“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.” – Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities.
What a year! I think the opening of A Tale of Two Cities best reflects my year as your District Governor. I will be remembered as your Pandemic District Governor, the only Governor in 7090’s history who conducted most of his entire year from his home office. As RI President, Holger Knaack stated in his June Message, COVID-19 forced us to become “nimble, adaptable, and creative”. Who knew how much we would rely on the Zoom platform to stay connected virtually. The most repeated words on Zoom, “YOU’RE MUTED”, has been added to our vernacular. None of us experienced the year we anticipated, but we made it work, from innovative fundraising to online club meetings to a virtual District Conference with the ability to attract keynote speakers from around the world at no cost. On the other hand, our District Conference was one of the best-attended events in the last ten years and virtually free.
My only regret was not being able to attend in-person 100th year Club dinners in Welland, St. Catharines, or Niagara Falls, Canada, all within a bike ride of my house! And missing out on club fundraisers and service projects across the District as well as Paul Harris Dinners.
I was so looking forward to attending the Youth Exchange Algonquin Experience, the RYLA Dinner in Fredonia, SLAPSHOT in Dundas, and Youth Exchange gatherings. Those Clubs that host these and the leadership team that ensure their success were short-changed for two years, but they will come back stronger and better.
On a positive note, I was able to be part of the multi-club service project collecting women’s hygiene products in Simcoe, Norfolk, and Delhi last fall. It was my hope and goal to have more clubs participate in District-Wide projects. A significant fundraiser for Polio eradication, Pedal for Polio Plus in honour of Dr. Ron Mergl was one of those and despite COVID restrictions in Ontario and a closed border we managed to have two rides on both sides of the border and raised $70,000 USD utilizing the new Raise for Rotary fundraising platform. Due to limits in numbers participating many clubs hosted their own rides or walks for Polio, many of which involved multiple clubs. And for a second year, Thie Convery challenged clubs to donate $1,500 to be matched by her. Thirty clubs took her up on this challenge. I am proud to say that 7090 raised more money than every other District in Zone 24 East due to your efforts.
The Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup started up as a District 7090 project that soon spread to 15 Districts and the watershed feeding the 5 Great Lakes. Again, COVID restrictions severely impacted our Earth Day week cleanup in Ontario. One of the benefits of being a bi-national District was the ability of the New York state clubs to carry on. I am delighted with the response to this initiative a forerunner of Rotary’s new Area of Focus-Protecting the Environment launching on July 1, 2021. Anne Bermingham has asked me to lead these two initiatives in her year and I expect them to be well supported by our clubs next year.
Well, I have learned a lot about our District, its clubs, and the amazing Rotarians who make up our District. I am "in awe" of all of you. Why? Let me spell it out...
I - Incorporated. Thanks to our Karen Oakes who led the way, we are going to be incorporated as a district as of July 1, 2021. With incorporation, comes a streamlined and much more integrated way that we will be working at the district - always focused on our mission which is helping each club be the best it can be.
N - New ideas. There are new ideas abounding. Never was that better illustrated than at the Club Training Assembly. 24 sessions offered with thanks to all of our facilitators. Over 275 Rotarians registered. If you missed a session or missed it altogether, go to this link to watch the videos or see some of the slides utilized (in the menu on the page).
A - Appreciation - I have such appreciation for the many volunteers who work in their clubs and at the district. Such hard work is being undertaken from the Foundation Virtual Gala and pre & post 7090 events to the Virtual Slapshot to the work of our Assistant Governors all year long.
W - Wonderful achievements - There have been so many great achievements this year. So we invite you to come and toast your club and other clubs in our District. We are having this year-end celebration on Saturday, June 26 from 9:00 am to 10:30 am. Go to our district website to register. Each and every club will be honoured... Don't miss it! Register HERE.
E - Everyone should join me in applauding Governor Frank Adamson. As one club president recently remarked, he is an "exceptional and inspiring Rotary leader". He has encouraged us to get out and raise funds and awareness for Polio with the Pedal for Polio event. We have excelled as a district in raising funds for this cause - thanks to Frank. He has pushed us to make a bigger impact by not just cleaning up a beach or two but uniting 15+ districts in the Great Lakes Watershed Clean-Up. His accomplishments are many. We will be toasting him further at the Changeover event. But if you get a moment, send him an email or pick up the phone and tell him what he has done to keep you inspired this year!
See you soon and remember that in Rotary - "we serve to change lives".
Posted by Anne Bermingham
ASSISTANCE WELCOMED
The new Rotary year starts July 1, 2021. Are you looking for something Rotary to get involved in beyond your club?
There are lots of interesting roles you could take on at the district. We welcome your assistance! Here is a sampling of ways you could volunteer with us and get involved.
1. Registrar for Coaching Series. Thanks to Angela Carter and Al Lutchin, a wonderful three part coaching series is being made available to Rotarians. It is a refreshing and effective leadership style that is taught in this interactive series. We seek someone who would like to become in charge of registrations, sending links to participants and helping with other organizing tasks. Few meetings. A task for someone who likes doing. If you would like more information, contact Al Lutchin from the Rotary Club of Hamilton at al@careercompasscanada.com.
2. Youth Protection Officer(s). We have an amazing Youth Exchange committee who have some fantastic ideas for the year ahead - including exploring bringing more short-term exchanges and new generations exchange (for under 30 years old) to our clubs. The programs run with protocols and procedures in place that ensure the safety of all. All the same, Rotary International recommends that the District Governor appoint a youth protection officer with experience in counseling, social work, law enforcement or child development. This person monitors state and provincial laws; confirms appropriate screening measures are in place; ensures appropriate training etc. We would like to find two officers ideally - one based in New York state and one in Ontario. If you want to learn more, contact Jill Norton, a member of the Rotary Club of Buffalo Sunrise at jillnortonye7090@gmail.com.
WHAT IS THE YEAR-END DEADLINE FOR MAKING A FOUNDATION GIFT?
Every year, June 30this the deadline for contributions to count toward a Rotary club’s final giving amount for that Rotary year. Club members are encouraged to make their year-end gifts as early as possible in order to ensure that their gift is processed on time. Remember, every contribution that is made to Annual Fund-SHARE by June 30th this year will result in more grant funding for your club and district three years from now.
Make your year-end contributions today to ensure that your club can make a difference in the world tomorrow. Please visit https://www.rotary.org/en/donate.
Posted by Sandi Chard
IT'S A WRAP!
It’s a wrap! The Pre-Gala show for District 7090 Foundation was a smashing success with Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Interactors all attending and celebrating the success of The Rotary Foundation. The evening featured 10 grants videos that were all fantastic and the voted winner was the Rotary Club of Lockport. Thanks to Governor Frank for donating a new Rotary banner to the winner. Videos will soon be showcased on our District Foundation web page. Many Rotarians were honoured for becoming with one or more major donors, benefactors, Paul Harris Society members as well as 6 clubs that have achieved their Foundation Banners for this year to date. Still, there is time for other clubs to achieve the Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) status. Rotarians were entertained by Rotarian Jennifer’s horse as she showcased what will your legacy be……? The evening also celebrated how the matching program of Polio Plus to date has become over $639,000 in donations in part thanks to Thie Convery for inspiring and matching club donations and from Governor Frank's Ride for Polio Plus. Thanks to Rotarian Beth Fleeton for an outstanding job as Master of Ceremonies. The evening is showcased on YouTube and our District Foundation page.
This has been a good year for The Rotary Foundation Endowment Fund for our District thanks to our three new donors!
While this is wonderful and much applauded and appreciated, each Rotarian should look to see if they can be part of TRF's Endowment Fund. Contributions and commitments to the Endowment Fund are the best way to support The Rotary Foundation doing good in the world for the future. When you are doing your Estate Planning, adding a simple codicil to your will, if you have one, or including The Rotary Foundation in your new will be appreciated by generations to come.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.” – Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities.
Well, I have learned a lot about our District, its clubs, and the amazing Rotarians who make up our District. I am "in awe" of all of you. Why? Let me spell it out...
The new Rotary year starts July 1, 2021. Are you looking for something Rotary to get involved in beyond your club? 
and celebrating the success of The Rotary Foundation. The evening featured 10 grants videos that were all fantastic and the voted winner was the Rotary Club of Lockport. Thanks to Governor Frank for donating a new Rotary banner to the winner. Videos will soon be showcased on our District Foundation web page. Many Rotarians were honoured for becoming with one or more major donors, benefactors, Paul Harris Society members as well as 6 clubs that have achieved their Foundation Banners for this year to date. Still, there is time for other clubs to achieve the Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) status. Rotarians were entertained by Rotarian Jennifer’s horse as she showcased what will your legacy be……? The evening also celebrated how the matching program of Polio Plus to date has become over $639,000 in donations in part thanks to Thie Convery for inspiring and matching club donations and from Governor Frank's Ride for Polio Plus. Thanks to Rotarian Beth Fleeton for an outstanding job as Master of Ceremonies. The evening is showcased on YouTube and our District Foundation page.
This has been a good year for The Rotary Foundation Endowment Fund for our District thanks to our three new donors! 
