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Please see the attached YouTube links for two television programs that are ready for distribution. Both programs should be of interest to the general public.

The program on THE HOPE INITIATIVE should be of particular interest to the Law Enforcement, Emergency Responders, and those working in addiction treatment.

The program on the Brain and Addiction will be of value to youth, educators, social workers, and those parents and professionals who are working to prevent addiction or respond positively to those who are already suffering from the disease of addiction.

Please feel free to share these video with your local public access television stations and anyone in your community who is concerned with the Opioid Crisis As a Rotary project, these programs are being offered to the public at no cost.

Please contact Rotarian Dave Mangs for more information.

Pre PETS 2019

ATTENTION all current and incoming Presidents:

Mark Brady, District 7890 Governor 2019-2020, invites you to attend this year's Pre-PETS training session. You can choose from (3) dates. Each date will feature the same sessions, so you only need to attend ONE of the days. ALL incoming Presidents should attend to become prepared for PETS.

Select one date suitable for you:

Thurs. Jan. 31, Geer Village, Canaan, CT, 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM.

Sat. Feb. 9, Storrowton Tavern, West Springfield, MA, 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM.

Wed. Feb. 13, Nathan Hale Inn & Conference Center, Willimantic, CT, 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM.

Registration will soon be live on rotarydistrict7890.org

Registration and breakfast buffet start at 7:30am. Hard break at 10:45 when snacks and coffee etc. are served, and 11:00 to 12, PE’s wrap up with questions and discussions, and sitting Presidents break away to meet with DG Kate to discuss how your year is going, Club Citation tracking, and other important topics.

Rotary International Northeast Presidents-Elect Training Seminar will be at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center on March 7th at 2:00 PM thru noon on Saturday March 9th. Visit https://rotarynepets.org/ to learn more and to register.

District eDirectory and Organizational Chart 2018

Please click here to access the District 7890 eDirectory of Club Executives and Directors for 2018-2019. The eDirectory is available under Download Files.

The District Organizational Chart for 2018 is also available by clicking the link or viewing under Download Files.

Rotarians partner with the Elks to create a television program addressing the Opiate Addiction Crisis

Posted by David Mangs

The Rotary District 7890 Addiction Task Force partnered with the Elks to present an educational program at Manchester Community College Thursday 10/4/2018 on the Manchester community’s response to the addiction crisis, and an explanation of how the disease of addiction takes hold of our brain and destroys the lives of addicts. In 2017 there were 72,000 deaths from drug overdoses in America, and nearly half of Americans have a family member or close friend who has been addicted to drugs. This epidemic cuts across all sex, race, age, educational levels and every socio-economic status. As Rotarians we have a responsibility to address this epidemic by doing what we do best: education, collaboration, and advocacy. The Rotary District 7890 Addiction Task Force has established three main areas of focus: CREATE AWARENESS of the crisis, INCREASE AND IMPROVE ACCESS to needed and successful services, and REDUCE THE STIGMA OF THIS DISEASE.

Manchester Rotarian and Police Chief Marc Montminy, the Rotary District 7890 Addiction Task Force Chair, and Sarah Howroyd, MSW Co-Founder of the Manchester, CT Hope Initiative described the shocking and rapid growth of the addiction crisis and overdose deaths in our country and our state.

They then went on to explain how the MANCHESTER, CT HOPE INITIATIVE has successfully linked law enforcement with treatment services to provide an alternative to arrest and incarceration, while creating a path to recovery for those afflicted with the disease of addiction.

Our second presentation was made possible by the Elks who brought in a nationally recognized speaker from California: Ray Lozano is a Prevention Specialist and Youth Speaker. Ray, described how the reward system used by our brain leads to an obsessive craving of mind and body that results in our pursuit and use of substances which then takes precedence over all other healthy activities and drives. When the video program becomes available, please share it with your local service clubs- Rotary, Elks, Lions and Kiwanis, local public access television, our schools, police, and other community organizations.

Many thanks to those who are working to “Make A Difference” in their communities to address our Addiction Crises.

From left to right- Dave Mangs PDG, Marc Montminy Manchester Rotarian and Police Chief, Marc Glass Rotary District 7890 DGN, Ray Lozano Elks member and national speaker on Addiction Prevention, Sarah Howroyd, MSW Co-Founder Manchest , CT HOPE Initiative, and members of the Manchester Elks Lodge.

Foreign Exchange Students enjoy activities at Springfield College

District 7890 Exchange Students got a taste of college life last weekend at Springfield College. They kicked off activities with a wet tour of the campus and then a lunch with the President of the college at her home. Since it was Homecoming Weekend, there were lots of alumni roaming the campus.

Our four inbound girls from Mexico, Chile, France, and Thailand passed on watching a football game because Catalina from Chile said, “ All those guys do, is roll around in the grass”. Well, that’s one interpretation of American football but one probably not shared by enthusiastic football fans everywhere. They opted instead, to watch afternoon movies at their host’s home. After an all American dinner at “99”, they attended the 109th annual Springfield College Gymnastics Exhibition. More of a
Cirque du Soleil type of show, the girls enjoyed it and even tried their hand on several of the apparatuses.

If your club would like to invite our exchange students to a club function or entertain them at a sporting or theatrical event, just contact
Rich Friedman at richefriedman@yahoo.com for more information.

Two Global Grants will provide Clean Water & Sanitation Facilities to Guatemalan Villages

Applications are in the process of being submitted to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) for two more Global Grants (GG) to support the funds necessary to purchase materials and supplies for sustainable clean water and sanitation facilities in the Mayan villages of Chajalajya and Simajulehu. As with the 22 previous projects sponsored by District 7890, all labor will be provided by the men and women in the communities. 765 families (approximately 4,743 people) will benefit from these improvements.
District Chair for Water & Sanitation Projects Rick Lawrence is gathering the required documents, MOU’s, training templates, pro-forma cost estimates and other information that must accompany the GG Applications. This information is being obtained from the Cooperating Organization, ALDEA, and the Host Rotary Club in La Antigua, Guatemala.
District 7890 has been the leader by providing District Designated Funds (DDF) since GG’s were initiated by TRF six years ago. Yearly, close to half the clubs in our District have assisted in the funding and this notice is intended to remind those clubs that their support has been so instrumental in achieving the required funding.
In March 2019 Rick and his wife, Elin, have scheduled their yearly visit to participate in the completion and dedication of the three villages funded by last RY’s GG’s – Pamezul, Vista Hermosa and San Vicente. Upon their return to New England in late April, they will once again offer to be the guest speaker at clubs in CT, MA and RI in order to show how these projects improve immeasurably the lives of these people. Any club desiring more information, or to schedule such a presentation, should contact Rick by cell phone (860) 558-2793 or email: elawrlaw@sbcglobal.net.
Photos show the potable running water and sanitation facilities (improved pit latrines) at each household in the 3 villages visited in March 2018 – Xesajbin, Cojulya &
Pachaj.

Southington Trees

Southington Rotary plants trees in local parks

On May 11, members from the Southington Rotary Club joined forces to plant 3 trees in local parks in Southington. Two trees were planted at Rec Park and one at Panthorn Park. Environmental Sustainability is a major focus for Rotary Clubs all around the world.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Rotary International Exchange Program Scholarship Program

Rotary International is proud to announce full scholarships to students who want to study abroad in high school. Like a college scholarship, Rotary will pay all tuition at an International High School, Books, Room and Board, and provide the student with a monthly stipend of around $100 per month. As is customary with college scholarships, the student is responsible for travel, insurance, and application fees.

Rotary District 7890 is proud to announce this program in conjunction with our local high schools and stipulates that students will be able to select from a list of 40 countries. Please contact your local Rotary club to ensure their participation in this program. All student applicants should be in the top 40% of their class and display high moral character.

Rotary International is one of largest service organizations throughout the world with clubs in nearly 200 countries. This organization offers students from 15 to 18.5 years old at time of departure, an opportunity to study internationally and not only become fluent in another language but become familiar with the country’s customs and traditions. They will study in local schools and live with local families and acquire attributes that they will find indispensable throughout their lives like independent decision making skills, budgeting, handling unique situations, and developing greater self confidence.

Applications are now available on Exchangestudent.org and initial interviews will take place at Springfield College during the first week of December. Students who have just graduated from high school are eligible for this program as long as they are under 18.5 upon departure.

Applications will be accepted up to January 31st but please be aware that many countries will not be available because their slots will have been taken by those applying and interviewing during the December interviews.

To find your nearest club, search Rotary District 7890 and browse the club directory or contact Rich Friedman - richefriedman@yahoo.com.

Avon Canton Building

Rotary of Avon-Canton Initiative, now in it's 3rd year of the 5 year commitment, pledging $150,000 to Favarh.

In keeping with Rotary’s commitment to public service, a portion of proceeds from the Tastes-of-the-Valley and the Annual Golf Tournament will go towards the construction of an exciting new Life Enrichment Program (LEP) building for Favarh – The Arc of the Farmington Valley. This project will help the nonprofit provide even greater support for its clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The 7,500 square-foot building, located at Commerce Drive in Canton, will enhance Favarh’s day programs for adults who can’t work because of disability and medical complexities or who have retired from work. Favarh day programs place a high emphasis on daily community excursions with a priority on volunteer work.

The new facility will be named the Rotary of Avon-Canton Building.
The Rotary of Avon-Canton has pledged over 5 years, $150,000 through 2021 toward the project. The new building will be adjacent to the Rails-to-Trails, enabling the inclusion of a Rotary Café operated by Favarh participants where walkers, bikers and their canine friends will be able to enjoy healthy snacks and drinks. Construction on the building has now begun, with completion slated for 2019.

Bill Squires National Anthem

Enfield Rotarian sings National Anthem

Enfield Rotary recently gathered together for a group outing at a Hartford Yard Goats baseball game on June 28, and saw past Enfield president Bill Squires sing the National Anthem.

On May 29, Bill Squires, past Enfield Rotary president and past District Secretary, performed O Canada at Fenway Park before the Toronto Blue Jays -- Boston Red Sox game. This is Bill's second appearance singing for the Red Sox.