I greet you with high hopes that the year we now enter brings with it expanded opportunities to demonstrate our heartfelt desire to be of service to those in our midst.
Over the past several months I have had a busy time visiting clubs across the district.
Never did I imagine I would be so moved by the continual demonstration of selfless service offered by Rotarians. Humbling is but one way to express my amazement as I witnessed the quality and quantity of acts of service extended. Uplifting the possibilities of children and youth, enriching the lives of families who face uncertainty, honoring veterans and their families, ensuring the reality of food insecurity in our society is not forgotten, creating platforms for collaboration with like-minded organizations, advocating for those who have fallen on difficult economic times, disaster relief locally and abroad, promoting awareness about the environment, confronting trafficking and substance abuse and slavery with solutions for change, elevating the status of women with striking initiatives, promoting social justice in word and deed, reinforcing Rotary values at every turn – these are only a few of the many inroads our Rotarians are making.
How amazing you are! It is a huge privilege to be associated with you.
Together, we look ahead facing both uncertainty and promise. The global conditions which impose themselves upon us are frustrating. Yet, at the same time, they have given new and innovative ways to engage with one another and to enhance our commitment regardless of the impediments before us. And yes, we are succeeding!
The future of Rotary must be secured in its pattern of contributing to the betterment of humanity. This begins and ends with each of us working together. The qualities we as Rotarians embrace create opportunities for us to be better than we could be otherwise.
Our vision of the future is inclusive and builds unity among and between all people. Through selfless service, our hearts bond and together we focus on high-minded horizons.
Your efforts are ably led by your Club Presidents who are by any measure impressive and caring and determined to serve you with hearts filled with enthusiasm. Your Assistant Governors too are ever available to inspire and assist. They cheer your every effort and bear witness to your many successes. And the District Committees along with the District Leadership Team are waiting with resources aplenty to add to your arsenal of capacity. You need only to ask for their help.
We all champion your well-worn path of service and yearn to assist you in moving forward as you strive to expand your ranks, contribute to the Rotary Foundation and place you own personal imprint as an active Rotarian who serves.
I thank you one and all, for each and every effort made, large or small, making Rotary a force of good in the world.
As of January 1st, the Foundation Committee has reviewed and approved grants totaling $21,681 to District 7950 clubs. With $57,889 budgeted, and a $1,000 contingency, that leaves $35,208 still to be awarded. The Committee's Goal is to award and distribute ALL of the funds budgeted this year.
To the 40 clubs who have not yet applied for a District grant, PLEASE consider completing a District Grant application and “Serve to Change Lives”. These funds are designed to be used by clubs; please take advantage of this opportunity!
Steve Certa, Foundation Chair, says "We're here to help you with the application process. If you have any issues, please contact us." Steve can be reached at scerta@comcast.net.
If the Foundation Committee doesn't hear back from clubs who haven't applied by January 28,2022, it will open the grant eligibility back to clubs that already have a grant awarded this Rotary year.
IRS Approves District 501(c)3 status
We're delighted to announce that the IRS has accepted our application for 501(c)3 tax exempt status! All Rotary Clubs of District 7950 in good standing are members of the Foundation. The newly formed Board of Directors will be meeting in January to develop guidance as to how clubs can successfully interact with the Foundation. That guidance, along with information regarding our Foundation such as by-laws, official documents, etc., will be available soon on the District website. will soon be available on the Foundation page. I wish to recognize and express my sincere gratitude to the members of the Rotary District 7950 Foundation, Inc. Steering Committee who worked so hard to make this vision a reality! Rotarians are The Best!!
Charlene J. Jarest, IPDG 2020-2021
Rotary Club of Fall River
Upcoming District Events
Join fellow Rotarians at 7pm on February 11th for our annual Bruins Night at the Dunk in Providence. Tickets are just $20 each, and are available at www.providencerotary.com/rotary. $5 from each ticket sale will go to Rotary International's End Polio Now program. Can't attend? Purchase tickets and Providence Rotary will distribute them to local kids. For more information, contact Matt Long at 401-680-4753 long@pseagency.com.
Introducing "Wednesday Conversations"
This month District 7950 is introducing a new opportunity for club members to participate in focused discussions with Rotarians who currently work in or have worked in specific professions. There will also be occasions for those Rotarians to discuss specific areas of service. These "Wednesday Conversations" will be opportunities to explore ways our clubs can assist and expand our influence through active service.
Please be on the lookout for invitations to participate which will arrive by email. When you register for the conversation you'll receive a link to join in an online forum. Once they occur those involved may choose to continue meeting at times convenient for them.
We look forward to fruitful conversations blossoming into new and creative initiatives across the district!
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