Greetings Niles Rotarians!! Feeling strong these days? I hope so.

It’s October…time to start thinking about membership. We’ve lost a few members recently. But, not so bad. Because most of them haven’t left Rotary…they’ve just moved on to a club they feel meets their needs better than us. So Rotary remains strong.

Still, we don’t want to lose sight of how important membership development is. We have to keep attracting new members…keep the life blood flowing. But not just any members…quality members. How do we do that? Not so hard actually. Just invite good, service oriented people to our club meetings. Once they experience the energy…the fun…the love…and the commitment, they will want to be a part of what we have.

This year, District 5170 has a membership program going on called “Ignite.” It’s based on the ancient practice of torch bearers leading the way to discovery and exploration, illuminating the way for those who follow. A little corny, I know. But also worth some thought. Because Rotary clubs like ours can lead the way for those who are looking for a way to give back… a way to experience true fellowship. So think about someone you know who fits this bill, and invite them to a meeting. It might be the best thing you ever do for them.

It also might get you a very cool Ignite pin from Past President and current Membership Chair Chuck Canada!

Stay strong. Niles Strong.

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose. Or so said Gertrude Stein. But Niles Rotarians know better…every Rose is not the same.  Because we have a special Rose. A Rose with a loving smile and a caring heart.  A compassionate Rose. A Rose who serves with pleasure. A Rose who never says no and is always there when you need her. A one-of-a-kind Rose.

Of course, I’m talking about our lovely Past President Rose Evernden-Andrade. The mother of Feed the Hungry and Pizza with Santa. A critical part of what makes the Reverse Raffle a success year in and year out. The Past President who reminded us every week during her presidency that Niles Rotarians aren’t just a family…we are a Family by Choice!! A Rotarian of the highest order.

Keep our beautiful Rose and her family in your thoughts during their difficult time. Send Rose your love. Let her never forget we are Niles Strong.

We love you Rosie.

NILES STRONG – where does it come from and what does it mean?

As you might suspect, it has itsroots in the city of myroots – Boston, Massachusetts. Following the bombing of innocent men, women and children spectators at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon, which killed three people and injured hundreds of others, the entire Boston city and region banded together to bring the cowardly perpetrators of the crime to justice. Go back and look at the pictures – aerial photos of Boston roads and freeways empty like a ghost town, leaving law enforcement free to do its job. Countless law enforcement agencies working together to hunt down and finally capture the SOBs who thought they could terrorize people who had other ideas about freedom and how to preserve it. Those same citizens working together to make sure any and all information was made available to authorities. Five police officers injured or killed taking down the wrongdoers – in a mere six days.  It all gave way to the slogan, “Boston Strong”, epitomized by Big Papi – David Ortiz – standing with a microphone before the home crowd at Fenway Park and reminding them, “This is our city, and nobody’s gonna [bleeping] take it away from us!”

Okay…I get it. We at Niles Rotary have not been confronted on our home turf by terrorists. But the message rings clear. There is strength in numbers, and power in commitment. When together we paint a map of the United States that will be seen on a playground by generations of children, we are Niles Strong. When we work together year in and year out to throw a crazy fun dinner, reverse raffle, and auction, raising close to $80,000 yearly to fund charitable projects throughout the Fremont area, we are Niles Strong. When we send a full container of wheelchairs for delivery to war torn former Yugoslavia, or bring wheelchairs to Mexico City we are Niles Strong. When two people in our club endure the tragedy of a son badly injured in a car crash, and we raise $2500 in five minutes to help defray the cost of them going to Los Angeles to be with him, we are Niles Strong. When Niles Rotarians travel to Chile to help build a much needed orphanage, we are Niles Strong. When we pray for and give solace to fellow Niles Rotarians in their time of trouble, we are Niles Strong. When we show up in force at the Rotary International Convention, or share time together at Fellowship Fridays, or just shout it out at our weekly meetings, we are Niles Strong. I could go on and on.

Take pride in what we do. And remember we do it together. Because each of us can make an impact; each of us can make a difference. But, together, we are more than that — we are NILES STRONG!

Thanks for listening.

So…July is upon us and who woulda thunk it – the Warriors’ lost in the finals to Toronto (of all teams) and their future is a big question mark, the RedSox (the WORLD CHAMPION Red Sox!) are languishing in third place, eleven games behind the despised Yankees and not even in the running for a wild card berth at this point, neither Iran nor North Korea has dropped a nuclear bomb on anybody, and I’m writing the President’s Message for the Pinion. I need to say that again – I’m writing the President’s Message for the Niles Rotary Pinion. Pinch me, I must be dreaming!

I’ve been a proud Niles Rotarian since 1995, so I’ve had the honor of watching and admiring twenty-four Presidents before me. The first was Nancy Farber; the last, of course, was Brian Hughes. In between we’ve had Charlie, Steve B., Dick C., Harvey, David, Rick, Peter, Tony, Daren, Jim, Bob M., Jack, Arkady, Gary, Rakesh, Kimberly, Sandra, Chuck, Steve L., Lisa, Angus, and Rose. I remember each for his or her special characteristics – some were funny, some genuinely sincere, some well-organized, some kinda shoot-from-the-hip. Some were rambunctious and others more serious. Some emphasized fellowship, some club administration, some service. Some have sadly passed on but are remembered fondly (RIP Steve B., Harvey, Dick, Peter, and Bob). Together, an impressive group. And definitely a hard act to follow.

So, now it’s my turn. How will it turn out? Who knows. But I promise to do my best, out of respect for that great group that went before and genuine love for all the fantastic members who make up this club. I’ll try to keep things fresh, and hopefully we’ll have some fun along the way. I ask for your help and support, because I’m definitely gonna need it.

Together, let’s remain NILES STRONG!

Hello fellow Rotarians,

WOW!! I cannot believe this Rotary year is almost over.  It has been an amazing journey.  I cannot thank you all enough for the support I have received during the year.

A month ago, I asked everyone to acknowledge and share a story about someone who has inspired you.    Sandi and I are working on gathering those stories to publish in next month’s Pinion. Thank you to everyone who has shared their story.  This is still time for more.  Recognizing someone for being an inspiration continues on.  I would like to take some time now to share my “Be the Inspiration” story.  Being the President, I will cheat a little.

I actually have two “inspirations.” The first will be my parents, Dennis and Hattie Hughes.  Both have taught me so many things that I’m just now starting to see.  Dad taught me how to be a “Family Man” -one who looks over and takes care of the family – to be hard working, yet enjoy the special time with the family. Mom taught me compassion and being yourself.  She always encouraged us to do our best, give it your all, yet don’t be tied to the outcome as some things are just out of your control.  She also taught me the power of philanthropy and love for a community. Giving back has been an important role in my family.  We have been blessed in being able to support the hungry getting fed, the cold being warmed, a child getting an education, children with special needs getting a place to be, and supporting thousands of people walking for a cure.  It has been amazing to see and to be a part of.  Thank you Mom and Dad!!  Love you both so much.

My next inspiration is YOU, Niles Rotarians.  OH MY GOD!! Y’all are amazing.  The lesson I have learned is that 100 strangers can get together, support, and love one and another, just as family.  I have seen it firsthand this year alone.  We have faced tragedy and sorrow, and every time there has been a Niles Rotarian right there to lend a comforting hug.  We have helped and supported each other during these dark times because we are compassionate, caring, and most of all, because we are a Rotarian family. I have seen Niles Rotarians feeding the hungry, ringing bells for a cause, paint a map for education, and wishing strangers a warm Hello and Welcome.  We have been reaching out to a new generation of Rotarians with our Social Change. I have seen the joy and laughter as we “break bread” and share a bottle of our favorite libation.  You, a Niles Rotarian, are someone who inspires me and the world.  Thank you so much for your support and teaching me how “Mankind is our Business” and how to “Be the Inspiration.”  It has been an honor and privilege to be your President this past year.

HA!  And here you thought Walt Disney was going to be one of inspirations! Ok…. he is next on the list!  Haha.

Thank you all again, it has been a fun and magical year.  I will leave you with two though to end my year.

• If you see a turtle on top of a fence post, you know he didn’t get there all by himself. He got there by a helping and supportive hand of a Niles Rotarian.
• To all who come to this happy place – Niles Rotary is your home. Here age relives fond memories of the past…and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Niles Rotary is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have shaped mankind…with the hope that someday there will be peace and joy in the world.

In Rotary,

Brian Hughes
President, 2018-2019

 “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”– Walt Disney