DG REG'S MESSAGE
This part of the Rotary year is always a rewarding time as we move along in the final quarter. Pleasant activities such as attending club meetings to receive polio and/or Foundation contributions, Paul Harris events, Rotaract meetings, fundraisers, inducting new members and club anniversaries. Before I share a few of these experiences, I have to express a concern. That concern – Rotarian participation in District activities and registering on a timely basis. It’s happening again now with Club Leadership Training at Erie Community College in downtown Buffalo on May 7th. Friday, April 20th is our contractual deadline for providing food numbers and yet as I write this, we are nowhere close to anticipated numbers. Why do we procrastinate? Please, get on the district website now and register! It will be a great event with sessions for everyone.
Now – back to those experiences I mentioned. First off, the induction of two new members at the Waterdown club with President Sabih was a special occasion. What made this fantastic for me was that Annette Nyland, a Rotarian since only October, referred them both, making her responsible for three new members in that short space of time! I wish all clubs had an Annette!
Another highlight was the Westfield-Mayville’s club PolioPlus-apalooza. What a great evening! An anonymous donor came forward two years ago and offered to match up to ten thousand dollars for new money raised by the club for polio. Over the two years, numerous events raised a total of $11,715.46. The $21,715.46 total was then doubled by the Gates Foundation contribution, resulting in a total of more than $65,000 for Polio Plus! An incredible event that brought big smiles to District Polio Chair Pat Castiglia and Zone 24E Foundation Coordinator Karen Oakes. Thanks to President Jan Berkhouse and club Foundation chair Jim Wakeman for their leadership! And to all the club – job well done!!! Pictured (left to right) Karen Oakes, DG Reg, Pat Castiglia, Jim Wakefield and Jan Berkhouse.
Thanks to Doug Harty, President of East Aurora, for a warm reception at their breakfast meeting to receive club donations to Polio Plus and the annual fund.
Finally, the Niagara Falls and Niagara Falls Sunrise clubs hosted a Paul Harris evening on April 16th to present Paul Harris Fellows to six recipients. Unfortunately, we couldn’t attend because of the spring ice storm that weekend. To BJ Romans and all the Rotarians, again our regrets and I’m sure it was a wonderful evening!
By the time you read this, I will have had the pleasure of collecting and presenting Foundation money to the Dundas Valley Sunrise club, we will have attended a joint luncheon meeting of all the Niagara clubs, the Lincoln Paul Harris evening, a Rotaract event at the University of Buffalo, and will have celebrated the 80th birthday of the Lewiston-Niagara club! What a fantastic experience to see, first-hand, these clubs Making a Difference!
Reg