District 7230 comprises New York City, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester County and Bermuda. [See Map]

District Governor 2005-2006 Helen B. Reisler

Helen Reisler has been a dedicated Rotarian since 1988 when she became the first woman member of The Rotary Club of New York. She chaired a variety of committees including Community Service, Environment, Advertising, and Public Relations. Her creation of the Gift of Life “Host Committee” inspired 30 active participants and attracted a $75,000 grant. She has interviewed Ambassadorial Scholar applicants for 10 years, has counseled three incoming scholars, served as a Board Director for twelve years, and is a Trustee of her club’s Foundation.

“New York Rotary -- A Club That Works” and “Gift of Life -- A Child’s Story,” a series of videotapes and a documentary produced by Helen, have both been shown on Manhattan Cable TV. Her efforts to highlight interesting club members resulted in their appearances on “The Today Show” and Channel 4 “A Good Cause.” RI President Lacy appointed Helen the Media Liaison for the New York area.

Helen’s involvement in District #7230 activities has included Foundation Trustee, Exhibit Coordinator and Media Room Coordinator at various District Conferences, Gift of Life Committee member, contributor to District newsletters and advisor to the Rotaract and Interact clubs.

In 2001 Helen became the first woman President in the 92 year history of the Rotary Club of New York and was unexpectedly faced with the greatest challenge -- the 9/11 terror attack on NYC. Her focused leadership kept up her club’s spirit and helped to raise $1.4 million which was efficiently disbursed to the neediest. She and her team arranged vacations for 45 rescue workers and inspired the article “Ground Zero” in the December 2001 Rotarian Magazine, as well as newspaper coverage. She also spoke at District Conferences around the nation, at the request of other Rotary Clubs. The June, 2005, “100 Years” edition of the Rotarian Magazine also featured these accomplishments.

Helen was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow by her club in 2003, a “Service Above Self” plaque in 1997 and Appreciation Trophy in 2002. She has received multiple District citations for Public Relations, the Bronze “Distinguished President” pin from RI, Certificate of Appreciation from Mayor Dinkins, Citation of Merit from Bronx Borough President Ferrar, a Certificate of Appreciation from the Polio Eradication Initiative, and the 1905 Silver Nickel award for setting historical precedents in Rotary. She was elected to the Rotary Global History Fellowship Board of Directors and appointed Chair of the Fellowship Committee.

Helen has a B.S. from New York University and a M.S. from Long Island University. She taught in the new York City school system, was an adjunct lecturer at L.I.U. Graduate School, Vice-President of the New York Yellow Pages –Manhattan Bluebooks, New York Manager of Recruitment and Public Relations for Southwestern Bell, and moderator of “The New York Business Forum” on Manhattan Cable TV. She was named “Partner in Education” for creating high school internships in the business arena, was a director of the Sales and Marketing Executives and a founder of the “Sales Hall of Fame.”

Helen is presently a Consultant in Public Relations, a Director of the Park Slope Geriatric Day Care Board, the “100 Club” Board, and her condo Board in Westchester. Her bio is highlighted in several Marquis “Who’s Who” books. She has three children and six grandchildren. Helen’s husband, Mel, an attorney was a Paul Harris Fellow.

Helen Reisler has 3 children and 6 grandchildren. Her husband, Mel, an attorney, was a Paul Harris Fellow.