and the generous contributions of the event sponsors, most of whom are locations for buying Ducky Wucky tickets. The 2016 race sponsors are:
- Gervais Ford
- North Middlesex Savings Bank
- Nikopoulos Insurance
- The Bull Run Restaurant
- Ayer Moving and Storage
- Phoenix Park
- Alexander Advisors
- IC Federal Credit Union
- Thomas E. Sears Insurance Agency
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott and Deves Common Center
- Reese’s Travel Adventures, the exclusive travel agent of the Ducky Wucky River Race
For more information on the Ducky Wucky River Race and the Apple Blossom Festival, visit www.duckywucky.org.
Bedford Rotary To Pack Meals on May 14 For Stop Hunger Now
Bedford Rotary will attempt to feed 250,000 children with their fourth annual Meals for Kids food packaging event in partnership with Stop Hunger Now on May 14 at the Bedford campus of Middlesex Community College.
Bedford Rotary, composed of just a few dozen business professionals from Bedford and its surrounding communities, began feeding hungry children in 2013. That first year they established their relationship with Stop Hunger Now, they raised enough money and gathered enough volunteer packagers to put together enough packaged meals to feed 15,000 hungry children. Read more
Newton Rotary Accepting Auditions for May 21 'Newton Has Talent'
Newton Rotary's Newton Has Talent is again accepting auditions for its 2016 competition, which takes 
place on May 21. More than $1,500 in prize money is available,and anyone who is over 13 and lives, works or goes to school in Newton can compete.
place on May 21. More than $1,500 in prize money is available,and anyone who is over 13 and lives, works or goes to school in Newton can compete.“Newton Has Talent” is a major fundraiser for Newton Rotary. Each year, the club gives out scholarships to graduating seniors and grants to local organizations. The club also recognizes a "Student of the Month" each month, collects food and toiletries for local food pantries, provides camperships for kids who need some help with their summer plans, and does a variety of hands-on service projects that help the Newton community.
For more information, contact Newton Membership Chair Susan Peghiny at suef0503@gmail.com.
District Conference: Things I want you to know
By Jim Fusco
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
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: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.
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: Spring & Summer 20Extended Deadline - Friday, May 6: District 7910: Ad Deadline for District Conference 'Souvenir Book'
Click here for the order form, in PDF format
Thursday, May 5: District 7910 - Sign-Up Deadline for District Conference 'House of Friendship'
Click here for friendship flyer, in PDF format
Thursday, May 5: District 7910 - Sign-Up Deadline for District Conference 'Golf Outing'
Click here for golf flyer, in PDF format
Friday, May 6-Sunday, May 8: Westborough Rotary - 'Spring Festival'
Click here for festival flyer, in PDF format
Saturday, May 7: Ayer Rotary - 'Ducky Wucky River Race'
Click here for the race flyer, in PDF format
Saturday, May 7: Chelmsford Rotary - 'Center Village Duck Festival'
Click here for the race flyer, in PDF format
Thursday, May 12: Newton Rotary - 'Craft Beer Festival'
Click here for festival flyer, in PDF format
Saturday, May 21 or First 90 People to Sign Up: District 7910 - Sign-Up Deadline for District Conference 'Harbor Cruise'
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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 SpotlightRI Council on Legislation Report
By Thomas Polito
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It was my honor to represent our District at Rotary International's Council on Legislation last month in Chicago. There were 534 other district governors from around the world voting on the items.
Here are some of the changes that will take place effective this July 1. The updated MOP (Manual of Procedures) will be updated soon. Read more
DGE Report: Emphasis is now on goal-setting by presidents-elect
By Pat and Skip Doyle
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For the past few months, we have stressed our goal of training. The time has now come to measure the success of that goal.
One of the two key signs that we look for is the number of presidents-elect who have registered on My Rotary and entered their club-leadership data. At this point, 80 percent of clubs have reported their presidents-elect to Rotary International, while 75 percent have reported their most important officers. This is an improvement over last week, and we are now moving in the right direction. Please help us to make this at least 90 percent by next Sunday, May 8.
Now, our emphasis will be on monitoring the second key sign: goal-setting by presidents-elect. All goals should be set before this July 1. At this point, the percentage of clubs with goals entered is too low to even mention. Our specific goal is 90 percent of club goals set by July 1. Now is the time to put your training to work. Remember the Goal Listing Worksheet that we passed out at Post-PETS? Click here, to download it in Word format. Use it to begin setting your club goals and registering the data on Club Central. There will be a Club Central Workshop at the District Conference on Friday May 20 so if you need assistance just bring your computer and we will show you how to set your goals.
The best thing for presidents-elect to focus on is that this is all for the good of the club. Not District 7910. Not Rotary International. Not even us. The more you plan ahead, the better your year will be.
Please always feel free to reach out to either your assistant governor or us for help.
District Governors-Elect Pat and Skip Doyle may be reached at pwdoyle2@ verizon.net and skipdoyle2@verizon.net, respectively.
Foundation Update: Per-capita Foundation contributions in '16-'17
By Sanjay Deshpande
One of the three eligibility criteria for participation in Foundation Grants in the next Rotary Year (2016-2017), which begins this July 1, is per-capita contribution to The Rotary Foundation of at least $100 in Rotary year '15'16. Click here, for a chart, in PDF format, showing the Foundation contributions of the 51 clubs in District 7910 as of this April 29. Read more
Membership Corner: Presenting 'A Rotary Membership Guide'
By Tom Sturiale
"A Rotary Membership Guide" is a collection of "Membership Corner" articles written for this weekly newsletter during the 2015-2016 Rotary year, which began last July 1. It is intended to offer an idea or thought each week aimed at stimulating discussions, questions and actions to effectively increase membership at all our clubs. Click here, to download this 52-page "Guide," in Word format.
Here is the "Table of Contents," which is included in the Word file:
4. The Fourth Object of Rotary. 6
PR Tips: Learn about and use the Rotary branding
By Laura Spear
Rotary International creates a lot of training materials to help clubs be more successful. These materials include the Voice and Visual Identity Guidelines, available online at rotary.org/brandcenter and at shop.rotary.org for $5. This guide helps your club apply the new Rotary look and voice to your promotional materials.
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.
s are being sought for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. Click here, to volunteer now. Add your name to your sessions and favorite slots.Check out our online student registration for RYLA. Click here, for online registration.
Please inform selected students and alternates that they must:
1. Fill out the online registration
2. Print out the signature page
3. Sign it along with their parents/guardians
4. Deliver the form to their RYLA contact ASAP
Completed paperwork must be sent to our RYLA registrar and postmarked by this May 1. 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 typeStatus 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
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 moreNew 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 7910Peace 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 more2015-2016 District DirectoryView and Download (requires member login)
Submit Content
To submit content for consideration for the Monday, May 9 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, May 6. 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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© Copyright 2015-2016
Rotary District 7910, Central Massachusetts, USA
2015-2016 District Governor Jim Fusco
Rotary District 7910 Newsletter Editor Steve Jones-D'Agostino