Climbing Mt. Kilimimanjaro

Members of our district have always funded, traveled to, and worked in the developing world. In recent years, they created a goat farm in Gambia, a school in Haiti, and toilets in Uganda. So, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to learn that one of our Rotarians was digging wells in Tanzania in February. We truly are People of Action.

This is the last District Newsletter I will write, and I take the opportunity to thank all those who shared their experiences and accomplishments with me. Writing the Newsletter has given me insight into your clubs and a deep appreciation for what you do every day. Rotarians are a remarkable people, and it is a privilege to be a part of Rotary with you.

PDG Paul Quintavalla - Editor

Contents

Letter from Governor Roger Taylor – Letter from Governor David Houtz – Tri-District Conference – Serving others on Three Continents – A Labor of Love – Johnny Appleseed – Hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro – College Bound Trees – On the Right Side of History – Litter to Literacy – In Passing– Foundation Review - Dual Goals of West Chester Rotary – Polish Rotarians

This year, like many of the last few years, has been full of change. The ravages of Covid hit every part of Rotary, but in spite of that, we have had a very successful year and a promise of an even better tomorrow.

Because of vaccinations, we were able to have an increased number of live events and meetings that inspired those people who had withdrawn a bit to return and re-engage with their friends.

I believe that that reengagement had many clubs actively cooperating in bringing meaningful projects forward. Those clubs, in almost all cases, have been working with their communities to help forge and cement lasting relationships. It was certainly one of our goals this year. Our district was able to refine and distill our image so that what we do as Rotarians becomes common knowledge in the community outside of Rotary. I believe that we will continue to expand our reach and enlarge our footprint. An attractive Rotary is one that people want to be part of.

This year we are fortunate that, despite all of the external challenges that we faced, we have been able to turn around our slow decline in membership. Our district has attracted more than 45 new members this year. In addition, we created a new satellite Eco-club whose focus is primarily directed to the seventh Area of Focus, the environment. Our district put together an initiative to help “jumpstart” activity in this area by providing support through the newly formed Supporting the Environment Committee. In addition to offering a resource that clubs can access, the Committee was able to award small matching grants for environmental projects.

Lastly, by joining forces with District 7430 and District 7475, we were able to provide a pretty incredible District Conference. It was very well attended by more than 250 registrants and over 400 attendees! The breakouts were “top notch” and provided practical tools that could be taken back to our individual clubs. There were some unique speakers, activities and entertainment that made the event quite memorable.

I would be remiss if I did not mention our very own grassroots initiative to support those displaced by the war in Ukraine. Through our own Gundaker Foundation, we have been able to raise nearly $50,000 to support some of the millions of women and children that have had to flee their homes. That effort helps us to define ourselves as Rotarians! Be proud of it.

We should be reminded, after having shared our Memorial day, that Memorial day in Ukraine is still being made! Homes are vanishing, children are perishing and all are grieving at the almost unimaginable and inexcusible violence. We Rotarians are not politicians, or negotiators; diplomats or agents in this human calamity, yet what we can be is a hand that reaches out to provide a small measure of help, of hope and solace. Please join us on June 14 for "United with Ukraine."

David Houtz is the seventy-fifth Governor since District 7450 was established in 1948. At age 42, he is, we believe, the youngest person to hold that position. Nonetheless, his education, career experience, and involvement in Rotary have prepared him for the role of District Governor. He has been an officer in the Chichester Rotary Club since joining in 2010, served as Treasurer for our District and the Gundaker Foundation, and was an Assistant Governor. David is a Paul Harris Fellow and Bequest Society member. Read More

This year’s District Conference was held with neighboring Districts 7430 and 7475 at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA. It was what a District Conference should be - informative, inspiring, and fun.

The first plenary session was led by Rotary International VP Valarie Wafer, whose comments focused on the benefits of meetings such as these. “Nothing is better to enjoy being a Rotarian and growing Rotary than getting together like this,” she said. “Covid interfered with us, but that’s in the past and we are so glad to be with you today.”

Attendees saw powerful presentations by winners of the Rotary Speech Contest: The Four Way Test. Students who came in first place in each of the three districts gave their speeches to rousing applause. Our own speaker was Renna Robinson of Garnet Valley High School who was sponsored by the Chadds Ford – Concordville Rotary Club. Read More

When it comes to planting trees, the Greater West Chester Sunrise Rotary Club is second to none. The latter day Johnny Appleseed of a club recently worked with ground maintenance personnel to plant 250 trees on 37 acres of Shaws Bridge Park, Chester County on April 25th. The occasion was in celebration of Earth Day. The variety of trees included sycamore, yellow birch, river birch, and three species of willow. Together, they comprise a good selection of native deciduous trees for a healthy young forest. Read More

In each issue we talk about a Rotarian whose Rotary life and professional career are unique and inspiring.

Serving Others on Three Continents

Reverend Norman Viss met his wife Cyndi while attending Philadelphia-Montgomery Christian Academy High School. Together, they have created a life of unique experiences and exceptional service to others around the world.

Norman attended Geneva College, located north of Pittsburgh, and upon graduation accepted a post with the Christian Reformed Church working in Central-Eastern Nigeria. The area is a very rural part of Africa where he and virtually everyone else traveled by motorcycle and did not have a phone, television or radio stations. Friends in more developed areas would tape radio shows and mail cassettes to one another. For ten years, Norman trained local church leaders and assisted in the health clinic and church operations. He and Cyndi began their family, which soon grew to two sons and a daughter. Read More

“When I learned that my seven-year old granddaughter scolded her father for wasting water by running it while brushing his teeth, I knew I was on the right side of history” commented a member of the Support the Environment Committee.

Our District’s Support the Environment program has been promoting club activity through the District Newsletter for the past year. Now, it is moving into Phase II with the active support of Assistant Governors. At a meeting of the AGs, it was agreed that they would carry the message to clubs in person at their meetings. The AGs will explain Rotary International’s purpose in making the environment the seventh Area of Focus and review its policy statement. Additionally, they will discuss the District’s Support the Environment Committee’s program. Read More

In 2018, the town of Media was encouraged to construct a park on a half-acre site in the downtown section. In large part, the decision was motivated by the Media Rotary Club, which donated $15,000 toward the project. Today, the entrance signage of Manchester Park acknowledges that funding assistance.

Keeping it up is, as one club member put it, “A park isn’t a one and done deal. You must keep after it.” Each year at this time, members of the Media Rotary Club pitch in to clean up the park armed with rakes, shovels and big plastic bags. And to make it look its best, they spread lots of mulch along walkways and beds. It’s a labor of love.

Delaware County Community College planted a grove of six hybrid chestnut trees, and another half dozen were planted around Marple Township thanks to the Broomall Rotary Club.

A District Grant from the Rotary Foundation was provided for this seventh Area of Focus project. The three-year-old specimens are expected to grow to 80 feet tall and yield 50 to 100 pounds of chestnuts in five to ten years.

The effort was coordinated by the Marple Tree Commission. Each tree is shielded by a plastic tube to protect it from deer rubbing their antlers on the tree trunk. The rubbing scratches off the bark and leads to the tree’s eventual death.

According to DCCC grounds supervisor Chris Sim, “We had one of the last wild American chestnut trees here on the campus, and it was sad to see it go. These hybrids will be a beautiful and welcome sight.” Six more trees were planted on private and public property in Marple Township.

On Rotarians at Work Day, Saturday, April 30, seven members of the Rotary Club of Twin Valley and supporters donned orange vests, white gloves and big smiles to pick up litter along a 2.6 mile stretch on Route 23 in Elverson. This year’s collection filled twenty-six trash bags plus two tires.

“We’ve been part of the Adopt a Highway program for over ten years,” said Club President Dick Oswald. “This was the first time we used it as a fund raiser. We titled it Litter for Literacy and asked donors to support the pickers for each of the 2.6 miles of the route they cleaned.” Twin Valley Club raised $2,500 and received a $1,000 Rotary District 7450 Gundaker Grant. The donations will be split among the Village Library of Morgantown, Honey Brook Community Library, and Rock Hollow Woods Environmental Learning Center.

When over two dozen Rotarians planted a mixture of 100 Maple and River Birch trees recently at Stroud Preserve, they accomplished two goals. The 100 trees celebrated last year’s 100th anniversary of the Rotary Club of West Chester, and it supported the mission of the Support the Environment Committee of Rotary District 7450. “Despite the wet weather, Rotarians showed up to participate in the long-awaited anniversary celebration project, and support the district’s new environment committee,” explained Steve Brown, club president.

Under the leadership of Mac Neilon, and with the help of family members, which included several children, Rotarians planted the 100 trees in record time, digging holes, planting the saplings, then staking and tubing the young trees. “A special bonus was receiving a $415 grant from the District towards purchase of the trees from the Octorara Native Plant Nursery,” said Michelle Venema, one of the presidents who served during the West Chester club’s anniversary year. “It was a fun day!” she added.

PDG Joan Batory communicates with Rotarians in Poland and Ukraine regarding the refugee crisis. She provides the following report.

As of the second week in May, the United Nations estimates that approximately twelve million Ukrainians, mostly women and children, have left their homeland. Rotary and Rotaract clubs around the world, including ours, have reached out to help them. About three million of the Ukrainian refugees have relocated to neighboring Poland.

Piotr Jankowski, Rotary District 2331 District Governor-Elect of the Rotary Clubs in Poland, recently met virtually with several District Rotary members to describe how Rotary members in Poland have taken swift action to respond to this unbelievable crisis. He related some heartbreaking stories about what he is seeing at the border. You can view his and District 2332 Ukraine District Governor Volodymyr Bondarenko’s comments to us on the Rotary District 7450 You Tube channel.
Read More

We note with great sadness the death of Joan Toenniessen of the Ardmore Rotary Club and prior editor of the District Newsletter. She was the club’s first woman president in 1998 when such appointments were not common. Joan was always present at meetings, greeting visitors with her infectious lively manner and wearing her trademark hat, decorated with pins. Joan’s career was marked by her profession as a columnist and Managing Editor of the Main Line Times. She carried her craft to the Newsletter with scrupulous attention to detail, wit and wisdom. Joan was loved by all who knew her.