RI President-Elect Holger Knaack unveiled the 2020-21 Presidential Theme at the Club's Annual International Assembly held in San Diego, California on January 20, 2020. The theme ‘Rotary Opens Opportunities’, is encouraging Rotarians around the world to seize the many opportunities Rotary offers to enrich their lives and the communities in which they serve.
Knaack noted Rotary isn’t just a club for people to join, but rather “an invitation to endless opportunities,” He emphasized that Rotary creates pathways for members to improve their lives and the lives of those they help through service projects.
Knaack encouraged members to embrace change in order for Rotary to expand and thrive and suggested that Clubs should focus on keeping current members engaged and adding new members who are the right fit for their club. He remarked “we will capture this moment to grow Rotary, making it stronger, more adaptable, and even more aligned with our core values.”
RI PE Holger continued “we need to stop thinking of new members as people we can mark down as statistics and then forget about,” …“every new member changes us a little bit. That person brings a new perspective, new experiences. We need to embrace this constant renewal. We will grow stronger as we learn from new members.”
Knaack also wants to see more women in leadership roles and see Rotaractors play an integral role in how new clubs are formed and run. He said “we have to be open to new approaches, and creating unique clubs for younger people is just part of the solution,” ..“Let Rotaractors decide what kind of Rotary experience works best for them. These young people are bright, energetic, and they get things done.”
PE Holger also stated that “We will not let rapid change defeat us. We will capture this moment to grow Rotary, making it stronger, more adaptable, and even more aligned with our core values.”
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is Rotary's leadership training program for young people. RYLA Emphasizes Leadership, Citizenship and Personal Growth.
Do you know a student that has what it takes to become a dynamic leader and change not only themself but the world?
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary District 7390 (South Central PA) where you develop your skills as a leader while having fun and making connections. The Conference is held in mid-June every year. The June 14-18, 2020 Conference will be the 60th Consecutive RYLA in Rotary District 7390 at Messiah College in Mechanicsburg.
You must be between your Junior and Senior year in high school to attend. Approximately 140 High School youth attend annually.
The schedule includes various speakers, career seminars, team building activities, a conference band and chorus and much, much more.
What are the benefits?
Students will connect with leaders in their community and around the world to:
Build communication and problem-solving skills
Discover strategies for becoming a dynamic leader in your school or community
Learn from community leaders, inspirational speakers, and peer mentors
Unlock your potential to turn motivation into action
The Rotary Clubs of Mechanicsburg, Mechanicsburg North, and West Shore along with the Northern Tier Steering Committee have partnered to host the 57th RMB networking event in District 7390 since the program’s start in 2014 on Thursday, February 13 at Buhrig’s Gathering Place, 25 E. Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA. The event will begin at 5:30 and end at 7:30. The cost will be FREE thanks to our venue sponsor Buhrig’s Gathering Place and event sponsors AMIRACLE4SURE and Ella Home Care and will provide bountiful hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, and soft beverages. Click here to RSVP NOW!!
Make great connections for your business or project and enjoy the fun and fellowship of RMB. Bring potential Rotarian guests and family of Rotary!
Join us on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Messiah College (One College Avenue, Mechanicsburg) for the Rotary Listens Leadership Summit (AKA District Training Assembly). The summit will inspire Rotarians to achieve more by listening better! The cost is $30 per person and includes a hot buffet breakfast and luncheon. The day will be begin at 7:30 a.m. and conclude by 1:30 p.m. Find more information and register here!
You never forget the teacher who makes a difference…
Do you know a math teacher who has a special way of making learning numbers fun for students? Or a science teacher who opened new world for your child? Nominate an extraordinary teacher for the 2020 Teacher Impact Awards!
WITF is proud to partner with Rotary District 7390 to present the Teacher Impact Awards supported by Franklin & Marshall College.
We all know teachers who have gone the extra mile to make a difference in the lives of their students. This program is designed to recognize and celebrate seven K-12 teachers in public and private schools in the Rotary District’s seven county area which include:
Adams
Cumberland
Dauphin
Lancaster
Lebanon
Perry
York
A committee of Rotary and WITF staff will review nominations and produce a special compilation television program featuring the outstanding teachers that will air on WITF TV. The top teachers will also be honored at a banquet in May 2020.
Celebrate an outstanding teacher by completing the nomination form online or download and print the form to email to teacherimpactawards@witf.org. All forms must be received by February 28, 2020.
Forms can also be mailed to:
Debra Riek Education Director, WITF 4801 Lindle Road Harrisburg, PA 17111
Greetings and Happy New Year! As the New Year starts, preparations for the District 7390 Rotary Four-Way Test ESSAY Contest shift into high gear. Hopefully, you are in touch with the schools in your service area and the ninth-grade students are familiar with the contest and deadlines. All of the details for this year's contest can be found here, but keep reading for a few reminders:
Make sure you have collected essays from the participating schools so that your club can evaluate each essay and pick a winner. Evaluation and judging is recommended to occur in mid to late February so you can announce your club winner by the deadline set for your club's entry in the district contest.
Make sure you have submitted your club's winning essay to the district office no later than MARCH 9, 2020.
We had such a great group of essays last year and cannot wait to see what the students have in store for us this year! As always, please feel free to contact Steve Grubb (stevengrubb@comcast.net) with any questions about the contest.
The 37th Annual York Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will step off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2020, from Market and Penn Streets. Live streaming of the parade will be on WRCTV sponsored by the Penn Mar Irish Festival. Media Sponsor CBS 21 and Master of Ceremonies Mike Gorsegner will be announcing parade entries at the Kinsley Grandstand on Continental Square.
Leading the festive 2020 Celtic celebration will be Grand Marshal Patrick J. “Paddy” Rooney.
Paddy Rooney is a native of England, born and raised in London, but he cannot deny his Irish heritage. Indeed, with a name like Patrick Joseph John Rooney that would be hard to do! His paternal grandparents moved from Dublin to England between the wars to help build the city and his mother, while raised in an English institution still had something of the brogue. While working with youth programs in England in the early 70’s, Paddy visited Northern Ireland at the height of “the Troubles” to help develop similar youth programs there. Over the past few years he has hiked much of Western Ireland, climbed Croagh Patrick and visited Skellig Michael and other sacred places there. Paddy completed his undergraduate studies at St. Mary’s College, London; studied philosophy at Catholic University of America; has a master’s degree in Counseling from Shippensburg University and completed his Lutheran studies at Gettysburg Seminary. He has been married to Sally for 40 years and they have two grown children and two grandchildren.
The Reverend Patrick J. Rooney STS retired in February of 2012 having served as the Senior Pastor of historic Christ Lutheran Church (1733) in York. Prior to going to York, he had served in Dillsburg for 11 years and before becoming a Lutheran he was a member of a Roman Catholic Religious Order for 10 years. He has worked extensively in the human services field including serving as Special Assistant in the Department of Welfare and as President and CEO of a large non-profit entity serving the mentally ill and the developmentally disabled. For almost five years, he also served as the interim Executive Director for two local ecumenical agencies.
He has served as a member and chair of the City of York General Authority. He is currently Chair of the York County History Center and on the Board of the Farm and Natural Lands Trust. He has previously served on the board of the York County Literacy Council and as President of the York County Council of Churches. He has also served on the Candidacy Committee for the Lower Susquehanna Synod as well as the Ecumenical Affairs committee and the Worship Committee. He is the author of several published sermons for three different groups including 10 published by CSS under the title “The Perfect Sacrifice.”
Pastor Rooney is a founding member of the Society of the Holy Trinity (STS), a Lutheran Order and Ministerium, which now numbers almost 300 pastors in the United States and Canada. He served as Dean of the local chapter for 12 years, as General Secretary for 3 and in September of 2015 was elected Senior (General Superior) of the Society. He has taught widely across the US and Canada at all 23 of the Society chapters. Pastor Rooney has also taught in the OLLI program at Penn State York and at several retreats throughout the United States and Canada.
In his “retirement,” Pastor Rooney is an active member of the Rotary Club of York - the 22nd largest club in the world. He served as President of the club in 2016-17. In Rotary District 7390 he served as Team Leader for the Group Vocational Study Exchange team to Argentina in 2013. He has served on various District committees. He completed all three levels of Rotary Leadership Institute and now serves as RLI faculty and as faculty at Mid-Atlantic President elects training. He was awarded the RLI Faculty of the year award in 2019. Paddy is a Major Donor to the Rotary Foundation and a member of the Paul Harris Society. He has received the York Club’s President’s Certificate of Appreciation for Service Above Self and the Avenues of Service Citation. He serves as District Governor for District 7390 in 2019-20 and recently returned from a two-week trip to India where he attended and spoke in Delhi at a Rotary District Conference as well as in Kolkata for the Rotary club’s 100 anniversary celebration. Prior to his departure, he humorously noted, “So an Englishman, with an Irish name who is serving an American Rotary District as Governor is heading to India for what promise to be a trip of real experience. Rotary truly connects the world!”
Let’s gather together in the Home of the Articles of Confederation of the United States to celebrate, learn, and explore the value of being a Rotarian.
The day and a half conference will open on Friday evening with a private reception for all registered members and guests at the York History Center. Heavy hors d'oeuvres and 2 drink tickets are included.
The conference continues Saturday with outstanding programs that will INSPIRE you, inform you, motivate and entertain you throughout the day and into the evening. Check out the abbreviated Conference Schedule below.
ARE YOU UNDER 40? WE HAVE A SPECIAL OFFER FOR YOU!
As an incentive to INSPIRE younger Rotarians to experience the long-term value of a District Conference, we are offering a 40% discount off the registration fee for Rotarians under the age of 40. Please use promo code U40D when registering on the web.
REMEMBER...REGISTER EARLY FOR EXTRA VALUE AND SAVINGS
The early registration fee for the full conference is $140. The regular registration fee after February 15, 2020 will be $155. There are also options to attend portions of the Conference on the registration page.
SPECIAL ROOM RATES ARE AVAILABLE!
If you would like to reserve a room at Heritage Hills, please call 1-877-782-9752. Tell them you are with the Rotary District 7390 Conference. Rooms are $119 per night.
Check out the abbreviated Conference Schedule below. Check back often as more information will be added!
Conference Schedule
Friday, May 1, 2020
3:00 p.m. - Past District Governors' (PDG) Meeting - By invitation only.
5:45 p.m. - Registration opens at The York History Center (250 East Market Street, York) for all attendees.
6:00 p.m. - Opening Reception featuring heavy hors d'oeuvres and 2 drink tickets.
8:30 p.m. - Adjourn - Enjoy first Friday in the City of York.
Serving your community and having a great time never looked so good!
On a Monday when the Rotary Club of Harrisburg’s typical room was not available at the Hilton Hotel, an eager group of Rotarians invaded the Central PA Food Bank. Approximately 40 members were treated to a fine pizza and salad lunch then got directions on their two projects.
Two groups worked on stuffing boxes with bagged and canned goods while others stuffed envelopes for Food Bank mailings.
Multiple boxes were stuffed for ultimate distribution to seniors in the Central Pennsylvania region. From box prep all the way to box and envelope sealing, RCH members once again made a difference in the community.
Tammi Morris of York Habitat for Humanity described the organization as a volunteer driven, Christian-based housing ministry that builds safe, decent, and affordable homes in partnership with lower-income York County residents living in substandard housing. Funded mainly by private donations. With the completion of York Habitat’s 136th home in 2019, over 600 men, women, and children live in Habitat Homes in York County! Since 1985, York Habitat has created over $7.8 million worth of new or rehabilitated affordable housing, which generates more than $383,000 in tax revenue. Over 8,950 volunteers work with York Habitat annually.
In spring of 2020, York Habitat for Humanity will be opening our ReStore at the Queensgate Town Center! You will soon be able to shop for and donate gently used or new home furnishings, appliances, and home improvement materials at a fraction of the cost.
Photo L-R: Hunter Mink, President Rotary York East and Tammi Morris, Director of York Habitat for Humanity
Your I started the New Year with my 100th blood donation!!
I started my blood donations around 1985 because a coworker asked me if I would be interested. Funny, isn't it, that his ask turned into such a long-term commitment? (Isn't that the best way to get new Rotary members, too, by asking?)
My father had a history of donating blood on a regular basis, but was permanently deferred with his diabetes diagnosis around the same time that I started donating. I felt like I stepped into his shoes in that role. Subsequent hospitalizations of loved ones and their need for blood products cemented my resolve.
There were periods of time when I had temporary deferrals, even for as long as a year or two, but I was always looking forward to the time when I could go back to donating. I count myself as being very fortunate to have a health status that allows me to donate. While my donations have always been whole blood, I do see platelet donors when I'm at the Wellspan donation center. Platelet donation is a more time-consuming process that I hope to try after my retirement.
I have always donated through Wellspan at its donor center at Apple Hill. They have a wonderful staff who appreciate every donor, and the facility is very comfortable for the donors. There are snacks at the end, including freshly popped corn, even for us 8 AM donors. From time to time we see some of the staff out and about and stop and chat. Several of the retiring phlebotomists have become my clients.
When coworker blood donors were discontinuing the practice, my husband stepped up to the plate and started to donate with me. In Rotary year 2012-13, York-East club president Joe Hackett wanted to start making blood donations in the name of the club. Since that time all of mine and my husband's donations have been for the Rotary Club of York-East.
My husband was making fun of me for taking all these pictures. It’s not like you cured cancer, he said. No, I didn’t cure cancer, but I’m pretty sure I helped some people suffering from cancer. Besides, he’s just trying to catch up to me. He only has 56 donations! 44 more and he can get his name on the board!
Hello District leaders, Club Presidents, and fellow Rotarians. As your representative for the Council on Legislation and the Council on Resolutions (2017-2020), it is a pleasure to inform you that 33 Resolutions were considered in 2019 and from them, 26 were not approved. Therefore 7 Resolutions will pass to the RI Board or TRF Trustees for their consideration. RI Board and THF Trustees have the discretion to accept and implement these approved resolutions. The Council on Resolutions (COR) meets online each year.
If any Rotary Club would like to participate in the Council on Resolutions in 2020, please read the information below:
Council on Resolutions
Rotary International’s Council on Resolutions meets online each year to vote on proposed resolutions submitted by clubs, districts, the RI Board, and the general council or conference of RIBI and any urgent enactments proposed by the RI Board. Adopted resolutions are then considered by the RI Board or the TRF Trustees. Every district designates a representative to the Council on Resolutions and every club and district may propose resolutions. If your club or district is considering proposing a resolution for the Council on Resolutions, please follow the guidelines below.
Deadline to Submit Resolutions
Proposed resolutions from clubs and districts for the Council on Resolutions must be received by Rotary International on or before 30 June prior to the Council on Resolutions, including the governor’s confirmation of endorsement. There are no exceptions to the deadline.
Proposing Resolutions
Resolutions are expressions of opinion of the Council. They can be submitted to the Council on Resolutions by clubs, districts, the RI Board, and the general council or conference of RIBI. However, a resolution proposed by a club must also be voted on, or endorsed, by the clubs in its district at its district conference, a district legislation meeting, or through a ballot-by-mail, before it can be submitted to Rotary. Resolutions must be submitted by 30 June through the online form found on the Councils page of My Rotary.
The Rotary Club of Gettysburg in partnership with the RMB Southern Tier Steering Committee hosted a super successful and dynamic, fun filled networking event on January 16 at the HACC Gettysburg campus with 31 Rotarians and guests attending from eight District 7390 clubs including Carlisle, Carlisle Sunrise, Gettysburg, Hanover, Harrisburg, Hershey, Littlestown, and York. Special thanks go to the impressive HACC Gettysburg campus and President "Ski" our venue sponsor and to Jeff Shafer of Jeff Shafer Real Estate, Inc. for the delicious appetizers and plentiful beverages. Many great connections were made and much fun and fellowship enjoyed by all.
Bruce Grossman, a member of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg, along with other members of the International Sking Fellowship of Rotarians, will be snow skiing or snowboarding at the Sun Valley Ski Resort, in the 2020 Higher Ground Challenge.
Grossman’s personal goal is to ski at least 30,000 vertical feet, starting at 9 a.m. that Wednesday January 29, 2020. He has successfully participated in previous such fundraisers.
He is asking for a financial pledge to the Davis Boyd Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization. All donations are tax deductible and will directly benefit physically challenged Wounded Warrior Veterans through Higher Ground, an adaptive ski program in association with Sun Valley Adaptive Sports, along with support for similar programs around the world.
Please make checks out to the DAVIS BOYD MEMORIAL FOUNDATION. c/o Jeffrey Penza, 401 Woodbourne Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21212.
All contributors will receive an acknowledgment from the Davis Boyd Memorial Foundation for tax purposes.
If you are interested in participating Sunday February 23 – Saturday February 29 in a mission trip to New Bern – deadline for registering is January 20th. Free transportation provided by Bailey Coach. Volunteer housing cost is $125/person. We will work with Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders; they provide volunteer housing/meals, skilled construction leadership, tools and qualified projects. Contact Peg Sennett, 717-630-8281, pegsennett@hotmail.com
RI President-Elect Holger Knaack unveiled the 2020-21 Presidential Theme at the Club's Annual International Assembly held in San Diego, California on January 20, 2020. The theme ‘Rotary Opens Opportunities’, is encouraging Rotarians around the world to seize the many opportunities Rotary offers to enrich their lives and the communities in which they serve.
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The 37th Annual York Saint Patrick’s Day Parade will step off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2020, from Market and Penn Streets. Live streaming of the parade will be on WRCTV sponsored by the Penn Mar Irish Festival. Media Sponsor CBS 21 and Master of Ceremonies Mike Gorsegner will be announcing parade entries at the Kinsley Grandstand on Continental Square.
Tammi Morris of York Habitat for Humanity described the organization as a volunteer driven, Christian-based housing ministry that builds safe, decent, and affordable homes in partnership with lower-income York County residents living in substandard housing. Funded mainly by private donations. With the completion of York Habitat’s 136th home in 2019, over 600 men, women, and children live in Habitat Homes in York County! Since 1985, York Habitat has created over $7.8 million worth of new or rehabilitated affordable housing, which generates more than $383,000 in tax revenue. Over 8,950 volunteers work with York Habitat annually.
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Bruce Grossman, a member of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg, along with other members of the International Sking Fellowship of Rotarians, will be snow skiing or snowboarding at the Sun Valley Ski Resort, in the 2020 Higher Ground Challenge.
