Left-right, District 7070 Governor Michael Bell, new member, Dr. Kevin McCrae; returning Rotarian, Alan Mote; President Connie Ham; new member, Andrew Smith and District 7070 Assistant Governor, Steve Blakey.

 
Early in the Rotary year the existing District 7070 Governor pays a visit to each and every Rotary Club in the District. No small feat as there are many active and viable clubs. District Governor Michael Bell paid a visit to Northumberland Sunrise on Wednesday September 9th along with Assistant District Governor Steve Blakey.
 
The Governor shared with us that Rotary International President K.R. Ravindrans’ theme for this current 2015-2016 Rotary year is “Be a Gift to the World.” President Ravindran urges Rotarians to give the gifts of time, talent, and knowledge to improve lives in communities across the globe. "Through Rotary, we can take these gifts and make a genuine difference in the lives of others and in our world."
 
For the District 7070, Governor Bell had laid out for us the three goals he has for the District this coming year. First on the list is 100 new members, which coincidentally was the second reason Governor Bell was in attendance last Wednesday. You see, he helped our club Northumberland Sunrise induct two new members to Rotary and welcomed another back to Rotary. So, our little club thus far has indeed supplied three to the Governors goal of 100. Welcome to our newest members!
 
Second on Governor Bell’s list for the District is the goal of raising $800,000 for the Rotary Foundation. Just one of the many ways in which Northumberland Sunrise raises money for this amazing Foundation is through the mum sales we have joined with Cobourg Rotary to sell just outside The Avid Reader on Division Street in Cobourg. Sales have been brisk and the plants this year are especially lovely. All proceeds raised go to Polio Plus, part of the Rotary Foundation and are matched two to one by the Bill Gates Foundation. 
 
Third on Governor Bells list is “add a new fellowship event.” Now this will not a hardship for Northumberland Sunrise to achieve. We are an eclectic, fun and diverse bunch of Rotarians and we look upon this goal as the easiest one to achieve. 
 
Our Exchange student Saimi Merenlathi of Helsinki, Finland came to breakfast for the first time last week. Saimi’s Happy Buck was to share with us how much she enjoyed her first day of school, how much she was looking forward to the coming year and oh, Saimi is also a hockey fan!!!
 
Rotary Club of Northumberland Sunrise meets every Wednesday morning for breakfast at 7:00 AM at Ashbrook Golf Club. 7215 Dale Road, Port Hope. Guests and visiting Rotarians are always welcome. Please come a little early for coffee and fellowship. Our meetings include a full breakfast, a short business meeting and a guest speaker. Meetings usually adjourn by 8:00 AM. Please come and join us for Rotary fellowship.
 
Yours in Rotary
Susan Luyendyk