Rotary eBulletin (Jan 27, 2025) (Jan. 27, 2025)

Rotary District 7930 eBulletin
January 27, 2025

Rotary’s Response regarding WHO

Posted by Tom Hankard on Jan 25, 2025

Hello, District 7930 Rotarians,

Below you will find a statement from Rotary International in response to United States' stated intention to withdraw from the World Health Organization.

As you will read, Rotary remains committed to public health and the eradication of the poliomyelitis disease.

Yours In Rotary, Tom Hankard, Governor, Rotary District 7930

Rotary’s response to the U.S.’s announcement of its intent to withdraw from the World Health Organization

22 January 2025

Rotary notes the recent announcement that the United States intends to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), a partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). We remain resolute in our mission to eradicate polio. As a founding partner of the GPEI, Rotary has for decades worked closely with all the GPEI partners, the U.S. government, and other governments to end polio worldwide. This effort has reduced the number of children paralyzed by polio by 99.9% since 1988. The global effort to eradicate polio has innovated many times over the years to come close to protecting every last child.

Although this decision creates new challenges, Rotary remains dedicated to ensuring that every child is protected from this preventable disease. We are confident that the GPEI will continue to adapt, to innovate, and to implement effective strategies to keep polio vaccines available for every child in the United States and around the world, especially those in the most challenging and remote regions. The most important decisions leading to a polio-free world are made every day by parents who present their children for vaccination.

We remain committed to working with all GPEI partners to fulfill the promise of a polio-free world. Together, we have ended smallpox, and together, we can ensure that polio becomes the second human disease to be eradicated from the planet.

Polar Plunge Challenge: Note Updated Times

Posted by Terry Rezendes Curran on Jan 24, 2025

It is now time to plan your Polar Plunge to raise funds for Polio Eradication! Here are the top ten clubs in Polio giving through Jan. 17:

1. Beverly, $7,000; 2. Marblehead, $4,400; 3. Reading, $2,635.25; 4. Wilmington, $1,550; 5. Arlington, $1,100; 6. Lynn, $1,000; 7. Rockport, $931; 8. Andover, $550; 9. Ipswich $543.95; 10. Lexington, $358.75.

We are inviting all clubs to organize a local Polar Plunge in their community (hence Distributed). Pick any date this winter (i.e. between now and Opening Day at Fenway Park). Plunge any way you want (ocean, dunk tank, swimming pool, jacuzzi, etc.)

Your club can do it alone or partner with other clubs around you. The Belle Isle Rotary and Parkway Rotary Clubs are organizing a joint event on Saturday, February 1, 2025. The doors will open at 11 am and the plunge will take place at 1 pm (which is high tide and there is a ramp we walk down and plunge from!) Come and plunge with Governor Tom!

So, if you want to join them, please reach out and RSVP to Joe Steffano, Vera Carducci, Tom Hankard or Terry Rezendes Curran.

Updated Times for Be Bold Get Cold Plunge

Posted by Joseph Steffano on Jan 22, 2025

The Belle Isle Rotary and Parkway Rotary are teaming up again for the 3rd Annual Be Bold Get Cold Plunge to be held on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, at the East Boston Yacht Club.

Doors open at 11 am where you will be nice and warm, complimentary buffet and hot coffee/cocoa - cash bar and LOTS OF FUN! 'Plunge (walk/run down a boat ramp into the ocean) will be at 1 pm to coincide with high tide. Belly flop contest and raffles galore! Come on down and join in the fun!

RSVP to Joe Steffano, Tom Hankard, Vera Carducci or Terry Curran.

Download flyer here.

Help Wanted for Foundation Committee

Posted by Alexander Falk on Jan 21, 2025

The District Rotary Foundation Committee is looking for additional volunteers to join our committee. Specifically, we're looking for people with an active interest in our Rotary Foundation, and we currently have openings on the following sub-committees: Annual Fund, Major Donors, and Paul Harris Society.

The Foundation Committee meets monthly on Zoom on the first Monday of each month at 8:00 PM. More information about the work of the Foundation Committee can be found here on our district website: https://rotary7930.org/sitepage/rotary-foundation

The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. If you are able to help, please contact PDG Alexander Falk.

Public Image Committee Office Hours

Posted by Tim Kelley on Jan 24, 2025

How to you rate your club's Public Image? Is your Rotary club the best kept secret in your community? Do you have questions about ClubRunner, social media, press releases, how to get the word out about the great things Rotary does?

The Public Image Committee is here to help. We will be holding Office Hours on February 25 at 7:30 on Zoom to be available to answer your questions. The meeting link will be published on our District website.

Please drop in to ask your questions. In addition, if you have questions, you can always reach out by emailing the PI Committee or to PI Chair Tim Kelley.

PI Committee members are also available to visit your club or by Zoom to go over specific questions, resources or practices.

Newburyport's Frigid Fiver

Posted by Deborah Andrews on Jan 22, 2025

The Frigid Fiver 5K is back! Sunday, February 2, 2025, 11am at RiverWalk Brewing Co. Come join the Rotary Club of Newburyport and Joppa Flats Running Club to stretch those muscles and have some time with friends! Race proceeds go back into our communities.

Register at this link. The cost is $27 for pre-registration and $35 on the day of race. The first 200 registered participants will receive a long-sleeved shirt, in addition to prizes for the winners, and of course, good food and beer at RiverWalk!

The Rotary Club of Newburyport supports our community through popular events and fundraising. It is because of your support that our Rotary Club has accomplish so much! We hope people know that when one supports the Rotary Club of Newburyport, they are in turn supporting a myriad of other community-oriented initiatives.

Download flyer here.

Wakefield Kicks Off Youth Support Program

Posted by Amy Luckiewicz on Jan 21, 2025

The Wakefield Rotary Club recently contributed $500 to the Scholarship Fund of Wakefield, kicking off its annual Youth Support Campaign. This donation is one of many that the club intends to make to support scholarship, youth development and vocational training this year. Club President Wendy Maguire explained, “Each month, our Board reviews a comprehensive list of programs we hope to support this year that benefit Wakefield youth. We’re very happy to continue to support Wakefield students.”

The club also contributes scholarships to a graduating Wakefield High School senior through the Bob Crawford Unsung Hero Award and a vocational tool scholarship to a Northeast Metro Tech graduating senior. “This year we’re offering more support than ever,” Maguire said. “In addition to this recent donation, the club Board voted to support an event at Northeast Metro Tech that focuses in on girls who wish to work in non-traditional trades.”

Rotary District 7930 eBulletin January 27, 2025

Rotary District 7930 eBulletin
January 27, 2025