Packing events are fun, fast, and effective Come join the Blackstone Valley Rotary and help pack 10,000 meals for local shelters which is crucial as many families in the Blackstone Valley face food insecurity. We'll start at 2:00pm and go till we're done - no later than 5:00pm AND we'll give you everything you need to participate (including funny net hats!).
ALL ARE WELCOME including Rotarians, friends, family and kids. For littles we'll have kids activities and snacks to keep them happy (you too!).
On Wednesday, May 21, members of Rotary Zones 28 and 32 will gather on Zoom for a high-energy hour of inspiring stories, music, and a message of peace - showcasing the impact of Rotary's unity.
United for Good will showcase what happens when the Rotary family unites for good, in our communities, across borders, and around the globe. Come for fresh inspiration and to share how Rotary makes an impact where you live.
Disc Golf Tournament to benefit The Changemakers Rotary Club of Central Massachusetts Make a change to make a change!
This year Maple Hill has partnered with Changemakers Rotary to host a charity event! Golfers get the one chance a year to come play Maple Hill Backwards! All course fees are forwarded and donated to charity!
Natick Rotary's 'Tour de Natick' is back and better than ever! This easy, 6 mile bike ride around town has been happening on Father's Day for over 20 years and it's back again on June 15th, bigger and better than ever! Have a fun time with your family cruising around Natick and then head back for the included cookout, games and music by the NewTalians. *Save $10 when you register now*
The Rotary Club of Concord participated in the 250th parade on April 19th in Concord MA. A fabulous float was designed and assembled on a large flatbed generously loaned by Acorn Deck House. Featuring an 8 foot syringe representing Polio Vaccines and surrounded with signage depicting all our service projects, the float was a wonder to behold!
6 weeks to RYLA, June 27, 28, 29 3 weeks to RYLA volunteer & session leader training - June 2- zoom
We’re looking for passionate adults who want to make a difference!
Join us as a volunteer and help guide students through powerful experiences like the Survival Course and Low Ropes, where they build resilience and confidence. Support them as they open up in meaningful conversations during sessions like Communications Challenge and Voices of Us.
We're disappointed to announce the postponement of the 2025 Ducky Wucky River Race planned for May 10th due to unsafe river conditions as a result of the heavy rains and flooding.
Today the Rotary Club of Littleton got many of us together to plant some flowers around the Clock in Littleton Common. The clock was originally placed there by Rotary .
In a truly magnificent celebration of service above self, the Rotary Club of Weston & Wayland commemorated its 75th anniversary on April 3, 2025, at the Weston Golf Club. Over 90 people attended. Current club members, representatives from the Rotary district and international organizations, friends, and family gathered to honor the work and the people who have and continue to do it. This evening will live long among the fondest memories of all who attended.
The Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club continued its strong tradition of supporting local youth at a recent awards ceremony held at Blue Hills Regional Technical School. The Club was honored to recognize several outstanding students for their dedication, achievement, and bright futures through scholarships and leadership awards.
The Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club successfully held its annual Recycle Event last month in partnership with the Town of Dedham and Complete Recycling Solutions. Despite inclement weather, the event saw strong community participation and proved to be a significant fundraising success for the organization.
The annual ClubRunner Changeover Webinar Series is just around the corner - running from May 20 to June 3, and it's designed to help you start the new Rotary year strong with ClubRunner.
These sessions are tailored to your role in your club, so you get the most relevant tips, tools, and updates to succeed in the year ahead.
Are you looking for an easy way to recycle electronics and metals while supporting a local Rotary Club? Gather your unwanted junk and let our club turn it into funds that we can use to support our Shrewsbury Community Fridge and scholarship program for high school seniors. Sunday, May 18th from noon-3PM at Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury. A car load is just $40. Additional charges apply for certain items; low single item rates for smaller loads.
On the last Saturday of April, the Rotary Club of Bedford, joined by this year’s partner Rotary clubs of Merrimack Valley and Chelmsford, closed out the Hope for the Hungry 2025 meal-packing event with a final count of 50,000-plus packed meals.
The Tour de Natick is a family-friendly bike ride held each Father’s Day on the Natick Common in downtown Natick. The route is an easy 6-mile loop, leaving at 11 AM and returning for a complimentary cookout immediately following. The Tour de Natick is the primary fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Natick’s charitable foundation, which benefits Natick Students.
The Fix is Free at the Repair Cafe! Bring your broken or neglected items to the Natick Community Center on Sunday May 4th from 2pm - 5pm. Lamps, small electronics, jewelry, garden tools, knoves that need sharpening (non-serrated) - plus machine/hand sewing repairs on clothing/textiles!
What will YOUR Club be doing to participate in the wonderful International Event?
Examples of last years great projects. -Painted Benches in a Historic Area in Town -Clean Up Projects -Fix up Playgrounds -Food Packaging Projects -Blood Donation Drives -Recycling Events -Wildflower Seed giveaways to School Children -Trail Maintenance Projects -Hygiene and Baby Diaper Drives Many many more......
Join the Rotary Club of Framingham for a Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser on Sunday, May 4th at the Warren Conference Center in Ashland, MA. Teams will compete in either the competitive ($300 cash prize) or social division (new cornhole boards to the winning team) and have the chance to participate in our raffle and silent auction! Food and beverages available for purchase.
On May 17 District 7910 will celebrate all our clubs and their leaders in a one-day District Conference to be held at Assabet Regional Technical High School in Marlborough. Come celebrate with us the accomplishments of all our clubs, and learn from one another.
Newton Rotary Club invites you to join us for our Dog Fest & Parade Saturday May 10th Calling all Dog Owners and Dog Lovers! Come to Hyde Community Center Park Newton and get ready for a “paw-some” day full of Tail-Wagging Fun! Greet & Meet Dog Lovers & Service Providers Treats for pups and their humans. Dog Parade- Dress Up Your Pup!
A year ago, I reached out to our District's clubs for support for Humanity Auxilium, Dr Fozia Alvi, President of Humanity Auxilium, a network of volunteer physicians serving communities afflicted by war or natural disasters, spoke to Needham Rotary via zoom about her medical relief efforts in Gaza on April 30, 2024.
Since then, due to the war, Humanity Auxilium’s efforts to provide medical support in Gaza have been severely disrupted and limited. In recent days, however, Humanity Auxilium reached out again to us for support through our member, Dr Hina Malik.
They wrote:
We are looking for support for our Rantisi Children's Hospital project. We are managing three departments at the only pediatric hospital in Gaza where we have over 3,300 patient beneficiaries per month. We employ 70 local Gazan staff members and your donations provide them with a stable source of income in these devastating times. All donations are tax-deductible.
You can make a donation through their website: www.humanityauxilium.com. Needham Rotary’s Board has approved a $500 donation, some members have made private donations, and I hope your clubs will consider a donation as well.
Thank you for your efforts!
Don DeVeuve Co-President, Needham Rotary Club
Donations sought for the sole Children's Hospital in Gaza
Our high school students need inspiration for service in their communities and beyond.
Come to RYLA to showcase your club’s signature project(s). Our RYLA students are eager to learn, be inspired and get involved in your service projects.
From the local cleanups, food insecurity, international exchange, to repair cafes, to water and sanitation projects and more we know you have a story to tell!
Our students love hearing about your projects that the wealth of information you have accumulated.
Our high school students need inspiration for service in their communities and beyond.
Come to RYLA to showcase your club’s signature project(s). Our RYLA students are eager to learn, be inspired and get involved in your service projects.
From the international exchange, to Repair cafes, to water and sanitation projects and more.
We know that our students love hearing about your passion projects that the wealth of information you have accumulated.
Have you wondered what is the plus in polio plus? Giving to the Rotary Foundations Polio Plus Fund gives to much more then Polio. Anti malarial medicines, transportation for the needy, and other childhood vaccinations that include measles, diphtheria, tuberculosis, tetanus, and whooping cough.
Jane Barrett from the Rotary Club of Concord passed away on April 3, 2025. She was a trailblazer in business and Rotary. She was the founder of J.M. Barrett and Co (now Barrett Sotheby’s) Real Estate and was the first female President of the Rotary Club of Concord in 2002. Her daughter Ann Trudeau joined Rotary the year Jane was President; and Ann was President of the Club in 2010.
Caption: Concord Rotarians Ann Trudeau with her mother, Jane Barrett marching in a Patriot's Day parade.
The Rotary Club of Weston & Wayland invites you to our annual Fishing Derby—our 71st year!
SUNDAY, April 27, 2025, from 9 am-12 pm at the Weston High School Pond.
Bring your own gear, bait (no lures, please), and bucket. Fishing starts at 9 am sharp! Prizes are in four age categories up to age 14. FREE event; register online to attend. RAIN OR SHINE (the fish like to eat in all weather)!
Looking for an impactful speaker? This week Needham had Jake Miskin, who put together a full-length award-winning movie about high school hockey and mental health. During Jake’s time at Needham High, there were multiple suicides and he felt it deeply. They are looking to set up screenings of the movie for schools and colleges. He will come to your club and play a clip from the movie and tell you about their plans.
It's not magic but great engineering!! With a project cost of $106,500, we're only $29,750 away from making clean water a reality for a school in a drought stricken region of Kenya..
The Rotary Club of Brookline, in partnership with Kenyan Host Clubs, is spearheading a Global Grant using an innovative technoloogy that extracts moisture from the atmosphere and condenses it into drinkable water.
Help us make this vision a reality! Contributions of $500, $1,000, $2,500, or more can create lasting change. For more info, please contact Richard Segan at richsegan@gmail.com.
Rotary MusicFest: Rockin’ for the Community! A FREE Family Friendly Concert!
Rockin’ for the Community will be held Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 1:00-7:00 PM at Ride Out Park in West Concord with live music, food trucks, nonprofits and crafters. This is a FREE family friendly community event.
Littleton's Zero Waste Day 2025 is May 17th from 9 am-1 pm at Littleton High School! It is a great opportunity to donate and get rid of items to organizations that will correctly dispose of the items or repurpose them for those in need.
Rotary clubs follow these steps: 1. Submit student names 2. Provide the link to your students (note you must submit names before students register) 3. Click to verify your students registration status. 4. Questions? ask your RYLA support person/committee coach (not christine, pleeeease :) RYLA website - templates, fliers & more
Because of you, this will be the BEST RYLA EVER!
Members will recall that Otto Prohaska, a Rotarian for more than 35 years and President-elect of our Sturbridge Club, lost his life in a tragic accident last August while volunteering at the Club’s annual golf tournament. The family has invited Rotarians to a celebration of Otto’s life on Saturday, May 3rd, at the Publick House, 277 Main Street, from noon to 4 pm, with a special toast for Otto scheduled at 1:30 pm. Please join us as we remember Otto and his many accomplishments.
District 7910 is seeking candidates to join our Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees manages the affairs of our District Funds and investments. The Board also reviews all disbursement requests from our District Special Purpose and Permanent Funds. The Board meets four times each year. This is a unique opportunity to be of service to Rotary District 7910 as we seek to do good in the world.
District 7910 is seeking candidates to fill the role of District Treasurer. The District Treasurer is key member of our leadership team. Responsibilities include tracking income and expenses, invoicing annual Club dues, preparing monthly financial reports, working with our accountant for preparation of tax returns, expense report review for members of the District Governor chain and management of our bank accounts. Accounting experience and familiarity with Quickbooks are necessary. PDG Jim Fusco will provide support in his role of Assistant Treasurer.
Officer Abu and Liz from the Littleton Elder and Human Services Department/The COA visited the Rotary Club of Littleton, Mass to present the Safe Return Home Program. This important initiative is designed to assist individuals who may be at risk of wandering due to conditions such as dementia, autism, or other cognitive impairments.
The Natick Rotary has a runner in the Boston Marathon for the very first time! Max Ignatov is a runner, a father, and someone who's passionate about making a positive impact in his community and beyond. He's excited about fundraising for the Natick Rotary and we're excited to cheer him on in downtown Natick on Marathon Monday, April 21st!
All ages are welcome! Join Spark Kindness, Keep Natick Beautiful, Natick AMVETS Post 79, and the Natick Rotary Club at our community clean-up to improve the natural environment along the Cochituate Rail Trail in the area of AMVETS, from Rt. 9 to Rt. 30 in Natick. Connect with neighbors, enjoy nature, and help us take care of this special place for recreation, right in our own backyard.
The Rotary Club of Bedford is counting the days to Hope for the Hungry 2025, the club’s annual meal-packing to fight hunger. The event on Saturday, April 26 happens from 9:15 a.m. to noon at the Bedford Campus Center of Middlesex Community College. Led by the Rotary Club of Bedford, the event is co-hosted this year by the Rotary Clubs of Chelmsford and Merrimack Valley. Planning for the meal-packing began months ago.
Milford Rotary Club invites all District 7910 Rotarians to join us in honoring Carlos Sousa at our upcoming Paul Harris Community Award Dinner on Saturday, April 12th. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in serving their community, embodying the spirit of Service Above Self. Carlos Sousa is the Deputy Chief of the Milford Police Department and a long-time community advocate and volunteer.
Register to wina Painted Rain Barrel that will be raffled off by the Rotary Club Of Framingham no charge! Painted by Framingham High School students with colorful environmental themes. The barrels are 50 gallon with spigot and made of recycled plastic.
Our collection period runs from 10/6/2024 - 10/5/2025. We are already collecting plastic in the same truck we use to collect cardboard over at Dolphin Insulation. Nextrex does offer containers to be used for collecting plastic if someone would like one to place at a location where the public can drop plastic off.
A portion of your purchase will help buy the ingredients needed for six-meal-sized packages of fortified Mac ‘n Cheese distributed by local food pantries and the Merrimack Valley Food Bank.
At about $0.32 per meal, $2.00 pays for one six-meal package. The portion of what you pay for your Ken’s meal or take-out that goes to the fundraiser may easily pay for six meals for someone or a family struggling with food insecurity. If you can’t make it to Ken’s, but want to help, donations can be made here.
Your Rotary District 7910 has contributed $5,000 from our allocation of Rotary Foundation funds (aka District Designated Funds) to support a clean water project in Ukraine that is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Kiev and the UK club of Langport & Somerton. The mobile water treatment trailers will service villages and towns throughout Ukraine that have serious water quality problems. Your contributions to the Rotary Foundationmade this possible. Thank you!
When friends for over 50 years get together this is what happens! A huge thank you to Deb Austermann and her “friends for over 50 years!” Not only do they lift each other up, but they lift up the children Debs Beds support. Thank you all!
A car load of home made blankets, sheets and pillows. A lot of love came from these friends!!
Deb’s Beds offers free Twin size beds for children ages 3 to 17 located between Lawrence and Worcester. We don't want any children sleeping on the floor.
The Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club held a highly successful membership event in March that was aimed at showcasing the club's community impact and fostering new connections.
The morning began with a warm welcome and breakfast, followed by presentations highlighting Rotary's commitment to service. Club members shared stories of their involvement in key initiatives, including the annual Duck Race on the Charles, scholarship programs for local students, and support for international projects.
Discover how you can be a force for peace! Join us Thursday, March 27 in Brookline for Rotary’s Positive Peace Initiative, an inspiring evening on building sustainable peace in our communities and beyond. Learn about Rotary’s Peace Academy and take the first steps toward becoming a Peace Builder Club. Dinner at 6 PM (limited seating), program at 6:45 PM (program also on Zoom). Don’t miss this chance to connect and create change! Register now: https://bit.ly/4ihDtKy
Marcia Sharpe, Board Director of the Framingham Rotary Club, had the privilege of visiting the island of Jamaica, where she joined the Rotary Club of North St. Catherine, Jamaica W.I. During her visit, she actively participated in several impactful community initiatives, including a Read-A-Thon, where she engaged with young students to promote literacy and a love for reading. She also took part in Community Treats for the elderly and children, bringing joy and support to some of the most vulnerable members of the community.
Calling all Rotarians -- Do you know a young person (ages 15 - 18.5 years old) that might be interested in going to another country and learning a foreign language? If so, let them know there's still time to apply to be a Rotary Youth Exchange Student. Placements are available for Short Term (Summer) and Long Term (Academic Year) exchanges. District 7910 is eager to support young people who are curious about other cultures and languages and want to spend a summer or academic year in another country.
Join the Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough for a night of community fun and giving at the Bid For Brighter Futures trivia game night on Friday, March 21, 2025, 5:30-9:30 PM at the Boxboro Regency!
Ducky Wucky is an historic charitable fundraiser. Thousands of rubber ducks are floated down the Nashua River. The Grand Prize winner gets Dinner for Two anywhere in the world!
Buy your tickets from Rotary Club of Littleton and enter the race. Tickets are on sale NOW until April 28, 2025.
"Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Weston and Wayland on April 3, 2025! Prepare for a night filled with excitement and prestige as we honor the rich history of our beloved organization. This milestone celebration will feature: ✨ Special Recognition Awards 🎉 Distinguished Guests 🤝 Inspiring Community Outreach Stories Festivities begin at 6:00 pm for drinks & hors d'oeuvres
Watch this space & your email to tell us about your club’s signature project(s) and to signup to come to RYLA. Our RYLA students are eager to learn, be inspired and get involved in your service projects.
Officer Abu From the Littleton MA Police Department and Liz from the Littleton Elder and Human Services Department/The COA visited the Rotary Club of Littleton MA to present the Safe Return Home Program. This important initiative is designed to assist individuals who may be at risk of wandering due to conditions such as dementia, autism, or other cognitive impairments.
Tantasqua Interact Club is excited to announce its new “Birthday in a Box” program designed to bring birthday magic to children in our community who may not otherwise have the means to celebrate their special day. Each “Birthday in a Box” will contain all the essentials for a joyful birthday celebration, from cake mix and candles to party hats and decorations.
His wife Marcela was there to enjoy his celebration It is a delight to have Glaucio in our club. Glaucio and Marcia helped out at a recent Debs Beds build workshop. He was a Rotarian in Brazil for 13 years.
Watch this space & your email to tell us about your club’s signature project(s) and to signup to come to RYLA. Our RYLA students are eager to learn, be inspired and get involved in your service projects.
Blackstone Valley Rotary and the Northbridge Food Pantry are hosting our 2nd Free Clothing Swap on April 12th from 10:00am to 2:00pm at Pleasant Street Church, 25 Cross St, Whitinsville, MA 01588, USA.
Bring your unwanted clean, gently used clothing to donate, and maybe pickup something for yourself all for free!
Come join the fun at our 14th annual Framingham Rotary Spring Craft Fair on Saturday, April 5 from 10-4 pm at Keefe Tech High School, 750 Winter Street in Framingham!
Featuring over 100 vendors who create their own unique products from bird houses to cannoli's, jewelry to candles.
Come for the fudge & find gifts for your graduate, Easter basket and Mother's Day. Free parking, $5 admission for 12 & up, all on one spacious handicapped-accessible floor. Make sure you say "Hi" to your fellow Rotarians while you're there. See you at the fair!
The long history of a Rotary International President launching a theme for their presidential year is going away in 2025-2026. This decision was made by the RI Board of Directors at their October 2023 Meeting.
One of the most important things we can do to tell our Rotary stories in an effective, compelling way is to make sure we all use consistent and unified messaging. You can use the president's message for 2025-26, Unite for Good, to inspire members, participants, and the public with an idea that aligns with our Action Plan and calls on us to work together.
The Franklin Rotary Club’s 6th Annual Valentine’s Brunch on February 8 was an incredible success! The brunch benefits seniors in the community. President and Chef Joe Collins truly outdid himself. Everyone had a fantastic time!
Want to prevent deaths from addiction in your community? The Rotary Action Group for Addiction Prevention offers a 5-step plan that can be implemented in your local community, to teach people how to recognize and treat a drug overdose. The more quickly medication is administered, the greater the chance of a full recovery -- and a chance to get the person back on track.
Click here to view a video about this program as implemented by the Rotary Club of Ardmore, Oklahoma.
Doing Good in the World: The Rotary Foundation's Virtual Speaker Series is a webinar series for Rotary's strongest supporters, highlighting the difference you make through your generosity. Join Rotary leaders and subject matter experts as they share stories of impact and discuss the Rotary programs and initiatives that interest you most.
Rotary's PolioPlus Legacy: Leading the Way in Global Health Progress 27 March 2025 | 11:00 Eastern time Live on Zoom Click here to register.
Rotary celebrates International Women’s Day 2025! International Women's Day is celebrated each year on 8 March to help recognize the achievements of women and support equality for women and girls.
Register and submit your questions for the panelists at the Advancing Women, Building Peace webinar. This online discussion takes place Tuesday, 11 March, at 12:00 Eastern time. If you can’t take part then, register anyway and you’ll receive a recording of the session.
The Rotary Club in Franklin is hosting their 3rd Annual Comedy Night fundraiser on Saturday, March 29, to benefit community service projects and scholarship funds! Tickets are sold onlinefor $60 (with a $2 processing fee).
On March 3rd at 7:30 PM, there will be a webinar entitled "The Continuity Challenge." Rotarians will share strategies to keep a club growing. The goal of every club is to grow, grow, and grow some more, however, that is easier said than done. Participate with the experts and be the catalyst to inspire others to join Rotary.
Here they are! The criteria for this year's Club Awards are ready for you.
We would love to see an Application from every club in the District this year. Please consider this your “report card” – to us in District leadership, and most importantly to your club members. Consider this an opportunity to summarize the year, record it for posterity, and reward yourselves for a job well done.
Be sure to reserve May 17 to attend this year's one-day District Conference in Marlboro to receive your club's award(s)! and don't forget too to register for the International Convention in Calgary in June!
My name is Clari Nolet; I am the Vice-Chair of the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG). I am also the head of the Lithium-ion battery recycling initiative. It can be difficult to scale the impact of what clubs do, but this is a way that it can be done! Please read the very brief email below to find out how easy it is for a club to hold an event and have your clubs get reimbursed for approved marketing materials up to $200.
On Wednesday February 5, several Rotary Club of Littleton members met at Il Forno for dinner at 5 pm, then went to the 2025 All Town Band Concert at Littleton High School. The concert included all the schools and students currently in band. It was nice to see some of the progression from Russell Street School to the High School.
The National Honor Society of Littleton High School set up a “ Rise Against Hunger” emergency meal packaging event Saturday, February 8. We packed 18,144 meals to help combat global hunger. The Rotary Club of Littleton is happy to support the students at Littleton High School. Several members of the club joined in the fun of food packing. Great job everyone!!
Littleton double header!! Come out and support two great fundraisers - start the evening with a delicious, homemade spaghetti supper to support Deb’s Beds at the Congregational Church of Littleton, 330 King Street. Cost is $12/adults, $8/kids under 8. Then head over to Billiard’s Cafe, 39 Main Street, Ayer to raise money for Griffin Shoemaker and Dana Farber Cancer Research.
Rain barrels conserve water, reduce storm runoff to lakes and streams, and control moisture levels near your home foundation. The Rotary Club of Framingham will hold a drawing on April 7 at their meeting and will then contact the winners. Pick up on April 12 will be required. Installation is not included; instructions provided.
We are past the half year mark for our Rotary Year 2024-2025. The District has raised $89,033. It is a good start, but not nearly enough to fund the many great projects you our clubs, put together every year. Now is the time to give, now is the time to encourage your club to give. If your club has a goal, let your membership know how close you are to reaching it. Giving is easy just go to the link and log in
Photo: At the donation page, choose where you want your donation to go. If you choose Annual Share, close to half the donation will come back to our district for project funding
Has your club reached its Foundation fundraising goal?
District 7910 is offering a one-time $30,000 Morley Global Grant in 2025 to graduate students researching or studying abroad in one of the seven Rotary focus areas. The applicant must be accepted at a university or college outside the U.S. and begin their program by Fall 2025.
This is a fantastic opportunity to support a local U.S. resident by hosting them or helping them find a host abroad for their research or studies. Applications are due by March 20, 2025.
Don’t miss this opportunity to promote Rotary and help a graduate student advance their work.
The Rotary Club of Natick has a rich 98 year history of supporting Natick and the greater MetroWest community. Our motto is “Service Above Self” and we provide volunteer and funding support to local nonprofits.
Apply now for your opportunity to receive a grant through our Rotary Grant Program. Our typically grant size is $500- $2,000. If you or anyone you know, does good things in the Natick area, please apply today using the link below.
All grant applications must be received before February 15, 2025.
Love Mexican food? We do too!! That's why we're really looking forward to our fundraiser at Mexicali Cantina Grill on February 16th and 17th! Mention this flyer on either day and 20% of your total bill will be donated to the Rotary Club of Natick so we can continue to support our community. Dine In or Take Out. Mexicali's is located at 148 E Central St, Natick. We appreciate our District Clubs' support, muchas gracias!!
Rotary Club of Littleton double header!! Come out and support two great fundraisers - start the evening with a delicious, homemade spaghetti supper to support Deb’s Beds at the Congregational Church of Littleton, 330 King Street, from 5-7PM, then head over to Billiard’s Cafe, 39 Main Street, Ayer to raise money for Griffin Shoemaker and Dana Farber Cancer Research.
The Rotary Club of Littleton welcomed Hilary Bridge, music teacher/band director from Littleton High School along with 4 of her students - Ian Dunn, senior saxophone player, Annabelle Caouette, sophomore saxophone player, Sadie Roberts, sophomore percussionist, and Clare Magdalin, junior saxophone and flute player.
Rotary District 5280 Governor Alberto Hernandez posted the following on their web site: “As you’re likely aware, our region is currently facing devastating wildfires and severe winds. The Pacific Palisades community has been especially hard-hit, with reports of over 10,000 homes, businesses, and more lost. The fires continue to advance toward the borders of Malibu and Santa Monica with no signs of abating. To the northeast, the Eaton Canyon Fire that began in Altadena is spreading east toward Monrovia and west toward Glendale. Meanwhile, the northwest side of our District is battling the Hurst Fire in Sylmar. These events have already brought immense loss, and we must act swiftly and decisively”
District 5280 has established a Disaster Relief Fund to help raise funds for those in need. Their plan includes raising funds, coordinating resources, and managing volunteers. Please help! You can donate by credit card HERE.
THE FIX IS FREE AT THE REPAIR CAFÉ!! Have something that needs repair - don't throw it out!! Give it a chance at the Repair Café, Sunday, Feb. 9 at Scott Hall.
RYLA Training(required for RYLA chairs and open to any Rotarian interested in RYLA) Jan 22, 2025, 7-8:30 pm zoom register or (pick one) Jan 23, 2025, 7-8:30 pm zoom register
Spaghetti, meatballs, salad, dessert and drink. $12/adult, $8/kids under 8. The supper will be in the Parish Hall of the Congregational Church, 330 King Street, Littleton MA. February 22, 2025, from 5-7pm.
Hosted by the Congregational Church, all proceeds to benefit the Rotary Club of Littleton's Debs Beds. Find us on Facebook at DebsBeds.org to learn more. We provide solid wood, handmade twin beds or bunkbeds, brand new mattress, pillow, sheets and blankets for children who are sleeping on the floor.
We are having a Left, Center, Right game night fundraiser on 1/18/25 at 7 pm at the VFW, 21 Taylor Street, Littleton MA. $20 per person to play. Raffle baskets, 50/50.
For the remainder of the month of January, Rotary Club of Littleton MA is collecting new or gently used/clean blankets and towels for the Lowell MA Transition shelter.
DG Joyce Graff and AG Susan Wilkinson spent ten days in Kenya in December working to shape a Global Grant to aid people in Machakos, Kenya, to rise Up from Poverty, contributing to the economic empowerment of this area. While there, they visited two other water projects sponsored by clubs in our District, a clinic headed by members of our World Disability Advocacy group, a literacy project for children with dyslexia, autism and other neurodiverse issues, and another literacy project to help Kenyan children in the public schools learn to use and appreciate computers.
Photo: One of many empowering signs around the Rare Gem Talent School, supported by sculptor Mark Stoddart of our World Disability Advocacy e-club.
Come to a Foundation meeting and learn how Foundation can work for your club and how you can contribute to the Foundation. Ideas for raising donations, benefits of the Foundation and all the good work we can accomplish together. Bring your questions and you will get answers.
Our last workshop in the "Simply Irresistible" membership series had over 100 Rotarians in attendance. This zone-wide presentation was well received and everyone left with "real-life" strategies to address membership. The workshop on February 3 @ 7 pm is titled, "What's In It For Me?' Capturing the Interest of Busy People.
The Changemakers of Central Massachusetts are in the midst of putting books into the hands of elementary students who attend schools without a school library. The Club is working with Hygge House Books, a partner who just received their own 501c3 to install Book Nooks into schools.
Our Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy is featured in Rotary Magazine for the outstanding work of its members in 23 countries, focused on accessibility and advocacy. President Ken Masson, formerly of our Rotary Club of Merrimack Valley, coordinates this unique e-club, brought together for their passion for this important cause. Its members are doing outstanding work worldwide in advocating the people with disabilities.
The Rotary Club of Ragusa, Italy, invites you to vacation in their beautiful part of Italy, designated as a World Heritage Site for its baroque atmosphere. "Rotary is service, Rotary is friendship, Rotary is a leadership network, so we are pleased to inform you that this year too, from 25 May to 1 June 2025, the Rotary Club Ragusa has scheduled the "XX Week Rotariana del Barocco Ibleo" here in our city of Ragusa (south-eastern Sicily, Italy)."
It’s a crisp, sunny day in late October, and school groups are touring the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta.
They see the Bible that the 39th U.S. president took his oath on, a campaign ledger, and a mockup of the Oval Office – as well as his diploma in square dancing, a “Peanuts to President” game board, and a Marvel comic with the Carter family joining Captain America in saving energy.
At the end of the exhibit is Carter’s Nobel Peace Prize, which he received in 2002 in recognition of his decades of work advancing peace and human rights.
“This is the biggest award in the world,” one of the field trip leaders explains to the elementary school students. Then she puts it into terms they will understand: “This is bigger than the Super Bowl MVP, believe it or not.”
From District Governor Joyce Graff: "I am asking your club to make a New Year's resolution: support at least one global project this year. If your club can only afford $100, please choose one of our global projects and join in the pleasure and good feelings that come from making a difference in the world."
Photo: The Rotary Foundation offers a lifeline to Ugandan mothers and babies
The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is coming to a location near you. In fact the District RLI will be held January 18th at the Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School from 7:30 AM to 3 PM.
During our recent trip to Kenya, DG Joyce Graff and AG Susan Wilkinson met with Anne Musalia, a member of our World Disability Advocacy e-club, who lives and works in Kenya. Anne runs a Centre for children with disabilities who would otherwise be isolated at home.
Throughout January, we are collecting new or gently used/clean blankets, towels, sweatshirts, sweat-pants, jackets, warm socks, hats, and gloves. Many of their clients wear sizes XL-XXL, but they will take all sizes.
We are having a Left, Right, Center fundraiser on 1/18/25 at 7 pm at the VFW, 21 Taylor Street, Littleton MA. $20 per person to play. Raffle baskets, 50/50.
Over 20,000 meals were packed on December 15th at Nashoba Regional High School, and it is all thanks to RYLA alumni Caterina Romano of Bolton, MA. Caterina attended RYLA this past year, and heard the Meals of Hope representative talk about hunger and food insecurity in our area. “I really loved the process and the organization when I heard the presentation at RYLA” said Caterina after the event. “It was awesome to see our Hockey Team here, other classmates, and so many community members helping.”
Photo: The Barbanti Family. Chris Barbanti is CEO of JetSweep, a sponsor.
The Rotary Club of Natick has been working to address one of Rotary International's core mission - increasing literacy - since 2006. Every year since then, the club has organized and participated in a Dictionary Project, in which every third grader in the Natick Public Schools receives their very own, customized, copy of "A Student's Dictionary". The first 2/3 of the book serves as a traditional dictionary, the last 1/3 is an almanac filled with many useful facts the students find most interesting.
DGE Johnny Ahern is excited to announce that registration for the 2025 Northeast Presidents-Elect Learning Seminar (NEPELS) (formerly PETS) is open! This learning seminar is for all members serving as club presidents or assistant governors during the 2025-2026 Rotary year.
Annually District 7910 hosts a local Rotary Leadership Institute so that Rotarians can learn about the many aspects of Rotary. It is a great place to learn new ideas and to join forces with Rotarians across our District (and other districts too).
On November 30th, the City of Lights parade in Lowell greeted the holiday season and we were able to add some sweetness to the event. Every year, we organize and carry out our marshmallow roast. We sell jumbo marshmallows on sticks and tend coal fired grills for kids and adults to enjoy a tasty treat and steal some warmth. We're grateful to be a part of the city's winter festivities and raise funds for deserving students.
The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference, aka RYLA 2025 dates are set for June 27, 28, 29, 2025.
RYLA is 3 days of action packed, interactive and introspective sessions with and specifically for High School Sophomores. Activities are designed to help students to stretch and grow. Our full program includes a variety of challenges and enriching sessions which allow them to learn about themselves and others. Students will engage with small and large groups in a program created by student input.
-- Bill Tobin, Rotary Relationship Manager, ShelterBox
In celebration of this holiday season, I want to share how thankful I am for all you do for Rotary and for ShelterBox.
I joined Rotary 20 years ago next week and began volunteering for ShelterBox in 2010. To say volunteering for ShelterBox was a life changing event for me is not hyperbole. I found how I can truly make Service Above Self a part of my life as a ShelterBox volunteer. We need more Rotarians in District 7910 to help us grow.
A wonderful way to support the Rotary Foundation is to make a bequest as part of your estate planning. Like any Rotary donation, you have choices where the money can go. Giving to Annual Share will support District-led projects in the near term. Giving to the Endowment will spread your gift over many many years.
The Rotary Club of Weston and Wayland will be selling Holiday trees at Land's Sake farm in Weston on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas (or until we sell out).
All proceeds will go to college scholarships for Weston and Wayland high school seniors, and our conservation, food security and other charitable projects.
We are looking for volunteers to help us sell the trees and, of course, to get a tree! Sign up here to volunteer. There are two 3-hour shifts a day from 9am - 3pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until we sell out.
It's fun, fellowship, and usually a hot cuppa something and snacks.
Note: With the very dry weather, some Massachusetts Christmas Tree farms are not cutting their trees, so supplies may be tight and prices may be high.
Members of the Rotary Clubs of Weston & Wayland, Waltham, Billerica, and Needham came together for a fun evening and raising funds for Rotary's End Polio Now campaign.
On October 24, World Polio Day, Rotary members and friends gathered at Craft Food Hall to raise money to end Polio. It was a massive success!
Rotary Action Group for Peace is holding a reassuring webinar helping us all understand how we can do our bit in working toward peace in the world. They will present a road map for global involvement in planning a better future. Feel free to invite your friends.
The Rotary Club of Bedford invites everyone to their annual Winter Community Breakfast (formerly Breakfast with Santa) from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Dec. 8 at Bedford High School.
The Winter Community Breakfast is a cherished tradition in Bedford, bringing together families, friends, and neighbors for a morning filled with holiday cheer. While enjoying a hot pancake breakfast, attendees can have photos taken with Santa, visit the winter-themed photo booth, take part in multi-cultural crafts, and listen to live holiday music!
It's back! Come and join the Rotary Club of Waltham for a night of music bingo, fun, food, and fundraising! Waltham Rotary Music Bingo is planned for January 31, 2025.
Our first Music Bingo raised over $20,000 for area nonprofits and local scholarships. We are thrilled to host this event again in the new year at the American Legion Post 156 in Waltham - doors open 6pm.
Thanks to the Southborough Rotary Club, about a dozen refugee families staying in a Westborough hotel will now have warm coats this season. Rotary members quickly mobilized to collect new and gently used coats tailored to the sizes and preferences of each family member. Volunteers spent hours ensuring every detail was addressed. Many members even added personal, handwritten notes to welcome the families and brighten their day. As new families arrive and others transition to permanent housing, the need for support continues. Yet again, Rotary’s motto, SERVICE Above Self, has proven true.
If you are new to Rotary, or just curious about all the programs offered by Rotary, Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is a great place to start. RLI is a leadership development program that exposes all facets of Rotary to those willing to take all three workshops.
RLI will be held at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough on January 18, 2025 from 7:30 (breakfast) to 3 PM. Lunch and a snack will also be provided. The Graduate topic this year is "Dealing with Change." Click here https://rlinea.org/.
If you have any questions, or if you would like a presenter to talk about RLI to your club, please contact me.
On Friday November 15th some of the Rotary Club of Concord members met at Revolutionary Hall in Lexington for a service project with the Lexington Rotary Club. 30 care packages were assembled for Hanscom Air force Base Troops deployed overseas.
Photo: Concord Rotarians Sharon Spaulding, Thomas Hampton, Joe Anderson, and Liz Cobbs
Did you know Rotary has 7 Peace Centers? At these Peace Centers individuals committed to peace and conflict resolution receive Fellowships to earn a two-year master's level degree in international studies, peace studies, and conflict resolution. Since 2002 1700 individuals have been trained.
The Rotary Club of Littleton is hosting a Thanksgiving Day breakfast at the Littleton Middle School cafeteria. It is a fundraiser for the Littleton Scholarship Trust. Open to the public from 6:30 am to 10 am.
Holiday shopping fun at Framingham Rotary's annual Holiday Craft Fair at Keefe Tech on December 14 from 10-4! With over 100 excited crafters, you will find original wreaths, jewelry, candles, sweaters, wood & metal works and so much more. Even Santa will be there for pics. See you there!
Everyone is invited to Littleton’s Tree Lighting on the Common on Sunday, December 1st at 4:15 pm. The Tree Lighting on the Common is co-sponsored by the Littleton Rotary Club and the Littleton Electric Light and Water Departments. Members of the Littleton High School Band will warm up the crowd with holiday songs and then the Nashoba Valley Chorale will lead young and old in a sing-along. The Littleton Rotary Club provides complementary hot cider and donuts to all attendees along with stuffed toys for kids who can answer holiday trivia questions.
The Taste of the Town fundraiser took place on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. The annual event does help the club raise money so that we can support the areas we serve.
Ten different eateries took part in the event. A decent selection of food was brought by the establishments, and a few of them were able to donate gift cards as door prizes. The occasion was a huge success. The club has made the decision to hold this event as a long-term one. We were allowed to use, wash, and return the tablecloths that the high school donated. We were able to segregate the garbage items and the dishes and utensils were made of sustainable materials. The entertainment was Mike Gacek, which everyone enjoyed
The Taste of the Town fundraiser took place on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. This event helps the club raise money to fund our community service programs. Ten restaurants took part in the event. A great selection of food was brought by the establishments, and a few of them were also able to donate gift cards as door prizes. The occasion was a huge success. The club has made the decision to hold this event annually.
The Rotary Club of Littleton MA will be making lunch – chicken casserole, salad, vegetable, cranberry sauce, rolls and drinks. The Friends of the VFW will provide dessert. We will set up at the VFW around 11 am on Monday.
Veterans are the most unique and special people we know. They are the only people willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy.
Shown here are Littleton veterans John Borosky, Gary Wilson, and George Sanders awarded Quilts of Valor.
On Thursday 11/21, there will be 7-8pm ZOOM Forum on Rotary's responding to current polio risks in the Middle East. Mike McGovern, RI Chair of the International PolioPlus Committee will be the speaker.
On Saturday, October 26th, Habitat for Humanity had a Women's Build Day at their latest project in Westford. This project will have two garden-style condos in the barn along with 5 affordable rental units built by the Drew Farm house project in the adjacent building. Lita Verrier, Sze-Wen Kuo and Judi Babcock participated in this build project on behalf of the Rotary Club of Bedford. Other women who participated were from Reeds Ferry and other organizations.
The Wellesley Rotary Club’s 4th Annual "Dinner On Us" Sweepstakes is underway, and we’re raising funds to combat food insecurity. Too many families in Wellesley are unsure of where their next meal will come from, and that’s a reality we can’t ignore. And with your help, we can turn that around.
Holiday shopping fun at Framingham Rotary's annual Holiday Craft Fair at Keefe Tech on December 14 from 10-4! With over 100 excited crafters, you will find original wreaths, jewelry, candles, sweaters, wood & metal works and so much more. Even Santa will be there for pics. See you there!
On Tuesday October 22nd Rotary Club of Concord hosted the first of three events this year at the Concord Council on Aging. Named Lounge 250, the event was a celebration of Concord's 250th anniversary and was meant to have a uptown nightclub vibe for the senior citizens of Concord. There were delicious appetizers and mocktails served by Rotarians, dressed as servers and bartenders. Music made the event festive and the positive feedback from this event was wonderful!
Photo: From left to right: Heather, Richard, Sheila, Jean, Steve L, Dave, Hilary, Steve K, Sharon, Peggy, Therese, Becky and John
Members of the Rotary Clubs of Weston & Wayland, Waltham, Billerica, and Needham came together for a fun evening and raising funds for Rotary's End Polio Now campaign.
On October 24, World Polio Day, Rotary members and friends gathered at Craft Food Hall to raise money to end Polio. It was a massive success!
As of Friday evening (10/25), we've raised $1,570 for the End Polio Now fund and will keep the fundraising page open through midnight on Halloween. Donations go directly to The Rotary Foundation.
What is your Club’s IQ (Irresistibility Quotient)? This month we will be discussing strategies to enhance member engagement. The research is indisputable, get your members engaged and they will stay with the club. However, reaching out to them is not always easy and once you do, how do you get them invested in the club's activity?
The District will be hosting the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) on Saturday, January 18th from 7:30 AM until 3 PM at the Assabet Regional Technical High School on Fitchburg Street in Marlborough.
On Saturday, October 19, District 7910's Youth Exchange Committee hosted eight students from three Rotary districts for the very American tradition of picking apples and making apple pie. The day turned out to be beautiful and warm -- perfect for picking delicious apples at Tougas Farm in Northborough and making apple pies to take home to the student's host families.
Photo: Rotary Exchange Students from Districts 7910, 7930, and 7980
Local vendors, food trucks, and activities including a Halloween Dog-Costume competition, games, art activities, face painting, and more will spirit the day! Also, booths with information for dog owners and those curious about dog breeds and shelter dogs.
Since the start, the Rotary Business Networking Series has been open to all Rotarians and "not-yet" Rotarians, who are interested in doing more business with Rotarians more often because we are people of integrity who value the 4-Way Test in business as we do in life.
Business Networking Success Stories: The series been a productive element of business growth and development over time. At every session, Rotarians share excellent business insight, resource, and solutions. Typically, attendees leave with 2, 3 or more actionable strategies to enhance their business or career.
<The next gathering on Tuesday, November 19 from 8-9 a.m. at Mel's Commonwealth Cafe in Wayland. RSVP here to attend. >
Join Rotarians from around the District on November 13, 2024 at 6:00pm to celebrate The Rotary Foundation’s role in creating the magic of Rotary and to recognize those who are helping to make it happen.
Space is limited so be sure to register now! Click HERE to register.
Earlybird! $30 per person through November 1, $35 pp thereafter
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 6:00pm. Hudson Portuguese Club, 13 Port Street, Hudson, MA 01749
As you are probably aware, many of our Rotary friends in Zones 33 and 34 have been impacted significantly by Hurricane Helene. The following message comes from Rotary International Director Patrick Eakes.
Friends,
I appreciate your concern and prayers as communities across Zones 33 and 34 try to survive the next few days before starting the long recovery following Hurricane Helene.
We have established a fund where those who would like to assist recovery efforts by making a donation can do so via online payment, mailed check, or wire transfer. Information to make a donation is at https://www.rizones33-34.org/disaster-relief/.
Embark on an exhilarating journey of connection and inspiration at the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary! Engage in riveting discussions, learn from distinguished speakers, and explore enlightening breakout sessions against the backdrop of Calgary's picturesque beauty nestled amid the Canadian Rockies.
Between October 14 and November 22 the Rotary Club of Littleton will be collecting holiday food items for Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, the largest food pantry in North Central Massachusetts.
Framingham Rotary's first Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser will be on Sunday, October 27th at the Warren Conference Center in Ashland. Registration starts at noon and bags fly at 1 PM. Teams of 2 players can register for $100. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams.
What insurance coverage does our club have for events? When I agree to be a Director or Officer of my club, what personal liability am I undertaking? How can we protect our club from liability in using pictures of attendees at our events? What about hosting an exchange student?
The answers to these and many other questions were shared at the DG Open Doors Zoom session, "Insurance and Protection from Liability" Wednesday, October 23, at 6 pm.
Being an exchange student in Sweden is such an amazing experience, explains Sasha Matovu, a Milford resident now spending her senior year of high school living in the Stockholm, Sweden. Sasha arrived in Sweden in August and went straight to a multi-day language camp where she met 42 other long term exchange students from all over the world. "It was incredible to meet so many people with such different backgrounds," said Sasha. It "opened my mind to the world in ways I hadn't expected."
Image: Sasha attends Orientation & Language Camp in Sweden, August 2024
It's the 4th year our Sturbridge Rotary Club organizes this Sunday, October 27th event, just before Halloween, located beside Old Sturbridge Village. We encourage attendees to come in costume as they participate in a Timed 5K TRAIL RACE, or a 5K TRAIL WALK, or a 1K Timed ROAD RACE for 12 years & younger, or indoor Games & Competitions for young children, plus a COSTUME PARADE. There is something for everyone! Dad can race the 5K, Mom the 5K Walk and the Kids the indoor games! Registration is open at https://www.racewire.com/register.php?id=14151 Runners & Walkers get a free T-Shirt.
I contracted polio at the age of 18 months in September 1949 and spent the next 3 years in hospital. Polio paralyzed me in both legs, and in my lower torso from just below the diaphragm as well as losing most of the function in the right arm. Now I have been hit by Post-Polio Syndrome, a further incurable condition that affects up to 60% of polio Survivors anything up to 40 years after the initial infection.
Let's all kick the polio virus off the planet! Meet other survivors, learn their stories, and learn why it is so important to complete this job NOW!
Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is scheduled for January 18th at the Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough, MA. Registration will be available later this month.
One of the most important strategies for recruiting and retaining members is engagement. Members need to feel that they can make a difference in their community and clubs need to show them how.
Our Annual District Foundation Dinner will be held November 13 in Hudson at the Portuguese Club at 6 pm. We will have several honored guests you won't want to miss, focusing on the work the Foundation and YOU are doing in the world.
We will honor all our Paul Harris Fellows and members of the Paul Harris, Polio Plus, and Arch Klumpf Societies of donors who contribute to the Foundation.
This is an exciting time to be a Rotarian in District 7910! We seek candidates who wish to help lead District 7910 as we work to do good in the world and help our Clubs become truly irresistible. The following opportunities are available:
• District Governor 2027-2028 • District Treasurer 2025-2028 • Two District Trustees 2025-2028
• Vice Governor (must be a Past District Governor)
We have been getting a lot of positive feedback from the clubs who have participated in previous Simply Irresistible workshops. Everyone agrees that this is time well used. This month's discussion looks to be another great opportunity for clubs to expand its reach into the community. The full title of the October 7th discussion is "Creating a Welcoming Culture: Strategies to Expand Your Club's Reach."
Next Simply Irresistible Series Discussion "Creating a Welcoming Culture" Scheduled for October 7th
The Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy proudly sponsors a virtual, free, all-day Inclusive Education. This international Summit is on Saturday, October 26. This event is dedicated to improving the education of children with disabilities and will feature more than 35 presenters from over 13 countries.
Want to learn more about Rotary Youth Exchange? Do you know families with teens that might be interested in youth exchange? Tell your friends and neighbors & mark your calendars! District 7910 is having a Virtual Information Session on October 16 at 7:30 pm. We will cover the basics of both Long Term and Short Term exchanges and how they work.
We'll also answer questions about how to apply, costs, timelines, and eligibility.
Recycle your JUNK! Community recycling event, all towns welcome! $40 car/pick-up truck load with additional costs depending on the items. Located at Navin Rink 451 Bolton St Marlborough, MA.
Come join us for the Brett Conaway Cup on October 18th at the Sandy Burr Country Club. This fundraiser for the Natick Rotary Club supports our mini grant program which helps fund 10-15 local organizations annually. There will be great raffle prizes, fun on the course, buffet lunch, and more. It's a guaranteed good time! To register or sponsor: https://natickrotary.org/2024_golf_Tournament/
Would two hundred burgers, two hundred hot dogs, and twenty extra-large pizzas be enough to satisfy your requirements for your barbecue? What if we added forty pounds of potato salad, three bean salad, hundreds of bags of crisps, more desserts than countable, and twelve watermelons? Let’s not forget music!
We are excited to bring Visioning back to District 7910. Visioning helps clubs produce a strategy to become irresistible, resulting in a plan for membership attraction and retention while creating impactful opportunities for service to our communities. Visioning is a facilitator-led exercise where we guide clubs to develop a strategic road map consistent with Rotary's Action Plan through a facilitator-led process.
One of the 7 areas of focus for the Rotary Foundation is Promoting Peace. Rotary’s focus on peace is almost as old as Rotary itself. With clubs in over 200 countries, Rotary is in an ideal position to foster better understanding among the communities of the world and bridge differences. Take a look at that history with this description of what Rotary does.
Embrace A Family, a non-profit program of the Rotary Club of Natick, is celebrating 15 years of helping Natick residents with cancer.
Join them on September 18th from 6:00 - 9:00 pm at Lookout Farm in South Natick for a casual evening of appetizers, dessert, cash bar and a little fun-raising.
100% of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to Embrace A Family and will be used to help families in the Natick community struggling with the hardships of cancer.
To purchase tickets or to learn more about Embrace A Family, visit their website at embraceafamily.org
Embrace A Family is celebrating its 15th anniversary on September 18th!
Join the Framingham Rotary Club for a Cornhole Tournament fundraiser on Sunday, October 27th at the Warren Conference Center in Ashland, MA. First prize is a set of cornhole boards!
Food, drink and raffle. $100 per team. Register here.
Proceeds will benefit local not-for-profit organizations. Food and beverages will be available.
Framingham Rotary Club Cornhole Tournament - October 27th
The Harvest Ball gathers 150+ seniors to Lenzi's Restaurant in Dracut for an afternoon of dancing, singing and lunch. There are dance contests and door prizes. There's also the popular 50/50 raffle. The Lowell and Dracut clubs put together this wonderful and popular event. Doors open at 11:00 and concludes around 3:00. Tickets are $20.00. October 22.
Lowell Rotary's Harvest Ball for Seniors- October 22
Join us on Wednesday, September 25th at 9am at the beautiful Blissful Meadows Golf Course in Uxbridge for a great day of golf for a great cause (scholarships!).
Only $125 per golfer includes breakfast, great golf, boxed lunch, prizes & raffles, and dinner. All the usual tournament fun will be there (longest drive, closest to the pin, etc), and even a putting contest!
Blissful Meadows award-winning layout caters to both high & low handicap golfers, and offers varying fade and draw shots to satisfy both left-handed and right-handed golfers.
Intensity, passion, discipline, and raw ambition drive me. Little did I know, that by volunteering to help weed the rotary in Watertown, the meaning of such adjectives would not only be met, but also exceeded. Innocently, I volunteered to help our Rotary chapter with the task at hand.
Enjoy your local favorite restaurants and discover new ones at Tyngsboro's Taste of the Town! One price to sample yummy food from loads of area gems. There will be music and raffles, too! Some favorite’s from last year: Chowder from Dream Diner, Middle Eastern delights from Chateau Merrimack, and Italian delicacies from Mave’s Kitchen, among others. October 22nd at Tyngsboro Sportmen’s Club. Buy your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/929770046237?aff=oddtdtcreator
October is Rotary's Community Economic and Development Month. How can your club identify and respond to the needs in your community?
In 2020, as the world faced the challenges of a global pandemic, Sarah Garrette was looking for a way to stay grounded while making a difference. A simple Facebook search led her to the Rotary Club of Springboro, Ohio.
September is Literacy Month at Rotary International. What is your club doing to improve literacy in your community?
Rotary member Anahita Dalmia of the Rotary Club of Newport Beach, USA is helping young people answer this question through a video game. She developed a game, Agents of Influence, to help 11-to-13-year-olds cultivate media literacy, thinking critically about content they encounter online.
Has your club installed a Peace Pole? Have you put it on the map? The Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAGFP) maps Peace Poles for all Peacebuilders of Rotary and beyond. Peace Poles are a monument to Rotarian peace action. You can put YOUR Peace pole on the map!
Mike McGovern, Chairman of the Rotary International Polio-Plus committee, shared with us that polio vaccinations would begin as soon as it was safe for our workers. Supplies are already in place on the border. "I cannot emphasize how difficult this is in an active war zone."
On Saturday, the news broke: The World Health Organization and its partners are gearing up for an ambitious mass vaccination campaign in the Gaza Strip after an 11-month-old boy contracted the Palestinian enclave’s first case of polio in 25 years.
Our goal this year is that at least half the clubs submit their applications and win an Award to be presented at the District Conference in May. Setting goals in writing is the first step in achieving those goals. Let's learn together how to use the Rotary tools to ensure the success of all our clubs.
At the first of a series of Open Doors meetings Joyce shared the criteria for this year's Awards, and showed how to achieve them.
Otto Prohaska, a Rotarian for more than 35 years and President-elect of our Sturbridge Club, was gravely injured in an accident on Monday, August 26 while volunteering at the Club’s annual golf tournament. He succumbed to his injuries overnight on August 30, leaving behind his wife Julie and son Adrian. His family needs our help, and we’ve created a donation page through our District Charity Fund. Please click here to donate.
Everyone was enjoying the tournament when a thunderstorm approached, and the course needed to be cleared. Otto climbed aboard the back of a golf cart, from which he fell and struck his head on the pavement, resulting in multiple skull fractures and severe bleeding. He was transported to UMass Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery. Despite heroic efforts, doctors were unable to save his life.
Otto had dedicated his life to service, both as a Rotarian and throughout his career. He joined Rotary in 1988 and was named Rotarian of the year by the Sturbridge Club for the 2022-2023 Rotary year, where he was known for both his kindness and intelligence. Professionally, he led a medical startup focused on novel cell and gene-based therapies designed to cure cancer, autoimmune, infectious, and rare diseases. His company, TransCytos, discovered a way to deliver these treatments at low cost and sought to make them available to patients and hospitals worldwide. Otto and his family committed all their resources to this effort, which leaves Julie and Adrian in a precarious position due to this tragedy.
District Governor Joyce adds “Our hearts go out to Otto's wife Julie and their son Adrian, on the loss of their husband and father. We ask that you consider a donation to support them with the unforeseen expenses imposed by this terrible accident. As Rotarians, we want to warmly embrace these members of our Rotary family in their time of need. Thank you so much.”
District 7910 has already sent a significant donation to the Prohaska family, and we ask that you consider helping to the extent that you can. Here again is the link to contribute through our District Charity Fund. Please also consider sharing this request for help on your social media. Finally, please keep Otto, Julie and Adrian in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your support.
Sturbridge Rotarian Otto Prohaska Dies from Tragic Accident – Family Needs Our Help
Want to increase membership in your club but haven't had success? The single best way to sign up new members to your club is to be the positive "IMPACT" in your local community. When your club makes a significant impact in your community, citizens interested in service will seek out and want to join your club.
Have you ever seen a Zorb Ball competition? Have you made a contribution to the Rotary Foundation? Have you ever wanted to share in bragging rights? Well now is your chance!
DGE Johnny Ahern will be representing our amazing District 7910 in a Zorb Competition in Toronto for the Zone 28 & 32 Leadership training!
Rotary International has sent our District a Certificate of Appreciation for achieving at least a 90% compliance with reporting requirements for grants during the Rotary year 2023-24. Our Clubs engaged in a total of 21 District grants, for which we provided $32,237 in funding, which comes back to us directly because of our member donations to the Rotary Foundation. These grants supported environmental projects, food insecurity relief, education, veterans and so much more.
Photo: 1. Members of the Athol-Orange club built two bridges along the North Quabbin Trail.
This year District 7910 had two high school students participating in the Rotary Youth Exchange Short Term program. Oliver Moon, 17, was sponsored by the Weston Wayland Rotary Club, and Andrew Giordano, almost 16, was sponsored by the Neponset Sunrise Rotary Club. Both students chose to go to Spain for their exchange and were matched with Spanish students of similar age and interests. While away, both Oliver and Andrew made new friends, learned about Spanish culture, and got to practice their Spanish skills.
Photo: Oliver Moon and his host brother Tristan in Murcia, Spain. July 2024.
We received a project idea from the Rotaract Club of Toronto - a portable desk for school children in rural areas of the third world so that they need not sit only on the floor to do their school work. Developed in South Africa, it provides a desk and chair with a solar-powered light.
The Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club added a bit more excitement to our 23rd Annual Duck Race on the Charles River on June 15th. For the first time in the history of the race, the plastic ducks plummeted into the river by way of a front end loader. Bystanders provided the countdown to their release and cheered the ducks on. Thanks to all who registered a duck for the race and sponsored, our club netted approximately $8,000 from this popular early-summer event.
The next workshop entitled Wow! Strategies to Increase Your Club’s Impact looks to be powerful. Club presidents and their membership chairs will receive practical strategies to increase club membership.
As ShelterBox approaches our 25th year in global disaster relief, ShelterBox would like to invite you and all club members and associates in District 7910 to our “ShelterBox All-Hands Rotary Roundup”, on Wednesday August 28th at 12 pm PT / 3 pm ET via Zoom.
District 7910 is seeking members interested in helping our clubs chart their path forward and create a strategic success plan. Visioning helps clubs grow membership, execute impactful service projects, develop leaders, increase Foundation support and much more. It allows club members the opportunity to dream about what their club could become, and then turn those dreams into reality. We are seeking members to join our Visioning Team.
Picture a happy healthy child running around in the Congo, dreaming of being a great football player. Then a high fever -- polio -- and that child is either crippled for life or dead.
Northborough-Southborough Interactors learned the meaning of sweat equity while sorting a transfer station's monthly accumulation of 5-cent deposit cans and bottles on the sunny hot morning of August 3. With help from Southborough and Northboro Rotarians, NSboro students filled 53 bags of separated plastic and aluminum carbonated beverage containers for a local partner to transport and redeem wholesale.
The Wachusett Area Rotary Club will be holding our signature event and main fundraiser, our annual Golf Tournament, on Monday, September 16th at Oak Hill Country Club in Fitchburg. Please consider supporting us through purchasing one of our sponsorship or golf packages.
Rotary is an International Organization with 46,000 clubs in 220 countries! Rotary urges clubs to Partner with Clubs outside their country to do good. Your District 7910 has significant funds available for Global Grants that can make your ideas happen.
There have been many ways to raise money for the Rotary Foundation and the chance to win a hippo may be one of the most unique. That is the first prize in this fundraiser and second and third are substantial amounts of cash.
Is your club's information up to date? There are a number of easy functions in ClubRunner that are essential to the management of your club. Every year there are new folks in charge of these areas. Our friends at ClubRunner Support have agreed to hold two sessions to help us get up to speed and take care of business.
Val Gallot (Belgium) and Diego (Mexico) returned to their home countries last month after a wonderful Rotary Youth Exchange Year here in MA. Kudos to their host Rotary Clubs - Marlborough and Weston-Wayland - who welcomed these young men to our District, arranged for host families, stayed in touch throughout the year, provided them a monthly stipend, and supported them as the year progressed. Very special and warm thanks to their Club Youth Exchange Officers (aka YEOs) Bonnie Doolin (Marlborough) and Edwin Gaw (Weston-Wayland)! When you see them, ask them to tell you all about RYE!
Photo: Val and Diego prepare for the Inbound Students' Parade of Flags at the District Conference in May, 2024.
Do you like craft beer, hard seltzer, hard cider, and spirits? Do you like supporting other rotary clubs? Don’t miss out on the chance to taste unlimited samples from 46+ brewers, enjoy food from 6 food trucks, yard games, and live music. Join us on August 10th in Hudson, MA for a great time. Learn more: www.spiritofhudson.com
In order for your club to celebrate increased membership this year, you must be open to change. The saying, "This isn't your father's Rotary anymore," is quite true. The days of a weekday two-hour luncheon and program are long gone, or at least they should be. The key is to remain flexible and to understand the community's potential in obtaining new membership, just like "Anytown, USA."
August is Membership Month, which means it’s time to celebrate your Rotary Club, your members, and the good you do in your community and around the world.
For the first time ever, experts from across our Zone will be answering questions on how to drive up membership as part of the Irresistible Series. The Zoom meeting is scheduled for August 12th at 7:30 PM (EST). Directly following the Zone meeting, District 7910 will be hosting a 15-30 minute Cafe on applying some of the strategies mentioned to our local clubs. Registration for the "Ask the expert" zoom meeting - https://rotary7910.org/event/membership--ask-an-expert--you%e2%80%99ll-pick-the-subject(s)/
Now that we have had several conversations about expanding membership and engagement, what else would you like to know? What snags have you encountered? What topics should we explore in more depth?
Felipe Rocha Paes, a student at Acton-Boxborough High School, is about to finish his junior year of high school -- in Switzerland. Even before he started high school Felipe knew he wanted to be an exchange student. His father (born in Brazil) was a Rotary exchange student as a teenager and had shared his positive experiences with his family. Felipe felt he was up for the challenge. He applied and was accepted into the District 7910 program and got his first choice country -- the French speaking part of Switzerland.
Image: Felipe gives a presentation (in French) to his host Rotary Club in Switzerland. Spring 2024. The yellow arrow points to Felipe -- seated in his navy Rotary blazer.
There is no shortage of news about Rotary, or about the issues Rotary is working to resolve. However there is a shortage of Reporters generating the news is bite-size chunks suitable for Social Media.
A friend of ESRAG – Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (esrag.org) has offered to pay for ESRAG membership to RYLA students. Interested students should send an email to Dr. Acacia Warren (acacia.warren.rcs@gmail.com) confirming interest in the gift.
Students can also apply for Travel Award to attend the Aquaculture 2025 meeting in New Orleans, March 6-10, 2025, where the new initiative of Rotary International and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to protect, restore, and sustain freshwater ecosystems will be highlighted (www.rotary.org/en/rotary-unep-partnership).
Let's Play Golf Together!!! Help support the Marlborough Rotary Club's Homeless Women Initiatives. September 11, 2024 8am Juniper Hill Golf Course Northborough, MA
Tri-State Conference Members packed 30,000 nutritious meals to finish off the Annual Conference the Rotary Way - with a service project! On May 5, 2024 District 7910 combined with District 7890 to sponsor a Meal Packing event to benefit the Worcester County Food Bank and area Food Pantries. A Fortified Bean and Rice Casserole was the chosen meal, and Meals of Hope Founder and CEO Steve Popper attended our event to help celebrate the 100 Millionth Meal packed by the organization.
The need for the Foundation’s programs never stops, and the need for your support and participation continues as well. The Foundation will keep changing lives long into the future.
How do you develop a list of service partnerships? How many community partners can you call so that an upcoming service project can be successful? No worries! We are excited to inform you that the next workshop in the "Simply Irresistible" series is entitled "Building Partnerships for Service." The workshop will run from 7:30 PM to 8:15 PM. We will also have a short discussion - Cafe style on Zoom directly after the session to discuss how do we apply the lessons learned at your club. Both links are on the District's calendar.
It is my great honor and pleasure to accept the role of District Governor for the year 2024-2025. I have had the honor of serving under two terrific District Governors before me – Elliott Rittenberg and Victor Tom -- and I will be passing it on in one year’s time to Johnny Ahern and then to Penny Hamel, both of whom are also strong leaders that I know will build us up even more. Elliott, Johnny, Penny and I are your leadership team for the coming year. It’s not a one-person effort, just as leading each of your clubs is not a one-person endeavor. We all need backup. And I could not wish for a stronger team than this one.
TEAMWORK. You will hear that theme again and again from me throughout the year. Four months ago I had a very strong lesson in the importance of teamwork. I had been working for a year with six other districts to prepare for our Presidents-Elect Training Seminar (fondly known as “PETS”) – a training session for 500 leaders in seven districts. This was to be the premiere training event for all those who will be Presidents of your clubs during my year as Governor. Two weeks before that event I fell and broke two vertebrae in my back. I was literally flat on my back in the hospital, with no hope of showing up at the event.
Fortunately, I had not only been working with the PETS team, I had been meeting weekly with our District team. We had been sharing ideas; we were all on the same wavelength. We talked on the phone, and Johnny and Elliott and Karin Gaffney stepped into my role at PETS and did a fabulous job. PETS was great, and I learned more than ever before the value of teamwork.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as District Governor. It has truly been an honor and privilege. It’s hard to believe that it’s been an entire year since we last passed the gavel. It’s been a year filled with joy as I’ve watched and participated in many of the wonderful projects our clubs and members bring to their communities. It’s also been a year of heartache as together we continue to bear witness to war, violence, injustice, the effects of climate change, and the growing intolerance within our society. And finally, it’s been a year of connection as we’ve worked together to strengthen our clubs and committees that allow us to soften that heartache as we fulfill our mission of Service Above Self.
Of all that I have learned this year, I think the two most important takeaways are first, that the world needs Rotary and the things we do more than ever, and second, that none of the jobs we do in Rotary are jobs that we do alone.
Now, I’d like to share with you a story about connections. Early this year, I received an email, out of the blue, from a Rotary club president in the U.K. He was asking for help contacting a local company based in Marlboro. As District Governors, we receive numerous requests for help during our terms – many are outside of our ability to respond, but occasionally a request comes in where you think, “maybe we can help here”. This was one of those.
It turns out that the British club purchased a used mammogram machine, originally produced by this local company, from a hospital in York, and donated it to a teaching hospital in Gambia, a small and somewhat poor country in West Africa. However, the mammography unit needed a couple of parts to make it fully operational. The machine, which was built in 2010, had been declared end of life, so parts were hard to find. The Club in the UK asked if we knew anyone working at the company who could help.
YES, your club has a phone app. You can find all the members of your club, their pictures and contact information, readily available on your mobile phone. The terrific guys from ClubRunner will hold special training for anyone from District 7910 to help us all learn how best to take advantage of this very convenient app, available NOW to all clubs in our District.
The Rotary E-Club of Ukraine cordially invites you to a local concert of the band Kommuna Lux from Odesa, Ukraine. Kommuna Lux is currently touring the USA with a special purpose: to raise funds for financing humanitarian projects in Ukraine. The concert will take place Thursday, June 20, at Sonia's, 10 Brookline Street, Cambridge, MA, beginning at 8 pm. Tickets are on sale here.
This is an incredible opportunity to win an extraordinary work of art while supporting neurodiversity, mental health awareness, and the Rotary Foundation!
Not only will you be entering to win a stunning piece, but if you or someone in your club wins, it can serve as a fantastic fundraiser.
The table itself has a value of $60,000, making it an incredible asset for any fundraising event. Plus, the second prize is valued at more than $6,000 USD, and the third prize is worth more than $1,500 USD.
The Million Solar Panel Challenge is not just a campaign; it's a powerful tool in our fight against climate change. By promoting solar panels, we are not only reducing energy costs but also making a significant impact on reducing CO2 emissions. It’s a call to action that empowers us to fight climate change, one solar panel at a time.
Will you be at the RYLA closing ceremony? Will your club be represented at FSU on Sunday afternoon June 23? Look at all the fun you will miss and just imagine all the contacts you will miss if you are not at the Auditorium.
The Rotary Club of Framingham in partnership with award-winning and global innovator Rotarian, Dr. Sushil Bhatia, is pleased to present the 2024 Innovation Challenge: Adaptive Device Competition.
Inspired by the American business reality television series, Shark Tank, the Innovation Challenge has partnered with the Framingham High School (FHS) Engineering by Design Program and invites students to design an innovative product or service that directly helps others in need in the City of Framingham.
The Rotary Club of Framingham has reserved 50 tickets to the Worcester Red Sox on July 14th. Would you like to join us? Contact Nelson Zide: Nelson@nelsonzide.com
Sunday, July 14th 1:05 Start Vs Rochester Red Wings Cost $46 per person
June has been busy for Owen Moon, a District 7910 Youth Exchange Student sponsored by the Weston-Wayland Rotary Club. On June 2nd he arrived home after spending the 2023-24 academic year living and attending school in Taiwan. On June 7th he graduated from Weston High School. It all started when Owen, now 18, did a short term summer exchange to Spain in 2022. That exchange led to a desire to see Asia -- an area of the world he's been fascinated with since childhood. Now he speaks Mandarin, has a slew of international friends, and a greater awareness of cultures outside of the United States.
Photo: Owen Moon, Kathleen Baker, and Hsinchu Peace Rotary Club President, Hsieh "Seven" Cheng-Wen at a Rotary meeting. April 2024.
Good old fashion carnival with Ferris Wheel, kiddie rides, thrill rides, adult rides, midway games, and carnival food. Thu => Sun July 18-21 at Needham High. See www.NeedhamCarnival.com for details.
The next workshop of the Simply Irresistible Series is scheduled for July 8th from 7:30 to 8:15 PM. The title of the workshop is "Building Partnerships for Service." The workshop will include strategies for establishing successful partnerships in your community and how they could impact your membership objectives.
Immediately following this presentation District 7910 will hold a brief "café" to share reactions and actions coming out of this ssession. Please join us on Zoom.
June 3, 7:30 - How to Rock the Boat without Sinking the Ship: Guiding your club through change.
The Rotary Club of Bedford earned the Gold Award for Exemplary Public Image Presence this year. In their entry, they started with goals:
"The goals for our club's public image efforts is to 1. Increase awareness of the club activities and initiatives within Bedford and neighboring communities. 2. Enhance the club's reputation as a leading service organization dedicated to community welfare. 3. Recruit new members and volunteers to expand the club's impact and reach. 4. Foster partnerships with local businesses, schools, and nonprofit organizations.
These goals have been our focus for a number of years.
Jorge Yarzebski from the Rotary Club of Westborough was honored with this year’s “Rotarian of the Year” award, and the Rotary Club of Weston & Wayland once again was recognized as “Best Club” at this year’s District Conference.
Kudos to Sue Peghiny. She opened our eyes to the definition of environmental efforts in the clubs. We had not considered submitting information from our club (Westford) about our environmental activities. Thank you Sue for reviewing club reports, newsletters and social media to identify those of us who did not identify our own efforts. Now we see that indeed we are working to improve the future of our planet. Our small efforts to a safer world:
“WE DID IT!” declared Debi Malone, team leader of Hope for the Hungry, the Rotary Clubs of Bedford and Concord’s 2024 joint meal-packing sponsorship.
Aimed to address food insecurity, aligned with this year’s Rotary International “Create Hope in the World” theme, and partnered with the New England arm of Meals of Hope, six months of planning and preparation culminated on the last Saturday in April when more than 150 volunteers packed 40,320 meals destined for local distribution in dozens of surrounding communities.
Win a bespoke bronze table created in bronze by artist Mark Stoddart.
The Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy is delighted to participate in this fundraising campaign. The artwork, valued at £40,000, (around $50,000 USD) has been created by world known artist Mark Stoddart, who is a member of The Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy. This cause is very close to our hearts, and we are proud to support it.
By purchasing a ticket, you not only stand a chance to win the artwork but also contribute to a noble causes. Remember, with every ticket sold, we all win!
Join the Rotary Club of Concord as we launch MusicFest, featuring local musicians of all ages including headlining The Bruce Marshall Group. The all-day event is free and, along with live music, features vendors, food trucks, children's games, and a raffle. Proceeds from the day will be presented to the Domestic Violence Services Network, a local nonprofit that provides programs and services to victims of domestic violence.
The Weston-Wayland Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneurs. The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
The opportunity for children to launch their very own startup business!
Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
We will host approximately 50 booths at the 4th annual event on Saturday, May 18, 2024, between 11 am - 3 pm.
Volunteer for the 4th Annual Weston-Wayland Children's Business Fair
The Children's Business Fair is back! It will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 11 am to 3 pm at the Weston Town Green during the Celebrate Weston! event.
Rotarians VOLUNTEER HERE to help with set-up, during the Fair and clean-up.
Children showcase their very own businesses at our one-day market, which is part of the largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America. Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
We all believe entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.
Volunteer for Weston-Wayland 4th Annual Children's Business Fair - May 18
At the start of his term, Ian Riseley, Rotary International President declared 2018 The Year of the Tree and challenged the 1.2 million worldwide membership of Rotary to plant a tree for each club member on Earth Day. The Weston-Wayland Rotary Club embraced this challenge and expanded the program to include distributing Green Giant Arbor Vitae to first graders in Weston.
The Sturbridge Rotary club recently partnered with Tantasqua Regional High School to start a new chapter of InterAct, International in our district. The club will celebrate its founding with a Charter Ceremony on May 14th which will include a pizza social and silent auction. Please join us to celebrate our founding! May 14, 2024 5-7 pm. RSVP: willarda@tantasqua.org
Can you Believe it’s already 2 months till RYLA? With RYLA fast approaching we are seeking volunteers to help make this event possible. We are looking to fill some key roles including session leaders, overnight monitors, first aiders, reality fair presenters, and more. If you are interested in volunteering at RYLA this year, please complete the sign-up form here.
World Immunization Week is April 24-30th. Rotary International has spent over 40 years making sure children receive life-saving polio vaccines, beginning with our first immunization campaign in the Philippines in 1979. Three Members of Brookline Rotary ~ all Past Presidents & Paul Harris Fellows -- share their thoughts & experiences volunteering for END POLIO NOW.
The Rotary Club of Wellesley's "Taste of Wellesley" annual fundraiser to support our community is at The Wellesley Country Club on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 from 6:30 until 9 pm. We will host 300 guests at the event and tickets are selling fast. Get yours soon and avoid the last minute rush. If you have already purchased your tickets, THANK YOU! Tickets are on sale at $100.00 each here: https://taste-of-wellesley.square.site/ or through our website: https://wellesleyrotary.org.
Westborough, MA – Bicycles. Clocks. Rice cookers. Lamps. Necklaces. Knives. What do all these sundry items have in common? They were all fixed at the Repair Café on Saturday, April 13 at the Westborough Public Library. For over twenty years, the Repair Cafe, sponsored by the library and the Westborough Rotary Club, has offered this free and popular event to the community.
The Million Solar Panels initiative is a campaign to encourage Rotarians to purchase solar panels in order to impact climate change and at the same time reduce their power bills.
June 20, 2024 the Rotary Club of Littleton would like to invite you to our first annual Summer Kick-Off Carnival. The Carnival will take place at 550 King Street in Littleton MA (the IBM property, use the Great Road entrance). The dates and times as follows:
Congratulations for completing all the steps to get your students registered for RYLA. All the important steps for registration are completed, but there are still some things you can do before RYLA commences in late June. Consider sending out a press release to highlight the work your club has done. Consider inviting your students to a Rotary Meeting, Service Opportunity, Interact, or Fundraiser so they can learn about Rotary and the projects that are important to your club.
Upcoming Saturday April 27th - the 32nd Annual Earth Day Cleanup in Southborough. Anyone can volunteer to participate. No sign up required. Volunteers to gather 8-8:30 am at the Southborough Department of Public Works (DPW) Transfer station, just of Rt. 85 to get trash bags and adopt a part of town to clean and head out. Coffee and treats will be served at 8:30 AM. This year volunteers can receive a free safety vest on first come first serve basis - adult and kid sizes available. Volunteers should remember to bring work gloves and wear sturdy footwear. Sign up via Facebook
Who will lead your club in the coming year? In addition to the President-elect every club needs to have its roster of executives planned at this point, hopefully ready to attend the District Conference May 3-4 to learn what is needed in their new role.
I-Ping Li is raising funds for students who care about community, and for whom a scholarship can make a meaningful impact. "I love that the Newton Rotary Foundation reaches out to parts of the community that need a boost." This scholarship program has supported future engineers, chefs, teachers and many other bright, talented college bound and skilled trade students.
Around mid -February, the Multinational Rotary Club of Kyiv (KMRC) successfully installed two 12 KW Generators at the Kyiv State-Owned Experimental Prosthetic-Orthopedic Enterprise (KSOEPOE).
The Generators were purchased with funds from a Rotary Club of Needham Division 7910 District Grant along with additional funds from Needham members and one non-Rotarian.
On Saturday, May 18, 2024, more than 800 Rotary clubs and 30,000 Rotarians across 10 states and 7 countries, will volunteer in their communities for an unprecedented Rotary Day of Service, collecting clothes for homeless, refurbishing parks, and, much, much more.
We need YOU to submit your club project to be added to the Day of Service website. The earlier your project is submitted, the longer it will be promoted on the website to get volunteers! Please fill out this simple form with all necessary information for submission.
As noted in the 4/1 newsletter, Chris Spear passed away unexpectedly in late February. His family invites all to attend a "life party" for him, a celebration of life to be held at Stow Acres Country Club on June 1 from 4-8 PM. Please RSVP by May 17 at chrisspearparty@gmail.com with your name and number of guests. Feel free to post remembrances and pictures at chrisspearparty@gmail.com as well. Carnival beads are welcome and encouraged.
The best information on your club's Foundation giving can be found in the Club Recognition Summary on rotary.org. Club officers (President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Foundation Chair) should all have the necessary privileges to see this report.
Back by Popular Demand! We hosted a successful Saint Patrick's Day Dance with Skyline who serves the Natick Community and surrounding towns with adaptive and inclusive programs for individuals with special needs. Happy faces all around as this was the first dance since COVID.
Does your club have a project focused on reducing the use of plastics, reusing items (like a clothing swap) or repairing items (maybe a repair cafe)? Then the you could be eligible for a grant from the State of up to $10,000!
New this year! Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards to recognize club and individual efforts to support the environment, fight climate change, reduce plastics use, or other initiatives that will help us leave a cleaner, more healthy and livable world for our kids and grandchildren.
For more information about the Environmental Awards click HERE. The application is available by clicking HERE, and the deadline for submission is April 13, 2023.
The goal of these awards is to encourage clubs and members to undertake environmental initiatives and projects.
At the District Conference, a wonderful variety of awards will be presented to District 7910 Rotary Clubs in multiple categories, plus the Rotarian of the Year award and other individual awards.
The Westford Rotary Club members and volunteers will be very busy during April and May with Community Service projects.
The Westford Rotary Club will have a table at the Westford Health &Wellness Fair on Saturday, April 6 from 10 am - 2 pm at Stony Brook School. Westford Rotary Club will have free veggie, herb, and flower seeds available at the table for individuals and families to plant. They will have information available on the other 2 events below too.
Join us on April 30th to learn about this new and exciting ESRAG-sponsored project: the Million Solar Panel Challenge.
Elizabeth Henke, of the ESRAG Renewable Energy Task Force, will tell us all about the Challenge, how it works, and how you and your club can participate. Click HERE to register!
Climate Cafe: Million Solar Panel Challenge on April 30th at 6:30pm.
Do you know a teenager who is 15 to18.5 years old and who is looking for the adventure of a lifetime? The Rotary Youth Exchange program is still accepting applications for both the Short Term and Long Term exchange programs. But do HURRY! Time is running out...Short Term (summer month) applications are due by June 1, 2024, and Long Term (school year 2024-25) are due by May 1, 2024!
The Rotary Club of Concord will host the second annual MusicFest at Rideout Park in Concord, MA on May 25 from 1:00-7:00pm. The event features local musicians: Concord Carlisle High School, the Joy of Music School, Rockabye Beats, Ya Mon Mr. Hot Pepper, and headline entertainer The Bruce Marshall Group.
The event is free to the public and will also offer food trucks, arts and nonprofit vendors, and lots of fun.
The Rotary Clubs of Bedford and Concord have teamed up to pack meals for the hungry and food insecure right here in MA. Many don't realize that fully 33% of adults in MA were food insecure in 2022, and that number jumps to 62% when looking at adults in the Latin community. Food pantries are still seeing unprecedented demand due to COVID, the end of COVID-era benefits, and then high inflation. No one should have to choose between paying for rent, medications or food. Come join the FUN on April 27 at 10am at Middlesex Community College (Bedford Campus). Click here for details & registration.
The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley was devastated to learn that Chris Spear passed away unexpectedly in late February. Chris was a founding member of our club and involved in everything we did until he and his wife Laura moved to Providence in early 2022. After they moved they got involved in Rotary in Providence, but Chris (and Laura) were still very supportive of RNV and stayed involved behind the scenes.
As reported in the 12/1/23 7910 District Newsletter, Ray Pfau passed away in late November 2023. Please join family and friends to celebrate the life if this amazing man on Saturday April 20, 2024, Davis Hall at First Parish Church, 673 Main St Bolton MA, 2-5pm
Are you surrounded by a plethora of potential RYLA students?
Have Sophomores in your area applied to your Rotary club? Are enthusiastic young people getting ready to talk about their experiences and their passions during interviews?
Now is the time for you to begin interviewing and selecting your students!
Student Online Registration is open now and DUE APRIL 15.
It's heart-wrenching to think about the homeless people with disabilities in Kenya, who are struggling to survive the harsh sun amidst a severe drought. They desperately need umbrellas to provide them with some shade and respite from the scorching heat.
Rotary Club of Weston & Wayland is the chartered organization for Boy Scout Troop 157. The troop is having their annual Pasta Dinner and Silent Auction, on Friday, April 5th from 6-8:30 pm at the community center.
Rotarians who would like to help cook at the event should contact Rich DeVito. Rotarians who can support the event by donating a silent auction item of between $50 or greater should contact Renae Shaday at renae.shadday@gmail.com. ALL Rotarians are strongly encouraged to attend this fun event and support scouting in Weston.
Boy Scout Troop 157 Pasta Dinner April 5 in Weston
Lowell Rotary is fine tuning their approach to giving by selecting causes that are beneficial to specific needs. We were "Heart Beat" sponsors for the Heart Ball 2024 event to benefit children suffering from cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart). We also contributed to the SPC Matthew Pollini Memorial Fund, which is a non-profit dedicated to helping Veterans in need to heat their homes. Both contributions were gratefully acknowledged and put to good use.
Photo: Rotarian Patricia Witts presents a check to Kate and Scott Middlemiss, Big Heart Foundation chairs.
You and your Club members work hard all year to meet your goals. You’ve accomplished a lot - now it’s time to be recognized for your effort and hard work!!! Here is the 2023 – 2024 Club Awards Worksheet. Complete this form as if today were June 30 and assume that what you have planned for the rest of the year, you will accomplish. Remember, THE FOUR WAY TEST applies here!!!
Note that the worksheet automatically calculates the points you earn for each line item. Simply fill in the yellow cells and the spreadsheet will do the rest.
Questions? Contact our awards committee (PDGs Klaus Hachfeld, Bob Cassidy & Victor Tom) by sending an email to awards@rotary7910.org. We will all see your question and you’ll receive a quick response.
Once completed, submit your form to awards@rotary7910.org. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF YOUR AWARDS FORM IS APRIL 13.
Good Luck!! The District WANTS to recognize your efforts….please take the time to complete and submit the form so we can celebrate your Club’s accomplishments!
Each year, Rotary International publishes criteria for a club to obtain the Rotary Citation.
By now, you should have entered your goals in Rotary Club Central – now you simply need revisit the goal center at https://rcc.rotary.org/#/goals?pth=Cl (My Rotary login required) and document the goals that you’ve achieved.
There are 26 categories - YOU select goals in 13 of them. If you achieve these goals, you get the Citation….simple as that!!
Two awards you may wish to consider as Club President are the Significant Service Award and the Avenues of Service Award.
The Significant Service Award recognizes a Club whose project has addressed a significant need in your community. The Significant Service Award is designed to give districts an opportunity to recognize club projects that address a significant problem or need in the local community.
(Note that International service projects are not eligible for this award).
As club president, you can nominate your club via this form to be recognized for a significant service project that addressed a need in your community. This is a simple, online application which your can access at https://rotary.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_55CFSyWTWCwhQln
Avenues of Service Award (District recognition)
With an award from their District, clubs can honor a Rotarian or Rotaractor who participates in service activities in one of the five Avenues of Service — club, vocational, community, international, and youth service. Club Presidents nominate members for this award using an online application form you can access athttps://rotary.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4V0rQ6ijj6qu9pj.
When you submit a member’s name for this award using the online application, nominations are then sent to the District Governor who will review and decide whether to recognize each nominee for the Avenue of Service Award with a certificate. This document, “Awards Examples of Avenues of Service Activities” describes the criteria for this recognition.
Significant Service Award and the Avenues of Service Award.
Join us for this Special Forum. A short documentary narrated by Richard Gere will be followed by guest speaker Dr. Madelaine Scammell, DSc. Associate Professor at BU School of Public Health, and Dr. Chris Chanyasulkit, PhD, MPH, Immediate Past President APHA will facilitate the discussion.
The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley and the Honor Society of Littleton High School invite you to join us for our annual Rise Against Hunger food packaging event Saturday 3/23/24 9am at NRHS in Bolton. Help us package 20,000 meals for those less fortunate in two hours!
The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley is holding a family movie matinee at the Fine Arts Theater at 19 Summer Street, Maynard. The movie is the original Shrek! Advance tickets $12; $40 for family of 4 or more. $15/cash only at the door.
Proceeds will be used to support our many local community projects. Questions? Email info@nashobarotary.org.
Family Movie Matinee (Shrek), Mar 30th, 12:30pm at Maynard Fine Arts Theater
What is the number one strategic objective for Rotary International, District 7910, and your club? The answer is quite simple, increase membership! Establishing a goal to "increase membership" is very common amongst clubs, however, being successful at it is another story. How do we increase membership at all levels?
On Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 11am to 3pm, 50 "kidpreneurs" will gather to show and sell at the Weston Town Center during the Celebrate Weston! event. The application portal is open. Spots are filling up quickly.
Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully-funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of our peace centers.
The 2025-26 Rotary Peace Fellowship application is available online through 15 May 2024. If you know a potential candidate, use our referral form so they can receive more information.
We have had to start a new District 7910 Facebook Page. Like and Follow our new page, and please invite your FB friends to do the same. Our Facebook page will help us increase the impact and reach of Rotary's Public Image. Please help by liking and sharing our page:facebook.com/District7910Rotary
The Changemakers Rotary of Central Mass will be collecting LEGOS and DUPLOS for local children in need. We will have collection boxes at O'Connor's Restaurant and Bar in Worcester, AllCom Credit Union on Park Avenue in Worcester, and the office of Boy Scouts of America in Rutland.
One remarkable aspect of The Rotary Foundation is that opportunities for significant projects exist wherever there’s a need — in large countries and small ones, in metropolitan areas and rural ones.
Global grant projects are built on international partnerships, and those collaborations can take many forms. A district in Canada may be the international sponsor, with a U.S. district as the host sponsor. A club in France could sponsor a global grant project in Germany. The need, not the location, determines the project.
On February 11, 2024, the Fitchburg East Rotary held their 43rd Annual Superbowl Brunch. The event was spectacular with hundreds of people enjoying themselves. The food was fantastic with an ice cream sundae station, “The best ever” someone said. There were approximately 20-22 baskets being raffled off and the crowd was overwhelming keeping the ticket sellers very busy. The silent auction made almost $5,000 which was the highest ever. The community does a great job donating wonderful items for the brunch. This year, the Rotary made over $25,000 in gross revenue. The Superbowl Brunch raises money for high school scholarships and community projects.
Fitchburg East Rotary Club 43rd Annual Superbowl Brunch
Westford Rotary Club's First Annual Cornhole Tournament!
Check-in at 1pm; Bags fly at 2pm!
$70 per team to sign up. $500 Cash Prizes for 1st place and $200 consolation prize!
All proceeds from this event support the wide-ranging charitable activities of the Westford Rotary Club. Recent club activities have included support for both local organizations (such as the Department of Children and Families, and the Greater Lowell Food Bank) and global projects (such as providing clean water to remote villages in Ghana).
Click the image to see it bigger.
Rotary Club of Westford 1st Annual Cornhole Fun Day March 10, 2024
Reminder: payments are due March 1st! At this point, clubs should be interviewing and selecting sophomores for RYLA. Please refer to both the club action plan and the support materials pages of the RYLA website for helpful resources and upcoming deadlines.
Important Info:
Student registrations and parent authorizations are due April 15th!
D7910's Environmental Action Group is happy to announce the release of an environmental project designed for clubs and communities – and you don’t have to get your hands dirty!
The Rotary Climate Action Now (RCAN) project is an educational program designed by Rotarians and community members to help clubs and members understand the urgency of the climate crisis, inspire them to take action, and then (most importantly!) provide resources to help you take that action.
Don't miss a fun evening at the Wachusett Area Rotary Club's Left-Right Center Tournament on Friday, March 8, 2024! Win cash prizes while having a blast with your friends. The game is easy to learn and easy to play - no experience necessary. Space is limited - reserve your tickets now! $30 admission includes game play and light hors d'oeuvres. A cash bar will also be available. For tickets contact Rotarian Richard Traina 978-549-7700 | Traina@comcast.net Learn more on our website https://wachusettarearotaryclub.org/Stories/left-right-center-tournament-march-8-2024
Wachusett Area Rotary Club Left-Right-Center Tournament March 8, 2024
The Rotary Club of Watertown is delighted to announce the return of our most highly anticipated annual event on April 26th, 2024! Please join us for this fun event! Money raised will help to support our keystone programs such as our High School Senior Scholarship program, Senior Cookout, support of local food pantries, and more. Please refer here: for more information. Hope to see you there!
Dancing with the Watertown Stars Returns on April 26th!
Congratulations on making it through the first 3 steps of the club action plan. Now it is time to begin selecting the students you want to send. Refer to steps 5, 6 and 7 of the club action plans for instructions on how to select your students.
April 15th is the deadline for submitting student names, so please take steps to ensure the selection process is completed in time (do not leave this to the last minute).
For form and letter templates and all other support documents please use the support materials website.
RYLA Dates: June 21,22,23 RYLA cost: $325 per student Have Questions? 7910ryla@gmail.com
The Ry-Llama Says! Its time to begin selecting your students!
The Westford Rotary Club would love to have other District 7910 members join in the fun and fundraising for the 1st Annual Westford Cornhole Contest. See flyer for details.
Join Westford Rotary at the March 10 Cornhole Tournament
The Rotary Foundation has spent more than US$3 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects around the world. Rotary members can work with communities through Foundation grants, and two key options are district and global grants.
District grants fund small-scale, short-term activities that address needs in your community and communities abroad. Your district chooses what activities it will fund with these grants, such as humanitarian projects, scholarships, youth programs, or vocational training teams.
Global grants fund large, international activities with sustainable and measurable results in Rotary’s areas of focus. These can include humanitarian projects, scholarships for graduate-level study, or vocational training teams.
To make these grants happen we need your help and donations: DONATE NOW.
Join the Wachusett Area Rotary Club on Friday, March 8, 2024 for a fun evening playing Left-Right-Center! The game is easy to learn and easy to play - no experience necessary. Win cash prizes! There will also be a 50/50 raffle for more opportunities to win cash prizes.
Space is limited - reserve your tickets now!
$30 admission includes game play and light hors d'oeuvres. A cash bar will also be available.
For tickets contact Rotarian Richard Traina 978-549-7700 | Traina@comcast.net
WHO: For any Rotarians who want to learn more about Rotary’s structure, programs, leadership styles, fundraising, and service opportunities. It is not necessary to be on a club leadership track to participate.
Register now at https://rlinea.org/ and then, on the left side, click on More Info under the heading "RLI NEA Seminar - Dist 7930-Wakefield, MA-Virtual; February 27th 2024"
Natick Rotary Club’s “Dinner On Us" offers multiple chances to win gift cards to great area restaurants. The Grand Prize is worth $2,000! Enter by midnight on February 29th (Leap Day!).
"Dinner On Us" is raising money for Natick Community grants program and for an international non-profit, Humans for Education, that trains women entrepreneurs in Kenya, breaking the cycle of generational poverty.
The Grand Prize is ten $200 gift cards to Natick Rotary members' favorite restaurants, a $2,000 value. There's also a $1,000 Second Prize (10 $100 gift cards) and 10 Third Prizes (each a $100 gift card).
Participating Restaurants include: Smith and Wollensky, Buttercup, The Local, Sweet Basil, Dudley Chateau, Lola's, Dates and Olives, 7 South Bottle + Kitchen and Morse Tavern.
This year NE PETS is offering an opportunity for Rotarians to feature their businesses with business card size images. These ads will reach all 500+ attendees from Rhode Island and Connecticut to Maine and southern Quebec.
Clubs and individuals are also invited to Honor their incoming President or other leaders with a 100-character message.
Either ad can be submittedhere. Thank you for helping to support this important learning experience for all our leaders for 2024-2025!
Advertise your business, Honor your leaders (NE PETS)
REGISTER HEREfor this timely and important discussion where we'll examine lessons learned about the connection between environment and peace, two of Rotary's Areas of Focus.
Dr. Michele Devlin of the Army War College is Professor of Environmental Security and an expert on the Arctic. She also serves as Professor of Arctic Health and Human Security with the National Science Foundation's UNI ARCTICenter.
The 7910 District Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) is still accepting applications for Short Term summer 2024 international exchanges for youth 15-181/2. This is a club service for a family to family exchange with no impact on club budgets. Students are matched with another student in the country of their choice. Students’ families host each other.
For more information contact Sherrie Whittemore, 7910 RYE Short Term Coordinator at SherrieWhittemor@aol.com, text (508) 494-5978.
Rotary International President-elect Stephanie Urchick announced that the 2024-25 presidential theme is ""The Magic of Rotary"" and called on members to recognize and amplify the organization’s power to save lives.
"Don’t misunderstand me – we are not going to end polio or bring peace to the world by waving a wand and saying some funny words,” Urchick told incoming district governors at the Rotary International Assembly on 8 January. “It’s up to you. You create the magic with every project completed, every dollar donated, and every new member."
Plan ahead for this popular event. Have something that needs fixing? Don't throw it away before you give the Repair Café a chance to extend its life!! Bring it to Scott Hall 24, Vernon Street, Framingham on Feb 24 from 2 to 5. Co-sponsored by Rotary Club of Framingham and Transition Framingham.
We're looking for additional volunteers who can sharpen knives (or want to learn how!), repair clothing, repair jewelry and fix sewing machines; If you can help, sign up at: tinyurl.com/FramFixVolunteer
In many countries, advancements in technology have led to a decrease in the use of braille books. However, in the villages of Malawi, braille books are still in high demand but not always readily available. To address this need, the Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy is focused on supplying these villages with books for children who aspire to learn. We are looking for books in countries like the United States that are no longer in use, and we will ship them to Malawi. These books will be distributed to the areas that need them the most. Please write to RotaryWDA@gmail.com Thank you.
You can qualify as a Benefactor of The Rotary Foundation by making an outright gift of US$1,000 or more to the Endowment or notifying the Foundation that you’ve included the Endowment as a beneficiary of that amount in your estate plan.
Benefactors receive a certificate and insignia to wear with a Rotary or Paul Harris Fellow pin.
If you make a commitment for a future gift of $10,000 or more to the Foundation, you’ll be invited to join the Bequest Society.
Through a District Grant in the 2023-2024 year, our club will collaborating with the Stow Historical Society to to preserve the historical significance of the former Mapledale Country Club, now Stow Acres Country Club, in Stow MA. Mapledale was owned and operated by Robert H. Hawkins, a black businessman who opened the course in 1926. It was the first black-owned golf course in the USA, at a time when black golfers were not able to play at golf courses due to segregation.
Unfortunately, mental illness has impacted our lives, personally or professionally. According to the National Alliance in Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 adults (1 in 6 youth aged 6 to 17 years old) living in the United States experience mental illness each year.
Gordan R McInally, President of Rotary International has encouraged clubs and districts to undertake activities that erase the stigma associated with mental health, which happens to coincide with addiction. He has made it known that he lost his brother Ian in 2014 to suicide from his mental health.
The Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy is excited to announce a series of mental health discussions with Dr Tristaca McCray, the club's Mental Health Ambassador. The discussions will be posted every Friday on various social media platforms, but the best place to view them is on the club's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Rotarywda/. If you have any questions or suggestions, please send an email to RotaryWD@gmail.com. Subjects will include:
On Saturday, February 10th the Wachusett Area Rotary Club will bring Valentine’s cheer to 425 senior citizens who will attend their annual “Hearts of Rotary” breakfast. Held at The Manor in West Boylston, the club has partnered with senior centers in their service area (Boylston, Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling and West Boylston) to extend invitations to the event, which requires pre-registration.
The event runs from 8:00 am until approximately 11:00. Volunteers are needed to help with set up, serving during the event, and for cleanup. Please reach out to Chairperson Richard Traina at Traina@comcast.net to sign up to help.
The Concord Rotary Club will host the second, annual Music Festival at Rideout Park in West Concord on May 25, 2024. The day of music will feature local artists and feature headlining act, The Bruce Marshall Group. The event admission will be free to the public and feature music, vendors, and entertainment that appeals to all ages.
Proceeds will benefit the Domestic Violence Services Network (DVSN), a local nonprofit organization that supports clients in 13 partner communities: Acton, Boxborough, Bedford, Carlisle, Concord, Maynard, Lexington, Lincoln, Stow, Sudbury, Wayland, Weston and Hanscom Air Force Base.
DVSN collaborates with local police departments, Hanscom AFB Security Forces, Emerson Hospital, Eliot Center, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Concord District Court, and an extensive network of community agencies to provide victims of domestic violence with emotional support, risk assessment, safety planning, guidance, support groups, and connections to appropriate community resources. Since its inception in November 1998 through February 2021, DVSN has held nearly 20,000 sessions with clients from 180 communities throughout New England and beyond.
Save the Date: Concord Rotary Club Musicfest is on May 25 at Rideout Park in West Concord
Our Global Grant application for our mangrove restoration project in Guatemala has been approved by Rotary International. March 16 - 23, we'll travel to restore valuable mangroves to help protect our planet.
All are invited to work together to protect our planet. Watch this short video about the importance of mangroves in preserving critical ecosystems. Come to an informational meeting on January 17 at 5:30pm at Action Unlimited in Concord (thanks to PDG Carol Toomey). Please register hereto attend the meeting.
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. On January 17, join us on Zoom as special guest Eileen Rau, Rotary Regional Foundation Coordinator, leads a discussion about strategies to increase giving to our Foundation. Those donations come back to our District, funding grants for our Clubs and making possible the many projects we undertake to help make our world a better place. This interactive discussion will provide ideas to inspire both Rotarians and friends of Rotary to contribute, helping us to increase our impact and expand our reach. Please register here to receive the Zoom link for this important program.
Discover Best Foundation Fundraising Strategies • January 17 @ 7pm on Zoom
The RYLAma wishes everyone in Rotary District 7910 a very Happy New Year.
Bonne Année • Frohes neues Jahr • Buon anno! • Feliz Ano Novo! • ¡Feliz Año Nuevo! • Gott Nytt År!
Now it's time to put these important 2024 RYLA dates on your calendar.
Jan18 or Jan 24 (pick one) RYLA required training - Zoom @ 6 pm
Feb 1, 2024 - RYLA Space Reservations are due (new!) Tell us how many students you will sponsor for RYLA 2024: Visit ryla7910.org, and click on the link for Rotary Clubs
March 1, 2024 -RYLA payments are due
Watch the RYLlama in this space for all the news you need to know about RYLA 2024
We can't wait to meet you and learn together at this year's Northeast Presidents-Elect Training Seminar. are you registered for PETS? (Hint hint; click the link!)
Even if you have gone to PETS in the past, this year will be even more exciting!
Stephanie Urchick, Rotary International President-elect, will be with us, along with other members of Rotary’s global leadership team
Please join us at 6:30pm on January 16, 2024. Click HERE to register (feel free to register as a guest if you don't know your login information).
Learn about the negative environmental impacts of private jet use, and why allowing expansion of this use at Hanscom Field is bad for the entire region.
New this year! Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards to recognize club and individual efforts to support the environment, fight climate change, reduce plastics use, or other initiatives that will help us leave a cleaner, more healthy and livable world for our kids and grandchildren.
As we approach the end of another transformative year, let’s stop to reflect on the incredible impact we are making together. Though there are many challenges that test our resilience, Rotarians remain steadfast in our commitment to "Create Hope in the World."
In the spirit of hope and unity, we recognize that ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and elsewhere profoundly impact individuals and communities. Rotary stands as a beacon of hope, emphasizing the importance of understanding, compassion, and collective action.
Our Rotary Foundation is the engine that fuels our ability to create positive change in our communities and across the globe. Donations to our Foundation fund local grants, the eradication of polio, our Rotary Peace Centers, global grants and more. This year, funding from the Foundation enabled more than 20 of our clubs to engage in District and Global grant projects that are helping to Create Hope in the World. Join us on Wednesday, January 17 at 7:00pm for an exciting fast paced virtual event to learn about the value of our donations to the Rotary Foundation. We'll discuss strategies to motivate both Rotarians and non-Rotarians to understand why supporting our Foundation is essential to our success as an organization. We'll hear from Eileen Rau, our Zone Regional Foundation Coordinator, as she provides a motivational overview about the power of our Rotary Foundation, and why it's essential that every Rotarian is engaged in its support every year. Please register here to attend this important and informative event.
Let's Wake Up Your Rotary Foundation • Join Us January 17
The District will be hosting the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) on Saturday, January 27th from 7:30 AM until 3 PM at the Assabet Regional Technical High School on Fitchburg Street in Marlborough. The cost is $85 which covers the breakfast, snack, lunch, and materials. Members should check with their Clubs for assistance in covering the cost of registration.
Classes are filling up! Register today. Contact D7910 RLI Chair Mark Vital with questions or if you have issues with registration.
We're thrilled to announce that registration for the 2024 Northeast Presidents-Elect Training Seminar (NEPETS) is officially open, and we can't wait for you to be a part of it! Please register here https://rotarynepets.org/page/2024-registrationand there is an early registration incentive.
The NEPETS program is a Mandatory Training Assembly for all incoming Club Presidents and Assistant Governors. The event will take place at the Boston Marriott Newton from 1:30PM Thursday, March 7, 2024 through 12pm Saturday March 9, 2024. We ask that you please initiate your registration today!
Santa's sleigh will be filled with toys, but what about diapers? Hm... maybe not! So please donate new diapers, in sizes 3,4,5,6 ONLY to one of the 2 upcoming diaper drives by local organizations that the Rotary Club of Southborough is helping support.
The CLUB ELEVATE diaper drive runs December 11th, 2023 to January 12th, 2024, with drop offs at Club Elevate in Framingham, or the Southborough Food Pantry.
About 36% of Massachusetts families with young children could not afford enough diapers throughout the pandemic, and that need continues to this day. So please contribute to the diaper drives! For more information go to: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/heq.2021.0093
On December 6, members of the Westborough Rotary Club (WRC) held a "Baby Shower" at The Blessing Barn in Mendon, part of Compassion New England, bringing bags of baby gifts for families in need.
Compassion New England is a non-profit organization which supports local families and communities with basic necessities. They operate four main programs including: Room in the City, The Blessing Barn, Crisis Care, and The Happy Place, which includes a bookstore. The Blessing Barn is their primary funding source for CNE; they take clothing donations from the community, then sell the items and use all of the revenue to operate the other programs of CNE.
It is with a heavy heart that we share of the passing of Leominster Rotarian and Past President, Rennie P. Shattuck, 83, of Lunenburg. Rennie passed unexpectedly on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at Health Alliance – Leominster Hospital.
Rennie’s family will receive relatives and friends at calling hours from 4-7 PM Thursday, December 14, 2023 at the Anderson Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Road, (Rte. 2A) Ayer. www.andersonfuneral.com.
Funeral services will be held 1 PM Friday, December 15, 2023 in the funeral home. Interment will follow at North Cemetery, Lunenburg.
Brookline Rotarians, BU Rotaract Members and BU Occupational Therapy students will cook and serve alongside Brookline Teen Center student participants.
This year's project will include providing 1-2 meals/month from December 2023 to June 2024 at the Brookline Teen Center, Mondays at 3 pm. This is an extension of the two BBQ dinners the Club hosted this past summer and fall.
Please join us for a special webinar hosted by our neighboring District 7390 - Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at 7:30AM - Register Here
Topic: Everyday life changed on October 7, 2023, in Israel.
Join District Governor Bashir Nusair from District 2490 in Israel, Rotarians from Israel and District 7930 Governor Lori Karas.
During this meeting you will hear firsthand accounts from Rotarians on life with warning sirens and rockets. Learn what they are doing to support one another and the community. We’ll also talk about how we can help, too. Register here.
We are saddened to share the news that longtime Nashoba Valley member Ray Pfau passed away this week. Among his many accomplishments, Ray was instrumental in bringing the internationally renowned Repair Cafe program to our District. He was deeply committed to environmental and social justice and always generous with his actions and time. Pictured here, he helped initiate, grant write, fundraise and then physically help build safer drinking water and cooking for a village in Guatemala. He was instrumental in building the Club's relationship to Razia's Ray of Hope, educating young women in Afghanistan and he was always there to help with every project and initiative locally that his club was a part of, from building barns for Cultivate Care Farm to wrangling dogs at the dog fest to teaching high school kids about career and financial choices at the annual Reality Fair.
Donations to the Foundation are essential to securing and expanding our programs throughout the world. We recognize with gratitude clubs that make extraordinary contributions.
100% Paul Harris Fellow Club: These are clubs in which all dues-paying members are Paul Harris Fellows. The club receives a banner. This is a one-time recognition, but the intent is that the club will maintain its status.
The Rotary Club of Lowell did a great job of increasing awareness of Rotary and raising some money Saturday, Nov. 25th at the City of Lights Parade in downtown Lowell. We set up grills and sold marshmallows to be roasted by kids (and big kids) with the proceeds going to fund scholarships for high school seniors and other charitable endeavors. Our attention getter is the marshmallow man, posing for pictures and adding some magic to the day.!
The club was well represented and we had additional help from Mark O'Flaherty, Worcester club President. We were also fortunate to have Charles Lubowa, President Elect of the Kampala North club of Uganda in attendance. A good time was had by all and we left a lot of happy sticky faces behind.
On Veterans Day (Nov 11, 2023) our club had the honor of co-hosting a breakfast with Town of Stow, to thank Veterans who live or work in Stow. Rousing speeches from Representative Kate Hogan and Senator Jamie Eldridge were capped off by our Keynote Speaker Retired Rear Admiral Edward Cashman. This was a group effort, led by JP Benoit (Stow Fire Chief and Scoutmaster) and the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, and supported by the Town of Stow, the Stow Council on Aging, Stow Veterans' Services, the Scout Troop of Stow and many others. We were all moved to tears when the Stow chapter of the national organization "Quilts of Valor" presented 25 Veterans with handmade quilts to honor their service. It clearly meant so much to each of them and to all of us as well. Breakfast was donated and prepared by The Pleasant Cafe Inc. of Maynard and Ayer and was absolutely delicious!
The 2nd Annual Holiday Mixer and Toy Drive, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Watertown and the Watertown Business Coalition will take place at the Mosesian Center for the Arts!
When: Monday, December 4 2023 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Where: Mosesian Center for the Arts 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown
There is a cash bar & light bites will be served thanks to fabulous local restaurants, including BranchLine. Cash bar. Admission is free to anyone bringing a toy to donate. Those coming without a toy are encouraged to bring a $20 minimum donation to the Whooley Foundation.
This is a joint event put on by both the WBC and the Watertown Rotary – but anyone from our community is welcome to join us for some Holiday Cheer!!! See you there!!!
Watertown Rotary and the Watertown Business Coalition will host a Toy Drive & Holiday Mixer on December 4th!
The Rotary Club of Bedford’s Winter Community Breakfast (formerly known as Breakfast with Santa) is returning on December 10, 2023 from 9 AM to 12 PM at Bedford High School! Once again this year, we will hold a treasured family tradition, an event that is inclusive of all members of our growing and diverse Bedford community.
As in years past, there will be a hot pancake breakfast, winter crafts, photos with Santa, and a commemorative coloring book for the children to take home. Children will enjoy games and activities from several cultural traditions, celebrating the coming of winter together. New this year - tickets can be purchased online at bedford-rotary.square.site
Any individual or business/organization who wants to host an activity table at the event or place an ad in the commemorative coloring book that will be distributed to 300 children can do so through Friday, Dec. 1. Learn more on the sponsor page. Student and adult volunteers are also needed to help run the Winter Community Breakfast. Please sign up via Signupgenius.
Over 110 crafters and artists will be at Keefe Regional Technical High School, 750 Winter St in Framingham, on Saturday, December 9 from 10am to 4pm, offering their handmade items for sale. Items include jewelry, appeal including alpaca, quilts, original art and photographs, bath and body products, wooden bowls, pens and boards, and more.
Come join us at our Rotary Holiday Craft Fair. Plenty of parking. Easy accessibility.
Our district's RLI will be held at Assabet valley regional Technical High School on Saturday, January 27th from 7:30 am to 3 PM (breakfast and lunch is provided)
RLI has Three Parts + a Graduate Program (Succession Planning) - A detailed description of the content covered is listed below.
Come join us for a dip! The Rotary Club of Marlborough and its Interact Clubs invite you to the Polar Plunge to Fight Polio. The dip is scheduled for Sunday, December 17th at 10 AM at memorial Beach in Marlborough. The entry fee is $20 and you get a vintage long-sleeve tee-shirt and a mug of hot chocolate. Sign up.
Do you have roots in Canada? Perhaps in Calgary? We are looking for people who would like to help us cultivate a contingent from our district to attend the Rotary International Convention in Calgary, June 21-25, 2025.
Some of us will go to Singapore in 2024. But the reason the Convention moves around the world is to make it more accessible occasionally to every part of the Rotary world. 2025 will see it in North America for the first time since Houston in 2022.
Alexander Ganzi is a graduate student from Klagenfurt, a city in the south of Austria, who is in Worcester until the end of January working on his thesis about circular economy at WPI with Dr. Joseph Sarkis, Professor of Management within the Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Business School. He is here through the Rotary New Generations program.
In March of 2024, Rotarians from District 7910 will travel to the Pacific Coast of Guatemala to restore a mangrove forest. From preventing coastal flooding to filtering water, mangroves help the planet in numerous ways. Because they live where land and sea connect, one of their most important ecosystem functions is to protect the former and serve as a frontline defense for people and property in coastal areas. Mangroves also serve to protect marine habitats from harmful nutrients and runoff that can harm seagrass, coral reefs and fisheries. The roots help filter water coming off from the land, including pollutants, heavy metals, pesticides and agricultural runoff. Learn more about the importance of mangroves and Rotary's commitment to them through this article on Rotary's web site.
Our Nominating Committee has selected Penny Hamel from the Rotary Club of Westford as our District Governor for the Rotary year 2026 - 2027. Penny has been a Rotarian since 1989, has served as Club President, Assistant Governor, co-chair of Bandy Hefler, District Trustee, Chair of District Friendship exchange, District Secretary and is a Paul Harris Fellow.
Professionally, Penny works in the financial industry and brings more than 20 years of experience to her role as Vice President and Mortgage Loan Officer at U.S. Bank. Penny received her Bachelors of Science degree from Merrimack College, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Throughout her career, she has received many accolades and awards including Massachusetts Housing Originator of the Year in 2013 and 2015, and Northeast Realtor Association Business Partner of the Year in 2007, 2015 & 2022.
District 7910's next RLI will be on Saturday, January 27th at the Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School on Fitchburg Street in Marlborough.
What is RLI? RLI seeks to provide quality education in Rotary knowledge and leadership skills to Rotarians interested in developing their Rotary participation and to those identified by Rotary Clubs as having a potential in club leadership.
Attention all Interact Chairs! District 7910 is putting together an Interact Council. This student-driven council will establish a mission, objectives, and hopes to present a program at the District's Annual Conference (May 3-5). Please have your club's Interact student-leader contact Raissa Santana (Marlborough Club's AMSA Interact President) at rsantana2024@student.amsacs.org to participate in this exciting opportunity. The deadline for participating in the creation of the Interact Council is November 30th
Entering the 28th year of The Breakfast for the Bands Event, this is an incredible community event presented jointly by the Rotary Clubs of Fitchburg and Leominster. Although tied to their historic rivalry, this event is all about supporting the bands and is one of the largest community performances that they give. Roughly 750-1000 people from our two communities turn up to hear both bands play, and we want YOU to be there!
Fitchburg is hosting the Breakfast on Sunday November 19th from 8-11:30am (don't worry about the flier, they will be playing until 11:30 and you will still be fed!). The bands will be playing a unique set of music on the hour every hour, first combined with Leominster at 8am, then at 9am, 10am, and for those who love a late brunch, finally at 11am. You do not want to miss their gold medal winning band.
On October 24th the Rotary Club of Lowell collaborated with the Dracut club to hold our annual event for area seniors. It's a fun afternoon that includes a sumptuous meal, open dancing with a dj and a juried dance competition that even includes trophies! Many thanks to Lee Ouellette (Dracut), Naomi Prendergast (Lowell) and Michael Conway (Lowell) for judging.
We also have drawings throughout the afternoon with lots of prizes. The biggest prize for us was the smiles of the 172 attendees and an opportunity to work with our neighbor club. We couldn't have put this together without the help of Ann Tinnirella and the rest of the Dracut club. A real testimony to combining strengths in today's challenging world.
Our little club helped found this amazing event many years ago with Clear Path for Veterans New England, raising money and awareness for service dogs for our American Veterans! It has grown into a dynamic event over time, taking place yearly at Devens Mass (the former site of Fort Devens.) This year we had several dog contests (including the much loved “best tail wagger” category), State Police dog demonstrations, and much much more. We also added trick or treating and costume contests for kids this year. https://www.clearpathne.org/cp-devens-dog-festival-2023/
Westford Festival of Trees, Wreaths and Creative Gingerbread/Gnomes and More…..
The Westford Family FunFest* and Westford Rotary Club invites Rotary District 7910 Clubs to a Holiday Decorating Challenge!!
Visit the 13th Annual Festival of Trees, Wreaths and Creative Holiday/Cultural & Gingerbread/Gnomes Celebration. Festival held at the Westford Regency Inn - 219 Littleton Rd. Westford from December 8, 2023- January 2, 2024. The Westford Regency Atrium and Lobby and selected other areas will be decorated with trees, wreaths, and creative holiday and gingerbread/gnome creations.
Special Prizes will be given for Rotary Decorations. The entry can be a fundraiser for club if entered in the Silent Auction too.
Visit www.westford.org/funfest for details and the application to be part of the Festival, or email Funfest@westford.org to request the application. Definitely click through to read more!
Join our Climate Cafe on January 16th at 6:30pm and learn about the negative environmental impacts of private jet use, and why allowing expansion of this use at Hanscom Field is bad for the entire region. Our speaker will be Alex Chatfield, a leader of Stop Private Jet Expansion. Please click HERE to register
Learn About the Negative Environmental Impacts of Private Jets
Project Drawdown recently released a new analysis ranking the top 20 high-impact climate actions households can take to cut their carbon footprint by up to 25 percent. Do you know what the number one action is? Reducing food waste!
Every year, a full third of the food produced on this planet is thrown out. That amounts to some 1 billion tons. And when it decays, it generates about 8 percent of the world’s heat-trapping gases. That’s more than double the impact of all the flights in the world. How can YOU reduce your food waste?
Pollinator Research Right Here in Massachusetts! Dr. Robert Gegear, founder of the Gegear Lab at UMass Dartmouth, will be our speaker. He'll tell us about how his lab studies factors influencing the dynamic interplay between pollinators and the flowering plants that they service. Their current research projects address such questions as: What is the functional significance of floral display complexity? Why do foraging preferences vary among pollinator species? What are the causes and consequences of global pollinator decline? How effective are different restoration and conservation strategies for native pollination systems? To address these questions, they use highly integrative experimental approaches that combine concepts and methodologies from fields such as animal behavior, human psychology, molecular biology, community ecology, and computational biology. Don't miss this fascinating talk on important research being done right here in Massachusetts.
The 2023-24 District Directory contains a wealth of information, including contact information for District officers, assistant governors and committee chairs, our calendar for the year ahead, along with information about our Clubs and their officers.
The Directory also includes biographies of Rotary leaders, a list famous Rotarians (are you on it?), a history of our Four Way Test, past award recipients, and much more. Thank you to PDG Jim Fusco for the many hours that went into producing this comprehensive document.
Many of our members have asked how we can help the Lewiston, ME community. I received this message from Rotary District 7790 Governor Tina Chapman:
"As you know, this has been a very difficult week for those of us in Maine. On Wednesday evening, October 25th, we lost 18 of our fellow citizens. Several more were injured, a few of whom remain hospitalized. So many people were impacted - the families and victims of this terrible event, as well as the people of Lewiston, Auburn, Winthrop, Bowdoin, and several other towns in Maine that were directly impacted during the frightening hours and days after the shootings.
Rotary International and especially our Zone in the U.S. have been doing a great deal of research to understand the key success factors for all clubs. They have canvassed thousands of clubs, and those that are flourishing share several key factors.
1. They have a named Membership Chair who focuses on growing and energizing the club. (Click "Read more.")
2. They have a Succession Plan. (Click "Read more.")
Please work with others in your club to make sure you have these two key roles filled and named in ClubRunner no later than December 1.
On Tuesday, October 24th nearly 60 Rotarians and friends from District 7910 showed up at Revolution Hall in Lexington, MA to help eradicate polio. In our small sliver of the world, we did our best to participate in a fun and unique way....by drinking beer!
It was a beautiful autumn evening in New England with unusually warm weather which was perfect. Craft Food Hall has a gorgeous beer garden that they donated for the cause as well.
Rotarians and friends enjoyed pints of beer from the beer wall which allowed them to pour their own beers. A giant inflatable Rotary Wheel was positioned for all to see. There was a table with information regarding how Rotary has helped end polio around the globe and how you can get involved.
SERVPRO had a table giving out free swag and information regarding their services.
Rotary is committed to raising US$50 million every year for polio eradication. Through our partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, every $1 of that is matched 2-to-1.
7 District 7910's 2023-24 Rotary Youth Exchange Students are here! Val is from Belgium and is hosted here by the Marlborough Rotary Club. Diego is from Mexico and is hosted by the Weston-Wayland Rotary Club. Our students have settled into their new school routines, are enjoying their host families, and have met exchange students from other regional districts at their Orientation weekend in September and apple-picking at Tougas Farm In October. Diego is playing soccer for WHS while Val is helping MHS expand its Interact Club activities. These wonderful students are willing to talk with any 7910 Club about their home countries and exchange experiences as part of your Club meeting programs.
Westford Rotary is everywhere on social media. This did happen overnight because a 20-something insisted we had to have it. Our consistent presence on Facebook and Instagram seeks to achieve two goals: awareness of our mission and contributions to the community, AND a way to attract younger members.
Nicole Hamel is the architect of our social media program. She is a past president (at age 24, now 30) who firmly believes in the bonuses of "being seen". We originally met to create our service calendar but a spirit took over Nicole and suddenly we had a plan for daily postings on FB and IG.
Just as routine doctor’s visits help us identify health risks before they become serious, a club health check can diagnose problem areas and prescribe remedies. By using this health check, you’re taking a step to maintain your club’s health and preserve its value for members and the community.
Clubs should conduct a "Health Check" every couple of years. If there is a "problem area" identified, the club's board of directors can address the problem before it becomes severe. Clubs can also find help from their assigned assistant governor. In addition, there are many district executives that would welcome the opportunity to assist a club.
Reaching out to help those in need in local communities, the Rotary Club of Littleton gathered personal care items to distribute to the clients of Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry at Devens. Loaves & Fishes serves residents of Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley. The individuals and families who seek help from the pantry have been especially hard hit by inflation, COVID, and an uncertain economy.
Our goal was to gather enough items - including shampoo and conditioner, disposable razors, small containers of shaving cream, bars of gentle soap, packets of tissues, deodorants, toothpaste and toothbrushes, mouthwash, bandaids, chapsticks, and wipes - to fill at least 100 bags. We're happy to announce that not only did we fill 100 bags with toiletries, we had lots of items left over and brought them to Loaves & Fishes to hand out to clients at different times.
Recognizing there has been protracted suffering in the long history of conflict between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza, Rotary International urges all parties to seek avenues to peace.
At the same time, we unequivocally condemn the horrific attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians and are appalled at the number of people who have been injured, killed, and kidnapped.
As the war between Israel and Hamas intensifies, we remain deeply concerned about the potential for further escalation as well as the loss of life and the humanitarian crisis that is occurring in Gaza. We denounce the violence against innocent civilians and support upholding international humanitarian law.
Peacebuilding is both a cornerstone of Rotary’s mission and one of our areas of focus. At our core, Rotary is a common ground for people to come together – across nationalities and religions, cultures and histories – and connect around their shared belief in a better tomorrow. That connection is what humanizes us in times of conflict and builds a foundation for lasting peace.
Rotary remains committed to working with our members, partners, and communities to find long-term, sustainable solutions that support peace and development in the region and elsewhere.
Twenty projects have been approved by our District 7910 Grants Subcommittee. A total of $31,237 has been approved for distribution to our Clubs in support of a wide range of humanitarian projects. This year's grants include projects related to food insecurity, suicide prevention, building and delivering bunk beds for children in need, science education, mental health, environmental sustainability and so much more. Our funding from the Rotary Foundation is anticipated to arrive shortly and will be distributed upon receipt.
We are nearing the end of this year’s nominating cycle for District leadership positions and this is an exciting time for District 7910 (deadline is October 20, 2023). The future of our clubs depends on qualified candidates serving in leadership roles throughout the District.
In order for our Clubs to grow and have more impact addressing local and international needs, there must be Rotarians who will fill leadership roles and provide vision and management skills in support of the business aspects of running our District.
The link for the general call for nominations is found here, and the link for the applications for DGND, District Trustees and District Foundation Trustee is found here. For more information about the responsibilities of any of these positions, please contact the 2023 District Nominating Committee Chair, IPDG Victor Tom (vtom0@yahoo.com).
Interact Clubs are an important branch of the greater Rotary youth programs that invite students between ages 12 and 18 to get important chances to develop leadership skills while also focusing on the Rotary credo of “Service-Above-Self.” In fact, many high schools across the United States and the world have their own chapters of Interact Clubs that allows students enrolled in those schools to work together and be a part of many different community service programs and initiatives with their sponsoring Rotary Club.
Dr. Robert Gegear, founder of the Gegear Lab at UMass Dartmouth, will be our keynote speaker in this virtual session. Click HERE to register.
The lab studies factors influencing the dynamic interplay between pollinators and the flowering plants that they service. Their current research projects address such questions as:
Most reporting on climate change emphasizes weather disasters; and while it’s important to understand the risks climate change poses, it’s inspiring and motivating to learn more about solutions that can help pave the way to a better future.
In her introduction to this series, NPR’s climate solutions reporter, Julia Simon, said: “I know that things are bad right now. But what if we reframe the conversation? With climate change, it’s not like this is a meteor hurtling toward Earth and there’s nothing we can do about it. Humans are driving global warming. And that means we humans can find solutions to change our trajectory.”
Dan McCarthy surprised at recent Framingham Club Social by being presented with a Paul Harris Fellow.
Dan is the husband of our current president, Patti. Ever since she joined the club, she has been an active member and he hasalways been there, behind the scenes, doing the driving, the cooking, the shlepping, etc. always attending club events with her...his involvement on behalf of Rotary has been impressive such that a member of the club anonymously provided the PHF.
Framingham Club President Patti McCarthy pins Paul Harris Fellow pin on husband Dan.
After hosting 1,200 participants at the annual Hudson BrewFest, Hudson Rotarians are reaching out to support our community. After connecting with our Fire Chief, we supplied his department with light duty, and heavy duty pumps and hoses. "We want to be able to support residents who call for help with flooded basements, and our inventory was low. We're very grateful to the Hudson Rotary Club or reaching out and donating this equipment", said Fire Chief Brian Johannes.
Join RI President Gordon McInally, along with Zone Director Drew Kessler for this important webinar. Register here to receive the link to this virtual event.
What you can do on October 24, 2023: Come to Revolution Hall in Lexington, drink beer & eat heartily to support the Rotary End Polio Now campaign. And bring all your Rotary members, friends, and family. RSVP to attend here.
Host & Sponsor: Revolution Hall is donating up to $1,000 of gift cards to use to purchase food and beverages. ServPro, as a sponsor, will donate $1 per pint purchased that day.
At Toronto’s Learning to Lead, Rotary Zones 28 and 32 contested a "Zorb faceoff."
On Friday evening in Toronto there was a series of “battles” to see who can stay in the ring while bouncing off each other in Zorbs (an inflatable bubble that you wear).
The intrepid Johnny Ahern represented our District 7910 in this amazing (and amusing) competition. He got bounced, literally and figuratively. See the video.
Our District 7910 pledged $1000 of the $50,000 goal to support the Foundation for this event and has generated $1,010 in contributions. Total contributions are now above $100,000. Thank you!
Rotary's rules for the use of its logo have changed. If you were an expert in logo use even two years ago, you probably need a refresher! In fact the rules changed in 2013, but many of us are still catching up.
Every large corporation evolves its logo usage over time to keep its look fresh and modern. It is important that we all adhere to the international brand guidelines to keep the look of our club fresh and consistent with all the other clubs throughout the world.
On Sept. 11th, 2023, Leominster experienced historic and damaging floods when almost 10 inches of rain fell in the city within a few hours. Flash flooding caused massive sinkholes, washed out numerous roads, and left many residents and businesses with several feet of water causing massive damage. The Fix, where the Rotary Club of Leominster meets, was under 7 feet of water! Even with the loss of property, vehicles and more, the city is extremely fortunate that there were no reported major injuries or casualties.
Photo: Sump pumps and fans provided to OEM on behalf of District 7910
What a fantastic night was had while Rotarians, friends, and family watched the Boston Red Sox take on the Chicago White Sox on Sep. 22nd for Rotary Night at Fenway Park! Over 50 people across three districts joined together and cheered on the Red Sox for their 3-2 victory. Not only were tickets very affordable, but the Boston Red Sox were able to make a $255 donation to our district which we will pass along to The Rotary Foundation as part of our ticket sales. We are looking forward to doing this for years to come and expanding our group each year. Thank you to everyone that attended!
Photo: Our section of Rotarians at the Red Sox vs. White Sox Game 9/22/23
RLI has a broad array of topics that gets introduced to those attending. RLI has three progressive levels (RLI1, RLI2, and RLI3) plus graduate courses. Each of the levels has it own content, however, the curriculum gets more strategic with each level. The course content is broken into seven units.
We concentrate our efforts in order to maximize our local and global impact. Our most successful and sustainable projects and activities tend to address these causes, and all humanitarian projects, scholars, and vocational training teams funded by The Rotary Foundation’s global grants work toward specific goals in these areas of focus:
October 22, 2023, Brookline Rotary will host its third Dog Day from 11:00 - 3:00 at Brookline Avenue Playground at 575 Brookline Avenue. This has been an extremely popular community event for the entire family and a very successful fund raiser for the club. It includes vendors, interactive activities such as a costume parade and doggie yoga, food trucks and dog training demonstrations by the Brookline Canine Patrol, among other events. Attendees and volunteer can sign up by going to the Brookline Rotary club website: or tickets: https://bit.ly/dogday2023 and to volunteer: brooklinerotary.org/event/dog-day-2023 and click volunteer.
In support of Rotary International President Gordan R. McInally’s commitment to mental health, the Westborough Rotary Club has invited accomplished speakers to discuss this critical issue.
At the club’s September 13 meeting, Lynn Faust, Executive Director of Metro Community Development Corporation, a regional non-profit corporation that promotes self-sufficiency in the MetroWest and greater Boston, specifically addressed hoarding disorder.
Hoarding disorder, often called a “Disorder of Control, " is not new. However, as the public is destigmatizing mental illness, hoarding is beginning to come out in the open. Here’s the reality: Five percent of people are hoarders, which means 1 in 5 individuals suffer from this disorder. This disorder not only causes immense anxiety for the hoarder but also for their families.
HATE is an anathema to everything Rotary stands for – consequently the Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough is one of 25 diverse local community organizations who are co-sponsoring a New England WALK AGAINST HATE on Sunday, October 15, 2023.
The walk will be an inspiring family-friendly event, bringing together individuals of all backgrounds and beliefs. It's not just a walk - it's an event that demonstrates the collective power of Community.
Please tell your family, friends, and neighbors, and encourage them to participate in this important Community event.
Please help the Rotary Club of Northborough grow our work for the community by supporting our big fall fundraiser - happening now! Take a chance on a hole in one during the sky-high Golf Ball Drop. Your golf ball may be the lucky one that reaches the target, and wins a prize of $500!
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 4:00 PM Juniper Hill Golf Course, Northborough
You don’t need to attend the drop in order to participate. The winner will be notified.
Each year on 9/11 The Rotary Club of Concord hosts an appreciation awards ceremony in memory of a beloved Concord Rotarian, Al Filipov, and all those who perished 22 years ago during the attacks at the World Trade Center. "Al Filipov was a humble man, who was all about making people's lives better," stated Sharon Spaulding. "He prioritized service to the community. It is fitting on this day that we honor the first responders in Concord who keep us safe every day."
Photo: Left to right, Sergeant Tia Manchuso of the Concord Police Department, Concord Rotarian Steve Levitsky, Firefighter Samantha McChesney of the Concord Fire Department
There are many different reasons why you should join Rotary Leadership Institute. RLI will offer you a positive experience with other Rotarians and the more you learn, the better Rotarian you will become.
You will gain a greater understanding of Rotary.
You will be in an environment where you can exchange ideas.
You will be engaged with other Rotarians just like you.
you will improve communications.
You will learn how to build teams.
You will gain project leads.
You will be an enhanced member.
You will understand public image.
You will have fun!
Why Should You Attend Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI)?
Visit BecomeSustainable.org to learn how YOUR club can become carbon friendly in its meetings, events, and other activities. The site identifies projects that clubs can consider doing, and ideas on how to make what you're already doing more gentle on the environment. The process can also be used for your residence, other organizations you may belong to, businesses and municipalities.
If you’d like a slideshow to use to present the idea to your club, click HERE to download.
ESRAG Provides Guidance for Clubs to be Carbon Friendly
Weston-Wayland Rotary Club member and Car Show chairman, Richard DeVito Jr., spoke with Weston Media Center about the upcoming Classic & Antique Car Show on September 23rd.
Rich spoke about the long history behind the car show that began with his father, what you can expect for its 26th rendition, and more! Check out the video and we hope to see you there!
Join us on Thursday, September 28th at 6:30pm to learn about some fascinating pollinator research being done right here in Massachusetts!
Dr. Robert Gegear founder of the Gegear Lab at UMass Darthmouth and his team are attempting to answer questions such as: What is the significance of floral display complexity? Why does foraging vary among pollinator species? What are the causes and consequences of global pollinator decline? How effective are different restoration and conservation strategies for native pollination systems?
To address these questions, they use highly integrative experimental approaches that combine concepts and methodologies from fields such as animal behavior, human psychology, molecular biology, community ecology, and computational biology.
The SHARE system is how The Rotary Foundation distributes funds to districts.
When you contribute to Annual Fund-SHARE, the first 5% is deducted for operational costs. The remainder of the contribution is divided between the World Fund and District Designated Funds (DDF). The Trustees of the Rotary Foundation allocate money from the World Fund, and your district allocates DDF to the programs that people in your area want to support.
The name defines what the system does, because contributions are shared throughout the world.
You can help our district and support meaningful projects by giving to the Annual Fund-SHARE!
The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley is delighted to announce that the David and Eleanor Morley Endowed Global Grant Scholarship has been awarded to Katherine Painter, a lifelong resident of Stow. RNV sponsored Katherine as a candidate for this scholarship and is thrilled that she was selected! This unique Scholarship was established in 2002 by David and Eleanor Morely, to be granted to a resident of Rotary District 7910 who will be doing graduate-level study outside the US in one of Rotary’s areas of focus. David Morley was a Rotarian, a graduate of Worcester Polytech Institute, and had a long career at General Electric.
Join us on Thursday, September 28th at 6:30pm to learn about some fascinating pollinator research being done right here in Massachusetts! Dr. Robert Gegear founder of the Gegear Lab at UMass Darthmouth and his team are attempting to answer questions such as: What is the significance of floral display complexity? Why does foraging vary among pollinator species? What are the causes and consequences of global pollinator decline? How effective are different restoration and conservation strategies for native pollination systems? To address these questions, they use highly integrative experimental approaches that combine concepts and methodologies from fields such as animal behavior, human psychology, molecular biology, community ecology, and computational biology. Click HERE to learn more about the Gegear Lab.
It is the beginning of this year’s nominating cycle for District leadership positions and this is an exciting time for District 7910. The future of our clubs depends on qualified candidates serving in leadership roles throughout the District. In order for our Clubs to grow and have more impact addressing local and international needs, there must be Rotarians who will fill leadership roles and provide vision and management skills in support of the business aspects of running our District. The link for the general call for nominations is found here, and the link for the applications for DGND and District Trustees is found here.
Buffeted by waves as high as 10 meters (32 feet) in China’s Yellow Sea about 30 kilometers off the coast of Shandong province, two circular rafts carrying neat rows of solar panels began generating electricity late last year, a crucial step toward a new breakthrough for clean energy.
The experiment by State Power Investment Corp., China’s biggest renewable power developer, and Norway-based developer Ocean Sun AS is one of the most high-profile tests yet of offshore solar technology. It’s a potential advance in the sector that would enable locations out at sea to host renewables and help land-constrained regions accelerate a transition away from fossil fuels. Click HERE to read the full Bloomberg.org article.
Solar Farms Out at Sea Are Clean Energy's Next Breakthrough
Join us for a spectacular evening at Fenway Park for Rotary Night as the Boston Red Sox take on the Chicago White Sox on Friday, September 22nd! Rotarians, friends, and family from across multiple districts could join us for only $39 per ticket while supporting our Foundation. $5 of each ticket purchased will come back to us to support The Rotary Foundation! Enjoy a Friday evening game at this gorgeous park and check out the city of Boston while you are here.
Tickets for the Rotary Night game must be purchased at: https://fevogm.com/event/Rotary in order for us to be grouped together and for the donation to get back to our district. The DEADLINE for ticket purchase is September 18th at 11:59PM so don't wait! We would love you to wear your Rotary gear and we look forward to seeing you at Fenway Park!
Join us September 22 at Fenway Park for Rotary Night!
Join us on Zoom Tuesday, September 12 at 6:30 pm for the kickoff meeting of the District 7910 chapter of the Rotary Action Group for Mental Health Initiatives. Bob Anthony, Chair of RI's Action Group for Mental Health Initiatives, will be joining us to explain the mission, goals and opportunities for our Clubs to help remove the stigma associated with mental health diagnoses and treatment.
How do we help the Rotarian who sits across the table from us? We invite you to download the presentation "Looking Inward" which outlines President Gordon's vision and can be used as a tool to begin the conversation about Mental Health Awareness in your Club. The presentation includes a video with Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola where we see how self-talk either helps us or becomes a barrier to our connection and communication.
Take the Survey
Looking Inward includes a brief anonymous survey to help assess our members' perception of their own mental health. President Gordon has asked that we survey our membership to provide a snapshot in time. Please complete the survey (takes about a minute) by Saturday, September 9th so we can review the results at our meeting on September 12. Click here to take the survey.
A fun time was had by all during our stay at the Cape Cod home of Victor Tom and Sze-Wen Kuo in Marstons Mills, MA. We ate well and had terrific fellowship. We even conducted District business when we chose PDG Tom Polito to serve 3 years on the Nomination Committee. Present in the photo are IPDG Victor Tom, Ingrid Detweiler, PDG Cliff Rober, PDG Klaus Hochfeld, PDG Diana Nestorova, PDG Bob Cassidy, Glenys Hochfeld, PDG Dick Manelis, Sze-Wen Kuo, PDG Carl Kalzewski, DGE Joyce Graff, PDG Carol Toomey, Joe Toomey, PDG Jim Fusco, Karen Fusco, Reina Rago and DG Elliott Rittenberg.
The Rotary Citation award (formerly the RI Presidential Citation) recognizes the hard work clubs do throughout the year. It is one of the highest honors that Rotary International can bestow upon a club. To achieve the recognition, These Club Presidents (Dawn Kociubes, Teresa McCarthy, Jack Colamaria, Johnny Ahern and Susan Wilkinson) had to choose 13 out of 26 RI stated goals covering, for example, membership, sustainable service projects, giving to the Rotary Foundation, and building awareness of Rotary in their communities. And then they helped steer their clubs this past year to achieve those goals.
By working to achieve their goals, they helped engage their members, stay relevant in your communities, and have more fun. And they contributed to the overall health and culture of Rotary for generations to come.
Current Club Presidents, it is never too late to enter your goals in Club Central and work towards achieving a Rotary Citation for your club.
1. Create a list of all the great things about your club. 2. Keep a list of potential members. 3. Know your club’s strengths. 4. Make membership growth your club’s top priority. 5. Look to young Rotarians for fresh perspectives. 6. Identify occupations lacking in your club. 7. Appeal to local volunteers. 8. Connect with their passions. 9. Talk about Rotary wherever you go. 10. Make a list of club member’s responsibilities. 11. Realize there is no finish line. 12. Emphasize service. 13. Celebrate when you get a new member. 14. Get new members engaged right away. 15. Be persistent. 16. Be vibrant. 17. Embrace diversity. 18. Get them in the door. 19. There are no Rotary police. 20. Make it fun.
If your club has been growing over the last year, what strategies did you engage in to attract new members? Please let the District Membership Committee know by emailing membership@rotary7910,org – We’ll share your success stories in our next newsletter.
What is Interact? Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18 (middle and high schools). Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting.
Although the name may SOUND like a cemetary or retirement home, Blissful Meadows is actually a beautiful and challenging 18 hole championship course located in Uxbridge. Blissful Meadows was designed by Golf World magazine's 2000 "Architect of the Year", Brian Silva, and the award-winning layout, catering to both high and low handicap golfers, offers varying fade and draw shots to satisfy both left-handed and right-handed golfers.
All proceeds will benefit the scholarships of the Blackstone Valley Rotary, a small but powerful club serving Uxbridge, Northbridge, Blackstone, Webster, Millville and other former mill towns along the Blackstone and French River valleys.
Click HERE to get more information or to register!
Needham Street traffic, in Dedham, often sees cars and trucks speeding past the Riverdale Elementary School at 30 to 45 mph, despite being a signed school zone, and having a raised speed table in place.
Dedham’s Active Transportation Working Group (ATWG) was looking for a low cost, but elegant solution, to this safety hazard. They found it in the Mass Government’s Safe Routes to School program.
The ATWG planned a mural as a low cost, temporary intervention to promote traffic calming in the area and received two grants to implement the project. They also received funding from the Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club for paint for the project.
RLIis a multi-district, grassroots leadership development program of member districts organized into regional divisions in various parts of the world.
Using trained facilitators, RLI seeks to provide quality education in Rotary knowledge and leadership skills to Rotarians interested in enhancing their Rotary knowledge and have an interest in potential club leadership. These educational opportunities teach skills that will benefit the members both in their lives and in their volunteer service.
District 7910 will have multiple dates available in 2024 for RLI. The first RLI will be on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at the Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough. Should you have any questions about RLI please forward them to Mark Vital at marlboroughrotaryleadership@gmail.com.
The Rotary Club of Ayer, Harvard, Shirley and Devens had a special international guest in early August all the way from Pakistan. Rana Saeed Ahmad is the Past President of the Rotary Club of Faisalabad, where he has had perfect attendance for the last 30 years. His club is 70 years old and works on many projects centering around school and literacy. He credits the youthful membership in his club to good speakers, sports and a viable Rotaract program. Saeed spoke to us with interpretive assistance from his son, Jalal Rana, who lives in Shirley and works in Marlborough as a mechanical engineer, manufacturing vaccines.
Photo: Visiting Rotarian Rana Saeed Ahmad, left side center, with members of the Rotary Club of Ayer, Harvard, Shirley and Devens. He is spending the summer in Shirley, visiting his son, Jalal, seated right, front.
Visiting Rotarian from Pakistan Summering in Shirley
The island in the middle of the rotary connecting Common and Orchard street is filled with all kinds of greenery for the public to admire. On July 20, the Rotary Club of Watertown spent their day gardening the rotary so the city can add some colorful plants to it in the near future.
The weeding and cleaning of the island through the City of Watertown’s Adopt-an-Island program is one the many events Watertown’s Rotary Club holds each year.
Join us on Zoom Tuesday, September 12 at 6:30 pm for the kickoff meeting of the District 7910 chapter of the Rotary Action Group for Mental Health Initiatives.
Concerned about the climate or other environmental issues?
You and your club can easily be part of the solution by becoming more climate-friendly and sustainable. How? Come hear Rotary International President-Elect Stephanie Urchick, Synergy Rotary Fellowship Alliance, and ESRAG leaders share ways you can succeed.
On Saturday 26 August at 10:30 am - 12:00 pm EDT join:
Stephanie Urchick, Rotary International President-Elect
A relief fund for victims of the devastating wildfires in Maui has been established through the Rotary District 5000 Foundation as we come together to recover and rebuild. Please consider donating to this special fund and sharing the opportunity with others to help.
From Hawai'i Rotary District Governor Mark Merriam, August 9, 2023:
Today has been a tragic day for our Rotarians, families and friends on the Island of Maui. The fires across the island have changed lives forever. Truly devastating. Our sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted.
Join us for the 2023 Weston Antique & Classic Car Show. The weather is perfect this time of year and we look forward to seeing all our friends return again to support this great event. Arrive early for best location. Thanks for your support!
WOW, CAN YOU BELIEVE OUR THIRD DECADE? OUR 26TH YEAR!
Join us for the 26th Annual Weston & Wayland Rotary Club Antique & Classic Car Show scheduled for September 23rd, 2023. Rain or shine promises to be another great event for car owners and families alike. The 2019 Car Show attracted over 200 cars ranging from Classic Muscle Cars to Micro Messerschmidts and over 2,000 attendees. We are pleased to be bringing this show back to life after covid!
Have you met ClubRunner? There are convenient features in ClubRunner for all club members and executives. We have prepared some brief (15 minute) videos to introduce you to the essential features that you will need for your position in the club.
Check out the Learning Page where you will find all the ClubRunner videos, plus the Meet the Presidents series -- meet presidents who have revitalized a 100-year-old club; set goals and met them; won Best Club three years running; founded an e-Club; had great success with Interact; and explored opportunities to engage with Mental Health. Your club could be the next great success!
Mark your calendars. The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) has been scheduled for Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 7:30 am - 3:00 p.m..
We will be meeting at the Assabet Valley Regional High School in Marlborough. All four levels of RLI will be offered. Registration should open in September. Please check out the link for more details about the curriculum: rotaryleadershipinstitute.org
Mark Your Calendar - Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is Coming Jan 27, 2024
In memory of June Grace, Rotarians from clubs in Concord and Bedford volunteered at a Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell home being built in Concord. June once mentioned that a nice way to honor someone who has passed away is to volunteer for something that was important to them and so when she died in May the idea was born. Sharon Spaulding reached out to Suzanne at Habitat for Humanity who loved the idea of honoring a previous volunteer by hosting a Habitat Build Day! June and her husband, Buck, very much enjoyed volunteering at Habitat. June had volunteered at the Carter Way Bedford Habitat project as well as a house in Concord.
Our 8th annual spiritofhudson.com will take place within the Avidia Bank parking lot at 30 South Street Hudson, MA 01749.
Over 30 breweries and distilleries will provide free samples from 3PM-6PM. We have four food trucks, a cigar seller with mobile humidor, and live band! Come help support the Rotary Club of Hudson raise money for our shared Rotary goals.
For more information please contact Jeff Tucker 978-857-0619
Spirit of Hudson Brewfest - Saturday August 5th 2023
At DG Elliott Rittenberg’s installation event, PDG Dr. Victor Tom had the honor of presenting the most prestigious Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award (DSA) to Ralph Hammond, of the Rotary Club of Bedford, who has rendered exceptional service to the Foundation beyond the District level and for an extended period of time. This award is extremely competitive and only 50 Rotarians may receive this award each year, out of 1.4 million Rotarians worldwide.
Interested in working on global projects for people with disabilities?
We have two projects we are working on that might interest you. First, countries have disaster plans, but few give attention to people with disabilities. We are developing such plans with a goal for global distribution. Second, Cerebral Palsy has no global awareness efforts. We are setting up a Rotary Fellowship to do just that. Interested in either project: Contact the Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy by email: Rotarywda@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook.
Global Initiatives: Disaster Plan For People With Disabilities and Cerebral Palsy Fellowship
The Wachusett Area Rotary Club will be holding our signature event and main fundraiser, our annual Golf Tournament, on Monday, September 18th at Oak Hill Country Club in Fitchburg. This year we are commemorating our 30th anniversary of running this event to raise funds for our projects, grants and scholarships. Please consider supporting us through purchasing one of our sponsorship packages.
Opportunities range from affordable promotional signs on tees and greens through packages that include playing spots and premier corporate recognition. Or if you’d just like to play golf, that’s an option as well.
This year's Learning Agenda begins with a series of interviews with recent club Presidents who have successfully led their clubs forward. In each interview we focus on the "secret sauce" brought to the club by this leader, and provide hints for making the club more exciting and successful over time.
The Rotary Club of Marlborough will be hosting an exciting golf tournament at Juniper Hills Golf Course in Northborough on September 20th. We are hopeful that other clubs will participate with foursomes and sponsorships as all proceeds will be used for the Rotary Homestead, a homeless shelter for single women in greater Marlborough.
A round of golf is just $140 which includes golf, a cart, and a delicious meal afterwards. We will be also having a raffle and silent auction (donations gladly accepted.
Come on over to beautiful Juniper for some exercise, fellowship, and fun!
August is Membership Month on the Rotary International Calendar. In 2022, more than 78,000 Rotarians participated in our All Member Survey and the results are clear – the number one driver of member satisfaction is a member’s experience within their club. Just as taking care of customers is crucial for the success of any business, our survey showed that an inclusive and caring club experience is the primary reason that our members stay in Rotary. Conversely, members leave our clubs when they don’t feel connected, and expectations are unmet.
There are many ways Rotarians serve their communities and Rotary.
On Saturday, July 22, three District 7910 Rotarians found a new path to do that: They participated in “The Epic Ride,” a charity fundraiser organized by Warren Green. This year, John Marchiony and Rob Mosher joined the ride, and Weston-Wayland president Katya Portnaya apparated at the 100-mile mark with water and snacks.
Collectively, the riders are raising money for eight charities, including The Rotary Foundation and the District 7910 Charity Fund.
Riders Rob, Warren and John at the Train Bridge in Bourne.
Interested in working on global projects for people with disabilities? We have two projects we are working on that might interest you. First, countries have disaster plans, but few give attention to people with disabilities. We are developing such plans with a goal for global distribution. Second, Cerebral Palsy has no global awareness efforts. We are setting up a Rotary Fellowship to do just that. Interested in either project: Contact: Rotarywda@gmail.com
Our 8th annual Spirit of Hudson Brewfest will take place within the Avidia Bank parking lot at 30 South Street Hudson, MA 01749. Over 30 breweries and distilleries will provide free samples from 3PM-6PM. We have four food trucks, a cigar seller with mobile humidor, and live band! Come help support the Rotary Club of Hudson raise money for our shared Rotary goals. For more information please contact Jeff Tucker 978-857-0619
spiritofhudson.com/
2 Spirit of Hudson Brewfest - Saturday August 5th 2023
It appears that a few of the clubs in the District have lost their Interact Club during the pandemic. This is a troubling trend that we hope to stop and reverse directions with over the next school year.
What is Interact? Interact is Rotary Club for students between the ages of 12 and 18 (middle and high school age). They can be school or community based. Interact Clubs must be sponsored by a District club and must complete at a minimum two projects per year. Believe it or not there are 14,911 Clubs in over 145 countries with over 342,900 young people involved.
Photo shows Marlborough's Rotary and Interact Clubs clearing trails in their city.
"New England Patriots game....sitting on the 50 yard line at Gillette, on Pats' side...." How many times have you had that thought? Here's your chance!
RI president Gordon McInally has prioritized mental health and well-being as a signature focus for the year ahead and beyond. He’s challenged Rotarians to lead the way in eliminating the stigma around and to raise awareness about the importance of mental and emotional health. As I’ve visited our Clubs and raised this subject over the last few weeks, it’s clear that many of our members feel passionately about this topic.
The mission of the Rotary Action Group on Mental Health Initiatives is to create and support opportunities for all to improve their mental health and wellness for healthy, happy and productive lives.
Fundraiser for the Rotary Foundation and the District 7910 Charity Fund.
On July 22nd, three Rotarians will embark on the “Epic Ride” from Babson in Wellesley to Provincetown – 160 miles in one day. Most people who cover this distance do so in two days, but not the Epic Riders.
They’re riding for Rotary, hoping that their crazy commitment might inspire you to support Rotary even more than you already do with a contribution of any size. Donations can be made to The Rotary Foundation or the District 7910 Charity Fund to support charitable projects locally or globally.
The Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy is in need of someone to be Treasurer of the Club.
The Treasurer would oversee all the financial transactions of the club pertaining to the club's banking account and complete appropriate filings when needed. It is a volunteer position and is an essential part of the Club's mission to improve the human rights of people with disabilities globally. Since the Treasurer position will be an officer in the club, the individual would need to be a member of the club. For more information, please write to President Ken Masson at Rotarywda@gmail.com
On June 3, about 80 people gathered at Lilac Hedge Farm in Rutland for the Wachusett Area Rotary Club’s Annual Spring Fling. Put on hold for several years due to Covid, the event was historically a themed dinner dance and fundraiser. This year, the club decided to do something different.
Photo credit: Danielle Ray, The Landmark Rotarians, left-right- Savvas Fotiadis,
Richard Traina, Tony Fotiadis, Helena Donlevy, Marisol Dittami, Rick Mansfield,
Desiree Leader, Roberta Duke, Kim Cary, Matt Smith.
It is with a heavy heart that we bring to you news of the passing of Past District Governor, Mary Valentine Callahan - “Val Callahan,” as she was known. For over 30 years Val had been a Rotarian, beginning in District 7910, where she was Club President, Foundation Chair, GSE leader, Assistant Governor and District Governor 2014-15. When Val moved to Boston, the Boston #7 club welcomed her. She became the club’s Foundation Chair. Val was a Major Donor, Sustainer and Bequest Society Member.
She will be missed by Rotarians both near and far. Val leaves behind her husband, Rotarian Mohamed Elhanash, her two grown children and their families.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, at 10:00AM on August 26, 2023 at Trinity Church, 206 Clarendon St, Boston, MA 02111.
The Yale Climate Connection released their “Climate Change in the American Mind: Beliefs & Attitudes” report this month, based on data from the nationally representative survey they conducted in Spring 2023. Click HERE to read the report!
The Yale Climate Connection released their “Climate Change in the American Mind: Beliefs & Attitudes”
The Green Energy Consumer’s Alliance is offering a series of online events where you can “Ask a Solar Expert” or “Ask an Electric Car Driver”. Visit https://www.greenenergyconsumers.org for details and to register.
Do you have questions about solar or electric cars? Come ask them at these free online events!
A team of Rotarians and community members are working on a “project-in-a-box” for clubs worldwide to host viewing events and discussions about the amazing Climate Feedback Loop films. Google Drive and good organizational skills experience preferable, zoom experience required. Also interested in people with website and creative talents. Please contact Sue Peghiny at suef0503@gmail.com for more details.
Want to help stop climate change without leaving your house?
The NY Society for Ethical Culture has created this day to pay attention to climate. It is connected to the climate clock and the time that we have before we exceed 1.5C. To learn more, click HERE.
The Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy is in need of someone to be Treasurer of the Club.
The Treasurer would oversee all the financial transactions of the club pertaining to the club's banking account and complete appropriate filings when needed. It is a volunteer position and is an essential part of the Club's mission to improve the human rights of people with disabilities globally. Since the Treasurer position will be an officer in the club, the individual would need to be a member of the club. For more information, please write to President Ken Masson at Rotarywda@gmail.com
Dreary weather and the threat of rain on Saturday, June 17, did not dissuade 130 runners and walkers from participating in the Westborough Rotary Club’s 5K Dads and Grads Race. This was the club’s 19th race, with only one year missed due to COVID.
Image: Proud race participants from left to right: Sharon Foster, Highland City Striders Running Club member, Steve Sager, Past District Governor, Jorge Yarzebski, Westborough Rotary member
Come check out the Needham Carnival. We will have kiddy rides, thrill rides, the midway, and everything in between. No price for entry, so you can come ride a couple rides and go home. July 20-23. For more, go to www.NeedhamCarnival.com.
Fellow District 7910 Rotarians, as we end the 2022-2023 Rotary year, I would like to express my gratitude to all of the Club officers, District officers and committees, the DG chain, my advisor Jim Fusco and finally Sze-Wen, our District Secretary who did much more to keep me on track. It takes a village, no one person can take on so much responsibility and that is true at the club as well as at the district level.
It was a sincere honor to serve as your District Governor and I am leaving the District in the capable hands of Elliott, Joyce and Johnny. I am not disappearing from District duties, but will step aside and focus on the various initiatives that I helped start this year.
Photo: DG Dr Victor and Sze-Wen at Rotary International Convention in Melbourne
Proceeds of the Rotary Club of Concord's first outdoor Music Festival at Rideout Park in W. Concord will benefit the Concord Children’s Center tuition assistance program and Rotary service projects. The program headliner was the Bruce Marshall Band. They were joined on stage by locally acclaimed folk musician Terry Kitchen, Shon Gordon of kids’ musical group Rockabye Beats, The Joy of Music student chamber music ensemble, and guitarist Seth Connolly.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July holiday weekend. I am both honored and excited to begin my term District Governor. We are very fortunate to have a strong leadership team in place, and we look forward to working with you to Create Hope in the World.
First, congratulations and thank you to outgoing District Governor Dr. Victor Tom. It’s been a both a privilege and a pleasure to work alongside you this past year, and our District is most definitely in a better place because of your leadership.
A great time was had by all Tuesday night, the 27th, at the Scandinavian Living Center, where Rotarians, their families, friends, and former community Paul Harris winners gathered for a sumptuous pot luck supper. We celebrated our 100th Anniversary, gave out this year's Paul Harris awards, and installed our President for 2023-24, Liz Tavares and the Board of Directors.
The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley's continued its collaboration with local police departments at the stuff-a-cruiser event; Stow Police Department, Bolton Police Department and Lancaster Massachusetts Police Department duked it out! Who will stuffed the most cruisers? Please read on. Ultimately the WINNER was WHEAT Community Connections. Food Insecurity in our communities is alive and well, we can make a difference.
District 7910 hosted the annual Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) weekend leadership conference at Fitchburg State June 23-25.
In the words of PDG Victor Tom, "RYLA is where leaders emerge." This facilitation would not have been possible without our illustrious Rotarian volunteers, RYLA core committee members and RYLA Chair Christine Pinney. Thank you for making this wonderful leadership conference possible!
The Lowell Rotary was pleasantly surprised on 27 June with a visit from Njau Chege, the president of the Rotary Club of Mombasa, Nyali in Kenya. Njau was in town visiting relatives after attending commencement at WPI. He presented us with a banner and we had a wonderful and informative conversation about Rotary in Kenya and around the world.
Elliott Rittenberg has been a Rotarian since 2009 when he joined the Rotary Club of Sharon in District7950. There he served as club treasurer, president in 2013 – 2014, and then as treasurer of the club’s charitable foundation.
After moving to Westborough in 2015, Elliott transferred to the Westborough Rotary Club and became active on several committees, served as assistant treasurer, and then as club president in 2019 – 2020.
Elliott’s service to the Club was recognized when he received the Club’s Rotarian of the Year award in 2022. Elliott has served as an Assistant Governor, is a Paul Harris Fellow, and a graduate of the RotaryLeadership Institute. He also serves as co-chair of the District’s recently formed EnvironmentalCommittee, and is an active member of the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group.
We encourage you to join other Rotary Clubs throughout Worcester County by participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer's - Worcester County taking place on Sunday, October 1 at 100 North Parkway, Worcester in the Hanover Insurance office park.
Westford Rotary was awarded $10,000 by the 100 Women Who Care of Greater Westford. The award will support the club’s program plans and activities for 2023-2024 year. 100 Women recognizes four organizations per year, and provides remaining funds to the runners up.
The two other applying organizations – Nashoba Neighbors (a senior “village” in the Berlin, Bolton and Lancaster area) and PACH Outreach (food distribution program in Pepperell and Dunstable) - will share the monies collected in excess of the $10,000 and will be eligible for another opportunity to be considered at a future meeting.
Do you want $ funding for your club's 2023-24 project?
If you would like a District Grant, we need to know about it BEFORE JUNE 30 deadline. In order for our District to get District Designated Funds funds we need to provide RI by July 1st a list of how those funds are to be used.
To get started with a District Grant, contact Bob Worth (rjworth@gmail.com), then visit Rotary7910.org and check these District Grant links (login required):
The Rotary Club of Newton awarded scholarships to 3 amazing Newton High School seniors at the annual Newton Mayor's Breakfast on May 24th. The scholarships are named after Anthony J. Bibbo, a founder and long-time Director of the Harmony Foundation, as well as a much-beloved Newton Rotarian from 1970 until his death in 2018. Club President Andy Willinger introduced the awards, and also announced the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Club, which was greeted by enthusiastic applause. Interim Superintendent Kathy Smith introduced each winner, and the Mayor, Ruthann Fuller, added her congratulations. Newton Rotary also awards annual scholarships to 3 deserving students from Newton North's Career and Technical Education Program. These awards were announced on May 29th, and will be presented at a Rotary luncheon on June 6th.
On May 20th, The Littleton Rotary Club celebrated Rotary International’s “Day of Service” by helping children in its area in need of one of life’s essentials: a bed. President-elect Chris Alphen hosted the Littleton Rotary Club, members of the Littleton High School’s Honor Society, and Littleton citizen-volunteers at his Dolphin Insulation headquarters at a Build-a-Bed event in which piles of wood were miraculously made into beds destined for children in need.
To get the job done smoothly, Chris assigned a specific task to each person from cutting to sanding, assembling, staining, branding and packaging. Everyone built up an appetite and by noon all enjoyed a delicious lunch donated by The Littleton Sub Shop and Tavern on the Square. By the end of the event, twenty-three beds had been built, branded with the Rotary International logo and prepared for delivery to children throughout the area.
At our June 2nd meeting, the Wachusett Area Rotary Club awarded $2,000 scholarships to three students living in our service area. The scholarships were awarded to students who demonstrated a commitment to community service, as well as academic achievement and financial need.
Pictured here are the 2023 scholarship recipients, Amaya Santimore, Joseph Collard, and Ella Bradshaw along with the Scholarship Committee Jessica Favreau, Betty-Jean Lane (Project Chair), Marisol Dittami and Matt Smith.
The D7910 “Rotary Climate Action Now” project is moving into its final stages and could use some more brainpower. Going forward we will be finalizing the toolkit and then sharing the project opportunity throughout Rotary. If you’d like to hear more about this impactful project, please contact Sue Peghiny at suef0503@gmail.com.
“Rotary Climate Action Now” Needs Your Brainpower!
These events have been a very popular way to meet the experts and share all kinds of environmental and climate information. They are moving to a quarterly format, but Sue needs someone to help pull them together. It’s an easy and fulfilling lift. Please contact Sue Peghiny at if you’re interested.
The Climate Café is looking to create a panel of experienced users to share their experiences and views on their devices at one of our quarterly cafes. What do you like about your device(s)? What don’t you like? What do you wish you had done differently? Please email Sue Peghiny at suef0503@gmail.com if you’re willing to be a panelist. Once we have 3-4 people we’ll figure out a mutually agreeable date and time. Thanks!
Do you have an EV, Solar Panels, Heat Pumps, or other energy-saving devices?
After 3 years in hibernation the famous Spirit of Hudson Brewfest will return Saturday August 5th 2PM-6PM for an 8th year. All beer enthusiasts will enjoy a fantastic time at our tasting party and supporting Rotary on a summer afternoon. We will have food trucks or after the event you could take a walk along the "Best Main Street in America" to have dinner. We expect about 1,000 attendees.
Agrivoltaics, the synergistic use of solar energy production and agriculture on the same land, is fast becoming an important innovation to help boost renewable energy production and help farmers navigate a changing climate. Farmers are embracing the opportunity to diversify their farms and ranches by using solar arrays to reduce water usage or provide shade for grazing animals, all while producing energy to run their farms and sell to their communities. Jacks Solar Garden in Colorado is the largest active agrivoltaic research site in the U.S. and produces 1.2 MW of power, which is distributed to local homes and businesses. The land beneath and beside the solar panels is used by Sprout City Farms to grow crops, pollinator plants, and to keep bees. They have also created the Colorado Agrivoltaic Learning Center to help educate future leaders in the agrivoltaic industry. To learn more about Agrivoltaics, click HERE.
Colorado Farm Links Community Agriculture & Community Solar
Eliminating plastic from modern life is virtually impossible (believe me, I’ve tried), but below are some websites that offer great products to help you significantly reduce your plastic use. Have questions on how to get started? Email Sue Peghiny at suef0503@gmail.com.
Ken Janes, long-time Groton resident, retired surgeon and avid birder, shares a selection of his amazing bird photographs and stories of birding at this special presentation. Ken’s images have most recently appeared in his books, Life List: Field Notes of a Maine Birdwatcher and Life List: A Maine Birdwatcher in Florida. Ken is also the author and photographer of Florida Birds: A Birdwatcher Discovers the Sunshine State coming this November.
Please join us for this special presentation to support the Nashua River Watershed Association on Monday, June 19 at 7 PM in the Lawrence Academy Media Conference Center, Groton.
The Athol Orange Area Rotary Club (6551) invites Rotarians to head over to Swing into Summer! on Friday, June 16th from 6 to 10 PM.
Join us for an evening of baseball and golf themed fun in collaboration with Ellinwood Country Club. The event will feature live music and magic, beer tasting, a corn hole competition, and silent and live auctions of great items, including sports memorabilia. Cash bar and a full menu available from the Ellinwood and a complimentary sundae bar by AO Rotary. Tickets are available from any AO Rotarian and at the Ellinwood located at 1928 Pleasant Street in Athol MA. Visit atholorangerotary.org for more information.
The Wachusett Area Rotary Club is hosting a Beer and Wine Tasting event on June 3rd at Lilac Hedge Farm in Rutland MA. Tickets are $40 and include beer and wine tasting, a fabulous barbecue, entertainment and activities! All are invited to join us - please email WARotaryClub@gmail.com for tickets.
Click on the graphic to enlarge it.
Enjoy local Beer & Wine with Wachusett Area Rotary! - June 3
Each year The Rotary Clubs of Fitchburg and Fitchburg East host an Annual Recognition Dinner at Fitchburg High School. On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, we recognize our city’s finest for their commitment to public service and community.
Enjoy an evening of Rotary friendship, fellowship, fun and baseball!
Come out and see the Worcester Bravehearts as they take on the Vermont Lake Monsters. Game time is 6:30pm but arrive at 5:30 for the pre-game buffet and social hour.
Calling all baseball fans! On Friday, July 21st Rotarians and their families are invited to a Rotary Night at the Worcester Bravehearts at Fitton Field at Holy Cross. Not only will this be an excellent night of fellowship for Rotarians and their friends and families, we will also be treated to a postgame fireworks show. This event is a district wide membership event.
On May 20, 2023, more than 500 Rotary clubs and 14,000 Rotarians participated in service projects all on the same day. In District 7910 alone, more than 300 Rotarians and more than 200 community volunteers came together to do 33 service projects. See a carousel of large photos.
The Westford Rotary Club is collecting Food for the Westford Food Pantry for the Month of June.
The Westford Rotary Club does this each June...... summer months are usually low in collections and with children home and no school lunch programs...... the needs are more.
Listed below are some of the many items the Westford Pantry needs, especially snacks, breakfast/lunch items and drinks for kids
ITEMS:
SNACK BAGS, JUICE BOXES AND CHILD-FRIENDLY ITEMS.
The following items are in need too
CANNED ITEMS: CHICKEN BREAST, TOMATO SAUCE, SPAM, STEW, CHEF BOYARDEE, BAKED BEANS, POTATOES and HASHJELLY and PEANUT BUTTER
Insects are a Climate-Friendly Option for Animal Feed Using insects for food has been discussed as a potential climate change solution for numerous reasons. Notably, raising insects requires minimal land, they can be fed on food waste, and their entire bodies are edible. But while consuming insects may be a nonstarter for some people, it appears to be less eyebrow-raising to use insects as animal feed for livestock and for pets. According to a recent report by CBS News, insects are being explored as a high-protein, low-carbon alternative to conventional feedstocks. The use of insects in animal feed has gained attention as a means to address sustainability concerns. It has been estimated that around 1.2 trillion edible insects are raised on farms annually, providing ranchers with an opportunity to reduce their reliance on carbon-intensive crops such as soybeans
The Rotary Club of Bedford and the Bedford Youth and Family Services invite you to a presentation by Rotary International representative Bob Anthony on Tuesday, June 6th, 2023 from 12:30 PM-1:30 PM in the Reed Room in Bedford Town Hall, 10 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA. Bob is a recognized leader in the field of Mental Health who will present on Rotary’s 2023 mission of Facing Mental Health Issues Head-On by breaking stigma, raising awareness, and increasing access to prevention and earlier treatment.
Calling all baseball fans on Friday, July 21st Rotarians and their families are invited to a Rotary Night at the Worcester Bravehearts at Fitton Field at Holy Cross. Not only will this be an excellent night of fellowship for Rotarians and their friends and families, we will also be treated to a postgame firework show.
Come out and see the Worcester Bravehearts as they take on the Vermont Lake Monsters. Gametime is 6:30pm but arrive at 5:30 for the pre-game buffet and social hour.
Rotarians gathered for fellowship, learning and fun at our 3-District Conference on April 22 at the Burlington Marriott. Business meetings, breakout sessions and an engaging keynote presentation from Rotary’s public image changemaker Evan Burrell entertained and educated members throughout the day. Among the day’s highlights were the many awards presented by Governor Victor Tom to our members and clubs, including Rotary’s most prestigious, the Service Above Self Award presented to Concord’s June Grace (pictured here) for her dedication, passion and leadership. And once again, the Rotary Club of Weston & Wayland took home the bell as Best Club. Click on “read more” below to see photos of the award recipients.
Would you like to support District 7910 RYLA and the 170 participating sophomores this year?
Volunteer opportunities are available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday June 23-25! Online Sign-Up is Now Open
You must be pre-registered and fill out a CORI to volunteer. Prospective Rotarians and non-Rotarians, are welcome to help as well!
Volunteer training was held previously. Be prepared - please watch the 60 minute Volunteer Training recording. New members and volunteers from your club/area can set up carpools and have a blast helping out together! Learn more about opportunities and sign up to volunteer at RYLA!
Click on the graphic to reach a Google Drive full of customizable assets:
We have assembled lots of great information and materials to help you do this.
Please review your listing on http://rotarydayofservice.org and make sure it is complete and correct. The billboards and TV and radio coverage of this event throughout the Northeast will be directing people to this website. Please ask all volunteers -- even in your own club -- to register through this website so that we have a good count of all participants.
a poster crafted just for you, both in jpg format for social media and in pdf format for print.
Customized Logos specific to your club and project
Model press releases
Model photo releases. Be sure to get permission to use photos of children. Adults can give you verbal permission, but children cannot. Collect signed releases to use photos of children.
There is a video prepared by Joyce Graff and Taylor Quaranta to help you with getting press coverage and with optimizing social media. Watch the video.
It was a busy morning at the Westford RotaryJunk in the Trunk & More Free event at the Abbot Elementary School Parking lot in Westford on Saturday May 6, 2023!
The Wish Project had a truck to take furniture, kitchen items, Baby items and clothes, and more. The New England Textile Recycling had a truck to take the items including Textiles and stained/torn clothes, that were not taken by the public and the Wish Project. They get the items they collect to correct organizations.
Image: Westford Rotary members at Rotary Seed and Plant table . Rotary info cards were available too. Penny Hamel, Patti Mason, Megan Doehing and Jessica Arsensult.
Johnny Ahern has been selected as District 7910's District Governor Nominee Designate (2025-2026). He is a native of Lowell, MA and completed two combat tours (Kuwait and Iraq) in the United States Army during his ten years of active-duty service. After completing his military service, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Deaf Studies Specialization from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the world’s only university in which all programs and services are specifically designed for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Students.
Calling all Rotarians and their families and friends for our 21st Annual Duck Race on the Charles River. June 17th from 1-3pm, the Neponset Valley Sunrise Club will be holding their 21st consecutive* Duck Race, with free food and drinks, DJ dance party, games and more. Check out our website for location, duck adoptions and sponsorship opportunities. www.nvsrotaryevents.org.
In memory of Raghav Rao, Rotarian from the Jubilee Hills club in Hyderabad India, there is a project underway to expand the local Film Nagar government school. Raghav has a daughter in Needham. In 2016, the Needham club, working with Raghav and with help from other 7910 clubs, paid to put a solar array on the school.
Native pollinator plant gardens are key to sustaining natural environments around us. Our CTA: join us at 9:30am at the Beals' Preserve in Southborough to prepare a Pollination Preservation Meadow to help plant for future pollination plants.
The Rotary Club of Southborough Food Truck Festival is back and bigger than ever! Join us for each Wednesday starting on May 24 through June 14 (Happy Flag Day!) from 3:30 to 7pm ET for an evening filled with food, fun, and friends! All proceeds collected at this event will help support our programs such as Earth Day, Pumpkin Stroll, Heritage Day, sponsoring RYLA students, Foldscopes, and most importantly, our Scholarship Awards.
"The world needs Rotary more than ever before," states Elliott Rittenberg, the District Governor Elect for District 7910 and member of the Westborough Rotary Club.
Rittenberg, a Rotarian for almost 15 years, is excited and honored to take on his new role as District Governor for the 2023-2024 year. His experience as former past president of the Sharon and Westborough clubs, co-chair of the District Environmental Action Group, former board member of Westborough Connects, and founding member of Square One, a community coalition focused on mental health and well-being, has prepared him well to lead the district.
Installation of District Governor and all Club Presidents in attendance.
The installation of Rittenberg as District Governor and Sandy Kearney as President of the Westborough Club, as well as all other Presidents-Elect from 7910 in attendance, will be WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28 at the Framingham Country Club from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
<RSVP here to attend Installation Celebration.> $55 regular Rotarian registration cost through June 15th at midnight. $65 last-minute registration fee from June 16th - June 22nd at midnight.
On April 20, the Rotary Club of Marlborough was proud to host its inaugural miniature golf tournament, which raised approximately $1,000 for End Polio Now. Fellow Rotarians and their family and friends were invited to have friendly competition, eat pizza and ice cream, and win prizes!
The mini golf tournament was hosted at Trombetta’s Farm, located in Marlborough. President Mark Vital brought this idea to Rotarian Julie Thibodeau, and she chose to use this opportunity as a way to support End Polio Now. “Through RLI, I learned one of Rotary International’s first projects was the eradication of Polio, “Julie said. “So, what better way to bring fellowship with other Rotary Clubs than raising funds for End Polio Now?” Even though polio cases have reduced by 99.9%, it is still crucial polio vaccination remains a priority.
The Rotary Club of Marlborough would love to continue hosting this event annually. Please contact Julie Thibodeau for additional information.
Photo Caption: Julie (yellow) with the winning team, Hole-in-Oners Camila, Sebastian, and Dean
What’s Next? A Better Way to Deliver Critical Treatments for Cancer, etc., directly into our human-body cells.
Sturbridge Rotary Club Past-President & CEO of TransCytos, Otto Prohaska Ph.D., and Advisor-Human Therapy Applications, Theresa O’Keefe, Ph.D., will present during the Sturbridge club’s meeting on Tuesday, May 16th at the Publick House historic inn at Sturbridge Common. This presentation also available live via Zoom. Please contact club president Klaus Hachfeld to attend. (, cell: 774-922-2030).
TransCytos is a medical device company that has invented Slipstream™, a technology that DOES NOT use viruses to deliver critical medicines to the DNA in patients’ cells. Safe, fast and affordable cell and gene therapies for the cure of cancer, autoimmune, infectious and rare diseases will be developed and delivered to the patients in collaboration with pharma partners. Slipstream™ will make therapies possible at the patients’ bedsides in local hospitals so that these cures can be performed worldwide using the patients’ own cells, WITHOUT the need for chemo, radiation, or viruses.
On April 20, the Rotary Club of Marlborough was proud to host its first inaugural miniature golf tournament, which raised approximately $1,000 for End Polio Now. Fellow Rotarians and their family and friends were invited to have friendly competition, eat pizza and ice cream, and win prizes!
The mini golf tournament was hosted at Trombetta’s Farm, located in Marlborough. President Mark Vital brought this idea to Rotarian Julie Thibodeau, and she chose to use this opportunity as a way to support End Polio Now. “Through RLI, I learned one of Rotary International’s first projects was the eradication of Polio, “Julie said. “So, what better way to bring fellowship with other Rotary Clubs than raising funds for End Polio Now?” Even though polio cases have reduced by 99.9%, it is still crucial polio vaccination remains a priority.
The Rotary Club of Marlborough would love to continue hosting this event annually. Please contact Julie Thibodeau for additional information.
Photo Caption: Julie (yellow) with the winning team, Hole-in-Oners Camila, Sebastian, and Dean
The Westford Rotary “The Junk in the Trunk” is Sat May 6, 2023 at Abbot Elementary School 25 Depot Dt. Westford MA. All items are free!
The Wish Project Truck will be there to pick up donated items including summer clothes from birth to adults and list of needed items on our information flyer.
Westford Rotary will be adding veggie and flower seeds to the plant table.
No Shredding in May, but will have Shredding Truck at Summer and Fall event - watch for details in late June.
A fun family day of music for a great cause! Join the Rotary Club of Concord on May 27th at the Rideout Field in West Concord from 1-7 PM. Live music featuring The Bruce Marshall Group will entertain all ages.
Proceeds will benefit Concord Children's Center. Bring a picnic and your friends or family to kick off the unofficial start of summer!
Calling local children who fish, or want to learn!
The Rotary Club of Weston & Wayland invites you to our annual Fishing Derby—a 40+ year tradition. Sunday, April 23rd 9 am-Noon at the Weston High School Pond. Bring your own gear, bait (no lures, please), and bucket. Fishing starts at 9 am sharp! Prizes are in four age categories up to age 14.
This is a FREE event. Please register online to attend. Rain or shine (the fish like to eat in all weather)!
Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Volunteers (signup here) are welcome. Fishing is great family fun!
Ashley Garcia will run the 127th Boston Marathon on April 17th, representing the Newton Rotary Foundation. She aims to raise $7,500 to fund the vocational and RYLA scholarships awarded to Newton High School students each spring. Ashley spoke to the club on February 7th, receiving her race jersey from President Andy Willinger and President-Elect Liz Tavares.
This will be Ashley’s 9th Boston Marathon, with her first coming ten years ago in 2013. A mother of 3, Ashley is a critical care nurse in the intensive care unit at Beth Israel in Boston, working on the front lines up to 60 hours a week throughout the Covid crisis.
Golf is back! The Rotary Club of Marlborough is starting up its annual Golf Classic after almost a decade. The Marlborough Rotary Club Classic will be held at Juniper Hills Golf Club in Northborough on May 3rd starting at 9 AM. The cost of playing in this scramble is $140 per golfer. Golfers will receive a cart, a round of golf, and a wonderful meal. Raffles will also be included, along with other fun activities. Patrons can also enjoy the meal for $35 per person. All proceeds benefit the "Rotary Homestead" - a temporary residence for homeless women. For additional information and to sign up, please go to www.marlboroughrotary.org
Marlborough Rotary Brings Back Golf Tournament - May 3
Please join the Rotary Club of Northborough for a screening of Bending the Arc, a groundbreaking documentary that tells the story of Partners In Health and the work of extraordinary doctors and activists, including the late Dr. Paul Farmer, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, and Ophelia Dahl.
Their work, forty years ago, to save lives in a rural Haitian Village grew into a battle for the right to health for all. You may have heard of Partners In Health through their US Covid response and their fight against Ebola in West Africa.
The Rotary Climate Action Now Project (RCAN) will premiere May 13th at noon at the Westborough Environmental Action Fair! This is a D7910 Environmental Action Group effort to provide a "project in a box" for clubs to show the incredible Climate Feedback Loop films, lead a meaningful discussion afterwards, and inspire people to prioritize effective group climate action. We are the keynote of the event, which is being held at the Westborough High School and the producer of the films, Melanie Wallace, will kick off the event. Come learn how YOUR club could take a significant step toward fighting the climate crisis.
Rotary Climate Action NOW Project Premiere (12pm, Sat, May 13)
What is No Mow May? The goal of No Mow May is to allow grass to grow un-mown through the month of May, allowing wild flowers to come through and create habitat and forage for early season pollinators. This is particularly important in urban areas where floral resources are often limited, suburban areas where heavy landscaping is common, and everywhere in Massachusetts this year because of the early spring.
Over the last few months, the Groton-Pepperell Rotary Club spread the love to local non-profits and causes that they are passionate about. Donations were made to two local food pantries, Loaves & Fishes, PACH and Stone Soup Kitchen. They also donated to the Town of Pepperell K9 Unit and Groton Fire Department Gift Fund.
Members of the Wachusett Area Rotary Club got together to start the process of germinating seeds in preparation for their Rotary Day of Service event. The seedlings will be used to create a pollinator garden which will be built on May 20. The effort is in support of native pollinator species that are threatened and at risk in Northeastern Massachusetts.
Photo: Members of Wachusett Area Rotary Club Germinate Seeds for Pollinator Garden.
Wachusett Area Rotary Germinates Seeds for Pollinator Garden (May 20)
June R. Grace, a member of the Rotary Club of Concord, has been awarded the Rotary International Service Above Self Award by the RI Board of Directors. June is one of 101 Rotarians from around the world receiving the award this year. The Service Above Self Award is considered the highest honor that RI can bestow on a member. Nominees must have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service, in any form and at any level. Emphasis is placed on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others through Rotary.
Photo: Former D-7910 Service Above Self Award recipients with June Grace: All are PDGs: Carol Toomey, Richard Manelis, Klaus Hachfeld.
As part of the 20 May Service Day, the Lowell Rotary will join forces with the community to clean up and refurbish the City owned Rotary Club Park. The Park has suffered neglect for several years, so we will spend two days, 8 April and 20 May bringing it back up to something in which we all can take pride.
Enhance you Rotary knowledge, meet fellow Rotarians and refine your Club leadership skills. All Rotarians are welcome. Tuition is just $20, and our curriculum will cover a variety of topics relevant to all Rotary members. Our program begins with continental breakfast at 8:00am, and will conclude by noon. Separately, a new member welcome and grant qualification seminar will follow our learning sessions.
Dr. Laura N. Vandenberg has agreed to give a talk on May 3, 7:00 pm at the Southborough Library, 25 Main St, Southborough, MA 01772. The title of her talk is: Knowing what is around us and taking care of our environment are critical elements to a healthy future! Come learn more about what environmental chemicals may be harming our health and what can we do about it. Learn from Dr. Laura Vandenberg what we can do to better protect ourselves, our environment, and our future!
Southborough Speaker: "BPA to PFAS: How Environmental Chemicals Harm Health; What To Do About It" - May 3
On April 8th, about 30 folks of all ages and athletic ability got together for a few hours of fun Pickleball at the Boys and Girls Club in Newton, where three courts were set up in the gym. Organized by Newton President-Elect Liz Tavares, with the help of Rotarian, and Executive Director of the Newton Boys & Girls Club, Dave Sellers, the players donated $25 to the Newton Rotary Foundation and got to participate either as a beginner, or an intermediate+ player.
Caption: Beginners were eager to learn pickleball.
Something new at the Westford Kiwanis Apple Blossom Festival this year. On Sunday, May 14, 2023 at 2:00 pm will be the 2nd Annual Westford Rotary Club Golf Ball Drop by Helicopter. Get your Golf Balls now….. see details on this flyer.
If your Rotary Club would like to sell golf balls as a fundraiser for your Rotary Club, please contact Mary Foerster at mary@maryff.com for details, selling forms and percentage earned on each group of balls.
All funds earned by Westford Rotary Club is used for Rotary projects and more.
Rotary Club of Southborough's Lina Zolock spearheaded an effort to collect diapers sizes 4-6 as diapers are expensive. The club and clients from her business (Expressions Hair Studio in Reading, MA) collected 15 diaper boxes. That's over 1,000 diapers!
Lina and her business partner, Terry, met with Paula Borges-Stalker to transfer the diapers. The diapers will go to families at Finex House, Emmaus House, and Everett Grace Food Pantry as well as other organizations in the local communities that need them.
Our next project to help families in need is our Rotary Club of Southborough Handbag Drive - we are collecting gently used handbags, purses, and pocketbooks to add small personal items to unsheltered or homeless mothers for Mothers' Day 2023. All mothers deserve something special!
The club is actively collecting until April 30 and then we will gather to add items such as small lotions, hand sanitizers, tissues, and more to the handbags. For more information or how to get involved, please email us at rotarysouthborough@gmail.com.
Please join Charles River Rotary Club as we celebrate our 10th Scoopapalooza year and the start of Summer with an all you can eat ice cream festival on Natick Common Saturday June 24th from 11:30 AM to 3PM. Rain Date is June 25th. We expect to draw over 2,000 people to the event for frozen treats, community connecting, music and activities for the whole family. The event will raise significant funds for Charles River Rotary’s local philanthropic efforts, including a St.Patrick’s Day Dance for teens and young adults with special needs, literacy programs, scholarships for seniors at Keefe Regional Technical School, RYLA, Natick Food Pantry, local veterans and many local nonprofits. Tickets are $7.
The Westford Rotary Club partnered with FIRST Robotics Team 4905 (Ayer Shirley Regional School District) to raise funds supplying emergency assistance to citizens of Ukraine in need of clean water. Photo: one of the Aquaboxes with Potsdam German Rotary member
As we know, Russian forces have targeted public utilities in the Ukraine with the intent of making the residents uncomfortable. With public water supplies damaged, there is an urgent need in many communities for clean water. Rotary Clubs in the Ukraine are working with the Rotary Club of Potsdam Germany to coordinate the purchase and supply of Aquabox water filtration systems.
Let’s join together for peace and make an impact! Volunteers are needed to plan an exciting event that will celebrate Rotary’s new Peace Center, scheduled to open in 2024 in Istanbul. Peace Centers are located at universities across the world – there are seven now and Istanbul will be the eighth. Rotary Peace Centers offer specially deigned curricula to train individuals devoted to peacebuilding and conflict resolution. To date, more than 1,500 people have been trained and serve in governments and NGO’s throughout the world.
This project, spearheaded by District 7930’s District Governor Elect Lori Karas, was inspired by a group in Israel who produces musical events. They create a three-part harmony by bringing people together in a large space and dividing them into various parts to sing. See https://youtu.be/XqvKDCP5-xE as an example of the program we are planning.
In 2018, Needham Rotary Club partnered with Raghav Rao of Hyderabad, India and his Rotary Club (RC Jubilee Hills) to add solar panels to schools there to help provide power and light. Sadly, he recently passed away. One of his daughters lives in Needham, and the family reached out to us to propose a classroom expansion project in his honor. Currently, the elementary and high schools in Film Nagar (suburban Hyderabad) are serving a population well in excess of capacity such that students are taught for only about half of the required hours of instruction. The plan is to meet this instructional need by adding eleven classrooms and eight toilets at a total cost of $150,000.
Needham Rotary Club has committed $5000, and we would like to try to raise the incremental $7000 of funds together with like-minded clubs in our District sufficient to cover the cost of one classroom, about $12,000.
For Sandy Burgers, “the ability to connect” is one of the things she appreciates most about Rotary. And it shows.
Last Fall, Sandy was part of the Rotary team who brought fifteen-year-old Emily Stukalo from Kyiv to Massachusetts, where she is now a sophomore at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School.
Connections were at the heart of it all: Sandy’s connection to Steve Albright of the Rotary Club of Yarmouth/inbound chairman of Rotary Youth Exchange District (RYE) 7950; Steve and Sandy’s connections to Kyiv Rotary; and Emily’s family connections to that same Kyiv Rotary club.
As Sandy aptly put it, “this is a great example of how Rotary works—connections!”
Hard to believe given all she’s contributed, but Sandy was kind of a “reluctant Rotarian” at first.
On Saturday, May 20, 2023, 12,000 Rotarians from 450 clubs across five states will be doing a wide variety of local service projects in their communities.
We are just weeks away from our Rotary Day of Service on May 20th, 2023! We have received projects for 32 of our 49 clubs and we would love to see the rest doing a project as large or small as you could handle on May 20th. To submit a project, please complete this simple Google form. We have created project tiles for those that submitted early and are continually adding more for the projects submitted after the deadline. See this Google Drive folder to use the project tile graphics.
Click "Read more..." for info on the Rotary Day of Service Website, your club's Banners, the digital marketing Toolkit, and other resources for your Club.
If you were unable to attend our March 23th conversation on "How to Talk About Climate Change", the recording and presenter slides are now available! Please click HERE to access them.
Our next Climate Cafe is Thursday, March 23rd at 6:30pm. Our topic is How to Talk About Climate Change. This can be challenging, including starting the conversation and responding to other people’s beliefs and feelings about the climate. In this session, we will explore ways to personally connect with others to create a safe space for climate conversations, including listening to people with doubtful or dismissive beliefs.
Our guest will be Dr. Matthew Ballew, Ph.D., Research Specialist at the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. Click HERE to get more information or to register.
Climate Cafe March 23: How To Talk About Climate Change (and not alienate people)
Are you ready for an emergency where you need to leave your home in a hurry or shelter in place? For most of us the answer is no. Rotarians in Shrewsbury will be creating 100 emergency preparedness kits as part of a service project to benefit local veterans, senior citizens and families served by Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services and St. Anne's Human Services.
For the past two years, The Charles River Regional Chamber has received funds and distributed state funds to pay for meals made by local restaurants and coordinated for delivery to local food pantries by the Rotary Club of Newton. Alie Mahar, Director of Community Development, Scandinavian Living Center and Keilly Cutler, Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley, both members of the Newton Rotary Club, have spearheaded this initiative with the Chamber and the local restaurants.
The Westford Rotary Club in connection with author Shirley Holdman (member of the Billerica Rotary Club) and the Billerica Adventure Series has introduced the children’s book, “This is My Community,” which talks about Racial Diversity and Inclusion. It was first introduced at the Westford Remembers “International Block Party” in the Fall of 2022 and followed this Winter 2023 by donating the books for the 1st-2nd grades classrooms at Miller, Nabnasset, Abbot Elementary Schools and the Roudenbush Community Center Afterschool Program.
In Westford and Billerica public schools, they are using the book as a classroom reading activity and discussion book. The book is written for K-2 grades.
The Club has displayed and donated, “This is My Community” book to the Westford Community and students as part of the ongoing Westford Rotary Cultural/Diversity/Education Projects.
Over 47,000 people have died due to the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Rescue missions continue. The Rotary Foundation Trustees decided that all donations marked Disaster Relief made from now until 31 March 2023, will go to the Turkey/Syria Disaster Response Fund and will be used to aid earthquake relief projects. In addition, the Trustees made available more than $125,000 to Rotary districts affected by the earthquake through Disaster Response Grants.
Calling all kid anglers (children who fish)! The Rotary Club of Weston & Wayland invites you to our annual Fishing Derby—a 40+ year tradition. Sunday, April 23 rd 9am-Noon at the Weston High School Pond. Bring your own gear, bait (no lures, please), and bucket. Fishing starts at 9 am sharp! Prizes are in four age categories up to age 14. FREE event, register online to attend. Rain or shine (the fish like to eat in all weather)!
Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Volunteers are welcome to help measure fish. Fishing is great family fun!
The Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough sponsored and served the monthly Boxborough Council on AgingSenior Luncheon on March 8. Club Sergeant-at-arms and COA Board member Maureen Masciola planned and coordinated the event, which was held at the Boxborough Community Center.
A couple of years ago when Shelby Marshall, member of the Westborough Rotary Club (WRC) and former President, was first approached about serving as the Club’s representative for the Boy Scouts she hesitated. In fact, she shook her head with a silent “no.” However, Dave Kaiser, then President of WRC, assured her that this role was a “light lift.”
So, what changed Marshall’s mind? Inspiration. Pure and simple.
Open Table is benefitting from two Rotary Clubs' grant funding and donation drive. The Maynard-based charity is dedicated to fighting hunger and building healthy communities in 21 local communities, including Acton, Boxborough, Concord, and Maynard.
Rotary District 7910's Rotary Youth Exchange Team, chaired by Milford Rotarian Jane Schroeder, has been busy letting Rotarian know that in-person exchanges are back after COVID temporarily halted them.
Caption: Jeanne Reimonn hosted a December Holiday Brunch for students and their parents interested in Rotary Youth Exchange programs. ESSEX Team members as well as several District and Club leaders joined in the festivities too. Owen and Felipe are in the center of the front row.
Spring is on it’s Way. Visit the JV Fletcher Library Seed Catalog and check out all the veggie and flower seeds donated by the Westford Rotary Club as part of their “Garden Planting and Grow Your Own Food” Project. All seeds are FREE. People can check often, seeds are replenished as needed at the Library. Start your seeds NOW... Grow your own food and flowers.
The Westford Rotary Club receives the seeds from the Walmart -Hudson NH Donation program. Rotary donates the seeds to youth groups, schools, Westford Cameron Senior Center, Girl and Boy Scouts, Westford Community Gardens, JV Fletcher Library Seed Program, tables at Town events, and more programs. Westford Rotary received over 1000+ packets in 2022 seeds and will receive 2023 seeds in May to distribute.
Watch for more stories on the Westford Rotary Club and Walmart donation Partnership program to get needed items to different non profit groups and others. "
Roy Balfour is a cheerful giver. He doesn’t say no. He gives time, money, support, encouragement, you name it, he says yes, and he learned the power of generosity and community –– are you ready? –– at Woodstock.
The three-day 1969 music festival in upstate N.Y., which was attended by 500,000 people, he says, “was a dramatic moment for me. Pivotal. It was the defining event of my life.
The Ukrainian family Joyce Graff has been hosting has found an apartment in Lexington and is in need of some furniture and house goods. Please feel free to share this list with family and friends. We are hoping we can set them up in style after all their difficult adventures.
After a three-year pause due to COVID, the Rotary Club of Wellesley is proud to bring back its ""Taste of Wellesley"" annual fundraiser to support our community.
The event will again feature a wide variety of signature dishes from Wellesley restaurants, cafes, caterers, local breweries and wineries, along with live music and auction items that are locally sourced. We will be hosting the event for 300 guests at The Gardens at Elm Bank on Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 6:30 until 9 pm.
The event will provide a wonderful evening of food, beverages, live entertainment and opportunities to gather in community.
"The Love Story," as told by Jessica Favreau: "Before COVID, we had a breakfast for the senior citizens in our community held at the Manor. We did this around Christmas time and had upwards to 500 seniors from our community.
"Due to Covid, we had to pivot because we didn’t want to put our most vulnerable population at risk. We decided to do like a meal on wheels type thing. We partner with the senior centers from Holden, Sterling and West Boylston. They compile a list of seniors who would like to receive a meal. "The manor prepares the lasagna, salad, rolls and butter. Our high school kids put together chocolate bags and elementary students make valentines. The seniors come to the respected senior center drive up and pick up their meals. Inclusive of warming instructions."
Top Left: Herman Eknanian and Wachusett Area Rotary President-Elect Jess Favreau organize grab-and-go bags. Photo by Marisol Dittami - Wachusett Area Rotary President
After a three-year pause due to COVID, the Rotary Club of Wellesley is proud to bring back its "Taste of Wellesley" annual fundraiser to support our community.
The event will again feature a wide variety of signature dishes from Wellesley restaurants, cafes, caterers, local breweries and wineries, along with live music and auction items that are locally sourced. We will be hosting the event for 300 guests at The Gardens at Elm Bank on Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 6:30 until 9 pm.
Lowell Rotary once again participated in the annual Lowell Winterfest. The Club operates a marshmallow toasting booth (with optional s'mores) to raise money for scholarships. This year the Winterfest was 17-18 February. The Winterfest is sponsored by the City of Lowell and includes music, food, a market and other activities. In addition to raising money, the Winterfest booth is an opportunity to raise Rotary's image in the community and to provide an opportunity for members to work together to benefit the community.
Right: Ryan Burke, the marshmallow man, and the Rotary crew.
Talking about climate change with others can be challenging, including starting the conversation and responding to other people’s beliefs and feelings about the climate. In this session, we will explore ways to personally connect with others to create a safe space for climate conversations, including ways to talk about our own feelings related to the climate (e.g., anxiety, grief) and listening to people with doubtful or dismissive beliefs.
Our in-person Northeast PETS is scheduled for March 10-11, 2023 at the Marriott Hotel in Newton, Massachusetts.
Attendees will hear exciting keynote speakers including incoming Rotary International President Gordon McInally, and to network with nearly 500 Presidents-elect from seven Rotary districts.
Even if you’ve served as President in the past, attendance at PETS will provide strategies to keep your Club and our organization relevant in today’s world. Register for NEPETS today.
Presidents-Elect & AGs: Register for Northeast PETS
Rotarians from the Rotary Clubs of Leominster and Fitchburg worked with city and school officials, and volunteers to host their annual Breakfast for the Bands (BFB) on November 20th, 2022 at Leominster High School. This event, hosted by both clubs, is in its 26th year of providing support to both band boosters and they have hit a record of $15,000 raised for 2022! Since its debut in 1995, these two clubs have raised and donated over $125,000 to both school music programs thanks to the generosity and support of local businesses and donors.
Ashley Garcia will run the 127th Boston Marathon on April 17th, representing the Newton Rotary Foundation. She aims to raise $7,500 to fund the academic, technical and RYLA scholarships awarded to Newton High School students each spring. Ashley spoke to the club on February 7th, receiving her race jersey from President Andy Willinger and President-Elect Liz Tavares.
Right: Ashley Garcia with Newton Rotary President Andy Willinger and President-Elect Liz Tavares
In Malawi, the blind students in the villages don’t have the opportunity to read books unless someone reads to them.
Because of that, The Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy, District 7910, has collaborated with the Perkins School for the Blind and The Carol Center for the Blind to send 70 blind books to Malawi.
Once the books make it to Malawi, the Rotary Club of Bwalla-Lilongue and the Parents of Disabled Children Association of Malawi will distribute the book. Distribution costs about $600 because of transportation and lodging needs.
We're calling onRotary Clubs of District 7910 to help raise funds to get the books into the hands of the children. Contact Club President Kenneth Masson, RC of World Disability Advocacy to get involved.
Katya Portnaya, president-elect of the Weston-Wayland Rotary Club, was born in St. Petersburg and emigrated to the U.S. at 11. Her husband is from Ukraine. Last February, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion into Ukraine, the pair stared at the TV in dread. “I realized you can’t just sit around and cry. It’s always better to do something,” Portnaya says.
Soon she and Roy Balfour, Rotary Foundation Chair, got together to brainstorm with four other members of District 7910 leadership, including Past District Governor Diana Nestorova. Immediately, they reached out to Rotary International and applied for a $25,000 Disaster Response Grant.
It was a landmark action as the district became the first in the world to be allowed
On Saturday January 28th the Rotary Club of Concord joined with the Rotary Clubs of Bedford and Merrimack Valley to help the Sleep in Heavenly Peace non-profit organization build beds.
We had over 25 people helping in two shifts. 43 headboards for 23 ½ beds were built. These beds are built for children who would otherwise be sleeping on the floor.
Right: Chris Alphen teaching Concord Rotarians how to build the beds.
Jack Day, Director of Meals of Hope in MA (member of Chelmsford Rotary) was joined by members of Chelmsford and Worcester Rotary and WPI to pack over 10,000 meals at WPI last December before the holidays. Meals of Hope in MA seeks to combat hunger in our local communities, including Worcester and Lowell. The meals packaged are rice-based and fortified by dried vegetable, protein and vitamins. For more info, contact Jack Day (jack@mealsofhope.org)
When people are asked to describe what they picture when they hear homeless person, it’s not uncommon for responses to include descriptors such as male, dirty, disheveled, addict/drunk. But that is just one snapshot of many. There are also homeless women, children, teenagers, and families.
(Reina Rago (right), Vice President of the Westborough Rotary Club, presents Donna Maria Cameron of Abby's House, (left) fleece blankets for the residents at this women's and children's shelter.)
Over 100 fresh baked pies were distributed on Wednesday to make a happier Thanksgiving for many in Newton who are having a tough time this year, and to our first responders who are always on duty during the holidays.
Newton Police Headquarters, and every Newton fire station were recipients of a stack of pies in appreciation for the outstanding service they provide our community.
Caption: Newton Rotarians Paul Sullivan, Marie Presti, and Paul Loiselle
The Lowell Rotary helped to distribute food and toys at the Lowell Dwelling House of Hope before Christmas. Levenia Furusa-Mavingire, a member of the Club, is the director of the organization.
The House of Hope distributes food weekly to hundreds of needy residents of Lowell. Members of Lowell Rotary are often there to help doing everything from unloading and packaging food to directing traffic.
Caption: Rotarians John Finegan, Levenia Furusa-Mavingire and Patty Witts
The Rotary Club of Bedford’s 34th annual holiday breakfast fundraiser was a SUCCESS! Our Winter Community Breakfast brought together over 300 community members- families, students, volunteers, local business owners, and even Santa and Mrs. Claus! Here is our article page that has links to a full article in the Bedford Citizen. and YouTube video capturing event highlights.
Acton's third-grade students are learning the definitions of new words thanks to local Rotarians. The Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough has donated a total of more than 370 personalized dictionaries to the town's six elementary schools.
Shown above, left to right, are Nancy Auger and Gina Lemieux, third-grade teachers at Luther Conant School, posing with two of the donated dictionaries.
Jake Rosen, a member of the Rotary Club of the Brookfields and a student of Tantasqua Regional High School played an important role in organizing and running a sneaker and shoe drive at the school. For this drive, New and used sneakers and shoes are collected to either be regifted or recycled for construction projects. To this end, the drive aims to mitigate environmental pollution by diverting shoes and sneakers from our waste stream. A pair of sneakers, if brought to a landfill, will take up to 43 years to decompose. This year, thanks to the wonderful donations brought in by all the students, teachers, and school office employees, two car trunks worth of sneakers and shoes totaling 72 pairs will go to people in need or into construction projects and not end up in a landfill or be discarded.
Join Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell as we build a new home in Concord Massachusetts at 365 Commonwealth Avenue. The groundbreaking will take place on November 30th at the site. Clubs are welcome to sign up as well as individual Rotarians. Any skill level is welcome! For more information contact Suzanne Frechette, President, MVR and Director of Development at Habitat. You can also sign up online at Habitat's website: www.lowellhabitat.org.
Over 100 Rotarians, guests, and DEI professionals gathered for our Virtual DEI Summit on October 22. Eight breakout sessions followed opening remarks by Dr. Todd "Bowtie" Jenkins. Watch our opening and closing sessions in the video posted here. All of the videos from the Summit have been posted, and are available at this YouTube link.
Save the Date: We're already planning our next Summit for Spring 2023. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 25. More details will follow shortly.
Come celebrate the accomplishments of our District with The Rotary Foundation as we showcase our efforts for Ukraine Relief, Polio Plus, and a sampling of local and international humanitarian projects. In addition, we will honor clubs that have earned Foundation recognition for their donations in the 2021-2022 Rotary year. Our program features
Polio Plus Update • Dr. Carl Good Morley Scholar • Jared Perlow District & Global Grant Projects Club And Member Awards & Recognition Special Guest Appearance • Rotary General Secretary John Hewko
Ron Bott, of Concord, passed away on October 21, 2022. A Rotarian who truly exemplified our motto of Service Above Self, Ron first joined the Rotary Club of Concord in 1997 and eventually became its president. He later helped to charter the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley and became its first president. Ron went on to serve in a number of Club and District positions, including District Membership Chair. The work that Rotary did was important to Ron, but even more important to him were the bonds that he formed with his Rotary comrades—they were truly an extension of his family.
A celebration of Ron’s life was held on Sunday, November 20th at Concord's Colonial Inn. Donations in his honor can be made to the American Cancer Society.
In 2021, Brookline Rotary coordinated the first town-wide celebration of dogs. It was just at the time we were all craving community and fun after months of isolation and uncertainty. The day, despite being postponed a week due to weather, was nothing but laughs and smiles and a perfect antidote to some tough times. We are again reprising this event on Sunday, October 16, 2022, at Downes Field.
Learn best practices to create and submit your lifesaving disaster response grant at a workshop on Wednesday, September 14th at 10am EST. There will be presentations by RI Grant Managers, experienced grants writers nd it will include an expert panel of Rotarians. Register at https://bit.ly/DisasterResponseGrants
Maria Palacio has made great inroads in outreach and programs and services for new Americans and those without a traditional library background. Maria, who recently became the new director of Acton Memorial Library, was the inspirational keynote speaker during our Club Meeting on August 17.
I am honored to be your District Governor for 2022-23. It has always been a dream of mine to become a 3rd generation Rotarian. The District Installation event was a rousing success, with close to 100 Rotarians and family enjoying a wonderful evening of fellowship in The Barn at Gibbet Hill. The energy in the room was electric and was a fitting launch of our Rotary year.
Let me tell you about issues that we are addressing in our district. When I say we, we have a great DG chain, with DGE Elliott Wittenberg and DGN Joyce Graff following me. We’re in constant communication addressing district issues on a weekly basis. We’re putting together a 3-year strategic plan with the help of Joyce Fukami. But I also want to remind you that we are not dictating to the clubs what to do, but we view the District as providing help to the clubs, making available tools, templates, information, and opportunities that clubs can use to help them fulfill their goals. We are having monthly Zoom meetings on specific topics and I have open office hours (two Fridays a month) where you can just drop in and tell us your ideas, problems or whatever is on your mind. We are listening.
My objectives for my Rotary year follow Jennifer Jones’ theme Imagine and action plan. She would like us to imagine how to: 1) increase our impact through service projects and Rotary storytelling; 2) expand our reach by partnering up with organizations and other clubs; 3) enhance member engagement through better engagement of all of our members leaving no one behind; and 4) increase our ability to adapt to new opportunities and new member ideas. Over the course of the year, we’ll work with the clubs to find ways we can help our clubs make progress in one or more of these areas.
I know that the pandemic has curtailed many in-person events that we loved to attend in pre-pandemic times. We long for the fellowship and interactions that Zoom cannot fully replicate. So check our district calendar for these events, such as New Member social, Foundation dinner, Holiday Party, District Conference and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. And speaking of the Foundation, I am laying down a challenge to District 7910 to raise $5,000 for Polio Plus, and if we meet that challenge I will do the Polar Plunge in the icy cold Atlantic Ocean.
Thus far, I have visited about 12 clubs. By the end of August, I will have visited half of the clubs (25) in our District. I’m pleased to report that our clubs have exhibited passion and have plans for an exciting year. In future newsletters, I will add additional detail and news from the District so that all Rotarians can see what our District is accomplishing.
District Governor Victor Tom is a past president and a member of the Rotary Club of Bedford. He joined the Bedford Club in 2006, becoming a third-generation Rotarian following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He served as his Club's president in 2009 and again in 2014 (for four months). He has served numerous roles in District 7910.
Victor also has a keen interest in mentoring our youth. He has been an instructor at our district's annual RYLA events, and has established and advises the Rotaract Club of MIT. For six years, he also served as chair of District 7910's Bandey-Hefler Fellowship for a Rotary exchange between our District and two Districts southwest of London.
Professionally, Victor received his BS, MS, and ScD from MIT in electrical engineering and computer science with a specialization in computer vision. Dr. Tom is currently a chief scientist at BAE Systems, FAST Labs in Burlington, MA. He is helping to solve critical defense problems.
In non-defense work, Victor helped win the America’s Cup in 1992 and developed the first practical pitch-tracking system for Major League Baseball. The system revolutionized the way umpires call balls and strikes.
Cooperative Elder Services takes a comprehensive approach to supporting the health of seniors and adults with medical and/or cognitive challenges. (CES is also one of the four beneficiaries of our Club's 2022 Bid for Brighter Futures fundraiser.)
The Rotary Club of Worcester has dedicated a Peace Pole, with the joyous event taking place on July 21 near the footbridge at Worcester's Elm Park. To watch the dedication ceremony, recorded by WCCA-TV, click here.
The Rotary Club of Worcester invites you to its Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony. The joyous event is set for July 21 at 5:00 p.m.(rain or shine) near the footbridge at Worcester's Elm Park (see photo below).
Bud Flannery, a founding member 60 years ago of the Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough, passed away on Friday, May 20 at the age of 91. His wife of 65 years, Joan (Cooke) Flannery, passed away in 2018. We wish Bud's family condolences for their loss. To read his obituary, which includes details on visiting hours, funeral mass, and burial services, click here.(Bud and Joan are shown posing in 2015 outside their Acton home, in a photo by Molly Loughman of WickedLocal.com.)
Do you know of medical-device manufacturers based in the United States who may want to eitherdonate or sell at a deep discount at least $25,000 worth of battlefield-quality tourniquets for emergency-response efforts in war-tornUkraine? These devices are used for stopping the flow of blood through a vein or artery - typically by compressing a limb with a cord or tight bandage.
Join us on Monday, May 16 at 9 AM as our speaker, Rotarian & Past President Mark Gitelman from the Rotary Club of Kyiv updates our Club on the situation in Ukraine
Want to know more about fighting climate change? AskElliott Rittenberg, District 7910's governor nominee and a past president of the Westborough Club, who was the keynote speaker during Acton-Boxborough's Club Meeting on April 20. He co-chairs the District's Environmental Action Group along with Susan Peghiny of the Newton Club.
(Shown isthe logo of the "World Disability Matters" podcast, with the podcast's name in white against a blue, violet, and gold circle against a light blue background.)
What are the goals of advocacy by and for people with disabilities? What makes an effective advocate? Is change possible? Why be an advocate?
Julie Pierce Onos, the Town of Acton’s new Economic Development Director in the Town Manager’s Office, addressed our Club Meeting on April 6. Her task is to maintain Acton as business-friendly, with economic-development initiatives designed to create and stimulate an environment in which businesses succeed.
TheRotary Club of Framingham is sharing sad news about the passing of our longest-term member, Stuart Arvedon. He joined the club in 1964!
Our Club also lost Ted Welte on March 7. He was a devoted, long-term member since 1990 - or earlier - with perfect attendance until he went into a facility about three years ago.
Hunger doesn’t have to exist — let’s end it together.Rise Against Hunger is growing a worldwide movement to end hunger through community empowerment, life nourishment, and emergency response.
ROTARY CELEBRATES 90 YEARS WITH LIVE MUSIC AT SPRING POPS
Join the Rotary Club of Concord in celebration of its 90 years of service at Spring Pops with the Concord Band and jazz vocalist Cindy Scott on Friday, April 8 at 8 p.m. at 51 Walden in Concord. This fundraiser in support of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell’s newly renovated two-family house in Concord will help provide a home for deserving families. Doors open early, at 7 p.m., for guests to enjoy refreshments and bid on auction items. Due to Covid concerns, there will be auditorium style seating. Admission is $30 per person. Reservations may be made at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/crp/event/845387/www.rotaryclubofconcord.org, Hope to see you there.
As one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, Rotary International has made peace the cornerstone of our global mission. We are deeply concerned about the Ukraine crisis and need your help.
Join us on March 26 at 9:00am for District 7910's first Diversity Equity & Inclusion Summit. Rotary International’s theme for this year is “Serve to Change Lives.” Network and share ideas with other DEI stakeholders. Learn about available resources, actions you can take, and programs you can plan to change lives in your community. Attendance is free, but space is limited. Register now to secure your seat at this important event.
Rotarian Mark Wafer, of Canada, a relentless disability advocate, was the keynote speaker during the February 7 monthly meeting of District 7910's Disabilities Advisory Group. (Shown at left is a photo of Mark Wafer.)
Robert “Bob” Johnson, a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Worcester and a true Rotarian who devoted 46 years of his life to his club and the Worcester community, passed away on January 16, 2022. Bob's fellow Worcester Rotarians always appreciated his presence and wonderful outlook on life. He is someone our club misses terribly.
Ann Sorvari, our immediate past president, and Johan Sorvari, her husband and fellow club member, have delivered 237 pairs of crew socks to Operation American Soldier.
Diana Nestorova, immediate past district governor, met with her home club, Acton-Boxborough, on January 19. Fellow club members celebrated and conversed with her about the key issues she and her 2021-2022 team addressed during her term of office.
Cliff Rober, our 2021-2022 district governor, met with us on January 5, 2022. We had a wide-ranging, informative talk with him about various District and Club issues.
In December, just in time for the Holidays, Brookfields Rotary Co-President Lynn Duffy O’Shea presented holiday donation checks to the local Food Pantries in North Brookfield and Spencer. Here we see Kathy Sullivan accept a check for the Mary, Queen of the Rosary Pantry in Spencer, MA. Separately, Cecelia Daniels accepted a check on behalf of the North Brookfield First Congregational Church Pantry.
The Club also collected more than 125 coats and recycled footwear as part of its community service efforts this holiday season.
Several of our present and past Club members provided lots of comfort, joy, and gifts - plus more or less on-key carols - on December 15 to residents of the Life Care Center of Acton.
Commitment is an important in the world. It means many things to many people. Much of it depends on who you are and what you are.
To advocates, commitment means dedication to the cause. To Rotarians it is a dedication to the cause - but also to the principles of Rotary. For Rotary advocates, sometimes we must identify ourselves as one or the other.
(Shown is a photo of the hand of a volunteer holding the hand of a person in need of help.)
More than one billion people worldwide - around 15 percent of the world population - are living with a disability. As Rotarians, we continue to push for diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. But do your DEI efforts include people with disabilities? Do you understand their challenges? Are you part making the change that ensures there is DEI in our society?
Kindness is a part of the essence of The Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy as well as Rotary in general. The motto of Rotary is "service above self," and it is in that spirit that the seed of kindness is planted. For those associated with disability advocacy, kindness can be, for example, helping a person who is struggling with a wheelchair; and, visiting someone who maybe feel isolated because of a disability. Oftentimes for the advocates, though, it is speaking up for accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. Kindness can also be about bringing awareness to people about disabilities issues, including ableism.
Andrea Becerra, sustainability director for the Town of Acton, was the guest speaker during our bi-monthly Club Meeting on October 20, 2021 at the Boxboro Regency. To watch her 21-minute presentation, click here.
As we move forward with our Club, it is important to remember that when we were chartered last June by Rotary International, we said that our Club will be a coordinator of human-rights projects rather than a manager of those projects. Most Rotary clubs take on and manage projects that meet one or more of Rotary's Seven Areas of Focus. They are involved in managing the project by providing people with power and/or funding.
(Shown: Poster of raised hands of people of various skin colors, with this quote from Nelson Mandela: "To Deny People Their Human Rights Is To Challenge Their Very Humanity.")
Past Rotary Internation President Ian Riseley joined us from Australia via Zoom during the D7910 Environmental Action Group's Climate Cafe on September 29. Ian spoke of Rotary's long history of supporting environmentally-related projects, and how the adoption of our new Area of Focus will further enhance our efforts through the availability of grant funding and other resources. Click here to view the video of Environmental Action Group co-chair Sue Peghiny's captivating conversation with Past President Riseley.
A good time, stuffed-chicken meal, and chocolate-beyond-belief cake were had by all who attended Rotary Club of Acton-BoxboroughAnnual Senior Citizens Lunch on September 19, at the Boxboro Regency Hotel & Conference Center.
Many of our Club’s subcommittees, comprised of Rotarians worldwide, are closing inn ideas for possible projects. Here are the key elements of developing a great plan for a great project.
Rotary is a volunteer organization, which means that most of the people who work on projects are doing it for the cause, not monetary benefits. The Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy is no different.
Members of our district's Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy and Rotary Disabilities Advisory Group have helped to promote a Hearing Access to Healthcare Zoom session, to include people in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Zambia, and Nepal.
As our Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy has grown to more than 200 Rotarians and non-Rotarians, this past week has been yet another active one. Lots of really good things are happening worldwide.
The WorldDisability Advisers group of our World Disability Advocacy club is now up to 194 members of which there are 78 Rotarians and 116 non-Rotarians. We have 50 group members from the United States, including several in District 7910.
Welcome new members to the newly charteredRotary Club ofWorld Disability Advocacy. And thanks for your keen interest in serving the disability fraternity.
The Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy is the most diverseclub in District 7910 - and one of the most diverse in the world. The 20 charter members represent eight countries - and 18 of the members are new Rotarians. The e-club is comparably also young, with an average age around 32.
Posted by Susan Peghiny and Elliott Rittenberg on Jun 30, 2021
Our Environmental Action Group's next meeting was supposed to be on July 6. Because EAG is holding its first-ever Climate Cafe on July 22, the July 6 meeting will not be held.
Posted by Roy Balfour and John Marchiony on Jun 27, 2021
Got questions aboutour district's Rotary@Work Initiative? Ask them this Monday, June 28 from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m, with socializing starting at 7:45 a.m. Toattend thisfree onlineevent, you will need toRSVP before 12:00 midnight on Sunday, June 27.
Posted by Cheryl A. Cuddahy, Sentinel & Enterprise on Jun 26, 2021
(This June 12 story in the Sentinel & Enterprise was written by Cherly A. Cuddahy, editor for community news, who also took the accompanying photos.)
The United Nations World Oceans Day, celebrated this [June 8], was set remind us of the major role the oceans have in our everyday life, with the purpose of the day to inform the community of the impact of human actions on the ocean and develop a worldwide movement to protect the environment. In observance of World Oceans Day, the [Rotary Club of Leominster], in partnership with the Leominster Department of Public Works, was busy stenciling storm drains in the city on [June 10] with “Don’t Dump, Drains to River,” to stress the importance of having only clean rainwater flowing into thestorm drain system. The group stenciled over 200 drains throughout the city.
I want to thank you for all the support and encouragement that you have given me this Rotary year. Being your district governor is an honor and a privilege that I will hold in my heart, forever!
The Rotary Club of Charles River held a flagpole-dedication ceremony on June 10 atJohn J. Lane Parkin Natick, at to honor the late Neill Osgood, who had been a club member and treasurer for 33 years, for his volunteer service as a Rotarian. He passed away in November 2019.
The newly chartered Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy is the most diverse club in District 7910 - and maybe even the world. The 20 charter members represent eight countries - and 18 of the members are new Rotarians. It is also a comparably young club, with the average age being around 32.
Barbara Robichaud has been a member of the Rotary Club of Athol-Orange for more than 30 years. She is a past president, a past secretary, a past board member-at-large, and currently sergeant arms. She has always been the “go-to” Rotarian who volunteers for all fundraising and project committees.
Sylvia Kiggundu, of the Rotary Club of Needham was born in Uganda, northwest of the capital city of Kampala. She still has family there. Many people there are day workers, toiling during the daytime to buy food for that evening.
The cover story of June's District Newsletter is Celebrating Our Wild West DisCon '21, held online on Friday, May 21 and Saturday, May 22. Scores of Rotarians attended each of the daily sessions, moderated by District Governor Diana Nestorova.
1. Opening Ceremony: In this segment: “Opening Remarks,” by Emcee and District Governor District Diana Nestorova; “Words of Wisdom,” by President Lynn Duffy-O’Shea, of the Rotary Club of the Brookfields; and “Toast to World Peace and Understanding,” by President Rob Bussey, of the Rotary Club of Southborough.
2. Hat Contest: This segment is hosted by Steve Levitsky and Sharon Spaulding, of the Rotary Club of Concord.
3. Top Clubs with Net Membership Growth: This segment is hosted by Ron Bott, of the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, who chairs the district's Membership Committee.
4. RI ‘Service Above Self Award’ to Bud Flannery: This segment is hosted by District Governor District Diana Nestorova, who presents the award – Rotary International’s highest - to Bud Flannery, of the Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough, who founded that club in 1962.
5. Assistant Governor Awards and Recognitions: In this segment, those AG awards and recognitions are presented by: District Governor District Diana Nestorova; Assistant Governor Sue Peghiny, of the Rotary Club of Newton; and the district's Public Image chair, Laura Spear, of the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley.
6. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Citations: In this segment, the DEI citations are presented by Bill Paulson, of the Rotary Club of Needham, who chairs the district's Social Equity Task Force.
7. Closing Remarks: In this closing segment, District Governor Diana Nestorova previews the Saturday, May 22 session of DisCon ’21.
INDIVIDUAL SEGMENTS
1. Opening Ceremony: In this segment: “Opening Remarks,” by Emcee and District Governor District Diana Nestorova; “Words of Wisdom,” by President Lynn Duffy-O’Shea, of the Rotary Club of the Brookfields; and “Toast to World Peace and Understanding,” by President Rob Bussey, of the Rotary Club of Southborough. https://youtu.be/Fcc_xKCWiDI
2. Hat Contest: This segment is hosted by Steve Levitsky and Sharon Spaulding, of the Rotary Club of Concord. https://youtu.be/YlZ_vMauXVc
3. Top Clubs with Net Membership Growth: This segment is hosted by Ron Bott, of the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, who chairs the district's Membership Committee. https://youtu.be/YlZ_vMauXVc
4. RI ‘Service Above Self Award’ to Bud Flannery: This segment is hosted by District Governor District Diana Nestorova, who presents the award – Rotary International’s highest - to Bud Flannery, of the Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough, who founded that club in 1962. https://youtu.be/gIdIW91Gk0A
5. Assistant Governor Awards and Recognitions: In this segment, those AG awards and recognitions are presented by: District Governor District Diana Nestorova; Assistant Governor Sue Peghiny, of the Rotary Club of Newton; and the district's Public Image chair, Laura Spear, of the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley. https://youtu.be/wt_7DvqMUng
6. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Citations: In this segment, the DEI citations are presented by Bill Paulson, of the Rotary Club of Needham, who chairs the district's Social Equity Task Force. https://youtu.be/DYrcRO83qyk
7. Closing Remarks: In this closing segment, District Governor Diana Nestorova previews the Saturday, May 22 session of DisCon ’21. https://youtu.be/yPEJuEgjuQc
Four members of the Rotary Disabilities Advisers Group, one of District 7910's newest cause-related committees, are actively engaged in service of people with disabilities.
Sandra Joyce was the first woman honored to join the Rotary Club of Hudson, and served as president in 1987, for one term. Recently, she passed away peacefully.
As Rotarians, we are often invited to support projects that are taking place in areas far from our homes. Many times, we do not know the participants, but we are also drawn to their cause. One of our members, who has volunteered in Haiti, brought to the attention of the Rotary Club of Northborough the need for educational support materials for an ongoing project in Haiti.
In May, our district's Social Equity Task Force and the Rotary Club of Needham held an online Diversity Book Fair. This was a coordinated effort with seven elementary schoolsin Needham, to help ensure that local children could see themselves in a more diverse set books that they read in their classrooms at school.
Posted by Susan Peghiny and Elliott Rittenberg on Jun 10, 2021
Here’s your guide to the Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group's 2021 Rotary Pre-Convention webinar, tobe broadcast this Friday, June 11 at 8:30 a.m. (ET). Relish afeast of 30-minute talks throughout the day by leading experts on environmental challenges and solutions.
Robert Mosher never seeks the spotlight and always delivers quality results collaboratively.
This year, he has:
chaired our Bristol Lodge Service Team as he has since his father, the founder, stepped down;
WW Rotary has prepared and served dinner at Bristol Lodge once a month every year for more than 30 years. Rob manages all our volunteers and interacts with the MHSA leadership team.
chaired our first-ever Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale;
Rob created the partnership with the Weston Baptist Church to take over their long-standing Christmas Tree Sale and then directed and managed all of the success of the incredible experience that delivered volunteer and fellowship opportunities despite COVID restrictions.
chaired our scholarship selection team for 10+ years;
Rob engages experienced and new members each year to evaluate and select scholarship applications.
advised our Interact Club at Weston High School;
Despite the pandemic, the Interact Club has been successful this year and its members have joined our volunteer efforts, notably with the Christmas Tree Sale and, now, our spring conservation team efforts.
participated on our RYLA selection team;
Rob was a part of the team that succeeded in selecting and recognizing 18 students with our local RYLA award and sending 10 (perhaps 12) students to the RYLA OLA.
been an invaluable member of our Board and advisor to me throughout my year as president.
Past President Mark Messina offered this additional, personal perspective:
“Rob does soldier along quietly. Nothing flashy, just persistent and thorough thoughtfulness that helps keep the project moving forward while including and making available opportunities to anyone who may be interested in joining. I think it is special that he keeps the Bristol Lodge project his dad started with the club alive, and thriving. We haven’t missed a month ever, I think. It is always good to remind new members that his dad and mom were very active with our Rotary Club, and Rob honors their memory through this service.”
Barbara has been a member of the Athol-Orange Rotary Club for over 30 years. She is a Past-President, Past Secretary, Board Member-At-Large and currently Sergeant-At-Arms. She has always been the “go-to” Rotarian that volunteers for all fundraising and project committees.
This year, she has been the “rock” behind the very stressed President during the unprecedented conditions created by Covid-19. While, many Rotarians have work and home commitments or health issues that precluded them from volunteering this year, Barbara stepped up for our grant project and our online fundraiser.
Our grant was for a Habitat for Humanity home build in Athol. We donated the windows and made a commitment to help. Barbara not only came to two build days; she was the liaison to coordinate the work dates. She loved the project so much, that she joined the Local Project Committee, which helped coordinate other aspects of the project including choosing the family.
One of our fundraisers was on online auction. She called every Rotarian reminding them to donate. She picked up items when needed. She spent days organizing and writing the scripts for all the items. The auction was a combined event with the local YMCA. That should net $3,000.
Barbara joined most weekly meeting via Zoom and reminded in words and deeds the meaning of Rotary.
John has been a faithful member of this club since 1988. Throughout that time, he has been a model Rotarian behind the scenes – a Silent Supporter, always ready to help when the Club needed him.
As a young man, he learned several languages and had the opportunity to travel and live abroad. He is always ready to share his broad knowledge and experience, and is devoted to the idea of cross-cultural understanding through student exchange. He has been an enthusiastic supporter of educational efforts, especially in Latin America, and a strong supporter of cultural exchange programs. His love of languages and learning is always evident.
He quietly stands behind the programs he loves, such as the Clean Water project in Nicaragua, and has made considerable contributions to strengthening the club even when the group may not yet have identified a weakness. This year he was particularly helpful to us in moving our fundraising efforts to the internet.
We are grateful for his friendship and his steadfast support, and are happy to nominate John Grew Jr. as our club’s Unsung Hero.
Here is the last Rotary Public Image Update for this Rotary year. Congratulations to all of you all for your leadership and perseverance during a challenging year. You did it!
Posted by Susan Peghiny and Elliott Rittenberg on Jun 08, 2021
Sustainabilityexpert Nils Tore Skogland will present during the Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group's Biodiversity Meetingthis Wednesday, June 9 at 9:00 a.m. (ET) via Zoom. Skogland will focus on Carbon Markets and Sequestration: True Strategic Sustainable Development.
Karen Fusco, of the Rotary Club of Fitchburg, has performed all the duties of being secretary of her club - and so much more. Since March 2020, she has set up and hosted all of the Zoom sessions used for the club's regular weekly meetings. When the club's bulletin editor took a leave of absence to care for a family member, Karen took over those responsibilities, too.
Ken Masson, of the Rotary Club of Merrimack Valley, has embraced the call for diversity, equity and inclusion in multiple ways this Rotary year. He personally has sponsored two new members to his club, broadening its demographic mix and improving its female representation while lowering club members' median age.
Did you know that, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, only 8.7 percent of all plastic produced was recycled in 2018? Did you know that, as the EPA reports, the amount of plastic producedannually has gone up more than 500 percent since 1980 - and in excess of 1,200 percent since 1970?
Are you interested in learning more on how plastic contributes to the climate crisis and the solid-waste crisis? Join the Rotary Club of Brookline and Brookline Mothers Out Front for a live, informative presentation, Moving Beyond Plastics, by Judith Enck, founder of Beyond Plastics and a former EPA regional administrator for the Obama administration. This free, online event is tonight from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom.
The first session of the Coaching and Advising Track of our district's Rotary@Work Initiative is set for this Tuesday, June 8 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Please joinfellow Rotarians and business coachesThomas Bruckbauer and Ken Erdelt along with fellow Rotarians Roy Balfour and John Marchiony. Toattend this free online event, you'll need toRSVP before 12:00 midnight on Sunday, June 6.
Anne Hentz, of the Rotary Club of Acton Boxborough, is a person who does far more than might be expected. She doesn’t care who gets the credit - and finds a way to get the job done.
Ray Pfau,of the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, has participated in numerous local community-service projects during the past year, including writing weekly letters to the senior residents in Bolton, making face shields, delivering masks, and stuffing a town police cruiser with donated food. He also helped to start up and promote an aging-in-place program for the Town of Bolton as well as bring his club into the program for support.
Posted by Lee Ann Searight, Rotary International on May 30, 2021
Thanks to those of you who attended Rotary International'sMay 27 webinar, Building a Welcoming Community for People with Disabilities. We hope you enjoyed our event. The webinar video is available in English, with closed captions.
The annual Business Meeting of the Rotary clubs of District 7910 will take place this Wednesday, June 2 at starting at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. We expect that this important annual meeting will run between 60 and 90 minutes.
Prior to the meeting, your club needed to have enrolled the requisite delegates. Immediately following the meeting, the annual Memorial Service will be held.
A multi-Rotary-club food-packaging event, to benefitRise Against Hunger, exceeded its goal to packageat least 20,000meals in two hours. The group actually packaged 23,500 meals over several hours due to generous fundraising andlots of overtime work from volunteers.
Multi-Club Food Packaging Exceeds Goal to Benefit Rise Against Hunger
Chris Spear
2021-05-27 04:00:00Z
0
Acton-Boxborough,Hudson,Littleton,Littleton High Humanitarian Club,Nashoba High Interact,Nashoba High Interact Club,Nashoba Valley,Rise Against Hunger,Workers Credit Union
Posted by Susan Peghiny and Elliott Rittenberg on May 25, 2021
Rotary environmental happenings are occurring around the world. During the May 1 meeting of our district's Environmental Action Group, Co-chair Elliot Rittenberg talked about several of them in Rotary, and outside District 7910. They include the following:
Join Rotary International this Thursday, May 27 at 12:00 noon (ET) for the fifth webinar in RI's Accountability and Inclusion series, Building a Welcoming Community for People with Disabilities. In conversation with disability-rights advocates, we will learn to challenge assumptions we may have about people with disabilities, adopt practical solutions for making experiences more accessible for everyone, and recognize that exclusion happens when we solve problems using our own biases.
Interpretation will be available in French, Mandarin, Portuguese and Spanish. Everyone who registers will receive access to the webinar's video. If you can't attend this webinar, you could still register for it, which would give you access to the recording.
Register now - and submit your questions to RI's experts - by clicking here.
On happy tails, District 7910’s cowgirls and cowboys have giddy-upped into the sunset following our 2021 Virtual District Conference! On May 21 and 22, we celebrated our hootin’ and hollerin' Wild Westhoedown! Hugecongratulations to all Rotary clubs and members that received awards and recognitions.
We had lots of fun with interactive games and contests, and rewardingsilent and live auctions. Hearty congrats to all of our Rotary clubs and members for a darn tootin’ successful Rotary 2020-2021 year.
Posted by Roy Balfour and John Marchiony on May 22, 2021
Rotary@Work's next Business Networking Series is set for this Monday, May 24 from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. via Zoom. This is a Questions sessionfocused on marketing: What's Working Now?
The Rotary Club of Needham is nearing the end of its two-week Diversity Book Fair. All the teachers in the town’s elementary schools have created book gift registries, with books that will help to diversify the set of books they have in their classrooms. Our goal is that every child should be able to see themselves in the books they read at school.
The Rotary Club of Westborough will collect recyclable plastics during its 11th Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge. The volunteer event takes placethis Saturday, May 22 from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at the rear of Kohl's retail store in Northborough.
As the COVID-19 virus surgesweeps India, Rotary Zone 28 & 32 is reaching out to all of you for support and to change lives. After consultation with the chair of the Rotary India's COVID Task Force, Zone 28 & 32 has learned that the most urgent need is for portable oxygen concentrators. Because these units are portable, they will serve many people in the coming weeks and months.
Due to the urgency of the situation in India, this project will be open until this May 24.
Anyone with a link to District 7910’sWild West Virtual Silent Auction site - on 32Auctions - can view it without having a 32Auctions account. This is a great way to increase interest in our 2021 District Conferenceonline auction, which beginstoday, May 14, and goes through Saturday, May 22.
Nashoba Valley Leads Food Packaging Event to Benefit Rise Against Hunger, on May 15
Chris Spear
2021-05-11 04:00:00Z
0
Acton-Boxborough,Hudson,Littleton,Littleton High Humanitarian Club,Nashoba High Interact,Nashoba High Interact Club,Nashoba Valley,Rise Against Hunger,Workers Credit Union
A showing of Public Image - The Musical, which premieredon April 28, is the focus of May's Rotary Public Image Update.Plus: New items in Rotary International's Brand Center and Learning Center.
Here are five reasons to join us again this month:
Meet or reconnect with business people with impeccable business values and ethics.
Find new clients, partners, and vendors.
Learn something new about your business, how you present your business, or someone else’s.
Meet prospective Rotary members. Wait, what? Yes, this “business” initiative has been the source of six new members this year for the Rotary Club of Weston and Wayland.
Get results: Here’s a success story: "I had a call today with an international company. At the end of the call, in setting the expectations to the salesperson, I mentioned that I am involved with various projects for the Rotary. It turned out that his father (in Ukraine) has been a Rotarian for years and he's been thinking of joining. The conversation instantly turned more welcoming and warmer. I invited him to one of our Rotary @ Work events and any other meetings we might have. Simply using the word 'Rotary' shifted his perspective and the conversation right away. I thought it was absolutely wonderful and so refreshing – at 7 a.m. for a conference call.”
Rotary Disabilities Advisers meets every Monday at 9:00 a.m. (ET) via Zoom, to encourage Rotary districts, clubs and members to welcome more people with disabilities into the Rotary organization.
The RDA group consists of Rotarians and non-Rotarians globally, and focuses on areas of accessibility, awareness, inclusion, and support.
Those who have an interest in disability rights are encouraged to attend the next RDA meeting by contacting Ken Masson at daurotary@gmail.com.
The Rotary Club of Lowell aims to make this Tuesdsay night's Virtual Music Trivia a real area event, to say officially goodbye to winter, Rotary-style. Event organizers invite current and former club members along with community members and District 7910 friends to join them from 6:30 to 7:45, to benefit the club's scholarship fund as well as local non-profits.
The Rotary Club of Southborough joined recently the local community in the fight against COVID-19. The club did so through Southborough Rises Above COVID-19, a project facilitated by a generous District Membership Award grant of $1,000.
The cover story of theMay's District Newsletter is "Go West Rotarians to DisCon," the round-up call to register for this year's virtual District Conference on May 21 and 22 via Zoom.
The Rotary Club of Charles River celebrated Earth Week by holding a successful Shredding fundraiseron April 24 at Fisk Church inNatick.The funds raised - $2,760 - will go to the Keefe Tech Scholarship Fund, which is sponsored by the club.
Posted by Elliott Rittenberg Sue Peghiny on Apr 29, 2021
Our district's Environmental Committee has rebranded and repurposed itself. During this week's meeting, we decidedwe're done talking. So, our group chose a new name to better reflect our intent: Environmental Action Group.
Need to know how to run a V/IP meeting - virtual/in-person, that is? Watch these two videos, produced by The Global Impact Group, a pending 501(c)3 charitable non-profit that develops technology literacy and technology solutions, to solve problems for positive social and humanitarian impact
The Rotary Club of Westborough will collect recyclable plastics during its 10th Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge. The volunteer event takes placethis Saturday, April 24 from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at the rear of Kohl's retail store in Northborough.
The spotlight shown on Worcester's historic Stearns Tavern and that city's non-profitSeven Hills Foundation on April 8, during aRotary Club of Worcestermeeting.Tim Johnson, the Foundation's associate vice president, gave anexcellent presentation on how his charitable organization provideslearning opportunities for developmentally different individuals -with many of those opportunitiesavailable at the Tavern.
Quezalguaque is a small rural community of 12,000 in northeast Nicaragua. Concern about water quality and access to clean water has been a long-standing issue. It became a heightened concern more than 10 years ago with the onset of an epidemic of chronic kidneydisease.
As Rotarians, do weconsider accessibility as much as we should? Out of the mouths of babes: As a brand-new Rotarian,inducted only a few months ago, I am aware that I am pushing my luck, and cannot possibly know the answer to this question. However, as an experienced, blind disability-inclusion consultant, I feel more comfortable in asking the question, and inspired to know the answer - and to raise the flag for this cause.
2021 Ducky Wucky River Race, hosted by the Rotary Club of Ayer, Harvard, Shirley and Devens, will be held on Saturday, May 15. The first lucky duck to cross the finish line will win its sponsor two hotel nights and dinnerfortwo- anywhere in the world!
April's "Open Doors with DG Diana" focused on growing Rotary membership. During the session, hosted by District Governor Diana Nestorova, the discussion featured a panel, including representatives from our clubs, Rotary International, and special guest moderator, Dr. Bill Wittich, PhD, (shown, right).
The next monthly Open Doors With DG Diana is set for Wednesday, April 21 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. The focus is on Membership - Emerging from the Pandemic.
Join with Rotary to promote the power of vaccines. During World Immunization Week,set for April 24 through 30, join with Rotary to combat vaccine hesitancy and misinformation by spreading the facts about why vaccines work.
Did you know ShelterBox responds often in countries that have few, if any, Rotarians, or clubs? Sudan, for example, is a country of 41 million people. However, there's only one Rotary club - with less than two dozen Rotarians.
While anti-Asian racism has surged since COVID-19, racism and violence against Asian Americans have existed long before this pandemic. On Thursday, April 22 at 6:00 p.m. viaZoom,Chris Chanyasulkit,PhD, MPH,will provide the Rotary Club of Brookline a brief overview of the anti-Asianracism and xenophobia faced by Asian communities, and share ways to be an ally and support the Asian community.
The Rotary Club of Charles River is celebrating Earth Week by holding a Shredding Event fundraiseronSaturday, April 24. The event will run - rain or shine - from from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Fisk Church, located at 106 Walnut St. in Natick.
The Rotary Club of Weston-Wayland is pleased to announce that our Adopt-a-Field project has received conditional approval by the Weston Conservation Commission.
The Rotary Club of Westborough's Committee on the Environment will collect recyclable plastics during its ninth Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge,this Saturday, April 10 from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at the rear of Kohls retail store in Northborough. We are also having our Earth Day event later in that same day.
The Rotary Club of Bedford suffered aterrible loss this week. Bob Mead, the last of our founding members, has slipped away from us. He was there in the beginning, and all the way through our 65 yearsof working around Bedford and the world.
The cover story of theApril's District Newsletter is on Open Doors with DG Diana: Growth, to be held on Wednesday, April 21 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Posted by Leone Johnson, Community Investors on Apr 02, 2021
To all Rotarians in District 7910, thank you for invitingCommunity Investors to your MarchZoom meeting, to share our mission of supporting physical, social and emotional wellness.You provided us an opportunity to show the recent Channel 5 News feature on our designation as a National Youth Sports Strategy Champion by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services.
Posted by Holger Knaack and K.R. Ravindran on Apr 01, 2021
In these difficult days, we are so heartened to receive such uplifting reports on the unrelenting efforts of our Rotary members who have responded in their communities against the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the single question we hear time and again is, “Are we getting involved with COVID vaccination?” The answer is, "Yes."
The Rotary Club of Westborough has landed two stories in a local weekly newspaper. One, is on a 2019 service trip to Guatemala. The other, is on bringing back an annual holiday event to Westborough.
Posted by Ryan Hyland, Rotary International on Mar 27, 2021
Rotary clubs around the world are mobilizing in their communities to support the introduction and delivery of COVID-19 vaccinations. Rotary leaders are urging members to connect with their social-health agencies, to determine how Rotary can support COVID-19 vaccine efforts.
The Rotary Club of Newton's efforts to feed needy families, which help to keep restaurant workers employed, have attracted lots of local media coverage.
You are invited on April 10 at 10:00 a.m. to celebrate Rotary International's 75-year history of international service with the United Nations. These four Rotary districts - Geneva, Nairobi-Addis Ababa,New York City, and Rome - are hosting the UN.
The Rotary Club of Westborough's Committee on the Environment will collect recyclable plastics during its eighth Trex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge,this Saturday, March 27 from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at Kohls retail store in Northborough. We encourage everyone to bring their plastics collection directly to Kohls at the scheduled timeon Saturday.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rotary International has been unable to offer in-person tours of our World Headquarters in Evanston, Illinois. Now, there's an online way to tour RI's HQs - then and now.
Check out ways, through the Rotary Club of Westford, to get rid of all the collected papers and files that you have been going through the last few months, and to recycle your Trex plastics into a park bench.
So much in our lives depends on access to clean water. We wash our hands with it to keep ourselves and our communities healthy, cook meals with it to nourish our bodies, and rely on it for proper sanitation. Yet there arestill communities around the world that don’t have reliable sources of clean water. And, youcan help throughThe Rotary Foundation.
In honor of World Water Day, the Rotary Club of Brookline has joined with the Brookline Quezalguaque Sister City Project in organizing a special program on March 25, to discuss the ongoing clean-water project in Quezalguaque, Nicaragua.
Posted by Roy Balfour and John Marchiony on Mar 21, 2021
Our district's Rotary@Work's Business Networking Series continues this Monday, March 22 at 7:45 a.m. with a Questions session (rather than a Sales and Marketing Pitch session). This Monday, we'll dig into our biggest business challenges and the solutions to them, which we’ll explore together as a large group and in breakout rooms.
During the last week of February and the first week of March, members of the Rotary Club of the Brookfields travelled to seven communities in our area, delivering COVID-19-related personal protective equipment and touchless thermometers.
Have you noticed Rotary International's new Learning Center home page? We’ve redesigned it to make it easier to find the courses you’re looking for. We’ve tailored one version of the page for Rotarians, Rotaractors, and club and districtexecutive secretaries, and another version for non-members, including scholars, Interactors, and alumni.
Members of all Rotary clubs inDistrict 7910are invited to theRotary Club of Westford's St. Patrick's Day Virtual Celebration, thisThursday, March 18, from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Posted by Elliott Rittenberg Sue Peghiny on Mar 15, 2021
District 7910'sEnvironmental Committee is considering water, education and recycling as a guide to its activities. That, along with several other issues, were discussed during the committee's March 9 meeting via Zoom.
Students from seven schools across the Framingham region are being invited to apply for the 2021 Rotary Club of Framinghamscholarship round. Applications for the 2021 round are due by April 1.
Most people join Rotary for fellowship, networking (personal/business), and to have an impact on both our communities and the world through service. District 7910’s new Rotary@Work initiative brings Rotarians together to support both each other and their communities by expanding business and professional development in three areas, to increase the value of Rotary membership: growth; careers and jobs; and mentoring/advice.
The Eastern States Student Exchange (ESSEX) has reached the difficult decision to cancel all short- and long-term Rotary Youth Exchanges for the 2021-2022 school year.
The Rotary@work group has created this page for Rotarians to connect with one another about job opportunities full time, part time, contract or seasonal.
Please send job postings information to: xyz@gmail.com
Make sure to include dates, job title, job description and contact.
On March 3, the monthly Open Doors with DG Diana explored the great opportunities open forRotarians who work with and mentor our youth leaders. During the session, hosted by District Governor Diana Nestorova, the attendees also listened to some of the current participants inour district's youth-related opportunities.
On March 5, a joyous Zoom crowd witnessed District Governor Diana Nestorova conduct a Charter Ceremony for our district's third Rotaract club, the Rotaract Club of MassBay Community College.
We are excited to have Rotary International's President-Elect Shekhar Mehta as the opening speaker for the 2021 Northeast Presidents-Elect Training Seminar, set for Thursday, March 11 from 6:45 to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Posted by Valarie Wafer, Rotary Zones 28 & 32 on Mar 06, 2021
Join us as Shekhar Mehta (shown first on right), president-elect of Rotary International, shares his vision of peace during the next free Director Dialogue with RI Director Valarie Wafer, set for Wednesday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Posted by Susan Peghiny and Elliott Rittenberg on Mar 05, 2021
Our secondEnvironmental Committee meeting is set forTuesday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Please join us as we continue to build the foundation of what promises to be a very active and engaged team of Rotarians who are committed to Rotary's new - and seventh - Area of Focus: Supporting the Environment.
I was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia when I was seven years old. My mom noticed strange bruising on my legs, one day after summer camp in 2011. She had mother’s intuition that something was wrong and did some research. What she read pointed to leukemia. After a quick blood draw from me, my doctor pulled her aside and said, “You’re right, I’m so sorry.” I had to be immediately hospitalized.
Posted by Laura Spear and Peggy Sheldon on Mar 01, 2021
All applications for District 7910's Recognition Awards and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Citations are due by May 8. Both the Recognition Awards and the DEI Citations will be presented at this year’s virtual District Conference.
The cover story of theMarch's District Newsletter is on 'Open Doors with DG Diana: "Youth and Rotary," to be held on March 3 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Find Out About Our Youth Programs:
Hear from Interactors, Rotaractors, and RYLA alumni.
Meet our exchange students from prior years.
Learn about special programs created especially for youth in our communities.
Find Out About Our Amazing Scholarships:
David & Eleanor Morley Endowed Global Grant Scholarship
Posted by Susan Peghiny and Elliott Rittenberg on Mar 01, 2021
Thank you to everyone who attended our first District Environmental Committee meeting on February 23, and to those who couldn't attend but have expressed interest in working to make a difference in Rotary's newest - and seventh - Area of Focus: Supporting the Environment.
The Rotary Club of Puné University is looking for an international partner for a Rotary Global Grant project to improve water infrastructure in the village of Vinzar, India, as well as to upgrade school furniture, equipment, and facilities.
The Rotary Club of Westborough's Committee on the Environment will collect recyclable plastics during its seventh Trex Plastics Challenge,this Saturday, February 27 from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at Kohls retail store in Northborough.
TheRotary Club of Weston-Wayland'sconservation plan has been narrowed to the Adopt-a-Field Conservation Project in an effort to help the Weston Conservation Committee by adopting one of the 25 fields in need of care located in Weston. We envision a budget that will encompass tools, transportation, plantings, andeducational resources.
Posted by Rotary Club of Watertown on Feb 20, 2021
Dr. Kuhn Hong Lee, PhD, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 21 at his Cambridge home, at age 83. He was a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Watertown and promoter of peace and justice.
John Wackman, a real force in the Repair Cafemovement, passed away recently from a heart attack. He started a Repair Cafe in 2013 in the New York's Hudson Valley and helped to get Repair Cafes started in more than 30 towns in that local area.
Posted by Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group on Feb 16, 2021
You're invited to attend Ian Riseley, Rotary and Protecting the Environment, to hear about Rotary's new Area of Focus, on Tuesday, March 2 at 2:15 p.m. (ET). Please note: Materials for this Zoom event give the start time as 12:15 p.m. - but that's Mountain Time.
Rotary Club of Westborough's Committee on the Environment will collect recyclable plastics during its seventh Trex Plastics Challenge,this Saturday, February 13 from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at Kohls retail store in Northborough.
Posted by Ryan Hyland, Rotary International on Feb 05, 2021
Incoming Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta urges members to become more involved in service projects. Caring for and serving others, he says, is the best way to live because it both changes other people’s lives, and also our own.
"Rotary kindled the spark within me to look beyond myself and embrace humanity."
Shekhar Mehta Rotary International President-Elect
Gifts Of Hope Unlimited, a Metrowest/Boston-based organization, collaborates with town social workers, Voices Against Violence, andother domestic-violence shelters who identify families struggling to meet their most basic needs. As a charitable, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, Gifts of Hope provides financial assistance, home resources, and community-focused initiatives as a step towards a safe and empowered future.
This month's Open Doors With DG Diana is set for Wednesday, February 10 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Because February is Rotary Month on Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution, the focus will be on that theme.
The monthly Rotary At Work session is set for Tuesday, February 2 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom. The free session, which is open to both Rotarians and non-Rotarians, is a program of the Rotary Means Business Fellowship.
Scores of District 7910 Rotarians took part on January 11 in Open Doors With DG Diana: Vocational Service. The session,shown in this 86-minute video, was led by District Governor Diana Nestorova.
By now, we have sadly grown accustomed to hearing of the need to shift major public events to being held virtually rather than face-to-face. Unfortunately, Rotary International's Board of Directors was compelled to again make the difficult decision to celebrate this year’s International Convention as a virtual event.
For the 13th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating — four stars — from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S.
A total of 27 Rotarians from District 7910, along with a total of 30 Rotarians from other Northeast districts attended all parts of half-day seminar - on January 23 via Zoom - by the Rotary Leadership (and Learning) Institute for North East America. While the formal name of the organization is "Rotary Leadership Institute," our district has chosen to add "(and Learning)" because the seminars are also for people whomay not want to be Rotary leaders but do want to learn more about Rotary.
The Rotary Club of Brookline invites you to "Share The Love" by ordering a Dinner and Sweets for Your Sweetheart - by February 9 - and helping the Brookline Food Pantry feed our hungry neighbors.
The Rotary Club of Littleton proposes defining, in advance, a system and assembly line for mass inoculations - in this case, specific to the town of Littleton. Prior approval for this proposal has been received from the Littleton Board of Health.
Posted by Brian Bullock and Richard Traina on Jan 21, 2021
The Rotary Club of Wachusett Area is sponsoring Serving is the Heart of Rotary on Sunday, February 14, with a Grab & Go Lasagna Dinner for Wachusett-area seniors.
The Rotary Club of Brookline is screening “Brookline, Facing Civil Rights, a work-in-progress 23-minute documentary film by R. Harvey Bravman, on Tuesday, January 26 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. The Brookline club is starting its monthly evening meeting with this special program in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Posted by Social Equity Task Force on Jan 17, 2021
District 7910's Social Equity Task Force shares these local opportunities to participate in Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations on Monday, January 18.
The Rotary Club of Westborough had quite a successful Trex Plastics Collection Drive on January 16 at Kohls' in Northborough. With this latest collection, we have achieved our goal of 500 pounds in less than two-and-a-half months.
Paul Harris started Rotary asking fellow business professionals to use their skills to help their community. People join Rotary for fellowship, networking, but, unlike some Business Networking International groups, to also have an impact on their community and their world. Fellowship and networking are often overlooked, yet are Rotary's most powerful tools. Vocational service is one of Rotary’s main efforts. It is in that context that Rotary developed the "Rotary Means Business fellowship years ago for Rotarians, to help fellow Rotarians grow their businesses.
The Rotary Club of Franklin is holding its very first virtual fundraiser, so this means anyone around the globe can participate. The event is called Say It With Art: A Valentine Date Night & Live Virtual Fine Art Auction. All purchased art will be framed and be shipped to your home address -free shipping within the U.S.
In 2020, through the efforts of the Rotary Club of Tewksbury and the Wamesit Masonic Lodge, the Red Cross was able to move many of its blood drives, which were cancelled in other donor buildings because of the COVID-19 pandemic, to the Tewksbury Masonic building.
The Rotary Club of Worcester was fortunate on January 7 to have DG Diana with us. During the Zoom meeting, we were also joined by two new club members.
Rotary’s service and project partners are finding creative ways to connect while gathering in person is difficult. Look at what they’re doing and get inspired.
This is a slighly edited version of a December 11, 2020 story on WickedLocal.com:
Local Rotary clubs in District 7930 and Rotary International collaborated to deliver a $44,950 grant to non-profit Care Dimensions, the largest hospice- and palliative-care provider in Massachusetts, to be used for the purchase of personal protective equipment for their frontline workers.
This is a slightly edited version of a December 29, 2020 article on MySouthborough.com:
This year, the Rotary Club of Southborough had big plans. In addition to supporting annual traditions, the Southborough chapter was looking forward to celebrating its 60th year. Then COVID-19 reared its ugly head.
Rotary Global Rewards wishes you a happy holiday season. We hope that you are healthy and safe. Consider giving back to Rotary with Rotary Global Rewards.
Does your Rotaract club or district have an outstanding project? Nominate it to the 2020-2021 Rotaract Outstanding Project Awards, to receive recognition from Rotary International and inspire others around the world to take action!
There was a lot of fun on December 19 at the Walmart store in Worcester. Salvation Army bellringers from the Rotary Club of Worcester had a party talking to each other - and to any customers and donaters who would listen.
Posted by Holger Knaack and K.R. Ravindran on Dec 19, 2020
In these difficult days, we are so heartened to receive such uplifting reports on the unrelenting efforts of our Rotary members who have responded in their communities against the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the single question we hear time and again as we traverse the virtual world is, “Are we getting involved with COVID vaccination?” Considering the success and expertise we have gained in our polio eradication effort, this question is both natural and timely. The answer is yes. We will have an important role in the months ahead.
Rotarians and Rotaractors worldwide unite in service to improve communities near and far. Together, we: promote peace; provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; support education; fight disease; save mothers and children; grow local economies; protect the environment; provide disaster relief; and eradicate polio. This work takes commitment, knowledge, leadership, and above all, determination to take action.
Please purchase your Christmas trees this year in Weston, to support scholarships, food-security projects and other charitable initiatives of the Rotary Club of Weston and Wayland.
Posted by Rotary Club of Worcester on Dec 18, 2020
The Rotary Club of Worcester has great Glögg Party on December 17 via Zoom, with fun, friends, frivolity and imbibing. Some kids and animals came, too - they just had little sips.
Scores of Rotarians throughout District 7910 joined the fun on December 16 for our district's 2020 'Jingle & Mingle" Holiday Zoom Party. Rotarians - including District Governor Diana Nestorova - wore their festive holiday apparel, hats and fascinators while mingling in the main room with friends, old and new.
It’s been quite a year. A global pandemic. Economic disruption. A renewed focus on social injustice. Climate change. And. through all this, Rotarians continue to demonstrate "service above self" in our communities and across the globe. Whether we’re restocking food pantries, helping to provide clean water, fighting addiction, eradicating polio, or supplying critical personal-protective equipment to our first responders, funding fromThe Rotary Foundationmakes our work possible.
Posted by Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough on Dec 11, 2020
Over the years, Acton Boy Scouts of America Troop 284 has picked up holiday trees as a fundraiser to support local troop activities. This year, Troop 284 is joining forces with Troop 1, also from Acton, to expand the fundraiser to better support scouting in Acton and our community. This event allows the scouts to give back to the community by helping families with holiday-tree removal.
In these interesting times, it is great to know that your local community members have got your back! The Rotary Club of Neponset Valley Sunrise was out a couple weekend ago, dropping bucks for gift cards from Salem Food Market, El Centro, La Taquria, Midway, Blue Ribbon BBQ, Big Bear Cafe, Brickhouse Cafe, Pizzadoro’s, Cathay Kitchen, Harrow’s, and Risers - all, in Dedham.
The Rotary Cub of Brookline helped support and encourage many families gather virtually to celebrate the holiday this year as well as provide Thanksgiving dinners for clients of the Brookline Food Pantry. The Brookline club also orchestrated a drive-by pick up on Noveember 25 of pre-purchased, traditional Thanksgiving dinners. From 11:00Am to 5:00PM a parade of cars lined up for curbside pick-up of about 200 pre-purchased, traditional Thanksgiving dinners at Vine Ripe Grill, 1281 West Roxbury Pkwy, Chestnut Hill.
The essence of a Rotary Fellowship is to engage with Rotarians around a common interest. In keeping with January being Rotary Vocational Service Month, District 7910 invites all interested Rotarians to a one-hour Brainstorming Session on ways we can help with jobs, growth and mentoring.The session will be held onTuesday, January 5 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
We are excited to announce the Foundation Award winners for Rotary 2019-2020. Merrimack Valley took home three banners, while Billerica, Charles River, Leominster, Montachusett Area, Nashoba Valley and Needam each won two banners. Big, hearty congratulations to all of the winners!
Posted by Rotary Club of Marlborough on Nov 29, 2020
Are your kids bummed out because they can’t see Santa in person this Year? 'Dear Santa' is the virtual solution! The Rotary Club of Marlborough is producing personalized videos of Santa answering your child’s wishes — with a little extra added.
The Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough has collected 361 pounds of food for the Acton Food Pantry. Contributors shown are, left to right: Claude Miquel, Ann Sorvari, Diana Nestorova, Maureen Masciola, Johan Sorvari, and Padma Jonnavithula.
The Rotary Club of Charles River has donated 1,500 medical masks and candy to the snack room of MetroWest Medical Center for first responders. The club, which serves Ashland, Framingham, Natick and Wellesley, thanked the nurses for their tireless commitment to the health of our community in the fight against COVID-19.
The monthly "Open Doors with DG Diana" online meetingon November 17, with more than 120 attendees, focused on The Rotary Foundation. Our keynote speakers were Past Rotary International President Ravi Ravindran, chair of the Board of Trustees of The Rotary Foundation; andAmanda Lanigan, of Worthy Village, a Rotary Peace Scholar.
November is Rotary Foundation Month, which we celebrated during this online meeting. The amazing program also reviewed the District Grants and Global Grants that our clubs have participated in since July 1, and heard testimonials from ourRotarians and people we've helped with our grants.
During the online meeting, the Rotary clubs of Charles Riverand Northborough had the best member attendance (per capita). They will each receive a Paul Harris award. The clubs will decide which one of their members will be awarded a Paul Harris, and the District will make contribution in that person's name.
Because the online event - this year's District Foundation Meeting - was free, we encourage you to make a donation of $20 or more to the Rotary Foundation's Annual Fund. To make your tax-deductible donation, click here.
Beat the Storm Gale Blues! Charge up your laptop - and, if needed, use your smartphone as a mobile hotspot!
Register now - and for free - for District 7910's 'Jingle & Mingle' Zoom Holiday Party, which starts at 7:00 tonight. It's open to both Rotary members and guests!
To register for free - and get tonight'sZoom meeting link - click here.
We are excited to announce the selection and confirmation of Elliott Rittenberg, from the Rotary Club of Westborough, as our 2023-2024 District Governor. Congratulations Elliott! Together, we are going to elevate our great district to new heights!
With Rotary Foundation Month coming to a close and the holidays just around the corner, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your investment in the Foundation! We’d like to share with you these inspirational stories of impact.Thank you for your contributions to The Rotary Foundation! We couldn’t have done it without you!
This fall it became clear that the Rotary Club of Shrewsbury's traditional in-person meetings and fundraising opportunities were going to be impossible because of the pandemic. With some brainstorming, club members decided to try something unconventional - and the Holiday Gift and Giving Online Basket Auction was born!
As we mourn the passings of long-time and dedicated Rotarians Preston "Skip" Hall (on left), Gary MacConnell (in middle) and Tom Sturiale (on right), we also celebrate their decades oftireless and dedicated service above self to their clubs and their communities. Skip and Gary were long-time members and past presidents of the Rotary Club of Worcester club, while Tom was a long-time member and past president of the Rotary Club of Framimgham.
The Rotary Club of Newton is so happy to be partnering this year with our friends at The Village Bank, to help ensure that every kiddo in Newton has a special winter holiday this year!
In its most recent random act of kindness (RAK), the Rotary Club of Framingham has supplied a handicap ramp for Bridget, an elderly, wheelchair-bound Framingham woman living with her daughter Carol’s family and struggling with health and financial issues.
The Rotary Club of Newton is again partnering with The Presti Group to support Community Servings. Order pies for yourself, your friends, and your colleagues. And/or, make a donation to help Community Servings deliver medically tailored, nutritious, scratch-made meals to chronically and critically ill individuals and their families.
Posted by Rotary Club of Marlborough on Nov 07, 2020
This year, the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce joined with the Rotary Club of Marlborough in their 10th annual Community Recycling event on September 26 and October 24 at the Navin Rink parking lot in Marlborough. After a wildly successful event on September 26, the October 24 event was even more successful — indeed, it was the most successful recycling day in the 10-year history of the semi-annual event.
Posted by Vanessa Glavinskas - Illustrations, Ruby Taylor on Nov 07, 2020
For more than 40 years, Rotary Youth Exchange has been one of Rotary’s best-known programs. As an official program, it dates to 1975 — but, by that time, Rotary clubs had already been sending students abroad for decades with the aim of promoting international understanding and friendship.
Posted by Rotary Super District 6400 on Nov 05, 2020
Rotary Super District 6400 has been working to create a Rotary Youth Leadership Awards event that is self-sustaining - essentially, run by Rotaractors and Interactors. Super District 6400 is a group for Rotarians connected to Rotary District 6400, which serves the southwest part of Ontario, Canada and the southeast part of Michigan.
ARotary DIversity, Equity, Inclusion Webinar is set for this November 12 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) The free webinar focuses on The Power of Connection with Diverse Communities, with moderator Beth Keck, practitioner-in-residence for China Studies at The Johns Hopkins University SAIS.
To help mark World Polio Day 2020, which was on October 24, both the Rotary Club of Brookline and Rotary International produced polio-eradication videos.
Join the virtual World Interact Week party to celebrate the power of Interact, featuring a special guest appearance, exciting new announcements, and an opportunity to connect withInteractorsaround the world. In addition to joining the virtual party, take action with your Interact club with these ideas to celebrate World Interact Week:
Rotary District 7930's Public Image and Technology Committee, in cooperation with its Membership Committee, has published a Guide to Hybrid Club Meetings.
Register now for District 7910's 2020 Foundation Meeting. This year, it's free and online, via Zoom. Note the earlier-than-usual start time, 6:00 p.m. (ET), to accommodate our international guests.
Vice President, Director at Worthy Village, Amanda Lanigan has worked as an educator in various capacities for nearly a decade. A Rotary Peace Fellow, sponsored by district is 7950, she is currently currently studying for her Masters in Conflict and Resolution as a Rotary Foundation Peace Scholar, abroad in Sweden. Amanda holds a BA degree in History, with minors in Political Science and Secondary Education from Bridgewater State University. She has worked on education and cultural exchange programs in Mexico, Guatemala, and Cape Verde.
Amanda was involved with volunteer work in Guatemala and was deeply touched by the passion, work ethic, and community of all those involved. Upon returning home, she immediately began making an effort to bring opportunity into the organization, and continues to work on a daily basis to build Worthy Village. Through her efforts, our programs and methods were featured in the United Nations’ Youth Science-Policy Interface Publication on Disaster Risk Reduction. Amanda is deeply passionate about fostering cultural exchange and service learning opportunities for young people and adults.
Amanda hopes to explore the intersection of climate change and conflict, specifically regarding migration and food security. She is also interested in researching how peacebuilding methods can be utilized to empower marginalized groups.
Amanda has ten years of experience in the education and non-profit sectors. As an educator, Amanda aided in the development of programs designed to foster leadership, inclusivity, community service, and global citizenship. In the non-profit sector, she has worked with community leaders to develop programs focused on education, economic empowerment, and social services for underserved populations. She has also worked to enhance sustainability and cross-cultural communication in the non-profit sector.
Over the summer, Amanda conducted research for International IDEA for her Applied Field Experience. There she conducted research on the impact of COVID on elections and Special Voting Arrangements.
Currently, she is interning at Uppsala University with the Policing and Political Violence Project, and conducting research for the Dallaire Center of Excellence in Toronto on climate change and conflict.
The massive labor dislocation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has left millions ofAsia-Pacific workers more susceptible to exploitation. Matthew Friedman, CEO of The Mekong Club, an international labor-rights advocacy group, explains how the coronavirus has created new vulnerabilities and what companies and managers can do to help mitigate abuses and keep workforces safe.
Rotary clubs serving the Greater Merrimack Valley area came together recently to collect more than 200 new coats during the Coats for Our Kids drive. The Billerica, Tyngsboro-Dunstable, and Westford clubs were looking for coats for all ages, from infants to teenagers.
The Rotary Club of Leominster had planned to send one of its Rotarians last March to Guatemala on a Global Service Project. The WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) project at the 23 primary schools in Guatemala is designed to invest in water and sanitation systems and provide comprehensive hygiene and menstrual education.
Given the challenges of hosting in-person events, many Rotary project fairs will be hosting virtual events this year. They include one in West Africa,which invites clubs elsewhere in the world to join in.
Posted by Rotary Club of Northborough on Oct 27, 2020
A Kids Coat DrIve, sponsored by Northborough Helping Hands andpromoted by the Rotary Club of Northborough, still needs coat sponsors. The drop-off deadline is November 18.
We will promote your event on the District website, calendar, newsletter and social media.
TIP 1:Flyers should be saved as PDFs (for print publishing) or JPEGs (for online publishing)
Forprint or paper publishing, save the flyer as a PDF. For online or digital publishing, save the flyer as a JPEG. To convert a DOC file to a PDF or JPEG use File/Export/File Type (PDF or JPEG).
TIP 2:Select High Resolution
Whenever possible, save your images as high resolution, so that they will appear as high-quality, crisp images.
Did you like the outstanding job NBC-TV reporter/anchor Kristen Welker did of moderating last week's Trump-Biden Debate? If so, you may be interested to know she is a recipient of a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship.
COVID-19has posed new and previously unimagined challenges. But within every challenge can be an opportunity - in this case, for Rotary membership efforts.
Each year, thousands of people become part of the family of Rotary by participating in Rotary programs, including Rotary Peace Fellowships, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), and New Generations Service Exchange. After a positive experience in these programs, Rotary alumni often wish to join a Rotary or Rotaract club.
A group of 21 Rotarians and non-Rotarians from District 7910 had planned to conduct a service mission last March in the Lake Attilan area of Guatemala, which is served by the charitable, non-profit Worthy Village, co-founded by Julia Rayberg, a native of Rockland, Massachusetts. That trip was indefinitely postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On September 30, District 7910 held its second District Rotaract Zoom Meeting since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last winter. This was the first meeting since colleges resumed their Fall 2020 schedule.
On October 15, scores of Rotarians took part in Open Doors With DG Diana, an online session focused on community-service and youth-service projects during the COVID-19 pandemic. The presenters were District Governor Diana Nestorova, Past District Governor Karin Gaffney, who is chair of the District Service Committee, and Christine Pinney, who is chair of the District RYLA Committee. To watch the 63-minute video, click here.
The Rotary Club of Billerica had learned about students who had only trash bags for their belongings. Because of home circumstances, they were forced the night before to be taken into custody by the state Department of Children and Families. The DCF office in Chelmsford covers Ayer, Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Lowell, Pepperell, Shirley, Tewksbury, Townsend and Westford.
Service projects help Rotary clubs promote themselves, engage their members, and attract new members. They also let Rotarians involve their family and friends to participate in Rotary, and to increase collaborative efforts with other community-service groups in the area.
Is your Rotary club looking for a RotaryGlobal Grant project to get involved with? Look no further. Here are six overseas Rotary clubs seeking funding partners.
The Rotary Club of Neponset Valley Sunrise is small but enthusiastic. For the last 18 years, we put together a Duck Race in June as our major fundraising event. This year, however, the coronavirus forced us to evolve in new ways.
Wrapping up a project that began in August, the Rotary Club of the Brookfields and its partners now have assembled and delivered more than 125protective Plexiglass desk shields to seven elementary schools in our area. The schools receiving shields are located in Brookfield, East Brookfield, North Brookfield, Spencer (Wire Village), Sturbridge (Burgess), Warren, and West Brookfield.
Posted by Anne Stein (Photo: Lyndah Wells Photography) on Oct 13, 2020
Growing up in Nassau, Bahamas, Roosevelt Rolle Jr. remembers how his parents extended a hand to neighbors who needed food or to friends who were without a place to stay. In high school, Rolle joined Interact, and after college, the Rotaract Club of Freeport. “My love for Rotary grew another notch,” he says, “because we had so much fun and we did a lot of volunteer work in the community.”
The purpose of Rotary International's Service Above Self Award is to honor outstanding Rotary and Rotaract club members whose service activities deliver an impact to humanity. The award is granted to up to 150 Rotarians and Rotaractors each year, and no more than one recipient from each district.
In many parts of the world, Rotary is a very prestigious institution that you must be invited to join and, as you know, costs a lot to belong to - especially, in developing countries. The result is that, in much of the world, Rotary is something to aspire to. While at the Rotary International Convention in Seoul, South Korea, I discovered the Rotary Community Corps concept. A Rotary Community Corps is a way for members of the local community to participate in Rotary without membership costs. It's also a way for aspiring Rotarians to show their commitment to service above self.
Did you miss our Building Rotary Membership Through Passion And Asking workshop on September 16? To watch the presentation by Don Wilson, author of What’s Your Woobie? – Simple Strategies on Your Uncomfortable Path to New Opportunities, click here
Join District Governor Diana Nestorova and dozens of your fellow District 7910 Rotarians on October 15 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. This month, our topics will be local community-service and youth-service projects. It's free.
This year, World Polio Day is observed on October 24. This annual observance was established by Rotary International in order to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk, the developer of a vaccine against polio.
We need your ideas to create thebest RYLA ever. Yes, things are different now. The young people of District 7910 - our future leaders - need us more than ever. They need us to encourage and coach them, and to share our passion for service and our knowledge of all things Rotary. In the spirit of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, in this time of COVID-19, we will mentor with compassion and creativity, we will put our diverse heads and hearts together to innovate to create opportunities for learning and connections.
If your club is looking for a creative online fundraiser, check out what Rotary District 7980 in Southern Connecticut is doing. Using Eventgroove Fundraising'splatform for clubs, they've adopted and launched an extraordinary all-in-one fundraising platform.
Dr. Tunji Funsho, chair of Rotary’s Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee, joins 100 pioneers, artists, leaders, icons, and titans as one of Time's "100 Most Influential People."Time recognized Funsho for his instrumental leadership and work with Rotary members and partners to achieve the eradication of wild polio in the African region. He is the first Rotary member to receive this honor for work toward eradicating polio.
For years, Rotary clubs and districts have been using The Rotary Foundation's Global Grants to work with our partners to expand access to learning, realizing that education is a pathway out of poverty. The COVID-19 pandemic, with school closures, loss of jobs, and social distancing, has threatened to reverse some of those gains. Learn how Rotary and partner organizations are pivoting to meet the challenges imposed by the pandemic, including supporting remote learning. And find out how you can make sure your grant project has the desired impact and leads to sustainable outcomes.
All children need a bed to sleep in. That is the mission of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a national non-profit that works to build thousands of beds for children so that no child anywhere across the nation will be sleeping on the floor. Getting thousands of children off the floor was the goal of SHP’s Build Day on September 26, called “Bunks Across America 2020,” during which local chapters built as many beds as possible on this one day. That may be 20 or more beds being built per chapter, and together across the nation with all the other chapters combined efforts, it amounted to thousands of beds being built in one single day.
On Wednesday, October 7 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. the Rotary Club of Boston 7 is excited to have Rotary International Vice President Johrita Solari as their guest speaker.
We are beginning this year’s nominating cycle for district leadership positions, which is an exciting time for District 7910. The future of our clubs depends on qualified candidates serving in leadership roles throughout the district. In order for our clubs to grow and have more impact addressing local and international needs, there must be Rotarians who will fill leadership roles and provide vision and management skills in support of the business aspects of running our district.
Posted by Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley on Sep 29, 2020
Members of the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley have been delivering masks to organizations in the Bolton, Lancaster and Stow area, including public-safety offices and nursing homes, as part of the Rotary Million Mask Challenge Tour. Several hundred masks have been delivered with plans to deliver at least another 500 more. More masks will ship in early October. If you or your organization needs masks, contact info@nashobarotary.org.
The Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough, the international partner in a Rotary Global Grant called "Healthy Children, Happy Nation," initiated by the Rotary Club of Pune Pristine in Pune, India, is thrilled to announce that the first of 50 planned child heart surgeries has been successfully completed.
Greetings from District 4400 in Ecuador! Are you looking for an international project? Are you looking for a partner? Find them in our XV Project Fair!
Come one, come all to the monthly Zoom meeting “Open Doors with DG Diana." This month's timely topic will be: Fundraising During the Pandemic. The meeting will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m. To receive the Zoom link, register here in advance.
What’s life like for people between the ages of 18 and 35 in the Boothbay region of Maine? Through Rotary, young people take on leadership positions that expand their skills while they serve. Rotary does more than help during a crisis like COVID-19; it provides experiences that translate into a better future in any career.
District 7910 has formed a Social Equity Task Force. This group will address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our clubs and our communities.
There’s a new way you can raise funds for The Rotary Foundation. Our new peer-to-peer fundraising platform, Raise for Rotary, is now live in English! This new fundraising tool is easy to use, shareable on social media, and gives donors recognition credit!
This is a story of international service and friendship with the San Andres community and its Rotary club, on the East Coast of Mexico. It is 20 years in the making!
Binish Desai(shown on the right) began working on an eco-friendly brick made out of recycling and waste, when he was 11. The formerRotary Youth Exchange student, inventor, and entrepreneur credits Rotary with giving him the support to pursue his dreams. Now he’s giving back through a new Rotary club.
COVID-19 is miserable for those without food. My name is Sylvia Balungi Kiggunduand I currently reside in the Waltham and am a member of the Rotary Club of Needham. COVID-19 has been hard for me — I am a certified nursing assistant who continues to go daily to my work, taking care of older people who need my help. I am blessed to be able to be on the front lines helping, and I pray for my clients and their families to avoid this horrible disease.
Posted by Rotary Club of Southborough on Sep 02, 2020
A big shout-out to Rotary Club of Southborough members Acacia and Will Warren, Anu Sehgal, Christine Narcisse, John Cook, and Sue Mankaruos, who were on deck at the September 1 Primary Election voting location in Southborough, helping the Town Clerk's Office pre-screen voters with health questions.
With the recent announcement that the entire continent of Africa has been declared free of wild poliovirus, we have met a major milestone in the battle to remove the threat of this terrible crippling disease from the planet Earth. But it's much more than polio - that's why we call it PolioPlus.
Your Rotary club wants to do an international project. A Rotarian involved with health-care projects in another country invites you to visit. You feel it’s important to see the needs firsthand, but your club members are not interested in making the trip. Instead, some suggest donating surplus medical equipment, which they think any health-care project could use. What would you do?
The best Rotary training program is coming! The Rotary Learning/Leadership Institute will be held virtually for the 2020-2021 Rotary year. This is the program that answers all questions about Rotary, whether you've been a Rotarian for one month, one year, or one decade. The three-part program was developed over the past 28 years by former district governors and club presidents, to meet the needs of club leaders and all Rotarians seeking a better understanding of Rotary.
Posted by Rotary Club of Westborough on Aug 29, 2020
The Rotary Club of Westborough has awarded scholarships to five local seniors. The scholarship program recognizes students who are contributing to the Rotary vision of a world where people unite and take action, creating lasting change in our communities and across the globe.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Rotary clubs to get innovative, and perfect ways to hold virtual meetings. Now, some areas are resuming in-person meetings. But not every member is excited to return. Rotary coordinators in eastern Canada and the United States share their tips for hosting compelling hybrid meetings that will keep every member engaged, including those still preferring remote connections.
As the newly inducted president of the Rotary Club of Westborough, I am dedicated to “strengthening the club’s mission of providing service to others in our town." As such, we are reaching out to the community for suggestions to help with local projects that serve Westborough and the Worcester County community.
Posted by Holger Knaack and K.R. Ravindran on Aug 26, 2020
It our pleasure to announce to you that the African region has just been certified as free of wild poliovirus. Rotary members have played an invaluable role in the effort to rid the African region of wild polio. We should be proud of all the hard work that we’ve done to eliminate the wild poliovirus throughout Africa and in nearly every country in the world.
The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley stepped in this year to supply backpacks and school supplies to both Lancaster and Stow. More than 130 backpacks were assembled between the two towns for kids who might struggle to have the required supplies.
Greetings, fellow Rotarians and Rotaractors!I am so honored to serve as your president this year. We have important work ahead of us at Rotary, and we are going to have a lot of fun as we do it.
Last year, we launched our five-year Action Plan to build a stronger future for Rotary. We are working to increase our impact, expand our reach, enhance participant engagement, and increase our ability to adapt. The last several months have shown that we — as Rotarians and Rotaractors — can realize these goals as we forge a new path for the future.
Do you have an idea or project that you want to share with your Rotary family during Rotary International's 2021 Convention in Tapei? Breakout sessions can inspire attendees, help them polish their leadership skills and give them new ideas for projects, fundraising, strengthening membership, and more!
Every year, Rotary International recognizes the top Rotaract projects around the world in the Rotaract Outstanding Project Awards. One club and multi-club group receiving top honors will each be awarded $1,000 to support their projects. Nominations are now open.
Our District held its very first monthly "Open Doors with Diana, Your District Leaders and Friends" on August 12 via Zoom. Club presidents and officers, district leaders and all Rotarians were invited to talk about current issues, brainstorm ideas, and share best practices.
Rotary International's first-ever Rotary Virtual Convention, in June, attracted more than 60,000 registrants and 175,000 viewers during its weeklong program. The robust participation shows that Rotary members are finding ways to experience key parts of Rotary’s annual international convention, fellowship and fun, despite the COVID-19 pandemic that forced the cancellation of the in-person convention that had been planned this year for Honolulu, Hawaii.
Jennifer E. Jones, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, has been nominated to become Rotary International’s president for 2022-2023, a groundbreaking selection that will make her the first woman to hold that office in the organization’s 115-year history. She would officially become president-nominee this October if no other candidates challenge her.
If you have already registered for the Zone 28 & 32 Online Summit on September 23 through 25, thank you! If you haven't already done so, please register now - it's free - and join your friends from throughout Zones 28 and 32 via Zoom for our annual gathering. Traditionally known as the Zone Institute, it's now a series of online opportunities to interact with Rotary’s movers and shakers, including breakout sessions for all attendees. The daily sessions will begin at 7:00 p.m.
September 2020 Update: District Grant Subcommittee Recommending All Requested District Grant Awards Be Funded at Their Full Value
The District Grant Subcommittee has reviewed all 18 district grant proposal submissions (with 19 clubs participating) and is passing its recommendation to the Foundation Advisory Board (FAB) that all requested District Grant awards be funded at their full value. After we receive FAB approval (sometime this week), emails of awards will be sent out to the Points of Contact (PoC) on the grant proposals. At that point, if a club has funds (or can deposit funds) in their dedicated district grant accounts, they can actually start purchasing supplies for their district projects."
August 2020 Update:
While the deadline for District Grant proposals was June 30, we allowed clubs to refine their proposals up to July 27. That's when proposals were being made available for review by the District Grant Subcommittee.
In the next week, our 150 registered RYLA student Attendees and Alternates will be invited by our Group Facilitators(GF) to a small local group online Get-to-Know-You session.
Our Group Facilitators (aka GFs) and our committee have been cooking up some ideas to engage RYLAns. This year’s 36 enthusiastic GFs are a diverse group of HS seniors who attended RYLA last June, 2019. They applied and were carefully selected to be group leaders. By attending enriching monthly training sessions they've prepared for RYLA to be better leaders and better humans.
Announcing RYLA Meetups! Within the next few days they will be contacted by a fabulous GF inviting them to connect as part of a regional group with 8 other High School Juniors.
Mirroring Rotary International's People of Action campaign, we are starting a new district-wide program, a monthly youth forum called Youth of Action, Making a Difference. It'll be a series of online and, when possible, in-person sessions to bring young people and Rotarians together to discuss the challenges and opportunities of living in today's society.
We want to create a sustainable program for our young people. The ultimate goal is for Rotarians - and young people related to Rotary - to go back to their communities and do service projects together related to these issues.
Come one, come all to the monthly Zoom meeting “Open doors with DG Diana and your District leaders and friends." Club presidents, officers and all Rotarians are invited to talk about current issues, brainstorm ideas, share best practices, and experience this fellowship.
The first one is set for Wednesday, August 12 at 6:30 p.m.Click here, to register
Posted by Rotary Club of Northborough on Aug 01, 2020
A member of the Rotary Club of Northborough was inspired by a personal conversation with Dr. Paul Farmer, co-founder of Partners In Health. Her enthusiasm, shared with her club members, led the Northborough club to work on a presentation about Partners In Health and StopCOVID, its response to COVID-19 pandemic.
To view the StopCOVID presentation, made during a recent online club meeting, click here. To watch the 1-minute StopCOVID video, click here.
It would be an understatement to say the world is facing a global crisis of a magnitude never seen before by this generation. Many of our communities lack funding and are struggling to provide the very services and qualities that would otherwise have made life comfortable. Many of our own members have been seriously affected, both in terms of their health and in terms of their finances.
In these circumstances, the Board of Trutee of The Rotary Foundation must make decisions that enable our organization to persevere and thrive. We cannot do that without your complete help, support, and understanding.
Rotary International's Liability Insurance policies have been renewed for the policy term July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. The RI liability policy effective July 1 includes a communicable-disease exclusion that applies to COVID-19.
Communicable-Disease Exclusion
This global pandemic has created tremendous challenges for the Rotary community as well as the for insurance industry. As insurers are inundated with COVID-19 claims for loss of business, most insurers are now excluding coverage for liability claims arising from communicable diseases, including COVID-19. As a result, the current general-liability policies for the RI insurance program have a communicable-disease exclusion.This means the policy does not apply to any liability or any other loss, cost, damage, expense, injury, claim or suit, arising out of, or resulting directly or indirectly, in whole or in party from a communicable disease, including COVID-19.
Many Rotary Clubs have challenges with membership growth. Invest an hour that could change your Club’s membership trajectory in a fast-paced, interactive session with Don Wilson.
The worldwide PolioPlus program has been responding to COVID-19. The community of health workers, the surveillance system, and health-care supplementation, created to help us in the eradication of polio, is a powerful engine, primed to work on any biological threat. The PolioPlus engine stopped Ebola in its tracks in Africa. Today, that engine is being used to effectively halt the spreading of COVID-19 in the countries where PolioPlus has teams.
We are preparing an informational program to relay the importance of funding the PolioPlus program to eradicate polio. The program will also to give the world the tools, procedures, and local connections needed to combat outbreaks of other diseases.
Muncipal clerk’s offices around the Commonwealth are struggling with an overwhelming workload due to the pandemic during upcoming elections. Ensuring the functioning of clerks’ offices is going to require more hands on deck than ever before.
Project Spirit!, as in the Spirit of 1776, is a volunteer initiative from your local Rotary club to lend a helping hand during this time of a pandemic, social unrest and elections.
The Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough is the international partner in a $94,000 COVID-19 intensive-care-unit project at Surya Sahyadri Hospital in Pune, India. This project, set in motion by the six Rotary clubs of Pune, India, was created to fund the fight against this terrible new disease.
The Pune project has funded personal-protective-equipment materials, testing kits, educational materials, and medicines, as well as ICU equipment of ventilators, defibrillators and ECG machines, and other post-COVID-19 hospital improvements. From conception to launch, the entire funding-application process for the Pune project took less than two months.
Children who have lost a parent, sibling or grandparent can be traumatized for many years despite loving attention from relatives, teachers and friends. The Rotary Club of Sturbridge has worked the last two years with Comfort Zone Camp (CZC), a 20-year-old, non-profit bereavement organization led largely by parents who have lived through this experience.
CZC organizes person-to-person and virtual camps free to the children, where professional counselors provide life-changing improvements for the kids and guidance for their parents. Recently, Sturbridge club program speakers Sherri Pelski and Anne-Marie Worthy, representing CZC, were linked via Zoom, and attendance was made available to all Rotarians in District 7910.
You are invited to attend the Sturbridge Rotary Club’s Zoom program, 5 PM, Tuesday August 4th, when Professor Patrick Kirst will give us the scoop about movie music scoring. Zoom details below.
In Rotary year 2000-2001, Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar Patrick Kirst from Germany was host-counseled by the Sturbridge Rotary Club, while he studied at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. He studied further at New York City University until “9/11” impacted him deeply; he lived just 10 blocks from Ground Zero! He subsequently continued studies at the University of Southern California in LA, under distinguished composers such as Academy Award nominee David Raksin, Golden Globe nominee Christopher Young, Jack Smalley and Grammy Award winner Joe Harnell.
To watch a video of Diana Nestorova being congratulated upon her installation as 2020-2021 district governor by someone you're sure to recognize, click here.
We are delighted to congratulate Newton Rotarian Dr. Tatjana Kobb for her appointment as a 2020-2021 Rotary International Representative at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. She was selected for this role by RI President Holger Knaack. She has been a member of the Rotary Club of Newton since October 2017, and continues her membership while residing temporarily in China.
The president of RI annually appoints Rotarians and Rotaractors to serve as UN representatives, with an aim of fostering relationships with UN agencies and key international organizations and raising awareness of Rotary programs, while keeping Rotary informed of their organization's initiatives. The network advances a century-old tradition of fostering global harmony. Through the representatives' participation in various high-level meetings and events, they help advance the aims of Rotary around the world - chief among them is the eradication of polio and new actions, including the seventh Area of Focus: the environment.
Kevin Sullivan, a member of the Rotary Club of Bedford since 1998, passed away suddenly on July 15. He was very involved with the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, the Youth Exchange Program (ESSEX), and the Gift of Life. He opened his home to many young students, led the Group Study Exchange to Egypt and many more.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Ellen Sullivan, and her family in this difficult time!
It is with a very heavy heart that I announce that Allen MacPherson from the Rotary Club of Brookline passed away on June 14. He was a long-time Rotarian who was very active in the club, along with his wife, Shirley MacPherson.
Allen truly embraced the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self,” and was a member of several other local organizations including the Brookline Elks, Beth-horon Lodge A.F., and the Brookline VFW. He was also a Naval Veteran who served in the Korean War.
To find an archived district or club story on this website, enter anidentifying word or phrase into the search box at the top of this page. Examples: Acton; Boxborough; Diana Nestorova
To send us your district or club story, click here. For comments,questions or technical issues about using this online form, contact us at rotaryd7910@gmail.com.
You are invited to join 2019-2020 District Governor Pam Anastasi and 2020-2021 District Governor Diana Nestorova for an evening of celebration, and be part of history in the making. Come join us in #District7910's first-ever - and hopefully our last - Online Celebration.
We are moving forward from our experiences with “Rotary Connects the World” into our new year, as we take action to create lasting change by “Rotary Opening Opportunities”. Invite your family to celebrate and support our #Rotarians and leaders of District7910.
The one-hour agenda will consist of presentations by District 7910 leaders, District Governors changeover from '19-'20 to '20-'21, Assistant Governor and Club President recognitions, a few surprises, and lots of FUN!!!
First and foremost, I wanted to say "Thank You" to you and your clubs for all the great work that you do throughout the year. All of the service projects, donations of time, improving your communities and international projects - many of which were done with funding from The Rotary Foundation.
The fact is, without donations to the Foundation, many projects would not happen. Unfortunately, this year, due to these unprecedented pandemic times, our District's Foundation contributions are way down.
Therefore, I am asking that you join me in making a tax deductible, end-of-fiscal year donation to The Rotary Foundation.
We start the 2020-2021 Rotary year with a changed world because of the global health pandemic. What an opportunity to have an even greater impact and engage members in an entirely new way. Let’s not waste a good crisis.
This is the time for change, historic change in Rotary – new meeting schedules, new meeting platforms, new club models, innovative and flexible club formats, elevating the status of Rotaract clubs to be members of Rotary International, dual membership in Rotaract and Rotary, and a well-balanced membership that celebrates diversity. As Paul Harris famously said: “Rotary has to be revolutionary from time to time, and now is the time to be revolutionary."
Editor's Note: This story originally appeared in the May issue of The Rotarian magazine. Since publishing, Interota has been postponed to 2021. To learn more about next year's Interota, click here.
"The ongoing evolution of Rotaract is redefining its place within Rotary. 'It’s a new era,' says one enthusiastic Rotaractor."
At midnight on June 30, hundreds of Rotaractors will ring in the new Rotary year together. They’ll also be celebrating Rotaract’s ongoing evolution, including the expansion of Rotary membership to include Rotaract clubs.
“It’s really exciting,” says Ignacio González, a member of the Rotaract Club of Oriente de Talca in Chile. Until recently, Rotaractors have been considered Rotary program participants. “Now,” says González, who serves on the Elevate Rotaract Task Force, “we are a part of Rotary. It’s a new era for Rotaract."
What do you do with a broken toaster or lamp? Or, a shirt or blouse with a ripped-out seam? Toss it? No way! On June 20, 2020, attendees were able to get them - and any other household items in need of repair - during the first-ever virtual Bolton and Maynard Repair Café.
Roger Frost passed away on June 16 at the age of 96, after a brief period of declining health. A proud and enthusiastic Rotarian, he was a 70-year member of the Rotary Club of Worcester, a Paul Harris Fellow, a past club president, and a past district governor. Countless times his children and grandchildren heard him recite the Rotary motto: “Service Above Self.”
Roger became the third-generation owner of Frost Stamp Works in Worcester, renaming it Frost Manufacturing Corp. and growing it from a small rubber-stamp shop to a full-service sign and stamp business. After their family was grown, Roger and his wife, Nancy Frost, moved to Holden and traveled the world, visiting more than 25 countries—often while attending business or Rotary conventions. In 1989, they were in Beijing during the Tiananmen Square protests - their hotel, just blocks away from where the massacre took place.
On June 10, Rotary International held a special Zoom meeting for all Rotarians, requesting that everyone consider donating their lunch money to End Polio Now. It was a livestream event of esteemed polio-eradication leaders, reminding us about the important work that still needs to be done to stop this horrible disease.
As you may know, RI has a shortfall of $15 million of our $50-million worldwide goal for to End Polio Now. To maximize our 2-to-1-match from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, we need to create an opportunity for every Rotarian to give. Currently, only 9 percent of Rotarians have given to End Polio Now.
Each year, our District is required to hold an Annual Business Meeting. Typically, this is held during our District Conference. However, since this year's District Conference had to be cancelled, we need to hold the meeting separately.
Therefore, your presence is requested at the Annual Business Meeting of the Rotary Clubs of District 7910. It will take place on June 17, 2020 via Zoom, starting at 5:30 p.m. It is expected that this important annual meeting will run between 60 and 90 minutes.
Rotary International has a shortfall of $15 million in its $50-million worldwide goal to End Polio Now. Currently, only 9 percent of Rotarians have given to End Polio.To maximize RI's 2-to-1 match from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, RI has created an opportunity this Wednesday, June 10 at 12:00 noon (ET) forevery Rotarian to give.
It is with great sadness that I inform you that Past District Governor Steve May, from District 7930, has passed away. He was formerly a member of the Rotary Club of Reading, and had many friends in District 7910.
Our membership in Rotary International presents us with a unique opportunity, in the time of COVID-19, to fully take advantage of our mission to join forces and help solve global issues of health and economic development, along with Rotary's four other Areas of Focus Among the other service organizations, we as Rotarians are singularly positioned to talk directly with our counterparts in other countries and share experiences and best practices.
With that in mind, the Rotary Club of Brookline has schedule three speakers from three different countries for its Zoom meetings on the first three Thursdays in June, at 12:00 noon. The initial countries are Nepal, India and China. The Brookline club hopes to include, at later dates, England, Italy and Brazil. All these speakers are known to the Brookline club through its work in Rotary.
Together with District Governor Pam Anastasi, our District's RYLA Committee has canceled the in-personRYLA 2020, scheduled for this June 26-28 at Fitchburg State University. The next in-person RYLA is scheduled for June 25-27, 2021. However, we may hold a fun virtual event this year,organized by RYLA 2020 group and program facilitators.
Fitchburg State University has canceled all June 2020 event-space rentals, including the in-person RYLA 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The District's RYLA Committee has been talking about this unfortunate possibility for some time.
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Rotary Club of Wellesley to cancel its annual “Taste of Wellesley” event, club members decided to raise money for local restaurants so they could provide meals to health-care workers. The club's service-above-self effort has received excellent Boston TV coverage.
Fourteen Massachusetts restaurants are banding together to help raise money to make meals for those on the frontline of the this pandemic. In Wellesely, they are Alta Strada, Cafe Mangal, Captain Marden's Seafoods, Comella's Restaurants, CrepeBerry, Fiorella's Cucina, Juniper Smith, Takara Wellesley, Whim Chocolate and Wollensky.
A member of the Rotary Club of Northborough was inspired by a personal conversation with Dr. Paul Farmer (shown below), co-founder of Partners in Health. Her enthusiasm, shared with club members, led us to work on a presentation about Partners In Health and its response to COVID-19.
Please take the time to view the presentation, from our latest club Zoom meeting, and consider joining us in our campaign to support the efforts of Partners In Health. To watch the 21-minute presentation, click here.
Please consider giving generously to Partners In Health - especially, during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. To donate now, click here.
The District leadership continues to monitor the evolving circumstances regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID 19). Our primary concern is the health and well-being of all Rotarians, their families and the community. Concerns about the coronavirus continue to prevail, and there is no immediate solution.
Therefore, effective immediately, all in-person District meetings will be cancelled through May 18, which is when Governor Charlie Baker has extended a stay-at-home advisory and a non-essential-business closure. Meetings are still able to occurvia Zoom, teleconferencing, etc.
As far as Club meetings, I strongly suggest that clubs cancel in-person meetings for the next few weeks. However, I will leave the final decision up to each Club and its Board of Directors.
Best Practices that everyone should focus on doing:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our District Training Assembly took place on the Zoom online platform.
The District Assembly was training for the Rotary year 2020-2021 for all Rotarians who want to learn new ideas and best practices - especially, incoming Club leaders who are looking to strengthen their skill set.
Various sessions were available to cover relevant topics that will impact both you and your club. All training sessions were two hours, and started at 7:00 pm.
COVID-19 has definitely brought the word perspective to the forefront for us all. Across Rotary's global network of Clubs and its members, COVID-19 has placed us all in unprecedented territory. Far from life as normal, far from business as normal. Members and leaders at all levels of our organization are faced with decisions they never believed they would encounter, and they are asking for guidance on how to deal with this global pandemic relative to Rotary.
We are all being asked to be socially responsible. That shouldn't be a heavy lift for us. We have been socially responsible as an organization for more than 115 years.
Let's spend some time thinking of the opportunities, not just the challenges. Can these canceled events, fundraisers and meetings become future service projects when the time is right? How can technology (Zoom, Skype, GoToMeeting, and other platforms) help us to stay connected during this time, and how can that knowledge help us to grow Rotary going forward? How can we find ways to support the most vulnerable populations affected by this pandemic?
Here are some suggestionson how to keep your club members connected - and to be Rotary active:
Let me get right to the unfortunate news — the Rotary International Board of Directors has decided to cancel the 2020 Rotary International Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. We are all part of the Rotary family, and your safety remains our highest priority. Like the more than 20,000 registrants who planned to attend this year’s convention, I am very disappointed. However, this is the right and necessary decision to protect the health and safety of convention attendees, as well as those who call Honolulu home.
At this point, we are unsure that Rotary could adequately protect convention-goers from the risk of COVID-19 infection en route to, during, and after the convention. We are also unsure if restrictions on travel to the United States will be lifted by June. We have heard from a number of you who voiced concerns about gathering at the convention this year. I also heard from many who were hopeful that we could continue with the convention as planned. The Board was very diligent and considered all the facts before taking this decision.
At this time, we kindly ask that you do not contact RI Registration to inquire about your registration, ticket or housing cancellations as we work diligently to inform all attendees. Here is an overview of our plans for handling refunds and travel logistics.
It is with a very heavy heart that I announce that Mark Hasso passed away on March 16, 2020. He was a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Southborough.
Mark was a passionate Rotarian who was very active in the club. He was also a well-respected teacher at Wenworth Institute of Technology, in the Engineering Department.
The Rotary Club of Worcester celebrated its 108th Anniversary Celebration on March 12 at Green Hill Golf Course in Worcester. Keynote speakers were President Barbara Guthrie, Assistant District Governor Roy Balfour, and Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Liz Hamilton.
Posted by Mark Daniel Maloney and Holger Knaack on Mar 16, 2020
Dear Fellow Rotarians,
The COVID-19 coronavirus is affecting every aspect of our lives in real time, and this puts Rotarians in an unfamiliar place. As People of Action, we are most comfortable when we are fully engaged in the world – moving freely, meeting openly, and offering helping hands. These are very difficult times for people who, like us, are at our best when we are learning, growing, and serving—together.
We are also leaders in our communities, and these times call for leadership. In many ways, this also is our time. We have proven abilities to reach out and collaborate to offer immediate help to people in need at a rapid pace. These are precisely the skills needed all over the world today. The global effort against COVID-19 depends on actions taken in every country. Rotary has the unique ability to help improve those efforts in every community and every country.
District Governor Pam Anastasi (shown with her arms raised) has just experienced a chilling way to help end polio. On February 29, she and scores of other Rotarians, including Past District Governor Steve Sager, plunged into the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean at Long Beach in Gloucester, while taking part in District 7930's 10th Annual Polar Plunge to Eradicate Polio.
While DG Pam's goal was to raise at least $5,000, she raised more than $10,000. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundationwill match it 2 to 1, so our $10,000+ will become more than $30,000.
To watch a video of DG Pam, PDG Steve and other Rotarians taking this year's Polar Plunge, click here.
Nashoba Valley's first annual Cabin Fever Winter Festival has raised a net of $7,000. All net proceeds will be used by the event's host, the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, to benefit needy individuals and families in Bolton, Lancaster and Stow. This fun-for-all-ages outdoor event, which took place on February 1, 2020 on Bolton Town Common in Bolton, attracted more than 300 hearty souls.
It is with great sadness that I share with you that George Siener, of the Rotary Club of Ayer, passed away on January 30 – he was 94. He was a longtime Rotarian, and served proudly in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army.
As many of you know, Puerto Rico is suffering as it was struck by an earthquake and then a serious tremor earlier this month. The Rotary clubs in that area are working very hard to raise money to help the community survive and rebuild.
Seven Rotarians graduated from the District 7910 Rotary Leadership Institute, held on January 25 in Marlborough. They are shown posing with District RLI Chair Dave Kaiser (far left), District Governor Pam Anastasi (second from right), and RLI Regional Vice Chair Liz Cullen (far right).
It is with great sadness that I share with you that Eldon Strickland Jr. passed away on January 23. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Ayer, Shirley, Harvard & Devens, and a past president of that club for 1978-'79.
Don't miss the Discount Package Pricing for our 2020 District Conference on May 3 to 5 in Salem! It'll be a great weekend, including a New Member Reception, Paul Harris Dinner, and Club Awards Dinner - plus lots of other activities in between.
The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, with support from Bolton Local and the Repair Cafe Foundation, hosted a Bolton Repair Cafe on Saturday, January 11 at the Florence Sawyer School in Bolton. We had 74 residents of Bolton and surrounding towns come and find out what a Repair Café is all about, and 32 volunteers to serve them. A bell, which gets run when an item is fixed, was rung many times. Click here to view event photos.
On December 21, the Random Acts of Kindness Committee of the Rotary Club of Framingham gave out 40 $50 bills to children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest.The gifts were presented by RAK Committee members Ken Erdelt (chair), Jim Patterson, Bob Schecter and Tom Sturiale.
On December 11, the Rotary Club of District 7910 Passport (Provisional) officially launched by electing officers and approving a draft of Club Bylaws. The initial set of officers is: Karin Gaffney(second from left), president and interim membership chair; Ron Bott (center), interim secretary and interim treasurer; Tatjana Kobb (on screen), foundation chair; and, Tamar Russell Brown (second from right), public-image co-chair, and Steve Jones-D'Agostino (holding screen), interim public-image co-chair. (The position of president-elect has yet to be filled.) Also shown is club member Sam Squailia(far right).
The next meeting of the Passport Club will be on December 30 at 6:00 p.m. (ET) via Skype. Tatjana Kobb, who is organizing the Skype call, may be reached at t.kobb@northeastern.edu.
Please join me in congratulating Jacky Foster(shown, left) of the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley and Ed Tarquinio of the Rotary Club of Fitchburg East for being selected as Trustees of the District Funds. Jacky is an immediate past president of her club, and serves as an assistant governor. Ed is a past president of his club, and is a retired CPA. They are both looking to get more involved with the District, and we are excited to have them as Trustees.
Additionally, I am pleased to announce that Carol Toomey (shown, below) of the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley will be our Delegate to the Rotary International Council on Legislation. Carol, a longtime Rotarian and a past district governor, had previously served in this capacity.
Please join me in congratulating Cliff Rober(shown, left) as the 2021-2022 District Governor and Victor Tom (shown, below) as the 2022-2023 District Governor for Rotary District 7910. Cliff is a past president of the Rotary Club of Bedford, and is currently serving as the District Sergeant at Arms. Victor is also a past president of the Rotary Club of Bedford, and is currently serving as chair of the District Rotary Foundation Grants Subcommittee and an assistant governor.
Both were selected on December 9, 2019 by the District Nominating Committee. Once confirmed, they will assume the role of District Governor Nominee (DGN) and District Governor Nominee Designate (DGND), respectively.
MassBay Community Collegeand the Rotary Club of Wellesleyhave joined efforts to combat food insecurity at the college. To launch this partnership, the two organizations will host a public community presentation: Food for Thought: Fighting Student Hunger on College Campuses.
This event, on December 3 in Wellesely, will include MBCC President Dr. David Podell(shown, below), who will speak about the negative impact of food insecurity on students at the local campus, the initiatives MassBay has put in place to help students, and how the public can help in this effort. The event is free and open to the public.
If you or others have attended Rotary (Learning!) Leadership Institute, you know the impact of this training program. RLI graduates often say that going through the program is what helped connect the dots for them and made them feel like a Rotarian. In my mind, RLI is the best Rotary training around!
The next RLI in our region will be held Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Courtyard Marriott Marlborough in Marlborough. Registration is now open. Click here to get more information, and to register. All the details on RLI as well as how to register are at that link. This year's tuition is $110, which includes breakfast, lunch and the course materials.
By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter, Community Advocate
On a recent Saturday morning, nearly two dozen young members of the Northborough Rotary’s Interact Club gathered at the Northborough Police Headquarters to pack lunches that were to be delivered to a Worcester shelter later that day.
Interact clubs are youth-based Rotary International sponsored organizations affiliated with local Rotary clubs that bring together young people ages 12-18, who are committed to service above self while having fun and learning valuable leadership skills.
Members of the Rotary Club of Westborough and the community at large are saddened by the loss of Charlotte Spinney on July 24, 2019. She was an icon in the Westborough community, and an inspiration to all who knew her.
Barry Friedman passed away on Tuesday, October 29. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Westwood,
Barry had decades of service with Rotary International, was the co-founder and president of the Gift of Life New England, which has provided dozens of children with life-saving heart surgeries. His dedication and perseverance for this program saved countless lives.
I am saddened that Neill Osgood passed away on Sunday, November 10. He was a dedicated member of Rotary Club of Charles River for more than 35 years, and served as the club's treasurer. He was very active in the club, and was a Paul Harris Fellow four times.
Neill was an Army veteran, and served during the Korean Conflict. He was known for his vibrant personality and his constant availability to family, church and community. He was also involved with many charities.
Neill had just turned 91 on November 6 - although he didn’t look his age. His friendliness and passion for service will be missed by all. He was a dedicated Rotarian, and exemplified “service above self.”
It is with sincere sadness and disbelief that I notify you of the passing of Doug Detweiler, on Tuesday, November 12. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Concord for 46 years, and served as District Governor from 2013 to 2014.
Doug was a very dedicated and passionate Rotarian, and he truly lived his life by the motto of “service above self.” In addition to all his work in Rotary, he served on various non-profit boards, and volunteered at the Concord Free Public Library.
Doug was an avid learner. As such, he loved to read, and was a strong supporter of the Rotary Leadership Institute, which he fondly referred to as the Rotary “Learning” Institute.
Rotarian Ann Lee Hussey, a polio survivor whose life mission is to eradicate polio, inspired the annual District 7910 Foundation Dinner. The event was held on November 14 at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center in Framingham.
To view and download the event photos, click here. Make sure to click on the final image. It's a three-second video with an inspiring shout-out by: District Governor Pam Anastasi; members of the District Foundation Committee, chaired by Steve Sager; and, event keynote speaker Ann Lee Hussey.
During this event, Rotary clubs in our District also shared the inspiration behind their current Global and District Grants projects. And, several clubs were presented District awards. They are:
District 7910 will join District 7930 on February 29, 2020 for D7930's 10thAnnualPolar Plunge to Eradicate Polio. (Snow date: March 14.) To download the event flyer, in PDF format, click here.
At 11:00 a.m., District 7910 Governor Pam Anastasi will take the plunge into the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean at Long Beach in Gloucester. Her goal is to raise at least $5,000. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will then match it 2 to 1, so our $5,000 will become at least $15,000.
If you or others have attended Rotary Leadership (and Learning) Institute, you would know the impact of this training program. RLI graduates often say that going through the program is what helped connect the dots for them - and made them feel like a Rotarian. In my mind, RLI is the best Rotary training around!
Please remind your club that the next RLI in our area will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Marriott Courtyard Marlborough. and registration is now open at www.rlinea.org. All the details on RLI as well as how to register are on the Home page of that website. This year's tuition is $110, which includes breakfast, lunch and the course materials.
To download my RLI presentation, in PDF format, click here. This is what I deliver to clubs when I visit, to speak about RLI.
It is with a heavy heart that I notify you of the passing of Ed Hall. He was a District Governor from 1987 to 1988 for District 7910, and he passed away on Thursday, November 7.
Ed was a member of the Rotary Club of Worcester for more than 50 years. In May 2017, he had the first-ever District award named after him: The Edward C. Hall Foundation Achievement Award.
Ed held numerous club and district positions, was a Major Donor, and received the Rotary Foundation Meritorious Service Award and the Service Above Self award. He also participated in many international foundation projects.
Of special note, is the work Ed did in Haiti. Through the use of advanced-engineering know-how and a touch of Yankee ingenuity, hard work and a Rotary Foundation grant of $475,000 matched by $25,000 of District funds, more than 30 solar-powered water systems were installed in many locations on the island nation.
District 7910 congratulates the Rotary clubs of Southbridge and Sturbridgefor exceeding their 2019 goal by delivering more than 3,000 pounds of fresh, cleaned, organic produce, grown and delivered this year to St. John Paul II Food Pantry. And , they did it in only their second year.
Certainly, you know about IKEA furniture and you’ve undoubtedly seen and tasted Swedish meatballs, but what do you really know about Sweden? The Rotary Friendship Exchange with Rotary District 2390, Southern Sweden, provides you an exceptional opportunity to learn much, much more about Sweden - and Swedes, in general.
Rotary’s Friendship Exchange is an international-exchange program for Rotary members and friends that allows participants to take turns hosting one another in their homes and clubs. Participants may travel as individuals, couples, families, or groups, and may be Rotary members or not. In 2020, our district will participate with Sweden in an RFE.
If you haven't heard the good news, check out this article. We're getting closer.
Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) are celebrating a major milestone this World Polio Day: confirmation that a second type of the wild poliovirus has been eradicated, which is a significant step toward the ultimate goal of a polio-free world.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), announced the historic feat in a video address during Rotary’s Global Online Update on October 24. He said an independent commission of health experts certified the global eradication of the type-3 strain, which hasn't been detected anywhere in the world since Nigeria identified a case of polio that it caused in November 2012. The type-2 strain was certified as eradicated in 2015.
“That leaves just wild poliovirus type-1,” said Tedros (shown, in Nigeria). He also commended Rotary’s long fight against polio. “Everything you [Rotary] have done has brought us to the brink of a polio-free world.”
Don't miss this inspirational event featuring our keynote speaker, Ann Lee Hussey! Meet her during the District Foundation Dinner, to be held on Thursday, November 14 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center in Framingham.
Hussey has made the eradication of polio and the alleviation of suffering by polio survivors her life’s work. In the past 12 years, she has actively participated in 25 volunteer National Immunization Days teams. She has organized and led the last 18 NIDs teams herself, choosing to take them to places that do not often see westerners – Bangladesh, Chad, Mali, Niger and Nigeria as well as less “touristy” destinations in Egypt and India – where the need is greatest, and where the publicity and goodwill surrounding the trip are as critical as the immunizations themselves to help communicate the need for eradication.
Realizing that we are all busy and that it is a holiday weekend, we are extending the application deadline (originally, October 14) toNovember 25 for District Leadership Positions.
The future of our clubs depends on qualified candidates serving in leadership roles throughout the District. In order for our clubs to grow and have more impact addressing local and international needs, there must be Rotarians who will fill leadership roles and provide vision and management skills in support of the business aspects of running our District.
Rotary Peace Fellow Matthew Johnssen, PhD., announces a presentation, Building a Just Peace in Mexico and Beyond by Pietro Ameglio on Tuesday, October 25 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Worcester State University. The event is free of charge!
Check out the first promotional video for the 2020 Rotary International Convention, to be held next June 6 through 10 in Honolulu, HI. Click here to watch this one-minute video.
The City of Honolulu and Host Organization Committee welcome you with aloha to enjoy the sun, sand and fun of their island paradise.
District Governor-Elect Diana Nestorova is attending the Governor-Elect Training Seminar, part of the Rotary Zones 24 & 32 Conference in Niagara Falls, Canada. Congratulations, Diana! It's official!
Because of RYLA 2019, We have reason to celebrate!
We, Rotarians of District 7910, have directly impacted the lives of 800 people as a result of our 2019 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards in June at Fitchburg State University!
The Rotary Club of Charles River was recently out in the community of Natick at Natick Days with their fundraiser food-concession booth. Members grilled hot dogs, made fresh popcorn, and served drinks.
Our District's Public Image Resource Team is here to help!We are a group of Rotarians who have lots of experience in social media, working with Clubrunner as users and webmasters, and Rotary.org and website development/content. Our goal is to help you understand the tools that are available so you can make your club’s outreach more effective.
Here’s what we can help you with and/or coach you on:
Summer is almost over and clubs across the district are working to finalize and implement their goals. This is a great time to consider a Visioning Workshop.
A Visioning Workshop can help ensure that your club’s goals are reflective of the values of your members, and that the goals have strong buy-in from the people in your club who will be carrying out these goals. If you are finding that your club’s goals are generating only a lukewarm response or that members aren’t stepping up to implement them, a Visioning Workshop could help get your club moving forward.
Members of District 7910 had a great time at the Lowell Spinners game on Friday, August 9! Even though the team lost, it was a gorgeous night - and everyone enjoyed themselves. And the best part? We raised money to eradicate polio!
Shown are: Past District Governor Karin Gaffney (left), District Governor Pam Anastasia (center) and District Public Image Chair Sue Peghiny (right).
I am excited and honored to have the privilege of working with all of you over the next year! My two primary areas of focus are Membership and Public Image.
We do a great job attracting people to be Rotarians, but we need to make sure that we keep then active and engaged. Also, I believe that Rotary is still somewhat unknown in many communities; people have heard of it but they don't know who we are or what we do. I would like us to do a better job of letting people know what we do - and using social media to get the word out. I think that if every club sat down and made a list of all the projects that they supported in their local communities, people would be surprised and amazed at all we've done. Every club is active and engaged in their community; we just need to do a better job telling our story.
Random Acts of Kindness is quickly helping expand the influence of the Rotary Club of Framingham! Recently, the club engaged in two separate acts to help solve an Iraqi immigrant mother's transportation problem, and to help repair housing for an elderly couple.
Needed Home Repairs
Framingham’s Jim Goodreau and his wife, Christine Goodreau, were in dire need of a helping hand, and quickly. Jim is recovering from cardiac arrest— Christine gave him CPR until the EMTs arrived—and couldn’t risk the exertion needed to repair the un-lockable front door or the damaged storm door in their Landseer Avenue home. Moreover, the dishwasher wouldn’t work. Unfortunately, the couple couldn’t pay for the needed repairs because Christine had just lost her job.
During Rotary 2018-2019, the District 7910 Membership Committee introduced several initiatives to help clubs attract and engage membership. These initiatives will continue, and new ones will be introduced in 2019-2020.
New Member Orientation Events were held during Fall 2018 and Spring 2019, with 60 total attendees. These events introduce newer (two years or less) and prospective members to the various facets of Rotary in a fun and interactive way. Clubs are encouraged to send their newer and prospective members to these events. Feedback indicates that attending these events significantly improves member retention. The next events are scheduled for October 3, 2019, and April 4, 2020 (during the District Assembly).
Rotary club members from Districts 7910 and 7930 joined together last week to cover a week’s worth of meal shifts at the New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV) in Boston in honor of Memorial Day. Ten meals were served by District governors and the following clubs: Billerica, Wellesley, Nashoba Valley, Tewksbury, Newton, Winchester, Brookline, Charles River and Lowell.
District 7910 Rotary clubs were active this year utilizing The Rotary Foundation's funds that came back to our District in the form of District Grants. During Rotary 2018-'119, 21 District Grants were funded and executed by the clubs, to better our communities. The service projects broadly fell into four of the Rotary Foundation's six areas of focus. Clubs made an impact in Disease Prevention, Treatment and Health, Maternal and Child Health, Basic Education and Literacy, and Economic and Community Development.
In addition, we implemented two Global Grants - one was our District Service Project that built stoves in Guatemala in order to reduce respiratory illness in the community. Ten Rotarians traveled there to work with Rotarians from the host club. The other Global Grant that was approved this year involved the Rotary Club of Concord's egg-farm project in Haiti.
May is here! We have a lot going on in the District. Clubs are busy with their fundraisers and finishing up their service projects. Everyone is making the push to finish out this Rotary year strong and train the new leaders to do more than we did this year.
Rotary's theme for May is Youth Service Month, Rotary's annual celebration of all the ways in which we support young people to fully explore and develop who they are and what they have to offer this world. Young people are our future and the future of Rotary. Rotary International President, Barry Rassin Says, "Everywhere I go, I meet people of all ages whose lives have been changed by our youth programs. They tell me how, five or 15 or 25 years ago, Rotary Youth Exchange taught them a new language or introduced them to a new culture. Their eyes light up when they talk about how New Generations Service Exchange helped them advance in their career, or about how membership in Rotaract first ignited their passion for giving back to the community". It is fitting that this year's Council on Legislation elevated Rotaract clubs to the same level as Rotary Clubs. The change broadens the definition of membership in Rotary International to include Rotaract clubs, and is intended to increase the support that Rotaract clubs receive from RI and to enhance their ability to serve. Of course, much more was done during this year's Council on Legislation. To learn more about what happened, CLICK HERE for more on this year's COL.
Last week we celebrated Rotary at our District Conference! It was a wonderful weekend shared with Rotarians from five (5) districts representing all of Massachusetts, all of Rhode Island, southern New Hampshire, Southern Vermont, and Northern Connecticut. We started out last Friday with our celebration of Paul Harris and The Rotary Foundation, followed by our annual business meeting of the clubs, a gala dinner dance, and Saturday's Game of Throneless interactive focus on homelessness. CLICK HERE for more on the District Conference.
In other District news, the District Rotary Foundation Scholarship Subcommittee awarded a $35,000 Morley scholarship to O'Mara Taylor of Wayland for her graduate studies at Oxford University! CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT O'MARA AND THE MORLEY SCHOLARSHIP. Congratulations to O'Mara.
Lastly, there are four reminders for our clubs: 1) Please update your 2019-20 Officers and Directors in ClubRunner. The District Directory is being prepared and we want your most current information in this Directory. Please contact your assistant Governor if you are not sure how to update your information; 2) Please start filling out the club planning guide and get it ready to submit on July 1. Your club members worked hard this year, and it is important to give them the recognition they deserve. This planning guide serves as the basis for District recognitions. DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE HERE; 3) Save the Date of June 18, 2019 for District Governor Elect Pam Anastasi's Installation Celebration!l and 4) Save the Date of July 31, 2019 for the District Awards Dinner!
We are rapidly approaching the end of the year for our Rotary Foundation Annual Fund contributions.
I know that many of you intend to make a gift and have a consistent history of contributing annually, but perhaps you just haven’t gotten around to it yet! The end of this Rotary year is right around the corner, and I urge you to consider making a gift to The Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund.
What a weekend; what a conference! Those who attended had a fantastic time mingling not only with clubs in our District, but with Rotarians from clubs in all of the Rotary districts that surround District 7910!!!
We started off with the Paul Harris Luncheon (with about 200 Rotarians) and heard presentations of the significant Rotary Foundation funded projects in each of the Districts. District 7910 highlighted the Guatemala Stove Project, and we also heard about a vocational training team trip to Cape Town, South Africa, and the Safe Passage project in Guatemala. Jorge Yarzebski from the Westborough Club was presented with the Ed Hall Rotary Foundation Award. Click here for more information on Jorge's award!
The annual meeting of the clubs followed the luncheon. Reports of the Membership, Foundation, Youth, Assessment, and Nomination Committees were presented, as were the Secretary's and Treasurer's reports. New resolutions were adopted, and the meeting concluded in time for Rotarians to partake in some refreshments before dinner.
Congratulations to Westborough Rotarian Jorge Yarzebski, the 2018-2019 recipient of the Ed Hall Outstanding Foundation Achievement Award! Jorge was recognized at this year's District Conference for the numerous efforts to better the world through The Rotary Foundation. He has been involved with at least seven Global Grants or their predecessor Matching Grants, including being one of the founders of the Global Emergency Medicine Initiative (GEMINI).
Past District Governor Jim Fusco was presented the 2018-2019 Rotarian of the Year Award at the District Conference by District Governor Steve Sager! Everyone knows the tireless effort Jim makes to help the clubs and the district, and this year he went above and beyond the call of duty.
District 7910 is pleased to announce that O'Mara Taylor of Wayland is the recipient of the $35,00 2019 David & Eleanor Morley Endowed Global Grant Scholarship. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Framingham, O'Mara is a graduate of Vassar College. She plans to spend the 2019-2020 academic year in graduate studies at the Saïd Business School of Oxford University. Her Rotary Area of Focus is Maternal & Child Health.
The next trip to Moca, Puerto Rico is scheduled for May 16-20, and volunteers are needed. The project, funded by a Rotary Foundation District Grant, partners with three Rotary clubs in the Moca area, and delivers approximately $20,000 worth of items to replace articles destroyed by Hurricane Maria, including beds, mattresses, washing machines, refrigerators and stoves. There are spaces available for volunteers to help. Please contact Gary Hough as soon as possible if you are interested in this mission. Gary can be reached at 508-335-5336 or holdenhunt@aol.com. Read the continuation for more information.
It’s almost time to Eat, Meet & Party (the event formerly known as “The District Conference”)!
We’re doing “The District Conference” a little differently this year. Eat, Meet & Party is all about celebrating our club & individual accomplishments, recognizing some folks who have gone above and beyond the call for our district, and meeting & enjoying the company of Rotarians across our district (and some from a few other districts too, if you’re so inclined).
Every single member in the district is welcome and encouraged to attend! Have you registered yet?
On Friday, May 3rd we’ll recognize our Paul Harris Society Members & Fellows and announce this year’s Foundation Award Winner.
Then, we’ll have a quick District Business Meeting. PLEASE send at least one representative from your club to vote! (Credentials document attached). While only 1 member from each club can vote, ALL are welcome to attend. This is a GREAT way to learn about how your district works and how your dues are managed.
That evening we’ll put on our party clothes and dancin’ shoes for cocktails, dinner & dancing (we have an amazing, award winning-band…don’t miss this!). Rotarians are known as people who know how to have a good time. Let’s live up to that reputation!
Saturday, May 4th starts with an opportunity for you to participate in something completely different. “Game of Throneless”, a full engagement simulation that will totally challenge what you think you know about homelessness and test the boundaries of your comfort zone.
Then, we head over to Fenway Park for a tour of one of the most unique ballparks in the country (batting practice, anyone?), and finally close out this fun weekend with a relaxing Boston Harbor Cruise that evening.
There’s a LOT to love here – and everyone will love it more if YOU’RE there!
To get details, register, and book a room at the hotel (if you wish), click HERE today!
Welcome to April! Spring is here. Our team has returned from Guatemala on a very successful trip, and the District Conference is coming up. But first, a word about Rotary International's monthly theme for April: Maternal and Child Health. It is one of The Rotary Foundation's six (6) areas of focus. Every day mothers risk their lives giving birth and millions of children die each year from treatable, preventable causes. At least 7 million children under the age of five die each year due to malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. To help reduce this rate, Rotary provides immunizations and antibiotics to babies, improves access to essential medical services, and supports trained health care providers for mothers and their children. Rotary’s projects ensure sustainability by empowering the local community to take ownership of health care training programs. More information on Rotary's work in maternal and child health is found <HERE>
Guatemala Project. While our global grant to build stoves in Guatemala focused on disease prevention, it was clear to all of us that we were impacting maternal and child health also (and saving the environment). All of our Rotarians who travelled to help install the stoves were impacted by the people we helped. The saying that when you set out to help others you end up helping yourself rang true with this trip. Some of our first time global grant participants were stunned at the squalid living conditions of the people. Others were impacted by how grateful the entire villages were with what seemed like a small act to us. I was personally impacted by a scene repeated several times during our visit. We walked into one home (typically an adobe structure with a tin roof that had one room for living (for a family of 10) and another for the cooking area. When we walked in one of the kids ran out to get their father off his job to see what we were doing. The father (or grandfather) would come rushing to the house and start talking a mile a minute in his native Tz'utujil language. About 80% of all communication is non-verbal, and even though none of us spoke the Mayan Tz'utujil tongue, we all understood that he was thanking us and telling us how this was helping his family. A few pictures from the trip are on the continuation page of this article, and we will have a full story up on the website soon. In all, Rotarians from our district installed 100 stoves in 2 Mayan villages of San Pablo La Laguna and San Marcos La Laguna. There are an additional 85 stoves that will be installed by local Rotarians and our partner HELPS International.
District Conference. The program for the District Conference is shaping up, but we need every Rotarian from the District to attend and participate! Please, please, please do not wait any longer to sign up. We need to provide head counts to the hotel and make final plans. Talk to your club about rescheduling your meeting so you can all be part of the Friday luncheon on May 3, 2019 celebrating not only our Guatemala Stove Project, but other Rotary Foundation funded projects this year. We also need you to send delegates to our annual business meeting of our clubs. Friday evening is a spectacular dinner dance gala. Trust me, you do not want to miss this opportunity to celebrate Rotary and reconnect with Rotarians from other clubs. There is something for everyone!
Saturday has an awesome program! We will start with a wonderful breakfast, but then our youth (Interactors, Exchange Students, RYLANS) assisted by Rotaractors from all five (5) districts will be there to focus on homelessness in a program entitled the Game of Throneless. Like a reality fair, our youth will be randomly assigned "homeless" for you to interact with. The morning concludes with a soup kitchen style lunch with the kids and adults, and a frank discussion on how we can be part of the solution. There are also optional trips to Fenway Park for a tour and batting practice, and a Boston Harbor Cruise, adn everything else you expect from a District Conference .
Please sign up today at <THIS LINK> or just tell everyone to sign up at bit.ly/D7910-Conference2019, and please share the flyers below with your club.
Have a great April. Click the Read More Link for Guatemala Pictures. Check the website, facebook and Instagram regularly for updates on what's happening in District 7910. Remember to submit your club's stories and event flyers.
At the end of February, a group of Rotarians and friends traveled to Cartagena, Colombia on an international service project. This trip was the brainchild of Framingham Rotarian Dick Manelis, who works to offer an international-service opportunity every year or so.
If you'd like to gain powerful insight into making changes in your club join RI for a webinar on Courageous Leadership on Wednesday, March 27th at 3:00pm
Forty percent of club leaders say that “attracting new members” is the biggest challenge their clubs face. But is recruitment the issue? Or is it actually learning how to create healthy clubs that offer a vibrant membership experience, one that is irresistible to both members and visitors? Do we have the courage to ask ourselves the necessary, hard questions in order to move forward? This webinar will:
• Inspire you and your club to think in new ways about growth • Understand how transformation can happen • Take action to implement new approaches to lead your club or district
Using stories of transformation from Rotary and in their professional careers, trainers Louisa Horne and Doug Logan outline one strategy for making necessary changes to the club experience while including members in the process.
Welcome to March! I am keeping this month’s message short to highlight two all district events that every Rotarian should attend, and the club planning guide. The two events are the District Training Assembly and the District Conference. Registration for both is now open so please register quickly.
There is much more news that could be highlighted in this month’s edition, and all of those great stories are on our District Website at Rotary7910.org. I urge everyone to check into the District website on a regular basis to get the most up to date stories of interest to our clubs. Of course, we are also highlighting our collective experience on social media: Facebook (click here) and Instagram (click here). Like, follow, and share!!
DISTRICT TRAINING ASSEMBLY - SATURDAY, APRIL 6TH, 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
What better way to welcome new members to the family of Rotary. It’s time again to pull your team together and register for the District Training Assembly. Once a year we take a morning to share ideas, fellowship and hopefully a few laughs. This year we have a fantastic program in place for everyone.
The Assembly is a great way to get all of your club members, officers and committee chairs networking, engaged and aware of what’s happening with the clubs in our District. This District Wide training event is for ALL Rotarians. Whether you are a new member, committee chair, club officer, or veteran Rotarian there is something at the Assembly for you! Learn more about how you can help enhance your club’s membership experience, public image and social media efforts, and implement new ideas for engaging service projects. Learn about next year’s grants scoring rubric to obtain a District Grant. Club Secretaries and Treasurers have programs targeted to make their jobs easier. If your club is not yet qualified to apply for foundation grants, a member of your club will be invited to attend the foundation qualification seminar. Running concurrently with the Assembly is our second New Member Orientation program. Please send as many of your members as you can to the Assembly, and your new members to the Orientation program.
This year the Assembly will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Marlborough. The cost is $20 per person with a maximum of $100 per club for those who preregister. The new member orientation is $10 per person. It comes with a fresh continental breakfast, loads of ideas and the highly coveted “time with friends”
The event is only a few weeks away, so please register now.
Register for the New Member Orientation (in Rotary less than 2 years) <CLICK HERE>
MULTI-DISTRICT CONFERENCE – FRIDAY MAY 3 – SATURDAY MAY 4, 2019
We have a fantastic event being planned for all Rotarians from five (5) Rotary districts. That is over 280 clubs covering the entirety of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, plus northern Connecticut, Southern Vermont and Southern New Hampshire. If you have ever been to PETS (the Presidents-elect Training Seminar) you know the energy and excitement that can happen when you get Rotarians from all over New England to train. Imagine what it will be when we all come together to celebrate!
The Conference starts on Friday May 3, 2019 with a Paul Harris Luncheon celebrating the Rotary Foundation. Many clubs have already indicated plans to cancel their weekly meeting and hold it at the Conference. Consider asking your club to do the same! Following lunch, we will have our District’s annual business meeting where delegates from your club should attend. The evening’s activities start with cocktails and continue to the huge dinner dance gala celebration of everything Rotary. The Boston Common Band – one of the best entertainment groups for private functions in the area – will be there to entertain and keep us dancing until after midnight! Of course with this being a District Conference, there is a likelihood that some of you will be up much later . . .
Saturday begins with a brunch. Young Rotarians – Interact, Essex exchange students, and RYLANs – will present to us their morning activities and how our Rotaractors helped mentor them! If you are still up for more, there are optional activities after brunch and the youth summit, such as the hotel’s indoor waterpark, a Fenway Park tour, Fenway Park batting practice, and a cocktail cruise on Boston Harbor.
The conference is conveniently located at the Ferncroft Doubltree Hotel in Danvers, Massachusetts.
There is also a special on hotel rooms for this conference. To take advantage of the special pricing, <CLICK HERE FOR HOTEL RESERVATIONS>
CLUB PLANNING GUIDE AND RECOGNITION
In addition to training and celebrating, there is one more item as we hit the home stretch of the Rotary Year. That one item is our Club Planning Guide. This guide was passed out to the Club Presidents at PETS last year to help them plan your club’s year. It has been posted on the website and your assistant governors have been telling your club about it. Now that your club’s next leaders have been trained at PETS, it is important that you enlist them to help accomplish your club’s goals and finish the year strong, so your club can start even stronger come July 1.
The Club Planning Guide is also used to provide needed recognition to our clubs for all the hard work your Rotarians put in this year. Recognitions are important, especially in volunteer organizations. Please work with your President, President-Elect and club leaders to complete this year’s guide. <CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE CLUB PLANNING WORKSHEET>
I am off to Guatemala with Rotarians from around the District to help reduce respiratory illness in the rural areas around Panajachel by installing fuel efficient and vented stoves. Follow us on social media for the latest updates on the project. Remember, please send in your stories. Please send flyers for your events. Please remember to invite our Rotaractors to help on your service projects! Have a great month!
The answer to the question of how early Rotarians consumed Rotary is pretty easy. It was through our traditional clubs centered around a meal and back then it was typically lunch or dinner. The advent of breakfast clubs was a bold experiment to widen our appeal to those who could not fit into what then was our typical model of delivery, how we were consumed.
My own early exposure to Rotary was through my Dad’s Rotary Club. It was a large lunch club. Consum-er patterns were different then. I remember listening to baseball games on the radio with my Dad. Now, while many still attend games or watch on TV, a large segment of sports enthusiasts of all types consume sports via social media, on highlights shows, or streaming over the internet. Back then TV was three major networks and some UHF channels, now it’s hundreds of channels and numerous ways to view offerings from TV’s to computers to handheld devices.
For the second year, Rotary District 7910 is preparing to provide meal service for a week to veterans at the New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV) located near Government Center in Boston.
The Week of Rotary covers 10 meal service shifts spread out between Monday May 27th and May 31st in honor of Memorial Day. Fifteen Rotary clubs participated in this program last year and found great meaning and inspiration in this service opportunity. By proudly partnering with NECHV, clubs are helping to ensure that veterans of every era have the resources they need to live with dignity and independence.
Do you know anyone who might be a candidate for our D7910 Morley Scholarship? Rotary District 7910 is pleased to announce that Global Grant applications are now being accepted for the David & Eleanor Morley Endowed Global Grant Scholarship, now open from February 1st through March 31, 2019. This $35,000 one year scholarship is open to any resident of the 117 cities and towns represented by District 7910 who is planning on graduate study abroad.
Unique to D7910, the Morley Scholarship was established by a generous WPI graduate and Rotarian. It is managed by The Rotary Foundation Permanent Fund in cooperation with the D7910 Rotary Foundation Committee (Scholarship). The window of application of two months will be followed by an interview, and the announcement of one qualified candidate. Read more for the qualifications and application information.
We have lots of information in this Newsletter! I would love to say it is because we have so much going on in the District (which we do), but also time demands did not allow me to get this letter out sooner (oops!). When I put these together, I have no idea who, if anyone, will read the letter, but, apparently based on the emails I received asking where is the February newsletter, more than just a few of you read this! Before I get into the substance of this month's message, I just want to encourage EVERYONE to send me articles and pictures on what your club is doing. You work hard to give back and your club should get some recognition. More importantly, what you do inspires others, so together, let's Be The Inspiration and share our stories!
February 23 is Rotary's anniversary. This year marks the 114th anniversary of Rotary's founding. We have come a long way since rotating meetings in people's offices. Just pause for a moment and reflect upon all the great things Rotary clubs have done over the past 114 years to build and strengthen communities. None of us were involved in the first Rotary project of building a comfort station in Chicago, but
So you joined rotary? You had a fireside chat or a breakfast with an experienced club member. He or she told you what you needed to know to function as a good club member. Needless to say you did not learn everything about rotary in that hour!
Or, maybe not!! If you think there is more to learn, like what is Rotary's Manual of Procedure, or just how to learn more about Rotary and what other clubs do, read on. There are many resources to learn more about this great organization. Just attending meetings and talking to your fellow club members will give you a little bit of knowledge each week. But if you want to know more and faster, there are some ways to get to know more.
Imagine having your newborn placed in a neo-natal intensive care unit. You and your family are traveling, or maybe you live nearby but can’t spend every waking hour in the hospital. How can you watch your baby’s progress and growth? If your child is in the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit of the University of Massachusetts Memorial Children’s Medical Center in Worcester you are in luck — thanks to Rotarians throughout District 7910.
When Shrewsbury Rotarian Roy Balfour helped to coordinate the neonatal intensive care unit web cam project (NICView) at UMass Memorial back in 2014, he didn't know that one day he would become one of the benficiaries of this multi-club project. Since it's inception, NICView has allowed families from across the state, country, and even around
Many of you know or participated in the Bandey-Hefler Friendship Exchange between Rotarians in the suburbs of Boston (District 7910) and London (Districts 1110 and 1145). Since 1977, approximately 20 couples have been traveling across the Atlantic from England to the U.S. followed by 20 couples the following year going from the U.S. to England. In the fall of 2018, it was our District’s turn to host. Rotarians that hosted are eligible for an all-expenses-paid 12-day trip (excluding air fare) to England in 2019.
In addition to Bandey-Hefler, the Rotary Friendship Exchange is now another international exchange program for District 7910 Rotary members and friends that allows participants to take turns hosting one another in their homes and clubs. Rotary friendship exchanges are organized around at least one of three themes: culture, fellowship, and vocation.
Participants may travel as individuals, couples, families, or groups, and may be Rotary members or not. For help in finding potential international hosts and planning your itinerary, contact the District 7910 Rotary Friendship Exchange Chair, P.J. Avella, of the Littleton Club at avellap@comcast.net.
It took nine (9) months, but District 7910's Global Grant to support the Guatemala Stove Project received the final approval from The Rotary Foundation on Tuesday, January 29, 2019. The global grant, officially entitled “Construction of stoves to prevent respiratory diseases in Guatemala” enables the clubs in Rotary District 7910 to work with the Rotary Club of Nueva Guatemala of District 4250 to install efficient stoves that are vented out of the residence, and to establish a committee to monitor and improve the respiratory health of the communities where the stoves are being installed in 3 rural villages near Panajachel Guatemala. Huge kudos and thanks to Westborough Rotarian Jorge Yarzebski for shepherding through the grant application to make it comply with the new Rotary Foundation guidelines.
A group of approximately fifteen (15) Rotarians for clubs in District 7910 will be traveling to Guatemala to install the stoves March 23-30, 2019. There are still spots available if you want to join in the travel. Please email Jim O'Connor <HERE> for more information about the travel. If you and your club are not sending someone, please consider making a donation to the project of any amount. The donations will help defray the expenses of the volunteers traveling to Guatemala and provide additional resources for the project. Donations can be made to the Westborough Rotary Fund, Inc., 21 East Main Street, Westborough, MA 01581. Please specify the donation is for the Guatemala Stove Project.
In 2011, Kiran Singh Sirah turned 35 — “halfway through our life’s journey,” he says, citing Dante’s Divine Comedy. The UK native had been living in Edinburgh and Glasgow for a decade, working on a variety of cultural endeavors. “I felt I had done everything I needed to do and learn in Scotland. It was time to take my experiences and move them to the next level.”
That’s when Sirah heard about the Rotary Peace Fellowship. Since the program began in 2002, more than 1,200 peace fellows have received fully funded scholarships to study at one of six peace centers at universities around the world. With help from Rotarians in Scotland, Sirah eventually landed one of those scholarships and headed to North Carolina, where he earned a master’s degree in folklore studies and a graduate certificate in international peace and conflict resolution.
The Paul Harris Society has grown to over 21,000 members in 138 countries worldwide and 16% of donations to The Rotary Foundation came from this special group last year. Are you looking for ways to encourage growth in the society within your club? Or new ways to keep society members engaged? If so, join us on Tuesday, 12 February from 10:00 am - 11:00 am CST, for a webinar hosted by the Foundation’s Annual Giving team. During the webinar, Rotarian panelists will provide tips on how to recognize new Paul Harris Society members, how to engage them after they join and continuously for years to come. In addition, we will include a brief history and update on the Paul Harris Society.
Rotary Connects the World! 2019-2020 Rotary International President Mark Daniel Maloney announced next year's theme to the District Governors Elect at the Rotary International Assembly. The theme for the 2019-2020 Rotary year is: Rotary Connects the World.
President-elect Mark writes: "I encourage you to share our theme widely with your fellow club members and throughout your districts to help create enthusiasm and excitement for the year ahead. . . . It is only by working together that we can truly accomplish great things."
Rotary's Race Across America ("RAAM") team seeks to raise $1,200,000.00 for polio in the annual 3,000 mile bike race! Here is what the RAAM team tells us about what they are doing:
The Race
We have entered a four-person bicycle team in Race Across America (RAAM) (www.raceacrossamerica.org) for 2019…our fourth year in a row. Many Rotarians followed us last year and gave to PolioPlus in support of our effort to eradicate Polio. RAAM is one of the 25 most difficult events in the world and about 30 countries are represented in the race. With 3000 miles distance and over 170,000 feet of climbing (that’s six times Mt. Everest), it is an intense, grueling, and challenging bicycle race. However, it is not as grueling or as challenging as living with polio.
The Rotary Club of Framingham—serving Holliston, Hopkinton, Ashland, and Framingham—presented its second Random Act of Kindness (RAK) award in December to a little girl suffering from a number of serious physical and developmental problems, including severe breathing difficulty stemming from a mutation of the pigngene. The club’s provision of a portable oxygen concentrator for Bialennys Polanco Mercado, now two years old, will make travel with her mother Yanitsa to doctors and hospitals for treatment much easier than with the very heavy, bulky unit they have been using. The new unit cost $2,595.
Posted by Logan Johnson, Communication Specialist for Rotary Alumni Relations on Jan 10, 2019
or the past few years, Rotary International has been promoting Reconnect Week as a time to remind Rotary clubs of the value of reaching out and “reconnecting” with alumni of Rotary programs like Interact, Rotaract, scholarships, Rotary Peace Fellowships, youth exchange and other regional programs. But celebrating alumni and making them feel welcome to your club is something you can and should do year-round. Alumni of Rotary make great leaders and innovators and may possess the skills you need for your next service project.
So in that spirit, we collected five events that impressed us during this year’s Reconnect Week in October to encourage you to think of ways you can reconnect with alumni in the new year.
District 7020 Alumni Association – Video Conference
District Alumni Chair William Inniss of Cayman Islands has made it a tradition with his district’s alumni association to hold an annual video conference for Reconnect Week. Since his district is made of many islands, travel between them is more difficult for in-person meetings, so this is simply the best way to keep up. During the meeting, members of the alumni association discuss their past experiences and decide how best to partner with local Rotary clubs.
Northern Illinois Rotary Alumni Association – Networking Event
Members of the Northern Illinois Rotary Alumni Association, Rotaract Club of Chicago, and Rotarians in the greater Chicago region came together for an evening of networking at One Rotary Center in
The Rotary Citation recognizes Rotary clubs that support each of our strategic priorities by completing certain activities. One of the three strategic priorities is to Support And Strengthen Clubs through membership-related activities.
To meet the membership requirements for the 2018-19 Rotary Citation, at least 3 of the following goals must be achieved:
Achieve a net gain of 1 member
Maintain or improve your club’s retention of current and new members:
Improve your club’s retention rate by 1 percentage point or
If your club’s retention rate was 90 percent or more in 2017-18, maintain it
Achieve a net gain in female members
Have at least 60 percent of club members report their birth dates through My Rotary
Vocational service can mean many things to many people. In Rotary, Vocational Service means holding ourselves and our businesses to the highest ethical standards. As the 4 way test instructs us, in all we think, say or do . . . Maintaining ethical standards is ever so important in today's society where we prefer to repeat inflammatory discourse rather than engage in discussion to understand opposing views and seek compromise. It is beholden upon us as leaders to set an example for young people and others.
Happy New Year! It is hard to believe that half a Rotary year has passed already. We have accomplished much, and yet there is so much more we need to do.
While the Rotary year begins on July 1, the calendar year has just begun. Many of us make resolutions for the New Year. I hope each of you will include Rotary in your resolutions. Here are a few suggestions:
Resolve to bring in at least one new member;
Resolve to contribute more to The Rotary Foundation;
Resolve to get involved in one more community service project;
Sanjay Deshpande, our District Rotary Foundation Chair, was honored today by his Wachusett Area Rotary Club with a significant Rotary World Appreciation Honor. Sanjay is relocating to Orlando later this month. As much as Sanjay has done for the clubs in our district helping with Foundation grants, scholarships, training, and fundraising, he has done more in his club. The club also awarded five (5) Paul Harris Fellows at their meeting. It was a wonderful tribute to a wonderful Rotarian who will be very missed by our District. Safe travels Sanjay!
How would you like to have not only your own Rotary Club members contact information but also the entire District at your fingertips? You can and so much more by downloading the new and improved ClubRunner Mobile App. You can also access club and district leadership, stories and events all with just a few clicks. Connecting to them is as easy as clicking on the phone number or email address.You can download it on the AppStore or GooglePlay and be on your way in minutes. Now would also be a good time to make sure that your profile is current, and if you do not have a picture saved, or your birthday listed, considering updating your information now! Reach out and collaborate with other like minded Rotarians from around our district and be the People of Action that your are!
The Rotarian Action Group Addiction Prevention (RAG AP) was recognized by Rotary International January 2016. Focus area is disease prevention and treatment. RAG AP is supporting actions from Rotary clubs and districts in the EU, US and in India. 3 global grants are progressing as well for prevention as for treatment. The Focus of the RAG AP however is on prevention.
Addiction is a very complex problem involving and influencing many families. In every Rotary club we will find one of our friends with an addiction problem or at least addiction problems in his/her family or amongst the friends. We are all in touch with the problem as well in the North and the West, the opiate problem is an example, as well in East and South. The products can be very different, but it is not only about using products but also about behavior when addicted to the internet games or film series, ....
What will you do about it, what can your club do, how can your district support and stimulate clubs to take action to implement prevention programs in your local region. RAG AP will help you and will provide you with all information and materials you need to make a well considered step to involve your clubs and districts in the struggle to protect children as early as possible from getting addicted.
Welcome to December! Rotary's Disease Prevention and Treatment Month! December is a time to celebrate the holidays and wrap up the calendar year. It is also the time to make sure next year's leaders are training and planning, as well as helping our current leader's execute. We will be hearing more about the training opportunities shortly.
The big event is the District Holiday Party on December 16, 2018 at Arturo's in Westborough starting at 5:30 pm. We want all of you there to join us in celebrating the holidays! <CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION>
There are still openings for travel with our District Service Project installing stoves around Panajachel, Guatemala. <CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION>
I wish everyone a happy holiday, and a safe, healthy and happy new year! I look forward to seeing all of you at our Holiday Party!
[The following story has been adapted from an Article on the Framingham Rotary Club appearing in the Ashland Local Town Pages -Ed.]
The Framingham Rotary Club is making life a little safer for an elderly Ashland family. If the weather cooperates, the family’s crumbling front steps will soon be repaired, thanks to an award from the Rotary’s Random Act of Kindness program.
Posted by Matthew Johnsen, Ph.D., Rotary Peace Fellow
"Don’t be content in your life just to do no wrong, be prepared every day to try and do some good"
Three years ago, I traveled around the world. I was powerfully affected by what I experienced. As a sociologist, I knew about global connectionsand the ways different parts of the world depend and interact with one another. What I experienced most deeply on this journey, however, were personalconnections. The storiesof students, tour guides, taxi drivers, hosts, friends, random people met in restaurants, border agents, even people I met on the street flooded my consciousness during the trip. These narratives brought the world together for me, one story at a time.
I experienced tremendous hospitality, a warm welcome, openness and friendliness on a journey that took me through 19 countries across three continents. I learned that the life experiences that join us together are much greater than the differences between us. I learned to value each interaction as an opportunity to contribute something positive. I also met people who were making a difference in the world: some small and some large. My friend Somit in Varanasi shared a vision based on his own life: expelled from school because his parents could not pay school fees, he now provides schooling to as many children as he can at no cost. He has organized many entrepreneurial efforts (a small guest house, a restaurant, yoga education, travel services and more) as social enterprises— directing the profits from each to teach young children in schools he organizes. His vision of peace is making the world better.
We recently received an email from Camilla Vogt, the recipient of our District’s endowed Global Grant Morley scholarship. This scholarship provides funding for a year of foreign study pertaining to one or more of Rotary's Six Areas of Focus. Camilla, shown here writes "I hope your fall is going well! I can hardly believe it is almost November. My first month here has flown by. We are halfway through the academic term, and school is taking up a tremendous amount of time. I have already written three papers and have an economics test every week. I am trying my hand at rowing, which means early (and chilly!) mornings, and organizing a student speaker series at my department. Each day is rich and full, and I am loving it here so far!"
PDG Dick Manelis has lead international service projects from District 7910 for almost 20 years. He meets a lot of interesting people helping him out along the way. Here is Dick's message about one of those people:
INTRODUCING: Carlos Centeno. I met Carlos in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. He was an active member of the local Rotaract Club and had volunteered to work with us on our humanitarian project in Copán Ruinas for 3 days. We would cover his expenses. He not only worked with us for three days but lived with a friend, worked the full week and refused to accept any compensation.
Please join us in congratulating Susan Peghiny as the Nominating Committee's selection for the 2021-2022 District Governor for Rotary District 7910! Susan is a past President of the Rotary Club of Newton and is currently serving as the District Secretary and an Assistant Governor. The Nominating Committee interviewed candidates and selected Susan as the best qualified of all the candidates in the pool this year to lead our district!. If confirmed, Susan will assume the role of District Governor Nominee Designate (DGND).
Susan lives in Newton with her husband Ron Faccenda (who is PE of the Newton Club) and her father, Jim. All three of them work in the family clock and watch repair business located in their home. Sue has had a wide variety of jobs and experiences, but it wasn’t until she joined Rotary that she finally figured out what she wanted to be when she grew up: a Rotarian.
Adapted from an article by Alyce Henson, Rotary International staff photographer
Using photography to tell a story can feel complex and challenging, but it doesn’t have to. By following a few guidelines, having a focused mindset, and applying a bit of confidence, you can take great pictures. Below are some photo tips based on recent images the author took in Nassau and Seattle, as well as some from our own district. Try these tricks, and you might be surprised what you can capture.
If you see a great moment happening naturally don’t be afraid to ask people to continue doing the action that caught your eye in the first place. In this case, the photographer saw these two Rotarians passing a seed pod to one another. She asked them to pass it back and forth a few times and to look at each other. It only took an extra minute or two to get a successful image.
The Rotary Club of Langhorne, Pennsylvania meets for lunch at a restaurant in a historic mansion, but at times attendance was at risk of falling below the minimum 20 meals required by the venue. “We were losing members because they couldn’t make meetings,” recalls Club Membership Chair at the time, Bill Kaufmann.
Board discussions yielded ideas but no firm solutions. Then one member started sending his office manager to meetings in his place. “That was my ‘aha’ moment,” says Kaufmann, now Club President. The Club then decided to let members designate a business associate or family member to attend meetings and participate in projects in their stead – or alongside them.
The Club now recognizes the stand-ins, named “Clones”, who must have a family or business relationship with the primary member and pay $25 in annual dues to the club to cover the cost of name tags and
ROLL TO THE POLLS! On Election Day (Tuesday, November 6th), the Rotary Club of Westborough helped voters access the polls at Westborough High School. Rotarians, wearing brightly colored Rotary Club vests, helped with wheelchairs, golf carts and umbrellas from their cars to the High School entrance and to the gymnasium where the polls were located. Upon exiting the polls voters were helped to return to their cars. The finishing touch…a pop-up tent to keep voters dry, donuts and free coffee and welcome smiles! This is the second time the club has hosted this event. It’s a simple one, provides necessary service and offers great visibility. The Club is already in the planning stages for Roll to the Poll 2020!
The Framingham Rotary Club of held its Annual Pancake Breakfast on November 3—it was the seventh in the series— at Keefe Tech High School’s East Room, which is the showpiece and training center of the school’s culinary and hospitality department. Some 300 guests, individuals and families from the City and adjacent towns enjoyed pancakes with genuine maple syrup, hash browns, sausages, juice, coffee, tea, and milk. All of the proceeds will support scholarships to selected high school seniors in Framingham, Ashland, Holliston and Hopkinton.
Welcome to November! We are 1/3 of the way through this Rotary year of being the inspiration! It is far too early to pause to reflect upon our accomplishments as so much more is being planned by clubs in our District. We have had a few Rotary Days already, and several more are being planned. Clubs have been raising money to pay for their service projects, and those fundraisers have been fun. All of us who, together, pitch in to take a small part in producing these Club service projects and fundraisers, ARE the inspiration.
The Rotary Foundation. November is The Rotary Foundation Month. This month we celebrate a vital part of our Rotary community, the Foundation. Many of the projects we do, and much of the impact Rotary does in the world, is funded by The Rotary Foundation money. Money that you and your clubs donate to the Foundation! Clubs in our District are celebrating The
Child trafficking happens here in the U.S. and in virtually every other country. The Rotary Club of Northborough together with the Northborough Junior Woman's club are partnering to present a fair Trade luncheon and a screening of the award winning film "Not My Life."Many people are familiar with UNICEF’s work providing children with things like emergency aid, clean water and medical care, but UNICEF also has a strong record protecting children from violence, exploitation and abuse. The End Trafficking project
On Monday evening, 10/29/18, 8 district Rotaractors from 3 of our five clubs met with District Governor, Steve Sager; Governor Nominee and Youth Chair, Diana Nestorova; and Rotaract Chair, Susan Rack, in Framingham for pizza, information sharing and fellowship. The clubs represented were Boston University Rotaract Club, Worcester Polytechnic Institute Rotaract Club, and the community based Wellesley Rotaract Club.
Interested in hosting an exchange student? A student from Peru is looking for a host family starting in January 2019. KIKE is 17 years old, is a soccer player, has Good English skills, no medical problems, looks to be a good academic student. Please ask around to see if your club can find a host. For more information, please follow the link to contact our District Essex (Eastern Student Exchange) Subcommittee Chair, Marcia Davis and District Governor Nominee and Youth Chair, Diana Nestorova.
Rotary has a new partnership with Habitat for Humanity International that will enhance club and district service activities by providing access to Habitat’s resources and programming. Clubs can work with Habitat affiliates and local communities to design and provide long-term, affordable housing to families in need of shelter. And now they can use global grants to fund the types of low-cost shelters that Rotarians and Rotaractors have been building with Habitat for Humanity for years.
On Tuesday October 16th the Hudson Rotary Club celebrated the official charter of the Hudson Interact Club. The student organization joins 12,300 Interact Clubs in more than 133 countries. The club will host and participate in various service projects with the assistance of their advisor Pamela Porter. Rotarians celebrated the occasion by presenting the students with certificates, pins, tshirts, and a club banner. The students meet Wednesdays at 2pm in room F105 at Hudson High School. To learn more about the Hudson Interact Club visit www.HudsonInteract.com. Founded in 1923, the Hudson Rotary Club is a service organization that supports the community of Hudson as well as other regional and international service projects.
In addition to the awards that we have typically given out every year, Rotary International is offering new awards to recognize members and clubs within a district. Start thinking now about how your club can recognize your members and the service you do! Members of the Rotary community help make clubs stronger, communities better, and peace possible. Thank them for their dedication and valuable contributions by recognizing them with a Rotary award.
On October 21st, the Marlborough Rotary Club participated in the first annual “Trunk or Treat” event, sponsored by the Marlborough Junior Woman’s Club (MJWC) and the One Hines Women’s Network. The event was held at The Campus in Marlborough, a business complex located off of Rt. 20, just west of Rt. 495.
Trunk or Treat provided safe, free, family-friendly trick-or-treating, craft activities, food trucks, pumpkin carving contests, costume contests, music and more. There was a photo booth, and free pumpkins and decorating kits were given out so that families could continue the fun at home.
The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, with support from the Sudbury History Center and the Sudbury Senior Center, hosted a Sudbury Repair Café on October 20, 2018. This free event was held at Sudbury Senior Center in Sudbury. Residents of Sudbury and surrounding towns were invited to come and find out what a Repair Café is all about.
At a Repair Café, everything centers on making repairs. Knowledgeable volunteers help repair items such as clean and mendable clothing, knitted and crocheted items, lamps, small appliances, computers and other electronics, bikes, outdoor power equipment, toys, and jewelry. They also can sharpen knives, scissors, and garden tools. Visitors pay only for needed parts, and when possible are encouraged to bring parts with them to save time.
October 24 is Rotary’s 5th annual World Polio Day. What are you and club doing to help eradicate polio?
To start, you can livestream Rotary International’s World Polio Day event, which is marking the occasion from the College of Physicians in Philadelphia, starting at 6:30 PM. The event will highlight the steps being taken to reach Rotary’s goal of polio eradication. We’ll also celebrate 30 years of achievements by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)
Closer to home, you can host your own viewing of the event, sponsor your own fundraiser, or participate in the events that neighboring clubs are running. For example, the Brookline club has sponsored a video running on a screen outside in Coolidge Corner and asked pedestrians for donations. The Nashoba Valley club works with the schools in its regional school district to get donations from the students in exchange for a purple pinkie. To our north, the Gloucester club runs an annual polar plunge into the Atlantic Ocean in the middle of winter, raising thousands of dollars. Other clubs have sponsored races, “mic-athons,” and speaking events.
Polio, Service Projects, Foundation Dinner and Training are the core messages this month.
Polio. October is World Polio Awareness Month, and October 24 is World Polio Day. Many clubs are planning activities to raise awareness, and raise funds, to help with the global efforts to eradicate Polio from this planet. Our leadership team has been planning a couple incentives to encourage more activities this month.
I challenge all clubs in the District to donate, collectively, $25,000 to PolioPlus during the month of October. That is an average of just $500 per club. If we achieve that goal, I will jump in the Atlantic Ocean in February as part of the Polar Plunge in Gloucester.
If that was not enough, we will award a pair of tickets to the limited seating World Polio Day event in Philadelphia on
JOIN US INSTALLING STOVES PROJECT IN PANAJACHEL, GUATEMALA
MARCH 23-30, 2019
Please join Rotarians from Rotary District 7910 with our hands-on District Sponsored Global Grant Project installing stoves in the rural villages around Panajachel, Guatemala. This International Service project is done in collaboration with several Guatemala Rotary Clubs.
Are you a Rotarian interested in installing stoves in homes where currently an open fire in the center of the house is used for cooking. Cooking on an open fire in an unventilated area increases respiratory diseases and burn injuries, particularly with mothers and children. It also results in rapid deforestation as open fires are inefficient. These stoves will improve the ventilation in homes thereby decreasing the carbon monoxide, it will reduce injuries, and will decrease wood consumption by at least 50%.
The answer to the question of how early Rotarians consumed Rotary is pretty easy. It was through our traditional clubs centered around a meal and back then it was typically lunch or dinner. The advent of breakfast clubs was a bold experiment to widen our appeal to those who could not fit into what then was our typical model of delivery, how we were consumed.
My own early exposure to Rotary was through my Dad’s Rotary Club. It was a large lunch club. Consumer patterns were different then. I remember listening to baseball games on the radio with my Dad. Now, while many still attend games or watch on TV, a large segment of sports enthusiasts of all types consume sports via social media, on highlights shows, or streaming over the internet. Back then TV was three major networks and some UHF channels, now it’s hundreds of channels and numerous ways to view offerings from TV’s to computers to handheld devices.
Take a look at retail. Oh my, how times have changed our consumer patterns. Brick and mortar stores will probably always have a place, but look what online buying has done to the way we consume retail products. You can look at almost any area of your life and see, feel, and measure how dramatically the change has been in how you consume information, products, and services.
Highlights from the June and “July” 2018 Rotary International Board of Directors Meetings
The 2017–18 RI Board of directors held its fifth and final meeting on 21 June 2018 in Toronto, ON, Canada. The 2018–19 RI Board held its first meeting on 29 June 2018 in Toronto, ON, Canada. At these meetings the Board reviewed reports from six committees and recorded 39 decisions.
Winning the Gold Best Club for 2017-2018 was an incredible experience, and one that didn’t seem possible just a few years ago. Newton is an old club – we were established in 1926 – and had been know as a “check writing” club. That was a very good thing for a very long time - the club made a real difference in the lives of many people over the years. But the world was changing, and Newton Rotary had to evolve…to make ourselves more attractive to members, and to energize the existing membership. That journey happened to lead us to Best Club.
Why bother with awards anyway? Winning awards has never been important to our club. But it’s amazing how proud our members are of these achievements. To have your time and effort recognized and appreciated is a powerful thing. Our morale is incredible (great for going into a new year), and we’re using these “wins” as a marketing tool to attract new members and supporters.
So what did we actually do? Here are what I’d call “the biggies” that were key in moving us forward (along with suggestions on how you might apply them):
World Polio Day Competition – Your Club could win $500 for its WASH Projects!
What is World Polio Day?
World Polio Day is celebrated on October 24th. World Polio Day was established by Rotary International to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk, who led the first team to develop a vaccine against poliomyelitis. Use of this inactivated poliovirus vaccine and subsequent widespread use of the oral poliovirus vaccine, developed by Albert Sabin, led to the establishment of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
Polio is a disease caused by a virus that affects the nervous system and is mainly spread by person-to-person contact. Polio can also be spread by drinking water or other drinks or eating raw or undercooked food that are contaminated with the feces of an infected person.
$$$$$ - THE PRIZES!
$500 US for the best project (i.e. the one with the most impact)
WHAT VALUE DOES YOUR CLUB HAVE FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS?
By Michael Walstrom, president of the Rotary Club of Downtown Boca Raton, Florida
Rotary, like any business, has customers. For us, those customers are our members and we must provide value to assure satisfied customers. The key to attracting and retaining young professional “customers” is presenting a Value Proposition that is attractive.
From the Young Professional (YP) Membership Development project, a 10 question survey designed by District 6930, we learned that young professionals are looking for networking and mentorship, but have concerns about time, money, and family commitments. Fortunately, Rotary has considerable value to offer in all of those areas.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at a global level, over 300 million people are estimated to suffer from depression, equivalent to 4.4% of the world’s population. Depression is ranked by WHO as the single largest contributor to global disability1. Given the severity of these statistics, creating innovative ways to address the prevention of mental illness and the promotion of mental health and wellness is of critical importance. Following its pioneering spirit and mission of global change, Rotary has boldly stepped up to this challenge in two important ways:
(1) introducing prevention as a broader and important component of health to include mental health, not just physical health
(2) funding projects that reach children and adolescents - and the adults who care for them - to specifically address depression education
District 7910 Outbound Exchange Students Prepare to Depart!
On Wednesday July 25 five young people attended the final outbound orientation in preparation for their year-long study abroad sponsored by Rotary's Student Exchange program, the Eastern States Student Exchange ("ESSEX"). All of the students are excited about their year abroad. Kira and her twin Noah are sponsored by the Bedford Club. Kira will be travelling to Bolivia, while Noah will be living in Belgium. Kelsey, sponsored by the Acton-Boxborough Club, is headed to France. Lauren, sponsored by the Needham Club, is excited to be going to Switzerland. Ben, sponsored by Framingham Club, will be studying in Columbia.
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. During the past 100 years, the Foundation has spent $3 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects. With your help, we can make lives better in your community and around the world.
Why should I donate to The Rotary Foundation? Your donation makes a difference to those who need our help most. More than 90 percent of donations go directly to supporting our service projects around the world.
How does The Rotary Foundation use donations? Our 35,000 clubs carry out sustainable service projects that support our six causes. With donations like yours, we’ve wiped out 99.9 percent of all polio cases. Your donation also trains future peacemakers, supports clean water, and strengthens local economies.
What impact can one donation have? It can save a life. A child can be protected from polio with as little as 60 cents. Our partners make your donation go even further. For every $1 Rotary commits to polio eradication, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $2.
What are the areas of the Foundation’s focus? Promoting Peace, Providing Clean Water, Saving Mothers and Children, Supporting Education, Growing Local Economies, and Fighting Disease. Even the United States has problems in all six areas of focus, the reason for Global Grants, assistance going in all directions to help promote a better world.
The Framingham Rotary Club, continuing its annual effort to help keep very low income seniors in public housing cool and healthy during hot weather, last week delivered thirty-seven 6000 BTU air conditioners for installation at units managed by the Framingham Housing Authority (FHA). The project, a collaboration among the Rotary club, the FHA, and the Callahan Center (the Framingham Council on Aging Senior Center), has now delivered 212 units over the past six years.
By Geoffrey Johnson Illustrations by Rocco Baviera
When it comes to finding new members for his Minnesota Rotary club, Tom Gump doesn’t just walk the walk, he trots the trot: the turkey trot. Gump is a former president of the Rotary Club of Edina/Morningside, which makes boosting membership a priority. In fact, that’s the fourth item on a list of 10 tips to attract and retain members which has been prepared – and practiced – by the club. It’s tip No. 10 that finds Gump clad in a turkey suit. More on that shortly.
The tips work: During Gump’s 2016-17 stint as club president, Edina/Morningside added 31 members. Eleven of them were women; 10 were under 40 years old. With 94 members, the club “went from being classified as a medium-size club to being one of District 5950’s large clubs,” says Gump, who will be the 2020-21 district governor. “There were 13 clubs larger than our club in our district, and now there are only four.” The tips have proven so effective that Gump has taken the Edina/Morningside show on the road, using a PowerPoint presentation to coach other clubs on specific ways they can expand their membership. “I have been called a good salesman,” says Gump (who, for the record, is a real estate lawyer and a developer). “But to me, recruiting new Rotary members is not really selling. It’s matching up potential members with what he or she wants in a club.” So if you’re looking to add members to your club, consider taking a page from the Edina/Morningside playbook. Read on for the club’s 10 tips, as well as five suggestions for increasing membership from other Rotarians and Rotary clubs.
Pre-Conference September 18-20, 2018 | Conference September 20-22, 2018 Hotel Bonaventure in Montreal
The 2018 Montreal Zone Conference is a unique event, and we want to invite you to be a part of it. Whether you’re an incoming District Governor, District leader, Past District Governor, or a Rotarian with an interest in becoming more engaged in Rotary….the Montreal Conference is for you! The theme “People Coming Together” fits our goal of providing you with an extraordinary and unforgettable event. This is why we're inviting everyone to be a part of the excitement!
Formerly known as the Zone Institute, this gathering was originally designed to motivate, inspire, and educate past, current and incoming district governors. That hasn't changed. Historically, however, attendance at a Zone Institute was restricted to those in the District Governor line. This year we've decided to open the conference to all Rotarians to facilitate engagement between our Governors (and their knowledge, leadership skills, and commitment) and club and district Rotarians. Visit the Montreal 2018 web page to learn more about this exciting conference and register today!
Experience tasting over 200 crafted beers, ciders and malt beverages from 73 + breweries & enjoy delicious food from 24+ of the area's finest restaurants! Click here for more info & tickets!
Follow this link: https://ga.vyond.com/videos/0U9HY8JzbSKsto a monthly series of animated membership-related videos being produced for clubs in Zone 32 by Lawrence Furbish, Assistant Rotary Coordinator, Sanford-Springvale Rotary Club, Maine in District 7780. All of the videos in the series will be very short (2-3 minutes) so that your Club should be able to view them and discuss how to implement the content during regular club meetings.
Sturbridge Rotary Builds New Playground at the YMCA
The Sturbridge Rotary Club recently helped build a new outdoor playground at the Tri-Community YMCA Child Development Center, 115 Marcy Street in Southbridge. The new outdoor playground, built with the help of the Sturbridge Rotary Club, will be enjoyed by more than 150 kids a day.
“This playground will help the Y provide safe and healthy spaces for our children to learn foundational skills, develop healthy, trusting relationships and build self-esteem," Glenn Juchno, Executive Director of the Tri-Community YMCA. “We are fortunate to have great partners like the Sturbridge Rotary Club who understand the impact of youth development in our community.”
A princess, 3 prime ministers, and a former first lady join 25,000 in Toronto to celebrate Rotary’s good work and plan more of it
Toronto, the Capital of Nice, opened its arms this week to welcome 25,188 Rotarians from around the world, who came to Rotary’s annual convention looking for inspiration — and finding it.
Whether it was by seeing old friends in the hallways, making new connections in the House of Friendship, or listening to eloquent speakers at general sessions, attendees found plenty at the 109th Rotary International Convention to remind them of the fellowship that binds them and the diversity that Rotary embodies. Nearly 90 Rotarians from clubs in District 7910 participated in the festivities!
Has your club recently hosted a service project that you want to showcase to be the inspiration to other clubs? Are you planning something in the near future that you would like to share with your fellow District 7910 Rotarians?
Our District 7910 eBulletin, Website, Facebook and Instagram depend on the content provided by our clubs, so please submit your stories and we will publish them on the district website, in the next eBulletin, and on social media. Stories that showcase your club's service projects should be submitted in plain text along with a photo. If you are promoting an event, please send the flyer along with a sentence with the details of the event. Please send your stories to ssager@sagerlegal.com with the words Rotary Story in the subject line.
In an effort to increase membership and highlight Rotary’s inspiring work, RI President Barry Rassin is urging clubs and districts to organize fun, informal community events called Rotary Days. District 7910 Clubs hosted 3 very successful Rotary Service Days last year and we are encouraging clubs to consider hosting them this year.
The District 7910 Membership Committee will meet on a quarterly basis (September 12, 2018; January 17, 2019; April 8, 2019) to discuss with Club Membership Chairs the best practices and success stories both outside and within the District and then how to share this information at the club level with the help of Area Membership Coordinators (AMCs). AMCs will coordinate with Assistant Governors and meet with Club Membership Chairs and Presidents on an individual or group basis to offer support in implementing membership attraction and engagement strategies in the clubs.
We celebrated the 2018-19 Rotary Club Presidents, Steve installed Betsy Moquin as President of the Rotary Club of Westborough, and Steve was installed as the 2018-19 District Governor.
Steve's daughters, mother and brother came and celebrated along with 125 Rotarians from across the District!
Steve Sager Is Installed as the 81st Governor of District 7910
Wow! Wow!! Wow!!! You guys rock!!!! 31 of our clubs applied for District Grants for the 2018-19 Rotary Year with total participation of 36 clubs. The total budget for these 31 applications is greater than $170,000.
Now, the seven club Foundation Chairs who are on the Grants Review Panel need to do the hard work of helping the grant writers refine the applications and then allocate our limited resources. The total requests for grants is more than double what we have available for District Grants. We will make sure that the Grants Review Panel allocates the funds in an equitable and transparent manner with “best use of funds” being the guiding principle. You may not get all you requested, but we will help you execute your project with Rotary Foundation funds!
The grants that were proposed are varied and interesting. Here is a short review by Rotary Area of Focus.
Disease prevention and Treatment
Among the grants proposed under this area of focus four clubs wrote grants to address the opioid crisis, others proposed care kits for emergency room visitors in need, first aid course, emergency location devices for individuals with cognitive dysfunction, emotional support dogs, clothing for the needy.
Basic Education and Literacy
Clubs wrote grants for solar panels for electricity in a school in India, sending children to camp in summer, scholarships, dictionary programs, little libraries, summer reading programs.
Economic and Community Development
Clubs wrote grants to improve a gazebo, community gardens, a wheelchair swing, cupola repair, ramps for wheelchairs, benches, improve a walking trail, planting saplings.
Maternal and Child Health
Feeding the hungry is a prominent need identified by our clubs. Entered were food packaging events, back packs for the weekends, community suppers, community gardens to support food pantries, and beds for children.
As you can see we are touching many people in many ways. It makes us all proud to be a Rotarian. And we will continue DOING GOOD IN THE WORLD and BE AN INSPIRATION..
Wow Wow Wow! 2018-2019 Presidents ROCK! 31 clubs have applied for District Grants for the 2018-19 Rotary Year with total participation of 36 clubs. Deadline for application was June 1 and the response was tremendous!
The grants that have been proposed are varied and interesting. Here is a short review.
Disease prevention and Treatment
Among the grants proposed in this area of focus four clubs wrote grants to address the opioid crisis, others proposed care kits for emergency room visitors in need, first aid course, emergency location devices for individuals with cognitive dysfunction, emotional support dogs, clothing for the needy.
Basic Education and Literacy
Clubs wrote grants for solar panels for electricity in a school in India, sending children to camp in summer, scholarships, dictionary programs, little libraries, summer reading programs.
Economic and Community Development
Clubs wrote grants to improve a gazebo, community gardens, a wheelchair swing, cupola repair, ramps for wheelchairs, benches, improve a walking trail, planting saplings.
Maternal Child Health
Feeding the hungry is a prominent need identified by our clubs. Entered were food packaging events, back packs for the weekends, community suppers, community gardens to support food pantries, and beds for children.
As you can see we are touching many people in many ways. It makes you proud to be a Rotarian. Be the INSPIRATION!
2018-2019 Grant Year off to a STRONG and INSPIRING START!
Dr. Carl Good III, PhD, a member of the Rotary Club of Merrimack Valley, has a background as a molecular geneticist in clinical test development. He has developed a number of diagnostic tests, including some of the early tests for HIV.
Dr. Good has produced a video presentation titled The Importance of Testing COVID-19, which he has presented during Zoom meetings of his club and the Rotary Club of Groton-Pepperell. This version is his presentation to the Merrimack Valley club.
Packing events are fun, fast, and effective Come join the Blackstone Valley Rotary and help pack 10,000 meals for local shelters which is crucial as many families in the Blackstone Valley face food insecurity. We'll start at 2:00pm and go till we're done - no later than 5:00pm AND we'll give you everything you need to participate (including funny net hats!). 
On Wednesday, May 21, members of Rotary Zones 28 and 32 will gather on Zoom for a high-energy hour of inspiring stories, music, and a message of peace - showcasing the impact of Rotary's unity.
Disc Golf Tournament to benefit The Changemakers Rotary Club of Central Massachusetts
Natick Rotary's 'Tour de Natick' is back and better than ever! This easy, 6 mile bike ride around town has been happening on Father's Day for over 20 years and it's back again on June 15th, bigger and better than ever! Have a fun time with your family cruising around Natick and then head back for the included cookout, games and music by the NewTalians. 
The Rotary Club of Concord participated in the 250th parade on April 19th in Concord MA. A fabulous float was designed and assembled on a large flatbed generously loaned by Acorn Deck House. Featuring an 8 foot syringe representing Polio Vaccines and surrounded with signage depicting all our service projects, the float was a wonder to behold! 
Join the Fun at RYLA
As the Rotary Club of Littleton, we love Littleton and want it to give a great First Impression when people come to visit our town.
We had a great night with everyone for a game of Left, Center, Right at the VFW in Littleton. Thank you to everyone who attended.
Kyle Bubp was inducted tonight into the Rotary Club of Littleton.
We're disappointed to announce the postponement of the 2025 Ducky Wucky River Race planned for May 10th due to unsafe river conditions as a result of the heavy rains and flooding.
Today the Rotary Club of Littleton got many of us together to plant some flowers around the Clock in Littleton Common. The clock was originally placed there by Rotary .
The Rotary Club of Littleton is pleased to present awards to the Littleton graduates of 
In a truly magnificent celebration of service above self, the Rotary Club of Weston & Wayland commemorated its 75th anniversary on April 3, 2025, at the Weston Golf Club. Over 90 people attended. Current club members, representatives from the Rotary district and international organizations, friends, and family gathered to honor the work and the people who have and continue to do it. This evening will live long among the fondest memories of all who attended.
The Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club continued its strong tradition of supporting local youth at a recent awards ceremony held at Blue Hills Regional Technical School. The Club was honored to recognize several outstanding students for their dedication, achievement, and bright futures through scholarships and leadership awards.
The Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club successfully held its annual Recycle Event last month in partnership with the Town of Dedham and Complete Recycling Solutions. Despite inclement weather, the event saw strong community participation and proved to be a significant fundraising success for the organization.
The annual ClubRunner Changeover Webinar Series is just around the corner - running from May 20 to June 3, and it's designed to help you start the new Rotary year strong with ClubRunner.
Are you looking for an easy way to recycle electronics and metals while supporting a local Rotary Club? Gather your unwanted junk and let our club turn it into funds that we can use to support our Shrewsbury Community Fridge and scholarship program for high school seniors. Sunday, May 18th from noon-3PM at Shrewsbury Town Hall, 100 Maple Avenue, Shrewsbury. A car load is just $40. Additional charges apply for certain items; low single item rates for smaller loads. 
You have the POWER to improve your health and help the earth -- it's RIGHT ON YOUR PLATE! Take the all new Plant-righ 15 day challenge!
On 29 April 2025, the Lowell Rotary served 140 hot meals to the needy in Lowell with the assistance of the Westford Rotary.
2025 - MORE THAN 50,000 MEALS!
Stop by Fidelity Bank on Main Street in Leominster on Saturday, May 10th from 10am to 2pm to purchase a hanging flower basket for Mom!
Register now For The
The 
The Fix is Free at the Repair Cafe! Bring your broken or neglected items to the Natick Community Center on Sunday May 4th from 2pm - 5pm. Lamps, small electronics, jewelry, garden tools, knoves that need sharpening (non-serrated) - plus machine/hand sewing repairs on clothing/textiles!
What will YOUR Club be doing to participate in the wonderful International Event?
Join the Rotary Club of Framingham for a Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser on Sunday, May 4th at the Warren Conference Center in Ashland, MA. Teams will compete in either the competitive ($300 cash prize) or social division (new cornhole boards to the winning team) and have the chance to participate in our raffle and silent auction! Food and beverages available for purchase.
Submit your Environmental Awards Application by midnight on May 3rd! 
On May 17 District 7910 will celebrate all our clubs and their leaders in a one-day District Conference to be held at Assabet Regional Technical High School in Marlborough. Come celebrate with us the accomplishments of all our clubs, and learn from one another.
Newton Rotary Club invites you to join us for our Dog Fest & Parade Saturday May 10th
Volunteer doctors need our support. 
Bring your Passion and your Project to RYLA
Bring your Passion and Your Project to RYLA
Have you wondered what is the plus in polio plus? Giving to the 
Jane Barrett from the Rotary Club of Concord passed away on April 3, 2025. She was a trailblazer in business and Rotary. She was the founder of J.M. Barrett and Co (now Barrett Sotheby’s) Real Estate and was the first female President of the Rotary Club of Concord in 2002. Her daughter Ann Trudeau joined Rotary the year Jane was President; and Ann was President of the Club in 2010.
SUNDAY, April 27, 2025, from 9 am-12 pm at the Weston High School Pond.
Looking for an impactful speaker? This week Needham had Jake Miskin, who put together a full-length award-winning movie about high school hockey and mental health. During Jake’s time at Needham High, there were multiple suicides and he felt it deeply. They are looking to set up screenings of the movie for schools and colleges. He will come to your club and play a clip from the movie and tell you about their plans.
Rotary MusicFest: Rockin’ for the Community! A FREE Family Friendly Concert!
Littleton's Zero Waste Day 2025 is May 17th from 9 am-1 pm at Littleton High School! It is a great opportunity to donate and get rid of items to organizations that will correctly dispose of the items or repurpose them for those in need.
Rotary clubs follow these 
Members will recall that Otto Prohaska, a Rotarian for more than 35 years and President-elect of our Sturbridge Club, lost his life in a tragic accident last August while volunteering at the Club’s annual golf tournament. The family has invited Rotarians to a celebration of Otto’s life on Saturday, May 3rd, at the Publick House, 277 Main Street, from noon to 4 pm, with a special toast for Otto scheduled at 1:30 pm. Please join us as we remember Otto and his many accomplishments.
District 7910 is seeking candidates to join our Board of Trustees.
District 7910 is seeking candidates to fill the role of District Treasurer. The District Treasurer is key member of our leadership team. Responsibilities include tracking income and expenses, invoicing annual Club dues, preparing monthly financial reports, working with our accountant for preparation of tax returns, expense report review for members of the District Governor chain and management of our bank accounts. Accounting experience and familiarity with Quickbooks are necessary. PDG Jim Fusco will provide support in his role of Assistant Treasurer.
Officer Abu and Liz from the Littleton Elder and Human Services Department/The COA visited the Rotary Club of Littleton, Mass to present the Safe Return Home Program. This important initiative is designed to assist individuals who may be at risk of wandering due to conditions such as dementia, autism, or other cognitive impairments.
The Natick Rotary has a runner in the Boston Marathon for the very first time! Max Ignatov is a runner, a father, and someone who's passionate about making a positive impact in his community and beyond. He's excited about fundraising for the Natick Rotary and we're excited to cheer him on in downtown Natick on Marathon Monday, April 21st! 
All ages are welcome! Join 
The Rotary Club of Bedford is counting the days to Hope for the Hungry 2025, the club’s annual meal-packing to fight hunger. The event on Saturday, April 26 happens from 9:15 a.m. to noon at the Bedford Campus Center of Middlesex Community College. Led by the Rotary Club of Bedford, the event is co-hosted this year by the Rotary Clubs of Chelmsford and Merrimack Valley. Planning for the meal-packing began months ago.
Milford Rotary Club invites all District 7910 Rotarians to join us in honoring Carlos Sousa at our upcoming Paul Harris Community Award Dinner on Saturday, April 12th. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in serving their community, embodying the spirit of Service Above Self. Carlos Sousa is the Deputy Chief of the Milford Police Department and a long-time community advocate and volunteer.
Register to win
Our collection period runs from 10/6/2024 - 10/5/2025. We are already collecting plastic in the same truck we use to collect cardboard over at 
Mangia! Mangia! 
Your Rotary District 7910 has contributed $5,000 from our allocation of Rotary Foundation funds (aka District Designated Funds) to support a clean water project in Ukraine that is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Kiev and the UK club of Langport & Somerton. The mobile water treatment trailers will service villages and towns throughout Ukraine that have serious water quality problems. Your 
When friends for over 50 years get together this is what happens! A huge thank you to Deb Austermann and her “friends for over 50 years!” Not only do they lift each other up, but they lift up the children 
The Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club held a highly successful membership event in March that was aimed at showcasing the club's community impact and fostering new connections.
Discover how you can be a force for peace! Join us Thursday, March 27 in Brookline for Rotary’s Positive Peace Initiative, an inspiring evening on building sustainable peace in our communities and beyond. Learn about Rotary’s Peace Academy and take the first steps toward becoming a Peace Builder Club. Dinner at 6 PM (limited seating), program at 6:45 PM (program also on Zoom). Don’t miss this chance to connect and create change! Register now: 
Marcia Sharpe, Board Director of the Framingham Rotary Club, had the privilege of visiting the island of Jamaica, where she joined the Rotary Club of North St. Catherine, Jamaica W.I. During her visit, she actively participated in several impactful community initiatives, including a Read-A-Thon, where she engaged with young students to promote literacy and a love for reading. She also took part in Community Treats for the elderly and children, bringing joy and support to some of the most vulnerable members of the community.
Calling all Rotarians -- Do you know a young person (ages 15 - 18.5 years old) that might be interested in going to another country and learning a foreign language? If so, let them know there's still time to apply to be a Rotary Youth Exchange Student. Placements are available for Short Term (Summer) and Long Term (Academic Year) exchanges. 
Join the Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough for a night of community fun and giving at the Bid For Brighter Futures trivia game night on Friday, March 21, 2025, 5:30-9:30 PM at the Boxboro Regency!
Ducky Wucky is an historic charitable fundraiser. Thousands of rubber ducks are floated down the Nashua River. The Grand Prize winner gets Dinner for Two anywhere in the world!
"Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Weston and Wayland on April 3, 2025! Prepare for a night filled with excitement and prestige as we honor the rich history of our beloved organization. This milestone celebration will feature:
Officer Abu From the Littleton MA Police Department and Liz from the Littleton Elder and Human Services Department/The COA visited the Rotary Club of Littleton MA to present the Safe Return Home Program. This important initiative is designed to assist individuals who may be at risk of wandering due to conditions such as dementia, autism, or other cognitive impairments.
Tantasqua Interact Club is excited to announce its new “Birthday in a Box” program designed to bring birthday magic to children in our community who may not otherwise have the means to celebrate their special day. Each “Birthday in a Box” will contain all the essentials for a joyful birthday celebration, from cake mix and candles to party hats and decorations.
His wife Marcela was there to enjoy his celebration
The RYLA news you need right now
Join this international ESRAG webinar on March 19th to learn about getting to net zero (and what the heck THAT even is)!
Blackstone Valley Rotary and the Northbridge Food Pantry are hosting our 2nd Free Clothing Swap on April 12th from 10:00am to 2:00pm at Pleasant Street Church, 25 Cross St, Whitinsville, MA 01588, USA.
Come join the fun at our 14th annual Framingham Rotary Spring Craft Fair on Saturday, April 5 from 10-4 pm at Keefe Tech High School, 750 Winter Street in Framingham!
The Franklin Rotary Club’s 6th Annual Valentine’s Brunch on February 8 was an incredible success! The brunch benefits seniors in the community. President and Chef Joe Collins truly outdid himself. Everyone had a fantastic time!
Want to prevent deaths from addiction in your community? The Rotary Action Group for Addiction Prevention offers a 5-step plan that can be implemented in your local community, to teach people how to recognize and treat a drug overdose. The more quickly medication is administered, the greater the chance of a full recovery -- and a chance to get the person back on track.
Doing Good in the World: The Rotary Foundation's Virtual Speaker Series is a webinar series for Rotary's strongest supporters, highlighting the difference you make through your generosity. Join Rotary leaders and subject matter experts as they share stories of impact and discuss the Rotary programs and initiatives that interest you most.
This is your moment to:
The Rotary Club in Franklin is hosting their 3rd Annual Comedy Night fundraiser on Saturday, March 29, to benefit community service projects and scholarship funds!
On March 3rd at 7:30 PM, there will be a webinar entitled "
Here they are! The criteria for this year's Club Awards are ready for you.
My name is Clari Nolet; I am the Vice-Chair of the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG). I am also the head of the Lithium-ion battery recycling initiative. It can be difficult to scale the impact of what clubs do, but this is a way that it can be done! Please read the very brief email below to find out how easy it is for a club to hold an event and have your clubs get reimbursed for approved marketing materials up to $200.
On Wednesday February 5, several Rotary Club of Littleton members met at Il Forno for dinner at 5 pm, then went to the 
The National Honor Society of Littleton High School set up a “ Rise Against Hunger” emergency meal packaging event Saturday, February 8. We packed 18,144 meals to help combat global hunger. The Rotary Club of Littleton is happy to support the students at Littleton High School. Several members of the club joined in the fun of food packing. Great job everyone!!
Littleton double header!! Come out and support two great fundraisers - start the evening with a delicious, homemade spaghetti supper to support Deb’s Beds at the Congregational Church of Littleton, 330 King Street. Cost is $12/adults, $8/kids under 8. Then head over to Billiard’s Cafe, 39 Main Street, Ayer to raise money for Griffin Shoemaker and Dana Farber Cancer Research.
Rain barrels conserve water, reduce storm runoff to lakes and streams, and control moisture levels near your home foundation. The Rotary Club of Framingham will hold a drawing on April 7 at their meeting and will then contact the winners. Pick up on April 12 will be required. Installation is not included; instructions provided.
We are past the half year mark for our Rotary Year 2024-2025. The District has raised $89,033. It is a good start, but not nearly enough to fund the many great projects you our clubs, put together every year. Now is the time to give, now is the time to encourage your club to 
District 7910 is offering a one-time $30,000 Morley Global Grant in 2025 to graduate students researching or studying abroad in one of the seven Rotary focus areas. The applicant must be accepted at a university or college outside the U.S. and begin their program by Fall 2025.
The Rotary Club of Natick has a rich 98 year history of supporting Natick and the greater MetroWest community. Our motto is “Service Above Self” and we provide volunteer and funding support to local nonprofits.
Love Mexican food? We do too!! That's why we're really looking forward to our fundraiser at 
Rotary Club of Littleton double header!! Come out and support two great fundraisers - start the evening with a delicious, homemade spaghetti supper to support Deb’s Beds at the Congregational Church of Littleton, 330 King Street, from 5-7PM, then head over to Billiard’s Cafe, 39 Main Street, Ayer to raise money for Griffin Shoemaker and Dana Farber Cancer Research.
The Rotary Club of Littleton welcomed Hilary Bridge, music teacher/band director from Littleton High School along with 4 of her students - Ian Dunn, senior saxophone player, Annabelle Caouette, sophomore saxophone player, Sadie Roberts, sophomore percussionist, and Clare Magdalin, junior saxophone and flute player.
Rotary District 5280 Governor Alberto Hernandez posted the following on their web site: “As you’re likely aware, our region is currently facing devastating wildfires and severe winds. The Pacific Palisades community has been especially hard-hit, with reports of over 10,000 homes, businesses, and more lost. The fires continue to advance toward the borders of Malibu and Santa Monica with no signs of abating. To the northeast, the Eaton Canyon Fire that began in Altadena is spreading east toward Monrovia and west toward Glendale. Meanwhile, the northwest side of our District is battling the Hurst Fire in Sylmar. These events have already brought immense loss, and we must act swiftly and decisively”
A Rotary club should start an Interact Club because it can be a rewarding experience for the club and its community: 
THE FIX IS FREE AT THE REPAIR CAFÉ!!
The RYLA news you need right now
Spaghetti, meatballs, salad, dessert and drink. $12/adult, $8/kids under 8. The supper will be in the Parish Hall of the Congregational Church, 330 King Street, Littleton MA. February 22, 2025, from 5-7pm.
We are having a Left, Center, Right game night fundraiser on 1/18/25 at 7 pm at the VFW, 21 Taylor Street, Littleton MA. $20 per person to play. Raffle baskets, 50/50.
For the remainder of the month of January, Rotary Club of Littleton MA is collecting new or gently used/clean blankets and towels for the Lowell MA Transition shelter.
DG Joyce Graff and AG Susan Wilkinson spent ten days in Kenya in December working to shape a Global Grant to aid people in Machakos, Kenya, to rise Up from Poverty, contributing to the economic empowerment of this area. While there, they visited two other water projects sponsored by clubs in our District, a clinic headed by members of our World Disability Advocacy group, a literacy project for children with dyslexia, autism and other neurodiverse issues, and another literacy project to help Kenyan children in the public schools learn to use and appreciate computers.
Come to a 
Our last workshop in the "Simply Irresistible" membership series had over 100 Rotarians in attendance. This zone-wide presentation was well received and everyone left with "real-life" strategies to address membership. The workshop on February 3 @ 7 pm is titled, "
Wish your club had more members? More hands and hearts to carry out more projects and do more good in your community?
The Changemakers of Central Massachusetts are in the midst of putting books into the hands of elementary students who attend schools without a school library. The Club is working with Hygge House Books, a partner who just received their own 501c3 to install Book Nooks into schools. 
Our Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy is featured in Rotary Magazine for the outstanding work of its members in 23 countries, focused on accessibility and advocacy. President Ken Masson, formerly of our Rotary Club of Merrimack Valley, coordinates this unique e-club, brought together for their passion for this important cause. Its members are doing outstanding work worldwide in advocating the people with disabilities.
The Rotary Club of Ragusa, Italy, invites you to vacation in their beautiful part of Italy, designated as a World Heritage Site for its baroque atmosphere. "Rotary is service, Rotary is friendship, Rotary is a leadership network, so we are pleased to inform you that this year too, from 25 May to 1 June 2025, the Rotary Club Ragusa has scheduled the "XX Week Rotariana del Barocco Ibleo" here in our city of Ragusa (south-eastern Sicily, Italy)."
(from Rotary Magazine)
From District Governor Joyce Graff: "I am asking your club to make a New Year's resolution: support at least one global project this year. If your club can only afford $100, please choose one of our global projects and join in the pleasure and good feelings that come from making a difference in the world."
The 
During our recent trip to Kenya, DG Joyce Graff and AG Susan Wilkinson met with Anne Musalia, a member of our World Disability Advocacy e-club, who lives and works in Kenya. Anne runs a Centre for children with disabilities who would otherwise be isolated at home. 
Throughout January, we are collecting new or gently used/clean blankets, towels, sweatshirts, sweat-pants, jackets, warm socks, hats, and gloves. Many of their clients wear sizes XL-XXL, but they will take all sizes.
We are having a Left, Right, Center fundraiser on 1/18/25 at 7 pm at the VFW, 21 Taylor Street, Littleton MA. $20 per person to play. Raffle baskets, 50/50.
Over 20,000 meals were packed on December 15th at Nashoba Regional High School, and it is all thanks to RYLA alumni Caterina Romano of Bolton, MA. Caterina attended RYLA this past year, and heard the Meals of Hope representative talk about hunger and food insecurity in our area. “I really loved the process and the organization when I heard the presentation at RYLA” said Caterina after the event. “It was awesome to see our Hockey Team here, other classmates, and so many community members helping.”
The Rotary Club of Natick has been working to address one of Rotary International's core mission - increasing literacy - since 2006. Every year since then, the club has organized and participated in a Dictionary Project, in which every third grader in the Natick Public Schools receives their very own, customized, copy of "A Student's Dictionary". The first 2/3 of the book serves as a traditional dictionary, the last 1/3 is an almanac filled with many useful facts the students find most interesting. 
DGE Johnny Ahern is excited to announce that registration for the 2025 Northeast Presidents-Elect Learning Seminar (NEPELS) (formerly PETS) is open! This learning seminar is for all members serving as club presidents or assistant governors during the 2025-2026 Rotary year. 
Rotary 7910’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Core Committee is hard at work selecting its next group of ~30 Group Facilitators!
Blackstone Valley created a wonderful Dog Bed Christmas Tree to donate to the Blackstone Valley Shelter's "Festival of Trees".
Annually District 7910 hosts a local Rotary Leadership Institute so that Rotarians can learn about the many aspects of Rotary. It is a great place to learn new ideas and to join forces with Rotarians across our District (and other districts too).
On November 30th, the City of Lights parade in Lowell greeted the holiday season and we were able to add some sweetness to the event. Every year, we organize and carry out our marshmallow roast. We sell jumbo marshmallows on sticks and tend coal fired grills for kids and adults to enjoy a tasty treat and steal some warmth. We're grateful to be a part of the city's winter festivities and raise funds for deserving students.
The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference, aka RYLA 2025 dates are set for June 27, 28, 29, 2025.
-- Bill Tobin, Rotary Relationship Manager, ShelterBox
The Rotary Club of Weston and Wayland will be selling Holiday trees at Land's Sake farm in Weston on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas (or until we sell out). 
Members of the Rotary Clubs of Weston & Wayland, Waltham, Billerica, and Needham came together for a fun evening and raising funds for Rotary's End Polio Now campaign.
Rotary Action Group for Peace is holding a reassuring webinar helping us all understand how we can do our bit in working toward peace in the world. They will present a road map for global involvement in planning a better future. Feel free to invite your friends.
The Rotary Club of Bedford invites everyone to their annual Winter Community Breakfast (formerly Breakfast with Santa) from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Dec. 8 at Bedford High School.
Thanks to the Southborough Rotary Club, about a dozen refugee families staying in a Westborough hotel will now have warm coats this season. Rotary members quickly mobilized to collect new and gently used coats tailored to the sizes and preferences of each family member. Volunteers spent hours ensuring every detail was addressed. Many members even added personal, handwritten notes to welcome the families and brighten their day. As new families arrive and others transition to permanent housing, the need for support continues. Yet again, Rotary’s motto, SERVICE Above Self, has proven true. 
If you are new to Rotary, or just curious about all the programs offered by Rotary, 
On Friday November 15th some of the Rotary Club of Concord members met at Revolutionary Hall in Lexington for a service project with the Lexington Rotary Club. 30 care packages were assembled for Hanscom Air force Base Troops deployed overseas.
Meet the Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy
RLI
Did you know Rotary has 7 Peace Centers? At these Peace Centers individuals committed to peace and conflict resolution receive 
The Rotary Club of Littleton is hosting a Thanksgiving Day breakfast at the Littleton Middle School cafeteria. It is a fundraiser for the Littleton Scholarship Trust. Open to the public from 6:30 am to 10 am.
Holiday shopping fun at Framingham Rotary's annual Holiday Craft Fair at Keefe Tech on December 14 from 10-4! With over 100 excited crafters, you will find original wreaths, jewelry, candles, sweaters, wood & metal works and so much more. Even Santa will be there for pics. See you there!
Everyone is invited to Littleton’s Tree Lighting on the Common on Sunday, December 1st at 4:15 pm. The Tree Lighting on the Common is co-sponsored by the Littleton Rotary Club and the Littleton Electric Light and Water Departments. Members of the Littleton High School Band will warm up the crowd with holiday songs and then the Nashoba Valley Chorale will lead young and old in a sing-along. The Littleton Rotary Club provides complementary hot cider and donuts to all attendees along with stuffed toys for kids who can answer holiday trivia questions.
The Taste of the Town fundraiser took place on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. The annual event does help the club raise money so that we can support the areas we serve.
On Saturday, October 26th, Habitat for Humanity had a Women's Build Day at their latest project in Westford. This project will have two garden-style condos in the barn along with 5 affordable rental units built by the Drew Farm house project in the adjacent building. Lita Verrier, Sze-Wen Kuo and Judi Babcock participated in this build project on behalf of the Rotary Club of Bedford. Other women who participated were from Reeds Ferry and other organizations. 
Lowell Rotary Club members cooked and served dinner to more than 120 people at St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen in the Eliot Presbyterian Church on Oct. 29.
The Wellesley Rotary Club’s 4th Annual "
Holiday shopping fun at Framingham Rotary's annual Holiday Craft Fair at Keefe Tech on December 14 from 10-4! With over 100 excited crafters, you will find original wreaths, jewelry, candles, sweaters, wood & metal works and so much more. Even Santa will be there for pics. See you there!
On Tuesday October 22nd Rotary Club of Concord hosted the first of three events this year at the Concord Council on Aging. Named Lounge 250, the event was a celebration of Concord's 250th anniversary and was meant to have a uptown nightclub vibe for the senior citizens of Concord. There were delicious appetizers and mocktails served by Rotarians, dressed as servers and bartenders. Music made the event festive and the positive feedback from this event was wonderful!
Members of the Rotary Clubs of Weston & Wayland, Waltham, Billerica, and Needham came together for a fun evening and raising funds for Rotary's End Polio Now campaign.
On October 24, World Polio Day, Rotary members and friends gathered at Craft Food Hall to raise money to end Polio. It was a massive success! 
The District will be hosting the 
On Saturday, October 19, District 7910's Youth Exchange Committee hosted eight students from three Rotary districts for the very American tradition of picking apples and making apple pie. The day turned out to be beautiful and warm -- perfect for picking delicious apples at Tougas Farm in Northborough and making apple pies to take home to the student's host families. 
A fun-filled event on Sunday Oct 20th, 11am-3pm at Brookline Ave Playground. Tickets can be purchased at the event or at 
Since the start, the Rotary Business Networking Series has been open to all Rotarians and "not-yet" Rotarians, who are interested in doing more business with Rotarians more often because we are people of integrity who value the 4-Way Test in business as we do in life. 
Join Rotarians from around the District on November 13, 2024 at 6:00pm to celebrate The Rotary Foundation’s role in creating the magic of Rotary and to recognize those who are helping to make it happen.
As you are probably aware, many of our Rotary friends in Zones 33 and 34 have been impacted significantly by Hurricane Helene. The following message comes from Rotary International Director Patrick Eakes.
Between October 14 and November 22 the Rotary Club of Littleton will be collecting holiday food items for Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, the largest food pantry in North Central Massachusetts.
Framingham Rotary's first Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser will be on Sunday, October 27th at the Warren Conference Center in Ashland. Registration starts at noon and bags fly at 1 PM. Teams of 2 players can register for $100. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams. 
What insurance coverage does our club have for events? When I agree to be a Director or Officer of my club, what personal liability am I undertaking? How can we protect our club from liability in using pictures of attendees at our events? What about hosting an exchange student?
Being an exchange student in Sweden is such an amazing experience, explains Sasha Matovu, a Milford resident now spending her senior year of high school living in the Stockholm, Sweden. Sasha arrived in Sweden in August and went straight to a multi-day language camp where she met 42 other long term exchange students from all over the world. "It was incredible to meet so many people with such different backgrounds," said Sasha. It "opened my mind to the world in ways I hadn't expected."
It's the 4th year our Sturbridge Rotary Club organizes this Sunday, October 27th event, just before Halloween, located beside Old Sturbridge Village. We encourage attendees to come in costume as they participate in a Timed 5K TRAIL RACE, or a 5K TRAIL WALK, or a 1K Timed ROAD RACE for 12 years & younger, or indoor Games & Competitions for young children, plus a COSTUME PARADE. There is something for everyone! Dad can race the 5K, Mom the 5K Walk and the Kids the indoor games! Registration is open at 
I contracted polio at the age of 18 months in September 1949 and spent the next 3 years in hospital. Polio paralyzed me in both legs, and in my lower torso from just below the diaphragm as well as losing most of the function in the right arm. Now I have been hit by Post-Polio Syndrome, a further incurable condition that affects up to 60% of polio Survivors anything up to 40 years after the initial infection.
Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI)
One of the most important strategies for recruiting and retaining members is engagement. Members need to feel that they can make a difference in their community and clubs need to show them how.
Our Annual District Foundation Dinner will be held November 13 in Hudson at the Portuguese Club at 6 pm. We will have several honored guests you won't want to miss, focusing on the work the Foundation and YOU are doing in the world.
This is an exciting time to be a Rotarian in District 7910! We seek candidates who wish to help lead District 7910 as we work to do good in the world and help our Clubs become truly irresistible. The following opportunities are available:
We have been getting a lot of positive feedback from the clubs who have participated in previous Simply Irresistible workshops. Everyone agrees that this is time well used. This month's discussion looks to be another great opportunity for clubs to expand its reach into the community. The full title of the October 7th discussion is "
The Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy proudly sponsors a virtual, free, all-day Inclusive Education. This international Summit is on Saturday, October 26. This event is dedicated to improving the education of children with disabilities and will feature more than 35 presenters from over 13 countries.
Want to learn more about Rotary Youth Exchange? Do you know families with teens that might be interested in youth exchange? Tell your friends and neighbors & mark your calendars! District 7910 is having a Virtual Information Session on October 16 at 7:30 pm. We will cover the basics of both Long Term and Short Term exchanges and how they work. 
Would two hundred burgers, two hundred hot dogs, and twenty extra-large pizzas be enough to satisfy your requirements for your barbecue? What if we added forty pounds of potato salad, three bean salad, hundreds of bags of crisps, more desserts than countable, and twelve watermelons? Let’s not forget music!
We are excited to bring Visioning back to District 7910. Visioning helps clubs produce a strategy to become irresistible, resulting in a plan for membership attraction and retention while creating impactful opportunities for service to our communities. Visioning is a facilitator-led exercise where we guide clubs to develop a strategic road map consistent with Rotary's Action Plan through a facilitator-led process.
One of the 7 areas of focus for the Rotary Foundation is Promoting Peace. Rotary’s focus on peace is almost as old as Rotary itself. With clubs in over 200 countries, Rotary is in an ideal position to foster better understanding among the communities of the world and bridge differences. Take a look at that history with 
Embrace A Family, a non-profit program of the Rotary Club of Natick, is celebrating 15 years of helping Natick residents with cancer.
Join the Framingham Rotary Club for a Cornhole Tournament fundraiser on Sunday, October 27th at the Warren Conference Center in Ashland, MA. First prize is a set of cornhole boards! 
The Harvest Ball gathers 150+ seniors to Lenzi's Restaurant in Dracut for an afternoon of dancing, singing and lunch. There are dance contests and door prizes. There's also the popular 50/50 raffle. The Lowell and Dracut clubs put together this wonderful and popular event. Doors open at 11:00 and concludes around 3:00. Tickets are $20.00. October 22.
Intensity, passion, discipline, and raw ambition drive me. Little did I know, that by volunteering to help weed the rotary in Watertown, the meaning of such adjectives would not only be met, but also exceeded. Innocently, I volunteered to help our Rotary chapter with the task at hand.
Enjoy your local favorite restaurants and discover new ones at Tyngsboro's Taste of the Town! One price to sample yummy food from loads of area gems. There will be music and raffles, too! Some favorite’s from last year: Chowder from Dream Diner, Middle Eastern delights from Chateau Merrimack, and Italian delicacies from Mave’s Kitchen, among others. October 22nd at Tyngsboro Sportmen’s Club.
Stop in for a frightfully spooky time at our Haunted House in Leominster on 9/28. Check out our 
October is Rotary's Community Economic and Development Month. How can your club identify and respond to the needs in your community?
September is Literacy Month at Rotary International. What is your club doing to improve literacy in your community?
Has your club installed a Peace Pole? Have you put it on the map? The Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAGFP) maps Peace Poles for all Peacebuilders of Rotary and beyond. Peace Poles are a monument to Rotarian peace action. You can put YOUR Peace pole on the map!
Mike McGovern, Chairman of the Rotary International Polio-Plus committee, shared with us that polio vaccinations would begin as soon as it was safe for our workers. Supplies are already in place on the border. "I cannot emphasize how difficult this is in an active war zone."
The most fun you’ll have playing a game that takes under 3 minutes to learn! Cash Prizes, Raffles, 50-50, Cash Bar!
Otto Prohaska, a Rotarian for more than 35 years and President-elect of our Sturbridge Club, was gravely injured in an accident on Monday, August 26 while volunteering at the Club’s annual golf tournament. He succumbed to his injuries overnight on August 30, leaving behind his wife Julie and son Adrian. His family needs our help, and we’ve created a donation page through our District Charity Fund. 
Want to increase membership in your club but haven't had success? The single best way to sign up new members to your club is to be the positive "IMPACT" in your local community. When your club makes a significant impact in your community, citizens interested in service will seek out and want to join your club.
Have you ever seen a Zorb Ball competition? Have you made a 
Rotary International has sent our District a Certificate of Appreciation for achieving at least a 90% compliance with reporting requirements for grants during the Rotary year 2023-24. Our Clubs engaged in a total of 21 District grants, for which we provided $32,237 in funding, which comes back to us directly because of our member donations to the Rotary Foundation. These grants supported environmental projects, food insecurity relief, education, veterans and so much more.
This year District 7910 had two high school students participating in the Rotary Youth Exchange Short Term program. Oliver Moon, 17, was sponsored by the Weston Wayland Rotary Club, and Andrew Giordano, almost 16, was sponsored by the Neponset Sunrise Rotary Club. Both students chose to go to Spain for their exchange and were matched with Spanish students of similar age and interests. While away, both Oliver and Andrew made new friends, learned about Spanish culture, and got to practice their Spanish skills.
We received a project idea from the Rotaract Club of Toronto - a portable desk for school children in rural areas of the third world so that they need not sit only on the floor to do their school work. Developed in South Africa, it provides a desk and chair with a solar-powered light.
The Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club added a bit more excitement to our 
The next workshop entitled Wow! Strategies to Increase Your Club’s Impact looks to be powerful. Club presidents and their membership chairs will receive practical strategies to increase club membership.
As ShelterBox approaches our 25th year in global disaster relief, ShelterBox would like to invite you and all club members and associates in District 7910 to our “ShelterBox All-Hands Rotary Roundup”, on Wednesday August 28th at 12 pm PT / 3 pm ET via Zoom.
District 7910 is seeking members interested in helping our clubs chart their path forward and create a strategic success plan. Visioning helps clubs grow membership, execute impactful service projects, develop leaders, increase Foundation support and much more. It allows club members the opportunity to dream about what their club could become, and then turn those dreams into reality. We are seeking members to join our Visioning Team.
Picture a happy healthy child running around in the Congo, dreaming of being a great football player. Then a high fever -- polio -- and that child is either crippled for life or dead.
Northborough-Southborough Interactors learned the meaning of sweat equity while sorting a transfer station's monthly accumulation of 5-cent deposit cans and bottles on the sunny hot morning of August 3. With help from Southborough and Northboro Rotarians, NSboro students filled 53 bags of separated plastic and aluminum carbonated beverage containers for a local partner to transport and redeem wholesale.
The Wachusett Area Rotary Club will be holding our signature event and main fundraiser, our annual Golf Tournament, on Monday, September 16th at Oak Hill Country Club in Fitchburg. Please consider supporting us through purchasing one of our sponsorship or golf packages.
There have been many ways to raise money for the Rotary Foundation and the chance to win a hippo may be one of the most unique. That is the first prize in this fundraiser and second and third are substantial amounts of cash.
Is your club's information up to date? There are a number of easy functions in ClubRunner that are essential to the management of your club. Every year there are new folks in charge of these areas. Our friends at ClubRunner Support have agreed to hold two sessions to help us get up to speed and take care of business.
Val Gallot (Belgium) and Diego (Mexico) returned to their home countries last month after a wonderful Rotary Youth Exchange Year here in MA. Kudos to their host Rotary Clubs - Marlborough and Weston-Wayland - who welcomed these young men to our District, arranged for host families, stayed in touch throughout the year, provided them a monthly stipend, and supported them as the year progressed. Very special and warm thanks to their Club Youth Exchange Officers (aka YEOs) Bonnie Doolin (Marlborough) and Edwin Gaw (Weston-Wayland)! When you see them, ask them to tell you all about RYE!
Have you ever reflected on something and recognized that it was on cruise control? This phenomenon applies to clubs too.
Do you like craft beer, hard seltzer, hard cider, and spirits? Do you like supporting other rotary clubs? Don’t miss out on the chance to taste unlimited samples from 46+ brewers, enjoy food from 6 food trucks, yard games, and live music. Join us on August 10th in Hudson, MA for a great time. Learn more: 
In order for your club to celebrate increased membership this year, you must be open to change. The saying, "This isn't your father's Rotary anymore," is quite true. The days of a weekday two-hour luncheon and program are long gone, or at least they should be. The key is to remain flexible and to understand the community's potential in obtaining new membership, just like "Anytown, USA."
August is Membership Month, which means it’s time to celebrate your Rotary Club, your members, and the good you do in your community and around the world.
For the first time ever, experts from across our Zone will be answering questions on how to drive up membership as part of the Irresistible Series. The Zoom meeting is scheduled for August 12th at 7:30 PM (EST). Directly following the Zone meeting, District 7910 will be hosting a 15-30 minute Cafe on applying some of the strategies mentioned to our local clubs. Registration for the "Ask the expert" zoom meeting - 
Yes, every club in District 7910 has a phone app. Have you enabled yours?
Felipe Rocha Paes, a student at Acton-Boxborough High School, is about to finish his junior year of high school -- in Switzerland. Even before he started high school Felipe knew he wanted to be an exchange student. His father (born in Brazil) was a Rotary exchange student as a teenager and had shared his positive experiences with his family. Felipe felt he was up for the challenge. He applied and was accepted into the District 7910 program and got his first choice country -- the French speaking part of Switzerland.
There is no shortage of news about Rotary, or about the issues Rotary is working to resolve. However there is a shortage of Reporters generating the news is bite-size chunks suitable for Social Media.
A friend of ESRAG – Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (esrag.org) has offered to pay for ESRAG membership to RYLA students. Interested students should send an email to Dr. Acacia Warren (
Let's Play Golf Together!!!
Tri-State Conference Members packed 30,000 nutritious meals to finish off the Annual Conference the Rotary Way - with a service project! On May 5, 2024 District 7910 combined with District 7890 to sponsor a Meal Packing event to benefit the Worcester County Food Bank and area Food Pantries. A Fortified Bean and Rice Casserole was the chosen meal, and 
The need for the Foundation’s programs never stops, and the need for your support and participation continues as well. The Foundation will keep changing lives long into the future.
How do you develop a list of service partnerships? How many community partners can you call so that an upcoming service project can be successful? No worries! We are excited to inform you that the next workshop in the "Simply Irresistible" series is entitled "
Let’s Make it a Magical Year!
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as District Governor. It has truly been an honor and privilege. It’s hard to believe that it’s been an entire year since we last passed the gavel. It’s been a year filled with joy as I’ve watched and participated in many of the wonderful projects our clubs and members bring to their communities. It’s also been a year of heartache as together we continue to bear witness to war, violence, injustice, the effects of climate change, and the growing intolerance within our society. And finally, it’s been a year of connection as we’ve worked together to strengthen our clubs and committees that allow us to soften that heartache as we fulfill our mission of Service Above Self. 
YES, your club has a phone app. You can find all the members of your club, their pictures and contact information, readily available on your mobile phone. The terrific guys from ClubRunner will hold special training for anyone from District 7910 to help us all learn how best to take advantage of this very convenient app, available NOW to all clubs in our District.
The Rotary E-Club of Ukraine cordially invites you to a local concert of the band Kommuna Lux from Odesa, Ukraine. Kommuna Lux is currently touring the USA with a special purpose: to raise funds for financing humanitarian projects in Ukraine. The concert will take place Thursday, June 20, at Sonia's, 10 Brookline Street, Cambridge, MA, beginning at 8 pm. Tickets are 
This is an incredible opportunity to win an extraordinary work of art while supporting neurodiversity, mental health awareness, and the Rotary Foundation!
The 
Will you be at the RYLA closing ceremony? Will your club be represented at FSU on Sunday afternoon June 23? Look at all the fun you will miss and just imagine all the contacts you will miss if you are not at the Auditorium.
The Rotary Club of Framingham has reserved 50 tickets to the Worcester Red Sox on July 14th. Would you like to join us? Contact Nelson Zide: 
June has been busy for Owen Moon, a District 7910 Youth Exchange Student sponsored by the Weston-Wayland Rotary Club. On June 2nd he arrived home after spending the 2023-24 academic year living and attending school in Taiwan. On June 7th he graduated from Weston High School. It all started when Owen, now 18, did a short term summer exchange to Spain in 2022. That exchange led to a desire to see Asia -- an area of the world he's been fascinated with since childhood. Now he speaks Mandarin, has a slew of international friends, and a greater awareness of cultures outside of the United States.
Good old fashion carnival with Ferris Wheel, kiddie rides, thrill rides, adult rides, midway games, and carnival food. Thu => Sun July 18-21 at Needham High. See 
The next workshop of the Simply Irresistible Series is scheduled for July 8th from 7:30 to 8:15 PM. The title of the workshop is "
MEMBERSHIP WEBINAR SERIES
The 
Jorge Yarzebski from the Rotary Club of Westborough was honored with this year’s “Rotarian of the Year” award, and the Rotary Club of Weston & Wayland once again was recognized as “Best Club” at this year’s District Conference.
Good Golly! We Are doing environmental projects!
Did you know that your club has an App? That you can have the names, photos, and contact information for every club member on your phone?
Win a bespoke bronze table created in bronze by artist Mark Stoddart.
oin the Rotary Club of Concord as we launch 
The Weston-Wayland Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneurs. The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
Children showcase their very own businesses at our one-day market, which is part of the largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America. Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace. 
The Sturbridge Rotary club recently partnered with Tantasqua Regional High School to start a new chapter of InterAct, International in our district. The club will celebrate its founding with a Charter Ceremony on May 14th which will include a pizza social and silent auction. Please join us to celebrate our founding!
Can you Believe it’s already 2 months till 
World Immunization Week is April 24-30th. Rotary International has spent over 40 years making sure children receive life-saving polio vaccines, beginning with our first immunization campaign in the Philippines in 1979. Three Members of Brookline Rotary ~ all Past Presidents & Paul Harris Fellows -- share their thoughts & experiences volunteering for END POLIO NOW.
The Rotary Club of Wellesley's "Taste of Wellesley" annual fundraiser to support our community is at The Wellesley Country Club on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 from 6:30 until 9 pm. We will host 300 guests at the event and tickets are selling fast. Get yours soon and avoid the last minute rush. If you have already purchased your tickets, THANK YOU! Tickets are on sale at $100.00 each here: 
Westborough, MA – Bicycles. Clocks. Rice cookers. Lamps. Necklaces. Knives. What do all these sundry items have in common? They were all fixed at the Repair Café on Saturday, April 13 at the Westborough Public Library. For over twenty years, the Repair Cafe, sponsored by the library and the Westborough Rotary Club, has offered this free and popular event to the community.
The Million Solar Panels initiative is a campaign to encourage Rotarians to purchase solar panels in order to impact climate change and at the same time reduce their power bills.
June 20, 2024 the Rotary Club of Littleton would like to invite you to our first annual Summer Kick-Off Carnival. The Carnival will take place at 550 King Street in Littleton MA (the IBM property, use the Great Road entrance). The dates and times as follows:
Upcoming Saturday April 27th - the 
Who will lead your club in the coming year? In addition to the President-elect every club needs to have its roster of executives planned at this point, hopefully ready to attend the District Conference May 3-4 to learn what is needed in their new role.
...and fundraising continues!
2 Generators Installed In Prosthetic Clinic! 
On Saturday, May 18, 2024, more than 800 Rotary clubs and 30,000 Rotarians across 10 states and 7 countries, will volunteer in their communities for an unprecedented Rotary Day of Service, collecting clothes for homeless, refurbishing parks, and, much, much more.
As noted in the 4/1 newsletter, Chris Spear passed away unexpectedly in late February. His family invites all to attend a "life party" for him, a celebration of life to be held at Stow Acres Country Club on June 1 from 4-8 PM. Please RSVP by May 17 at 
We’re excited to announce a series of Zone-delivered webinars starting May 6, 7:30 PM Eastern.
Back by Popular Demand! We hosted a successful Saint Patrick's Day Dance with Skyline who serves the Natick Community and surrounding towns with adaptive and inclusive programs for individuals with special needs. Happy faces all around as this was the first dance since COVID.
Does your club have a project focused on reducing the use of plastics, reusing items (like a clothing swap) or repairing items (maybe a repair cafe)? Then the you could be eligible for a grant from the State of up to $10,000!
New this year! Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards to recognize club and individual efforts to support the environment, fight climate change, reduce plastics use, or other initiatives that will help us leave a cleaner, more healthy and livable world for our kids and grandchildren.
"Increase awareness" is an annual Rotary goal. Successful public image initiatives raise awareness and stimulate membership interest. 
The Westford Rotary Club members and volunteers will be very busy during April and May with Community Service projects. 
Join us on April 30th to learn about this new and exciting ESRAG-sponsored project: the Million Solar Panel Challenge.
Do you know a teenager who is 15 to18.5 years old and who is looking for the adventure of a lifetime? The Rotary Youth Exchange program is still accepting applications for both the Short Term and Long Term exchange programs. But do HURRY! Time is running out...Short Term (summer month) applications are due by June 1, 2024, and Long Term (school year 2024-25) are due by May 1, 2024!
The 
The Rotary Clubs of 
As reported in the 12/1/23 7910 District Newsletter, Ray Pfau passed away in late November 2023. Please join family and friends to celebrate the life if this amazing man on Saturday April 20, 2024, Davis Hall at First Parish Church, 673 Main St Bolton MA, 2-5pm
DISTRICT LEARNING ASSEMBLY & POST-PETS
Are you surrounded by a plethora of potential RYLA students?
It's heart-wrenching to think about the homeless people with disabilities in Kenya, who are struggling to survive the harsh sun amidst a severe drought. They desperately need umbrellas to provide them with some shade and respite from the scorching heat.
Rotary Club of Weston & Wayland is the chartered organization for Boy Scout Troop 157. The troop is having their annual Pasta Dinner and Silent Auction, on Friday, April 5th from 6-8:30 pm at the community center.
Lowell Rotary is fine tuning their approach to giving by selecting causes that are beneficial to specific needs. We were "Heart Beat" sponsors for the Heart Ball 2024 event to benefit children suffering from cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart). We also contributed to the SPC Matthew Pollini Memorial Fund, which is a non-profit dedicated to helping Veterans in need to heat their homes. Both contributions were gratefully acknowledged and put to good use.
Each year, Rotary International publishes criteria for a club to obtain the Rotary Citation.
The Significant Service Award recognizes a Club whose project has addressed a significant need in your community. The Significant Service Award is designed to give districts an opportunity to recognize club projects that address a significant problem or need in the local community.
Join us for this Special Forum. A short documentary narrated by Richard Gere will be followed by guest speaker Dr. Madelaine Scammell, DSc. Associate Professor at BU School of Public Health, and Dr. Chris Chanyasulkit, PhD, MPH, Immediate Past President APHA will facilitate the discussion.
The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley and the Honor Society of Littleton High School invite you to join us for our annual Rise Against Hunger food packaging event Saturday 3/23/24 9am at NRHS in Bolton. Help us package 20,000 meals for those less fortunate in two hours!
The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley is holding a family movie matinee at the Fine Arts Theater at 19 Summer Street, Maynard. The movie is the original Shrek! Advance tickets $12; $40 for family of 4 or more. $15/cash only at the door. 
What is the number one strategic objective for Rotary International, District 7910, and your club? The answer is quite simple, increase membership! Establishing a goal to "increase membership" is very common amongst clubs, however, being successful at it is another story. How do we increase membership at all levels?
SAVE THE DATE!
The Children's Business Fair is back!
Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully-funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of our peace centers. 
We have had to start a new District 7910 
Westford Rotary Club's First Annual Cornhole Tournament!
Don't miss a fun evening at the Wachusett Area Rotary Club's Left-Right Center Tournament on Friday, March 8, 2024! Win cash prizes while having a blast with your friends. The game is easy to learn and easy to play - no experience necessary. Space is limited - reserve your tickets now! $30 admission includes game play and light hors d'oeuvres. A cash bar will also be available. For tickets contact Rotarian Richard Traina 978-549-7700 | 
The Rotary Club of Watertown is delighted to announce the return of our most highly anticipated annual event on April 26th, 2024! Please join us for this fun event! Money raised will help to support our keystone programs such as our High School Senior Scholarship program, Senior Cookout, support of local food pantries, and more. Please refer here: 
The Westford Rotary Club would love to have other District 7910 members join in the fun and fundraising for the 1st Annual Westford Cornhole Contest. See flyer for details.
This year NE PETS is offering an opportunity for Rotarians to feature their businesses with business card size images. These ads will reach all 500+ attendees from Rhode Island and Connecticut to Maine and southern Quebec.
REGISTER HERE
ATTN: Club Presidents and YEO's. 
The Charles River Rotary & The Framingham Rotary met to toast and celebrate the holiday season. Cheers to an amazing 2024!
Plan ahead for this popular event. Have something that needs fixing? Don't throw it away before you give the Repair Café a chance to extend its life!! Bring it to Scott Hall 24, Vernon Street, Framingham on Feb 24 from 2 to 5. Co-sponsored by Rotary Club of Framingham and Transition Framingham.
In many countries, advancements in technology have led to a decrease in the use of braille books. However, in the villages of Malawi, braille books are still in high demand but not always readily available. To address this need, the Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy is focused on supplying these villages with books for children who aspire to learn. We are looking for books in countries like the United States that are no longer in use, and we will ship them to Malawi. These books will be distributed to the areas that need them the most. Please write to 
You can qualify as a Benefactor of 
Through a District Grant in the 2023-2024 year, our club will collaborating with the Stow Historical Society to to preserve the historical significance of the former Mapledale Country Club, now Stow Acres Country Club, in Stow MA. Mapledale was owned and operated by Robert H. Hawkins, a black businessman who opened the course in 1926. It was the first black-owned golf course in the USA, at a time when black golfers were not able to play at golf courses due to segregation. 
Unfortunately, mental illness has impacted our lives, personally or professionally. According to the 
The Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy is excited to announce a series of mental health discussions with Dr Tristaca McCray, the club's Mental Health Ambassador. The discussions will be posted every Friday on various social media platforms, but the best place to view them is on the club's Facebook page at 
On Saturday, February 10th the Wachusett Area Rotary Club will bring Valentine’s cheer to 425 senior citizens who will attend their annual “Hearts of Rotary” breakfast. Held at The Manor in West Boylston, the club has partnered with senior centers in their service area (Boylston, Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling and West Boylston) to extend invitations to the event, which requires pre-registration.
The Concord Rotary Club will host the second, annual Music Festival at Rideout Park in West Concord on May 25, 2024. The day of music will feature local artists and feature headlining act, 
Our Global Grant application for our mangrove restoration project in Guatemala has been approved by Rotary International. March 16 - 23, we'll travel to restore valuable mangroves to help protect our planet. 
The Rotary Foundation
The RYLAma wishes everyone in Rotary District 7910 a very Happy New Year.
We can't wait to meet you and learn together at this year's Northeast Presidents-Elect Training Seminar. are you 
Please join us at 6:30pm on January 16, 2024. Click 
As we approach the end of another transformative year, let’s stop to reflect on the incredible impact we are making together. Though there are many challenges that test our resilience, Rotarians remain steadfast in our commitment to "Create Hope in the World."
Our Rotary Foundation is the engine that fuels our ability to create positive change in our communities and across the globe. Donations to our Foundation fund local grants, the eradication of polio, our Rotary Peace Centers, global grants and more. This year, funding from the Foundation enabled more than 20 of our clubs to engage in District and Global grant projects that are helping to Create Hope in the World. Join us on Wednesday, January 17 at 7:00pm for an exciting fast paced virtual event to learn about the value of our donations to the Rotary Foundation. We'll discuss strategies to motivate both Rotarians and non-Rotarians to understand why supporting our Foundation is essential to our success as an organization. We'll hear from Eileen Rau, our Zone Regional Foundation Coordinator, as she provides a motivational overview about the power of our Rotary Foundation, and why it's essential that every Rotarian is engaged in its support every year. 
The District will be hosting the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) on Saturday, January 27th from 7:30 AM until 3 PM at the Assabet Regional Technical High School on Fitchburg Street in Marlborough. The cost is $85 which covers the breakfast, snack, lunch, and materials. Members should check with their Clubs for assistance in covering the cost of registration.
We're thrilled to announce that registration for the 2024 Northeast Presidents-Elect Training Seminar (NEPETS) is officially open, and we can't wait for you to be a part of it! Please register here 
Santa's sleigh will be filled with toys, but what about diapers? Hm... maybe not! So please donate new diapers, in sizes 3,4,5,6 ONLY to one of the 2 upcoming diaper drives by local organizations that the 
Now! Before you do anything else, watch the 
On December 6, members of the Westborough Rotary Club (WRC) held a "Baby Shower" at 
It is with a heavy heart that we share of the passing of Leominster Rotarian and Past President, 
Brookline Rotarians, BU Rotaract Members and BU Occupational Therapy students will cook and serve alongside Brookline Teen Center student participants. 
Please join us for a special webinar hosted by our neighboring District 7390 - Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at 7:30AM - 
We are saddened to share the news that longtime Nashoba Valley member Ray Pfau passed away this week. Among his many accomplishments, Ray was instrumental in bringing the internationally renowned 
The Rotary Club of Lowell did a great job of increasing awareness of Rotary and raising some money Saturday, Nov. 25th at the City of Lights Parade in downtown Lowell. We set up grills and sold marshmallows to be roasted by kids (and big kids) with the proceeds going to fund scholarships for high school seniors and other charitable endeavors. Our attention getter is the marshmallow man, posing for pictures and adding some magic to the day.!
On Veterans Day (Nov 11, 2023) our club had the honor of co-hosting a breakfast with Town of Stow, to thank Veterans who live or work in Stow. Rousing speeches from Representative Kate Hogan and Senator Jamie Eldridge were capped off by our Keynote Speaker Retired Rear Admiral Edward Cashman. This was a group effort, led by JP Benoit (Stow Fire Chief and Scoutmaster) and the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, and supported by the Town of Stow, the Stow Council on Aging, Stow Veterans' Services, the Scout Troop of Stow and many others. We were all moved to tears when the Stow chapter of the national organization "Quilts of Valor" presented 25 Veterans with handmade quilts to honor their service. It clearly meant so much to each of them and to all of us as well. Breakfast was donated and prepared by The Pleasant Cafe Inc. of Maynard and Ayer and was absolutely delicious!
The 2nd Annual Holiday Mixer and Toy Drive, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Watertown and the Watertown Business Coalition will take place at the Mosesian Center for the Arts!
The Rotary Club of Bedford’s 
Over 110 crafters and artists will be at Keefe Regional Technical High School, 750 Winter St in Framingham, on Saturday, December 9 from 10am to 4pm, offering their handmade items for sale. Items include jewelry, appeal including alpaca, quilts, original art and photographs, bath and body products, wooden bowls, pens and boards, and more.
Our district's 
Do you have roots in Canada? Perhaps in Calgary? We are looking for people who would like to help us cultivate a contingent from our district to attend the Rotary International Convention in Calgary, June 21-25, 2025.
Alexander Ganzi is a graduate student from Klagenfurt, a city in the south of Austria, who is in Worcester until the end of January working on his thesis about circular economy at WPI with Dr. Joseph Sarkis, Professor of Management within the Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Business School. He is here through the Rotary New Generations program. 
Come to the District 7910 Holiday Party! Please join us for fun, fellowship, and food as we celebrate the season at the Boxborough Regency Hotel.
Looking to get your hands dirty?
Our Nominating Committee has selected Penny Hamel from the Rotary Club of Westford as our District Governor for the Rotary year 2026 - 2027. Penny has been a Rotarian since 1989, has served as Club President, Assistant Governor, co-chair of Bandy Hefler, District Trustee, Chair of District Friendship exchange, District Secretary and is a Paul Harris Fellow. 
Attention all Interact Chairs! District 7910 is putting together an Interact Council. This student-driven council will establish a mission, objectives, and hopes to present a program at the District's Annual Conference (May 3-5). Please have your club's Interact student-leader contact Raissa Santana (Marlborough Club's AMSA Interact President) at 
Entering the 28th year of The Breakfast for the Bands Event, this is an incredible community event presented jointly by the Rotary Clubs of Fitchburg and Leominster. Although tied to their historic rivalry, this event is all about supporting the bands and is one of the largest community performances that they give. Roughly 750-1000 people from our two communities turn up to hear both bands play, and we want YOU to be there!
On October 24th the Rotary Club of Lowell collaborated with the Dracut club to hold our annual event for area seniors. It's a fun afternoon that includes a sumptuous meal, open dancing with a dj and a juried dance competition that even includes trophies! Many thanks to Lee Ouellette (Dracut), Naomi Prendergast (Lowell) and Michael Conway (Lowell) for judging.
Our little club helped found this amazing event many years ago with Clear Path for Veterans New England, raising money and awareness for service dogs for our American Veterans! It has grown into a dynamic event over time, taking place yearly at Devens Mass (the former site of Fort Devens.) This year we had several dog contests (including the much loved “best tail wagger” category), State Police dog demonstrations, and much much more. We also added trick or treating and costume contests for kids this year.
Westford Festival of Trees, Wreaths and Creative Gingerbread/Gnomes and More…..
Project Drawdown recently released a 
Pollinator Research Right Here in Massachusetts! Dr. Robert Gegear, founder of the Gegear Lab at UMass Dartmouth, will be our speaker. He'll tell us about how his lab studies factors influencing the dynamic interplay between pollinators and the flowering plants that they service. Their current research projects address such questions as: What is the functional significance of floral display complexity? Why do foraging preferences vary among pollinator species? What are the causes and consequences of global pollinator decline? How effective are different restoration and conservation strategies for native pollination systems? To address these questions, they use highly integrative experimental approaches that combine concepts and methodologies from fields such as animal behavior, human psychology, molecular biology, community ecology, and computational biology. Don't miss this fascinating talk on important research being done right here in Massachusetts.
Looking to buy something new, but want to lower your carbon footprint? Click 
The 2023-24 District Directory contains a wealth of information, including contact information for District officers, assistant governors and committee chairs, our calendar for the year ahead, along with information about our Clubs and their officers.
Many of our members have asked how we can help the Lewiston, ME community. I received this message from Rotary District 7790 Governor Tina Chapman:
Rotary International and especially our Zone in the U.S. have been doing a great deal of research to understand the key success factors for all clubs. They have canvassed thousands of clubs, and those that are flourishing share several key factors.
On Tuesday, October 24th nearly 60 Rotarians and friends from District 7910 showed up at Revolution Hall in Lexington, MA to help eradicate polio. In our small sliver of the world, we did our best to participate in a fun and unique way....by drinking beer!
7 District 7910's 2023-24 Rotary Youth Exchange Students are here! Val is from Belgium and is hosted here by the Marlborough Rotary Club. Diego is from Mexico and is hosted by the Weston-Wayland Rotary Club. Our students have settled into their new school routines, are enjoying their host families, and have met exchange students from other regional districts at their Orientation weekend in September and apple-picking at Tougas Farm In October. Diego is playing soccer for WHS while Val is helping MHS expand its Interact Club activities. These wonderful students are willing to talk with any 7910 Club about their home countries and exchange experiences as part of your Club meeting programs.
Westford Rotary is everywhere on social media. This did happen overnight because a 20-something insisted we had to have it. Our consistent presence on Facebook and Instagram seeks to achieve two goals: awareness of our mission and contributions to the community, AND a way to attract younger members.
Www.NeedhamPancakes.com
Just as routine doctor’s visits help us identify health risks before they become serious, a club health check can diagnose problem areas and prescribe remedies. By using this health check, you’re taking a step to maintain your club’s health and preserve its value for members and the community.
Twenty projects have been approved by our District 7910 Grants Subcommittee. A total of $31,237 has been approved for distribution to our Clubs in support of a wide range of humanitarian projects. This year's grants include projects related to food insecurity, suicide prevention, building and delivering bunk beds for children in need, science education, mental health, environmental sustainability and so much more. Our funding from the Rotary Foundation is anticipated to arrive shortly and will be distributed upon receipt.
We are nearing the end of this year’s nominating cycle for District leadership positions and this is an exciting time for District 7910 (deadline is October 20, 2023). The future of our clubs depends on qualified candidates serving in leadership roles throughout the District.
Interact Clubs are an important branch of the greater Rotary youth programs that invite students between ages 12 and 18 to get important chances to develop leadership skills while also focusing on the Rotary credo of “Service-Above-Self.” In fact, many high schools across the United States and the world have their own chapters of Interact Clubs that allows students enrolled in those schools to work together and be a part of many different community service programs and initiatives with their sponsoring Rotary Club.
Most reporting on climate change emphasizes weather disasters; and while it’s important to understand the risks climate change poses, it’s inspiring and motivating to learn more about solutions that can help pave the way to a better future. 
Dan McCarthy surprised at recent Framingham Club Social by being presented with a Paul Harris Fellow.
After hosting 1,200 participants at the annual Hudson BrewFest, Hudson Rotarians are reaching out to support our community. After connecting with our Fire Chief, we supplied his department with light duty, and heavy duty pumps and hoses. "We want to be able to support residents who call for help with flooded basements, and our inventory was low. We're very grateful to the Hudson Rotary Club or reaching out and donating this equipment", said Fire Chief Brian Johannes. 
What you can do on October 24, 2023: Come to Revolution Hall in Lexington, drink beer & eat heartily to support the Rotary End Polio Now campaign. And bring all your Rotary members, friends, and family. 
On Sept. 11th, 2023, Leominster experienced historic and damaging floods when almost 10 inches of rain fell in the city within a few hours. Flash flooding caused massive sinkholes, washed out numerous roads, and left many residents and businesses with several feet of water causing massive damage. The Fix, where the Rotary Club of Leominster meets, was under 7 feet of water! Even with the loss of property, vehicles and more, the city is extremely fortunate that there were no reported major injuries or casualties.
What a fantastic night was had while Rotarians, friends, and family watched the Boston Red Sox take on the Chicago White Sox on Sep. 22nd for Rotary Night at Fenway Park! Over 50 people across three districts joined together and cheered on the Red Sox for their 3-2 victory. Not only were tickets very affordable, but the Boston Red Sox were able to make a $255 donation to our district which we will pass along to The Rotary Foundation as part of our ticket sales. We are looking forward to doing this for years to come and expanding our group each year. Thank you to everyone that attended!
RLI has a broad array of topics that gets introduced to those attending. RLI has three progressive levels (RLI1, RLI2, and RLI3) plus graduate courses. Each of the levels has it own content, however, the curriculum gets more strategic with each level. The course content is broken into seven units.
L
WHAT ARE ROTARY’S AREAS OF FOCUS? (1 OF 2)
October 22, 2023, Brookline Rotary will host its third Dog Day from 11:00 - 3:00 at Brookline Avenue Playground at 575 Brookline Avenue. This has been an extremely popular community event for the entire family and a very successful fund raiser for the club. It includes vendors, interactive activities such as a costume parade and doggie yoga, food trucks and dog training demonstrations by the Brookline Canine Patrol, among other events. Attendees and volunteer can sign up by going to the Brookline Rotary club website: or tickets: 
In support of Rotary International President Gordan R. McInally’s commitment to mental health, the Westborough Rotary Club has invited accomplished speakers to discuss this critical issue.
HATE is an anathema to everything Rotary stands for – consequently the Rotary Club of Acton-Boxborough is one of 25 diverse local community organizations who are co-sponsoring a New England WALK AGAINST HATE on Sunday, October 15, 2023.
Please help the Rotary Club of Northborough grow our work for the community by supporting our big fall fundraiser - happening now! Take a chance on a hole in one during the sky-high Golf Ball Drop. Your golf ball may be the lucky one that reaches the target, and wins a prize of $500!
Each year on 9/11 The Rotary Club of Concord hosts an appreciation awards ceremony in memory of a beloved Concord Rotarian, Al Filipov, and all those who perished 22 years ago during the attacks at the World Trade Center. "Al Filipov was a humble man, who was all about making people's lives better," stated Sharon Spaulding. "He prioritized service to the community. It is fitting on this day that we honor the first responders in Concord who keep us safe every day."
There are many different reasons why you should join Rotary Leadership Institute. RLI will offer you a positive experience with other Rotarians and the more you learn, the better Rotarian you will become.
Visit 
WHAT IS SHARE?
The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley is delighted to announce that the David and Eleanor Morley Endowed Global Grant Scholarship has been awarded to Katherine Painter, a lifelong resident of Stow. RNV sponsored Katherine as a candidate for this scholarship and is thrilled that she was selected! This unique Scholarship was established in 2002 by David and Eleanor Morely, to be granted to a resident of Rotary District 7910 who will be doing graduate-level study outside the US in one of Rotary’s areas of focus. David Morley was a Rotarian, a graduate of Worcester Polytech Institute, and had a long career at General Electric. 
Join us on Thursday, September 28th at 6:30pm to learn about some fascinating pollinator research being done right here in Massachusetts! Dr. Robert Gegear founder of the Gegear Lab at UMass Darthmouth and his team are attempting to answer questions such as: What is the significance of floral display complexity? Why does foraging vary among pollinator species? What are the causes and consequences of global pollinator decline? How effective are different restoration and conservation strategies for native pollination systems? To address these questions, they use highly integrative experimental approaches that combine concepts and methodologies from fields such as animal behavior, human psychology, molecular biology, community ecology, and computational biology. Click 
Buffeted by waves as high as 10 meters (32 feet) in China’s Yellow Sea about 30 kilometers off the coast of Shandong province, two circular rafts carrying neat rows of solar panels began generating electricity late last year, a crucial step toward a new breakthrough for clean energy.
Join us for a spectacular evening at Fenway Park for Rotary Night as the Boston Red Sox take on the Chicago White Sox on Friday, September 22nd! Rotarians, friends, and family from across multiple districts could join us for only $39 per ticket while supporting our Foundation. $5 of each ticket purchased will come back to us to support The Rotary Foundation! Enjoy a Friday evening game at this gorgeous park and check out the city of Boston while you are here.
7910 Action Group Kickoff Meeting 
A fun time was had by all during our stay at the Cape Cod home of Victor Tom and Sze-Wen Kuo in Marstons Mills, MA. We ate well and had terrific fellowship. We even conducted District business when we chose PDG Tom Polito to serve 3 years on the Nomination Committee. Present in the photo are IPDG Victor Tom, Ingrid Detweiler, PDG Cliff Rober, PDG Klaus Hochfeld, PDG Diana Nestorova, PDG Bob Cassidy, Glenys Hochfeld, PDG Dick Manelis, Sze-Wen Kuo, PDG Carl Kalzewski, DGE Joyce Graff, PDG Carol Toomey, Joe Toomey, PDG Jim Fusco, Karen Fusco, Reina Rago and DG Elliott Rittenberg.
The Rotary Citation award (formerly the RI Presidential Citation) recognizes the hard work clubs do throughout the year. It is one of the highest honors that Rotary International can bestow upon a club. To achieve the recognition, These Club Presidents (Dawn Kociubes, Teresa McCarthy, Jack Colamaria, Johnny Ahern and Susan Wilkinson) had to choose 13 out of 26 RI stated goals covering, for example, membership, sustainable service projects, giving to the Rotary Foundation, and building awareness of Rotary in their communities. And then they helped steer their clubs this past year to achieve those goals.
1. Create a list of all the great things about your club.
What is Interact? 
Although the name may SOUND like a cemetary or retirement home, Blissful Meadows is actually a beautiful and challenging 18 hole championship course located in Uxbridge. Blissful Meadows was designed by Golf World magazine's 2000 "Architect of the Year", Brian Silva, and the award-winning layout, catering to both high and low handicap golfers, offers varying fade and draw shots to satisfy both left-handed and right-handed golfers.
Needham Street traffic, in Dedham, often sees cars and trucks speeding past the Riverdale Elementary School at 30 to 45 mph, despite being a signed school zone, and having a raised speed table in place.
The Rotary Club of Ayer, Harvard, Shirley and Devens had a special international guest in early August all the way from Pakistan. Rana Saeed Ahmad is the Past President of the Rotary Club of Faisalabad, where he has had perfect attendance for the last 30 years. His club is 70 years old and works on many projects centering around school and literacy. He credits the youthful membership in his club to good speakers, sports and a viable Rotaract program. Saeed spoke to us with interpretive assistance from his son, Jalal Rana, who lives in Shirley and works in Marlborough as a mechanical engineer, manufacturing vaccines. 
Concerned about the climate or other environmental issues? 
A relief fund for victims of the devastating wildfires in Maui has been established through the Rotary District 5000 Foundation as we come together to recover and rebuild. Please consider donating to this special fund and sharing the opportunity with others to help.
Join us for the 2023 Weston Antique & Classic Car Show. The weather is perfect this time of year and we look forward to seeing all our friends return again to support this great event. Arrive early for best location. Thanks for your support!
Have you met ClubRunner? There are convenient features in ClubRunner for all club members and executives. We have prepared some brief (15 minute) videos to introduce you to the essential features that you will need for your position in the club.
In memory of June Grace, Rotarians from clubs in Concord and Bedford volunteered at a Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell home being built in Concord. June once mentioned that a nice way to honor someone who has passed away is to volunteer for something that was important to them and so when she died in May the idea was born. Sharon Spaulding reached out to Suzanne at Habitat for Humanity who loved the idea of honoring a previous volunteer by hosting a Habitat Build Day! June and her husband, Buck, very much enjoyed volunteering at Habitat. June had volunteered at the Carter Way Bedford Habitat project as well as a house in Concord. 
Our 8th annual 
At DG Elliott Rittenberg’s installation event, PDG Dr. Victor Tom had the honor of presenting the most prestigious Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award (DSA) to Ralph Hammond, of the Rotary Club of Bedford, who has rendered exceptional service to the Foundation beyond the District level and for an extended period of time. This award is extremely competitive and only 50 Rotarians may receive this award each year, out of 1.4 million Rotarians worldwide.
Interested in working on global projects for people with disabilities?
Thank all of you who took the time Monday evening this week to review our District 7910 Rotary Foundation Grants and Donations.
Great opportunity to promote your business!
This year's Learning Agenda begins with a series of interviews with recent club Presidents who have successfully led their clubs forward. In each interview we focus on the "secret sauce" brought to the club by this leader, and provide hints for making the club more exciting and successful over time.
The Rotary Club of Marlborough will be hosting an exciting golf tournament at Juniper Hills Golf Course in Northborough on September 20th. We are hopeful that other clubs will participate with foursomes and sponsorships as all proceeds will be used for the Rotary Homestead, a homeless shelter for single women in greater Marlborough.
August is Membership Month on the Rotary International Calendar. In 2022, more than 78,000 Rotarians participated in our All Member Survey and the results are clear – the number one driver of member satisfaction is a member’s experience within their club. Just as taking care of customers is crucial for the success of any business, our survey showed that an inclusive and caring club experience is the primary reason that our members stay in Rotary. Conversely, members leave our clubs when they don’t feel connected, and expectations are unmet.
There are many ways Rotarians serve their communities and Rotary.
It appears that a few of the clubs in the District have lost their Interact Club during the pandemic. This is a troubling trend that we hope to stop and reverse directions with over the next school year.
RI president Gordon McInally has prioritized mental health and well-being as a signature focus for the year ahead and beyond. He’s challenged Rotarians to lead the way in eliminating the stigma around and to raise awareness about the importance of mental and emotional health. As I’ve visited our Clubs and raised this subject over the last few weeks, it’s clear that many of our members feel passionately about this topic. 
The Rotary Club of World Disability Advocacy is in need of someone to be Treasurer of the Club.
On June 3, about 80 people gathered at Lilac Hedge Farm in Rutland for the Wachusett Area Rotary Club’s Annual Spring Fling. Put on hold for several years due to Covid, the event was historically a themed dinner dance and fundraiser. This year, the club decided to do something different.
It is with a heavy heart that we bring to you news of the passing of Past District Governor, Mary Valentine Callahan - “Val Callahan,” as she was known. For over 30 years Val had been a Rotarian, beginning in District 7910, where she was Club President, Foundation Chair, GSE leader, Assistant Governor and District Governor 2014-15. When Val moved to Boston, the Boston #7 club welcomed her. She became the club’s Foundation Chair. Val was a Major Donor, Sustainer and Bequest Society Member.
The Yale Climate Connection released their “Climate Change in the American Mind: Beliefs & Attitudes” report this month, based on data from the nationally representative survey they conducted in Spring 2023. Click 
The Green Energy Consumer’s Alliance is offering a series of online events where you can “Ask a Solar Expert” or “Ask an Electric Car Driver”. Visit 
A team of Rotarians and community members are working on a “project-in-a-box” for clubs worldwide to host viewing events and discussions about the amazing 
The NY Society for Ethical Culture has created this day to pay attention to climate. It is connected to the climate clock and the time that we have before we exceed 1.5C. To learn more, click 
Dreary weather and the threat of rain on Saturday, June 17, did not dissuade 130 runners and walkers from participating in the Westborough Rotary Club’s 5K Dads and Grads Race.
Come check out the Needham Carnival. We will have kiddy rides, thrill rides, the midway, and everything in between. No price for entry, so you can come ride a couple rides and go home. July 20-23. For more, go to 
Fellow District 7910 Rotarians, as we end the 2022-2023 Rotary year, I would like to express my gratitude to all of the Club officers, District officers and committees, the DG chain, my advisor Jim Fusco and finally Sze-Wen, our District Secretary who did much more to keep me on track. It takes a village, no one person can take on so much responsibility and that is true at the club as well as at the district level.
Proceeds of the Rotary Club of Concord's first outdoor Music Festival at Rideout Park in W. Concord will benefit the Concord Children’s Center tuition assistance program and Rotary service projects. The program headliner was the Bruce Marshall Band. They were joined on stage by locally acclaimed folk musician Terry Kitchen, Shon Gordon of kids’ musical group Rockabye Beats, The Joy of Music student chamber music ensemble, and guitarist Seth Connolly. 
I hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July holiday weekend. I am both honored and excited to begin my term District Governor. We are very fortunate to have a strong leadership team in place, and we look forward to working with you to Create Hope in the World.
A great time was had by all Tuesday night, the 27th, at the Scandinavian Living Center, where Rotarians, their families, friends, and former community Paul Harris winners gathered for a sumptuous pot luck supper. We celebrated our 100th Anniversary, gave out this year's Paul Harris awards, and installed our President for 2023-24, Liz Tavares and the Board of Directors. 
The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley's continued its collaboration with local police departments at the stuff-a-cruiser event; Stow Police Department, Bolton Police Department and Lancaster Massachusetts Police Department duked it out! Who will stuffed the most cruisers? Please read on. Ultimately the WINNER was WHEAT Community Connections. Food Insecurity in our communities is alive and well, we can make a difference.
District 7910 hosted the annual Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) weekend leadership conference at Fitchburg State June 23-25.
The Lowell Rotary was pleasantly surprised on 27 June with a visit from Njau Chege, the president of the Rotary Club of Mombasa, Nyali in Kenya. Njau was in town visiting relatives after attending commencement at WPI. He presented us with a banner and we had a wonderful and informative conversation about Rotary in Kenya and around the world.
Westford Rotary was awarded $10,000 by the 100 Women Who Care of Greater Westford. The award will support the club’s program plans and activities for 2023-2024 year. 100 Women recognizes four organizations per year, and provides remaining funds to the runners up.
Do you want $ funding for your club's 2023-24 project?
The Rotary Club of Newton awarded scholarships to 3 amazing Newton High School seniors at the annual Newton Mayor's Breakfast on May 24th. The scholarships are named after Anthony J. Bibbo, a founder and long-time Director of the Harmony Foundation, as well as a much-beloved Newton Rotarian from 1970 until his death in 2018. Club President Andy Willinger introduced the awards, and also announced the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Club, which was greeted by enthusiastic applause. Interim Superintendent Kathy Smith introduced each winner, and the Mayor, Ruthann Fuller, added her congratulations. Newton Rotary also awards annual scholarships to 3 deserving students from Newton North's Career and Technical Education Program. These awards were announced on May 29th, and will be presented at a Rotary luncheon on June 6th.
On May 20th, The 
At our June 2nd meeting, the Wachusett Area Rotary Club awarded $2,000 scholarships to three students living in our service area. The scholarships were awarded to students who demonstrated a commitment to community service, as well as academic achievement and financial need.
After 3 years in hibernation the famous 
Ken Janes, long-time Groton resident, retired surgeon and avid birder, shares a selection of his amazing bird photographs and stories of birding at this special presentation. Ken’s images have most recently appeared in his books, Life List: Field Notes of a Maine Birdwatcher and Life List: A Maine Birdwatcher in Florida. Ken is also the author and photographer of Florida Birds: A Birdwatcher Discovers the Sunshine State coming this November. 
The Athol Orange Area Rotary Club (6551) invites Rotarians to head over to Swing into Summer! on Friday, June 16th from 6 to 10 PM.
The Wachusett Area Rotary Club is hosting a Beer and Wine Tasting event on June 3rd at Lilac Hedge Farm in Rutland MA. Tickets are $40 and include beer and wine tasting, a fabulous barbecue, entertainment and activities! All are invited to join us - please email WARotaryClub@gmail.com for tickets. 
Each year The Rotary Clubs of Fitchburg and Fitchburg East host an Annual Recognition Dinner at Fitchburg High School. On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, we recognize our city’s finest for their commitment to public service and community.
Enjoy an evening of Rotary friendship, fellowship, fun and baseball! 
On May 20, 2023, more than 500 Rotary clubs and 14,000 Rotarians participated in service projects all on the same day. In District 7910 alone, more than 300 Rotarians and more than 200 community volunteers came together to do 33 service projects. See a 
The Westford Rotary Club is collecting Food for the Westford Food Pantry for the Month of June. 
Insects are a Climate-Friendly Option for Animal Feed
The Rotary Club of Bedford and the Bedford Youth and Family Services invite you to a presentation by Rotary International representative Bob Anthony on Tuesday, June 6th, 2023 from 12:30 PM-1:30 PM in the Reed Room in Bedford Town Hall, 10 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA. Bob is a recognized leader in the field of Mental Health who will present on Rotary’s 2023 mission of Facing Mental Health Issues Head-On by breaking stigma, raising awareness, and increasing access to prevention and earlier treatment.
Calling all baseball fans on Friday, July 21st Rotarians and their families are invited to a Rotary Night at the Worcester Bravehearts at Fitton Field at Holy Cross. Not only will this be an excellent night of fellowship for Rotarians and their friends and families, we will also be treated to a postgame firework show.
Turn Networking Conversations into Sales Appointments, with Andy Winig (Rotarian aka "The Elevator Pitch Coach"). Monday, May 22 @ 8am. 
Rotarians gathered for fellowship, learning and fun at our 3-District Conference on April 22 at the Burlington Marriott. Business meetings, breakout sessions and an engaging keynote presentation from Rotary’s public image changemaker Evan Burrell entertained and educated members throughout the day. Among the day’s highlights were the many awards presented by Governor Victor Tom to our members and clubs, including Rotary’s most prestigious, the Service Above Self Award presented to Concord’s June Grace (pictured here) for her dedication, passion and leadership. And once again, the Rotary Club of Weston & Wayland took home the bell as Best Club. Click on “read more” below to see photos of the award recipients.
It was a busy morning at the Westford RotaryJunk in the Trunk & More Free event at the Abbot Elementary School Parking lot in Westford on Saturday May 6, 2023!
Johnny Ahern has been selected as District 7910's District Governor Nominee Designate (2025-2026). He is a native of Lowell, MA and completed two combat tours (Kuwait and Iraq) in the United States Army during his ten years of active-duty service. After completing his military service, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Deaf Studies Specialization from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the world’s only university in which all programs and services are specifically designed for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Students. 
Calling all Rotarians and their families and friends for our 21st Annual Duck Race on the Charles River. June 17th from 1-3pm, the Neponset Valley Sunrise Club will be holding their 21st consecutive* Duck Race, with free food and drinks, DJ dance party, games and more. Check out our website for location, duck adoptions and sponsorship opportunities. 
In memory of Raghav Rao, Rotarian from the Jubilee Hills club in Hyderabad India, there is a project underway to expand the local Film Nagar government school. Raghav has a daughter in Needham. In 2016, the Needham club, working with Raghav and with help from other 7910 clubs, paid to put a solar array on the school. 
WHAT A COINCIDENCE! SO LET’S CELEBRATE TOGETHER! in Brookline at Olmsted Park at the Allerton Overlook near Leverett Pond from 11am-3pm
Native pollinator plant gardens are key to sustaining natural environments around us. Our CTA: join us at 9:30am at the Beals' Preserve in Southborough to prepare a Pollination Preservation Meadow to help plant for future pollination plants. 
The Rotary Club of Southborough Food Truck Festival is back and bigger than ever! Join us for each Wednesday starting on May 24 through June 14 (Happy Flag Day!) from 3:30 to 7pm ET for an evening filled with food, fun, and friends! All proceeds collected at this event will help support our programs such as Earth Day, Pumpkin Stroll, Heritage Day, sponsoring RYLA students, Foldscopes, and most importantly, our Scholarship Awards.
On April 20, the Rotary Club of Marlborough was proud to host its inaugural miniature golf tournament, which raised approximately $1,000 for End Polio Now. Fellow Rotarians and their family and friends were invited to have friendly competition, eat pizza and ice cream, and win prizes!
What’s Next? A Better Way to Deliver Critical Treatments for Cancer, etc., directly into our human-body cells. 
The Westford Rotary “The Junk in the Trunk” is Sat May 6, 2023 at Abbot Elementary School 25 Depot Dt. Westford MA. All items are free!
A fun family day of music for a great cause! Join the Rotary Club of Concord on May 27th at the Rideout Field in West Concord from 1-7 PM. Live music featuring The Bruce Marshall Group will entertain all ages.
Calling local children who fish, or want to learn!
Ashley Garcia will run the 127th Boston Marathon on April 17th, representing the 
Golf is back! The Rotary Club of Marlborough is starting up its annual Golf Classic after almost a decade. The Marlborough Rotary Club Classic will be held at Juniper Hills Golf Club in Northborough on May 3rd starting at 9 AM. The cost of playing in this scramble is $140 per golfer. Golfers will receive a cart, a round of golf, and a wonderful meal. Raffles will also be included, along with other fun activities. Patrons can also enjoy the meal for $35 per person. All proceeds benefit the "Rotary Homestead" - a temporary residence for homeless women. For additional information and to sign up, please go to 
Please join the Rotary Club of Northborough for a screening of Bending the Arc, a groundbreaking documentary that tells the story of Partners In Health and the work of extraordinary doctors and activists, including the late Dr. Paul Farmer, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, and Ophelia Dahl.
The Rotary Climate Action Now Project (RCAN) will premiere May 13th at noon at the 
What is No Mow May? The goal of No Mow May is to allow grass to grow un-mown through the month of May, allowing wild flowers to come through and create habitat and forage for early season pollinators. This is particularly important in urban areas where floral resources are often limited, suburban areas where heavy landscaping is common, and everywhere in Massachusetts this year because of the early spring.
Over the last few months, the Groton-Pepperell Rotary Club spread the love to local non-profits and causes that they are passionate about. Donations were made to two local food pantries, Loaves & Fishes, PACH and Stone Soup Kitchen. They also donated to the Town of Pepperell K9 Unit and Groton Fire Department Gift Fund.
Members of the Wachusett Area Rotary Club got together to start the process of germinating seeds in preparation for their Rotary Day of Service event. The seedlings will be used to create a pollinator garden which will be built on May 20. The effort is in support of native pollinator species that are threatened and at risk in Northeastern Massachusetts.
June R. Grace
As part of the 20 May Service Day, the Lowell Rotary will join forces with the community to clean up and refurbish the City owned Rotary Club Park. The Park has suffered neglect for several years, so we will spend two days, 8 April and 20 May bringing it back up to something in which we all can take pride.
On April 8th, about 30 folks of all ages and athletic ability got together for a few hours of fun Pickleball at the Boys and Girls Club in Newton, where three courts were set up in the gym. Organized by Newton President-Elect Liz Tavares, with the help of Rotarian, and Executive Director of the Newton Boys & Girls Club, Dave Sellers, the players donated $25 to the Newton Rotary Foundation and got to participate either as a beginner, or an intermediate+ player. 
Something new at the Westford Kiwanis Apple Blossom Festival this year. On Sunday, May 14, 2023 at 2:00 pm will be the 2nd Annual Westford Rotary Club Golf Ball Drop by Helicopter. Get your Golf Balls now….. see details on 
Rotary Club of Southborough's Lina Zolock spearheaded an effort to collect diapers sizes 4-6 as diapers are expensive. The club and clients from her business (Expressions Hair Studio in Reading, MA) collected 15 diaper boxes. That's over 1,000 diapers!
Please join Charles River Rotary Club as we celebrate our 10th Scoopapalooza year and the start of Summer with an all you can eat ice cream festival on Natick Common Saturday June 24th from 11:30 AM to 3PM. Rain Date is June 25th. We expect to draw over 2,000 people to the event for frozen treats, community connecting, music and activities for the whole family. The event will raise significant funds for Charles River Rotary’s local philanthropic efforts, including a St.Patrick’s Day Dance for teens and young adults with special needs, literacy programs, scholarships for seniors at Keefe Regional Technical School, RYLA, Natick Food Pantry, local veterans and many local nonprofits. Tickets are $7.
The Westford Rotary Club partnered with FIRST Robotics Team 4905 (Ayer Shirley Regional School District) to raise funds supplying emergency assistance to citizens of Ukraine in need of clean water. Photo: one of the Aquaboxes with Potsdam German Rotary member
In 2018, Needham Rotary Club partnered with Raghav Rao of Hyderabad, India and his Rotary Club (RC Jubilee Hills) to add solar panels to schools there to help provide power and light. Sadly, he recently passed away. One of his daughters lives in Needham, and the family reached out to us to propose a classroom expansion project in his honor. Currently, the elementary and high schools in Film Nagar (suburban Hyderabad) are serving a population well in excess of capacity such that students are taught for only about half of the required hours of instruction. The plan is to meet this instructional need by adding eleven classrooms and eight toilets at a total cost of $150,000. 
For Sandy Burgers, “the ability to connect” is one of the things she appreciates most about Rotary. And it shows.
On Saturday, May 20, 2023, 12,000 Rotarians from 450 clubs across five states will be doing a wide variety of local service projects in their communities. 
Please join us on Saturday, April 1 as 
Are you ready for an emergency where you need to leave your home in a hurry or shelter in place? For most of us the answer is no. Rotarians in Shrewsbury will be creating 100 emergency preparedness kits as part of a service project to benefit local veterans, senior citizens and families served by Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services and St. Anne's Human Services. 
The Westford Rotary Club in connection with author Shirley Holdman (member of the Billerica Rotary Club) and the Billerica Adventure Series has introduced the children’s book, “This is My Community,” which talks about Racial Diversity and Inclusion. It was first introduced at the Westford Remembers “International Block Party” in the Fall of 2022 and followed this Winter 2023 by donating the books for the 1st-2nd grades classrooms at Miller, Nabnasset, Abbot Elementary Schools and the Roudenbush Community Center Afterschool Program. 
Over 47,000 people have died due to the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Rescue missions continue. The Rotary Foundation Trustees decided that all donations marked Disaster Relief made from now until 31 March 2023, will go to the 
Calling all kid anglers (children who fish)! The Rotary Club of Weston & Wayland invites you to our annual Fishing Derby—a 40+ year tradition. Sunday, April 23 rd 9am-Noon at the Weston High School Pond. Bring your own gear, bait (no lures, please), and bucket. Fishing starts at 9 am sharp! Prizes are in four age categories up to age 14. FREE event, register online to attend. Rain or shine (the fish like to eat in all weather)! 
A couple of years ago when Shelby Marshall, member of the Westborough Rotary Club (WRC) and former President, was first approached about serving as the Club’s representative for the Boy Scouts she hesitated. In fact, she shook her head with a silent “no.” However, Dave Kaiser, then President of WRC, assured her that this role was a “light lift.”
Rotary District 7910's Rotary Youth Exchange Team, chaired by Milford Rotarian Jane Schroeder, has been busy letting Rotarian know that in-person exchanges are back after COVID temporarily halted them. 
Spring is on it’s Way. Visit the JV Fletcher Library Seed Catalog and check out all the veggie and flower seeds donated by the Westford Rotary Club as part of their “Garden Planting and Grow Your Own Food” Project. All seeds are FREE. People can check often, seeds are replenished as needed at the Library. Start your seeds NOW... Grow your own food and flowers. 
Roy Balfour is a cheerful giver. He doesn’t say no. He gives time, money, support, encouragement, you name it, he says yes, and he learned the power of generosity and community –– are you ready? –– at Woodstock.
The Ukrainian family Joyce Graff has been hosting has found an apartment in Lexington and is in need of some furniture and house goods. Please feel free to share this list with family and friends. We are hoping we can set them up in style after all their difficult adventures.
After a three-year pause due to COVID, the Rotary Club of Wellesley is proud to bring back its ""
"The Love Story," as told by Jessica Favreau: "Before COVID, we had a breakfast for the senior citizens in our community held at the Manor. We did this around Christmas time and had upwards to 500 seniors from our community.
After a three-year pause due to COVID, the Rotary Club of Wellesley is proud to bring back its "Taste of Wellesley" annual fundraiser to support our community.
Lowell Rotary once again participated in the annual Lowell Winterfest. The Club operates a marshmallow toasting booth (with optional s'mores) to raise money for scholarships. This year the Winterfest was 17-18 February. The Winterfest is sponsored by the City of Lowell and includes music, food, a market and other activities. In addition to raising money, the Winterfest booth is an opportunity to raise Rotary's image in the community and to provide an opportunity for members to work together to benefit the community.
Talking about climate change with others can be challenging, including starting the conversation and responding to other people’s beliefs and feelings about the climate. In this session, we will explore ways to personally connect with others to create a safe space for climate conversations, including ways to talk about our own feelings related to the climate (e.g., anxiety, grief) and listening to people with doubtful or dismissive beliefs.
Our in-person Northeast PETS is scheduled for March 10-11, 2023 at the Marriott Hotel in Newton, Massachusetts. 
Rotarians from the Rotary Clubs of Leominster and Fitchburg worked with city and school officials, and volunteers to host their annual Breakfast for the Bands (BFB) on November 20th, 2022 at Leominster High School. This event, hosted by both clubs, is in its 26th year of providing support to both band boosters and they have hit a record of $15,000 raised for 2022! Since its debut in 1995, these two clubs have raised and donated over $125,000 to both school music programs thanks to the generosity and support of local businesses and donors. 
Ashley Garcia will run the 127th Boston Marathon on April 17th, representing the Newton Rotary Foundation. She aims to raise $7,500 to fund the academic, technical and RYLA scholarships awarded to Newton High School students each spring. Ashley spoke to the club on February 7th, receiving her race jersey from President Andy Willinger and President-Elect Liz Tavares.
Katya Portnaya, president-elect of the Weston-Wayland Rotary Club, was born in St. Petersburg and emigrated to the U.S. at 11. Her husband is from Ukraine. Last February, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion into Ukraine, the pair stared at the TV in dread. “I realized you can’t just sit around and cry. It’s always better to do something,” Portnaya says.
On Saturday January 28th the Rotary Club of Concord joined with the Rotary Clubs of Bedford and Merrimack Valley to help the 
Jack Day, Director of Meals of Hope in MA (member of Chelmsford Rotary) was joined by members of 
When people are asked to describe what they picture when they hear homeless person, it’s not uncommon for responses to include descriptors such as male, dirty, disheveled, addict/drunk. But that is just one snapshot of many. There are also homeless women, children, teenagers, and families.
Over 100 fresh baked pies were distributed on Wednesday to make a happier Thanksgiving for many in Newton who are having a tough time this year, and to our first responders who are always on duty during the holidays.
The 
The Rotary Club of Bedford’s 34th annual holiday breakfast fundraiser was a SUCCESS! Our Winter Community Breakfast brought together over 300 community members- families, students, volunteers, local business owners, and even Santa and Mrs. Claus! 
Jake Rosen, a member of the Rotary Club of the Brookfields and a student of Tantasqua Regional High School played an important role in organizing and running a sneaker and shoe drive at the school. For this drive, New and used sneakers and shoes are collected to either be regifted or recycled for construction projects. To this end, the drive aims to mitigate environmental pollution by diverting shoes and sneakers from our waste stream. A pair of sneakers, if brought to a landfill, will take up to 43 years to decompose. This year, thanks to the wonderful donations brought in by all the students, teachers, and school office employees, two car trunks worth of sneakers and shoes totaling 72 pairs will go to people in need or into construction projects and not end up in a landfill or be discarded.
Join Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell as we build a new home in Concord Massachusetts at 365 Commonwealth Avenue. The groundbreaking will take place on November 30th at the site. Clubs are welcome to sign up as well as individual Rotarians. Any skill level is welcome! For more information contact 
Come celebrate the accomplishments of our District with The Rotary Foundation as we showcase our efforts for Ukraine Relief, Polio Plus, and a sampling of local and international humanitarian projects. In addition, we will honor clubs that have earned Foundation recognition for their donations in the 2021-2022 Rotary year. Our program features
Ron Bott, of Concord, passed away on October 21, 2022. A Rotarian who truly exemplified our motto of Service Above Self, Ron first joined the Rotary Club of Concord in 1997 and eventually became its president. He later helped to charter the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley and became its first president. Ron went on to serve in a number of Club and District positions, including District Membership Chair. The work that Rotary did was important to Ron, but even more important to him were the bonds that he formed with his Rotary comrades—they were truly an extension of his family. 
Learn best practices to create and submit your lifesaving disaster response grant at a workshop on Wednesday, September 14th at 10am EST. There will be presentations by RI Grant Managers, experienced grants writers nd it will include an expert panel of Rotarians. Register at 
I am honored to be your District Governor for 2022-23. It has always been a dream of mine to become a 3rd generation Rotarian. The District Installation event was a rousing success, with close to 100 Rotarians and family enjoying a wonderful evening of fellowship in The Barn at Gibbet Hill. The energy in the room was electric and was a fitting launch of our Rotary year. 
Join us on March 26 at 9:00am for District 7910's first Diversity Equity & Inclusion Summit. Rotary International’s theme for this year is “Serve to Change Lives.” Network and share ideas with other DEI stakeholders. Learn about available resources, actions you can take, and programs you can plan to change lives in your community. Attendance is free, but space is limited. Register now to secure your seat at this important event.
In December, just in time for the Holidays, Brookfields Rotary Co-President Lynn Duffy O’Shea presented holiday donation checks to the local Food Pantries in North Brookfield and Spencer. Here we see Kathy Sullivan accept a check for the Mary, Queen of the Rosary Pantry in Spencer, MA. Separately, Cecelia Daniels accepted a check on behalf of the North Brookfield First Congregational Church Pantry.
The Rotary Club of Sturbridge is delighted to bring to our community this inaugural combination of timed races and other activities:
April's "Open Doors with DG Diana" focused on growing Rotary membership. During the session, hosted by District Governor Diana Nestorova, the discussion featured a panel, including representatives from our clubs, Rotary International, and special guest moderator, Dr. Bill Wittich, PhD, (shown, right).
Bid early - and often - to benefit two worthy local causes: the 
On October 15, scores of Rotarians took part in Open Doors With DG Diana, an online session focused on community-service and youth-service projects during the COVID-19 pandemic. The presenters were District Governor Diana Nestorova, Past District Governor Karin Gaffney, who is chair of the District Service Committee, and Christine Pinney, who is chair of the District RYLA Committee. To watch the 63-minute video,
.jpg){kind=logo}
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
..jpg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpg)
Imagine having your newborn placed in a neo-natal intensive care unit. You and your family are traveling, or maybe you live nearby but can’t spend every waking hour in the hospital. How can you watch your baby’s progress and growth? If your child is in the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit of the University of Massachusetts Memorial Children’s Medical Center in Worcester you are in luck — thanks to Rotarians throughout District 7910.
We recently received an email from Camilla Vogt, the recipient of our District’s endowed Global Grant Morley scholarship. This scholarship provides funding for a year of foreign study pertaining to one or more of Rotary's Six Areas of Focus. Camilla, shown here writes "I hope your fall is going well! I can hardly believe it is almost November. My first month here has flown by. We are halfway through the academic term, and school is taking up a tremendous amount of time. I have already written three papers and have an economics test every week. I am trying my hand at rowing, which means early (and chilly!) mornings, and organizing a student speaker series at my department. Each day is rich and full, and I am loving it here so far!"
Using photography to tell a story can feel complex and challenging, but it doesn’t have to. By following a few guidelines, having a focused mindset, and applying a bit of confidence, you can take great pictures. Below are some photo tips based on recent images the author took in Nassau and Seattle, as well as some from our own district. Try these tricks, and you might be surprised what you can capture.
The Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, with support from the Sudbury History Center and the Sudbury Senior Center, hosted a Sudbury Repair Café on October 20, 2018. This free event was held at Sudbury Senior Center in Sudbury. Residents of Sudbury and surrounding towns were invited to come and find out what a Repair Café is all about.
October 24 is Rotary’s 5th annual 
.jpg)
When it comes to finding new members for his Minnesota Rotary club, Tom Gump doesn’t just walk the walk, he trots the trot: the turkey trot. Gump is a former president of the Rotary Club of Edina/Morningside, which makes boosting membership a priority. In fact, that’s the fourth item on a list of 10 tips to attract and retain members which has been prepared – and practiced – by the club. It’s tip No. 10 that finds Gump clad in a turkey suit. More on that shortly.
The 2018 Montreal Zone Conference is a unique event, and we want to invite you to be a part of it. Whether you’re an incoming District Governor, District leader, Past District Governor, or a Rotarian with an interest in becoming more engaged in Rotary….the Montreal Conference is for you! The theme “People Coming Together” fits our goal of providing you with an extraordinary and unforgettable event. This is why we're inviting everyone to be a part of the excitement!.jpg)
.jpg){kind=spacer}
Wow! Wow!! Wow!!! You guys rock!!!! 31 of our clubs applied for District Grants for the 2018-19 Rotary Year with total participation of 36 clubs. The total budget for these 31 applications is greater than $170,000.
Wow Wow Wow! 2018-2019 Presidents ROCK! 31 clubs have applied for District Grants for the 2018-19 Rotary Year with total participation of 36 clubs. Deadline for application was June 1 and the response was tremendous!
