Rotary International is pleased to announce new hosting opportunities under the Open World Program during the 2023 calendar year. Next year will mark twenty fourth-year anniversary of Rotary’s participation in the program.
The Open World Program is available only to Rotary clubs in the United States and provides an opportunity to build fellowship and friendship to strengthen international understanding by hosting emerging Eurasian leaders from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan in your community. Rotary clubs are needed to host six-participant delegations for eight days and nights and prepare a professional program related to business, community, and civic life in the United States. Please see the 2023 hosting themes document attached.
The program focuses primarily on developing a network of leaders who have an understanding of how American communities deal with contemporary issues and who want to maintain contact with their new American contacts and other counterparts. Often, these collaborations lead to service projects between Rotary clubs in the two countries.
Is your Rotary Club is interested in working on an international project, hosting six Open World participants (emerging and/or current Eurasian leaders) for eight days, and willing to develop an intensive week of programs based on a selected Open World theme? If yes, then the Open World Program would be perfect for your club. Review the attached Host Registration Form and email the completed form to Natalia.Kunzer@rotary.org by Monday, 3 October 2022.
Direct any question to the Program Officer Natalia Kunzer at natalia.kunzer@rotary.org or by phone by calling (847) 946-5664. For any additional questions please contact PDG Hector Ortiz as well as to do presentations about this program which is typically a 10 days program for young professionals from specific countries, ages 25 to 35, with some similarities to the GSE program.
Warm Rotary Regards,
Hector Ortiz
Richie1166@msn.com
Natalia Kunzer
Open World Program Officer
Rotary Service and Engagement | Programs and Grants
In September our District was fortunate to have PDG Herb Klotz speak with Club Presidents and interested members on how to grow and engage club membership. Each club was sent a club specific report highlighting attraction and attrition rates and best practices. This popular session is available for on-demand viewing at https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/492tpKrgUkned8TnWWDlWV2RJ89ihNVLIUKigDjuHoZGzI96It5xaowXocSkq-M.oPdQRhC_mffJ3oEc / Passcode: K6uo1bL.
PDG Herb is hosting a SECOND session open to ANY Rotary Club on the topic of Impact Clubs. Impact clubs are companion clubs to existing host clubs focused on community service. Impact clubs are growing in popularity in other Zones and guest speaker Patrick Eakes will talk about their growth in his own Zone – Zone 33. Mark your calendars for October 11th at 7 PM. A Zoom link will be shared in several weeks in a future Rotary Reporter!
As World Polio Day (October 24th) approaches, our clubs and the district are considering how we can best raise funds and awareness in our community. Following are a few thoughts.
Support the District RIDE TO ERADICATE POLIO This event held October 1st is a continuation of an event created during Covid in an attempt to create a new way to raise awareness. Details can be found by clicking here!
Hold a PINTS FOR POLIO EVENT(S) Clubs and regions are encouraged to hold events at the local level. The purpose of these events are three-fold. Here are a few thoughts:
Raise Money - In past years, these events have raised thousands of dollars for Polio Plus
Raise Awareness - In advance of and during these events, conversations happen surrounding the Polio issue. Members and nonmembers are educated on what polio is, why and how is Rotary involved in the global effort to eradicate polio and why we should care about this at all. Given the recent outbreak in NY, that third point is even more relevant in our lives.
Drive Membership - Each Rotarian should not only consider coming to the event but should also bring a friend. That friend then engages in the fellowship of Rotary while learning more about who we are and what we do. "Each One Bring One" could not be more relevant than with these events.
SHARE YOUR EVENT - Share with the District - Each club or region that is holding an event should share their event details with the district. The district will in turn help to market the event and, maybe, you will see a district leader pop into your event.
Create an Event Post on Meet Up App - Sharing your event on the Districts "Service Above Self" group on the MeetUp App will expand your reach and expand awareness of your event in your area. If you need help with this, reach out to Melissa at the district office.
Create an event on Facebook and share it with the district. Share it on all social media platforms to drive all demographics to your event. Need help, reach out to the district to learn how.
Get a Billboard. This event is a perfect way to utilize the district billboard program. Share with your community what you are doing in their community.
Ask someone to come and support your event. We all know someone we can ask. If beer is not your thing, consider Ice Cream Pints for Polio. Be creative and then share with us what you are doing. This is how we all achieve new levels and grow.
Finally, if your club is not going to hold an event, attend another club's event near you, bring a friend and be part of the solution. Now is the time to take action. Ask your club leadership what your club is doing to help eradicate polio and drive membership during World Polio month. If you or they need help, reach out. The district is excited to help our clubs create events that make sense for them. Let's make this year, the greatest year yet for raising money and awareness in District 7390.
Carlisle-Sunrise, Northern Lebanon Co, and York build small houses in Ecuador
The Rotary Club of Carlisle-Sunrise has developed a continuing relationship with the Rotary Club of Cumbaya, D-4400, Quito, Ecuador. In 2020 during the Covid pandemic, 45 tablet computers were set to K thru 6th grade children so they could study online.
As friendships with RC of Cumbaya grew, Carlisle-Sunrise became aware of the need for decent housing for single underprivileged mothers with children and the opportunity to provide low cost houses under the project management of CAEMBA (https://www.caemba-home-english/) through the Raiz Foundation (www.raiz-USA.org). Each house is made of sturdy bamboo, has a kitchen and bathroom, and costs $4500; those living in the house assist with its construction. The first house supported by Carlisle-Sunrise was paid directly from club contributions. That success led to a District Club grant for $9000, with participation of Rotary Clubs of Northern Lebanon County and York, that built two houses, completed on August 20, 2022. These houses will join other such houses in the new “Rotary Village”. Each house has a plaque with the names of the four Rotary clubs involved.
Where: Lindgren Craft Brewery, 5 N Market Street, Duncannon ($5 cover charge to attend)
Hosted by: Perry County
When: October 19 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Snappers Bar and Grill (120 East Allen St Mechanicsburg, PA 17055) (A percentage of your total check will be donated to Polio)
Hosted by: West Shore, D7390 Passport, Yellow Breeches & Mechanicsburg North
When: October 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: 50 West Caracas Ave Hershey (Beer, other beverages and snacks from 6 to 7 p.m. Hershey Community Parade at 7 p.m., Party resumes until 8 pm. Costumes optional!) Plenty of parking across the street. All Rotarians are welcome!
Hosted by: Hershey
When: October 24 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: Victory Athletic Association (471 S. Ogontz Street, York, PA) - For a nominal fee of $10 per ticket, you get a fun filled evening of appetizers, non-alcoholic beverages, door prizes, music, entertainment, and auction items!
Hosted by: York-East
When: October 25 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Market Cross Pub (113 North Hanover St Carlisle, PA 17013)
Join us Saturday, October 1, 2022 and Ride To Eradicate Polio on the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail. We’ll start from the Shippensburg Trail Head (51 East Fort Street, Shippensburg, PA) and you can ride for as long or as little as you like! You can run, walk or bike the trail. We are asking for a minimum donation of $50 per person. Feel free to donate more if you’d like. (Donate $100 and you get to ride alongside District Governor Juliet Altenburg for a mile!)
All proceeds will be donated to Polio Plus on behalf of Rotary District 7390. It’s a “show and go” start and you can start your ride anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Water, coffee and a bagel brunch will be provided until 11:00 a.m. at mile 0 in Shippensburg. This is a family friendly ride, not a race! Bring your favorite Rotarians, friendly not-yet Rotarians and Ride to Eradicate Polio. The first 100 to register get a purple Ride to Eradicate Polio short-sleeve t-shirt. Riders who make it to Newville and back (22 miles) get a special Ride to Eradicate Polio sticker and bragging rights!
DUE TO A SCHEDULING CONFLICT - PLEASE NOTE THE NEW DATE OF OCTOBER 13!
As we consider ways we should Grow Rotary… we must consider groups that are underrepresented within our clubs. Women represent just 28% of our District’s membership. How can we grow these numbers and attract more members including women into the service we provide to our community AND to our members.
On October 13 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., we are gathering for our second in a series of Summits to discuss...Women in Rotary
Three Questions will be discussed in this 1 hour Zoom Summit.
How can we encourage more women to join Rotary across our District?
How can we support female Rotarians in growing in leadership and service within Rotary and our communities?
What should our next action steps be?
Our first Summit, Educators in Rotary, was a great success. Attendees met new friends from across the district, learned new ideas and discussed strategies to effect change and growth. They agreed to help each other and to re-assemble at a future date to further discuss ideas and review what they have achieved with their new knowledge and contacts.
We believe that Septembers’ Women in Rotary Summit can be a similarly tremendous opportunity for fellowship, growth, and new ideas.
Mark your calendars and bring the whole family out for a great time on Sunday October 2nd @ 12-3pm at the Vineyard & Brewery at Hershey for a FREE family event hosted by the Rotary Club of Colonial Park with activities, games, bounce houses, spin art, petting zoo, obstacle course, balloon twisting, PLUS food trucks and live music!
All proceeds from this event are donated to local non-profits and our scholarship fund.
The Rotary Leadership Institute is an opportunity to meet with other Rotarians, share experiences, and learn new skills to take back to your club. You don't have to be in the leadership chain to benefit from this institute. If you want to learn more about this wonderful organization that we call Rotary, and find out what you can actually do to start changing the world, put attendance on your schedule. Click here to register! (Please note: you MUST register using the GUEST tab)
When can I attend RLI? - Saturday, October 22, 2022 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Central Penn College (600 Valley Road, Summerdale, PA 17093).
What is the Cost to attend RLI? - Rotary Clubs should pay for their members to attend RLI. The cost is $110 per Rotarian to attend.
What is RLI? - A leadership and development program to strengthen Rotary Clubs through education, collaboration and the exchange of ideas among its future leaders. A three-part curriculum facilitated by experienced, trained faculty members engaging participants through open discussion, problem solving and creative role-play.
What will I learn at RLI? - More about Rotary, The Rotary Foundation, Membership, Ethics, Service Projects, Communications, Strategic Planning and Analysis. You’ll also make new friends, and enjoy fellowship and networking opportunities.
Course Levels: Parts I, II, III and Graduate (The Graduate level will focus on The Rotary Foundation Seven Areas of Focus)
Where can I find more information about RLI? www.rlinea.org.
The Rotary Veterans Initiative conducted a community BBQ event on Saturday, Sept 10th at Rendezvous Run Farm in Dickinson Township at 806 Alexander Spring Road, Carlisle, PA 17015. The 130(+) participants of this sold-out ticketed event:
Honored Veterans by listening to and recording their stories of service and sacrifice
WWII and Korean War Veteran, and Harrisburg resident, Louis “Lou” F. Gallo
USMC veteran, formerly homeless, and Central Penn College graduate, Randy Ramer
Randy shared his powerful story of rising above injury, drug addiction, and homelessness to become a Central Penn College (CPC) graduate
At CPC Randy served as the President of the student veteran’s Armed Forces Association (AFA) where he created and led the AFA Homeless Veteran’s Initiative --- which raised money to help homeless veterans
Raised money to continue to help Central PA veterans transform their lives, families, and our communities
Presented this check to support student veterans’ scholarships, textbook and technology device vouchers, and scholarships for student veterans performing unpaid internships and/or participating in Capstone courses
Invested $7,500 to reward and incentivize veteran participation in The Penn State Harrisburg School of Business Administration 2022 (Business) Startup Weekend program (Nov 11- 13, 2022)
To date, including the addition of the $27,500 announced at this event, RVI has contributed a total of $205,000 to help 270 Central PA veterans transform their lives, families and communities
VOPA leaders Mike Reardon, John Hickey, and Jordan Ames provided tours of their “Tiny Home” and explained the VOPA Mission and Vision
Mission: We stand to combat homelessness among Veterans by providing support and services needed to promote an empowered life filled with strength and purpose.
Vision: Restoring trust and creating opportunity, one Veteran at a time.
Received the outstanding support of volunteers from The Giant Company
Thanked our major sponsors, including Korporate Computing, The Giant Company, UPMC, Synergy Home Care of Carlisle, State Farm of Carlisle (Greg Lunde), Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory, Diamond Wealth Advisors, William Harkey, Tom Fruth, the Bussard family, the Haag Family, the Rotary Clubs of Mechanicsburg North, Hershey, Harrisburg, and Carlisle.
This event is complete, but there will be future events and many actions to support veterans; therefore, donations to RVI are always welcome. To make a tax-deductible donation to RVI, please write the check to the "Rotary Veterans Initiative" and mail it to RVI, 806 Alexander Spring Road, Carlisle, PA 17015 (or) make an online donation at https://www.tfec.org/funds/rotary-veterans-initiative/ To collaborate with RVI to help our veterans please email rickcopen@gmaijl.com
September is Education and Literacy Month, an opportunity for Rotarians to focus our awareness of literacy and education needs in our own communities and internationally. BELRAG (Basic Education and Literacy Rotary Action Group) and Save the Children are pleased to announce a funding opportunity to support clubs' innovative approaches to early childhood education in rural America. Projects may support Kindergarten Readiness, 3rd Grade Reading proficiency, and/or 5th grade math proficiency.
These grants offer Rotary Clubs an opportunity to apply to for funding of $5,000-$15,000 for community based initiatives that support early literacy and numeracy. Up to ten projects will be funded. Proposal applications are available 1 September are due 15 October, 2022.
A webinar to review grant criteria and application process will be held on Thursday, 25 August at 4:00 PM (Eastern)
The webinar will be recorded and made available on the BELRAG.org website. Click here to view a menu of options for early learning projects.
This is an excellent opportunity for Rotarians to receive support for their involvement in early education and literacy projects in their own communities. BELRAG is pleased to partner with Save the Children on this initiative and appreciates their generosity in funding these grants for US based literacy projects.
I look forward to learning of how clubs in your district are engaged in Basic Education and Literacy and would welcome Rotarians from your district to become involved with BELRAG. Together, we will ensure that every child and adult has opportunity to lead productive, fulfilling lives as literate individuals. If you would like more information about BELRAG, our outreach and support for clubs and districts, please visit our website www.BELRAG.org or feel welcome to contact Carolyn Johnson, Yarmouth (Maine) Rotary, District 7780, Governor, 2013-14, 207-232-4667 (cell).
Carlisle-Sunrise, Northern Lebanon Co, and York build small houses in Ecuador
.png)
