Daily snowstorms and the delectable Turkish cuisine provided a colorful background to the Peace Summit in Istanbul as it dealt with next steps toward conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

 

Four Rotarians from our District, PDG Connie Spark, Harrisburg Rotarian Hagir Elsheikh, Hershey Rotarian Maria Thompson, and I joined the senior leadership of RI and a thousand other Rotarians from around the world to engage in dialogue about the Rotary goal of greater understanding, goodwill, and peace, the 4th object of Rotary, as  announced by Paul Harris, in 1921, at the RI Convention in Edinburgh--over a hundred years ago! 

 

RI President Stephanie Urchick expressed the greater purpose for the summit, that of pondering how to get the right tools into the right hands to make a difference in the attitudes, institutions and structures of all societies, near and far!  The ‘right hands’ are our hands, and the ‘right tools’ are all those measures at our disposal that lead to better understanding and goodwill and reduce conflict wherever it exists.

 

These are somber times for the UN and peace advocates. Even as we convened in Istanbul, two highly destructive wars were being waged within a few hundred miles causing incalculable losses in life and infrastructure.  For over a hundred years, Rotarians have assembled to deliberate on ways to make progress toward peace in its capacity as a nonpolitical organization in a highly polarized world. That role is both a great legacy and a great responsibility.  So, with ever greater conviction, we all must now join the public discourse on conflict resolution, urging our governments to do likewise, whenever and wherever possible, and engaging ever growing numbers of fellow citizens to join the movement by increasing their awareness.

 

Many of those at the Peace Summit will be participating in our Multi-District Conference on April 5 at the Hershey Lodge.  Plan to join that global group, which will have participants, including our exchange students, from over a dozen nations.  If you encounter lateness in registering for this remarkable gathering, contact Melissa for an extension. Please find a way to join this unique Conference.

 

 

There is an exciting, way overdue, neighborhood project for Clubs and Rotarians to assist in, as fellow Rotarian, Hagir Elsheikh, from the Harrisburg Club, is boldly creating an Autism Center at Central Penn College to assist children with autism along with their families.  Hagir personally experienced a gap in access to strong support groups and the education of those who have autism, and has taken action by creating Kareem's Mission, named after her young son. The Mission supports families through guidance, collaborative partnerships, and advocacy for those who cannot advocate for themselves.  Kareem's Mission is a registered 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting individuals with autism and their families.

 

This deficiency in support to an important segment of our community has existed for years, but at last we have a rallying place where it can be addressed. This is also a growing area of focus for Rotary, especially a major initiative of recent RI President McInally, so now we can make a direct impact in our local community.

 

View the buildout wish list here.  The Center requests assistance from those who like to paint to do touch up before the opening. There is also a call for padding material for the walls and floors. 

 

Please take action by reviewing the wish list and contributing labor, funds, or material.  And, come to the Ribbon cutting ceremony on April 19. Click here to learn more about Kareem's Mission!

 

Best wishes,

 

DG Paul

 

 

Dear Rotary Club Members!

We are thrilled to invite you to join Kareem’s Mission for our Second Annual Autism Awareness Event on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 1 PM to 4 PM at Central Penn College. This special occasion marks a significant milestone as we celebrate the grand opening of our Autism Center, a dedicated space designed to empower individuals on the autism spectrum and their families to thrive. Over the past year, Kareem’s Mission has been committed to creating a world where individuals with autism are seen, heard, and supported. Our mission is to raise awareness, provide resources, and foster a community where every person on the spectrum can live a fulfilling and meaningful life. 

This year, we are calling on our entire community to come together in support of this mission. We need your help to fundraise, furnish, and equip the center so it can fully serve as a beacon of hope and empowerment for children with autism and their families.

 

 

We believe that “it takes more than a village to care for a child on the autism spectrum,” and now more than ever, we need our village to come together. Let’s ensure that every family in our community has the support they need.

Please RSVP by March 15th 2025 to confirm your attendance and share your interest in speaking, partnering, donating, or volunteering. Together, we can make a difference! We look forward to seeing you on April 19th and celebrating this exciting new chapter for Kareem’s Mission.

Women in attendance at the Rotary Club of York meeting on March 5 gathered for a photo wearing purple in honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, a day to acknowledge strategies and activities that positively impact women's advancement, and to support e orts towards achieving equal rights for women and girls around the world!

 

On March 4, 2025, York East Rotary Club members Tim Koller, Dan Hoff, Becky Disney, Bill Giesrasch and Todd Kurl, along with the Rotary Clubs of York-North and Uptown York, volunteered at Central PA Junior Achievement (JA) BizTown, helping young students gain real-world financial and business experience. JA BizTown, a hands-on educational program, immerses students in a simulated town where they take on roles such as business owners, CEOs, bank tellers, and city officials. With guidance from dedicated Rotary volunteers, students learned how to manage budgets, run businesses, and make financial decisions that mirror real world responsibilities. "Seeing the students take charge and apply what they've learned in the classroom is incredibly rewarding," said a York East Rotary member Tim Koller. "This experience equips them with valuable life skills that will serve them well in the future." Rotary’s involvement in JA BizTown aligns with its commitment to education and youth development. Through their support, students were able to engage in meaningful hands-on learning, fostering confidence and leadership. The collaboration between the Rotary Clubs of York East, North York, and Uptown highlights the impact of service organizations working together to invest in the next generation.