Dear Fellow Rotarians,
This past weekend of September 29-30, Rotarians came together from across the district in “Celebrating our Service” at our annual District Conference 2017. It was such a positive event well-organized by District Conference Chair PDG Bonnie Black. Many Rotarians were involved and collaborated to bring you a program that focused on our service locally and globally.
 
In addition to a venue that provided a welcoming ambience, and great accommodations it was our pleasure to hear inspiring messages from R.I representative Elizabeth Smith Yeats with her advocacy of the PolioPlus Program, our Keynote Speaker, Rotarian and author Alan Mallory about his trek to conquer Mount Everest with his family, along with panels of district speakers: Joan Hunter of Ottawa South, Terry Forth of Iqaluit, Julie Cugalj and Brittany Hesmer for Rotaract, Youth Exchange Chair Joe Fontes, and PDG Nabil Oudeh and area governors along with myself.
We were awed by the Native American dancers and enjoyed evening entertainment by the duo of Andrey and Stacy Oloan. The parade of flags by the student exchange students was enjoyed by all and it was fun to see the students enjoying some fun on the dance floor at the day’s end. I appreciate so much the personal thank you’s by so many Rotarians who enjoyed the conference; a big thank you which goes out to all on the conference team.
 
I would like to extend a big “Thank You” to all the sponsors including Platinum Sponsors: SeaComm Federal Credit Union, the Massena Rotary Club; Gold Sponsors: Walt And Anne Mulyca, Frenchie’s Chevrolet and Frenchie’s Ford, Massena Memorial Hospital, Massena Savings & Loan and JEDA Environmental Services; Silver Sponsors: Danko Construction, Shawn Burke; Bronze Sponsors: Perras Companies: Perras Excavating and Perras Envirnomental Control, the South Nepean Rotary Club, the Watertown Noon Rotary Club, the Saranac Lake Rotary Club; and the following: Community Bank, Corky’s Collision, Gill White/Akwesasne Business Center/Justin White, JDF Kitchens/Joe Fontes, the Rotary Club of Napanee, Nationwide/ Scott Manley, Randy Peets Attorney, Rick’s Auto Body, Seaway Orthopedics, the Smiths Falls Rotary Club/serving over 95 years.
 
In addition I would like to extend a big “Thank you” to the Rotary Clubs and individuals in our district who made donations for the Silent Auction which benefitted our Rotary Foundation: Arnprior,  Ausable Forks, Brockville/100 Islands Brockville, Cornwall, Cornwall Sunrise, DG Partner Ken Bellor, Hawksbury, Kanata Sunrise, Kemptville, Kingston-Frontenac, Lake Placid, Massena, Napanee, Ogdensburg, Orleans, Passport, PDG Carter Montross, PDG John Murray, Plattsburgh, Plattsburgh Sunrise, Potsdam, Saranac Lake, and Watertown Noon. Because of your kind generosity,$2,423.50 was raised for the Rotary Foundation from 7040!
 
Please be reminded that October 24th is World Polio Day. Do you have a special activity in your club planned?
 
November is Foundation month. Whatever you already have planned, be sure to remind your club members that they can get tax deductible receipts for donations within the current calendar year.
Rotarians are still asking, “Can I still make a commitment and attend our District’s Legacy Million Dollar Dinner in Ottawa on November 4th featuring Rotary International Director Jennifer Jones?” “Yes, of course you can.” Just contact PDG Nabil Oudeh or myself or anyone on our team; or just click the coin on this website page and find out more. Thank you to all current attendees who have made commitments to The Rotary Foundation.
 
Our District leadership continues now to seek our district governor for 2020-2021; please download the application HERE. Interviews will be conducted October 28th, location to be determined. This new leader will be our District Governor Nominee Designate for 2017-2018 and begin their 3 year rotation into their year as our future district governor. Please consider this very important role to maintain continuity within our district. If you believe your club has this future leader of our district, please encourage them to apply.
 
PDG Ariane Carriere needs an assistant to chaperone students for the annual Interact Trip to Guatemala. Please step up and help Ariane and visit THIS PAGE to see the Common Hope Vision Team information. In addition the Interact/Earlyact planning meeting in our district will be on October 14th (9:301:30) in Cornwall and you can register at the district website.
District Scholarship Chair Katie Burke is currently organizing a translation committee and seeking more help. In the pursuit to provide translations to French for all that we want to share, we do need some bilinguals to help us. We are a district of more than one language and want to respect this diversity with our French speaking fellow Rotarians and friends. Please contact Katie.
I want to remind you that District Governor Elect Martha Weaver along with District Governor Nominee/Leadership Training Chair Gerry Lambert and their team are actively planning for President Elect Training Seminar and District Training Assembly, and are open to your input.
 
Kind regards,
 
Sue Bellor
DG 2017-2018
7040