District 7090 Conference May 4-6

The District 7090 Conference held in Grand Island, New York, gave me the opportunity to see Rotary at its best - men and women motivated and committed to the ideals of Rotary in the context of warm fellowship. To represent the Dundas Club on this occasion I consider a privilege that will not come often. District 7090 is known as. "The Best of Friends District." It certainly lived up this this billing in every way. The funds raised during the auctions and The Paul Harris Society induction totalled over US$27,000.

Adding to the weekend's festivities were all the District's Exchange Students, that supplied copious amounts of youthful excitement and energy. The enthusiasm of the young people from some 15 countries was fantastic - language was not a barrier to their collective goodwill and co-operation to show their appreciation for Rotary.

The prominent theme at the Conference concerned the scourge of HIV/AIDS in Africa. A presentation by James Fraser ( Doctors Without Borders and Dignitas International) brought home the terrible plight this pandemic is reeking. He passionately appealed for grassroots Rotary Clubs to be a major player in the HIV/AIDS battle. Millions of orphaned children, non-existent healthcare workers, funds for drugs (to expectant mothers and new-born babies) that have been proven to slow the plague are issues that Rotary with the will can address. He summed up his talk with: Defeating HIV/AIDS is a Technical fix, a Social fix and a Rotary fix

Wonderful News! The Dundas Club received two awards of recognition:

1. R.I. President Bill Boyd's "Presidential Citation 2006-7." This recognises achievement in Membership Goals and Community Service.

2. District 7090 Club Champion Award to "Carl Loewith" for his work in promoting his "Organic Fertilizer Fundraiser Project."

I felt proud to receive these awards from District Governor, Dick Earne, on behalf of our President, Thie Convery and the Dundas Club.

The following Dundas Club members were accorded silent prayer at the "All Faith Service," on Sunday, May 6, 2007.

Dave MacLennan and Jack Gilkes.

Next year (October 2008) the District Conference will be held in Hamiltion. Bob Leek (Hamiltion AM Club) will be our District Governor. My hope is the the Rotary Club of Dundas will attend en mass.

By Jim Nicol

President-elect

The Best of Friends

The Rotary Club of Dundas is a member of Rotary District 7090. The history of the district began in the year 1918-1919 in which clubs in two countries served through one truly international district - the clubs in question were Buffalo, NewYork and Hamilton, Ontario, forming the "Best of Friends" district, Canada/United States. The initiative to create an international district was overseen by Paul P. Harris, Rotary’s founder, and then its International President. Today, District 7090 remains a benchmark for many Rotary districts around the world.

District 7090's international territory includes Southern Ontario, Canada and Western New York, USA. Its boundaries in Canada include to the north – Flamborough and Waterdown (neighbouring Dundas), to the east Niagara-on-the-Lake, to the west Delhi and to Fort Erie in the south of the province.

Its boundaries in New York, New York State, include the southern tier as far west and south as Jamestown and as far east as Leroy, New York. There are 75 clubs, divided into 18 areas and over 3150 Rotarians in District 7090.

The District Governor for year 2006-2007 is Richard Earne, who resides in Grand Island, New York, USA and can be reached at richardearne@yahoo.com

The website for the district is: www.rotary7090.org
The district map website is: www.rotary7090.org/7090map.jpg