The Rotarians of District 7950 are joining clubs from five states and two countries in giving back to their communities on Saturday, May 20 in a record-breaking Rotary Day of Service. More than 12,000 Rotarians and other volunteers will take part in collecting clothes, refurbishing parks, building shelters and many more worthwhile projects. Is your club ready to take part in this community-building and public image-enhancing Day of Service? Click Read More to get the tools and information you'll need.
District Rotarians gathered online recently to celebrate the clubs with strong giving records and members achieving Major Donor status in the last year. Check out the video of the event, introduced by PDG Steve Certa HERE.
Did you miss any of the Vibrant Club Workshops organized by DG Charlene Jarest in October? It's not too late to enjoy and benefit from presentations by three dynamic speakers: click below to watch recordings of their Zoom sessions:
The Million Mask Challenge Tour delivered 140,000 protective masks to 7950 on Wednesday, Oct. 7, with stops in Westport and Providence. Rotarians from all parts of the district have now begun distributing them to first responders and essential workers in their communities. District Governor Charlene Jarest offered thanks to the benefactor and organizers: "Thank you to Ted Rossi, The Rossi Foundation, Jack Solomon PDG, Bob Friend and all of the Rotarians involved in this wonderful gift! All of the recipients of the masks will be in a safer place because of this. Thank you, again!!"
John Hewko, General Secretary and CEO of Rotary International, joined PDGs Dave Clifton and Val Perry on the district's long-running radio show "Service Matters" in August. Click here to listen (starting at 3 minutes, 20 seconds in) as he reviews Rotary's response to the Covid pandemic, changes to Rotaract and more, with a guest appearance by DG Charlene Jarest.
It's been a while since the district website got its last new look and the leadership team decided it was time to freshen up the design and reorganize the content. What you see here is aimed at making it easier:
for Rotarians and club leaders to find important information
for non-Rotarian visitors to feel welcome and find their way to a club they'd like to join.
Charlene J. Jarest, an Attleboro resident and 29-year member of the Fall River Rotary Club, has been installed as the fifth woman District Governor to head the leadership team for District 7950, the 65 Rotary clubs of Southeast Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Other district officers were also installed at the online ceremony held Friday, June 26.
Following the district installation, Charlene's home club in Fall River held its installation in the same online gathering. The Fall River club is marking its 100th anniversary this year.
“My mission for the coming year is to move forward from the Covid-19 crisis by helping all our clubs develop new ways to advance Rotary’s mission of Service Above Self,” said Jarest. “I want us to be stronger and more effective in addressing the problems in our communities and around the world, and more appealing to like-minded people who want to effect positive change by becoming Rotarians.”
Jarest was the second woman to serve as president of the Fall River Rotary Club and the first woman to hold that title twice. She has served as an assistant district governor.
She has been very active in the Greater Fall River and New Bedford communities, holding leadership positions in such organizations as the United Way, Greater New Bedford & Fall River Chambers of Commerce, People Inc., Fall River Committee to Employ Persons with disAbilities, Leadership SouthCoast Steering Committee, and UMASS Dartmouth Management Advisory Board.
Charlene and her husband, Jake, have two daughters and four grandchildren.
DG Charlene Jarest, other officers, installed on June 26
To protect the health of all Rotarians, their loved ones and the community as a whole, the planning committee has reluctantly decided to cancel the District Conference scheduled for May 1-3 at the Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis. While regrettable, this was the only responsible decision we could make given the concerns and restrictions put forth by public health officials and government leaders in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Washington.
All registration fees paid up to this point will be refunded in full. If you have made room reservations, please be sure to cancel them by calling the resort before April 15 to avoid fees.
The committee has secured the dates of April 30-May 2, 2021 for our next District Conference -- also at the Cape Codder -- and they will be working to make it as useful and enjoyable as this year's was going to be. We hope you'll plan to attend.
In the meantime, please follow the advice of health officials to reduce the risk of getting the virus or infecting others. And take some time to stay in touch with Rotarians and other friends, especially seniors and those living alone.
The annual Rotary District 7950 Foundation Dinner will be held Thursday, November 14, 2019. Come celebrate the great works of our foundation in a night of good food, great fellowship, and hear our inspirational speaker Michael McGovern PRIVP whom is the Rotary International Polio Plus Chairman.
District Chair for Opiate Prevention and SUD, Mary Graham-Louise, spoke to the Falmouth Rotary Club last month. Introducing the District initiative, Mary outlined ways that the club could start a project and keep conversations going in the community around opioid use and abuse. Previously, Falmouth has been active in engaging the High School in forum discussing opioids proactively. It is this kind of work, in our communities, that are making a difference!
The Weymouth Rotary Club gathered on November 19th for an unforgettable dinner meeting! The club hosted Cory's Cause, the story of a courageous young man who has overcome adversity and substance use to advocacy,
District 7950 RYLA is a life changing leadership program where tomorrow's leaders gain hands-on experience developing leadership skills with a focus on community service. This three day event is open to high school sophomores and juniors. RYLA provides lasting opportunities for RYLA alumni to continue on putting their leadership skills into action developing future RYLA programs and community projects.
In response to the many inquiries I have received for information, you may donate to DISASTER AID USA, a Rotary-sponsored organization that urgently needs supplies for victims of Hurricane Harvey.
Donations are needed and can be made by check mailed to - Disaster Aid USA, 9817 Lanham Severn Road, Lanham, MD 20706 or by visiting their website - www.disasteraidusa.organd clicking-on the Pay Pal button.
Disaster Aid USA is a Rotary Project put in place to aid in disasters in the USA and outside the USA (Globally). A plea has come from Rotarians in TX and LA:
Larry Agee, Executive Director, Disaster Aid USA
Bob Grill, a PDG, Chair of DA USA, BOD Disaster Aid International member
Rotarian Volunteer Wayne Baumier, known to many Rotarians in D7950, is directing the volunteer effort through VOAD, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, of which DA USA is a part. Photos from Wayne will be posted on the District Web site soon in a photo album titled, Hurricane Harvey.
Money is needed for pumps, pressure washers, etc. The ‘silt’ from the water is very damaging – so the pumps need to pump the water out and the power washers are needed to help clean. Some areas are losing electricity, so generators are needed along with the fuel for them. Any money raised for Harvey will be spent on Harvey relief only, as always with DAUSA.
Our own two local Rotarians, AG Joe Fillion and AG Ed McDonough are involved in Disaster & Response Relief.
Wayne is helping to direct these efforts. If you watch the news, much of the relief is coming from VOAD Volunteers like Wayne.
The Council on Legislation met earlier this year and passed several changes to the ways Rotary Clubs and Districts can conduct their business. You can view these changes by clicking on the Club Resources / Forms & Downloads menu.
The District Conference is a celebration of the successes you and your clubs have achieved during this past Rotary year. This year the conference will be held at the Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club in Brewster, Massachusetts. The resort is located on the ocean and all of the hotel accommodations are condos with a bedroom, living room with a pull out couch, kitchen and laundry facilities.
The resort is all set for us to enjoy the beautiful ocean breezes and spectacular sunsets April 8th t0 April 10th, 2016. Enjoy the "Be A Gift To The World" golf tournament on Friday April 8th (click here for more info). Bring your families and enjoy the indoor pool, Cape Cod Bike trail and walks on the beach. Come for the entire conference or choose one or more of the meal plenary sessions. There is no cost to attend the sessions being held at the conference center located in the carriage house.
Only those individuals with tickets to the breakfast and dinners will be allowed to enter the Mansion ballroom plenary sessions.
I am pleased to announce that we will be having several renowned speakers at the plenary sessions during the conference.
Retired New England Patriot, Pete Brock will open the conference on Friday, April 8th with his inspirational speech, “One Play at a Time.”
Saturday mornings breakfast plenary speakers will be two of the six recent recipients of the Rotary Global Women of Action Award, Raja Jan and Dr. Deborah Walters.
Raja Jan - Founder of Zabuli Educaton Center, Humanitarian and CNN Top 10 Hero has worked to build connections between Afghans and Americans while improving the lives of young women and girls in Afghanistan.
Dr. Deborah Walters, Safe Passage Kids. retired scientist from Maine, kayaked 1,500 miles from Maine to Guatemala to draw attention to the plight of about 600 children who live in a garbage dump community in Guatemala City.
Our Saturday sessions will include a program for members of all our New Generation programs as well ad RYLA alumni. This will be a way for fellow interactors and rotaractors from across the district to connect or reconnect. Please complete the New Generations Form here.
New Rotarians and seasoned Rotarians will enjoy sessions that address current concerns of our communities such as the heroin epidemic
in our towns and the sharing of club projects and fundraisers that clubs may wish to add to their club programs. Dr. Frances Jeffries, professor
at Bridgewater State College and a 2016 Peace Scholar will speak about the program she just completed at the Rotary Peace Center in Thailand.
This year all hotel reservations must be made directly through the Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club’s reservation center by calling 1-508-896-9000. Mention District 7950 Conference to receive the special rate of $146.00 including tax. All accommodations are located in the village villa’s near the golf course. A shuttle will be provided to and form the conference center which is located in the carriage house.
Special activities throughout the weekend are being planned. On Friday prior to the start to the start of the conference by Lori DiPersio, There will be a silent auction and the return of the balloon raffle where you can win tickets to see the Red Sox or Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
I hope you will all join us for this wonderful conference. You can register on-line by clicking here. To download print applications for the conference and House of friendship click here.
Mark your calendars! Thursday, November 13, 2014 is the night of Rotary District 7950's Paul Harris Foundation Dinner. Come join your Rotary family as we celebrate what "our" foundation is doing throughout the world. This is your opportunity to come meet and hear Anne Matthews. Anne served as Rotary International Vice President 2013-2014, the first woman to serve in this important role. She is also the first woman to serve on both the Rotary Foundation Trustees and the RI Board of Directors.
We are writing to ask for your Rotary District, Club and personal support for the great challenges facing Albertans in District 5360 as a result of the recent Flood Disaster. We appreciate the opportunity to give an update on the situation and to provide information on our efforts to source financial support for the task of rebuilding lives and communities that lies ahead for the affected communities.
Rotary World Peace Fellows are
leaders promoting national and international cooperation, peace, and the
successful resolution of conflict throughout their lives, in their careers,
Polio is almost completely eradicated, but as Bruce Aylward says: Almost isn't good enough with a disease this terrifying. Aylward lays out the plan to continue the scientific miracle that ended polio in most of the world... and to snuff it out everywhere, forever.
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. http://www.ted.com
- Does your club need help with starting a service project? Complete theHow to Start a Service Projecte-learning module to learn how to conduct a needs assessment, find resources, and choose your project. Other helpful modules for club members can be found in theRotary E-Learning Center.
District Chair for Opiate Prevention and SUD, Mary Graham-Louise, spoke to the Falmouth Rotary Club last month. Introducing the District initiative, Mary outlined ways that the club could start a project and keep conversations going in the community around opioid use and abuse. Previously, Falmouth has been active in engaging the High School in forum discussing opioids proactively. It is this kind of work, in our communities, that are making a difference!
Raja Jan - Founder of Zabuli Educaton Center, Humanitarian and CNN Top 10 Hero has worked to build connections between Afghans and Americans while improving the lives of young women and girls in Afghanistan.
Dr. Deborah Walters, Safe Passage Kids. retired scientist from Maine, kayaked 1,500 miles from Maine to Guatemala to draw attention to the plight of about 600 children who live in a garbage dump community in Guatemala City.
