In May 2021, we asked the Presidents, President Elects and all those involved in District Committees to complete a survey that explored how the volunteers at the District best serve the many different clubs in our District.
Please read on to find out some of what was said and our emerging action plan.
AUGUST IS MEMBERSHIP AND NEW CLUB DEVELOPMENT MONTH
Innovation
Change
Action
Any one of these concepts can seem a little scary when trying to apply it to your Rotary Club – but it doesn’t have to be! August is Membership month in Rotary and there are some innovative, action orientated changes taking place in all levels of Rotary – especially Membership!!
RAISE FOR ROTARY, A SUCCESSFUL NEW FUNDRAISING TOOL
Last year, The Rotary Foundation (TRF), announced a new online tool, “Raise for Rotary”, that gives individuals a new way to raise fund to support The Rotary Foundation, including Polio Plus.
You can personally use this tool to encourage your family and friends to donate to The Rotary Foundation in general or a particular Area of Focus that is important to you. Many Rotarians have been using this new tool to suggest to family and friends to donate instead of sending presents for birthdays, anniversaries, challenge, memorial, a new grandchild or special events like congratulating a child for learning to ride a bike. The ideas are endless!
The dates are set for the next session of the Rotary Leadership Institute. Sessions will be held in September, October and November as well as February, March and April..Check the District website for dates and times (under Upcoming Events).
Registrations for the fall session are open on the District website. Cost is $20 US for each part which includes three Wednesday nights. That is a cost of $60 to complete RLI.
All sessions will be held virtually via ZOOM.
No firm decisions have been made if the Rotary Leadership Institute will be moving back to in person sessions. Contact RLI Chair Glen Christensen if you have questions.
Joelle de Weerdt, a member of the Rotary E-club of Social Innovators (RESI) and many collaborators shown here after doing a good work, cleaning the beach of San Juan del Sur, as a symbol of their project to save whales and dolphins.
San Juan del Sur is a town on Nicaragua's southwest coast, known for its nearby Pacific beaches with its strong breaking waves.
On July 13 the Rotary Club of Lincoln was given an update on the Global Grant that the club has undertaken as the international lead. Alice Klamer & Margaret Andrewes presented to our morning meeting:
Navigating Our Global Grant Project Spring 2016 to Date (July 2021)
The Rotary Club of Lincoln’s 5+ year journey with its Global Grant (GG) 197776 Project, “Eliminating Preventable Maternal & Child Mortality in Guatemala”, began in 2016 when Lincoln Rotarian Alice Klamer traveled to Guatemala with a small group of people associated with International Needs Canada.
The Rotary Club of Lockport announced its new leadership for 2021-2022 and presented Paul Harris Fellowships to some members at its changeover luncheon on June 29th at Simply Ems on Lincoln Avenue in Lockport, NY.
Tracy Farrell accepted the gavel as the new president from outgoing president, Aaron Carlson. Maureen Wendt is president-elect and Shelley Unocic, Vice President. Dick Mullaney will continue as secretary, Ellen Schratz as treasurer and Steve Cotton as sergeant-at-arm. Dan Wilson will continue as assistant secretary and Jay Dry as assistant treasurer. Incoming president Farrell inducted board members for the coming year. Board members beginning 3-year terms are Martina Fern, Bob Shaw and Vincent Davis with David Greenfield and Paul Lehman filling unexpired terms. Marie Bindeman will chair the Lockport New York Rotary Foundation.
The Rotary Club of Medina recently kicked off its 1st Annual Medina Rotary Pickleball Tournament. The tournament was held at the Medina High School over two weekends due to rain. But, never the less, the tournament moved forward with the Men's Singles and Mixed Doubles on July 10th and the Men's Doubles and Women's Doubles on July 18th.
The Rotary Club of Jamestown recently welcomed Andrew Borba, Artistic Director of the Chautauqua Theater Company, to their noon meeting at the Doubletree Hotel. This marks Borba’s fifth time as a guest speaker of the club and his 16th summer at the Chautauqua Theatre Company (CTC). Besides directing, he is a gifted actor on stage and television.
Andrew is pictured to the left of President Kevin Sixbey.
Following the outstanding grand opening of the Solar Powered Heritage Carousel on Memorial Day Weekend, the Rotary Club of Buffalo is pleased to announce the first major event at the Carousel.
Round and round we go this September 10 and 11, as the community is invited to celebrate the new Solar Powered Heritage Carousel.
The Rotary Club of Hamburg held its Passing of the Gavel ceremony June 29 at its annual spring picnic at the Taylor Road Cabin in a far from usual rite of passage to swear in its new board of officers for 2021-22.
Rotarian Michele Hanley, pictured third from right, accepts the gavel from John Nowak, third from left, in ceremonies held at the Town of Hamburg Taylor Road Cabin. Other new officers of the board pictured from left are Treasurer Tim Hoelscher, Secretary Tim Straube and Foundation Chair Amanda Black, holding daughter Bristol.
On Saturday, July 10, the Rotary Club of Ancaster AM, the Hamilton Rotaract Club and the Net, an Ancaster Community Service youth group, gathered to pick up garbage at the Ancaster Creek at Wilson and Rousseau Street, the Morgan Firestone Arena fields and some adjacent trails.
Pictured left is the Net youth group led by Kayla Paulnert with Rotarian Murray Green.
The Rotary Club of Hamilton held it’s first hands on service project for the new Rotary Year! The pandemic has taken a toll on our community. Food insecurity was an issue before the pandemic and now is an even bigger issue. The club issued a challenge to both its members and Rotary friends to help fill the Community Fridge.
What is a community fridge? Community fridges are a volunteer run, publicly accessible, low barrier resource, from which community members can get free food. Community fridges are a method to reduce food waste, and by donating, volunteering, and spreading the word, are a method to provide care for one's own community. They have gained a lot of prevalence recently, as the pandemic has highlighted the need for mutual aid.
The Rotary Club of Lancaster-Depew is announcing its upcoming events (old and new).
The club is again hosting its Annual Car Show on August 4th at Russell’s Steak, Chops & More, 6675 Transit Road, Williamsville, NY from 4pm to 8pm. Bring your vehicles or just come to have fun.
The Rotary Club of Hamilton Rotary After Five (aka Tonic) has implemented a strategic focus on food security as part of our local initiative to alleviate hunger.
Grand Island’s ‘Miracle League Field’ – a special ‘soft turf’ handicapped-accessible ball field, received its Tenth Annual Donation from the Rotary Club of Grand Island during the month of July.
SPIRITED DRUMMING IS A FUN WAY TO END AND BEGIN A YEAR
Buffalo’s Bidwell Parkway in front of President Patti Johnson’s home was the scene of the Rotary Club of Buffalo Sunrise induction of a new Rotarian Valerie Juang (pictured below).
To better serve our community and those who need it most, the Rotary Club of St. Catharines was pleased to provide a donation of $15,000 to support the transformation of the gazebo on the grounds of the Lincoln County Humane Society into a community fridge and pantry, the first of its kind in the Niagara Region.
The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls welcomes you to join two events scheduled this September to celebrate 100 years in service and the beautiful Rotary clock that was installed this year!
On September 14, 2021, The City of Niagara Falls will be formally recognizing the club’s 100th Anniversary, along with a flag raising ceremony that will take place outside City Hall located at 4310 Queen St. Niagara Falls, Ontario.
The official dedication ceremony of the Rotary Clock that has been installed on the Niagara Parkway has been rescheduled for September 18th at 11:00 a.m. The location of the ceremony will be taking place at the clock’s location, just at the bottom of Murray Hill, facing the American Falls.
We hope you can attend to share this special moment with The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls!
Our first meeting of 2021-22 featured President Courtney Usborne’s inaugural address to the membership along with her induction as President and the induction of the Board by AG Milica. With lockdowns and restrictions on the numbers of those able to gather, combined with our twice a month meeting schedule, it was also our first opportunity to hold a true actual hybrid meeting.
Some planned, some serendipitous. All relevant. The Rotary Club of Fonthill participated in a drive by parade this Canada Day!
The floats were stationary and the usual sideline watchers drove by in their cars. Our Canada Day Chair had hours of Marching Band music downloaded from Spotify to replace the usual Canada Day's Marching Band. It kept 5 flag waving Rotarians dancing for three hours.
On a warm July 21st evening, Rotary Club of Welland Past-President Sandy Graham hosted a year-end social fellowship. Located at the club’s 100th Anniversary Legacy Project, the Rotary Club of Welland Park is on the west side of the Welland Recreational Waterway (former Welland Canal).
This was the first face-to-face meeting of Welland Rotary this year due to the COVID pandemic. Sandy welcomed Welland Rotarians and family members and thanked them for allowing her to be their President this past year. “It has truly been an amazing year for growth and changes”. 2021-2022 President Vic Kerschl presented Sandy with a plaque recognizing her presidential year, a Past President pin and a bouquet of flowers.
Rotary members in Ukraine are helping neighbors return to their homes, distributing supplies from other countries, and organizing long-term aid — all despite being affected by the war
Across Europe, Rotaract members are using digital tools to share information and coordinate to help people who have been affected by the war in Ukraine
Here in D7090, we like to follow the course,
Last year, The Rotary Foundation (TRF), announced a new online tool, “Raise for Rotary”, that gives individuals a new way to raise fund to support The Rotary Foundation, including Polio Plus.
The dates are set for the next session of the Rotary Leadership Institute. Sessions will be held in September, October and November as well as February, March and April..Check the District website for dates and times (under Upcoming Events).
Joelle de Weerdt, a member of the Rotary E-club of Social Innovators (RESI) and many collaborators shown here after doing a good work, cleaning the beach of San Juan del Sur, as a symbol of their project to save whales and dolphins.
On July 13 the Rotary Club of Lincoln was given an update on the Global Grant that the club has undertaken as the international lead. Alice Klamer & Margaret Andrewes presented to our morning meeting: 
The Rotary Club of Lockport announced its new leadership for 2021-2022 and presented Paul Harris Fellowships to some members at its changeover luncheon on June 29th at Simply Ems on Lincoln Avenue in Lockport, NY.
The Rotary Club of Jamestown recently welcomed Andrew Borba, Artistic Director of the Chautauqua Theater Company, to their noon meeting at the Doubletree Hotel. This marks Borba’s fifth time as a guest speaker of the club and his 16th summer at the Chautauqua Theatre Company (CTC). Besides directing, he is a gifted actor on stage and television. 
Following the outstanding grand opening of the Solar Powered Heritage Carousel on Memorial Day Weekend, the Rotary Club of Buffalo is pleased to announce the first major event at the Carousel.
On Saturday, July 10, the Rotary Club of Ancaster AM, the Hamilton Rotaract Club and the Net, an Ancaster Community Service youth group, gathered to pick up garbage at the Ancaster Creek at Wilson and Rousseau Street, the Morgan Firestone Arena fields and some adjacent trails.
The Rotary Club of Hamilton held it’s first hands on service project for the new Rotary Year! The pandemic has taken a toll on our community. Food insecurity was an issue before the pandemic and now is an even bigger issue. The club issued a challenge to both its members and Rotary friends to help fill the Community Fridge.
The Rotary Club of Lancaster-Depew is announcing its upcoming events (old and new).
The Rotary Club of Greater Jamestown AM recently partnered with the local chapter of the Marine Toys for Tots for their craft fair fundraiser.
The Rotary Club of Hamilton Rotary After Five (aka Tonic) has implemented a strategic focus on food security as part of our local initiative to alleviate hunger.
Grand Island’s ‘Miracle League Field’ – a special ‘soft turf’ handicapped-accessible ball field, received its Tenth Annual Donation from the Rotary Club of Grand Island during the month of July.
ll Parkway in front of President Patti Johnson’s home was the scene of the Rotary Club of Buffalo Sunrise induction of a new Rotarian Valerie Juang (pictured below).
To better serve our community and those who need it most, the Rotary Club of St. Catharines was pleased to provide a donation of $15,000 to support the transformation of the gazebo on the grounds of the Lincoln County Humane Society into a community fridge and pantry, the first of its kind in the Niagara Region.
The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls welcomes you to join two events scheduled this September to celebrate 100 years in service and the beautiful Rotary clock that was installed this year!
Our first meeting of 2021-22 featured President Courtney Usborne’s inaugural address to the membership along with her induction as President and the induction of the Board by AG Milica. With lockdowns and restrictions on the numbers of those able to gather, combined with our twice a month meeting schedule, it was also our first opportunity to hold a true actual hybrid meeting.
Some planned, some serendipitous. All relevant. The Rotary Club of Fonthill participated in a drive by parade this Canada Day!
