April lives in Wilbraham MA with her husband John, their two children, Derek & Olivia, and their Golden Retriever Abby. She is a Software Quality Analyst (she breaks computer programs for a living!) at Financial Partners Inc. in Springfield MA.
April is Past President & current Treasurer of the Ludlow MA Rotary Club of which she has been a member for 14 years. She has also served as District Treasurer, is a Paul Harris, PolioPlus, and Bequest Society member, and Rotary Leadership Institute Facilitator & District Site Chair. April's passion in Rotary is eradicating Polio. She also volunteers at Wilbraham United Church where she is a member of Church Council, Board of Trustees, Finance Chair, and an Usher.
District Events and Participation Updates
April Bestin, the District Governor, visited the club and shared updates on upcoming district events. She highlighted the Frank Wargo Memorial Golf Tournament, the Foundation Brunch, the Rotary Learning Institute, and a new district conference picnic at High Meadows. April encouraged club members to register for these events and participate actively in Rotary activities, particularly in polio eradication efforts.
Polio Eradication Progress and Challenges
April discussed the progress and challenges in the global polio eradication campaign, highlighting the significant reduction in cases from 350 million annually in 1985 to about 30 in 2023, primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan. She noted the difficulties faced last year due to resistance and violence in Pakistan but shared positive news about the government's renewed cooperation, which could facilitate better access for vaccination efforts. April emphasized the importance of maintaining this collaboration to finally eradicate polio, despite the complexities of working in regions affected by geopolitical issues.
Polio Eradication and Funding Challenges
April discussed the progress and challenges in polio eradication efforts, highlighting the importance of continued funding and support. She explained how contributions are used not only for vaccines but also to support local economies, research, and other health initiatives. April introduced a Polio Plus Society Challenge among districts in North America, encouraging members to commit to donating $100 annually, and mentioned the goal of achieving 100% participation in the challenge. She invited questions and offered information on how to join the Polio Plus Society.
Polio Donation Tracking and Distribution
April discussed the tracking and distribution of pins for polio donations, explaining that these pins can be given out at Foundation Brunch events and by assistant governors. She clarified that polio donations count towards Paul Harris recognition and outlined a method for automatically allocating funds to the Polio Plus program. April also explained the concept of vaccine-derived polio and the importance of vaccination efforts, mentioning that Rotary supports other childhood vaccination programs through its annual fund.
Rotary Satellite Clubs Overview
April discussed satellite clubs in Rotary, explaining they are offshoot clubs that meet separately from traditional clubs but still count towards membership goals. She described various scenarios where satellite clubs could be useful, including for working parents, senior citizens, and community groups who cannot attend regular meetings, while noting they can still collaborate on larger projects and receive district grants.
Rotary Membership Expansion Strategy
April encouraged the group to identify potential new members in their community who are already engaged in service activities, suggesting that these individuals would benefit from joining Rotary for networking and access to resources. She emphasized that the North American New Club Creation Team could assist with the process of onboarding new members, including paperwork and guidance. Peter Vignati was tasked with making an appointment to discuss membership with the team.
Rotary Marketing Strategies and Tools
April discussed strategies for promoting Rotary clubs, including creating personalized business cards with QR codes and distributing materials to raise awareness. She announced that the district's marketing committee is compiling a list of club social media accounts for cross-promotion and developing a toolkit with actionable marketing items. A virtual workshop on leveraging AI tools for marketing will be held on November 6th, and April encouraged Rotarians to engage more with district and zone events to connect with the wider Rotary community.
