The York East Rotary Club and Victory Athlete Association Club joined forces to on October 23rd to raise $7,000 for the "Pints for Polio" campaign. This joint venture marked a significant milestone in the ongoing global effort to eradicate polio, showcasing how local organizations can make a meaningful impact on a global health issue. The Rotary Club has been a champion in the fight against polio. Since launching its PolioPlus program in 1985, the organization has been at the forefront of the battle to eliminate the disease. The funds raised will be directed towards vaccination programs, public awareness campaigns, and other initiatives aimed at eradicating polio globally. With only a handful of countries still reporting cases of polio, the contributions from the Rotary Club and Victory Club will play a crucial role in achieving the ultimate goal of a polio-free world.
RVI continues its commitment to help student veterans at HACC and other Central PA Colleges
At the Rotary Club of Carlisle weekly luncheon on November 9th, 2023:
RVI committed to donate up to $7,500 in calendar year 2024 to help HACC student veterans achieve their career dreams
Funds to be used for tuition, fees, books, and/or program expenses
Adam Walter, HACC’s Director of Military and Veterans Affairs, described the comprehensive ways that HACC helps about 400 currently enrolled student Veterans succeed.
Thursday’s gift brings the cumulative total of RVI donations to HACC student veterans to $62,500, helping student veterans launch their careers as:
Engineers, Nurses, Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians, Computer Technicians, Commercial Drivers, Pharmacy Techs, and many others
This brings the cumulative total of RVI donations to help student Veterans at HACC, Penn State Harrisburg, Central Penn College, and the Employment Skills Center in Carlisle to $220,000, supporting nearly 300 recipients with scholarships, internships, book and device vouchers, business startup expertise and funding, and mentorship.
RVI is sponsoring a JOBS CLUB FOR VETERANS delivered by and at the Employment Skills Center in Carlisle
ALL US Military Veterans are welcome to participate in FREE workshops, including:
Resume Writing, Job Search, Interviewing, Mentorship, and more
Wednesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
November 15th - December 13th
Employment Skills Center, 29 South Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA 17013
Refreshments provided
To register: call 717-243-6040 or visit www.employmentskillscenter.org
Flyer attached
RVI is helping District 7390 start a ROTARACT CLUB for VETERANS in Central PA
Rotary, a global service organization of business, professional, and community leaders, serves others, promotes integrity, and advances world understanding, goodwill, and peace.
The Rotaract Club for Veterans in Central PA will offer young Veterans less than 40 years of age (who are not already Rotarians) the opportunity to:
Become part of the Rotary International family,
Engage in community service, networking with community leaders, and camaraderie with fellow veterans
Have fun!
Emerging Rotaract Club for Veterans leaders include Andrew Butch (President), Trevor Basham (Secretary/Social Media), and others.
Andrew Butch described multiple potential community service projects, including working directly with Veterans in need.
Want to join or recommend another Veteran?
Please contact Rick Coplen at rickcoplen@gmail.com
Dr. Joel Hillison, President of the Rotary Club of Carlisle, said, “Rotary’s motto is Service Above Self. That resonates with our veterans as they have served their country and put the country above themselves. Rotary Veterans Initiative is one excellent way Rotarians can give back to our service members.”
Rick Coplen, RVI Chair, said, “Thanks to our donors and sponsors! We are putting your generosity to very good use helping central PA Veterans transform their lives and strengthen our communities. Thank You!” Donations to RVI are always welcome. To make a tax-deductible donation to RVI, please:
Write the check to the "Rotary Veterans Initiative" and mail it to RVI, 806 Alexander Spring Road, Carlisle, PA 17015
To learn more about RVI to help our Veterans, please contact Rick Coplen at rickcoplen@gmail.com
Andrew Butch Speaks
Adam Walter Speaks
Pictured L-R: Rick Coplen, Andrew Butch, Yoli Madrill, Adam Walter, Marsha Krotseng.
Pictured L-R: Jim Nolan, Kathleen Stoup, Rick Coplen, Andrew Butch, Yoli Madrill, Adam Walter, Marsha Krotseng, Bill Blankmeyer, Rod Frazier, Alden Cunningham, Bob Gerard, Joel Hillison
Rotary Veterans Initiative (RVI) Continues to Help Veterans and Strengthen our Central PA Communities
Two 101-year old World War II veterans stood tall Thursday to receive a commendation for their military service during the Rotary Club of York-North's annual Veterans Day program at the Four Points by Sheraton in Manchester Township. For one of the veterans, it was the first time he had ever attended an event for veterans.
Sandy Harper, of West Manchester Township, was “a nose gunner in a PBY airplane, that’s an airplane that lands on the water…,” said Dave Kopp, a Vietnam War veteran who was running the program. According to a newspaper clipping from the period about Harper, “He flew scout and dive bombers in the Polar Bear Squadron, the first Naval squadron to operate at night with P.T. boats, and is one of the four surviving members of the entire squadron. When the Unit dispersed, he flew with the New Zealand Squadron No. 5, and five months previous to his discharge was in charge of radio and radar operations in V-F 66th, First Naval Jet Propulsion squadron.”
Kemps Sterner, of West Manchester Township, served in the 636th Tank Destroyer Battalion for the U.S. Army, according to Kopp. Thursday’s event was the first “veterans event” Sterner had attended in his life, said Kopp, who is also his nephew. Kopp recently obtained Sterner’s honorable discharge papers and read them during the program, saying that his “decorations and citations (include): Silver Star medal, third-highest medal you can receive, good conduct medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, with five bronze stars and one bronze arrowhead.” Kopp describes the bronze arrowhead as “awarded to personnel who have been part of a combat parachute drop, a combat glider attack, a helicopter assault landing.” He adds that the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal means that Kemp served in several key battles in these regions for tank battles, “and our tanks back in the day weren’t the best tanks, by the way. The casualty rate was off the charts.” Kopp said that he asked Sterner how long he served and Sterner replied, “I don’t know, we went in and we got out when the war was over.” Kopp explained that soldiers didn’t serve time-limited tours during World War II; they got out when the war ended.
After the program, two young soldiers seasoned on the battlefield 80 years ago, passed each other with a long, double-handed shake and controlled smile of two men sharing an experience unknown to most in the room.
Individually, the World War II veterans don’t have much to say about their service. “For 12 years (I served) and they were great years … very memorable,” Harper said. Sterner preferred to reflect on life in the present, “I’m satisfied with my life, the way things have been going, my friends and my relations. I’m well pleased.” “You’ll never see that again, in the same room, in York County, we made history today,” Kopp said after the program ended and the crowd had thinned.
The Rotary Club of Red Lion/Dallastown Area is focusing on mental health during the 2023-2024 Rotary year. Matt Dorgan, the founder of Building Bridges for Brianna, is a member of the Club, and Brianna's dad. This organization is working to prevent suicide, by striving to provide better access to mental health services to those who are suffering from depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. All D7390 Rotarians are invited to attend on December 4th to raise money for "Building Bridges for Brianna".
Red Lion/Dallastown Focuses on Mental Health Awareness
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 26, 2024. The interviews will be held February 17, 2024 and applicants MUST be available for the interviews on that date. For more information or to apply, please click here.
Click here to watch a video from our 2023-2024 Global Grant Scholar!
Questions? Contact Edward Hauck, District 7390 Global Grants Scholarship Committee at hauckedward@gmail.com or (717) 201-2604.
November is Foundation Month and on Saturday, November 4, the District held its annual Rotary Foundation Dinner, resulting in a festive celebration and recognition of our many Clubs and Members who made the past year such a great success, together with a realistic depiction of the present need for more peacebuilding and how we can each participate, followed by positive declarations about promising future initiatives for our District, all that interspersed with a compelling District achievement video and live music from students in the Spartan Modern Band of the Milton Hershey School, a local life-changing educational institution that participates in a joint Interact Club with Derry Township High School. That was a long paragraph, but so was the Dinner.
The celebration hailed super accomplishments by Clubs and individuals on both sides of the Foundation process: those who contributed funds to PolioPlus, specific areas of global focus and assistance, and to general funding that enables those fellow District Rotarians on the District, Global, and Scholarship grant side of the process to then use those funds to ‘do good’ in the community and the world.
What a great story! And, how fortunate we all are to tell it over and over again. The takeaway, apart from the great food and chocolate, and the selfie photos with the dropdead likeness of Paul Harris, and the Heads and Tales after dinner stretch is the touching backstory to everything that is Rotary: it is the contributions of dedicated Rotarians to fuel the projects; and then it is the people who execute that intent through service. So, the real Foundation is the People.
Paul Harris knew it in 1905. Arch Klumpf devised the structure to enable it in 1917. And now, not only the 183 who signed up for the Dinner, along with the hundreds of other donors who were not there (including our newest Arch Klumpf Society Member) but everyone else in our District can participate in that formula. Give a dollar to the Foundation for whatever compels you, from Polio eradication to areas of global focus, and include the designation of some funds to the Annual Fund, and $47.5 cents of that latter investment will come back to our District to spend on District, Global, and Scholarship Grants! The rate of return on that dollar thus becomes exponential!
Our thanks to the hundreds of Rotarians in our District who played a key part in supporting the Foundation Dinner. The Foundation Dinner Committee consisted of Pam Whitenack, Tom Davis, Jim Gainer, Mike Kinney, Anna-Mae Kobbe, Kathleen Stoup, Maria Thompson, Doug Nicotera, and, of course, Melissa Kopp, each contributing highly valuable advice and time to meet the demands of hosting that discerning group of attendees. From providing essential counsel and insights, to delivering and wrapping giant chocolate bars, to procuring Paul Harris, our sincerest thanks to each of them.
You had to be there to take it all in, but briefly here are some highlights:
Our Inbound Exchange Students, dressed to beat the Spartan band, which was extremely well dressed that evening, marched in with their respective country flags, as only exemplary diplomats could do, as we welcomed young ambassadors from Belgium, Brazil, Indonesia, Sweden, and Thailand.
Our indomitable Immediate Past District Governor, Juliet Altenburg, set the standard by providing a first-rate video summarizing the many inspirational activities of our Clubs, followed by presentations to best in show categories.
If the video does not display, click here to view it.
Our indispensable Foundation Committee Chair, Anna-Mae, then announced top individual donors in select categories of giving, and leading Club contributions for Every Rotarian Every Year, Total Annual and Total Foundation Giving, End Polio Now, and Global Grant Service Streamers. As the Chair, Past District Governor Anna-Mae coordinates Foundation activities from initial District 7390 Contributions to final grant disposition, ensuring Rotary International goals and guidance are met.
Ed Hauck followed this by providing inspirational updates on three of the remarkable students who have recently received Global Grant Scholarships from his Committee, and the good things they are accomplishing in their areas of study.
DG Fred Gellert then announced a campaign to enable our District to become designated a Global Peacebuilding District, which would illustrate tremendous support to the Rotary Focus Area of Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention. This goal will reflect our mutual intent to enhance the study and spread of peace to reduce conflict around the world. If you wish to join that campaign, you can do so directly online at Rotary Direct or by sending a designated check to Melissa.
Looking to the future, Kathleen Stoup explained the tremendous success of Operation Braveheart operating on kids with heart issues in the Philippines, and the plan to apply for a Program of Scale which would expand that project to the entire country. Only one District a year is selected for this program, but our District should be very competitive due to the great success of Braveheart and the urgency of the cause.
Rick Coplen described Rotary Veterans Initiative activities, and announced plans to found a District Rotaract Club for veterans, aged 18 to 40, who wish to hone their leadership skills, network about academic pursuits and jobs, and engage in service projects as well as social events. This Club would meet in person and online, as many of the prospective members are spread out while attending local colleges Two young vets from Penn State Harrisburg were introduced as the first officers of the Club. .
Becky Morgenthal described a similar plan to create a District Global Issues Rotaract Club for young global grant scholarship recipients and youth exchange students who wish to likewise exercise leadership opportunities, while networking about academic pursuits and jobs, and undertaking service projects, and social events. While the Club would be an online, passport Club, that would be compatible with the location of its members spread around the globe.
The final act consisted of Past District Governor John Anthony purporting to be an auctioneer, as only he can, and deftly raising over $1300 for the Global Peacebuilding Campaign.
At the end of the evening, it was all over but the shouting of satisfaction and determination, which never ends. That was the whole point. The Foundation Dinner provides a lot to digest, but that is what Rotary is all about, a gourmet banquet of choices where each Rotarian can find unique fulfilment and then share that sustenance far and wide, wherever there is need.
Congratulations to the Clubs that earned Recognitions for Giving during the 2022-2023 Rotary year!
A green Global Grant streamer was presented to the Rotary Club of Carlisle for Disease Prevention. They completed a global grant in Kenya for vision and eye healthcare for vulnerable populations.
The following Clubs had the highest annual fund giving during the 2022-2023 Rotary year:
York
Mechanicsburg-North
Harrisburg
The following Clubs had the highest total Rotary Foundation Giving during the 2022-2023 Rotary year:
York
Gettysburg
York-East
The following Clubs had the highest annual fund per capita giving in the 2022-2023 Rotary year:
York-East
Mechanicsburg-North
Harrisburg-Keystone
100% FOUNDATION GIVING CLUBS
This recognition is given to clubs that achieve an average of $100 in per capita giving and 100% participation, with every dues-paying member contributing at least $25 to any gift designation during the Rotary year. Only 4,500 Clubs worldwide have become a 100% Foundation Giving Club. Carlisle-Sunrise, Eastern York County, Hanover, Harrisburg-Keystone, Lancaster-Hempfield, Northern Lebanon County, Southern York County, and West Shore.
EVERY ROTARIAN, EVERY YEAR CLUBS (EREY)
This recognition is given to clubs that achieve a minimum Annual fund contribution of $100 per capita during the Rotary year, with every dues paying member contributing at least $25 to the Annual fund. The following Clubs were awarded banners: Harrisburg-Keystone, Lancaster-Hempfield, Northern Lebanon County, Southern York County and West Shore.
POLIO CERTIFICATES
The following Clubs received a certificate of appreciation for their financial support to the End Polio Now: Countdown to History Campaign during the 2022-2023 Rotary year. Each club contributed at least $1500 to Rotary’s Polio Eradication effort: Carlisle, Carlisle-Sunrise, Colonial Park, Eastern York County, Elizabethtown, Gettysburg, Hershey, Mechanicsburg-North, Mount Joy, Palmyra, Uptown York, York, York-East, and York-North.
The District membership committee has been hard at work to produce important and relevant information for our Clubs to increase their reach and promote membership! Check out the District membership development webpage by clicking here! There are lots of valuable resources and videos available!
The Rotary Club of Carlisle and the Rotary Club of Carlisle-Sunrise will host their annual holiday dinner and auction on Thursday, November 30th at the Carlisle Country Club. The proceeds from this event as explained in the auction brochure Holiday Auction Brochure | Rotary Club of Carlisle (carlislerotary.org will provide access to safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene for three very poor villages in Togo. The dinner also will be a celebration of the Rotary Club of Carlisle Sunrise’s 20 years of service to the community.
Rotarians can support this auction in one of two ways. First, by donating an item by contacting the Auction Chairs, Bill Blankmeyer at blankmeyer66@comcast.net or (717) 590-7229 and Marv Salsman at (717) 448-5374 or kmsals@comcast.net. Secondly, tax-deductible sponsorships can be made to support the global grant project. Checks should be made out to “Carlisle Rotary Club Foundation” and mailed to Carlisle Rotary Club, PO Box 301, Carlisle, PA 17013.
Carlisle Rotary Auction to Support a Global Grant Project in Togo, West Africa
To all those who attended the District’s Rotary Foundation dinner this past Saturday, thank you for making it a special evening. We had a wonderful night of fellowship, recognitions, entertainment, and support to our Rotary Foundation. Thank you to DGE Paul Thompson and the team of Rotarians who made the dinner a success. We are grateful for your skill and dedication to leading us in honoring the past year’s accomplishments in giving and serving. Bravo to the team! We also announced several new initiatives we are beginning as a district, including a veterans-based Rotaract club and a Rotaract club for our past global scholars and Youth Exchange students. More information is on the district website and we are seeking Rotarians to help us make these clubs successful.
As also announced at the foundation dinner, we have started a District 7390 Peacebuilding Campaign to support the Rotary Foundation’s Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention area of focus. The events of the past month have brought into sharp focus the need for this area of focus. From now until February 23, 2024, the 119th anniversary of the founding of Rotary, please donate to the Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention fund under The Rotary Foundation. Donations can be made to the Peace Centers fund or the Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention area of focus. When the district reaches $25,000 in giving, we will be designated a Global Peacebuilding District. I am pleased to also announce that a very generous Rotarian has offered to match our giving for this campaign up to the $25,000 level. Your contribution will immediately have twice the effect in building global peace.
You can make your donation online at www.rotary.org/give. Once your donation is submitted, please send an email to Melissa at the district office letting her know of your donation so we may track our total giving. You may also send a check to the district office made out to either The Rotary Foundation or to District 7390 and we’ll submit to the Rotary Foundation on your behalf. Please annotate on the check whether this is for the Peace Centers or the Peacebuilding area of focus. For those who donate $250 or more, we will recognize you as Global Peacebuilders at the district conference in April. Thank you for your support of this important area of need for our world. Note that donations to the peace-related funds do not count for Paul Harris points and do not add to the future District Designated Funds (DDF).
Speaking of the district conference, please save the dates of April 19th and 20th to attend our 2024 District Conference. On Friday April 19th we will gather at the Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle for dinner and several activities including the 4 Way Speech and Essay contests. Then on Saturday April 20th we will do some service projects in the district in the morning and then gather in the afternoon at the Heritage Hills Resort in York for some learning sessions followed by dinner and our evening program. I look forward to seeing you as we come together as a district in fellowship and service.
Thank you for all you are doing as Rotarians and as Rotary clubs. Our communities are better from your service.
Monday, November 6, 6:30 PM on Zoom - Rotary District 7430 Zoom Webinar on Planning Successful Membership Events. Click here to register in advance for this meeting.
Tuesday, November 21 at 7 PM. Zone Membership Webinar on “Nurturing and Sustaining New Clubs”. Zoom link is pending!
Zone 32 Membership Recordings to access On Demand
Part 1 "How to Build a Successful New Club from the Ground Up"
Four experienced Rotarians give advice on how they started multiple new clubs in their districts including traditional, satellite, Rotaract, cause-based and non-traditional clubs. Topics include how to get started attracting new members and useful tools.
Part 2 "How to Build a Successful New Club from the Ground Up" https://youtu.be/ptqzoqP4nY4 This 2nd session focused on building momentum with your core group of future members and getting your new club chartered. The session will include topics such as: Defining club leadership, new club and satellite club bylaws, accessibility, membership dues styles, creating a club name, and getting the new club involved in their community.
Please recommend this FREE program to any Veterans you know who can benefit. To anyone, especially Veterans, who wants to help mentor some of these great Veterans, please call 717-243-6040.
Below is a snapshot of JA’s November and December volunteer opportunities. Programs highlighted in yellow have the highest needs at this time.
You may sign up on the link below OR contact me directly at lvaughn@jascpa.org The link has the full list of openings through the end of the school year.
The time has come to begin the nominating process for our 2026-2027 District Governor. In this way we will continue our three-year projection for District 7390’s leadership.
Every club has an outstanding leader who could be a potential District Governor. Look around and ask yourself, who is that person in our club? It is the person who is a good leader, interested, involved, gives financially to Rotary and The Rotary Foundation and is helpful to other members. Ask that person about his or her interest in serving as District Governor. We all need to give encouragement and “plant the seed” for others to move forward.
Each Club is encouraged to suggest a qualified candidate for nomination as the 2026-2027 District Governor. The process is as follows:
Submit a letter signed by your Club Secretary including the name of the candidate stating he/she has been endorsed and nominated by the Rotary Club to Melissa Kopp-Smith at office@rotary7390.org by December 15, 2023
The District Governor is responsible for a variety of activities including:
Promoting membership growth and engagement
Supporting The Rotary Foundation through fundraising and grant activities
Serving as a spokesperson for the district and Rotary when appropriate
Conducting district events, including the district conference
Supervising the district leadership team
Encouraging open communication among clubs, as well as between clubs and RI
Officially visiting each club to raise awareness of important Rotary issues, support struggling clubs, motivate club members to participate in service, and recognize members’ contributions.
Communicating frequently with each club president
Fostering continuity by working with past, current, and incoming district leaders
Ensuring that district nominations and elections are conducted according to the RI Constitution and Bylaws
Inquiring regularly about the activities of Rotarian organizations operating in the district
Following the District Governor Code of Ethics (Rotary Code of Policies section 19.010.1.) https://bit.ly/44JGoVU
The candidate should possess the following skills and qualities:
Be aware of the qualifications, duties, and responsibilities of a District Governor
Demonstrate willingness, commitment, and ability to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the office of Governor.
Be familiar with District and Rotary International Bylaws, Constitution and the RI 2022 Manual of Procedure which outlines the qualifications for a District Governor: https://my.rotary.org/en/learning-reference/about-rotary/governance-documents These qualifications should be studied carefully by Club members and the prospective Rotarian candidate for District Governor, prior to a decision to suggest any member as a candidate.
Please keep in mind that it is each Club’s duty to the District and Rotary International to give serious consideration to suggesting candidates for District Governor. Your suggestion for District Governor 2026- 2027 must be received in the District Office by December 15, 2023, to be considered by the Nominating Committee.
Interviews for the 2026-2027 District Governor will be held Tuesday, January 16, 2024, in the evening at PA Trauma Systems Foundation (Slatehill Business Center, 3907 Hartzdale Drive, Suite #702, Camp Hill, PA).
Under the coordination of York Rotarians, fifteen bike riders took to the Heritage Rail Trail from its northern end at John Rudy Park to Lafayette Square in downtown York and back. The downtown York club, the Uptown club, the Harrisburg club, and the York-East club were represented. There were five non-riding participants from 5 clubs.
Participants were asked to donate $50. Special T-shirts were donated by JCAR Logo Gear, food and drinks were donated by Rob Bowen so that there was no cost to individual clubs, so $2050.00 will be donated to the RI PolioPlus campaign. ($750.00 from UPMC, $250.00 from Rotary Club of York’s President’s Challenge, and $1050. from riders and participants.)
In a heartwarming display of community spirit and generosity, the York East Rotary Club organized a highly successful 'Pints for Polio' event at the Victory Club in York, PA. The event not only brought together local residents but also managed to raise an impressive sum of over $7,000 to support the global fight against polio. The highlight of the evening was a moving speech by John Nanni, a polio survivor whose story of resilience and courage left attendees inspired and deeply touched. Nanni's presence served as a powerful reminder of the importance of eradicating this debilitating disease worldwide.
The 'Pints for Polio' event featured a range of activities, including live music, auctions, raffles, and of course, plenty of pints of locally brewed beer. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a shared commitment to making a difference. "The support we received from the community was overwhelming. It's heartening to see how people come together to fight against polio," said Tim Koller, Committee chair. "This event not only raised funds but also raised awareness about the importance of vaccinations and the need to eradicate polio from the face of the earth." 100% of funds raised during the event will be contributed to Rotary International's End Polio Now campaign, which aims to eradicate polio globally.
Rotary International has been a leading force in the fight against polio for decades, working tirelessly to immunize children and raise awareness about the importance of vaccination. John Nanni, the guest speaker at the event, shared his personal journey of overcoming polio and emphasized the significance of continued efforts in the battle against the disease. His story served as a poignant reminder of the impact that polio can have on individuals and communities. The York East Rotary Club expressed its gratitude to the attendees, sponsors, and volunteers including the Victory Club and Brewery Products who made the 'Pints for Polio' event a resounding success. Their collective efforts have brought the global community one step closer to a polio-free world, where every child can grow up healthy and unburdened by this devastating disease.
The Rotary Clubs of Hershey and Hummelstown will host the 69th RMB networking event in District 7390 history and the sixth and final event in the 2023 RMB season on Thursday, November 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. The event will take place at The Englewood, 1219 W End Avenue, Hershey, PA. The networking event will be FREE thanks to Major Sponsor the Rotary Club of Hershey and include light hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer soft drinks and water. Click here to RSVP today!
This will be another in a longstanding series of great business networking opportunities and fun and fellowship events. Do not miss it. Also, please consider bringing potential Rotarian guests and Family of Rotary.
We’re in the final countdown to World Polio Day! The World Polio Day Resources webpage is full of content you can share to help raise awareness. Be sure to visit Rotary’s accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, now known as X on 24 October for even more World Polio Day content. Join us on 24 October. Together, we can end polio!
Make Polio History Campaign Launches
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative has launched its “Make Polio History” campaign! Learn why people around the world believe we can end polio for good and ask donors, governments, and other global leaders to seize the opportunity to create a polio-free world. Take Action!
Raising awareness for polio eradication at the Colosseum
Music legend Annie Lennox, pianist and composer Nicola Piovani, and singer Mahmood, along with chef Cristina Bowerman, sculptor Jago, musician Leslie Sackey, actor and artistic director Luca Tommassini, producer Danilo Cirilli, and more shared their talents on 10 September at the Time for Change event. Held at the iconic Colosseum in Rome, Time for Change chose to highlight the effort to eradicate polio. In an interview with The Associated Press before the event, Lennox talked about why she supports Rotary’s polio eradication program.
Video Spotlight
How far are frontline health care workers willing to go to deliver life-saving drops of polio vaccine? It’s clear from a recent video by the World Health Organization that a wide river was no match for determined vaccinators in Afghanistan.
5 Actions you can take to support #ENDPOLIO
Register your club’s World Polio Day action by 24 October.
Share the “Make Polio History” video on your social media.
Come celebrate Foundation month with the Zone 28 & 32 Foundation teams as we showcase Global Grant projects from our two Zones. Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator Eileen Rau has announced a Foundation Month opportunity that will showcase Global Grants. District 7390 Global Grant Operation Braveheart is one of four projects being featured as part of an International Cafe of Global Grants from Zones 28 and 32. District 7390 is proud of Operation Braveheart and Dr. Jess Socrates for his leadership on this Global Grant in the Philippines. Jess is a member of The D7390 Passport Club.
Mark your calendars and register now for the Thursday, November 16th program. This program will begin at 7:00 pm Eastern Time. Pre-registration is required. Click here to register! Encourage club members and leaders and anyone who wants to learn more about how the Rotary Foundation can change lives - and how they can get involved or spearhead a Global Grant project.
Learn more about:
How the Rotary Club of Rhinebeck (District 7210) was able to bring a Global Grant into its own backyard in the U.S. – the Environmental Justice Program
How one project generated multiple Global Grants in the Philippines as part of Operation Braveheart
How the Yale University Rotaract Club spearheaded a Global Grant in Turkey and is now working on one in Sri Lanka
How districts are working together on a Global Grant project in Ethiopia to improve the nutritional status, health and early childhood development of children under five
D7390 Global Grant to be Featured at Zone Foundation Webinar
I am well into my governor visits to the clubs in the district. I am enjoying meeting you and hearing all that is going on at the club level. Thank you to the 13 clubs that have been gracious hosts so far. You energize me with your Rotary service. I look forward to meeting the remaining 28 clubs over the next 60 days. And thank you to our six Assistant Governors who have been joining me in these visits. I very much appreciate their willingness to continue to serve our district in this role. Each AG serves 4-6 clubs and are a great resource for club leaders to gain advice from seasoned Rotary leaders.
Speaking of Rotary service, our own PDG John Anthony from the Mechanicsburg North club was designated as the Mechanicsburg Man of The Year by the Downtown Mechanicsburg Partnership. The award dinner was a wonderful celebration of John and all his work to make Mechanicsburg a great place to live. True to John’s serving spirit, he added to the evening’s program 20 non-profit organizations that do charitable work in the Mechanicsburg area. Each organization got 2 minutes to describe themselves and their work. Rotary was well represented by Mechanicsburg North club President David Blain. That part of the program was a wonderful display of humanitarian efforts at the local level and a testament to all the work John does to enhance lives in Mechanicsburg and elsewhere. Congratulations to John on this well-deserved honor and thanks to all our Mechanicsburg area Rotarians for their service above self.
Two weeks ago, the governor line leaders attended the Learning to Lead conference in Toronto hosted by Rotary Zones 28 and 32. These Zone level conferences are held each year in late September and are open to all Rotarians, especially those in or assuming leadership positions. The break-out sessions were informative, energizing, and useful for club members. One trainer asked, “who do you lean on and who do you hold up?” That question resonated with me and I pass the question to you for your reflection. I ask club leaders to consider sponsoring one member, or a few, to attend next September. You will get back energized Rotarians with new knowledge. Thanks go to PDGs Connie Spark, Hector Ortiz, and Una Martone for serving as trainers and facilitators. These experienced and successful leaders are critical to making these learning sessions beneficial to all. Thank you for your time, talent, and work on our behalf. Also of note, there was a fundraising event for the Rotary Foundation called “Bouncing for the Foundation.” Volunteers from the 40 districts in attendance strapped on Zorb bouncy balls and sumo-style battled for bragging rights. I represented District 7390 and most importantly survived the experience. Thanks to those Rotarians who donated in our district and in the other districts, we raised $103,000 from the event. Awesome! You can Google “Zorb ball rentals” to see if this might make sense as a club fundraising activity.
I will close this note by acknowledging the horrific events that are on-going in the Middle East. One of Rotary’s focus areas is on Promoting Peace and this past week has highlighted the desperate need for peacebuilding. The district leaders are discussing how we as a district can support peacebuilding. As we gather information and develop a plan, I’ll communicate how Rotarians and clubs might support Rotary’s peace efforts.
Thank you for continuing to serve in Rotary. I’ll see you around the district.
The Rotary Club of York will host candidates for County Commissioner at its weekly meeting on October 25 at the Country Club of York. The meeting will start at 11:30 am. Candidates appearing on the November 7 ballot and participating in the panel are Scott Burford, Doug Hoke, Keena Minifield, and Julie Wheeler. Heather Warner will moderate the discussion. Each candidate will be given an opportunity for an opening and closing statement. Questions from club members will be submitted in advance and coordinated by Heather Warner. Members of the press are welcome but will be restricted to the rear of the room during the program. They may ask questions after the meeting concludes.
Please contact John Klinedinst (jak@csdavidson.com) in advance if you would like to attend.
York County Commissioner Candidates Appearance at York Rotary on October 25
This 2nd session will focus on building momentum with your core group of future members and getting your new club chartered. The session will include topics such as: Defining club leadership, new club and satellite club bylaws, accessibility, membership dues styles, creating a club name, and getting the new club involved in their community.
This webinar is intended for District ICA's, DMC's and anyone who is planning or wants to learn more about how to champion starting a successful club (including satellites & Rotaract) in your district! Please spread the word and invite others. If your goal is to grow membership in your district, starting new clubs needs to be a key component of your strategy.
*If you are unable to attend, the session will be recorded.
Do you have expertise in social media, Canva, photography, videography, communications, writing and/or education? If your answer is YES to any skills in the areas of communications and Public Image we need YOU. District Public Image Chair Juliet is gathering interested Rotarians to support Public Image efforts at both the District and Club level. The gift of your time and expertise will be greatly appreciated no matter how small. Contact Juliet to learn how you can get involved at DGJuliet2022@qrpc.com! Meanwhile click here to check out the NEW public image area of My Rotary!
Seeking Talented Rotarians to Support District and Club Public Image Efforts
The new 23-24 District Membership Committee is launching a monthly webinar series featuring short educational presentations focusing on how Rotary Clubs can enhance their reach through Public Image and Membership Activities. The committee meets the 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM on Zoom. On Tuesday, October 24, PDG Juliet will give a presentation on theBrand Center found on My Rotary. Learn how to create a club brochure, develop People of Action Images for your club, and access promotional materials. The presentation will take place during the first 15 minutes of the club meeting and will be recorded for on-demand viewing. All Rotarians are welcome to join, but you MUST click here to pre-register! Future monthly presentations will include topics such as using Canva, Creating Social Media Accounts, best practices for club displays and more! Contact District Membership Chair PDG Juliet at DGJuliet2022@qrpc.com if you would like to be a speaker, become a regular member, or need help in expanding your club’s membership efforts. TOGETHER WE GROW ROTARY.
District Membership Committee Launches Monthly Webinars
Congratulations to York-North and Lancaster Penn Square Rotary Clubs for achieving the 2022-2023 District Governors Citations for IMAGINING Rotary in ways which enhanced engagement, reach, impact, and adaptability! The Rotary Club of York-North developed new partnerships with the York Literacy Council and the Manufacturer’s Association through their “Math is a Super Power” program which provided classes on math and manufacturing, and opportunities for students to explore career paths. They started a monthly club social meeting at a different venue each month, ramped up their new member mentorship program, increased RYLA sponsorships and Foundation giving. All these activities and more were under the leadership of their energetic President Ricardo Aguilar. Congrats!
22-23 DG Juliet with Past President Ricardo Aguilar
The Rotary Club of Lancaster Penn Square IMAGINED ROTARY through a new partnership with the Lancaster Police Department. They provided the Department with 50 tourniquets for use with bleeding emergencies. New activities included volunteering at the Maryanne Caldwell Spring Bike Fling to help children choose a refurbished bicycle and new helmets. They helped the Rotary Club of Lancaster Sunrise distribute books to elementary school students and donated over $21,000 to community and charitable organizations.
Past President Kay McClenathan with PDG Juliet
District Governors Citation Awarded to Two Additional Rotary Clubs
The hosting Rotary Clubs of Elizabethtown, Lancaster Hempfield, Lancaster Penn Square, and Lititz superbly supported by Venue Sponsor Holiday Inn Lancaster, Event Plus Sponsors the Rotary Club of Lancaster Penn Square, Waste Hauler Support Services, LLC, United Zion Retirement Community, and Event Sponsors Caretakers Electric, Christian Brothers Automotive, and the Rotary Club of Lititz conducted a super successful RMB networking event on October 5th at the absolutely fantastic Holiday Inn Lancaster. This Holiday Inn is one of the top Holiday Inns in its system with a spacious lobby, excellent restaurant and bar, and many elegant and capacious ballrooms, conference areas and meeting rooms along with an indoor swimming pool and a fully equipped fitness center. There were 24 Rotarians, guests and family of Rotary attending from twelve Rotary clubs as follows: Carlisle, Carlisle Sunrise, Elizabethtown, Harrisburg Keystone, Lancaster, Lancaster Hempfield, Lancaster Penn Square, Lancaster Sunrise, Lititz, Mechanicsburg North, Paradise, and West Shore.
Driving the success of this event were Janelle Ellis of the Rotary Club of Lititz and Gary Davis of the Rotary Club of Lancaster Penn Square and Sales Manager of the Holiday Inn. Gary did an excellent job of seeing that we had a great venue within the hotel and making sure everyone was taken care of during the event in every possible way. Janelle painstakingly took care of event administration and coordination throughout the process and sparkled in her presentations covering not only her own club’s accomplishments but representing Truist Bank super well and even covering for some of the sponsors who could not attend. Carol Cunningham did her usual fantastic job of making sure we had a great selection of photos to represent the event. Also, a shout out to our District Governor Fred Gellert and Immediate Past District Governor Juliet Altenburg for supporting the event by attending thus demonstrating their strong support for RMB. Well done all!
RMB Fun!
Thank you to our Sponsors!
October 5 RMB Lancaster Networking Event a Huge Success!
The Rotary Club of New Holland announced that—having received approval from the district and Rotary International—it has officially changed its name to the Rotary Club of Eastern Lancaster County.
Intending to reflect its true service area, which extends beyond the New Holland borough, the club believes the new name will appeal to a wider audience as it begins to explore ways to grow its membership. “Looking at other organizations that use the ELANCO moniker, like our local school district, the library, and others,” explains club president, Trevor Reed, “the Eastern Lancaster County name is a natural fit for our club.”
The Rotary Club of Eastern Lancaster County continues a tradition of service the New Holland club started when it was originally chartered back in 1944.
Regular meetings are still held every Thursday, 7:30 AM at Yoder’s Restaurant in New Holland.
Last week we kicked off our one-day programs! We are off to a great start and would love to have you join us at an upcoming event.
Below is a snapshot of volunteer opportunities for October and November. Programs highlighted in yellow have the highest needs at this time.
If you would like to learn more about a program, please click HERE for program overviews.
To sign up for one or more programs you may click on the link below OR contact me directly. The link below will show the full list of openings through the end of the school year.
Last Sunday clubs throughout our District gathered at Rotary Day at the Barnstormers in Lancaster to expand the Reach of Rotary in their communities. Clubs set up tables in the concourse advertising their fundraisers, projects, and the value of Rotary in the community. Club Presidents, Rotary friends, and District Leaders got to throw a first pitch and witness Rotary Club fundraising advertisements on the baseball field jumbotron. The impact of such events is hard to quantify, but each of the clubs that attended can attest to the valuable connections they made not only with guests but other club members. In addition, $613 was raised for the Maui Relief efforts! Images and videos of that event were posted on every club’s social media sites including the District 7390 Facebook and Instagram pages. Special thanks is extended to Beth Mack from Lancaster Sunrise Rotary Club for coordinating the many logistics of the day!! Although the rain hampered the launch of the game, the spectators got a great education on the value of Rotary in their community! Bravo!
Rotary Day at the Barnstormers: A great example of successfully Expanding our Reach!
Rotary Leadership Institute was held in District 7390 on September 16th. Thank you to the wonderful RLI faculty District Rotarians that attended and learned more about Rotary!
The hosting Rotary Clubs of Elizabethtown, Lancaster Hempfield, Lancaster Penn Square, and Lititz are working together to sponsor the first RMB Eastern Tier networking event since before COVID and the 68th event in District 7390 RMB history. The event will take place on Thursday, October 5 at the Holiday Inn, 26 E. Chestnut Street, Lancaster, PA from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. The event will be FREE thanks to Venue Sponsor Holiday Inn Lancaster; Event Plus sponsors Waste Hauler Support Services LLC, United Zion Retirement Community, and Rotary Club of Lancaster Penn Square; and event sponsors Caretaker Electric, Christian Brothers Automotive, and the Rotary Club of Lititz.
Light appetizers will be available and one free drink coupon will be provided to be used at the nearby hotel bar. FREE parking will be available at the Duke Street Garage but all attendees who plan to park free there must provide their license plate number. This can be accomplished during the RSVP process. Street parking is available but limited. You also can park in the Christian Street Garage. Please enter through the hotel lobby entrance and head to the Imperial Restaurant and the hostess will direct you.
This will be another in a longstanding series of great business networking opportunities and fun and fellowship events. Do not miss it. Also, please consider bringing potential Rotarian guests and Family of Rotary.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Upcoming Rotary Means Business in Lancaster County!
On Thursday September 7th 14 Rotarians flew to Chicago and had an exceptional four days.
As Frank Sinatra sang, “I bet your bottom dollar you’ll have some fun in Chicago, Chicago.” And you can bet your bottom dollar that we all had a lot of fun in Chicago. After touring RI headquarters we met some Rotarians of Rotary Club One at the Union League Club for lunch.
Front row second from left is club President Aleta Williams who was kind enough to make this happen. We all received a club banner from Rotary Club One. We went to a Chicago Cubs game Saturday afternoon and took in many sights and experiences that Chicago has to offer.
Here is why your club should plan a trip to Rotary International headquarters and Chicago.
“It was great to experience Rotary where it all began over 118 years ago.” Debbie Dupler
“I absolutely enjoyed every aspect of the trip, from learning more about Rotary to taking in the beautiful architectural scenery of Chicago and the fantastic fellowship amongst all of us Rotarians, who were on the trip.” Lori Funck
“A fantastic pilgrimage to our Rotary roots, which should be experienced by all our club members.” Mark Bruce
“I joined to grow my business. I stayed because of Job1.” Rotary One current President Aleta Williams. (Note Job1 is a Rotary One initiative to help Chicago youth improve employment ability.) Jeff Marsico
“The trip to Chicago was to see our Rotary history up close. We did that plus we had some fun in the process.” Glen Bootay
“It was an amazing experience to visit where Rotary began and to share it with some pretty awesome people!” Laura Jo Funck (less than one year in Rotary)
“Fantastic Rotary experience with great people, in a very cool city.” Dan Brill
“Rotary is so much more than just our club in Elizabethtown and to go to Chicago gave the opportunity to get a greater vision for the future and how our club can play a part in changing the world.” Denise Grove
“Living, learning, laughing - - what a better way to spend a long weekend with my Rotarian friends?” Sandra Bruce.
“Our Chicago trip was a great way to build goodwill and better friendships!” Dustin Conrad
“We learned that the spirit of Rotary service and humanity transcends history, cultures, and geography.” Joe Rebman
“Enough cannot be said about the experience that I had in Chicago with my fellow Rotarians! I learned so much about Rotary…I can not wait until the 2025 International Convention in Calgary! Kevin Schafer
“Trip to /Rotary International was a unique excuse to spend time with my fellow Rotarians in the true fellowship and get out of town.” Bart Ziegler
“This has been my fourth trip the RI headquarters and I am ready to go again.” Dennis Zubler
We all agree that “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”
So, as a Person of Action, be sure that you come to the District Foundation Dinner Party on November 4, at the Hershey Lodge, from 5 to 8:30 pm.
If you believe in service above self, join your fellow Rotarians in celebrating your participation in Rotary events locally and globally!
If you are a positive peacemaker, this is the time to show your true colors!
If you are for lifechanging and lifesaving events, share your convictions with like-minded Members!
If you want to provide assistance and respond to disasters, come hear about the good efforts in numerous situations.
If you advocate the eradication of polio, be that close to the Foundation effort!
If you are an entrepreneur and a dealmaker, come assess the Endowment!
If you are dedicated to the Rotary Seven Areas of Focus, come hear about our District’s many global successes in every one of them!
If you believe that every Rotarian should engage the Foundation every year, you will be in very good company!
If in everything you think, say, and do, you are for Truth, Fairness, Goodwill, and Friendship, you will be home!
And, if you resemble Paul Harris and simply like fun and friendship in a welcoming setting, just come eat, drink and be eleemosynary.
Don’t miss it. Don’t even be late!!!
(If you want a personal invite, call me at 717 979-9599.)
Sponsors, heroes, family, friends, and the public are invited to join us as we dedicate our flags and honor our heroes. The event is scheduled from 1:00 - 2:00 pm on Monday, September 11, 2023 at the Camp Hill United Methodist Church Wesley Center located at 417 South 22nd Street in Camp Hill, PA.
WHTM-TV anchor Dennis Owens has agreed to emcee our event for the third year in a row. Dennis understands all that goes into being a hero, including the sacrifices they make. He did a phenomenal job at the previous dedication ceremonies (viewable on the RCWS Facebook page), and we are delighted that he is able to join us again.
We're also excited to welcome Tracey C. Jones as our featured speaker this year! Tracey is nationally known for her leadership expertise, as well as her ability to connect on a core level with her audiences. You can learn more about Tracey by visiting her website; you will not be disappointed.
PDG Juliet is pleased to announce that one club in our District received both the Rotary Citation and District Governor Citation for the 2022-2023 Rotary Year: Rotary Club of West Shore.
The Rotary Citation awarded by Rotary International recognizes the hard work clubs do throughout the year to engage members, stay relevant in their communities, and run more efficiently. To achieve the Rotary Citation, clubs need to review all the available goals, select at least half of them, achieve those goals, and report their achievement in Rotary Club Central by June 30th.Click here to Read moreabout the 23-24 Rotary Citation Criteria.
The District Governor Citation is developed by the District Governor each year. PDG Juliet developed 2022-2023 criteria based on the theme of IMAGINE ROTARY coined by RI President Jennifer Jones. Clubs were asked to give an example of one new partnership the club engaged in and other ways the club imagined Rotary. Ways the Rotary Club of West Shore achieved this award were through:
Engaging in new Partnerships: Camp Hill Parks and Recreation with Toys for Tots Campaign with Parade of Lights activity.
Enhancing Public Image: Added a LinkedIn account and increased frequency of social media posts. Developed a video showcasing activities for the 22-23 Rotary Year. Click here to view the video
Increasing impact and reach in community through involvement in new community events: Iron Bridge Festival in New Cumberland, National Night Out in Camp Hill, Lemoyne Borough Clean Up, Negley Park Concert.
Increasing Membership Engagement: Increased participation with Rotary Means Business, District Conference, District Environment Committee, and RYLA. Achieved club growth of 3 members in the 2022-2023 Rotary Year.
Four other clubs in our District also received the District Governor Citation. Stay tuned for their stories in a future Rotary Reporter!
Pictured in photo are President Bim Arthun holding the Rotary Citation and Past President Rod Hite holding the DG Citation. PDG Juliet and DGE Paul Thompson are on Bim’s right surrounded by happy club members.
Congratulations 2022-2023 Rotary Citation and District Governor Citation Recipients!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS. The Rotary Clubs of Elizabethtown, Lancaster-Hempfield and Lititz are working together to sponsor the first RMB Eastern Tier networking event since before COVID. The event will take place on Thursday, October 5 at the Holiday Inn, 26 E. Chestnut Street, Lancaster, PA from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. The event is planned to be FREE of cost to attendees thanks to Venue Sponsor Holiday Inn and to event sponsors Phil Saleet of Caretakers Electric and Glen Bootay of Waste Hauler Support Services, LLC. Other event sponsors are expected to step forward soon. Light appetizers will be available. Street parking is available but limited. Holiday Inn recommends parking in the Christian Street Garage or the Duke Street Garage. The Holiday Inn does not validate parking. Please enter through the hotel lobby entrance and head to the Imperial Restaurant and the hostess will direct you. Stay tuned.
I hope this message finds you healthy and prospering as we draw summer to a close. I have started my Governor visits to our clubs, the first visit was this week to the Rotary Club of Eastern York County. Thank you to President Phil and the Rotarians for a warm reception. I know these visits will be the highlight of the Governor year!
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the “Life on Land” conference led by our RI Director Drew Kessler and hosted by District 5010 in Anchorage, AK. The conference focus was on environmental issues broadly and the Arctic in specific. I was joined by our District Governor-elect Paul Thompson and his wife Maria, both from the Rotary Club of Hershey. This was a wonderful experience, and a great example of the many opportunities Rotary offers to serve, learn, and lead. Alaska is an amazing place and we learned about Alaska’s place in the world and our nation, the positive governance structures that are working well to share opportunities with native peoples, and the changing Arctic environment and its impacts on the rest of the globe. As one of the speakers said, “the Arctic is a global Arctic.” As we find more of these learning opportunities in Rotary, I’ll be sure to get the details published.
Another learning opportunity closer to home is our upcoming Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) that takes place at Central Penn College on September 16th. RLI has three parts to the course plus a graduate seminar for those that have completed the three parts. We have 24 Rotarians registered and are ready to go for Part 1 and the Graduate Seminar. We need more teammates to join us for Parts 2 and 3 as there is a required minimum number of students. For those that have completed Parts 1 or 2, please consider registering for our course. While there are other RLI Sessions throughout the year (see RLI NEA website), this is the one course this Rotary year close to home. No better time to take the next step in your Rotary learning journey. Registration is available on the District 7390 web site, lower left corner under the calendar entry for the RLI.
It is a pleasure serving as Governor and I look forward to seeing you around the district.
Join us to learn more about the 2024-2025 Youth Exchange program. We will cover deadlines, calendar dates and additional information that will make the Youth Exchange process easier to understand. This meeting is for any interested Youth Exchange applicant, their parents, and Rotarians interested in the Rotary Youth Exchange program. Questions? Please contact District Youth Exchange Chair Jill Tenny at rotaryd7390youthexchange@gmail.com.
The York East Rotary Club gave out Paul Harris Fellow Awards to 6 individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service and dedication to their communities. The award is named after Paul Harris, who founded the first Rotary Club in Chicago in 1905. It's a way for Rotary clubs to recognize individuals for their contributions to the club's goals of promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, supporting education, and more. Rotary clubs typically award Paul Harris Fellowships to individuals who have made significant contributions, either through monetary donations or substantial volunteer efforts. These contributions might be directed towards local or global initiatives that align with Rotary's values and objectives.
The awards were given to Lydell Nunn, Wendy Keesee, Morry Hooper, Cher Condor, Dan Calloway and Randy Nauman. The Paul Harris Fellow recognition is a significant honor within the Rotary community and is accompanied by a certificate and a medallion. It signifies a person's commitment to the Rotary's motto of "Service Above Self" and their dedication to making positive changes in the world.
Pictured left to right: Sandy Graham, Lydell Nunn, Wendy Keesee, Morry Hooper, Elizabeth Wolf
As you schedule your fall programs, include a program featuring your high school student(s) that attended RYLA (Rotary Youth Leaders Awards Conference) this past June at Messiah University. Please include Gary Crissman, our District 7390 RYLA Co-Chair, to participate in this program. Contact Gary at: 717-576-6113 or ghcrissman@verizon.net
Gary will share more about this exciting student program interfacing with the student’s input into his/her RYLA experience. This joint TEAM effort will focus on the student’s experience, an overview of the entire program, costs, and process for selection of student(s) for 2024, etc.
If your club did not send a student(s) to RYLA in 2023, please consider recognizing a student this year to attend.
Congratulations to our own PDG Una Martone for receiving the 2023 Rotary Leadership Institute Facilitator Award yesterday at the RLI 2023 Annual meeting in Albany, New York. Pictured with Una from our district is PDG Hector Ortiz and DG Fred Gellert. So well deserved! Experience Una and other great facilitators at the Rotary Leadership Institute on 9/16 at Central Penn College! It is a MUST for any Rotarian who wants to take advantage of all the wonderful tools Rotary has to offer its members. See you there!
2023 RLI Faculty of the Year Award Presented to PDG Una Martone
Rotary District 5000 is collecting monetary donations to support response and recovery efforts following the fires on the island of Maui.
Here is a note from Hawai'i Rotary District Governor Mark Merriam on August 9, 2023
Today has been a tragic day for our Rotarians, families and friends on the Island of Maui. The fires across the island have changed lives forever. Truly devastating. Our sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted. As people of action, we can take immediate action. As we come together to recover and rebuild, we need to support each other. We need to Create Hope for Maui. Through our Rotary District 5000 Foundation, a relief fund has been established. Foundation President Dave Hamil and Treasurer Sharon Amano will handle all donations. A committee will be organized shortly to find the greatest needs for distribution of monies. A single fund will be the most helpful over time to provide the most significant benefits. Please consider donating to this special fund.
Maui Fires Relief Fund: https://www.paypal.com/donate/... Please also widely share this opportunity to help. Stay safe, take care and mahalo for creating hope.
Next Tuesday, August 22 at 6:30 PM the first meeting of our District Membership Committee is happening chaired by PDG Juliet Altenburg. If you have a passion for helping your club and others grow membership as well as keep the members you have engaged, please join us! It will be a great time of education, sharing and supporting one another! Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/.../tZwsf....
Also a big shout out to Tom Gump for a wonderful article published in the Philippine edition of Rotary magazine. Great advice!
Sunday, September 17th | Gates At 12:00pm | Game At 1:00pm
We are so excited to bring all of the local amazing Rotary organizations together for a day of fun at a Barnstormers game! The day will include the following:
2 Free Tickets to each member of Rotary (additional family members/friends of members: $10).
Each Rotary organization will receive a marketing table on the concourse to engage with the community, educate them on the way you serve our community and recruit new members.
Each club president with be honored prior to the game and will throw a ceremonial first pitch!
The game will feature promotion of what Rotary is doing to End Polio!
The Barnstormers will promote all upcoming fall events that each club is hosting!
Clubs will also be collecting a special donation during the game to help victims of the Maui wildfires.
Hawaiian-shirt theme. Wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt to show your support for the people of Maui.
PLUS cheer on the Barnstormers as they take on the Staten Island Ferry Hawks! Kids Run the Bases after the game!
The 3rd Annual Ride to Eradicate Polio will be held on the York County Rail Trail! Riders will need to meet in downtown York at the Lafayette Plaza at W. Philadelphia St. and Pershing St. at 2:00 p.m.
Plan to ride to the Howard Tunnel (6 mi.) and back or riders who wish to can ride the entire 22 mile York Rail Trail to New Freedom Railroad station. If you choose to ride the entire 22 miles, you can be transported back to York City by Rotarians.
The cost to participate in the ride is $50. Your $50 donation will go directly to The Rotary Foundation under your name. All registered participants get a Ride to Eradicate Polio t-shirt!
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 in 2022. 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.
District 7390 Participates in Rotary Peace Fellowship Program
Every year, Rotary selects some of the world’s brightest and most dedicated professionals to study at seven Rotary Peace Centers around the world. More than 1400 program alumni work in over 115 countries and serve as leaders in governments and nongovernmental organizations, education, research, law enforcement and the military as well as in international organizations dedicated to peace.
Up to 130 graduate students per year receive fully funded fellowships to pursue studies in peace and development. The fellowships pay for tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation and all internship and field study expenses for either a master’s degree or a professional certificate. The centers, hosted by premier universities around the world, provide customized studies and offer field-based learning opportunities.
At the 2023 District Conference an informative program was given by two alumni of the Peace Fellowship Program. One speaker was from Israel and the other from Palestine. They described the Fellowship program and the friendship they developed as they participated in their studies.
District 7390 participated in the competitive selection process by interviewing two candidates referred to us by the Rotary Peace Program. An in-person interview was held with a candidate from the United States and a zoom interview took place with a prospect from Ethiopia. In both cases, the district strongly supported the candidacy of these individuals. Final selection will be made by the Rotary Peace Fellowship program. In late fall candidates will be notified about whether or not they were selected.
Serving on the 2022-23 interview team were: Mary Brunski, RC of Carlisle (DG 2025-26), Tom Burson, RC of Yellow Breeches, Rick Coplen, RC of Carlisle, Fred Gellert, RC of Carlisle-Sunrise (DG 2023-24), Paul Thompson, RC of Hershey (DG 2024-25) and Kathleen Stoup, RC of Carlisle.
Past District Governor Greg Staub has been appointed chair of District 7390's Major Donor and Paul Harris Society programs. These significant programs of The Rotary Foundation (TRF) recognize members who make major gifts to TRF.
Greg is available to make in-person or Zoom presentations to clubs, respond to questions from Major Donors or members of the Paul Harris Society or assist members who want more information about making major gifts to TRF. Major Donor Level 1 recognizes Rotarians when their TRF contributions reach $10,000. Paul Harris Society members commit to making an annual gift of $1,000 to TRF.
Greg was District Governor 2021-2022. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Hanover. Greg can be reached at dggreg2122@gmail.com or 717-578-0691. Greg is a member of the Paul Harris Society.
Staub to Chair the District Major Donor and Paul Harris Society Programs
This is my first note to you as the District Governor. I am honored to be serving you as the governor and look forward to all the interactions we will have this year. I am so impressed with all that our Rotarians and Rotary clubs are doing in South-central Pennsylvania, and I look forward to learning more about your good works.
I have been thinking about the journey that has gotten me to the point of district leadership in Rotary. Each of us has our own story of how we came to Rotary, what experiences we have had, and what Rotary has come to mean for us. I am enjoying reflecting on my 11 years in Rotary and thinking about what the next decade of service might look like for me. Maybe you are thinking about some similar reflections. As you do, I am open to hearing your stories and ideas as we consider the future of Rotary in our club and district.
There are two upcoming opportunities for furthering your Rotary journey that I will highlight here. I plan to attend both and ask your attendance with me if you are able. Our district will host a session of the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) here in our local area on Saturday, September 16th, at the Central Penn College. RLI is a three-part learning experience that I found was great at opening my eyes to the scope and power of Rotary. I know even the most seasoned Rotarian will learn something in the sessions. If you have completed the RLI course, please consider joining the graduate course, which changes topic each year, to continue your Rotary learning. This year’s topic is succession planning, something all of us need to consider in our Rotary clubs and the other organizations many of us also serve. Click here to register. There is a course fee that includes breakfast and lunch meals. Some of our clubs pay all or part of the RLI fee, so ask your club leadership. If you cannot make this RLI session, there are other RLI opportunities in other locations. See the Northeast America RLI web site at RLI NEA | Where people come to learn Rotary!
The other opportunity is the Rotary International convention in Singapore in late May 2024. I have been to two RI conventions and found them to be inspiring, educational, and entertaining. I know Singapore is a long journey to make, but having been to the country in 2016, I am looking forward to going back. It was an incredible place. So far there are seven District 7390 Rotarians registered to attend. If this opportunity intrigues you, please check out the Convention (rotary.org). If this year’s convention is not a possibility for you, the 2025 convention will be in late June in Calgary Canada and will be an equally appealing event.
Thank you for allowing me to walk along your Rotary journey with you. I’ll see you out in the District. Here’s to a great 2023-2024 Rotary year.
Please come to the Foundation Dinner Party from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hershey Lodge (325 University Drive, Hershey) for a few hours of drinks, dinner, celebration, and entertainment.
Every great organization has a solid footing, and Rotary has a super one with its outstanding, top-rated Rotary Foundation.
Celebrate amazing stories about how Rotarians contribute to their favorite causes and then see those funds turned into life-changing outcomes, locally and globally.
That’s right. Every dollar makes a difference in Club grants at the District and Global level, enabling positive changes in local communities, along with international projects in education, health, economic development, conflict resolution, and the environment. And, each dollar also helps the District and Rotary International assist PolioPlus initiatives, disaster response efforts, and global scholars--as everyone is inspired to take steps toward peace!
This party is for new Rotarians who are making a minor gift to The Rotary Foundation along with experienced Rotarians who have made major contributions over the years. Every Rotarian Every Year participants can share a toast and a seat at the table alongside Paul Harris Fellows, Paul Harris Society Members, and even a few Arch Klumpf Society members! And everyone will partake of the same fine food and cool entertainment.
Remember that no gift is too small and also that no gift is too big, so a contribution to The Rotary Foundation is the enlightened way to make a gift that truly keeps on giving!
Come celebrate the Clubs and Rotarians who support The Rotary Foundation. That would be you!
Plan now to join the party. Call me (717-979-9599) if you have any doubts. If not, I greatly anticipate seeing you there.
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. Rotary Clubs should pay for their members to attend RLI. The cost is $130 per Rotarian to attend.
RLI is 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.
We will offer Parts I, II, III and Graduate (The Graduate level will focus on Succession Planning). Click here to view the objectives of the Succession Planning Graduate Course.
Where can I find more information about RLI? www.rlinea.org.
Those of you who are reading this newsletter are doing so because you have a passion for Rotary! But why Rotary? Maybe it was recommended by an employer to do some business networking. Maybe you were invited in by a friend or neighbor and loved the service aspect. Maybe as a young person you were on the receiving end of a Rotary Scholarship or Youth Exchange program and wanted to pay it forward. Whatever the reason for joining, the reason you stayed may have changed. For me I joined for the service, but really stayed for the people. It was the kind, funny, and caring people of my club and others that have kept me engaged. But not ALL Rotarians are getting the same satisfaction from the Rotary experience. This past year our District lost 105 members. This is the fifth consecutive year our membership has tracked downward. Here is the trend showing membership counts July 1 of each year:
Year
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Membership
2311
2278
2192
2001
1913
1808
Net Loss
-33
-86
-191
-88
-105
Here are some interesting District stats to consider:
20 out of 42 clubs experienced a loss of one or more members.
22 of 42 clubs either had NO change in membership (4 clubs) or a net gain of 1-9 members (18 clubs). Congratulations!!
This year our District under the leadership of DG Fred Gellert will have a lofty membership goal: A NET GROWTH OF ONE MEMBER. Really? What a pitiful goal you might think! No, not at all. Just look at the last 6 years. If all we do is NET ONE MEMBER, we have accomplished something BIG. But everyone needs to do their part and support each other in the process. Here is where you come in. We need a District Membership Committee of more than ONE person which historically has been the District Membership Chair. We need a Membership Committee that will meet just FOUR times per year for one hour to brainstorm ways we can support our clubs with ideas on how to increase membership. This Membership Committee will continue to have as a subcommittee the wonderful District mentoring committee that has provided periodic webinars and mentoring to new club members in our District. WILL YOU JOIN ME and others in this effort by joining the new District Membership Committee? IF YES, email me at DGJuliet2022@QRPC.com. Looking forward to a great year together giving the gift of Rotary to a world that needs it more than ever!
Join us Saturday September 23rd from 3 PM to 7 PM at the campus of the Central Penn College, 600 Valley Road, Summerdale, PA for an unforgettable day of fun and celebration at the Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg North's Beer & Wine Festival. Indulge in the exquisite flavors of locally crafted spirits while immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of live music. As our guest, you'll receive a complimentary sampling glass to savor a wide variety of beer and wine, perfectly complemented by the captivating tunes of Second Time Thru.
In addition to the delectable beverages and live entertainment, enjoy food from our selection of regional food trucks. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, settle in, and relish the live performances while enjoying the locally crafted spirits. All proceeds from this event will directly support the Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg North community initiatives including scholarships for local students, assistance to local seniors, contributions to local food pantries, support for local charities, and investments in local libraries.
Tickets for the event are $35 if purchased before August 31st and $40 from September 1st to the day of the event. Special $5 ticket entry for designated drivers which will include a voucher for purchase at the food trucks. Tickets can be purchased at 2023 Beer and Wine Festival (zeffy.com).
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience the best of locally crafted spirits, live music, and community support.
July 15, 2023 - In a remarkable display of community dedication and commitment to children's safety, the York East Rotary Club is celebrating its 50th year of sponsoring the renowned Safety Town program. Since its inception in 1973, Safety Town has played a vital role in teaching essential safety skills to thousands of children in the York area, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge to navigate potential hazards. Safety Town is an interactive, educational program that provides young children with hands-on experience in recognizing and responding to various safety situations they may encounter in their daily lives. The program features miniature roads, and traffic signals, allowing children to practice pedestrian safety, bicycle rules, and general awareness of their surroundings. Over the past five decades, the York East Rotary Club has been the primary sponsor and driving force behind Safety Town, investing countless hours and resources to make it a resounding success. The club's unwavering commitment to the program has ensured its longevity and positive impact on the community. Rotary Club members, including dedicated volunteers and professionals from various fields, have actively participated in Safety Town by organizing workshops, coordinating guest speakers, and overseeing the day-to-day operations. The club has forged partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and educational institutions to deliver comprehensive safety education to children aged 3 to 7 years old. The Safety Town program covers a wide range of topics, including traffic safety, fire prevention, stranger danger, basic first aid, and more. Through engaging activities, interactive demonstrations, and role-playing exercises, children learn how to make safe choices and develop the confidence to handle potential dangers responsibly. Special thanks go to the director Linda Hoffman who has been with the program for 40 years.
As the York East Rotary Club celebrates its 50th year of sponsoring Safety Town, the program stands as a shining example of the profound impact community organizations can have in promoting safety and empowering young minds. The club's unwavering dedication and long-term commitment have undoubtedly made York a safer place for generations to come.
Golf outings are great fundraisers in Rotary D7390. If your club is having an outing, please let the District office know (office@rotary7390.org) so your information can be added to this article! Click on the links below to learn more about the golf outings!
Nature has a finite capacity to regenerate itself in the face of pressures on its land, water, and air resources.
Our speakers will address sustainability and solutions, both in the Arctic as well as from a worldwide perspective. Will Alaska Ninja Warrior Nick Hanson make a surprise appearance? Come and find out!
Our special guest speakers will include from Rotary International:
2023-24 President Gordon McInally
Rotary International Director Drew Kessler
Director-Elect Chris Etienne
Other speakers include:
Christopher Puttock, a member of the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG)
Two United Nations Environmental Programs on the Environmental: "Preventing, Halting and Reversing the Loss of Nature" and "Adopt A River".
Dr. Michele Devlin: Professor of Environmental Security at the U.S. Army War College and Professor of Arctic Health and Human Security with the National Science Foundation’s UNI ARCTICenter.
Gwen Holdmann: Director of the Alaska Center for Energy and Power an applied energy research program based at the University of Alaska Fairbanks which focuses on community- scale fossil and renewable/alternative energy technologies. Specific areas of emphasis include power systems integration for microgrids, hydrokinetic energy, low temperature geothermal, and diesel efficiency.
Begin your adventure with the optional Princess cruise from Vancouver, B.C. to Anchorage via Whittier, exploring the deep green of the coastal mountains, the varying blues of our glaciers and the wonderful wildlife scenery that is Alaska. Enjoy Alaska’s beauty with your fellow Rotarians and the wonder of glaciers that are quickly disappearing in Glacier National Park. Join our local Rotarians for a dinner in the home, and talk to real Alaskan residents to find out all you ever wanted to know about the arctic and hiking, fishing or hunting in the wilderness. Alaska is globally significant for its large tracts of intact habitats and their role in conserving biodiversity and storing carbon while supporting traditional and cultural uses. What better place to learn about environmental sustainability while enjoying the beauty of Alaska with your fellow Rotarians.
Participate in our local project in collaboration with the Anchorage and Eagle River Parks departments clearing out invasive species that take over from natural moose habitat, working to upgrade the nature centers outdoor area for natural habitat and soaking in Alaska’s outdoor awe-inspiring views. Come early or stay longer to add on our Alaska State Fair with the GIGANTIC vegetables – see 2100 lb., pumpkins, or 952 kg for you Canadians, eh? JOIN us and be inspired by our vast landscapes, Alaska Native cultures, wildlife, and wild places.
During the 2022-2023 Rotary year, our District launched a DEI Committee to support the Strategic Priorities of Rotary International and our District with fostering a sense of belonging in our clubs. We thank PDG Hector Ortiz for leading that Committee during its inaugural year! This year we welcome two new leaders to further foster the ideals of DEI within clubs and District operations. Meet our new DEI Committee Chair Beth Mihmet from the Rotary Club of Harrisburg, and Committee Vice Chair, Marcellus Taylor from the Rotary Club of Carlisle! Interested in joining our District DEI Committee? Reach out to Beth or Marcellus at their emails below. Meetings this year are: 8/14, 10/2, 12/4, 4/1, and 6/3 via Zoom. Read more about Rotary’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary/diversity-equity-and-inclusion where you can find a variety of club resources.
Elizabeth “Beth” Mihmet, is the Associate Director of Planned Giving at Dickinson College in Carlisle and an active member of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg for more than eight years. Beth earned her BS from Colgate University (English and Art) and her MBA from Temple University. She served as the 22-23 Club President and is a board member for Leadership Harrisburg Area (LHA). In her free time, Beth enjoys hiking, bicycling on Pennsylvania’s rail trails and reading. She lives in Mechanicsburg with her wife, Sarah Myers. Beth is excited to chair the District 7390 DEI committee with Marcellus Taylor and continue the work that PDG Juliet Altenburg started last year. She is motivated to help Rotarians build more inclusive club cultures with a focus on belonging and fun. Beth is committed to helping Rotarians find the resources/people they need to strengthen their clubs and serve as an ambassador to members of the LGBTQ+ community searching for welcoming service organizations. Beth can be reached at mihmete@dicknson.edu.
Marcellus Taylor, Ed.D. serves as Director of Health Equity at the Partnership for Better Health. He joined the foundation in 2021 and leads a portfolio of grants and initiatives focused on advancing health equity. He mobilizes strategies to engage historically marginalized communities and people with lived experience through the sharing of power and decision making, towards addressing health disparities and shaping a more equitable future.
Dr. Taylor received his Doctorate in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Education in Training & Development from Penn State Harrisburg, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Penn State Harrisburg. Marcellus is passionate about using the framework of belonging to impact social change. He can be reached at marcellus@forbetterhealthpa.org
Meet the 2023-2024 Leaders of the District 7390 Diversity-Equity-Inclusion Committee!
As we begin the new Rotary year, we are thinking through new beginnings. One of those new beginnings is that we are taking a fresh and new look at our Finance Committee. District Governor Fred has asked that I chair the committee this year and bring together a group of financially knowledgeable Rotarians, to do just that. We would meet, most over zoom for a half an hour, monthly.
If you are a Rotarian with a financial background and could give a half hour of your time over zoom to help the district, I would like to chat with you. We recognize that time is your most valuable commodity. As busy professionals, it is sometimes difficult to find time to help. This is why we are going to perform this service in half-hour increments over zoom, monthly. We will be efficient and focused on our mission.
Please reach out to me at Rotary7390DG2020@gmail.com to let me know of your interest in discussing the possibility of joining my team. I would like to get rolling at the end of the summer so please reach out now so that I can pull the team together for an initial zoom call in late August or early September.
Thank you in advance. We are grateful for your consideration.
Yours in Rotary Service,
John Anthony Past District Governor 2020-21 District Finance Chair 2023-24
The Feed and Read Program of Yola, Nigeria is an initiative started by former Dickinson College President, Margee Ensign in 2015. Margee was President of The American University of Nigeria (AUN) at the time. The program focuses on improving the literacy and numeracy among the most vulnerable children of Yola, Nigeria. There are over 18 million children in Nigeria that are out of school. Yola, which is the capital of the Adamawa state is estimated to have about 150,000 to 200,000 children out of school. Most are boys, but about 35% are girls. The program was initially started for young boys. They were taught how to read and to be clean and neat. They were also given one hot meal a day. The program resulted in stopping many teenage boys from joining the militant Boko Haram.
In 2016, girls were added to the program. According to Dr. Margee Ensign, “When you educate girls, everything in the country changes – infant mortality declines, infectious diseases aren’t going to be spread, people have a smaller family which allows these women to go out and make the change that is needed”.
In 2022, Retired dentist, Dr. Roderick Frazier, then President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Carlisle found out about the program. Rotary Clubs fund humanitarian projects every year, mainly local, but occasionally international. Dr. Frazier was looking for a project for his club to support. He contacted Dr. Ensign at AUN. She gave him more particulars about the project and how his club could support it. Dr. Frazier loved the idea and concept of helping these vulnerable children.
The program provides a basic education equivalent to our 3rd grade. Students are assessed before the program begins. They are also assessed two more times during the program year to determine their competency. The program is taught in English (Nigeria’s official language is English, though there are over 500 languages and dialects spoken there). The children are taught how to read and write, and basic arithmetic. They are also taught civics and life skills. They are provided with one hot meal a day, which may be the only hot meal they ever get. This meal supplements their poor nutrition. Boys are divided into cohorts of 25 students and the same for girls. They are taught by students and faculty of the University. A local woman cooks the meals for the children. The program last about 9 months with a 4 week break for Ramadan.
The cost of the program for one student was $396 US. The Rotary Club of Carlisle provided scholarships for 12 students to attend the program. Funding came from the club and was matched by Rotary District 7390. As of June, this year due to inflation, the cost has risen to $406.28 US per child. The staff of AUN would love to have uniforms provided for the children. This would cost about $15.00 per boy. The cost per girl is about $18 since girls must wear long dresses as dictated by their culture.
The American University of Nigeria has a capacity to accommodate 500 boys and 120 girls. This past year they were only able to admit a cohort of 25 boys. A cohort of 25 girls were selected, but their funding source fell through, and their classes were canceled.
It’s a great program that is sorely in need of funding. Any questions about the program may be directed to Dr. Roderick Frazier (rlf2thdr@aol.com) of Carlisle.
The 2022-2023 Rotary Youth Exchange Outbound Class will be holding a Rebound get-together on Sunday, August 13, 2023 at Central Penn College (600 Valley Road, Summerdale, PA 17093). We will be meeting in the ATEC building. Click here to view a map of Central Penn College. We will be on the upper floors of the ATEC building in classrooms 200 & 202.
The students and parents are required to attend a de-briefiing session from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m.
At 3:00 p.m. Rotarians, family, and friends are invited to attend a Rebound Night!! This is a chance to hear more about the fantastic experiences our students had throughout the year.
Light refreshments will be provided. The cost for Rotarians, family, and friends to attend is $10 per person.
The Rotary Clubs of Carlisle and Carlisle Sunrise will host the 67th RMB networking event in RMB District 7390 (RMB Fellowship Chapter # 4) history and the fourth event of the RMB 2023 season at the Frederick House, 219 N Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA on Tuesday, August 29 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Hoffman Funeral Home and Crematory will once again be the Major Sponsor for the networking event. The event is FREE and will have hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer, soft drinks and water available for all attendees. RSVP NOW!
This will be another in a longstanding series of great business networking opportunities and fun and fellowship events. Do not miss it. Also, please consider bringing potential Rotarian guests and Family of Rotary.
It is the changing of the guard as we welcome in the new rotary year creating hope in the world. Thank you 22-23 leaders and congrats to our 23-24 leaders! Here are a few photos from the inspiring installation! Check out more photos on the District 7390 Facebook Page!
Congratulations 2022-2023 & 2023-2024 Leadership!
Join the York community on First Friday, July 7th at 6 PM in downtown York as we celebrate Loretta Claiborne and the York County Special Olympics Program. After having been named a USA Today Woman of the Year in February, Loretta competed this month at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin and won the Gold medal in the women’s singles tennis. She also earned a Bronze medal in women’s doubles tennis with her doubles partner. This was Loretta’s first appearance at the World Games as an athlete in 14 years and her first time competing in tennis. She turns 70 in August.
Next Friday, participants are asked to line the sidewalks on both sides of the 200 block of S. Beaver St to cheer during the Parade of Athletes. Chairs will be set up in the William Penn High School district parking lot at the corner of S. Beaver & W. Princess Streets to view presentations to Loretta. Vehicles can be parked in the city lot across from the High School on W. Princess Street, along with on-street parking. (Please do not park in the 200 block of S. Beaver St.)
After a short program, attendees are asked to assemble near the basketball courts in Penn Park for a community photo with Loretta and other York County Special Olympics athletes. This will be a great time to meet and greet the athletes and to learn more about the York County Special Olympics program.
In 2019, Rotary Club of York inducted York native Loretta Claiborne as an Honorary Member after her program to the club about the 50th Anniversary of Special Olympics. Loretta has competed with Special Olympics for fifty years and is the first Special Olympian to serve on the Special Olympics international Board of Directors. She was asked to serve by her longtime friend, the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of Special Olympics. Loretta is currently Vice Chair and Chief Inspiration Officer. Her full biography can be found on the Board of Directors page of www.specialolympics.org or at www.lorettaclaiborne.com.
York Welcomes home Honorary Rotarian and Gold Medalist Loretta Claiborne!
The York-East Rotary Club has awarded $8,000 in grants to 4 local nonprofits in the York community. Each year the York-East Rotary Club grants to deserving projects and programs in the region. These worthy local organizations received grants for various needs and projects this year. Representatives from each organization attended our weekly meeting and received their grant awards. The club also awarded $780 to the Children's Aid Society from our weekly 50/50 drawing. Lower Susquehanna River Keepers was awarded a grant but unable to attend the presentation.
Our club looks forward to this day each year because it is such a great feeling to give and learn how the money is being used within our community.
Thank you to everyone that donates to our organization through the various fundraisers that we hold each year. Without you we would not be able to provide these organizations with the funding that they need to make York a better place to live.
The Rotary Club of Eastern York County has a $5000.00 District Grant for the EYWI Eastern York Workcamp Initiative (Wrightsville) to purchase materials for the work camp project. The youth, about 221 of them, come from many states to work in the Eastern York School District and all over York and western parts of Lancaster County. The youth and adult leaders stay at the Eastern York Middle School and are provided meals and have activities in the evenings.
The program started in 2019 and was to happen in 2020, but was canceled due to COVID-19. The program started again in 2022 and went back to most of the same clients and have 30 houses to work on. These youth in the picture are from Virginia and the site is on Maple Street in Wrightsville.
The Grant process started back in early 2022 and this is the second year for the EYWI Work Camp In the Eastern York School District.
On June 20th, 2023, President Ann Newburger of the Rotary Club of Shippensburg (seated far right) rang the Rotary Bell for the last time at a gathering of club members and well-wishers. Effective June 30th the club will be dissolved marking 99 years of service to the Shippensburg Community and beyond. Past President Dr. Gary Davis (pictured in photo last row with tie) was Master of Ceremonies at the event quizzing the members on the history of the club. Fun facts:
The Club was chartered April 16, 1924, with 19 members by Paul Noftsker. Currently the club has 20 members.
Originally the club was part of District 24 and accepted a charter from the Rotary Club of Chambersburg. After redistricting by Rotary International it became part of D7390.
The club’s last meeting was in the same building as the first meeting. That building currently houses Appalachian Brewing Company Shippensburg but in 1924 was the Morrison hotel.
The club’s longest serving member is Bob Harper who joined the club in 1977. (Seated in photo first chair on the left.)
The first female president of the club was Marie Davis (Behind Bob Harper in photo)
Multiple projects have been undertaken over its history including partnering with other local organizations: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League, Labor Day baseball games, Shippensburg Band, the Shippensburg Public Library, an annual Christmas theater party for children, community Christmas tree, Memorial Park improvements, a downtown tree-planting project, and Christmas lighting contests. Members were instrumental in organizing the Chamber of Commerce and the first Playground Association, which has developed into today’s Parks and Recreation Commission. The club’s early interest in handicapped children continued for years with an annual workday at Camp Harmony Hall. Other projects included a Peace Garden, extensive work with the York Rail Trail, the adopt a highway program, Four Way Test Award, Drop the Anchor event, Student Scholarship, Rotary Youth Exchange, a Polio Plus Campaign raising $22,000 for Polio eradication, and support with Mission of Mercy Dental Outreach with Dr. Gary Davis, a local dentist who is Dental Director of Ecuadent, a dental mission foundation treating poor children in Ecuador. He has been on over 25 missions!
During the gathering every member was given a Paul Harris Award noting that all 20 members had achieved Paul Harris Award status. Thank you Shippensburg Club members for your amazing service during close to a century of service. We look forward to working with many of you as fellow Rotarians as you transfer to other Rotary clubs and service organizations. You were truly People of Action. Peace, and best wishes to everyone!
Rotary Club of Shippensburg Rings Bell for last time celebrating 99 years of Service
We are looking for a few Rotarians to volunteer on the Four-Way Test Speech Contest Committee. If you are interested in joining the committee, please contact the District office at 717-854-7842 or office@rotary7390.org.
The Rotary District 7390 office will be closed June 21-23. If you need immediate assistance, please contact your Assistant Governor. Your phone calls and emails will be returned on June 26!
It's not too late to watch Rotary International's special coverage of Rotary's People of Action: Champions of Inclusion gala. Now available on demand through 30 September, this celebration of diversity, equity, and inclusion helps us imagine what's possible when people of action come together to amplify the power of marginalized populations locally and globally. Learn more at rotary.org/inclusion.
The Rotary Clubs of Carlisle seeks to find solutions to the growing and dire need for clean water in underprivileged communities worldwide. We are partnering with Carlisle Theatre in the upcoming production of “Urinetown: The Musical”. To raise awareness for our ongoing protects around water, sanitation, and hygiene. The play will be performed June 16, 17, 22,23, and 24 at 7:30pm and on June 18 and 25 at 2pm at the Carlisle Theatre, 40 W High St Carlisle PA 17013.
About Urinetown: The Musical:
“In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. Amid the people, a hero decides that he's had enough and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom!
Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, Urinetown is an irreverently humorous satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny. Praised for reinvigorating the very notion of what a musical could be, Urinetown catapults the "comedic romp" into the new millennium with its outrageous perspective, wickedly modern wit and sustained ability to produce gales of unbridled laughter. Winner of three Tony Awards, three Outer Critics Circle Awards, two Lucille Lortel Awards and two Obie Awards, Urinetown is a hilarious musical satire of the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, environmental collapse, privatization of natural resources, bureaucracy, municipal politics, and musical theatre itself! Hilariously funny and touchingly honest, Urinetown provides a fresh perspective on one of America's greatest art forms.”
The Rotary fiscal year ends June 30. If you haven’t done so this year, please make a donation to fulfill Rotary’s promise to the children of the world to eradicate polio. Your gifts will be matched 2-for-1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. That’s some serious bang for your buck!
The best way to get your gift to The Rotary Foundation quickly is through your dashboard on the RI Website: My.Rotary.org/en/
District 7390 has 81 members of the PolioPlus Society (pledging $100 per year until polio is eradicated). Joining is simple – make your donation and fill out the form on the D7390 website https://rotary7390.org/page/polio-plus-society. Our district has the most PPS members in the 11 districts that make up Region 32W. Let’s keep it that way! D7390 also has the largest average gift per club and per member in the Region (other than one district where there was an anonymous donation of some $300,000).
I’m happy to answer any questions or to speak at your club – just ask! Thank you for your support!
Contributions from District members to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) for 2022-2023 are below previous year’s totals. End-of-year donations are needed to maintain the level of humanitarian work District 7390 Rotarians have historically conducted locally and internationally.
Now is the time to boost the Annual Fund—SHARE. Funds contributed this Rotary year will be invested for three years. Three years from now half of the funds collected minus a small fee will be returned to the district. These funds are absolutely essential to fund global grant and district club grant proposals from clubs.
Members are asked to consider making a gift in the next two weeks. Donations must be postmarked by June 30 to count this year. Donors are encouraged to make their contributions as soon as possible so your gift arrives by the deadline. Of course, on-line donations through Rotary Direct are secure and help meet the deadline.
Contributions to PolioPlus are actually higher than in previous years. Giving to PolioPlus is critical if Rotary is to reach the goal of raising $50 million dollars this year. When achieving this goal, the Gates Foundation will provide $100 million to Rotary for polio eradication.
What can members do to boost support of TRF’s Annual Fund?
Paul Harris Society members are reminded to complete their $1,000 annual pledge.
District PolioPlus Society members are reminded to complete their $100 annual pledge.
Clubs that collect donations for members are asked to submit those donations to TRF as soon as possible.
If possible provide matching Foundation points to incentivize giving.
There are 1893 members in District 7390. If each district Rotarian gave $10, it would generate $18,930; if each member gave $25 it would generate $45,325, and if each member donated $100 it would generate $189,300 for the Annual Fund.
Thanks to each member who supports TRF. Your generosity guarantees Rotary International will remain a world leader in humanitarian service that fosters global understanding and peace. Make an End-of-Year donation and Make a Difference!
Submitted by Anna-Mae Kobbe, District Rotary Foundation Chair
Registered nurse Juliet Altenburg with Penn State Health Trauma Program Staff at a STOP THE BLEED® class. From left: RNs Justin Heimrich, Sunny Goodyear, Altenburg, and Amy Bollinger
The following article was published in Rotary Voices! Congratulations to DG Juliet!
By Juliet Altenburg, governor of District 7390 (Pennsylvania, USA), a member of the Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg-North, and executive director of the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation
A10-year-old boy was riding his bicycle down a hill with his friends in 2021 – something he had done many times before – when his fun morning turned tragic. As he entered an intersection, he collided with a car he didn’t see coming. In an instant, he broke both of his arms and had uncontrolled bleeding that could have killed him within four minutes.
Fortunately, the accident happened near a police station where officers quickly called 911. As a team of emergency medical responders headed to the scene, the officers applied tourniquets to each of the boy’s extremities. The EMS team examined the boy and transported him to a local pediatric trauma center, which quickly diagnosed his injuries and surgically corrected them. Weeks later, he was discharged to his family and assigned a team of rehabilitation specialists.
By any standard, this is a heart-warming story of how local police officers, medical responders, and hospital personnel saved a boy’s life. What makes it even more amazing to me is how my Rotary club, my Rotary district, and The Rotary Foundation helped to save him.
In 2019, I invited our local trauma center nurses to my Rotary club meeting to speak on a national awareness campaign administered by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma called STOP THE BLEED.® It was launched as a result of a meeting after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, where a national team of medical experts discussed how more lives could have been saved. They realized that if teachers and others on the scene had been educated in bleeding control techniques, it could have made a difference.
District grant
After the presentation, my club applied for a district grant which allowed us to get a $2,500 match and purchase 300 tourniquets for a local township police station. Those police officers were educated by the local trauma center on their use, and it was those tourniquets that saved the life of the boy in the bicycling accident.
What makes this especially personal for me is the fact that my entire professional career has been dedicated to working in or overseeing trauma centers. In the first part of my career as a nurse, I cared for trauma patients and worked in a leadership role to advance trauma care in my hospital. In my current statewide role, I serve as executive director of an organization that accredits trauma centers in Pennsylvania.
This year as district governor, my vision was to advance partnerships between trauma centers and local Rotary clubs to bring the STOP THE BLEED® campaign to Rotarians and the public. We’ve educated more than 200 people during Rotary club meetings, community health fairs, our district conference, and separate STOP THE BLEED® classes at a local community college. Through all these activities, I’ve come to realize more deeply how combining one’s professional interests with the power of Rotary can provide huge results.
Note: During the month of May in the United States, special days have been established to celebrate nurses and other healthcare workers. STOP THE BLEED® Day is 25 May. To learn more go to https://www.stopthebleed.org/
The Rotary Clubs of Harrisburg and Harrisburg Keystone hosted a super successful 66th District 7390 RMB networking event on May 18 at the beautiful Capital Blue Cross Connect Retail Office in Enola, PA. Venue sponsor Capital Blue Cross Connect provided an amazing venue with great hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer and other beverages. Stacey Clark and her team (Jerremy and Zachary) made everyone feel right at home and did everything first class. Event sponsors Central Penn College and Keisling Research made sure we had sufficient resources to make the event a success. Thank you for hosting clubs and sponsors!
There were 28 to 30 attendees from seven district clubs (Carlisle, Carlisle Sunrise, Harrisburg, Harrisburg Keystone, Mechanicsburg North, Passport and West Shore). Many great connections were made (see photos) and much fun and fellowship was enjoyed by all. Scott Stevens did a masterful job of running the Circle exercise, making it fun and productive. Also, Carol Cunningham proved once again she is an excellent RMB event photographer. Thank you all for making this event another RMB District 7390 success story.
The Rotary Club of Colonial Park Foundation recently awarded scholarships to 30 high school students in five schools. The scholarships totaled $83,00 and ranged from $500 to $21,000. Over the years, the Foundation and Club have given $771,908 in scholarships to students. In addition, if you add in the total given to local community organizations, the total grows to $1,072,483!
In two weeks, Rotarians from around the world will be convening in Australia for Rotary International’s annual convention. Among them will be DG Juliet Altenburg and her husband Rob. Juliet will be posting stories from the convention on our District Blog at https://d7390rotaryblog.wordpress.com/ Subscribe to the blog to get stories delivered right to your inbox. Simply insert your email address into the “subscribe” box at the bottom of the home page. Blog links will also be posted on our District 7390 Facebook and Instagram pages.
Subscribe to the District 7390 Blog for stories from the RI Convention
Every year clubs in our District are eligible to receive awards that reflect their immense commitment to service within their clubs and communities. Click here to read about awards your club can apply for including the 2022-2023 Best Club Awards (deadline 9/1) and District Governor’s Citation (deadline 7/31)!
Additionally, Rotary Clubs, Rotaract Clubs and Interact clubs are also eligible to receive the Rotary Citation from Rotary International. Click here to learn more. All achievements must be reported to Rotary International by June 30, 2023.
Like the TV show "America's Got Talent", we all know Rotary members in our District have a whole lot of talent too! And not just talent! Passion, skill, commitment, and a desire to learn and grow are characteristics of members in every club. The District 7390 leadership team is on a quest to find members who not only want to share their talents but have fun and grow in the process.
If you would like to contribute your unique talents please take a few minutes to complete a questionnaire here! Fun and growth are guaranteed! Thanks in advance! Deadline: Friday, May 19th
On April 22, 2023 - York East Rotary along with other volunteers helped with the annual spring clean at the Gold Star Garden. The project included picking up litter, raking, tree trimming, mulching, garden bed weeding, and cleaning the memorials.
Congratulations to our D7390 ShelterBox Hero Clubs!
Elizabethtown is a Silver Hero and Lancaster-South is a Bronze Hero
2022 was our biggest year yet and your support helped us to reach over 400,000 people across 22 projects in 12 countries. This year is shaping up to be just as busy and your continued support is truly appreciated.
Gifts from clubs, individuals identifying as club members, or anyone recognizing your club all count toward ShelterBox HERO club recognition. A Bronze HERO recognition level is achieved at $1,000, Silver at $3,000 and Gold at $5,000 in total giving within the Rotary year. A club can ‘level up’ throughout the Rotary year. If this award is the result of an individual’s gift, you can thank them by matching with a club donation and doubling their impact.
Click here for the latest news about ShelterBox disaster relief deployments. If you would a presentation to your club via Zoom to give an overview of ShelterBox and update on our current projects, please contact Bill Tobin at btobin@shelterboxusa.org or 805-203-8668.
We need help in your district! Is there a Rotarian in your club looking to serve? Please have them consider becoming a ShelterBox Club Champion or Ambassador. Click here to Volunteer with ShelterBox USA!
Join us for the 2023 ShelterBox USA conference in Las Vegas June 9-11. Click here for details!
One way your club can help build awareness of ShelterBox is by making ShelterBox your Speaker Honorarium. To thank your speakers, make a donation to ShelterBox in their name. Here is a certificate you can fill in and present. ShelterBox Speaker Certificate (writable PDF)
A total of 25 Central Penn faculty, Rotarians, and Medical Reserve Corps volunteers participated in the sessions taught by Trauma Center nurses from Penn State Health. At our District Conference and Community Expo the same partners were involved with teaching 36 participants who gave great reviews to the classes.
At a recent Elizabethtown Rotary Club meeting, Calvin Kent, was inspired to present his original speech from the Four Way Test Speech Contest when he competed as a teenager. That was 50 years ago! You can read more about Cal below! If the video does not show, please click here to view the video.
Dr. Calvin Kent has been a member in Rotary Clubs in five states over the past 55 years. He currently lives in Elizabethtown PA and is a member of that club. Prior to Elizabethtown he lived 26 years in Huntington WV where he served a Dean of The Lewis College of Business and later as a Vice President at Marshall University. He is currently Distinguished Professor of Business Emeritus at Marshall. He was President of the Huntington Rotary Club.
Dr. Kent has a long career in public service including City Councils in Vermilion SD, Woodway TX (Mayor) and Huntington WV(Chair) During the first Bush (41) Administration he was appointed and unanimously confirmed by the Senate as the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration with the rank of Assistant Secretary. His political involvement in West Virginia included being Co-vice Chair of Governor Underwood’s Commission on Fair Taxation and as Chair of the Local Government Sub-Committee of Governor Manchin’s Commission on Tax Reform. For over a decade he was a member of the West Virginia Property Tax Valuation and Training Commission.
He earned an undergraduate degree From Baylor University and a Masters and Doctorate in Economics from the University of Missouri. Post Doctoral studies included University of Virginia (Law) and Princeton Theological Seminary. Religious activities have been a commitment having served as an ruling Elder, Adult Sunday school Teacher, choir member and lay pastor in Presbyterian churches were he has lived. He has been blessed with a marriage of over 60 years to Nita and they share 2 children and 7 grandchildren.
Be Inspired by a 50-Year Old Four-Way Test Contest Speech
On Thursday, April 20, the D7390 Passport Club held a social get-together. Club member Paul Duryea, who has been a Rotarian for 53 years, made some remarks about The Rotary Foundation and how the Foundation has changed his life and inspired him. Because of that, he presented a PHF+1 to D7390 Passport Club President Carmen Calderone.
Each year, the York East Rotary Club presents a $2,000 scholarship to two area high school senior students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and who also exemplify “Service Above Self”, the motto and core mission of Rotary. This year’s scholarship award recipients are Hannah Kuhn of York Suburban High School and Noah Rutter of York County School of Technology.
Junior students Reese Mckenna of York Suburban and Jonathan Hernandez of York Tech were awarded the Rotary York Leadership Scholarships. Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) is an intensive leadership experience held at Messiah College where students develop skills as a leader while having fun and making connections.
Each of the recipients excelled academically and received numerous academic accolades. Further, each demonstrated outstanding service qualities to their schools in leadership roles of various organizations, as well as to the community at large through many hours of volunteer service.
Left to right: Bob Straw, Committee Chair; Beth Salaga, Counselor, Hannah Kuhn; Noah Rutter; Samuel Shaw, Counselor
Join us as we say goodbye to our 2022-2023 Inbound Students and wish our 2023-2024 Outbound students and our Short Term Summer Exchange Students a successful exchange!
The District 7390 Youth Exchange Staff cordially invite you and your family to a fun-filled afternoon on Sunday, June 4 at John Rudy Park (Blue Spruce Pavilion) 400 Mundis Race Road, York!! Dress for the picnic is casual.
SCHEDULE:
11:45-1:00 p.m. Registration & Social
1:00 p.m. Picnic Lunch
2:00 p.m. Recognition of all Outbounds
2:30 p.m. Recognition of Inbounds, Host Families & Counselors
3:00 – ??? Fun & Fellowship
There are many activities available at the park, please feel free to bring along horseshoes, volley balls, soccer balls, etc. There is even a playground for the younger children.
Food and drinks will be provided. However, feel free to bring along your favorite non-alcoholic beverages.
COST:
Inbounds, Outbounds, and STEP students are FREE to attend
Children 12 and under are FREE to attend
All attendees 13+ are $10 per person to attend.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!! YOU MUST RSVP BY MAY 30th so enough food is ordered for the event!
You are invited to attend the Installation of the 2023-2024 District Leadership Team, Assistant Governors and Club Presidents! The installation will be held at Farm 1840 (101 State Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050) on Friday, June 30, 2023.
Cocktails & Hors D'oeuvres from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Dinner & Program - 6:30 p.m. until
Menu:
Appetizers - cucumber roll ups, tomato and mozzarella skewers, meat and cheese platter w/assorted mustards and crackers, fruit kabobs
Dinner buffet - tossed salad, rolls & butter, italian stuffed chicken breast (stuffed with tomato, mozzarella, basil and finished wiht a balsamic reduction), herb crusted top round (sliced thiin w/horseradish creme on the side), ranch roasted red potatoes, bowtie pasta in a butter wine sauce & seasonal vegetables.
Desserts - mixture of lemon bars, brownies, and dessert shooters (flavors to include key lime, strawberry shortcake, cherry cheese cake, death by chocolate)
Cost - $50 per person
Registration Deadline - June 23, 2023 at 12:00 Noon
Members of the Rotary Club of York-North donated over $2,000.00 worth of diapers to the "Harvest of Blessings Food Pantry" located at 254 West Princess Street in York. The Rotary Club of York-North developed a strong relationship with the Harvest of Blessings through one of its members, Melissa Gross, who volunteers there on a weekly basis. The club had an offsite club meeting at the Harvest of Blessings earlier this year and then volunteered there on a Saturday. Through this new relationship and meeting with their CEO, Ms. Jural Toby, they discovered that there was a huge need for diapers for needy families in York and surrounding areas. The club asked its members for diaper donations for an entire month and applied for a district grant and matched it. Ms. Jural Toby was so emotional and appreciative when the diapers were delivered that she had tears in her eyes. This project was such a heartwarming experience where we as Rotarians became aware of a need in our local community and took action to help our neighbors!
Special thanks to the following Rotarians from the Rotary Club of York-North: Melissa Gross for establishing our relationship with the Harvest of Blessings and Kimberly March for going "Above and Beyond" by writing the grant request, collecting diapers from our members and ordering a huge number of additional diapers and storing them in her garage before they were delivered to the Harvest of Blessings.
Members of the Rotary Club of York-North are joined by Ms. Jural Toby, CEO of the Harvest of Blessings, and volunteers with the huge diaper donation provided by the club.
York-North Donates Diapers to Harvest of Blessings Food Pantry
Posted by DG Juliet Altenburg, Past Chair, District Safety Committee
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic and in an instant our work lives, personal lives and Rotary lives changed forever. I’m sure many of you can remember how the word “pivot” was the new catch phrase for virtual meetings and new ways of engaging with one another. Store shelves were empty, hand sanitizer, if you could find it, was expensive, Lysol disinfecting wipes were nowhere to be found, and my husband Rob used the sewing skills learned from his mother to make cloth masks which we delivered to friends and fellow Rotarians. Among the tremendous fear, worry, and stress that came with the pandemic, also came an outpouring of care, and concern that Rotarians extended to their fellow club members and communities. One group of people that stepped up in an extraordinary way was the District 7390 Safety Committee. This committee was born from an idea I had as a nurse as I worked with hospitals and my own office to create COVID-19 safety protocols. PDG John Anthony was District Governor at the time and when I approached him with the idea of creating the committee his support made all the difference in helping me and my fellow committee members launch district wide efforts to help mitigate the spread of the virus and be of support in dispelling myths and misinformation.
After three years, the District Safety Committee had its last meeting as a committee this past week! We decided that based on the status of the pandemic and other district and club priorities it was a time to “sunset” the committee but keep ourselves available on an as needed basis. The District COVID-19 Safety Page on the District 7390 website will be changed to a District Safety Information page where health and safety information beyond COVID-19 will be shared along with Rotary mandated policies including a Crisis Management Plan. Sincere thanks are extended to the original committee members who hung in there until the very end including those noted in the photo below: Steph Acri (Mechanicsburg North), Paul Duryea (District Passport), PDG Anna-Mae Kobbe (Gettysburg), Rod Frazier (Carlisle), and AG Becky Zalit (Palmyra). Other members not shown included Patricia Green Rodgers (District Passport) and Judith Clovsky (Mechanicsburg North). Thank you Rotarians for truly living the ideals of “Service Above Self”. You inspired me with your kindness, compassion, and willingness to serve during a very dark time and for that I will always be truly grateful!
District 7390 Safety Committee Pivots to become Advisory Council
DG Juliet Altenburg, Past Chair, District Safety Committee
Did you know that the first “Earth Day” was held 53 years ago in 1970? Now more than ever Rotarians around the world are coming together to protect the environment and engage in projects that not only beautify the earth but keep the humans living on it healthy! As your club engages in projects locally and internationally this month, spread the word through your social media platforms to inspire others to join you in service. Maybe you don’t have the time or are physically able to do hands-on service. There is another vital way you can help.
South Sudan is facing catastrophic hunger due to years of flooding that has submerged half the country in water. Many families cannot move out of the region due to war in the northern area. David Muir of ABC news traveled to South Sudan recently and chronicled the heart wrenching conditions there showing mothers foraging for water lily bulbs to feed their children: https://abcn.ws/3MVh9tU You can make a difference by donating to the United Nations World Food Program USA at https://bit.ly/3N4RdvQ Thank you for your generosity!
This Sunday is Earth Day! You can Make a Difference!
On March 13, COL (RET) and PDG Alden Cunningham and his wife Carol participated in a Podcast hosted by Podcaster Mark Luchessi (Mark at the Mic) talking about his recent autobiography "A Cold War Warrior's Report: a Lifetime of Leadership in Service." Mark does these podcasts about interesting people who live in Burlingame, CA in partnership with the Burlingame Historical Society. If you are interested, click here to listen to the podcast or watch the Youtube video below!
A Cold War Warrior's Report: A Lifetime of Leadership in Service
Posted by Roderick Frazier, Rotary Club of Carlisle
Feed and Read --- Nigeria
The Rotary Club of Carlisle used its District Club Grant funds to provided food and literacy education for 25 young Muslim boys and girls in a poor community in Yola, Nigeria. Working with American University of Nigeria, the Friends of Nigeria in the USA operates a program to teach English, mathematics, civics and personal life skills to enable students to become functionally literate. Children receive educational materials including readers, exercise books, pens and pencils as well as hygiene materials, such as tooth paste and toothbrush, bathing soap, washing soap and a pair of slippers. In addition, the program provides a lunch each day to supplement the children’s low-quality nutrition.
At the beginning of each year, the program assesses early grade reading and math skills to determine proficiency levels and measure progress. The program also measures weight and height of students to identify students who are malnourished and in need of supplementary feeding.
This project is extending the Rotary Club of Carlisle’s reach to another part of the world and is changing the lives of young people living there.
The Rotary Clubs of Harrisburg and Harrisburg-Keystone will host the 66th RMB networking event in RMB District 7390 History and the third event of the RMB 2023 season at Capital Blue Cross Connect, 4500 Marketplace Way, Enola, PA on Thursday, May 18 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. Capital Blue Cross Connect will be the special event/venue sponsor for this event and will provide the venue and food. Central Penn College and Keisling Research will be event sponsors and support drink costs. The event will be FREE and will provide light hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, soft drinks, and water.
This will be another great business networking opportunity and fun and fellowship event. Do not miss it. Also, please consider bringing potential Rotarian guests and Family of Rotary.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
RMB Northern Tier Networking Event to be held May 18
Posted by Rob Altenburg, Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg-North
With Earth Day approaching on April 23rd, the Environmental Committee would like to alert clubs about ideas for environmental projects that can be done alone or in partnership with other clubs. These can be completed projects, works in progress, or ideas still in the planning stages (particularly those for which you are pursuing one of this year’s micro-grants).
Please submit a brief description of any projects to Rob Altenburg at rca@qrpc.com and mention if your club would be interested in partnering with another club to join in a project. If your club’s past project was already submitted for inclusion on the District’s service page there is no need to resubmit it. Go here to see past activities: https://rotary7390.org/page/service-activities In a future Rotary Reporter project submissions will be shared including ways to partner with other clubs and get involved.
The next meeting of the District Environmental Committee will be on May 10th at 7:00pm. All Rotarians are welcome to attend. Contact Rob at rca@qrpc.com to get on the mailing list!
District Environmental Committee Update - April 23 is Earth Day!
At the evening dinner we presented club members with several District Awards including:
Lifetime Achievement Award - Bob McClenathan, Rotary Club of Lancaster for 25 plus years of Rotary Service locally and internationally
Outstanding Service Award – Nigel Foundling, Rotary Club of N. Lebanon for outstanding service with the District Club Grants process
Dogged Pursuit Award – Meg Ramey and Duke Adams for their work with Hop on the Bus and their dogged pursuit of raising funds with other District Clubs for the purchase of a bus to transport students in Liberia to school!
District Governor Public Image Awards – Brenda Carrigan Wilbur (Red Lion – Dallastown Area), Bim Arthun (West Shore), and Shaun Eng (Harrisburg) for extraordinary public image efforts in expanding the reach of Rotary.
Congratulations Rotarians!
District 7390 Lifetime Achievement Award
Bob McClenathan
Rotary Club of Lancaster
District 7390 Outstanding Service Award
Nigel Foundling
Rotary Club of Northern Lebanon County
Dogged Pursuit Award
Meg Ramey and Duke Adams
Rotary Club of Harrisburg-Keystone
Public Image Award
Brenda Wilber
Rotary Club of Red Lion – Dallastown Area
Note: Two more awards are being presented at club meetings. Congratulations to Bim Arthun from Rotary Club of West Shore and Shaun Eng from Rotary Club of Harrisburg!
A big THANK YOU is extended to Dodie Wise, Rotary Club of Carlisle-Sunrise on her generous bid of $3000 which won her a limited-edition print signed by Darren Jones brother of RI President Jennifer Jones. RIP Jennifer directed all the 2023-2024 District Governors to auction the print off and donate the proceeds to Polio. Dodie is doing just that. Thank you Dodie for your generous contribution. Dodie wearing her Polio sneakers!
Greetings D7390 Rotarians! For those who attended the 2023 District Conference and Community Expo thank you for your participation and support whether it was as a sponsor, volunteer, speaker, or attendee! We tried to do a little something different to expand our reach beyond educational sessions to use of exhibitors and STOP THE BLEED classes while keeping costs low. Whether you attended or weren't able to WE WANT YOUR INPUT.
Please complete this SHORT survey evaluating those activities your were involved in and if you weren't able to come, we want to know why to help us figure out your needs and desires in the future. Click here to complete the survey
Thanks for helping us IMAGINE ROTARY and work together to increase our reach and impact in the world.
On Friday, March 24, Rotarian JT Hand presented the 2023 Rotary Club of York Community Service Award to Cadet Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Kheylian Valazquez-Maldonado. Kheylian is the senior enlisted member of the Bearcat Battalion and was recognized for her service to William Penn High School, the corps of cadets, and the York community. Kheylian is a member of the York College Community Opportunity Scholarship Program (YCCOSP) and plans to a end York College in the fall.
Rotary Club of York Presents Community Service Award
Thursday, April 20, 2023 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
This Summit is hosted by the District Membership Committee and is open to any Rotarian interested in engaging in a discussion on three questions:
How are our clubs having an impact on people under 40 in our District?
How can we be doing better in supporting the needs of Rotarians under 40 in our District?
How do we find and attract new members in our District that are under the age of 40?
The Summit will be one hour from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 20. Click here to register for the zoom call! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Rotarians are people of action. You could even say its in our DNA. However, with each major effort like a Global Grant you need a champion. One who can focus the group’s efforts and inspire the team to overcome all challenges on their way to project completion. For a recent Global Grant our club completed our champion and inspiration came from the late, great, fellow Rotarian J. Sherwood McGinnis, Jr.
Sherwood was the initial lead for a Water and Sanitation project for the Carlisle Sunrise Rotary Club and the Kara Rotary Club of Togo. This $43,600 project was initially envisioned back in 2017 but didn’t get final approval until January 2022. The project was to provide a well and latrine to the villages of Attchaou and Teroda in the Canton of Kemerida, Togo. But, as we approached completion of the project we realized we had enough funds left over to recondition another well and latrine built by another organization in a nearby village that had fallen into neglect. With approval from Rotary International, we were able to service the additional village with special emphasis placed on sustainability. So, from full funding in April 2022 to Final Report acceptance in February 2023, the project was deemed a huge success directly impacting well over 500 individuals on a daily basis.
Water Source Before Project
Water Source After Project
We attribute the smooth progress to Sherwood’s inspiration and open, honest, routine communication between the two clubs. We used Zoom to accomplish this. Communication was weekly sometimes, but mostly monthly which allowed us to set goals and work issues as they came up. We also used DropBox to share documents that would later support our Final Report.
The two clubs had such a positive experience, we are planning on accomplishing another Global Grant in Togo. This time, we look to build a well and Latrine in three additional villages (Hilou, Kemerida, and Pyode). This grant is expected to cost $63,563 and is planned to execute in the 2023-2024 RY. If interested in joining us, we can always use more people of action. Contact the President of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Carlisle.
Submitted by
PP Mike Zick, RC Carlisle-Sunrise, International Service Lane Chair
Larenda Twigg, President, RC of Carlisle-Sunrise
From the International Service Lane...Rotarians Making A Difference in Togo
Two local college students, Sweeta Rasiyan, a student at Penn State York, and Charlie Green, a student at York College of Pennsylvania, were honored at our March 22nd meeting with the 2023 College Service Awards. These students were selected because they exemplify the Rotary International motto of putting service to others above one's own interests. Congratulations to this year's recipients!
As a Rotary public image advocate, you help others understand who we are and how we make a difference. Publicizing your club’s efforts and sharing the impact you make helps attract members, volunteers, and donors. Thank you for making public image a priority and strengthening Rotary's brand.
New resources on the Brand Center
The Brand Center is continually updated with new materials to help you promote your club! You’ll find tips on raising awareness of Rotary, ready- made print and digital ads, images, videos, audio clips, templates to download, and more. These resources allow you to create messages that show your community that Rotary members are people of action making a difference.
Whether you’re posting on social media, inviting community members to volunteer with you, or speaking at an event, you’ll get more people to take action by using precise words and clear examples. Our Communication Guide, inspired by Rotary’s Action Plan, offers advice for clear and effective messaging, such as:
Be specific: Inviting community members to “serve meals to hungry children” is more accurate and compelling than asking them to “defeat hunger.”
Be inclusive: It’s easier for people to imagine themselves getting involved with Rotary when you refer to “members and participants” rather than to “Rotarians.”
For additional guidance and more concrete examples of powerful communications, read our Communication Guideand be inspired!
Licensed products protect Rotary's brand
Did you know that you can strengthen and protect the Rotary brand simply by purchasing merchandise from Rotary’s approved and licensed vendors? More than 100 of these vendors around the world are ready to supply your club with Rotary-branded merchandise, such as T-shirts, hats, club supplies, and more. Buying merchandise from licensed vendors increases our brand recognition and protects Rotary’s trademark rights. Learn more about licensed vendors and merchandise in the Brand Center.
Are you familiar with the Rotary Press Center page? It gives you access to news articles and TV reports about Rotary in major English-language media outlets! Use material from the Press Center to introduce Rotary to potential members and show it to people in your club who may not know about it. By promoting stories about Rotary, you raise awareness about our work and highlight the attention our members have received by having their work recognized in the media.
What's your story?
Tell us how your club is making a difference and improving lives locally and globally. Your project may be featured in an upcoming Rotary publication. Tell us about your story!
$20,000 To Be Awarded to Community Programs in 2023
Rotary Club of York and the York Rotary Charitable Endowment Fund have just opened the 2023 round of their Rotary Club community grants. York Rotary Grants provide valuable funding support to address the changing needs of York through grant programs focused on improving our local community. Grants of $2,500-$10,000 will be awarded to projects or programs in 2023 taking place July 1, 2023-June 31, 2024 that align local fields of interest with Rotary International’s focus to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Projects must match the grant request with other support.
The fields of interest chosen for 2023 and examples projects/programs that would fall under these fields follow. The Rotary Club grants committee only accepts letters of interest that fall under one or both of these interests. Economic Development (Growing Local Economies)
Programs and projects helping low-income families achieve lasting financial security, or promoting equal economic opportunities
Events designed to draw people to a community and increase financial impact to the local economy
Educational programs in job training or that help residents start their own local business. Peace (Promoting Peace & Social Justice and Gun Violence Prevention)
Programs and projects designed to reduce community gun violence/crime
Events to bring people together to promote peaceful dialogue and address community divides
Educational programs promoting peaceful resolution to conflict
Programs, projects and events to promote equal rights and equitable opportunities for all York residents
Letters of Interest by York County based non-profit organizations can now be submitted for projects and programs that meet these focus areas until April 10, 2023 at 5:00pm EST. Full grant guidelines and online Letter of Interest applications can be found at https://www.yorkrotary.org/page/york-rotarygrants
Letters of Interest addressing one or both fields of interest that are selected to move to the full application stage can request $2,500-$10,000 in matching funds. All LOI applicants will be notified of their status by 5/2/2023.
Our next quarterly membership seminar will be on Tuesday, April 11 at 7PM. The Zoom link is below. Our program will include an interactive session on finishing the year strong with membership in your district and introducing our membership programs for next Rotary year! You don't want to miss it. The session will be recorded for anyone who can't attend.
Here is a sampling of what we plan to discuss::
Finishing the year strong with membership (minimizing the "June Swoon")
Tips from Leaders of Growing Clubs
New Programs Introduction
Starting New Clubs Initiative
Growing Rotaract - The Rotaract Roadmap
DEI Support Tools for Districts
Upcoming Learning Programs for DMC's and District ICA's
The Annual District Leadership Team dinner was held on March 6. The incoming District Governor Fred Gellert laid out a collective plan for the new Rotary year to District committee chairs and other Rotary leaders. Congrats to DGE Fred on a wonderful evening of group discussions and presentations. The next Rotary District leadership jet is on the runway getting ready for takeoff and it will be great being part of the crew.
By Committee Chair Rob Altenburg, Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg-North
Thank you to all those who attended our first District Environmental Committee on March 8th.
With Earth Day approaching on April 23rd, the Environmental Committee would like to alert clubs about ideas for environmental projects that can be done alone or in partnership with other clubs. These can be completed projects, works in progress, or ideas still in the planning stages (particularly those for which you are pursuing one of this year’s micro-grants).
Please submit a brief description of any projects to Rob Altenburg at rca@qrpc.com and mention if your club would be interested in partnering with another club to join in a project. If your club’s past project was already submitted for inclusion on the District’s service page there is no need to resubmit it. Go here to see past activities: https://rotary7390.org/page/service-activities. The deadline for project submissions is March 23rd. In a future Rotary Reporter project submissions will be shared including ways to partner with other clubs and get involved.
Lastly, we look forward to seeing you at the District Conference on April 1st which will start with an Environmental Presentation at 8:30 AM by Patrick McDonnell, President, and CEO of Penn Future on the topic of: “Climate Change, Water Quality and Improvisation – We are at a tipping point.” Description: Our environment is at a crisis point, but the solutions have never been more within our grasp. How do we get there and how does a little improvisation bring us over the finish line? Register and learn more at https://rotary7390.org/
The next meeting of the District Environmental Committee will be on May 10th at 7:00pm. All Rotarians are welcome to attend. Contact Rob at rca@qrpc.com to get on the mailing list!
Join for free to expand the reach of your club events!
District 7390 has a “Service Above Self” Meetup Group which is a way for clubs to post service activities, fundraisers, and other events. Anyone can join our group at no cost regardless of Rotary status but only Rotarians are given the administrative rights to post activities which allow clubs to expand their reach! See below for more information about this great way to connect with your community and learn more about what Rotary clubs throughout the District are hosting!
What is “meetup”? Meetup is a social media platform that allows people who share interests to “meet up” together to engage in activities of interest. District 7390 pays a monthly fee to maintain its Meetup group.
What are the advantages of advertising through a meetup group beyond other social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and twitter?
For members of the Service Above Self meetup:
Messages in your email inbox and through phone text message reminding you of events you signed up for. Those reminders come on the day of the event and right after you signed up for the event.
The ability to query all events in a geographic locale regardless of your membership status in a meetup group running the event.
For your club:
Great advertising for all your fundraisers and volunteer activities for both Rotarians and the public.
Notifies members of any changes in plans through the meetup site which sends the change to their email inbox.
Informs you of other Rotary clubs holding events thus facilitating partnerships!
How do I post my club’s activities on the meetup site? When you join make sure you indicate which Rotary club you are a member of. A representative of District 7390 will then give you “event organizer” status that will allow you to post events.
Rotary D7390 has a Service Above Self Meet Up Group
Join us for the Cultivating Effective Projects webinar series
All Rotary members are invited to participate in an exciting five-part webinar series designed to support you as you cultivate effective projects that will create a sustainable impact in your community and around the world. These webinars will offer tools and strategies to help you plan, find resources for, implement, and evaluate your projects, including youth service projects.
Telling your story of service and positive change is an essential part of carrying out service projects. It’s especially important to share how you overcame any challenges, the lessons you learned, and tips for how other people can best approach similar projects.
By the end of this session, you’ll be able to:
Understand the connection between telling a good story and increasing Rotary’s visibility
Identify effective tactics to promote your projects
Use different tools to tell your story at every stage of the project
Learn more about the specific topics and register now:
Promoting Projects: Tell Your Story, Thursday, 23 March, 10:00 Chicago time
Planning a Project: Design for Results, Thursday, 6 April, 10:00 Chicago time
Finding Project Partners and Resources: Build an Effective Team, Thursday, 20 April, 10:00 Chicago time
Measuring Results: Demonstrate Your Impact, Thursday, 4 May, 18:00 Chicago time
Expanding Reach: Partner with Youth in Service, Thursday, 18 May, 18:00 Chicago time
In January of 2023, members of the York-East Rotary Club had the opportunity to participate in the education-based STEAM Camp that’s offered as part of the Crispus Attucks Rising Star program. The program supports underprivileged youth ages 5 to 18, by helping them to achieve academic success. The members helped the children with skills needed to utilize robotics, coding principles and increase competency.
The York-East Rotary Club has awarded $2,500 plus $2,500 in a matching Rotary District grant money to this worthy local organization. Our club looks forward to projects like this because it is such a great feeling to give and learn how our financial support is being used within our community.
Thank you to everyone that donated their time to this organization. Without you we would not be able to provide these organizations with the funding that they need to make York a better place to live.
Club members in photos: Kris Pollick, Greg Kern, Morris Hooper and Jim Walters
This year we will be partnering with the East Pennsboro Education Foundation and the East Pennsboro High School Track team in an event called Panther Prowl which also includes a One Mile Color Fun Run for Kids. We hope to grow this event by getting food trucks, entertainment/music and additional children’s activities. Make it into a real spring community festival!
All proceeds from the 5K Run for Education will be used for scholarships for deserving seniors at Cumberland Valley, Cumberland Perry Area CTC and East Pennsboro High Schools
Where: East Pennsboro High School Track, 425 Shady Lane, Enola
When: In person registration begins at 11am, the 5K Run for Education is at noon and the One Mile Color Fun Run at 1pm on April 30th (Sunday)
Medals will be given for best times by sex and age group at the both 5K Run and One Mile Color Fun Run. We will also give out a monetary gift for the overall male and female winners.
Hanover Rotarian, Ralph Jodice, taught the Junior Achievement Our Nation program to Sherry Chroniger’s 5th grade class at St. Teresa of Calcutta. JA Our Nation consists of five lessons designed to teach students about the free market economy, entrepreneurship, careers, getting and keeping the job, and the global economy.
For those of you who have not already heard the wonderful news, we wanted to let you know that the bus has finally arrived in Liberia, and it’s already turning heads!
Once again, we can’t begin to express our gratitude to ALL of you who donated individually or were sponsor clubs on this project. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but we KNOW it takes a global village to raise enough funds to buy a bus and a very supportive district to run a project this large.
It’s so exciting to see the four-year fundraising portion of the project end and to watch as the next phase of the project begins. Soon students will be riding the VERY FIRST school bus in Liberia on their way to classes. That’s when our “Hop on the Bus” project really will become “Hope on the Bus” as it makes basic education more accessible and possible for Liberian students.
Thank you so much for your support in this project, and please pass on this wonderful news to your clubs.
Last weekend President Elects from clubs throughout our District gathered in King of Prussia, PA to take part in a four district Mid-Atlantic PETS Seminar which prepares incoming Presidents to lead their clubs in the new Rotary year! Our district had the great fortune of having a private session with incoming Rotary International President Gordan McInally. Our District is in great hands with the leadership of our clubs and the leadership of our District with 2023-2024 DG Fred Gellert! Special thanks to PDG Hector Ortiz and PDG Una Martone for providing leadership to the MAPETS committee which pulled together a very inspiring MAPETS 2023!
Get your tickets today! Nashville songwriter Aaron Barker will be putting on a concert after a Dogfish Head beer/food pairing dinner. 4 course dinner paired with 4 Dogfish Head beers!
Seats sell fast! Proceeds go to Colonial Park Rotary local scholarships to local high schools & community giving.
Reserve your seats now by mailing a check to:
Rotary Club of Colonial Park FoundationP.O. Box 126213Harrisburg, PA 17112Attn: Crystal Hartz
For more information or VIP tables, contact Crystal Hartz @ 717-443-3998 or crystal@pahospitalityandconsulting.com
Colonial Park Hosts Nashville Songwriter Aaron Barker
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 will be held June 11-15, 2023 at Messiah University. The 2023 Conference will be the 61st RYLA in Rotary District 7390.
Students must be between their Junior and Senior year in high school to attend. Approximately 120 High School youth attend annually. The schedule includes various speakers, career seminars, team building activities, a conference band and chorus and much, much more! The application deadline is April 14, 2023.
The following actions have been taken by The Rotary Foundation to support relief efforts in Turkey and Syria:
The lead story on Rotary.org and My.Rotary.org now includes a message about the new Turkey/Syria Disaster Response Fund (a.k.a. the repurposing of the general disaster response fund.)
A video from RIP Jennifer Jones has been shared on social media. Donating to the Turkey/Syria Disaster Response Fund is the call to action. The video can be viewed on Face Book, Twitter and Instagram.
Rotary is in regular contact with partners such as ShelterBox. For example, District Governors and District Rotary Disaster Committee members from the three Rotary districts in Turkey are providing ShelterBox support and invaluable situational awareness. Rotary members have been trucking blankets, food, and medicines to affected areas across all affected regions of Turkey working with ShelterBox. To Donate to ShelterBox go to: https://www.shelterboxusa.org/
Since 1987, The Rotary Club of York-East has had a long history of supporting our local and international communities. In celebration of our 35th Anniversary Year and in conjunction with Rotary International’s “Imagine” Theme, York-East undertook a “Dream Big” Community Project to award $10,000 to a local cause. The club sought out Dream BIG project ideas from members and looking for local organizations to support. The club members heard from several well deserving grant applicants and choose the Advantage Program because it’s sustainability and impact on the youth in our local community. The Advantage Program is a youth mentorship program geared to expose middle and high school aged children to life’s opportunities. Mentors and mentees meet weekly on Saturday’s for a two-hour time period. During these sessions the curriculum includes topics such as entrepreneurship, financial literacy, civil engagement, culinary arts, athletics, and business principles. Once per month, the Advantage Program aims to expose participating youth to an event or venue outside of York County such as, HBCU’s, NASA, music concerts, college sporting events, historic museums, and other professional sporting events. The overall goal of the Advantage Program is to expose our youth to different life opportunities as well as multiple career paths. The program hopes to be able to provide necessary school items during the school year as well as a scholarship to college. By helping each youth to create a plan for their lives and identifying possible career paths and opportunities, they believe they can keep each student focused on positivity and achieving their goals.
Picture left to right: Karen Comery - Club President, Kate Rohrbaugh, Tavon Parker, Brandon Parker, Elizabeth Wolfe - Club President Elect, Greg Kern - Committee Chair
The Rotary Clubs of Mechanicsburg-North, D7390 Passport, West Shore, and Yellow Breeches hosted one of the largest and most successful RMB District 7390 networking events in District 7390 RMB history on February 15 at the Classic Rock Design Center. Roughly 60 Rotarians from at least 14 district clubs representing all areas of our district attended this networking event.
The event had all the components of a great RMB meeting with enthusiastic networking where many connections were made, a beautiful venue, great food and drink and much fun and fellowship. Kudos to hosting club leaders, John Anthony, Mary Brunski, other members of the RMB District Steering Committee and to the venue owners for combining their efforts to produce this great result. Congratulations to all and well done.
So, come and join the Harrisburg Keystone Rotary Club on Saturday, March 25 from 11 am – 4 pm at the Appalachian Brewing Company-Harrisburg for a fun afternoon of Cornhole, Beer, and Rotary Fellowship.
You’ll get the chance to compete to take the title and trophy away from our District Governor and become this year’s District 7390 “Rotary Cornhole Champion.”
In addition to taking back these bragging rights to your club for an entire year, we also have regular prizes of up to $320 in cash cards for the overall winning teams and other prizes raffled off throughout the day.
This year, we’re doing a round robin tournament that guarantees 4 games to each team. The top 16 teams from the round robin tournament will then compete in a final single-elimination bracket to win the top prizes.
All tickets also include a buffet and one complimentary beverage per person, and you can continue to enjoy your favorite ABC brews at the cash bar throughout the event.
Registration cost:
$80 for a 2-member team (includes guaranteed 4 games; 2 drink tickets and buffet)
$25 per person for a Spectator Ticket (includes entrance, 1 drink ticket, and buffet)
Hang out with fellow Rotarians, make new friends, and raise money for service projects all at the same time!
Learn more and grab your ticket before they're gone at capitalcitycornhole.org. We look forward to seeing you there!
Capital City Cornhole Classic Sponsorship Information
Title Sponsor Benefits –$600
Website presence and Company logo on billboard tournament advertisement
Announcement and opportunity to address the crowd at event
Banner at event, if provided by sponsor
Logos on Tournament management website and screens at the event
Team entry
Guest tickets – 4
Bracket Sponsor Benefits –$300
Website presence
Announcement at event
Logos on Tournament management website and screens at the event
Name on Bracket
Team entry
Guest tickets - 2
Board Sponsor Benefits –$200
Website presence
Name at the board
Team entry
Guest tickets – 2
Please return this form along with check made payable to “Harrisburg Keystone” to:
The District 7390 Leadership is proud to welcome our newest team member District Governor Nominee Designate Mary Brunski! Mary will become District Governor during the 2025-2026 Rotary Year.
Mary has been a Rotarian since 2013 and is a member of the Rotary Club of Carlisle. Professionally, Mary has worked in Employee Communications, Services Marketing, Education, and now in Financial Services. She owns Demeter Financial Services where she provides financial advice, health insurance and Medicare insurance guidance.
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, she moved with her mom to Ohio where she graduated from high school and then attended The Ohio State University. She earned a BS in Communications and Economics before moving to Dallas, Texas with her husband Paul. Much of her work there was in marketing for Architectural, Engineering and Construction Companies. They moved back to Pennsylvania with their two children to be near family.
Mary has been active in the community, volunteering and serving on the Boards of the Amelia S Givin Library, the Helen O Krause Animal Foundation, American Association of University Women and Rotary! She was an Assistant Leader for a local Girl Scout troop, helping four girls achieve the highest award of Gold.
Her focus now is her business, Rotary and continuing to learn new things. Her current favorite quote is: "At the end of life, what really matters is not what we bought but what we built; not what we got but what we shared; not our competence but our character; and not our success, but our significance. Live a life that matters. Live a life of love." Unknown
Clubrunner is offering a Changeover Training Series, beginning on April 14th. Click here to learn more and register!Any member can register for our different changeover training sessions, they are completely free! We are also recording the changeover trainings, and they will be uploaded to our ‘Changeover Training’ section in our ‘Videos & Webinars’ section on the Knowledgebase.
Here are a few additional video & tutorial resources:
Join us on the ClubRunner Community! On the Community you can post and view what other ClubRunner users & Administrators are working on: https://www.clubrunnercommunity.com/
Any member can download and login to the ClubRunner app for their club & District. To download the app, please open this page from our website on your browser: https://clubrunner.ca/mobile
(WHTM) — The Pledge of Allegiance for Thursday, Feb. 9, features the Rotary Club of York – North. abc27 wants to feature your Pledge of Allegiance video on-air and online! Click here to…
The Rotary Club of York proudly welcomed six club members as new members of the Paul Harris Society. Pictured L-R: Alissa Barshinger (accepting for Jacob Miller), PDG Ben Hoover, Karen McCormack, PP John Klinedinst, PP Jackie Summers and PP Mike Summers.
As we head into the 2nd half of the Rotary year, clubs everywhere are lining up their leadership for the new Rotary year including club officers and committee chairs. Whether you are a veteran leader or a new one, the new and updated Rotary Learning Center has all the resources you need to help you understand best practices. Click here to check out the new course catalog!
Preparing for a new role in your club? Check out the Rotary Learning Center!
The next meeting of the District 7390 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee is this Monday, February 6 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. The meeting will be led by Committee Chair PDG Hector Ortiz. We welcome new members at any time. If interested in joining us, please email PDG Hector at richie1166@msn.com who will send you meeting information.
Click here to read more about Rotary’s Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Join the District DEI Committee Feb 6 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom!
The Rotary Club of Carlisle-Sunrise sponsored an ice sculpture outside a Rotarian owned business during the Carlisle Ice Fest. The Club also gave away free hot chocolate inside the State Farm office to give exposure to Dan Collision’s business and Rotary. The Carlisle-Sunrise Club had Club brochures and a video inside and outside running about Rotary. Rotarians in the Club took shifts to answer questions and pour hot cocoa.
In January there were several opportunities for fantastic education related to growing Rotary. Recordings are now available for both. See below!
Characteristics of Clubs with a Consistent Growth Culture.
The Zone 32 Membership seminar featured PDG Herb Klotz, Zone 32 Membership Coordinator, who presented results of a survey completed across the United States and Canada on clubs that grew consistently over a 5 year period. It was very well done. The membership portion of the session was followed by another session dedicated to Assistant Governors. We highly encourage that all Rotarians and not just club leaders, view this interesting session at https://youtu.be/hkKHN72dUII since growing membership is EVERY Rotarian’s responsibility.
Club Transformation and Membership Summit
This multi-district Summit featured RI President Nominee Stephanie Urchick, Past RI Director Jeff Cadorette, and PDG Tom Gump. Our District had good representation, and there were great tips offered. Listen to the 30-minute presentation by going to: https://youtu.be/5NMXML39cXg
Rotary Means Business
A future in –person activity that serve to attract new members is taking place on February 15th from 5:30 – 7:30 PM in Mechanicsburg. It is called Rotary Means Business (“RMB”) and is where like-hearted, like-minded people (Rotarians and Non-Rotarians) come together for business networking and learn more about Rotary. This FREE event is being hosted by FOUR clubs: Yellow Breeches, Mechanicsburg-North, D7390 Passport, and West Shore. The location will be Classic Rock Design Center in Mechanicsburg. We encourage as many Rotarians as possible to attend but even more importantly BRING A FRIEND. Click here to register and read more!
To all clubs submitting essays for the Four Way Test Essay Contest, it has been brought to our attention that there is a discrepancy in the due date for your club's essay contest submission on the District Website. The official rules state that February 10 is the due date, but there is a reference to a due date of February 20 on the website. While we would appreciate submissions by the 10th, if your club was relying on the February 20 due date, no worries. We will accept your entry up to February 20! Thanks and sorry for the confusion.
On January 18, the hosting Rotary Club of Gettysburg and event sponsors Members 1st Federal Credit Union and the WWII American Experience Museum (venue sponsor) held a very successful RMB networking event at the WWII American Experience Museum with some 20 to 25 Rotarians and guests attending from ten District 7390 clubs (Carlisle, Carlisle Sunrise, D7390 Passport, Gettysburg, Hershey, Lancaster, Lititz, Uptown York, York-North, and West Shore). These clubs represented all major areas of our Rotary district.
Kudos to the Rotary Club of Gettysburg and its President Michael Hanson for hosting such a wonderful event and to the WWII American Experience Museum for providing such an exciting and educational venue. One participant indicated "The museum was an amazing venue and made the whole experience that much more enjoyable." Thanks go to district RMB Steering Committee member, Mary Brunski, for running the Circle exercise in such a fun and efficient way. Well done all.
Share Some Love (dollars) with The Rotary Foundation (TRF) and District 7390 will Share Some Love with you by donating Foundation points to your Foundation account in celebration of Valentine’s Day.
A donation of at least $100 made to TRF’s Annual Fund-SHARE during the week of Valentine’s Day (From February 12 through February 18) qualifies you to receive 100 Foundation points. Points are like cash. Points help you become a Paul Harris Fellow or reach the PHS +1 to PHS +8 recognition levels faster and easier.
Consider honoring a friend, family member, or Rotary colleague when you contribute. Share Some Love knowing that your donation is making a difference and recognizing someone you know at the same time.
To receive your 100 Foundation points, send a copy of your receipt (include your member number) to office@rotary7390.org.
There are four ways to donate:
Click here to Donate on-line. You will need a credit card and a member access account on the RI website.
Send acheck made payable to The Rotary Foundation (or use your credit card). Download and fill out the donation form. Click here for the form to mail. Mail the completed form to the Chicago address listed at the bottom of the form.
Donate by phone. Call the Rotary Contact Center at 866-976-8279 Monday—Friday 8 am to 5 pm CST. Have your credit card ready to contribute.
Thanks for supporting The Rotary Foundation. Your contributions to TRF make it possible for Rotarians to successfully address some of life’s most challenging issues by supporting education, promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, saving mothers and children, growing local economies, and protecting the environment.
Questions regarding Rotary Foundation contributions and programs can be directed to your Club Foundation Chair or District Rotary Foundation Chair, Dr. Anna-Mae Kobbe at amkobbe@gmail.com.
Share Some LOVE! Support the Rotary Foundation - Earn Foundation Points
The Rotary Clubs of Yellow Breeches, Mechanicsburg-North, D7390 Passport and West Shore will sponsor and host the 65th RMB networking event along with Fairway Mortgage Corporation, Mother Hubbard's Custom Cabinetry, and the Classic Rock Design Center (venue sponsor). The event will take place at the Classic Rock Design Center, 135 W Allen Street, Mechanicsburg, PA, on Wednesday, February 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. The event is FREE and will include the usual light hors d'oeuvres along with wine, beer, soft drinks and water. Click here to register today!
This will be another great business networking opportunity and fun and fellowship event. Do not miss it. Also, please consider bringing potential Rotarian guests and family of Rotary.
Sooooooo.......What is Rotary Means Business and Why should I attend? (If the video does not display, click here to watch it)
Last Tuesday Rotarians from throughout our District had the good fortune of participating in a Zone 32 Membership Webinar on Characteristics of Clubs with a Consistent Growth Culture.
The seminar featured results of a survey completed across the United States and Canada and was very well done. The membership portion of the session was followed by another session dedicated to Assistant Governors. We highly encourage that all Rotarians and not just club leaders, view this interesting session below or at this link https://youtu.be/hkKHN72dUII since growing membership is EVERY Rotarian’s responsibility.
Trivia: How many Rotarians are in District 7390 and what has our growth trend been over the last 5 years? ANSWER: The latest count logged in the RI database as of 12/31/22 is 1847 members (sum total of members in 42 clubs) which is down 46 members from the same time last year. Five years ago, our membership count was 2311. Based on historical trends as noted in the graph below it is predicted our membership will continue to decrease unless we are all intentional about activities that bring friends, coworkers, family members, and the community at large into our clubs to increase our collective impact in the world!
There are many opportunities for clubs to learn more about growing Rotary in the next month. One is happening TOMORROW, Saturday, January 21, 11 AM – 12:30 and is being hosted by District 7450. The speakers speaking on Club Transformation and Membership are RI experts and member favorites who have been featured at the RI Convention and other venues. Click here to register today! (Please use the "guest" tab to register)
Another in –person activity happening in February in our District is Rotary Means Business (“RMB”). RMB is where like-hearted, like-minded people (Rotarians and Non Rotarians) come together for business networking and to experience Rotary and learn more about what we do and how we serve. Our next RMB is on February 15 and is being hosted by FOUR clubs: Yellow Breeches, Mechanicsburg-North, D7390 Passport, and West Shore. The location will be Classic Rock Design Center (135 W. Allen Street, Mechanicsburg). We encourage as many Rotarians as possible to attend but even more importantly BRING A FRIEND. Click here to register today!
Hanover Rotary Club honors 3 Paul Harris Members at a recent meeting. First time Paul Harris, Brandon Gething, Doug Becker, and Ken Wenger all received recognition for their contributions to the Rotary Foundation
A highlight of my club visits throughout our seven county District last summer was meeting so many kind, enthusiastic and passionate Rotarians! You energized me in unexpected and wonderful ways. Many of you accepted my offer to record a short video on what Rotary means to you and what makes your club special.
Throughout the month of January, I am launching these videos from our “@rotary7390” You Tube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/) and District 7390 Facebook Page. Six videos have been launched so far and many more are to come.
I also welcome video submissions from any Rotarian who missed the opportunity to be recorded during my club visits. Simply email me a 1-2 minute video telling me what excites you about Rotary and what makes your club special. These videos will be enhanced by my brother-in-law Chris Altenburg who will make your video awesome!
Meet Great Rotarians Throughout our District on Youtube!
Think Valentine’s Day and Rotary! Express a sentiment for your Sweetheart and have it hung on a lamppost in downtown Lancaster. Pets are also included and your sentiment to them will be displayed at Binn’s Park or the Dog park on Marietta Ave. Finding your heart is a fun scavenger hunt while exploring the restaurants, galleries and shopping of downtown Lancaster.
The Rotary Club of York President-Elect Aaron Jacobs spoke to 100 students at York Academy Regional Charter School. He shared with the students about the work that The Rotary Club of York does in the community and the various partners they work with. The students were enthusiastic and excited to hear about the great works of Rotary in their neighborhoods. Can you spot any future Rotarians in the pictures?
The Lebanon Cemetery, an all-black cemetery located on North George Street in York, PA was, until recently, one of York’s best kept secrets. On December 17,2022, the Friends of Lebanon Cemetery, busy repairing and sprucing up the grounds, held a wreath laying ceremony to honor the many veterans buried there. The Rotary Club Of York, Pa, collected money from our generous members and sponsored 130 wreaths. The photo shows a gathering of Rotarians from the Rotary Club of York Club and Uptown York Club who attended the moving ceremony and helped lay the wreaths on the graves of the veterans.
RI President-elect Gordon R. McInally announced his new Presidential theme at this week’s International Assembly in Orlando, Florida. The 2023-24 Theme is Create Hope in the World. He states, "The goal is to restore hope — to help the world heal from destructive conflicts and, in turn, to help us achieve lasting change for ourselves." Click here to read more and watch the announcement video.
RI President Elect Gordon McInally announces 2023-24 Presidential Theme
A new environment committee is being launched by our District in response to an outpouring of interest expressed during a recent Environmental Summit hosted by District Membership Chair PDG John Anthony. The Summit brought together Rotarians from 7 different clubs that had a passion for Rotary’s 7th area of focus! The three questions posed at the Summit were:
How are our clubs currently having a positive environmental impact?
How can we collectively do better to protect the environment?
How can we expand our reach and bring more new members into Rotary through our passion for protecting the Environment?
The committee chair will be Rob Altenburg who is a member of the Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg-North and is the Director of the Energy Center at Penn Future. Rob is also a member of ESRAG which is Rotary International’s Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group. There were so many great ideas expressed at the Environmental Summit that the group committed to forming a committee and continuing the conversation. Any interested Rotarians and guests are invited to join the group at their next meeting on:
All Rotarians are invited to the next Zone 32 Membership Seminar on Tuesday, January 17 at 7 PM. The seminar will feature results of a survey completed across the United States and Canada featuring characteristics of clubs with a consistent membership growth culture. This portion of the seminar will be approximately 40 minutes. The second part of the session is about 20 minutes and will be dedicated to Assistant Governors.
No pre-registration is needed! Simply connect into the Zoom session by clicking here.
The session will be recorded for viewing on demand!
Note for Club Presidents and President Elects: This session is occurring during the time of our monthly Presidents meeting. Please attend this seminar first, then after the membership portion proceed to the usual Zoom link for our monthly Presidents meeting where District news will be shared.
Learn More About Characteristics of Clubs with a Consistent Growth Culture
The 61st RYLA Conference in D7390 will be held June 11-15, 2023 at Messiah University. Registration is now open! If you would like to learn more about RYLA or the new registration process, please join us for an informational meeting on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Click here to pre-register for the meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Please contact Melissa Kopp-Smith at office@rotary7390.org or 717-854-7842 if you have questions. We look forward to seeing you on January 26 to learn more about RYLA!
Come out Rotarians One and All to our District Training Assembly!
On Saturday, February 4th from 8 AM to 1 PM at the HACC York campus, we will offer some exciting sessions to build strong Rotarians and great clubs in District 7390. We have some engaging expert speakers lined up to help us grow as Rotarians and to help us make our clubs even stronger in their service to the community. The topics include:
Leadership concepts and tools useful in Rotary and at work from a consultant who helps companies in our area
A discussion on mental health and some ideas where clubs might be helpful in addressing increasing needs in our communities
Ideas on how to make DEI come alive in our clubs
Breakouts on a few topics of use to our club secretaries, committee chairs, and project leaders.
Ideas on engaging our members and growing our clubs
It will be a great morning of education and fellowship! Cost is $20 for morning refreshments and lunch. Registration, coffee, and pastries will be available from 8:00 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. The training portion will begin at 8:30 a.m. and include a luncheon buffet. Lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m. and feature a keynote speaker.
At the conclusion of lunch, all Rotarians will be dismissed with the exception of the President-Elects and Assistant Governors who will remain until 3:30 p.m. for a Pre-PETS training session.
There is no cost for the Club President-Elect to attend the District Training Assembly and Pre-PETS session. All other Rotarians will need to register and pay a nominal $20 registration fee.
Through a partnership with Rotary in Budapest, Lancaster Sunrise was able to provide funds that were used to stock an Ambulance with lifesaving medical equipment. This Ambulance will then be sent to Ukraine.
We are very proud of these efforts and the collaboration needed to facilitate.
Ambulance Providing Lifesaving Medical Equipment in Ukraine
Lancaster-Sunrise Partners with Club to Provide Ambulance for Ukraine
Several Hanover Rotarians spent a day wrapping Christmas gifts for the residents of Hoffman Home. The Home, located in Littlestown, is a psychiatric residential treatment program for ages 7-21, offering treatment services and support to help residents successfully transition into the community. Hanover Rotary is sponsoring an updated security/fire alarm system with a $5,000 District Club Grant to be installed in January. The following Rotarians enjoyed wrapping gifts for the residents: Ralph and Judy Jodice, Kathi Fuhrman, Kasey King, Shanna Hollich, Kelly Rebert and Peg Sennett.\
Each year Carlisle’s two Rotary Club Presidents identify one project or organization to be the focus of their holiday auction. Selected this year was Success by 6, the early childhood initiative of the United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County that works to ensure all children are prepared to succeed by the time they enter kindergarten.
Given the amount that Rotary has raised during previous auctions, a goal of $20,000 was set to be applied toward Success by 6. To reach this goal, club member sponsorships of the auction totaled over $14,000. The dinner auction itself raised just under $10,000 bringing the total for the auction to just over $24,500. Achieving this goal was only possible thanks to the generosity of Rotarians and local businesses who donated items to be auctioned.
Carlisle Rotary Clubs present a check for $24,000+.to Success By 6. The funds were raised during Carlisle Rotary’s annual holiday auction. Pictured from left to right are Karen Quinn, Success by 6 Director, Rod Frazier, President of the Carlisle Rotary Club and Larenda Twigg, President of the Carlisle Sunrise Rotary Club.
Carlisle Sunrise Rotary Club President Larenda Twigg presents the “Buzz Coho
Distinguished Service Citation” to Past President Harold Cooney.
Carlisle Rotary Club President Rod Frazier presents the “Four-Way Test Award” to Past President Justin Doty.
Carlisle Rotary Auction Raises $24,500 For Success By 6
As you make your year-end gifts to charity, please remember Rotary International’s primary goal – the eradication of polio from the face of the earth.
So far this year, there have been 2 case of wild polio virus in Afghanistan and 20 in Pakistan. You’ve all heard that polio is a plane ride away from the USA. You probably also heard that there was a case of vaccine--derived polio in New York earlier this year. So polio is now a car ride away from our District. We are “This Close” to eradicating polio, but polio is “This Close” to us.
You might wonder how you can help end the scourge of polio? Thanks for asking! You can make a year-end gift to The Rotary Foundation and designate that donation to Polio Plus. Log in to My Rotary and donate online at https://www.rotary.org/en/donate The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match your gift 2-for-1. All donations by Rotarians to Polio Plus count toward Paul Harris points and levels.
If you are really ambitions, I invite you to join the Polio Plus Society. Some 80 Rotarians from D7390 are already members. You simply pledge to donate $100.00 per year to Polio Plus until polio is only a mention in the history books. Click here to fill out a membership form!
The children of the world thank you for being part of the effort to “End Polio Now”!
REQUIRED GRANTS MANAGEMENT TRAINING JANUARY 23—REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Clubs intending to apply for Rotary Foundation District Club Grants or Global Grants this year must complete the annual District Grants Management Seminar scheduled for Monday, January 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The training will be provided via Zoom.
At least one club member must be trained each year. Additional club members are encouraged to complete the training if they are involved in the grant process for the club. Members trained in previous years must re-certify annually.
The training will include information on The Rotary Foundation, District Club Grants, Global Grants, and Community Needs Assessments. The training will include Q & A sessions.
Regardless of which grant type your club is planning to apply for, participants are expected to attend the full two-hour training. Once you have completed the training, you will need to complete an online quiz for each of the training components. A score of 70 percent or higher is required for successful completion of the training. District leaders involved in management of Rotary Foundation grants will conduct the training.
Clubs must also submit a completed/signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreeing to implement the financial and stewardship requirements of District 7390 and The Rotary Foundation.
The Rotary Club of Gettysburg will co-host with its partner host WWII American Experience Museum the 64th RMB networking meeting since 2014 and the first of the 2023 RMB season. The networking meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the WWII American Experience Museum, 845 Crooked Creek Road, Gettysburg, PA. The RMB event will be sponsored by the WWII American Experience Museum and the Members 1st Federal Credit Union, which will cover catering costs to include light snacks, wine, beer, soft drinks and water.
This will be another great business networking opportunity and fun and fellowship event. Do not miss it. Also, please consider bringing potential Rotarian guests and family of Rotary.
The Rotary Club of West Shore is in the holiday mood! As a supporter of the Salvation Army’s “Be the Light” campaign, a Rotary themed tree is on display outside of the 29th Street headquarters. Decoration day was cooooold. Look for next year’s tree to have a bit more décor!
Additionally, the club was one of 35 local organizations that set up a holiday light display at Siebert Park in Camp Hill as part of the Borough’s Parade of Lights event. The event, which was held December 2-4, supports the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign as the cost of admission is a new, unwrapped toy. Our goal of a Rotary wheel didn’t come to fruition this year, but we plan on its debut in the 2023 Parade of Lights event!
Supporting the Salvation Army and Toys for Tots in a Festive Way
Thanks to a district grant and proceeds from the Flags for Heroes campaign, the RCWS was able to purchase supplies needed by Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland and Perry Counties. The supplies were assembled in attractive, durable duffel bags (also requested by DVSCP) as part of a care kit campaign.
Club members assembled the care kits in late November and delivered them to DVSCP in early December. Included were personal hygiene and cleaning items, as well as a personal note of encouragement.
We are grateful to The Rotary Foundation, District 7390 for supporting this effort, and to the staff at DVSCP for their role in distributing the care kits to those in need.
Picture below are club members George Connolly and Erin Sunday posing with employees from DVSCP. Photo credit goes to club member David Hiebert. Additional pictures are available on the club’s website (www.westshorerotaryclub.com), Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages.
Rotary Club of West Shore Helps Victims of Domestic Violence
After two years of no travels due to COVID, Nancy Barbee is taking a group to India for an NID Experience in January 2023. There will be two NID Experiences on this trip. One in Delhi and another in Kolkatta.
Additionally, the group will visit Rotary projects, meet Interactors and Rotoractors, visit official offices, and sightsee in Delhi, Agra, and Kolkatta.
If you are interested in traveling to India, please contact for me more information.
Rotary Scholarship Student reports on first semester of Study in UK
Dear Friends in Rotary:
……..On September 6th I packed my bags and flew to Brighton, England to begin my next chapter as a masters student at the University of Sussex… As I approach 3 months of living in Brighton, I’ve been reflecting on my time here and my goals for the remaining 9 months of my M.A. in Food and Development and am excited to share some of these thoughts with my sponsor Rotary Club!...
As Ed Hauck can attest, deciding on a masters program was a difficult process for me. Now, as I complete the first half of the Food and Development degree, it feels good to know that I’ve chosen the perfect program for me. I feel extremely engaged with what I am learning and have had so many “aha!” moments while studying it’s hard to keep track. The two courses I am taking this semester are Critical Debates in Development Theory and Food Politics Development with both the University of Sussex and the Institute for Development Studies. While I initially feared that my Development Theory course might be dense and irrelevant to my career goals, this has actually become my favorite class. I love the way Dr. Demet S. Dinler challenges us to engage with diverse theorists to imagine what a decolonized and equitable future of development could look like. In Food Politics, we look more concretely at the various food issues affecting our modern world, from nutrition to agro-technology to food riots and popular mobilization. It has expanded my mind to the diverse interdisciplinary ways that food affects our globalized world.
Outside of class I’ve begun volunteering with the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership where I assist chefs as they teach cooking classes to vulnerable groups in Brighton. While it involves a lot of washing dishes, following several years of working on sustainable farms I really enjoy learning more about the other end of the food chain and how cooking is a key component to food justice. I’ve also enjoyed spending time with my coursemates who come from all over the world as well as playing for the University of Sussex volleyball team. Overall I can feel the roots of community beginning to grow and I am excited to see where the second semester takes me.
I hope all of you have a restful and healthy holiday season. I look forward to staying in touch virtually!
Warm regards,
Norma Jean
Letter from Norma Jean Park submitted by
Becky Morgenthal
Past President, Rotary Club of Carlisle
Member, District Scholarship Global Grant Committee
Last Saturday, November 19th, over 100 Rotarians and friends attended our D7390 Rotary Foundation dinner. This annual event is a chance to celebrate the Rotary Foundation and all the service projects conducted and contributions given by our clubs and members in the previous Rotary year. Held this year at the beautiful Eden Resort in Lancaster, we had a wonderful location and a great meal for our celebration. From the Youth Exchange students Parade of Flags to open our celebration, through the presentations of high impact service projects and a fun live auction, to the club award recognitions at the finale, it was a showcase of the outstanding service work and foundation giving in our district. Thank you to all who attended for making it a superb evening.
Congratulations to our clubs who achieved award recognitions for the 2021-2022 Rotary Year. The Rotarians and leaders in these clubs have significantly contributed to our foundation. Those clubs are:
Highest Annual Fund Giving: First place = York, Second place = Hershey, and Third place = Mechanicsburg North.
Highest Total Foundation Giving: First place = York, Second place = Gettysburg, and Third place = Mechanicsburg North.
Highest Per Capita Giving to the Annual Fund: First place = York East, Second place = Mechanicsburg North, and Third place = Harrisburg-Keystone.
100% Foundation Giving: Carlisle-Sunrise, Harrisburg-Keystone, Mechanicsburg-North, Northern Lebanon County, Palmyra, Southern York County, and West Shore.
Every Rotarian Every Year: Harrisburg-Keystone, Mechanicsburg-North, Northern Lebanon County, Palmyra, and Southern York County.
End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Certificates of Appreciation: Carlisle, Carlisle-Sunrise, Elizabethtown, Gettysburg, Hanover, Harrisburg, Hershey, Lancaster, Lancaster-South, Lititz, Mechanicsburg-North, Mount Joy, York, and York-North.
Thanks to our professional photographer Roger Baumgarten, from Roger That Photography, we have some wonderful photo memories of the evening. All photos can be downloaded at this link: Foundation Dinner 11-19-22 - ROGER THAT PHOTOGRAPHY.
Please plan to attend next year’s dinner to celebrate your club’s accomplishments of this Rotary year. You are doing the work, so please come out and celebrate all that you are accomplishing.
Rotary Foundation Dinner Recognizes Clubs for their Contributions to the Rotary Foundation
Since this week is a time of thanks, I want to take this opportunity to express how thankful I am for every Rotarian in our District! You are not only role models of service for your local and international communities but enthusiastically take on the important role of serving and supporting one another through life’s many challenges. During these last five months of club visits and event gatherings, I have been inspired by your kindness, camaraderie, and big hearts for service whether it is hands-on or through your generous financial giving. You have uplifted me in unexpected and delightful ways, so I give THANKS for YOU! Have a safe and happy holiday everyone!
Yours in Service, DG Juliet Altenburg
A Thanksgiving Message from District Governor Juliet
Left to Right: Jeromy and Christine Rife-Victory Club, Wendy Keesee-Rotary Committee, Karen Comery–Rotary President,
Tim Koller–Rotary Committee Chair
Pints For Polio was a York East Rotary Club Fundraising Event to End Polio Now! The event was held on October 24, 2022, at the Victory Athletic Association, 471 Ogontz St. York, PA. Thank you to the Victory Club for partnering with us for an evening of fine food and drinks. The event included an auction, with all proceeds going to Rotary's Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Rotary has helped immunize more than 3 billion children in 122 countries. So far, Rotary has contributed more than $2.1 billion toward eradicating the disease worldwide.
Karen Comery, York East Rotary Club President, began the evening by outlining the impact of Rotary and its members have on the local York Community and its International reach to those in need. John Kramb, Past Rotary District Governor presented the history of Polio and the fight to eradicate polio over the decades while Todd King, Springettsbury Police Chief, shared his personal story on how Polio has affected his life.
Every dollar we raised will get matched 2:1 thanks to the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation making it $25,500. Thank you to everyone who took the time to support our Pints for Polio event.
As we celebrate The Rotary Foundation month, it is time to recognize leaders in our District who dedicate countless hours to supporting District Committees and clubs in promoting and celebrating Foundation giving and initiatives. Reach out to any of these leaders with questions in their area of passion and expertise. They are happy to lend a hand!
Anna- Mae Kobbe, Ph.D. - District Rotary Foundation Chair (DRFC)
Member, Rotary Club of Gettysburg
Rotary History: Past District Governor, District 7620 (Central Maryland & Washington, DC), 2016-2017. District Committee Memberships: Grants Committee, Allocations Committee, and Safety Committee
Past Professional Background: Director of the Division of Family & Consumer Sciences & Nutrition (retired) Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service now the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC.
Duties as DRFC – Works with District Governor and district leaders to promote annual giving to The Rotary Foundation (TRF). Acts as a liaison with the Rotary Foundation staff and Zone 32 leadership. Has signatory responsibility for approval of all foundation funding along with the District Governor.
Mark Riggs, MBA, District Chair, Major Donor Giving and the Paul Harris Society (PHS)
Member, Rotary Club of Hanover
Professional Experience: Co-owner of HCM Wealth Advisory Group and Wealth Manager
Duties as Major Donor and PHS Chair: Promotes giving to the Rotary Foundation as a Major Donor and Paul Harris Society Member through education and recognition programs.
Professional Experience: Attorney at Law at Wix, Wenger & Weidner, P.C.
Duties as Polio Eradication Chair: Promotes District wide efforts at eradicating Polio including providing educational sessions at Rotary Club meetings and events.
With the Russians now targeting infrastructure, there is obvious concern for Ukrainians surviving the winter.
The last air attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure caused severe power shortages and damage to the power grid. This is the cause of the dramatic request to help Ukraine with power generators to supply hospital departments in Butcha (the city near Kyiv, in which Russian soldiers have committed severe war crimes).
The request for generators came from Rotary Club Szczecin . Their club already has some on order with their own funds. The estimated cost of one is 2450 EURO - approx $2500. Everyone counts. Rotary Club of Lititz has already provided over $40K in relief funds to Ukraine refugees and is committing funds for two generators now.
Since the need is tremendous, we ask that other clubs come together and support this generator request for Ukraine. We suggest that since the transfer of funds may be costly, Lititz Rotary will consolidate the funds and send as one wire to Rotary Club of Szczecin.
We also ask that you send the checks to Rotary Club Lititz, PO BOX 28, Lititz PA 17543 by December 3. We would appreciate if you can indicate the committed amount before hand so we can provide this info to Rotary in Poland to place pre order. All together we can make a huge impact and support people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom. Questions? Contact Lititz Club President Dennis Stuckey at 717-475-6081 or dstuckey@dejazzd.com. Thank you!
The Rotary Club of Hershey ably led by President Mike Kinney and President-Elect Jim Gainer and supported by DGN Paul Thompson hosted and sponsored one of the most successful and impressive RMB District 7390 networking events ever on November 15 at The Englewood restaurant in Hummelstown, PA. Between 38 and 41 Rotarians and guests attended the event from clubs in the Carlisle, Elizabethtown, Hershey and York areas. There even was a Rotarian guest from India and a Rotex member.
Mary Brunski represented the district 7390 RMB Steering Committee and did a great job running the Circle exercise and generally ensuring that the event ran smoothly. All in all, this was a great event especially considering that the weather did not cooperate. Thank you, Rotary Club of Hershey for stepping forward to make this happen and keep RMB momentum going as we try to return to pre-Covid levels of club participation.
The Rotary District 7390 RYLA Committee is seeking new committee members. The RYLA conference is held annually in June at Messiah University. The committee meets approximately five times per year. The meetings are held in person at a location in Harrisburg on a Wednesday afternoon. Depending on interest of new committee members, some meetings may be held virtually or during the evening to accommodate everyone involved.
If you are interested in joining the RYLA planning committee, please contact Melissa in the District office at 717-854-7842 or office@rotary7390.org. Thank you!
Attend just about any luncheon meeting, Rotary Alternative Meeting or service project and you’ll hear from Amy or Angela about our Club’s exciting membership opportunities.
Yet, enthusiasm and a renewed momentum are only part of a focus of the dynamic duo of Angela Tatum and Amy Kaunas’s duo-pronged strategies for engaging new members to the Rotary Club of Harrisburg.
Co-chair Tatum talks about the overarching strategy of…the ask. She says, “First, we-re asking current Rotarians to ask friends, work associates, people you know wanting to serve their communities to regular meetings or Rotary Alternate Meetings (RAM). These are notable examples of the vision of Rotary – Service Above Self.”
And, our addition of the less formal evening meetings called RAMs, we have been able to engage community leaders and even a new Corporate Sponsor to join our Club. At our most recent RAM, we spent a few minutes talking about two phenomenally successful service projects including cleaning the newly expanded and updated Dauphin County Library prior to its grand opening and completing construction projects for Habitat for Humanity in much less time than expected because of our members’ involvement.”
According to Tatum, “A membership drive planned for the 2020 was started but put on hold for two years due to the pandemic. Trying to bring on new members when meeting virtually and not hosting needed service projects was a real bummer.
But, make no mistake, we are e-energizing now under a theme of Each One, Bring One. And the momentum is key to our new membership growth.”
With 33 Committees New Members Can Be Overwhelmed – But Retention Is Key
Tatum remembers, “When I was a new member to the Rotary Club of Harrisburg, I knew I wanted to serve, but on which committee, what service project? I had too many options. This leads to our second prong on membership – retention.
That confusion led to a new, key component of the current membership drive. Every new member is teamed up with a current member who shows them the ropes. The current member explains the many opportunities and communications tools of the Club and Rotary International such as Club Runner.”
Kaunas adds, the “non-luncheon” gatherings as mentioned previously help members and potential members that can’t be tied to a lunch meeting find RAMs and service projects excellent options to fulfill their membership commitments. These non-luncheon meetings, such as a recent RAM meeting at Harrisburg’s Beach Club, prove to provide positive member interaction.
Membership Growth Is a Rotary International Global Initiative
Tatum attended the District 7390 Membership Training Program when best practices of regional clubs were reviewed and studied as options for RCH. Says Tatum, “We had already initiated the RAM meeting options and it was clear this membership outreach was promising.”
One powerful question at the District Training program was, “who do you want to attract as a new member.” That question is being explored by our Membership Chairs and Club leadership. Is that question something beyond the fact that a potential member is interested in serving their community?
During the recently completed RCH Strategic Planning sessions this dynamic duo was pleased to be asked what they felt would be appropriate goals for the Club. This year’s goal is 155.
As in years past, when current members leave the Club, they are asked to provide some information about their decision. According to Tatum, “It is Interesting, the most recent trends of members leaving the Club are job changes and moving from the area.
Tatum notes, “It is comforting to see that we are recovering our new member momentum following the pandemic. She notes the new corporate member Belco Community Credit Union (check name) and five new members in the last two weeks.
This membership growth duo also asks, “If any member has an idea on how to grow our membership or wants to be part of this critical committee, just contact Amy or me. We welcome all ideas.”
In a tradition started before the pandemic and now in catch up mode, Tatum (left) and Kaunas (right) present new member and board member Bob Geiger with a Rotary pin and a sparkling beverage.
Enthusiasm Plus Strategy Plus MomentumYields New RCH Members
The Rotary Club of York North, joined by the Rotary clubs of York, York East, Lancaster, and Red Lion/Dallastown, are providing medical equipment for multidisciplinary intervention for neurodevelopment in southern Argentina. The $132,958 global grant project is supported by $17,270 in 7390 District Designated Funds. The 7390 Rotarians are partnering with the RC of Rio Grande, district 4921, to implement this project.
The equipment will be used to assess children and teens who may have autism, epilepsy, ADHD, Tourette’s or congenital neurological disorders. RC of York North became aware of the need for this equipment from a 2005 Youth Exchange Student to District 7390, Sole Gallardo, who is now an active Rotarian and lives in the area served by this project. She contacted her sponsoring club and explained the serious need to help children in a very poor community. York North responded with its own funds and secured additional donations from four other 7390 clubs.
Hospital Annex grand opening: Argentine physician, medical equipment with Rotary logy, training on equipment
Mark your calendars and plan to join us for Hanover Rotary Club's Casino Night! Brought to you by our special event sponsors, Mark and Jennifer Riggs!
Casino Night is a fun filled evening of Casino games, drinks, dancing, and live entertainment by 'The Willy's!'
Proceeds from the event will go to help the Rotary Club of Hanover's Charitable Fund, benefiting local community organizations.
No actual gambling will be on premises. Just a chance to play table games, learn, network, and have a great time while listing to some great music and support a great cause
If you have any questions, please reach out to Brandon at bgething@cassd.org.
Congratulations Rotary Club of Mount Joy and Rotary Club of Elizabethtown on achieving ShelterBox HERO recognition for Rotary Year 2022-2023.
Your support is very much appreciated. At the end of the Rotary Year, the clubs will be listed on our HERO page at www.shelterboxusa.org/hero.
Gifts from clubs and individuals identifying as club members count toward ShelterBox HERO club recognition. A Bronze HERO recognition level is achieved at $1,000, Silver at $3,000 and Gold at $5,000 in total giving within the Rotary year. A club can ‘level up’ throughout the Rotary year.
We need help in your district, please consider becoming a Club Champion or Ambassador. Volunteer with ShelterBox USA
One way you can strengthen the awareness of ShelterBox is by making ShelterBox your Speaker Honorarium. To thank your speakers, make a donation to ShelterBox in their name.
ShelterBox has provided aid to over 2.25 million people since 2000, we could not have reached them without Rotary Clubs!
Join us for a FREE Virtual Diversity - Equity-Inclusion Training from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in place of our monthly Presidents meeting hosted by Leadership Harrisburg Area and the Martin Luther King Leadership Development Center.
You MUST pre-register by clicking here! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
FREE Virtual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Training - November 15
We are encouraging clubs to move forward with your Four-Way Test Speech Contests and send your Club contest winner to the District Mid-Levels. Students can register for the Mid-Levels by clicking here. Students MUST register for the Mid-Levels by January 15, 2023. The Mid Levels will be held in late February/early March 2023 (still finalizing a date). Dates will be coordinated directly with the students.
Mid levels will continue to be virtual. This has worked so well for all concerned. The only push back on the virtual format is that families/coaches are not able to attend. But in keeping the STUDENTS at the center of this program, they benefit from having a closed environment and having the FULL ATTENTION of the prestigious judges. Also, in previous years, one area may have had 15 mid level entries and another area only had three entries. Some highly qualified students did not move forward because of their location. While less prepared students in other locations got to move forward. The virtual process allows for a more equitable competition.
Please encourage your Club to participate in the Four Way Test Speech Contest this winter. We are looking forward to greater numbers this year. Your help is much appreciated.
A Rotary Club of Harrisburg service project during the Club’s September Service month is a perfect example of how donations to the Rotary International Foundation come back to fulfill needs in your own community.
In what was expected to take two days by Habitat for Humanity took only one because of focused club Rotarians including: Addeline Alaniz Edwards the RCH executive director, Dominic DeYulis (a new RCH member), Alicia Federick, Toni Mark, Scott Stevens (RCH Vice President and Co-chair HFH) and Matt Tenny (RCH Member).
Funding for the project came from Habitat resources, the District 7390 Matching Grant request made during Matt Staub’s presidential year and the Harrisburg Rotary Foundation.
According to Stevens, “Habitat projects can use all levels of construction skills. We were very pleased that the four of us came with above average skills and our own tools. I think this gave us a distinctive step up and speedier progress.”
He also points out that Habitat always has projects on their radar. Says Stevens, “We’d like the Harrisburg Rotary Club to get into Fall and Spring rhythm with Habitat by doing hand-on projects that also can get every Rotarian involved. Please join us. Getting your hands dirty can really make a difference for you and for others.”
Tenny’s personal comments about the project, “We all worked very well together and along with HFH staff. It was a good plan with good execution. Everyone involved working hard. I enjoyed this experience and I am looking forward to the next project!”
Harrisburg Clubs Completes Habitat For Humanity Project
We will be recording this, if you are unable to attend. Feel free to invite others who may be interested.
Presentation Topic: Zone 33 (Mid-Atlantic States) districts have been the most successful zone in starting new clubs in the USA during the past several years. Impact clubs have greatly contributed to their new club growth. IMPACT clubs were formed to meet the needs of individuals who recognize their personal drive to serve but cannot commit to regular meetings. IMPACT started as a companion club (officially called a "satellite") recognizing the need for an organized structure and an opportunity to quickly perform service amongst individuals' busy schedules. Patrick Eakes will provide much more info on the IMPACT club model and answer your questions.
District 7390 recently transferred $29,025 of District Designated Funds (DDF) to PolioPlus to support Rotary’s signature project of polio eradication. “Our District Allocations Committee is pleased to make these funds available to recognize World Polio Day,” said Governor Juliet Altenburg.
The Trustees of The Rotary Foundation encourage Rotary districts to utilize at least 20 percent of their available DDF annually to support PolioPlus. By doing so, districts contribute to Rotary’s goal of raising $50 million each year to eradicate polio. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matches Rotary’s funds $2 for every $1 contributed.
District Designated Funds are those Annual-Share Funds returned to a district after being invested for three years. Districts may use up to half of their DDF to fund district grants. The remaining DDF may be used for global grants or donated to PolioPlus, the Rotary Peace Centers, or another district.
Donations to PolioPlus help reach vulnerable children with the polio vaccine and other essential health services. Because of Rotary and our partners nearly 3 billion children have been vaccinated against Polio and 20 million people are walking who otherwise would have been paralyzed.
District 7390 Supports Polio Eradication with Funds Transfer
It is time to start planning your club’s 4-Way Test ESSAY Contest. We will, once again, be using the following prompt for this year’s contest: Is it the Truth? – How I Define What is True in My Life.
We are looking forward to receiving essays from 9th grade high school students which address questions like: What is true? Where is truth found? Is truth important? Is truth relative?
Submissions for the 2022-23 District 7390 contest are due February 20, 2023.
Contest rules, critical dates, and information for both Rotarians and Students are available on the District 7390 Website.
Any questions or requests for further information can be directed to project chair, Steven Grubb, at stevengrubb@comcast.net.
The Rotary Club of Carlisle and the Rotary Club of Carlisle-Sunrise will host their annual holiday dinner and auction on Friday, December 2nd at the Comfort Suites in Carlisle. The proceeds from this event as explained in the auction brochure will support Success By 6; a United Way of Carlisle/Cumberland County program to help ensure that all children are prepared to succeed by the time they enter kindergarten. After a rigorous selection process conducted jointly by both club presidents, Success By 6 was selected based on its tremendous impact on the development of our youth within the community.
The Past District Governors of District 7390, current leadership, and guests gathered on October 12 for an evening of fun and fellowship! We learned that PDG Al Alley (Lebanon) was our "senior governor" in attendance. He held the office of DG in 1993-1994 and that PDG Ben Hoover (York) has been a Rotarian for over 50 years!
Pictured Back Row L-R: Rob Altenburg, PDG John Kramb (Gettysburg, 2015-16), PDG Ben Hoover (York, 2008-09), PDG Al Alley (Lebanon, 1993-94), Karen Anthony, Doug Newell, PDG John Anthony (Mechanicsburg-North, 2020-21)
Pictured Middle Row L-R: DGE Fred Gellert (Carlisle-Sunrise, 2022-23), Katherine Bigler, Brian Smith, PDG Una Martone (Harrisburg, 2017-18), Ginny Alley, DGN Paul Thompson (Hershey, 2023-24)
The time has come to begin the nominating process for our District Governor 2025-2026. In this way we will continue our three-year projection for District 7390’s leadership. I encourage you to suggest a qualified candidate for the District Governor 2025-2026.
Every club has an outstanding leader who could be a potential District Governor. Look around and ask yourself, who is that person in our club? It is the person who is a good leader, interested, involved, gives financially to Rotary and The Rotary Foundation and is helpful to other members. Ask that person about his or her interest in serving as District Governor. We all need to give encouragement and “plant the seed” for others to move forward.
When submitting a candidate for District Governor 2025-2026, the following must be submitted: the Club letter (on Club letterhead stating that the candidate has been endorsed and nominated by the Club) and the Governor Nominee Data Form (DG App).
The District Governor is the officer of RI in the District, functioning under the general control and supervision of the RI Board. The Governor has responsibility for organizing new Clubs; strengthening existing Clubs; promoting membership growth; supporting The Rotary Foundation; planning and presiding at the District Conference, PETS and District Training Assembly; issuing a monthly newsletter; reporting promptly to RI; focusing attention on important Rotary issues; motivating Rotarians to participate in service activities; recognizing the outstanding contributions of Rotarians in the District; and many other related activities. The candidate should be aware of the qualifications, duties and responsibilities of a District Governor and must demonstrate willingness, commitment, and ability (physically and otherwise) to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the office of Governor.
Candidates must be well versed with the District 7390 Bylaws, revised May 2018, and its intent. Candidates must also be familiar with the Constitution and Bylaws of Rotary International as published in the 2022 Manual of Procedure.
Qualifications for a District Governor are specified in detail in the Bylaws of Rotary International as published in the Rotary Manual of Procedure (excerpts attached). These qualifications should be studied carefully by Club members and the prospective Rotarian candidate for District Governor, prior to a decision to suggest any member as a candidate.
Please keep in mind that it is each Club’s duty to the District and Rotary International to give serious consideration to suggesting candidates for District Governor. Your suggestion for District Governor 2025-2026 must be received in the District Office by December 9, 2022, to be considered by the Nominating Committee. Interviews for the 2025-2026 District Governor will be held Thursday, January 19, 2023, in the evening at PA Trauma Systems Foundation (Slatehill Business Center, 3907 Hartzdale Drive, Suite #702, Camp Hill, PA).
Seeking Nominations for the 2025-2026 Rotary D7390 Governor
“The last Rotary Club of Harrisburg (RCH) Service on a Monday during Service September was a big success,” so brags Meghan Bachmore, RCH Service on a Monday Chair and Karen Cullings Executive Director of the McCormick Riverfront Library part of the Dauphin County Library.
Twenty RCH volunteers charged right into numerous tasks including cobweb dusting, gardening and interior and exterior cleanup work. All in preparation for the Library’s grand reopening after a year and a half of renovations.
The Library’s leadership team was very appreciative of the RCH volunteer’s engagement with the various projects and the final results. According to Bachmore, “We even got to share our leftover catering from lunch with library staff and patrons.”
On Thursday, October 20 at 10 a.m., the library was “opening the cover on the newest edition” of the expanded Library with a ribbon cutting and dedication.
Yet the Service Project Was the Tip of the Years of a Planning Process
Background on this service project, includes years of engagement by RCH members Susan Anthony, Marion Alexander and Karen Cullings.
As explained by Anthony who served as Co-chair for the project’s capital campaign, “The vision of joining the library with the Haldeman Haly House took extensive planning. We’re so pleased to see the project come to fruition and expand the value of the Library for patrons in the Central Pennsylvania region.
For some time, many Rotarians have so graciously helped with this project and campaign. I especially wish to acknowledge Jeb Stuart, Bruce Grossman, Ellen Brown, Betty Hungerford, Irene and Sam Levine, Andy Rebuck, Janice Black, Carolyn Dumaresq, Bob Geiger, Peggy Grove, Dave Morrison, Karen Cullings and those I have inadvertently missed."
Harrisburg Club Polishes the Library
New Members Davis Holiday and Shaun Eng
Scott Stevens and Karen Good
New Member Douglas Simon
Marion Alexander
Rotary Club of Harrisburg Volunteers Put the Polish on the McCormick Riverfront Library
The Rotary Club of Hershey will host and sponsor the 63rd RMB networking event in District 7390 history and the second in-person event of the 2022 RMB season on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 from 5;30 to 7:30 PM at the Englewood, 1215 Research Blvd., Hummelstown, PA. The event is FREE and one FREE drink will be provided as well as hors d'oeuvres/snacks. Additional drinks are the responsibility of the guest.
Rotarians should help fellow Rotarians by doing business with them and referring others to them in order to build stronger businesses, stronger communities, stronger members, stronger Rotary Foundation, stronger Rotary clubs, and ultimately a stronger Rotary International. Please consider Inviting a potential Rotarian guest and Family of Rotary.
DG Juliet needs your help to plan our District Conference for the Spring of 2023. We plan on making this a community focused event that highlights community partnerships and is family friendly. Reach out to her at DGJuliet2022@QRPC.com to support the effort!
Help eradicate polio by making a donation in honor of World Polio Day. Your contribution will be tripled by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Donate to Polio Plus!
Chuck Sawicki has experienced a lot in his 80-plus years on this planet.
He has seen many changes in his 46-year professional career as an executive in marketing, sales, and financial planning services. Companies he worked for merged or dissolved, coworkers came and went. Amidst all that change was one constant – Rotary.
Officially, Chuck has been a Rotarian for 57 years but his association with the 117-year-old service organization began in childhood.
“My dad was a Rotarian when I was in high school. I couldn’t wait to get home for dinner on Wednesday nights when we discussed what he learned from the interesting speakers and programs,” Chuck said.
Chuck has been a Rotarian in 14 clubs that span eight districts. Some clubs had 400 members; others had 20. No matter the size, members were equally passionate about Rotary’s seven areas of focus – basic literacy and education; maternal and child health; peace and conflict resolution; disease prevention and control; water, sanitation and hygiene; community and economic development; and supporting the environment.
“I have loved being a Rotarian in each and every club,” he said.
Rotary serves its members and the community. Almost anyone can become a member, if they commit to the Rotary motto of “service above self.”
“The reason I love Rotary is you can learn something new at a meeting, the networking opportunities are fantastic, and we have about $3 billion to spend on service projects,” Chuck said.
Joining Rotary isn’t hard. One fills out an application, a current member endorses them, and the club board votes. Many members’ participation maxes out at attending meetings. Chuck encourages everyone to become a full-fledged Rotarian by serving on committees and volunteering for service projects.
Chuck’s first club was the Little Rock Rotary Club, at the time the fourth largest Rotary Club in the world. He distributed name badges at meetings and quickly met all the members.
“After my first year in my new management position, I was having dinner with the regional manager and a team of auditors. They were amazed how I was able to introduce them to local business and professional leaders,” he said.
Every Rotary club designs its service projects around its members’ interests and community’s needs.
Chuck is a certified mentor through SCORE, a nonprofit that gives free advice to business professionals. He has received numerous accolades for his work. He does not volunteer for accolades, but every award gives others an opportunity to share Chuck’s story and inspire others to follow his service-minded example.
“Chuck is the epitome of the Energizer Bunny,” Lou Davenport said when presenting Chuck with the Lancaster SCORE chapter’s 2016 Award for Excellence in Client Mentoring Services. “Chuck has never met a committee he wouldn’t join. He has never been presented with a task he wouldn’t tackle. He has never had a client where he did not throw himself wholeheartedly into helping that client live his dreams."
If Chuck is the Energizer Bunny as Davenport suggests, Rotary is his batteries.
Chuck is a realistic man who often bluntly tells others his “time is running out.” He hopes to inspire others to become active Rotarians, much like his father inspired him.
In 2005-2006, Chuck helped expand his Rotary Club from 52 to 70 members. Success doesn’t happen without planning, so he encourages other clubs to follow his club’s recipe for success: have meetings at a first-class location where the owner or manager is a committed Rotarian, appoint dynamic officers and lane chairs who will take their duties seriously, be visible in your community so your work energizes others.
“Rotary networking and learning became the force behind my professional advancement and understanding of the world,” he said.
Long-Time Rotarian Chuck Sawicki Reflects on the Benefits of a Rotary Focused Life
Thank you to all those who attended our Women in Rotary Summit on October 13th to discuss how to attract more women to Rotary, how to engage women Rotarians, and how to better serve women in Rotary. The meeting was started by showing a video from RI President Jennifer Jones. If you cannot view the embedded video, please click here to view it.
If you would like to hear a recording of the discussion portion of the event, please click here(Passcode: $Qkxub&4). Our intention is to continue this conversation and make plans in this area as part of the District DEI Committee. If you would like to be involved in this initiative, please contact DG Juliet Altenburg at DGJuliet2022@QRPC.COM
In response to Rotary International's Call to Action, our District 7390 - Hanover Rotary Club, did a pediatric vaccine information packing event. This was a joint effort with our Rotary Club, the Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition (PAIC), and The PA Polio Survivors Network.
We packed and distributed 1,500 packets of vaccine information to Hanover Area Daycares and Preschools prior to their opening for the new school year. The information we put into the packets came from the PA Dept of Health and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Our event was featured in the PAIC newsletter.
Our next packing event will be a true community collaboration, to be held at the Markets of Hanover with adults from the HART Center from New Oxford doing the packing. (The packing date has yet to be determined as we order supplies and seek Rotarians to do the deliveries).
We are asking your club if you would be willing to deliver this vital information in your area? Distribution locations (throughout Adams and York Counties), are being determined ahead, and those who volunteer will know exactly what their delivery location and quantity will be.
We look forward to working with your club as we work together to answer this important call. Join us !
Rotary's Focus on Disease Prevention: Answering the Call in Adams and York Counties
The Rotary Club of Hanover supported Jessica and Friends Rock On fundraiser. Hanover Rotary members rocked in rocking chairs at the Markets of Hanover while patrons passed by and made donations. Jessica and Friends provide faith based services and support for adults with autism and intellectual disabilities and their families. They seek to be a community which affirms the worth of all people, supports personal growth and wholeness, advocates for community and church inclusion, and provides opportunities for spiritual growth and service.
Pictured here are Ellie Rebert, Peg Sennett, and Ralph Jodice
Hanover Supports Jessica and Friends Rock on Fundraiser
The 19th Annual York-East Rotary Club Golf Outing was held on Sept. 20, 2022 raising over $16,000 to benefit local charities.
In 2021 money raised by this event was able to help four local charities - Leg Up Farms, York Opioid Collaborative, Big Brothers/Big Sisters York County Food Bank, and Crispus Attucks. Our club also helped two outstanding high school seniors with a scholarship to further their education, and two juniors are registered for the RYLA program to learn leadership skills.
The RC of Carlisle, working with the RC of Thika, Kenya, is implementing a global grant project for water for personal consumption and agricultural development in a poor village in Kenya. The project takes place at a children’s safe home that houses about 100 youngsters ages infant through high school. It also benefits the local community.
The project replaced a deteriorated pump and now brings water to the surface to be used for children at the home, to be sold (for a small fee) to the community, and to support farming. It also provides an agricultural program to provide hands-on training and classroom study in the science of agriculture, economics of agriculture and environmental use of water. The program supports production of chickens, pigs and vegetables, which will provide a reliable source of food for the children and will be sold to the community to support the maintenance and sustainability of the project. Thika Rotarians are happy to share pictures of the first harvest---cabbages and peppers.
The global grant has a total benefit of $131,565 with $35,730 given by RC of Carlisle and $35,730 matched by district 7390 and remaining amounts from RC of Thika, district 9212 and The Rotary Foundation.
Submitted by
PP Kathleen D. Stoup
District International Service Chair
Rotary Club of Carlisle
Pictured: Students in front of greenhouse with cabbages in drop irrigation bed, pepper harvest, chicken coop and pig house under construction.
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.
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.
Yours in Service: DG Juliet
Email me at DGJuliet2022@QRPC.com
Imagining Rotary: My Role as District Governor thus Far
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.
Carlisle-Sunrise, Northern Lebanon Co, and York build small houses in Ecuador
The Rotary Club of Carlisle-Sunrise has developed a continuing relationship with the Rotary Club of Cumbaya, D-4400, Quito, Ecuador. In 2020 during the Covid pandemic, 45 tablet computers were set to K thru 6th grade children so they could study online.
As friendships with RC of Cumbaya grew, Carlisle-Sunrise became aware of the need for decent housing for single underprivileged mothers with children and the opportunity to provide low cost houses under the project management of CAEMBA (https://www.caemba-home-english/) through the Raiz Foundation (www.raiz-USA.org). Each house is made of sturdy bamboo, has a kitchen and bathroom, and costs $4500; those living in the house assist with its construction. The first house supported by Carlisle-Sunrise was paid directly from club contributions. That success led to a District Club grant for $9000, with participation of Rotary Clubs of Northern Lebanon County and York, that built two houses, completed on August 20, 2022. These houses will join other such houses in the new “Rotary Village”. Each house has a plaque with the names of the four Rotary clubs involved.
The Rotary Veterans Initiative conducted a community BBQ event on Saturday, Sept 10th at Rendezvous Run Farm in Dickinson Township at 806 Alexander Spring Road, Carlisle, PA 17015. The 130(+) participants of this sold-out ticketed event:
Honored Veterans by listening to and recording their stories of service and sacrifice
WWII and Korean War Veteran, and Harrisburg resident, Louis “Lou” F. Gallo
USMC veteran, formerly homeless, and Central Penn College graduate, Randy Ramer
Randy shared his powerful story of rising above injury, drug addiction, and homelessness to become a Central Penn College (CPC) graduate
At CPC Randy served as the President of the student veteran’s Armed Forces Association (AFA) where he created and led the AFA Homeless Veteran’s Initiative --- which raised money to help homeless veterans
Raised money to continue to help Central PA veterans transform their lives, families, and our communities
Presented this check to support student veterans’ scholarships, textbook and technology device vouchers, and scholarships for student veterans performing unpaid internships and/or participating in Capstone courses
Invested $7,500 to reward and incentivize veteran participation in The Penn State Harrisburg School of Business Administration 2022 (Business) Startup Weekend program (Nov 11- 13, 2022)
To date, including the addition of the $27,500 announced at this event, RVI has contributed a total of $205,000 to help 270 Central PA veterans transform their lives, families and communities
VOPA leaders Mike Reardon, John Hickey, and Jordan Ames provided tours of their “Tiny Home” and explained the VOPA Mission and Vision
Mission: We stand to combat homelessness among Veterans by providing support and services needed to promote an empowered life filled with strength and purpose.
Vision: Restoring trust and creating opportunity, one Veteran at a time.
Received the outstanding support of volunteers from The Giant Company
Thanked our major sponsors, including Korporate Computing, The Giant Company, UPMC, Synergy Home Care of Carlisle, State Farm of Carlisle (Greg Lunde), Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory, Diamond Wealth Advisors, William Harkey, Tom Fruth, the Bussard family, the Haag Family, the Rotary Clubs of Mechanicsburg North, Hershey, Harrisburg, and Carlisle.
This event is complete, but there will be future events and many actions to support veterans; therefore, donations to RVI are always welcome. To make a tax-deductible donation to RVI, please write the check to the "Rotary Veterans Initiative" and mail it to RVI, 806 Alexander Spring Road, Carlisle, PA 17015 (or) make an online donation at https://www.tfec.org/funds/rotary-veterans-initiative/ To collaborate with RVI to help our veterans please email rickcopen@gmaijl.com
Mark your calendars and bring the whole family out for a great time on Sunday October 2nd @ 12-3pm at the Vineyard & Brewery at Hershey for a FREE family event hosted by the Rotary Club of Colonial Park with activities, games, bounce houses, spin art, petting zoo, obstacle course, balloon twisting, PLUS food trucks and live music!
All proceeds from this event are donated to local non-profits and our scholarship fund.
Welcome to Martin Metelka from Czechia!! Martin arrived at Newark Airport (which meant we HAD to do a quickphoto stop at Liberty State Park before heading home!) We hope you have a great year Martin!
Rotary International is pleased to announce new hosting opportunities under the Open World Program during the 2023 calendar year. Next year will mark twenty fourth-year anniversary of Rotary’s participation in the program.
The Open World Program is available only to Rotary clubs in the United States and provides an opportunity to build fellowship and friendship to strengthen international understanding by hosting emerging Eurasian leaders from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Mongolia, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan in your community. Rotary clubs are needed to host six-participant delegations for eight days and nights and prepare a professional program related to business, community, and civic life in the United States. Please see the 2023 hosting themes document attached.
The program focuses primarily on developing a network of leaders who have an understanding of how American communities deal with contemporary issues and who want to maintain contact with their new American contacts and other counterparts. Often, these collaborations lead to service projects between Rotary clubs in the two countries.
Is your Rotary Club is interested in working on an international project, hosting six Open World participants (emerging and/or current Eurasian leaders) for eight days, and willing to develop an intensive week of programs based on a selected Open World theme? If yes, then the Open World Program would be perfect for your club. Review the attached Host Registration Form and email the completed form to Natalia.Kunzer@rotary.org by Monday, 3 October 2022.
Direct any question to the Program Officer Natalia Kunzer at natalia.kunzer@rotary.org or by phone by calling (847) 946-5664. For any additional questions please contact PDG Hector Ortiz as well as to do presentations about this program which is typically a 10 days program for young professionals from specific countries, ages 25 to 35, with some similarities to the GSE program.
Warm Rotary Regards,
Hector Ortiz
Richie1166@msn.com
Natalia Kunzer
Open World Program Officer
Rotary Service and Engagement | Programs and Grants
The Rotary Club of Carlisle-Sunrise recently hosted Carlisle’s noon club for a presentation about that club’s water project in Kenya. In attendance was Meshack Kishoyian Sinkira (known as Kish) the International Officer from Kenya at the US Army War College, Carlisle. Rotarians from Carlisle first became acquainted with Kish at a meeting of RC of Hershey.
The global grant project, total cost $130,000, provides water for agricultural development by pumping water to surface, building green house for vegetable production and housing structures for chicken and pig production while teaching the science and economics of agriculture. Following the presentation, Kish confirmed the critical need for such projects in Kenya.
Submitted by
Kathleen Stoup
International Service Lane Chair
Pictured here with Rotarians from both clubs, Kish is wearing a modernized Masai shirt. (L to R) Larenda Twigg, Bill Blankmeyer, Kish, Kathleen Stoup, Charles Stoup, Mike Zick
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!
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 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). REGISTRATION DEADLINE-MONDAY, OCTOBER 17
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 Strategic Planning) The Graduate level can be taken more than once based on changing content.
Where can I find more information about RLI? www.rlinea.org.
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 24th 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.
PDG Alden Cunningham (Carlisle) has a book available for purchase through Amazon! Click here to purchase the book! This autobiography captures all phases of his life of Leadership in Service including his formative years in Mexico as a child, the military academy years of character and leadership development, his regular Army service in field artillery, his years as a senior Foreign Area officer defending our nation and his years as an Army Contractor at the U.S. Army War College. There, he supported the Department of Distance Education as a faculty instructor teaching Strategic Leadership, International Relations and the Use of Power, National Security Strategy, National Military Strategy, and Regional Studies. Additionally, he supported the Strategic Crisis Exercise in various roles and developed two key, long term military scenarios on Cuba and Panama. His brief Mexico Advisory Service years helping small companies in Pennsylvania find Mexican strategic partners and his retirement years are also part of this book. Covered as well are his years as a former officer of Rotary International (District Governor of District 7390 in South Central Pennsylvania) doing good in the world. This is exemplified by his humanitarian mission in Mexico where his district partnering with District 4170 in the Mexico City area provided hundreds of wheelchairs to disabled Mexican citizens, clean water to hundreds if not thousands of Mexican school children, computers for a school for the deaf in Mexico City, and dozens of cleft palate surgeries and cataract procedures. He also increased Rotary Foundation giving in his district thus providing more funds over time for Rotary's seven focus areas (fighting disease, think Polio; promoting peace; providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene; saving mothers and children; supporting education; growing local economies; and protecting the environment).
A Cold War Warrior's Report by PDG Alden Cunningham
Pictured Front Row L-R: DYE Inbound Chair Walt Tilley (York), DG Juliet Altenburg (Mechanicsburg-North), Maya Ito (Japan) hosted by Gettysburg, Jeanne Lefort (France) hosted by York, Julia Saldanha (Brazil) hosted by Hershey, Iman Delamehtovic (Bosnia & Herzegovenia) hosted by Lititz, DYE Chair Jill Tenny (Harrisburg). Pictured Back Row L-R: Martin Metelka (Czech Republic) hosted by Harrisburg, Julien Thiry (Belgium) hosted by York.
Welcome the 2022-2023 Class of Inbound Youth Exchange Students
Isabella (Lititz) has safely arrived for her exchange year in Japan! She is currently attending a language camp with other international students who are also doing an exchange in Japan this year. Best of luck for a successful year, Isabella!
The Rotary Club of Carlisle recently gave 1000 Paul Harris points to Past-President Sudesh Walia of the Rotary Club of Nairobi, Kenya, district 9212.
Pictured are: Alex Nyagah (#9212 District Governor 2021-22) presenting the Paul Harris fellowship to Sudesh Walia.
The points, which will take Sudesh to another Paul Harris level, were given in recognition of the service and support she has given RC of Carlisle and district 7390 over more than 20 years. As long ago as 1996, she worked with Carlisle Rotarians in processing Volunteer Service Grants for volunteer dentists from around the Rotary world who served at the Rotary Dental Clinic located at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Hospital in the Kilimambogo community. For many years she directed support from Rotary Club of Nairobi for matching grants and global grants for dental equipment, dental truck and several water and sanitation projects at the Hospital.
Most recently RC of Carlisle and district 7390 contributed to a global grant for an Eye Care Program in Nairobi, which is currently being implemented in schools in poor areas of Nairobi.
An active and committed Rotarian, Sudesh led a peace project in a school district in California. She traveled to Carlisle in 2015, stayed in home of Rotarian, and visited many community projects. Over the years she has welcomed visiting Rotarians to her home.
The collaboration with Sudesh continues as we “build friendships” in faraway parts of the world.
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.
Rotary Club of Lancaster and District 7390 Donate $20,000 for Medical Assistance in Ukraine
Networking and collaboration are a hallmark of Rotary as evidenced by the friendships and relationships that form within individual Rotary Club dynamics. Sometimes that same synergy forms between Rotarians on a global scale to meet urgent humanitarian needs. Such is the case with a recent cooperation between the Rotary Club of Lancaster and the International Rotary Fellowship of Healthcare Professionals (IRFHP).
Dr. Bob McClenathan, an optometrist, Past-President of RC of Lancaster and member of IRFHP, learned of the needs in Ukraine related to the unprovoked incursion by Russian military forces and the horrendous injuries caused by indiscriminate shelling of civilian targets in addition to military ones. Hundreds of hospitals, medical facilities and pharmacies have been intentionally destroyed! In light of the destruction of healthcare infrastructure and the tremendous need for medical care, the IRFHP is seeking various medical instruments and accessories to alleviate suffering there.
The Rotary Club of Lancaster, its individual members, and District 7390 (through the discretionary use of its contingency funds) provided nearly $20,000 in funding towards the purchase of orthopedic instruments, screws, plates and pins for treatment of shattered skeletal structures. Through a convoluted pathway, involving Rotarians in the USA, United Kingdom, Poland, and Ukraine, as well as international fund transfers and international commerce, these rehabilitative materials are mending bones and lives in the war torn country near the front lines in the Dnipro area. Rotary has a long reach and a loving heart and Rotarians are providing “Service above Self” around the world.
If your Club is holding an event or fundraiser and would like to increase awareness of Rotary or increase profits, think about purchasing some Rotary branded water bottles! You can purchase the water for $7 per case (minimum of 30 cases per order). The water will need to be picked up at Filson Water (11 Roadway Drive, Carlisle). You can design a custom label for your Club or the event. Please contact Jeff Kintz at Brand your Own Bottle at 717-979-0841 or kintzjeff1@gmail.com for more information. You can also check out their website by clicking here.
Here are some examples of Clubs that have created a custom water bottle label:
Quentin Jurney (Rotary Club of Gettysburg) safely arrived in India for his year of exchange!!! His arrival coincided with the Hindi festival of Raksha Baandhan, the celebration of brother-sister sibling bonds. We hope Quentin has an amazing year! We look forward to following his adventures through the District 7390 Youth Exchange Facebook page!
The exciting Zone 28 & 32 Interact Convention (ZIC) is taking place October 20th-23rd, 2022 and we want to see students from your district there!
This is an opportunity for Rotarians to show their support for our young leaders who have been working very hard organizing this first-ever Zone event that includes Interact delegates from Canada, USA, Bermuda and St. Pierre et Miquelon!
Here's where your help is needed:
We are seeking Delegates - If your club currently sponsors an Interact club please connect with them and consider sponsoring one or more delegates. Clubs & Districts in Zones 28 and 32 are able to reserve spots for Interact students and chaperones at the Zone 28 & 32 Interact Convention ahead of time. Each spot is $991 Canadian dollars ($850 registration fee plus a $141 refundable deposit).
We are seeking Donors/Sponsors - If your club does not currently sponsor an Interact Club, kindly consider becoming a Donor/Sponsor of the event in support of youth leadership!
Thank you for your kind consideration. We also encourage you to take a look at our website (www.zoneinteractconvention.org) to learn more.
If you have any questions regarding the registration process, the event in general, or would like to invite our team to speak to your club/district leadership about the event please feel free to contact admin@zoneinteractconvention.org.
Geoffrey Harper (Harrisburg has arrived in Thailand!! What a journey ~ 3 out of 3 flights were delayed but no lost luggage! His host family was on hand to greet him at the airport on his arrival. We look forward to following his adventures!
September is Education and Literacy Month, an opportunity for Rotarians to focus our awareness of literacy and education needs in our own communities and internationally. BELRAG (Basic Education and Literacy Rotary Action Group) and Save the Children are pleased to announce a funding opportunity to support clubs' innovative approaches to early childhood education in rural America. Projects may support Kindergarten Readiness, 3rd Grade Reading proficiency, and/or 5th grade math proficiency.
These grants offer Rotary Clubs an opportunity to apply to for funding of $5,000-$15,000 for community based initiatives that support early literacy and numeracy. Up to ten projects will be funded. Proposal applications are available 1 September are due 15 October, 2022.
A webinar to review grant criteria and application process will be held on Thursday, 25 August at 4:00 PM (Eastern)
The webinar will be recorded and made available on the BELRAG.org website. Click here to view a menu of options for early learning projects.
This is an excellent opportunity for Rotarians to receive support for their involvement in early education and literacy projects in their own communities. BELRAG is pleased to partner with Save the Children on this initiative and appreciates their generosity in funding these grants for US based literacy projects.
I look forward to learning of how clubs in your district are engaged in Basic Education and Literacy and would welcome Rotarians from your district to become involved with BELRAG. Together, we will ensure that every child and adult has opportunity to lead productive, fulfilling lives as literate individuals. If you would like more information about BELRAG, our outreach and support for clubs and districts, please visit our website www.BELRAG.org or feel welcome to contact Carolyn Johnson, Yarmouth (Maine) Rotary, District 7780, Governor, 2013-14, 207-232-4667 (cell).
Apply for a Grant to Support Education and Literacy!
Norma Jean Park was awarded the district 7390 Rotary Scholarship for graduate study at the University of Essex, Brighton, England, where she will earn a Master of Arts degree in Food and Development. The Global Grant award is valued at $30,000 with $16,675 from #7390 District Designated Funds and $13,325 from The Rotary Foundation.
Becky Morgenthal, a member of the 7390 Scholarship Committee, prepared this report on the presentation given by Norma Jean at the meeting of the RC of Carlisle on July 21, 2022, at which Norma Jean described her journey from college years to her plans for graduate studies. Becky followed Norma Jean’s words as she shares this narrative.
As a 2018 graduate of Dickinson College, I knew I wanted a career in International Development with a focus on agriculture and the environment. This passion has always been there.
I am the type of person who wants to feel certain before furthering my education and committing myself to a career. I knew the best way to be certain was to try out all potential career options.
My first step was the Peace Corps, which had been a goal of mine since I was a kid. I applied to go anywhere and do anything. I was sent to teach English in Ecuador and thought that education was a career path I would like.
Upon moving to a small pueblo in the Amazon Rainforest, I realized that what the community actually needed was help developing sustainable agricultural practices and building the capacity for eco-tourism. By listening to the community and shifting my goals, I began to see the interconnectedness of agriculture, the environment and rural livelihoods. This peaked my interest a lot more than the field of education.
When I was forced to return to the US due to COVID-19, I decided to work on a small organic farm in Vermont, because I wanted to see what sustainable agriculture looked like at the smallest level. I figured if I want to promote sustainable farming in Ecuador and other places globally, I should at least know how to grow food from seed to harvest.
As much as I loved the farming experience, I had not ruled out other career interests. I moved to Colorado to work at a non-profit reproductive and sexual health clinic. While working full time at the clinic, I worked part-time on a farm since agriculture was still a strong passion for me. While I loved helping marginalized groups access health care, I realized that my true passion is in empowering community development by strengthening food systems. This brought me full circle to what I had studied at Dickinson College.
And after four years sampling various careers, I now know what I want out of a career. I am excited to go back to school to pursue my dream. I am exceedingly grateful to Rotary District 7390 for making this possible and I hope to contribute to the betterment of the world on completion of my studies.
NOTE: The scholarship for this outstanding woman is made possible by contributions from Rotarians to The Rotary Foundation.
Submitted by: Becky Morgenthal
Member, District 7390 Global Grants Scholarship Committee
The Rotary Clubs of Carlisle and Carlisle Sunrise, ably led by Presidents Rod Frazier and Larenda Twigg, hosted a super successful RMB networking event on August 17 at the beautiful Frederick House in Carlisle with over 30 Rotarians and guests attending from at least 11 district clubs (Carlisle, Carlisle Sunrise, D7390 Passport, Mechanicsburg North, Lititz, York-North, Gettysburg, West Shore, Hershey, Harrisburg, and Allentown West in D7430). This event marks the 62nd RMB networking event in District 7390 history.
The event's Major Sponsor, Hoffman Funeral Home and Crematory, represented by Chris Hoffman and JIll Lazar, provided a perfect setting arranged beautifully even providing free pens, notepads, and popcorn along with some amazing hors d"oeuvres, wine, beer and water, which if consumption demonstrates anything were greatly enjoyed by all in attendance. Mary Brunski did a great job of running the Circle exercise even using the famous Scott Stevens playing card way of ensuring that there is no sure way of knowing when you will be called to give your elevator speech or pitch to the rest of the attendees. All in all this Restart of RMB in District 7390 was a success and builds momentum for moving forward. Thank you RMBers for helping get RMB in-person networking active again in Rotary District 7390.
Lamar Advertising is again offering all clubs in the District the opportunity to expand the reach of Rotary during the 2022-2023 Rotary Year through a club hosted DIGITAL Billboard for just $100! To take advantage of this generous offer click here!Special thanks is extended to Harrisburg Rotarian Andy Rebuck from Lamar Advertising, for leading this wonderful effort for our District!
Expand the Reach of Rotary Through the District Billboard Campaign
The York-East Rotary awarded a total of $13,500 in in grant funding to five nonprofit organizations in the York community. Each year the grants are presented to deserving projects and programs in the region. These worthy local organizations received grants for various needs and projects this year. Representatives from each organization attended our weekly meeting and received their grant awards.
Our club looks forward to this day each year because it is such a great feeling to give and learn how the money is being used within our community.
Thank you to everyone that donates to our organization through the various fundraisers that we hold each year. Without you we would not be able to provide these organizations with the funding that they need to make York a better place to live.
Pictured from L-R:
Mark Larkin – Big Brother Big Sisters – Purchase passes for kids and their Big to attend Kidspace activities
Maura Musselman – Leg Up Farm – Staff education and certification in speech therapy
Brittany Shutz – York Opioid Collaborative – Community and Parent education and Awareness
Karen Comery – York East Rotary President
Chris Izzo - York East Rotary Grant Committee Chairman
Sandra Graham – York East Rotary Past President
Phil Drayden – Crispus Attucks – Support of Rising Star Program
Zach Wolgemuth – York County Food Bank – Purchase of ramp for van
Please join us to support VETERANSat our Rotary Veterans Initiative (RVI) BBQ fundraiser at Rendezvous Run Farm (806 Alexander Spring Road, Carlisle, 17015) on Saturday, Sept 10th, from 4 to 10 p.m.
Rotary International requires that all Rotary Districts have a Crisis Management Plan in place that provides a protocol for the process by which Districts would respond to real or perceived emergencies when they arise. It is essential that we do our best to be prepared to respond to any risky situations that pose serious risks to student and volunteer health, safety, and security – as well as the district’s reputation. any disasters impacting Rotarians or the public during Rotary hosted events. Our District is currently in the planning stage focused on a Youth Crisis Management Plan to prepare for our incoming International Rotary Exchange Students. We are looking for a Mental Health Professional willing to donate their time to providing insight into the necessary language for such a plan. Although a Rotarian is preferred it is not essential. Please contact Jill Tenny, Chair, District 7390 Youth Exchange, if you or someone you know is interested. Email: rotaryd7390youthexchange@gmail.com
Mental Health Professional Needed for District Crisis Management Planning
As I traveled the district in my year as District Governor year, I realized five things:
There are many more passionate member Rotarians who have chosen Education as a Vocation than I ever realized.
There are many other vocations represented by passionate Rotarians across our district.
There is great work being done by many, if not most of the clubs across the district focused on those vocations.
Much of what is being done in the clubs is not shared across the district.
We can do a better job of sharing and learning from each other.
This invitation is the first of many more to come focused on sharing our ideas through Vocational Summits which will begin to help foster Rotary’s four strategic priorities of increasing our impact, expanding our reach, increasing member engagement and remain adaptable and relevant.
It's time. We can only continue to perpetuate and GROW the Service we provide IF we continue to GROW and ENGAGE our Membership. We MUST be purposeful about our Growth. Each of us. Seek the right people.... people who are Rotarians... but just don't know it yet.
It's time to act.
It's time to Grow Rotary and ENGAGE our members again. Are you with me?
District 7390 Rotarian Educators Summit
When: August 18th 7pm to 8pm
Who: All Rotarians who currently or formerly worked in schools including but not limited to school Superintendents, Principals, Teachers, Guidance Counselors and Administrative Support
What: A one hour conversation on three topics
How can we grow young people in service and leadership through people and programs within Rotary?
How do we get more Educators involved in Rotary?
What action should be taken because of this Summit?
Saturday, October 1, 2022 – Ride to Eradicate Polio – Cumberland Valley Rail Trail, Shippensburg Station – Registration is coming soon. All registration fees will go toward the registrant’s Paul Harris points.
Saturday, October 22, 2022, 8 AM – 4 PM – Rotary Leadership Institute, Central Penn College. Registration is coming soon.
Saturday, November 19, 2022, Rotary Foundation Dinner, Eden Resort, Lancaster, PA. Registration link pending.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers have dedicated their time, energy, and skills to ensure our safety. As they provided vaccinations, administered tests, tracked outbreaks, and cared for patients, they sometimes put their health at risk to do so.
With the pandemic far from over, we have an opportunity to show our appreciation for them. From 21-27 August, Rotary International is asking all Rotarians to recognize the work of health care professionals in communities around the globe. Find ways to show health care workers your appreciation at https://on.rotary.org/3ooBPNy
Pictured: Rod Frazier, Rotary Club of Carlisle President, and DG Juliet Altenburg shown at Mass Vaccination Center, June 2021 in Carlisle PA. Both are members of the South Central PA Medical Reserve Corps.
Show Your Appreciation to Health Care Workers August 21-27!
This Rotary Year we will be trying new ways to educate Rotarians and the communities in which we serve. One of those ways is through a series of videos. Our inaugural video features an assortment of District Leaders and our new mascot Francis the cat! Check out the video on the District You Tube Channel at https://youtu.be/FKWKfBokk-8. Happy viewing and a BIG THANK YOU to all those who spend countless hours in support of our clubs throughout District 7390!
Learn More About the 2022-2023 District 7390 Leadership Team!
Jack Detweiler has been a member of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg for 27 years and recalls working on or chairing the Club’s Ecology Committee for many of those years. Annually, he has coordinated the Club’s judging and awarding of a prize for students winning the Capital Area Science and Engineering Fair (CASEF).
According to Detweiler, “Our committee members are asked to serve as judges for student entries from many area schools. In a typical year, we can receive 10 to 20 presentations to review. CASEF provides a scoring guide to provide consistency of presentation quality.”
CASEF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization and a PA EITC Innovative Educational Program initiative. For these competitions, CASEF follows performance standards of the Society for Science and the Public (ISEF) with a goal focused on promoting the understanding and appreciation of science. That organization sees the critical role science and engineering play in our society: to inform, educate, and inspire.
Because of Covid issues it was no surprise the 2021 CASEF student competition was virtual. Instead of live presentations that year, competitors submitted short videos. CASEF participants submitted their projects to a centralized web. Detweiler says, “We are in the Special Award Category for Life Science and present a $750 check to a student winning in the Senior Division. Projects in 2022 were submitted virtually and live. Our committee again reviewed them virtually, which actually allows more time to accurately review the projects.”
A Wide Range of Projects
According to Valerie Knowles the CASEF Director, “Recent events confirm that it is very evident that we need to be encouraging young scientists to find solutions to life’s greatest challenges and prepare a healthy and sustainable future.”
Detweiler believes he’s seen, “Projects ranging from beetles to stream water studies. He noted, “The 2020 winner of the Rotary Ecology Award was Kathryn Miller, a sophomore at Carlisle HS. She demonstrated how Oxbenzone in sunscreen effects and eventually kills coral polyps. She did this project in the lab with actual coral polyps. Because of the pandemic, she presented her project to our Club via Zoom. In 2019 our winner was Adele Shirmer, a senior at West Perry HS. Her project was "Beetles Beware - Effects of Various Biopesticides on Callosobruchus Maculatus Behavior."
Adele went on to Colorado State University to major in Fishery Management. She says that with the help of the RCH award she was offered a scholarship as an Honors Undergraduate Research Scholar allowing her to afford to attend CSU. She has been assisting a graduate student with his study on Walleye bioenergetics and is working on local employment as a fishery technician to start her career.
Our winner in 2018 was April Pavonka, a senior at Camp Hill HS. Her project was "Optimizing Hydroponic Plant Growth and Energy Usage with LED Spectral Manipulation". She was also our winner in 2016 when she was a sophomore with another project.
Our winner in 2021 was Samual Koda from Hershey High School with his hands-on project that addressed an invasive ecological problem in his neighborhood entitled “What is the best Spotted Lanternfly Trap?”
Our winners in 2022 were Aiden Callahan and Annabel Hathaway from Harrisburg Academy with the project, “A Comparison of Eco-Friendly and Green Products’ Effects on the Environment.” It is the first time that we have ever given the award to a “team.” They were both sophomores. They put in an amazing amount of work on their project, were scrupulous in following the scientific method and their mathematical documentation was quite rigid. It was an interesting outcome that “Dawn” detergent turned out less toxic in many cases than the so-called “green” detergents that were tested.”
Says Detweiler, “Some of our winners actually did their experiments in various creeks and streams in the Central PA area, such as Madeline Grossman, a senior at Cumberland Valley HS in 2017 with her project, “'It's All "Creek" to me, or Kyle Wise a senior at Carlisle HS with his project, "D-Netting vs. Leaf Bagging; Which Macro Invertebrate Collection is the most accurate."
Most notably he adds, “One of our previous winners was Eric Horstick from East Pennsboro HS. His project was how Moss could be used to temper the effects of Acid Mine Drainage. He credits Rotary with inspiring him in his future studies. He went on to get a PHD and currently works for the National Institute of Health.”
Harrisburg Club's Detweiler Has Seen Beetles to Stream Bug Bagging While Serving as Chair of the Science Committee
The Rotary Club of York is pleased to announce its 2022-2023 Officers. From left to right: Courtney Piccolo, President-Elect Nominee; Glenn Miller, President; Aaron Jacobs, President-Elect; and Doug Berman, Financial Vice-President/Treasurer.
Rotary Club of York Announces 2022-2023 Club Leadership
We are excited to share that new 16 Rotarians have joined our District’s Rotary clubs since June 1st. A warm welcome is extended to the following NEW Rotarians:
Rotary Club of Carlisle: Marcellus Taylor
Rotary Club of Elizabethtown: Nancy Sabb
Rotary Club of Harrisburg: Alicia Frederick, Robert Parish, Reuben Pettiford, Kelly Myers
Rotary Club of Mount Joy: Christopher Neiles
Rotary Club of Paradise: Adam Naugle
Rotary Club of West Shore: Jonathan Suhirman, Rick Sample
Rotary Club of York: Brittany Reese, Melissa Rosario, Dan Byrnes, Scott Krauser, Aaron Ranck
Rotary Club of York-North: Lisa Vaughn, Donna Phillips
The Rotary Club of Hanover is inviting all Rotarians in District 7390 to a presentation by Michael McGovern, Chair of the International Polio Plus Committee at Rotary International and John Nanni, 2022 recipient of Rotary International Service Award for a Polio Free World. Together they will present “Polio Plus-The Last Mile’’. Join us Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 12:00 Noon (Markets of Hanover Ballroom, 1649 Broadway, Hanover). Please click here to register in advance!
Diversity is one of Rotary’s longstanding core values and greatest strengths! That is why RI President Jennifer Jones is encouraging each of us to do more to be a welcoming and inclusive organization. Rotary District 7390 is aiming to do just that! Join us for a for a brainstorming session via Zoom on Monday, August 1st at 6:00 p.m. All Rotarians are invited to this session! We want to hear your thoughts! Click here to RSVP today! . Find out more about this initiative and others by clicking here.
You are Invited to the First Meeting of the District 7390 DEI Committee!
The Rotary Club of Carlisle held its Annual Christmas in July celebration for the senior citizens who live at 1 and 2 West Penn apartments in Carlisle. The event consisted of providing snacks for the seniors, singing Christmas carols, telling fun facts about Christmas and door prizes. The Piece de resistance was the arrival of Santa in his Summer attire, telling jokes that the elves must have written. Every elderly resident was also given a Goody bag that consisted of toiletries, hand sanitizer, shampoo, washcloths, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc. Everyone was so appreciative of what we did. We also had family members of Rotarians helping as well. It was a great time for everyone involved!
In partnership with the Rotary District 7390 RMB Steering Committee, the Rotary Clubs of Carlisle and Carlisle Sunrise will host the 62nd RMB in-person networking meeting on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 thus restarting RMB in our district. This will be the first RMB in-person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic hit full force in March 2020.
The meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 17 at the Frederick House on 219 N Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Thanks to our Major Sponsor Hoffman Funeral Home and Crematory the event will be FREE and will have light refreshments consisting of hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, soft drinks and water.
Mark your calendars and register at https://bit.ly/3z5DSfh so you can restart old connections and make new ones. Bring family of Rotary and potential Rotarian guests so they can see the value RMB adds to Rotary.
Remember given the trust that living by the Four Way Test engenders, the purpose of RMB is that Rotarians should help fellow Rotarians by doing business with them and referring others to them in order to build stronger businesses, stronger communities, stronger members, stronger Rotary Foundation, stronger clubs, and ultimately a stronger Rotary International.
If you've been contemplating honoring a hero, time is running out! There are only 11 flags remaining that don't have a sponsor attached to them. For our fellow Rotarians, the club will accept sponsorships through Sunday, September 4, and payment may be made via PayPal.
Please help us make this Flags for Heroes a sell-out event!
All are welcome to attend the dedication ceremony which will be held on Monday, September 12 from 11:00 am - Noon at the Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill.
Your sponsorship and/or attendance goes a long way in helping us make a difference in the community, encouraging our small club and its members, and spreading the Rotary message!
Rotary Club of West Shore Flags for Heroes - ONLY 11 FLAGS REMAIN!
Join us for a great in-person event! Beer. Wine. Music. Food for purchase. Fundraising for local community needs. What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon!
Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
November is Foundation Month and on Saturday, November 4, the District held its annual Rotary Foundation Dinner, resulting in a festive celebration and recognition of our many Clubs and Members who made the past year such a great success, together with a realistic depiction of the present need for more peacebuilding and how we can each participate, followed by positive declarations about promising future initiatives for our District, all that interspersed with a compelling District achievement video and live music from students in the Spartan Modern Band of the Milton Hershey School, a local life-changing educational institution that participates in a joint Interact Club with Derry Township High School. That was a long paragraph, but so was the Dinner.
Speaking of Rotary service, our own PDG John Anthony from the Mechanicsburg North club was designated as the Mechanicsburg Man of The Year by the Downtown Mechanicsburg Partnership. The award dinner was a wonderful celebration of John and all his work to make Mechanicsburg a great place to live. True to John’s serving spirit, he added to the evening’s program 20 non-profit organizations that do charitable work in the Mechanicsburg area. Each organization got 2 minutes to describe themselves and their work. Rotary was well represented by Mechanicsburg North club President David Blain. That part of the program was a wonderful display of humanitarian efforts at the local level and a testament to all the work John does to enhance lives in Mechanicsburg and elsewhere. Congratulations to John on this well-deserved honor and thanks to all our Mechanicsburg area Rotarians for their service above self.
Two weeks ago, the governor line leaders attended the Learning to Lead conference in Toronto hosted by Rotary Zones 28 and 32. These Zone level conferences are held each year in late September and are open to all Rotarians, especially those in or assuming leadership positions. The break-out sessions were informative, energizing, and useful for club members. One trainer asked, “who do you lean on and who do you hold up?” That question resonated with me and I pass the question to you for your reflection. I ask club leaders to consider sponsoring one member, or a few, to attend next September. You will get back energized Rotarians with new knowledge. Thanks go to PDGs Connie Spark, Hector Ortiz, and Una Martone for serving as trainers and facilitators. These experienced and successful leaders are critical to making these learning sessions beneficial to all. Thank you for your time, talent, and work on our behalf. Also of note, there was a fundraising event for the Rotary Foundation called “Bouncing for the Foundation.” Volunteers from the 40 districts in attendance strapped on Zorb bouncy balls and sumo-style battled for bragging rights. I represented District 7390 and most importantly survived the experience. Thanks to those Rotarians who donated in our district and in the other districts, we raised $103,000 from the event. Awesome! You can Google “Zorb ball rentals” to see if this might make sense as a club fundraising activity.
I will close this note by acknowledging the horrific events that are on-going in the Middle East. One of Rotary’s focus areas is on Promoting Peace and this past week has highlighted the desperate need for peacebuilding. The district leaders are discussing how we as a district can support peacebuilding. As we gather information and develop a plan, I’ll communicate how Rotarians and clubs might support Rotary’s peace efforts.
WHTM-TV anchor Dennis Owens has agreed to emcee our event for the third year in a row. Dennis understands all that goes into being a hero, including the sacrifices they make. He did a phenomenal job at the previous dedication ceremonies (viewable on the 
We're also excited to welcome Tracey C. Jones as our featured speaker this year! Tracey is nationally known for her leadership expertise, as well as her ability to connect on a core level with her audiences. You can learn more about Tracey by visiting her 
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the “Life on Land” conference led by our RI Director Drew Kessler and hosted by District 5010 in Anchorage, AK. The conference focus was on environmental issues broadly and the Arctic in specific. I was joined by our District Governor-elect Paul Thompson and his wife Maria, both from the Rotary Club of Hershey. This was a wonderful experience, and a great example of the many opportunities Rotary offers to serve, learn, and lead. Alaska is an amazing place and we learned about Alaska’s place in the world and our nation, the positive governance structures that are working well to share opportunities with native peoples, and the changing Arctic environment and its impacts on the rest of the globe. As one of the speakers said, “the Arctic is a global Arctic.” As we find more of these learning opportunities in Rotary, I’ll be sure to get the details published.
Another learning opportunity closer to home is our upcoming Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) that takes place at Central Penn College on September 16th. RLI has three parts to the course plus a graduate seminar for those that have completed the three parts. We have 24 Rotarians registered and are ready to go for Part 1 and the Graduate Seminar. We need more teammates to join us for Parts 2 and 3 as there is a required minimum number of students. For those that have completed Parts 1 or 2, please consider registering for our course. While there are other RLI Sessions throughout the year (see RLI NEA website), this is the one course this Rotary year close to home. No better time to take the next step in your Rotary learning journey. Registration is available on the District 7390 web site, lower left corner under the calendar entry for the RLI.
Past District Governor Greg Staub has been appointed chair of District 7390's Major Donor and Paul Harris Society programs. These significant programs of The Rotary Foundation (TRF) recognize members who make major gifts to TRF.
I have been thinking about the journey that has gotten me to the point of district leadership in Rotary. Each of us has our own story of how we came to Rotary, what experiences we have had, and what Rotary has come to mean for us. I am enjoying reflecting on my 11 years in Rotary and thinking about what the next decade of service might look like for me. Maybe you are thinking about some similar reflections. As you do, I am open to hearing your stories and ideas as we consider the future of Rotary in our club and district. 
PDG Juliet Altenburg, RN, MSN
Begin your adventure with the optional Princess cruise from Vancouver, B.C. to Anchorage via Whittier, exploring the deep green of the coastal mountains, the varying blues of our glaciers and the wonderful wildlife scenery that is Alaska. Enjoy Alaska’s beauty with your fellow Rotarians and the wonder of glaciers that are quickly disappearing in Glacier National Park. Join our local Rotarians for a dinner in the home, and talk to real Alaskan residents to find out all you ever wanted to know about the arctic and hiking, fishing or hunting in the wilderness. Alaska is globally significant for its large tracts of intact habitats and their role in conserving biodiversity and storing carbon while supporting traditional and cultural uses. What better place to learn about environmental sustainability while enjoying the beauty of Alaska with your fellow
Rotarians.
Elizabeth “Beth” Mihmet, is the Associate Director of Planned Giving at Dickinson College in Carlisle and an active member of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg for more than eight years. Beth earned her BS from Colgate University (English and Art) and her MBA from Temple University. She served as the 22-23 Club President and is a board member for Leadership Harrisburg Area (LHA). In her free time, Beth enjoys hiking, bicycling on Pennsylvania’s rail trails and reading. She lives in Mechanicsburg with her wife, Sarah Myers. Beth is excited to chair the District 7390 DEI committee with Marcellus Taylor and continue the work that PDG Juliet Altenburg started last year. She is motivated to help Rotarians build more inclusive club cultures with a focus on belonging and fun. Beth is committed to helping Rotarians find the resources/people they need to strengthen their clubs and serve as an ambassador to members of the LGBTQ+ community searching for welcoming service organizations. Beth can be reached at 
Marcellus Taylor, Ed.D. serves as Director of Health Equity at the Partnership for Better Health. He joined the foundation in 2021 and leads a portfolio of grants and initiatives focused on advancing health equity. He mobilizes strategies to engage historically marginalized communities and people with lived experience through the sharing of power and decision making, towards addressing health disparities and shaping a more equitable future.
The Brand Center is continually updated with new materials to help you promote your club! You’ll find tips on raising awareness of Rotary, ready- made print and digital ads, images, videos, audio clips, templates to download, and more. These resources allow you to create messages that show your community that Rotary members are people of action making a difference.
Rotary in the media
What's your story?
This year we will be partnering with the East Pennsboro Education Foundation and the East Pennsboro High School Track team in an event called Panther Prowl which also includes a One Mile Color Fun Run for Kids. We hope to grow this event by getting food trucks, entertainment/music and additional children’s activities. Make it into a real spring community festival!
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The District 7390 Leadership is proud to welcome our newest team member District Governor Nominee Designate Mary Brunski! Mary will become District Governor during the 2025-2026 Rotary Year.
The Rotary Clubs of Yellow Breeches, Mechanicsburg-North, D7390 Passport and West Shore will sponsor and host the 65th RMB networking event along with Fairway Mortgage Corporation, Mother Hubbard's Custom Cabinetry, and the Classic Rock Design Center (venue sponsor). The event will take place at the Classic Rock Design Center, 135 W Allen Street, Mechanicsburg, PA, on Wednesday, February 15 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. The event is FREE and will include the usual light hors d'oeuvres along with wine, beer, soft drinks and water. 
Since this week is a time of thanks, I want to take this opportunity to express how thankful I am for every Rotarian in our District! You are not only role models of service for your local and international communities but enthusiastically take on the important role of serving and supporting one another through life’s many challenges. During these last five months of club visits and event gatherings, I have been inspired by your kindness, camaraderie, and big hearts for service whether it is hands-on or through your generous financial giving. You have uplifted me in unexpected and delightful ways, so I give THANKS for YOU! Have a safe and happy holiday everyone! 
With the Russians now targeting infrastructure, there is obvious concern for Ukrainians surviving the winter.
Medical Equipment in Argentina
We are encouraging clubs to move forward with your Four-Way Test Speech Contests and send your Club contest winner to the District Mid-Levels. Students can register for the Mid-Levels by clicking 
District 7390 recently transferred $29,025 of District Designated Funds (DDF) to PolioPlus to support Rotary’s signature project of polio eradication. “Our District Allocations Committee is pleased to make these funds available to recognize World Polio Day,” said Governor Juliet Altenburg.
Chuck Sawicki has experienced a lot in his 80-plus years on this planet.
On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, Kathi Fuhrman, President of Fuhrman Creative and President of the Rotary Club of Hanover gave a fantastic presentation on Strengthening your Digital Rotary Club Presence. To view this presentation on demand go to this link:
The RC of Carlisle, working with the RC of Thika, Kenya, is implementing a global grant project for water for personal consumption and agricultural development in a poor village in Kenya. The project takes place at a children’s safe home that houses about 100 youngsters ages infant through high school. It also benefits the local community.
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.
Carlisle-Sunrise, Northern Lebanon Co, and York build small houses in Ecuador
The Rotary Club of Carlisle-Sunrise recently hosted Carlisle’s noon club for a presentation about that club’s water project in Kenya. In attendance was Meshack Kishoyian Sinkira (known as Kish) the International Officer from Kenya at the US Army War College, Carlisle. Rotarians from Carlisle first became acquainted with Kish at a meeting of RC of Hershey.
PDG Alden Cunningham (Carlisle) has a book available for purchase through Amazon! 
Most recently RC of Carlisle and district 7390 contributed to a global grant for an Eye Care Program in Nairobi, which is currently being implemented in schools in poor areas of Nairobi. 
Norma Jean Park was awarded the district 7390 Rotary Scholarship for graduate study at the University of Essex, Brighton, England, where she will earn a Master of Arts degree in Food and Development. The Global Grant award is valued at $30,000 with $16,675 from #7390 District Designated Funds and $13,325 from The Rotary Foundation.
