SPRING!! I can feel it/smell it/breathe it! And – it’s Glorious!!
April is Maternal and Child Health Month
Over this past year, our clubs have applied for and received many Health/Covid-related District Grants. The vast majority are related to food insecurity, a big problem throughout the district and traditionally affects mothers and children disproportionately. The work that we all do with our local food pantries supports our efforts to bolster Maternal and Child Health right here at home. I am so proud that we have responded to this need, at this time. And I am proud that we will continue.
However, elsewhere in the world. . . a Global grant for funding to provide resources for water and sanitation to two schools in Hyderabad, India, proposed by the Rotary Club of Yarmouth and the Rotary Club of Hyderabad, has been approved by Rotary International!! This grant will have an incredible impact on the health and well-being of the children in these schools, their families and their community. Congratulations to everyone involved in this grant! By joining together, we can make lasting change in the world.
A reminder . . .
Certification and a signed club Memorandum of Understanding is required to participate in the District Grant Program. This is a Rotary International requirement. Districts also have to be certified – and we are. Here is the final Grant training for this Rotary year:
Topic: Final Foundation Grant Qualification Webinar
Time: Apr 22, 2021 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 879 5315 7008
Passcode: 675803
Dial in # 929 436 2866
And, another friendly reminder – the District Grant application period begins on June 1. It’s not too early to consider local community needs that could benefit from your club’s attention. Many Rotary clubs have members who work in the not-for-profit arena and are very much attuned to the local community. Seek them out for guidance, if you have not done so already.
Rotary Peace Fellow Application Invitation
Way back in February, we talked about the Rotary Peace Fellows program. We alert you, now, to the deadline for application, which is
May 15. This is a fully funded Masters degree level, professional development certificate program. Our own Peace Fellow, Fran Jeffries, of the Bridgewaters Club, is happy to answer whatever questions you may have regarding this incredible opportunity. Her phone is 508-241-6643, email
francesjeffries@gmail.com.
District Conference!!
There will be many Opportunities presented at the District Conference to expand our understanding of our fine organization – and have some terrific socially distanced fun!! Do not miss out! Registration is open. Simply
click this link to go to the Registration Page. As you know, we will be joined by our friends from District 7890 in northern Connecticut and western Massachusetts. Planning for this event has been going on since the beginning of the Rotary Year. An incredible combined committee from both districts has designed a fabulous experience for all of us to enjoy – from the comfort of our own homes! I, for one, am looking forward to it!
Awards Night/Business Meeting/Memorial Tribute – date change
The Awards Night/Business Meeting/Memorial Service (or “District Conference, Part Two”) has had a change of date. The event will take place on May 27, 2021, starting at 6:30 pm. The change in date was necessitated by the need to allow district Rotarians the required 45 days to review the updated District 7950 Policies and Guidelines Manual. The manual, which will take effect on July 1, 2021, reflects the changes mandated by the 2019 Rotary International Council on Legislation. District Rotarians will be voting on the acceptance of the new manual at the Business Meeting portion of the evening. Thank you to PDG Russell Bertrand and his committee for all their hard work in aligning our policies and procedures with Rotary International.
District Assembly
This year’s District Assembly will occur on Tuesday, May 4, at 6:30 p.m. The District Assembly is a convening of the next year’s club presidents, secretaries and treasurers, providing an opportunity for these incoming officers to meet with their District Counterparts. The 2021-22 club presidents will meet with Incoming District Governor Billy Roberts; the secretaries will meet with District Secretary Harvey Trieff; and the Treasurers will meet with District Treasurer Roger Cabral. Best wishes for the incoming team!!
Around the District. . .
Rotarians around 7950 are getting really creative with service projects; for example, these new additions to the Around the District section on our website:
The first is a pollinator seed packet project from the Hyannis club. The club’s environmental sustainability committee decided to undertake a modest, but achievable, project to increase awareness of biodiversity. They created a flyer about saving bees, birds, and butterflies and ordered 1,000 pollinator seed packets. They contacted all the garden clubs on the Cape and offered to share the packets. The response was immediate and enthusiastic. The demand was greater than the supply! Already, other district clubs have expressed interest in duplicating this project!
Building desks to help Hyannis school children learn at home.
Fall River Rotarians performing Random Acts of Kindness to help local folks deal with life setbacks.
Providence Rotarians donating $65,000 to support literacy education in the city's troubled schools.
News From Rotary Youth Exchange
Jill Albright, Youth Exchange Chair
Due to the current pandemic world situation, Rotary International has suspended in-person youth exchange for the 2021-2022 year. However, ESSEX is introducing a new pilot program – the Virtual Exchange Program. This program will keep Rotary Clubs involved in Youth Exchange and possibly interest students in doing an actual in-person exchange in the future.
High school students between the age of 15 and 18 are welcome to apply. The application can be obtained with a simple email to me,
jill.albright91@gmail.com. The application will also include Rules & Conditions of Exchange. The exchange would take place in the months of June, July and August.
The hope is to enhance cross-cultural experiences and to fuel curiosity for new ones. The program will also keep the Rotary Youth Exchange program active in clubs. There will be supervision by Rotarians and other vetted adults, as well as an orientation for students and volunteers. The exchange will also include a service project with either a local Rotary Club and/or service organization such as a Food Pantry. The hope is to grow Youth Exchange in District 7950 as well as providing an opportunity for students to experience an exchange.
What Rotarians do
This continues to be an extraordinary year. Although there have been many challenges, our Rotarians find a way to make things better. It is all part of living a meaningful life.
Love to all.
Charlene
Governor 2020/2021
Rotary District 7950
