What an amazing group of Rotarians across our District! I have been greatly impressed by you as I have gotten around to many of our clubs in preparation for my upcoming governor role. You are impacting the lives of those we serve both locally and internationally. Thank you District 7090 Rotarians!
By now, you will have received the email announcement that we have opened registration for District Conference 2019 – Sail-abration. Come - enjoy 7 days at sea with your fellow Rotarians, partners and friends aboard the Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas – one of the most luxurious cruise ships in the world. We depart Fort Lauderdale October 20, 2019. For more information go to our conference website http://www.districtconference7090.org.
Another announcement for activities on the horizon include a one-day Rotarians in Action event, scheduled for September 28. Stay tuned for more on this exciting day of action. And, this year we are the host district for the Zone Conference, September 19 - 21. As host district there are a few expectations of us. I will be sharing more specific information as I receive it.
Earlier this month Corinne and I attended the Rotary International Assembly (RIA) in San Diego. It was, as reported by our PDGs, awe inspiring with general assemblies that were laden with outstanding speakers on a variety of Rotary related stories that connected, captivated and prepared each and every District Governor Elect for the 2019-2020 Rotary year. There were upwards of 500 of us there with our partners. Our Rotary International President Elect (RIPE) Mark Maloney unveiled his theme, Rotary Connects the World. It holds special meaning for me as my life’s journey has been truly enriched by my connections with my global Rotary family. Pictured are Corinne and I with RIPE Mark and Gay, his wife.
My preparation to be your DG is not unlike a roller coaster ride. But, I am humbled to serve you. Thank you for your support and patience.
Tamara Lynn Bennett (a.k.a. Coleman-Lawrie) was born and raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario with her loving family and many siblings. Tamara graduated from Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology in Business Marketing. Since expanding her education in areas of philanthropy, legacy giving, social investment, community impact and development through the Canadian Association of Gift Planners, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Buffalo State University Grant Institute, the Tamarack Institute and University of Pennsylvania, she has contributed nearly 20 years of expertise and knowledge in the social, human and philanthropic sectors.
Tamara’s professional experiences include: Executive Director for United Way South Niagara, Regional Director of the Autism Ontario – Niagara Region Chapter, Development Director for Wesley Urban Ministries in Hamilton, Development Officer for the Women’s Place South Niagara Nova House capital campaign, and is currently the Director of Community Impact for United Way Niagara in Ontario.
From a young person, Tamara understood the value of volunteerism and giving back to her community. Over the past 25 years, Tamara has invested countless hours of her personal and professional passions in many worthwhile causes to improve the lives of others. Her volunteer and leadership contributions include Chair of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners Niagara Golden Horseshoe Chapter, Chair of the Niagara Golden Horseshoe LEAVE A LEGACY™ Program and 8 year National executive committee member, Board Member of the Western New York Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled Foundation, past member of the Zonta Club of Niagara, volunteered with Habitat for Humanity builds and most importantly her time, talent and treasure she has committed to Rotary. Tamara is a Past President of the Welland Rotary Club, current Assistant Governor of Area 7, Chair of the District Membership New Member On-Boarding Committee and supports other District-wide initiatives. Tamara is a proud two time Paul Harris Fellow and lives out her commitment to her community through Rotary.
While Tamara works in Canada and is a member of the Rotary Club of Welland, she lives in Western New York in Marilla. She is married to her best friend and husband of eight years, David Bennett, and lives in Marilla with David and their daughter Zoey. Her most pride and joy comes from their daughter Zoey, her tenacity for life and their loving friendship.
Rotary District 7090 and District 4480 are offering men and women in the medical industry a new Vocational Training Team (VTT) experience to Sao Paulo, Brazil about May 7 to 28, 2019.
This Vocational Training Team will offer Team Leader Jennifer Schoenhals (pictured) and 3 Team Members (to be chosen Saturday, January 26) the opportunity to experience the expertise of the Brazilian world renown medical facilities and personnel in the Cancer, Ophthalmology and/or Heart and Coronary Procedures areas. The goal is to share best practices, research for helping others and improving quality of life.
Jennifer Schoenhals is a member of the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls Sunrise and has been a Rotarian for 24 years having served as president twice, current secretary and has been a member of the Gift of Life Committee for 18 years. She has been a pharmacist for nearly 35 years and owns and operates Falls Pharmacy in Niagara Falls, ON. Her particular expertise is in compounding and she is the creator of several customized medications. She will lead a 3 member VTT composed of medical professionals and represent our district and Rotary with distinction.
The purpose of District 7090's International Service Committee (I.S.C.) is to stimulate and assist clubs or groups of clubs to undertake International Service to improve lives and meet human needs, and thus advance world understanding, good will and peace. One way the I.S.C. does this is by publishing a catalogue with information about several ongoing projects approved by the District Council. Recently, some new projects were added. Please take a look and see if there is a project your club would like to support. District 7090 encourages participation of all District 7090 clubs in these projects. The criteria for an approved project is listed on page 3 of the Approved Projects Catalogue.
The Ride For Roswell is one of the nation's largest cycling events - a life-changing experience for riders, volunteers and cancer patients who benefit from the funds raised. It's a charity bike ride that brings people together to celebrate survivors, pay tribute to those we've lost and share in the passion that connects us all: finding a cure for cancer.
We’d like Rotarians to get involved—as volunteers or riders. Rotary for Roswell is a district-wide effort to support the Ride for Roswell fundraiser on Saturday, June 22, 2019 for cancer research at Roswell Park in Buffalo.
7090 is seeking volunteers to staff the rest stops, give directions and help with logistics. Interested participants can find out more and register to volunteer on the district website. Contact Shefali Clerk at sheelsaju5@hotmail.com if you have questions about volunteering. We are also seeking interested cyclists to join our team and ride a route from 3-100 miles. There are 10 routes including two that cross into Canada. We have established the Rotary for Roswell team of cyclists. Register to join our Rotary riding team here. Contact the Rotary Riders team captain Anthony Billoni for more ride info.
The Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise decked the halls with boughs of holly and invited the community for a free Breakfast with Santa. Through the eyes of animated children, the 20 volunteer Rotary elves, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and a special guest (The Pink Flamingo of Change) enjoyed the magic of the season. Laughter, music and excitement echoed out of the Junior Farmers Building in Simcoe. More than 240 community members enjoyed pancakes, sausages, and fellowship to usher in the excitement of the Christmas season, provided by Norfolk Sunrise Rotarians in cooperation with the Christmas Panorama. Even the Pink Flamingo of Change was an active participant and “photo bombed” the pictures taken with Santa.
The Rotary Club of Batavia is excited to welcome another Rotary Youth Exchange Student. Steven Cunningham is a 16 year-old from Hamilton, Australia. After 18 hours in the air, he finally arrived in Buffalo for his year long stay in Batavia. Steven will be attending Batavia High School. Steven presented our club with a banner from Australia.
Pictured are President Laurie Mastin and Steven Cunningham, Rotary Youth Exchange Student.
On January 22, 2019, the Rotary Club of Welland sponsored a No-Sew Blanket making event in place of its regular meeting. The Club’s meeting host, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, as part of its community outreach, has developed a hygiene ‘bank’ where members of the community can collect needed items on the 3rd Thursday of each month. In September, the church also started a community outreach dinner on the same day. Welland Rotary has partnered with the Church to prepare and serve at the monthly dinners volunteering time and funds.
Based on the success of the No-Sew Blanket project at the District Conference, it was decided to sponsor one in our community and to provide another avenue for Holy Trinity to assist the community. 22 Welland Rotarians and family, our Youth Exchange Student Carmen, 3 members of the Rotary Club of Fonthill including President Mel Groom and DGN Frank Adamson, special guests Governor Melisa and John, incoming Governor Bob Artis and approximately 20 members of the Holy Trinity congregation and friends all came together to put together 33 blankets. Holy Trinity provided the lunch and DG Melisa delivered the project enthusiasm. Community cable television YOURTV covered the event. https://www.yourtv.tv/node/155096?c=niagara
On January 23, 2019, the Rotary Club of Welland was presented with a Director’s Recognition Award by the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) in recognition of its contribution to the public school system and its students stretching back to 1943 when the Club sponsored an elementary school playground. In 1946, the first High School scholarship was awarded. Since 1963, bursaries, in various formats, have been awarded annually assisting over 200 students. The club has also contributed to breakfast, Read to Feed, and anti-bullying programs along with a contribution of over $35,000 for educational technology upgrades to four DSBN elementary schools utilizing District Grants. Other programs having an effect on the School Board and its students include Niagara Nutrition Partners, Youth Exchange, and SLAPSHOT.
Rotary Club of Lockport is thrilled to announce its recent chartering of an EarlyAct club at DeSales Catholic School! This service club is for 4th and 5th grade students. The club is looking forward to sharing Rotary values and the importance of Service Above Self. The photo to the right, is a brainstorming exercise by the EarlyAct-ers, who are excited to start meeting and serving.
On Tuesday, January 15, 2019, the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls, NY joined the family of the late Rotarian Harvey Albond in a memorial service in his honor at the Temple Beth-El in Niagara Falls, New York. Harvey's daughter Roxanne gave a powerful tribute to her beloved father in which she shared that he moved to Niagara Falls from the State of Minnesota in 1967 and remained a resident until his demise in September 2018. He held many prominent positions in city government that include director of planning and city manager. He sat on the board of numerous local organizations. According to his daughter Roxanne, Rotary was above all other organizations of which he associated.
Harvey was a member in good standing as president and foundation chair. His membership in the club lasted for 50 years of which 25 years was a perfect attendance record. He received a Paul Harris Fellow in 2010 at a dinner presentation. According to his fellow members, "Harvey Albond had an impeccably good sense of honor and his friendly demeanor will be missed quite profoundly."
Pictured are (top left to right) Rotarians Richard Earne, Otto Redanz, Michael Cushman, John Cooper and Harvey Albond’s daughter Roxanne and family.
The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville proudly announces its three newest members Edward Brooks, Roxanne Buxton and Thomas Vitale, who were inducted on December 18, 2018 at Webb’s Captain’s Table in Mayville during a Christmas gathering of this Rotary club’s members and guests. The induction ceremony was led by Peter Bills, Membership Chair, and John Hamels, Past Assistant Governor, who assists with new member orientation. The new Rotarians were each given their Rotary pins and name badges, as well as Rotary information. Mary Swanson, President, congratulated and welcomed these three new members.
Edward Brooks is the Director of Business Operations at Westfield Memorial Hospital. A resident of the West Ellicott area of Jamestown for over 20 years, Brooks is a board member of the Southwestern Central School District and serves on the Chautauqua County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Council. Brooks said, “I was asked to join the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville to represent the hospital after a longtime colleague, who was a Rotarian, passed away. Because I have known about all that Rotary does for the Westfield Memorial Hospital, the community and world-wide causes, I was happy to join.”
Roxanne Buxton is the Patient Access Supervisor at Westfield Memorial Hospital, which is part of the Allegheny Health Network (AHN). Also, she is an active member of the Westfield Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She has been a resident of Mayville for 18 years. Buxton stated, “I joined Rotary to represent the Westfield Memorial Hospital/AHN and to become part of a service organization for Westfield and Mayville, two of the communities which our facility serves.”
Thomas Vitale is the Director of the Patterson Library in Westfield. Originally from Long Island, NY, Vitale has resided in Jamestown for one year and in Brocton two years prior to that. Though Vitale is new to the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville, he is not new to Rotary. He explained, “I transferred my membership to the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club from the Jamestown Rotary Club (noon), in order to better immerse myself into the community, and to work with my fellow local Rotarians to serve the Westfield and Mayville communities.”
The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville happily welcomes Ed, Roxanne and Tom to its membership, and it looks forward to participating with them in volunteer service opportunities in the five communities which this Rotary Club serves.
The Rotary Club of Akron Newstead, students from Akron High School and its Interact club partnered over the holidays to provide humanitarian assistance in the town of Bani, Dominican Republic. The visit was coordinated through the Rotary Club of Bani and its Interact club and was the third year of the partnership in Bani.
Led by chaperones Marlene Stone, the head softball coach at Akron High School, Rotarians Patty Buckley and Kevin Stone, the group’s focus was capital improvement projects at the Elizabeth Seton Nutrition Center that included building organic gardens and new concrete in the playground area. The center provides sustainable, locally-controlled quality services for children and their families that include health care, nutrition, childcare and education in resource - limited communities around Bani. The students also held a holiday party for the children. Along with the party, the Akron softball team played its third annual softball game at the center; softball equipment and sneakers were once again donated by the team. Before departing a donation was made to the Bani Medical Dispensary.
As always and in the spirit of Rotary many new international friendships were made and former ones renewed. The students and their chaperones represented Rotary and the US in an exemplary manner.
Pictured - Rotarian Patty Buckley (2nd from left) and Akron High School head softball coach Marlene Stone (2nd from right) accept a certificate of appreciation from Jose Gonzales of the Rotary Club of Bani. Looking on are two members of the local Interact club of which Jose is its advisor.
The Rotary Club of Buffalo held a Toys-4-Tots drive with Marines at its holiday party. Two Marines were guests of the Buffalo Rotarians and enjoyed the party also. They just barely got all the toys into their vehicle at the end of the evening! The great success of the toy drive is due in large part to Past President Laurie Albertsson. Laurie, who hosted the Christmas party at her home, asked her guests to bring toys rather than a dish to pass. What a great idea!
The purpose of District 7090's International Service Committee (I.S.C.) is to stimulate and assist clubs or groups of clubs to undertake International Service to improve lives and meet human needs, and thus advance world understanding, good will and peace. One way the I.S.C. does this is by publishing a catalogue with information about several ongoing projects approved by the District Council. Recently, some new projects were added. Please take a look and see if there is a project your club would like to support. District 7090 encourages participation of all District 7090 clubs in these projects. The criteria for an approved project is listed on page 3 of the Approved Projects Catalogue. 
The Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise decked the halls with boughs of holly and invited the community for a free Breakfast with Santa. Through the eyes of animated children, the 20 volunteer Rotary elves, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and a special guest (The Pink Flamingo of Change) enjoyed the magic of the season. Laughter, music and excitement echoed out of the Junior Farmers Building in Simcoe. More than 240 community members enjoyed pancakes, sausages, and fellowship to usher in the excitement of the Christmas season, provided by Norfolk Sunrise Rotarians in cooperation with the Christmas Panorama. Even the Pink Flamingo of Change was an active participant and “photo bombed” the pictures taken with Santa.
the community. 22 Welland Rotarians and family, our Youth Exchange Student Carmen, 3 members of the Rotary Club of Fonthill including President Mel Groom and DGN Frank Adamson, special guests Governor Melisa and John, incoming Governor Bob Artis and approximately 20 members of the Holy Trinity congregation and friends all came together to put together 33 blankets. Holy Trinity provided the lunch and DG Melisa delivered the project enthusiasm. Community cable television YOURTV covered the event. 
The Rotary Club of Buffalo held a Toys-4-Tots drive with Marines at its holiday party. Two Marines were guests of the Buffalo Rotarians and enjoyed the party also. They just barely got all the toys into their vehicle at the end of the evening! The great success of the toy drive is due in large part to Past President Laurie Albertsson. Laurie, who hosted the Christmas party at her home, asked her guests to bring toys rather than a dish to pass. What a great idea!