Peace seems so elusive these days, but there are ways to make it attainable!
Join Rotary District 7390 for a POSITIVE PEACE Community Workshop: Participate in building Positive Peace in our communities. This FREE workshop will be held on Saturday morning, May 31, 2025, at Central Penn College in the Capital Blue Cross Theater, 600 Valley Road, Summerdale, PA 17093.
Light refreshments will be available from 8:30 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. when the workshop begins, with coffee available during breaks. The workshop is expected to conclude by noon.
Dr. Hector R. Ortiz, Positive Peace Activator, North America and the Caribbean, and facilitator for the partnership between Rotary International and the Institute for Economics and Peace, will lead the comprehensive workshop as it focuses on practical steps for individuals and organizations!
Workshop objectives to understand the framework of Positive Peace and how it creates meaningful change in the community are:
- Learn what Positive Peace is and why it matters: Positive peace goes far beyond the absence of conflict. It enhances attitudes, institutions, and structures that help societies flourish, through actions and programs that encourage understanding, promote equity, and foster social cohesion. Understanding the importance and process of Positive Peace can greatly enhance the profundity of one’s approach to peacebuilding, locally and globally, leading to peaceful societies.
- Become familiar with Rotary’s seven areas of focus: Rotary International, a global humanitarian organization of 1.4 million members, addresses critical needs in society through service projects and initiatives. The seven areas of focus that address these key issues, and provide opportunities to improve them, help members make a difference in the world, in their communities, and in themselves.
- Learn about the Eight Pillars of Positive Peace used by the nonprofit Institute of Economics and Peace to evaluate the attributes and effectiveness of nations and their state of governance. Those pillars, from a well-functioning government, with the free flow of information, to the acceptance of the rights of others, are key elements that contribute to Positive Peace. An analysis of all eight pillars will provide an understanding of steps to create a stable and just society. The global peace index, assigned to each nation by the Institute as a result of evaluating the eight pillars, has helped Rotary better understand the application and relevance of its areas of focus.
- Plan steps to create Positive Peace in your organization and community: These steps will focus on actions that participants can implement to become peacebuilders—to make progress toward a safer and more secure community with decreased conflicts, domestically and globally. Specific steps, and a plan of action will provide ways to engage others in promoting peace through conflict prevention, and civic engagement.
This workshop is a great chance to get involved in tangible, meaningful changes, leading to Positive Peace!
The workshop is FREE, but please reserve your seat in advance!
Click here to register TODAY!
On February 11, 2025, District Governor Paul Thompson was interviewed by WHTM’s Good Day PA host Susan Cort (also a member of the Hershey Club) concerning Rotary District 7390’s designation as a Peacebuilder.
In addition, we encourage you to view this video about Rotary's Positive Peace Academy!
District leadership had goals for this Steps for Peace one mile walk and resolution.
- Increase awareness of the District 7390 40 clubs throughout our 7 counties.
- Underscore our designation to Positive Peacebuilder both globally and locally.
- Engage Rotarians and families in Peacebuilding activities.
- Alert the public to opportunities to engage in Positive Peace through District events.
More than 40 Rotarians and family members, plus 8 furry friends, stepped out for Positive Peace completing the one mile walk around the State Capital and under the camera lenses of WGAL 8 and WHTM 27. Those walkers represented a cross section of society and our community in ages, ethnicities and roles in Rotary.
Even on this cold and windy day, enthusiasm was high. District Governor Paul Thompson gave interviews as did other walk participants underneath the massive billboard on 3rd and Forster Streets in Harrisburg.
That evening and through the next day both TV stations ran their coverage multiple times during their pre-network and post-network news programs. Samples of their coverage are also available on each station’s website.
You can view the station’s videos by clicking on the links provided
District Governor Thompson extends a heart-felt, “thank you to each of the brave walkers and their furry friends, to Andy Rebuck of the Harrisburg Club for the billboard placement and Bob Saline of the Mechanicsburg North Club for informing and engaging the TV stations.
Our initiative for Positive Peace both globally and locally continues via our contribution at the Rotary International level and scheduling of member and public learning sessions about Positive Peace. Everyone can also view the Rotary /EIP Positive Peace course on YouTube.”
Thank you for reacting to our billboard announcing Rotary District 7390’s designation as a Peacebuilder district.
Our District’s unique designation continues Rotary International’s legacy of working towards positive peace on both a local and global level.
One of Rotary International’s major objectives is working towards international understanding of positive peace.
Please be watching for more information on how District 7390’s Peacebuilder designation can be of importance to you, your community and the world. You may even want to become engaged in our initiatives.
We will send the information to your email address.
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