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Posted
on Feb 15, 2016 |
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On February 10th, District 7930 hosted the World Peace and Understanding Dinner. This year’s event was quite a departure from previous years. Instead of the traditional sit down meal followed by an inspirational speaker, every attendee was given an identity to assume for the evening. All present participated in a simulation game designed to challenge our perceptions (or misconceptions) of poverty, homelessness, and stereotypes. Every identity existed below the poverty line, and players had to survive for two days, securing a job, shelter and food along the way. No-one was able to stay inside their comfort zone for very long. At the end of the evening, attendees were presented with several volunteer opportunities to serve - all were filled. Additionally, $800 was collected that will be used to purchase socks that will be given to homeless men, women and children next week. Here are the words of several players:
As an interact volunteer and table captain I didn’t know what these Rotarians were going to expect. One woman said she was scared and and didn't know how this event would go. Wishing that I could blurt out the idea I kept the game a secret. One of the first things said at my table was " dinner is at 8:15?!" they were absolutely shocked. Completely baffled at this change of events, the Rotarians waited anxiously. The game was then explained and played, many fully getting into character. When we all joined back together at the table you could see that bonds between families were made. They were no longer confused or anxious but really glad. We discussed how the game went and people had very high remarks. This simulation opened their eyes up to poverty but also developed bonds between everyone, young and not as young. To see the shift in emotions from nervousness to happiness and understanding made me glad I held my tongue!
Malak Ray, Interact student and Table Captain
“I was a 72 year old man who had lost his wife, his home, his job and who could not speak English. I was forced to seek work, food and shelter from people who saw me as an old man who couldn’t even speak English. Over and over I was rejected because of my age and dismissed because no one wanted to deal with my hand gestures in my attempt to communicate and beg for help.
A glimmer of hope came from two compassionate individuals who allowed me to stay with them for the night only to be told the next day there would be no second. Sad and discouraged, I tried to ask, “what did I do wrong”?
I felt Desperation, frustration, loneliness, unclean, zero esteem, not knowing where to turn; abandoned.
Kevin McKelvey – Rotarian, Participant, Veteran
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Posted by Tom Hankard
on Feb 01, 2016 |
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The Early Bird catches the worm – and Early Birds who register for this year’s District Conference in February save $45 and guarantee themselves a spot – and fun! And new this year, your club can pre-purchase a spot at the Conference and name the Rotarian attendee later, guaranteeing savings!
It is hard to believe that the end of our Rotary year is in sight! District Governor David and the committee have a very special Conference planned for everyone this year. As we strive to keep our Conference local and continuing on this year’s theme of “Being a Gift to the World,” we are “Gifting It Forward” at our Conference on May 13, 14, and 15 held at the Harvard Club in Boston. Along with fellowship and mystery dining on Friday evening, we will be performing a group service project in Boston Saturday morning, enjoying lunch, breakouts, dinner and awards, plus our memorial service and brunch on Sunday morning.
The Early Bird rate for all Conference events is $350. Friday Night Mystery Dining is a separate $75 cost (limited to the first 60 registrants).
Details for our Saturday afternoon District Assembly will be coming soon!
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Posted by David Gardner
on Feb 08, 2016 |
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Rotary is committed to attracting young professionals to Rotary and more importantly, striving to develop a meaningful relationship with the next generation of Rotarians to continue to Do Good in the World.
District 7930, in partnership with District 7910 (Central Massachusetts), is applying for a $15,000 grant from Rotary International which will fund a Young Professional Summit late this summer. The grant deadline is on Friday, February 12th, and with the help of our Assistant Rotary Zone Coordinator, Carolyn Johnson (PDG District 7780) will be the first step in this exciting program.
If we are awarded the grant, the first step is to hold a focus group and planning meeting in April to design a program that will attract over 200 participants aged 25-40, most of whom may not be currently connected to Rotary. Stay tuned for news and developments.
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Posted by Bob Gravino
on Feb 15, 2016 |
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The Rotary Club of Ipswich is writing a Rotary Foundation Global Grant to bring medical care and health education to children in Zambia by introducing a new medical delivery model to reach the most vulnerable young people and raise a healthy generation. Ipswich Rotary was a partner in a 2014 Global Grant sponsored by the Rotary Club of Brunswick, Maine, that trained classroom teachers to recognize and treat common childhood illnesses. That 2014 Grant was completed in early February 2016, having helped over 11,000 poor children in the Ng’ombe section of Lusaka, the capital of Zambia.
During the months of November and December, I visited 22 District 7930 and 7 District 7780 Clubs with Lonnie Hackett to talk about the Rotary sponsored Zambian healthcare project called Healthy Kids/Brighter Future (HK/BF) that was made possible by the 2014 Global Grant. Using Zambian schools serving the most vulnerable portion of the population, Lonnie and HK/BF are training teachers and administrators as a new health corps, capable of providing every-day first aid care; offering children basic education in health; providing preventative interventions; and screening children for illnesses and infections that require treatment at government-run free clinics.
As the International Club for a new Global Grant to carry on this work, Ipswich is submitting an application to bring this proven program to an additional 25,000 children in Lusaka.We invite you to join us. Our Global Grant has already received commitments and funds from Rotary clubs in four districts, but we welcome additional support to be successful. Join this important opportunity for global service.
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Posted by Gilda Rodrigues
on Feb 03, 2016 |
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Every moment in London is an adventure. I am grateful for every step of the way. Ever since I stepped into the grounds of London I could not have been more grateful than I am of the hospitality of the Rotarians from Orpington Crofton Rotary, especially Brenda Parsons and Frances McGarry. They have helped me every step of the way. On my first day in London Brenda and Frances made a new world feel like home. They picked me up from the airport, brought me to my new stay and made sure everything was safe and provided me with all the assistance I needed. My favorite part was when we had a tour of my accommodation and they asked every question they could to make sure it was the right place for me. It was mind blowing to be in a new country and not knowing anyone and to have these two amazing people who I met briefly to take care of me in the way they did.
After being in London for a day, I packed my bags for weekend trip to Stafford for Rotary Link Weekend. I was welcomed to Stafford by an astonishing host family who are also Rotarians. They inform me about the rich history of Strafford and took me on a journey to Stafford Castle and the Museum of the Staffordshire Yeomanry. They were truly amazing. During this weekend I was also able to meet other Rotary scholars from all over the world. It was great to hear their stories and the amazing things that they have done. We Rotary Scholars also took a trip to Warwick Castle, which was beautiful. During this weekend, Rotarians spoke to us and it was uplifting to hear their stories and to hear all the amazing things Rotary is doing all over the world. One of the messages that the Rotarians reminded me and I will always remember is the saying of, “doing good in the world.” Every time I now do something good for the world, I will always think of Rotary!
Being a family of the Rotary has opened so many opportunities and has enabled me to know just remarkable people who are making amazing changes in the world.
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Posted by David Gardner
on Feb 02, 2016 |
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Every once in a blue moon, a special person creates something out of almost nothing. This is the case with Liz Powers. She endeavors to bring the ultimate dignity to those who have had to deal with homelessness and disabled artists through displaying their art in galleries in one of eight cities throughout the country. By providing the platform for these gifted individuals an opportunity to display and sell their artwork, they are able to begin to rebuild their life in a way that will create hope out of despair.
But if you want to be really impressed, watch the video from the Today Show that featured a Sunday with Harry segment on Liz and ArtLifting. Even the hosts got choked up about Liz and her mission. Check out the video here! |
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Posted by David Hart
on Feb 12, 2016 |
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Dr. Gani Abazi was born in Peje, Kosovo in 1979 and completed his primary and secondary education in his hometown. He enrolled in the Medical School of Prishtina University in 1998, where his studies were interrupted one year later by the war resulting from the rise to power of the Millosheviq Regime, which lead to the dissolution of Yugoslavia. During the war, Gani and his family were refugees in Montenegro and Albania. After Kosovo was liberated by NATO, he went back to his country to continue his medical education in the University of Prishtina, where he graduated as a medical doctor in 2005.
In 2005, he was awarded a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship (now Global Grant Scholar) and came to Harvard University to study in the Masters of Public Health Program, concentrating on Health Care Policy and Management. This scholarship was presented by our neighbors in District 7910. He completed his MPH degree on June 2007 and with the help of Rotary International received a research fellowship position in the Department of Neurosurgery of Children’s Hospital Boston where he conducted clinical research.
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Posted by Mary Ciaraldi
on Feb 15, 2016 |
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Rockport’s Annual Valentine’s Luncheon Sponsored by the Fish Shack and the Rockport Rotary Club!
The Annual Valentine's Luncheon for Rockport’s seniors took space on Friday, February 12 at the Fish Shack at Dock Square in Rockport.
Karen Porter, owner of the Fish Shack opened her restaurant as she does every year, provided all the food for the event and her staff to prepare a delicious lunch. The members of the Rockport Rotary Club helped with setting up, sitting, serving and cleaning after the event. Rotarians welcomed each senior as they walked in to the restaurant by handing out red carnations for the occasion. They also provided transportation to and from the luncheon for those guests that were not able to drive and have no one to drive them.
The guest diners were served fresh baked haddock, mashed potatoes, vegetables, soft drinks, coffee and dessert. Surprise entertainment was also part of the event. The Barbershop Quartet from Beverly provided by the Rotary Club serenaded our seniors making their dining very enjoyable. This was a wonderful event, which allowed seniors (especially those who are house bound) to go out for the afternoon, socialize, enjoy a great lunch and have some fun. This was a great opportunity for the Karen and the Rotary Club to acknowledge the seniors in their community.
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Posted by Amy Luckiewicz
on Feb 12, 2016 |
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Join us for a great, affordable night of candlepin bowling on Sunday, March 20th! $10 per person includes two hours of bowling and rental shoes.
We invite all clubs, EarlyAct members, Interact members, Rotaractors, ElderAct members, Assistant Governors, committee chairs and all members to consider making a team of 4 or 5 and join us at Metro Bowl in Peabody!
Friends, family, children and non-Rotarians are very welcome. This evening is not a competition but clubs are welcome to make friendly challenges to one another in the spirit of fellowship!
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Posted by Jeffry Wisnia
on Feb 12, 2016 |
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The Burlington Rotary Club has held a major fund raising event called “Friday Night at The Fights” for the past ten years. The event combines a catered dinner with ten three round matches between amateur boxers from the New England area. It is being held this year on April 1st at the Elks Lodge in Billerica.
Tickets for the event can be purchased for a donation price of $80.00 per person by phoning club member Jorge Andrade at 978-720-5161. Meal reservations must be made by March 18th.
Meal reservations must be made by March 18th. There are “standing room” tickets available at a lower price at the door for those who do not want to participate in the catered meal. Hot dogs, popcorn and fruit drinks will be available for purchase by those attendees.
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Posted by Dominic Rebelo
on Feb 16, 2016 |
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 Want to have some fun and help raise some money while pitting your wits against other Rotarians and friends?
Come join us for our Trivia Night on February 25th at JJ Brannelly at 4432 Washington Street in Roslindale. Registration starts at 6:00-6:45 and the trivia begins at 7:00pm. Orgainzie your team up to six players, pay your $60.00 per team registration and be prepared to have some fun and compete for either the first or second place prizes.
Proceeds go to help the West Roxbury/Roslindale Rotary Club
Come out for a great cause to raise money for the local neighborhood. Plenty of free parking and there will be a cash bar!
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Posted by Bob Wood
on Dec 28, 2015 |
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District 7930 is requesting bids for the 2016 Rotary District 7930 Conference Ad Book. If you would be interested in submitting a quote please do so on the downloadable spreadsheet prior to February 25, 2016.
As we are in the planning stages, we cannot provide an exact specification, so we are requesting pricing on a variety of page counts and configurations. Please remember that the final content for the ad book may not be available until 3-5 days prior to the event and that delivery would be required by May 12th.
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Posted by Amy Luckiewicz
on Feb 12, 2016 |
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It's not too late to submit your final offline donations using our Offline Donation Form. In addition, your online donation pages are still active! Why not post a photo of you in the water and as for a final push. With your help, the district will pass the $90,000 mark!
If you've already recorded your offline gift, please submit them to your club's Foundation Chair by April 1st.
Thank you to all of the plungers, the thousand plus donors and all of the cheerleaders that made this annual event such a success!
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