Rotary Day of Service is On

Rotary Day of Service is OnThe Day of Service is on 20 May. On this day more than 500 Rotary clubs and 14,000 Rotarians across 5 states and 3 countries, from Connecticut to Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and New York in the United States, plus the countries of Bermuda and Brazil, will volunteer in their communities for an unprecedented Rotary Day of Service, collecting clothes for homeless, refurbishing parks, and, much, much more.. Our Sunshine Club is one step ahead. We will undertake 2 projects - one in Marlboro New Jersey and another in Sreepur, Bangladesh, District 3282. For the project in Marlboro our Club members and volunteers from the local Eagle Scouts will enhance the nature trail in Antisell – by installing 3 visitor benches and 5 trash bins across the route and planting 10 trees to enhance greenery and shade in the trail. ![]() Proudly wearing their new t-shirts the girls have already started their project - planting trees, beautifying their surroundings, removing trash, and taking cooking lessons. The project will conclude on the Rotary Day of Service - 20 May. This is how we "Imagine Rotary" "Changing Lives" and "Creating Hope in the World" for these orphan girls. |
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Presidents-Elect Training Seminar brings together leaders from 6 Districts![]() Our Club was represented by President-Elect AG Bina Ahmad who acted as Adviser and guide to the first-time new Club Presidents-Elect from the Promise, Hope, East-West, Westchester. All those present were enthusiastic participants, eager to learn and connect with fellow members of the Rotary community. They attended a variety of training sessions, including sessions on leadership, project management, membership satisfaction, public image, and The Rotary Foundation. These sessions were led by experienced Rotarians who shared their knowledge and expertise with both the newly minted Club leadership and returning leaders alike. In addition to the training sessions, all participants also had the chance to network with Rotarians from across the Mid-Northeast region. They met with current and incoming Rotary club presidents, as well as other Rotary leaders and volunteers. These connections will serve them well as they continue their work within their own clubs and communities. The highlight of the 2-day training was the presence of Rotary International President-Elect R. Gordon R. McInally and his wife Heather as well as Rotary International Director for our Zone, Drew Kessler, and his wife Vicki. The presence of these Rotary leaders encouraged and enthused the 300+ attendees, at the Hanover Marriott in Whippany, NJ. Overall, the Mid-Northeast PETS was a valuable experience for the upcoming club leaders of District 7230, and a reminder of the importance of training and networking within the Rotary community. By investing in the development of our members, we can continue to make a positive impact in our communities and around the world. |
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Let's continue to work together to make the world better : Father Philippe"Let's continue to work together to make the world a better place," Father Philippe Charles writes in his notes to the Rotary Club of Sunshine, New York. He shared some images and a few video clips of the earlier project, after clothes and food were distributed among a group of destitute people, mostly children, who lack their basic necessities of life in Haiti. This was so that Club members get a feel for what their donation will do. ![]() The clothes were collected and sent by Rotary Club of Sunshine, NY while the food was bought by the money donated by club members. Father Philippe collected the items for despatch to Haiti where the distribution will take place under the supervision of the local Rotary Clubs and the archdiocese. The Rotary Club of Sunshine NY organized the program in Haiti as a part of its Clothing and Food Drive 2023. The clothes were collected during February and March and packaged in New York. Some twelve bags of gently used clothes, were collected and donated by club member Shimul Ismail and her16 year old daughter Nora,.Together they carefully sorted, organized and packaged the clothes for sending to Haiti. Nora and her Mother Shimul were lauded at the club's meeting held in early March, where club president Aziz Ahmad, and Charter President Bina Ahmad specially mentioned Nora's contributions and thanked her. The Club also thanked Father Philippe, who went through a lot of effort to collect the clothes and purchase the food items and have them shipped in 2 barrels to Haiti for distribution among the distressed people. The Club has already collected more clothes and those will be distributed in the Bronx and Ozone park areas in NY very soon. Earlier, the Rotary Club of Sunshine conducted another food and clothing distribution program in collaboration with Westchester Rotary Club. Held on February 9 at Poughkeepsie in the outskirts of New York, this program was also a successful one. More than 50 people collected containers of freshly cooked food and several dozens of clothing items were distributed among people mostly from Afghan and Syrian refugee camps. Westchester Club President-Elect Maher Pathan, along with a few volunteers actively completed that distribution drive. Maher herself cooked the food and distributed them among unprivileged people in that locality. |
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They all liked delicious biryani and nice clothes"Someone picked a shirt and wore it standing against a glass-door nearby. He was so happy to see that the shirt fit him so well and its color was really wonderful. I saw ![]() Rotarian Maher Pathan was describing her experience of the food, grocery and clothing distribution program jointly organized by Sunshine NY and Westchester NY Rotary Clubs held on February 9 at Poughkeepsie in the outskirts of New York. More than 50 people collected food boxes. Several dozens of clothes were distributed. Under privileged people, mostly from the housing for Afghan refugees came and collected the food and clothes. "They don't get enough food to eat, they don't have warm clothes to wear i ![]() "Initially we brought food for 25 people. But later when a larger number of people gathered, we cooked again. Sister Mazida helped me to cook more food and we distributed them among the needy people", she added. "Lots of exciting things happened on the day. .We cooked the food ourselves. So that everyone gets to eat some home cooked, warm and healthy meals. All the collected clothes were in fine condition and I made sure they were hygienic enough to wear." Two elderly women came who have no family. Among them one lost her son in deadly gun violence. There is none to buy food for this woman. We bought some groceries and dropped them off at their houses in the camp, Maher Pathan said. The onlookers and the people who stopped by were appreciating this noble endeavor by Rotarians. "Everyone liked the biryani and said that they wanted to eat again. I promised them that someday soon I will cook more biryani and distribute among them", said Maher Pathan. |
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Sunshine Club Joins Rotary to assist victims of Turkey & Syria Earthquake![]() Turkey and Syria were struck by a devastating earthquake on 6 February that has killed tens of thousands of people, destroyed thousands of homes and other structures, and left people across the region without shelter in bitterly cold winter weather. The Rotary world responded to this catastrophe immediately. RI President Jennifer Jones activated our disaster response efforts, communicated with the affected districts, and encouraged governors in those regions to apply for disaster response grants and share information about their relief efforts so that Rotary can amplify the calls for support. Rotary's project partner ShelterBox has an emergency response team assessing the needs in the region and how it can respond. That team is communicating with Rotary district Our Sunshine Club has set up a fundraiser that channels donations directly to the Rotary Foundation's Disaster Response Fund. Donating via this fundraiser ensures that the donations are appropriately utilized, and no fees are deducted from your donation. Scan the QR code on the right with your phone or click on the link to donate. Sunshine donation to Rotary Disaster Relief for Turkey & Syria |
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Sunshine and Westchester NY Rotary Clubs' food and clothing distribution drive![]() How! You provide the clothes and Sunshine NY Rotary and Westchester NY Rotary will make sure they get to those who need it. It's a joint endeavor between the two sister Rotary Clubs. On February 9, a group of rotarians from both the clubs will organize a clothing and food distribution camp in Poughkeepsie, New York, where many of the Afghan and Syrian refugees and their families have been resettled and are in need of help from the community. All the collected clothes will be displayed and the winter affected people of the locality will find and pick the correct ones for them. Volunteers will prepare food packets for those who are subsisting on minimal nutrition. The warm clothing drive is ongoing . A good number of good quality clothes have already been collected and ready to be distributed. We are collecting more, as the needs are continuing. If you want to contribute your gently used warm or cold weather clothes of any size, please send let us know by February 4. Those who pick up your clothing will give them a new life and will appreciate your kindness. We know you will make sure your clothes are in good condition and are washed and hygienic enough to reuse. As for the Food, donations of non-perishable items or money to buy the food will be most useful. Please Contact: Bina Ahmad bina@sunshinenyrotary.club or Meher Pathan meher@westchesternyrotary.club |
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Club partners with Westchester Rotary to provide Toys and Grant for Autistic Children![]() In presenting the check for $500, Charter President Bina said, her new Rotary Club is happy to present its first Community Service Grant to ASHO for the benefit of the children being cared for. President Shazia of the Westchester Club said her Club is pleased to present the toys to children through a small community organization like ASHO. ASHO Executive Director Rubaiya Rahman thanked Charter President Bina and President Shazia for their gesture saying these were the only toys her organization has received for the children. She said small community organizations like ASHO that are working for the children in the community need all the support they can get.
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Club Preparing for Rotary Day of Service![]() The Rotary Day of Service is an unprecedented day of giving back to our communities. Because “Service” is at the core of Rotary’s mission. Rotarians use their knowledge of local issues to identify areas of need, then apply their expertise and diverse perspectives to find a solution. Rotary members are working in communities right now to feed the hungry, collect clothes for the homeless, tutor disadvantaged children, maintain and refurbish parks and playgrounds, and much, much more. Rotary Clubs in Districts 7210, 7230, 7255, 7890, 7910, 7950 and 7980 will decide on projects and register them on a special Day of Service website. Each Club will assign a Project manager and a Project Team, as well as a Club Public Image Team. At the District level, coordination will be ensured by a District Project Manager assisted by a Core District Project Team and Area Captains who will provide communications management and Club Project Selection support. The District Public Image Team will manage the overall District Public Image Support for the day and coordinate and assist the Club Public Image Teams. Our Rotary E-Club of Sunshine is also planning to participate in this Rotary Day of Service. A committee has been set up to plan, budget, monitor and implement the project. More details will be provided on our project in the coming days. |
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Club Undertakes Literacy project in BangladeshSeptember is designated by Rotary as Literacy Month. As one of our Club's projects on Literacy, our Club's Rotaract Director, Ashfaque Salim organized projects with the Rotary and Rotaract Clubs of Islamabad, Chittagong, RID 3282. The first project was "Litracy for Change" project - under which essential school supplies (backpacks, notebooks with our Club Name imprinted, pencils, erasers, etc.) program for 70 students who cannot afford these supplies was implemented by the local partner - the Rotaract Club of Islamabad,, RID 3282. Literacy for Change is a community service project to support Rotary's area of focus - Basic Education and Literacy. The Educational materials were provided to underprivileged students at the Rotary Free School located in the Goalpara slum area at Naval Avenue in Chittagong. Basic education and literacy are essential for reducing poverty, improving health, encouraging community and economic development, and promoting peace. We appreciate those of our Club members who spontaneously donated to these efforts. It is our Members who bring Sunshine to those who need it. Also, in collaboration with the Rotary & Rotaract Club of Islamabad (D3282) our Rotaract Director Ashfaque Salim and International Project Chair Syed Mahfuz donated and raised funds from Club members for 5 scholarships awarded to talented but underprivileged students. to enable them to continue their education. These scholarships were provided to students at the Rotary-run School in Chittagong. The project was named "The Wave - a sustainable Scholarship program" Members who donated for this project - the recipients thank you. They will probably never see or meet you but you have touched their lives. Watch a video created by the resourceful Rotaractors on location. |
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Club Achieves Rotary Presidential Citation![]() The Presidential Citation is awarded to a Club that achieves a at least 13 of preassigned goals in 5 categories - membership growth and retention, contributions to the Rotary Foundation, service projects, Young leaders. and augmenting Rotary's public image.Our Club is only one of eleven out of the 48 Clubs in our District to achieve the Presidential Citation for 2021-22, Past District Governor George congratulated President Bina for her dynamic leadership and thanked all members of the Club for their diligent work in bringing the honor to not only their Club but also to the District. He also thanked Club Adviser PDG Mahbub for helping the Club get on its feet and to achieve the great honor in the short time the Club has been in existence. |
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New Club Officers installed![]() DGE Marty handed over the official Rotary International Charter of the Club signed by Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta and District Governor George McKinnis. DG George was unable to attend due to his recent surgery.but sent a video message thanking Charter President Bina for her leadership in leading the Club and implementing 4 significant international projects and a number of local projects. At this meeting 5 new members joined and were also given the oath of membership by DGE Marty. This was also the first in-person gathering of members of this new E-Club, who normally meet online. Outgoing President Bina highlighted the achievements of the Club and presented a slideshow depicting the projects and activities of the Club. She also presented gifts to Club and District officers and members attending the ceremony. |
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Club Continues Local and International ProjectsOur Club has continued its local and international projects. Over the past few months up until the end of April, the Club has carried out two projects in our NYC area and in collaboration with local Rotary & Rotaract Clubs, 4 other projects in Bangladesh. ![]() Another project in our area was carried out under a District New Member Incentive Grant, which was topped up by a matching $250 addition from the Club. Member Asma Shams undertook this project, with the help of Yeasin Arafat by using the funds to purchase clothing for the Eid festival for distribution to families with mall children who have no means to celebrate Eid, These clothing purchases were also supplemented by gently used clothing received as donations. The International projects were carried out in various places in Bangladesh and implemented with the assistance of local Rotary and Rotaract Clubs. One of the projects involved the reopening of a children's school in Rangamati that had been shuttered due to a lack of funds to pay teachers' salaries. Our International Projects Director Syed Mahfuz, while on a visit to Bangladesh, provided the critical base funds of $500 to jumpstart the process of reopening the school. The school is now operating well. Another humanitarian project provided much-needed funds jointly contributed by Club Member Ashfaque Salim and Charter President Bina Ahmad, to bear partial costs of urgent medical care of a long-time teacher of the Rotary Primary School run by the Rotary and Rotaract Club of Islamabad, Chittagong. Following the medical care, the teacher has recovered. ![]() In collaboration with the same Rotary and Rotaract Club of Islamabad, Eid clothing was distributed to 45 orphan children in Banskhali, Chittagong. Our Club provided the funding for the clothing. And finally, under the supervision of our International Projects Director Syed Mahfuz, the 30 orphan girls at the Monu Mia and Sultana Orphanage in Chandpur were provided with Club Name and Rotary logo imprinted bright red T-shirts for the coming Eid celebrations. |
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Our Zeal for Meal Project is UnderwayOur Zeal for Meal Project supporting education began today. This project demonstrates how collaboration between two Rotary Clubs at opposite sides of the world can help children in need. Under this project children at the Rotary School run jointly by the Rotary and Rotaract clubs of Islamabad, Chittagong are provided with a small breakfast so that can attend school without the pangs of hunger. The children come from impoverished families and most of them go without any breakfast. By providing breakfast at the school the children now have an incentive to come to school and learn. Serve to Change Lives. Imagine Rotary. Rotary Responds. |
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President-Elect Training Seminar ConcludesThe two- and half-day Rotary Mid-North-East Presidents-elect Training Seminar (PETS) that gathered together nearly 300 participants from 6 Districts was packed with information, learning, fun, and fellowship. It was held from 24 to 26 March at the Marriott Hotel in Whippany, NJ. On the first day, the Zone Membership Team - Past District Governors Herb Klotz, Cindie Kish, and Ray Freaney held a membership growth workshop with about 80 Presidents-elect and Assistant Governors. They analyzed Club growth over the last few years and provided insights into member engagement, retention and growth. On the second day, RI President-Elect Jennifer Jones and Director-Elect Drew Kessler spoke passionately about their Rotary moments. During the day, Presidents-Elect and Assistant Governors attended tailored breakout sessions. At the end of the day, Drew Kessler presided over the segment that raised over $31,000 for Rotary's Disaster Response Fund for Ukraine. On the morning of Saturday, RI Director Valarie Wafer emphasized the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in today's Rotary. The Seminar ended with our District's Presidents-elect voting on our District's 2022-23 budget - which was unanimously approved. This was the first in-person gathering since March 2019 - an amazing reunion with fun, learning, and fellowship. From our Sunshine E-Club, President-Elect Aziz Ahmad as well as Area Governor and current President Bina Ahmad attended the Seminar. Area Governor for the coming year, Bina Ahmad has urged all members to participate in District events and support our Rotary Foundation. It is the Foundation that will provide the funds for our local and global projects - and the Foundation gets its funding from everyday Rotarians. She wished everyone the best for the rest of this Rotary year. We will begin the new Rotary year on 1 July with the first woman Rotary President in 117 years - Jennifer Jones and her theme for the year "Imagine Rotary". ![]() |
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Charter President Bina wins Rotary's' Highest Award - the Service Above Self AwardOur Club - the newest Club in the District has won Rotary's highest honor. More and more Rotarians are bringing honor and recognition to our District. The Rotary International Board of Directors has bestowed Rotary’s highest individual award – the Service Above Self award to Assistant Governor and Sunshine Club Charter President Bina Ahmad. We congratulate our Charter President Bina on receiving this prestigious Award and for her 13-year service as a Rotarian and many additional years as a humanitarian. ![]() Rotary’s highest honor recognizes Rotarians who demonstrate Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, by volunteering their time and talents to help others and whose service activities deliver an impact to humanity. The award is internationally competitive and is granted to no more than 150 Rotarians worldwide. Today, no more than one individual from each district, each year can earn the prestigious honor. This year’s awardee AG Bina is an active motivator - behind-the scenes workhorse. She has directly engaged in many service projects in many locations that have brought benefits to large numbers of people in need – She has teamed up with a Club in a remote area of South Asia to initiate/execute a project to build sanitary toilets for girls and young women so they could remain in school; arranged education funds to help young girls learn life-skills and become earning members to improve family well-being, thus ensuring the welfare of many families; generated ongoing support for an orphanage, so 30 street children (girls) are cared for through shelter, food, education, clothing; organized/participated in clothing drives, food supplies, multiple times in multiple locations; worked with area Rotary Clubs, raised funds to provide much-needed school supplies to children in need in a remote Central American country; and singlehandedly established, trained and nurtured 4 new Rotary Clubs (80 members in 2 years) that in turn are engaged in many service projects. The Awards Committee felt that Bina embodies Service above Self. Recognized by the District as Rotarian of the Year for 2020-21, she is a self-starter and is always actively on the lookout for service projects. She has given of herself not only in terms of time and money but also of empathy and a genuine inner desire to be of service, who can be relied upon to see a project to its successful conclusion. She has been seen to get emotional when speaking about some of the projects she has been engaged in. Bina is extremely successful in motivating others and multiplying effects of her actions – evidenced by her establishment of 4 new Rotary Club in the District, bringing in a new community of members who are now going on to multiply her efforts towards service to others – an accomplishment recognized by Zone 32 with the Zone Membership Champion Award. |
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Computer & Sewing Machines for Orphan Girls![]() Through the project a full computer set and 3 electric sewing machines have been provided for the 30 young girls at the Monu Mia & Sultana Girls Orphanage in Chandpur of Bangladesh. The girls were provided with basic computer training and specific training on the use of the sewing machines, for embroidery and clothing. This equipment and training will provide the girls with usable and marketable skill-sets so they can be productive in the future. Since the life-span of the sewing machines is many years, it is envisaged that subsequent batches of orphan girls will continue to benefit from this project. The Orphanage has been expanding its vocational training program for the girls. They expressed a need to establish a computer lab. They are able to absorb the continuing cost of internet connection, but do not have the resources to purchase decent computer sets. Their needs were for a desktop computer with a large monitor suitable for viewing by 4 or 5 girls around the desk, together with printer and camera for video conferencing and remote learning. The Orphanage Management on feedback from the girls expressed the need for sewing machines and supplies so the girls could learn embroidery and clothing stitching. The Project will be ongoing by providing training to many batches of girls over a period of at least 4 years for the computer and 10 years for the electric sewing machines. By undergoing this training, the girls will have access to the internet which will expand their learning and also be able to view and participate in online remote learning programs. With the sewing machines and the training in embroidery and clothing stitching skills, not only will they be able to create their own wardrobes, but also prepare themselves for establishing future business ventures. These skills will prepare the girls for the real world when they are of age to be on their own. It is likely that they will return to the Orphanage as Teachers, thus not only being able to sustain themselves but contribute to their community.
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Vehicle Donation for Child welfare Organization![]() An incredible partnership in 3 countries involving 2 Rotary Clubs, 2 businesses, & a local Charity came together to make this project a reality. International Director of D7230’s newest Club RC Sunshine NY, Syed Mahfuz, owner of Golden Miles Co. in Japan, on a business trip to Bermuda, visited RC Hamilton - Bermuda’s oldest Club - part of RID 7230. Rtn Syed had a joint meeting with business partner Happy Van Imports, and all agreed that RC Hamilton would accept the donation of a mini-van and make it available to GSP - a local charity assisting children left behind from gun violence. RC Sunshine Charter Pres. Bina Ahmad thanked all involved in this meaningful project and said it was an inspiration that her new club could be involved in this project. Pres. Jean Akol of RC Hamilton & PE Ric Richardson played pivotal roles, identifying the recipient charity, diligently completing all necessary steps to see the project to fruition, and having the Rotary logo painted on the vehicle. The minivan will help GSP to securely and cost-effectively transport the children to their activities. The children will be able to experience more activities, outside their living quarters, safely and securely.
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Rotary’s Response to the 1918 Flu Pandemic
This is how Rotary responded to the influenza pandemic that began in 1918 and came in three waves, lasting more than a year. The Rotary Club of Berkeley, California, USA, meets in John Hinkel Park during the 1918 flu pandemic. |
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Rotary at the Start of the United Nations
During World War II, Rotary informed and educated members about the formation of the United Nations and the importance of planning for peace. Materials such as the booklet “From Here On!” and articles in The Rotarian helped members understand the UN before it was formally established and follow its work after its charter. Many countries were fighting the war when the term “United Nations” was first used officially in the 1942 “Declaration by United Nations.” The 26 nations that signed it pledged to uphold the ideals expressed by the United States and the United Kingdom the previous year of the common principles “on which they based their hopes for a better future for the world.”
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History of Women in RotaryWomen are active participants in Rotary, serving their communities in increasing numbers and serving in leadership positions in Rotary. The 1989 Council on Legislation vote to admit women into Rotary clubs worldwide remains a watershed moment in the history of Rotary. “My fellow delegates, I would like to remind you that the world of 1989 is very different to the world of 1905. I sincerely believe that Rotary has to adapt itself to a changing world,” said Frank J. Devlyn, who would go on to become RI president in 2000-01. The vote followed the decades-long efforts of men and women from all over the Rotary world to allow the admission of women into Rotary clubs, and several close votes at previous Council meetings.
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Young Inventor Eco-Friendly Bricks Come Full Circle
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First Club in Philippines Opens Door to Rotary in Asia
The club would be the only one in the country for more than 12 years. Eventually, Manila club members organized Rotary clubs in the Philippine cities of Cebu (1932) and Iloilo (1933). Iloilo club members then started a club in Bacolod (1937), and Rotary continued to expand across the country. |