As we enter the third phase of our Rotary Year, let’s keep our momentum going forward and finish on a high note. Here are a few new things on which I wanted to alert you.
Polar Plunge: My Polar Plunge will be taking place this Saturday, March 4 at 10 AM at the East Boston Yacht Club joining Belle Isle and Parkway Rotary Clubs. I challenged our district to raise $5,000 for Polio Plus and will now be taking the plunge! Doors open at 10 AM, plunge will take place at 11 AM. There will be food (potluck), drinks, mimosa bar (cash bar), music, raffles, and prizes. The East Boston Yacht Club is located at 1 Rice Street, East Boston, MA. RSVP to Joe Steffano at JES5678918@AOL.COM, 617-909-5382. See rotary7930.org for more information.
Rotary Farm/Food Bank: District 7910 has been approached with a unique opportunity to establish a Rotary Food Bank in which volunteers will grow food on a tract of farm land in Westford and deliver this produce to food banks around our greater region. We are seeking Rotarians to serve on a committee to assess the feasibility of and how we might organize such a District project. Please an email indicating willingness to serve on this important committee to dg@rotary7910.org.
Pickleball Fellowship: Rotarians Chuck Moran and Paul Gauvin are interested in forming a Pickleball fellowship. Its purpose is to get Rotarians and their families to enjoy time together on (and off) the court. We intend to host friendly matches, teach and coach the fine points of pickle ball and just have fun. People (non-Rotarians included) interested should email Chuckor Paul.
Our in-person Northeast PETS is scheduled for March 10-11, 2023 at the Marriott Hotel in Newton, Massachusetts.
Attendees will hear exciting keynote speakers including incoming Rotary International President Gordon McInally, and to network with nearly 500 Presidents-elect from seven Rotary districts.
Even if you’ve served as President in the past, attendance at PETS will provide strategies to keep your Club and our organization relevant in today’s world. Register for NEPETS today.
Enhance you Rotary knowledge, meet fellow Rotarians and refine your Club leadership skills. All Rotarians are welcome. Tuition is just $20, and our curriculum will cover a variety of topics relevant to all Rotary members. Our program begins with continental breakfast at 8:00am, and will conclude by noon. Separately, a new member welcome and grant qualification seminar will follow our learning sessions.
On Saturday, May 20, 2023, 12,000 Rotarians from 450 clubs across five states will be doing a wide variety of local service projects in their communities.
We are just weeks away from our Rotary Day of Service on May 20th, 2023! We have received projects for 32 of our 49 clubs and we would love to see the rest doing a project as large or small as you could handle on May 20th. To submit a project, please complete this simple Google form. We have created project tiles for those that submitted early and are continually adding more for the projects submitted after the deadline. See this Google Drive folder to use the project tile graphics.
Click "Read more..." for info on the Rotary Day of Service Website, your club's Banners, the digital marketing Toolkit, and other resources for your Club.
Rotary District 7910's Rotary Youth Exchange Team, chaired by Milford Rotarian Jane Schroeder, has been busy letting Rotarian know that in-person exchanges are back after COVID temporarily halted them.
Caption: Jeanne Reimonn hosted a December Holiday Brunch for students and their parents interested in Rotary Youth Exchange programs. ESSEX Team members as well as several District and Club leaders joined in the festivities too. Owen and Felipe are in the center of the front row.
Talking about climate change with others can be challenging, including starting the conversation and responding to other people’s beliefs and feelings about the climate. In this session, we will explore ways to personally connect with others to create a safe space for climate conversations, including ways to talk about our own feelings related to the climate (e.g., anxiety, grief) and listening to people with doubtful or dismissive beliefs.
After a three-year pause due to COVID, the Rotary Club of Wellesley is proud to bring back its ""Taste of Wellesley"" annual fundraiser to support our community.
The event will again feature a wide variety of signature dishes from Wellesley restaurants, cafes, caterers, local breweries and wineries, along with live music and auction items that are locally sourced. We will be hosting the event for 300 guests at The Gardens at Elm Bank on Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 6:30 until 9 pm.
The event will provide a wonderful evening of food, beverages, live entertainment and opportunities to gather in community.
Spring is on it’s Way. Visit the JV Fletcher Library Seed Catalog and check out all the veggie and flower seeds donated by the Westford Rotary Club as part of their “Garden Planting and Grow Your Own Food” Project. All seeds are FREE. People can check often, seeds are replenished as needed at the Library. Start your seeds NOW... Grow your own food and flowers.
The Westford Rotary Club receives the seeds from the Walmart -Hudson NH Donation program. Rotary donates the seeds to youth groups, schools, Westford Cameron Senior Center, Girl and Boy Scouts, Westford Community Gardens, JV Fletcher Library Seed Program, tables at Town events, and more programs. Westford Rotary received over 1000+ packets in 2022 seeds and will receive 2023 seeds in May to distribute.
Watch for more stories on the Westford Rotary Club and Walmart donation Partnership program to get needed items to different non profit groups and others. "
Lowell Rotary once again participated in the annual Lowell Winterfest. The Club operates a marshmallow toasting booth (with optional s'mores) to raise money for scholarships. This year the Winterfest was 17-18 February. The Winterfest is sponsored by the City of Lowell and includes music, food, a market and other activities. In addition to raising money, the Winterfest booth is an opportunity to raise Rotary's image in the community and to provide an opportunity for members to work together to benefit the community.
Right: Ryan Burke, the marshmallow man, and the Rotary crew.
"The Love Story," as told by Jessica Favreau: "Before COVID, we had a breakfast for the senior citizens in our community held at the Manor. We did this around Christmas time and had upwards to 500 seniors from our community.
"Due to Covid, we had to pivot because we didn’t want to put our most vulnerable population at risk. We decided to do like a meal on wheels type thing. We partner with the senior centers from Holden, Sterling and West Boylston. They compile a list of seniors who would like to receive a meal. "The manor prepares the lasagna, salad, rolls and butter. Our high school kids put together chocolate bags and elementary students make valentines. The seniors come to the respected senior center drive up and pick up their meals. Inclusive of warming instructions."
Top Left: Herman Eknanian and Wachusett Area Rotary President-Elect Jess Favreau organize grab-and-go bags. Photo by Marisol Dittami - Wachusett Area Rotary President
The Ukrainian family Joyce Graff has been hosting has found an apartment in Lexington and is in need of some furniture and house goods. Please feel free to share this list with family and friends. We are hoping we can set them up in style after all their difficult adventures.
Roy Balfour is a cheerful giver. He doesn’t say no. He gives time, money, support, encouragement, you name it, he says yes, and he learned the power of generosity and community –– are you ready? –– at Woodstock.
The three-day 1969 music festival in upstate N.Y., which was attended by 500,000 people, he says, “was a dramatic moment for me. Pivotal. It was the defining event of my life.
A message from District Governor Dr Victor
Our in-person Northeast PETS is scheduled for March 10-11, 2023 at the Marriott Hotel in Newton, Massachusetts. 
On Saturday, May 20, 2023, 12,000 Rotarians from 450 clubs across five states will be doing a wide variety of local service projects in their communities. 
Rotary District 7910's Rotary Youth Exchange Team, chaired by Milford Rotarian Jane Schroeder, has been busy letting Rotarian know that in-person exchanges are back after COVID temporarily halted them. 
Talking about climate change with others can be challenging, including starting the conversation and responding to other people’s beliefs and feelings about the climate. In this session, we will explore ways to personally connect with others to create a safe space for climate conversations, including ways to talk about our own feelings related to the climate (e.g., anxiety, grief) and listening to people with doubtful or dismissive beliefs.
After a three-year pause due to COVID, the Rotary Club of Wellesley is proud to bring back its ""
Spring is on it’s Way. Visit the JV Fletcher Library Seed Catalog and check out all the veggie and flower seeds donated by the Westford Rotary Club as part of their “Garden Planting and Grow Your Own Food” Project. All seeds are FREE. People can check often, seeds are replenished as needed at the Library. Start your seeds NOW... Grow your own food and flowers. 
Lowell Rotary once again participated in the annual Lowell Winterfest. The Club operates a marshmallow toasting booth (with optional s'mores) to raise money for scholarships. This year the Winterfest was 17-18 February. The Winterfest is sponsored by the City of Lowell and includes music, food, a market and other activities. In addition to raising money, the Winterfest booth is an opportunity to raise Rotary's image in the community and to provide an opportunity for members to work together to benefit the community.
"The Love Story," as told by Jessica Favreau: "Before COVID, we had a breakfast for the senior citizens in our community held at the Manor. We did this around Christmas time and had upwards to 500 seniors from our community.
The Ukrainian family Joyce Graff has been hosting has found an apartment in Lexington and is in need of some furniture and house goods. Please feel free to share this list with family and friends. We are hoping we can set them up in style after all their difficult adventures.
Roy Balfour is a cheerful giver. He doesn’t say no. He gives time, money, support, encouragement, you name it, he says yes, and he learned the power of generosity and community –– are you ready? –– at Woodstock.
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