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.