…begins the first of many in the coming Rotary Year for our District, and for me as a new District Governor. We start this journey together as part of the 1.25 million members of this wonderful worldwide organization. This is probably the most exciting, perhaps the most challenging and hopefully will be the most fulfilling one as we start on this road. The journey of the coming year with all your support, your input, your comments will help in the direction we will be taking together.
Hi All, I’ll be scratching out this review of club news this year, as Mary Ann Seeko has relinquished her pen in exchange for a bit of well-earned relaxation. THANK YOU MARY ANN! Mary Ann is now one of a group of past notable writers and dedicated scribes of this column, including recently Peggy Mader and Janice Teetsell and for many years before, Jack Floyd with his classic ‘Floydian Slips’ and Bill ‘Bull” Muller with ‘Bull of the Woods. I’ve chosen, ‘Jay’s Rotary Jam’ for my column’s name, as in ‘It’s my jam!’ which was once used by the hip to describe their favorite music or song, but has now expanded into popular use, meaning simply, ‘my favorite.’
The latest Gift of Life child to be sponsored and hosted by our district is nine year-old Darineyka from Panama. She is accompanied by her aunt Joanne, and they are staying with Montville Rotarians Carlos and Natascha Restrepo while awaiting her treatment at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY. Darineyka’s treatment is sponsored by the Montville Rotary Club.
Front L – R: Aunt Joanne, Darineyka, Suzanne Freaney
Back L – R: Ed Malicki, Desiree’ Arroyo, Dennis Dondero
RYLA, Rotary Youth Leadership Award was held at Drew University, June 17-19, 2016 and had over 90 high school juniors who participated in a weekend of leadership development activities. District 7470 partnered with District 7510. Camper Bull, Madison Rotary Club, was the lead facilitator. Students participated in a variety of activities, had several guest lectures, sports, games, activities and more. It was also a great opportunity for the students to experience life on a college campus. This is the 27th year the program has been in existence. Students who participated described RYLA as amazing. One comment was "I can't believe the friends I made in one weekend how one weekend will have an impact on my life for years to come".
The Council on Legislation meets every 3 years to make changes to the Rotary Constitution and Bylaws, essentially the rules that affect the operation of Rotary Clubs. Several important changes were made in April of 2016 that affect all Clubs. The changes were made to increase the flexibility for clubs to better attract and retain Rotary members. Click "Read More" to see a summary of these changes".
Four members of the Morris Plains Club have joined the effort to reincarnate their town band that previously performed from 1888 to 1953. Originally formed and conducted by the town blacksmith, Larry Monahan, who led the band for 52 years until his death in 1940, the band had been dormant for 63 years until this group of Rotarians and other local musicians revived it last October. The group numbers over thirty members, ranging in age from 11 to 75, rehearses weekly and performs monthly at area nursing homes and senior residences. Rotarians include PDG Larry Ripley (director), PDG Ted Krisanda (trumpet), Mike Loughman (tuba), Lou Slaby (clarinet) and Nutley Rotarian Bob Ciocco (Sax).
PDG Larry conducts the Morris Plains Community Band
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