If it is time for you to start taking distributions from your 401K, Traditional IRA or Sep IRA you can do so tax free! It is called a QCD (Qualified Charitable Distribution). Send payment straight from your retirement account to a qualified charity (like The Rotary Foundation) and you will not pay taxes on the distribution. You do not have to itemize to take advantage of this. And once you are 73, you have to take a distribution. Support the Foundation and see great things happen in our district and the world.
The Rotary Club of Bedford gathered on May 5 to celebrate one of its own in a memorable meeting that drew a distinguished group of visiting dignitaries, including District Governor Johnny Ahern, District Governor Elect Penny Hamel, and Past District Governor Joyce Graff. The occasion: honoring Past District Governor Ralph Hammond with not one but two Rotary International awards — the Avenues of Service Award and the Service Above Self Award.
Experience a people-to-people tour of Ghana-Togo-Benin with in-country guides/hosts. Meet, eat and sleep (over :-) a night with Ghanaian Rotarians. Connect with a school community in remote Ghana. Learn more Sunday, 5/17, 4:30 pm in Ayer, at a pre-trip meeting. (Zoom available.)
Co-led by Susan Tordella, president elect of Littleton Rotary, she co-founded Learning Up in 2022 to to benefit a school offers alternatives to child labor. Co-led by Sos Zinsouply of USA-Togo-Benin. Limited to 12, a few spaces are open for the 8/28-9/13 trip. Contact susan.tordella@gmail.com, 978-846-2811.
Celebrate Father’s Day weekend with the Natick Rotary Club at the 23rd Annual Tour de Natick on Sunday, June 21st! This family-friendly community event features a fun 6-mile Family Fun Ride through Natick and supports Rotary’s charitable initiatives benefiting local and global communities. Riders of all ages are invited to enjoy a festive morning of cycling, music, refreshments, and community spirit. Early bird pricing is available through May 31st. Learn more and register at the Tour de Natick registration
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oin Charles River Rotary Club as we celebrate our 13th Annual Scoopapalooza All You Can Eat Ice Cream Fundraiser on Natick Common Saturday June 27 from 11:30 to 3pm. Tickets are $8. Enjoy many Hood Ice Cream flavors, flavored syrup and sprinkles toppings and Richie’s Italian Ice. Scoopapalooza raises significant funds for Charles River Rotary’s philanthropic efforts, including scholarships for high school seniors, Natick Service Council, a dance for young adults with special needs, RYLA, local veterans and many local nonprofits. If you’d like to volunteer, please contact crrclub.org.
The Franklin Rotary Club & New England Chapel are “Gearing Up” for their 10th Annual Car Show, slated for October 3, 2026, from 9:30 AM – 1PM, located at the New England Chapel, 300 Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038. Registration is $20 per car, and entry is FREE to spectators. This car show welcomes vehicles of all types; Antique, Muscle, Classic, Custom, Motorcycles and out of the norm new cars! Trophies will be awarded at 12:30pm. The Rotary Club Car Show has now become a staple of the Franklin Community, and we are proud to offer this event to all.
The Rotary Club of Franklin is looking for vendors (by July 10) and helpers for the 51st Annual Tri-County Regional Craft Fair in Franklin on November 14, 2026.
The Rotaract Club of Boston University has continued to grow throughout the 2025–2026 school year, strengthening leadership and expanding its impact across campus and the Boston community. Guided by our pillars of community service, professional development, and club unity, we have prioritized meaningful outreach and strengthened personal connections within the Rotary community. We are so grateful for the opportunity to create lasting impact and learn from those around us. Please feel free to reach out to rotaract@bu.edu or check out our website and social media!
The Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club recently gathered at Blue Hills Regional Technical School in Canton to continue its proud tradition of championing local youth. The ceremony was a celebration of student achievement and a meaningful tribute to the lasting impact of community service.
President Bob Blood led the presentation, highlighting the Club’s dedication to providing both recognition and resources to students as they prepare to enter the professional workforce or pursue higher education.
Got something that needs fixing or mending? Don't throw it away. Bring it to the Repair Café
… Vacuum cleaners, lamps, jewelry, clothing, bicycles, small appliances, knives that need sharpening (not serrated), computers/other electronics, toys,. Something needs batteries, bring it to the Repair Café!!
The Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club is inviting the community to a day of family-friendly fun, philanthropy, and friendly competition at its annual Duck Race on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Marie-Louise Kehoe (Riverdale) Park.
For more information about the Duck Race, sponsorship opportunities, or how to participate, visit www.nvsrotaryevents.org or email nvsrotary@gmail.com.
What started as a call to clear out old electronics turned into a strong show of community support, as the Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club’s Electronics Recycling Day in April drew a stream of residents throughout the morning.
Good day Rotary Family!
As we turn the calendar to May, we celebrate one of the most inspiring and energizing aspects of Rotary—Youth Service Month. This is our moment to shine a spotlight on the next generation of leaders who are not just the future of Rotary… they are already making an impact today.
Across District 7910, I continue to be inspired by the incredible work of our Interact Clubs, where high school students are discovering the power of service and leadership at an early age. These young leaders are organizing projects, supporting their communities, and showing us all what it truly means to live Service Above Self.
Our Rotaract Clubs are equally impressive — bridging the gap between youth and professional service. They bring energy, innovation, and bold ideas to everything they do. Whether leading service initiatives, collaborating with Rotary clubs, or tackling real-world challenges, our Rotaractors are proving that leadership has no age requirement.
As we prepare for our 2026 Joint District Conference, we will once again take time to honor and remember the remarkable Rotarians that we have lost this past year—individuals who truly lived Service Above Self and left a lasting impact on their clubs, communities, and our district.
To ensure that every Rotarian is recognized with the dignity and respect that they deserve, we are asking each club to submit the names and information of any members who have passed away between May 2025 and today.
Please include the following for each submission:
- Full name of the Rotarian
- Club affiliation
- Date of passing
- A high-quality photo
- A brief bio (2–4 sentences highlighting their service, leadership, and impact)
This tribute will be presented during a special Memorial Service at the District Conference on Martha’s Vineyard (May 15–17, 2026)—a meaningful moment of reflection as we come together to celebrate lives dedicated to making a difference.
This is more than a formality—it is our opportunity to tell their stories, to honor their legacy, and to ensure they are remembered as part of our shared Rotary journey.
Submission Deadline: May 10, 2026
Please send all materials to: DG Johnny Ahern at rotaryjohnny@gmail.com
Let us come together as a district to pay tribute to those who helped shape who we are today.
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Day came early this year as the Rotary Club of Watertown hosted an ice cream bar for staff across all five schools. The Rotary members, with help from high school volunteers, served vanilla, chocolate, and dairy-free ice cream with a variety of toppings.
Rotary members also thanked staff for their dedication to Watertown students.
