Institutes of Understanding from Peace Pole Dedications to Interactive Workshops to the District Conference!
Our exciting Rotary year of service projects, grants, and contributions to address local and global needs experienced another milestone on April 4-6 at our Annual District Conference. Three additional Districts joined us at the Hershey Lodge, as about 400 Rotarians, including 23 Exchange students, gathered to hear from 7 keynote speakers on the theme of Positive Peace. We heard insights on the role of Rotary in Conflict Resolution from Past Rotary International President Barry Rassin, Zone 32 Director, Chris Etienne, the CEO of Hershey Entertainment and Resorts (the Conference sponsor), John Lawn, two Peace Fellows, and our Harrisburg Club colleague, Hagir Elsheikh. Every speaker was a Rotarian and each highly committed to the advancement of greater understanding and goodwill. The setting for the peace presentations and the opportunity for reflection resembled what in earlier years (circa 1940's) would have been an Institute of Understanding, a traditional gathering of Rotarians 'back then' to engage in public discourse on the 4th Object of Rotary--understanding, goodwill, and peace. Fortunately, we can revive that role for Rotary and see how it leads to achieving the 4th object of Rotary.
Between sessions there was an opportunity to interact with a stream of visitors to the House of Friendship with exhibits on topics from the environment to global health initiatives, human trafficking, autism, and dozens more concerning club projects locally and globally.
At our District Session we heard inspirational speeches from the finalists of the 4 Way Test speech competition.
The winners were:
- 1st Place - Hayden Kline (Hershey)
- 2nd Place - Monica Atta (Lancaster-Sunrise)
- 3rd Place - Sefa Setuagbe (Mechanicsburg-North)
- 4th Place - Alexander Mariani (Mechanicsburg-North)
- 5th Place - Taylor Pierce (Elizabethtown)
The top essay on the 4 Way Test Writing competition was read by the winner, Spencer Yang (Red Lion/Dallastown Area). Click here to read the top 3 Essays!
Our session then held a moment of reflection, as Melissa read the names of our recently dearly departed Rotarians. We followed that by recognizing the recipients of major District Awards: The District Outstanding Service Award to Juliet Altenburg for her remarkable contributions as District Governor, Club President, and Chair of the Membership (our membership is growing!) and Public Image Committees. The Dogged Pursuit Award to John Anthony for his relentless Rotarian pursuit of a stable financial footing for the District, resulting in the creation and highly viable functioning of the Finance Committee and the Budget subcommittee (we are solvent!), actions requiring great professionalism and determination!
Our salute to both Juliet and John, two very dedicated members of our amazing District who continue to make a difference in everything we endeavor to do!
On April 9, there was a memorable event at the Manheim High School as the Lancaster Sunrise Club helped its Interact Club celebrate a Rotary Peace Pole Initiative! The Club, the School, and the Township came together to enable a profound opportunity for the Interact Club students, as they all participated in this unique act concerning Positive Peace. Hearing designated students express the engraved Proclamations of Peace in eight languages was especially poignant. The Pole is located at the entrance to the school where it will be seen by thousands of students and visitors, every day, and over the years!
Another Peace Pole event will take place at the Mechanicsburg North Club next week, as two peace poles are dedicated! Learn more about the dedication and register to attend!
For the next few months, keep checking the District Calendar and participate in the many listed club projects and social events.
The District Peacebuilder Billboard still proudly greets motorists entering Harrisburg, thanks to Harrisburg Rotarian Andy Rebuck, who has now retired, but leaves a remarkable Rotary legacy behind.
The Institute of Understanding concept 'to gather together and contemplate peace' will again be available to us on May 31, when we convene (Central Penn College at 8:30 am) to hold an interactive workshop on Positive Peace with Rotarians and non-Rotarian guests. Please join that special event and encourage community leaders (local governments, educators, church, and business leaders) to do so. Our District Peace activator, Hector Ortiz, will lead sessions on the RI and IEP partnership, and provide practical steps for a 'whole of community' approach! Several folks from our District and the local communities have already registered! Register today!
I look forward to seeing you at one or more of the upcoming events.
Best wishes,
DG Paul Thompson
The Rotary Clubs of Harrisburg and Harrisburg Keystone will host and sponsor the Diamond Jubilee 75th RMB networking event in Rotary District 7390 history and the second event of the 2025 RMB season. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 7 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Capital Blue Cross Connect location (Hampton Marketplace, 4500 Marketplace Way, Enola, PA). The event will be FREE to attend. There will be light hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water provided. This will be another in a longstanding series of great business networking opportunities for both profit and non-profit organizations. Do not miss it. Also, please consider bringing potential Rotarian guests, Rotaractors, and Family of Rotary. When we do business with Rotarians, we support the mission of Rotary. Rotary's Mission: We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. REGISTER TODAY!!
This one was spearheaded by Lancaster Sunrise Rotary Club and the Interact club they support. Great job!
Today, we proudly celebrated the installation of a Peace Pole at the entrance of Manheim Township High School—a powerful global symbol of unity, hope, and goodwill.
The Peace Pole bears the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in eight languages—English, Spanish, Dari, Swahili, Haitian Creole, Turkish, Burmese, and French—reflecting the rich diversity of our student body and our community’s shared commitment to peace!
The first Peace Pole was erected in Japan in 1955, marking the 10th anniversary of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Since then, more than 250,000 Peace Poles have been placed in visible public spaces across the globe. We are incredibly proud that this is the first Peace Pole in Rotary District 7390, which includes Lancaster, York, Dauphin, and parts of Juniata counties.
This project was made possible through the inspiring efforts of the Lancaster Sunrise Rotary Club and our amazing MTHS Interact Club. Together, they’ve brought a global message of peace right to the heart of our school community.
Let this Peace Pole be a daily reminder that peace begins with us.
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