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What's Going On Around District 7120? 

Once again this year we will be holding our annual Rochester Red Wings Rotary Night, complete with the family picnic. This year's game will be Saturday, August 18, 2012 @ 7:05pm and will include post-game fireworks.

As has been practice in the past, $1.00 from each ticket will go to the District 7120 Literacy Committee to help promote literacy within Rotary District 7120. We will also be collecting new or gently used children's books for distribution to schools in need within Rotary District 7120. These books can be dropped off at the 50/50 table located in the main breezeway.

One thing that is new this year is that we are offering Rotary Clubs or individual Rotarians the opportunity to reach out to those less fortunate in the community by becoming a member of the Big Hitters Club. For $115 through the Big Hitters Club you can purchase a block of 20 tickets so that those less fortunate can come and enjoy a Red Wings Game. For some of these kids it may be the only way that they get that opportunity, and what a great way to get the name of Rotary out in the community. 

The order form for tickets as well as the application for the Big Hitters Club are available on the Rotary District 7120 home page. If you have any questions or would like me to send you a form directly please feel free to contact me. Email: mwyse@rochester.rr.com or home phone: 315-524-7561.

Hope to see you at the game, 

PDG Mark Wyse

District 7120 Red Wings Committee

Wasn't yesterday's meeting wonderful?  Vice Admiral Burke brought pride to the Navy and pride to Rochester Rotary as he honored us all with his presentation and his acknowledgement for the service of Navy veterans who are members of Rochester Rotary.  I wish everyone could have seen the Admiral smile and lift his brow in respect when Rotarian Dick Lee took the microphone and announced that he was 97 years old and proud to have served during WWII.  16 more of our fellow Rotarians told of their service and it was truly an inspiring program.  I don't care what military, protective, or public service organization you favor, a group of Navy Officers in their starched white uniforms with all those ribbons and medals on display is pretty darned impressive!  We all owe Rotarian Captain Jeff Bartkoski, USN,  a special thanks for bringing this program together for us.  

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This week's Tootsie Roll Bright Spot shines on Rotarian Dr. Carl Gerard.  If you see  him, thank him for his Service Above Self and ask him for a Tootsie Roll.  I think he has extras in his pocket.

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Let's talk a little bit about new member engagement.  I think we can all agree that Recruitment of new members and Retention of current members is mission critical to the continued success of our club.  "Retention begins with engagement" says Vice President Ellen Wagner, "and engagement must be an immediate and ongoing priority for all Rotarians."  As most of you know, we host a "New Member Boot Camp" each quarter led by Donna Dedee and Tracey Dreisbach.  This is an excellent event that informs new members about all the workings of Rotary International and Rochester Rotary, and begins to build a relationship amongst new members and the many committee chairs and active Rotarians who attend.  Boot Camp is an excellent event. . .but it is not enough.  We need an ongoing and sustained process for engagement, and that involves everyone of us.  

Here are 3 simple action items that each of us should undertake to enhance new member engagement:

1. While in line at the buffet, ask the person with the Red Badge if he or she is sitting with someone and if not, ask them to join you.  Reaching out to them with a simple " I don't really know you and would like to learn about what you do and why you joined RR" goes a long way towards building a relationship.  The most anxious moment for a new member at lunch just might be figuring out where to sit!
2. At a Tuesday luncheon table, make the person at your table with the Red Badge THE most important person in the group.  Ask questions about what they do, who their sponsor was, what are their interests both inside and outside of Rotary.  Make sure the table involves them in the conversation.
3. If you are a committee chair or an active member of a committee you love, invite the Red Badge to attend your next meeting as your guest to see if they might be interested in getting involved in your activity.

Vice President Ellen has it exactly right - Retention begins with engagement, engagement begins with relationship, and relationships begin with questions.  "Will you sit with me?"  

I think it was Voltaire who said "Judge a person not by their answers, judge them by their questions."

7/31/12 - Dr. Brad Berk and Mark Clement - "The Impact on Health Care After the Supreme Court Decision"

Rochester Riverside Convention Center

8/7/12 - NO LUNCHEON (Bills Camp 8/6)

8/14/12 - District Governor Gavin Hurley and Teresa Bianchi, Development and Communications Manager at Flower City Habitat for Humanity

Rochester Riverside Convention Center

You won't want to miss this - join us on Monday, August 6th when Rochester Rotary will be heading to the Buffalo Bills Training Camp at St. John Fisher College! Practice is from 3:00-5:30pm and food will be served at 3:30pm. We will be hosted in the Founder's Tent near the practice field.

  The cost is $25 per person and includes finger foods, beverages, and an overall great time with your fellow Rotarians! (This will take place of our weekly luncheon meeting.) 

We hope you will join us Thursday August 9th at Locust Hill Country Club for President John's Welcome Reception starting at 4:30pm.

We will be hosted out on the veranda and will enjoy hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar as we mingle with our fellow Rotarians and welcome John White as our new President. 

The cost is $19 per person - please RSVP to Elena Rebholz at 585-546-7435 x260 or elena@rochesterrotary.org.

 Sponsorship information available here. Spots are available for golfers in either our AM or PM flights and dinner only options are available. If you have any questions or would like to sign up today please contact Heather Rossi in the Rotary Office at hrossi@rochesterrotary.org or 546-7435 x204.

AM Flight (individual stroke play)
7:00am - Registration & Breakfast
7:45am - Shotgun Start AM Flight
Lunch to immediately follow play 

- AM players are welcome back for dinner.

PM Flight (scramble format)
11:00am - Registration & Lunch
12:45pm - Memorial Shot
1:00pm - Shotgun Start PM Flight
5:30pm - Cocktails, Dinner, and Auction  

This year's Eastern Cities Fellowship Dinner is set for Sunday, November 4th, 2012 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Stay tuned for ticket information!

Do you know a friend or business colleague who would benefit from being a member of the Rochester Rotary? Bring them to a luncheon and propose them for membership! It is simple; visit our website at www.rochesterrotary.org and download a proposal card under "Club Committees". 

If you have any questions about membership, please contact Linda at the Rochester Rotary Office at 585-546-7435 x 201 or either committee co-chair, Mary Lewis Consler or Steve Abramson.

July 1 - Bob Lewis

July 2 - Angelo Ponticello

July 2 - Dennis Coggins

July 5 - Wayne Wegman

July 7 - Paul Griswold

July 7 - Jerry Helfer

July 9 - Fran Pullano

July 13 - Bob Klie

July 13 - Shawn Curran

July 13 - Bob Attardo

July 14 - Don Ginsberg

July 15 - Susan Keith

July 15 - Mike Miller

July 16 - Doug Volland

July 16 - James Spencer

July 16 - Susan Shafer

July 16 - Rick Briggs

July 17 - Dick Bayer

July 21 - Peter Sarratori

July 21 - Erica Harper

July 22 - Mary Lewis Consler

July 23 - Honorable Sandra Doorley

July 25 - Nancy Rencis

July 30 - Laurie Mahoney

July 31 - Millie Jordan-Reynolds

July 31 - Lynette Loomis

July 31 - Gary Albanese

2011 RPO Sponsors 

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