Dg reg's message
As we get closer to the end of a very successful Rotary year I want to reach out and thank our club presidents, membership chairs and the district membership committee led by Kevin Crosby for reversing our declining membership. Yes, we are doing very well; at the end of April we posted active membership of 2256, our highest number since May of 2016! One club I’d like to highlight is the E Club of Social Innovators, who chartered in December. They contributed 57 members, with an outstanding female membership of 46%. Thank you Club President Gordon Crann and Membership Chair Howard Weinstein! To all those clubs who have seen growth this year, (there are too many to mention) many thanks for Making a Difference!
If there is a disappointment for this year it’s the results of club and individual contributions to the Annual Fund – the fund that the district receives 50% of in three years! At April month-end our result was only $175,000, a far cry from the $300,000 we achieved last year. At this time last year only two clubs had not contributed; this year it’s 10 clubs. You don’t have to be a math genius to recognize the limited amount of funds we’ll have three years from now for district grants, scholarships and the Vocational Training Team. Hopefully clubs and individuals will step up and improve the situation before we are out of time.
Now, on to sharing the joys of serving as your district governor.
It started with an absolutely phenomenal turnout for our District Council meeting in St. Catharines. It was so good to be joined by a number of club presidents as well as so many of the district leadership team. Remember council meetings are open to all and our final meeting of the year is June 2nd at Hyatt Place Hotel in Amherst. Register on the district's website.
The next event was a pleasant journey to the Dundas Valley Sunrise club to assist with a Paul Harris presentation and receive the club’s Annual Fund contribution. This was followed by a lunch meeting
of all the Niagara clubs (see photo of presidents and presidents-elect) hosted by President Jeff Thomas of the St. Catharines South club. The guest speaker’s topic (trees) inspired the cake that is pictured.
of all the Niagara clubs (see photo of presidents and presidents-elect) hosted by President Jeff Thomas of the St. Catharines South club. The guest speaker’s topic (trees) inspired the cake that is pictured.We enjoyed a w
onderful evening at the Lincoln Paul Harris function at 13th Street Winery to pay tribute to two individuals, Andy Fluit and Alice Klamer. It was a gorgeous setting for the event so well hosted by President Sue Foster and Assistant Governor Margaret Andrewes.
onderful evening at the Lincoln Paul Harris function at 13th Street Winery to pay tribute to two individuals, Andy Fluit and Alice Klamer. It was a gorgeous setting for the event so well hosted by President Sue Foster and Assistant Governor Margaret Andrewes. Then we were off on a trip to historic Gadawski’s in Niagara Falls, NY for a fun-filled 80th anniversary celebration of the Lewiston, NY Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON club. Loretta, Karen Oakes and Wolfgang enjoyed great food, great fun and President Ron Danielwicz is a treat with the microphone.
Our next stop was the Prince of Wales Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake for another Paul Harris evening. President Bill French along with event chair Howard Kudlats are to be commended for their hospitality and the organization of a very classy event at a classy and historic location. Congratulations to the Paul Harris recipients!
The highlight of the week came with a return to St. Catharines where President Vicky Rudachuk and the St. Catharines club hosted a citizenship luncheon. What a thrill to participate and meet the 30 some individuals who became Canadian citizens. It was my first opportunity to participate in a citizenship function and was especially meaningful as my grandfather emigrated to Canada and a homestead in Saskatchewan in March of 1911.
The last weekend in April was a busy one. A freak accident with my safety razor caused us to miss the Delhi club’s annual Looney Auction (we’ll try again next year!). We did host DGE Melisa and her husband John that night, and they attended the Looney Auction. Saturday morning, Melisa, DGND Frank Adamson and I attended Slapshot. That night we all attended the Brantford Sunrise Fish Fry. Sunday morning I was back at Slapshot for their final segment - talk about energy! It was a thrill to see and hear the commitment from th
ese 100 young leaders. I wish all Rotarians could experience the qualities and dedication of these students. My gratitude goes out to chair Rob Nagy and his entire team for a fantastic leadership weekend for these 100 young people.
ese 100 young leaders. I wish all Rotarians could experience the qualities and dedication of these students. My gratitude goes out to chair Rob Nagy and his entire team for a fantastic leadership weekend for these 100 young people.That same weekend RESI member Rosalind Lockyer and corporate member Joyce Adolwa were honored with global awards in New Delhi, India in front of 8,000 attendees. Congratulations to Rosalind and Joyce for receiving the prestigious Woman of the Decade for Community Leadership from the Women Economic Forum for their extraordinary work – a fitting honour. Yes, Rotarians do Make a Difference!
Then it was on to Port Dover (home of the Friday the 13th motorcycle invasion) for an Area 1 four-club meeting hosted by president Hadley Jackson of the Simcoe club. At this well attended event at the Port Dover Yacht Club, two individuals were surprised with Paul Harris awards. It was a wonderful gathering with an interesting speaker. I was joined by DGE Melisa and John and Assistant Governor Lisa Bishop.
The final event was a very different fundraiser by the Hamilton AM club titled Tacos, Tapas and Tequila. It was great to see many friends once again. I must say I learned a lot about Tequila and enjoyed all the different things that the committee organized. Hats off to president Jane Blums and Assistant Governor Marta Stitler.
And last but not least by any means was the Club Leadership Training session in downtown Buffalo at Erie Community College. The first-time location was a great spot for DGE Melisa to shine and encourage us all to Be the Inspiration! All the verbal feedback I received at lunch and after the event was very positive and kudos go to chair Anne Bermingham and her committee for organizing an outstanding 20 sessions. Thank you also to the many presenters and the participants for a great day.
June will be a very busy month with council on the 2nd, the district changeover on the 16th and convention in Toronto as well as many club functions! Keep Making a Difference!
Reg