February is here with the Midyear/PrePETS meeting on February 11 at White’s of Westport. This is required for Presidents and Presidents Elect and an opportunity for all Rotarians, new and seasoned, to share fellowship and learn more about Rotary and the Rotary Foundation.
This year’s Keynote is Rotary International Director Dean Rohrs. It’s not every day Rotarians can hear an RI Director speak, especially one who was just appointed as Rotary International Vice President Elect! Great time for her to connect with District 7950 Rotarians. I hope to see you folks there!
Please register on the district7950.com website.
District 7950 Multi District Conference April 28-30 Register early, Ala Carte registration is now available!
Rotary Youth Exchange, What is it?
Two Rotary exchange programs are available for youth aged 15 ½ to 18 years, one for a year abroad and a second for two to four weeks during the summer break. Both are opportunities for students to learn a new culture, a new language and to grow.
The summer program is a family to family exchange. Rotary pairs the student with a like student in another country of the student’s choice as available. The cost of transportation is covered by the family. The student from this country visits with a student from another county, and then that student returns to visit our area with the local student.
Long term exchange is for ten to eleven months, with the outgoing student attending school in the host country. The student becomes involved in the family and cultural life of that country.
Here in the United States, the sponsoring Rotary club would be hosting an inbound student for the year. If the Rotary club does have members interested in hosting, that would always be welcome.
Prior exchange students describe the experience as life changing, an opportunity to experience new things, new ideas, to learn life skills and to gain new friends worldwide.
-- Jill Albright, Yarmouth Rotary Club
The Rotary Foundation #3 in top 10 charities
CNBC has ranked The Rotary Foundation No. 3 in its annual list of Top 10 Charities Changing the World in 2016. The list includes some of the largest and highest-rated charities that help women, children, the poor, and the environment throughout the world, according to Charity Navigator. They also maintain high standards of financial health, accountability, and transparency of reporting.
The Rotary Foundation was noted for connecting 1.2 million members from more than 200 geographic areas to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges, including projects that focus on disease prevention, water and sanitation, and maternal and child health.
Ok, so, this is how it all happened.....
As I relaxed on a Cape Cod beach one day last summer, a notice popped up on my phone from Rotary International that on the weekend of October 23, 2016, the Cleveland Symphony would be collaborating with the Cleveland Rotary Club in presenting a private concert and dinner to celebrate The Rotary Foundation Centennial.
In the letter, all Rotary clubs were urged to make an effort to bring the Centennial Celebration to the attention of the public in their area.
Immediately, I thought my assignment must be to bring together Brockton Symphony and Brockton Rotary since I am on the boards of both organizations.
With 4% power left on my phone (on the beach!), I checked the Brockton Symphony's first concert date of the season, and unbelievably, it was the same October 23 date as the Cleveland concert!
So, excitedly, I wrote an email to the Brockton Rotary president and the Brockton Symphony president suggesting we collaborate in some way at each of the 4 symphony concerts of the season. Then my phone died. But the first step of my mission was accomplished!
All were happy to participate. So, at the first concert, on October 23rd, we put up the Rotary Banner in the venue entrance and had a full sheet cake cutting ceremony following the concert. The Brockton Rotary immediate Past President, Brent Warren, cut the cake.
On January 29 District Governor Russell Bertrand his wife Karen and granddaughter Kayla attend a concert and accepted a citation from the Brockton Mayor in recognition of the collaboration between the Brockton Symphony and the Brockton Rotary Club.Amy Korim, Brockton Rotary Club
(Oh by the way, Amy can sure play the piano and synthesizer! WOW! Great job Amy! –Russell)
Help bring clean water to a school in Ghana
Warwick Rotarian Betsy Benoit is looking for five or more Rotarians to visit Ghana April 21-29 and take part in a WASH project to bring clean water to a school in the Have-Fiakpokope community. It’s Betsy’s sixth trip to Ghana in association with a non-profit called Adanu and the Rotary club of Ho in Ghana. Construction work is light and no experience is necessary.
For more information, itinerary and pricing, go to Adanu’s website at www.adanu.org/go or better yet, email Betsy directly at betsy@adanul.org
South Shore Council
The South Shore Council of Rotary Clubs of MA was established in 1942 to share ideas and club events, network with members from other clubs, build partnerships with other clubs for projects, and fellowship. The signature event for the South Shore Council has been the annual President's Night held in May to celebrate the incoming club presidents.
The officers for 2016-2017 are: Juan Barrera (Randolph/Avon/Canton) , Chairperson; Stephen Savrann (Sharon), Vice Chair; Stephen Ingle (Tri-Town), Treasurer; and Kim Anderson (Rockland-Hanson), Secretary. The Council meets the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM at their new meeting location, the Hearth 'n Kettle Restaurant in Weymouth.
--Kimberly Anderson
Osterville Foundation Centennial Celebration
Karen and I had the honor to attend the Osterville Rotary Club’s Foundation 100th Anniversary dinner last week. To me, the highlight of the evening was when Osterville Rotary President Jeff Ayotte unveiled the museum quality restoration of the 40 year old original Osterville Rotary Charter. Jeff has every right to be proud and happy with his vision to have the artifact restored.
There was an unscheduled and truly inspiring part of the evening when a young man came from behind the bar and asked to speak. He said he was from Turkey and went to college on his hometown Rotary Club scholarship. He wanted to thank the group for being Rotarians and the good work he knew the Osterville Rotary Club was doing. I asked Jeff to get that man an application in the next week!
20 Reasons to Join Rotary: 11-15
11. Entertainment: Every Rotary club and district has parties and activities that provide diversion in one’s business life. Rotary holds conferences, conventions, assemblies, and institutes that provide entertainment in addition to Rotary information, education, and service.
12. The Development of Social Skills: Every week and at various events and functions, Rotary develops one’s personality, social skills and people skills. Rotary is for people who like people.
13. Family Programs: Rotary provides one of the world’s largest youth exchange programs; high school and college clubs for future Rotarians; opportunities for spouse involvement; and a host of activities designed to help family members in growth and the development of family values.
14. Vocational Skills: Every Rotarian is expected to take part in the growth and development of his or her own profession or vocation; to serve on committees and to teach youth about one’s job or vocation. Rotary helps to make one a better doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc.
15. The Development of Ethics: Rotarians practice a 4-Way Test that governs one’s ethical standards. Rotarians are expected to be ethical in business and personal relationships.
2016-2017 Presidential Citation
New Generations
Rotaract or Interact clubs that your club sponsors must be certified with Rotary International. To insure that your status as a sponsor or co-sponsor is recorded, club presidents may confirm RI's records in the Club Sponsored Organizations report in Rotary Club Central. Contact rotaract@rotary.org or interact@rotary.org to report any errors.
Complete at least three of the following:
- Sponsor or co-sponsor a Rotaract club.
- Sponsor or co-sponsor a community-based Rotaract club.
- Sponsor or co-sponsor an Interact club.
- Have at least one club member mentor a Rotaractor or Interactor. (Report in Rotary Club Central.)
- Involve Rotaract or Interact members in club projects and events. (Report in Rotary Club Central.)
- Sponsor or host at least one Rotary Youth Exchange student. (Report in Rotary Club Central.)
- Sponsor a participant in a Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) event. (Report in Rotary Club Central.)
A few words from DGE Steve Certa
I just returned from San Diego where my wife, Paula, and I attended the International Assembly for 6 fabulous days. 550 District Governors Elect and their partners, representing 79 countries from 6 continents, convened with Rotary International leadership to discuss the upcoming year and to prepare for what is ahead. To be in the company of, and interact with, Rotarians from all over the world is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was inspiring, informational and just plain awesome.
The gentleman sitting next to me just happened to be Jonathan Majiyagbe, from Nigeria. He just happened to be the RI President the same year I was the Weymouth President. How cool!! Our new Rotary International President, Ian Reisling, unveiled Rotary: Making a Difference as our new theme for 2017-18. I can't wait to help you all make it a great year!
