Make sure you read all the way to the end—there's some exciting news for every club in our District!
As we close out October, Rotary's month of focus on polio eradication, I want to take a moment to reflect on something truly extraordinary: the impact that Rotarians have made in the fight to end polio.
What began as a single service project has grown into one of the greatest global public health movements in history. And it all started with Rotarians who believed they could make a difference.
In 1979, Rotary launched its first polio immunization project in the Philippines, helping vaccinate millions of children. That project demonstrated the incredible power of service and planted the seeds for something much bigger.
In 1985, Rotary launched PolioPlus, making an unprecedented commitment to protect children around the world. Three years later, Rotary became a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, joining forces with organizations including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Look at what we've accomplished together!
• Wild poliovirus cases have decreased by more than 99.9% since 1988.
• More than 3 billion children have been vaccinated through global eradication efforts.
• Two of the three types of wild poliovirus have been eradicated.
Think about that for a moment. Millions of children have been spared the devastating effects of polio because people like you and me chose to become Rotarians and live by the motto Service Above Self.
Every Rotarian should feel tremendous pride in what we've helped accomplish. But we're not finished yet. We are closer than ever to a world without polio, and we must remain committed until the job is done.
Personally, I can't wait for the day when we can celebrate the announcement that polio has finally been eradicated from the face of the Earth! What an incredible moment that will be for Rotary and for the world.
Another Two Weeks of Rotary Inspiration!
Over th
e past two weeks, I've completed five more official club visits, bringing my total to 38 Rotary Clubs and one Rotaract Club!
Every visit continues to remind me why I love Rotary. The projects, the friendships, the dedication, and the passion I see throughout our District are truly inspiring. Each club has its own personality, but we all share the same commitment to making our communities and our world better places.
I also had a wonderful time at our annual Pints for Polio fundraiser! It's always a great reminder that we can have fun, enjoy fellowship, and make a meaningful difference all at the same time.
I am absolutely thrilled to share another important milestone!
Over the past two weeks, we received the official letter from Rotary International approving our plan to create a new District by bringing together Districts 7910 and 7950!
On July 1, 2029, we will become Rotary District 7960!
This is an exciting new chapter in our Rotary journey. Imagine the possibilities when we bring together the talents, ideas, resources, and passion of even more dedicated Rotarians!
New friendships. New opportunities for collaboration. New ways to serve. And an even greater ability to make a difference.
Change brings opportunity, and I truly believe that together we will become stronger than ever. Our clubs will continue to thrive, our friendships will grow, and our ability to Create Lasting Impact will be greater than ever!
We are stronger together, and our future is bright!
Don't Miss Our District Foundation Dinner!
Don't forget that registration is open for our annual District Foundation Dinner on Wednesday, November 18!
This is a wonderful opportunity to come together, celebrate the incredible work made possible through The Rotary Foundation, recognize the generosity of Rotarians, and enjoy an evening of fellowship.
You can register on our District website at Rotary7910.org.
I hope to see you there!
And Now... Some Exciting News for Every Club!
I'm delighted to announce that our District Trustees have approved a new Public Image Grant of up to $200 for EVERY club in District 7910!
We all know the amazing work our clubs do. Now, we want to help you make sure your communities know about it, too!
Does your club need a new banner? Would professionally printed brochures help you tell your Rotary story? Is there something that would help your club stand out and showcase the incredible impact you're making?
This is your opportunity to make your club more visible than ever!
Here's how the program works:
1. Choose a public image item that will help promote your club and Rotary.
2. Have your proposed purchase pre-approved by our District Public Image Chair, PDG Johnny Ahern.
3. Purchase the approved item.
4. Complete a reimbursement form and submit it, along with your receipt, to our District Treasurer for reimbursement of up to $200.
And don't worry if you need help with the design! We're happy to help with that, too. Just reach out to Johnny or I, and we'll work with you.
Public image is about much more than banners, brochures, and logos. It's about telling our Rotary story, sharing the difference we make, inspiring others to get involved, and helping our communities understand what Rotary is all about.
We do incredible things as Rotarians. Let's make sure the world knows it!
As we move forward into this exciting new chapter, I hope you'll continue to take pride in everything we accomplish together. From our historic fight to end polio to the countless ways our clubs serve locally, we are proving every day that ordinary people, working together, can accomplish extraordinary things.
Together, we are stronger. Together, we make a difference. And together, we will continue to Create Lasting Impact!