THANK YOU FOR SERVING TO CHANGE LIVES, note from the desk of Governor Anne Bermingham
Dear Rotarians and Rotaractors in 7090:
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you do and will continue to do. It has been an honour to serve as your Governor.
There are so many special moments and people to thank. I will save some of those more formal moments of appreciation for our June District Council Meeting and our two changeover events at the end of the month.
Here are just a few of my favourite moments from the last year:
Seeing our District embrace our own Strategic Plan and use it to guide our committees, our council meetings and our efforts as a team of District volunteers
Having the pleasure of chartering two new satellite clubs in one Rotary year
Meeting with your clubs - often in the online virtual format where we had more than one club sharing their accomplishments with others from other clubs
Getting to attend some of your Paul Harris Events, fundraisers and club meetings in person (finally)
Having our District Conference last October - which including so many clubs working together and delivering on a service project together in their geographic region
Imagine, a world that deserves our best where we get up each day knowing that we can make a difference.
Member Experience: Engaging members is crucial to retaining members. We need to ask members what they want to get from Rotary and give them meaningful responsibilities. Quoting incoming RI President Jennifer Jones, “It is our offer of hands-on service, personal growth, leadership development, and lifelong friendships that creates purpose and passion.” So let’s make sure we engage our members so they love their clubs and their Rotary experience.
Let’s ask these questions: What drew you to Rotary, and why did you stay? How do you IMAGINE Rotary in 2022-23?
A CHANGE IS IN THE AIR - district changeover that is...
For Rotarians, June is the month where our clubs are winding down their Rotary years. But with every year end, comes a new beginning. Clubs all across District 7090 are getting their new leadership in place, President Elects are completing their training, and club goals for service projects, Rotary Foundation and membership are being set for the upcoming Rotary Year.
But before we turn the page on the 2021-22 Rotary year, it is time to take a step back and recognize and celebrate all the clubs in Rotary District 7090 for the many ways that they have made a difference in their communities and around the world.
If you are a Rotarian, then the Rotary Foundation is your charity. Do you agree? If so, will you please join me in giving at least $100 US a year to the Rotary Foundation Annual Share Fund.
Why do I give to the Annual Share Fund each year? Simple answer - this is the engine that fuels District and Global grants in our District 7090.
HOW ROTARIANS IN POLAND ARE ASSISTING UKRAINIAN REFUGEES
Poland has taken in more than a million refugees and Rotary clubs all over the country created a central account for contributions.
The Rotary Club of Olsztyn is collecting and managing donations for more than 150 Ukrainians who are staying at Ostróda Camp, a conference and recreation center. Most of the occupants are unaccompanied children whose parents stayed in Ukraine. Four cars full of supplies including food, clothes, toiletries, and toys were donated hours after the center began accepting refugees.
Members of the Rotary Club of Zamosc worked with a member of the Rotary Club of Wolsztyn, who owns a medical supply distribution company, to coordinate a partnership with other organizations to collect supplies and equipment.
The Rotary Club of Gdansk Centrum is providing accommodations for four refugee families, and members who own businesses are offering them work.
This is Rotary, People of Action! Thank you for your support of the victims of the war in Ukraine.
When one part of the body hurts, all the parts of the body share in the pain. On March 29, 2022 members of Buffalo Sunrise Rotary club welcomed our newest affiliates, the East Side Satellite Rotary Club of Buffalo at their chartering ceremony. We were excited and happy to have new partners in service. Less than two months later on May 14, 10 members of their Jefferson Avenue community were murdered at a TOPS market. Courageously, the co-chairs of East Side Satellite, Karen Saxon and Hope Isom joined in our ZOOM meeting just three short days later, on May 17. Their message was one of great pain: “We are not okay” and a strong resilience to move forward somehow. This response is characteristic of the tight knit community they represent.
Pictured is Governor Anne Bermingham at the chartering ceremony with new Rotarians.
As part of an extension for Earth Day, the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville conducted a beach clean up in Barcelona, NY’s Lake Erie shoreline. This was a great collaboration of Rotarians and caring area high school students! Clean water and preserving our natural resources is a major initiative for Rotarians world-wide.
Rotarians present were Mary Swanson, Steve Stratton, Jan and Tom Berkhouse, Barbara Fay, Mike Harrington, Jason Delcamp, Patty Benton (Community Service Chair) and John Hamels.
On May 4th, with the liberalization of border crossing rules, the Proudly Bi-National Rotary Club of Lewiston, NY AND Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON met IN PERSON and were treated to a presentation by Davven Lidstone about working and living beyond the Arctic Circle. The Club learned about what's been happening on site at the Baffinland mine in Mary River, located in Baffin Island (formerly Baffin Land), in the Canadian territory of Nunavut, since the onset of COVID and were treated to slides showing an unworldly landscape as well as viewing tangible artifacts from the High Arctic.
We have been very busy this spring! We painted the big red barn at the historic Hull House in Lancaster on May 14th. This was the site of the Underground Railroad, saving many people from the degradation of slavery through the end of the Civil War. The upper story was difficult but we did it!
A recent service project for the Rotary Club of Olean was held in conjunction with the Cattaraugus County SPCA. The two organizations were able to accomplish many things, even though the day was cut short by rain.
"We made a dent in some projects," said Paula Bernstein, Rotary Club President, noting that those projects included mowing the lawn, cleaning up the outside dogs’ pens, installing new sliding doors in the Medical unit and more.
Following a very successful venture in 2020 (right in the middle of the pandemic!), we decided it was important to try collecting hygiene products for those in need, once again. Our aim was to partner with community vendors (including two employers) to collect feminine hygiene products for distribution to our local Norfolk County food banks (five of them), the woman’s shelter, St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army.
The Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore was pleased to present its 2022 Paul Harris Fellow Award to Claudia Konzelmann at its annual Paul Harris Evening May 25th at the Holiday Inn in St. Catharines.
Pictured is the club's Past President Eric Jones presenting Claudia with the Paul Harris Fellow.
On Tuesday, May 10, the Rotary Club of Welland, and the City of Welland celebrated a long-time collaboration with the ribbon cutting for the entrance signage at the Rotary Club of Welland Park along the west side of the Recreational Canal. We were joined by our Legacy Project sponsors and friends of Rotary.
On a rainy day in May the Rotary Club of Batavia participated in the United Way Day of Caring, as they have for the last 10+ years. This year they were assigned to work at the Purple Pony, a private, not for profit that operates in eastern Genesee County. The Purple Pony provides therapeutic horse back riding to children and adults with special needs.
The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls was thrilled to have recently donated $2000.00 to the Niagara Community Outreach Centre!
Bonnie Brady, representative of the program, spoke at the club’s lunch meeting and elaborated on how the Soup Kitchen (Niagara Community Outreach) is expanding to serve more of the community’s needs in Niagara Falls.
It was a great evening for the Rotary Club of Grand Island on May 25, 2022. First, a lively talk by the youthful president of Medina Rotary, Ben McPherson, about ‘energizing’ a club with new ways for meetings, organizing and social media contacts. Followed by a real pleasure. The induction of FOUR new members into the club.
The Rotary Club of Hamilton is pleased to bring Junior Achievement back to Hamilton. Junior Achievement has been absent in Hamilton for over 15 years and the Rotary Club of Hamilton is bringing JA programs back to Hamilton youth.
The launch of programs took place in May as over 200 students in grade 6, 7 & 8 took part in JA programs. This phenomenal opportunity for young minds to be educated and understand the merits of what it takes to be a small business owner has returned. JA provides programs that focus on three key areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. The Rotary Club of Hamilton is dedicated to supporting programs like JA because we believe in the importance of investing in our youth.
The Rotary Club of Brantford is pleased to be planning an in-person run/walk for June 5, 2022. It has been 2 years since the event has been held and we are very pleased to be offering this Brantford/Brant traditional event once again. To sign up go to www.rotaryclassic.ca.
This follows a community tree planting in May where Rotarians and friends planted more than 300 trees for the community forest. So great to be back building community and fundraising for children and youth.
A few of our tree planters and a tree pose! Rotarians have fun when they work, pictured right.
When the email call came from District requesting more students for "camp leadership" training; the Rotary Club of Fort Erie's Youth Chair, Kevin, went all out to explain to High School athletes that SLAPSHOT is not a hockey camp. The total work effort resulted in 6 students highly interested in this leadership training. It is noted that because of Kevin's work, non-athletic students of both gender were now aware that there was potential for business like training. The club voted to pay for all 6 students although we budgeted for 2. The Rotary Club of Lewiston-Niagara on the Lake decided to sponsor one of our 6 recruits. Thank you!
The result was that 2 small clubs went over budget but pulled through to get student numbers up. In all, 2 small clubs helped make "Camp Leadership" more successful and 6 students hopefully are on their way to becoming better leaders.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee led Liberian women in a nonviolent movement that helped end their country’s civil war. Now, she’s working to help other girls and women realize their own power. Hear her speak at the 2023 Rotary International Convention in Melbourne.
Cataclysmic seasonal fires — overall made more destructive and more frequent by climate change — have struck in Australia and the western United States, prompting action from local Rotary clubs.
Imagine, a world that deserves our best where we get up each day knowing that we can make a difference.
For Rotarians, June is the month where our clubs are winding down their Rotary years. But with every year end, comes a new beginning. Clubs all across District 7090 are getting their new leadership in place, President Elects are completing their training, and club goals for service projects, Rotary Foundation and membership are being set for the upcoming Rotary Year.
If you are a Rotarian, then the Rotary Foundation is your charity. Do you agree? If so, will you please join me in giving at least $100 US a year to the Rotary Foundation Annual Share Fund.
When one part of the body hurts, all the parts of the body share in the pain. On March 29, 2022 members of Buffalo Sunrise Rotary club welcomed our newest affiliates, the East Side Satellite Rotary Club of Buffalo at their chartering ceremony. We were excited and happy to have new partners in service. Less than two months later on May 14, 10 members of their Jefferson Avenue community were murdered at a TOPS market. Courageously, the co-chairs of East Side Satellite, Karen Saxon and Hope Isom joined in our ZOOM meeting just three short days later, on May 17. Their message was one of great pain: “We are not okay” and a strong resilience to move forward somehow. This response is characteristic of the tight knit community they represent.
Members of the Rotary Club of Buffalo used their muscle to help heal our community after the tragic Tops Supermarket shooting. 
As part of an extension for Earth Day, the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville conducted a beach clean up in Barcelona, NY’s Lake Erie shoreline. This was a great collaboration of Rotarians and caring area high school students! Clean water and preserving our natural resources is a major initiative for Rotarians world-wide. 
On May 4th, with the liberalization of border crossing rules, the Proudly Bi-National Rotary Club of Lewiston, NY AND Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON met IN PERSON and were treated to a presentation by Davven Lidstone 
about working and living beyond the Arctic Circle. The Club learned about what's been happening on site at the Baffinland mine in Mary River, located in Baffin Island (formerly Baffin Land), in the Canadian territory of Nunavut, since the onset of COVID and were treated to slides showing an unworldly landscape as well as viewing tangible artifacts from the High Arctic.
We have been very busy this spring! We painted the big red barn at the historic Hull House in Lancaster on May 14th. This was the site of the Underground Railroad, saving many people from the degradation of slavery through the end of the Civil War. The upper story was difficult but we did it!
A recent service project for the Rotary Club of Olean was held in conjunction with the Cattaraugus County SPCA. The two organizations were able to accomplish many things, even though the day was cut short by rain. 
Following a very successful venture in 2020 (right in the middle of the pandemic!), we decided it was important to try collecting hygiene products for those in need, once again. Our aim was to partner with community vendors (including two employers) to collect feminine hygiene products for distribution to our local Norfolk County food banks (five of them), the woman’s shelter, St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army.
tary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore was pleased to present its 2022 Paul Harris Fellow Award to Claudia Konzelmann at its annual Paul Harris Evening May 25th at the Holiday Inn in St. Catharines.
On Tuesday, May 10, the Rotary Club of Welland, and the City of Welland celebrated a long-time collaboration with the ribbon cutting for the entrance signage at the Rotary Club of Welland Park along the west side of the Recreational Canal. We were joined by our Legacy Project sponsors and friends of Rotary.
On a rainy day in May the Rotary Club of Batavia participated in the United Way Day of Caring, as they have for the last 10+ years. This year they were assigned to work at the Purple Pony, a private, not for profit that operates in eastern Genesee County. The Purple Pony provides therapeutic horse back riding to children and adults with special needs. 
The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls was thrilled to have recently donated $2000.00 to the Niagara Community Outreach Centre!
It was a great evening for the Rotary Club of Grand Island on May 25, 2022. First, a lively talk by the youthful president of Medina Rotary, Ben McPherson, about ‘energizing’ a club with new ways for meetings, organizing and social media contacts. Followed by a real pleasure. The induction of FOUR new members into the club.
he Rotary Club of Brantford is pleased to be planning an in-person run/walk for June 5, 2022. It has been 2 years since the event has been held and we are very pleased to be offering this Brantford/Brant traditional event once again. To sign up go to www.rotaryclassic.ca.
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