Easter Egg Hunts in Waterbury and Northfield April 4th, 2026 the Waterbury Rotary will kick off our 20th year to hide 2000 eggs at Pilgrim Park in Waterbury VT. Parade starts at 10:30am at Brookside School. to Pilgrim Park. Come out and enjoy the morning.If you would like to warm up your egg hunting skills, join Northfield Rotary at 10AM on April 4 in Northfield Falls at the ball fields at 98 Burnham Rd. Don't be late - the eggs get hoovered up in less than 10 minutes.
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Interested in more information about CANVA to help promote your club?Interested in more information about CANVA to help promote your club? Visit rotary7850.org and sign up for Saturday March 21 Canva training with DGE Ariel. In the meantime… here is information from Rotary Zones 33/34 about Canva’s Video features for clubs… |
Burlington Rotary Club Impact ReportBurlington Rotary Club Impact Report  The Burlington Rotary Club with the help of Rotarian Diana Wood created a 2 page 2023-2025 Impact Report to promote the good works of their club performs in support of the Burlington Community. Click here to download the full pdf. |
A few words from your District GovernorA few words from your District Governor: Our clubs are already buzzing with activity in 2026 and are certainly appealing to your District Governor's epicurean side. Whether it's the Colchester-Milton Club's Wine and Chocolate (February 12), the Sherbrooke Wine and Cheese (May 2), or the 25th annual Drummondville Lobster Dinner (May 23), you can enjoy delicious food while supporting our communities. For a well-rounded day (March 14), how about all-you-can-eat pies (Barre and CHS Clubs) followed by a curling challenge with the South Burlington club? And don't forget the Foundation Brunch on April 26. Looking forward to see you DG Luc |
District Foundation Grant Applications Due April 24, 2026District Grant applications are Due April 24, 2026! Is your club certified to apply for a district grant? If your club is not on the list below and you are planning on applying for a district grant, be sure to register for the final grant certification training which will be held at 8:30AM this Saturday, March 14! You can register at https://rotary7850.org under events listed in the left side of the home page. Barre Lincoln-Woodstock Sherbrooke
Burlington Middlebury South Burlington Cambridge Newport St. Albans Essex North Conway Valley Rotary Club (MRV) Lancaster Northfield Waterbury Lebanon Plymouth |
Public Image vs. Public RelationsPublic Image vs. Public Relations: Public image is how the world perceives your club and Rotary, while Public Relations (PR) focuses on building relationships with stakeholders to promote that image. Articles this week include examples of what some clubs are doing to promote their image and forming good relationships with members of their communities. Additionally, The Rotary Learning Center offers free, interactive online courses to help members build a positive public image, develop branding skills, and utilize social media effectively. Key topics include using the "People of Action" theme, mastering the Rotary Brand Center, and creating local media strategies. Accessible via My Rotary, it provides training for public image chairs to increase club visibility. |
Example Promotional Press Release - St. Albans - Teacher ScholarshipPromotional Press Release – St. Albans – Teacher Scholarship Here is an example of the press release from the St. Albans Rotary Club for the Teacher Scholarship. Please feel free to copy and edit it for use by your club to promote both the scholarship and Rotary’s opportunities to support local educators. -------------- Rotary Club of St. Albans Announces Alonzo Malouin Memorial Scholarship for Teachers’ Education St. Albans, VT — The Rotary Club of St. Albans is pleased to announce the availability of the Alonzo Malouin Memorial Scholarship for Teachers’ Education for the 2026–2027 academic year, offered through Rotary District 7850. This scholarship is designed to support educators who are pursuing advanced education beyond a post-secondary degree. |
Rachel Brooks - Rotary Peace Fellow from District 7850 Greetings from Seattle, District 7850! With support from the district, I served as a Rotary Peace Fellow at the University of Bradford in England from 2019 to 2020. In some ways, the upheaval of COVID-19 during my fellowship hardly feels like almost six years ago. In other ways, it feels like we’ve experienced persistent uncertainty, as COVID and ongoing geopolitical conflicts become day-to-day backdrops for new and emerging challenges. Amid these overlapping societal challenges, one thing I’ve been focused on is channeling my energy into local outlets for positive change and the “think global, act local” approach. I often get stuck worrying about issues I cannot change, so I’ve tried to be intentional about where I can move the needle in my communities, much like Rotary clubs’ good work. One of those efforts since my Rotary Peace Fellowship has been sharing my learnings for new audiences. As a former intelligence analyst, I love open source intelligence that turns information into actionable insights but often prefer working behind the scenes. |
Come join the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club for its 3rd Annual Bill Skiff Story Slam Come join the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club for its 3rd Annual Bill Skiff Story Slam on March 21st from 6pm-8pm at the Williston Central School Auditorium. This years theme is "The Snow Storm". Storytellers prepare and tell 5-minute (or less) personal stories to share on the theme of THE SNOW STORM. Stories are judged and prizes presented!!
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Rotary International Monthly Themes Did you know that Rotary International sets monthly themes aligned with its Areas of Focus to guide club activities? January is Vocational Service Month. Vocational Service is one way that members and participants can serve at Rotary. It involves using our professional skills and expertise to serve the community, promote ethical practices, and inspire others. Upcoming February is Peace Building and Conflict Prevention Month. February 23, 2026 is the 121st anniversary of the founding of Rotary Celebrating its founding, RI has set February 23, 2026 as Rotary's World Peace & Understanding Day with a focus on fostering peace and goodwill. September 21, 2026 is the UN's International Day of Peace, which Rotary clubs globally often observe with peace projects, events, and dialogues. |
2026 One Rotary Cancun Summit
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“The Councils” give Rotarians a voice in how our organization is governed.Council on Legislation Every three years, Rotarians meet at the Council on Legislation to review and vote on proposed changes to the legislation that governs Rotary. They consider enactments, which change Rotary’s governing documents, and position statements by the RI Board. Council representatives Each Rotary district chooses a representative for a three-year term. These members represent their districts at all three meetings of the Council on Resolutions and at the Council on Legislation during their term. |
Awards – There is no Rotary without YOU!
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Structure and Organization of Rotary International
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2026 International Assembly for District Governor-elect training
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2026 Rotary International Convention – Taipei, Taiwan
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Zone Quarterly meeting for Assistant Governors everyone welcome
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Rotary Foundation Brunch - Join Us |
Kingdom Impact Club's New Years Resolution is to grow our membershipAs a Rotarian I want to help grow Rotary! Our Club's New Years Resolution is to grow our membership. Here are some ideas that can make that happen. a) A sense of "belonging" and being a welcoming club. Does your club reflect your community? Who is missing from your club? Is your club welcoming and have a sense of belonging? b) We can attract new members from our community. c) We "Unite for Good" making sure our members are engaged. d) A different Rotary Club, at a different time, service based club, a different meeting format. e) What will our club look like in 2027!!?? Your club may want to try a Visioning session. Does your club need to take a deep dive into figuring its path into the future. The district offers your club a Visioning Session. |
Impact starts with our members— people like you who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. At club meetings in communities across the globe, our people of action come together to strengthen their connections to friends and neighbors and their commitment to improving lives. Who can join? We’re looking for people who want to give back to their communities. Rotary clubs also welcome Rotaractors, Rotary Peace Fellows, and other members of the family of Rotary who qualify for membership. How can I become a member? Clubs accept new members by invitation. To help us find the right club for you, we’ll ask you a few questions about yourself and your interests. Then we’ll share your answers with Rotary leaders in your community who will match you with a club. |
2026-01-06 Correction Correction – in last week’s newsletter there was an embarrassing omission - St. Albans Rotary Club wasn’t listed among club’s celebrating 100th anniversaries! 2024 marked their 100th year! That makes 20 clubs in the district achieving that goal in the past decade. As Joe Halko wrote, “Imagine the amazing number of hours of community service that represents.” |
April 18, 2026 District LearningAssembly in LyndonvilleCalling all Rotarians including Presidents-Elect, Club Treasurers, Club Secretaries, Public Image, Membership, and Foundation Chairs! Table discussion topics include Successful Club Initiatives Membership Recruitment and Growing Rotary Enhancing Member Engagement and Fun Leadership Planning and Committee Strengthening The Rotary Evolution Youth Programs Public Relations & Public Image We will be in the Moore Community Room Vermont State University Lyndon Campus from 8:30AM to 2PM - 1001 College Rd, Lyndonville, VT 05851 Come join us to learn more about Clubs in your area and the District teams, what they have been working on this year and plans for the future! We plan on discussing public image
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2026 Rotary District Conference Join us in beautiful Orford, Québec on June 13–14 for a memorable District Conference. With engaging speakers, activities for all ages, and Sunday’s Changeover Ceremony, we’ll celebrate our achievements and warmly welcome new club presidents and the District Governor. |
St Albans – Cardiac Champ Challenge – July 26, 2026
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2026 Rotary home and Recreation Expo of St. Albans
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Lobster Dinner, 25th Annual Drummondville Rotary Club Meeting
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2026 The World Santa Salvation Army Coat Prgram |
Barre Rotary Club held the 40thAnnual Rotary Breakfast on July 26, 2025
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Lebanon, NH - Listen Holiday Basket - Bag and Tag
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Did you know? |
Foundation Donations at Work This 2024-25 Kingdom Impact Club project falls under the community and economic development focus area, with the specific goal of empowering girls and young women - a strong focus of Rotary International. With this project we aim to empower girls and young women in Caledonia County by helping to provide important protective equipment for participants in the Caledonia Hockey Club. The Caledonia Hockey Club is a free ice hockey program in our region for females age 2-20 and we will help them to purchase important and needed neck guards for their participants.
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Zone Rotary Public Image Webinar“Rotary Public Image Webinar for club and district Public Image Committees” January 6 at 7:30PM Click here to get the zoom link information |
Happy New YearHappy New Year and happy Rotary mid-year! While this may not be a typical time for Rotary celebration, with our Rotary changeovers and "new year" festivities not for another six months, it is the perfect time to begin looking ahead at next year. As DG Luc shared in his message last week, celebrate the victories and look ahead to the opportunities. That means current and future leaders collaborating to help our clubs and communities to continuously grow stronger. Change takes time, especially when change means a leadership transition, but it brings forth the opportunity to learn from each other and work together in service above self. For all the Presidents-Elect, I look forward to meeting you during our Pre-PELS and PELS and serving together during the year and a half ahead! Thank you to everyone else who will be taking on a club or district leadership role in the Rotary new year! For anyone else who may be thinking about stepping up, talk to the current leaders, ask questions, and take advantage of all opportunities. Between district and club events (more on that and how to add yours below!), it will be a packed calendar and I can't want to meet you all! DGE Ariel Mondlak |
Rotary Foundation Brunch Join Us JOIN US for the Rotary District 7850 Foundation Brunch Sunday, April 26, 2026
Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm |
Rotary Foundation Brunch Save the Date SAVE THE DATERotary District 7850 Foundation Brunch Sunday, April 26, 2026 Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm |
Club Leadership ResourcesWhether you’re considering taking on a committee role or looking forward to your year as club president, treasurer, or secretary, let us help you learn what you can expect and how to prepare. Click here to visit the club leadership resources page |
Club Presidents: Myth: It's all on youCLUB PRESIDENTS MYTH: It’s all on you RI President Barry Rassin writes about being a club president Could you be the next RI president? What it takes to be a leader in Rotary By Vanessa GlavinskasIllustrations by Zulema Williams RI President Barry Rassin says he learned more about leadership from Rotary than he did pursuing his MBA – or even as president of the hospital he ran for years. “It takes more skill to lead volunteers,” he insists. “It’s harder than leading employees.” |
What is this "PELs" I keep hearing about?
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Global Grants support children in UkraineDistrict 7850 Rotarians’ Donations to The Rotary Foundation support children in Ukraine  The partnership of Plymouth, NH Rotarians and "The Common Man for Ukraine" supports Rotarians in Poland and Ukraine providing mental health therapy for children who have lost parents in the war between Ukraine and Russia.The Ukraine Children’s Health Retreat has been in operation since 2014, when it was held once a year for children whose parents were lost during the conflict with Russia over Crimea. Members of the Plymouth Rotary Club visited Ukraine on multiple occasions to perform community assessments since spring of 2022 to understand the changing needs of children of war in Ukraine. |
Did you know Dec 11 was the 80th Anniversary of the UN?“Global Goals, Local Action: Rotary Commemorates the UN (United Nations) at 80” Rotary commemorated the 80th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter with a special event on 11 December in San Francisco at the War Memorial Veterans’ Building, the very site where the UN Charter was signed in 1945. This daylong gathering brought together Rotary members, community leaders, and international partners to recognize Rotary’s longstanding relationship with the UN and focus on the urgency and opportunity of the next five years as the world works toward the 2030 deadline for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). |
Peace on earth and goodwill towards others...Peace, שלום (shalom), Paz, Sith, Paix, Pace, 和平 (hépíng), Binjo, Kiñuiñak, Innaihtsi'iyi, Мир (mir), Santi… “One small step towards a language is one giant leap towards inclusion.” – Abhijit Naskar
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EPEC - Enhancing Participant Engagement CommitteeEPEC – Enhancing Participant Engagement Committee Since the holidays were rapidly approaching, during our last monthly District DEI Zoom Conversation, we took some time to discuss our experiences with a variety of religious and cultural traditions. One of the questions we asked ourselves was how our clubs celebrated, recognized, highlighted, or addressed differences among our members, and how we took those differences into account when planning meetings and social gatherings. How about your club? |
Gratitude and CelebrationI am taking a moment to extend my best wishes for the new season, dear fellow Rotarians. I speak of gratitude because it is the profound feeling I have after visiting your clubs and meeting with you. I am also grateful for the many commitments to Service Above Self that you demonstrate year after year. Thank you to all the presidents and their boards of directors for your dedication. It truly is leadership by example. I am deeply grateful to the assistant governors and the district executive members; I could not do it without you. We must not forget to celebrate, even the small victories. Many opportunities lie ahead with the start of the new year: in March, NEPELS is a major educational event; the spring meeting in April includes the public speaking competition, and to conclude the year, the district conference in June in Quebec. I wish you happiness and good health. DG Luc Pomerleau
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A Season of Service and HopeAs we move through this holiday season, we’re reminded that even small acts of kindness can create meaningful change. Across our district, Rotarians continue to show that compassion, generosity, and service are not limited by the size of a project—but strengthened by the spirit behind it. Our collective contributions, whether time, resources, or simple acts of care, become a lifeline of hope for those in need. Together, we are sharing more than assistance—we are sharing dignity, connection, and the reminder that no one is alone. May this season inspire us to carry that spirit forward, proving that when Rotary serves, communities thrive—during the holidays and all year long. District Governor Nominee Leon Berthiaume
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Have an event, service project or fundraiser you would like to share? Does your club have an event, service project or fundraiser you would like to share with fellow Rotarians in District 7850? Do you have a special speaker that you think others would like to hear? Are you displaying a new park or play area? Did you have a project or event you would like to share with others? Promote your event in upcoming District Newsletters! Enter your story including pictures at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/district7850stories |
January 6 Newsletter will feature upcoming club eventsDoes your club have an event, service project or fundraiser you would like to share with the district? Do you have a special speaker that you think others would like to hear? Are you displaying a new park or play area? Did you have a project or event you would like to share with others? Promote your event in the January 6 District Newsletter! Enter your story including pictures at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/district7850stories |
2026 Youth Exchange |
2026 Speech Contest
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2026 Youth ProtectionRotary International and Rotary District 7850 are committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all participants in Rotary activities. It is the duty of all Rotarians, Rotarians’ spouses, partners, and other volunteers to safeguard to the best of their ability the welfare of and to prevent the physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of children and young people with whom they come into contact. |
Welcome to District 7850 EarlyAct, Interact and Rotaract programs
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2026 RYLAThe application and information forms are now on the District Website. We will have our Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) on June 19-21, 2026. One thing that will be different this year is our Meal Packing event. The amount will be the same BUT ALL of the packed food stays locally. I am looking for sponsors who will partially sponsor the event and we will arrange to share the packed food for you to distribute to local food pantries. I have one club sponsoring $500 towards this $4000 project. Let me know if you are interested. Larry; Larryvrotary@gmail.com |
District Grants at Work Plymouth Rotary Club is proud of Rotary International’s commitment to protecting our natural resources (and ultimately ourselves) from plastic pollution. We have worked with three local towns to divert large volumes of polystyrene from landfills throughout NH and VT. |
Why do you give during the holidays? During this time of bitter cold weather, it might be hard to think of ripple effects on a pond, but that is what we do when we give during the holidays. Acts of giving inspire others to give, creating a chain reaction (a ripple effect) of kindness that lifts spirits and transforms communities far beyond our initial act of giving. Why do you give during the holidays? |
Giving to PolioPlus ProgramDuring this holiday season, giving to PolioPlus program, a crucial initiative with our partner, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, supports Rotarians and volunteers all over the world working to eradicate polio worldwide. Your donation helps provide vaccines and support, often getting tripled by the Gates Foundation match, making it an impactful gift during the holidays to help protect children from this devastating disease. You can easily donate online via the Rotary International "Donate to End Polio" page or by joining the PolioPlus Society for an annual gift. Why Give to PolioPlus This Holiday? |
Wonder where your donation to the Share fund goes? For the members of Drummondville-Malouin Rotary Club, during the 2020-22 period a specific project has been close to their hearts: the development of the new outdoor courtyard of St. Joseph's School. This school is in a very disadvantaged environment, with many people from immigrant backgrounds, with few resources and means. The idea was to create a supportive environment where students and the community can come together 24/7 and have access to sports like basketball with modern and adequate equipment.Another cause, dear to the members, is the summer camps for children, a majority of whom come from St-Joseph School. The camps are offered each year by the Centre  Communautaire Drummondville Centre-Sud, and $4,000 was donated to this organization. |
Consider the Rotary Foundation Endowmentby Marilyn Bedell, Endowment/Major Gifts Officer In this season for giving thanks, take a moment to thank the members of your club who annually support the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. They are helping us to do projects here in our district and around the globe. In addition, as your Endowment/Major Gifts Advisor, I’d like you to know how important our outright and estate gifts to the Rotary Foundation. |
Social Media Trainings
Social media is one of the most powerful tools Rotary clubs have to tell their story, grow membership, and amplify impact. Courtney Jarecki will be hosting three Zoom social media training sessions designed specifically for our District's clubs. If you have an interest in your club's social media presence, this is for you. |
Come Explore Rotary Beyond your ClubJoin in the monthly zoom meeting conversations at the district level:
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District Treasurer Position Open
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Looking for 2028-29 District Governor Applicants
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Giving Tuesday December 2, 2025 Giving Tuesday is a global celebration of generosity — and a powerful opportunity for Rotarians to create meaningful change with a gift of any size. A donation to Annual Fund-SHARE supports projects you’re passionate about, both in your community and around the world. A gift to PolioPlus helps transport vaccines and immunize children to keep them safe. |
