Message from DG David Gardner (Nov 2017) (Nov 01, 2017)

The past few months have been exciting as I travel around the district and have the pleasure to see what amazing Rotarians in our communities and around the world achieve in the service to those who need us. By the time you receive this message thirty-five clubs will have been visited and six of those meetings combined the energy of two clubs. The purpose, and I hope the result, of these combined visits will be more collaboration to help further the idea that we are One Rotary!

Why is this so important?

In today’s world it is becoming increasingly important to solve some of life’s biggest issues on a regional basis. Think polio as a worldwide threat and consider how the opioid epidemic is now becoming an issue that has impacted our region and is expected to become a global issue in the coming years. We need to attack these ills as a united team of Rotarians with our partners if we want to succeed in limiting the destruction it causes in our families and our communities.

How can The Rotary Foundation help?

As we begin Foundation Month, it is important to think about how our donations to the foundation fulfill this year’s theme – Rotary: Making a Difference. In 2014-15, our members donated $239,143 to the Annual Fund, and this year $120,000 has been returned to our district, half, or $59,785, for district grants and the other half for global grants. Over the past three years, we focused on adding programs to support the homeless and the hungry through food packaging events, service projects for shelters and food pantries and so much more. We have made a difference. We will continue this year with a slightly different twist – veteran support through a Rotary Week of Service during the week before Memorial Day 2018. We will be partnering with District 7910 and 7950 to fund and serve lunch and dinner daily and play board or card games with the veterans being served by the New England Center and Home for Veterans in Boston. Details will follow in the coming months.

How can your project have a greater impact?

Through the Foundation and District and Global Grants, we can double our investment and accomplish so much more. The process is quite simple: make sure that your club is qualified to apply for grants, apply for a grant, and if your grant meets the requirements you are highly likely to receive funding. Whether you want to work on a local project through a district grant or a utilize a global grant to partner with an international partner, we have dollars available to help you fulfill the projects you are most passionate about.

This year, our district has approved 15 district grants totaling almost $40,000, and several global grants are in the planning and submission status. For a detailed list, click here!

We have also committed to becoming a Peace District this year in support of the Rotary Peace Fellow program that has now provided scholarships to over 1,000 leaders who are catalysts for peace and conflict resolution. This year another 100 will be added to this international program and our hope is that they can further the possibility of peace through one of the Six Areas of Focus. As One Rotary, we can continue to move towards peace through Service Above Self in all that we do locally and globally.

The generosity of Rotarians this year has made me incredibly proud. Although we may never know how much money was donated in support of the hurricane relief efforts from our district, it has been in excess of $50,000. I ask that every Rotarian invest in The Rotary Foundation by making a gift to the best of your ability, become a sustaining member with a $100 annual contribution or consider becoming a Paul Harris Society member by donating $1,000 annually or $85 per month. Each of these commitments funds the great work that Rotary does.

Thank you for all you do every day as you live your life as a Rotarian in service to others!