Very best wishes for the holiday season, as Rotary families and friends gather to reflect on the many joys and challenges of this year, and become excited about goals and resolutions for 2025. Guided by the core values of diversity, integrity, fellowship, leadership, and service, we can develop the Rotary Object of friendship and fellowship as we advance understanding, good will, and peace, all of which enable us to engage in service above self.
Many Rotarians merit special thanks for their selfless contributions to our District, as Club Presidents, AGs, Committee Members, and as providers of time and energy for projects and youth interaction. Three in particular are mentioned here as they have found it necessary to step back from their significant positions. Gary Crissman, after directing the exceptional RYLA program for several years, and then co-chairing the Education Committee, is taking a well-deserved break, as is Bob McClenethan after his highly committed service on the Global Grants Committee, although he is remaining an AG. Vlad Beaufils is doing likewise after having energized the DEI committee by contributing his personal passion to its unique role. All will be missed, but all will also continue on as true Rotarians within our District. Thanks go to Fred Gellert, Jane Conover, and Hagir Elsheikh for taking on those responsibilities during this time of transition.
Over the past two weeks, Paul Harris’s spirit and I had the honor to visit the Lancaster-Sunrise, Yellow Breeches, Elizabethtown, and York-North Clubs, where we met many dynamic Rotarians who are making a difference in countless ways. Every Club culture and operation is different, yet very special, as Members nurture a tradition of rich history while adapting to changing times. Clubs shared stories about their achievements over the years, and in the present, even as they formed exciting plans for the future. It is particularly meaningful to see their involvement with the youth in each community. For the first time we saw parents of students of the month speak movingly at their child’s recognition ceremony (Hummelstown), and then witnessed an emotional farewell for a deceased Rotarian by a table place-setting in his name one final time (Carlisle). We will be paying honor to all our dearly departed Rotarians during the Multi-District Conference in April.
A reminder that, along with meeting Santa’s schedule, comes the reality of tax considerations for any end of year donations to the Foundation and other great Rotary causes. And, In your seasonal giving mode, please remember that tickets to the Multi-District Conference in April make great stocking stuffers.
The District Conference is really taking shape with a lineup of very profound speakers, a dynamic House of Friendship, and lots of free time to interact with hundreds of Rotarians. You can participate in all that without traveling thousands of miles, so please sign up to attend on April 4-6.
A final note of seasonal intrigue, as we unwrap the magic of Rotary, is to look for a soon-to-be announced event taking place on January 1st.
With the conclusion of the 2024 Council on Resolutions (COR), you can review the Report of Action. In this report, you will find:
A letter from Council Services
Resolutions that were adopted
Vote tallies for the adopted items
Voting results for all 2024 resolutions can be found on My Rotary.
Please note that the deadline for submitting resolutions to the 2025 COR is 30 June 2025. A link to the submission form, plus helpful resources, can be found on the Councils page of My Rotary.
Rotary Global Grants Scholarships fund an awardee’s first year of graduate study abroad in one of Rotary’s seven Areas of Focus (listed below). Candidates must live in or attend college in District 7390, which encompasses Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties in Pennsylvania.
Scholarship highlights…
Plan to pursue career in one of Rotary’s Areas of Focus (listed below).
Award is for first year only of graduate studies abroad
District 7390 will not fund any applicant’s study which is for the second or later year of a multi-year graduate study program abroad.
Minimum study budget of $30,000 per year. Award capped at $30,000.
Must be proficient in language of host country.
Based on…
Academic merit
Studying a Rotary Area of Focus
Residence in or attendance at a college in District 7390
Rotary’s Areas of Focus are…
Promoting peace
Fighting disease
Providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
Saving mothers and children
Supporting education
Growing local economies
Supporting the environment.
The deadline to apply for a Global Grant Scholarship is January 25, 2025. The interviews will be held February 15, 2025 and applicants MUST be available for the interviews on that date.
Celebrate Rotary’s 4-Way Test by engaging with high school students in your local communities! The March 7, 2025 deadline for your club’s entries in this year’s District 7390 4-Way Test Speech and Essay Contests is fast approaching. If you have not already started planning your contests, now is a great time to start.
All of the information about both contests can be found at https://www.rotary7390.org/page/four-way-test-speech-contest. At this page, you can find rules, information, guidelines, suggested timelines and prize information which will help your club organize and hold its own contests, with your club’s winning entries being submitted to the District Contest by March 7. Both contests ask students to either speak or write about how the 4-Way Test can impact their everyday life.
The Speech and Essay Contest Committee stands ready to serve as a valuable resource to your club. Please contact Mike Handshew (mrhandshew@gmail.com)for questions about the speech contest and Steve Grubb, (stevengrubb@comcast.net) regarding the essays.
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
Very best wishes for the holiday season, as Rotary families and friends gather to reflect on the many joys and challenges of this year, and become excited about goals and resolutions for 2025. Guided by the core values of diversity, integrity, fellowship, leadership, and service, we can develop the Rotary Object of friendship and fellowship as we advance understanding, good will, and peace, all of which enable us to engage in service above self.
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