It was a privilege to visit two more clubs this week, the Rotary Club of York, and the Passport Club, each filling a major mission for their members in the community and the District.
Talking with members from both clubs about their projects provided a great segue into the theme for September, that of Basic Education and Literacy. This area of focus is essential for Rotarians who, as life-long learners, keep informed about ways to make a difference in the world.
Then, please consider supporting our District Peacebuilder initiative by sending a contribution to the District 7390 Peacebuilder plan in care of Melissa at the District office. All Checks should be made payable to Rotary District 7390 and mailed to P.O. Box 7116, York, PA 17404. Melissa will combine all the payments and send one District check to the Foundation marked for the peace movement.
If you make the payment by September 18, it will also count toward the $1000 dollars that PDG Fred Gellert is trying to raise to qualify himself for the Zorb Ball Bounce and Roll for the Foundation competition at the upcoming Zone conference in Toronto. That event hopes to raise $200,000 for the Rotary International Peace effort.
Our District Peace effort has several other elements beyond your role as a contributing Positive Peace activist. We will soon be sharing our Peacebuilder District status with the public via a huge billboard. That will be followed up by positive peace workshops held by PDG Hector Ortiz at various District locations. Some District Clubs will also be displaying Peace Poles around the District to show their commitment to this fundamental, grass roots, movement. More to follow.
Positive Peace is defined as a more lasting conceptualization of peace. Positive peace is built on “sustainable investments in economic development, institutions, and the societal attitudes that foster peace.” Positive Peace includes attitudes, institutions, and policies. It provides a framework to understand and address the many complex challenges facing the world.
For many years Hector Ortiz has been committed to peace creation, peacebuilding structures, and peace advocacy. Service above self has been his motto and a way to connect with the whole community. Hector is a fan of the Rotary Peace Centers and is delighted to know that 1,800 peace fellows are working for peace in the world.
After taking the Positive Peace Academy and participating in a one-day positive peace workshop in Singapore, before the Rotary International Convention, Hector got the motivation to keep growing in his positive peace journey. Hector was fully impressed by the information presented and the way the Institute for Economics and Peace conceived positive peace. Hector's doctoral thesis was on human rights, which catapulted him to an advocate for cultural, economic, and social rights.
Hector’s passion was strengthened after receiving the Positive Peace Activator nomination as part of the 32 North America & Caribbean cohort of peace activators is what influenced the commitment to create awareness, foster understanding, and promote peace-building initiatives to reinvigorate the need to recreate positive peace in our communities.
The Rotary Positive Peace Activator Program is a competitive application program training active Rotary members, Rotary Peace Fellows, and other Rotary stakeholders in specific regions on IEP’s Positive Peace framework and Rotary’s peace ecosystem. After a 20-hour training, Activators agree to a two-year service commitment, providing presentations, leading trainings, and supporting projects with Rotary-affiliated stakeholders.
Hector is committed to spreading positive peace knowledge and understanding and is willing to train others on the conceptualization of positive peace and the framework of peace-building models. It is not about telling one what to know, what to say, or what to do. In other words, “before you try to fix something, ask first” to understand it. See what is needed from your sight and see it from the sight of others; it is all about calling for unity by respecting and practicing listening skills to exercise effective communication and see things from other points of view. Hector will be available to speak at Rotary clubs and district functions to leverage the importance of positive peace and enhance community peace-building initiatives.
As you may realize, I am delighted that Rotary District 7390 is now considered a Global Peacebuilder District, due to the contributions Rotarians have made to the Rotary Foundation, the Peace Centers, and the peacebuilding and conflict prevention area of focus during the Rotary year 2023-24. As Global Peacebuilder District, Rotary clubs and Rotarians play an essential role “in supporting the work of the Rotary Peace Centers and our grassroots efforts in peacebuilding.” It is time to invent and reinvent peace.
What we all may agree is that Positive Peace must start with us, and it must be embedded in our attitudes, both individually and collectively. Stay tuned, it is just the beginning in our region as we move to create peacebuilding initiatives and reinvent ways to create more peaceful societies. Hector is willing to coordinate and speak at our Rotary Clubs at the club’s discretion.
The Rotary Veterans Initiative (RVI) together with the Penn State Harrisburg LaunchBox is hosting our 2ndVeteran’s Business Bootcamp. We’re excited to help veterans in our community get the support they need to launch their business ideas. During this program, we’re helping participants build their business plans and have an opportunity to win seed funding. We are looking for team coaches and program mentors.
We have 2 levels:
1) TEAM COACHES. We are looking for dedicated coaches who will:
Meet weekly with mentee between 10/1 - 11/12
Be willing to offer candid and constructive advice
Assist mentee with their evolving business plan and pitch presentation
Attend final Veteran's Pitch during our Startup Challenge Weekend, Nov 17, 3pm - 5pm
2) Program Mentors. Program mentors will:
Be available via email during the 8-week program to answer questions based on their availability
Review business plans and offer general advice
Offer general advice and expertise in key areas: Finance, HR, marketing, etc.
The Rotary Clubs of Carlisle and Carlisle Sunrise will host the 72nd RMB networking event in Rotary District 7390 history and the third event of the RMB 2024 season. The event will take place on Thursday, September 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Dickinson College Holland Union Building (HUB), 28 N College Street, Carlisle, PA. Parking is available on the street and in the parking lot adjacent to the HUB on the Louther Street side.
The event will be FREE and will provide light hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer, soft drinks and water thanks to Venue Sponsor and Special Event Sponsor Dickinson College and its A.C.E. Peer Mentors and the Popel Shaw Center for Race & Ethnicity who will provide the venue and cover all other costs except the wine and beer. The wine and beer will be covered by the Rotary Clubs of Carlisle and Carlisle Sunrise. Dickinson College students will be invited to participate as well.
This will be another in a longstanding series of great business networking opportunities and fun and fellowship events. Do not miss it. Also, please consider bringing potential Rotarian guests, Rotaractors, and Family of Rotary.
The District Learning Assembly is a chance for everyone to be inspired and learn more about how to make your club a success and for you to have an amazing year. It is relevant for all Club officers, leaders, and Rotarians to have the opportunity to increase their Rotary knowledge. We will be offering two tracks - you can decide if you want to attend the "Newer Rotarian" track or the "Experienced Rotarian" track based on your level of Rotary knowledge!
You will depart with an in depth understanding of topics such as member experience, service projects and fundraising (TRF and Club).
Join us Saturday, October 26, 2024 at Messiah University (One College Avenue, Mechanicsburg, PA) in Boyer Hall.
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.
When Can I Attend RLI? - Saturday, October 12, 2024 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 $125 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 (Capturing the Value of our Impact)
Where can I find more information about RLI? www.rlinea.org.
Our District 7390 Rotary Veterans Initiative is sponsoring its second Veterans Business Bootcamp in partnership with Harrisburg Launchbox (Powered by Penn State). Please see the picture and share it with any Veterans you know who may be interested in starting their own business. They can learn more and register at: https://harrisburg.launchbox.psu.edu/veterans-business-bootcamp/.
Applications are due NLT Sept 20, 2024! Veterans or currently enlisted/commissioned in the US military are eligible. EVERY D7390 Rotarian is invited to see the Final Pitch Event. Think ‘Shark Tank,’ but kinder and gentler. This event will be conducted at Penn State Harrisburg’s Educational Activities Building on Sunday, Nov. 17th, from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. For more details, please contact Rick Coplen at rickcoplen@gmail.com or 717-706-0380.
If you would also like to help establish a new Veterans Rotaract Club, please contact Rick Coplen.
This event will include District 7430, 7390, 7490 and 7410, providing a wonderful opportunity for celebration, inspiration and fellowship. Not only will you enjoy the Conference but you will have access to a large range of family-friendly activities while here!
BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY and FEEL THE MAGIC!!!
Total Conference registration is $325 until September 30, then registration will increase to $350. Just want to attend on Saturday? Saturday ONLY registration is $200.
Friday, April 4
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Rotarian Check-In
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Opening Session & Dinner
Saturday, April 5
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Plenary Session #1 - Peace
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Plenary #2 - Peace Fellowships
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Lunch with Keynote Speaker
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
District Sessions - Four-Way Test SPEECH Contest Finals and ESSAY Winner Presentation
The Rotary Club of York was pleased to welcome District Governor Paul Thompson to our weekly club meeting on September 4th to recognize two club members, Tom McCracken and PDG Ben Hoover, for achieving major donor giving status to The Rotary Foundation. Congratulations Tom & Ben!
Ever noticed a white pole with various languages on each side?
It’s likely been a peace pole meant to encourage the community to live in peace.
In 2023-2024, our district began collecting $25,000 to establish ourselves as a Peace Building District. We achieved that goal and can now claim that title for District 7390. That inspired me to begin looking at setting up a Peace Pole – and hopefully more than one – throughout our district.
To set up a Peace Pole in your area, the guidance is – link with a group of people within your community, it could be a group within your club, or partnering with local government or other organizations. Discuss possible locations and once a site is selected, determine if it is permissible to plant the Peace Pole there. You’ll have to determine who will maintain the area right around the Peace Pole. Then it’s time to order the actual pole.
There are several sites, however, I found shoppeace.org to be clear on the process and offer options, including a Rotary emblem, QR Code and even a Braille Brass Plate (add $20). An 8-foot large pole with 8 language options is $330, shipping included. Or you can go with a 6-foot, 7-foot or 8-foot with four languages for $280, again shipping included. You might even do a search to determine what are the most common languages in your area. My community which holds the Army War College and Dickinson campus, as well as several refugee communities within, has a minimum of 52 languages to chose from.
Next, you’ll create a community ceremony to plant your Peace Pole, inviting all of your club and community members to attend. Don’t forget the media – and to take plenty of photos! Send the photos and information to local news media (if they are unable to attend) and to your district Public Image Chair (Juliet Altenburg for 7390) and to Rotary International.
After that, let’s hope that Peace can spread throughout our area, our country and the world. It’s a big task – but as Rotarians, we can bring people together.
The Rotary Club of West Shore will hold their annual Flags for Heroes dedication event on September 11th at 11:00 AM at the West Shore Theatre (317 Bridge Street, New Cumberland , PA). The event is open to the public and free of charge. The Emcee is ABC -27’s Dennis Owens and the speaker is Dilip Abayasekara, a retired Pastor and Toastmaster speaker.
.png)
