It’s hard to believe that the first month of our 2017/18 year of Rotary: Making a Difference is coming to completion. Won’t time just slow down so that we can enjoy more family, fellowship, service, and sunshine this summer? Since time won’t slow down for us, let’s pause every once in a while and slow ourselves down. As busy Rotarians committed to Service Above Self, let’s remember that we cannot be of useful service to the world if we are not in good health and good spirits! Let’s not confuse busyness with productivity. Busyness is what causes stress while activities that stem from our passions keep us productive. Keeping our passion for Rotary alive might require us to unplug every once in a while; to delegate sometimes and give someone else a chance to lead. I love seeing the outdoor club activities, summer picnics, and baseball games shared between friends, family, and Rotarians. These are the good times that bond us to one another and in service to the world. Enjoy every moment!
Yours in Rotary,
DG Una Martone
Shout Outs:
The Rotary Club of Lancaster South invites members to contribute an extra $5 or $10 dollars at every weekly meeting and then pools the funds in a sort of community distribution account. Club members then nominate non profit organizations to be considered as recipients of the funds and one group is selected every quarter. This picture shows a check presentation to the local YMCA. Pooled monies were couple with some other fundraising proceeds to net a very nice $2,750 for the organization. Well done!
Bob Esbenshade is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Paradise and reports 61 years of perfect attendance. Can you even imagine??!! He indicated that his attendance has saved his wife from cooking over 3,000 meals! The turkey lunch provided during my visit was courtesy of Esbenshade Turkey Farm and it was sooooooo good.
Speaking of good food, thanks to the Rotary Club of Elizabethtown, I enjoyed my very first ham loaf this month! I guess I never knew what I was missing.
The Rotary Club of Harrisburg Keystone has a fantastic induction ceremony for new members. It involves several current club members speaking directly to the new member offering support and fellowship as they join the family of Rotary. The ceremony both engages current members and forms instant connections for the new member. It was conceived by PDG Hector Ortiz who, I’m certain, would love to share it with anyone who is interested. I was fortunate enough to have participated in this ceremony in the past and it has stuck with me for several years. So glad to be reminded of it as the club recently inducted former GSE participant, Lisa Howald.
Many thanks to Assistant Governors Alan Jacabs (Group E) and Bill Cluley (Group F) for assisting me during my July club visits. I appreciate your time and efforts.
This cute video spoof “What is Rotary” overviews some of the misconceptions about Rotary AND it has a tie back to District 7390! It was produced by Heather Ranck whose father, Don Ranck, is a member of our very own Paradise Rotary Club! Well done Heather!
As I stated in my previous message, funeral services details in Kampala for RI President-elect Sam Owori have been confirmed and can now be shared. Sam will be buried with state honors, as announced by the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni. Funeral services for Sam begin on Tuesday, 25 July, when he will be laid in state for a public viewing from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., immediately followed by a special parliament session in remembrance. On Wednesday, 26 July, there will be a eulogy service for all Rotarians to attend at Lugogo Indoor Stadium from 9:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Thursday, 27 July, the funeral service will begin at 9 a.m. at St. Paul Cathedral, Namirembre. RI Vice President Dean Rohrs will be attending as Rotary’s representative. For those who are unable to attend, condolences may be addressed to Mrs. Norah Agnes Owori, c/o Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda (ICGU), Crusader House, Plot 3 Portal Avenue, Kampala, Uganda or via email to: sam.owori@rotary.org. I hope that in this time of great sadness that we continue to remember and honor Sam for the kind, generous soul that he was.
Sincerely, Ian Riseley Rotary International President, 2017-18
The Rotary Club of Colonial Park hosted a very successful District 7390 RMB networking event at the Colonial Lounge in Harrisburg on Thursday, 20 July. A total of 17 Rotarians and family of Rotary guests RSVPed/attended the event and great connections and good fellowship were enjoyed by all. The Colonial Lounge provided an excellent venue, heavy hors d'oeuvres that really amounted to a meal and drinks that gave real value for the price paid. Thank you Rotary Club of Colonial Park.
Rotarians are people of action and Rotary International is interested in hearing about how you’re making a difference in your community and the world. Visit the RI website at this link and scroll down to the Share Your Rotary Story link. Every member has a story. What’s yours? https://www.rotary.org/#page-content
Click here to find the Awards Planning Matrix (APM) for RY 2017-2018. It shows all the main awards as listed on the RI website with deadlines for submission, who should nominate and a suggested venue for presentation along with appropriate comments. Please use the APM along with the RI website to guide your awards planning to ensure deserving clubs and Rotarians receive the recognition they deserve. Awards thank Rotarians and clubs for their hard work and dedication and inspire others to do their best work for Rotary.
All District Rotarians are invited to attend the Tri-Annual District Youth Exchange meeting on Saturday, July 29, 2017 in the dining room of the PA United Church Center (900 S. Arlington Ave, Harrisburg).
8:30-8:55a.m. – Welcome & Updates & Orient YEOs/Counselors on Using Manuals to Train Host Family (HF) and Volunteers – Linda Spotts DYE Chair and Amber Seidel DYE Outbound Chair
8:55am – Break up into 2 groups A and B and Rotate thru 2 topics for networking/clubs sharing best practices/brainstorming.
9:00-9:30am – Group A – Board Room – HF Best Practices/Issues, Group B – Dining Room – Academics Best Practices/Issues
9:35-10:05am – Group B – Board Room – Host Family Best Practices/Issues, Group A – Dining Room – Academic Best Practices/Issues
The staff of the Byrnes Health Education Center extend a cordial invitation to all Rotary members and guests of Rotary District 7390 to attend
An Evening of Appreciation on Thursday, August 24, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Please join us at our facility to experience your investment at work and to receive an update on new programming. Our teaching theaters will be open and our educators will be available to acquaint you with our health education mission!
Dinner will be provided. All Rotarians are welcome!
District membership for June 30, 2017 was 2,312. On July 1, 2016 it was 2,319! We are only down 7 members! Keep up the great work of attracting & engaging members in your Club!
Total District giving to The Rotary Foundation for Rotary year 2016-17 was $417,373. Total giving to the Annual Fund program was $365,650. Way to go District 7390!
The Rotary Club of Hanover is Making A Difference!
This week at their weekly meeting they presented two $5000 checks to two local organizations.
The first $5000 check was presented to Roots For Boots and will go toward building a ramp to a Vietnam Veterans House. The ramp will allow Sgt “Jack”Groft to enter and exit his home via his motorized chair and is being called Operation Out the Door.
Receiving the check in the picture below is Christy Lucas, the CEO of Roots for Boots, along with members of her board of directors. Roots For Boots supports veterans in need in the local Hanover area.
The second $5000 check was presented to Ruth’s Harvest. Ruth’s Harvest supports hungry children in the local Hanover area. They ensure young children go home on Friday afternoons with seven meals to help them eat well through the weekend.
Receiving the check in the picture is Pastor Kate Schroeder and her meal coordinator. This is the third year in a row the Hanover Rotary Club has supported Ruth’s Harvest.
Presenting both checks are Hanover’s Secretary, Kelly Rebert and President, Ralph Jodice.
Also at this week’s meeting, the Rotary Club of Hanover inducted its first new member for Rotary Year 2017-2018. Their new member is Erin Smith. Pictured with Erin is MaryBeth Hockenberry her club sponsor and mentor and the club’s Treasurer and Ralph Jodice, President.
Thanks to Darryl Zoeller, the Hanover Club’s photographer, for the great pictures.
