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DG VLOG with a hiker raising funds for POLIO!

DG John Anthony chats with a hiker raising funds for Polio! Click here to view the video! 

Rotarian Frederick Gellert Selected to be 2023-2024 District 7390 Governor

I am pleased to report your District Governor Nominating Committee has met and recommended Frederick J. Gellert, Rotary Club of Carlisle-Sunrise, to serve as your District Governor for the 2023-2024 Rotary year. 
 
Fred Gellert was raised in Detroit, Michigan and moved to Carlisle for employment at the Army War College. Fred retired from the U.S. Army as a Colonel after 30 years of service. He served in infantry assignments and then became a force manager working at senior-level headquarters to implement changes in organizational structure, resourcing, and operations. Fred is currently working at the U.S. Army War College as an instructor in leadership and management, science and technology and the Asia-Pacific region. In this position, he trains senior officers in strategic leaderships and the creation and resourcing of military forces at the national level.  
            Fred holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Wayne State University, a Master’s degree in Astrophysics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a Master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.  
            Fred joined the Rotary Cub of Carlisle-Sunrise in 2012 and served as Club President twice and as the Club membership chair for three years. At the District level Fred served as an Area Membership Coordinator and is currently serving as an Assistant Governor. He is a member of the Paul Harris Society, the Polio Plus Society, and is committed to becoming a Major Donor in 2021.
             
In accordance with the guidelines established in article 14 of Rotary International Bylaws, you are hereby advised of this recommendation. Any Club may submit a challenging candidate for consideration provided this club has previously suggested such candidate to the nominating committee. The challenging candidates must be submitted no later than January 27, 2021 in conformity with article 14.020.8 in the Rotary International ByLaws.  In the absence of such action or any other objections, Frederick J. Gellert will be designated as District Governor Nominee for 2023-24.
 
Many thanks to PDG Paddy Rooney and the members of the District Governor Nominating Committee for their diligent and timely actions.

District 7390 Is As Great As We Can Imagine Together

Hello, District 7390 Rotarians! 

COVID-19 has caused us to take a pause in our normal way of operating. Yet, your District 7390 team, led by District Governor John Anthony, is hard at work on behalf of each of us. This blog is a primary source for stories and information about how local clubs, and their members, are making a difference in their communities and globally.  Duke Adams, President-elect of the Harrisburg Keystone Rotary Club, is one of them.  Read his article and consider how you can help Duke to provide the children of Liberia, West Africa, a safe way to go to school.

This blog is a product of the newly formed communications committee.  We are recruiting members.  Do you enjoy spreading the good news about our District’s accomplishments?  Do you have eyes and ears on great stories that are happening at your local club level?  Are you ready to collaborate with other organizations of like thought and vision in a way that makes District 7390 stronger?

We are more than 2100 strong.  Good work and good people have gotten us where we are today.  You each bring what is valuable to the whole.  We can do this together in support of countless community services.  Let us hear from you.  Great ideas start with imagining the possibilities and the drive and determination to get to the finish line.  Ready!  Set!  Go! 

Yours in Service,

Patricia Green Rodgers

Chair, District 7390 Communications Committee

patricia@stoneofsconefarm.com

District Safety Committee Updates

Rotary International “Call to Action” encourages Rotarians to promote COVID-19 Vaccination

The Board of RI and Trustees of the Rotary Foundation met during a joint session and agreed that Rotarians have a major role to play not only in Polio eradication but COVID-19 eradication through the promotion of vaccine distribution. In their “Call to Action” published December 15, 2020, RIP Holger Knaack and Rotary Foundation Chair KR Ravindran outlined strategies including working jointly with local partners to “combat the powerful, growing force of vaccine resistance and misinformation” in our communities. It is our civic duty as Rotarians to join forces with others to eradicate disease and save lives through vaccination and risk mitigation strategies. To read the entire letter, click here to go to the district website safety page.
 
 
 
 
 

 

COVID-19 Vaccine Safety and Distribution Plan highlighted at Press Briefing

On Tuesday, January 14, a press briefing was held by Governor Tom Wolf, Secretary of Health Rachel Levine, and a Dr. Cynthia Chuang from Penn State Hershey Medical Center regarding the COVID-19 vaccine including its safety and plans for distribution. To view this excellent video click here. To view new information on where to obtain the vaccine in PA, please click here
 
 
 
 
 
 

You are invited to the Next Safety Committee Meeting February 3rd, at 7 PM.

The next District Safety Committee meeting will take place on February 3rd, at 7 PM via Zoom. We encourage any Rotarian to join our committee at any time or to attend as a guest. Agenda items will include District Involvement in promoting COVID-19 vaccination and developing District Wide Education on COVID-19 risk mitigation and vaccination support. Additionally, we will be reviewing a submission from a club on how to reduce risks associated with an in-person service event. We invite all clubs to reach out to us in similar ways to seek out recommendations on how to keep members and the public safe. Contact Committee Chair DGN Juliet for more information. DGJuliet2022@qrpc.com
 

New District Foundation Chair Begins July 1, 2021

DGE Greg Staub is pleased to announce the appointment of Anna-Mae Kobbe, Ph.D. to serve as the District Rotary Foundation Chair (DRFC) beginning July 1.  She will follow current DRFC John Kramb who will complete his term of office June 30, 2021.
 
Although Anna-Mae is relatively new to District 7390, she has been a Rotarian since 2000 when she was inducted into the  Rotary Club of College Park, Maryland.  She held numerous positions at the club level including Club Foundation Chair and Club President 2008-09.  Also active in District 7620 (Central Maryland and Washington, DC), her involvement included District Paul Harris Society Chair, member of the District Scholarship Committee, Assistant Governor, and District Governor 2016-17.  She was the District 7620 Foundation Chair in 2018-19.  It is a requirement that DRFCs have served as District Governor.
 
Anna-Mae is retired from the Federal Government.  Her career with the Department of Agriculture’s Land Grant University System includes service with the University of Missouri and University of Tennessee Extension Services and at USDA Headquarters in Washington, DC.  Following retirement, she was a Visiting Professor at the University of Kentucky. 
 
Dr. Kobbe and her husband, Rotarian Doug Newell, moved to Fairfield, PA in 2019 and transferred their memberships to the Gettysburg Club.  They are Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellows, Paul Harris Society members, and Level II Major Donors.  Anna-Mae is a new member of the District PolioPlus Society.  Anna-Mae serves as Club Foundation Chair for the Gettysburg Club and serves on the recently- formed District Safety and Communications Committees.
 
“District 7390 is indebted to Past District Governor John Kramb for his years of leadership as DRFC.  We are grateful to John for his efforts to grow support for The Rotary Foundation and to advocate for high quality district and global grants.  His work on the District Million Dollar Journey resulted in a total of $1,650,742 raised for The Rotary Foundation,” said Staub.
 
PDG John will continue to serve as the End Polio Now Coordinator for Rotary International Region 39.  In this role, he works with districts to focus polio eradication fundraising efforts to meet Rotary’s goal of a world free of polio.
 
If you would like to reach out to Anna-Mae, please do so at amkobbe@gmail.com.

Purchase a Heart for Lancaster Penn Square

January District Development Session on Zoom

Did you miss the January District Development session on Zoom? You can watch it by clicking here

District 72+ Program Debut in 2021

If the video does not show, please click here to watch a video of DG John interviewing PDG Kevin Cogan regarding the 72+ Program. 
 
The District 7390 virtual Foundation Dinner in November announced a program called 72+ which makes suggestions to everyone about tax savings opportunities for charitable giving provided by the government’s SECURE Act and CARES Act. The 72+ program urges senior Rotarians to give strong consideration to making a contribution to The Rotary Foundation from their IRA. This especially applies when one reaches age 70.5 to make a Qualified Charitable Contribution (QCD) or when one must take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) upon and after age 72 (hence the program name 72+). There are significant tax savings provided by the SECURE and CARES Acts. The 72+ program is further explained in a informative brochure produced by District 7390 by clicking here

2020-2021 Four Way Test Essay Contest

As the new year approaches, the Rotary District 7390 4-Way Test ESSAY Contest deadlines approach.  Hopefully you have planned or are in the process of planning your club’s contest for this year.  We have a fresh, new essay prompt that we hope will be timely and thought provoking  to the students:  Is it the Truth? – How I Define What is True in My Life
 
The contest is open to 9th grade high school students.  Submissions by your club to the 2020-21 District 7390 contest are due March 5, 2021.  Contest rules, critical dates, and information for both Rotarians and Students are available at the District 7390 Website. Any questions or requests for further information can be directed to project chair, Steven Grubb, at stevengrubb@comcast.net.     

Four Way Test Speech Contest

STUDENT REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JANUARY 31, 2021!

 
District 7390 will support a virtual Four Way Test Speech Contest in 2020/2021.  Students who have already competed in a club level contest are welcome to register for the Virtual Mid Levels.  Upon registration, students will be assigned to one of the four Virtual Mid Levels in an equitable process that will ensure fair numbers and diversity across the board.  The finale will be facilitated virtually in conjunction with the District Conference between April 30-May 2, 2021.  Details are still in progress with the District Conference Planning Committee.  All new materials are uploaded to the district website at this link.  https://rotary7390.org/page/four-way-test-speech-contest
 
New this year, students will be asked to deliver their speeches in the framework of “Life in the Pandemic.” This can include, but is not limited to actual experiences in their life; their observations of reactions & responses during the pandemic; school during the pandemic; physical distancing and safety measures; and expectations about the “new normal.”
 
It's hard not to wonder what PDG Ken Roberts would have done with the Four Way Test Speech Contest in this unusual year!  Hopefully, this direction would do him proud.  His legacy continues through this important program. 

Carlisle Rotary Auction Overcomes Challenges to Reach Goal Set for CPARC


 
Carlisle Rotary Clubs present a check for $20,592.33 to CPARC. The funds were raised during Rotary’s annual holiday auction. Pictured from left to right are Mike Zick, President of the Carlisle Sunrise Rotary Club, Anne Couldridge, CPARC Executive Director, Justin Doty, President of the Carlisle Rotary Club and Bill Blankmeyer, Rotary Auction Coordinator. 
 
Each year Carlisle’s two Rotary Club Presidents identify one project or organization to be the focus of their holiday auction. Selected this year was the Arc of Cumberland & Perry Counties (CPARC), a 501 (c) (3) organization that provides support, training, and opportunities to people with intellectual disabilities. 
 
Rotary’s goal was to match the $20,000 that was raised last year. However, the fear was that this simply could not be done due to the ongoing pandemic. The first challenge was Rotary’s holiday dinner was cancelled due to COVID-19 public gathering restrictions. Since the auction has traditionally been conducted at the dinner an alternate solution was required. Not to be dissuaded, Rotary Club Presidents Justin Doty and Mike Zick suggested the auction be conducted online.
 
This challenge was taken up by the auction coordinator, Rotarian Bill Blankmeyer, to find an auction platform that would support Rotary’s needs. Fortunately, thanks to recommendations from previous online auctioneers in the community, the 32 auctions platform was found to be very affordable and user friendly.
 
However, a new challenge developed as to where to store and eventually distribute the 100+ auction items. The solution came from Rotarian Michelle Crowley, President of the Carlisle Chamber of Commerce who offered storage space at the Chamber building which also served as a perfect location to facilitate the distribution of the items once the auction was over.
 
The online auction bidding took place from 4 to 13 December and raised just over $7,000. In support of the auction, over $13,000 was raised in sponsorships provided by members of both Rotary Clubs, bringing the total for the auction to $20,592.33. This was only possible thanks to the generosity of Rotarians and local businesses who donated items to be auctioned and the tremendous support from community participants in bidding during the auction.  
 
The last challenge was the snow storm on 16 December that hampered the distribution of auction items at the Chamber building. As the last item was picked up on 21 December everyone was glad the auction saga was finally over and extremely thankful that Rotary’s fundraising goal for CPARC was exceeded.
 
On January 11th, Club Presidents Justin Doty and Mike Zick presented the check to CPARC’s Executive Director, Anne Couldridge at a brief ceremony outside CPARC’s building. Couldridge was extremely appreciative of Rotary’s donation stating “the funds would be applied to the ongoing financial costs associated with helping the people we support stay healthy during these unprecedented times.”
 
While Rotary’s dinner had to be cancelled this year, the tradition of recognizing each club’s annual distinguished award recipient continued by presentations at regularly scheduled club meetings currently being conducted via zoom. The Carlisle Sunrise Rotary Club selected Past District Governor Kevin Cogan to receive the “Buzz Coho Distinguished Service Citation.” The Carlisle Rotary Club selected Past President Carol Lennon to receive their “Four Way Test Award”.

Rotary Club of York Announces the Retirement of Long-time Executive Bert Oberdick

member photoThe Rotary Club of York sadly announces the retirement of long time Executive Coordinator, Bert Oberdick. Bert has faithfully served the Rotary Club of York for nearly 30 years, overseeing dozens of active committees, providing meeting details, working closely with the Rotary Club of York Board of Directors and the Charitable Endowment Fund Board, invoicing, tracking and reporting all financials, and so much more!  Bert has always exemplified the Rotary Four Way Test and consistently models the values of Rotary.  March 31 is scheduled to be Bert’s last day.   

Join our team: Rotary Club of York Executive Director!

Rotary Club of York is hiring a new Executive Director to provide staff leadership to the 24th largest Rotary Club in the world!  We are looking for a goal-oriented self-starter with an entrepreneurial approach to help drive the future of Rotary Club of York and our Charitable Endowment Fund.  Click here for the full job description and application instructions.

YWCA York is Holding a Courageous Conversation on Building Authentically Diverse Boards

YWCA York is holding an upcoming Courageous Conversation on Building Authentically Diverse Boards on 1/25 at 6:30PM. The goal is to engage boards of directors and their CEOs/EDs in a candid conversation on why diversity in its many forms makes for stronger, more productive organizational governance. The Courageous Conversation model includes guidelines for small group conversations following a presentation by a speaker.
The speaker for this event is outstanding! Kimberly Ellison-Taylor has a finance and tech background and is currently working at Oracle. Last month she joined the Mutual of Omaha board and is a national speaker on inclusive leadership topics.
 
Our organization is equally committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we hope that you will be able to participant in this important community conversation. We would like everyone to come away with the commitment to achieve greater board diversity over the next year.
 
Feel free to share this invitation widely. There is no fee for this event thanks to a sponsorship by White Rose Credit Union.
 
Upcoming Events
Rotary Symposium - Life Under Water
Jan 14, 2021 – Jan 16, 2021
 
District Budget Meeting 2021-2022
Zoom
Jan 18, 2021
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
 
YE 2021-2022 Compatibility Weekend
Jan 30, 2021 – Jan 31, 2021
 
YE 2021-2022 Outbound Interviews
Jan 30, 2021
 
Student Registration - 4 Way Test Speech Contest
Jan 31, 2021
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
 
International Assembly
Zoom
Feb 01, 2021 – Feb 11, 2021
 
District Safety Committee
Zoom
Feb 03, 2021
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
 
Grant Committee Meeting
Zoom
Feb 08, 2021
7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
 
Leadership Meeting
Zoom
Feb 09, 2021
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
 
Global Grant Scholar Interviews
Zoom
Feb 13, 2021
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
View entire list
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