Our club was awarded the Rotary International Significant Achievement Award at our June 20, 2011 meeeting. This is no ordinary Rotary award. We already received 17 other awards this year, but this one is very special.

I was stunned. Actually, I had forgotten that I sent in our application a few months ago so I was certainly not expecting the presentation of this award at our meeting.

This award honors Rotary clubs for, well, significant achievement. There are nearly 34,000 Rotary clubs in the world. This Rotary International award was awarded to only 143 Rotary clubs in the world. Our club was one of those very few clubs - in the world - selected to receive this.

This is awesome!

I was so stunned to receive this on behalf of our club. I was speechless! And emotional. I speak publicaly all the time, am never nervous, never emotional, always under control. Not on this afternoon. It was a wonderful surprise.

Congratulations to our club! I am so proud of what we have collectively accomplished. Thank you.

Providence Rotary Rocks!

Cynthia Leonard

June 21, 2011

W O W !

What a day! Today was my last meeting as president of the Rotary Club of Providence. The commitee organized it and did not whisper a word about what the day would be like. I kept asking, hoping someone would offer a clue so that I would be better prepared.

It was awesome! Rob Peck's performance was incredible. He juggled and talked at the same time. He talked about Rotary, business challenges, individuals and our club's activities - for 40 minutes!

He was funny, engaging and very talented. His company, ZestWorks (www.zestworks.com) is a speaking, training and funraising organization. He is energetic, funny, creative and simply wonderful to watch. 40 minutes was not enough for his performance and uplifting thoughts, interspersed with juggling and witty remarks.

It was mesmerizing watching all the balls in the air. He did not drop a ball intentionally. It was clever that a ball ended up at my feet, as if he dropped it and together we juggled all the balls. (I did not drop one - miracle!)

Check him out:

Rob Peck

www.zestworks.com

Thanks Rob and thanks to Rotarian Don Saracen who organized his performance.

Cynthia Leonard

June 20, 2011

Why is understanding the structure of Rotary important?

Because the Rotary Club of Providence just received three Zone awards. There are 34 zones worldwide and our club "competed" with thousands of clubs to receive these awards.

We received the Rotary Zone award for Health & Hunger and for Water & Sanitation; and the best award of all, the Zone Public Image Award. I am most proud of this award, although I cannot diminish our accomplishments in these other areas.

One of my goals this year was to transform the way the community and other Rotarians perceive Rotary, to re-brand our club, re-energize it. I think we did this! Thank you to every Providence Rotarian for making this happen.

Cynthia Leonard

June 1, 2011

What is a Zone?

There are about 34 "Zones" in Rotary International. A Zone is just part of the structural make up of Rotary. Districts make up the zones and clubs make up the districts. There are 34,000 clubs, in 221 countries. The clubs are part of a district. There are 530 districts worldwide. Our district, District 7950 has 67 clubs in it.

So, to recap, The Rotary Club of Providence is Club # 22. We are in District 7950, along with 66 other clubs. Our district is part of Zone 32.

Cynthia Leonard

June 1, 2011

My Weekend on Martha's Vineyard for the Rotary District Conference

What a fantastic weekend with Rotary friends on the Vineyard. Highlights include all the awards our club won. Friday night our club received 9 awards and on Saturday evening a few more.

One of those awards was the Presidential Citation. Not only did our club receive this prestigous award, we received it with distinction. We have much to be proud of. This is an award for all of us in this club. We all have made a difference. Thank you, to everyone, for all you do, have done and will continue to do for Rotary.

The weekend was not all work. After Friday's dinner we went on a pub crawl in Edgartown. Saturday evening included more partying, including a midnight clam boil. You might began to understand just how difficult it is to be president of a Rotary club, the amount of time and effort I put into the role, my devotion to Rotary fellowship demonstrated by eating steamers at midnight, chocolate for breakfast, staying up until 2 am discussing Rotary programs, arising a few hours later to do it all over again.

The job of Rotary president is demanding and exhausting. It is also fun and rewarding. I am so proud to be president of this club. I applaud our members' willingness to implement change, their devotion to service, their creativity and warm spirit of cooperation. I appreciate their confidence in me. Thank you for a great year.

Cynthia Leonard

May 17, 2011

Earth Wind & Fire

Providence Rotary celebrated its 100th birthday, again, this time by attending an Earth Wind & Fire concert in Providence. It was awesome!

The band is celebrating 40 years. Three original band members were there, moving and shaking on the stage, able to sing a wide range of notes - deep lows and super high notes. The audience was dancing in the aisles. And singing along to favorites such as "September".

Afterwards, we enjoyed a reception at Providence Performing Arts - great desserts, fine wine and wonderful company!

Cynthia Leonard

May 12, 2011

G S E

Rotary International's Group Study Exchange - an incredible opportunity to meet others in your field in another country, with different practices, expectations, culture, language and traditions. On May 2, 2011, our club hosts this year's GSE Team!

Cynthia Leonard

May 1, 2011

Wow !

What a Birthday Party !

We celebrated the 100th birthday of the Rotary Club of Providence.

It was a wonderful party. Highlights: inducting an honorary Rotarian, Robert Dilenschneider; the award recipients' remarks; the 21 new Paul Harris Fellows and the donation of $22,000 (the club is the 22nd in the world) to Rotary International to End Polio Now.

The music was incredible - really in synch with what was happening on the podium; Phoebe Madden's voice - always a treat to hear; the dessert presentation unbelievable - unlike anything I have seen; the room and table decor - more beautiful and festive, rivaling any social event; the speaker top notch and engaging; the auction fun and successful; the food, including the dessert bar and candy buffet was awesome. The event was well organized and very well executed. Thank you everyone for making it happen.

Special thanks to Robert Dilenschneider of the Dilenschneider Group in New York City, our keynote speaker and his wife, Jan for joining us. He talked about The American Dream. A thought provoking and inspirational talk, with personal aspects of Rotary, with remarks of his late father, a 51-year member of the Rotary Club of Columbus, Ohio.

I learned about his father's involvement in Rotary prior to our event, then contacted the Columbus Rotary club. His father is still remembered after all these years. When I asked Bob's assistant why Bob was never a Rotarian, especially given the impact Rotary had on him as a young man and his father's long term involvement, she answered, "No one ever asked him to be a Rotarian."

Well, we didn't ask him, we made him an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Providence! It was about time! I gave Bob my own Rotary pin. My first pin I received as a charter member of the Providence Sunrise Rotary Club. Wear it well and proudly, Bob.

Thank you to everyone who helped in big and small ways to make this event wonderful. Our club rocks!

Events like this one can change the face of Rotary!

Cynthia Leonard

April 29, 2011

One Degree of Separation

As president of the Rotary Club of Providence I receive many Rotary related emails, from around the world, some informational, some asking for information, advice or money. On top of that I receive another 150 business emails daily. I sometimes don't open emails without a compelling subject line. This is what happened to an email I received recently. I ignored it.

I came upon that email the following day and read the request of a local mother seeking a Rotary club to sponsor her son's participation in a music camp for gifted children in Germany. I called the mother and a conversation ensued.

She is the mother of a ten year old pianist, apparently quite talented, studying weekends at the New England Conservatory. She wanted to send her child to a German Rotary club sponsored music school for gifted children. The mother spoke German and worked at the University of Rhode Island.. During our conversation, I mentioned I graduated from the University of Rhode Island, with two degrees, one of which was a BA in German. She asked who my German professors were and I declared I had two favorites: John Grandin and Hannelore Crossgrove. Turns out this woman knows both of these professors who taught me 30 years ago and that she took over Dr. Grandin's position when he retired.

Before closing our conversation I casually mentioned that I had a meeting at the university later that morning with Dr. Tom Mather, the local tick expert. The mother suggested we meet after my meeting with Tom. Turns out her office is next door to the meeting location. How lucky that I could conduct two meetings without moving my car from a precious parking place. Serendipity.

Within hours of conversing with this stranger I was shaking her hand, talking about Rotary, Rotary in Germany and Providence and her talented ten year old. Unbeknowst to me she had called my favorite professor, John Grandin, now retired, who joined us that afternoon to surprise me. I was so touched that she called him and invited him to our impromtu meeting and that he remembered me.

What a delightful afternoon with my old professor and his successor. Delightul that our club can help her son with his application to this special music school. That is the power of Rotary - making connections, making a difference.

This post is already too long, but worthy of attention: those at the tick advisory meeting I attended recognized my Rotary pin. That gave me an opportunity to talk about Providence Rotary's tick and Lyme disease awareness and prevention programming.

A good day for Rotary, a good day for Lyme disease awareness and prevention.

Cynthia

April 5, 2011

April 4, 2011

At today's Rotary meeting I gave a Happy Buck for my daughter who celebrated her birthday today. Just a few years ago, so sick with Lyme disease, we truly did not believe she would live to celebrate her 16th birthday. So grateful to those doctors who gave her life back and gave me my family back.

Cynthia

They have returned

First the male osprey, then a few days later, the female arrived from South America. Presumably the male prepared the nest to the satisfaction of the female osprey.

Osprey are back !

These magnificant birds are returning from their South American winter.

I saw 8 of them soaring over the Jamestown bridge. I wasn't driving so I could easily keep track of them. They did not stay in the area and were not seen in the osprey nests. I suspect they were still migrating north, to a nesting area hundreds of miles from here.

The Jamestown male osprey will arrive any day now to prepare the nest for his bride.

March 28, 2011

WWD

World Water Day

What are you doing to celebrate?

March 22, 2011

^" 22 ^"

The significance of the number 22

Providence - The 22^nd Rotary club in the world, founded in 1911.

It didn't take long, just five years for Providence businessmen to hear about "Rotary", a new service organization founded in 1906 by Paul Harris in Chicago.

100 years later, the Providence Rotary Club donates $22,000 to the Rotary Foundation, designating the contribution to the End Polio Now campaign.

The Race for Global Dominance

Interesting numbers:

Rotary: 33,976 clubs worldwide *

Subway: 33,749 sandwich shops worldwide **

McDonalds: 32,737 burger jointswide **

Sources:

* Wikipedia

** Wall Street Journal

March 2011

Our Centennial - More to Celebrate this Month

March 11, 1911

This is the day the Rotary Club of Boston officially sponsored the Rotary Club of Providence. Our club was formed the month before, on February 17, 1911.

It is Spring !

The snowbird Rotarians are returning from warmer climates, every week another one returns. Like animal migration, a sure sign of spring. Other signs of spring - the woodpecker is back, my basement is full of water, I don't wear boots everyday and the osprey will arrive this month.

Happy Spring!

More Photos of our Centennial Party in February

March is Literacy Month!

Rotary Club of Providence will be celebrating!

Happy Birthday!

The Rotary Club of Providence turned 100 on February 17, 2011. Exactly 100 years, to the day, that 11 men met and formed our club. Club number 22 in the world. Today there are 34,000 clubs in 221 countries - worldwide!

Photos from our February 17, 2011 centennial cocktail event at the Biltmore Hotel in Providence. 100 attended, enjoyed great food, cocktails, a silent auction and just a few brief words.

Literacy is the bridge from misery to hope

I know this to be true. Although I am not clever enough to have strung these words together. Kofi Annan, the former United Nations Secretary-General, did say this in 2008.

"Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope. It is a tool for daily life in modern society. It is a bulwark against poverty and a building block of development, an essential complement to investments in roads, dams, clinics, and factories.

Literacy is a platform for democratization and a vehicle for the promotion of cultural and national identity. Especially for girls and women, it is an agent of family health and nutrition. For everyone, everywhere, literacy is, along with education in general, a basic human right. Literacy is, finally, the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman, and child can realize his or her full potential."

The Rotary Club of Providence has several literacy projects. One is the Dictionary Project; we give every third grader in the City of Providence a dictionary; we partner with San Miguel School and Sophia Academy; we take these students fishing (they keep the pole), entertain them at a special holiday party and we are working on starting an Interact club. Interact is a partnership between a Rotary club and school-age students. Our club will help them with their community projects and act as mentors.

We are creating a financial literacy program for Sophia Academy, an all-girls school. And we will implement a mentoring program for the girls at Sophia.

Our newest literacy project is a family literacy mentoring program. Most literacy programs are directed to a young person or an adult, but rarely an entire family. While we might start off helping a young person read and write, the mentoring evolves into family engagement. Perhaps a mother cannot read her child's report card or communicate with teachers. Opening a bank account, understanding utility bills or navigating life in America is difficult if English is not spoken.

Imagine someone who never learned to read in their own language. For them, reading in English is especially foreign, even when some English is spoken.

Polio Update

February 2011

Nigeria had 11 cases of polio in 2010. An incredible reduction considering not too long ago there were thousands of polio victims in Nigeria alone.

Words from United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon

June 2008

For 23 years, the Rotarians have dedicated their time and efforts to eradicating polio. They have done so in the face of extraordinary challenges. They have overcome financial shortfalls, conflict, and lack o security. They have conquered cultural barriers and lack of political will. Rotarians have shown the world what can be achieved when civil society and the United Nations partner together.

When the last chapter on polio eradication is finally written, it will tell one of the most spectacular success stories in public health, It will describe one of the world's most remarkable partnerships. And it will highlight the Rotarians' personal service to humanity. I know Rotarians will go the distance. And I will be with you every step of the way.

Lyme Disease

Our club began sponsoring Lyme disease awareness programming several years ago. This year, on May 16, 2011, at noon at the Providence Marriott, we will again host a Lyme disease program. This program will feature Thomas Mather, PhD, the director of the Vector Borne Disease Center at the University of Rhode Island. RSVP to secretary@providencerotary.org

Check out these images. Ticks are very small and very deadly.

The Centennial Fountain

This beautiful fountain with its mosaic tiles and deep moat, surrounded by new plantings every spring is in Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island.

The Rotary Club of Providence gave it to the City of Providence in 1926, the year John Cuddy was president of the club. 1926 signaled the club's 15th year and perhaps was given to the city to commemorate that anniversary.

For years it was situated behind the park's Museum of Natural History and over time was forgotten and eventually vandalized and ravaged by the elements. But every spring at least for three decades it was lovingly cared for by Ray Walter, a former parks employee. He planted, weeded and watered the flowers - on his own, at his expense.

I lived nearby and when I realized what Ray was doing for this fountain and another one nearby I gave him our garden hose and told him to enter our yard, at any time, to turn the water on so he could water all of the plantings.

I had walked by this fountain numerous times and didn't think much of it. I acknowledged its beauty and its disrepair and continued walking by. But in 1997, after being a neighbor to this fountain for ten years I really took a look.

In small letters, worn away by rain and snow were the words:

A Gift to the City of Providence

from

The Rotary Club of Providence

1926

I was astounded by this discovery. I was a relatively new Rotarian, a founding member of the Providence Sunrise Club, another Rotary club in Providence.

I took this picture and sent the photo and a letter to the Rotary Club of Providence suggesting the club repair and maintain this lovely gift. No one knew of this fountain and were just as surprised as I was.

A few years went by and I eventually transferred to the Providence club. I asked the club's leadership to think of restoring it. A committee was formed and after the initial cost estimate of $150,000 was received the enthusiasm for the project waned considerably.

As our centennial approached and I was now part of the leadership we took another look at the fountain, sought new bids for its rehabilitation rather than restoration and decided to approach the City of Providence with a proposal that we share the costs to move and make the fountain beautiful again, even if it never spouted water again.

Finally in January 2011 we began to implement the project and plan to celebrate our centennial around the fountain in a new location with new mosaic tiles and beautiful plantings. A fountain Rotarians everywhere can be proud of.

Cynthia Leonard

After living next to this fountain for nearly 23 years, my family and I moved to another town. I still drive by the fountain and our old house whenever I am near Roger Williams Park.

Why am I a Rotarian ?

Perhaps more importantly - why am I still a Rotarian?

"I became a Rotarian as a founder member of a new club, delighted to have been invited to apply for membership, but on reflection, I was far from appreciating just what I had been asked to join and was unaware of how membership in that club would affect my life.

Thirty-two years later I have a very different understanding and appreciation of Rotary and of how and why it has so influenced much of my life, even that of my family."

Geoffrey H. Pike

Rotary Club of Swanage and Purbeck

Dorset, England

Why are you a Rotarian ?

We are planning a party or two

to celebrate our 100th birthday!

Why am I a Rotarian ?

"The wealth of my life is measured, not in terms of money, power or personal prestige, but in qualities far more valuable and eternal. Rotary friendship and Rotary love, freely given, and ever so freely received is the vehicle through which my life takes it meaning.

Thus, this is why I am a Rotarian."

Edgar C. Hatcher, Jr.

Rotary Club of Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee

USA

Why are you a Rotarian ?

100 Years

100 years of Service Above Self

2011 - 100th anniversary

of the

Rotary Club of Providence

Club 22

Providence, Rhode Island

U S A

A year long celebration of service to our community, both locally and globally

The Virtue of Small Change

It does not take much to rescue the world. A $20 contribution to the The Rotary Foundation can do so much.

It can buy a flock of chickens so that an impoverished family can survive. A single chicken lays 200 eggs a year. Protein is a rare commodity in many parts of the world.

It can buy 4 mosquito nets. A single mosquito net can save a family. In Tanzania alone, there are over 16 million cases of malaria a year. And 100,000 die. Small children and pregnant women are most at risk.

Add a few more cents to your contribution and you can do so much more:

Polio Vaccine Cost $0.60

Rotary International has reduced polio worldwide by 99% in the last 30 years. Rotarians have inoculated more then 2 billion children worldwide.

How to save a life - just six little dimes or a few sips of a latte grande will change the life of a child.

Titanium and Ceramic

I have been out of commission recovering from hip surgery and am now enjoying my new titanium and ceramic hip.

Cynthia

Providence Rotary

Board Meetings

are fun!

Oysters

My weekend with Franzi

Beautiful sunset, great company.

Welcome Franzi!

Franzi's first oyster, Salt Pond oysters from Matunick, local Rhode Island oysters.

Instructions: slurp the brine, close your eyes and suck the oyster down.

That's me in the background. Paul took the photo.

At Trattoria Simpatico in Jamestown, Rhode Island.

September 2010

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar

Arrives in Providence

Franziska Brenner

from Baveria, Germany

MBA candidate at Johnson & Wales University

Welcome Franzi !

August 2010

Installation 2010

A New Providence Rotary President Takes Office

Creative, innovative, inspiring, fun, unusual, unlike any other installation!

Susan Johnson,

Installation Chair

with Cynthia

The President's Pin. From Richard Applebaum

to Cynthia Leonard

Table setting T

Beautiful and creative

table settings!

Thank you for a wonderful day.

Let's have some fun in 2010-2011!

June 2010

You may only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.

Mae West

Bon Jour Providence !

Richard, Hillary, Betty and me!

Au Revoir Montreal !

The Rotary international convention in Montreal

was incredible - in every way.

Montreal Lunch

Montreal 1

Paul, me and new friends

June 23, 2010

Montreal

Dress Code

The attire for a Rotary convention is "business casual as appropriate for your country". This is confusing for someone who wears a business suit with flats to dress it down one day and jeans, t-shirt and heels to dress it up the next day. What's appropriate?

We have seen some beautifully dressed Rotarians: colorful silk saris, elaborate head-dresses, impeccable business suits on men and beautiful dresses on women, complete with hose and heels. Well, this was not what was in my suitcase.

For the opening session I wore jeans and a t-shirt - and I was one of the better dressed Americans!

Cynthia Leonard

June 20, 2010

Montreal

The Four Way Test

While enjoying a glass of red zin and enjoying the company of Rotarians gathered around the bar in Montreal, trading stories, ideas, plans and hopes for Rotary International and our own Rotary clubs, I asked the bar keep if she would translate the Four Way Test into French. It took the bar keep and two waitresses about ten minutes to present us with the French Four Way Test.

1. Est-ce que c'est la verite?

Bon Jour, Montreal!

Well, not quite yet. I haven't said auf wiedersehn to Rhode Island yet. My bags aren't packed. Gotta find my Rotary pins, passport ... for my first Rotary International convention!

Cynthia Leonard

June 19, 2010

No Osprey Chicks!

I am so disappointed my ospreys have no eggs. It could be that one of them is too immature and won't mate until next year.

A friend of mine, a biologist, climbed up to look in the nest and confirmed there are no eggs.

Well, there is next year.

Cynthia Leonard

June 18, 2010

Off to Montreal

The Rotary International Convention is in Montreal this year. I have made plans to meet up with Rotarian Facebook and LinkedIn friends. I am practicing my French.

Bon jour Montreal!

Cynthia Leonard

June 17, 2010

On Becoming the

Rotary Club of Providence's 99^th President

I am in awe of the many presidents (all 98 of them) who came before me and moved the club forward in small ways every year. Without them and their stewardship we would not be celebrating our centennial in a few months. We owe them a world of thanks and gratitude that we are able today to be members of the Rotary Club of Providence.

Today there are 15 living past presidents of our club. The past presidents are quiet, acknowledging it is the time for others to shine and put their own mark on the club. Of course, they are there for advice but generally they want their successors to make their own way.

Quiet advisors. I hope they speak up this year!

Cynthia Leonard

June 16, 2010

A New Rotary Year

Richard Applebaum, president 2009-2010, thanked Providence Rotarians for their contributions to the Rotary year while he was president of the Rotary club of Providence.

Every member contributes so much to our club, in big ways some years and small ways in other years. But each in a way that combines their talents and time, while still maintaining other friendships, family, work and other responsibilities. It is remarkable to see what a small group of people can do to change our community and the world.

I am so looking forward to the coming year as the president of the Rotary Club of Providence!

Together we can do great things.

Cynthia Leonard

June 14, 2010

In the Nest: Update

I am not sure there are any eggs or hatchlings in the osprey nest. The parents are not sitting on the eggs but rather sit off to the side of the huge nest. And I cannot see any little birdies peeking over the edge of the nest, like in past years. Maybe no eggs and offspring this year? I'll keep you posted.

Cynthia Leonard

June 13, 2010

Be Bold! Or Bebold?

These are Ray Klinginsmith's words. He is the incoming president of Rotary International and these words resonated with me as I thought about the changes I wanted to implement in our Rotary club in the coming year.

I've been bantering these two little words for months, encouraging others to think boldly and to think big about our Rotary club.

The funny thing is I have a sailboat named "Bebold". It is a 22' Sonar, a fast racing boat with great stability and comfort. Paul and I bought it sight unseen from Tampa, Florida. It was not an impulse purchase. We were looking for a Sonar. The boat is tricked out for racing and had a winning racing history. The previous owner named her "Bebold". We did not understand the meaning of this and planned to change her name to "Caliente".

But alas, Bebold has not left our yard. She had been sailed and put away rough in Tampa and she needed work, nearly all cosmetic. The number one change was to remove the name and awl grip the boat to restore a pristine hull. We never made it that far.

I was overwhelmed by the amount of sweat and aching joints to work on her. So we left her in our yard, for a future project.

I had forgotten that Bebold was her name. I always thought of her as Caliente. One day it dawned on me, that Ray Klinginsmith's words were the same as my racing sailboat.

Maybe now we will keep the original name of Bebold, as a reminder of bold thinking.

Maybe she will be launched this summer!

Cynthia Leonard

June 10, 2010

Tales From The Dominican

I was quite inspired and humbled by the tales told by the Dominican Republic team from our club and the Woonsocket Rotary club after their return from the DR. The team will be making a presentation on June 7th at our regular meeting. I am looking forward to it!

Cynthia Leonard

June 6, 2010

Marlin Perkins - Wild Kingdom

If you are younger than me you will not recognize the name of the very popular Sunday evening television program, Wild Kingdom. Marlin Perkins was the host. My family watched it religiously, or at least I did. Even then I was fascinated by wildlife, as the previous Musing on osprey suggests.

Cynthia Leonard

June 1, 2010.

In the Nest

my observations

The osprey

Pandion haliaetus

They arrived in late march, having flown about 3,500 miles from South America. The trip usually takes about three weeks, depending on layovers and weather.

The male osprey arrived first, as usual, and cleaned up the nest. It's the same gigantic nest the pair used last year. Four days later the female arrived. I imagine she inspected the housekeeping efforts of her mate and found it quite suitable for the summer season in the Creek marsh.

Osprey are birds of prey, powerful raptors with a five-foot wingspan and a 20 or so year lifespan. They weigh about three pounds. They are magnificent to watch in flight.

The birds rarely leaving their huge nest, which is situated high up on a pole once the eggs are laid. This is usually within four or five weeks of their arrival. Even the male sits on the eggs. I love that the male cleans up and prepares the nest, sits on the eggs, is monogamous and does all the fishing! Gotta love that in a male.

The eggs should hatch any day now. I can't see into the nest but I look every day and it is not until the little guys are big enough at 3 or 4 weeks to peek over the edge of the nest that I can count the babies.

At about 8 weeks old they can fly. Then, all too soon it is fall again and the fledglings and their parents make the trip south for the winter - separately. The older osprey, having made this journey before, are smart enough to know flying over land is safer. The youngest take a more daring, but direct route, over open water.

Osprey repeat this pattern, year after year. It is so predictable one could set a calendar by their activities.

Cynthia Leonard

May 2010

Travel Alert

Welcome home to Rotarians from our club who ventured to the Dominican Republic to install water filters to ensure clean and safe water.

I can't wait to hear about your adventures and am especially curious about how you managed without the comforts of home.

Cynthia Leonard

May 23, 2010

From PAIN to PAINT

In recent times, most Polio outbreaks have been limited to four countries:

Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria. But this year, a fifth country, Tajikistan was added to the list, with 32 cases reported in the first five months of the year. In 2009, there were no cases. Even with the addition of another country to the list of major outbreaks (hence the words PAIN to PAINT), the outlook is not so bleak.

In the past week Nigeria, Afghanistan, Angola, Nepal and India had no new cases of polio. It's been seven weeks since India reported a single case of polio. Last year there were 741 reported cases, so far this year in India, just 19 cases. And Nigeria has made progress. Last year there were 388 cases and to date in 2010, just 2. Pakistan is down as is Sudan, Ivory Coast, Angola, Chad, Niger, Guinea and Kenya.

Globally, there have been 115 cases of polio in 2010.

It is our dollars to the Rotary International Foundation that help fund this polio eradication campaign. We are almost there. Have you made a contribution to Rotary International this year? Think about a small contribution.

Cynthia Leonard

May 11, 2010

Mother's Day

An opportunity to honor mothers - living and deceased, biological, adoptive or surrogate, a friend, grandmother, aunt or sister who took on the job. Everyone has a mother. Call, visit or think of yours.

It wasn't until I had a child that I started to understand the tremendous effort my mother put into my well being, up bringing, shaping me, teaching me and making me who I am today. She made it look so easy - and I had five siblings, plus a dog. I understand now why mothers say words like, "Wait til you have your own children". Payback! It took years of raising my own to really appreciate all my mother did and does, the love, the bond and connection, the teaching and shaping.

It is because of my mother that I understand and can grow African violets and orchids, how to grow tomatoes and asparagus, the sweet anticipation of blueberries in summer, how to trim rose bushes, identify trees, birds and flowers, how to sew a button and hem a skirt, how to shake hands, give back to our community, play the piano and love music, the importance of being involved in the political process, how to polish brass, how to identify poison ivy, the love of reading and the joy of sharing old episodes of The Honeymooners, I Love Lucy and All in the Family together.

Thank you, Mom

With Love,

Cynthia Leonard

May 8, 2010

Think Big, Be bold, Think Different, Think Better. Have fun!

That's my theme for 2010 - 2011. I am rolling it out to the Rotary executive committee tonight - Cinco de Mayo.

Join me in thinking big, being bold, thinking different, thinking better and having fun!

Cynthia Leonard

May 5, 2010

The 5th Avenue of Service

New Generations

Rotary International approved the fifth Avenue of Service: New Generations.

New Generations joins Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, and International Service as the foundation of club activity. Before starting a project, Rotarians are asked to think broadly about how their club and its members could contribute within each avenue.

"It's a significant change - a historic day in Rotary," said Council Chair Mark Daniel Maloney. "Rotarians have always strongly supported youth activities even though they were never part of the four Avenues of Service. I think this strengthens our commitment."

The Avenue of New Generations recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults involved in leadership development activities, community and international service projects, and exchange programs that enrich and foster world peace and cultural understanding.

How should we integrate the new Avenue of Service: New Generations?

Cynthia Leonard

May 1, 2010

World Laughter Day

Sunday, May 2, 2010

World Peace Through Laughter

"When you laugh

you change

When you change

the whole world changes"

Dr. Madan Kataria

Be sure to laugh outloud.

Cynthia Leonard

April 30, 2010

Fellowship

I had such a strong sense of belonging and fellowship at the recent funeral of Joan Cannon, Providence Rotarians Jerry's wife and Suzanne's mother. It was a very sad and solemn occasion; the passing of a loving wife, mother, sister and grandmother and friend to many. A lovely woman who lived a well-lived life.

Surrounded by my Rotarian friends at the funeral, where we filled three or four front rows in the church, all of us from different faiths, sitting shoulder to shoulder (and when kneeling, sitting head to shoulder.) I felt such comfort knowing and being with these caring and kind people. I felt honored to be part of this group of Rotarian friends. The Cannon family must have been comforted when they turned and saw 60 or so Rotarians across the aisle, there to support them in their time of intense sorrow.

Most impressive was the voice of Phoebe McBride Madden, wife of Providence Rotarian Tom Madden. Her voice was beautiful, clear and smooth. She was filled with emotion and expressive gestures that enhanced the beauty of the music and added to the specialness of this very sad occasion.

God bless the Cannon family.

Cynthia Leonard

April 25, 2010

My Day as President

Richard Applebaum suggested that I preside over a few meetings to get the hang of leading the meeting before I actually take office in July. So I chaired the meeting on April 19 with Richard at my left elbow, ready to help ring the bell, offer advice and to keep the meeting on time.

Richard looked at his watch continuously, like a nervous parent waiting for their teenager to come home, causing me to nervously look at the time as well. Jerry Cannon was in the back of the room, giving me hand signals. Jerry's badge caught the overhead light and as he moved, the badge reflected a pattern that resembled Morse code.

I hadn't known Morse code was part of the presidential gig. They hadn't taught that at the Rotary PETS training. But I assumed, just as American presidents have learned when moving in to the big white house on Pennsylvania Avenue, there are little secrets to discover about the real job of being president, even here at the corner of Orms and Charles streets.

Club members texted me during the meeting, offering little pieces of advice and to let me know the person at the podium had overstayed their welcome. With Jerry in the back of the room giving me hand and Morse code signals, others texting me, others checking their wrist watches and Richard whispering in my ear, it was difficult to think about much of anything related to Rotary. Just get through the meeting, I thought to myself.

Toward the end of the meeting, Richard told me I had to write the President's Blog in the newsletter and that I ought to start taking notes of the meeting so I can highlight the best parts. Who has time for that I wondered? With all the announcements, protocol and procedure, advice, text messaging as well as the meal in front of me, who has time for note taking?

I really do need a secretary to help me do this job. Any volunteers?

Cynthia Leonard

April 20, 2010

Are Rotarians born or made?

I think many Rotarians come from a heritage of giving back, serving communities, finding needs and filling those community needs, so perhaps they were "born" into those families as "natural" Rotarians.

But there are others, who along life's journey just decide that Rotary is a great organization, worthy of their time and talents, worthy of their sweat and dollars for the local and international communities Rotary serves.

What do you think?

Cynthia

April 15, 2010

"The best way to find yourself is through service to others."

Mahatma Gandhi

It took me awhile to figure this out. When I read Mahatma Gandhi's quote, it became crystal clear to me. I have discovered a bit of myself through every volunteer effort throughout my life. Kinda wants to make me do more!

Cynthia

April 11, 2010