The Rotary Club of Hershey partnered with District 7450, RC of Quito Occidente and other clubs to help fund a project to improve community health in Ecuador. This $111,000 project assisted 350 individuals in 70 families.
The family and community health project focused on health promotion, disease prevention and treatment. Through workshops and on-line sessions, training was provided about healthy lifestyles and disease prevention. Diagnosis, treatments, rehabilitation were provided in areas including nutrition, sex education, drug abuse prevention, HIV/AIDS, and dental care in an effort to improve overall health in the community. Many young people involved demonstrated learning disabilities that were addressed by the project.
Photos demonstrate training and care provided.
Rotary Club of Hershey - Healthy Families, Ecuador
As we seem to be in the early phase of possibly a second Cold War, it might be useful to see the first Cold War through the life of an Army officer who served on many fronts of that war from Germany to the Pentagon in Washington, DC, from Vietnam to Korea, and from Mexico to Nicaragua. Colonel (R) Alden M. Cunningham experienced levels of war from a mix of conventional and guerilla war in Vietnam, to a no war no peace armistice in Korea, and to insurgency in Nicaragua. In the 1980s, he wrote award winning articles regarding Mexico's National Security and US Strategic Options in Nicaragua.
This autobiography captures all phases of his life of Leadership in Service both as an Army senior Foreign Area officer defending our nation and as a former officer of Rotary International doing good in the world. His book is available on amazon.com (Kindle), barnesandnoble.com (Nook), and other platforms for $4.99 plus tax. Please consider buying the online version of this autobiography written by a fellow Rotarian and 38 year member of Rotary District 7390. Thank you.
The York-East Rotary Club awarded two $1,500 scholarships to senior students, Matthew Althouse from York Suburban and Holly Ilgenfritz from York County School of Technology. They both participated in the Student of the Month program.
Two junior students were also chosen, Kalyn Paradis from York Suburban and S’Arion Kent . The juniors will attend RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) at Messiah University in June.
The scholarship awards were presented to the students at the clubs meeting on April 26. Near the end of the school year the club selects a student from each school based on an application which the students submit and the interactions that occur at the meetings. As always, when listening to students, club members feel reassured that the future of America is bright.
On Feb 25th, Rotary International issued a statement on the conflict in Ukraine. The statement read, in part “It is a tragic and sad time for the people of Ukraine and the world. At Rotary, we are deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Ukraine and the escalating loss of life and humanitarian hardship there. Rotary International will do everything in its power to bring aid, support and peace to the region.”
To address this global concern at a local level, The Rotary Club of York’s Charitable Endowment Fund (CEF) Board approved a matching Disaster/Emergency Relief grant for up to $5,000. During the month of March, Rotary Club of York members were encouraged to donate to this critical and timely need.
As a result of generous donations from Rotary Club of York members, the CEF was able to well exceed its initial goal of $5,000. At the April 27th weekly meeting, Bryan Tate, CEF President and Jackie Summers, Rotary Club of York President, presented a check for $25,000. This money will be donated to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Recover Fund at the Center for Disease Philanthropy (CDP), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping donors maximize their impact through expert resources.
Photo Caption:
Bryan Tate, York Rotary Charitable Endowment Fund (CEF) President and Jackie Summers, Rotary Club of York President, proudly display a check for $25,000 to aid those impacted by the war in Ukraine. The donation, which will go to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Recover Fund at the Center for Disease Philanthropy, was made possible by a matching $5,000 grant from the CEF and generous donations from members of The Rotary Club of York.
Your $100 contribution to The Rotary Foundation can help provide textbooks for one elementary school in Zambia, provide a hearing aid for a deaf child in Pakistan, buy de-worming tablets for 112 children in the Philippines, pay for cataract operations for three blind people in India, or provide 230 blankets for the elderly in the winter months of Korea.
Will you commit today to donating $100 or more per year to The Rotary Foundation and start making a difference in people’s lives?
Rotarians Unite to Send Medical Aid to Ukraine
Rotary members in North America, Argentina, and Europe are collaborating with a U.S.- based association of Ukrainian health care workers to collect and ship more than 100 tons of critical medical supplies to Ukraine. The effort was built off of connections Marga Hewko, president of the Rotary Club of Chicago, had forged with the Ukrainian medical community in Chicago. Rotary clubs have pooled their resources to secure donations from equipment manufacturers and purchase supplies which are then flown over to Europe for distribution within Ukraine
When passion and raw determination are added to the miracle of modern vaccines, great things happen. Over the last 30 years, Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have seen the reduction of polio cases worldwide, by 99.9 percent. But, as long as polio and the many other vaccine preventable diseases still circulate anywhere in the world, children in the US are still vulnerable and must continue to be vaccinated.
Over the last 2 years, the world has seen unsurpassed death and illness from yet another virus. In reading the Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation Position Statement onCOVID-19 Vaccination, I am reminded that we have even more work to do. Here we are in the early months of 2022, with more than 950,000 American deaths as a result of COVID-19. As a Rotary member and polio survivor, I am particularly aware of the important role vaccines play in halting the spread of disease. With that in mind, we must continue to support polio immunization efforts around the world, just as we continue to support the effort to mitigate COVID-19.
What can we do? We can be sharing fact-based vaccination information. Rotarians throughout our state are supporting our PA Immunization Coalition(s). I have personally had the opportunity to speak out, along with another Rotarian survivor, for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia about the realities of life after experiencing the effects of a vaccine preventable disease. I was one of three polio survivors who were given the opportunity to answer this call in a blog by the PA Immunization Coalition (PAIC).
We can be volunteering at vaccine clinics and holding blood drives. We can be distributing packets of vaccine information that encourage vaccine acceptance, to day care centers, physicians and clinics. We have a lot we can be doing in our District to answer this call.
Engage with your Rotary Club to learn more about how you can get involved as a partner supporting these efforts in your community. We are doing this not only for ourselves, but for future generations.
We have witnessed the truth first hand. Vaccines Work!
(A fun time on Saturday, April 23. In the picture along with the scouts and scout leaders are Rotarians Mira far left, Dr. Willis sixth from left in back and Linda Spotts to the far right.)
A fun morning on Saturday, April 23 with the Rotary Club of Susquehanna Township and other volunteers. The hour went really fast, and the scouts liked the tree planting and are interested in coming back to help us with the 2 elm trees yet to be purchased. The elm trees were not readily available for Saturday’s planting.
We provided the tools, trees, mulch and water and The junior and cadette scouts did the digging, planting, watering and mulching. Each of the 3 teams of scouts gave their dogwood a name – Gertrude a red dogwood, Ray a white dogwood and Jeri a red dogwood.
What a great project! A big thank you to Ralph for allowing us to plant trees on Susquehanna Union Green so that our club could fulfill a request from Janet Donovan, CEO of Girls Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, to partner with a scout troop for tree planning in the township.
Susquehanna Township Partners with Girl Scouts to Plant Trees
The eradication of Polio is still Rotary’s number one humanitarian goal. John Kramb is the End Polio Now Coordinator for our Zone, and he has developed a presentation for clubs. To schedule John to speak at your club, please email him at pdgjohn2015@gmail.com.
The current insurance program policies are expiring on 1 July 2022, and Risk Management is working on renewing them for the 2022-23 policy year. New policies will be purchased to provide continuous coverage and we will strive to maintain coverage as broad as the expiring policies.
Here are some insights provided to us during the initial stage of the renewal process:
Communicable Diseases Exclusion: The 2022-23 general liability policy likely will again contain a communicable diseases exclusion applicable to COVID-19.
Liquor Liability Coverage: The 2022-23 general liability policy likely will contain an endorsement that excludes coverage for “bodily injury or property damage caused by, in whole or in part, alcoholic beverages sold, served, or furnished while any liquor license is required and is not in effect." The current general liability policy provides liquor liability coverage and does not have restrictions such as this. In anticipation of this change, please verify whether a liquor license is required as part of your event and apply early if you determine one necessary. PLEASE NOTE: Our District insurance chair spoke to RI regarding this policy change. Their response is this: To speak using layman’s terms, it means the policy contains an endorsement that excludes coverage for incidents where a liquor license was required but wasn’t obtained in advance of the event.
Insurance Marketplace Conditions: The insurance marketplace has proven challenging. Insurance companies continue to raise their rates due to the increasingly frequent occurrence of catastrophic losses (severe storms, tornados, and wildfires) and the monetarily punitive amounts of damages being handed down by juries. We expect that this will affect insurance assessments and the Program. A premium credit will be issued due to the Program's favorable history as far as losses, and this will in part mitigate increases in premium.
Updates to Rotary Liability Insurance Starting July 1
Join WITF and Rotary 7390 Tuesday, May 24 at 6pm at the WITF Public Media Center in Harrisburg as we host the 2022 Teacher Impact Awards Banquet. Help us make this a special in-person event honoring dedicated teachers.
The buffet style hors d’oeuvres banquet is open to the public and recognizes outstanding professionalism, classroom leadership, and significant contributions made by teachers across our region during this past year. The event also provides an opportunity for the community to say “Thank You” to our educators for their commitment and dedication to our students.
We’ll present awards to seven K-12 teachers in public and private schools in the Rotary District’s seven county area which includes: Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York. Plus, we’ll screen special video profiles of each educator highlighting their exemplary work in the classroom.
Tickets are $35 per person. Tickets must be purchased by May 18. Reserve your spot now!
Watch the broadcast premiere of the 2022 Teacher Impact Awards television special on WITF TV June 23 at 8pm or stream on-demand beginning June 23 through the PBS Video app.
York-North Rotary will be hosting a Summer Festival at PeoplesBank Park on June 11 from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., to fund “Math is a Superpower”. The festival will feature live music, food, wine, beer, spirits, small games of chance and more will be featured. Please support this valuable math program, by joining us on June 11 at PeoplesBank Park.
Rotary Club of York-North has partnered with the York County Literacy Council to provide free, custom mathematics education, “Math is a Superpower.” Rotary Club of York-North will fund the program while the York County Literary Council will provide the training. This course is designed for individuals who are not in the education system and in need of remedial math education, including multiplication and division of fractions and decimals.
Graduates of this program will then qualify to enroll in the ManufacturingPathway Training Program, provided by the Manufacturers’ Association. Employment opportunities, with the Manufacturers’ Association membership companies, will become available following successful completion of both courses. Math as a Superpower will positively impact individuals, employers, and our community. The 8- week course, will meet two times per week from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., beginning September 20, 2022. The classes will be held at Career Link, 841 Vogelsong Road.
Rotary York-North has been in existence for over 30 years, providing service above self to local and international communities. Some successful programs to date are:
Funding for students in need in local school districts and local organizations
Providing services for homeless families, nursing home residents, and individuals with disabilities
Building an all-inclusive playground and supporting the Rotary Baseball field at Cousler Park
In today's society, bikers often get a bad rap. Previously, bikers were rough and tumble people that were part of a gang. That is no longer the case. Many bikers ride for recreation, and are productive members of society. They even do rides to raise awareness and money for charitable causes.
One of the causes supported by motorcycling Rotarians is the eradication of Polio. Many of the rides in which we participate also serve as a means to raise money for PolioPlus.
This particular fundraiser is designed to raise money over most of this riding season, and I ask for your support. Click here to support this effort!
You donation will be matched by the Gates Foundation two to one, and will count for your Paul Harris points.
The Rotary club of Eastern York recently applied for and received grant money to sponsor the new Kreutz Creek Library. The library moved out of an old trailer to its new location in the renovated building formerly used at the Hellam Township Police and municipal office. The club purchased mostly educational items and other items such as white boards, Nilo multi-activity childrens play table with stools, toy storage bags, storage cart with trays, and a toaster oven. The cost was $4,318 for items purchased for the library. The club was reimbursed $2,159. The total approved grant was $5,000.
Pictured with the four way test sign from left to right is Rotarian John Mann who facilitated the purchasing and application of grant, Library Manager Jennifer Johnson, and Club presenting Sharon Stoner.
The picture in the Children’s section is also Jennifer Johnson as she gave our club the tour of the new library.
The 5th running of this annual 5K benefit event is totally on the campus of Brethren Village directly across from the Lancaster Airport. The looped route winds around the lightly traveled community roads. With minimal elevation changes this will prove to be a fast and enjoyable course. Held rain or shine, the event will be professionally chip timed by Second Wind Race Timing.
Join us in beautiful Lancaster County just south of Lititz for this kick-off event to The Rotary Club of Lancaster’s Wheels and Wings Festival into the afternoon on the grounds of the Airport.
This race is a fundraiser. The proceeds of Wheels & Wings and 5k support the Rotary Club of Lancaster’s Summer Youth Experience. The summer program, funded in partnership with the United Way of Lancaster, supports more than a thousand city youth between the ages of five through seventeen. The program addresses the “achievement gap” and gives them fun things to do that develop leadership skills and helps prevent the “summer slide” in school. Benefits also support other service programs of our Club locally, nationally and globally through Rotary International, a network of over 32,000 clubs in 200 plus countries.
During World Immunization Week, 24-30 April, let’s advocate for polio eradication and the importance of vaccines to the health and well-being of our communities.
Vaccines are one of the greatest advances of modern medicine. They’re safe, effective, and save millions of lives each year. Our progress in the fight to end polio is proof that vaccines work.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative estimates that the polio vaccine has saved more than 20 million children around the world from paralysis. We need to continue vaccinating children against polio, because as long as the poliovirus circulates anywhere, it is a threat everywhere.
Here’s how you can support Rotary’s efforts during World Immunization Week:
Use the World Immunization Week Toolkit for graphics and sample posts to share on social media with the hashtags #EndPolio and #VaccinesWork.
Donate to PolioPlus to help Rotary and our partners deliver polio vaccines to vulnerable children. Or start an online fundraiser using Raise for Rotary and share it with your friends, colleagues, and family members. All contributions will be matched 2-to-1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Rotary districts can give District Designated Funds (DDF) to PolioPlus to help meet our goal of raising $50 million each year to eradicate polio.
Join with Rotary to promote the power of vaccines to protect children and save lives
Our Daily Bread, located in York, Pa. is a soup kitchen that provides breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday for anyone who comes in. It has been in operation since 1983 and is aided in its operations by volunteers who help to serve meals to the less fortunate. On average, more than 100 meals are served each day. Members of the Rotary Club of York-East participate at Our Daily Bread on the last Tuesday of months which have 5 Tuesdays. One March 29th 2022 members Sandra Graham, Diane Yocum, Wendy Keesee and Bill Gierasch volunteered to serve lunch.
The Rotary Club of Hanover’s, Ralph Jodice, taught the Junior Achievement Program, Our Nation, to both of Mrs. Sherry Chroniger’s 6th grad social studies classes at St. Teresa of Calcutta in McSherrystown. JA Our Nation is 5 classes teaching students about the free market economy, innovation, careers, getting and keeping the job, and the linkages of today’s global economy. Junior Achievement has in class programs available for grades K through 8 and day long programs for 9th through 12th grades. For grades K through 8, JA produces and provides complete, easy to follow lessons plans for each grade. The 9th through 12th programs are developed and managed by experienced professionals, and you are there to assist and help facilitate the program. All are fun, rewarding and educational. Check them out at https://www.jascpa.org/ Have your club join in the JA fun today!
The Harrisburg Keystone club wants to say THANK YOU to all our fellow Rotarians who came out to support our 3rd annual Capital City Classic Cornhole. We are crunching the final numbers, but it looks like we raised right around $3,000.00!
We’d also like to CONGRATULATE our 2022 District 7390 Rotary Cornhole Champions—“Team Juliet,” our own DGE Juliet Altenburg and “DGE Spouse”Rob Altenburg from the Mechanicsburg North Club. Who knew that our incoming DG was such a cornhole ringer?
And don’t worry . . . you’ll all get your chance next to try take home that beautiful Rotary trophy to your club and dethrone “Team Juliet” as they come back to defend their title at next spring’s tournament. Start practicing your beanbag toss now!!!
Pictured L-R (Back Row): Jack Greenawalt, Nate McWilliams, Melissa Kopp-Smith (Club President), Carmen Calderon (Club President-Elect), Rick Dickerson, PDG John Anthony
Front Row: Martha Wolf, Charity Welch, Karen Anthony, Paul Duryea
The D7390 Passport Club was charted in November 2020. The Club meets virtually the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. The Club is planning to hold in-person socials several times throughout the year. On Thursday, March 31, Club members met at Iron Hill Brewery in Lancaster for an evening of fun! PDG John Anthony joined the meeting and presented the Clubs Charter to President Melissa Kopp-Smith and membership certificates were presented to all Club members in attendance. PDG John Anthony also had the privilege of presenting a Paul Harris Fellowship to Club member Martha Wolf.
Rotary Club of York and the York Rotary Charitable Endowment Fund have just opened the 2022 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-$15,000 will be awarded to projects or programs in 2022 taking place July 1, 2022-June 31, 2023 that align local fields of interest with Rotary International’s focus to take action on our world’s most persistent issues.
The fields of interest chosen for 2022 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)
Programs and projects designed to reduce community 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 8, 2022 at 5:00pm EST. Full grant guidelines and online Letter of Interest applications can be found here. Letters of Interest addressing one or both fields of interest that are selected to move to the full application stage can request $2,500-$15,000. All LOI applicants will be notified of their status by 5/2/2022.
The York East Rotary Club voted to donate over $5,000 to disaster relief for refugees fleeing Ukraine due to the recent invasion of Russian military forces. The first $2,500 of member donations was matched by the club.
The club's president, Sandi Graham, issued the challenge to club and community members to add to the fund. The club said that the money raised by the Rotary International Foundation will be used to disburse funds in Ukraine and in countries bordering Ukraine who are providing water, food, medicine and clothing to refugees.
With 46,000 clubs across the globe, Rotary is one of the world's largest humanitarian organizations, and has made peace the cornerstone of its global mission. Our club is joining other Rotary clubs in our region in supporting this effort. We are hopeful that even those who are not members of our club will recognize they have an opportunity to directly help the mostly women and children who are fleeing for their lives. Many may be wondering how to help. You don't have to be a Rotary member to donate to this effort.
The United Nations has estimated that millions of people have already fled Ukraine to avoid the devastation caused by the advance of Russian troops, the club said.
The Rotary Club of Gettysburg welcomed Peter Miele, Executive Director of the Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center and a fellow Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Gettysburg. His presentation was entitled "The Civil War: Inside and Outside the Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center." He shared how stately Schumaker Hall, built in 1832 and where the museum and education center is housed, was an integral part of Civil War and, in particular, the Battle of Gettysburg.
The museum has lots to offer with interactive exhibits and special tours of the cupola with its grand views and its perfect vantage point for see the advancing southern forces. Their website may be visited at www.seminaryridgemuseum.org.
The Conference will be held Friday, May 6 & Saturday, May 7, 2022 at the Best Western Premiere (800 East Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17111). There are several registration options available.
The Four-Way Test Speech contest finale will be held on Friday, May 6 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. A reception with heavy hor's d'oeuvres will immediately follow the conclusion of the contest.
On Saturday, May 7 you can either choose the "Grow Rotary" track or the "Leadership" track. You will stay with the track you choose throughout the day. The Leadership track will feature "managing change and conflict" and "creating high performing teams". Grow Rotary will focus on creating a culture of engagement, ways for clubs to attract and retain members, promoting the public image of your Club, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
How do we create a safe and more resilient world for girls as we re-open societies post-pandemic? While progress in girls’ education, health and status has been made, since Covid-19 access to education, health, and health systems has been limited and the incidence of early child marriage has increased significantly.
Join Rotary International and UNICEF 25-26 March to explore community-based solutions to create a safe and resilient world for girls. Hear inspiring stories from Rotary People of Action Honorees and conversations from Rotary and UNICEF experts on topics that affect girls around the globe:
Education - remote learning
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) – hygiene + education
Violence Prevention – ending child marriage
Mental Health – online safety
Don’t miss an event that will focus on empowering girls and setting them up for healthy, hopeful, and thriving futures.
Check Out How the Rotary Club of Harrisburg Takes “Zooming” to New Levels
Pre-pandemic at the Rotary Club of Harrisburg (RCH), meager attempts to broadcast meetings to members not able to attend the luncheons was done with a single smartphone to “broadcast” on Facebook Live.
Then came the pandemic shutdown. So, RCH leadership and tech-savvy members got creative.
Zoom meetings became the replacement for shaking hands or a pre-meeting conversation. Next came 2020-2021 President James Good and Executive Director Addeline Alaniz-Edwards as broadcast production icons. Just for a brief period the Club could meet in person, but with lots of limiting restrictions, many members preferred continued connecting via Zoom.
Seeing the Covid restrictions ramping back up, 2021-2022 President Matt Staub initiated the purchase of a sophisticated conference sound and video system called the “Owl.” Bring in the all-volunteer Tech Team of Shaun Eng and Nathan Hartwick (co-chairs), Karen Good, Bob Saline, Scott Stevens and President Staub and the online connection continues to become increasingly sophisticated.
With timely funding from the board, a sound board was added to capture speakers and online presentations when needed. The forementioned member volunteers took on roles of porting equipment, connecting a growing number of equipment and cords and dedicating their meeting time to monitoring the various systems and member online participation. Pre- and post-meetings, all of this is equipment is slugged up and down steps at the Rotary office to and from the Hilton by Addeline Alaniz Edwards.
President Staub and members of the Tech Team are “standing by” to counsel any Rotary club considering adding or upgrading their broadcast capabilities. For more information, contact President Staub at matthew.c.staub@gmail.com
Is your Club considering a "Broadcast" option for meetings?
The CDC released new COVID-19 safety guidance on 2/25/22. Guidance is now dictated in part on COVID-19 hospitalization rates in combination with positive cases. Indoor mask wearing is recommended in counties with high community levels.
As of 3/10/22 all counties in District 7390 are currently at a low level.
Regardless of community level, people may choose to wear a mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. Vaccinations including boosters are still highly encouraged to keep yourself and others at low risk for contracting and transmitting COVID-19.
Planning for RYLA 2022 is well underway! We are excited to host RYLA as an in-person Conference at Messiah University (One College Avenue, Grantham, PA) from Sunday, June 12 to Thursday, June 16, 2022. The DEADLINE to submit a RYLA APPLICATION is April 8, 2022!
Registration for the 2022 RYLA will be completed on-line! Please click here to view the on-line application. Students will need to follow a few steps to complete the application:
They will need to complete the RYLA 2022 Waiver form. That will be signed by the student and parent using docusign. The directions to complete the waiver are at the top of the RYLA application page. You can view the waiver by clicking here.
The student will complete the application. When you view the application, any field that is marked with an asterisk is a required field. They will not be able to submit the application until every field is completed. That includes uploading the waiver and their photograph.
Once the student completes the application, I will forward it to the Club for approval.
The club will need to mail a $500 check for each applicant to the District office (515 South George Street, York, PA 17401). Checks made payable to "Rotary District 7390 RYLA".
Contact DGE Juliet Altenburg at dgjuliet2022@qrpc.com if you would like to join the committees listed below!
DEI Committee – This new Diversity-Equity-Inclusion committee is being launched to support Rotary International’s commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment in our Rotary Clubs. PDG Hector Ortiz will be the Committee Chair. To read more about RI’s commitment to DEI go to: https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary/diversity-equity-and-inclusion
Women in Rotary Committee –
A top priority for Rotary is growing and diversifying our membership to make sure we reflect the communities we serve. Currently just 28% of Rotary Members in District 7390 are women and even fewer are in leadership positions. As we welcome Rotary International’s first woman president Jennifer Jones, lets plan activities to not only attract more women into Rotary but celebrate women Rotarians throughout our District and beyond. Those activities can include business networking, service, leadership development and FUN! Anyone is welcome to join regardless of gender orientation.
2022-2023 RI President Jennifer Jones
2023 District Conference Planning Committee – join DGE Juliet in planning the 2023 District Conference which will take place in the Spring of 2023. This event doesn’t need to be a typical “conference” at all. Let’s discuss options including a District wide service activity or social event! Non-Rotarian partners and friends are welcome!
Jaclyn Victor with America250PA was a guest speaker at our weekly meeting. The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA) was established by the legislature and Governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event, and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future. America250PA hopes to engage all citizens of the Commonwealth, from all 67 counties, bring the Commonwealth’s history into the conversation so Pennsylvanians can better understand the origins and multiple perspectives of issues facing our Commonwealth & nation today, use history to encourage and inspire future leaders, celebrate the contributions of Pennsylvanians to our Commonwealth’s history but also to our Nation’s history, leave a lasting impact on the next generation.
“Epic” isn’t just the adjective Jaclyn chose to describe America 250. It is also an acronym describing the program’s goals:
Educate: America 250 is working with the National Liberty Museum to create civics programs for students.
Preserve: Preserving history – especially local history - is a key goal of America 250. Special bronze bells will be placed at local historic sites around the state and included on a map in an effort to promote historical stories that most people don’t know about. Coleman gave an example: A bell will be placed at the Dennis Farm in Susquehanna County, which is the longest freely owned African-American farm in the country. “That’s an asset and a gem to have here in our commonwealth, and most people don’t know about it.”
Innovate: All colleges and universities in Pennsylvania are invited to take part in the Direct Effect Innovation Challenge. In challenges each year through 2026, students will work to create an “integrated strategy to celebrate and innovate” that will support America 250 PA.
Celebrate: Coleman said America 250 PA will aim to celebrate every county. This is why it’s important for each county, and even the municipalities within them, to pass the America 250 PA resolution and appoint a representative to get involved.
This community has a wealth of history and it goes back longtime and we all think of the York as the first Capital.
10 Scholarships Announced to Award Nearly $40,000 in 2022
Rotary Club of York and the York Rotary Charitable Endowment Fund recently announce its 2022 scholarships available for York County college students. York Rotary provides financial support for the academic success of York students seeking high education. Thanks to the generous support of Club members, York Rotary Scholarships have been established to reward the academic success, community service, and student determination of York residents attending college, university, trade or technical school.
Students wishing to apply for York Rotary Scholarships can learn more and begin the online application process by visiting www.YorkRotary.org/Page/Scholarships. The “Apply Here” button allows students to create an account and apply to the scholarship where they meet the criteria. Application deadline is May 1, 2022. Questions on applying or about the online application should be directed to Faith Elmes, Scholarship Coordinator, at felmes@tfec.org.
The scholarship web page provides information about each scholarship stewarded by York Rotary, along with each scholarship’s criteria, amount of the award being given, and biographical information about the scholarship and Club member donor. The following is a list of all scholarships being offered:
“Service Above Self” Scholarship – two-year $2,500 scholarship – high academic achievement and community service for college juniors
Non-Traditional Student Scholarship – one-time $3,000 scholarship – York County students enrolled later in adulthood in technical or trade school, college or university
Bush Scholarship – four-year $1,000 scholarship – high academic achievement
Mangold Scholarship – four-year $1,250 scholarship – high academic achievement
Kranich Scholarship – one-year $2,000 scholarship – any area of study
Diehl Scholarship – one-year $1,000 scholarship – Engineering major with a preference for York City students
Smith Scholarship – one-year $3,000 scholarship – Agriculture major
Kahley Scholarship – one-year $1,000 scholarship – Music major with a preference for William Penn or York Suburban
Hayes Scholarship – one-year $3,200 scholarship – Equine studies major for college junior, senior or graduate student
Wagman Scholarship – one-year $2,000 scholarship – Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at York College for junior or senior
Rotary Club of York Launches New Scholarship Process
The community is invited to join The Hershey Rotary Club for the return of its annual fundraiser, April 9, 2022 at The Hershey Lodge. All proceeds benefit non-profit organizations in the community.
The evening features dinner, and silent and live auctions featuring many must-have items including jewelry, artwork, dining, travel, and unique Hershey memorabilia.
The Hershey Rotary Club annually supports many local organizations, as well as some regional and international ones. Organizations supported in recent years include Hershey Food Bank, Ronald McDonald House, Mohler Senior Center, Hershey Volunteer Fire Company, Love INC, Hershey Area Playhouse, Cocoa Packs, Hershey Community Chorus, Hershey Derry Township Historical Society, Hershey Public Library, Hershey Symphony Orchestra, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and many more.
Tickets are $100 per person. Learn more about purchasing tickets, donating auction items, or sponsoring the event by visiting the Club’s website at www.HersheyRotary.org
Hershey Rotary Plans 52nd Annual Auction to Benefit Local Charities
Donate to Rotary International Disaster Response Fund: https://my.rotary.org/en/disaster-response-fund All donations collected now through 4/30/22 can be accessed as expedited grants by Districts in countries bordering Ukraine to provide relief to refugees including water, food, shelter, medicine, and clothing. All donations count toward Paul Harris points.
Donate to ShelterBox:https://www.shelterboxusa.org/the-ukraine-crisis-explained/ShelterBox is an official Rotary International partner in Disaster Relief and now has a team in Poland working to support Ukraine refugees. Executive Director Kerri Murray has been sharing updates with CNN on how more than 20,000 women and children per day enter Poland’s train stations. ShelterBox is there to offer them clothing, shelter, and comfort. Donations can now be made specifically to support Ukraine in any amount.
The CDC released new COVID-19 safety guidance on 2/25/22. Guidance is now dictated in part on COVID-19 hospitalization rates in combination with cases. Indoor mask wearing is recommended in counties with high community levels. As of 3/4/22 all counties in the district are currently at a low level. Regardless of community level, masks should be worn in individuals who are high risk for contracting severe disease or who have people in their household who may be high risk. Vaccinations including boosters are still highly encouraged to keep yourself and others at low risk for contracting and transmitting COVID-19. Find out your COVID-19 Community Level by going to: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html
What Prevention Steps Should You Take Based on Your COVID-19 Community Level?
What Prevention Steps Should You Take Based on Your COVID-19 Community Level?
We were honored to have Mike Grandy, former president of Red Lion Controls, be our guest at our weekly meeting. Mike was born in the United Kingdom, and started his career as a freelance developer of computer games. From the games world, he moved into industrial software development via a path that is too complex to explain. He worked on some of the very first Human-Machine Interface products as far back as 1986, and can thus honestly claim to be one of the few people in the world with nearly 30 years' experience in this field. Mike's path took him through a series of start-ups in the late eighties and early nineties, to the founding of a company called Paradigm Controls in 1993, where he was responsible for the development of the software and firmware for a range of operator interface terminals. Paradigm caught the eye of Red Lion Controls, and was acquired by Red Lion Controls in 1996. Mike continued to run the company in the UK until moving to the United States in July 1999 to join Red Lion in Pennsylvania as Vice President of Engineering. Five months later, Mike was promoted to President at the age of 31.
Now Mike has his own consulting firm and helps to promote the manufacturing industry for the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association. The Association is a statewide nonprofit trade organization representing the manufacturing sector in Pennsylvania’s public policy process. Headquartered just steps from the state capitol in Harrisburg, PMA works to improve Pennsylvania’s ability to compete with other states for investment, jobs, and economic growth. The pandemic has changed so many things about the world we live in today especially the labor market where continuing education and manufactory opportunities are extremely important. PMA along with their public support partners including K-12 educators, community colleges, workforce development boards, economic development organizations are tackling a range of issues including improving the workforce pipeline, aligning training with industry needs, improving infrastructure, addressing regulatory barriers or facilitating business-to-business networking. The agenda is to change the image of manufacturing to high tech, high pay and a lifelong challenging career.
The Rotary Foundation (TRF) is strengthened every time a Rotarian makes a gift to support the humanitarian work of Rotary International. District 7390 Rotarians are leaders in philanthropy.
On behalf of the District Leadership Team and all those who advocate for TRF, I want to say “thank you” for supporting our foundation and the amazing work made possible by your gifts. Even in a pandemic and with increasing consumer costs, you continue to help address some of the most critical needs locally and around the world.
Your support of our most recent Share Some Love campaign and the Zones 28 and 32 Gala and Fundraiser held Wednesday evening were greatly appreciated. Annual gifts by sustaining, Paul Harris Society, and PolioPlus Society members help District 7390 achieve foundation goals.
All gifts to the Annual/Share Fund, End Polio Now campaign, or any of the other TRF programs allow Rotary to Serve to Change Lives.
Rotary International celebrated its 100th year of service in 2005. That year RI President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar asked every Rotary club to mark the occasion in a distinct way. The Rotary Club of Harrisburg (RCH) planning team chose to design the Youth Community Development Team as not just a one-year event but a commitment to serve youth and our community in perpetuity.
RCH member Meghan Bachmore leads an ice breaker activity.
Seventeen years later RCH members serving as YCDT coaches and the 2022 student participants have taken the original concept to new heights and have incorporated innovative technologies.
RCH leaders are taking time to inspire 36 students from John Harris, SciTech, Central Dauphin and Bishop McDevitt High Schools in the areas of team building, assessing community needs, fundraising, grant writing/evaluation, public speaking, and volunteerism. This year coaches and participants have been meeting at the Camp Curtin YMCA, as well as virtually.
RCH YCDT committee members include Marion Alexander, Meghan Bachmore, Gillian Byerly, Jennifer Doyle, Brad Gebhart (co-chair), Andy Phillips (co-chair), Jessica Ritchie and Jill Tenny.
While there are perceived and real outcomes of the YCDT program such as increased confidence in the participating students; transformed attitudes; broadened perspectives and new friendships plus increased understanding across cultural and socioeconomic boundaries, the specific objectives laid out by the Rotary Club of Harrisburg are to:
1) Increase students’ exposure to the greater Harrisburg community and their awareness of local resources.
2) Develop and improve students’ oral communication & presentation skills.
3) Increase students’ application of collaboration, negotiation, compromise, and persuasive skills.
4) Provide students with a forum to serve the community and demonstrate an impact.
These objectives of the YCDT program are achieved through a REAL experience. Participants identify a specific area of community focus, raise money toward providing a solution to that need and select a community organization to receive the YCDT grant funding and participant community service hours.
This year’s YCDT members chose to dedicate efforts on mental health issues facing young people. Request for proposals were written and send into the community with an astounding record of 22 returned requests.
On February 16, RCH coaches and the participants (via Zoom) discussed how to successfully prepare for the critical step of raising the $5,000. RCH coaches with incredible credentials in fundraising included Gillian Byerly and Jessica Ritchie leading an hour-long session on peer-to-peer fundraising. Content included having a personal plan, leveraging personal contacts, planning the pitch and learning how to make “the ask.” Jennifer Doyle led a discussion on “What Makes A Good Grant Application.” The students broke into breakout groups and narrowed the 22 grant applicants to five finalists.
To spur competition, the participants are divided into teams. This year’s six teams chose the names Forces L’invissible, Makin A Difference, Turtle League, Team Penguin and Crew Leaders.
The “Forces” create their team poster.
The teams also incorporated modern-day technology into their fundraising plan. They will use an online donation platform, business cards with QR codes, Instagram and Tiktok to add new dimensions to raising the important funds needed to address the needs of the selected final request recipient.
The students will interview representatives from the five finalists and select a winning grant recipient on Wednesday, May 18.
RCH members were encouraged to make contributions to the YCDT by April 30, 2022. Social media apps were customized for members and traditional checks can be sent to Harrisburg Rotary Foundation re: YCDT, 3310 Market Street, Rear 2nd Floor, Suite A, Camp Hill, PA 17011.
Team “Make’n a Difference” present their poster to the group.
Founding Youth Community Development Team Plan Hits New Levels of Philanthropic Importance
The Mechanicsburg Rotary Club as part of its ongoing support to the Mechanicsburg Area Meals on Wheels (MAMOW) replaced the deteriorated door to the the walk-in freezer/refrigerator and assembled new storage racks. Funding for the $3,872.70 project provided by the club plus a matching grant from The Rotary Foundation via the local Rotary District 7390.
(L to R): Tom Burson, Treasurer, Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg (RCM), Chuck Sutton, K&D installer; John Mengel, Vice President, MAMOW and member RCM; and Zack Wileman, K&D installer. Pictured with the installed new door on February 3, 2022.
The Mechanicsburg Rotary Club replaced the deteriorated door to the the walk-in freezer/refrigerator and assembled new storage racks. Funding for the $3,872.70 project provided by the club plus a matching grant from The Rotary Foundation via the local Rotary District 7390.
The Mechanicsburg Area Meals on Wheel (MAMOW) has a walk-in freezer/refrigerator which is attached as a permanent part of the building structure. The door is opened and closed dozens of times a day, so after roughly 20 years the bottom seals and hinges are worn out. The bottom structure is warped is such a way the automatic closure does not function. Parts were not available to repair. The project replaced the entire door with a retro fitted door assembly. The door was attached to the wall and included extending the temperature monitoring gages and light switch on the new frame. The range was purchased from and installed by K&D Factory Services, Inc., Harrisburg, PA.
(L to R): John Petire, Club Foundation Chair; Dave Burns, member; Darrell Westby, Member; and John Mengel, club member and MAMOW Vide-President. Pictured with just assembled new racks on January 19, 2022.
The existing racks were deteriorated and unstable. Club members assembled new racks which were provided by MAMOW as part of this project.
MAMOW prepares and delivers over 49,000 meals annually to the homebound who are unable to prepare meals for themselves. MAMOW's meals are home-cooked. Each client receives, one hot and one cold meal three times a week. MAMOW has one paid executive director who oversees the meal preparation with over 230 volunteers, cooking, packing, and delivering. The service area includes two Boroughs and six Townships. There are over 160 clients currently, but there is a need to serve more as the populations in the service areas continue to grow. MAMOW does not accept any state or federal fun
On April 24th starting at 12pm (with 11am pre-registration), the 5K Run for Education organized by the Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg North will be taking place at the Panther Prowl, an event organized by the East Pennsboro Panther Foundation and East Pennsboro High School Track Team at the East Pennsboro High School Track in Enola, PA. The One Mile Color Fun Run for kids begins at 1pm and will feature a Color run through obstacles. There will be medals for top female and male runners in the 5K Run for Education and medals for ages groups in the One Mile Color Fun Run. Proceeds from the 5K Run for Education will go for sponsorships for deserving seniors in the East Pennsboro High, Cumberland Valley High and Cumberland-Perry Vocational Techincal schools. Proceeds from the One Mile Color Fun Event will benefit the East Pennsboro Panther Foundation and East Pennsboro High School Track Team. Medals will be given for best times by sex and age group at the both 5K Run and One Mile Color Fun Run
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 24th (Sunday)
ROTARY 4-WAY TEST ESSAY CONTEST DEADLINE IS APPROACHING. This is a reminder for those clubs participating in, or thinking about participating in, the Rotary 4-Way Test Essay Contest. Your club's winning essay is due to be submitted to the district office no later than March 11, 2022. This year's essay topic is "Is it the Truth? How I Define What is True in my Life." Full details about the contest can be found on the District Website: https://www.rotary7390.org/page/four-way-test-essay-contest and please feel free to contact Steve Grubb with any questions at stevengrubb@comcast.net. We look forward to reading your club's winning essay!
Rotary Club of Harrisburg met on the last Monday of January at the Camp Curtin YMCA to assemble period supply kits for Harrisburg students, in a partnership with the Period Project Harrisburg.
Rotary members used an assembly line process to organize sanitary supplies and packed approximately 300 kits for distribution. The kits will be distributed to teens with periods by L.O.O.P.’s after school programs. The hygiene supplies were donated to the Period Project through a donation drive coordinated by the ZONTA Club of Harrisburg-Hershey.
Participating in the assembly line process were Past President Andy Rebuck, Karen Good, Nancy Fodor, Vice President Ellen Brown and President Matt Staub.
This Service Above Self project even caught the eye (camera) of Fox43 news, as well as ABC TV 27. A segment was aired on both stations numerous times and ABC 27 named the Rotary Club of Harrisburg as the week’s Home Town Heros. Rotary Executive Director Addeline Alaniz Edwards was interviewed. You can view the coverage at the following links.
As stated by Alaniz Edwards, period hygiene supplies are an expensive need that is often overlooked by social programs. People with periods are often embarrassed to ask for them, and they may miss school or work or even risk their health by following unsafe hygiene practices.
You can view footage from the Fox43 by clicking on this link.
Paul Thompson has been a member of the Rotary Club of Hershey for the past 15 years. Paul served on the District Global Grant Scholarship committee, President of the Hershey Rotary Club a member of the Board of the Hershey Club, and has been involved with Rotary Youth Exchange.
Paul and his Rotarian wife Maria have four grown children who participated with them in various Rotary projects. Two of their children were outbound youth exchange students and as a family they hosted eleven inbound youth exchange students.
Paul’s academic degrees include a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Security Studies, a Doctorate and a Master of Jurisprudence, and a Doctorate of Law and Policy. He has travelled to six continents, lived in several nations for extended periods of time, and he is conversant in German, French, and Turkish.
In his professional career, Paul was a Naval officer for 25 years. He was assigned to operational assignments as a line officer on Amphibious deployment in the Mediterranean and Atlantic; as an attached in the U.S. Embassy in Turkey; as a JAGC officer in trial and appellate military justice positions; and in front-office policy assignments as Chief counsel to the Commander of Atlantic Naval Air Force and to the Chief of Naval Operations, and as an Executive Assistant to three successive National Security Advisors, while a staff member at the National Security Council.
Following his career in the Navy, Paul turned to Academic pursuits. He served for over a decade as a Professor of Law and National Security at the National War College in Washington, and the for the past decade as Associate Professor of Homeland Security at Penn State University.
Rotary District 7390 Governor 2024-2025 Nominated!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR A PRESIDENT ELECT PICNIC AT ADAMS COUNTY WINERY! On Saturday, June 11, Noon – 3 PM, all Club President Elects are invited to a FREE picnic hosted at Adams County Winery, 531 Peach Tree Rd, Orrtanna, PA hosted by DGE Juliet and the District Leadership Team.This is a family event so bring the kids and partners for a fun OUTDOOR gathering to make new friends, get energized about your year ahead, and celebrate warm weather and a time of connection at long last!Food for grilling and beverages will be provided. Wine and beer will be available for purchase from the winery!Register at:https://rotary7390.org/event/president-elect-picnic/. Special thanks are extended to PDG John Kramb and the owner of Adams County Winery for donating the space.
The District Governor and Club President Installation is happening Thursday, June 23rd from 5 PM – 7:30 PM at the Lodge at Liberty Forge, Mechanicsburg. This will be a CASUAL event with an outdoor cocktail hour. REGISTRATION IS NOW LIVE at: https://rotary7390.org/event/district-governor-installation/
“Rotary District 7390 Club Presidents 2022-2023” LinkedIn Group: DGE Juliet has formed a LinkedIn group for 2022-2023 D7390 Club Presidents. This group will be a way for current President Elects to connect with one another, offer support, share best practices, and stay informed from District Leadership about the latest District and RI news both during their time as President Elects and as Presidents in the 2022-2023 Rotary Year. Look for the group on LinkedIn and submit a request to join!
As the Omicron variant continues to surge in our District, the District Safety Committee is committed to educating Rotarians on the latest CDC Guidance and best practices which prevent transmission of COVID-19. This topic will be a regular feature in the Rotary Reporter.
COVID-19 Prevalence in District Counties as of 1/14/22 ranges from 35 – 42% in our District. (Source:https://bit.ly/3riOcvr )
Pennsylvania statistics over one week period 1/7 – 1/14 (Source:https://bit.ly/3riOcvr )
Newly reported cases: 138,930 to 159,928
Positivity rate: 33% to 36%
Average daily COVID Hospitalizations: 5711 to 7516
Average daily COVID 19 on ventilators: 613-664
Safety Precautions
Masking is still recommended indoors by the CDC regardless of vaccination status for all the counties in our Rotary district due to COVID-19 positivity rates exceeding 5% . The most effective masks to wear to prevent acquiring and transmitting the highly contagious Omicron variant are surgical masks particularly when participating in indoor group activities. Read more at: https://time.com/6139169/n95-best-mask-omicron-covid-19/
Rotary International Position Statement on COVID-19 Vaccination
On December 17, 2021, RI President Shekhar Mehta and TRF Chair, John Germ published the position statement of Rotary International on COVID 19 vaccination. Key points included support for global COVID-19 vaccines and a call to action for Rotarians to support vaccination in their communities and combat misinformation. To read the full statement go to: https://bit.ly/3I6oGjP.
On Thursday, January 20th, incoming Rotary International President Jennifer Jones announced her presidential theme “Imagine Rotary”. During her presentation to District Governor Elects from around the world she focused on dreaming “big” and harnessing the powering of partnerships to turn dreams into reality. Key goals asked of every incoming District Governor were to charter two new Rotary clubs in their district and achieve Rotary International’s goal of membership comprised of 30% women. Click here to read more about her inspirational presentation!
Rotary International President Elect Jennifer Jones announces 2022-2023 Presidential Theme
So, come and compete to take home the title and trophy of being this year’s District 7390 “Rotary Cornhole Champion” along with $100 seed money to go toward your club’s next service project.
In addition to the regular prizes of up to $250 in cash cards for the overall winning teams, this year we’ve added this special new Rotary Champion category and prize for the top-performing team in our district. Other gift cards and two ABC Mug Club memberships will also be raffled off throughout the day.
Ticket prices include a buffet and one complimentary beverage per person. You can continue to enjoy your favorite ABC brews at the cash bar throughout the event.
Registration cost:
$50 per team of two
$10 per person for a spectator ticket
So, come and join the Harrisburg Keystone Rotary Club on Saturday, March 26 from 11 am – 4 pm for a fun afternoon of Cornhole, Beer, and Rotary Fellowship at the Appalachian Brewing Company on 50 N. Cameron St. in Harrisburg. Hang out with friends, make new ones, 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!
It begins tomorrow! From February 12 through 19 you can support The Rotary Foundation (TRF) and receive 100 Foundation points. This will be the only time this Rotary year that matching points will be offered.
Why are matching points important? Matching points help members become a Paul Harris Fellow, a designation for those supporting TRF with a combined total of 1,000 (cash and points). Earned points are banked in your Rotary account and when cash and points reach 1,000, the individual becomes a Paul Harris Fellow and receives recognition from TRF.
This current Share Some Love promotion being conducted this week of Valentine Day is described below. Thanks for supporting TRF so Rotary can do more to Serve to Change Lives.
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 Share Fund or the PolioPlus Fund between February 12 & 19, 2022 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:
Donate on-line by clicking here! 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 to secure the form. Mail the completed form to the 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.
Enroll in The Rotary Foundation’s recurring giving program, Rotary Direct. Click here to go to the Rotary Direct Enrollment Form.
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.
Only contributions made between February 12 & 19 are eligible.
9:00 AM– 11:00 AM: Learn from Conflict Resolution expert Nabil Oudeh as he teaches us techniques in navigating difficult conversations and building positive relationships in our clubs. President Barry Buckingham, Rotary Club of Colonial Park will build on Nabil’s teaching points to showcase how his club worked to engage and energize its members.
11:00 AM -12:30 PM: PRE-PETS session for President Elects
As the Omicron variant continues to surge in our District, the District Safety Committee is committed to educating Rotarians on the latest CDC Guidance and best practices which prevent transmission of COVID-19. This topic will be a regular feature in the Rotary Reporter.
COVID-19 Prevalence in District Counties as of 1/14/22. (Source:https://bit.ly/3riOcvr )
Average daily COVID Hospitalizations: 5711 to 7516
Average daily COVID 19 on ventilators: 613-664
Safety Precautions
Masking is still recommended indoors by the CDC regardless of vaccination status for all the counties in our Rotary district due to COVID-19 positivity rates exceeding 5% . The most effective masks to wear to prevent acquiring and transmitting the highly contagious Omicron variant are surgical masks particularly when participating in indoor group activities. Read more at: https://time.com/6139169/n95-best-mask-omicron-covid-19/
Rotary International Position Statement on Vaccination
On December 17, 2021, RI President Shekhar Mehta and TRF Chair, John Germ published the position statement of Rotary International on COVID 19 vaccination. To read the full statement go to: https://bit.ly/3I6oGjP. Key points of the statement are:
Global vaccination is the path to ending the pandemic and the emergence of new variants.
Rotary endorses and strongly encourages vaccination for all individuals including our members who are currently able to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
In areas where COVID-19 is surging, communities are facing extreme challenges, health systems are overwhelmed, and contentious rhetoric is dividing us. It is critical that the virus be contained so that the world may begin to heal.
Misinformation has become an “infodemic” that hinders the fight against COVID-19. In line with our Four-Way Test, Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation are committed to providing our members with science-based information.
Those children for whom vaccines are not currently available are at significant risk. Until vaccines are available for all children, the vaccination of adults is the best way to protect children who cannot be vaccinated. Pediatric admissions for COVID-19 are rising precipitously in areas of low vaccination.
Rotary salutes health care workers everywhere as they continue to provide lifesaving services. Local recognition of these heroes by each of our clubs can help to encourage them to continue their important work. Rotary abhors any harassment and attacks on healthcare workers.
Vaccines have proven to be one of the greatest advances of modern medicine. The World Health Organization estimates that vaccines save between 2 to 3 million children’s lives each year, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative estimates the polio vaccine has saved more than 19 million children from paralysis.
Vaccines are safe, effective and are responsible for eliminating or controlling many other vaccine-preventable diseases such as smallpox, measles, rubella, and Ebola. And now, there is the opportunity to end the COVID-19 pandemic through vaccines.
Need an out-of-the-ordinary gift for Valentine’s Day? No worries, the Rotary Club of Lancaster Penn Square has you covered with their sixth annual Hearts for Lancaster and Pets fundraiser. Celebrate your love by selecting a sentiment below which will be displayed on a heart on a lamppost in downtown Lancaster.
Proceeds from our “lovely” fundraiser will fund projects which will positively impact the people of Lancaster.
We will beginhanging hearts on February 2nd and take them down on February 19th. So, take your special someone for a stroll downtown to search for your heart and while you are there grab a drink, lunch or dinner, and shop!
When the hearts are taken down at the end of the celebration, they will be recycled and/or resold next year. However, if you would like to physically purchase and keep your heart, the cost would be an additional $45. Let us know if you would like this option at lpsrotary@gmail.com and we will make arrangements for payment and delivery. Orders will not be taken after February 8th.
Do you feel motivated to action? Five tornadoes ripped into Kentucky and multiple states on December 11th. How will our District respond? Will we send funding to D6710 in Kentucky? Will we raise funds for a specific identified project? Maybe we send volunteers to rebuild homes? What other types of disaster relief should D7390 coordinate? Unfortunately, Mother Nature continues to cause havoc and destruction in the form of hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and earthquakes – there is no end to the assistance we can provide.
Can you serve on the Disaster Relief Committee? Our current committee has been active for fifteen years, it is now time to identify new, younger, freshly inspired Rotarians.
At this writing, damage across Kentucky and several other states is being evaluated. Disaster relief organizations will make decisions on where help is needed; they will identify those families eligible for rebuilding assistance; and they will establish volunteer housing locations. All of this takes time, several months. In the meantime, D7390 would like to know who may be interested in traveling to a disaster area for a week to restore homes. All skill levels are needed and welcome.
You can celebrate Rotary International’s 117th birthday, raise funds for The Rotary Foundation TRF) and have fun on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. The Gala will begin virtually at 8:00 PM Eastern Time.
The Gala will be packed with messages from Rotary leaders including Jennifer Jones, Rotary International President Elect, updates on Foundation programs, and entertainment by such groups as the One Voice Children’s Choir.
Your Gala ticket includes a TRF contribution of $100. Your gifts will be a fully credited donation to TRF and you will receive a charitable tax receipt and related Paul Harris Fellow points. District 7390 will receive full credit toward our Foundation Goals.
All donations to TRF will be distributed 75% going to the Annual Fund and 25% going to the PolioPlus Fund. The portion credited to the PolioPlus Fund will be matched 2 to 1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Zones 28 and 32 represent 43 districts in Canada, France, Bermuda, and the northeastern United States. Last year $200,000 was raised for the Foundation.
When members of the Rotary Club of the West Shore heard that Mission Central was low on winter hats, gloves, and scarves, they assembled the masses and collected items to help those in need keep warm. Several hundred items were collected on short notice… just in time for the bitter cold temps that are in the forecast.
Pictured L to R: Club president Rod Hite, Erin Sunday, Bim Arthun, and Mission Central’s Stephanie Titzel.
It's time. In fact, there is no better time than now. We have more knowledge, more resources and more OPPORTUNITIES than ever in the history of Rotary. NOW is the time to take ACTION! Who must take action? WE must take action. WE the District, WE the Club, WE the Rotarian. What kind of ACTION?
Last week, my newly moved-in neighbor came across the street and introduced himself. We chatted for a while about neighborhood things... about neighborly things... and then he asked... "Do you know if there are any service organizations around here"?
Say what!!?? He beat ME to the question! Shame on me.
Folks, there are members of our community who are looking for ways to give back.
I was having coffee with a business associate a few months back. During our conversation he spoke of how he and a few other business folks in his community were looking for ways to help their town. Guess what WE talked about for the next 20 minutes ... :)
We are putting together a team to help our clubs and our members learn how to better Grow their Rotary.
In addition, we have put together a presentation to offer to all clubs during their regular meeting that discusses: The State of Membership, Types of Membership and ideas on how to build membership. Let's work together to spread the news of Rotary... to share the Opportunity of Rotary with all who wish to have a hand in making their world a better place.
Reach out to me to join the team or to schedule a club presentation. I can't wait to see what we can do together!!
We want to thank all the amazing volunteers form the York East Rotary who have continued to help us in our Christmas red kettle efforts. We also want to thank all the people in the community and the donors who have donated to our red kettles. It's because of you that we can continue to provide our rental, utilities, & food services, adult & youth programs, after-school programs, and many more to our wonderful York community.
Thank you and God bless! Pictured: Bill and Carolyn Gierasch
York-East Participates in the Salvation Army Red Kettle Efforts
Rotary Club of Lancaster South and the Interact Club of Lampeter Strasburg, a Rotary affiliate, participated in the Wreaths Across America program at Ft Indiantown Gap on Saturday, December 18, 2021. Rotary Club of Lancaster South sent 3 participants and Lampeter Strasburg sent 16 people to help other groups lay over 41,000 wreaths on the headstones of soldiers interred at the military installation. The goal was to lay a wreath on every eligible grave. An hour long ceremony preceded the wreath laying effort.
Lancaster-South Participates in Wreaths Across America
Five tornadoes ripped into Kentucky and multiple states overnight Saturday, December 11, 2021. The storm originated in Arkansas and touched down in Missouri and Tennessee before making its way into western and central Kentucky.
Our District, 7390, has a long history of helping communities devastated by natural disasters. We have gathered funding and volunteers to provide relief supplies, building materials and volunteers to rebuild homes, and funding to re-establish libraries.
In Kentucky there are immediate needs: homes have been destroyed, Christmas trees and presents lost, employment ended. District 6710 in western and central Kentucky has started a Disaster Relief drive.
MONETARY DONATIONS can be made to:
Additionally, D6710 is collecting GIFT CARDS for food, gas, etc., to support displaced disaster victims. Please send only gift cards for major retailers or Visa, Master Card gift cards.
Gift Cards can be sent to: DG Gail Story, 2215 Outer Circle Drive, Crestwood, KY 40014.
We are sending you this information now since there are immediate needs and you may desire to make a donation before year end.
As D7390 has done in the past, we will continue to monitor the extent of recovery needs. We will keep you informed as specific projects may develop that require financial support or the need for volunteers to restore homes.
If you have any questions/recommendations, do not hesitate to contact: Peg Sennett, 717-630-8281, pegsennett@hotmail.com.
Holiday Greetings from the District 7390 Leadership Team.
Wishing you and your family a healthy and happy 2022!
Pictured from left to right PDG John Anthony, DGE Juliet Altenburg, DG Greg Staub, and DGN Fred Gellert. Missing from photo District Secretary Melissa Kopp-Smith
The Rotary Club of the West Shore recently made a generous donation to the Camp Hill Fire Department for a new projector screen in their training room. We are happy to support our first responders who do so much to keep us and our communities safe!
Pictured left to right: Bim Arthun, President-Elect of The Rotary Club of the West Shore, Mark Simpson, Chief of Camp Hill Fire Co., Jack Sellers, President of Camp Hill Fire Co., H. Rod Hite, President of The Rotary Club of the West Shore
West Shore Makes Donation to Camp Hill Fire Department
Friday 2/25 and Saturday 2/26 - Mid Atlantic PETS in Valley Forge PA: Meet incoming RI President Jennifer Jones and have fun networking and learning with President Elects from four Rotary districts. Registration is now LIVE. Register at http://www.mapets.org/.
NEW “Rotary District 7390 Club Presidents 2022-2023” LinkedIn Group: DGE Juliet Altenburg has formed a new LinkedIn group for 2022-2023 D7390 Club Presidents. This group will be a way for current President Elects to connect with one another, offer support, share best practices, and stay informed from District Leadership about the latest District and RI news both during their time as President Elects and as Presidents in the 2022-2023 Rotary Year. Look for the group on LinkedIn and submit a request to join!
2022-2023 Club President Training and Networking Opportunities
We see the decision to vaccinate as a civic and humanitarian imperative. Rotary is not a political or religious organization, it is a service organization and this is the lens through which we are advising you of our position.
Global vaccination is the path to ending the pandemic and the emergence of new variants. Rotary endorses and strongly encourages vaccination for all individuals including our members who are currently able to be vaccinated against COVID-19. In areas where COVID-19 is surging, communities are facing extreme challenges, health systems are overwhelmed, and contentious rhetoric is dividing us. It is critical that the virus be contained so that the world may begin to heal. To that end, the purpose of this statement is to reinforce Rotary’s position.
Misinformation has become an “infodemic” that hinders the fight against COVID-19. In line with our Four-Way Test, Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation are committed to providing our members with science-based information.
Rotary International staff at One Rotary Center were required to be vaccinated by 10 October 2021, as a criterion for employment after that date. RI’s employee vaccination rate stands at over 99 percent.
Globally, Rotary is actively engaged in assuring equity in vaccine access to all people. Our efforts have included advocacy with the G-20, and a proof-of-concept program with GAVI/COVAX to leverage our frontline experience with polio eradication to facilitate vaccine delivery in several low- and middle-income countries where Rotarians are active. While we know many clubs are already deeply involved in COVID-19 prevention, we are working on additional strategies to multiply our collective efforts. GAVI/COVAX is a partnership including WHO and UNICEF focused on global access and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines.
Those children for whom vaccines are not currently available are at significant risk. Until vaccines are available for all children, the vaccination of adults is the best way to protect children who cannot be vaccinated. Pediatric admissions for COVID-19 are rising precipitously in areas of low vaccination.
Rotary salutes health care workers everywhere as they continue to provide lifesaving services. Local recognition of these heroes by each of our clubs can help to encourage them to continue their important work. Rotary abhors any harassment and attacks on healthcare workers.
Rotary and Rotaract clubs are encouraged to
set good examples by being exemplary role models;
redouble their efforts to support COVID-19 treatment, prevention, and vaccination efforts.
Vaccines have proven to be one of the greatest advances of modern medicine. The World Health Organization estimates that vaccines save between 2 to 3 million children’s lives each year, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative estimates the polio vaccine has saved more than 19 million children from paralysis. Vaccines are safe, effective and are responsible for eliminating or controlling many other vaccine-preventable diseases such as smallpox, measles, rubella, and Ebola. And now, there is the opportunity to end the COVID-19 pandemic through vaccines.
The eradication of polio remains a goal of the highest order for Rotary. We can apply the lessons we have learned in fighting polio to the efforts in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regards,
Shekhar Mehta John Germ President, Rotary International Chair, The Rotary Foundation
Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation’s Position Statement on COVID-19 Vaccination
With the conclusion of the 2021 Council on Resolutions (COR), I am pleased to provide you with the Report of Action. In this report, you will find: • A letter from Council Services • Resolutions that were adopted • Vote tallies for the adopted items
Voting results for all 2021 resolutions can be found on My Rotary.
Please note that the deadline for submitting resolutions to the 2022 COR is 30 June 2022. A link to the submission form, plus helpful resources, can be found on the Councils page of My Rotary.
Little League: President Jackie Summers presents a check to Al Sykes of the York City Little League for $2,500 from proceeds from the Rotary Club of York’s 2021 Love Fore Community Fundraiser.
YWCA: President Jackie Summers presents a check for $10,000 to Jean Treuthart, CEO of the York YWCA. This donation was from proceeds from the Rotary Club of York’s 2021 Love Fore Community Fundraiser and will be used to support the YWCA’s Racial Justice programs.
On December 11, 2021 York East Rotary helped to expand and organize the food pantry at the First Church of The Brethren on Kingston Road in York, Pa. In addition to awarding a $5,000 grant to the project for shelving, refrigerator and supplies, club members joined church members to move the pantry into the new space. This ongoing generosity has enabled us to address the needs in our community, including food insecurity, which has unfortunately increased due to the effects of the pandemic.
The York-East Rotary has awarded $10,000 in grants to 4 local nonprofits in the York community. Each year the York-East Rotary 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.
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 for left to right:
Randy Byrnes – Cornerstone Youth Home
Laura O’Grady – York Day Nursery
Chris Izzo - York East Rotary Grant Committee Chairman
Mary Esther Andersen – First Church of the Brethren
Carlisle Rotary Clubs present a check for over $26,500 to Safe Harbour. The funds were raised during Rotary’s annual holiday auction. Pictured from left to right are David Kammerer, President of the Carlisle Sunrise Rotary Club, Geoff Mangelsdorf, President of the Carlisle Rotary Club, Scott Shewell, Safe Harbour President and CEO and Paul Edger, Chairman of Safe Harbour’s Board of Directors.
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 Safe Harbour, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides a continuum of housing and supportive services for homeless and nearly homeless individuals and families in our communities.
Given the amount that Rotary has raised during previous auctions, a goal of $20,000 was set to be applied toward Safe Harbour’s $30,000 planned renovation of their emergency shelter bathrooms that are essential to keep their residents safe and healthy. To reach this goal, Rotary’s auction had two components this year. First, an online auction to allow community participation, and second, a silent and live auction conducted during Rotary’s annual dinner at the Comfort Suites on 10 December.
The online auction bidding took place from 3 to 10 December and raised just over $2,000. The dinner auctions raised over $5,800. Additionally, over $17,300 was raised in sponsorships by members and friends of both Rotary Clubs bringing the total for the auction to over $26,500. Achieving this goal was only possible thanks to the generosity of Rotarians and local businesses who donated items to be auctioned.
While Rotary’s dinner was cancelled last year due to COVID, club members were extremely happy to be back in person for their annual gala. As has become a tradition, each club recognized the recipient of their annual distinguished Rotarian award. The Carlisle Sunrise Rotary Club recognized Past President Dodie Wise as the “Buzz Coho Distinguished Service Citation” recipient The Carlisle Rotary Club recognized Past President Dan Monken as their “Four-Way Test Award” recipient. Also recognized with the Paul Harris Fellow Award was John W. Gleim, Jr. for his outstanding support of the Sunrise Club’s tree planting project along the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail.
Carlisle Rotary Auction Exceeds Goal, Raises Over $26,500 For Safe Harbour
There is always something to learn about Rotary. That is the nature of a dynamic organization responding to change. And we have had our share of change!
Join us via Zoom on February 17, 2022 from 5:30 – 6:30 for an interactive overview of Rotary Basics.
We will highlight the basics of Rotary International and its philanthropic arm, The Rotary Foundation, as well as offering resources available through our District 7390 and your local Club. Initially promoted as a new member orientation, this one-hour recap is appropriate for any Rotarian or prospective Rotarian, regardless of tenure.
With 1.2 million Rotarians around the world, there are nearly that many opportunities to engage. We want to help your Rotary passion burn bright!
The initiative is a tax efficient way for Rotarians to support The Rotary Foundation. You can make a difference today and save on taxes when you support The Rotary Foundation through your IRA.
Why Consider a Charitable Gift via an IRA?
Your gift will be used today, allowing you to see the impact during your lifetime.
You pay no federal income taxes on the transfer.
The transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so you benefit even if you do not itemize your deductions.
Fulfill existing pledges or use your IRA to make a new three-year pledge, and receive recognition in the pledge year to achieve Major Donor or Arch Klumph Society.
There could be opportunities to establish a named fund with gifts or commitments of $25,000 or more.
Know as a trusted steward of your gift, The Rotary Foundation will use your investment to help make the world a better place!
You are encouraged to seek the advice of your financial and/or legal advisor to determine if this is the best strategy for you.
Planning for the Future? An individual retirement account can also be used as a tax-wise giving strategy if you’re considering including The Rotary Foundation in your estate plans. To include the Foundation as a beneficiary, please use the legal name and federal tax ID listed below. Legal name: The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International Legal address: 1560 Sherman Ave, Evanston, IL 60201-3698 - Federal tax ID number: 36-3245072.
Share the good news of your bequest by notifying your Foundation representative or report it at www.rotary.org/yourlegacy.
Questions? Contact PDG Kevin Cogan at kcogan71@gmail.com
Saturday 2/19 – PRE-PETS at Messiah College from 9 AM – 2 PM. A portion of this day will be available to all Rotarians. Stay tuned for more information and registration link by January.
Friday 2/25 and Saturday 2/26 - Mid Atlantic PETS in Valley Forge PA: Meet incoming RI President Jennifer Jones and have fun networking and learning with President Elects from four Rotary districts. Registration is now LIVE. Register at http://www.mapets.org/.
NEW “Rotary District 7390 Club Presidents 2022-2023” LinkedIn Group: DGE Juliet Altenburg has formed a new LinkedIn group for 2022-2023 D7390 Club Presidents. This group will be a way for current President Elects to connect with one another, offer support, share best practices, and stay informed from District Leadership about the latest District and RI news both during their time as President Elects and as Presidents in the 2022-2023 Rotary Year. Look for the group on LinkedIn and submit a request to join!
2022-2023 Club President Training and Networking Opportunities
We are excited to share that the District 7390 You Tube channel (“rotary7390”) has been relaunched and will feature all the latest District 7390 videos of District events and trainings. The most recent videos found there are those from the Foundation Dinner held at the Lodge at Liberty Forge on 11/18/21. We encourage you to share the following videos with your clubs and use them at your own events:
D7390 "Walk In" Video which played during the cocktail hour and could be used as a background video at club meetings or events: https://youtu.be/bx4CNK4MUPY
Additional videos featured at the Foundation Dinner posted on the site include:
Short video featuring D7390 global grant scholars Jenna and Katie who are studying in London and thanked us from afar: https://youtu.be/k1DXfmbTdNM
Thank You video from Dr. Mark Gestring, Chair of American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma Stop The Bleed (“STB”) program, thanking District 7390, Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg-North, and Penn State Holy Spirit Medical Center on supporting STB through distribution of bleeding control tourniquets which saved two lives: https://youtu.be/jcfnYsPQSMM
While there check out two fantastic District Membership trainings hosted by District Trainer PDG Una Martone featuring two RI recognized speakers on how to grow membership. These can be featured at club meetings or membership committee meetings.
Andy Rebuck’s wife, children and grandchildren devourered pancakes with Rotary smiles.
Pancakes, get your pancakes! For 24 years, the Rotary Club of Harrisburg (RCH) has flipped pancakes before the annual Homecoming parade and football game at the Harrisburg High School. Those pancakes feed nearly 1,000 hungry fans and most often raised approximately $30,000 supporting student initiatives.
The RCH Pancake Breakfast has not only raised thousands of scholarship dollars, but it has been a time of member camaraderie and Service Above Self benefiting students at the Harrisburg School District. Unfortunately, for a second year of Covid-related concerns the School was simply unable to safely open its doors for our volunteers and guests.
Undaunted, the RCH Pancake Breakfast Committee reimagined a means to transform pancakes into much needed scholarship funding for deserving HSD students, assistance for homeless students and the purchase of young persons’ dictionaries.
Under the theme of “Pancakes For A Purpose (PFAP)”, chairs Marion C. Alexander, Past President Karen Paris and “pancake flippin’” committee members have fashioned a way to raise money, engage RCH members and fill empty bellies with fantastically flipped pancakes.
The chairs were excited when members Steve Schwartz and Sue Ward-Diorio put forth a two-pronged idea.
First, the PFAP committee members delivered all the necessary fixings for a pancake breakfast to five different area organizations. The organizations in turn griddled and serve more than five hundred hungry folks.
RCH members packed pancake preparation pieces production style.
Second, each of the RCH members were asked to pledge $100 to the Harrisburg Rotary Foundation. The members received the pancake ingredients so they could flip cakes for family and friends. With plans for this to happen in the week of November 8, the committee asked the members to take lots of photos of everyone sharing in the great delights of a pancake breakfast. RCH added these photos to their wide-reaching website and social media. Participating members were entered into a raffle for fame, fortune and fun.
An attainable goal of $15,000 was set with a suggested stretch goal of $23,000. This would fund the $15,000 for student initiatives as well as supporting $8,000 for student college scholarships.
Area businesses and agencies also stepped up with title sponsors of UPMC and UPMC Health Plan and included generous support from Peggy Grove Enterprises, Highmark, M&T Bank, Harrisburg University, Hersha Hotels, Foundation for Enhancing Communities, Iron Valley Real Estate, Central PA Food Bank, Hospice of Central PA, MT Weatherization, Harrisburg Pharmacy, PA Media Group – Patriot New, Best Western Hershey, Harrisburg Public School Foundation, Parthemore Funeral Home, Mid Penn Bank and Edwin L. Heim Company. Lamar Outdoor will be providing billboards featuring Rotary throughout the area.
Member and sponsor support raised $22,500. Just as importantly, the creative thinking and implementation will feed pancakes to some hungry folks in the Harrisburg area and care for Harrisburg school children and college support for others.
Pancakes For A Purpose: Rotary Club of Harrisburg Members Never Let a Pandemic Get in the Way of Service..."We Just Get Creative!"
The 2021-2022 Rotary Four Way Test Speech Contest is underway! The 2022 Mid-Level Contests will be held virtually in February and March of 2022. Students who advance from club level competitions throughout Rotary District 7390 will be assigned to one of three Mid-Level Contests. Students will be contacted with the zoom details and login.
There is NO specific prompt for the 2021-2022 Four-Way Test Speech Contest. However, all speeches need to be based around the Rotary Four-Way Test.
Up to two students will advance from each Mid-Level Competition to compete at the Finale during the Rotary District 7390 Conference on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at the Best Western Premier The Central Hotel and Conference Center (800 East Park Drive, Harrisburg).
The Annual District 7390 Foundation dinner was held Thursday, November 18, 2021 at The Lodge at Liberty Forge in Mechanicsburg. There were approximately 110 Rotarians and guests in attendance. It was a wonderful evening that showcased the good works of the Clubs and Foundation related programs in our District.
The event started with a reception that honored the Major Donors, Paul Harris Society Members, Benefactors and Bequest Society Members in the District. DGN Fred Gellert gave remarks on the generosity of our District and commented briefly on how the funds donated are used. A spirited reception for all attendees immediately followed. At 6:00 p.m. DGE Juliet Altenburg invited everyone to take their seats and she welcomed the crowd.
Sharon Bailey Soullier (Southern York County) reported on a Global Grant Water Project the club is working on in the Dominican Republic in the Southwest portion near the Haiti border. They are applying for a global grant to provide funding to maintain a current well that will provide clean drinking water and also to drill a second well. The grant will include piping throughout the village and solar electricity.
DGE Juliet Altenburg presented on a District grant project the Mechanicsburg-North Rotary Club facilitated. They purchased tourniquets for the East Pennsboro Police Department. This was part of the Stop The Bleed program that also provided training to the Police Officers and other first responders on how to effectively apply the tourniquets. DGE Juliet told a story about a 10-year old boy whose life was saved by an East Pennsboro Police Officer who applied one of the tourniquets.
Rotary Global Grant scholarship chair Ed Hauck talked about the program and what some of our previous scholars are doing. These are impressive young people who are building careers in one of Rotary's seven areas of focus. We currently have two scholars that are both studying in Great Britain.
PDG John Kramb and IPDG John Anthony presented Foundation giving awards from the 2019-20 and 2020-21 Rotary years.
Congratulations to the Clubs that received Awards!
2019-2020 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 or all of the following during the Rotary year: Annual fund, Polio Plus fund, approved global grants or the Endowment fund. Carlisle-Sunrise, Eastern York County, Hanover, Lancaster-Hempfield, Northern Lebanon County, Palmyra, West Shore, York-North
Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) banners were presented to Clubs that achieved a minimum Annual Fund contribution of $100 per capita during the Rotary year, with every dues paying member contributing at least $100 to the Annual Fund during the 2020-2021 Rotary year.
Lancaster-Hempfield, Northern Lebanon County, York-North
These Clubs had the highest annual fund per capita giving in the 2019-2020 Rotary year: 1. Mechanicsburg 2. Hanover 3. Mechanicsburg-North
The EREY(Every Rotarian Every Year) 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 $100 to the Annual fund. The recipients are Carlisle-Sunrise, Northern Lebanon, Palmyra, and York-North!
The Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg received a Global Grant streamer for a water project in El Salvador.
The following Clubs are receiving a certificate of appreciation for their financial support to the End Polio Now: Countdown to History Campaign during the 2019-2020 Rotary year.
Carlisle, Elizabethtown, Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster Penn Square, Lancaster-Sunrise, Lititz, Mechanicsburg-North, Mount Joy, Uptown York, York, York-East, York-North
The following Clubs had the highest annual fund per capita giving in the 2020-21 Rotary year: 1. West York 2. Lititz 3. Harrisburg
The following Clubs had the highest annual fund giving during the 2020-2021 Rotary year: 1. Harrisburg 2. York 3. Lancaster
The following Clubs had the highest total Foundation Giving during the 2020-2021 Rotary year: 1. York 2. Harrisburg 3. Gettysburg
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 21, 2022. The interviews will be held February 12, 2022 and applicants MUST be available for the interviews on that date.
WHAT DOES THE ROTARY FOUNDATION DO WITH ITS MONEY?
The Rotary Foundation spends charitable contributions on multiple programs - from the eradication of polio, to scholarships, vocational training teams, Rotary Peace Centers, and humanitarian projects. The funds are used for programs and projects Rotarians feel passionate about. With a four-star rating by Charity Navigator for thirteen years in a row and 1.2 million Rotarians over-seeing the funds at a grassroots level, I have all the confidence in the world that our funds through Rotary are in amazing hands doing amazing work here and abroad.
You can read stories and see the details of our Foundation’s financials in our most recent Annual Report.
Shawn Smith and Daysha Illarza from the United Way reviewed the ALICE program with the York-East club. ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, is a new way of defining and understanding the struggles of households that earn above the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to afford a bare-bones household budget. For far too many families, the cost of living outpaces what they earn. These households struggle to manage even their most basic needs - housing, food, transportation, child care, health care, and necessary technology. When funds run short, cash-strapped households are forced to make impossible choices, such as deciding between quality childcare or paying the rent, filling a prescription or fixing the car. These short-term decisions have long-term consequences not only for ALICE families, but for all of us. ALICE is your child care worker, the cashier at your supermarket, the gas attendant, the salesperson at your big box store, your waitress, a home health aide, an office clerk. ALICE cannot always pay the bills, has little or nothing in savings, and is forced to make tough choices such as deciding between quality child care or paying the rent. One unexpected car repair or medical bill can push these financially strapped families over the edge. In York County, 32% of households live below the ALICE threshold. With no savings and already unable to afford basic necessities, already fragile ALICE households are now facing the unprecedented economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lost wages or tips, disruptions to child care and school-based support, and increased medical bills can all impact ALICE’s survival budget. United Way of York County helps bridge the gap for financially struggling families with short-term support and also helps build a path to self-sufficiency for the future. Impactful long-term solutions through the United Way of York County Impact Fund has improved the quality of life for many York County Families
On Saturday morning, October 6th, nine members of the York North Rotary Club picked up litter on a 2 1/2 mile section of Greenbriar Road in York. As part of the Adopt-A-Highway program, York North picks up litter along this road in both the spring and the fall.
Passes for cooking classes, antique child’s desk, golf packages, sports memorabilia, gift cards galore, memberships, and so much more await you! These unique items are up for bid December 3-10 at https://www.32auctions.com/CarlisleRotaryAuction2021. This online charity auction is hosted by The Rotary Club of Carlisle and the Rotary Club of Carlisle-Sunrise as explained in the auction brochure.
Proceeds from this year’s auction benefit Safe Harbour, a non-profit organization that provides a continuum of housing and supportive services for homeless and nearly homeless individuals and families in our communities. “We are very thankful that the Rotary Clubs chose Safe Harbour this year,” says Scott Shewell, Safe Harbour’s President and CEO. “Our historic building requires a comprehensive renovation of our emergency shelter bathrooms to keep our residents safe and healthy. The projected cost of the renovations is $30,000.”
Rotary's goal for the auction is to surpass $20,000. And, things are off to a great start. More than $14,000 has already been raised through very generous sponsorships by Carlisle Rotarians. “Reaching our $20,000 goal through the online auction itself will depend on the community’s help and generosity,” says Carlisle Rotary Club President Geoff Mangelsdorf. “Local businesses have been very generous with their donations. We are hoping for maximum participation at our auction site or for people to simply send donations to provide support to Safe Harbour.”
David Kammerer, President of the Carlisle Sunrise Club, explains that over the past 20 years, Carlisle's two Rotary clubs have raised over $300,000 to support international water projects in Africa and Central America. He adds, “More recently, auctions have supported projects in the Carlisle community. In 2019, $20,000 was raised to support Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland and Perry Counties (DVSCP). Last year our first online auction raised $20,000 to support The Arc of Cumberland & Perry Counties (CPARC)”
Bill Blankmeyer, the Fundraising Chair for the auction notes the Carlisle Rotary Club Foundation is a 501(c) (3) organization, EIN: 16-1634172. If you have questions or would like to make a donation, please contact Blankmeyer at blankmeyer66@comcast.net or (717) 590-7229.
Carlisle Rotary Online Auction to Support Safe Harbour
District 7390 Global Grant Scholarship Committee Seeking Vice Chair
The Vice Chair would be an understudy to the current District Chair in order to prepare for the eventual assumption of District Chair responsibilities within five years.
A sampling of the personal experiences that could make you an excellent candidate:
Past Rotary International Foundation Ambassadorial or Global Grant Scholar
Graduate‐level study abroad
Extended Study Abroad (one year or longer) in a country where English is not the native language
Advisor or mentor at an institution of higher learning to students seeking foreign graduate level scholarships or fellowships
Participation in the selection and awarding of graduate scholarships or fellowships at an institution of higher learning
Experience with the Grant process of the Rotary International Foundation
Responsibilities of All Committee Members
Participation in annual Interviews and recommendation of Global Grant Scholarship candidates to the Rotary International Foundation
Willingness to remain in contact with assigned Global Grant Scholarship awardees during their year abroad and for a number of years after their return from their Global Grant Scholar (GGS) year, thus building a cadre of Global Grant Scholar alumni.
Fellow Rotarians and District Leaders, preparations for the 2022 Council on Legislation (COL) are in full swing. The COL is an in-person meeting where representatives gather every three years to debate and vote on legislation proposed by clubs, districts, the RI Board, the general council, or conference of RIBI, and the Council.
There are two types of legislation, enactments, and position statements. Enactments seek to change Rotary’s constitutional documents (the RI Constitution, RI Bylaws, and the Standard Rotary Club Constitution); whereas position statements seek to state a position of Rotary International and are only proposed by the Board of Directors.
Please CLICK HEREfor the Proposed legislation for the COL to be held in spring of 2022. If you have any inclination in one of the proposed enactments, please let me know by emailing your points of view. I will certainly consider it before deciding on it.
Statements of Support and Opposition
Clubs and district conferences may use the online form to submit statements of support, opposition, or general comments regarding legislation. Click here for the online form.
Club statements must be submitted or confirmed by the club’s president and district statements must be submitted or confirmed by the governor.
Statements may be in support of, in opposition to, or as a comment on an item of legislation. You must explain why you are supporting, opposing, or wishing to make a general comment in the submission. Comments without substance, links to other materials, or comments that may be offensive will not be published at the discretion of the chair. For example, the statement “I support this item” does not include an explanation and would not be published.
The deadline for submitting statements is 10 January 2022 and they may not exceed 2,000 characters. A separate form should be used for each statement. Please note that it is our practice to merge substantially similar statements, with each submitter being listed on one statement.
If you have any questions about the information in this email or about the 2022 Council on Legislation, please do not hesitate to contact your COL representative PDG Hector Ortiz (richie1166@msn.com).
September 10, 2021 - the day before the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States - the Rotary Club of the West Shore held its Flags for Heroes Dedication Ceremony. Friends, family, sponsors, and heroes gathered to remember the sacrifices made by so many in our community and beyond.
We are grateful to our corporate sponsors and to each individual flag sponsor. Your decision to recognize a special someone has an extensive reach as proceeds from the event stay in the local community to help those in need.
Plans are already underway for the 2022 Flags for Heroes event. You won't want to miss it!
If the video does not display, please click here to view it!
Members of the Rotary Club of the West Shore were on hand to provide refreshments to walkers at the 2021 Vickie's Angel Walk which was held on Saturday, October 9, 2021.
Walkers were very appreciative to find free cold water along the route. Their appreciation turned to excitement when they also saw free candy!
While there were many "thank you" comments from the walkers, we especially appreciated hearing, "I knew you'd be here. Thank you for doing this for so many years."
The mission of Vickie's Angel Foundation is to provide temporary financial support to local families struggling to make ends meet during their battle with cancer. Vickie's husband, Mickey Minnich, started the walk in 2003 to honor his wife who lost her courageous battle with cancer that same year.
We are happy to support such a great event and program that helps those in need.
For more than two decades the Rotary Club of Harrisburg (RCH) Pancake Breakfast has not only raised thousands of scholarship dollars, but it has been a time of member camaraderie and service above self thus benefiting students at the Harrisburg School District. Unfortunately, a second year of Covid-related concerns has put the in-person fun fundraiser on hold.
Undaunted, the RCH Pancake Breakfast Committee has reimagined a means to transform pancakes into much needed scholarship funding for deserving HSD students, assistance for homeless students and the purchase of young persons’ dictionaries.
Under the theme of “Pancakes For A Purpose (PFAP)”, chairs Marion C. Alexander, Past President Karen Paris and “pancake flippin’” committee members have fashioned a way to raise money, engage RCH members and fill empty bellies with fantastically flipped pancakes.
This year’s Pancakes For A Purpose will embrace two different initiatives…both wrapped around those loveable round pancakes.
First, the PFAP committee members will deliver all the necessary fixings for a wonderful pancake breakfast to different area organizations. (Participating at publication time are: Bethesda Mission, Downtown Daily Bread and the Market Square Presbyterian Church Sunday morning feeding program. The organizations in turn will griddle and serve more than hundreds of hungry folks. The Rotary Club of Harrisburg offers a big, big “Thank You” those organizations.
Second, each of the RCH members are asked to pledge $100 to the Harrisburg Rotary Foundation. The members then will receive the pancake ingredients so they can flip some cakes for family and friends. With plans for this to happen in the week of November 8, the committee is also asking the members to take lots of photos of everyone sharing in the great delights of a pancake breakfast. RCH will then add these photos to their wide-reaching website and social media.
Participating members will be entered into a raffle for fame, fortune and fun.
The photographs in this article are from the 2019 Pancake Breakfast. Thank you RCH Rotarians.
Pancakes For A Purpose: Rotary Club of Harrisburg Members Never Let A Pandemic Get In The Way Of Service
Saturday 2/19 – PRE-PETS at Messiah College from 9 AM – 2 PM. A portion of this day will be available to all Rotarians. Stay tuned for more information and registration link by January.
Friday 2/25 and Saturday 2/26 - Mid Atlantic PETS in Valley Forge PA: Meet incoming RI President Jennifer Jones and have fun networking and learning with President Elects from four Rotary districts. Registration goes live in mid-November at http://www.mapets.org/.
NEW “Rotary District 7390 Club Presidents 2022-2023” LinkedIn Group: DGE Juliet Altenburg has formed a new LinkedIn group for 2022-2023 D7390 Club Presidents. This group will be a way for current President Elects to connect with one another, offer support, share best practices, and stay informed from District Leadership about the latest District and RI news both during their time as President Elects and as Presidents in the 2022-2023 Rotary Year. Look for the group on LinkedIn and submit a request to join!
2022-2023 Club President Training and Networking Opportunities
The Heine Weber Smoke House which is located on the grounds of the 1719 Herr House Museum, has been in need of a new roof. Thanks to a grant from the Rotary Club of Lancaster South, the smoke house now has that new roof. The smoke house is an integral part of the museum, providing visitors with the experience of an important element of food preservation in the 18th century. Smoking pork shoulders, hams and bacon was an effective way of preserving meat for families who could afford to do so. During the annual Maize and Snitz Festival each October, the smokehouse is opened up and visitors can see and learn about the process of smoking meat. The 1719 Herr House, built in that year by Christian and Anna Herr, is the oldest surviving house in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It is the oldest original Mennonite meeting house still standing in the Western Hemisphere. The repair work was completed by Ashlin Woods Carpentry, Inc. The grant was a joint contribution from the Rotary Club of Lancaster South and Rotary District 7390.
Lancaster-South Uses Grant to Repair Smoke House roof of 1719 Herr House Museum
2022 Mid Atlantic President Elect Training (PETS) – This mandatory education for all current President Elects is taking place in-person Friday February 25th and Saturday, February 26, 2022 with an optional evening of education on Thursday, February 24th. Location: Valley Forge Hotel and Casino in Valley Forge, PA. EXCITING NEWS: 2022-2023 RI President Jennifer Jones will be joining us in person as a keynote speaker! To read more go to http://www.mapets.org/ Registration will go live on November 1st!
District 7390 PRE-PETS: This education will occur the weekend before MAPETS on February 19th, from 9 AM – 2 PM at Messiah University. A portion of the day will be open to all Rotarians. More information will be coming!
Since 2013, the Gates Foundation has matched every $1 Rotary commits to polio eradication 2-to-1. In January 2020, the Gates Foundation announced that they will continue to match 2:1 every new dollar Rotary commits to polio eradication up to $50 million per year through 2023!
Rotary has contributed more than $2 billion to fight polio, including matching funds from the Gates Foundation, and countless volunteer hours since launching its polio eradication program, PolioPlus, in 1985.
Thank you for supporting Rotary and leveraging your generosity!
You can help end polio by making a gift to the PolioPlus Fund at endpolio.org.
If video does not appear, please click here to watch a video about the Iron Lung.
Upcoming Rotary Club Presidents and Executive Directors eagerly plan for the 2022-2023 Rotary year at the 2021 Large Club Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. President-Elect Nominee Aaron Jacobs (York), Executive Director Lynne Morrison (York), Executive Director Addeline Alaniz Edwards (Harrisburg), and President-Elect Beth Mihmet (Harrisburg) all attended the Conference.
The Rotary Clubs of Mechanicsburg North and Mechanicsburg, Mother Hubbard's Custom Cabinetry and Fairway Independent Mortgage Company will host the 62nd Rotary Means Business District 7390 networking event since our beginning in 2014 on Thursday, November 11 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Mother Hubbard's Custom Cabinetry, 5309 E. Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg, PA. The event is FREE and in honor of Veterans Day donations can be made to the Rotary Veterans Initiative which helps veterans succeed by supporting their education, training, and job search opportunities. Go to https://www.tfec.org/funds/rotary-veterans-initiative/ to donate.
The networking event will be in person and virtual via Zoom. Masks are optional. The in-person networking event is limited to 25 persons so register at https://bit.ly/RMBvets21 as quickly as possible. See you there!
On November 18th the annual “Foundation Dinner” will take place at the Lodge at Liberty Forge in Mechanicsburg PA. The focus this year will be to celebrate the great work of Rotary clubs and individual Rotarians during a year of intense need in our communities. A video is being developed featuring the great work of clubs that participated in district grant projects and global grants during the 2020-2021 Rotary Year. There is still time to submit a photo to DGE Juliet of your project in time for inclusion in the video!! Additionally, we would like to feature organizations that have been on the receiving end of your club’s generosity! We will give them a table in the cocktail area to showcase their organization. Other highlights of the evening will include:
4:30 – 5:00 PM Reception for Major Donors, Paul Harris Society Members, Benefactors, Bequest Society Members and Arch Klumph Society Members. There will be a cash bar and hors d'oeuvres. This is by invitation only!
5:00 – 6:00 PM Cocktail hour featuring club projects past and present. Would your club like to showcase a project you are proud that could prompt other clubs to join you or duplicate what you have done? Click here to email DGE Juliet to secure a table!
6:00 – 8:30 PM Dinner, club awards, club presentations, greetings from our global grant scholars in London, and more…
Members of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg (RCH) gathered at the Salvation Army in Harrisburg for a unique service opportunity with the Salvation Army of Harrisburg.
After getting assignments, instructions and a box lunch the Rotarians were given a brief overview of the various works performed by the Army volunteers at the facility. According to Rotarian/participant Karen Good, “it was so encouraging to hear of lives being helped and changed by food distribution, cooking classes and various events for children provided by the Salvation Army.”
RCH members were guided through various task by Army staff member Megan Bachmore.
Karen Paris (past RCH President) stuffed envelopes. Andy Reebuck (past RCH President) and Karen Good raised their hands to do trash duty around the facility. That meant pick up trash, cleaning out the cans and washing mats from the kitchen.
Other attending RCH members, Shaun Eng and Gail Rebuck, Wendall Hoover, Sue Ward Diorio and Alex Rajis. put together recipe bags to accompany food distribution received from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.
Photos by RCH Member Karen Good.
Rotary Club of Harrisburg get their projects overview on who does what.
RCH member Alex Rajis and Past President James good count out spice packets for the soup recipe.
Past President Karen Paris and Gina Rebuck inspect the bags for distribution
Andy Rebuck puts some muscle into getting the packed bags to the right area for ultimate distribution.
Harrisburg Volunteers Help Salvation Army Spiff Up Their Facility and Concoct Soup Kits for Those in Need
On October 2, members from the York-North Rotary Club repainted the playground buildings at Cousler Park. This completed a two year project to return the playground structures to their original condition.
A 2021/22 Club Grant, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hanover, provided Windy Hill Senior Center in Spring Grove with a new commercial freezer, two Rolling Serving Carts and two Food Carts. Windy Hill serves over 1,100 seniors annually with programs and services including a nutrition program. Meals are provided on location, carry-out and Meals-On-Wheels. From March 2020 to February 2021, over 22,000 take-out meals and over 24,000 home delivered meals have been provided. The Freezer enables the Center to increase meal storage capacity to better serve their older adult population in Spring Grove and Hanover, address food insecurities and increase freezer storage by 53%. The 2 wire rolling racks and 2 stainless food carts will store and transport take-out meals after they are assembled and transport frozen meal boxes within facility.
Pictured: Tammy Miller, Executive Director and Tracy Haper, Assistant Director of Programming.
Special thanks to Rotarian Scott Kurz , Minuteman Press, for providing the magnetic signage.
The District 7390 Safety Committee has published a COVID-19 update that contains the latest update on community transmission of COVID-19 in the counties of our District and some best practices to consider as we approach the holidays.
Please click here for new guidance on club gatherings and staying healthy as we spend more time indoors in the months ahead.
Join us via Zoom on November 10, 2021 @ 5:30 for an interactive orientation.
We will highlight the basics of Rotary International and its philanthropic arm, The Rotary Foundation, as well as offering resources available through our District 7390 and your local Club.
You are now one of 1.2 million Rotarians around the world, with nearly that many opportunities to engage. We want to help you find your Rotary passion!
Pictured from left to right: Todd Kurl, Tim Koller, Greg Kern and Jim Craft
York-East members volunteer to pick up trash and litter along Edgewood Road between Prospect Street and Kingston Road twice a year: once in the spring and once in the fall, generally to coincide with PennDOT's Road Cleanup Day. The club has been doing it since 1998 and occasionally finds treasures and lots of trash (cans, cups, bags, and tires).
The time has come to begin the nominating process for our District Governor 2024-2025. 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? Is it me? 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.
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 2016 Manual of Procedure.
Please contact the District office (office@rotary7390.org or 717-854-7842) if would like more information about applying to be District Governor 2024-2025. 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 2024-2025 must be received in the District Office by December 10, 2021, to be considered by the Nominating Committee. Interviews for the 2024-2025 District Governor will be held Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at a location to be determined.
Seeking Nominations for District 7390 Governor 2024-2025
Whitaker Center Honors Rotary Club of Harrisburg Member Cami Grimm as a Woman to Watch in the 2021 Celebration of Women in Stem Awards Program
Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts will honor Cami Grimm, Manager at Brown Schultz Sheridan & Fritz (BSSF) and Rotary Club of Harrisburg member, as part of the 2021 Women of Impact: Celebrating Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Awards Program. Cami was selected as part of the Women to Watch Class of 2021, which recognizes women younger than 40 who have significant accomplishments and success in STEM.
Cami has more than five years of public accounting experience and specializes in providing audit and review services to for-profit and nonprofit entities, with a concentration in working with family-owned and closely held businesses. She is a key member of BSSF’s Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) Practice management team. Outside of the Firm, Cami is a passionate volunteer with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Capital Region. She is also a Board Member of the Harrisburg Rotary Club and serves on the Rotary’s Public Relations Committee, as well as the Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Cami is a talented and driven member of our Firm who is passionate about helping her clients, team members and community achieve extraordinary outcomes,” said Ken Wolfe, President and Managing Principal. “She serves as a trusted leader within our EBP Practice management team, as well as various internal committees within our Firm. Along with serving as a leader at BSSF, she also serves as a leader in the community. She is well-deserving of the recognition as a Woman to Watch, and we are proud and excited to celebrate her and the other honorees at the Women in STEM Awards Program in September.” (In this photograph, she is surrounded by her co-workers.)
Sixteen women and one organization were selected by Whitaker Center for their significant contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
The Women in STEM Awards Program is an annual event to recognize the contributions of women in STEM throughout Central Pennsylvania and support the Whitaker Center’s Girls in STEM Initiative, which encourages girls in Central Pennsylvania to develop an interest in STEM and foster equitable pathways to STEM careers. The 2021 event will be held on September 22 at the West Shore Country Club in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
Whitaker Center Honors Rotary Club of Harrisburg Member Cami Grimm
District 7390 is honored to receive the Zone 32 Award for the Most Money Donated to the Rotary Foundation of all Districts during the Rotary Year 2020/2021. This recognition could not have happened without the hard work of the D7390 Foundation Chair, PDG John Kramb and other volunteers who worked hard to keep us informed and motivated to give. That said, this award is for each and every Rotarian in our District who gave of their resources this past year. As District Governor 20/21, I could not be more proud of how our District members stepped up, in the midst of a global pandemic, and offered their Rotarian generosity in effort to help others. Rotarians worldwide are among the most generous people on earth... and the members of Rotary in District 7390 are at the top of that class. Thank you, each and every one of you, for seeing the vision and taking action. As Paul Harris once said: "Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves". In Gratitude, IPDG John Anthony
District 7390 Receives Zone 32 Award for Highest Foundation Giving
It is time to start planning your club’s 4-Way Test ESSAY Contest. This year’s essay prompt will be: 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 2021-22 District 7390 contest are due March 11, 2022. Contest rules, critical dates, and information for both Rotarians and Students are available at the District 7390 Website: https://www.rotary7390.org/page/four-way-test-essay-contest. Any questions or requests for further information can be directed to project chair, Steven Grubb, at stevengrubb@comcast.net.
Join the Rotary Club of New Holland for a fun evening of dinner and live music in support of Lighthouse Vocational Services, which provides vocational services for persons with developmental disabilities. Enjoy a buffet dinner and be entertained by the classic rock and alternative rock sounds of Sam I Am, and the rock/funk/blues mix of The Reed Brothers Band.
Tickets are $25 per person and includes a buffet dinner. Cash bar also available. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Rotary Rocks Eventbrite page.
You Are Invited to the 5th Annual Rotary Rocks Benefit Concert
Herb joined Rotary in 2011 and is a member of the Allentown West Rotary Club near Allentown, PA. He is currently a Zone 32 Assistant Coordinator for 4 Eastern Pennsylvania districts. In 2021-22, Herb will be the Zone 32 Rotary Coordinator. Herb was the 2019-20 District 7430 Governor and District 7430 Membership Chair from 2016-18. He played a key role in developing and implementing a strategic action plan to grow district membership which included both building vibrant existing clubs and adding new innovative clubs. From 2016-19, District 7430 increased its membership in 3 of the 4 years, added 4 new clubs and 4 satellites and had a net gain of nearly 100 members.
Herb is a retired chemical engineer and a charter member of Engineers without Borders – Lehigh Valley Professionals and has been actively involved in partnering with Rotary on global and district grant projects in Sierra Leone, Africa, and the Dominican Republic. He has traveled to both locations on multiple occasions.
Posted by Anna-Mae Kobbe, District Rotary Foundation Chair
Sign up today for Rotary Direct and make your giving to The Rotary Foundation quicker and easier. With just a minimum contribution of $10 you can begin using Rotary Direct. And, each contribution is acknowledged at the time of your donation.
Click here to follow the information guide instructions to set up your Rotary Direct giving. You will be able to specify a frequency of monthly, quarterly, or annual contributions.
With World Polio Day October 24 and November is Foundation Month now is a great time to establish your Rotary Direct account. Then make your contributions to celebrate these two important dates by using Rotary Direct.
Posted by Juliet Altenburg, Strategic Planning Chair
Our District is in the process of developing a strategic action plan which will provide direction for District initiatives starting July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025. To create the best plan possible, we need your input through the completion of the following short questionnaire that will help District Leadership understand how best to serve YOU and your club in doing good in the world. The plan we develop will be based on Rotary International’s four priority areas described at Action Plan | My Rotary:
Priority 1 Increase our Impact
Priority 2: Expand Our Reach
Priority 3: Enhance Participant Engagement
Priority 4: Increase our Ability to Adapt
Click here to complete the questionnaire by Friday, October 8, 2021.
Results will be shared in an anonymous fashion in the future with all District Rotary Clubs. Specific Name and contact information will not be shared with anyone beyond the District Leadership Team (DG, DGE, DGN, DGND, Executive Secretary.) Thank you for your input and all the good you do in the world!
Bob Straw, Response Manager for American Red Cross and fellow Rotarian, started his morning on 9/11 at 8:30 a.m. at the York Fair. A child, Matthew Potter, 7, had been hurt and later died after riding on a roller coaster, and the Red Cross had first aid stations there.
At about 9 a.m., he heard the news that the first plane had hit the World Trade Center. As part of his training with the Red Cross Aviation Incident Response Team, he called in to Washington, D.C., and was put on standby to go to New York. Other local members were assigned to Arlington, VA and other locations.
In the days following, 9/11, all air travel was shut down. A team of local Red Cross members went to Shanksville for a fourteen day assignment. They'd need to hold two memorial services — the first on Sept. 17, the other on Sept. 20 — and each had to be equally special. Organizers also had to make sure they represented the different faiths of the passengers and crew members.
When these kinds of events happen, the goodness and the devotion and the dedication of these people really shine.
York-East Hosts Speaker from the American Red Cross
It was a pleasure hosting Karen Groh, President and CEO of the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce, at our meeting this morning. As guest speaker, she addressed the present state of affairs in local and regional business as well as the highly successful SCORE program which assisted the Myerstown Vitality Partnership in planning and achieving its strategic goals. She also addressed the staffing issues plaguing many businesses here and throughout the country and illustrated how the issue is a bigger issue that just getting people to work. Thanks Karen for your friendship and expertise.
(Pictured with Karen Groh is Tom Maiello, President of the Myerstown-ELCO Rotary.)
Myerstown-ELCO hosts CEO of Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce
It's that time of year! Our annual Community Change Grants are now open for applications. This beloved program aims to provide support to our growing network of advocates, grassroots organizers, organizations, and agencies using innovative, engaging, and inclusive programs and projects to create tangible change at the community level.
We are looking to fund projects that:
Increase physical activity and active transportation in a specific community
Work to cross engage people and organizations newer to the efforts of walking and moving and walkability
Demonstrate a culture of antiracism and inclusive health and design
Support and cultivate connected, active and deeply engaged communities
Thanks to our Active People, Healthy Nation Partners for funding these catalytic projects.
And this year, General Motors is funding ten additional $1,500 Community Change Grant projects in designated towns and cities with GM facilities!
As World Polio Day approaches, the Rotary community is getting ready to amplify our message about eradicating polio to protect the world’s children from this devastating disease.
Together, we’ve made tremendous progress. Now it’s time to intensify our fight to make polio the second human disease ever to be eradicated. Last year, the World Health Organization’s African region was certified free of wild poliovirus, showing that eradication is possible even in very difficult circumstances. The wild poliovirus remains endemic in just two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. We can use World Polio Day to advocate for the support we need to end polio in countries where it still paralyzes children.
Inspire action Take action for World Polio Day by promoting the importance of polio eradication, raising funds, and planning events. Let’s engage our communities in the fight against polio — because as long as polio exists anywhere, it remains a threat everywhere.
Use the World Polio Day Toolkit to find resources and tips for planning activities and promoting a polio-free world. Inspire others to join us by hosting virtual and community events, creating fundraisers, and sharing posts on social media. Click here!
Register your club’s participation in World Polio Day to show how Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs around the world are taking action to eradicate polio. If you register your events, fundraisers, and promotions by 14 October, you’ll get early access to a download of Rotary’s World Polio Day Global Update one week before the program will be shown on 24 October on Rotary’s Facebook page and endpolio.org.
Use Raise for Rotary to start an online fundraiser to benefit The Rotary Foundation’s PolioPlus Fund for World Polio Day. Then, share it with your network! The top Raise for Rotary World Polio Day 2021 fundraisers will be featured on My Rotary.
In honor of the Uptown York Rotary Club’s 10th anniversary, the UYRC is hosting a bus trip fundraiser benefitting its community grants program to the Flight 93 National Memorial on Saturday, October 16. We will be traveling is style via Bailey’s Rotary-branded motor coach!
If you’ve never been please consider joining us - it’s a very moving experience. See flyer attached. Click here to purchase tickets. Tickets include transportation, lunch, and snacks. We are following the CDC and PA Department of Health COVID-19 guidelines that are in place on the day of the event. Note: the event is rain or shine - tickets are not refundable but are transferable.
The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control indicates that all counties in our district during the seven-day period ending 9/16 have a “High” rate of COVID-19 transmission (>10% positivity rate. Source: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home ) Four-week trends are noted below with the column on the far right being the most recent rate.
Adams 6% - 8% - 9% -11%
Cumberland 8% - 9% - 11% -10%
Dauphin 11% - 11% -11% -14%
Lancaster 8% - 9% - 10% -11%
Lebanon 8% - 9% - 10% -14%
Perry 12% -11% - 15% -14%
York 7% - 10% - 10% -12%
The CDC recommends mask wearing indoors for everyone regardless of vaccination status in areas with substantial or high transmission rates of COVID-19. Why? Even vaccinated individuals can acquire and transmit the highly contagious COVID-19 delta variant although in vaccinated people rates of hospitalization and death are low. If you are a Rotarian that has tested positive for COVID-19 within 2 weeks of being in-person with club members, please remember to notify your clubleadership so all members who were in your presence can be notified and take the necessary precautions to mitigate virus spread and illness. It is important that clubs also convey this information to speakers and guests at their events including students. Read more on what to do for a community-related exposure at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/public-health-recommendations.html Did you know the FDA approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine? If you aren’t vaccinated, do it now not just for yourself, but for our children and neighbors around the world.
Join us for an afternoon at the beautiful Hershey Gardens for a garden reception and silent auction to benefit Hershey Rotary’s community support programs. The reception will include hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and live musical entertainment. The silent auction will include one of a kind items and other unique opportunities for your bidding!
100% of the net proceeds from the auction & reception are used for charitable purposes. Organizations supported in recent years include Hershey Food Bank, Ronald McDonald House, The Mohler Center, Hershey Volunteer Fire Company, Love INC, Hershey Area Playhouse, Hershey Community Chorus, Hershey Historical Society, Hershey Public Library, Hershey Symphony, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and many more. Hershey Rotary Club is also very active in supporting youth through our Student of the Month program, Service Above Self Scholarships, and the International Youth Exchange program.
Ticket Price: $100/person
Visa and Master Card will be accepted for auction items and registration.
To donate an auction item, to advertise in the auction program, to be a sponsor, and to register, contact Tracy Creer at 717-220-1558 or creerm@sbcglobal.net by September 20, 2021.
Rotary’s members are our greatest strength. When our membership is strong, our clubs are more vibrant, Rotary and Rotaract is more visible, and our clubs have more resources to help communities flourish. Let’s examine the state of Rotary’s membership: who is joining, who is leaving, and the opportunities we all have to help Rotary grow.
Join us for the first webinar in our Engaging Members + Delivering Value series, The State of Membership. There will be two sessions offered:
LIVE: Thursday, 23 September 11:00 Chicago time (UTC-5). *Interpretation will be provided in French, Portuguese, and Spanish. See the time in a city near you.
Pictured L-R: IPDG John Anthony, PDG Hector Ortiz, PDG Dennis Zubler, PDG Connie Spark, PDG Kevin Cogan, PDG Janice Black, DGN Fred Gellert, PDG Anna-Mae Kobbe, DG Greg Staub, PDG Paul Burkhart, PDG Al Alley
The Past District Governors and current District Leadership in Rotary District 7390 meet annually for a social gathering that is hosted by a Past District Governor. IPDG John Anthony and his lovely wife Karen volunteered to host the PDG dinner in 2021. On September 8th several PDGs and current District Leadership gathered at Roots of My Land Ecuadorian Family Restaurant in Harrisburg. It was a wonderful evening that featured traditional Ecuadorian dishes and fellowship. DG Greg Staub gave some brief remarks regarding the state of Rotary District 7390 and emphasized that we need to focus on rebuilding our membership this Rotary year.
PA State Senator Chris Gebhard of the 48th Senatorial District was a guest speaker at a recent Myerstown-ELCO Rotary meeting. Senator Gebhard (r) is pictured with Club President Tom Maiello.
Rotary Club of Lancaster South is holding a motorcycle ride/pancake breakfast fundraiser on September 25, 2021. This event will benefit the affordable housing programs at Tenfold, which was created by the merger of Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership and Tabor, as well as funding our philanthropic work in our community. The event will be held at the Willow Street Fire Company in Willow Street PA with breakfast starting at 9 a.m. until noon, and will feature three great rides in Lancaster and York Counties. These are self guided tours with maps and .gpx files provided by the organizers. To register or for more information, click this link or paste this URL into your browser, https://tinyurl.com/99j69bbd.
Lancaster South Motorcycle Ride/Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
Central Penn Business Journal has selected Addeline Alaniz Edwards, Executive Director for the Rotary Club of Harrisburg, as a Forty Under 40 recipient.
Forty Under 40 recognizes professionals 39 years of age and younger who have been successful in the Central Pennsylvania area. Honorees, chosen by the Central Penn Business Journal editors, were selected based on professional accomplishments, community service and commitment to inspiring change.
"The 2021 Forty Under 40 honorees are Central Pennsylvania's future leaders. Their professional accomplishments, community service and commitment to inspiring change are extraordinary," said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, senior group publisher of the Central Penn Business Journal. "These honorees help to make Central Pennsylvania a wonderful place to live and to work. The Central Penn Business Journal is pleased to celebrate their accomplishments."
Addeline is a member and two-time Past President of the Harrisburg Keystone Rotary Club, and she currently serves on the club’s Board of Directors. A dedicated Rotarian since 2012, Addeline is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and enjoys coordinating fundraising efforts such as the 0.5K and the Polar Plunge for her club.
Edwards is a graduate of Rotary Leadership Institute, Judge/Bradley Leadership School and Leadership Harrisburg Area’s Community Leadership Series.
Addeline and her husband Josh live in Camp Hill with their 3 kids. Addeline enjoys music, beer, tubing on the Yellow Breeches and lounging by the patio campfire.
Forty Under 40 honorees will be hosted Oct. 14 at a celebration from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Harrisburg's outside terrace, One North Second Street in Harrisburg. However, due to the uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic, this event may move to an online format or to a combination of an online and in-person event.
Honorees will also be profiled in a magazine that will be inserted into the Oct. 15 issue of Central Penn Business Journal and will be available online at CPBJ.com.
Celebrating 37 years of journalistic excellence, Central Penn Business Journal is a multimedia news source that publishes a regular print and online edition and breaks news daily on its website, CPBJ.com and numerous other business-oriented publications.
Addeline Alaniz Edwards Named as 2021 Forty Under 40 Honoree
The Rotary Club of York is proud to announce Rachel Stockslager as the Donna E. Hayes Equine Scholarship recipient. Rachel attended the weekly club meeting at the Country Club of York on August 25 and received the $ 3,000 scholarship check. She is starting her senior year at Centenary University as an Equine Science major. A 2017 graduate of Susquehannock High School, Rachel is the daughter of Greg and Karyn Stockslager from New Freedom, PA.
PHOTO (L to R): Student Education Chair Diane Merino, Hayes scholarship recipient Rachel Stockslager, and Rotary Club of York member Alvin Hayes.
The Paul Harris Award recognizes Rotary members and friends of The Rotary Foundation who elect to contribute to the Rotary Foundation, PolioPlus Fund, or approved global grants.
The purpose of the Paul Harris Award is to honor and thank individuals for their generous, ongoing support of The Rotary Foundation.
York East Rotary recognized the following members on August 24th at the Leg Up Farm meeting. (Left to Right) Bob and Friedel Elser, Greg Kern, Chris Izzo, Bill Gierasch, Hunter Mink, Linda Gorter and Tim Koller.
Greg Staub, following a 16-year commitment to Rotary, assumed the role of District 7390 Governor and son Matthew on the same day assumed the role of President of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg (RCH) this July 1, 2021.
Greg Staub, the senior Staub, and member of the Rotary Club of Hanover since 2005 took on leadership roles quickly serving as Club Membership Chair from 2013 to 2016. In 2016-17 he took on the role of Club president and simultaneously serving as District Assistant Governor from 2017 through 2019.
In 2019 he was selected as District Governor-Nominee and in 2020 became District Governor elect and now serves as the Districts Conference Chair from 2021 to 2022. He concurrently serves as Rotary International Convention Promotion Chair through 2022.
In his professional life, Greg Staub is a Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of PSI Capital Management, a registered investment advisory firm headquartered in Lancaster, PA. Staub states, “I am grateful each day for the opportunities I have had both professionally and personally through Rotary. Rotary is how I make sure that others have those same opportunities “
Matt Staub, the younger, has emulated dad’s all-in Rotary philosophy of Service Above Self.
During 2017 to 2020 he took on the Co-Chair function of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg’s Haiti Water Project and in April 2017 joined a water treatment project in a remote mountain village as the Harrisburg Club lead the installation mission with six Harrisburg Club members, Past-District Governor John Judson MD, family members and a Hershey Club Rotarian. The project was part of the District’s Water Project for Haiti and was coordinated with the local Rotary Club of Verrettes, Haiti.
Since 2018, Matt Staub has served on the board of the RCH concentrating on both international and local service projects. During May, 2021 he was active helping maintain and plant new fauna in the Harrisburg Pease Gardens on Front Street.
Matt says of his growing Rotary commitment, “Since joining the Rotary Club of Harrisburg in 2014, I have been blessed with multiple opportunities. After moving to a new city, The RCH offered a great opportunity for fellowship allowing me to interact with Harrisburg’s finest community leadership while offering me countless service opportunities and a chance to be a positive force locally and in the world.”
It is clear both Staubs relish leadership roles in Rotary and will be making their positive marks on the future of many local, national and international Rotary Clubs and initiatives.
Next Step & Generation as Father & Son Assume Roles in Rotary Leadership
September is Literacy Month, an opportunity for Rotarians to focus our awareness of literacy and education needs in our own communities and internationally. Now, just in time for Literacy Month, 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.
In June 2018, Rotary and Save the Children US embarked on a partnership, Together We Read, to increase literacy rates in rural communities through research-based early learning initiatives. The partnership unites Save the Children’s expertise in children’s early literacy programs with Rotary’s expertise in connecting community leaders and driving public awareness – all with the aim of increasing educational outcomes for young children living in poverty.
This initiative offers Rotary Clubs an opportunity to apply to for funding of $5,000-$10,000 for community based initiatives that support Kindergarten readiness and early literacy. Up to ten projects will be funded. Proposals are due September 30, 2021. See below RFP for criteria, project examples, and application form.
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 Rotary literacy projects.
You are also invited 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, please visit the website www.BELRAG.org.
The speaker at the Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg-North on September 2 is Rotary International Director Valarie Wafer. She is the Chair of RI Diversity Equity and Inclusion Emphasis. Her topic will be RI’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy, News and Developments. We would like to invite anyone who would want to hear her speak on this topic. We will be meeting via Zoom. The meeting is at 7:30 AM and the zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83501772605?pwd=dStlV2FCb0V5YURTem1uQUJzVUVJZz09
York North Rotary Club presented a donation and also volunteered to help Servants in their mission to provide home repairs for low-income and disabled homeowners. On July 26th, seven members of York North built a platform and stairs to assist a couple in northern York County. This is the sixth year that North York has been assisting Servants in these projects.
Rotarian John Kramb poses with other members of the International Fellowship of Motorcycling Rotarians. They met in Maggie Valley, North Carolina for their first group ride in over a year. COVID, you know. The riders came from Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, California and other states. They had a memorial service for two members who passed last year, and rode a couple of hundred miles in the twisty, windy roads of the Blue Ridge.
The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control indicates that all counties in our district during the seven-day period ending 8/31 have a “High” rate (red counties on map) of COVID-19 transmission (>10% positivity rate). (Source: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home )
The CDC recommends mask wearing indoors for everyone regardless of vaccination status in areas with substantial or high transmission rates of COVID-19. Why? Even vaccinated individuals can acquire and transmit the highly contagious COVID-19 delta variant although in vaccinated people rates of hospitalization and death are low. If you are a Rotarian that has tested positive for COVID-19 within 2 weeks of being in-person with club members, please remember to notify your clubleadership so all members who were in your presence can be notified and take the necessary precautions to mitigate virus spread and illness. It is important that clubs also convey this information to speakers and guests at their events including students. Read more on what to do for a community-related exposure at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/public-health-recommendations.html Did you know the FDA approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine? If you aren’t vaccinated, do it now not just for yourself, but for our children and neighbors around the world.
Club Safety Liaison List for 2021-2022
Last year our District formed a Safety Committee and encouraged clubs to appoint a “Club Safety Liaison” who would serve as the recipient and distributor of safety guidance to their club from the District Safety Committee. Although clubs are not mandated to have this position, assigning this position to an interested club member remains highly encouraged. Duties include:
Acting as a recipient for safety information distributed by the District Safety Committee and assuring that information is conveyed to all club members.
Acting as a resource for club members during the planning of in-person events to assure safe practices are considered and instituted appropriately.
Acting as a contact for the District Safety Committee if input is needed on district wide safety initiatives.
Club Presidents should submit the name and contact information for their Safety Liaison to DGE Juliet Altenburg at DGJuliet2022@qrpc.com. See below for the current Club Safety Liaisons the District has on file. The District Safety Committee also welcomes ANY club member interested in either attending our meeting or joining our passionate group to reach out to Chair Juliet Altenburg for meeting information! The next meeting of the committee will be on October 6th. Our focus is to support our clubs in keeping themselves and the communities they serve safe not only from COVID-19 but any activity that poses a safety risk.
SPY is an 8 week summer school for "at risk" first through third graders in the Carlisle School District that aims to keep their learning levels up in reading and math through the summer break. The Carlisle Rotary club recently completed a renovation project for SPY, utilizing a matching grant from District 7390. The grant allowed SPY to renovate their "calming café," where the children can go to calm down if they get over excited. The grant installed counters and repaired and repainted walls.
Pictured: Carlisle president, Geoff Mangelsdorf, reads to the kids at the Summer Program for Youth (SPY).
Fresh from a Caribbean vacation with his wife, and fellow Rotarian, Karen, Past President James Good (2020-21) flew in to pass the gavel to incoming President Matt Staub of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg.
While the transfer of the responsibilities and office are momentous, this was the first in-person luncheon meeting of the Club since the start of the global pandemic – 483 days. Both the Club and the Hilton Harrisburg followed critical CDC protocols.
During his inaugural address, President Matt spoke of his three main goals for his 21-22 leadership year.
Goal 1 Wheel Turning Full Speed Ahead – “As we move forward, we will focus on goals for our Club – the first of which is extraordinarily simple – we will get the Rotary wheel turning at full speed. Our Club held up very well (during the pandemic). A few projects did not happen for reasons beyond our control such as our annual pancake breakfast fundraiser, the Youth Community Development Team (YCDT, and youth exchange. These projects need our full support now more than ever.”
All across Rotary, district conferences, president-elect trainings, international and large-club conferences were all moved online, trimmed, or even cancelled. People logged on from anywhere, any time, but the connections weren’t always strong, and ideas flowed a little less freely. Service stubbornly persisted, but for a long-time, fellowship was absent.
Not anymore!
Goal 2 Membership – “Our second goal is to grow our membership by introducing as many people as possible to the purpose and vision of Rotary. I’ve never been a fan of setting a number. We lost 17 of our members during the pandemic. But I’m asking our member’s help in gaining 10+ members this year. More importantly, if we do the right things for our Club and community, members will follow.”
Goal 3 Move Rotary Forward with Strategic Planning – “Now my final goal. I believe, as I know many of you believe, that our Club is the crown jewel of District 7390. Our club has spanned 7 generations and boasts 11 past presidents who went on to be District Governor. As a dynamic large club, we have an obligation not only to serve our community, but to lead, to innovate and to shape the future of Rotary.
Past Rotary International Director Jeffery Cadorette has challenged us to ask ourselves to say,” If we were to invent Rotary today, would it look like it does?” The answer, obviously, is no. So, let’s work to make Rotary what current and future Rotarians want it to be, and what our communities and our world need it to be.”
Staub adds,” I have been told that our late Bob Hansen was the first in the District to encourage our Club to adopt strategic planning. Strategic planning has clearly been instrumental in our Club’s distinguishing itself over the years. Our Club has not had long-term strategic plan for 5 years. We’re overdue. We will be working on a deliberate, coordinated plan with input from Club leadership, from ALL of our members and from the communities we serve.
“We are all Rotarians. Together we have the obligation to shape the future of Rotary for the next seven generations, and to do so in a manner where the promise and purpose of Rotary established by Paul Harris so many years ago is not lost but delivered. As Rotarians we have the opportunity to do such great things. Every single day is an opportunity to live this year’s Rotary International Presidential Theme from Shekhar Mehta – Serve to Change Lives. Now, let’s go do it. Let’s have a great Rotary year!”
“By all accounts”, says Addeline Alaniz Edwards, Executive Director of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg (RCH) and Past President of the Harrisburg Keystone Rotary Club, “our collaborative service event on Monday, August 2, was amazing!”
For the Rotary Club of Harrisburg event, nearly 30 members assembled 500 period hygiene kits for the Period Project Harrisburg. Inter-club and community group interaction during this event demonstrates a perfect example of Rotary International’s theme of Service Above Self. Alaniz Edwards gives credit to her home club, the Harrisburg Keystone Rotary Club, for providing her the first experience with a very critical need in local and international communities.
L to R Ellen Brown, Susan Anthony, Walter Prediger, Becky Boone, Matt Tenny
Becky Boone from Harrisburg Keystone Rotary had organized tampon drives for the Harrisburg and Steelton/Highspire school districts. Then she came to help HRC assemble approximately 500.
Period hygiene supplies are one of the most overlooked monthly expenses in a family's budget. When community assistance organizations provide budget coaching for folks getting back on their feet or discussing basic needs, it's rarely even mentioned. Maybe it's embarrassing to some people. It's unfortunate that people experiencing period poverty will miss school or work-- or even worse-- use unsafe hygiene practices that can cause medical issues-- because those who can easily assist with this need are too embarrassed to even talk about it.
During the RCH event, Savory Occasions donated lunch for the volunteers and the Girl Scouts of the Heart of Pennsylvania office provided the kit assembly location and hand sanitizer to be distributed. LOOP Ministries and the Latino Hispanic American Community Center arranged distribution of the packages to Harrisburg residents. This distribution included Harrisburg School District students who may not be able to afford hygiene supplies for their monthly periods.
Alaniz Edwards states, “We at the Rotary Club of Harrisburg are proud to support the Period Project Harrisburg and are thankful for their valuable service to the Harrisburg community."
Back row: Lee Tyre, Lisa Tyre, Brianna Tyre, Wil Everhart, Susan Anthony, an unidentified helper, Matt Tenny, Jill Hanes, Matt Tenny, Charlotte Tenny, Addeline Alaniz Edwards, Becky Boone, Toni Mark, Meghan Bachmore, Walter Prediger Front: Jill Tenny, Ellen Brown, Janet Donovan, Una Martone
The Rotary Club of Harrisburg distribution included Harrisburg School District students who may not be able to afford hygiene supplies for their monthly periods. The District one of the long-standing partners with the RCH.
The Rotary Club of York Awards the $1500 Carol Wagman Nursing Scholarship
The Rotary Club of York Student Education Committee selected Zachary Gibbs as the recipient of the Carol Wagman Nursing Scholarship. Zachary attended the weekly club meeting on August 4 and received the $ 1,500 scholarship for his continued studies towards his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at York College of Pennsylvania. A 2018 graduate of South Western High School, Zach is scheduled to graduate with his BSN degree and a Neuroscience minor December 2022.
PHOTO (L to R): Rotary Club of York member Carol Wagman, Zachary Gibbs, and Rotary Student Education Chair Diane Merino
The Rotary Club of York Awards $ 5,000 Scholarship
Congratulations to AbigailWurzbach, the inaugural recipient of the Rotary Club of York Student Education Chair’s Scholarship. The scholarship is based on the Rotary International motto ‘Service Above Self’ and community service and has a total value of $ 5,000, two installments of $ 2,500 for her junior and senior years of college. Abigail attended the weekly club meeting at the Country Club of York on August 11 and received the scholarship check. She is starting her junior year studying Business, Non-Profit Management and Entrepreneurship at York College of Pennsylvania. A 2019 graduate of York Catholic High School, Abigail is the daughter of Rich and Missy Wurzbach from Brogue and expects to graduate May 2023.
PHOTO (L to R): Scholarship recipient Abigail Zurzbach and Rotary Student Education Chair Diane Merino.
The Student Education Committee of the Rotary Club of York held personal interviews on June 17 for “Non-Traditional Student” Scholarships. A “Non-Traditional” Student is one who does not attend post-secondary education directly following graduation from high school. Instead, they select to enter the workforce, start a family, or enter the military. At a later date, they decide to pursue a degree and usually work and attend school simultaneously for a few years to earn a degree.
Jasmine Cross, Lindsey Hershner, and Melissa Raup were able to attend a recent club meeting at the Country Club of York to receive their $ 2,400 “Non-Traditional Student” scholarship.
Jasmine Cross works full-time as a Behavioral Health Technician and is a Psychology student at Penn State University – York campus. Lindsey Hershner owns and works at her hair salon and attends HACC – York campus where she is scheduled to graduate in December 2022 and continue schooling to become a Registered Nurse. Melissa Raup is working towards her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Addiction from Aspen University while working full-time as a Incident, Quality and Risk Manager in the Residential ID department at Bell Socialization Services.
The Rotary Club of York has been proudly awarding these “Non-Traditional Student” scholarships since 2012 and have financially assisted 21 students with over $ 32,000 to achieve their educational goals! For more information about the scholarship program, please contact Rotary Club of York Student Education Administrator Renea Oberdick at roberdick@yorkrotary.org.
Photo L TO R: Lindsey Hershner, Student Education Administrator Diane Merino, and Jasmine Cross
Photo L TO R: Melissa Raup and Diane Merino, Student Education Administrator
Members of York East Rotary endured the heat and humidity to pull weeds surrounding the pond at the Leg Up Farm in Mount Wolf. Leg Up Farm is the only pediatric therapy facility in the country to provide physical, occupational, speech and aquatic therapy, behavioral health services, nutrition counseling, therapeutic horseback riding and educational and recreational programming under one roof.
A big “Thank You” goes out to Greg Kern, Reid Kern, Kris Pollick, Karen Comery and Chris Izzo for helping on Saturday.
Rotary Club of Lancaster South is holding a motorcycle ride/pancake breakfast fundraiser on September 25, 2021. This event will benefit the affordable housing programs at Tenfold, which was created by the merger of Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership and Tabor, as well as funding our philanthropic work in our community. The event will be held at the Willow Street Fire Company in Willow Street PA with breakfast starting at 9 a.m. until noon, and will feature three great rides in Lancaster and York Counties. These are self guided tours with maps and .gpx files provided by the organizers. For more information, please contact Dan Hess at dvhess@comcast.net or visit our website at https://lancsouthrotary.org/event/motorcycle-ride-pancake-breakfast/. Early registration opens August 1, 2021 and closes on September 15, 2021. Register before September 15 and single rider with breakfast will cost $35, and rider with passenger and breakfast will cost $45. After September 15, fees are $40 and $50 respectively.
Motorcycle Ride/Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser - September 25
Check out the latest post on the District Blog at https://bit.ly/3ep3iKh featuring an article by Passport Club President Melissa-Kopp Smith! While you are there subscribe to the Blog to get articles mailed directly to your inbox.
Subscribing is easy and located at the bottom of the homepage.
The Passport Club welcomes visitors and is looking to partner with area Rotary Clubs on service activities. Read more on the blog about how to connect with Melissa and the passionate members of this club!
Rotary Club of Lancaster South provided three $1,000 college scholarships to the following high school seniors who graduated in the Spring and are attending college in the Fall - Alexander Knapp a Lampeter-Strasburg graduate attending George Mason University, Delaney Reitnauer a Penn Manor graduate attending Delaware State University and Faith Redcay a Solanco graduate attending Longwood Gardens Professional Horticulture Program.
Michael Newsome is Gov. Tom Wolf’s Secretary of Administration. When the governor called upon him to serve, he had been mostly retired for three years, still working a part-time job as a member of the state Liquor Control Board, but spending more time playing golf with his wife, traveling, doting on his grandson. Life was good, and he enjoyed retirement, more than he thought he would. But the governor – who was also an old friend, a man he had known for decades and worked with saving Wolf’s family business from bankruptcy – called, and he took the job, recalling that he once told him that if there was anything he could do for him, just call.
Newsome grew up in the South, in poverty, in public housing and, during his youngest years, in a house that didn’t have an indoor bathroom, raised, for the most part, by a single mother, one of nine kids. It was while he was working at the York Daily Record that he became aware of Tom Wolf. And it was during a period of friction between Wolf – and members of the York business community – and the newspaper that the two men became acquainted. Newsome joined the Wolf Organization as a senior vice president and controller. He was later promoted to chief financial officer until he retired.
On June 12, 2021, the Rotary Club of York-North dedicated a bench at Cousler Park in memory of Lynn S. Kilker, former member of the club from 1996 to 2010. Lynn always unselfishly gave of herself to help others less fortunate. Lynn's husband, Paul, and his immediate family, friends and co-workers were in attendance for the dedication. The bench is located behind Rotary Field, a project our club has sponsored for many years.
The Gold Star Garden started with the dream of Cher Kondor, a fellow York East Rotarian and American Gold Star Mother who lost her son, SPC Martin W. Kondor, in 2004. (“Gold Star” is a term derived from American Gold Star Mothers Inc., who were formed in 1928 as a family response to the many lives taken during the first World War. Now, Gold Star is applied to family members who have lost a loved one serving in the U.S. military.) Eight years later, with the help of board members, the City of York, and the Gold Star families of Pennsylvania, her dream of creating a memorial for all veterans came true.
You will find here all the names of the Pennsylvania fallen in the war on terror. In addition all the York County fallen from the time of the founding of the American Gold Star Mothers are also inscribed on the black Pennsylvania granite Wall of Honor. This living monument is a gathering place for those who want to commemorate, remember the fallen and celebrate the lives of our intrepid sons and daughters who volunteered to protect this country.
Pictured L to R: Cher Kondor, Sandi Graham, Club President
The Rotary Club of York is proud to introduce their officers for the 2021-2022 year.
(Photo – L to R) President-Elect Glenn Miller, President Jackie Summers, and President Elect Nominee Aaron Jacobs (not pictured: Doug Berman, Financial Vice-President/Treasurer).
The Rotary Club of York, currently ranked 24th largest the world in membership, holds weekly hybrid club meetings (in-person at the Country Club of York and on zoom) every Wednesday at noon. The 2021-2022 Rotary International Theme is "Serve to Change Lives". For more information, please contact Executive Director Lynne Morrison at lmorrison@yorkrotary.org.
The Rotary Club of York Announces 2021-2022 Leadership
2020-2021 Rotary Club of York President Anne Druck honored Past District Governor Paddy Rooney with a Presidential Citation at the Wednesday, June 30, 2021 club meeting at the Country Club of York. Paddy, a member for 14 years, including President 2016-2017; was awarded for his outstanding “Service Above Self”, loyal dedication, and unwavering commitment to the Rotary Club of York. The Club bid Paddy a heartfelt goodbye and best wishes on his move to the Raleigh, NC area. (Pictured L-R: Rotary Past President Anne Druck and Past District Governor Paddy Rooney)
As Rotarians our stories are an important way of sharing the meaningful ways we serve our communities and how we are inspired by the good work of our fellow club members. One way to share your stories is through the District 7390 blog. Examples of topics can include a member spotlight, service activities that you are proud of, and innovative ways your club is making the community a better place. To learn more, go to: https://d7390rotaryblog.wordpress.com/contributor-guidelines/ While you are there subscribe to the blog, so stories go into your email inbox. Subscribing is easy. Go to the blog homepage at https://d7390rotaryblog.wordpress.com/ and scroll down to the bottom. Don’t be shy! Celebrate your club and its members by submitting a story!
District 7390 has a meetup group comprised of 132 members that acts as a way for people in the community to volunteer for service activities. It is called the “Service Above Self” meetup group and anyone can join for FREE. When you join you will be asked if you are a Rotarian. Once approved you will be given the ability to post your club’s events including fundraisers, service activities and even club meetings to an audience beyond Rotary. Join at https://www.meetup.com/Service-Above-Self/
Join the Service Above Self Meetup Group to Advertise Club Events!
The Penn State Extension is looking for Rotary Club volunteers to participate in a Research Study geared toward assessing and enhancing safe food preparation practices for group gatherings. FREE food will be delivered to participants as part of the study. Click here to learn more!
Please contact Lynne James at Lsj11@psu.eduby July 15th to participate!
Participate in Penn State Food Safety Research Study!
District 7390 Governor, Greg Staub on the left, installed the Rotary Club of Hanover’s Officers for the 2021-2022 Rotary year on Tuesday, 5 July. Standing next to Greg from left to right is: Brandon Gething, President; Kathi Fuhrman, President Elect; Christy Lucus, Board Member; Terry Gingrow, Treasurer; Mary Kay Bernosky, Board Member; Chris Helt, Past President; and Warren Risk, Board Member.
Professional development is right at your fingertips with the Rotary Learning Center, which offers members a range of interactive courses on navigating Rotary's online tools and developing leadership skills to prepare for new Rotary roles.
Are you a new member looking to learn more about Rotary or a Club Leader looking for resources to prepare you and strengthen your knowledge base?
Remember - Anyone with a My Rotary account can take a free course in the Learning Center. Among the many courses available are How to Run a Webinar, How to Propose Legislation, Rotary Club Central Resources, and role-specific selections such as President, Secretary and Treasurer.
One of the most popular courses is Strengthen Rotary, which teaches members to incorporate Rotary values into everyday activities. The Rotary Club Central Resources course, another popular offering, helps members set goals and improve membership information.
At a glance the Rotary Learning Centre carries information on the following topics:
Get started by finding the Learning Center under the LEARNING & REFERENCE tab on Rotary.org or simply go to https://www.rotary.org/learn (You will need a My Rotary account to access)
Participants can monitor their progress via their own personal dashboards which registers and monitors your status through each course and as well awards points based on your completed Learning plans.
Members may not be aware but the Learning Center also generates a Leaderboard and if you are the competitive type, you may be interested in following our District and Global Leaderboards and see where you fit. Have some FUN while learning!
At a small gathering on Saturday, June 26, 2021 dedicated to the installation of new District Leadership for the 2021-2022 year, DG John Anthony reflected on his past year as District Governor of District 7390. In honor of his many contributions to our district including his passion, dedication and unrelenting optimism, we feature his reflections to the audience. Thank you DG John for your leadership during the many challenges and triumphs of the year!
2020-2021 - ROTARY OPENS OPPORTUNITIES
Wow! How Prophetic was THAT Theme! Do you remember your very first Roller Coaster Ride?
But wait....first you had years of anticipation as you needed to GROW. You were not ready even if you thought you were.... you weren't... You waited and you waited. And then finally, the year came. The year YOU were tall enough to ride the BIG Roller Coaster. But wait again... first were weeks and then days of anticipation. You worked on a plan. What is the front cart like? Too scary?
You spoke to others who had taken the ride before. You took in as much advice as you could. You lined up the people you would go with on the ride. You felt prepared... you felt nervous... you felt excited... and you were ready! Then the day came. More anticipation. More planning. You made sure not to eat or drink too much.
Finally you were in line. You patiently waited and you were ready. And you watched others as they exited the ride watching for any hint of knowledge they would bestow through their expressions or comments. And you positioned yourself to be in the front car... because you believe... that's the BEST place to be. Finally you are in your seat... strapped in... locked in ... ready to rock! And what a ride it was!! And then... it was over. WAY TOO SHORT... But AWESOME!!
Was the ride what you thought it would be? Did you scream the entire time? Grab onto the person next to you for security? Did you throw up a little? Laugh a little? Cry a little? Now what???
What an incredible year we have had.
The entire District Team stepped up their game working in their area to bring value to the clubs. Re-working, Re-structuring, Recreating, and Creating. Our Rotarians came together to strengthen OPPORTUNITIES for service by strengthening and expanding current programs such as... Rotary Means Business, Rotary Veterans Initiative, Teachers Impact Awards, Pints for Polio, Planning and educating for RYLA, Planning and educating for Youth Exchange, Pre-pets, MA Pets, Global Scholarships, A Virtual Conference, And SO much more...
Our Rotarians came together to create so many NEW OPPORTUNITIES including...Safety Committee, Communication Committee, Polio Plus Society, Billboard Campaigns, Mentor Program for new members, Ride for Polio, Monthly District Development Sessions, Monthly Leadership Calls for Club Leaders, Service Page, District BLOG, DG VLOG, Speakers Bureau, 72+ Initiative, Grant Certification Programs, Grant Programs to help smaller clubs get grants for their communities, and SO much more... and we added a New Club!
SO many leaders who made SO much happen. It was incredibly heartwarming to watch the passion and the drive offered by so many leaders and volunteers. The Presidents and leaders throughout the district Opened the Doors of Opportunity for Service to their clubs, their members, and their community which seemed to have been closed. And the members...the members found OPPORTUNITIES to continue to BE ROTARIANS. To offer service above self. In Clean Water Projects and Helping with COVID Vaccinations and easter egg hunts and helping in food pantries and helping local veterans and helping children in so many ways and in helping the environment with many Tree plantings and community garden projects and so much more locally and globally. And So much more...
Can you imagine a world without Roller Coasters? I cannot. BUT it is my time to let the next person in line. The next super excited, well trained and ready leaders... to have the front car. I CANNOT adequately express my gratitude for every single team member who helped to make this year a success. I CAN however, just as so many before me have, promise that I am NOT getting off the roller coaster. Nope the ride is too fun...too important...
You will find me with so many other wonderful PDGs, sitting in the back of the coaster, offering support and service, because like you all, we love the ride. We love Rotary. We love being of Service Above Self. It has truly been an honor to be your District Governor this year. Thank you for the opportunity to be of service to you. Rotary will CONTINUE to OPEN OPPORTUNITIES through all of you. Thank you all for ALL that YOU do EVERY day for your Community, for your World, and for Rotary. District Governor Greg.... best wishes on this incredible ride. We are buckled in and ready to roll. - District Governor John Anthony, 2020-2021
DG Greg Staub taking the oath of office.
DGE Juliet Altenburg & DGN Fred Gellert taking the oath of office.
PDG John Anthony receiving his PDG pin from PDG Una Martone.
2021-2022 District Leadership!
A great group of PDGs in attendance along with the current District Leadership.
The Rotary Club of York presented the “Service Above Self” Award to Jason McSherry in honor of his heroism in rescuing his neighbor from a house fire.
Pictured from left: RCY member, Kevin Schreiber; Jason McSherry; RCY Member Jeff Vermeulen; RCY Member Silas Chamberlin.
The Rotary Club of York’s Literacy Committee presented checks from proceeds raised from the Club’s Literacy Book Drive to two local organizations to provide books for their childcare centers.
Pictured from left: RCY Member Deb Harrison; Carmen Banzaca, Child Development Center at First Church of the Brethren; Major Tom Babbit, Salvation Army; RCY Member Sarah White
The Mechanicsburg North Rotary Club will be sponsoring a Golf Tournament on Monday, September 13 at the Carlisle Barracks Golf Course. The tournament is open to 133 golfers, and includes 18 holes of golf, open driving range, hole-in-one, putting, long drive, and closest to the pin contests. The tournament begins with a 1 PM shotgun start, preceded by a lunch. The cost is $125 per golfer. This is a fundraiser for Mechanicsburg North Rotary Club Community Veterans and Youth Projects. Proceeds from the tournament will support numerous programs for veterans and students within the local area. Our Rotary Veteran’s Initiative provides scholarship funds at Central Penn College, HACC and PSU Harrisburg to help with costs. An active mentoring program provides even more greatly needed help. Other proceeds will be applied to additional veteran and youth programs like these: • Hampden Township Veteran’s Park • VA Hospital Aquarium Project • High School Senior Scholarships including Students of the Month/Year • High School Leadership Training, including East Pennsboro High School InterAct Club • Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) • Rotary Youth Park • High School Speech and Essay Contests • High School International Youth Exchange. Sponsorship opportunities are available. To register or to sponsor a hole, carts, lunch, dinner or general sponsorship, contact us at rcmngolf@email.com. You can register at Tee It Up for Veterans & Youth with Mechanicsburg North Rotary Tickets in Carlisle, PA, United States (ticketleap.com)
The Rotary Club of York will hold it's Annual Golf, Tennis and Croquet Outing at the Country Club of York on Monday, September 13, 2021. Rain date is Monday, 9/27
PDG Paddy Rooney recently presented PDG Ben Hoover with the District 7390 Lifetime Achievement Award from the 2019-2020 Rotary year. Please continue to read his remarks when presenting the award:
"As we all know, this disjointed time caused by the pandemic, has disrupted all our lives and schedules for the past 16 months or more. The result was that I, along with so many others, found our plans and intentions abruptly interrupted in March of 2020. I was then still serving as Rotary District Governor and one of the great joys at the end of that year of service is the opportunity to recognize those individuals who have given so much to our District over the year and over a lifetime of service. Alas that was not to be.
And that was particularly disappointing for me since one of the awards I was looking forward to presenting was to be the recognition of a man who has exemplified for me and countless others the spirit and presence of Rotary in so many ways over the years that it is almost impossible to count. But today we get to rectify that omission and now come to present a Rotary lifetime achievement award to Dr. Ben Hoover.
Most of you know that Ben has been a member of this club and a Rotarian for more than 50 years. But there are members and there are Rotarians and I believe that Ben is one of the latter. His work, his service, his commitment and his dedication all speak to that presence Ben has been recognized in our community as a true servant leader and one who is passionately committed to our common purpose and goal of being a Rotarian. His service as President of this club and then as District Governor in the year 2008-09 under the theme “Make Dreams Real” a goal he has continued to exemplify from that day to this with his ongoing involvement in club and District committees, particularly his chairmanship of the Global Scholar grant award committee, all of which speak to his desire to put service above self.
Additionally, Ben has been a mentor to many Rotarians who have followed him in this club and I count myself as one of those fortunate enough to have benefited from such mentorship. When I was thinking about applying for the position of District Governor, Ben was one of the first people with whom I spoke. His support, encouragement and kindness urged me forward and when I assumed the office in 2019 there was no one else I would have wanted to pin me with the District Governor pin, than Ben Hoover.
Many special people have served Rotary over the past 100 plus years of our existence. Many have been examples of commitment and dedication. Many have served long and faithfully. And today I wish to add to their ranks another man who has truly exhibited all those qualities and more and done it in abundance; a man who has shown himself to be that model of true service above self; a man who has truly lived a lifetime of service.
My fellow Rotarians I would ask you to join with me and congratulate our friend, colleague and fellow Rotarian Dr. Ben Hoover as we present him with this lifetime achievement award on behalf of our club, our District and Rotary International. Congratulations Ben."
PDG Ben Hoover Receives District 7390 Lifetime Achievement Award
You are invited to a Celebration of Life for John Judson, Past 7390 District Governor (2014-15) and Rotary Club of Harrisburg President (2010-11).
The Celebration will be held Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at the Rife Center on the East Campus of Bethany Village in Mechanicsburg, PA. The family will be receiving in person guests in the Center’s lobby between 1 and 2 p.m. The Celebration of Life will begin in the Auditorium at 2 p.m. An outdoor reception will follow.
Guests may attend in person; however, seating is limited. Unvaccinated attendees will be required to wear masks and sanitation stations will be available.
If you would like to attend in person, please RSVP to ruthjudson@hotmail.com by 4 p.m. Thursday, July 8. Please provide your name, name of guest, phone number and e-mail address. We plan to alert those attempting to attend in person if seating is or is not available. When seating is at capacity, you may view the Celebration via Zoom.
We will Zoom the Celebration portion and provide the Zoom link closer to the event.
Jack Detwiler 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 most 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 Detwiler, “Our committee members are asked to serve as judges for student entries from area schools. This year we received 15 presentations to review. This year’s judges included President-Elect Matt Staub, Past President Jeff Boswell and me. There was a wide range of topics from 15 candidates.”
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. CASEF provides a scoring guide to provide consistency of presentation quality.
It is no surprise the 2021 CASEF student competition were virtual. Instead of live presentations this year competitors will submit short videos. Fair award dates in 2021 were March 8-11, 2021. CASEF participants submitted their projects to a centralized web. Detwiler says, “All judging is done blind meaning the judges do not know the names of those submitting a presentation. We are in the Special Award Category at the RCH and we present a $750 check to the student winning in the Senior Division.”
This year’s winner and RCH Grand Champion is Sam Koda a sophomore at Hershey High School for his project to determine which lanternfly traps are more effective and cost efficient. He noted in his presentation, “There are no commercially available traps for these insects, but of the four systems I tested, the most effective can be homemade for just over .50 cents per trap.”
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.”
Public and private schools in the 41 Central Pennsylvania service area are eligible to register in the CASEF. Senior division grand champions advance to compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair and the highest scoring projects of the junior division enter the Broadcom MASTERS competition.
Detwiler believes he’s seen, “Projects ranging from beetles to stream water studies. Detwiler noted, “Last year's 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.
Says Detwiler, “Over the years 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 High School 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 High School. 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 National Institute of Health.”
Anyone who has ever golfed or organized a golf fundraiser knows that tons of work precedes the actual event. Then there is lots of help behind the scenes and “on the course” to make everything run smoothly.
Rotary Club of Harrisburg members stepped up to the needs of the day to help make the Christian Churches United and Help Ministries Golf Outing a huge success.
Christian Churches United of the Tri-County Area (CCU) is a partnership of over 100 Christian congregations in Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry Counties working together with concerned individuals, public and private funders, and numerous partner agencies to support our neighbors in need.
HELP Ministries a program of CCU is often referred to as "The HELP Office." Help Ministries is a social service hub in Dauphin County, providing a comprehensive approach to homelessness and poverty alleviation through crisis resolution, emergency aid, and housing assistance.
Harrisburg Rotary members and friends worked behind the scenes to ensure golfers could concentrate on their game. Signs were put in place, beverage and food made available and no hitch would complicate a day of fun and funding important causes.
Members Frank Frailey, President James Good and Bruce Grossman move supplies into place.
New member Meghan Bachmore moved directional and descriptive signs into place.
President James Good enjoys fellowship with Aisha Mobley, CCU’s Community Mobilization Coordinator.
Taking a much need break are Frailey, Grossman, Bachmore, Alex Rajis, member Brad Gebhart, Addeline Alaniz Edwards and daughter Sophie.
Rotary Club of Harrisburg Members and Friends Ensure Others a Great Day of Golf and Fundraising
The 2021 Virtual Convention will be better than ever, opening more innovative opportunities to learn and to engage with the family of Rotary, near and far. You’ll be able to network in virtual lounges, meet new partners in service, and join fun activities with Rotary members from around the world.
The West York Rotary Club proudly announces six recipients from the 2021 graduating classes for the West York Rotary Club/Clair D. Worley Scholarships. Selected for the $1500.00 awards are Brian Kramer and Cole Shaub from Spring Grove Area High School, Thomas Urrunaga and Jacqueline Kizka from West York Area High School, and Lydia Eifert and Lauren Waits from Dover Area High School.
The Color Code is a world renowned personality assessment that helps build self awareness and helps members of working teams understand how to best leverage one another’s strengths. Unlike some personality assessments that focus only on behaviors, The Color Code unveils each individual’s Driving Core Motivation which answers WHY we do what we do. This understanding can help improve the success of any “team” in Rotary: boards of directors, committees, leadership teams, etc. On Monday, June 14, PDG Una Martone will facilitate a condensed version of The Color Code training for participants in the District Development Session. All registrants will be email instructions for taking The Color Code personality assessment and a link to a free version of the test.
District Food Safety Education with Research Opportunity!
The Penn State Extension is looking for Rotary Club volunteers to participate in a Research Study geared toward assessing and enhancing safe food preparation practices for group gatherings. FREE food will be delivered to participants as part of the study. Click here to learn more!
Please contact Lynne James at Lsj11@psu.eduby July 1st to participate!
The Peace Garden is a tranquil garden along the Susquehanna River two blocks north of the Governor’s residence at Maclay Street. This reflective stretch of fauna and sculptures is the result of nearly 30 years of collaboration between the city of Harrisburg and the Harrisburg-Hershey chapter of the international Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR).
PSR has primary responsibility for designing, planting and maintaining the Peace Garden and the city provides routine maintenance like mowing the grass, removing broken limbs, installing benches as is does throughout Riverfront Park.
Since 2018 the Rotary Club of Harrisburg leadership and members have made the Garden a major annual project. 2021 has been no exception. In early May of this year, volunteers from the Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Rotary Club of Harrisburg completed the annual bed cleaning and planting flowers.
The PSR and its amazing long-time leader Dr. Jim Jones, developed and maintain this beautiful garden as a thought-provoking message about world peace. Michael Lehman was the designer of the Peace Garden and Gwen Lehman have been overseeing the garden for at least 5 years with an "artistic eye." Ann Marie Judson and the late Dr. John Judson, Past RCH President and District 7390 Governor, have been members of PSR since the late 1980s.
PSR Harrisburg-Hershey is an affiliate of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. It is an organization of physicians committed to two issues safeguarding humanity; environmental protection as well as prevention of nuclear war. Common areas of concern are famine, drought exacerbated by climate change, poor water sources, air and ground contamination. The international group received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985.
RCH President-elect Matt Staub was on hand to make beauty happen. Staub sees our Club’s work with the Peace Garden as, “an important demonstration of Rotary International’s People of Action branding campaign. These community outreach efforts demonstrate what happens when community leaders in Rotary join together.”
Helping tend and beautify the Garden this year were RCH members Bruce Grossman, David Morrison, Beth Mihmet, Toni Mark and Ann Marie Judson.
One of three sculptures in the park by surgeon and artist Dr. Frederick Franck, a colleague of Albert Schweitzer, “Hiroshima” depicts a vaporized victim of the atomic blast whose only remain was a silhouette shadow on nearby concrete. This sculpture suggests the indomitable resilience of mankind, even in the wake of annihilation.
Volunteers Join To Beautify Harrisburg’s Peace Gardens
On Saturday, June 12, 10 a.m. - noon, Hershey Rotary Club will be volunteering to help the Derry Environmental Action Committee (DEAC) clean up a portion of the creek that runs along Cocoa Avenue, near Fishburn Road (and behind the former PNC Bank building).The Derry Environmental Action Committee is a group of neighbors and friends in Derry Township who work to preserve the natural surroundings and keep Hershey clean and livable.
This is a particularly family-friendly event and a great opportunity to introduce someone to Rotary. Sign up to volunteer with your partner/spouse/friend/child/grandchild.
A Celebration of Life for PDG John Judson will be held Wednesday, July 14 at 2:00 p.m. at The Rife Center at Bethany Village in Mechanicsburg. Please mark your calendars!
A 2020/21 Club Grant, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hanover, provided the Hanover Area Council of Churches with a new oven and griddle. HACC prepares 52,000+ meals annually for its various programs: free hot lunches 365 days a year and breakfast two days a week through the Provide-A-Lunch program, delivered home meals through Meals-On-Wheels, and food for individuals and families in the Homeless Shelter. Food insecurity hinders people from meeting their full potential in regards to employment and family care. For some folks, the Provide- A-Lunch program is the primary meal of the day. The Meals-On-Wheels program provides meals to those home-bound with physical restrictions impeding their ability to prepare their own meals. Pictured are (l.tor.) Rotarian Peg Sennett, Joan Potter Coordinator of PAL and MOW, and Mirna Wildason, Interim Executive Director and new Rotarian.
Both dedicated to humanitarian efforts, seniors Katie Mercer ’21 and Jenna Thoretz ’21 have been awarded Rotary Global Grant Scholarships to continue to pursue meaningful work. An international network of leaders dedicated to improving their home communities and those around the globe, Rotary International focuses their work on promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, maternal and child health, supporting education and literacy, and growing local economies, and the Rotary Global Grant Scholarships empower students like Mercer and Thoretz to advance this important work.
Learn more about Mercer’s and Thoretz’s experiences at Gettysburg College, and what they hope to accomplish in the future with their scholarships.
Her favorite class at Gettysburg was Global Health with Prof. Amy Dailey. The course, Mercer says, set her on the path of studying global health, and credits Dailey with being a very important part of her Gettysburg experience.
“My four years at Gettysburg have been extremely impactful in shaping my graduate school path. My advisor, Dr. Amy Dailey, has been extremely supportive and helpful not only during this process but through my time as an undergraduate student discovering my interests in global health. She has inspired me with her work and allowed me to grow as a researcher by assisting in her community-based research projects,” stated Mercer.
After graduating from Gettysburg in May, Mercer will study at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to continue her studies. The scholarship will allow her to engage with leading researchers and advocates in the field of global health, as well as support her research around the Rotary’s goal of disease prevention and treatment.
“I hope to someday use my specialization in the control of infectious diseases to create disease management, tracking, and treatment programs alongside humanitarian organizations in areas of conflict,” said Mercer. She continued, explaining that “The violence of war/conflict extends far past the battle lines; it causes system-wide destruction and degradation of human life. I plan to use my degree to bridge these health gaps and hopefully contribute, in some small part, to the improvement of health around the world.”
Mercer also recognized how her time working for CPS has played a role in teaching her to identify such gaps, and given her impactful life skills.
“CPS has taught me how to ask critical questions, analyze issues of intersectionality, and understand social mechanisms impacting biological processes. These Gettysburg experiences have helped me to grow and motivated me to pursue a career where I can continue to do so.”
Of being named a recipient of the scholarship, Mercer said, “Although I always knew what I wanted to study, at times it felt like I would never be able to make a real impact. Knowing that I have the support of an international organization like the Rotary Foundation gives me confidence and grounding that the things I am working on are important.”
Thoretz credits these varied experiences with preparing her to take this next step in her academic career: “Gettysburg provided me with incredible educational opportunities that prepared me to apply for the scholarship. My professors and mentors have been instrumental in helping me develop my academic interests and apply them to work in the community and in internship experiences.”
Her experience extended beyond the Gettysburg campus, too, where she had the opportunity to study global health and development policy in Geneva, Switzerland, through the Center for Global Education. “[The experience] exposed me to the humanitarian community and ignited a passion that I have been able to continue back at Gettysburg through my coursework and research.”
Upon graduating, Thoretz hopes to continue the work of improving international development and humanitarian systems worldwide, and will pursue a Master of Science in international development and humanitarian emergencies at the London School of Economics in the fall.
“Upon completion of my graduate degree, I intend to re-invest the education I receive into improving international development and humanitarian systems worldwide,” Thoretz says of her future aspirations. “In working with humanitarian organizations, I plan to be an advocate for the special consideration of women in all development and humanitarian initiatives. In addition, I hope to shift focus from international actors to local actors in order to build more sustainable solutions to economic development.”
Thoretz shares that she is most looking forward to having access to an international network of Rotarians working on similar issues, and towards a shared vision for the future.
Bright futures
“This honor is an incredible opportunity,” says Thoretz. “Not only does it allow me to pursue graduate education, but it allows me to forge connections with like-minded individuals through Rotary. I am incredibly grateful to the Rotarians in Gettysburg for providing me with this life-changing opportunity,” stated Thoretz.
When asked what the scholarship means to her, Mercer agreed that the connections are paramount: “The… scholarship will not only provide me financial assistance and the capability to attend graduate school but to connect with other international advocates through Rotary who are engaging in the field I am studying.” She sums it up simply, saying, “This honor means more than words can describe.”
For both Mercer and Thoretz, the scholarship not only means the financial support to help fund their future research in London, but also the career-launching support of an international organization that will connect them with colleagues and allow them to fully pursue their future aspirations in the world.
Katie Mercer and Jenna Thoretz receive Rotary Global Grant Scholarships, are headed to study in London
On Saturday May 22, the Rotary Club of Lancaster South helped plant trees and bushes at the Stevens Greenland Cemetery in Lancaster City. Six Lancaster South club members along with three members from the Penn Square Rotary Club joined more than fiKy (50) people from the Lancaster community with the project which included cleaning headstones, removing debris, and doing general cleanup. The Lancaster South Club also donated 16 rhododendron bushes to the cemetery.
The Stevens Greenland Cemetery has a lot of history and many stories of African-American soldiers who fought in the Civil War, Spanish- American War, both World Wars and the Korean War. There are also individuals buried in the cemetery that were community leaders of Lancaster City in the past whose last names still have deep ties to Lancaster City. A special Memorial Day ceremony entitled “Honoring Our Forgotten Heroes” will be held on May 31, 2021 at 11:00 am to honor the veterans and others buried in the cemetery.
Lancaster-South Service Project at the Stevens Greenland Cemetery
As part of their ongoing service project, Hanover Rotarians and their spouses filled food bags for Ruth’s Harvest. Ruth’s Harvest provides much needed food for children in need every Friday. Hanover Rotarians are Terry Gingrow, Walt Maust and Ralph Jodice. Spouses are Betsy Gingrow, Judy Risk and Judy Jodice.
In January, District Governor John Anthony shared Rotary International’s Call to Action regarding Vaccines. Our Hanover Rotary Club has accepted the challenge to combat vaccine hesitancy. We partnered with the York/Adams Immunization Coalition and the PA Polio Survivors Network to put together 1,000 vaccine information packets in both English and Spanish, containing credible vaccine resources. With COVID safety in mind, we are working together to make this happen, so these packets can be distributed to all parents in our area.
The Rotary Club of York’s Student Education Committee congratulates Maya Fetrow as the Edwin P. Mangold Rotary Scholarship recipient. The scholarship has a value of $ 4,000 ($ 1,000 x 4 years) towards her undergraduate studies in Molecular biology at the University of Pittsburgh. The Rotary Merit Scholarship was established in April 2007 from the estate of Rotarian Edwin P. Mangold. Maya is the daughter of Daniel and Jennifer Fetrow and is a 2021 graduate of Dover Area High School. She was presented the scholarship check at the May 12 Rotary Club of York club meeting at the Country Club of York.
The Rotary Club of York Awards Merit Scholarship
Maggie Scarborough, daughter of Robert and Jennifer Scarborough, was recognized at the May 12 meeting of the Rotary Club of York as the recipient of the Charles and Alma DIEHL Scholarship. A 2021 Kennard-Dale High School graduate, Maggie was awarded the $ 1,250 scholarship check to begin her studies at Virginia Tech as a Chemical Engineering major. The scholarship is made possible through the Charles W. Diehl, Jr. Rotary Education Fund of the York County Community Foundation.
L to R: Rotary Club of York President Anne Druck, Maya Fetrow, and Student Education Committee Chair Diane Merino.
L to R: Rotary Club of York President Anne Druck, Maggie Scarborough and Student Education Committee Chair Diane Merino.
I am asking you and/or your club for support for a project in India that falls outside the boundaries of Rotary Foundation parameters.
DG Rajan Gandotra of D3250 (Bihar and Jharkhand in India) is a personal friend of mine, and I have stayed with him and his wife (Anju) twice on my visits to India. Our district conducted a global grant with them a few years ago.
You have heard in the news how severe the COVID crisis in India is. They are critically short of oxygen throughout the country. DG Rajan is raising funds to purchase oxygen concentrators for the hospitals in his area. Getting amounts transferred to a Club Bank Account in India is a big challenge. The bank account has to be FCRA Compliant. (Foreign Currency Regulation Act). And to get official permission to do so can take months.
They have set up a GoFundMe Page (https://gofund.me/4790490e) wherein this US $ 3000 motivated by you or any additional amount can be immediately transferred by May 20th 2021. This amount will be used to purchase Oxygen Concentrators in US / Singapore itself and shipped to India. Four clubs have joined to collect US $ 70000 in this mission.
I have personally donated $1000 to this cause, and hope that you and/or your club will do the same.
On April 27th, the CDC released new guidance for vaccinated people allowing them the freedom to use fewer precautions. Now fully vaccinated people can gather in small outdoor gatherings with fully vaccinated family and friends with no masks. The Pennsylvania Department of Health still requires that masks be worn at indoor gatherings regardless of vaccination status. This is important to keep in mind as more Rotary clubs are moving to in-person activities including club meetings, fundraisers, and service events. Read more at: https://bit.ly/33lWs27
District Food Safety Education with Research Opportunity!
On Monday, May 24th, at 6 PM the Penn State Extension will be providing FREE Zoom education to Rotarians on food safety. This education is especially timely as many of us plan outdoor picnics with our club members and families. Our speaker is Lynn James, MS, RDN, LDN, Senior Extension Educator, Food Families & Health & Food Safety & Quality teams, Penn State Extension, Adams County. Lynn will also invite attendees to participate in a special research study involving the delivery of free food to the participants home, creation of a meal, and post meal education on what SHOULD have been safe food preparation. Join in on this free and educational event over the dinner hour. YES, YOU CAN EAT YOUR DINNER IN THE ZOOM ROOM. 😊 Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vd-GgrDkuHtTg5yg8BG8R57lLu2gbbi6Z
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
COVID-19 DISCON Breakout session available on demand!
On May 2nd, Dr. Angela Shen from the Vaccine Research Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia presented a session on COVID-19 at the multi-district conference. The session included information on its history, prevalence, and the steps all of us as Rotarians can take to end our Pandemic once and for all. View this excellent presentation at: https://youtu.be/zDuFUfxcpJA
Congratulations to Four Way Essay Contest Winner Sophie Ahrens from Red Lion High School! Sophie presented her winning essay last week at DisCon2021 for a Zoom audience that was deeply moved by her courage and willingness to share such a personal story of how the Four Way Test inspires her to keep on living every day. With her permission we share her winning essay on the District Blog at: https://d7390rotaryblog.wordpress.com/ We applaud Sophie for her willingness to share her challenges which will help so many others who don't have the same courage!
D7390 Four Way Essay Contest Winner’s Moving Essay featured on District Blog
On Monday, May 23rd, at 6 PM the Penn State Extension will be providing FREE Zoom education to Rotarians on food safety. This education is especially timely as many of us plan outdoor picnics with our club members and families. Our speaker is Lynn James, MS, RDN, LDN, Senior Extension Educator, Food Families & Health & Food Safety & Quality teams, Penn State Extension, Adams County. Lynn will also invite attendees to participate in a special research study involving the delivery of free food to the participants home, creation of a meal, and post meal education on what SHOULD have been safe food preparation. Join in on this free and educational event over the dinner hour. YES, YOU CAN EAT YOUR DINNER IN THE ZOOM ROOM. 😊 Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vd-GgrDkuHtTg5yg8BG8R57lLu2gbbi6Z
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
District Food Safety Education with Research Opportunity!
On Wednesday, May 12 from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. EDT, Zones 28 and 32 are holding an hour of virtual speakers and entertainment to raise funds for The Rotary Foundation (TRF). Jennifer Jones, Rotary International President Nominee 2022-23, Mike Govern, Chair of the PolioPlus program, Past International President, Barry Rassin, and Drew Kessler, RI Director Nominee (speaker at our Tri-District conference) are just a few of the Rotarians who will bring you messages about Rotary’s signature effort to eradicate polio and open other doors of opportunity. Entertainers include Alex Lifeson, Canadian guitarist/rock legend with the Canadian band, Rush.
You may ask, “Why 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.?” Zones 28 and 32 represent Rotarians in Bermuda, Canada, France, and the United States which means this event will span 6 time zones. Finding a time that worked for thousands of Rotarians takes planning.
Tickets to the virtual event are available by going to trellis.org/rotary-gala. Tickets are $110 USD plus applicable fees, of which $100 is a fully credited donation to TRF - you get a charitable tax receipt and 100 Paul Harris Fellowship points, and your District gets credit towards their Foundation goals.
Rotarians, their clubs, and Districts are reaching the goals they have set for Foundation donations this year. The donation will be directed 75% to the Annual Fund of TRF and 25% to the PolioPlus fund. This event provides a unique opportunity to support TRF and make a difference in the world.
Anna-Mae Kobbe, Ph.D.
Rotary District Foundation Chair-Elect
Zones 28 and 32 VIRTUAL ROTARY FOUNDATION GALA & FUNDRAISER
You never forget the teacher who makes a difference…
In a year like no other, teachers deserve a round of applause! Help us celebrate educators who made an extra-special impact. Join WITF and Rotary 7390 as we recognize and celebrate 14 outstanding teachers who go the extra mile to make a difference in the lives of their students.
Due to the pandemic, we were unable to hold an awards ceremony last year. So, this year’s virtual online event will be super-sized as we celebrate the Teacher Impact Awards Class of 2020 and 2021 together.
On Saturday April 24, the Rotary Club of Lancaster South sponsored a service project at the 1719 Herr House Museum. Tiffany Fisk, Manager at the Herr House welcomed us, and gave us a brief orientation to the site and a bit of its history. The task was to clear the overgrown kitchen garden, which was a patch of weeds when we began. By noon the group had filled 24 lawn and leaf bags and four wheelbarrows of weeds and the garden was completely cleared, ready for restoration as an exhibit of historic plants and gardening. Another flower bed with a display of old mill stones was weeded as well. Six Rotarians, five members of the Lampeter Strasburg Interact club with their advisor, and one spouse, accomplished this work. Ideas emerged for finding opportunities for future collaboration with the students in the Interact Club, as well as the possibility for continued partnership with the 1719 Herr House Museum. It really was an enjoyable morning, with wonderful spring weather in a beautiful setting, and good people to share the work.
Lancaster-South Service Project at the 1719 Herr House Museum
On May 19, 2021, the Rotary Club of Colonial Park Foundation will award 22 students $71,000 in scholarships for the school year 2020-21. The Foundation awards scholarships to Dauphin County Technical School, Central Dauphin East, Central Dauphin, Harrisburg Christian and Bishop McDevitt High Schools. Scholarships range in amounts from $500 to $21,000.
In late 2013, the Rotary Club of Colonial Park authorized the formation of the Rotary Club of Colonial Park Foundation. The purpose of the Foundation includes, but is not limited to, the following: to help meet the educational, charitable, community enhancements and benevolent needs of organization and individuals within Lower Paxton Township and surrounding communities; and other communities where disasters have occurred.
In 2016 the Rotary Club of Colonial Park Foundation raised funds from donors in the Rotary club to start a scholarship program for students in the Central Dauphin School District and Dauphin County Technical School. During our first year of awarding scholarships, the Foundation granted $20,000 for one nursing scholarship, $10,000 for one engineering scholarship and $15,000 from our golf tournament to sponsor three $5,000 scholarships to HACC. Currently we offer scholarships to five high schools in our area. Unless specified by the donor, which some scholarships are, the students may apply to any accredited college program of their choice.
Randy Sibert, President of the Rotary Club of Colonial Park Foundation states: “Since 2002, the Rotary Club of Colonial Park and the Rotary Club of Colonial Park Foundation, has awarded $603,908 in scholarships. When you add our community giving funds to organizations in the area, our total scholarships and community giving totals $825,808.”
World Immunization Week (WIW) 2021 comes as COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out around the world, and vaccination is unprecedentedly the focus of daily news cycles and everyday conversations. The milestone, which will take place from Saturday, 24 April to Friday, 30 April, serves as a chance to broaden the conversation about the polio program’s contributions to global health, including its support of equitable COVID-19 vaccine rollout. This year’s community-wide WIW theme is “vaccines bring us closer,” which aims to build on the current public spotlight on vaccines and reach a wider audience beyond immunization partners with important messages about vaccine efficacy and safety.
The polio program delivers more than the polio vaccine. Polio health workers also respond to #malaria, #Ebola, #measles, and now #COVID19 – strengthening health systems and working toward improved health for all. #EndPolio #VaccinesWork
York East Rotary members (from left) Deborah Klinedinst, Tim Koller, Tony Molinaro, Charles Wurster, Greg Kern, Reid Kern (Greg’s son) and Greg Klinedinst (not Pictured) participated in a recent cleanup effort. The club picks up litter along Edgewood Road between Prospect Street and Kingston Road.
Since April 13, 2020, the York-North Rotary Club has been supplying over 100 sandwiches per week to Our Daily Bread soup kitchen. The soup kitchen provides breakfast and lunch to 150 – 200 people in York, and the York-North Rotary Club has been assisting them in this effort. Fifteen club members have been taking turns every three weeks to make peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, package them (along with some cookies), and deliver them to Our Daily Bread. These sandwiches are offered to everyone who visits the soup kitchen to take home with them, as a meal for later in the day.
At the one-year anniversary of this service to our community, the York-North Rotary Club has already delivered over 5000 sandwiches, along with coffee, oatmeal, potato salad, and other food staples. After the COVID 19 guidelines are relaxed, the York North Rotary Club plans to continue to provide food staples and to volunteer from time to time to serve food at Our Daily Bread.
The following tribute to PDG Chuck Cenkner was printed on Penn Live
Amid these times of political, social and healthcare concerns, we wanted to reflect on the loss of a Harrisburg area leader, Charles L. Cenkner. Chuck, who passed on Feb. 15, had an extensive background in finance. His calm, competent ways made him an ideal leader for the Capital Area Cosmopolitan Club, which he served as club Treasurer and Vice Chairman in 2020. He was especially active in its fundraising for diabetes projects, including the Setebaid Service Summer Camp for diabetic children in Pennsylvania. Setebaid has established the Charles Cenkner Memorial Fund to remember his life and legacy and is accepting contributions. Chuck lived in Shipoke, where his quiet, tireless manner made him a hero in helping to keep this neighborhood clean. Chuck was also active in Rotary, serving as District Governor in 2002-2003 and working diligently on efforts to eradicate polio globally. In 2011, he received Rotary’s Distinguished Service Award. We pray that Chuck finds peace and is happily reunited with the love of his life, Marilyn. William M. Dallam and friends of Chuck Cenkner
In tribute to Charles L. Cenkner, a respected community leader
Following Hurricane Maria in 2017, District 7390 raised $30,386.00 specifically for Puerto Rico recovery efforts. It took some time for us to identify an appropriate project and in January 2020 we sent a check in the full amount to the Jane Stern Community Libraries to cover recovery and operating costs at two of their satellite locations in Toa Baja and Mameyal. Unfortunately, COVID 19 has slowed the recovery process; schools and libraries have been operating on a spotty virtual basis which has slowed their progress in offering expanded programs.
We received a report dated March 16, 2021 showing a remaining balance of $13,025.94 along with plans to shortly return to a normal schedule where they can again offer school library programs during the day and community programs in the evenings that include language and literacy programs for adults, teens and children, along with early education play areas with books and toys, and reliable internet access for digital resources.
Rotary District 730 is recognized as a Major Sponsor at the Library’s main entrance and on their website, social media, and print material.
UPDATE ON THE JANE STERN COMMUNITY LIBRARY PROJECT IN PUERTO RICO
The Harrisburg Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg which was founded in 1911 as the 23rd club in all the world.
The Foundation is funded by Club members and Club-sponsored fundraisers. The Foundation typically disburses about $50,000.00 per year in college scholarships, grants to the Harrisburg School District, local charitable organizations, programming for local youth, local and international service projects.
In addition to the normal service and support, from March 2020 to April 2021, the Rotary Club of Harrisburg has donated the unused portion of the members’ meal budget to organizations who have been supporting those who need extra help during the pandemic.
Prior to the pandemic, members typically enjoyed lunch, Club updates and a notable speaker most every Monday at the Hilton Harrisburg in the center of the city.
To date, Foundation has donated an additional $30,400.00 from the lunch budget to the following organizations since March 2020.
American Red Cross- Central PA Chapter
Bethesda Mission
Boys and Girls Club
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Downtown Daily Bread
Hanna's Pantry
Hospice of Central Pennsylvania
Humane Society of Harrisburg Area
Jewish Community Foundation's Food For Children Campaign
Latino Hispanic American Community Center
Rotary Foundation's Polio Plus Fund
Salvation Army- Harrisburg Capital City Region
Save the Bananas
Shalom House
YMCA- Camp Curtin Branch
YWCA of Greater Harrisburg
Harrisburg Club’s Foundation Donates Lunch Meeting Funds to 16 Non-Profits While While Socially Distancing
Many of you have asked about our Rotary-United Nations activities, especially regarding the popular United Nations Days, we had pre-covid.
Recently our friends in NYC District 7230 helped to coordinate a virtual UN day, with lots of great content and speakers. Below are links to archive videos of the first 3 sessions.
I have also been doing Zone and District presentations on the 75th anniversary and history of Rotary’s founding contribution to the UN. Below is an archive video from a recent RID 3860 celebration event, hosted by Banilad Metro RC in Cebu, Philippines. My UN presentation starts at about the 11:40 minute mark. 75th Anniversary Celebration of Rotary & the United Nations
We hope you enjoy this information on our Rotary-United Nations partnership. Please like and subscribe to receive notice of new videos when uploaded.
With best regards.
Doug V
PDG Doug Vincent, D7080 ON, Canada
Rotary UNAC United Nations Rep
RCMP Federal Community Police Advisor
744797 CR 17, Woodstock, ON N4S 7V7 +1 519-537-3753
We are excited to offer a $ 5,000 scholarship to someone dedicated to community service and serving others while enrolled in college! Applications are currently being accepted for this inaugural scholarship. Eligible applicants are current full-time undergraduate college students enrolled for their junior year this fall 2021. All scholarship criteria, including the downloadable application, are available on www.yorkrotary.org/downloads. Completed applications must be received before the May 31, 2021 deadline. Contact Student Education Administrator Renea with any questions officeassist@yorkrotary.org.
THE ROTARY CLUB OF YORK STUDENT EDUCATION CHAIR’S SCHOLARSHIP
This is the 17th annual golf tournament sponsored by the Rotary Club of Colonial Park will be held Friday, May 21, 2021. The tournament is named after Past President Norman P. Hetrick, who passed away on June 30, 2009. Norm was president of the Rotary Club of Colonial Park during the Rotary year of 2001/2002. As President, it was Norm’s goal to raise funds for community projects and organizations, especially to benefit students in area schools and the Harrisburg Foundation.
The Colonial Park Rotary Club is designating the proceeds from the golf tournament to be used as scholarships for three students who would not have the ability to pay for tuition. These scholarships can be used at any accredited post-secondary educational institution. Three eligible graduating seniors from Dauphin County Technical Schools will each be awarded a $5,000, one-year scholarship. Over the past 17 years, the club has awarded more than $180,000 towards providing scholarships to local students and assisting civic non-profit organizations. The Colonial Park Rotary Club is working to make this the best year ever!
The Rotary Means Business Fellowship (RMBF) gained Rotary International approval as a business networking fellowship in 2013 and has been growing ever since. It now has over 100 Chapters worldwide covering every continent except Antarctica (penguins may be joining soon) and almost 1,000 individual paid members. The Purpose of the RMB Fellowship, i.e., the “what” and the “why” follow: Rotary Means Business encourages Rotarians to support the success of their fellow Rotarians by doing business with them, and by referring others to them. After all, we follow the Four Way Test so trust is built into all parts of Rotary. As a result, the RMBF helps develop stronger businesses, stronger communities, stronger members, stronger Rotary Foundation, stronger Clubs, and ultimately a stronger Rotary.
Chapters may be formed in varying ways – a group of Rotarians in a geographical area may decide to form a chapter, a part of a District may form a chapter, or the chapter may be formed based on a District-centered/managed model. Chapters join the RMBF to use the logo and RMB brand name for a modest annual fee. There is no requirement that chapter members join the Fellowship as individuals but this is recommended. Chapter leaders are required to join the RMBF. Individual annual memberships or lifetime memberships are available at a reasonable cost.
The RMBF provides its members and Chapters many benefits to include being part of a growing worldwide Rotary business networking movement with the opportunity to exchange views with Rotarians from around the world. When you join and fill out your member profile, you automatically are part of a global Rotarian “Yellow Pages”. For local chapters when more and more of the members join the RMBF, the chapter has effectively created its own “Yellow Pages” since if you search the database for a particular US state and a particular profession the name of local members in that profession will pop up. The RMBF also is developing a Mentoring database, which will allow Rotarians to mentor other Rotarians that seek advice in various fields. You can also promote your business networking events on the RMBF website at www.rotarymeansbusiness.org.
To find out more regarding forming a Chapter or joining as an individual, please consider stopping by the RMBF virtual booth in the Hall of Friendship. Members of the RMBF Board of Directors to include the Chair and Vice Chair will be able to answer your questions and point you to the best path to join as a Chapter and/or an individual.
Hall of Friendship times are as follows:
Friday evening April 30 - 6:00 to 7:00 PM
Saturday morning, May 1 - 8:30 to 9:30 AM
Saturday evening, May 1 - 6:00 to 7:00 PM
Sunday, morning May 2 - 10:30 to 11:15 AM
See you there!
ROTARY MEANS BUSINESS FELLOWSHIP: OPPORTUNITIES TO JOIN AS AN INDIVIDUAL OR A CHAPTER AT THE TRI-DISTRICT CONFERENCE
Although Supporting the Environment has recently become a standalone area of focus, over the past 5 years, more than $18 million in Foundation global grant funding has been allocated to environment related projects. Click Here.
Past Rotary President Gary C.K. Huang says that with the global population reaching near eight billion, protecting the environment is increasingly important.
It is time for us to use our collective resources to invest in a smart and efficient way to protecting our environment,” says Huang. “We are qualified to take this initiative because we are a global group of problem solvers with diversified talents.
The Rotary Foundation will be supporting activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of natural resources, advance environmental sustainability, and foster harmony between people and the environment. If you want to learn more see the Rotary Foundation Areas of Focus Policy Statements by Clicking Here
From the Rotary web page: Rotary shares an interest in protecting our common legacy: the environment. We are committed to supporting activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of natural resources, advance ecological sustainability, and foster harmony between communities and the environment. We empower communities to access grants and other resources, embrace local solutions, and spur innovation in an effort to address the causes and reduce the effects of climate change and environmental degradation.
To do projects that have a larger impact, and broader reach, ongoing donations to the Rotary Foundation will be needed to permit Rotarians to plan and implement global grant projects. One way to assure that funds are there when we need/want them is to make gifts that are targeted towards supporting the environment via the world fund. The interest from these donations will then be directed only to global grants that are focused on this new area of focus into perpetuity.
Consider being a donor leader in supporting this new area of focus.
Supporting the Environment: A New Area of Focus and New Opportunities Coming July 2021
The Rotary Club of York is currently accepting applications for $ 2,000 WHITELEY EDUCATIONAL LOANS for full-time, undergraduate college students. All criteria and downloadable applications are available on the club’s website www.yorkrotary.org/downloads. The deadline to receive a completed application is May 31, 2021. Contact Student Education Administrator Renea with any questions officeassist@yorkrotary.org.
York Accepting Applications for Whitely Educational Loans
Rotary Means Business District 7390 hosted a Virtual RMB networking event on March 24 for which 23 Rotarians registered and 16 or 17 attended. The event had members of the Rotary Clubs of Carlisle, Carlisle Sunrise, Hanover, Harrisburg, Harrisburg Keystone, Mechanicsburg North, Lancaster Hempfield, Lancaster Penn Square, Paradise, and York North attend along with two out-of-district guests from the Chicagoland Chapter of the Rotary Means Business Fellowship. Also, another guest was from New Jersey but had attended Chicagoland events and another guest was from New York and is the Vice Chair of the RMB Fellowship.
Scott Stevens, the President of the Governing Board of District 7390 RMB, ran a very smooth and fun meeting during which a lot was accomplished and great business connections were made. Linda Kemp, the co-founder of the Chicagoland RMB Fellowship Chapter # 100, gave a brief talk about two very helpful networking apps (HiHello and Bomb Bomb) and discussed her upcoming hybrid (in person and virtual) Chicagoland RMB networking event on April 15 at the newly renovated Chicago-area home of Rotary International founder Paul Harris. District Governor John Anthony gave a short presentation regarding the upcoming virtual District 7390 Conference April 30 to May 2. Everyone had a chance to give their elevator pitch concerning their businesses and then the meeting broke down twice into smaller groups for more in depth discussion giving everyone a chance to know one another better.
All in all the 61st RMB District 7390 networking event gave everyone an opportunity for great fun, fellowship, and successful business networking. RMB District 7390 and the RMB Fellowship will be prominent parts of the upcoming district conference. Please do not miss this opportunity to participate again in Rotary Means Business.
Missed the bus with applying for a 2021-2022 District Grant?
No worries!
You can still “HOP ON THE BUS” with us!
While the March 15 deadline for submitting the Form of Intention for 2021-2022 District Grants may have already passed, you can still be a part of a District Grant by joining our multi-club, district-wide project. You can learn more about the project on our club’s website HERE or by watching DG John Anthony’s VLOG HERE.
We are still in need of ONE MORE CLUB to be a grant partner along with the Harrisburg Keystone, West Shore, Mechanicsburg North, and Littlestown clubs! And even if you already have your own District Grant project lined up, you can still join other clubs, such as the Lancaster South and Perry County clubs, that have generously donated to this project in addition to their own club projects. Our club has set up a donation link HERE, and each donation, whether from clubs or individuals, help us reach our $25,000 District Grant goal and push this bus a little closer to finish line!
Just as a reminder, we’re also offering to match up to $500 of each club’s donations (Read more about the matching challenge HERE). So far, that’s already added up to $2150 in additional money going towards the project.
We know that by working together we can multiply the good that we can do in the world. Thank you so much for your consideration!
Yours in Rotary,
Meg & Duke
P.S. For any questions related to the project, please feel free to reach out to us here:
Applications are currently being accepted for the Carol Wagman NursingScholarship. Eligible applicants are York College of PA students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in their junior year or above. All criteria, including the downloadable application, are available on www.yorkrotary.org/downloads. The application deadline is May 31. Please contact Student Education Administrator Renea with any questions at officeassist@yorkrotary.org
Rotary Club of York Carol Wagman Nursing Scholarship
The Rotary Club of York is currently accepting applications for the $ 3,000 Donna E. Hayes Equine Scholarship. Eligible applicants are current full-time students in the EQUINE field of study in college (majors including management, studies, science, therapy, business, etc.). The application and informational letter are available on www.yorkrotary.org/downloads. Please contact Student Education Administrator Renea Oberdick with questions officeassist@yorkrotary.org. The application deadline is May 31, 2021.
Here are recent graduate (and Tech Services staffer) Kyle Wall with Computer/Business Education Teacher Mr. George and Secondary Principal Dr. Ebert getting familiarized with the wide array of new digital cameras, lavalier microphones, lighting, and portable green screens made possible through a generous donation from the Rotary Club of Northern Lebanon County.
The Northern Lebanon Secondary School wants to thank Elaine Ludwig and the entire Rotary Club of Northern Lebanon County for investing in broadcasting, journalism, and communications education!
Northern Lebanon Rotary Donates Equipment to Local High School
Rotary District 7390 RMB will host the 61st RMB networking event on Wednesday March 24 at 4:00-5:30 PM via Zoom. As with most Zoom events, there will be no charge, but you must register to receive the Zoom link. Registration can be made through the following link: http://bit.ly/RMBmarch2021
The value of continuing education can never be underestimated.
For many years, Rotary Club of Harrisburg (RCH) members have financially and functionally support high school students from area schools attain valued scholarships. The scholarship awards are for $2,000 each. It is estimated the Club members have funded hundreds of scholarships.
According to Scholarship Chair Curt Stutzman, “Our committee has been supporting four students for quite some time now. Typically, we select one student from each of the four area school districts in our Club’s footprint. I say, typically, because one year our committee had tied scoring sheets.”
Students from John Harris High School, Harrisburg Sci Tech, Steelton-Highspire High School and Bishop McDevitt High School are encouraged every year to submit detailed applications. Committee members score the applications using a scoring system that looks at a number of factors, including financial need, rank in class, an essay and more. Committee members review the submissions and make the final scholarship determinations.
Stutzman says, “The RCH pancake breakfast held in October each year is the largest fundraiser for the Club. Most of the scholarship funding comes from the proceeds. Occasionally, as in the case of the tied scoring, we need to request additional funding from the Club’s Foundation coffers.”
Stutzman has been the Scholarship Committee’s chair for four years. When asked why he serves, he said, “I like to be of service in ways that I can help and this is one way to do that for our Club. I enjoy the interaction with the students at the lunch when we host them to present the awards. I like to hear their goals and plans for their future.
Over my years as a committee member and chair, I’ve seen many of these students as future leaders in our community and hope they eventually become engaged Rotarians. I also think my being detail oriented helps in updating the application and tabulation of the scores.”
Students frequently send thank you notes like this one, “Thank you so much for this opportunity, this really means a lot to me and my family! Thank you again.” A.C.
Members of the Scholarship Committee include Karen Cullings, Carolyn Dumaresq, Michael Eby, Peggy Grove, Betty Hungerford, Curt Stutzman (Chair), Michele Tantardini and Sue Ward-Diorio.
RCH Members Support Future Leaders Through A Decades Long History of College Scholarship Funding
Celebrating 75 Years of Joint International Service
The United Nations (UN) serves as a global forum where countries raise and discuss the most difficult issues, including problems of health, climate, education and peace. Since helping to charter the United Nations in 1945, Rotarians and the United Nations have worked together toward peace and addressing humanitarian issues worldwide.
In September 2020, the United Nations reaffirmed its commitment to leave no-one behind, protect our planet, promote peace, engage young people and be better prepared for future crises. These are opportunities for us to take action.
On 10 April 2021, join people of action from around the world for an online event “75 Years of Action,” celebrating Rotarians’ lasting support of the United Nations and the Sustainable Development Goals.
This event- a live premier of reflections and flash talks with first-hand experiences- will emphasize UN officials and Rotarians’ shared values and ongoing history of empowering and connecting people to opportunities through a series of flash talks and brief discussions.
Dr. Dave Zuilkoski, President, and Dr. Erik Orndorff, President-Elect, of the Paradise Club of Rotary in Lancaster County have decided to “put their money where their bellies are” when it came to charitable fundraising ideas during this COVID pandemic! Dr. Z and Dr. O are superintendents of the Conestoga Valley School District, and Pequea Valley School District, respectively. Knowing that in-person fundraising events were limited or non-existent per safety guidelines, they looked no further than each other for inspiration.
“We both knew we could lose a few pounds and figured out a way to have a healthy competition that would benefit our local charities,” Dr. Z stated. Dr. O added, “we’ve never taken ourselves too seriously, so putting ourselves out there for a weight loss challenge was a great way to get funds and food for our local charities.” Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services (CVCCS) in Conestoga Valley, and The Factory Ministries in Pequea Valley are two local organizations that help those in need, to include a food pantry at both locations.
The premise of the local “Biggest Loser: CV v PV” is that for every pound that Dr. Z or Dr. O lose, people can sponsor them either monetarily or with food items. For example, people can donate a per pound amount (i.e., $1 per pound lost, or one food item per pound lost), or can make a straight fixed amount donation (i.e., $25 or a bag of groceries). This 90-day challenge began on February 1, with the final weigh-in being held on April 30. So far, it’s been nip and tuck! (No pun intended!)
In addition to this Rotary-sponsored event, both school districts have opened up the weight loss program to their faculty and staff and have made it part of their respective wellness programs. The partnership between the Paradise Club and the local school districts is beneficial to both the charitable organizations and the individuals in the two districts!
For more information, check out the introductory video or visit the two districts’ website to find out how you can donate to make a difference!
Paradise Club of Rotary Biggest Losers for a Good Cause
Let me share a focus for your club moving forward.
Rotary International has established a Taskforce for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
District 7390 is forming a new committee to assist clubs with growth through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. If you are interested in joining this committee please email PDG Dennis Zubler, dennis.zubler@gmail.com
A top priority for Rotary is growing and diversifying our membership to make sure we reflect the communities we serve and are inclusive of all cultures, experiences, and identities. We're creating an organization that is more open and inclusive, fair to all, builds goodwill, and benefits our communities.
To help us achieve our goal, the RI Board of Directors passed a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statement: As a global network that strives to build a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change, Rotary values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, ethnicity, race, color, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Rotary will cultivate a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture in which people from underrepresented groups have greater opportunities to participate as members and leaders. Making diversity, equity, and inclusion a priority is everyone's responsibility — from Rotary members to staff at the Secretariat.
The eradication of Polio is Rotary International's number one promise to the world. It is our largest global project. We have made much great progress over the years, yet there is still much to be done. The infrastructure of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (of which RI is a partner) has most recently been used to combat COVID. Now countries around the world are re-instituting Polio vaccinations for their children. And Rotary is there to help.
But it is intuitively obvious to the most casual observer that the effort needs money in order to keep going. So, I am asking you to make a special donation of at least $100 to the PolioPlus Fund. This would be over and above your normal annual donation to PolioPlus.
And, if you do, I will:
Personally obtain the commemorative coin (actually, I already have them)
Personally mount the coin in a coin display thing-a-ma-jig. (Actually, I already have these, too)
Personally purchase the padded envelop (news flash, I already have these, too)
Personally address the aforementioned padded envelop to you. My personal handwriting is sure to be a collector’s item some day.
Personally mail you an official US Mint one dollar coin which commemorates the discovery of the Polio vaccine. (actually, my bookkeeper will mail it since the post office is on the way to work for her.)
So then, I buy the coin. I buy the coin display thing-a-ma-jig. I buy the padded envelope. I will hand address the envelop in nearly calligraphy-like perfection. Or at least legible enough for the post office. I pay for the postage.
And all you need to do is make a one-time contribution to PolioPlus. Over and above your normal PolioPlus donation.
Here is how you do it. Select endpolo.org or myrotary.org. After you sign in, look in the upper right-hand corner of the home page for the DONATE button. Click that button and follow the easy-to-understand instructions. You will get Paul Harris points AND, more importantly, you will join thousands of Rotarians across the world in eradicating a horrible disease.
To get the coin, just email me a copy of your receipt from TRF to pdgjohn2015@gmail.com and I will get the coin in the mail to you, with my personal thanks. Oh. And this offer is limited to the first seventy-seven people who respond. That's all the coins I have left.
Join members of my club who have already made a special contribution to PolioPlus.
Join us in Rotary's number one mission! And thank you.
We are excited to be your guides as we set out exploring new opportunities together. Our path will take us into a world of leadership, learning, fellowship and fun! All from the comfort of your own home!
This exciting adventure will also include the opportunity to join with fellow Rotarians safely in service throughout the three districts!
If the video does not appear, please click here to view it.
We are gathering information on service activities that have taken place in the District or that your club is planning to complete. The projects will be listed on this page and will not be taken off. This page will showcase the good works of Rotarians and Rotary Clubs in District 7390!
Submit your service activity information today by clicking here!
This weeks District Blog features PDG Ben Hoover who is celebrating his 50th Rotary anniversary as a 3rd Generation Rotarian. You will be inspired by Ben’s incredible life of service and all the opportunities that enriched Ben’s life as a result of his time with Rotary. Read more at: https://wordpress.com/view/d7390rotaryblog.wordpress.com
Check our our Member Spotlight on the D7390 Rotary Blog!
To better assist clubs that are experiencing financial hardship or have not completed a club project in the last two years, the District Club Grants Committee has established two new grant opportunities for Rotary District 7390 Clubs.
Pre-Funded District Club Grants provide Rotary District 7390 Clubs with advanced funding for a District Club Grant (DCG) that may not otherwise have the financial resources to fully fund a DCG up front. Clubs showing financial need may request up to $2,500 in DCG funding.
District Micro Grants of $500 is available for clubs that are experiencing financial difficulties and have not completed a District or Global in the last two years.
For more information and the applications to apply, please click here. DG John Anthony and District Grant Committee Co-Chair Amy Spotts also discuss these two new grants in the 2/26 VLOG.
The members of the Rotary Club of New Holland are mourning the loss of their fellow member, Titus Musser, who passed away on February 11, 2021. Having joined the club in 1961, Titus was a dedicated, long-time member, and served as its past president, Secretary and Treasurer. Titus was just as dedicated to Rotary on an international level and was recently awarded the Paul Harris Fellow +5 pin shortly before his death. Titus retired from his excavating business after 60 years, was very involved in the retirement community where he lived, and enjoyed gardening and woodworking. In the photos, you can see an example of Titus’ woodworking craftsmanship in the model he built of a one-room schoolhouse he attended as a child. All of us in the club thank you, Titus, for your inspiration and dedication to our club. You will be missed!
The District has a Meetup Group which is open to all Rotarians to join free of charge. It’s a place to see service opportunities, fundraisers, and education AND post your own club’s activities. Go to https://www.meetup.com/Service-Above-Self/ and click “Join”. DGN Juliet Altenburg will then approve you and make you an “event planner” so you can post all your club’s activities. This site is open to the public so it is a great way to advertise all your events and reach out to the community and other clubs.
Join the District 7390 Service Above Self Meetup Group
For the third year in a row, members of the Harrisburg Keystone Rotary Club were #FreezinforaReason as part of the Capital Area Polar Plunge!
This Special Olympics fundraiser is normally held at the lake of Gifford Pinchot State Park. To limit social contact during the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's event was held virtually, similar to the "Ice Bucket Challenge." Over $650,000.00 has been raised by Virtual Polar Plunge Participants across the state to empower Pennsylvania's Special Olympics athletes.
This year's Rotary team, Addeline Alaniz Edwards, Robert Ihlein, Becky Boone, and John Abel have raised nearly $700.00 so far! Help the team meet its goal of $1,000.00. Visit https://www.classy.org/team/336704 to donate.
Rotary Club of Harrisburg Members Make a Difference in Someone’s Troubled Life!
Maybe you believe in giving people a second chance, maybe a third; maybe beyond. That seems to be the common denominator of those Rotary Club of Harrisburg members serving on the Care Court outreach.
Started in 2009 by two exceptional Rotarians The Honorable Yvette Kane United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and then Rotary Club of Harrisburg president and known people activist Karen Snyder. The dynamic duo brought a concept of caring and compassion in the court to life.
Care Court is designed to give those who were incarcerated a hand up. It gives them someone outside the federal court system to help face the challenges of everyday life when they may have had no role model or languished too many years in “the system.” Since its founding, the Care Court concept has been a role model for other similar programs around the nation. In-person meetings are currently on hold due to the pandemic restrictions.
In a unique approach, Care Court is a completely voluntary commitment at all levels. Those adults leaving incarceration who are seeking that second chance, members of the regional federal judicial system and, of course, our Club’s members/volunteers make the Care Court a reality today.
RCH Care Court Chair Richard Utley notes, “one of our most unique gifts to the mentee is a fresh perspective on what they can accomplish with the right attitude and direction.” Participants, volunteers from the judicial system and Rotary volunteers typically meet monthly to provide a support group and get updates. Utley noted that during the pandemic, meetings are on hold, but he hopes they resume soon.
Prior to the pandemic, RCH Care Court committee members met directly with their assigned participants on an as needed and mutually agreed basis. Often these meetings allowed RCH mentors to just listen or help navigate the unfamiliar and challenging life outside imprisonment. It is hoped in-person meetings can resume.
A long-time committee Karen Paris adds, “We often help participants with practical stuff like budgeting, developing a resume for a job, listening to family challenges or just talking over a cup of coffee. The mentors often find that their personal life experiences are just what the mentee needs to start making the right decisions in life.”
A Care Court volunteer working in the federal judicial system, Daniel Karhnak, Senior US Probation Officer, first volunteered in 2013. Having started as a probation officer he knew he wanted to work in the judicial system as he likes, “helping people learn how to make better decisions. Helping them think more clearly and weigh the consequences of their actions.” While this sounds so simple to many of us, He sees many of those “in the system” come from broken homes and have had little positive parental support in life.
Karhnak also complimented the Rotarian volunteers’ engagement. “Rotary mentors are a key component and are absolutely essential to the success of this program.”
The Rotary Veterans Initiative is looking for mentors in the following fields: Computer Information Security, Computer Networking/Penetration Testing/IT/Cyber Security, and a Physician.
Mentors can be from our network of district Rotarians or from their friends and acquaintances that may be experts in these areas. Please contact PDG Alden Cunningham at amccjc2@gmail.com if you can mentor or have anyone that has agreed to be a mentor for a student veteran from Harrisburg Community College. Thank you.
Bringing a new member into your club is exciting – you’ve met the challenge of recruitment and want to share all of Rotary with your new member!
Losing a member of your club is disheartening – how could that person possibly not have caught the Rotary passion that we all share?!?!
District leadership would like to help you with the challenge of mentoring, engaging and keeping your members – hence, the formation of a Committee!
DG John Anthony has entrusted Elizabeth Wolf (York-East) with getting this committee up and running. He has spoken about it with every club during the course of his official visits. Do you have an interest in helping with this effort? As always, with a district activity, those who participate expand their network, their understanding of the incredible scope of Rotary and their commitment to Rotary.
The Rotary Club of Mount Joy invites our friends and neighbors to volunteer a little time at Rotary Park in Mount Joy. If you enjoy playing in the dirt, the Spring Workday and Community Celebration is for you! Join in on Saturday, April 10 AM – drizzle or shine – from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM (Rain date is April 24).
More than ever, your help is needed! The annual workday helps us prepare the park for the season and is being planned as a 2021 community celebration. Rotary Park is home to Hotchkiss, Merchandiser, and Don Pop Staley Fields. The park is a great place to play ball, take a brisk walk, or lounge at the picnic tables while the little ones play at the tot-lot. If you want to help polish this lovely community gem, consider joining the Rotary team for a few hours.
Mark your calendar now for Saturday, April 10. Help us plan by registering before April 7th. To register or ask a question, send an email to Dave Christian at dave@dcalarch.com or call him at 717-492-4295 (daytime)/717-653-2622 (evenings). Join the Rotary team that Saturday at the Fairview Park entrance, across the street from the former Lions’ Club Pool entrance. Additional parking may be found off the Market Street entrance.
Please bring your tools and dig in! Individual and group opportunities exist for all ages and at all skill levels. Your email address will also help us keep you informed of workday details as they develop. (Softball anyone?) A complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided to our volunteers. Please provide an estimate of the number of people you are planning to bring to the event when you register.
If the April 10th date does not work for you, there are other opportunities to get involved. Contact Dave at the numbers above to volunteer to keep the park beautiful throughout the growing season. Help with weeding, mulching, or other hands-on projects this summer. Give your family, team, church, workplace, or club a chance to develop their community spirit this year.
Visit the Rotary Club of Mount Joy’s Facebook page to learn more about Rotary and the Mount Joy Club’s activities. If you are interested in being a guest at either the Tuesday noon or Thursday evening meetings, call Randy Wolgemuth at 717-468-6128 or send an email to mountjoypres@gmail.com.
Pictured left to right Mindy Merkey and Sandy Christian.
The tree picture: yellow shirt Dave Christian, with back to the photographer is Brian Ebersole, and the other adult is Scott Everhart. The children are helpers who just stopped by that day we do not have their names.
If anyone has questions the PR says to contact Dave Christian. That is the best info. I will be out of the area in April.
The COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Guidance document is now updated on the District 7390 webpage by clicking here. Additions include:
New Rotary International Position Statements outlining the importance of Rotary Clubs advocating for COVID-19 vaccines, risk mitigation practices, and service activities aimed at supporting public health efforts during the pandemic.
New CDC guidance on best practices for mask wearing including covering the face/nose and “double masking” to optimize protection.
An emphasis on avoiding food consumption during club meetings to minimize virus transmission based on the lack of mask wearing.
A new Appendix F titled “Club Safety Liaison Position Description”.
The District Safety Committee is encouraging clubs to appoint a “Club Safety Liaison” who would serve as the recipient and distributor of safety guidance to their club from the District Safety Committee. Ideally this person would also assure safe practices are considered during any in-person activities of their club. Club Presidents should submit the name and contact information for their Safety Liaison to DGN Juliet Altenburg at DGJuliet2022@qrpc.com.
Interested in participating in vaccine distribution? There are several ways to help within our district! Just go to the links below to learn more!
Advertise your club’s support for mask wearing on a Digital Billboard!
Due to the generosity of Lamar Advertising, Rotary Clubs in our District can purchase an electronic billboard for just $100 to show how they provide “service above self” in the community. One way to use your billboard is to highlight a member wearing a mask! Learn more at: https://www.rotary7390.org/documents/en-us/be47eb30-b95e-49e9-9910-abe333f99761/1
Experts Needed in develop and implement District Crisis Management Plan
Rotary International now requires that every District develop a Crisis Management Plan. We are looking for a team of experts to help us create this plan and also serve as a member of the Crisis Management Team (CMT). This team would function as a subcommittee within the District Safety Committee. Please contact DGN Juliet at DGJuliet2022@qrpc.com if you or someone you know, is willing to help. Membership in Rotary is not a requirement to lend your expertise. To read more about this project go to: https://my.rotary.org/en/document/developing-crisis-management-plan
The Rotary Club of Gettysburg has been distributing dictionaries to third grade students for many years. The club usually meets in a bar for happy hour to put Rotary labels on the dictionaries. That wasn’t possible this year but the Rotarians were determined to get the dictionaries to the students. President-elect Larry Redding and Foundation Chair Anna-Mae Kobbe chaired this year’s effort. Masked Rotarians met in the Gettysburg Times distribution depot with the garage door open to prepare the dictionaries. About 800 dictionaries will be distributed to students in Bermudian Springs, Upper Adams, Conewago Valley, Gettysburg, and Fairfield school districts as well as Saint Francis Xavier Catholic School, Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School, Vida Charter School and Gettysburg Montesorri School.
Incoming Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta urged members to become more involved in service projects, saying that caring for and serving others is the best way to live because it changes not only other people’s lives, but also our own.
Mehta, a member of the Rotary Club of Calcutta-Mahanagar, West Bengal, India, revealed the 2021-22 presidential theme, Serve to Change Lives, to incoming district governors on 1 February during the Rotary International Assembly. The assembly, a yearly training event for district governors-elect, was originally set to take place in Orlando, Florida, USA, but was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mehta spoke about how participating in service projects through Rotary changed him as a person and made him empathize more with the needs of others. Soon after joining his club, he helped carry out projects that benefited rural communities in India.
Some of the poor conditions he saw in those communities strengthened his commitment to service. “I truly understood the plight of my brethren,” he said.
Mehta participated in initiatives that brought artificial limbs to children, clean water and sanitation to homes, and better health care facilities to communities.
“Rotary kindled the spark within me to look beyond myself and embrace humanity,” he said. “Service became a way of life for me and I, like many others, adopted the guiding philosophy that ‘Service is the rent I pay for the space I occupy on this earth, and I want to be a good tenant of this earth.’”
Mehta encouraged district governors-elect to lead by example during their term and inspire Rotary and Rotaract members to participate in projects that have measurable and sustainable impacts. He’s asking each club to conduct a Rotary Day of Service.
“At the end of your term as district governor, you should feel that because of your leadership, because of your inspiration to Rotarians and Rotaractors, the world has changed for the better because of the service done by them during the year,” he said.
An international commitment theme of Rotarians around the world is Service Above Self. These three simple words guide Rotary International members everywhere to serving others. Since 1911 members of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg (RCH) have taken the service commitment to heart. Starting in 1977 particularly active members have been recognized by their fellow club members with the Community Service Award.
While there is no financial award for these community spirited individuals, the recognition from fellow members is a, “celebration of Rotary service and its transformative impact on my life,” says the 2020 and 43 recipient Susan L. Anthony. Nominations are made from the potential recipient’s service and performance with organizations not related to the person’s work within the Rotary Club of Harrisburg.
Nominated from the vast majority of her approximately 200 RCH colleagues, Anthony was recognized for her years of working with numerous boards of non-profits and human service organizations in the region. Among those most recent board positions are the HANNA Foundation (HANNA’s Pantry), the Susquehanna Art Museum and the Dauphin County Library System. Her contributions to such organizations often include leadership direction, project development and coordination and have been known to last years and often decades.
According to Anthony, “While I may have helped organizations I believe in by providing food for hungry bodies through the HANNA’s Pantry or food for the soul and spirit through the Susquehanna Art Museum; I’m the one receiving the blessings of personal enrichment and a sense of satisfaction.” A select list of other organizations Anthony has counseled include the Mayor’s Commission on Literacy, president of the Council for Public Education, president of the Pennsylvania Public Relations Society and the Pennsylvania News Media Association.
Even her work world was centered in community enhancement. For 30 years, Anthony worked for the Patriot-News organization in the community service department then serving as the director for 20 of those years. The organization’s premier community-focused events were the internationally recognized Newspaper in Education (NIE) program saluting student achievements including the Central PA Spelling Bee, Central PA Scholastic Art and Writing and the Capital Area Science and Engineering Fair.
“I am particularly proud that one of our NIE Projects in collaboration with the Harrisburg School District raised the reading comprehension of elementary aged children by 30 percent and was awarded the acclaimed Young Reader Prize by the World Association of Newspapers,” adds Anthony.
Rotary Club of Harrisburg’s 43rd Community Service Award winner Susan L. Anthony outside of HANNA’s Pantry.
Rotary Club of Harrisburg’s 43rd Community Service Award winner Susan L. Anthony (person waving) helps pack literature bags for Dauphin County Libraries To distribute to young readers.
Regional Leader Receives Prestigious Rotary Club of Harrisburg’s 43rd Community Service Award
We are pleased to announce the launch of the new District 7390 blog which will feature the good people and good work of Rotarians throughout District 7390! Unlike the Rotary Reporter, the blog will be a place for Rotarians to share the stories BEHIND the news. Examples of stories can include innovative club service projects, member spotlights, and ways your club is impacting the community.
Go to http://d7390rotaryblog.wordpress.com/ to read our first featured post submitted by members of the Harrisburg Keystone Club! While you are there, subscribe to the blog by scrolling down to the bottom of the homepage and inserting your email address. By doing so, you will automatically get happy stories delivered to your in-box once they get posted. We hope to publish stories weekly but need authors! Go to the “Contributor Guidelines” on the blog for submission guidance.
This new platform was launched as a project of the new District Communications Committee chaired by Passport Club member Patricia Green-Rodgers. Contact her at patricia@stoneofsconefarm.com with questions, suggestions, and ways you would be willing to share your expertise in spreading the good work of Rotary in our community.
Colonial Park Rotary Club is hosting an INDOOR MINI GOLF OUTING on February 6 with tee times starting at 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and again at 2:00 p.m. Register your team of 4 people! The cost to register a team is $100.00. This is a fun for every age event! You will will play an 18 hole mini golf course set up in the building of Colonial Golf and Tennis Club (4901 Linglestown road Harrisburg, PA).
Sponsor this unique event:
Event Sponsor - $1,500.00 - Identification on all promotional materials; Signage throughout the “golf course”; Three foursomes for the tournament, any flight
Gold Level Sponsor - $1,000.00 - Special signage and Two foursomes any flight
Silver Level Sponsor - $750.00 - Special signage and one foursome, any flight
Bronze Level Sponsor - $500 - Special signage and one foursome, any flight
In the project, they will work with an implementing agency called FEDICAMP. They are proposing to put modern latrines in 140 rural homes. These farmers are in networks supported by FEDICAMP. Their partner club is the Matagalpa Rotary Club in Nicaragua.
So they are looking for help with funding and also can channel some donations through your club in order to trigger matching money. Total project cost is $74000—but have a $20000 foundation grant. Commitments of about $10000 thru two clubs (Matagalpa and Fanwood scotch Plains Club).
Anyone who is interested in participating, please contact Brooks Smith at smithjbrooks25@gmail.com.
Club Seeking International Partner for Global Grant
In a year like no other, every teacher deserves an award! Help us celebrate educators who made an extra-special impact. Do you know a math teacher who has a special way of making learning numbers fun for students? Or a science teacher who opened a new world for your child? Nominate an extraordinary teacher for the 2021 Teacher Impact Awards!
We all know teachers who have gone the extra mile to make a difference in the lives of their students. This program is designed to recognize and celebrate seven K-12 teachers in public and private schools in the Rotary District’s seven county area which include:
Adams
Cumberland
Dauphin
Lancaster
Lebanon
Perry
York
A committee of Rotary and WITF staff will review nominations and produce a special compilation television program featuring the outstanding teachers that will air on WITF TV. The top teachers will also be honored at a special awards ceremony on May 26, 2021.
Carlisle Rotary Clubs present a check for $20,592.33 to CPARC. The funds were raised during Rotary’s annual holiday auction. Pictured from left to right are Mike Zick, President of the Carlisle Sunrise Rotary Club, Anne Couldridge, CPARC Executive Director, Justin Doty, President of the Carlisle Rotary Club and Bill Blankmeyer, Rotary Auction Coordinator.
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 the Arc of Cumberland & Perry Counties (CPARC), a 501 (c) (3) organization that provides support, training, and opportunities to people with intellectual disabilities.
Rotary’s goal was to match the $20,000 that was raised last year. However, the fear was that this simply could not be done due to the ongoing pandemic. The first challenge was Rotary’s holiday dinner was cancelled due to COVID-19 public gathering restrictions. Since the auction has traditionally been conducted at the dinner an alternate solution was required. Not to be dissuaded, Rotary Club Presidents Justin Doty and Mike Zick suggested the auction be conducted online.
This challenge was taken up by the auction coordinator, Rotarian Bill Blankmeyer, to find an auction platform that would support Rotary’s needs. Fortunately, thanks to recommendations from previous online auctioneers in the community, the 32 auctions platform was found to be very affordable and user friendly.
However, a new challenge developed as to where to store and eventually distribute the 100+ auction items. The solution came from Rotarian Michelle Crowley, President of the Carlisle Chamber of Commerce who offered storage space at the Chamber building which also served as a perfect location to facilitate the distribution of the items once the auction was over.
The online auction bidding took place from 4 to 13 December and raised just over $7,000. In support of the auction, over $13,000 was raised in sponsorships provided by members of both Rotary Clubs, bringing the total for the auction to $20,592.33. This was only possible thanks to the generosity of Rotarians and local businesses who donated items to be auctioned and the tremendous support from community participants in bidding during the auction.
The last challenge was the snow storm on 16 December that hampered the distribution of auction items at the Chamber building. As the last item was picked up on 21 December everyone was glad the auction saga was finally over and extremely thankful that Rotary’s fundraising goal for CPARC was exceeded.
On January 11th, Club Presidents Justin Doty and Mike Zick presented the check to CPARC’s Executive Director, Anne Couldridge at a brief ceremony outside CPARC’s building. Couldridge was extremely appreciative of Rotary’s donation stating “the funds would be applied to the ongoing financial costs associated with helping the people we support stay healthy during these unprecedented times.”
While Rotary’s dinner had to be cancelled this year, the tradition of recognizing each club’s annual distinguished award recipient continued by presentations at regularly scheduled club meetings currently being conducted via zoom. The Carlisle Sunrise Rotary Club selected Past District Governor Kevin Cogan to receive the “Buzz Coho Distinguished Service Citation.” The Carlisle Rotary Club selected Past President Carol Lennon to receive their “Four Way Test Award”.
Carlisle Rotary Auction Overcomes Challenges to Reach Goal Set for CPARC
Rotary International “Call to Action” encourages Rotarians to promote COVID-19 Vaccination
The Board of RI and Trustees of the Rotary Foundation met during a joint session and agreed that Rotarians have a major role to play not only in Polio eradication but COVID-19 eradication through the promotion of vaccine distribution. In their “Call to Action” published December 15, 2020, RIP Holger Knaack and Rotary Foundation Chair KR Ravindran outlined strategies including working jointly with local partners to “combat the powerful, growing force of vaccine resistance and misinformation” in our communities. It is our civic duty as Rotarians to join forces with others to eradicate disease and save lives through vaccination and risk mitigation strategies. To read the entire letter, click here to go to the district website safety page.
COVID-19 Vaccine Safety and Distribution Plan highlighted at Press Briefing
On Tuesday, January 14, a press briefing was held by Governor Tom Wolf, Secretary of Health Rachel Levine, and a Dr. Cynthia Chuang from Penn State Hershey Medical Center regarding the COVID-19 vaccine including its safety and plans for distribution. To view this excellent video click here. To view new information on where to obtain the vaccine in PA, please click here.
You are invited to the Next Safety Committee Meeting February 3rd, at 7 PM.
The next District Safety Committee meeting will take place on February 3rd, at 7 PM via Zoom. We encourage any Rotarian to join our committee at any time or to attend as a guest. Agenda items will include District Involvement in promoting COVID-19 vaccination and developing District Wide Education on COVID-19 risk mitigation and vaccination support. Additionally, we will be reviewing a submission from a club on how to reduce risks associated with an in-person service event. We invite all clubs to reach out to us in similar ways to seek out recommendations on how to keep members and the public safe. Contact Committee Chair DGN Juliet for more information. DGJuliet2022@qrpc.com
COVID-19 has caused us to take a pause in our normal way of operating. Yet, your District 7390 team, led by District Governor John Anthony, is hard at work on behalf of each of us. This blog is a primary source for stories and information about how local clubs, and their members, are making a difference in their communities and globally. Duke Adams, President-elect of the Harrisburg Keystone Rotary Club, is one of them. Read his article and consider how you can help Duke to provide the children of Liberia, West Africa, a safe way to go to school.
This blog is a product of the newly formed communications committee. We are recruiting members. Do you enjoy spreading the good news about our District’s accomplishments? Do you have eyes and ears on great stories that are happening at your local club level? Are you ready to collaborate with other organizations of like thought and vision in a way that makes District 7390 stronger?
We are more than 2100 strong. Good work and good people have gotten us where we are today. You each bring what is valuable to the whole. We can do this together in support of countless community services. Let us hear from you. Great ideas start with imagining the possibilities and the drive and determination to get to the finish line. Ready! Set! Go!
Yours in Service,
Patricia Green Rodgers
Chair, District 7390 Communications Committee
patricia@stoneofsconefarm.com
District 7390 Is As Great As We Can Imagine Together
DGE Greg Staub is pleased to announce the appointment of Anna-Mae Kobbe, Ph.D. to serve as the District Rotary Foundation Chair (DRFC) beginning July 1. She will follow current DRFC John Kramb who will complete his term of office June 30, 2021.
Although Anna-Mae is relatively new to District 7390, she has been a Rotarian since 2000 when she was inducted into the Rotary Club of College Park, Maryland. She held numerous positions at the club level including Club Foundation Chair and Club President 2008-09. Also active in District 7620 (Central Maryland and Washington, DC), her involvement included District Paul Harris Society Chair, member of the District Scholarship Committee, Assistant Governor, and District Governor 2016-17. She was the District 7620 Foundation Chair in 2018-19. It is a requirement that DRFCs have served as District Governor.
Anna-Mae is retired from the Federal Government. Her career with the Department of Agriculture’s Land Grant University System includes service with the University of Missouri and University of Tennessee Extension Services and at USDA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Following retirement, she was a Visiting Professor at the University of Kentucky.
Dr. Kobbe and her husband, Rotarian Doug Newell, moved to Fairfield, PA in 2019 and transferred their memberships to the Gettysburg Club. They are Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellows, Paul Harris Society members, and Level II Major Donors. Anna-Mae is a new member of the District PolioPlus Society. Anna-Mae serves as Club Foundation Chair for the Gettysburg Club and serves on the recently- formed District Safety and Communications Committees.
“District 7390 is indebted to Past District Governor John Kramb for his years of leadership as DRFC. We are grateful to John for his efforts to grow support for The Rotary Foundation and to advocate for high quality district and global grants. His work on the District Million Dollar Journey resulted in a total of $1,650,742 raised for The Rotary Foundation,” said Staub.
PDG John will continue to serve as the End Polio Now Coordinator for Rotary International Region 39. In this role, he works with districts to focus polio eradication fundraising efforts to meet Rotary’s goal of a world free of polio.
If you would like to reach out to Anna-Mae, please do so at amkobbe@gmail.com.
I am pleased to report your District Governor Nominating Committee has met and recommended Frederick J. Gellert, Rotary Club of Carlisle-Sunrise, to serve as your District Governor for the 2023-2024 Rotary year.
Fred Gellert was raised in Detroit, Michigan and moved to Carlisle for employment at the Army War College. Fred retired from the U.S. Army as a Colonel after 30 years of service. He served in infantry assignments and then became a force manager working at senior-level headquarters to implement changes in organizational structure, resourcing, and operations. Fred is currently working at the U.S. Army War College as an instructor in leadership and management, science and technology and the Asia-Pacific region. In this position, he trains senior officers in strategic leaderships and the creation and resourcing of military forces at the national level.
Fred holds a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Wayne State University, a Master’s degree in Astrophysics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a Master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Fred joined the Rotary Cub of Carlisle-Sunrise in 2012 and served as Club President twice and as the Club membership chair for three years. At the District level Fred served as an Area Membership Coordinator and is currently serving as an Assistant Governor. He is a member of the Paul Harris Society, the Polio Plus Society, and is committed to becoming a Major Donor in 2021.
In accordance with the guidelines established in article 14 of Rotary International Bylaws, you are hereby advised of this recommendation. Any Club may submit a challenging candidate for consideration provided this club has previously suggested such candidate to the nominating committee. The challenging candidates must be submitted no later than January 27, 2021 in conformity with article 14.020.8 in the Rotary International ByLaws. In the absence of such action or any other objections, Frederick J. Gellert will be designated as District Governor Nominee for 2023-24.
Many thanks to PDG Paddy Rooney and the members of the District Governor Nominating Committee for their diligent and timely actions.
Rotarian Frederick Gellert Selected to be 2023-2024 District 7390 Governor
YWCA York is holding an upcoming Courageous Conversation on Building Authentically Diverse Boards on 1/25 at 6:30PM. The goal is to engage boards of directors and their CEOs/EDs in a candid conversation on why diversity in its many forms makes for stronger, more productive organizational governance. The Courageous Conversation model includes guidelines for small group conversations following a presentation by a speaker.
The speaker for this event is outstanding! Kimberly Ellison-Taylor has a finance and tech background and is currently working at Oracle. Last month she joined the Mutual of Omaha board and is a national speaker on inclusive leadership topics.
Our organization is equally committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we hope that you will be able to participant in this important community conversation. We would like everyone to come away with the commitment to achieve greater board diversity over the next year.
Feel free to share this invitation widely. There is no fee for this event thanks to a sponsorship by White Rose Credit Union.
President John Bomberger and Cy Fritz presented $1120.00 in checks, that were collected from our club members, to the Loft Community Partnership in Millersville. The Loft supports the needy families in the Penn Manor School System. Every Wednesday they are serving around 200 families. John and Cy had an opportunity to observe the volunteers in preparing for the Food Pick-Up that evening and had the opportunity to ask several questions about their operation. They were extremely grateful and thankful for our support as their need continues to grow. A great big thank you to our Rotary Club members for the excellent response to our Food Bank Drive in an effort to help the food insecurity in our service area.
On Saturday, December 19 five Rotarians from Lancaster South Rotary Club met at a storage facility near Millersville to move office supplies and equipment for the local affiliate of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Rotarian Dave Cope of Classic Lancaster Cabinetry in Willow Street generously provided his large box truck to make the move. Lancaster South President John Bomberger coordinated the Service Project with Lancaster NAMI board member Donald Grabowski, who is also President of the Rotary Club of Elizabethtown. Of special note, the President of the local NAMI affiliate Vivian Spiese (back row left) shared her respect and appreciation for Rotary and mentioned that her father was a member of the Columbia and Mt. Joy Rotary Club for many years before his passing.
Lancaster South Rotary Club created 50 gift bags of assorted items (tissues, toothbrush, toothpaste, chapstick, comb, lotion, hand sanitizer, orange, apple, chocolates, whole wheat chips) for the residents at Oak Leaf Manor South Personal Care facility, and delivered them on Tuesday December 22, just in time for Christmas. A gift box of assorted candies, cookies, pretzels, etc. was given to the staff. Special thanks to PJ Roberts, club secretary and Dan Hess, club vice-president for helping to assemble the gift bags and to Oak Leaf staff for distributing the bags to the residents. Lancaster South is looking forward to the day we can return to the facility for in-person meetings. Currently the club is meeting via Zoom.
Habitat for Humanity Project is a great collaboration between Yorkk-East & York North. The clubs volunteered on December 4th and 5th at the Habitat (701 Chestnut Street, York) project. The work day projects were dry walling, mudding & painting. Our clubs with the help of a Rotary Foundation grant contributed $10,000 to the project. York Habitat for Humanity is a volunteer driven, Christian housing ministry that builds safe, decent, and affordable homes in partnership with lower-income York County residents living in substandard housing.
York Habitat Photo Pictured Left to right:
Greg Kern (York East Rotary), Kasey Lofties (Habitat for Humanity), Patrice Joseph (York North Rotary), Kyle King (York East Rotary President)
Rotarians working at Habitat for Humanity
York-East & York-North Rotarians Partner with Habitat for Humanity
If the video does not show, please click here to watch a video of DG John interviewing PDG Kevin Cogan regarding the 72+ Program.
The District 7390 virtual Foundation Dinner in November announced a program called 72+ which makes suggestions to everyone about tax savings opportunities for charitable giving provided by the government’s SECURE Act and CARES Act. The 72+ program urges senior Rotarians to give strong consideration to making a contribution to The Rotary Foundation from their IRA. This especially applies when one reaches age 70.5 to make a Qualified Charitable Contribution (QCD) or when one must take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) upon and after age 72 (hence the program name 72+). There are significant tax savings provided by the SECURE and CARES Acts. The 72+ program is further explained in a informative brochure produced by District 7390 by clicking here.
The Rotary Club of York sadly announces the retirement of long time Executive Coordinator, Bert Oberdick. Bert has faithfully served the Rotary Club of York for nearly 30 years, overseeing dozens of active committees, providing meeting details, working closely with the Rotary Club of York Board of Directors and the Charitable Endowment Fund Board, invoicing, tracking and reporting all financials, and so much more! Bert has always exemplified the Rotary Four Way Test and consistently models the values of Rotary. March 31is scheduled to be Bert’s last day.
Rotary Club of York Announces the Retirement of Long-time Executive Bert Oberdick
Hanover Rotarians Dave Erlemeier, Warren Risk (and his wife Judy), and Ralph Jodice (and his wife Judy) packed food bags for Ruth’s Harvest as part of the Club’s ongoing community service project. On Friday’s, Ruth’s Harvest gives needy children in the local area 7 meals to take home for the weekend to help to ensure they do not go hungry.
Hanover Rotarians Pack Food Bags for Ruth's Harvest
If your club would like to do a District Grant but doesn’t have a project yet, well, have I got a solution for you!
“Hop on the Bus” with the Harrisburg Keystone Rotary Club to partner on a District Grant that will purchase a school bus for the children and greater community of Monrovia, Liberia in Africa. In addition to the safety and educational benefits this bus will provide for Liberian students, it will also assist the community with transportation, provide jobs for women, and continue the efforts of youth empowerment in Liberia. To learn more about the need and benefits of this project, you can watch our “Hop on the Bus” video.
To make this project a reality, our club is partnering with YesLiberia, a local non-profit that is spearheading the effort, and several Liberian non-profits, including YMCA Liberia, Educate the Future Liberia, the Rotary Club of Sinkor, and the Rotaract Club of Monrovia. And you can join our “Hop on the Bus” project too!
Our goal is to optimize the District Grant by partnering with as many District 7390 Clubs as possible to reach the $12,500 maximum goal. To sweeten the pot, we are offering up to $500 of matching funds for any of your clubs that are ready to Hop on the Bus! Step right up, Ladies and Gentlemen. Everyone’s a winner on this Rotary project!
We are very excited about this project and would like to talk with you more about it. We would be available to answer any questions individually or to do a presentation for your club to provide more details. Please contact Meg Ramey and Duke Adams for more information.
Rotary Club of York is hiring a new Executive Director to provide staff leadership to the 24th largest Rotary Club in the world! We are looking for a goal-oriented self-starter with an entrepreneurial approach to help drive the future of Rotary Club of York and our Charitable Endowment Fund. Click here for the full job description and application instructions.
Join our team: Rotary Club of York Executive Director!
As the new year approaches, the Rotary District 7390 4-Way Test ESSAY Contest deadlines approach. Hopefully you have planned or are in the process of planning your club’s contest for this year. We have a fresh, new essay prompt that we hope will be timely and thought provoking to the students: Is it the Truth? – How I Define What is True in My Life.
The contest is open to 9th grade high school students. Submissions by your club to the 2020-21 District 7390 contest are due March 5, 2021. Contest rules, critical dates, and information for both Rotarians and Students are available at the District 7390 Website. Any questions or requests for further information can be directed to project chair, Steven Grubb, at stevengrubb@comcast.net.
Dr. John P. Judson passed away peacefully on November 29, 2020 at Harrisburg Hospital. John is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ann Marie, and their 5 children, Ruth Judson of Arlington, VA, Andrea Judson of Baltimore, MD, Sarah Salkeld (Brett) of Severna Park, MD, Therese Karl (John) of Rye, NY, and Chris Judson of Winnipeg, Canada; 6 beloved grandchildren, Chloe, John Vincent, Leah, Sophia, Owen, and Nate; his siblings Joyce Hartzell of Vancouver, WA, Mary Hutton of Kennesaw, GA, Michael Judson of Isle of Palms, SC, Margaret Easton of Sandpoint, ID, and Patricia Riehm of Athens, GA; and many extended family members. He was born July 14, 1939 in Washington DC, the son of the late John Hobart Judson and Joyce Duffield. He married Ann Marie Uhl on June 20, 1964; she has often described their long marriage as a loving partnership. John was educated at Villanova University, Georgetown University Medical School, did his surgical residency at Yale New Haven Hospital, and later a cardiothoracic surgical residency in Salt Lake City, UT. John's passion for medicine as a general and cardiothoracic surgeon included work in Blacksburg, VA; the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN; Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX; Benton Harbor, MI; and Harrisburg, PA. For over 50 years John volunteered at Hopital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti, serving as the Medical Director from 1997-1999 along with Ann Marie. He was an avid pilot, volunteering to transport patients through Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic. His long-time involvement in Rotary included roles as President of the Harrisburg Club, District Governor, and Rotary International grant efforts. Those who knew John will remember him as a man who deeply loved his family and had a tireless commitment to medicine and his patients. As one who pursued life with integrity and passion, he was always there with a listening ear and readiness to help others. He cherished his relationships and stayed connected to friends and family near and far. A Celebration of Life for John is planned for July 14, 2021 at 7pm at Market Square Presbyterian Church, 20 S 2nd Street, Harrisburg, PA. In the spirit of John's life of service, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to: Hopital Albert Schweitzer www.hashait.org; Market Square Presbyterian Church www.marketsquarechurch.org; Harrisburg Rotary Foundation www.HbgRotary.org (for Peace Garden or Haiti Projects); Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania www.psrpa.org www.pennlive.com/obits
Rotary International must receive proposed enactments, including confirmation of the district’s endorsement from the governor, by 31 December 2020. If you would like to propose any new enactments to the COL, please send that information to the District office by December 20, 2020. To help you and your district prepare legislation, we have updated the How to Propose Enactments and Resolutions course in Rotary’s Learning Center. You can also read about submission requirements in our How to Propose Enactments guide. If you have any questions about the Councils, please email council_services@rotary.org.
STUDENT REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JANUARY 31, 2021!
District 7390 will support a virtual Four Way Test Speech Contest in 2020/2021. Students who have already competed in a club level contest are welcome to register for the Virtual Mid Levels. Upon registration, students will be assigned to one of the four Virtual Mid Levels in an equitable process that will ensure fair numbers and diversity across the board. The finale will be facilitated virtually in conjunction with the District Conference between April 30-May 2, 2021. Details are still in progress with the District Conference Planning Committee. All new materials are uploaded to the district website at this link. https://rotary7390.org/page/four-way-test-speech-contest
New this year, students will be asked to deliver their speeches in the framework of “Life in the Pandemic.” This can include, but is not limited to actual experiences in their life; their observations of reactions & responses during the pandemic; school during the pandemic; physical distancing and safety measures; and expectations about the “new normal.”
It's hard not to wonder what PDG Ken Roberts would have done with the Four Way Test Speech Contest in this unusual year! Hopefully, this direction would do him proud. His legacy continues through this important program.
On December 10, 2020 Governor Tom Wolfe announced temporary Protective Mitigation measures in an attempt to halt increasing community spread of COVID-19 which is severely impacting the capacity of hospitals to treat patients. Positivity rates in PA are now at 40% and 5,850 patients are currently hospitalized due to the virus alone. This past week close to 1,100 new deaths from COVID-19 were reported across Pennsylvania which is the highest mortality rate to date from the virus. The measures outlined in his news release https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/gov-wolf-sec-of-health-announce-new-protective-mitigation-efforts-to-put-pennsylvania-on-pause-through-early-january/ and summarized in the graphic below, will be effective 12/12/20 through 1/4/21. As Rotarians focused on Disease Eradication it is vital that we heed the call of our local officials in supporting mitigation efforts in whatever way possible. We ask that all Rotary Clubs cease in-person meetings during this 3 week period, and if applicable, any gatherings that fall within the categories of the outlined mitigation plan. To view a special message from District Governor John Anthony on this topic please go to: https://youtu.be/sGr9WaKJjY8. Thank you for all of your support in serving the community in this very special way.
The Council on Resolutions of Rotary International met online from 15 October to 15 November 2020. In accordance with section 9.150.1. of the RI Bylaws, I am issuing this report on the actions taken by the Council. 30 resolutions and one enactment were transmitted to the Council. The Council adopted 11 resolutions and the enactment. Of the resolutions, nine were recommendations to the RI Board and two were recommendations to The Rotary Foundation Trustees. The Board and the Trustees will consider the resolutions at their upcoming meetings. The enactment will take effect in one month. At the end of this report is an Opposition to Legislation Report Form. In accordance with section 7.090.3.3. of the RI Bylaws, any club may use this form to record its opposition to the adopted enactment only. Oppositions may not be submitted on resolutions. Completed forms must reach Council Services by 23 December 2020. Please note that a club should complete and return the form at the end of this report only if it wishes to oppose the adoption of enactment 20E-01. If a club does not wish to oppose the action of the 2020 Council on Resolutions, no action is required. While it is rare, if the required number of votes in opposition are filed regarding the enactment, the item will be considered suspended. A ballot of all Rotary clubs will then be conducted according to the provisions of section 9.150. of the RI Bylaws. Based on the results of the ballot, the suspended item will either be nullified or reinstated. Should you have any questions about the Council on Resolutions or the adopted items, please contact Council Services at council_services@rotary.org. The deadline for submitting resolutions to the next Council on Resolutions is 30 June 2021.
On Wednesday, December 9, Rotary Means Business District 7390 will host a virtual Zoom meeting from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. The event is FREE so bring your favorite drink and hors d’oeuvres and let’s get RMB going again.
Once registered, you will be given a meeting ID and password and the link to join. Also, as you may know, you can go to Zoom.com and click on the “Join the meeting” link and put in the meeting ID and password. See you there!
A tremendous success for West Shore Rotary Club’s first year of “Flags for Heroes” fundraiser. The Club displayed 160 flags along Route 15 in Camp Hill over Veterans Day.
For more years than most Rotary Club of Harrisburg (RCH) members can remember, the cost of a lunch at the downtown Hilton Hotel has been included in their dues.
As we all continue to navigate the holiday season amidst a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is with great pride that the RCH members have donated more than $20,000 from the lunch budget to more than 10 local and regional non-profits.
The RCH Board began donating the unused portion of weekly meal budget on behalf of Club members as a way to assist all of the important local organizations who are bravely fighting to keep Harrisburg families fed and protected during this desperate time in our nation’s history.
In addition to the countless hours of typical service and support the Rotary Club of Harrisburg members provide, the lunch monies have provided much need cash donations to the following organizations since March 2020:
American Red Cross- Central PA Chapter
Bethesda Mission
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Downtown Daily Bread
HANNA's Pantry
Hospice of Central Pennsylvania
Humane Society of Harrisburg Area
Rotary Foundation's Polio Plus Fund
Salvation Army- Harrisburg Capital City Region
YMCA- Camp Curtin Branch
YWCA of Greater Harrisburg
According to President James Good, “As the 23rd Rotary Club in all the world, our members have been serving the Harrisburg community since 1911. Continuing upon our tradition of Service Above Self, the Harrisburg Rotary Foundation, the charitable arm of the Club, typically disburses about $50,000 yearly in college scholarships, grants to the Harrisburg School District, local charitable organizations, programming for local youth, local and international service projects.
Rotary Club of Harrisburg Turns COVID Missed Lunches Into Welcomed Donations To Regional Non-profits
Living up to their school motto of being "Doers of the Word," the Interact Club at Delone Catholic High School (McSherrystown, PA) has not allowed the pandemic to stop their good deeds! This group of young people has connected to their community in several ways that include a non-perishable food collection that was donated to Roots for Boots, a 501c3 that hosts a food bank for veterans in need; a school wide toy drive for Toys for Tots; a garden clean-up on the school grounds; 125 handwritten Thanksgiving cards for residents in local nursing homes, and they will be participating in the Boxes of Joy program through Cross Catholic Outreach. Caught doing good, these students are to be commended for all of their accomplishments that have truly made a difference to others by putting service over self! (photo is of food donation to Roots for Boots)
The Harrisburg Keystone Rotary Club is hosting a vision clinic in Harrisburg this spring. If you are an optometrist, optician, or ophthalmologist, your expertise is needed to help make the event happen. Please consider giving a day of your time to this community service event. The clinic will be run by Mission-Vision.org with help from Rotary volunteers and you.
Dates & Times: Friday, April 9, 2021 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. & Saturday, April 10, 2020, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Harrisburg Brethren in Christ Church (2217 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104
Details: Please see https://mission-vision.org/the-mobile-clinic-experience/
Patients will register in advance. You will simply arrive at the clinic location early enough to become familiar with the location and equipment.
Mission Vision treats patients of all different ages both young and old who come from low income or disadvantaged communities. We often work with the homeless, elderly, unemployed, veterans, and school aged children who otherwise would not have access to the eye exams and treatments we provide.
Our exams are designed to both provide for an eyewear prescription, while screening for ocular eye diseases. We screen for Macular Degeneration, Color Blindness, Astigmatism, Glaucoma, etc. Since we do not dilate their eyes, we do not give out written or oral eye prescription, only free glasses.
There are 4 separate stations of the clinic: 1) Check-in, 2) Technician’s pre-testing station, 3) Doctor’s station, and 4) Optician’s station where the frames are picked if needed and fit appropriately for the client.
How it works: “Using our unique delivery model, we are able to cost-effectively provide and make sure that eye care and prescription eye wear go directly to the people with the most need. Collaborating closely with partner organizations, we identify those most in need and we are able to educate them on the importance in maintain good eye health. All mobile clinics are staffed by dedicated and caring medical professionals, as well as trained staff members and volunteers. Upon arrival, patients are greeted by the clinic coordinator who then checks them in and reviews their medical history. From there, an optometric technician screens them for distance and near visual acuity, eye motility, visual field, auto-refractions, pupil response, intraocular pressure, color vision and depth perception. Next, a state licensed optometrist performs a thorough eye exam to determine whether or not prescription glasses are needed. If, however, during the course of the exam, any medical condition requiring further evaluation is detected, the optometrist will explain the situation and provide a referral. With an impressive sampling of frames (donated brand new by major eyewear manufacturers) to choose from, patients make their selections with the help of an optician who also takes the necessary measurements to ensure a perfect fit. Two to three weeks later, the prescription glasses are first inspected and labeled by Mission Vision staff and then delivered back to the partner organizations (https://mission-vision.org/the-mobile-clinicexperience/). Progressive no line glasses are not
When passion and raw determination are added to the miracle of modern vaccines, great things happen. Over the last 30 years, Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have seen the reduction of polio cases worldwide, by 99.9 percent. But, as long as polio and the many other vaccine preventable diseases still circulate anywhere in the world, children in the US are still vulnerable and must continue to be vaccinated.
Women in Rotary Committee –
Jaclyn Victor with America250PA was a guest speaker at our weekly meeting. The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA) was established by the legislature and Governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event, and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future. America250PA hopes to engage all citizens of the Commonwealth, from all 67 counties, bring the Commonwealth’s history into the conversation so Pennsylvanians can better understand the origins and multiple perspectives of issues facing our Commonwealth & nation today, use history to encourage and inspire future leaders, celebrate the contributions of Pennsylvanians to our Commonwealth’s history but also to our Nation’s history, leave a lasting impact on the next generation.
We were honored to have Mike Grandy, former president of Red Lion Controls, be our guest at our weekly meeting. Mike was born in the United Kingdom, and started his career as a freelance developer of computer games. From the games world, he moved into industrial software development via a path that is too complex to explain. He worked on some of the very first Human-Machine Interface products as far back as 1986, and can thus honestly claim to be one of the few people in the world with nearly 30 years' experience in this field. Mike's path took him through a series of start-ups in the late eighties and early nineties, to the founding of a company called Paradigm Controls in 1993, where he was responsible for the development of the software and firmware for a range of operator interface terminals. Paradigm caught the eye of Red Lion Controls, and was acquired by Red Lion Controls in 1996. Mike continued to run the company in the UK until moving to the United States in July 1999 to join Red Lion in Pennsylvania as Vice President of Engineering. Five months later, Mike was promoted to President at the age of 31.
On April 24th starting at 12pm (with 11am pre-registration), the 5K Run for Education organized by the Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg North will be taking place at the Panther Prowl, an event organized by the East Pennsboro Panther Foundation and East Pennsboro High School Track Team at the East Pennsboro High School Track in Enola, PA. The One Mile Color Fun Run for kids begins at 1pm and will feature a Color run through obstacles. There will be medals for top female and male runners in the 5K Run for Education and medals for ages groups in the One Mile Color Fun Run. Proceeds from the 5K Run for Education will go for sponsorships for deserving seniors in the East Pennsboro High, Cumberland Valley High and Cumberland-Perry Vocational Techincal schools. Proceeds from the One Mile Color Fun Event will benefit the East Pennsboro Panther Foundation and East Pennsboro High School Track Team. Medals will be given for best times by sex and age group at the both 5K Run and One Mile Color Fun Run
Paul Thompson has been a member of the Rotary Club of Hershey for the past 15 years. Paul served on the District Global Grant Scholarship committee, President of the Hershey Rotary Club a member of the Board of the Hershey Club, and has been involved with Rotary Youth Exchange.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR A PRESIDENT ELECT PICNIC AT ADAMS COUNTY WINERY! On Saturday, June 11, Noon – 3 PM, all Club President Elects are invited to a FREE picnic hosted at Adams County Winery, 531 Peach Tree Rd, Orrtanna, PA hosted by DGE Juliet and the District Leadership Team.This is a family event so bring the kids and partners for a fun OUTDOOR gathering to make new friends, get energized about your year ahead, and celebrate warm weather and a time of connection at long last!Food for grilling and beverages will be provided. Wine and beer will be available for purchase from the winery!Register at:
“Rotary District 7390 Club Presidents 2022-2023” LinkedIn Group: DGE Juliet has formed a LinkedIn group for 2022-2023 D7390 Club Presidents. This group will be a way for current President Elects to connect with one another, offer support, share best practices, and stay informed from District Leadership about the latest District and RI news both during their time as President Elects and as Presidents in the 2022-2023 Rotary Year. Look for the group on LinkedIn and submit a request to join!
Safety Precautions
Safety Precautions
We want to thank all the amazing volunteers form the York East Rotary who have continued to help us in our Christmas red kettle efforts. We also want to thank all the people in the community and the donors who have donated to our red kettles. It's because of you that we can continue to provide our rental, utilities, & food services, adult & youth programs, after-school programs, and many more to our wonderful York community.
Carlisle Rotary Clubs present a check for over $26,500 to Safe Harbour. The funds were raised during Rotary’s annual holiday auction. Pictured from left to right are David Kammerer, President of the Carlisle Sunrise Rotary Club, Geoff Mangelsdorf, President of the Carlisle Rotary Club, Scott Shewell, Safe Harbour President and CEO and Paul Edger, Chairman of Safe Harbour’s Board of Directors.
The initiative is a tax efficient way for Rotarians to support The Rotary Foundation. You can make a difference today and save on taxes when you support The Rotary Foundation through your IRA.
NEW “Rotary District 7390 Club Presidents 2022-2023” LinkedIn Group: 
NEW “Rotary District 7390 Club Presidents 2022-2023” LinkedIn Group: DGE Juliet Altenburg has formed a new LinkedIn group for 2022-2023 D7390 Club Presidents. This group will be a way for current President Elects to connect with one another, offer support, share best practices, and stay informed from District Leadership about the latest District and RI news both during their time as President Elects and as Presidents in the 2022-2023 Rotary Year. Look for the group on LinkedIn and submit a request to join!
2022 Mid Atlantic President Elect Training (PETS) – This mandatory education for all current President Elects is taking place in-person Friday February 25th and Saturday, February 26, 2022 with an optional evening of education on Thursday, February 24th. Location: Valley Forge Hotel and Casino in Valley Forge, PA. EXCITING NEWS: 2022-2023 RI President Jennifer Jones will be joining us in person as a keynote speaker! To read more go to 
The Rotary Clubs of Mechanicsburg North and Mechanicsburg, Mother Hubbard's Custom Cabinetry and Fairway Independent Mortgage Company will host the 62nd Rotary Means Business District 7390 networking event since our beginning in 2014 on Thursday, November 11 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Mother Hubbard's Custom Cabinetry, 5309 E. Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg, PA. The event is FREE and in honor of Veterans Day donations can be made to the Rotary Veterans Initiative which helps veterans succeed by supporting their education, training, and job search opportunities. Go to 
A 2021/22 Club Grant, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hanover, provided Windy Hill Senior Center in Spring Grove with a new commercial freezer, two Rolling Serving Carts and two Food Carts. Windy Hill serves over 1,100 seniors annually with programs and services including a nutrition program. Meals are provided on location, carry-out and Meals-On-Wheels. From March 2020 to February 2021, over 22,000 take-out meals and over 24,000 home delivered meals have been provided. The Freezer enables the Center to increase meal storage capacity to better serve their older adult population in Spring Grove and Hanover, address food insecurities and increase freezer storage by 53%. The 2 wire rolling racks and 2 stainless food carts will store and transport take-out meals after they are assembled and transport frozen meal boxes within facility. 
The District 7390 Safety Committee has published a COVID-19 update that contains the latest update on community transmission of COVID-19 in the counties of our District and some best practices to consider as we approach the holidays. 
It is time to start planning your club’s 4-Way Test ESSAY Contest. This year’s essay prompt will be: 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 2021-22 District 7390 contest are due March 11, 2022. Contest rules, critical dates, and information for both Rotarians and Students are available at the District 7390 Website: 
It was a pleasure hosting Karen Groh, President and CEO of the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce, at our meeting this morning. As guest speaker, she addressed the present state of affairs in local and regional business as well as the highly successful SCORE program which assisted the Myerstown Vitality Partnership in planning and achieving its strategic goals. She also addressed the staffing issues plaguing many businesses here and throughout the country and illustrated how the issue is a bigger issue that just getting people to work. Thanks Karen for your friendship and expertise.
The CDC recommends mask wearing indoors for everyone regardless of vaccination status in areas with substantial or high transmission rates of COVID-19. Why? Even vaccinated individuals can acquire and transmit the highly contagious COVID-19 delta variant although in vaccinated people rates of hospitalization and death are low. If you are a Rotarian that has tested positive for COVID-19 within 2 weeks of being in-person with club members, please remember to notify your club leadership so all members who were in your presence can be notified and take the necessary precautions to mitigate virus spread and illness. It is important that clubs also convey this information to speakers and guests at their events including students. Read more on what to do for a community-related exposure at: 
Central Penn Business Journal has selected Addeline Alaniz Edwards, Executive Director for the Rotary Club of Harrisburg, as a Forty Under 40 recipient.
The speaker at the Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg-North on September 2 is Rotary International Director Valarie Wafer. She is the Chair of RI Diversity Equity and Inclusion Emphasis. Her topic will be RI’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Policy, News and Developments. We would like to invite anyone who would want to hear her speak on this topic. We will be meeting via Zoom. The meeting is at 7:30 AM and the zoom link is 
SPY is an 8 week summer school for "at risk" first through third graders in the Carlisle School District that aims to keep their learning levels up in reading and math through the summer break. The Carlisle Rotary club recently completed a renovation project for SPY, utilizing a matching grant from District 7390. The grant allowed SPY to renovate their "calming café," where the children can go to calm down if they get over excited. The grant installed counters and repaired and repainted walls. 
Fresh from a Caribbean vacation with his wife, and fellow Rotarian, Karen, Past President James Good (2020-21) flew in to pass the gavel to incoming President Matt Staub of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg. 
The Rotary Club of York Awards the $1500 Carol Wagman Nursing Scholarship
Rotary Club of Lancaster South is holding a motorcycle ride/pancake breakfast fundraiser on September 25, 2021. This event will benefit the affordable housing programs at Tenfold, which was created by the merger of Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership and Tabor, as well as funding our philanthropic work in our community. The event will be held at the Willow Street Fire Company in Willow Street PA with breakfast starting at 9 a.m. until noon, and will feature three great rides in Lancaster and York Counties. These are self guided tours with maps and .gpx files provided by the organizers. For more information, please contact Dan Hess at 
Check out the latest post on the District Blog at 
Michael Newsome is Gov. Tom Wolf’s Secretary of Administration. When the governor called upon him to serve, he had been mostly retired for three years, still working a part-time job as a member of the state Liquor Control Board, but spending more time playing golf with his wife, traveling, doting on his grandson. Life was good, and he enjoyed retirement, more than he thought he would. But the governor – who was also an old friend, a man he had known for decades and worked with saving Wolf’s family business from bankruptcy – called, and he took the job, recalling that he once told him that if there was anything he could do for him, just call. 
The Rotary Club of York is proud to introduce their officers for the 2021-2022 year. 
"As we all know, this disjointed time caused by the pandemic, has disrupted all our lives and schedules for the past 16 months or more. The result was that I, along with so many others, found our plans and intentions abruptly interrupted in March of 2020. I was then still serving as Rotary District Governor and one of the great joys at the end of that year of service is the opportunity to recognize those individuals who have given so much to our District over the year and over a lifetime of service. Alas that was not to be.
Jack Detwiler 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 most 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).
A 2020/21 Club Grant, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hanover, provided the Hanover Area Council of Churches with a new oven and griddle. HACC prepares 52,000+ meals annually for its various programs: free hot lunches 365 days a year and breakfast two days a week through the Provide-A-Lunch program, delivered home meals through Meals-On-Wheels, and food for individuals and families in the Homeless Shelter. Food insecurity hinders people from meeting their full potential in regards to employment and family care. For some folks, the Provide- A-Lunch program is the primary meal of the day. The Meals-On-Wheels program provides meals to those home-bound with physical restrictions impeding their ability to prepare their own meals. Pictured are (l.tor.) Rotarian Peg Sennett, Joan Potter Coordinator of PAL and MOW, and Mirna Wildason, Interim Executive Director and new Rotarian.
On Monday, May 2
On May 2nd, Dr. Angela Shen from the Vaccine Research Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia presented a session on COVID-19 at the multi-district conference. The session included information on its history, prevalence, and the steps all of us as Rotarians can take to end our Pandemic once and for all. View this excellent presentation at: 
ongratulations to Four Way Essay Contest Winner Sophie Ahrens from Red Lion High School! Sophie presented her winning essay last week at 
On Monday, May 23rd, at 6 PM the Penn State Extension will be providing FREE Zoom education to Rotarians on food safety. This education is especially timely as many of us plan outdoor picnics with our club members and families. Our speaker is Lynn James, MS, RDN, LDN, Senior Extension Educator, Food Families & Health & Food Safety & Quality teams, Penn State Extension, Adams County. Lynn will also invite attendees to participate in a special research study involving the delivery of free food to the participants home, creation of a meal, and post meal education on what SHOULD have been safe food preparation. Join in on this free and educational event over the dinner hour. YES, YOU CAN EAT YOUR DINNER IN THE ZOOM ROOM. 😊 Register at: 
The following tribute to PDG Chuck Cenkner was printed on Penn Live
Following Hurricane Maria in 2017, District 7390 raised $30,386.00 specifically for Puerto Rico recovery efforts. It took some time for us to identify an appropriate project and in January 2020 we sent a check in the full amount to the Jane Stern Community Libraries to cover recovery and operating costs at two of their satellite locations in Toa Baja and Mameyal. Unfortunately, COVID 19 has slowed the recovery process; schools and libraries have been operating on a spotty virtual basis which has slowed their progress in offering expanded programs.
The Rotary Club of York is currently accepting applications for the $ 3,000 Donna E. Hayes Equine Scholarship. Eligible applicants are current full-time students in the EQUINE field of study in college (majors including management, studies, science, therapy, business, etc.). The application and informational letter are available on 
Here are recent graduate (and Tech Services staffer) Kyle Wall with Computer/Business Education Teacher Mr. George and Secondary Principal Dr. Ebert getting familiarized with the wide array of new digital cameras, lavalier microphones, lighting, and portable green screens made possible through a generous donation from the Rotary Club of Northern Lebanon County.
ary Club of New Holland are mourning the loss of their fellow member, Titus Musser, who passed away on February 11, 2021. Having joined the club in 1961, Titus was a dedicated, long-time member, and served as its past president, Secretary and Treasurer. Titus was just as dedicated to Rotary on an international level and was recently awarded the Paul Harris Fellow +5 pin shortly before his death. Titus retired from his excavating business after 60 years, was very involved in the retirement community where he lived, and enjoyed gardening and woodworking. In the photos, you can see an example of Titus’ woodworking craftsmanship in the model he built of a one-room schoolhouse he attended as a child. All of us in the club thank you, Titus, for your inspiration and dedication to our club. You will be missed!
Incoming Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta urged members to become more involved in service projects, saying that caring for and serving others is the best way to live because it changes not only other people’s lives, but also our own.
We are pleased to announce the launch of the new District 7390 blog which will feature the good people and good work of Rotarians throughout District 7390! Unlike the Rotary Reporter, the blog will be a place for Rotarians to share the stories BEHIND the news. Examples of stories can include innovative club service projects, member spotlights, and ways your club is impacting the community.
Colonial Park Rotary Club is hosting an INDOOR MINI GOLF OUTING on February 6 with tee times starting at 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and again at 2:00 p.m. Register your team of 4 people! The cost to register a team is $100.00. This is a fun for every age event! You will will play an 18 hole mini golf course set up in the building of Colonial Golf and Tennis Club (4901 Linglestown road Harrisburg, PA).
The Board of RI and Trustees of the Rotary Foundation met during a joint session and agreed that Rotarians have a major role to play not only in Polio eradication but COVID-19 eradication through the promotion of vaccine distribution. In their “Call to Action” published December 15, 2020, RIP Holger Knaack and Rotary Foundation Chair KR Ravindran outlined strategies including working jointly with local partners to “combat the powerful, growing force of vaccine resistance and misinformation” in our communities. It is our civic duty as Rotarians to join forces with others to eradicate disease and save lives through vaccination and risk mitigation strategies. To read the entire letter, 
COVID-19 Vaccine Safety and Distribution Plan highlighted at Press Briefing
Yours in Service,
Although Anna-Mae is relatively new to District 7390, she has been a Rotarian since 2000 when she was inducted into the Rotary Club of College Park, Maryland. She held numerous positions at the club level including Club Foundation Chair and Club President 2008-09. Also active in District 7620 (Central Maryland and Washington, DC), her involvement included District Paul Harris Society Chair, member of the District Scholarship Committee, Assistant Governor, and District Governor 2016-17. She was the District 7620 Foundation Chair in 2018-19. It is a requirement that DRFCs have served as District Governor.
Fred Gellert was raised in Detroit, Michigan and moved to Carlisle for employment at the Army War College. Fred retired from the U.S. Army as a Colonel after 30 years of service. He served in infantry assignments and then became a force manager working at senior-level headquarters to implement changes in organizational structure, resourcing, and operations. Fred is currently working at the U.S. Army War College as an instructor in leadership and management, science and technology and the Asia-Pacific region. In this position, he trains senior officers in strategic leaderships and the creation and resourcing of military forces at the national level. 
President John Bomberger and Cy Fritz presented $1120.00 in checks, that were collected from our club members, to the Loft Community Partnership in Millersville. The Loft supports the needy families in the Penn Manor School System. Every Wednesday they are serving around 200 families. John and Cy had an opportunity to observe the volunteers in preparing for the Food Pick-Up that evening and had the opportunity to ask several questions about their operation. They were extremely grateful and thankful for our support as their need continues to grow. A great big thank you to our Rotary Club members for the excellent response to our Food Bank Drive in an effort to help the food insecurity in our service area.
e local affiliate of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Rotarian Dave Cope of Classic Lancaster Cabinetry in Willow Street generously provided his large box truck to make the move. Lancaster South President John Bomberger coordinated the Service Project with Lancaster NAMI board member Donald Grabowski, who is also President of the Rotary Club of Elizabethtown. Of special note, the President of the local NAMI affiliate Vivian Spiese (back row left) shared her respect and appreciation for Rotary and mentioned that her father was a member of the Columbia and Mt. Joy Rotary Club for many years before his passing.
Dan Hess, club vice-president for helping to assemble the gift bags and to Oak Leaf staff for distributing the bags to the residents. Lancaster South is looking forward to the day we can return to the facility for in-person meetings. Currently the club is meeting via Zoom.
Habitat for Humanity Project is a great collaboration between Yorkk-East & York North. The clubs volunteered on December 4th and 5th at the Habitat (701 Chestnut Street, York) project. The work day projects were dry walling, mudding & painting. Our clubs with the help of a Rotary Foundation grant contributed $10,000 to the project. York Habitat for Humanity is a volunteer driven, Christian housing ministry that builds safe, decent, and affordable homes in partnership with lower-income York County residents living in substandard housing.
The Rotary Club of York sadly announces the retirement of long time Executive Coordinator, Bert Oberdick. Bert has faithfully served the Rotary Club of York for nearly 30 years, overseeing dozens of active committees, providing meeting details, working closely with the Rotary Club of York Board of Directors and the Charitable Endowment Fund Board, invoicing, tracking and reporting all financials, and so much more! Bert has always exemplified the Rotary Four Way Test and consistently models the values of Rotary. March 31 is scheduled to be Bert’s last day. 
Hanover Rotarians Dave Erlemeier, Warren Risk (and his wife Judy), and Ralph Jodice (and his wife Judy) packed food bags for Ruth’s Harvest as part of the Club’s ongoing community service project. On Friday’s, Ruth’s Harvest gives needy children in the local area 7 meals to take home for the weekend to help to ensure they do not go hungry. 
Dr. John P. Judson passed away peacefully on November 29, 2020 at Harrisburg Hospital. John is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ann Marie, and their 5 children, Ruth Judson of Arlington, VA, Andrea Judson of Baltimore, MD, Sarah Salkeld (Brett) of Severna Park, MD, Therese Karl (John) of Rye, NY, and Chris Judson of Winnipeg, Canada; 6 beloved grandchildren, Chloe, John Vincent, Leah, Sophia, Owen, and Nate; his siblings Joyce Hartzell of Vancouver, WA, Mary Hutton of Kennesaw, GA, Michael Judson of Isle of Palms, SC, Margaret Easton of Sandpoint, ID, and Patricia Riehm of Athens, GA; and many extended family members. He was born July 14, 1939 in Washington DC, the son of the late John Hobart Judson and Joyce Duffield. He married Ann Marie Uhl on June 20, 1964; she has often described their long marriage as a loving partnership. John was educated at Villanova University, Georgetown University Medical School, did his surgical residency at Yale New Haven Hospital, and later a cardiothoracic surgical residency in Salt Lake City, UT. John's passion for medicine as a general and cardiothoracic surgeon included work in Blacksburg, VA; the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN; Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX; Benton Harbor, MI; and Harrisburg, PA. For over 50 years John volunteered at Hopital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti, serving as the Medical Director from 1997-1999 along with Ann Marie. He was an avid pilot, volunteering to transport patients through Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic. His long-time involvement in Rotary included roles as President of the Harrisburg Club, District Governor, and Rotary International grant efforts. Those who knew John will remember him as a man who deeply loved his family and had a tireless commitment to medicine and his patients. As one who pursued life with integrity and passion, he was always there with a listening ear and readiness to help others. He cherished his relationships and stayed connected to friends and family near and far. A Celebration of Life for John is planned for July 14, 2021 at 7pm at Market Square Presbyterian Church, 20 S 2nd Street, Harrisburg, PA. In the spirit of John's life of service, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to: Hopital Albert Schweitzer 
On Wednesday, December 9, Rotary Means Business District 7390 will host a virtual Zoom meeting from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. The event is FREE so bring your favorite drink and hors d’oeuvres and let’s get RMB going again. 
Living up to their school motto of being "Doers of the Word," the Interact Club at Delone Catholic High School (McSherrystown, PA) has not allowed the pandemic to stop their good deeds! This group of young people has connected to their community in several ways that include a non-perishable food collection that was donated to Roots for Boots, a 501c3 that hosts a food bank for veterans in need; a school wide toy drive for Toys for Tots; a garden clean-up on the school grounds; 125 handwritten Thanksgiving cards for residents in local nursing homes, and they will be participating in the Boxes of Joy program through Cross Catholic Outreach. Caught doing good, these students are to be commended for all of their accomplishments that have truly made a difference to others by putting service over self! (photo is of food donation to Roots for Boots)
The Harrisburg Keystone Rotary Club is hosting a vision clinic in Harrisburg this spring. If you are an optometrist, optician, or ophthalmologist, your expertise is needed to help make the event happen. Please consider giving a day of your time to this community service event. The clinic will be run by Mission-Vision.org with help from Rotary volunteers and you.