August 2024

Good day, Rotary Family!

I must start by saying thank you to each and every one of you for the kindness and grace you have extended me during a time which has been and continues to be, extremely difficult. As many of you know, I lost my partner of 32 years, my beloved wife and best friend, after an ongoing battle with gastrointestinal issues. Jenny passed away on July 17^th and life for me will never be the same. As hard as it has been, the pain which inevitably accompanies the loss of your partner, has been lightened by the incredible embrace I’ve received from so many friends and Rotarians. You all have given me a reason for remembering and celebrating all the good that Jenny accomplished in the world, and as we seek to make change in a troubled world, I’m not sure there is any better legacy. Thank you one and all for your love and support.

I had an opportunity to witness firsthand, the value of Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders at Wingate University this past month. Even spending only a few hours there, afforded me the chance to see how remarkable this program is in instilling leadership qualities among our most valuable assets…our children. I hope you take some time to read PDG Debb Corbett’s wonderful recap of the weekend and the impact it had on students and volunteers.

I also have begun my visits to clubs around the District, beginning last week with the West Stanly Club and the Albemarle Club. It didn’t take me long to learn just how important these visits are from the perspective of understanding exactly how impactful our clubs are. I visited the Charlotte North and our flagship Charlotte Rotary clubs this week. Once again, learning about all our clubs are involved in and seeing the “magic” they make in their communities, is absolutely inspirational. I am so looking forward to the remainder of these visits.

Please make plans to attend the opening of our Peace Committee’s hosting of the documentary, “Join or Die”, at the Independent Picture House, located at 4237 Raleigh Street in Charlotte, on 9/20/24. This award-winning film has come to us through the efforts of our District’s first Peace Fellow, Patricia Shafer, who is a member of the Charlotte Club. This insightful movie is based on the book, “Bowling Alone” by author Robert Putnam, and speaks to the value and social capital that can be built when we choose to join organizations. Please see the flyer inside for additional information.

Have you made your travel plans to attend the Rotary International Convention in Calgary next year? I am thrilled to report that we have about 33 people already registered for this tremendous event and I hope you give serious consideration to adding your name! Please see the flyer inside!

One more thing…we all know how vitally important our Rotary Foundation is in terms of providing monetary support for our identified Club projects. It is precisely because of the contributions you make that gives us the opportunity to derive the benefits of those donations to the Annual Fund in three years. You have two opportunities to help out. The first is the Foundation Celebration, being held for the first time ever in the city of Gastonia. It will be on November 8^th, and we’re going to have a VERY special guest! The other opportunity is to contribute to the Annual Fund on a recurring basis through our new “365” Club. If you choose to donate one dollar a day, you will be included as an inaugural member of the District 7680 “365” Club and receive a pin acknowledging your contribution to the Annual Fund. Please remember that every single dollar represents an investment in your club’s opportunity to help helps your club do more within your community.

Warm Regards,

DG Kevin Kendrick

The Magic of Rotary Strikes Gold at SFTL

High school students across Rotary District 7680 recently gathered on July 18-21, on the campus of Gardner Webb University along with 28 volunteers for Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders (SFTL), a premier leadership development opportunity designed to equip young people with essential skills and inspire them to become influential leaders in their communities. Sponsored by Rotary District 7680, this seminar offers a transformative experience for students, fostering personal growth, leadership skills, and a commitment to service.

The SFTL seminar is known for its dynamic and engaging curriculum created by world renown, Center for Creative Leadership, highlighted with activities to demonstrate the learning in real time and extract the unique leadership of students helping them to lead from within, lead with others, and make a difference in their communities. The experience is carefully crafted to challenge students and encourage them to step out of their comfort zones. The goal is to help students develop critical thinking and leadership skills, learn through self-awareness, enhance their communication abilities, and build strong, collaborative relationships.

Assistant Governor and Rotary member of the Alleghany Rotary Club, Steve Buteau, believes SFTL is a fantastic opportunity for high school age students to learn and reflect on life-long leadership practices.  Having participated as an SFTL mentor for four years, Steve reflects across the years and comments, “I am in awe of how much progress each and every student made in the 3.5 day course. I literally could compare my 1st year cohort to my year 4th year cohort and see the same remarkable progress. This is reinforced by the numerous accolades, scholarships and academic opportunities offered to each of the cohorts as they graduate and move on. The course is truly a world-class opportunity for high school students.”

First year volunteer, Daniel Beckman, member of the Meck South Rotary Club was pleasantly surprised with his experience. He says, “I became an SFTL mentor to make an impact on others, just as Rotary made an impact on me when I came to the US through the Rotary Youth Exchange program.  Next year, I will be a mentor again, because of the impact SFTL had on ME.  As a business executive, I often struggle connecting with younger generations in the workplace.  SFTL was the perfect opportunity for me to interact with the young leaders of tomorrow and broaden each other’s understanding of what it means to be a leader. I was able to learn from and about them in a way that would not be possible in a work environment.  Being a mentor to a group of highschoolers is the most challenging role I ever had.  I can’t wait to do it again!”

One of the highlights of the seminar is the emphasis on the Rotary principles of service above self. Participants are introduced to the values and mission of Rotary International learning about the impact of community service and applying the Four Way Test. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, students gain a deeper understanding of how they can make a positive difference in their communities and beyond.

A key component of the SFTL seminar is the opportunity for students to network with their peers from different schools and backgrounds. This diverse environment fosters the exchange of ideas and perspectives, broadening students’ horizons and helping them appreciate the value of diversity and inclusion. Many students leave the seminar with new friendships and a renewed sense of purpose.

The impact of the SFTL seminar extends beyond the individual participants. Students often return to their schools and communities with a heightened sense of leadership and a drive to initiate positive change. Many alumni of the program go on to take on leadership roles in school clubs, community organizations, and even start their own service projects.

Rotary District 7680 is committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders through  the SFTL seminar. It only happens with the generous dedication from volunteers like YOU. Organizing and planning SFTL is a year long project and we are looking NOW for people who want to lend their time and talents to the program. Do you have great communication skills? Do you like graphic design? Can you help update the website? Do you have the gift administration? Can you prepare and help execute a master comprehensive marketing plan? By investing in the development of young people, Rotary not only empowers individuals but also strengthens communities. The Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders is a testament to the organization’s dedication to fostering a brighter future through leadership, service, and community engagement.

For high school students who aspire to make a difference, the Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn, grow, and lead. As participants return to their everyday lives, they carry with them the skills, knowledge, and inspiration needed to shape a better tomorrow.

For more information about the Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders and how to get involved, please visit the Rotary District 7680 website or contact PDG Scott Van Der Linden, Chair of SFTL, at SVanDerLinden7@gmail.com.

District Leadership Team – Closeup

Risk Management – District Insurance Representative

The U.S. Rotary Club & District Liability Insurance Program provides U.S. Rotary clubs and districts and Rotaract clubs with commercial general liability insurance and directors & officers/employment practices liability insurance, subject to policy terms and conditions. Our representative in District 7680 is PDG Nico Iannelli.

A DIR’s other responsibilities:

• Connect Rotary members to documents, forms, and other materials available on the U.S. Rotary Insurance Portal
• Answer basic questions from Rotary members about the coverages, exclusions, and limitations of the U.S. Club Program
• Direct complex questions from Rotary members to RI Risk Management as needed
• Post current information about the U.S. Club Program on the district’s website and keep the information updated

Further information about the U.S. Club Program is available on the U.S. Rotary Insurance Portal:

“Disasters are becoming increasingly common in our country and indeed, in our very own communities. ShelterBox is a Rotary partner that can offer assistance in those critical times when people may need a roof above them.

My hope is that many of you will be able to register for this informative session on the ShelterBox capability. 

To Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkdOCppj4uGtWL8ptnOC98Q_6AoVLjZn0C

Unable to attend? Register anyway and after the event you will receive a link to the recording. 

Please remember as well, that we have a District 7680 point-of-contact for ShelterBox in Waxhaw Weddington Club President Paula Smith. Paula is a strong advocated for ShelterBox and is available to present to your club!”

Member Care

The Art of the Apology

Healthy relationships are central to mental health, and good relationship skills help us to keep our connections with others harmonious and strong.  Building and maintaining healthy relationships is a major focus of my psychology practice, and I work with my clients to develop and refine relationship skills.

I have found that a key relationship skill is the ability to apologize well.  Although it might seem like a simple skill, it is not, and many of us are not taught good skills in apologizing.  Today I will offer pointers on how to apologize well.

Number 1:  Clarify in your own mind what you are apologizing for so that you can state your apology simply and directly.  Use clear language like “I am sorry that I forgot our plans,” or “I apologize for saying that to you.”

Number 2:  State your apology with no conditions or qualifiers, as in “I am sorry that I said that but you said the same thing the other day.”  Or “I apologized.  Now it’s your turn.”  Your apology should stand on its own.

Number 3:  If you wish to defend or clarify your intentions, make sure that does not dilute the clarity of your apology.  Do not say “I am sorry but I didn’t think that would hurt you.”  Do say “I want you to know that I had no intention of hurting you.  But I did, and I am sorry.”

Number 4:  Make sure that the situation is safe for you to offer an apology.  Apologizing is an act of both vulnerability and power.  If you are dealing with a bully, tread cautiously.  Bullies see power as a zero-sum game and often are not able to receive an apology in a healthy way.

Finally, if someone offers a heartfelt apology to you, acknowledge it and consider offering thanks, as in “I really appreciate your apology” or “Thank you so much for addressing my hurt feelings.  That means so much to me.”

For more resources on apologies and relationship repair:

6 Ways to Apologize like you mean it:  Life Kit: NPR

https://www.NPR.org

The Art of a Heartfelt Apology — Harvard Health

https://www.health.harvard.edu

The Five Ingredients of an Effective Apology — Psychology Today

https://www.psychologytoday.com

Romy Cawood, PhD – Charlotte Dilworth Southend Rotary Club

District-wide Service Projects

District 7680 will be conducting two district-wide service projects in order to create impact within the District and garner maximum media interest. These are projects that impact our entire District and as such, lend themselves to participation from many clubs. We hope to create awareness about Rotary and our causes and attract potential members while making an impact in the areas of focus associated with these causes.

Please see the following two projects and consider helping us grow our impact as we share the gift of Rotary with others!

Alexander County: Title I Schools – Alexander County Schools District

Alleghany County: Title I / Title I Schools (alleghany.k12.nc.us)

Anson County: Title l Schools – ANSON COUNTY SCHOOLS (ansonschools.org)

Ashe County: Federal Programs / Title I (schoolwires.net)

Cabarrus County: Cabarrus County Schools – Title l Overview

Cleveland County: CCS Title I – Title I Schools (google.com)

Gaston County: Title l Schools 2023-2024 on GCS Letterhead.pdf (gaston.k12.nc.us)

Iredell County: Title 1 Contacts – Iredell-Statesville School District (issnc.org)

Mecklenburg County: Federal Programs / Title I Schools (cmsk12.org)

Richmond County: Federal Programs • Departments – RICHMOND COUNTY SCHOOLS

Rowan County: Federal Programs / Title 1 (rssed.org)

Stanly County: Title I Program Information 2023-2024.pdf – Google Drive

Union County: Federal Programs / Federal Programs (ucps.k12.nc.us)

Wilkes County: WCS Title 1 Schools – Title I – Wilkes County Schools

District 7680 “365” Fund

Nearly every Rotarian wants to reach the goal of being a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF). As we know, it takes a donation of $1,000 to become a PHF and of course, that’s not necessarily plausible in today’s challenging economic climate. And if you’re not donating  on a regular basis, it’s easy to forget where you are in the quest to become a PHF.

So how can you do this in an affordable, consistent way? The 365 Fund is what our District has developed to help members with less disposable income, a systematic way to reach PHF status.

The 365 Fund represents your commitment to donate $1 a day to the Annual Fund. You decide how you want to reach this goal (monthly, quarterly, annually) but the bottom line is it will cost you $1 per day. Rotary Direct is the best way to do this. If you commit to participating in this initiative, you’ll be enrolled in the District 7680 “365” Fund and you’ll receive a pin to wear and share with others about your recurring support of Rotary’s Annual Fund which of course, comes back to benefit our clubs after a three-year investment.

This pin will recognize those who commit to giving and we will track in DACdb. It’s one more tool for Club Foundation chairs and especially for our younger members or members on a fixed income.

Empowering Girls in Nepal – an update from PDG David Hare

Funding for the construction and outfit  of the hospital in Dolakha, Nepal has now been completed with construction well under way and a scheduled completion  date set for the first half of 2025.

All terrain ambulance

Mothers and Babies Hospital construction in progress, Dolakha, Nepal 2024

A Proclamation for World Polio Day! Can we Spread It?

We are giving a HUGE shout-out to the Rotary Club of Charlotte for their initiative to have a Proclamation issued by the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners, recognizing October 24, 2024, as World Polio Day.

The idea was conceived by Immediate Past President Edwin Peacock and then advocated for by current President, Kim Brattain. Kim assembled a team of awesome club members to get this done, including Tish Atkins, Laura Meier, Virginia Owen, Donna Dunlap and Christine Cipriano. Here’s the verbiage they developed for the Proclamation:

Proclamation
World Polio Day
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
October 24, 2024

Whereas, World Polio Day is observed annually on October 24th to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk, who led the first team to develop a vaccine against poliomyelitis; and

Whereas, the global effort to eradicate polio has been one of the most successful public health initiatives, reducing polio cases by over 99% since 1988; and

Whereas, Rotary International, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have led the Global Polio Eradication Initiative; and

Whereas, polio is a highly infectious disease that can cause paralysis and sometimes even death, primarily affecting children under the age of five; and

Whereas, thanks to extensive vaccination efforts, polio is now endemic in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, but it remains a threat until it is eradicated everywhere; and

Whereas, the eradication of polio will prevent an estimated 10 million cases of paralysis in children over the next 40 years and will save over $40 billion in healthcare costs, particularly in low-income countries; and

Whereas, continued vigilance and immunization are essential to ensure that polio does not return to polio-free countries; and

Whereas, the residents of Mecklenburg County are encouraged to support polio eradication efforts and raise awareness about the importance of vaccination; and

Whereas, the commitment to eradicating polio is a testament to what can be achieved when communities, governments, and organizations around the world work together towards a common goal; and

Whereas, on this World Polio Day, we honor the dedication and efforts of healthcare workers, volunteers, and organizations who strive to eliminate this disease and improve global health.

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners hereby proclaims October 24, 2024, as World Polio Day in Mecklenburg County and urges all residents to recognize the importance of continued support and efforts to eradicate polio globally.

Signed this 24th day of October, 2024,

Now, here’s my ask of club Presidents: Can we replicate this in each of our 14 counties within District 7680? It would be great if every Board of County Commissioners could issue a similar Proclamation, recognizing October 24^th as World Polio Day! Let’s make this happen and do something truly exceptional to honor our work in eradicating polio!

At a Glance: 2024-25 District Grants 

25 Rotary Clubs + 34 Projects + $105,250 = Rotary Magic 

Twenty-five clubs in D7680 will engage in 34 District Grant projects in 2024-25, translating money into Rotary Magic, doing good and changing lives with $105,250 in district grants.

Rotarians will partner with other organizations and Rotary clubs to: create gardens and public gathering spaces, improve parks and trails, support students and provide scholarships, enhance school learning environments and play areas, pack meals and address food insecurity, introduce young people to cultural arts and music, assure that families have basic needs met and resources to thrive, offer STEM and digital literacy training, support mothers returning to college, sponsor veterans on Honor Flights, and collaborate with local health professionals to provide medical and dental care in Nepal. These projects will all showcase Rotarians as “People of Action” in their own communities and around the world, creating lasting change and promoting peace.

Each club will match the amount of their grant award at least 1:1 with funds from the club or community sources. Clubs will be receiving their grant awards in the coming weeks after The Rotary Foundation completes its process and releases funds for the district’s block grant, which was just approved on Friday, August 12.

District grants are funded out of the “District Designated Funds” (DDF) generated by our contributions to The Rotary Foundation’s Annual (SHARE) funds returned to the district after 3 years. This year, $93,737 in DDF (from 2021-22 contributions) was supplemented by generous additional funding allocated by the District Finance Committee designated for district grants, for a total of $105,250 in district grants. In 2023-24, 30 clubs received $109,410 in District Grants to accomplish 39 projects.

Your District Grants Subcommittee is chaired by Sharon Heinrich (Rotary Club of Gastonia). Each club will have a district grant committee member as a liaison for their project(s). Sharon is looking forward to visiting clubs, sharing a program, answering questions, and supporting your club this year. For more information and resources, check out DACdb -> Grants (under your Club or District) -> Grants Overview tab.

Article written & submitted by: Sharon Heinrich 

In this month’s ZoomFormation meeting, our Director, Patrick Eakes, asked clubs and individual Rotarians to consider making a contribution to assist the areas in our neighboring Zone 34 who were so adversely impacted by Hurricane Beryl. Contributions can be made by going to this Zone link:

Disaster Relief | Rotary International Zones 33/34 (rizones33-34.org)

Mike’s August Membership Minute (or two)

·         FOR EVERYONE – CREATING A CULTURE OF INVITING

·         FOR CLUB LEADERS – OUR SEPT 21 MEMBERSHIP WORKSHOP

FOR EVERYONE – CREATING A ‘CULTURE OF INVITING’ IS EASY (A REMINDER)

A ‘culture of inviting’ is the constant in growing clubs. Several members must lead the way, with a strong Membership Chair to follow up on them.  Once that culture takes hold, it can quickly increase the fun and excitement in your club. 

How can you and your club do this? 

1. Get board and then club member buy-in you don’t want to shrink.

2. Remember and share what you are proud of – your Rotary involvement, your club, and Rotary.

3. Someone must ‘model the way’, inviting more guests than anyone. Why not you?

4. Make ‘Culture of Inviting’ the constant, and what needs to be fixed to create it, the variables – better food, more exciting projects, nicer venue, etc. 

5. Put yourself in the shoes of a potential member, asking ‘what’s in it for them’ to be in Rotary – relationships, service, growth and learning. Inviting is much easier if viewed from their point of view.

6. Finally, remember, yours may be the only Rotary invitation a person ever receives. Make sure they get it.

FOR CLUB LEADERS – SEPT 21 MEMBERSHIP WORKSHOP, AGAIN 8:30-12:30 IN 5 LOCATIONS

This is THE workshop for club leaders to create a Club Membership Growth Plan for their club. Two to five leaders should attend – Presidents, PEs, Membership Chairs and several influencers even if not on the board. We want those who will implement it creating the Plan. Please look at DG Kevin Kendrick’s 9/5 email sent around 9:50 a.m. for all the details and your personalized Registration link. 

And a reminder to check how the Monroe club turned their membership decline into great growth last year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6h6dn1taf4 

Thanks!

Mike Walker

District Membership Chair

Our District is a part of Zones 33 and 34. Being a part of the Zone gives us an opportunity to share tools and best practices with literally hundreds of other clubs in our paired zones. This is especially important in the area of PI and PR since the more we’re able to convey a shared image of Rotary, the more credibility we’ll have with the public at large.

One of the ways the Zone is asking clubs to participate in is through their EPIC Awards initiative. This program is a way for clubs to be aligned in the image they’re projecting for the District and Rotary at large.

In order to participate, the clubs must participate in a series of identified activities, which must be completed by a specified date.

The first activity is performing an audit of your club’s online resources, including social media, websites, cloud storage, email addresses, etc., to ensure correct branding is being used and that the information is current and relevant. The deadline for completing the audit and reporting it is October 31^st.

In addition, having a clear Public Image plan, specifying how you’re going to share your club’s activities and where and what tools you will be using to share stories coming from the club. The deadline again for this is October 31, 2024. 

There are other deadlines for specified activity and our hope is that as many clubs as possible participate in these activities. It’s a great way to engage EVERYONE in your club and ensure we are all sharing important information about what we’re doing in an impactful way! Please contact PI/PR Chair Mark Daniels with any questions!

Here’s a full list of the activities and deadlines: 

https://elevaterotary.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/EPIC-award-tasks.pdf 

And don’t forget to visit the Elevate Rotary website to get the most up to date information on how to make your club’s PI and PR more dynamic and sustainable!  

Rotary Zones 33/34 Public Image Resources (elevaterotary.org)

• 1 in 3 families struggle to afford diapers for their children
• Many families also have adults who need the diapers, but cannot afford to purchase them
• When families hit this reality, something else has give, like the food they would have purchased

In September we get to do something about this.  We’re thrilled to announce one of our district-wide service projects, and we want you to be the first to know! On September 14^th 9-11a, Rotary is teaming up with The Diaper Bank, Harris Teeter, and Microsoft employees for an exciting wrapping party at the Diaper Bank in Charlotte-one of the non-profits Rotarians did service at for the District Conference in Charlotte a few years ago.

In January, with just 20 volunteers, we packed over 15,000 products, making a huge difference for families in North Carolina. This time, we have 50 spots available, and it’s first come, first served!

Here’s how you can get involved:

• Sign up here: Registration Link
• Wavier Needed for Diaper Bank
• Spread the word within your Rotary Club and encourage members to sign up.
• Invite non-Rotarians who have a heart for the community to join us. The more, the merrier!
• If you want to donate $ to the Diaper Bank
• If you want to purchase product on Amazon for the Diaper Bank
• Take pictures of your event to share in future newsletters and District Meetings.

For those clubs far from Charlotte or already committed to other service partners, we encourage you to organize a local service project during the same timeframe. Let’s make a difference together, no matter where we are!

Capture the Moment at your Club, In Your Community:

• Take pictures of your event to share in future newsletters and District Meetings.
• Make it a community event by inviting local businesses and individuals to join as full partners (like Microsoft and Harris Teeter above). What better way to showcase Rotary than by working side by side in service?  I’ve heard that people below the age of 40 prioritize service.  Invite them to partner with you.

A few hours of your time can:

• Improve our communities
• Bring our core principle, Service Above Self, to life
• Showcase who we are by inviting others to join us in action

Your promotion of this event could be the difference a family in your area needs this September. Plus, you might attract new members for the next generation of your club!

Chris and Rina Arline and the DEI Committee

Peace Committee News

By Chair Quanta Dawn Light

• September 21 there will be a celebration of U.N World Peace Day. The event includes a film “Join or Die” followed by panel discussion. For further details please watch for emails of invitation.
• A course titled “Ending War 101” offered by World Beyond War – Rotary Action Group for Peace.  https://worldbeyondwar.org/endingwar101/
• District 7680 is inviting individuals to serve as secretary and co-chair for the Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee. Please send an email to DG Kevin Kendrick or Quanta Dawn-Light.

Rotary Club of Charlotte Dilworth South End. President Amarja recently traveled to the North Mumbai Club where we completed a service project last year. She was recognized by that Club for our club’s contribution.

Rotary Club Celebrates 86^th Anniversary with Induction of New Officers

The Rotary Club of Taylorsville celebrated its 86^th anniversary with a special ceremony on July 10, 2024, which included the induction of its 2024-25 officers. The club was chartered on June 30, 1938, and has made service to the community and the world its focus since that time.

Glenn Deal, Jr., President for the past two years, presided at the installation; he was assisted by the Rev. Paul Sink, 2021-2022 President.

Mr. Deal opened the ceremony with the installation of Dianne Little as the incoming President. He charged Little with the responsibility of “leading with distinction as you inspire, motivate, and engage your members in the work of ‘Service above Self.’” After he administered the oath of office to Little, Deal made her induction official with the “passing of the gavel.”

The Rev. Paul Sink then installed the remaining officers: Matt Schrum, Secretary; Ben Zachary, Treasurer; Linda Graham, Foundation Chair; Jean Reid, Service Chair; Denise Elder, Administration Chair; Kim Brown, Fundraising Chair; and Betty Long, Sergeant-at-Arms. Sink emphasized that as the club’s Leadership Team the officers were responsible for supporting the President and Rotary International in continuing the mission of “Service Above Self.” 

Dianne Little closed the installation by recognizing Zachary, Long, Graham, Reid, Schrum, Sellers, Elder, and Deal for their exemplary service as past officers.

The Rotary Club of Taylorsville’s 2024-2025 Officers are pictured below (L to R): Linda Graham, Foundation Chair; Betty Long, Sergeant-at-Arms; Kim Brown, Fundraising Chair; Dianne Little, President; Jean Reid, Service Chair; Ben Zachary, Treasurer; and Denise Elder, Administration Chair. Not pictured: Cindy Sellers, Membership Chair, and Tabitha Goforth, Public Information Officer.

Pee Dee Area News

In Area 1, the Pee Dee Assistant Governor, Bob Remsburg, shared this information about the clubs in this area:

The Clubs in the PeeDee Area (formerly Area 1) have gotten underway for their new Rotary year.  Kristi Richardson King is the new President for the Rockingham Club which just awarded community grants from their barbecue and raffle proceeds.  Plans are already underway for a huge event again this year on election day in November.  This annual tradition often raises upwards of $50,000 for distribution to area 501c3 organizations in the Richmond County area. 

Similarly, the Wadesboro Club has offered community grants to deserving organizations in the Anson County area from their annual shooting clays tournament.  Ashley Scarborough took over the reins of President in a ceremony at the Wadesboro Rotary Clubs annual banquet in June.  This event featured a wonderful magician as they celebrated “The Magic of Rotary”. 

The Wadesboro Club began a new meeting schedule in 2023 with a monthly regular meeting and normally a second service project or social activity each month.  

The West Stanly Rotary Club is also doing something a bit unique.  President Donna Carter is serving the second year of her two-year Presidency.  While a 2-year term is not a requirement in their bylaws, the Club has found it offers some greater consistency.  With help from a District Grant, the West Stanly Club has offered 10 scholarships to students in the western portion of Stanly County both for undergraduate and community college students. 

The Albemarle Rotary Club has recently held the 3rd Annual Race To Remember, a 5K and 1 Mile race to raise funds for The CART Fund. This race was featured as an upcoming event in the June Rotary magazine.  Around $12,000 was raised and will be presented by President Jay Almond to Tiffany Ervin, Director of CART at the Albemarle Rotary meeting on October 17^th.

Dee Pankey Thompson and Louisa Jane Hartsell of the Albemarle Rotary Club posing with their photo from Rotary Magazine.

PDG Lois Crumpler at the installation of President Ashley Scarborough at the Wadesboro Rotary Club annual banquet.

Rotary’s “Give Every Child a Future

The island countries of the South Pacific are tropically warm, economically diverse, and really, really far apart. In this region, which spans millions of square miles, even individual countries’ islands are scattered across vast distances. Public health workers face unique challenges in vaccinating the islands’ children.

“It’s hard to transport vaccines to the outer islands because of the distance and transport availability. Sometimes they have to wait one to three months to get a boat across,” says Rufina Tutai, who oversees immunizations for the Cook Islands. The 15 islands in her jurisdiction are spread over nearly 2 million square kilometers (770,000 square miles). Read more….

The Rotary Showcase has been officially retired! The Service Project Center is the new and easier way to manage service projects!

We’re pleased to announce the launch of the Service Project Center! This new platform offers more opportunities to manage your projects, share stories and suggestions, and find partners. The introduction of this platform means that Rotary Showcase has been retired. All Rotary and Rotaract service projects have been transferred to the Service Project Center. 

When you start using the new platform, you’ll notice that it responds faster, offers a consistent experience across devices and screen sizes, lets you collect more accurate project location data, and provides project management access to all club officers. You can manage your projects from mobile devices, as well as share project links more easily in email and on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and LinkedIn. 

Here’s how to get started:  

• Explore the new features. Sign in to discover the streamlined tools. 
• Verify that your project information has transferred correctly. 
• Need assistance? Contact our Support Team.   

The Service Project Center is a significant asset in our efforts to better engage participants and increase our impact. You can tell your project stories more fully, which shows your effectiveness to potential members, partners, and donors. And you have more opportunities to provide photos and details, making the project process more transparent and giving members more ways to feel pride in the results. 

Thank you for your commitment to meaningful service projects. We hope you find the Service Project Center helpful, and we welcome your opinions about new functions.  

Peace Poles – a Powerful Way to Unite Communities

A Peace Pole is a monument that displays the message May Peace Prevail On Earth in the language of the country where it is placed. It usually displays 3 to 7 additional languages meaningful to the host site.

The message is referred to as an affirmation of peace and its placement furthers Rotary’s goal of building a culture of peace throughout the world.

Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick is a huge proponent of Peace Initiatives and is encouraging Rotary and Rotaract clubs around the world to plant a Peace Pole within our communities. District 7680 got a jump start on this in 2022 when our Peace Committee, under the leadership of Dr. Yves-Renee Jennings and PDG Nico Iannelli, unveiled a Peace Pole at a celebration honoring recent Afghan refugees. That Peace Pole is now on permanent display at the Weddington Town Hall.

Looking for more information on Peace Poles? Please click here!

Rotarian Action Groups

Do you have a particular service topic that interests you or that you want to learn more about? Rotary has groups called Rotarian Action Groups, or RAGs, that help you develop more information about your interest. RAGs help Rotary clubs and districts plan and carry out community development and humanitarian service projects in their area of expertise. The groups are organized by Rotarians and Rotaractors who are proficient, and have a passion for service, in a particular field. Please take a look at the document which has a comprehensive list of all RAGs you can participate in.