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 Fall has arrived! It has been 3 months since I was sworn in as Governor and despite COVID-19, it has been busy.I have had the privilege of attending 44 Rotary Club and two Rotaract Club visits via Zoom, which has saved a lot of travel time and associated expenses. I have also had the privilege of inducting a dozen new members, which is a special treat for me. Remember our goal is for every Club to induct 4 net new members this Rotary year. Most clubs are doing well and have adapted to a new way of serving humanity. Club fundraisers have included modified Golf Tournaments, Ribfests, Bottle Drives, Shredding, Niagara Clubs annual TV auction, Trivia nights, and more. | ||
One of my goals was to have a District-wide Blood Donor drive, which I have been promoting on my club visits and I am delighted that a number of our clubs have already jumped on, including St. Catharines Lakeshore, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Hamburg, Jamestown AM, Jamestown Noon and Falconer and more. Stoney Creek has been involved for years. I am delighted that most clubs have indicated an interest in participating. I will designate a month for a District-Wide Drive soon.
COVID has presented many challenges to the Dr. Ron Mergl Participate for Polio ride, but thanks to the efforts of Jim Craig, Bill French, Tommy Gerbasi, the New York State 
Niagara River Greenway agency, and the Niagara Parks Commission we are moving ahead with the ride on World Polio Day. If you plan to participate please register with the District and set up your donor site on raise.rotary.org
Niagara River Greenway agency, and the Niagara Parks Commission we are moving ahead with the ride on World Polio Day. If you plan to participate please register with the District and set up your donor site on raise.rotary.org The District recently approved the release of $25,000 USD from our DDF to TRF for Polio eradication, which with all the matches becomes $150,000! And once again Thie Convery an Honourary member of the Rotary Club of Dundas Valley Sunrise is challenging all clubs in the District to commit $1,500 USD to the Polio Campaign, which she will match up to $40,000 Canadian. You may remember she did this last year at $25,000, which was matched. Thank you Thie for your outstanding commitment to this endeavour.
Our revised Strategic Plan is complete and I would like to thank Governor-Elect Anne Bermingham and Past Governor Melisa Schrock for guiding the effort. I am encouraging every club to have a plan and to review and update it yearly. As well it is critical that ALL Clubs enter their goals on Rotary Club Central.
Last year during the start of the pandemic the District successfully ran Rotary Web Talks-Open Mike Series of Zoom meetings, which were well attended and well received. They were so successful that we decided to re-launch them. Please check out the District site under Upcoming Events for a complete line-up, which will start with Innovative Ideas to Recruit Members on September 29, followed up by a new "Talk" on the last Tuesday of the month throughout the rest of the year. These will be interactive and we welcome your participation. PLEASE join us as we help you to be the best that you can be.
Pat Castiglia, Chair of the District Foundation Committee and her team have scheduled three Zoom sessions for Club Qualification for District and Global Grants starting on Saturday, October 3rd from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, October 17th and November 14th, all via Zoom. Two members from each club need to attend all 3 sessions to qualify. Also, I am happy to report that the District Grants Committee and RI has approved all of the District Grants and they may now proceed. Congratulations to these Clubs and the Team.
A big shout out to every Rotarian and Rotaractor in the District for your Service Above Self and desire to do good in the world as Rotary Opens Opportunities.
Frank Adamson,
Proud to Serve as Your Governor-Building a Strong Future,
Proud Member of the Rotary Club of Fonthill, Ontario