Hello Rotarian $FIRST_NAME$, 
 
February is World Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month for Rotary. This is a good time to remind us all that The Rotary Foundation supports the efforts of Rotary International (and our Rotary Clubs) to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational and cultural exchange programs.

Through the remainder of our program year, we’ll continue to roll out events to train our next group of leaders (Pre-PETS, PETS, Post-PETS and District Assembly). Remember to save the April 22 date for our 3-District Conference to celebrate our year, May 20 for our multi-District Rotary Day of Service and June 23-25 for volunteering at RYLA.

Polio Plus Challenge:  I’m also pleased to announce we blasted through my PolioPlus Challenge of $5,000 and I am now planning to choose between several venues and dates for my arctic plunge into the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Tracy Gagnon (7910 Membership Chair) and Robert Boley (RC Westford President) have bravely volunteered to escort me into the waters. We’ll announce the date when confirmed, but please keep those donations to the TRF annual fund - PolioPlus coming in.

Rotarians are people of action, so please share a story, invite us to join you in Service above Self, invite us to an event, or ask a question (who should receive this by email?).

We have a very busy and productive Rotary District! 

Yours in Rotary,

DG Dr. Victor

Victor Tom, District 7910 Governor 2022-23

Club Stories

imageWestborough Rotary: Tying Fleece Blankets for Hope

When people are asked to describe what they picture when they hear homeless person, it’s not uncommon for responses to include descriptors such as male, dirty, disheveled, addict/drunk. But that is just one snapshot of many. There are also homeless women, children, teenagers, and families.
 
(Caption: Reina Rago (right), Vice President of the Westborough Rotary Club, presents Donna Maria Cameron of Abby's House, (left) fleece blankets for the residents at this women's and children's shelter.)
 
Concerned about homelessness in Massachusetts, especially with New England’s brutal winter coming, members of the Westborough Rotary Club decided to make fleece blankets for the residents of Abby’s House. Established in 1976, Abby’s House, provides shelter and affordable housing, as well as advocacy and support services, to homeless, battered, and low-income women, with or without children.

“We decided to incorporate a service project as part of our holiday gathering,” stated President Sandy Kearney. “Our members had fun chatting as they tied two pieces of fleece together into cozy, warm blankets.”

After completing the blankets for each of the residents at Abby’s House, the Club invited Donna Maria Cameron, to talk to the members about homelessness and to dispel myths. “Over half of our residents work,” Cameron stressed. “These are women who want a better life for themselves and their children. We provide them with hope and the support they deserve to make a change. Receiving these homemade blankets is a beautiful symbol of hope.”

Lowell Rotary: Food and Toys at Christmas 

The Lowell Rotary helped to distribute food and toys at the Lowell Dwelling House of Hope before Christmas. Levenia Furusa-Mavingire, a member of the Club, is the director of the organization.
 
The House of Hope distributes food weekly to hundreds of needy residents of Lowell. Members of Lowell Rotary are often there to help doing everything from unloading and packaging food to directing traffic. 
 
Caption:  Rotarians John Finegan, Levenia Furusa-Mavingire and Patty Witts

Newton Rotary Delivers >100 Thanksgiving Pies 

Over 100 fresh baked pies were distributed on Wednesday to make a happier Thanksgiving for many in Newton who are having a tough time this year, and to our first responders who are always on duty during the holidays.
 
Newton Police Headquarters, and every Newton fire station were recipients of a stack of pies in appreciation for the outstanding service they provide our community.
 
The Rotary Club of Newton got the call from Marie Presti, owner of the The Presti Group realtors, and long-time Rotarian, that an extra truckload of pies was available at her office on Washington Street in Newtonville, and they leaped at the opportunity to share them.
 
The pies were part of the “Pie In The Sky” program of Community Servings, a non-profit food and nutrition program providing services to individuals living with critical and chronic illnesses. 
 
Caption: Newton Rotarians Paul Sullivan, Marie Presti, and Paul Loiselle

Chelmsford & Worcester Rotary:  Meals of Hope

Jack Day, Director of Meals of Hope in MA (member of Chelmsford Rotary) was joined by members of Chelmsford and Worcester Rotary and WPI to pack over 10,000 meals at WPI last December before the holidays. Meals of Hope in MA seeks to combat hunger in our local communities, including Worcester and Lowell. The meals packaged are rice-based and fortified by dried vegetable, protein and vitamins. For more info, contact Jack Day (jack@mealsofhope.org)

District Initiatives

3-District Conference on April 22

Super-Charge Your Club! 

On April 22 we will join with members from Boston, Connecticut, and Western Mass. at the Burlington Marriott hotel to share ideas and get energized with Evan Burrell, the social media king of Rotary, all the way from Australia. We will celebrate our year together with lots of fun and special awards. Please plan to join us! Registration is open now,  and you can book a room at our group rate.
 
 

Rotary Day of Service 

On May 20, 2023, 12000 Rotarians from 450 clubs across 5 states will be doing a wide variety of local service projects in their communities.  We would like to see all of the clubs in District 7910 to participate in this Day of Service -- from Brookline to Sturbridge and from the Connecticut border to the New Hampshire border.
 
This multi-state collaborative is planning some powerful publicity -- television, radio, billboards, and social media -- to advertise every local project and encourage members of the community to join in the fun and rewarding feelings of doing good together.
 
We are excited to participate in this regional event!  We hope that this additional publicity will help to raise the visibility of the good works that your Rotary club has been doing in your community, and will encourage other community members to join in the fun.
 
The publicity campaign will launch on February 13 with a Zoom event open to all.  Before that date, we need each club to register its project so that it will be visible to the general public on that date.  Register your project at https://bit.ly/2023DayOfService7910
 
District Governor Victor Tom will provide a customized 3 x 6 vinyl banner for your club, to give your project more visibility on the Day of Service.  Please tell us exactly how you want that banner to read and where to send it by filling out the form at https://forms.gle/Be4H5Ze9tLxZaUj17
 
Have a Great Day of Service May 20! and keep on doing all the great work you do every day.
 
 

Emotions of Climate Change: D7910 Climate Cafe Recording & Slides from January 26 

If you missed our Climate Cafe on January 26th about the Emotions of Climate Change, please take a look at the slides which our presenter Demie Stathoplos prepared, and the recording of the Cafe. Stay tuned for details about our next Climate Cafe! Click to access the Slides & Recording
 

RYLA Planning Meeting for RYLA Chairs & RYLA fans. February 8 @ 6:30 pm

Did you know that RYLA payments and reservations are due in less than 3 weeks? By March 1?

Do you know what you and your club need to know in order to be successful, efficient and have fun?!

Attend this one hour meeting to hear what's up with RYLA 2023 and what you need to know.

Christine Pinney, RYLA Chair.

Business Networking - Quick Connect Networking

This meeting is a Quick Connect Networking session. RSVP here to get the Zoom link.
 
In a series of short 6-8 minute Breakout Room sessions, you'll meet 1 or 2 other participants for a very short interaction designed to help you get to know the other person. 
 

Event Invitations

Imagine Office Hours with DG Victor Tom ~ Friday, February 3 @ 1pm

Drop in to ask any question that's on your mind. Bring your questions, ideas, suggestions, curiosity. All are welcome. 
 
Join Zoom Meeting
 
Meeting ID: 817 1814 1744
Passcode: 627133
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,81718141744#,,,,*627133# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,81718141744#,,,,*627133# US (Chicago)
 

Weston-Wayland Rotary: Valentine's Dinner with Chocolate Therapy! 

After a few years away, Chocolate Therapy founders Pam and David Griffin, are coming back to join us for our Valentine’s Dinner!  So much has transpired since we last saw them and we can’t wait to see them again and to hear all the wonderful news and updates.

Chocolate Therapy creates handmade, locally produced chocolates with memorable flavors pushing the boundaries of taste and texture.  They combine exceptional ingredients in thoughtful ways that are both delicious and uniquely their own, bringing together a blend of therapeutic ingredients, innovative flavors, and unique spices.

All are welcome. RSVP by 12 noon on Monday, February 6

 

Upcoming District 7910 Training Dates:

Presidents-elect PrePETS Training • Thursday February 16 & Wednesday, March 1 @ 6:30pm • Virtual
Incoming Presidents-elect for the 2023 -2024 Rotary year should plan to attend these virtual sessions in advance of Northeast PETS. We'll cover Rotary basics, setting goals in My Rotary, Foundation, Rotary beyond the Club, and much more.
Presidents-elect, please click here to register for both PrePETS sessions

 

Northeast Presidents Elect Training Seminar (NEPETS)
March 10 & 11 • Marriott Newton Hotel
(optional networking event March 9)

Every year there is a new Theme, new District leaders, and new leadership in Rotary International.  Come meet the leaders, discuss Rotary's Action Plan, and learn the new emphases and projects that your Club will be part of in the coming year! Learn strategies for your success in the year ahead as a Rotary leader
Presidents-elect, please click here to learn more & register for NEPETS 

 

District Assembly • Saturday, April 1 • Assabet Valley High School, Marlboro
Save the date! We'll return to an in-person District Assembly to provide training for Club officers, committee chairs, and members who wish to become more involved in their Club or our District. Please mark your calendars - more information will follow shortly

There's much more going on in Rotary District 7910: 


About this Semi-Monthly Newsletter 

The Rotary 7910 Public Image Team's goal is to publish this newsletter twice a month on/about the 1st and the 15th of the month. 

All are invited to submit club stories, volunteer opportunities, Rotary invitations for events or activities, and information on District initiatives.

Please use this simple form, which will reach our whole team (and make it much harder for us to miss your contribution). 

Submission Deadlines:

  • the 10th of the month for the newsletter published on/about the 15th and the
  • 25th of the month for the newsletter published on/about the 1st. 
Please add mailservice@clubrunner.ca to your safe sender list or address book.
To view our privacy policy, click here.
 
ClubRunner
102-2060 Winston Park Drive, Oakville, ON, L6H 5R7
Advertisement for Russell Hampton
Advertisement for ClubRunner
Advertisement for ClubRunner Mobile