It’s hard to believe we are already 3 months into our Rotary Year speeding out of Summer and into the new season of Fall. As District Governor my summer has been a whirlwind of activity encompassing three months of travels with 32 clubs, assorted club/district service and social gatherings, and a myriad of virtual meetings with Zone, District, and Club leaders and more. I write this as I take time to pause and reflect in airport lounges in Toronto and Chicago as I head home from a wonderful time of connection at the Rotary International Zones 28/32 Learning to Lead Summit in Toronto.
At this three-month mark, I would have to say my themes thus far are the gifts of human connections and the opportunity to use my passion for nursing and Trauma Centers in a bigger way. As I’ve met many Rotarians throughout my travels, I often get the question “how do you do it with a full-time job?” Truth be told, I was a bit fearful on how I would be able to juggle it all. I’ve always been a believer though, that if your heart is in the right place, and you are focused on doing good, more good will follow. And so it came to be. Travel time on the road while passing through rural areas of our District was forced time to be thoughtful and reflective. Time at the clubs with kind, passionate and funny members was uplifting in a way that energized me to contribute in bigger ways with my paid job and Rotary activities. The sheer volume of human connection after a prolonged period of isolation and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic is the fuel that has kept my engine running to do what I can to support our clubs in thinking of ways to increase our impact, expand our reach, enhance member engagement, and remain adaptable – Rotary’s four strategic priorities.
For those of you who have experienced my club visits, you may recall that I share a quote from RI President Jennifer Jones that she shared with all the incoming District Governors at the Rotary International Convention in Houston Texas in June: “BE BOLD, BE BRAVE, AND BE INTENTIONAL”. I’ve said these words so many times they have begun to change me. I feel myself grow in leadership the more I courageously move forward and jump on opportunities I may have been more timid about in the past.
One such opportunity is using the partnerships I have made over the last 20 years with Trauma Centers while working at the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation to move forward a high impact program called STOP THE BLEED ™. STOP THE BLEED ™ is a bleeding control course that has been promoted by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) since 2012 when the Sandy Hook shooting occurred. The ACS publicized the work of the Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg North on their international STOP THE BLEED website after a District Club grant that provided 300 tourniquets to East Pennsboro township staff helped save the life of a 10-year-old boy. That saved life occurred because of a partnership with Penn State Holy Spirit Medical Center Injury Prevention Coordinator, Sunny Goodyear RN, who taught the course to township police officers and continues to teach the course throughout Central PA.
In addition to Penn State Holy Spirit, two other Trauma Centers in our District are committed to connecting with Rotary Clubs to teach the program at club meetings or community events: Penn State Hershey Medical Center, and Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital. One fantastic way your club can help in this effort is to apply for a District Club Grant for $2500 that with a District match of $2500 will provide $5000 worth of tourniquets to people in your community such as police officers, farmers, and residents in violent neighborhoods where gun violence is prevalent. One such area is Alison Hill in Harrisburg. Penn State Holy Spirit would value one or more Rotary club partners in helping them provide tourniquets in Alison Hill that would be distributed along with education. Interested? Reach out to me for more information. The next deadline for District Club Grants is March 15, 2023 when the Form of Intention is due. Each tourniquet is about $20.00. Find out more about the grant process at https://rotary7390.org/page/grants
Lastly this time of connection has reinforced what was stated to me for years during my District leadership journey – that I would never be alone in my efforts. It takes a village to spearhead the many District Initiatives that we all take for granted: Global and District Grants, Membership, Youth Exchange, Safety, Polio Eradication, Communications, Public Image, Rotary Foundation, Education, Finances, Event Coordination, Member Services, Outreach…. and the list goes on. That village is comprised of an incredible group of Committee Chairs and teams behind them that work hard to support the impact our clubs and District have on our communities. I thank all these “villagers” for their amazing efforts that are not only felt within our District but at Zone and International levels.
Lastly, I want to put out a request for those of you who may be feeling a tug in your heart to be District Governor but are fearful of the time commitment. Being a District leader AND having a full-time job is absolutely possible. Your Rotary work will benefit your paid job in countless ways and vice versa. Being District Governor is the opportunity of a lifetime and without a doubt is absolutely life changing. I will reiterate the quote by Jennifer Jones “Be Bold, Be Brave and Be Intentional”. Don’t wait. The time is now. You never know what tomorrow will bring. If you are interested reach out to me. There is a process for your club to nominate you and forms are due in early December.
Thank you for a great three months. What a privilege its been to visit your clubs and serve you. Looking forward to more adventures in the months ahead.
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 District Club Grant Committee has a vacancy. If you have a passion for The Rotary Foundation and specifically grants, please contact Nigel Foundling at nfoundling860@comcast or 717-717-679-1264. The committee meets via Zoom on the second Monday of each month at 7:30 a.m.
Rotarians from 7390 joined friends from Rotary clubs in Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia for a rendezvous in Georgetown, MD on the Sassafras River. As members of the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians (IYFR), Chesapeake Bay Fleet, they gather monthly in warm weather months at various locations on the upper Chesapeake Bay for fellowship and discussions about their various clubs’ activities and projects----as well as sharing experiences about maintaining and operating their boats.
The IYFR is the oldest and largest of the Rotary Fellowships. It was organized in England in 1947 and has grown to 126 fleets with about 3685 members in 44 countries. Rotarians in IYFR often join fellow Rotarians for international cruises following international conferences and enjoy cruising while they “Build Better Friendships”.
The Chesapeake Fleet supports the Plastic Free Waters project, which was launched in 2019 to bring awareness of the plastic bottle impact on world’s waterways, especially in African and Asian waters. At a recent meeting the International Rear Commodore of IYFR from Spain presented a special program highlighting the focus of IYFR Plastic Free Waters world wide.
Rotarians, who are active in recreational boating, are welcome to join the IYFR. For information on membership in the Chesapeake Bay Fleet, contact Ron Stern landrstern@gmail.com
Submitted by
Ron Stern,
Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg North
Fleet Captain, Rotary Yacht Squadron Chesapeake Bay, 2022
Past-Commodore, IYFR, Chesapeake Bay Fleet, 2011 and 2016
Pictured here on board the vessel Joint Venture are: (l to r) Lenora Stern; Kathleen Stoup, RC of Carlisle; Ron Stern, RC of Mechanicsburg North; and Tom Johnston, RC of Harrisburg.
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.
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)
Hosted by: Carlisle-Sunrise
When: October 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Funck's Restaurant (365 West Main Street, Leola)
The Ride to Eradicate Polio has been moved to Monday, October 24!
Join us on World Polio Day (Monday October 24) for the Ride to Eradicate Polio in Harrisburg. We will be meeting at 4:00 p.m. at Leadership Harrisburg (3211 North Front Street) and taking off for an hour-long scenic bike ride at 5:00. We’ll return to the LHA office before sunset and convene at a restaurant nearby for congratulatory refreshments. PDG Una Martone will lead our group along an especially beautiful (and flat!) route with just a few road crossings. You can bring your bicycle or walk or run along the riverfront.
All participants get a purple Ride to Eradicate Polio t-shirt, the “I went the distance” sticker, and special “purple pinkie” cookies made by Tanya’s Cookie Boutique.
Free parking is plentiful in the LHA parking lot. Please look for us near the back entrance to the building.
If you can’t join us on October 24, we invite you to plan a Ride to Eradicate Polio in your neighborhood. We will ship you your t-shirts and stickers. Please reach out to office@rotary7390.org to request that these items be sent to you. Take pictures and share them on social media. Use the hashtags #endpolionow and #ridetoeradicatepolio.
There couldn’t be a better time for this fundraiser. The first case of polio in the United States in nearly a decade was detected in New York this year. Your donation helps Rotary, and its partners, reach every child with the polio vaccine. Thanks to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, your contribution will be tripled, getting us even closer to a polio-free world.
Visit www.endpolionow.org and learn more about what Rotary is doing to eradicate polio worldwide.
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.
Rotarians from 7390 joined friends from Rotary clubs in Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia for a rendezvous in Georgetown, MD on the Sassafras River. As members of the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians (IYFR), Chesapeake Bay Fleet, they gather monthly in warm weather months at various locations on the upper Chesapeake Bay for fellowship and discussions about their various clubs’ activities and projects----as well as sharing experiences about maintaining and operating their boats.
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