NOVEMBER IS FOUNDATION MONTH!
The Rotary Foundation is what separates us from other service minded organizations. Our foundation allows us to band together and, as Arch Klumph said “do good in the world.”
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Rotarians all over the world, The Rotary Foundation has become one of the world’s leading humanitarian foundations. From the initial $26.50 raised to more than one billion dollars currently, our Foundation participates and supports worthy projects all over the world.
I am proud to say that District 7950 Rotarians are firmly on the side of that tradition. As you all know, the origin of the Million Dollar Meal concept began in 1959, at our own Stoughton club. It has gone on to be a part of a part of Rotary International fundraising for the Rotary Foundation. Yes, our district has lots to celebrate…
FOUNDATION CELEBRATION
Join us, via Zoom, as we celebrate the generosity of Rotary Clubs and major donors throughout the district on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. Our keynote speaker will be Brenda Cressey, Rotary Foundation Trustee. It promises to be an exciting event!
THINKING ABOUT YOUR LEGACY?
THINK ABOUT THE ROTARY FOUNDATION!
This article by Marilyn Bedell, Zone 32 Endowment/Major Gifts Adviser, may inspire you toward some very satisfying decisions.
HELP WANTED I:
EXPLORE A DISTRICT 501(c)(3)
Many Rotary districts have separate 501(c)(3) organizations that allow them certain advantages as they conduct district business. Our district is exploring this option under the leadership of Falmouth Rotarian Bob Mascali.
We are looking for a few people with relevant expertise to join this task force – possibly a lawyer and/or accountant with non-profit experience. If you’d like to step up for this important task, please contact me - DG Charlene at
cjarest@comcast.net. Thank you!
HELP WANTED II:
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Sustaining the Environment has become Rotary's Seventh Area of Focus! Lillian Woo Chairs our Environmental Sustainability Committee. If you have an interest in the environment and would like to join Rotarian Lillian in developing this work on a district level, please email her
at
lwoo@earthlink.net. Here she shares a project that her home club is doing (and is easily reproducible):
"Our Hyannis Club has created a leaflet about bees and butterflies. The leaflet together with packets of flowers that attract bees and butterflies will be distributed. Our pilot project will be 1,000. If it is well received, we may expand it to other clubs in our district. Our club also is working with the Cape Cod Commission's Climate Change Initiative to develop environmental plans for natural resources, energy, and transportation.”
LAKE CHARLES POP-UP FUNDRAISER
Our very generous District 7950 has sent checks totaling $7,754.00 to the Lake Charles Rotary Club for aid in that hurricane-ravaged Louisiana community! Assistant Governor Joel Kopke and president Bob McMakin of the Plymouth Sunrise club originated this project through their desire to help an area afflicted by disaster. Here in Southern New England, we can relate to the destructive power of hurricanes, so it was a natural for us. A sincere “Thank You!” to everyone who was able to participate.
DISTRICT CONFERENCE SURVEY – YOUR HELP NEEDED!
It's not too early to begin thinking about the 2021 Multi-District Conference! The event is planned for April 30-May 2, 2021. The committee is aiming to make a decision on whether this event will be held in person, virtually or through a hybrid version of in-person and virtual. If you are planning on attending, please let us know your opinion on the desired format for the conference by taking a
short survey here. The deadline to take this survey is November 20, 2020. We appreciate your feedback and guidance!
YOUTH EXCHANGE PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR
By Jill Albright, D7950 Youth Exchange Chair
Although the 2020 youth exchange year has been cancelled, our hopes are alive for the 2021-2022 year. Two programs are being planned, both a Short Term and a Long-Term.
- Short Term is great for the student who wants an exchange experience but doesn’t want to commit to a full school year abroad. Short Term is a family to family experience where Rotary matches you with a similar aged student in a country you would like to visit. That student would then come to your home for their exchange. With this program, there is no cost to the sponsoring club and the program takes place during the summer.
- Long-Term exchange is for the student who wants the experience of a school year abroad in another country. The student would go to school in the country, becoming totally immersed in the language and live with two or more host families, varying the type of experience they may have. There is a monetary commitment for the clubs as well as the need for Rotarians to be involved.
VIBRANT CLUB WORKSHOPS:
WATCH THE VIDEOS!
Did you miss the Vibrant Club Workshops held on Zoom last month? You can still catch up with the inspirational and educational presentations by our three dynamic speakers: Don Wilson on Becoming a Change Agent, Stephanie Urchick on What’s Important to the Foundation, and Amy Luckiewicz on Building Your Club’s Public Image. Links to all three videos are on the home page of the district website:
www.Rotary7950.com
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Also at
www.Rotary7950.com you’ll find a new section called Around the District featuring news and photos of service projects and special events put on by our clubs.
This month's stories include:
- Rotaract is growing at URI
- Outdoor learning in Falmouth
- Metro Providence riverside cleanup
- Polio Plus Day in 7950
- Chatham Haloween Crawl
- Food Drive in east Providence/Seekonk
- Martha's Vineyard Crop Walk
- if you see a story about your club, give yourself a pat on the back;
- if you see a great idea from another club, think about how it might work for yours.
And if you have a story that you’d like to share across the district, send it to Public Image chair
Art Norwalk.
Stay well and Happy Thanksgiving!
Charlene
