Opening and Invocation led by Michele McManus
Wellness Report – Sharon O’Toole, recovering from surgery, she had a few set backs, but is hoping to be feeling better soon.
Guests: Fred Barker, Commander of the American Legion
Visiting Rotarians: Rotary DG Julie Carney, DGE Dave Demers, and Club President of Spencerport Rotary, Ann Demers
Snapple Facts:
- Rats and mice are ticklish, and even laugh when tickled
- Norway once knighted a penguin
- Forty is the only number whose letters are in alphabetic order
- Humans share 50% of their DNA with bananas
- An Octopus has 9 brains and 3 hearts
- You can hum while plugging your nose
Announcements:
- Gary Reilly - Camp ONSEYAWA golf tournament recap: thank you, Newark Rotary, for supporting the tournament for sponsoring, supporting the online auction, and by playing. Made over $15,000.
- Camp ONSEYAWA needs help on August 5th. Please contact Gary or Norma to volunteer
- Gary Reilly - remember to submit prospective member or service project ideas on the notebooks on your tables
- Raffle tickets - we have broken even, every ticket we sell going forward is profit.
Happy Moments:
- Gail Chambers - their son John, did go to World Competition in triathlon.
- Lucina and Steve Hallagan —- great family vacation at Sodus Point
- Steve Mooney, using his exempt button shared that he and Charlotte have purchased a home in Victor and are selling their home in Newark
- Senator Pam Helming will draw winning Raffle ticket at Newark Fest
Birthdays: Ken George & Michele McManus, 7/24; Jean Bendix & Brian Manktelow, 7/26
Exempt Button: Sold for $35.00 to Marc Kreuser
Queen of Hearts. John Tickner did not pick the Queen - the pot continues to grow.
Program: Norma Mayadag-Reilly introduced our new District Governor, Julie Carney. DG Julie Carney hails from the Avon Rotary Club. She and her husband, Jim have lived in Avon for the past 23 years. They have 4 children and 4 (almost 5) grandchildren. Julie has hosted youth exchange, been a youth exchange counselor, officer, outbound and inbound chair. She has also been involved with RYLA (Rotary Youth Exchange Academy). She is a 4+ Paul Harris Fellow and has served as her club president. Newark Rotary welcomes District Governor Julie Carney!
DG Julie reports that there are 64 Rotary Clubs and 5 Interact Clubs in our District. The 2023-2024 Rotary International theme is “Create Hope in the World”.
DG Julie is committed to supporting all the clubs to the best of her abilities - and encourages us to invite her to any and all events we hold. Being District Governor is her full time job!
DG Julie shared a little of her own story and how it led her to be such an enthusiastic Rotarian. Julie shared that her Grandmother always told her things happen for a reason. It turns out that this year the theme resonates with her on a very personal level. She remembers her grandmothers words and feels that she is DG this year, with this years theme of “Create Hope in the World”, because she is the right person at the right time. Our Rotary International president, Gordon McInally says "The goal is to restore hope — to help the world heal from destructive conflicts and, in turn, to help us achieve lasting change for ourselves,". Rotary creates hope through every donation and every volunteer hour we spend.
Hope is not a hand out - but a stepping stone. Julie told the story of her mother’s experience of abuse at the hand of her father. She shared the value of the hope that the various support agencies provided… this is why she is committed to Rotary. Because of her particular experiences she is equipped to reach out to help others in meaningful ways.
Gordon McInally outlines his two goals of creating hope is through world peace and by helping to eliminate the stigma of mental health issues. Gordon shared the story of his brother’s suicide, and DG Julie shared her families struggle with a child who suffers from depression and anxiety.
Julie also shared her desire to continue to grow Rotary through the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy. In post RYLA evaluations the youth listed mental health issues and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) focus as their primary goals. One of Julie’s goals is to create a Mental Health and Well Being district team that focuses on training on how to “read the signs” that others, or ourselves, are experiencing some mental health issues. In other words, what are the flags to clue us in that someone needs a listening ear or help.
Julie concluded by re-emphasizing her determination to be 100% engaged with all the districts clubs this coming year and reminding us that our motto is “Service Above Self”. We are Rotarians for a reason – go out and create hope in this world.
President Adam concluded with a quote from Zig Zigler: “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”