Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.
The seventh, and final, in a series of brief reflections on the Rotary International Vision Statement
across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.
Having grappled with the issue of “lasting change” we turn to find that this change cannot be isolated let alone ignored for it touches us in every corner of lives first as human beings and secondly as Rotarians. In this final reflection on our Vision Statement we see how that “lasting change” of which we spoke before is clearly all encompassing. Change is all around us but at the same time we are a part of the change. Everything about our lives is subject to change beginning with our physical nature as we grow and age but also moving to the world around us as we see in our rapidly changing cultures, the transformation of roles in society, the upheavals in our political and social landscapes and so much more. Very little is stable and much is in flux. But then we Rotarians come along and add to the change. We have already said that we are not content to simply live in a world where things are wrong but that we roll up our sleeves to change it, fix it and make it better. We have already said that we are not content to live in isolation, separated one from the other but rather that we unite together to take action and change many situations so that it makes a better life for many. And we are not constrained by the distance of space for we see the whole world as that which offers us the opportunity to serve.
That is why this change we seek is first of all across the globe. Whether in the more remote parts of this world or in areas teeming with life, we Rotarians have sought out projects, programs and missions that will enable us to make a positive change in the lives of so many. There are no boundaries that can hold us back, although political strife and conflict makes it difficult at times to finish projects such as our fight against polio. But where there is a need, where there are people who cannot live full lives because of disease or bad water or the lack of economic development anywhere in the world, we Rotarians are willing to step in and bring about lasting change.
But we are also firm in our commitment to our local communities. One of the things I like about Rotary is that we do not say, for example, that I am from the York Rotary but rather that I am part of the Rotary club of York which means I am part of the community. We live in communities; many of us love the communities in which we live. So we also want to make our communities better, bring about lasting change in them as well so that the lives of those who live in that community are improved in so many different ways.
And finally there is change in us. We Rotarians cannot do what we do without it having an impact on our very being. Many an author has pointed out that volunteering, giving of ourselves, or helping others is a powerful, life-changing experience. When we understand the power of such service to others above ourselves we provide an opportunity for that lasting change to take place in us. Having been touched by the work we do in schools, community programs to serve those in need, or clean water projects in a land we may never see, we are changed and we can never ever go back to being complacent. We are changed forever.
In has been said by the prophets of old that “where there is no vision, the people perish” and that is most certainly true for us. Rotary has given us a vision of what we can do, what we are called to do, what is indeed at the heart of our very identity. I am proud to be a Rotarian with a vision for the future found in this statement. May it guide us all in our Rotary journey and in our Rotary lives.
We are very excited about our restaurant book for 2020! Our books are beautifully designed. We have a total of 20 restaurants that are participating.
A lot more than last year, but they are the same price as the books we sold for 2019.
The restaurants featured in our book for 2020 are the following: The First Post, Left Bank, Wyndridge Farm, Crostwater Distillery, Seven Sports Bar & Grill, The Great American Saloon, Moonlight Cafe, Roosevelt Tavern, The Staub’s Landing, John Wright Restaurant, Moon Dance Winery Cider House & Taproom, Tutoni’s Restaurant, Hamir’s Indian Fusion, The Cantina York, Viet Thai Cafe, The Eagle’s Nest Restaurant, Avenue Ale House & Pizza Loft, Aviano’s Corner Trattoria, Southside Cafe, Rocoto- Peruvian & Mexican Grill
The books are only $40!!! The savings are incredible! They will make great holiday gifts for family, friends, or coworkers. We are currently taking orders for the books. We are only printing and selling 400. We are not able to print more if we run out.
The Short Term Exchange Program year is in Kick-Off season. Last year was a very "low scoring year" for participants with only 5 completing an exchange. I am hoping that together we can "tackle" this problem and really put some points on the scoreboard. It was only 5 or 6 years ago we typically had 15 or so participating.
For new clubs who have not participated in the Short Term Exchange Program before, this is the least expensive way to really " score a touchdown " for Youth Exchange. All information is available on the District website.
Let me give you a few (game) highlights and explanation about the program:
Students have a very high probability of being assigned to the country of choice on the master country list.
Students normally exchange for 3 weeks in each other’s country (total of 6 weeks) If agreed the exchange could be 4 weeks + 4 weeks.
The cost to the club is minimal. 3 or so banners and a few membership meeting meals for the student and then visiting student.
Clubs need to have an assigned counselor.
This program is promoted as a family to family cultural exchange. We encourage parents to communicate with each other, also.
The student has a $125 application fee plus the cost of airfare and travel insurance.
Students can arrange return plane trip so as to travel together.
District interviews & family training take place on January 25, 2020 for exchanges in the summer of 2020.
Language proficiency is not necessary. This is not an academic exchange, it is a cultural exchange.
Please promote your candidates as “student ambassadors for Rotary International”.
It has been proven that STEP is a feeder program to our Long Term Academic Youth Exchange program.
Send all completed applications to the attention of Melissa Kopp at our District 7390 office. Deadline is January 10, 2020.
Please feel free to contact Tom Barton (tbarton@trolaindustries.com or 717-771-4240) if you have any questions. Now let’s get out there and “Score” !
The Rotary Club of Gettysburg and the RMB District 7390 Southern Tier Steering Committee will host the 56th RMB networking event and first event of the RMB 2020 season on Thursday, January 16 at HACC’s Gettysburg Campus, 731 Old Harrisburg Road (Room 109), Gettysburg, PA. The event will begin at 5:30 and end at 7:30 pm. Wonderful appetizers and wine and beer will be provided by our Major Sponsor Jeff Shaffer Real Estate, Inc. and our Venue Sponsor HACC Gettysburg Campus will provide the venue. As a result, the event will be FREE of cost for Rotarians and potential Rotarian guests. Registration will be open shortly! Click here to register today!
Jeff Shafer and HACC’s President Dr. John “Ski” Sygielski will provide presentations as part of the Circle Exercise during the event. Make great connections for your business or project and enjoy the fun and fellowship of RMB. Bring potential Rotarian guests and family of Rotary!
Join us on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Messiah College (One College Avenue, Mechanicsburg) for the Rotary Listens Leadership Summit (AKA District Training Assembly). The summit will inspire Rotarians to achieve more by listening better! The cost is $30 per person and includes a hot buffet breakfast and luncheon. The day will be begin at 7:30 a.m. and conclude by 1:30 p.m. Find more information and register here!
Following the September 2017 hurricane in Puerto Rico, D7390 Rotarians donated $30,386 specifically for Puerto Rico. Over these many months we have searched for a project that met our requirements for documentation and credibility. We have located such a project and are excited that your donations will benefit many.
Begun as a lending library by community activist Jane Stern in 1974, the Jane Stern Dorado Community Library in Puerto Rico quickly became a bilingual learning center for language, literacy and after-school programs as a 501C (3) non-profit corporation. The Library system emphasizes learning programs for adults, teens and children; early education play areas with books and toys; computers and reliable internet access for digital resources. They serve as school libraries during the day, and are open to the surrounding communities from 3:00pm to 6:00pm.
The D7390 donation will support operating expenses for two of the Program’s satellite libraries in Toa Baja and in Mameyal that were forced to move to new facilities following the hurricane. Our contribution will provide operating funds for the 2019-2020 school year and the first semester of 2020-2021. The Jane Stern Library was awarded The U.S. Library of Congress Literacy Award in 2019 for implementation of best practices in literacy promotion. The Library was also a finalist for the U.S. National Medal for Museum and Library Service; IMLS awards high honors to institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities.
The Library will keep us posted on their activities and will give us Major Sponsor recognition at the Library’s main entrance and at every event. We will also be recognized through their website, social media, and print material. WE ARE INVITED TO THEIR GALA EVENT TO BE HELD ON MARCH 21, 2020 AT THE RITZ CARLTON RESERVE IN DORADO BEACH P.R. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, CONTACT PEG SENNETT (pegsennett@hotmail.com) FOR MORE INFORMATION.
With a successful disaster rebuild trip to N. Carolina this past July, we will return to New Bern N.C. Sunday February 23 - Saturday February 29, 2020. This past July seven D7390 Rotarians, along with eleven other folks, travelled free of cost on a Bailey Coach bus for a week of restoring homes severely damaged by Hurricane Florence in 2018. No previous skills required, home repair experience helpful. Open to Rotarians and non-Rotarians. Minimum age 16. Volunteer housing cost is $125/person. We will again work with Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders; they provide volunteer housing/meals, skilled construction leadership, tools and qualified projects.
This trip we will also need a 'scribe', a person to take pictures, talk with home owners, write a story. Interested?
Do you have a passion for serving families in need? Got additional questions? Ready to sign up? Contact Peg Sennett, 717-630-8281, pegsennett@hotmail.com. Registration required no later than January 20th. Space may be limited, indicate your interest promptly.
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We are very excited about our restaurant book for 2020! Our books are beautifully designed. We have a total of 20 restaurants that are participating. .png)
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Following the September 2017 hurricane in Puerto Rico, D7390 Rotarians donated $30,386 specifically for Puerto Rico. Over these many months we have searched for a project that met our requirements for documentation and credibility. We have located such a project and are excited that your donations will benefit many.
surrounding communities from 3:00pm to 6:00pm.
The D7390 donation will support operating expenses for two of the Program’s satellite libraries in Toa Baja and in Mameyal that were forced to move to new facilities following the hurricane. Our contribution will provide operating funds for the 2019-2020 school year and the first semester of 2020-2021.
