Bicycle Ride To Raise Funds For Rotary Foundation

Ralph Hammond, PDG, District 7910 is the driving force behind an upcoming Pan District Challenge designed to raise funds for the Rotary Foundation.

The first part of this semiannual event will take place in Eastern Massachusetts on May 17, 2008.

Ralph recently told the Merrimack Valley Rotary Club that the bicycle riding event will have two starting points. One is in Sturbridge and the other is in Gardner. Both bike routes will cover all the towns where there are Rotary Clubs in District 7910 and will finish off in Needham. Clubs can sponsor riders (both Rotarian and nonrotarian) to take part in this event by contributing $100 per rider to the Rotary Foundation.
In addition, to Rotary Clubs sponsoring riders, there are a number of opportunities for corporate sponsor. For more information: http://www.rotary7910.org/

Any riders that would like to be sponsored should contact the Merrimack Valley Rotary at mvrotary@gmail.com

Former RI President Frank Talk's Words Of Wisdom: Recruitment

WE DON’T ASK THEM

"The biggest reason why good people don't join Rotary is that we Rotarians don't ask them to. Oh sure, we ask our sons and daughters, our close business associates and friends to join sometimes, but we so often don't even think of our duty as (Rotary) advocates with most people we run across in our daily lives. That doctor I met who had brought his club president into the world has, in 49 years of Rotary membership only introduced one new member into his club. He told me he had delivered about 1,000 babies in his career. I think at least 10 percent of them would have been excited, related and deeply honored just as his club president was, if the doctor who brought them into this world had invited them many years later to join Rotary.

What a missed opportunity.”

Frank Talk, Former Rotary International President and Author

Rotarian Creates New Site For Centre For Chidren With Special Needs In Bangladesh

Merrimack Valley Rotarian Carl Good has created a new web page for the Centre For Children with Special Needs, which is located in Bangladesh. Carl recently returned from a Rotary trip to the area to imunize children against polio. The Centre caught Carl's interest and the Merrimack Valley Rotary and others will be raising funds to help this organization.

The Centre is a project of the Rotary club of Banani Dhaka Bangladesh and the Merrimack Valley Rotary will team up with them to help the children.

The Centre's Objectives are:

To provide Community based rehabilitation
To train parents to take care of their physically challenged children
To impart a socially compatible living to physically challenged children
To change the attitude of community towards

Please visit the site http://www.ccsnbangladesh.org/home

Merrimack Valley Club exceeds annual giving goal

The Merrimack Valley Club has been noted as one of the clubs exceeding its annual Foundation giving goals. The Foundation represents the financial backbone of the organization, fueling many of the international programs such as polio erradication worldwide, clean water programs as well as literacy.

This is a major milestone and shows that the Merrimack Valley Club is a leader in the support of Rotary International programs. Congratulations on a Job well done.

Rotary Members Encouraged To Volunteer For Hospice

Amy Cirigliano told the Merrimack Valley Rotary Club that volunteering for a Hospice organization is a very rewarding experience. Amy, who is the volunteer coordinator for Allegiance Hospice, told the MV Rotary the her organization is in needs volunteers.

She said that volunteering provides:

• Life changing experiences
• New relationships
• Feelings of accomplishments
• Partnership with professionals on a team
• Enrichment to personal spiritual end of life approach
• and Eduction on hospice care

She told the group that prior to joining the hospice team, volunteers go through a screening process. This provides Alliance with a way to maintain safety for both their volunteers and the patients.

Responsibilities of volunteers include:

• Visiting and offering companionship, emotional support , and friendship
• Assisting in daily activities such as reading, writing letters, playing games, etc.
• Listen attentively to patients and family members
• Provide relief for the caregivers when appropriate
• Provide assistance with daily living such as errands and reading

Allegiance Hospice, serves communities in Massachusetts. Hospice is a service focusing on improving the quality of life fore individuals and their families living with an advanced illness by easing the emotional, spiritual and physical pain often associated with such illness.

Interested individuals can contact Amy at 877-255-4623 or at acirigliamno@allegiencehospice.com

Rotary International President-elect D. K. Lee’s Theme Speech

When Did Women First Become Members Of Rotary?

Was it?
A) 1992
B) 1965
C) 1989
D) 1998

Watch the Club Reunion Movie Below To Get The Answer!