A Message from the Governor

This month's message is for our District Committee Chairs. If you want all the members in the District to know about your program, this monthly bulletin is a good way to share information. Please send 5-7 sentences about your program to District7450Dispatch@gmail.com. Make sure to include any deadlines you want people to know about. I appreciate the work you have done and continue to do for the Clubs, the District, and for Rotary.

David Houtz

District Governor, 2022-2023

What Your Club Can Do for World Polio Day

As a reminder, World Polio Day is October 24th. What is World Polio Day?

It provides an opportunity to highlight global efforts toward a Polio-free world and recognize the contributions of those on the front lines in this fight. What does it mean for our District and our clubs? It is a chance to connect and educate our communities on the fight to end Polio.

So, how can you participate? Organize an event within your community, perhaps at your local municipal building. Hold a fundraiser like Pints for Polio at a neighborhood bar or restaurant. Host a Polio walk or bike ride. Have bigger ambitions? You could have a viewing party to screen a documentary about Polio, or maybe even organize a benefit concert.

Read More

Pints for Polio Guest Bartender Happy Hour

Would you like to Raise a Pint to End Polio Now? On Wednesday, October 5, 2022, 5-8 pm our End Polio Now Committee will be hosting the second annual Pints for Polio Happy Hour at Locust Lane Craft Brewery.

This event will feature guest Rotarian bartenders from 5-8pm. They will work to raise cash tips which will be donated back to our Polio fundraising efforts. During the Happy Hour, you'll have opportunities to purchase EPN Tulip Bulbs or a Rotary District 7450 t-shirt to raise money for the cause. T-shirt sizes and quantities are limited.

There are still a few openings for guest bartender slots. If you are interested, contact PDG Kevin – distgov2021@gmail.com

Foster Ave Carvery Food Truck will be on site to provide sandwiches, handhelds and small bites. In addition to beer, Locust Lane serves Pennsylvania Crafted Wine, Mead, Ciders, Liquor and an assortment of sodas.

Indoor and outdoor seating is available and pets are welcome to join you outdoors. Since the food truck will be present, please note that NO outside food can be brought into the event this year.

Join us for fun, fellowship and fundraising to End Polio Now.

Celebration of PDG Roger Taylor's Life

If you have been on the District 7450 Facebook page, you've seen the beautiful comments posted by those who knew PDG Roger Taylor.

Among the tributes:
"He was unforgettable and inspiring."
"Such a fine gentleman."
"May he rest among the stars in the sky that he loved so much."
"He truly lived Rotary's values and touched the lives of so many."
Feel free to add your comments and memories there on Facebook as well.

As Roger had just completed his District Governor term in June, his passing came as such a surprise. Peter Mardinly, who served as Governor in 2019-20 remembers, "Roger had a smile and a voice that filled a room and the heart. He also had a grace to his presence, and a calmness to his demeanor. All of us are better for having known Roger, for having had him lead our District, and for his friendship."

DGE Renee DeCoskey remembers Roger's quiet, thoughtful presence but says, "It was impossible to miss him when he spoke. He was a proud Rotarian and lived the ideals of service above self, always with a warm smile, a hug, and kindness." Adds DGN Francy Cross, "Roger Taylor will be hard to forget because he gave us much to remember."

All are invited to attend the Celebration of Life for PDG Roger Taylor.

Saturday, September 24, at 11 a.m. at Downingtown United Methodist Church, 751 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, PA, 19335. A visitation will be held prior to the service, from 10-11 a.m., at the church. More information is available HERE. .

Incentive for Clubs to Go Green

Since Rotary added its seventh Area of Focus, Supporting the Environment, clubs are being encouraged to organize "green" service projects.

This year, DG David Houtz will recognize eco-friendly efforts with the Governor’s Citation for Supporting the Environment. These awards will be presented at the next District Conference.

Requirements for the citation are straightforward: Have your club conduct two environmental projects or partner with at least one other club to do one environmental project.

Need ideas? Our website has a long list of suggestions and an application so CLICK HERE for more information.

Members of the Supporting the Environment Committee are available to make a presentation at club meetings. To schedule, contact Committee Chair Paul Quintavalla.

How Your Ukraine Donations Helped

We have an important update to share about your donations to the Rotary District 7450 Gundaker Foundation Ukrainian Relief Fund.

Our District has received a summary of how our $100,000 is being used to help with the Ukrainian Relief efforts overseas. Our Rotary contacts in Ukraine and Poland report the following distribution of money collected at our "United with Ukraine" fundraiser in June and from direct contributions to the fund.

District 2331 distributed the money to Rotary clubs in Poland and Ukraine to fund the following projects: Read More

Grant Apps Due Soon

If you're hoping to apply for a District Grant and have not already received one this Rotary year, get your applications in soon. The deadline for submitting completed applications is September 30th.

These are 50-50 grants - for each dollar you club spends, you get one dollar matching. Maximium Grant size is $1,000.

For more information visit the District 7450 Grants page.

For additional help, contact Warren Sell, Chester Rotary Club, District 7450 Grants Subcommittee Chairperson, warren631@msn.com 484-557-5442.

Welcome New Members

We'd like to extend a warm welcome to all our new members who joined us in our District this past month.

Cathy Brzozowski
Chestnut Hill

Clifford Debaptiste
West Chester

Susan Fitzgerald
Upper Main Line

Josefine Guarino
Upper Main Line

Suzanne Kloud
Kennett Square

Read More

Beer Festival Has New Home

After a 2 year hiatus, the Conshohocken Plymouth Whitemarsh Rotary Club is excited to be hosting the 2022 Montco Beer Festival! You are invited Saturday, October 15th, from 1-5 pm to enjoy tasty brews from dozens of local breweries.

You'll be able to satisfy your hunger with tantalizing food truck fare. Plus, you'll have chances to win great prizes! Formerly known as the Conshohocken Beer Festival, this year's event will be held at LuLu Shriners in Plymouth Meeting.

Proceeds benefit The Lafayette Foundation of the CPW Rotary Club. The Foundation serves CPW's local and global service projects, such as support for the Colonial Neighborhood Council, Karama Education Center (Uganda), and other projects that address community needs.

For more information or to buy tickets, click here.

Member Profile: Frank Hollick

By Paul Quintavalla

In a recent interview about fundraising, Rotarian Frank Hollick emphasized the importance of person-to-person communication, saying, “Nothing is more successful than talking directly with someone in person.” This has been the guiding principle of his career since he graduated from Boston University with a master’s degree in Educational Media and Technology.

Since joining the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Rotary Club “sometime in the 80s,” Frank has worked in communications in areas as diverse as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Shaker Visitors’ Center in Enfield, MA. He found his true calling in 1981 when he joined the Boy Scouts of America.