We all know the motto of Rotary International is SERVICE ABOVE SELF. We also know that we have a four way test. I have visited all our District Rotary Clubs and I know that many Clubs recite the four way test. We do this as a reminder that we need to conduct our lives in an ethical way. Our four way test is not unique to Rotary. There are some large corporations such as Walgreen Pharmacy that have also adopted the test. So where did the test come from? In 1932 a Rotarian, belonging to the Chicago Rotary Club, needed a code of ethics primarily to be used by his business. It took him a while to refine it to what we now have. The test was added by the then Rotary international President Richard Vernor in 1942. RI President Herb Taylor transferred the copyright to RI in 1954-55 I contently use the test as a guideline, and I am sure most of our Rotary members do too. But don’t forget the key words that come before the test. I believe they are just as important, and to me make the test more meaningful. Of the things we think say or do. 1 Is it the truth……….Please add these 8 words and the test will mean a little more for you as well.
I have been plugging the District Conference in Portsmouth, for me the District conference is a big deal. I know it is going to be great, but the Conferences success can only be determined by our ability to share the fun. I also know that many Rotarians leave registering to the last minute. The hotel and location are great, but the hotel is not super large. Please register soon! Remember April 25 through 27 is just over three weeks away.
Upcoming events besides the Conference are the District assembly being held at the Windsor Marriot May 12th at 5.30pm. I recommend all Club Board members and new members attend. There will be something of interest for all Rotarians, Dinner will be also served.For more information on both the District Conference and the Assembly please go to Rotary District 7890 web page.
Stay warm and dry,
Mike Barnett
District 7890 Governor 2013-2014
The Rotary Club of THOMASTON and the Thomaston Field Restoration Committee will be holding the 3rd Annual "Ball Park Bash,"Wednesday, April 9th from 5PM to 7:PM at Thomaston's "Black Rock Restaurant & Tavern." FREE beer, wine, passed appetizers and about 250 of your friends!!
Tickets are $25 per person and available at many locations in Thomaston or you may purchase them from any Rotary Club of THOMASTON member or the Thomaston Field Restoration Committee member. Proceeds will go to the Repair & Restoration of Thomaston High School's Athletic Fields. This field is used by Middle and High School Baseball Teams, High School Girls Softball Teams, Field Hockey, Little League, Babe Ruth, American Legion and well as Men's and Women's Adult Baseball and Softball Leagues. Please contact Mike Madow at www.ramcorecovery.com or 203 910-0022 for more information.
Pictured at the Black Rock Restaurant & Tavern kicking off the event are members of the
Rotary Club of THOMASTON, Field Restoraration Committee Members and staff of the restaurant.
ENFIELD Rotary Club announces their 3rd Annual Cinco K Mayo 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, May 3, 2014. The 5K run/walk will begin on Moody Road near Enrico Fermi High School at 9am. Registration opens at 8am. Participate! Run or walk! Bring a friend! Spread the word! Entry fees for the Run are $20 for advance entry; $25 day of race. Entry fees for the walk are $15 advance entry; $20 day of race. Children 10 and younger walk free of charge. Prizes will be awarded for 5K overall winners and winners in each division. Fun extras - *FAST, flat course *T-Shirt for every walker/runner *music by DJ Hatch. A great cause - all proceeds benefit the ENFIELD Rotary Club Community Projects and Scholarship Funds. New for this year is a 4-way Test Scholarship for seniors at Enfield & Fermi High Schools. For more information please contact Derek Meade at 860 745-6448 or Derek@innfin.com
The Rotary Club of WEST SPRINGFIELD will again present "West Side's Taste of the Valley" sponsored by the Chicopee Savings Bank on the Town Common June 12-15. The Taste features foods from a variety of restaurants and concerts on two stages. There will also be amusement rides and games, a petting zoo, "Cruise Night," a showcase of antique and classic cars on Thursday and the Taste 5K Run at 10AM on Sunday. Please check the Taste website www.westsidetaste.com for information and to register for the race. For more information on the Taste, contact Rotarian Noreen Tassinari at 413 205-5037 or ntassinari@TheBigE.com
Recently the WESTFIELD Rotary Club celebrated its 75th Anniversary at the Tekoa Country Club. Rotarian Rick Tedore gave a brief history of the Club's events and fundraisers through the years followed by a power point presentation of their history in pictures. The Club honored Sr. Elizabeth Oleksak and Senator Donald Humason with Paul Harris recognition. Senator Donald Humason then presented the club with a proclamation from the Massachusetts State Senate. The City of Westfield presented an Official Citation to the Club in recognition of 75 years and Governor Michael Barnett also honored the club with a certificate of appreciation for all their years in Rotary. The band "The Jazz Associates" played for the bal
Senator Humason presenting the Citation from the Massachusetts State Senate to Westfield Club President, Dawn Carignan-Thomas.
NEW MEMBERS
Agawam William Pass
Avon-Canton Kevin Colvin
Bristol James Albert
Laura Watson
Kensington-Berlin Dan Sullivan
Litchfield-Morris Savi Shamseer
New Britain-Berlin Jason Jakubowski
Timothy Stewart
Deirdre Tindall
New Milford Tom Mott
Plainville Stacy Boyajian
Susan Yudkin
Rockville Janet Ellis
Southwick Victoria Hickey
Springfield Michelle Booth
Stafford Kristen Gugliermo
Suffield Jed Dery
Torrington William Harding
Tri-Town Brittney Daniels
West Springfield Richard Bortfeld
Connie Hebert
Williamstown Mark Longhurst
While on vacation in 2005 Manchester, CT Rotarian Rick Lawrence attended a Rotary Club meeting in La Antigua, Guatemala where the initial contacts were made that lead to the completion of clean water and sanitation projects in seven indigenous Mayans communities in the northern highlands of Guatemala. Although the first choice was to seek a Matching Grant the RC of La Antigua, Rick was informed that their club was honored to be asked but they declined to participate for two reasons: 1) they had already committed to the maximum number of RI Matching Grants and 2) they typically participate in project no more than an hour’s drive from their city (most of these villages are a two hour drive away through very rugged terrain requiring a four-wheel drive truck). However, they gave Rick the name of Behrhorst Partners for Development (BPD), an NGO that had been providing services to the indigenous Mayans since 1967 with a stellar track record. BPD responded promptly with enthusiasm to his request to partner. They identified a village that desired to share in the development costs, prepared a budget and Rick began the fund raising process by making a presentation to the six clubs in Area 6. Eventually, five more clubs joined in to raise a total of US$24,000 for the first village, Cojomachaj. This project was completed in the spring of 2007.
Since then, over the past 6-1/2 years more than 75 presentations were made to Rotary clubs throughout District 7890, Rhode Island, Portland, OR, Cortland, NY and Marco Island, FL. Over this time frame more than 24 different clubs in District 7890 have participated (some every year and others occasionally), 3 clubs in Rhode Island’s District 7950 and clubs in Oregon and New York. The most recently completed village, Saquiya, had 26 Rotary Clubs from four Districts contribute a total of $38,000.
The yearly success of these projects has resulted in most of the smaller and less costly installations to be completed. What remains are larger communities and those with distribution issues that require seismically resistant water tanks or more complex systems with higher costs. When Global Grants became available it was only natural that contact was again made with the RC of La Antigua (which had been the recipient of a GG in cooperation with BPD). During last year’s visit and dedication of El Pericon members of the RC of la Antigua and the Director of BPD met with Rick Lawrence and the seeds were planted to work as a team by applying for a GG to fund sustainable water and sanitation improvements in two villages.
After making application to TRF the GG was approved for a total funding of $70,405 which will be used to construct a potable water system with distribution piping to each of the 110 households in Chuacacay, gray water filters and improved, vented latrines. The village of El Llano with 130 families has a water system so they will use the designated funds for the gray water filters and latrines. Additionally, it is anticipated another $30,205 will be contributed and administered directly by BPD to provide 240 improved, vented stoves for each household in both communities.
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We all know the motto of Rotary International is SERVICE ABOVE SELF. We also know that we have a four way test. I have visited all our District Rotary Clubs and I know that many Clubs recite the four way test. We do this as a reminder that we need to conduct our lives in an ethical way. Our four way test is not unique to Rotary. There are some large corporations such as Walgreen Pharmacy that have also adopted the test. So where did the test come from? In 1932 a Rotarian, belonging to the Chicago Rotary Club, needed a code of ethics primarily to be used by his business. It took him a while to refine it to what we now have. The test was added by the then Rotary international President Richard Vernor in 1942. RI President Herb Taylor transferred the copyright to RI in 1954-55 I contently use the test as a guideline, and I am sure most of our Rotary members do too. But don’t forget the key words that come before the test. I believe they are just as important, and to me make the test more meaningful. Of the things we think say or do. 1 Is it the truth……….Please add these 8 words and the test will mean a little more for you as well.
