Rutherford Rotary Club

Hugh Archer from Michigan, USA was the Rotary International President for this year and his theme was "Enjoy Rotary" and enjoy Rotary we did in our District at a fun filled District Conference in Orlando, Florida with added side trips to Disneyland, and with other activities of the year. We further enjoyed Rotary that year when over 800 Rotarians and guests attended the President's Ball at the Birchwood Manor, and all 52 Presidents attended the event. It was arranged by Steve Y ourman of the Paramus Club to have portraits of the 52 Presidents displayed at the Ball and they were at a later date displayed at several malls in the District. The International Convention was held at Portland, Oregon.

A unique addition for the year was the selection of a "Diamond" as the symbol for the year, reflected the many facets of Rotary.

Early in the year the Kearny Rotary Club was shifted over to our District from our neighboring District and became our 52nd club. Our District was able to end the year with an increased membership and 1945 members. The key staff members for the year were Ray Janovic as the District Secretary, Dave Seeley as the Treasurer, and Bill Rupp as the Chief Rep.

Activities included a very successful Group Study Exchange with District #795 in Australia, the first in over 14 years in our District. Ray and Betty Wells served to chair the hosting of the incoming team and John and Terry Hartman served as the leaders of the team that we sent to Australia. The annual Interclub lunch was chaired by Al Canger of the Fair Lawn Club and Steve Turton of the Rutherford Club, and featured an address by the Honorable David B. Funderburk, a former ambassador to Romania.

The youth activities programs in the District had a very busy year, with a Rotaract Club formed by Dr. Joe Wesley of Bergen Highlands-Ramsey Club, and an Interact Conference held with 45 clubs Represented, having a membership of over 1200 members. Also the RYLA Conference was held at Paterson State College with 108 student participants, and the Youth Exchange program for the year included the sending of eight students and the receiving of nine inbound students. A short term summer exchange, the first in our District, was also held with 14 students participating in an exchange with Cardiff, Wales, with the host brothers and sisters from Wales returning for a visit with our team after our team's visit to Wales.

Other District activities included an Armenian relief assistance project in response to the devastating earthquake in that area of the world, and the increased support of the "Gift of Life" program with 14 children brought to our area for their vital heart operations. Support also continued for the Walter Head Foundation and the Rotary Foundation where over $70,000 was cllected towards the Polio Plus and other Rotary Foundation programs.

It was a year when we were able to "Enjoy Rotary" but at the same time a year of innovations to include the revamping of our district newsletter by Herman Paris of the Fair Lawn Club and a year that much was accomplished in the name of Rotary in our District.

Questions or looking for more information please contact district7490rotary@gmail.com

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