District Governor Rick Sterne, May 2013

                        DG Rick’s May Message

PAUL HARRIS DINNERS
As our year is winding down, I have participated in many Club Paul Harris Dinners. It is always inspirational meeting the outstanding recipients and learning about the great work that they do in their communities. Thank you for providing me the opportunity.

SLAPSHOT
This year’s Slapshot program was an outstanding success. There were close to a hundred participants, and thirty volunteers. I had the opportunity to hear the closing student group presentations on Sunday morning. They were most inspirational and dealt with some very mature and serious topics. Everyone was very open about who they are and what their concerns in life are. It was a growing and learning experience for everyone. Congratulations to Margaret Andrews and her team for a job well done!

DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
Our District Assembly this year took place the first weekend of May in Niagara Falls and was also an outstanding success. Over two hundred and seventy Rotarians from across the District participated. Marlee Diehl, Assembly Chair and her team presented sessions on a variety of topics, such that there was something of interest for everyone. Peace scholar, Constable Jennifer Jacobson gave a moving talk to close the event. Congratulations Marlee!

The President-Elects met and approved the 2013-2014 District budget. The highlight of next year’s budget is the decision to drop the annual Pets fee from $450.00 to $200.00 per Club. We will subsidize Pets by $17,000.00 from our District reserves. This subsidy is currently only planned as a onetime occurrence. However, hopefully the District Finance Committee will consider continuing this subsidy in future budgets.

PRESIDENTIAL CITATIONS
Each year the Rotary International President establishes the criteria for their President Citation to the Clubs. RI President Sakuji Tanaka’s Citation has focused on his theme “Peace Through Service”. I am pleased to announce on behalf of President Tanaka that the following Clubs have earned Presidential Citations this year. 

LIGHTHOUSE AWARD
District 7090 recognizes truly outstanding Clubs with the Lighthouse Award. Lighthouse Awards are intended to highlight Clubs that have become beacons to other Clubs because of their organization and involvement in all aspects of Rotary club life. A lighthouse was chosen as a symbol of success because of the large number of lighthouses that dot our District. Lighthouse Clubs will be our most outstanding Clubs.

The criteria for consideration for these awards include: 
1. Success in the Four Elements of Effective Clubs:
  - Sustaining and growing membership (at least +3% net growth).
 - Implementing successful service projects in the community and internationally.
 - Supporting the Rotary Foundation (US $100 per member to the Annual Programs Fund by April 30, 2013).
 - Developing club leaders beyond the club level.
2. A minimum contribution to Polio Plus of US $1,000 per club
3. Qualified for the 2012 -2013 Presidential Citation.
4. Certified for Rotary Foundation Future Vision.
5. Have held at least four meetings during the year to increase knowledge of Rotary and its programs.
6. Command a high degree of respect in their community and amongst area Clubs. 

I’m pleased to announce that the following Clubs have earned a LIGHTHOUSE AWARD this year.

MEMBERSHIP AWARDS
This year our District Membership Committee is pleased to announce the following Club Membership Growth Awards.   The three Clubs with the highest membership growth in 2012-2013, as of April 30, 2013 are:

1. Amherst East – 27%
2. Welland – 22%
3. Fonthill – 21%
4. Ancaster AM - 20%

The three Clubs with the highest membership growth over the past six years as of April 30, 2013 are:

1. Buffalo Sunrise – 50%
2. Williamsville – 37%
3. Hamburg – 29%

PEACE THROUGH SERVICE AWARDS
Our District Peace Through Service Committee will recognize every reported Peace through Service project at the Awards Luncheon at Salvatore’s on June 9th, 2013. Please complete the Declare and Share form on the District website, print it, scan it, and email it to Co-Chair Carolyn Seabrook Ferguson, Carolyn.Seabrook-Ferguson@rotary.org before May 24th.

GOVERNOR’S TROPHY
This year we have created a new District Award called the GOVERNOR’S TROPHY. It will be presented annually to the Club or Area SERVICE PROJECT of THE YEAR. Each year the current District Governor will define the criteria to place emphasis on his/her priorities, however it must always focus on SERVICE ABOVE SELF. The selection committee will consist of the DGD, DGN, DGE, DG and two immediate PDGs. The winner will get to keep and display the trophy for a year and enjoy bragging rights until the next year’s Awards presentation. (It will be kind of like our own Stanley Cup).

This year’s Award will focus on PEACE THROUGH SERVICE projects and the Declare and Share reports will be used in the judging. The GOVERNOR’S TROPHY will be presented at this year’s Awards Luncheon on June 9th, at Salvatore’s for the first time. Below is a sketch of the trophy:

 

AWARDS LUNCHEON and DG CHANGEOVER
This year’s District Governor Changeover will also include a presentation of the Awards mentioned above. Everyone is welcome. So please join your President and President-Elect. Come out and celebrate your successful year. We will also welcome our new District Governor Kevin Crouse and his team. The luncheon is being held at Salvatore’s Italian Garden Restaurant, 6461 Transit Road, Depew New York on Sunday June 9th at noon. You can register on the District website: www.rotary7090.org .

Hope to see you all there!

Keep up the good work that your Club is doing!

HIGH FIVE! 

Rick Sterne
District Governor
Best of Friends District 7090