Merrimack Valley Rotary Club

Flower Power

2012-02-22T16:40:00.000-05:00

We've joined forces with Gurney's to take advantage of a Fundraising opportunity they created. Help us generate funds for upcoming Rotary projects and get a great deal on your Flowers for Spring. Click here to go to the order page.

Club updates

2011-08-09T16:05:00.003-04:00

There's a lot going on for the Merrimack club at the moment. Here's a snapshot...

We've recieved the NFL Superbowl raffle tickets and sales will begin shortly. The winner recieves two tickets to the Superbowl, $1000 and 4 nights lodging in the Bowl City. Tickets are $5 ea or 5 tickets for $20.

We'll be helping out the Westford Rotary Club with their Blues and Brews Festival as well as the revived Pig & Pepper festival August 20/21, at the Nashoba Ski area in Westford. Should be a great weekend. More info to come later this week.

District Governor Tom Polito will be visiting us at our weekly meeting August 17th. Always nice to have the Governor visit the club.

Richard is working on another Club International Project. We need to raise funds to support him in his endeavors. Luckily we have Carl's experience to guide us through this time. Good Luck guys!

That's all for now, stay tuned for future updates!

Weekly Meeting update

2011-07-01T12:20:00.001-04:00

Officially Liz's last week as President for the club and we had almost a full roster of club Rotarians. We also had a very special visit from one of the Scholarship recipients from the town of Tewksbury. Brian will be majoring in English this Fall and hopefully training to participate in the Tour de France in the years to come. Good Luck Brian ! Please come back to share with us your experiences at school this Fall.

Andrea reminded the club that the 2011/12 District Governor Tom Polito will visit our club in August. We'll have the actual date by next meeting. Mike Peterson invited the club to a BBQ at his house. A date needs to be firmed up but later in August seems to be the consensus.

Stories from the previous nights outing at LeLacheur park were exchanged. The home team didn't fare so well but the evening was a great success.

Congratulations and best wishes to Andrea Bradford as she begins her term as club President today. We're here to support you in your year!

Hope everyone has a nice 4th of July weekend!

Play Ball !!

2011-07-01T12:02:00.004-04:00

our annual trek to see the Lowell Spinners play at LeLacheur park on the Merrimack River was once again blessed with good weather. Attending members enjoyed a great night under the stars as the home team got trounced by Vermont... Oh well, we still had a great time. Margueritte Carroll and family were in attendance along with John's brother, each of the kids got a little something from the park.

Here's a few pics with captions...

Spinners night


Past President Liz makes trade for husband JAD

Team Merrimack Valley


Al keeps us organized

Black Duck Sells for $22,425

2011-06-06T18:30:00.000-04:00

Who knew that an old carved black duck decoy could sell for so much. Guess I'll be keeping my eyes open at yard sales from now on. Click here to read the details.

Unique Visitors

2011-06-04T07:04:00.001-04:00

It really amazes me at how far our message travels. I just clicked on sitemeter to see who's been reading our posts and I noticed one small dot in the middle of the pacific. We just had our first reader from Hawaii... Honolulu to be exact. Hang Ten!!

Weekly meeting update

2011-06-02T07:53:00.003-04:00

We had almost full attendance yesterday. Bob McDonald gave an update on the two scholarship funds we manage. It's our goal to expand the program to include additional towns and more fundraising will be needed to build the base. One of the other topics discussed was the scholarship recipient changes we may be putting forward. Starting in 2012 we will be requiring recipients to visit one of our breakfast meetings to learn more about our club and Rotary and so that we can meet the people that benefit from our gift. This only makes sense. What we'll offer them is an opportunity to apply for the $30,000 Ambassadorial Scholarships that are given out by the district each year.

Carl Good cleaned out his closet and was delivering a car load of books. This guy is always busy and we're lucky to have him in our club. He also gave us a brief update on the Bangladesh project reports currently underway.

Weekly meeting - May 25

2011-05-26T08:03:00.001-04:00

Light turnout this morning, looks like people are getting busier at work these days. We had a very interesting presentation given by Bob Schecter from the Framingham club. Bob lived and worked in Africa during his college years. I'm a little fuzzy on the country but I believe it was Zambia. The Framingham club is working on a matching grant to supply school supplies, clothing and other essentials in this area.

We had a minor discussion on new fundraising ideas including one on a Broomball Tournament in Lowell. More information and some number crunching is needed to understand the requirements and the costs associated with an event like this. Initially the Tsongas Arena was thought to be a good location but thinking it through, only the finals would be held in the arena. Elimination rounds up to the Semis would be held at local rinks.

Other discussions included an expansion of the scholarship program to include a Regional Vocational school in Lowell brining the annual total to 7. We'll need to raise additional funds to support the new school and Bob McDonald will guide us on the additional amount needed keep the account sustainable. The scholarship set up in Andover earlier this year reduced the principle on the primary scholarship fund. Growth is a good thing!

The District Conference

2011-05-16T16:03:00.002-04:00

The Rotary District 7910 conference is just around the corner and as usual it promises to be another great event. The Merrimack Valley Club is donating a decorative bench (pictured and donated by Bob McDonald) for the silent auction.

55 clubs from central Massachusetts will gather June 9, 10 and 11th at the Boxborough Holiday Inn. This is District Governor Mike Ellis's celebration party for a job well done this past year. His term ends June 30th when the new Rotary year begins.

There are many events at the conference and a personal favorite is some of the presentations given Saturday afternoon, followed by the house of Freindship and evening dinner to follow. If you're a Rotarian in district 7910, you don't want to miss this event. See you there!

April 20th Meeting

2011-04-20T17:07:00.001-04:00

Full house this morning with almost every member present. It's a great feeling when everyone shows up. I suspect we all got charged up from the joint meeting yesterday.

The Ayer club has asked for our assistance in the Ducky Wucky Race coming up in May. We're selling duck adoption tickets for their annual duck race. No... Not real ducks but rubber duckies! They dump thousands of sponsored wubber ducks into the Nashua River, first duck across the line wins!! The grand prize is a dinner for two.. anywhere in the world!! This years race takes place May 7th so contact us for tickets today! There's still time.

We're headed to LeLachuer park again this year to see the Lowell Spinners Baseball team. This is a fun night of fellowship for the members and family. Make your reservations early if you want to attend. Andrea will be making the purchase in the coming weeks. We've decided on June 28th, game start is 7:05.

Joint Club Meeting of the Merrimack Valley Clubs

2011-04-19T21:26:00.002-04:00

The Merrimack Valley Club participated in the Merrimack Valley Rotary Club joint lunch meeting at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, MA. It's been a number of years since this this event was last held and the timing was perfect. District Governor Mike Ellis was on hand as well as Past District Governer Greg Roche to speak about District 7910 as well as updates on the Rotary International strategic plan.

Many of the regional clubs were in attendance including Billerica, Chelmsford, Westford, Dracut, Merrimack Valley Area Club, Tewksbury and Lowell. For many of us it's the only opportunity to see each other outside of the District Conference in June. Over 100 Rotarians were in attendance, far exceeding Lowell Club President Mike O'Flaherty's expectations.

Mike Ellis made a pitch for the District Conference that will be held at the Holiday Inn Boxborough this June. Rooms are still available and as always ... The House of Friendship ! Details are available at http://www.rotarty7910.org/

Richard Lewis let me know of an expanded event the Westford Club will hold this Summer. Each year his club runs the Blues and Brews festival as their primary fundraiser. This year they plan to expand the event to include the following day which will be designated as a family day for the town residents and Rotarians. He promissed lots of events for the kids as well as the adults. The event is now being held at the Nashoba Ski Area in Westford. Check out http://www.bluesnbrews.com/ for the details.

Awesome event, excellent food and fellowship. Great Job Lowell club!! Thanks for taking the lead to organize the event.

District Assembly Update

2011-04-15T07:59:00.001-04:00

We had a great night at the District 7910 Assembly last night. It was nice catching up with familiar faces and meeting new people. I was taken by the energy and passion these club leaders have.

The breakout sessions were designed to get the club secretaries and treasurers rolling on their rolls that start July 1st. In addition there were presentations on Social Media, Public Relations, The Rotary Foundation and Membership. The organizers did a very good job this year and the change of venue from a Saturday to a Thursday was a good call. There were right around 100 District Rotarians in attendance.

Weekly Meeting update

2011-04-13T19:00:00.003-04:00

Small group this morning but we covered a few things before getting into fellowship. First off was a reminder that next Tuesday is the Joint club meeting at the Tsongas Arena. It'll be nice to see the other clubs from the Merrimack Valley again. Mike Ellis, DG and Greg Roche, PDG will be on hand as speakers. Don't miss out on all the fun. The lunch is free but donations to Polio Plus are expected in favor.

Steve Kirk from the Concord Rotary Club was with us again, this time talking about the fundraising group that meets in Lexington, MA to discuss different ways to raise cash for the clubs. He briefly spoke of the http://www.biddingforgood.com/ website.

Andrea and I will be heading to the District 7910 Assembly in Framingham tomorrow night to take in a few of the breakout sessions that are happening. Another Rotary Rubber Chicken Dinner I assume.

Next weeks regular meeting will feature a guest Speaker who will present on waterfowl decoy carving. Not a lot of these old tymers around so it should be a good take. If you're in the area drop in for the presentation, a cup of coffee and maybe some breakfast. We're always on the lookout for new members.

District 7910 Assembly

2011-04-11T17:01:00.001-04:00

This Thursday we will have our District Assembly and training session on a great number of subjects. We will have session for treasures, secretary, foundation, membership, club runner, rotary and youth, social media and public relations.This is a training and a great way to learn more about different aspects about Rotary and how to improve our skills.

We will have a Boston PR company, Elevate Communication to help us with Public Relation and will have informations about writing a good press release and contacts with the media. The social media session will be all about face book twitter and linkin. This will be a first of many training about this subjects and this is the way most club advertising their events. This session is being lead by Brookline President Elect Laura Day.

Our membership session, we will have Kevin Hallinan of Winning Inc, a company the specialize in Sales & Leadership Development.

So please have members of your club, officers and members come to this great event at the Sheraton in Framingham. The event will start at 5 pm with registration and dinner and the training will be from 6 pm to 9 pm . To register or more information please go to http://www.rotary7910.org/.

Weekly update

2011-04-06T16:15:00.001-04:00

Slight changes to the meeting this morning. Evidently the hotel double booked the room and had to move us to accomodate another breakfast group. Our appologies to those that showed but never found the meeting, the hotel forgot to put out a notice of the change.

The joint meeting for the clubs in the Merrimack Valley will be held at the Tsongas Arena April 19th. The location and food have been donated for the lunch meeting. The Lowell club asks that we make a donation in the amount we normally pay for a meal each week. About 50% of our members will be in attendance... Awesome!! Just a reminder, we'll still have our regularly scheduled meeting at the Radisson the next morning. Great week to make up missed meetings if you've been absent recently.

We briefly spoke about new members and more on project ideas for the coming year. Membership and Fundraisers are the lifeblood of any club. Bring a friend to a meeting, as always, we'll pay for their breakfast!

The Global Power of Rotary

2011-04-05T11:19:00.001-04:00

Rotarians worldwide have contributed more than $18 million for disaster relief in supplies, services, and cash. This included $2 million from the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, a Rotary Foundation donor advised fund that supports long-term rebuilding efforts. The fund distributed $10,000 for a major cholera prevention effort run by Rotary District 7020. (taken from The Rotarian magazine, April 2011)

Rotarians around the world continue to make donations, aiding and solving problems in every corner of the globe. You can help support humanitarian efforts by becoming a member of a local club like the Merrimack Valley Rotary club. Membership is all about the contacts you meet along the way and how you can make a difference here and abroad. Want to learn more?? Click on the What's Rotary link in the sidebar and then join us for a meeting!

International Projects for Rotary District 7910

2011-04-02T18:01:00.002-04:00

Since 1997, Rotary District 7910 has contributed almost 4.5 million dollars towards International projects. The most recent projects and countries include:

Honduras - clean water
Guyana - Medical Training
Pakistan - Water Buffalo
Phillipines - Street Childrens - YES Project
Bangladesh - Special Needs Project
Ghana - Water Purification
Cameroun - Village Fertilizer Project
Peru - Cleff Pallet work through project smile
Peru - Childrens health mobile lab project
Uganda - Computers for a technology center
Nicaragua - Emergency medical training institute
Haiti - Technology center for 3 schools
Nigeria - Solar power water project
Nepal - Early childhood education & School project
Haiti - 11 seat landcruiser for the St. Joseph school for boys
Zambia - Computer training program
India - Deep well drilling for drinking water for orphanage
Guatemala - Establish a neonatal/pediatric Gemini training Institute
Kosovo - Medical project
India - School bus project
Haiti - Restoring a fishing industry in Carrefour

Our district is doing so much to help the needy and victims of natural disasters around the world. If you're not a Rotarian, maybe you should think about becoming a member. There's still so much work to be done. We need you!

Weekly update

2011-03-30T10:56:00.006-04:00

Well, another week and possibly another snowstorm, will Spring ever truly arrive?

We discussed building another scholarship at the request of John Carrolls wife, to benefit the kids of Andover, MA. We have had a number of requests from former Rotarians and friends on how to contribute. Bob MacDonald and Al Jean are working out the legal details on how to get this rolling.

Steve Kirk from the Concord, MA club joined us again this morning. He gave us an update on his Haiti Relief Speaker panel last night. The event was well attended, over 80 people showed and were not disappointed. The overlying message is that things are still incredibly bad there and huge amounts of relief are still needed.

Debbie is working on a date for the next Antique Appraisal night fundraiser with Skinner Auctioneers. We decided that we still want to hold the event at the First Parish Church United in Westford. The location works well for the event so mark you calendars for late October.

More disussion followed on a Spring fundraiser and a fellowship night at the Lowell Spinners for a night of baseball, sometime in August. More on this in future post.

Carl is still doing the snowbird thing in North Carolina after his recent excursion to Cozumel where he finished his PADI dive certifications. Hopefully he'll give us a presentation when he returns in May. Click on Cozumel above to see video from one of his dives.

JAD Duggin, our club advisor gave us some poignant advice today. "Read the funnies first" good advice JAD!

Wee need new members!! Join us for breakfast to learn what Rotary is all about.

Charitable Giving

2011-03-29T12:17:00.002-04:00

I'm exploring something called Missionfish.org that I found on Ebay to generate donations and charitable giving options for the club and Rotary International. If you have experience with this service or if you have items to donate/sell on Ebay please contact me at gaffed2001@yahoo.com

~Dan

CCSN Bangldesh third immunization of children

2011-03-28T09:42:00.001-04:00

The Center for Children with Special Needs that is partially supported by a Rotary Matching Grant from the Merrimack Valley club and district 7910 conducted its third immunization of local children as part of the grant. Other parts of the program will be completed soon. CCSN focuses on children with physical problems including polio survivors. The CCSN website can be seen at: http://www.ccsnbangladesh.org/

Getting organized and weekly update

2011-03-24T11:36:00.000-04:00

We're slowly making the transition to the new leadership team. The District 7910 attendance records have been partially updated with more changes to come in the following days. On that note, all members should take a look at the re-organized District Webpage, it has much better clarity and organization. Great Job.

At our weekly meeting we had a good turnout including two guest visitors. Steve Kirk from the Concord club stopped by for breakfast and to let us know about the presentation he organized for March 29 at 7pm. The topic is Haiti, the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake and relief effort of his club and other agencies. The event will be held in Carlisle, MA at the Union Hall - First Religious Society 27 School Street. The speaker forum is free and donations are gladly accepted.

Chris Borden visited our meeting as well and is adjusting back to civilian life after his Army tour in Afghanistan. We're still asking him to join our club but he just hasn't made the jump yet. He'd make an incredible Rotarian with all his work in civics. C'mon Chris... just do it !!

The club also discussed ways to help the earthquake victims in Japan. Looks like we'll be purchasing shelter boxes for the displaced. Each of these boxes will help support 10 people for 6 months. Contact us if you'd like to make a donation!

Back at it

2011-03-15T09:50:00.003-04:00

It's been awhile since we've posted and there's been lots of happenings in the club; some good some not so good. First of we regret to post that our long time member and friend John Carroll passed a few weeks ago. He was very active in the club and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

This past week has brought on horrific events in Japan with the 8.9 earthquake. Rotary is already in action sending tents, food and health supplies to the victims. It's a great feeling to be part of an organization that can cross cultural boundaries and deliver help and services almost instantaneously. Click HERE for more information on the recently established Rotary Tsunami foundation. We'll post more on Rotary efforts as they become available.

On a lighter note, Andrea Bradford has stepped up as our new President for 2011 - 2012 years. She's in the process of building her team and we wish her great success. Our current President Liz Duggin will help her transition to her term which starts July 1st. She'll have a great time at PETS.

Lastly, we're on the lookout for new members to join our club (as always). We're looking for great people that want to make new friends and that want to take advantage of the many offerings through Rotary International. The nice thing about a breakfast club is it sets you up for a positive day! You can start the day off with a cup of coffee and a laugh or two while learning of the many aspects of Rotary. Join us for breakfast, we'd love to meet you!

First Week of September...

2010-09-09T15:44:00.000-04:00

Summer's drawing to a close, the heat and humidity are finally starting to calm down after one of the hottest Summers I can remember. We had a small gathering of members this week as the kids head back to school. We discussed our upcoming fundraiser on October 27th ~ The Angtiques Appraisal night.

Football season begins this weekend and our club has signed up to help a sister club in Indian Rocks, FL on their annual NFL Superbowl raffle. We expect to have tickets in hand by Monday. The lucky winner recieves 2 tickets to this years Superbowl, 4 nights lodging in the host city and $1000 cash. Tickets are $5 ea or 5 for $20. All proceeds benefit the charities of Rotary International both domestically and internationally. Contact us and get yours today ~ you can't win if you don't play!

It's that time again...

2010-08-25T10:12:00.000-04:00

The Antiques Appraisal night is on again, this time it's October 27th at the First Parish Church United in Westford, MA. Tickets will be available in the next week or so but you can purchase early if you want. We expect this show to sell out early like all the others.

The meeting was on the quiet side this morning probably due to all the rain which we so desperately need. Carl mentioned that's he's doing a walk to support research on Progeria. You can make pledges at this site www.firstgiving.com/carlgood. I'm sure he appreciates any contributions large or small.

Finally, Al's prayer this morning was taken from the Webster club and we're not sure if he lost the prayer for the Wellesley club which is obviously his favorite. Let's see what happens next week.

If you're curiuos about our club or about Rotary, stop in for breakfast or coffee.

Antiques Appraisal Night

2009-11-03T15:15:00.003-05:00

The date for this event is drawing near but still a few tickets remain to be sold. Don't have anything to be appraised? General seating is always available and Stuart's show never disappoints. Get yours today!

Great Idea !!

2009-10-11T09:32:00.002-04:00

If you haven't seen it yet, the Concord Rotary Club is hosting a "Purple Pinkie" day later this month. Follow this link to read more www.concordrotary.blogspot.com

Antiques Roadshow Date announcement

2009-09-12T13:43:00.002-04:00

This Fall's Antiques Roadshow fundraiser has been set for November 19th at the First Parish Church United in Westford Center. Doors will open at 6:30 and the show will begin promptly at 7 pm.

Tickets will be available in the coming weeks and available from any Merrimack Valley Club Rotarian. See you there!

Merrimack Valley Rotary to host Antiques Roadshow

2009-09-02T10:16:00.002-04:00

Mark your calendars! Stuart Whitehurst, of Antiques Roadshow fame is coming to the Merrimack Valley area on Nov. 18, at the First Parish Church United, 48 Main St., Westford. The Merrimack Valley Rotary Club is sponsoring the show. More details will follow regarding ticket sales - both for appraisals or just coming to watch.

Welcome New President Pat

2009-07-01T18:10:00.003-04:00

Pat got his year as president off on a good foot with his and his officers being sworn in at today's meeting. We all wish Pat success in his year as he continues on the legacy left to him by past president Ken.

Our guest speaker this morning was Sgt. Chris Borden of Chelmsford. Chris is back from his assignment in Northern Iraq. Chris explained to us all the positive developments in the region and some of the lesser seen lifestyles of the Kurds.

What a great start to the day!

Jill Lennon - The Rotary Club of The Villages

2009-04-24T09:48:00.006-04:00

Jill Lennon is in Florida and has made friends with many Rotarians. The Relay for Life was held Friday, April 24. Over 1000 cancer survivors walked. Jill walked with the Rotary to help raise money for the continuing fight against cancer. The club has almost 125 members; they sold hot dogs and drinks at their booth during the event.

MV Rotary Job Show Continues To Make News

2009-03-21T12:51:00.003-04:00

MV Rotarian Bob McDonald, was a guest on The New England Job Show, which is sponsored by Merrimack Valley Rotary. Bob's segment was about getting your finances in order when you lose your job. Also shown is Ajita Perera, show host. The New England Job Show is a show for job seekers, by job seekers. The show has received press from many media including CBS, The Boston Globe, The Associated Press, Public Radio, WHDH, WMUR and much more. For more information about The New England Job Show, go to their blog at thejobshow.blogspot.com or to their web site nejobshow.org.

District Presents MV Rotary With PR Award

2009-03-21T12:13:00.002-04:00

District 7910 awarded the Merrimack Valley Rotary Club the award For The Most Innovative Public Relations Project Of The Year at a recent PR Awards Dinner. Shown is Club President Ken Masson (left) accepting the award from District Governor Klaus Hachfeld The project is The New England Job Show, which has received press from around the United States.

Rotary Polio Survivor's Association video

2009-03-20T09:11:00.001-04:00

Below is a Rotary Polio Survivor's Association video featuring a past North Carolina district governor.

Kenya medical mission and "Stop Hunger Now

2009-03-14T14:24:00.003-04:00

I have two new rotary related posts on my blog, the Chronicles of Carl

http://chroniclesofcarl.blogspot.com/ . One is on my participation in a Stop Hunger Now food packet filling program in Pinehurst NC this Saturday. The other is a presentation I gave at the Southern Pines Rotary club Friday the 13th.

More informaion is also available at http://kenyaaidscarl.blogspot.com/

Rotary License Plates

2009-03-11T09:35:00.006-04:00

At the PR event on March 6, Carol Toomey, District Public Relations Chair and District Governor Elect, announced that Rotary license plates may now be ordered for Massachusetts cars.

Information on ordering can be found at the District 7910 web site http://www.rotary7910.org/. Plates must be ordered through Rotary and, at present, are not available directly from the RMV.

According to Carol, a major portion of the proceeds from the sale of plates will go towards the drive to eradicate polio.

Spreading the Word About Blogging

2009-03-07T09:50:00.004-05:00

At the District 7910 Public Relations Event on Friday, March 6, Jill Lennon was one of the "speed-speakers" - the topic was Blogging. It was an effective way to reach many people; the speaker remained at a table but every 7-8 minutes, the other table attendees switched. Speakers had 5 minutes to pitch their topic! Let's hope this helps get the blogging interest spread throughout the district! Dan LeBlanc and I are happy to be guest speakers at any club and to present blogging, as well as helping clubs get started.

MV Rotary's Job Show Begins To Come Together

2009-02-21T08:04:00.002-05:00

Shown are some of the crew of The New England Job Show as they are editing some of the hours of footage that was taken outside of the studio. The rest of the Show will be shot in the studio at Chelmsford, Massachusetts and will be ready for airing soon. For more information on The New England Job Show write to thejobshow@gmail.com

Chelmsford Man Stays Busy

2009-02-13T07:55:00.007-05:00

In case you missed it, we have a new celebrity in our club. Ken was interviewed by the Boston Globe for a Vocational Project our club is currently running to help the unemployed. We've also created a blog for the project http://www.thejobshow.blogspot.com/ and it's listed in the current project on the sidebar.

Here's the Globe link.. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2009/02/12/life_without_a_job_1234392432/

Planning Begins For TV Show To Help People Get A Job

2009-02-07T12:35:00.005-05:00

The MV Rotary is sponsoring the production of a television show that is designed to help people get a job. The show is mostly manned by individuals who are unemployed. The show will be tapped at the TV studios in Chelmsford, Massachusetts and will air on other cable stations around the area. Shown is Matt Scott, station manager, giving the crew an overview of how to produce a show. Stay tuned for updates on this project.

Back From Kenya...MV Rotarian Tells His Story

2009-02-06T08:26:00.002-05:00

Late last year, Merrimack Valley Rotarian Carl Good went to Kenya on a trip with 70 Rotarians and non Rotarians to help people in that country impacted by AIDS and other illnesses. It was the largest such excursion in Rotary history. Carl recently made his presentation to the Club about this very special trip. If you want to learn more about Carl's trip (and his earlier trip to Bangladesh) simply type his name in the search widget at the top left of this page.

Rotary Announces This Year's Woodchuck Award Winner!

2009-02-05T08:46:00.002-05:00

Dan LeBlanc won this year's Bob McDonald Woodchuck Award.

The Merrimack Valley Rotary honers one of its members with this award each year. The award goes to the member who had the tallest tale to tell during the year. The award is given out at the meeting closest to Ground Hog Day.

Dan won the award this year because of his stories of going into the woods every morning looking for a deer. But never coming back with any evidence to prove it! Congratulations to Dan! Shown is Dan (left) and Bob! Ask Bob how the award got started...he has a tale to tell.

MV Rotary To Air TV Show To Help People Get Hired!

2009-01-31T10:11:00.011-05:00

The MV Rotary is sponsoring and creating a television show to help people who are unemployed find work.

The show will be manned by people who are unemployed and will feature experts in the job hunting process giving valuable tips on the challenges that the unemployed face. The show will also give individuals who are unemployed the opportunity to give a 30 second free commercial about themselves in the hopes that an employer will find them and hire them.

The show will be taped locally and will be shared with cable stations throughout the area. There will be two half hour shows each month that will be aired several times throughout the month. For more information contact mvrotary@gmail.com.

Blogging Rotaries Together...One Rotarian's Goal!

2009-01-31T09:04:00.012-05:00

MV Rotarian Dan LeBlanc has been visiting Rotaries in the Merrimack Valley area of Massachusetts to promote the idea of creating and linking Rotary Club Blogs together.

Dan's goal is to have all the Blogs linked together for two reasons. First of all, anyone who is researching Rotaries in this area can easily serf from one to the other. And secondly, all the Rotaries in the area can easily keep up with the happenings of each other

Why Blogs instead of Web pages? According to Dan, because Blogs are much more flexible than Web Pages. Articles, photos, power point presentations and more can be easily and quickly added. to the Blog. Plus all members can contribute to the Blog whereas only a few people contribute to the Web page.

So far three Rotaries have created Blogs: Merrimack Valley. Westford and Bedford. Dan has more presentations to come in the upcoming weeks.

MV Rotarian Carl Good Just Cannot Get Enough Snow

2009-01-31T08:00:00.001-05:00

There was not enough snow in New England for MV Rotarian Carl Good and his wife so they went where there was more to ski....Aspen Colorado. Carl sent back this beautiful picture.

Rotarians Hear About The Advantages Of Real Estate Investments

2009-01-30T09:44:00.004-05:00

MV Rotarians learned about in investing in Real Estate from Nick Aalerud a local Investment Specialist and a licensed Realtor.

Nick said that now is a good time to invest in real estate because of all the foreclosures that are out there. He said that each day 8000 homes are foreclosed on . So the opportunities are there now

According to Nick, real estate investments are secure investments; they supplement your income; they build capital and long term wealth; they provide cash flow and there are tax advantages to such investments.

Nick said that: 'Success comes to those who take action."

Living the Good Life!

2009-01-30T07:50:00.004-05:00

Where in the world are Carl and Wendy? In Aspen of course! Don't worry, they'll be back when the snow melts. Looks like they're having a great time.

Bill Gates Talks With Rotary Leaders

2009-01-21T21:29:00.000-05:00

Rotary International Ppt Presentation

2009-01-13T10:28:00.001-05:00

Here's a presentation we run at many of our events. It gives a brief overview of Rotary and The Merrimack Valley Area Rotary Club.

Rotary International Ppt Presentation

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own.

Career and Business Networking Vocational Project

2009-01-09T21:06:00.006-05:00

We're well on our way to creating a monthly networking event as part of our vocational avenue of service. Our goal is to develop a low cost high benefit evening for businesses and people to communicate in a social setting. The response so far has been very positive.

Currently we're looking at locations to hold the event in either Chelmsford or Westford. We've also created a new blog to help keep the communication going between events as well as become a resource tool for job seekers. The site address is http://www.rotaryinmotion.blogspot.com/ . A link is posted in the side bar as well, see Connecting Businesses and People. Future updates will be made on this blog.

The plan is to have a kick off meeting in the 3rd week of February. Subsequent meetings would follow in the 3rd week of each month, from 6 to 8pm. Advertising to businesses, Rotarians and the general public should commence at some point in the next two weeks.

Our Next Event ?

2009-01-06T09:08:00.003-05:00

Our members are cooking up some new events for 2009 to strengthen fellowship, create awareness for Rotary and develop funds to support the many programs we're involved with. Want to find out what's cooking with the Merrimack Valley Rotary Club? Sign up for Feedblitz on this page to recieve updates as they occur.

Jill Lennon Joins Merrimack Valley Rotary Club

2009-01-03T09:22:00.004-05:00

Jill Lennon, a computer consultant, is the newest member of the Merrimack Valley Rotary. Jill, who resides in Westford Massachusetts, joined the group on December 24. Pictured with Jill is Al Jean, who is presenting her with her Rotary pin. Al is a charter member and the Club's first president. Welcome aboard to Jill....we are very fortunate to have her as a member!

MV Rotarians Learn That Food Banks Needs All The Help They Can Get

2008-12-10T12:39:00.007-05:00

Amy Pessia, Executive Director of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, told the Merrimack Valley Rotarians that there is a critical need for food right now. But, she did mention to the members that there is a need throughout the year. So that it is important to remember the Food Bank now, but also during June, July and August.

The Food Bank is a community-supported non-profit organization that provides nutritious food and personal care items to emergency feeding programs serving the low-income, homeless and hungry. They are one of four food banks in Massachusetts.

Mission

Their mission statement says that "the focus of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank is to help meet a person's most profound need - adequate nutrition and freedom from hunger.Because of the current economic conditions, human service agencies are finding it difficult to find food for their clients. Only through cooperative efforts can society initiate change develop strategies to alleviate hunger and work toward the well being of all people.It is a basic human need to have adequate access to an environment conducive to well- being, which includes food, shelter and clothing. "

History

In October 1993, they formed their own non-profit organization after separating from the Middlesex Shelter (now the Lowell Transitional Living Center). They started with little funding, a donated U-Haul truck, free space in an old mill building, a twenty- year old refrigerator/freezer, four food companies and six agencies in Lowell. They have grown tremendously since then, thanks to their many friends and partners.

They Have Grown

They now occupy two levels of a historic mill building in Lowell, and have 2 refrigerated trucks. Their facility has a large refrigerated storage area as well as two large walk-in freezers. They have expanded their service areas to include the Merrimack Valley and North Shore. They now operate 7 programs and have increased their agency base to over 110. Most recently merged with M/A-COM Food Share's Mobile Pantry and Summer Lunch programs in 2004, and to continue these important feeding projects.

For More Information

If you want more information on the Food Bank visit their web site at: http://www.mvfb.org/index.htm

District 7910 Communications Network

2008-12-08T17:19:00.001-05:00

Here's our new vision on a virtual social network. We plan to roll this out before year end. Send us your comments, we'd appreciate the input.

District 7910 Communications Network

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own.

MV Rotarians Ring Bell For Salvation Army

2008-12-06T18:30:00.003-05:00

For more than 20 years, the Merrimack Valley Rotary has been ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at the Walmart in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Show are some of the crew that keep that bell ringing all day on Saturday, December 6th. Most ringers reported that the donations were brisk regardless of the economy.
Thanks to MV Rotary member James Fitton for organizing this successful event!

Tuba Christmas Has Become A MV Rotary Tradition

2008-12-04T08:38:00.008-05:00

Merrimack Valley Rotary members took in the sights and the sounds of 150 tubas playing Christmas songs at the Tuba Christmas at Faneuil Hall in Boston, Massachusetts on Saturday, December 1, 2008. The event featured Elliot Farnsworth, husband of Club member Debi Farnsworth. The event lasted an hour and included a full array of Christmas songs as well as tuba version of the Hallelujah Chorus.

After the event, the members took in a tour of the Custom House, thanks to our tour guide, Patrick Crowley, and then a visit to Mr Dooley's Pub. We all look forward to a return to the event again next year!

MV Rotary Serves Up A Meal For Those In Need

2008-11-23T07:01:00.007-05:00

The Merrimack Valley Rotary served a meal on Friday November 21 at the Transitional Living Center in Lowell, Massachusetts. The mission of the Center is a community supported, non-profit organization, provides a safe, temporary shelter for homeless men and women of Greater Lowell. In a multi-services focused environment, volunteers and staff provide opportunities for individuals to end their homelessness.
During these difficult economic times the needs in centers such as this one are on the rise, and it was reward and an honor for the members of the Club to be there to help the Center and its clients.
On the Center's web site is the following statement: "We believe that a consistent, focused, client driven approach towards addressing the tragedy of homelessness is the best and most effective method towards ending these crises. There is hope. There is help. Here, at the Lowell Transitional Living Center, we focus all our efforts in facilitating a positive change in people’s lives. At LTLC we end homelessness. . . .one person at a time."

MV Rotary Hosts Its 4th And Largest Antiques Appraisal Fundraiser!

2008-11-23T06:50:00.002-05:00

The MV Rotary held its fourth successful Antique Appraisal Night on Wednesday, November 19 at the First Parish Church in Westford. The event was again hosted by Skinners Stuart Whitehurst of the famed Antiques Roadshow on PBS. Funds raised by the event will be given to the Rotary Foundation as part matching grant challenge presented by the Bill Gates Foundation.

One of the highlights of the night was a document signed by John Hancock, which Stuart said was worth $3000-$5000. Other items were painting, swords, rifles, books, clocks, and an array of other items. This event proven to attract the largest audience yet to any of shows in this series. The Club plans another event in the spring 09. For more information on this and future such events, write to mvrotary@gmail.com

MV Rotary's Second Annual Apple Pie Contest Has A Winner!

2008-11-23T06:44:00.004-05:00

Merrimack Valley Rotarian Debi Farnsworth was the winner of this year's Apple Pie Contest. Debi baked an apple pie which had a secret ingredient......caramel! Everyone wants to go over to Debi's house for the holidays and taste the rest of her cooking! Congratulations Debi!

MV Rotary Learns About Interact From The Voice Of Experience

2008-11-22T18:20:00.000-05:00

Dracut Rotary Club member Frank Atifonario spoke to the Merrimack Valley Rotary on his experiences with Interact. Frank, who has started and managed a number of Interact groups in his area, told the group that if you want to start a group you need to go right to the principal of the school and get his or her support. Then, you need to decided where the meetings are going to be held and how often.

Elect A Chair That Can Relate

The Club should elect a Chairperson for the project, Frank said. That person should be the individual who can best relate to the youth. This individual will be there to supervise but not dictate.

Challenges

He explained that some of the challenges of starting such a group are: students have very many things going on; every four years the member rotates and the members need to be kept active with projects and activities.

Accomplishments

Some of the accomplishments of the Dracut Interact group were fundraisers (yard sales, raffles, car washes; nursing home visits; help building a bridge in Honduras, sending books oversees; attending district conferences; selling meatball subs at the Rotary Trade Show; and creating a Memorial Day Float. Other events included raking leaves at people's home, tutoring in grammar school, candy bar sales, working on the Habitat for Humanity, Carolling for Project Santa, Carnation sales on St Pats Day and Rose sales on Valentine's Day.

Learn More!

Frank said that if you wanted to learn more, that you should get in touch with the District Chair: Douglas Lard, Weston Rotary Club, at dougleard@relatour4u.com

Food Servers Needed!

2008-11-14T15:32:00.013-05:00

The Merrimack Valley Rotary Club will be serving dinner at the Lowell Transitional Living Center (http://www.ltlc.org/) on Friday, November 21st at 5:30 pm! Since 1986, the LTLC has been providing supportive services for homeless men and women from the Greater Lowell Area. Join us this evening, as we help the kitchen staff serve a meal to those in need. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact me at baystatevalue@aol.com or sign up under the 'comments' section under this blog! Thanks!!

MERRIMACK VALLEY ROTARY HOLDS ANTIQUES SHOW TO ERADICATE POLIO

2008-11-10T17:37:00.003-05:00

In an effort to help eradicate polio throughout the world the Merrimack Valley Rotary Club is holding a fundraiser featuring Stuart Whitehurst, host of the famed Antiques Roadshow. The proceeds from the event will go towards helping Rotary meet a challenge presented by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to match a $100 million contribution the Gates Foundation gave to Rotary International.

The Antiques Appraisal night will be held on November 19, from 7–9 PM at the First Parish Church United, 48 Main Street, Westford, Ma.

Whitehurst joined Skinner in 1995 and has been a favorite on the Antiques Roadshow for years as well as being an auctioneer for Skinner.

The price of general admission into the show is $7 (two for $10). If someone wants one item appraised, the price for admission is $20. Appraisals are limited and must be registered prior to the show by calling (978) 446-9366 or by writing MVRotary@gmail.com. Items cannot be coins, stamps, jewelry or musical instruments.

We're legal.....

2008-10-30T10:32:00.002-04:00

Al Jean filed our newly required tax returns for the club. Just thought it was news worthy.

Beginning in 2008, USA and Puerto Rican Rotary clubs and districts with gross receipts of $25,000 or less will be required to file Form 990-N , an electronic e-Postcard report. This report is required annually starting 15 November 2008. Failure to meet the annual filing requirement for three consecutive years will result in revocation of the tax-exempt status of the club or district in question.

Way to go Al !!

Merrimack Valley Rotary Sponsors Antiques Appraisal Nigh!

2008-10-25T17:00:00.008-04:00

Is there a fortune in your attic? Dig it out! Dust it off and bring it to the next Merrimack Valley Rotary Club's Antiques Appraisal Night? Appraisal tickets are only $20 before November 14. And $25 after that! Want to just come and watch the show? Tickets are only $7. Want to go with a friend? Two general admission tickets are only $10. Want to get more information? Call Dan at 978-256-1915 or write to MVRotary@gmail.com. See you there!

Merrimack Vally Rotary Is On Facebook...Visit Us, And Become A Friend

2008-10-25T16:00:00.000-04:00

wwww, Facebook.com .........we want you to become a friend of Merrimack Valley Rotary on Facebook!

Bell Ringers Needed!

2008-10-23T11:19:00.006-04:00

Once again, the Merrimack Valley Rotary Club will volunteer to 'ring bells' for the Salvation Armies Red Kettle Campaign. Two dates have been set and we are in need of volunteers to fill the provided time slots. The first date is Wednesday, November 12th from 5pm to 8 pm and the second date is Saturday, December 6th from 9am to 5pm. The Walmart in Chelmsford will serve host for the campaign. A sign-up sheet will be passed out at this weeks meeting, and any hours of volunteering would be greatly appreciated!

Rotaries Honored At Heroes Evening

2008-10-22T22:15:00.010-04:00

Merrimack Valley Rotary (shown in the photo) and seven other local rotaries were honored by Community Teamwork Inc at their 15 Annual Evening with Local Heroes. Rotary was cited as being an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide and whose main mission is to provide service in the community, the workplace and throughout the world. The organization went on to say that rotarians develop community service projects that address many of today's most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, literacy and violence. Rotarians also support programs for youth, education opportunities and international exchange for students, teachers, and other professionals, and vocational and career development.

How Many Ice Creams Did Dan Eat?

2008-10-20T22:00:00.000-04:00

The question is: How many ice creams did Dan eat at the recent Community Teamwork Heroes Night! Is this picture a set up or the truth! Only those who were there know the answer.

Reminder...

2008-10-20T21:01:00.002-04:00

The club meeting will not be held at the Cafe Madrid this week. Instead we'll be meeting at Lenzi's Restaurant in Dracut for the CTI awards. Our normal schedule will resume the following week. Looks like Ken and I will be there for coffee just in case someone shows for a make up. See you at Lenzi's.

Talk On Line With Rotary Immediate Past President

2008-10-10T18:56:00.004-04:00

“A YEAR OF SHARING”Participate in an on-line discussion with Immediate Past Rotary International President Wilf Wilkinson

Here is your chance to get "up close and personal" with immediate past RI President Wilf Wilkinson in an on-line discussion in the International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians (“ICUFR”) Community Forum to discuss Wilf's “Year of Sharng” and other Rotary topics.
Fresh from "A Year of Sharing" as he traveled the Rotary world as our President, Wilf Wilkinson will again be sharing his thoughts in response to your questions. The ICUFR has generously agreed to once again make its “Community Forums” Internet site available so that Rotarians around the world can get their questions answered by one of the most knowledgeable Rotarians. Past President Wilkinson, who currently serves as Chairman of the "Reach Out to Africa Ad-Hoc Committee" and as a National Advisor for PolioPlus, will next year begin another four year term as a Foundation Trustee.
The on-line discussion with Past President Wilkinson will take place over a 51 hour period beginning at 6:00 P.M., EDT, on Wednesday, October 22nd and ending at 9:00 P.M. EDT on Friday, Friday, October 24, 2008. This informative discussion, in response to your questions, with Past President Wilkinson will take place at the web site http//www2.icufr.org. (Please note the “www2" in the address.)
To ask Past President Wilkinson questions and to participate in the discussion, Rotarians must register in the ICUFR Community Forum. To do that, go to the website and when asked to enter information beside the "D:", enter your district number. Once in the Community Forum, click on ‘Register’ at the top section of the opening page of the Community Forums (http//www2.icufr.org) . A ‘Terms’ page will next appear and, once you accept the terms, you will automatically go to the ‘Registration’ page. Please complete all ‘required’ information. When you register, please make sure you make a personal, private record of the ‘User Name’ and ‘Password’ you decide to use when registering in the Community Forums. It will be necessary to add your club name and district, and additional information in the profile, if you wish.
After you “register”, you will receive a confirming email from an ICUFR volunteer confirming your registration. After receiving the confirming email, you must post messages and participate in other services on the web site. Registering for the Community Forums carries no obligation, and you will not be placed on an email list as a result of registering.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have previously registered in the ICUFR Forum, you do not need to do so again. Just enter your district number at the "D:", and log in by entering your “User name” and “password.”
You also may enter the Forum as a ‘guest’ and read the discussion in the Community Forum but you will not be able to ‘post’ without registering.
We suggest you go to the ICUFR’s Community Forums now, register (unless you already have done so) and then look around for a while to get a ‘feel’ for the Community Forums. Post a message or two in any of the sections and topics, make some friends, and be ready for the discussion with Past President Wilf Wilkinson. On Wednesday, October 22nd, on or after 6:00 P..M. EDT, you can log into the ICUFR’s Community Forums, and be ready to go. Scroll down to ‘Guest Speakers Q&A Discussions’, click on ‘Q & A Sessions’ and then click on ‘Discussion with Past President Wilf Wilkinson”. Then fire away with your questions.

Our Antiques Appraisal night has a new location...

2008-10-08T14:55:00.005-04:00

We've confirmed our location for the November 19th Appraisal night with Stuart Whitehurst of the Antiques Roadshow. The event will take place in Westford Center at the First Parish Church United. This is a wonderful location and facility, don't miss out on all the fun.

The show will begin promptly at 7pm. I've created a new blog which is linked under the Project Blogs on the sidebar. Communications will be posted here for all to read. Check it out when you get a moment. Sign up for posts and comments to stay up to date on this project.

Group Study Exchange (GSE) - The Phillipines

2008-10-07T14:34:00.003-04:00

Need a little more information on the 2009 Group Study Exchange to the Phillipines? Click on the header for more information and contact names.

Photos From Rotary Medical Mission To Kenya

2008-10-06T21:08:00.011-04:00

Merrimack Valley Rotary's Carl Good went on a medical mission to Kenya with 70 other people. Below is a photo of the group along with photos of some of the animal's Carl encountered on his trip.

Why Do Some Rotary Clubs Do So Much And Others Are Doing So Little?

2008-10-02T18:55:00.008-04:00

Is your Rotary Club falling short of its potentials? Why?

Are projects, fundraisers, community activities, international events just too challenging for your Club? Why?

How Is Your Club's Self Esteem

Do you have any idea what might be the problem? Why are other Club's accomplishing so much while your Club struggles to accomplish much less. Maybe the essence of your problem is your Club's self esteem. It believes it has a low potential to be able to achieve projects. "We can't do that because ................." Is that really true. The truth is that your Club has the same potential to achieve projects as other Clubs do. The difference it in the belief.

All Things Are Possible

In the book The Secret, readers learn that if they want to get things done, they have to start by believing that all things are possible. The same is true with Rotary Clubs. To accomplish projects and activities, Clubs need to start with the premise that all things are possible. Because they are.....

Two Ways Of Thinking

Positive thinking attracts positive results. For example, which approach does your Club have toward projects and activities... 1) Project are hard for your Club to accomplish...or 2) Any projects your Club sets out to accomplished..it can accomplish. Which attitude do you think is the one that you think is best for your Club to make progress on projects and activities?

Think Positive

If your Club thinks that getting things done is a struggle, then your Club is setting itself up for failure. But if your Club believes that all projects can be accomplished ...then your Club will be be excited at each meeting about ongoing projects and new projects.

Starts With The President

And that attitude starts with the President of your Club. If the President does not believe in its Club's abilities or his or her abilities, then the Club is going to struggle. But if the President believes that anything is possible, then anything is possible. The Club is only as good as its leaders.

It Starts With Attitude

Positive thinking attracts positive opportunities to succeed. Negative thinking create barriers for success. All projects and activities are challenging but the difference between Clubs that meet those challenges and those that don't start with attitude.

Rotarians Treating Children At The Mukuru In Nairobi

2008-10-02T18:37:00.007-04:00

This report and photos are from Merrimack Valley Rotarian Carl Good, who is on a Rotary mission in Kenya with 70 other people. The goal of the mission is to help people impacted by AIDS.

These pictures show some of the treatments being provided by the Medical teams. Children had their teeth extracted under rather primitive but effective conditions. However, a few children were very reluctant to see the dentist and held on tight to the first thing that was available. For very young children a graphical eye chart was used. One evening we were hosted at the house to the Deputy U.S. ambassador and the U.S. ambassador spoke to us at a reception hosted by the Rotary district chairman. please see the pictures.

Club meeting today...

2008-10-01T10:16:00.002-04:00

At this mornings meeting we had two distinguished guests, Sandi Wilson of the Billerica Club and Elkin Montoya from the Lowell club. Sandi brought us up to date on the need for a leader from the District for the upcoming 2009 Group Study Exchange to Phillipines. Team member applications are being requested as well. Elkin visited us on behalf of his club to invite us to a fundraiser for Polio eradication. The event will take place at Lenzis Restaurant in Dracut Oct 21. donations are needed.

The club meeting Scheduled for October 22nd will be moved to and evening meeting at Lenzi's in Dracut. Area Rotary clubs will be honored for their contributions. All members are encouraged to attend.

A date for the Salvation Army is being set for December, more on the date and opportunities to serve as they become available. Pray for warmer weather!!

The food and the servers were superb as usual. We learned that one of our servers is recently arrived from Columbia and is learning english. Can you guess who?

Rotary Supports Equine Theropy Cause That Is Featured On Animal Planet TV Show

2008-09-30T17:52:00.003-04:00

The Merrimack Valley Rotary is supportive of The FARM in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. The FARM is a nonprofit organization that provides equine theropy to physically and mentally challenged individuals. If you want to see a video about this outstanding organization. The FARM was featured on the Animal Planet Nework. Visit the link below:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1670048703/bctid1674033095

You can also visit their web site at: http://www.t-h-e-farm.org/

He's back.....

2008-09-30T14:26:00.003-04:00

Stuart Whitehurst of the famed "Antiques Roadshow" will be with us once again for another entertaining and educational evening. Set you calendars for November 19th from 7 - 9pm. The location will be announced here in the coming weeks.

If you've visited the show, and gave us your contact information, we'll send you an additional confirmation as well. This event is always a sell out, get your tickets early!

Ring...Ring...Ring...

2008-09-29T19:42:00.010-04:00

With the Holiday season upon us, we will soon be hearing the famous bell ringing and 'Thank yous" from local volunteers for the Salvation Army 'Christmas Kettle' aka 'Red Kettle' campaign. Since its inauguration in 1891, this charity event continues to grow larger, and each year more and more is donated to those who are in need.

Many of you have expressed interest in continuing to volunteer as 'Bell Ringers'. I have contacted the Salvation Army of Greater Lowell, and they are excited to know we are willing to help out!

The season begins Friday, November 7th and concludes Christmas Eve. This Wednesday we can discuss potential locations, that would best accommodate us, and sign up any volunteers who are interested.

Rotary Medial Mission To Kenya. Report Of Activities On 24sep08

2008-09-28T11:39:00.009-04:00

Here is one of the reports from Merrimack Valley Rotarian Carl Good who is on a Rotary mission in Keny to help people who are impacted by AIDS. The picture is of children waiting to be treated in the medical building. There are separate buildings for dental (primarily tooth extraction) and optical. They expect to help over 2,000 children before the program is completed. For more posts by Carl visit his blog at http://kenyaaidscarl.blogspot.com/

Today we were to leave at 7:00 which meant that I had to get up at 5:30 to meet Darsi’’s driver George at 6:00 to make it to the hotel in time to make the bus to the Mukuru slum and the Catholic compound which is our base. The all went well.

Bumpy Roads

All the roads in the slum are incredibly bumpy I found by trial and error that one wants to sit in the front of the bus to avoid the increased bumpiness in the rear due to some form of leaver action.

Over 650 Children

More local Rotarians and Rotoracters seemed to be present today to ease the burden. Our group handled over 650 children today between the optical, dental and general medical groups. There is triage at the gate to give priority to the neediest cases. Our registration group handled mainly mothers with children and a few that came on their own.

Rotoractors Help

A number of school children came in groups and they were handled by local doctors and where necessary funneled into our functions. All the children who had not been recently de-wormed were given a worming pill. In the registration process we are aided by local Swahili speakers many of whom are college Rotarians called Rotoractors.

Learning Swahilli

As time goes by I am getting to be able to utter a few Swahili phrases but the children are shy and difficult to understand.Once the children have been triaged and registered with numbered armband they go and stand in front of one of three buildings that house the respective optical, dental and medical groups. Because of the large number of general medical patients a tent was erected to shade them during their wait.

Dental Work

The dental group has no chairs and other dental office stuff so each dentist wears a headlight and pulls teeth with their patients on a table. There is no filling as there is no equipment.Our registration process is the first to stop as it takes time for the patients to work through the other groups. Next to the Catholic compound is a Catholic sponsored trade school. One of our interpreters, David who is a clinical laboratorian, took us over for a tour. The students are mainly high school age and get training in sewing and clothes making, hairdressing, wood working, metal crafts, electrical, knitting and math.

Learning Skills

The facilities as one might expect are minimal but functional. In the slum there are many small shops of people earning a living plying these trades. Also, there is a large industrial area near the slum which can employ the graduated students. The hairdressing course is six months with the others being one year. In the courses they make clothes for school children as well as things to sell. All the school children are in uniforms of some type.After helping close up shop we took the bus ride back through the slum to the hotel. My host’s driver picked me up after delivering some medical supplies for the group.

Stopped At Mall

We stopped at a mall to get a few things like more had sanitizer. This mall would rival any I have seen in the U.S.. It was such a contrast going from the slum to this fancy mall. I have been comparing Dhaka in Bangladesh to Nairobi in Kenya. Nairobi is definitely a more advanced city but the slums are very similar.

Kenya: International Medical Team Provides Preventive Care to Children in Nairobi Slums

2008-09-26T22:11:00.005-04:00

Below is a press release from Rotary International regarding the current Rotary trip that Merrmiack Valley Rotary member Carl Good is currently undertaking in Kenya with 70 other people.

About 70 volunteers from a dozen countries arrived in Kenya this week to provide preventive health care services to thousands of children in the poorest neighborhoods of Nairobi, a city still recovering from the post-election violence of December and January.

The international team includes health care professionals and non-medical volunteers from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, India, Japan, Nigeria, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, United Kingdom and the United States. They include physicians, dentists, dental assistants, paramedics, registered nurses, optometrists and opticians. About two thirds of the volunteers are members of Rotary clubs.

Five of the members comprise a team that will oversee the installation of a 500-foot deep water well about 60 miles from Nairobi in the village of Mithini, where residents now walk miles each day to haul water from a polluted source.

The medical mission, which runs Sept. 22 -30, will focus on the health needs of children living in the Nairobi slums of Mukuru, Mathare and Korogocho, where the poverty rate is high and access to preventive health care extremely limited.

According to UNICEF, the widespread rioting and violence that rocked Kenya in the wake of the disputed Dec. 27 presidential election “took a particularly high toll” on the residents of Nairobi’s slums, where almost 60 percent of the city’s population eke out an existence on personal incomes averaging less than $1 a day. As usual in such circumstances, children were among the most vulnerable victims.

According to team co-leader Connie Spark, an optician and Rotary club member from York, Pa., each child will be screened to prioritize his or her most pressing needs -- dental work, vision problems, malnutrition, injuries, infection, etc. -- then sent to the appropriate specialty stations. Spark says the team is prepared to see as many as 3,000 patients a day, and the total value of services and supplies to be delivered is estimated at $1 million.

Local physicians and other Kenyan health care professionals will participate to ensure that patients will continue to receive appropriate care after the mission concludes. All unused supplies also will remain in Nairobi for that purpose.

The international team will be hosted by Kenyan Rotary club members, many of them members of Rotarians for Fighting AIDS (RFFA), an international organization for Rotary members concerned about the HIV/AIDS pandemic. RFFA has been especially active in Kenya, where it will function as the “mobilization partner” for the medical mission, handling logistics such as transportation, housing, food and security.

In cooperation with RFFA, the international charity Hope Worldwide will offer HIV testing and counseling during the medical mission, according to RFFA founder and chair Marion Bunch, a Rotary club member from Dunwoody, Ga.

The medical mission is supported by a $38,000 matching grant from the Rotary Foundation. Another Rotary matching grant of $49,000 will fund the installation of the Mithini water well. Also contributing funds are Rotary clubs in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Kenya and the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation.

Membership attendance for the month

2008-09-25T11:24:00.003-04:00

The Merrimack Valley Club was tied with the Tewksbury club for weekly meeting attendance of it's members. Only 4 other clubs had higher attendance out of the 54 in the District.

Way to go!!

Better late than never...

2008-09-25T11:17:00.003-04:00

Well better late than never I guess. Carl successfully reached Logan Airport despite the normal Friday traffic situations and is now safely in Kenya on his mission. Check out his blog which is linked on this page.

Good Luck Carl!

MV Rotarian Carl Submits First Post From Kenya Trip

2008-09-24T18:35:00.005-04:00

Merrimack Valley Rotarian Carl Good is in Kenya on a trip made of of 70 Rotarians and non Rotarians to help people in that country impacted by AIDS. Below is his first post from that trip.

There are 70 of us now treating children in the Mukuru slum in Nairobi Kenya. Email access has been difficult but I have taken may pictures and had many fantastic experiences that will be posted later. The group is the largest such group in Rotary history and is composed of medical and non-medical personnel. The conditions in the slum are very bad but the people are wonderful.
Wish me the best.
Carl

MVRotary And Others To Be Recognized As Local Heroes

2008-09-22T18:51:00.004-04:00

The Merrimack Valley Rotary and other Rotaries in the Greater Lowell area will be honored by Community Teamwork Inc at the annual Heroes Dinner. Each year CTI recognizes organizations and individuals who have consistently reached beyond ordinary levels of generosity, compassion and effort to make their communities at better place. CTI recognizes these organizations and individuals as "Local Heroes". The Local Heroes to be held on October 22nd at Lenzi's in Dracut MA. To find out more about CTI go to http://www.comteam.org/

Ahoy Me Hearty Rotarians! September 19 Is Talk Like A Pirate Day!

2008-09-17T18:38:00.006-04:00

Merrimack Valley Rotary invites all Rotarians to celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19, 2008.

What Is It?
International Talk Like a Pirate Day (ITLAPD) is a parodic holiday invented in 1995 by John Baur ("Ol' Chumbucket") and Mark Summers ("Cap'n Slappy"), of Corvallis, Oregon, who proclaimed September 19 each year as the day when everyone in the world should talk like a pirate. For example, an observer of this holiday would greet friends not with "Hello," but with "Ahoy, me hearty!" The holiday, and its observance, springs from a romanticized view of the Golden Age of Piracy.
For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Talk_Like_a_Pirate_Day

Rotarians Battle AIDS In South Africa

2008-09-15T21:38:00.001-04:00

In the face of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Rotarians in South Africa are bringing education, nutrition and health care to AIDS orphans, with help from non-profit partner Soul of Africa. From RVM - Rotary Video Magazine, issue 2.1 *** To purchase RVM, visit http://shop.rotary.org

MV Rotarian To Meet With US Ambassador To Kenya

2008-09-14T17:34:00.006-04:00

As part of his trip to Kenya, Carl Good will have the opportunity to meet with the US Ambassador to Kenya, click on the letter shown here to see full size of letter.

Carl leaves for his trip on Friday, September 19 and should return in two weeks. Forr information on his trip, see article below. For updates on Carl's trip, check back with this Blog or tune into Carl's Blog: http://kenyaaidscarl.blogspot.com/

Special Trip To Kenya Is Rotary At Its Best!

2008-09-14T13:27:00.006-04:00

Merrimack Valley Rotary Member Carl Good is part of a group of Rotarians and non Rotarians from around the world who will be talking a trip to Kenya on September 19 to help the people in that country who are victims of AIDS.

Carl will be part of a group called RFFA (Rotarians For Fighting AIDS). The focus will be on children who have been orphaned due to the AIDS epidemic and those who are vulnerable due to their socioeconomic circumstances.

Several Rotary clubs have organized this medical mission in partnership with RFFA to serve as many of them as they can. All of the children they will be seeing live in the slums – many in child-headed or adolescent-headed households, others with elderly grannies who barely have the means to support themselves, much less to support their grandchildren. Education is the only way out of poverty for these children, but unless they are well enough to attend school, that opportunity is lost.

As well, most of the kids receive only one meal per day and they get that meal at school. So again, it's important to keep them in school. Their plan is to set up a temporary clinic in one of the slum areas (either Mathare, Korogocho or Makuru) in Nairobi. They will conduct general health, dental and eye screenings. Illnesses and injuries that they can treat will be treated onsite. Those that they cannot treat will be referred to hospital or to the care of Rotarian physicians in Nairobi, some of whom will be working alongside then in their clinic.I

They will be working closely with Rotarians in Nairobi. They expect to see a lot of upper respiratory illnesses, a well as malnutrition, anemia, amoebic dysentery, skin conditions of various kinds (especially scabies and ringworm), minor injuries and wounds, malaria, typhoid and possibly TB.

The CDC also will be providing them with HIV/AIDS test kits. A Rotarian pediatrician in North Carolina, who is part of the medical team, is looking into obtaining rapid serum TB testing kits. (TB treatment in Kenya is free, but testing isn’t.)

They also have arranged to have Kenyan-certified HIV/AIDS educators on site every day of the clinic. The health educators will teach proper hand washing, tooth brushing, HIV/AIDS prevention, and general disease prevention. Each child will then receive a toothbrush, a bar of soap, and a 60-day supply of multiple vitamins and iron.

The team will have a variety of options for lodging: home hosting by local Rotarians or hotels. Lunch will be provided to the team each day by the Kenyan Rotarians. As well, I have arranged to rent enough mini-vans to transport the team back and forth from their places of lodging to clinic every day.

With the help of the Kenya Rotaries, most of the supplies they will need will be purchased in Kenya and will be available upon their arrival. Other supplies will need to be purchased or otherwise obtained here and taken along with then. Any supplies/medications we don’t use for the clinic will be donated to other medical professionals in Nairobi.

GOOD LUCK TO CARL AND THIS TEAM!

Looking To Go To School Overseas? Consider a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship!

2008-09-06T10:09:00.004-04:00

Ambassadorial Scholarships, The Rotary Foundation's oldest and best-known program, was founded in 1947. Since then, nearly 38,000 men and women from about 100 nations have studied abroad under its auspices. Today it is the world's largest privately funded international scholarships program. Nearly 800 scholarships were awarded for study in 2005-06. Through grants totaling approximately US$500 million, recipients from about 70 countries studied in more than 70 nations.

"The Rotary Foundation does some terrific things, not the least of which is the Ambassadorial Scholarships program." — Michael R. Whiteman, international programs director, University of Idaho

The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. The program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as goodwill ambassadors to the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups.

Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to a greater understanding of their host country.

Generous contributions from Rotarians worldwide represent a continued faith that today’s Ambassadorial Scholars will be tomorrow's community and world leaders. Contact us at MVrotary@gmail.com for more information.

Apply for a chance to make a difference .

Listen Up! Rotary Radio Is Now On The Air!

2008-09-06T09:23:00.003-04:00

Fans of classic radio will love the Rotary Golden Theater Radio Show , which RI produced in 1955 for its 50th anniversary. This radio series is now available online. Every week for the next few months, a new episode or two will be added.
In the tenth episode, "Let's Get Acquainted," a man, who was initially hesitant to join Rotary because he thought he didn't have the time, is helped by Rotarians after a fire destroys his business.
For more information, e-mail RI's History and Archives Department at mailto:history@rotary.org.

Tune in now .

Rotary Trip To Help Children In Orphanages In Kenya

2008-09-04T21:37:00.004-04:00

Merrimack Valley Rotary Member Carl Good, will be one of 70 Rotarians who will be going to Kenya at the end of September on a project to help the residents with AIDs. Below is an article about the Project Coordinator Peter Southern from England.

TEESSIDE Rotarian Peter Sotheran is banking on a crash course in Swahili as he prepares to support an international aid mission to Africa. The long-standing member of the Rotary Club of Guisborough and Great Ayton has been selected to take part in a mission to Kenya, where most of the locals speak Swahili.

Peter, a past president of the club and well known for his involvement in charitable causes, travels out to Nairobi in Kenya in five weeks’ time. His job is to co-ordinate a 70-strong team of doctors, dentists and opticians at three campsites in the slums of Nairobi.

He said: “My job is to integrate the international volunteers with local voluntary help and many of the locals will have limited command of English.” Known as a health and hygiene mission, the aim is to screen and treat several hundred young people each day, targeting 12,000 in the two weeks of the mission. Patients from infants to 20 years of age, plus young mums will be checked and treated.

Two dental clinics will be set up in schools on the edge of the slums, and will be geared to treat around 200 patients a day. The optical team is equipped to examine up to 25 patients an hour, will produce prescription spectacles within the hour and treat minor eye infections. Restoring a patient’s vision restores their independence and enables them to contribute to the family and community,” explained Peter.

Special attention will be given to children in local orphanages, most of whom have lost their parents due to Aids. Working alongside each of the teams will be a specialist HIV/Aids counselling and treatment unit. More than 25% of the population of Nairobi (850,000 out of 3.2m) live in the timber and tin-sheet shanties of the slums.

So many infants are born with Aids-infected blood, we need a massive intervention to try to create an Aids-free generation,” said Sally Platt, a Rotarian from Marietta in Georgia (USA), who is leading the mission. The project is the pilot of a five-year programme that is funded by the US Government and a host of international corporations. The 70 volunteers converge on Nairobi over the weekend of September 20.

Readers wanting to support the work can send donations to Guisborough Rotary Club, Whitby Lane, Guisborough, TS14 6PT. The club regrets it cannot accept gifts of toys, clothes or books as the baggage allowance is now completely allocated to medical supplies and equipment.

Rotary Trip To Kenya Is A World Wide Inspiration

2008-09-03T18:54:00.004-04:00

Merrimack Valley Rotary member Carl Good will soon be off to Kenya on a Rotary Trip to help treat people with HIV. Carl along with dozens of Rotarians from around the world will be leaving on September 19. If you interested in keeping track of Carl's trip, tune into Carl's Kenya blog at http://kenyaaidscarl.blogspot.com/ Updates will also be posted on this the Merrimack Valley blog http://www.mvrotary.blogspot.com/ We are very proud of Carl, who completed a polio trip to Bangladesh just a few month ago. For more information write to mvrotary@gmail.com

Success Starts With A Fire!

2008-09-01T09:46:00.003-04:00

"Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire."

Arnold H. Glasow

MV Rotary's Ironman Achieve's His Goal! Yeah!

2008-09-01T09:26:00.006-04:00

Congratulations to MV Rotarian Jim Fitton who completed the Louisville 2008 Ironman race in 11 hours and 53 minutes. He was 280 out of a field of 1975 people. Not only was competing in the race and finishing it a impressive accomplishment, but it is an inspiration for all of us who aspire to achieve goals. Jim set in his mind his race as a goal, and he did it! Yeah Jim! We can hardly wait until he gets back to a meeting to tell us all about it!

MVR Member To Compete In Ironman Triathlon

2008-08-21T22:10:00.010-04:00

Merrimack Valley Rotary Club's newest member, James Fitton, is competing in his first Ironman Triathlon in Louisville, KY, on August 31st, 2008. The race consists of a 2.4 mile swim in the Ohio River, a 112 mile bike, followed by a marathon (26.2 miles)! After 2 years of competitive racing in local triathlons of various distances, including sprints, international distance and half-ironmans, James feels his training over the past year and commitment to the sport has prepared him to take on this enormous challenge. On race day, you will be able to track his performance online, at http://ironman.com/events/ironman/louisville under the 'Race Results' Section, '2008 - Athlete Tracker'. Good Luck!

RI President D.K. Lee Challenges Rotary To Grow By 10%

2008-08-21T18:43:00.003-04:00

RI president, D. K. Lee has challenged Rotary districts and clubs this year to a net membership increase of 10 percent and to add two new clubs in each district. New clubs are a means of reaching demographic groups that cannot get involved in current club meetings.
"If we do not bring in younger members, we will miss out on a great deal of energy and expertise," Lee said during a visit to the Rotary Club of Chicago in early July. "And we will not be providing a new generation of members to become club presidents, district governors, and senior RI leaders in the years to come."
In seeking to recruite new members, clubs should look to new enterprises, professions and occupations, such as web developers or technicians, that may have been previously overlooked, Lee urged.
Two clubs in Korea have been experiencing great success in membership growth. The Rotary Club of Gwangju-Ibseog in Gwangju, Korea, nearly doubled its membership in the 2007-08 year, and the Rotary Club of Iri Dong in Jeonrabug grew from 112 to 152 members last year. Read their stories.

Have Breakfast And Learn Spanish At Rotary

2008-08-20T18:27:00.008-04:00

In honor of its new meeting home, the Cafe Madrid, The Merrimack Valley Rotary is not learning Spanish. So far member know how do say hello, see you later, thank you and ask where is the bathroom. At this rate, the members should be fluent in Spanish by the year 2010! Anyone wanting have a great breakfast, good company, rewarding service and Spanish lessons are urged to join MV Rotary on Wednesday mornings at 7:15AM at the Cafe Madrid in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. For more information contact MVRotary@gmail.com .

Go To Your Next Rotary Meeting In Your Pajamas

2008-08-16T09:31:00.002-04:00

Rotary formed eClubs in 2001 for members to do makeups on line. Below is a list of those English Speaking Clubs where you can get makeups.LIST OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE E-CLUBS

Rotary eClub One: http://rotaryeclubone.org/
Rotary eClub of 3310: http://www.rotaryeclub3310.org/
Rotary eClub of District 7890: http://www.rotaryeclub7890.org/
Rotary eClub of Southwest USA, District 5510: http://www.rotaryeclubsouthwest.org/
Rotary e-Club NY1 of District 7150: http://www.rotaryeclubny1.com/
Rotary eClub of London Centenary, District 1130: http://www.erotarylondon.org/

For a list of eClubs throughout the world go to: http://www.rotilink.org/eClubs/

Merrimack Valley Rotary Has Added A Taste Of Spain and Cuba

2008-08-13T18:20:00.011-04:00

The Merrimack Valley Rotary has found a new home in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. We have moved to the Cafe Madrid at 28 Alpine Lane, Parlmont Plaza (opposite Radisson), just down the street from 495! Meetings start at 7:15AM and end at 8:30AM. It is a new meeting location but the same highly motivated Rotarians.

On their web site http://www.cafemadridchelmsford.com/ owner Yazmin Badias-Fadjo say:

"It has always been a dream of mine to have a restaurant that would reflect the rich heritage of my background and allow me to use my many years of food brokerage experience at the same time. While I built my own business from scratch in the food industry I found that the excitement of meeting the needs of ethnic foods for those who sought a unique dining experience was something that came naturally to me. I was born of parents from Cuba and Puerto Rico and have a strong feeling for the many dishes that those countries had for their people. My best friend of 20 years being from Madrid, Spain and sharing the same interest in the foods of those people gave me the inspiration to start a restaurant that would serve only traditional dishes from these backgrounds.I trust that you will find in Cafe Madrid only the best quality and traditional recipes of the Mediterranean heritage and delight your tastes for truly a "Taste of Spain in Chelmsford Center"

Farewell To A Much Loved Rotarian And Friend!

2008-08-09T17:16:00.004-04:00

This has been a sad week for the Merrimack Valley Rotary. We lost one of our charter members and .a former president Tom Waterworth. Tom was very instrumental to the development and growth We will miss him and never forget him....Below is his Obituary. Rest in peace Tom!

DRACUT Thomas L. Waterworth Jr., 69, of Dracut, died Wednesday, August 6, 2008, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital after a brief illness. He was the widower of the late Patricia (Moran) Waterworth who died June 19, 2007.A son of Catherine (Pulsifer) Waterworth and the late Thomas L. Waterworth Sr., he was born September 6, 1938 in Lowell, and was educated in the local Catholic schools. Mr. Waterworth served for seven years with the Army National Guard. He married Patricia and made his home in Dracut for the past forty seven years. He was an active communicant of Ste Marguerite d'Youville Parish, where he was a member of the St. Vincent dePaul Society and had served on the finance committee.A past President of the Merrimack Valley Rotary Club, he was also a Paul Harris Fellow, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus for the past forty three years, and most recently was an honorary member.Mr. Waterworth worked for Millen Industries for over thirty years, traveling extensively throughout the Country as a sales manager for Waste Management. He enjoyed traveling, fishing and being with his family.His survivors include his mother, Mrs Catherine J. (Pulsifer) Waterworth of Lowell, his four children, Patricia M. Morasse and her husband, Fred, of Lowell, Martha A. and her husband Kevin Sharpe of Hudson, NH, Thomas Waterworth III of Lowell, and Christopher Waterworth and his wife, Maureen, of Dracut; six grandchildren, Joseph Morasse of Nashua, Patrick Morasse of Lowell, Julie Morasse of Lowell, Jessica Haynes of Dracut, Casey Haynes of Litchfield, and McKayla Sharp of Hudson; his Godson, Fr. James Loughran; his sisters, Ann Loughran and her husband, James, of Lowell, and Mary Erickson and her husband, Wayne, of Westford; brothers, John Waterworth and his wife, Claire, of Dracut, and Edward Waterworth and his wife, Denise, of Dracut; his very dear friend, Diane Poirier of Pelham, NH as well as his good friend, Bill W.; and many many nieces and nephews.YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 4 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON FRIDAY. ON SATURDAY, HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 9 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL (978 OR 800) 458-6816. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT STE. MARGUERITE D’YOUVILLE PARISH AT 10 A.M.. BURIAL IN ST. MARY CEMETERY. MEMORIALS IN HIS NAME TO ST. MARGUERITE D'YOUVILLE PARISH SVDP, 1340 LAKEVIEW AVE, DRACUT MA 01826. E-CONDOLENCE SITE WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM