Rotarians around the world are creating educational opportunities for our youth. Many of the Rotary Clubs in District 7390 are involved in their local school districts. They support educational programs and provide scholarships for post-secondary education. Some even provide student loans to assist with college education.
We are fortunate in the United States that public education is available to all children.
I would like to share with you what one Rotarian in our District has done to provide an education and a future for children in his native country. Dr. Rodrique Mortel is a member of the Rotary Club of Hershey. I met Dr. Mortel when I worked at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Dr. Motel was a professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He served as Chairman of the Department for 13 years before becoming Associate Dean and the first director of the Penn State Cancer Center. Dr. Motel had a very distinguished career but never forgot where he came from.
Dr. Mortel grew up in extreme poverty in Haiti. His family was evicted from their house because they could not pay $4 a month in rent. His mother said this would not have happened if she had been educated. The words she spoke were etched in his heart and he was determined to get an education and someday build a house for her.
In 1997, Dr. Mortel established the Mortel Family Charitable Foundation to educate economically, socially and intellectually deprived children in Haiti. They select the poorest of the poor to participate in an educational system that now ranges from pre-school to adult literacy. The pre-school opened in 2001 in Saint Marc, Haiti and had 508 students enrolled in 2017-18. The secondary school opened in 2011 and had an enrollment of 585 students in 2017-18. A pre-school was opened in 2015 for 3 and 4 year olds and had an enrollment of 191 students last year.
In 2016, The Mortel High Hopes for Haiti Foundation was established and the operation of the schools was transferred to this foundation. For more information about the school, visit the website at https://www.highhopesforhaiti.org
The Mortel Family Charitable Foundation continues to thrive. You can read about its current and future programs at http://mortelfoundation.org
Both foundations continue to work towards the same goal of empowering Haitians through education and forming competent and compassionate future leaders of the country.
Rotary’s theme this year, BE THE INSPIRATION definitely describes Dr. Mortel and the work that he has done and is doing in Haiti.
The Rotary Leadership Institute is an opportunity to meet with other Rotarians, share experiences, and learn new skills to take back to your club. It's amazing what informed and enthusiastic Rotarians can do to improve their clubs, their communities, and the world.
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. Join us Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Central Pennsylvania College (600 Valley Road, Summerdale). Register HERE!!
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.
When can I attend RLI? Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Central Pennsylvania College (600 Valley Road, Summerdale, PA 17093).
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
Where can I find more information about RLI? www.rlinea.org
DG John May reserved a block of 15 rooms for the Rotary International Convention in Hamburg, Germany. The date of the reservations are from May 31 to June 5, 2019 and the rate is $248 euros ($287.34 dollars current exchange rate). The rooms are "standard" rooms. If you are interested in one of the rooms, please contact DG John May at johhmay3@gmail.com. Please view the rooms on the hotel website at www.nh-hotels.com/hotel/nh-hamburg-mitte
If service is the beating heart of Rotary, then the Rotary Foundation is its very lifeblood. It is in and through the Foundation that we are able to support projects locally and throughout the world. It is through the Foundation that Rotary is made real in the lives of millions: working for peace, supporting clean water and sanitation projects, providing for maternal and child health programs. This is all a result of Rotarians throughout the world generously sharing their resources.
Join us Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the Country Club of York (1400 Country Club Road, York, PA 17403) as we celebrate our Rotary Foundation and our achievements during the past year. Cocktail hour from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Dinner and speaker from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Cost is $50 per person. Registration deadline is November 1, 2018.
You don’t want to miss our speaker Dr. Anne Mathews! She is a member of the Rotary Club of Columbia East in South Carolina and has served as Vice President of Rotary, a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation, trainer for District Governor elects, chair of the elections committee for the Rotary International President and many other positions. Her own service work includes projects in Kenya, South Africa, India and Ghana. She is by profession an educator, having taught at all levels from High School to University and has spoken in all 50 states and 35 different countries about the Rotary Foundation.
The Rotary Club of Gettysburg will host A Rotary Oktoberfest on Oct. 13 at Battlefield Brew Works, 248 Hunterstown Road, Gettysburg.
Music will be provided by the nine-piece German band Egerlander from 2 to 6 p.m. Ticket includes meal of a German Beer Brat or hamburger, kraut, potato salad and more served by Rotarians. All food sales will benefit The Rotary Club of Gettysburg. Beer, wine and liquor will be available for purchase separately at the event.
All proceeds benefit the Rotary Benevolent Fund at the Adams County Community Foundation in memory of John W. "Jack" Phillips, a 46-year Rotarian and Community Foundation founder who died Aug. 18, 2018. Advanced tickets will be available at the Gettysburg Times, Battlefield Brew Works or by clicking here. Tickets will also be available at the door.
Join the Rotary Club of Myerstown-ELCO on a trip to The Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. on Friday, November 16th. The bus will depart from Wengers (251 S. Race St, Myerstown) at 7:00 a.m. and return to the same location at approximately 9:30 p.m. The cost is $45 per person (Includes transportation and gratuity). Your lunch in DC and a dinner stop on the way home will be at your own expense. During our journey Tom Maiello will share his expertise regarding the Holocaust and information regarding the museum and exhibits.
RSVP to Rose Walmer - 717-866-8403 or rose@wengers.com Checks may be made payable to Myerstown-ELCO Rotary and mailed to: Rose Walmer – 310 W Park Ave., Myerstown, PA 17067 Proceeds benefit the Myerstown-ELCO Rotary Club.
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If service is the beating heart of Rotary, then the Rotary Foundation is its very lifeblood. It is in and through the Foundation that we are able to support projects locally and throughout the world. It is through the Foundation that Rotary is made real in the lives of millions: working for peace, supporting clean water and sanitation projects, providing for maternal and child health programs. This is all a result of Rotarians throughout the world generously sharing their resources.
