district 7090 newsletter - october 2009 district 7090...

The FuTure oF roTary is in our youThs hands!OctOber Message frOM

District gOvernOr

Pravin suchak

District 7090 NewsletterOctober 2009

Vocational Service is the basic foundation on which our Rotary membership is built and distinguishes us from other service organizations. There are many service organizations, like Rotary, in the world. However, I know of no other organization that provides community and international service and at the same time charges its members to contribute their vocational talents to solving the problems of society and meeting the needs of their community.

In fact, the importance of vocational service led the Rotary International Board of Directors to put vocational service as one of the seven priorities in the 2007-10 RI Strategic Plan. The plan emphasizes Rotary’s commitment to vocational service and has agreed to achieving the following vocational service goals:

1. Influence ethical decision-making by encouraging Rotarians to join and take leadership roles in business and vocational associations.

2. Find new ways to develop vocational skills of other, especially people without jobs, by fully utilizing Rotarian expertise and experience3. Develop more vocational forums for learning and information exchange to encourage professional developmentEvery year in October, Rotarians are encouraged to focus on this important avenue of Rotary service. Discussions on vocational service can lead to projects that not only develop the ethical consciousness and vocational skills of Rotarians but also the talents within their communities. However, Vocational Service month should not be seen as a finite period. It is an opportunity to begin year-long vocational service programs and activities.

In the wake of the recent deteriorating business and professional environment, the world is looking for people who are ethically sound and committed to social responsibility. Rotary is already strong in community service and international service. Can Rotary become equally strong in vocational service? Can your club become equally strong in vocational service? Can you give your club & Rotary a new identity by melding these three avenues of service? If we can, Rotary will be recharged, ready and relevant to the needs of the 21st century. And people will be lining up to join us.

the future rOtary is in yOur hanDs

how can we help?

Your Fellow Rotarian and Friend

Pravin d. suchakRotary International Best of FriendsDistrict 7090 Governor 2009-2010

November is rotary FouNdatioN moNth

November is The Rotary Foundation month, and it’s often during this month that every Club Foundation Chair makes a major pitch to strive for the club’s Foundation goal. It is important to make the month of November one in which the work of the Foundation is brought to the attention of members and it should be the month which generates a strong response toward the club Foundation goals.

The humanitarian and educational programs of the Rotary Foundation do so much good all over the world. Rotarians need to know about the good which accrues from their giving, and they usually also wish to witness the work of their own club in using Foundation funds to accomplish club-based service project.

The District Foundation Director PDG Art Wing and his committee as well as the Area Foundation Representatives are available to do presentations on the Rotary Foundation and its programs at your club. Please email Art early at [email protected] to book a speaker for your club during the month of November.

D i s t r i c t 7 0 9 0 N ews l e t t e r - O c t o b e r 2 0 0 9

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October is Rotary Vocational Service Month

Vocational Service focuses on:Adherence to and promotion of the highest ethical standards in all occupations, including fair treatment of employers, employees, associates, competitors, and the public. The recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, not just those that are pursued by Rotarians. The contribution of your vocational talents to solving the problems of society and meeting the needs of the community.

During October, Rotarians are encouraged to focus on this important avenue of Rotary service. Discussions on vocational service can lead to projects that not only develop the ethical consciousness and vocational skills of Rotarians but also the talents within their communities. Vocational Service Month is an opportunity to begin year-long vocational service activities, ranging from Rotary discussions to awards to community projects. Following are some suggested activities to undertake during Vocational Service Month:

Devote the first meeting in October to examining the second Avenue of Service, including The Four-Way Test and The Declaration of Rotarians in Business and Professions. After expanding members’ awareness, solicit their input in planning projects for the remainder of the year.

Introduce a “mini-classifications talk” series in which each member gives a five-minute talk on his or her vocation. Schedule one speaker for the beginning of each meeting until everyone has made a presentation. The purpose of these talks is to promote vocational awareness among Rotarians and help them recognize the worthiness of all useful occupations.

Present a vocational award to someone in the community who has exemplified outstanding professional achievement while maintaining very high ethical standards. Promote the presentation within the community, and consider making it an annual October event.

Invite experts to give a presentation on the vocational needs of the community and develop a project in response to those needs. Possible projects could focus on developing character, providing career information to youth, mentoring small businesses, or organizing workshops that provide employees with new skills.

Encourage club members to put their vocational skills to work as a Rotary Volunteer. Volunteer opportunities are available on ProjectLINK, a valuable resource that lists many vocational projects that clubs and districts can also choose to support financially or with donated goods. ProjectLINK also includes examples of successful vocational service projects that Rotary clubs can model as they plan their own activities.

For more information, visit www.rotary.org* or contact RI staff at [email protected]

* http://www.rotary.org/en/ServiceAndFellowship/StartAProject/AvenuesOfService/Pages/ridefault.aspx

The following document is courtesy of andrea aldinger, district Vocational services Chiar. she may be contacted at [email protected].

Rotary International District 7090On to Montreal Convention

We wish to invite you to share in the festivities of the 2010 Rotary International Convention, which is being held June 20 -23, 2010 in Montreal, Canada. Check the website @ www.rotary2010.com, or email Karen Oakes at [email protected]

Our District 7090, as the Best of Friends District wants all of you to enjoy this opportunity to journey to Montreal in celebration of Rotary International, and of 100 years of Rotary in Canada. We have engaged with VIA Rail for special offerings as:

DISCOUNT: 10% off best available fare in all classes of service system-wide (exception of Economy Special (YS) and Business Supersaver (JX) fares) VALID: June 10 – 30, 2010 (note: added a few days to beginning and end of conference for delegates who may wish to arrive earlier and/or stay later). TERRITORY: VIA Rail Canada System Wide to/from Montréal, Québec IDENTIFICATION: Convention Code #11762 RESERVATION: Book your travel online at www.viarail.ca. Choose the best applicable fare plan for your travel needs. When reserving, choose ‘Other special discounts’ in the ‘Discount Type’ section, and enter ‘11762’ in the ‘Discount Code’ section. No serial number is required; the fare will be discounted accordingly. Up to 3 additional passengers (family & friends) can receive the discount as long as they are travelling on the same date and train.

Chartered Rail Car Rates* Niagara Falls to Montréal are available. Contact Karen Oakes for details. In addition, we have blocked 75 rooms for your consideration (first come, first served please). The rooms are available via email confirmation to myself of your committed interest (5 are already committed). Dates available June 19 – June 23, 2010

Grand Plaza Montréal Centre-Ville @ $165CDN plus taxes (50 rooms)Hotel Gouverneur Place Dupuis @ $189 CDN & taxes ( 25 rooms).

I did not know either of these hotels, and can not provide any personal endorsement. The district has simply blocked a number of rooms at this time to engage our fellow Rotarians to consider this option.

Montreal will be my first ever International Rotary Convention, and I am so excited about attending to listen, learn and understand more about this wonderful Rotary world of ours. Please consider coming to Montreal!

Yours in Rotary Service

Karen L. OakesOn to Montreal ChairDistrict Governor Elect 2010-2011.


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MeMbership Minute

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RotaRy Club of Westfield mayville

Welcomes NeW PresideNt, member

Ben Spitzer was welcomed as new president of the Westfield Mayville Rotary Club as was new member James Wakeman during the club’s annual installation dinner recently held at Zebro’s in Westfield.

Stuart Williams, out-going president, noted that Spitzer’s election by the members to serve in 2009-2010 is “an expression of their confidence in you and your leadership. This responsibility and honor have been entrusted to you to lead and shape our club in the upcoming year.”

A resident of Snug Harbor in Mayville, Spitzer is superintendent of Chautauqua Lake Central School and was inducted into the club in 2004. He pledged to do his best as president and congratulated all the members for their service. “The future of Rotary is in your hands,” he noted.

Wakeman, a resident of North East, PA, was introduced by Pete Bills, membership committee. His long-time career includes administrator, acting superintendent, kindergarten – 12th

grade principal, athletic director/coach/teacher for Ripley Central School. In addition he served as athletic programs director at Chautauqua Lake Central School in 2008 and currently college supervisor for student teachers at SUNY Fredonia.

Jim’s community contributions include fund-raising for several organizations, including Westfield Kiwanis Club and the Community Women’s Club of

North East. He also helped with construction of the Ripley Central School playground in 2005.

Also installed were officers Sue Hammond (wife of Jim Wakeman), first vice president; and Morton Flexor, second vice president. Directors and their terms of service named were Jack Dean and John Rawlinson, 2007-2010; J.B. Dunn and Carol Sheldon,

2008-2011; and Dan Smith and Pete Bills, 2009-2012.

Williams extended the club’s appreciation for outgoing officers Jack Skahill as past president and Dave Travis, treasurer for many years. Both were thanked for their years of service.

In his remarks to the members, Williams noted more than a dozen achievements of the club. “Rotary is both a local as well as an international organization,” he noted. “All of us have at least attended other Rotary Club meetings and many of us have been members of other clubs around the country. From my experience, I would say that, pound for pound, the Westfield Mayville Rotary Club is one of the best.”

He then noted that during the past year the membership has accomplished more

than a dozen programs and contributions to community. Among those listed were hosting an international student from Thailand; recognizing 50 outstanding “Students of the Month” from five schools; gathered, packed and shipped more than two tons of text books to an orphanage school in South Africa and experienced a 15 percent membership growth.

In addition, Williams listed several community monetary accomplishments: donated funds to local programs – Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation, Westfield YWCA, Chautauqua Opera Scholarship and after-prom parties.

Internationally, the club was responsible for Paul Harris Fellowships valued at $2500; raised more than $20,000 at its fall Steak Feast and Spring Auction to fund many programs, such as scholarships to local schools and Rotary International to support the effort to eradicate polio on a worldwide basis.

“What I think is our most important contribution is that we have come to know each other on a personal basis, which has helped our community in a subtle but most important way,” Williams said. “I have had the privilege to live, work and enjoy our community. Serving as your president has been an honor that I will never forget. Thank you for the privilege.”

GEt REady to MakE youR MEMbERship

GRow!

District Membership Seminars on both sides of the borders are coming in November. Please watch out for dates & details in your email inbox. If you like something specific addressed in the seminar please email your request to Ray Guy, District Memberhsip Director at [email protected]


Newly installed and retiring Westfield Mayville Rotary Club officers from left front, are John Rawlinson, Mort Flexer, Sue Hammond, Ben Spitzer, Jack Dean; back, from left, David Travis, Stuart Williams, JB Dunn, Jack Dean and Pete Bills. seated is dan smith.

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MeMbership Minutejjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj

RotaRy Club of bRanfoRd sunRise

neW membeR induCtion

A new member was inducted into the club on August 31st, but this new member is not new to Rotary. Ginny Bullas has joined our club to help carry on the tremendous work that husband Rick always offered the Rotary Club of Brantford Sunrise. Ginny brings with her the many years of experience of being the spouse of one of our founding members.

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RotaRy Club of st. CathaRines south

iNductioN oF sheree tailloNEd Telenko led the induction ceremony of Sheree Taillon. Proposed by Cathy

Henry, Sheree’s classification is Flooring, Retail. Cathy Henry stated that she has known Sheree for 20 years. Sheree has helped raise funds at many galas - Hospice, our Diamond-studded, and Take it to Heart - by donating gifts in kind from her store. She is already a Rotarian at heart. jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj

RotaRy Club of WateRdoWn

iNductioN oF scott vaN camP

Rotary Club of Waterdown president Wendy Hickey welcomes newest member Scott Van Camp to the Club.

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RotaRy Gse team membeRs Wanted!

rotary oFFers Paid travel aNd vocatioNal exPerieNce

to youNg busiNessPeoPle aNd ProFessioNals.

As part of Rotary International’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program, local Rotary District (7090) will be sending a team of young professionals to Belize & Guatemala from February 15 to March 16, 2010 and will be hosting a similar team from Belize in October 2009. & nbsp; In addition to a Rotarian team leader, the team will be comprised of four business people and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers and interested in learning about the economic, social

and cultural characteristics of Belize & Guatemala. All costs of the trip (travel and accommodation) will be paid by the Rotary International and the host Rotary counterparts. This is part of Rotary’s mission which is the improvement of international understanding and fostering of world peace by enabling young people from different countries to learn about each other. A member of last year’s exchange to Paraguay and Argentina, Angela Hintz, from Buffalo, NY, noted that “The experience was so amazing and fantastic. Our group has already expressed many times how we wish that we were still there. The Rotarians and others were kind, helpful, and amazing people. It was an experience of a lifetime”. While in Belize and Guatemala, team members will have opportunities to study and experience both the way of living and how their professions are practiced in those countries They will live with Rotarians in a number of different localities and will have the opportunity to see first hand how their vocational counterparts work. Because of the short time-frame before the interviews to be held at the McBain Community Centre in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Saturday, Oct. 24, please contact Keith Lindberg at 905 351-3990 or 905 356-4294 to speed up the application process. Application forms and more information about the exchange can be found on the Rotary District 7090 web site – www.rotary7090.org. Rotary International is the world’s first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the motto Service Above Self. For more information about Rotary International, go to www.rotary.org.



The Rotary Foundation is teaming up with world-renowned violinist and polio survivor Itzhak Perlman and the New York Philharmonic to present the Concert to End Polio, a benefit performance supporting the PolioPlus Fund.

www.rotary.org/endpolioconcert

December 2, 2009Aver Fisher HallLincoln Center for the Performing ArtsNew York City

Tickets now on saleVisit the web site for more information

ON

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PACIFIC EMERGENCY APPEAL ShelterBox are urgently calling for donations

This week a succession of catastrophic large scale disasters have hit areas around the Pacific, leaving thousands without shelter. This series of unprecedented and devastating tsuna-mis, typhoons & earthquakes hit the region leaving entire communities in need of help. This has been one of ShelterBox's most challenging set of de-ployments to date and we are urgently appealing for dona-tions to enable us to alleviate the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people across the globe who have lost every-thing in the last week.

Boxes of aid are desperately needed; please give a donation to this appeal to help ShelterBox respond rapidly.

Call now on: Donations hotline - 1 800 677 0990. Donate online at www.shelterbox.ca Please note: ShelterBox is unable to accept time or location specific donations

RotaRy youth PRogRamsD i s t r i c t 7 0 9 0 N ews l e t t e r - O c t o b e r 2 0 0 9

the RotaRy Club of niaGaRa falls

rotary exhaNge studeNts commeNt oN the exPerieNceLast month we highlighed Annina Herala from Finland. In this issue we learn the thoughts of three more past Rotary Exchange students.

Lina Glaser, the most recent student wrote: “My youth exchange has changed my life in multiple ways. I learned to be a positive example to others and i was motivated to be the change. i learned things that are impossible to learn in school, but social acquirements are the most important skills in everyone’s future. i have a better World understanding and know how to integrate myself. i am sure that i learned about my own abilities and my limits so now I am self confident thanks to Rotary. Please keep giving teenagers a chance to have such a great experience.”

President Donna Dalgliesh also shared comments received from Caina Sbeghen, thier Youth Exchange student from Brazil:

“I cannot find the right words to describe how this experience changed my life….My exchange gave me a greater understanding of the world outside of Brazil. i definitely learned a lot.”

And finally, Daniel Szel, the Rotary Exchange student from a few years ago wrote: “About my experiences from Canada.. i think i have changed a lot there. Because of the new places and new people i have learned a lot of new things; I have learned how to fit in new situations.

I saw a whole different world, so I could see that there are a a totally different lifestyle as the European – and i really really like that lifestyle (steak&potatoes). after arriving home i tried not to forget the Canadian habits, so i still want a car with big engine and a north-american style house.

I could be a part of other families; i could see how family works there. Though i came back to hungary, i feel i still belong there and i am definitely planning to visit.

With the help of rotary i found a lot of friends and couple of families.”

jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjthe RotaRy Club

of Welland

JeNNy martiNez: ryla chaNged my liFe!

Jenny Martinez of Brantford spoke to the Welland Rotary club about her experiences at this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) training camp. A member of the Brantford Rotaract club, Jenny’s attendance at RYLA was generously sponsored by the Welland Rotary club.

Jenny is a graduate of U of T with an honours BA in international development. Since graduation, Jenny has lived in Kenya working in orphanages and refugee camps, and also volunteers with Immigrant Settlement Services and War Child Canada. She has a strong passion for helping others and hopes to one day start her own NGO. Her attendance at RYLA allowed Jenny to connect with an entire Rotary network of individuals that share her values andhopes!

Thank you, Welland Rotarians!

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the RotaRy Club of bRantfoRd sunsRise

youth exchaNge

Linus Boog, Rotary exchange student for 2009, presented the banner of his home

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club in Switzerland, to club president, Reg Madison.

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the RotaRy Club of

st. CathaRines

youth exchaNge - elizabeth baxter

by briaN steWart Vicky Rudachuk introduced our club’s past out going exchange students as today’s speakers.

Every year more than 7 000 high school students, through Rotary clubs all over the world, are selected through an

application and interview process. They need to have a level of maturity that

would enable them to be away from home for an extended period of time, they need to have proven themselves in their academic achievement and community involvement and they need to be open to new ideas.

Aynsley Phillips and Elizabeth Baxter both demonstrated these qualities and spoke to the club about their experience as exchange students last year.

Elizabeth spent her exchange year in Belgium and was hosted by 5 different families. She was hosted in the Wallonia region of the country. Her experience with her host families and classmates

helped to improve her French language skills. This has led her to pursue future plans of obtaining a degree in French language from Brock University with future ambitions of becoming a French teacher. Elizabeth enjoyed learning new cultures and travelling throughout Belgium and the rest of Europe. She described her memorable visit to Paris.

youth exchaNge -ayNsley PhilliPs

by briaN steWart Aynsley spent her year on exchange in Denmark. She was hosted by 4 families in the Ronde region of the country. She also enjoyed the experience gained by living and travelling with her host

families and classmates. Aynsley also took advantage of a Rotary trip through Europe and enjoyed her travels. She thanked our club for the opportunity both of them were given and conveyed the many positive aspects of the youth exchange program and how it was the best experience of their lives so far. John Crossingham thanked both Elizabeth and Aynsley for their presentation today.

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the RotaRy Club of bRantfoRd sunRise

rotaract activitiesby mike Pearce

Reuben DeBoer, a second-year student at Laurier, is a vice-president of the local Rotaract Club, and a director of the local United Way. Reuben travelled this summer to Ghana and offered a comprehensive report on his visit (partly sponsored by our club) to that African country.

Reuben described Ghana as the “gateway to Africa”, and as a safe and peaceful country. It is a country rapidly industrializing but still has the poverty level inherent throughout Africa.

Many people living in Ghana get their water from streams that are, often, a signifcant distance from their homes. So, they must travel long distances to retrieve their drinking water from these

streams, which, by the way, are also used as latrines by the citizens of Ghana. Consuming water in this manner results in the need for people to get “dewormed” about three times a year.

Reuben worked for the Community Water and Sanitation Agency while in Ghana. His duties included: production, assessment, evaluation and corruption. Reuben’s responsibilities included questioning the elders and chiefs about future needs and making assessments of

those requests and reporting to his government agency.

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RotaRy youth PRogRams

Elizabeth Baxter aynsley Phillips

RotaRy youth PRogRams


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To remediate the problems of potuble drinking water and proper sanitation facilities, the agency builds water closets in the middle of towns so that residents can shower and use proper sanitation facilities. They also build rain towers that collect rainfall for drinking water and other purposes. Ghana receives heavy rains approximately four months of the year.

While in Ghana, Reuben visited six Rotary and two Rotaract clubs, which proves once again the extensive reach of Rotary throughout the world.

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the RotaRy Club of noRfolk

Sarah Eastwood is the club’s outgoing Rotary Exhange student. Here is what Sarah had to say upon her arrival in France.

Hi everybody! Bonjour!

So far, being in France has been very exciting but it feels strange still. We landed in Paris at 7am, but in Canada it was only 1 in the morning. When I left yesterday, I flew to Washington with two other Canadian girls, and during our 5-hour layover other students arrived from all over the US who were also coming to France. In the end there were 40 or 50 rotary students travelling together to Paris, and when we touched down in Paris all the exchange students clapped and cheered, and the rest of the passengers looked at us like we were crazy....

....My host family is fantastic. They have two sons, and the younger one, Leo, is also on a rotary exchange this year but in the States....

From the airport, it was a beautiful drive to Saint-Parres aux Tertres, which is a village just outside Troyes where they live, the same way that Dundas is a part

of Hamilton. After we left Paris and drove east, there were fewer buildings but many farms, huge fields all around, and small forests around those. We went in to Troyes this afternoon and visited a beautiful cathedral, some small gardens in a courtyard of the university there, and we walked past my school.....

... It has just gotten dark here, and Catherine tells me that we can see a lot of stars because the air is so clean, so I’m going to check those out! Bonne nuit!

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the RotaRy Club of

noRfolk

takiNg the PeNNaNt

Claudia (our new exchange student from Germany) has presented us with a new club banner from the Rotary Club of Aalen-Heidenheim - a welcome addition to our collection of almost 200 banners from clubs around the world.

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of niaGaRa falls

rotary studeNt exchaNge Programs are liFe chaNgiNg

President Donna has been in touch with some of our past Rotary Exchange students to get their reaction as to the impact that the experience had on their lives.

The following is taken from the response by Annina Herala from Findland.

The exchange student year in Canada gave me a lot: I met wonderful people, got acquainted with your country and culture and improved my English skills. I learned that it’s okay to speak English although I was not and I am still not prefect at it. Without using a language, it’s fairly hard to improve it. It was also interesting to live in

a country with people with a wide variety of back grounds. In Finland the majority of population have background in Finland and only 7% of the population speaks Swedish as their mother tongue. Consequently I also learned a lot about my country Finland and about myself.

The year in Canada also gave me encouragement to apply to an international university of applied sciences in which all the classes are held in English. I got in and I just started my third year in that university. I have studied in a multicultural environment in English! I am pretty sure I wouldn’t have been able to do that without the experiences and skills the year in Canada provided me.

Thank you Rotary Club of Niagara Falls! You have such an active and lively club!

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the RotaRy Club of

batavia

rotary district 7090 ambassadorial scholar

Jeff Decker, Rotary District 7090 Ambassadorial Scholar, met with the Batavia Rotary Club for an update on his recent overseas study program. Jeff spent the last year in Australia studying at Bond University in Robina, Gold Coast, Queensland where only 30% of the graduate student population is Australian. While serving as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, Jeff attended over 20 different Rotary Club meetings and events and spoke at 15 different engagements throughout the country while earning a Master’s degree in International Relations. Serving in true Rotary spirit, service above self, Jeff organized a fundraiser for a 19 year old, Perry Cross, who was paralyzed in a rugby match. The Batavia Rotary Club, a member of District 7090, helped sponsor Jeff as Rotary’s Ambassadorial Scholar. - Pamela LaGrou

The following is an exeprt of an item that was received by Rotarian John Teibert from Jeff Dekker, one of our Scholars in Australia.

D i s t r i c t 7 0 9 0 N ews l e t t e r - A u g u s t 2 0 0 9

RotaRy youth PRogRams“As a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar to District 9640 Surfers Paradise Rotary Club, I am grateful to say that I was able to experience the passage of time in these ways....

During my scholarship period I earned a Master of International Relations (Laws) from Bond University in Australia. While studying for the degree I received Vice-Chancellor’s and Dean’s academic awards graduating with honors and a 3.6 GPA. .....The variety of cultures (at

the school) makes classroom discussions varied and transforms mundane conversations about theory and ideology into opportunities to learn how other cultures think and perceive global and national events, something that would not happen in a more homogenous environment.

As a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, I have learned that opportunities for goodwill come in a multitude of forms. In my experience in the city Gold Coast, my most memorable experience came in the form of four wheels, a heart of gold, and a smile that lights up a room.

Perry Cross is a quadriplegic. In 1989, at the age of nineteen, Perry broke his neck during a rugby game. After the accident, doctors told him that he would not live

through the night. Perry did. Doctors then told him that he would never be able to breathe again without the aid of a respirator. Today Perry can thanks to a stem cell operation he underwent in India recently. Doctors now say that he will never be able to walk again. Through Perry’s efforts at endorsing stem cell research, one day Perry will.

Perry’s story is one of pure inspiration that epitomizes the esprit de corps of Rotary International. After coming

to terms with his c i r c u m s t a n c e s , the enormity of Perry’s spirit and his determination to make a difference, placed him before world leaders, world-class athletes, world-renowned academics, and Christopher Reeves in a battle to promote stem cell research to enhance the lives of people suffering from several different health conditions including paralysis. As Superman’s A u s t r a l i a n ambassador, Perry founded the Perry Cross Foundation to

do just that. On April 17th, I was able to experience his motivation as he celebrated the twentieth anniversary of life after his accident. The event was aptly named Possibilities Day and was the Perry Cross Foundation’s first fund raiser. Here, Perry was joined by rugby legend John Eales and a paralyzed opera singer as they expounded on the strength of the human spirit and the accomplishments that can be achieved through sheer determination and good will. Together, they raised $5,000 for an annual stem cell research scholarship the Perry Cross Foundation sponsors at Bond University. While my contribution was small, I was able to participate by assembling

a multinational group to run the registration portion for Possibilities Day comprised of members from Australia, Canada, Thailand, Sweden, and the United States. Our contribution helped facilitate the entrance of 350 people and we left that night eternally motivated by Perry and forever changed by his will to change not only his circumstances, but those of people suffering from similar disabilities throughout the world. It was a lesson I will not soon forget as it is a quintessential example of the Rotary motto: Service above Self. The Perry Cross Foundation fund raiser was one of several events that has affected me during my scholarship period and will no doubt shape my life in the future. The Ambassadorial Scholarship has changed my life and has made me a more compassionate person.

I want to thank the Rotary Foundation and Rotarians of District 9640 and 7090 for making the Ambassadorial Scholarship possible. I am deeply indebted to each and every Rotarian for giving me a life experience that I will soon not forget. I especially want to thank my Rotary sponsor Mary Raymond of the Batavia, NY Rotary Club. Without her hard work and helping hands I would have never been awarded the scholarship. Second, I would like to thank my host Rotarian Alan Midwood of Surfers Paradise Rotary Club and his wife Barbara. They became my Australian family and helped me out in every facet imaginable during my time down under. Alan and Barbara treated me like family and took me to Australian cultural events, helped me when I was sick, taught me about Australian life, and supported me in the way only close friends and family are able to do. Without them I would have never felt as at home in Australia, nor would I have learned as much about that magical place.

Thank you all.”

Jeff Decker

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Jeff Decker and Sue Schuler at the rotary Club of Batavia

RotaRy Club of West seneCa

The Rotary Club of West Seneca and District 7090 of Rotary International have provided a grant of $2,000 to the West Seneca Public Library.

The purpose of the grant is to provide financial support for a series of informational and interactive programs and add materials to the collection of the West Seneca Public Library. Specifically, the programs and materiel will address the issues of children’s health, nutritionand development. At least five (5) programs, delivered by experts in their field, will be presented about once every other month beginning in April, 2009.

Materiel purchased by The Library will be age appropriate and include: books, periodicals, and 2 electronic media. Also, some of the grant money may be used to purchase a limited quantity of expendables, for example, informational material given away at the end of a session.

Rotary Club of West Seneca is especially pleased to provide support at this time to help meet the needs of our community. The West Seneca Public Library is challenged by reduced financial support from government while at the same time faced with increased patron traffic and need; persons are turning to the library to get information.

Prenatal health, pediatric care, nutrition, including meal planning and preparation, exercise and worthy use of leisure time are among the factors that make a community viable. This project will take a small, but critical, step toward

enhancing those factors. These topics are being addressed in a venue that is inviting, comfortable and accessible; the public library. As an added feature, the project is in keeping with Rotary International themes for 2008/2009 – Make Dreams Real -- and 2009/2010 – The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands.

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RotaRy Club of bRantfoRd

let kids be kidsby mike Pearce

Rotaract president, Jennifer Middleton addressed the membership along with Karen Williamson. Jenn and Karen updated us on progress to date for the Let Kids Be Kids program. Jenn initiated this program about three years ago and continues to be the catalyst behind its success. Our club has contributed generously to this program.

In 2006, Jenn and a couple of RYLA students decided they would launch an international project. Their project became the Let Kids Be Kids program that helps to provide food, clothing, education and other support opportunities to children in Africa who, otherwise, would have nothing.

Jenn offered a slide presentation showing the children they have helped. Their healthy, smiling faces told us Jenn’s

program has been a success.

We were told that children in certain areas of Mozambique, where Jenn’s group has centred their efforts, cannot attend school without a proper school uniform. So, Let Kids Be Kids helps provide the clothing needed for children to be able to attend school and gain an education.

Our club has committed to another $10,000 contribution to this program. Jenn and Karen are seeking matching grants from Rotary International that will also help fund this program. Rotary International offers matching grants where Rotary projects offer assistance with fresh water, health and education. So, the Let Kids Be Kids program should be able to secure a matching grant.

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RotaRy Club of Westfield mayville

visited by youNg readers author

by: aNN e. WeidmaN, [email protected]

“I love to write, but it’s work,” said Susan Rowan Masters, well-known Chautauqua County author of young readers novels, who visited the Westfield Mayville Rotary Club recently.

She confessed that she can think of “lots of things” to put off producing her novels. Her credentials, however, are proof that she does get to work. Her four novels, Night Journey to Vicksburg, The Secret Life of Hubie Hartzel, Libby Bloom and Summer Song, are testimony to her attention to writing.

When people ask Mrs. Masters how to write a novel, she usually quotes Ernest Hemmingway: “You make it up – with everything you know or experience.” Evidence of this conviction is in her novels: Summer Song is about the circumstance of a family when growing up and contains humor as well as the death of a father; The Secret Life of

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Hubie Hartzell has a cat playing a role; Libby Bloom, which has a title to each chapter, also tells of the author’s experience when she played the flute in school; Night Journey, her favorite, involves part of the Ripley Writes program.

She was introduced to the Ripley Central School by Sue Hammond, Rotary vice president and recent RCS principal, as a write-in-residence in the early 1980s. “In addition, for the last five years, Mrs. Masters has been a vital part of the Ripley Writes program as a wonderful and dedicated teaching artist who has worked to enhance the creative writing skills of some of our elementary students,” Ms. Hammond said.

Mrs. Masters was nominated for the Rhode Island Book Award and was chosen for inclusion on the Sequoyah Award Masterlist. She has published short stories and articles in a variety of magazines. A national winner of the “Writer’s Digest Magazine” writing contest, she is a recipient of an Artist Fellowship sponsored by the Fund for the Arts in Chautauqua County.

In addition, she is on the visiting roster of faculty at the Writers’ Center at Chautauqua Institution, where, during the past several years, she has led Young Writers’ workshops.

To learn more about Susan Rowan Masters, go to her Web site, srmaster.

com. It’s for sure, no matter what your age, you will want to read her fascinating novels.

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RotaRy Club of GReateR JamestoWn am

rotary Football PartybeNeFits hall oF Fame

Quarterbackerto helP save childreN’s lives

Jamestown, New York (Monday, September 21, 2009)—The 19th Annual Rotary Club of Greater Jamestown A.M. Football Party Fundraiser, the “Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins”, Sunday, October 4th, at the See-Zurch House in Bemus Point, New York, helps support Hunter’s Hope Foundation. Established by former Buffalo Bill Jim Kelly and his wife, Jill, Hunter’s Hope Foundation addresses the acute need for information and research for Krabbe Disease.

“This is an awesome way to give back to help others while having a terrific time with your friends and family,” said Bill Briggs, A.M. Rotary Football co-chair who has overseen the event for many years.

Proceeds from the football fund-raiser will also benefit local humanitarian causes.

about huNter’s hoPeJim Kelly and his wife Jill established Hunter’s Hope Foundation in 1997 after their son Hunter was diagnosed with Krabbe leukodystrophy, a rare and often fatal degenerative disorder affecting the nervous system. Despite being told his health would decline rapidly and he would probably not live past thirteen months, Hunter lives to be eight years old. The foundation is the Kelly’s life-long commitment to increase public awareness of leukodystrophies as well as to increase the likelihood of early detection and treatment. The major goal and highest priority of the Hunter’s Hope foundation is that every newborn in every state will be tested for every possible disease, saving the lives of thousands of children through newborn screening programs. The Foundation also strives to fund research efforts to identify new treatments and therapies and a cure for Krabbe and other leukodystrophies. For more information about the Hunter’s Hope Foundation visit huntershope.org or e-mail to [email protected].

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RotaRy Club of akRon-neWstead

doNates $500 to cradle beach camP iN memory oF millard youNg

memorial brick Paver to be iNstalled at the gazebo iN russell

Park (akroN, Ny).by: michael J. bakos

October 01, 2009 – Akron, New York

The Rotary Club of Akron-Newstead has made a donation of $500.00 to the Cradle Beach Camp (Hamburg, NY) in memory of the late Millard Young, former Akron “Citizen-of-the-Year” and 2009 recipient of the Cradle Beach Camp “Legend-of-the-Year” Award for

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Writer of novels for young readers, susan Rowan Masters, left, is introduced to the Westfield Mayville Rotary Club by Sue hammond, club vice president.

Club Newshis tireless volunteer support of the camp. The Rotarians are also planning to install a large brick paver in Mr. Young’s memory at the Gazebo in Russell Park on Saturday, October 3rd, weather permitting.

Mr. Richard Lyons (Cradle Beach Camp) spoke to Rotarians regarding the history of the camp, camp programs, and Mr. Young’s involvement as a camp volunteer. A check was presented to Mr. Lyons during a ceremony following the program. Mr. Young’s daughter, Patty Young-Szlapak, was present at the ceremony.

Club President Paul Barone (EMS Group) commented, “We are pleased to be honoring Mr. Young’s legacy of community-service with a memorial brick paver in Russell Park and through a donation to the Cradle Beach Camp – an organization so very close to Millard’s heart. He will be remembered in his community as one who stepped forward to assist those facing life’s special challenges.”

www.cradlebeach.org. Cradle Beach, 8038 Old Lakeshore Road, Angola, New York 14006. Cradle Beach Camp serves the needs of disabled and disadvantaged children from Western New York. The camp provides a healthy environment and organized activities to promote socialization, self-worth, and decision-making, in an atmosphere of love and acceptance.

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the RotaRy Club of WateRdoWn

telliNg tales

The Telling Tales Festival is an important fundraising event held at Westfield

Heritage Village in Rockton Ontario on September 20, committed to providing financial assistance to much-needed local literacy programs. Over 4,000 people were in attendance and the Rotary clubs of Hamilton, including Waterdown, Flamborough, Ancaster and Dundas were big supporters of the event. A Rotary booth was set up and proved to be huge success. The clubs had a chance to use Waterdown’s new Why Join Your Local Rotary Club Signs and sell some Goodbye Polio bags. Flamborough AM club got to use their “chip wagon”. More about the event at www.tellingtales.org.


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From left to right, Paul Barone (a-n Rotary Club President), Cheryl Johannes (A-N Rotary Club Board Member), Patty Young-Szlapak (Mr. Young’s Daughter), and richard Lyons (Cradle Beach Camp).

telliNg tales iN rocktoN

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RotaRy Club of noRfolk sunRise

the suNrise trail is oPeN!

A highlight of the day was the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellowship to Gord Pennington - a Norfolk advocate for trails, amongst many other community minded accomplishments. Congratulations from all of RCNS to Gord Pennington on this tremendous recognition of his contributions to Norfolk and community

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RotaRy Club of buffalo sunRise

celebratiNg 15 years!

On September 15th, Buffalo Sunrise Rotary celebrated the 15th Anniversary of our club at the home of Pat & Barbara Whalen.

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buffalo

suPPorts gerard Place

Buffalo Rotary Club meeting June 5, 2008

Rob Eck presented a check for $10,000 to Karen Kasperek of Gerard Place. It was combined with a grant from the Catholic Health System to purchase the former convent of St. Gerard’s RC

church at Delavan and Bailey. The additional funds to convert the 90-year-old building to transitional housing and support services for homeless families came from the Junior League of Buffalo.

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niaGaRa-on-the-lake / leWiston Club

at the terry Fox ruN

On September 13 the Lewiston/Niagara-on-the-Lake Club helped out by cooking Hot Dogs in support of the Terry Fox Run Against Cancer in Niagara-on-the-Lake. They also donated to the cause in recognition of one of our members, Ken White who was terminally ill with Cancer and later died.

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Call foR Gse team leadeR and Gse team membeRs

The GSE team visiting Belize, Honduras and Guatemala will be going much earlier this Rotary Year (February 15 – March 16, 2010). Consequently, there is some urgency to get the team established earlier than in previous years when the team traditionally went in May-June. The District GSE Committee would like to enlist YOUR help in identifying candidates for both the leader position (a Rotarian) and team members (non-Rotarians in the 25-40 year-old age range).

Interviews for the leader position are scheduled for October 3, 2009, and for the team members on October 24th. Details about the qualifications can be found on the District web site (www.clubr unner.ca/dprg/DxHome/_home.aspx?did=7090); however the

basics for team members include:s employed full-time for a mini-mum of two years.s employed in or a resident of Rotary District 7090;s a citizen of Canada or the USA; in good health;s able to express yourself clearly and logically;s enthusiastic about your chosen vocation and exemplary in your work;s open-minded, tolerant, and flexible;

right: rotary Club of Buffalo Sunrise

s comfortable as part of a team with a demanding schedule; s free from all personal/work responsibilities between Feb.15 and March 16, 2010; s able to travel with your employ-er’s consent.

If you wish information about the GSE program, please feel free to contact either of the co-chairs – Bert Rappole of the Greater Jamestown AM Rotary Club ([email protected]) or Keith Lindberg of the Niagara Falls Rotary Club ([email protected]).

GSE team members from the exchange between 7090 and 4840 (Paraguay and Argentina) are available to make a presentation on their experiences to your club. Please contact the team leader, Sue Thompson ([email protected]).


Welland

local couNcillor hoPes to JoiN shelter box caNada

By joining Shelter Box Canada, David Alexander, a City Councillor hopes to be a team member among first responders in areas around the world hit hit by flooding, hurricanes or other disasters. He is a city councillor and local entrepreneur with financial assistance from the Rotary Club of Welland club he attended a weekend of training in British Columbia in early August. Now he hopes to find out if he has qualified for the extensive nine-day training in England in February 2010.

The training is rigid and competition is strong to becoming a Shelter Box response team member. There is an exam, an interview and a stenous training weekend - all before qualification to the nine-day program. All well worth the effort.


hambuRG

WNed Pledge Night a great success

The Rotary Club of Hamburg played a large role in making the WNED Pledge Night a great success. The Club had a full compliment of 16 members to man the telephones with a few to spare.

The Rotary Club of Hamburg being part of Rotary District 7090, is unique as the District “mirrors” the WNED broadcast area; covering the eight counties of Western New York and the Southern Ontario Peninsula well into the Hamilton viewing area.

The Pledge Campaign’s goal is to enroll 50,000 members this year. According to WNED management, they are well on their way to achieving that number---thanks to the volunteers from the Rotary Club of Hamburg.

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district 7090 newsletter - october 2009 district 7090...

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