July 2024

Good day, Rotary Family!

Happy Rotary New Year to each of you! Thank you for affording me the opportunity to represent you with Rotary International as your Governor for 2024-2025 and as we all go about the work of Rotary in our communities and in our clubs.

And what wonderful work it is that we do. When I take a step back and look at what I’ve seen our clubs and Rotarians do over the years, I am genuinely in awe. Every single day in District 7680, a Rotarian is doing something, somewhere in our 53 clubs, to make a difference in the life of someone who has a need. This is what makes our clubs so important and so vital in helping to shape outcomes, especially for those in our society who are at risk. We believe in literacy, education, peace, families and children, clean water, preventing diseases, creating economic development, and sustaining our environment. We believe in honoring our Veterans, taking care of our own, remembering our past and building for the future. We believe in creating paths to access.

We understand too, that we live in a rapidly evolving world. Climate change is happening more quickly than anyone realized even a few years ago and we see conflict in various forms in so many parts of the world, including here in our own communities. We know that these challenges require us to be more strategic in the projects we undertake and in growing our membership in a deliberate and sustainable way. It will mean actively recruiting people who will complement our clubs and clubs collaborating in ways we’ve never done in the past. It will mean sharing our stories in a consistent and compelling manner. By aligning our resources, we can have greater community impact, enhanced awareness of our mission and what we do, and even greater participation in Rotary Foundation giving.

There are so many opportunities in front of us and my ask to each of you is to ensure we do the work necessary to clearly identify those opportunities. Please know that we have people and resources available to help you in that quest should you need them.

Thank you once again for the opportunity to serve you and your clubs. I have no doubt that we will make the Magic of Rotary something real, something tangible, for so many people inside and outside of District 7680.

DG Kevin Kendrick

District 7680 Installation Event

District 7680 held its annual installation of District and Club leaders on June 29, 2024, at Simonini Builders on Wilkinson Blvd., in Charlotte. It represented everything that can happen when Rotarians work together toward a common goal. Over 125 leaders, family members and guests, all came together for this two-hour event, planned for by members of the Charlotte Dilworth South End Rotary Club, the Charlotte Queen City Impact Club, and the Charlotte Rotary Club. Eight weeks of planning went into the event, with members volunteering to handle varying aspects of the program. We even had to deal with a change of venue about three weeks before the event occurred. We were graced to receive the new venue from a member of the Charlotte Rotary Club, Alan Simonini, and some additional tables and chairs were provided from another member of the Charlotte Rotary Club, Larry Hyatt. Helping to plan the many moving parts of the event were the following Rotarians, all a part of the core planning Committee: Kelly Cates, Harriett Porter, Allison Burkett, Choice Gray, Eric Law, Angie Rikard, Mike Purvis, Jim Stump, Patsy Stump, Kate Richards, Wally Olson, and Jenny Kendrick. Handling the swearing-in of all the officers, was Past District Governor Jim Stump, the second District Governor to come from the Dilworth Rotary Club.

PDG Jim swore in club Presidents, District leaders and Kevin Kendrick of the Charlotte Dilworth South End Club as the District’s 33 rd Governor.

District Leadership Team – Closeup

All of our Club members serving in a District leadership role are important. But who exactly are these people and why do we have that role We are going to examine some key roles in our District and more importantly, the people that make those roles work.

Let’s look at our District Rotaract Chair, Rocky Cabagnot.

Rocky is a member of the Salisbury Rotary Club and has been a Rotarian since January of 2018. Salisbury is home for Rocky and he’s a proud grad of Salisbury High School (Go Hornets!).  He received his Bachelor’s Degree at UNC Chapel Hill and obtained a Juris Doctor degree (with Honors) from the University of Florida Levin College of Law where he served as Senior Research Editor of the Florida Law Review.

Spurning a career in corporate law after graduation, Rocky started his legal career at Three Rivers Legal Services in Gainesville, Florida  – first, as an AmeriCorps Housing Attorney and later, as an Equal Justice Works Fellow, where he designed an innovative access to justice project to serve the legal needs of the low-income community in rural north central Florida.  After his public interest law fellowship, he made his way to Florida’s capital, Tallahassee, where he started a Community Economic Development legal unit at Legal Services of North Florida.

In 2012, he returned home to North Carolina, where he was appointed as an Assistant Professor of Law at an ABA accredited law school in Charlotte, North Carolina.  During his tenure at the law school (2012-2017), Rocky developed and supervised a legal clinic (staffed by certified legal interns) that provided free legal services to Charlotte area nonprofits.  Additionally, he has taught as an adjunct professor in the University of North Carolina at Charlotte's Master of Public Administration program teaching courses in public administration law and nonprofit capacity building.  From 2017 through 2019, Rocky spent two years running the Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency (a multi-million dollar federally funded nonprofit) as its Executive Director where he oversaw a Head Start program that served over 1000 children and families throughout five counties and a federally funded CSBG workforce development program in Rowan and Cabarrus Counties.

In October 2019, Rocky decided to return to the full-time practice of law and joined the law firm of Hull & Chandler P.A.  He is a Member in Good Standing with the North Carolina and Florida Bars. Rocky has a history of helping children and young adults and was a natural fit for the role of District Rotaract Chair. He has already visited multiple campuses with the goal of re-energizing or beginning Rotaract programs at these locations. As the birthplace of Rotaract for the Rotary world, Rocky is very much interested in seeing District 7680 take more of a leadership role in Rotaract. Did I mention that Rocky is President-Elect for the Salisbury Club as well? Rocky Cabagnot, thank you for your service!

Let’s look at our District Learning Facilitator, Marcia Scheideman.

Marcia Scheideman is a retired non-profit administrator previously serving as Executive Director for several non-profit organizations including Shepherd’s Center of Charlotte. Trained as a nutrition educator, she has held a variety of positions throughout her career in education and training. As Regional Coordinator for Cornell Cooperative Extension, she was trained as a facilitator and spent several years as a trainer of trainers. Marcia received her B.S. from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA and M.S. from Syracuse University. A member of the Rotary Club of Gastonia, she has been in Rotary since 2013, initially a member of the Will Rogers Rotary Club in Tulsa, OK. She has served in various board and officer capacities throughout her years in Charlotte and is currently the District 7680 Learning Facilitator (formerly known as “District Trainer”.)

Marcia is a skilled facilitator and recently assisted DG Kevin at PETS in the learning sessions with District Presidents-Elect. She also knows from firsthand experience that when you’re facilitating learning, you must have the ability to let your hair down periodically!

Our RLI facilitators recently traveled to beautiful Glen Allen, Virginia to attend recertification training and meet the new staff. We love this picture of our incredible team from District 7680, as photographed by Chris Stevenson of District 7730.

Pictured, l-r: Marcia Scheideman-Gastonia; Harriett Porter-Charlotte; Allison Burkett-Queen City Impact; Lorena Prince-Queen City Impact; and Georgia Oakes-Charlotte Providence.

Rotary Member Recognized by WACC

We are very happy to report that Rina Arline, a member of the Charlotte International Club and co-chair of the District 7680 DEI Committee, was recently honored by the World Affairs Council in receiving the Harold P. Josephson Award. This honor is given to individuals who have contributed significantly to WACC and the international life of the community. The recognition from the WACC specifically stated that “Rina has exemplified her commitment through her work with Bank of America’s Breakthrough Lab, her work as co chair of the AAPI Power of 10 Program, and through her role as Executive Sponsor for the Asian Leadership Network-Charlotte.” Rina is a former WACC Board member and currently serves as Managing Director and Program Director for Bank of America’s Breakthrough Lab.

On behalf of all of us in District 7680, Congratulations, Rina!!!

District Learning Opportunities

Facilitation – The Future of Learning

The winds are changing, and a new image is emerging. Membership – recruitment, onboarding and retention are the focus of most clubs in District 7680. Everyone needs help in achieving the goals we all seek to accomplish. There is a lot of support available some from sources previously not accessed.

Engagement is key to member retention and onboarding is a key component of engaging new members. The other vital element of engagement is learning about the organization to which members are now a part. As humans, we commit to people, groups and organizations with which we are familiar. The more we learn the deeper the commitment.

The new image revealed is a shift from providing information to giving opportunities for club leadership to motivate members to want to act. Action is the Heart and Soul of Why Rotary Clubs Exist Prepare Members for Action – Offer Learning Opportunities As club leaders, encourage your members to participate in learning opportunities. Engaged members lead to retention. Engagement begins with learning and transforms into action.

Act – How?

• Address a Community Need
• Create opportunities for Networking
• Provide Funding for Key Projects
• Develop Leadership

As District Learning Facilitator, I will be contacting Club Learning Facilitators or any member assuming that role. Learning experiences will be offered which provides club members with tools necessary to facilitate learning for new (and existing) members in home clubs. In addition, I am always available for club programs and other learning opportunities. There’s more to come so stay tuned! Feel free to contact me for more information or with any questions you may have. Marcia Scheideman, District Learning [email protected]

A New Vision for 7680

District 7680 is welcoming an exciting new initiative sponsored by Rotary International and embraced by Zone 33 known as Club Visioning. Simply put Club Visioning helps strengthen clubs by building consensus on club direction promoting continuity and consistency among leadership and programming and creating action plans to implement initiatives.

District 7680 Support of Club Visioning includes:

• Identify District Club Visioning Chair to lead program
• Build District Visioning Facilitator Team
• Provide budget for Visioning FacilitatorTraining, event materials, annual fee for International Vision Facilitation Council Membership (IVFC)
• Promote Club Visioning – Club visits, PETS Training, identification of Visioning Facilitators

Benefits for the Club and District:
1. Club members have a voice in the club’s direction.
2. Strengthens clubs
3. Establishes a multiyear club plan and action plan
4. Promotes Leadership Development
5. Supports Membership Growth

District 7680 Visioning Facilitator Team (so far)
• Lorena Prince
• Assaad Mounzer
• Harriet Porter
• Marcia Scheideman – Chair

Our District has put together a strong vibrant facilitation team, but we need a few more volunteers to be part of this astute group of trainers. Please join us and begin the journey in creating stronger clubs in District 7680. Take a look at this video and see what others think about Club Visioning – https://tinyurl.com/club-visioning.

Please contact Marcia Scheideman ([email protected]) for more information.
Thank you!

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

The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary International. It is a non-profit that is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of The Rotary Foundation who share its vision of a better world. Its sole mission is to support the efforts of Rotarians through Rotary’s mission, and the achievement of world understanding and peace through local, national and international humanitarian and educational programs in your backyard and around the globe.

To accomplish more good in the world, the Foundation trustees have set an ambitious fundraising goal of $500 million for 2024–25. Achieving this goal will require the support of everyone reading this message. It will also help us reach our goal of building the Endowment Fund to $2.025 billion by 2025. To keep financial support of The Rotary Foundation at the forefront, Rotary International Foundation Trustee has developed Mark’s Magical Markers, a set of specific targets to help us achieve our goals. The first Magical Marker focuses on personal commitment, particularly to the Annual Fund, which supports the grants, scholarships, and vocational training teams that make the magic happen. Please contribute what you can to the Annual Fund no later than August 31.

Let’s fuel the engine that enables us to do good in the world and unleash The Magic of Rotary through The Rotary Foundation.

Did you know?

Pets to end polio: PolioPlus Society Kennel Klub

Who says pets can’t help eradicate polio? Mollie the dog and other animals in the PolioPlus Society Kennel Klub have helped raise more than US$13,000 and welcome other pets to join the effort. Learn more about Mollie and some of the cutest PolioPlus supporters in a recent Instagram video.

PolioPlus – Will You Join the District 7680 Team?

For over 40 years, Rotarians have never wavered in fulfilling our commitment to the children of the world to end polio. We need your help to reach our goal of raising $50 million for PolioPlus and there has never been a more important time to donate. In order to receive the full 2:1 match from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, it is imperative that we meet our goal.

During Rotary Year 2023-24, PolioPlus funds were used to purchase polio vaccine, assist in getting vaccine to children, and importantly, to raise awareness. District7680 has committed to donating 20% of our District Designated Funds (over 18K) to polio to help us meet our goal.

We know it takes a team effort to beat polio. And so, we need everyone to be on the team to help us prevail in eradicating it, once and for all. We really are this close.

Here’s how you can help:

• Will your Rotary club consider having a minimum goal of $1,500 or more, specifically for the Polio Plus fund?
• Will you consider giving $100 per year and joining the PolioPlus society?

Rotary made a bold choice in taking on the challenge of eradicating polio. Many believed we could never do it. But we demonstrated the power of our commitment, resolve and volunteerism.  We must fulfil our promise, we must maintain our commitment to end polio and we can do this with every vaccine we deliver, every community we reach, and every dollar we give.

Together, we will end polio.

Please contact PolioPlus Chair PDG Tom Smith at [email protected] if you have any questions.

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 July Membership Minute

Creating a Culture of Inviting, Monroe Rotary success, and our Sept 21st District Membership Growth Workshop 

CULTURE OF INVITING. 

Clubs with it usually grow, and clubs without it often shrink. It isn’t complicated. The 2022-2023 President of my Charlotte-South club, Bill Belk, served a second term, and created that Culture of Inviting. In the last 24 months, we’ve grown from 36 to 58 members.  A number of members jumped on Bill’s ‘inviting bandwagon’, and it’s more normal to have guests than not. It’s an exciting and fun club. 

How can your club do this? 

1. Club leaders must ‘model the way’, inviting more guests than anyone. This is what Bill did. 

2. 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. Whatever has to be fixed, is what you work on.

3. Get buy-in from club members. They will do most of the inviting.

4. Ask every member to put themselves in the shoes of potential members, asking ‘what’s in it for them’ to be in Rotary – relationships, service, growth and learning. Inviting is much easier that way.

MONROE ROTARY SUCCESS RECEIVES RECOGNITION FAR BEYOND OUT DISTRICT

As impressive as my club’s success, the Monroe Rotary club’s success was far more impressive, growing from 47 to 72 members this past year. Most impressively, the club instituted a number of new deliberate steps, including co-Presidents, early buy-in from members, a shortened application process, better projects, and much more.  

Patricia Kahle and Andrew Friend, the immediate past co-Presidents, are featured in this 25-minute video shared by our 17-DIstrict Zone Membership leadership in a recent meeting. There is literally nothing here that can’t be replicated by EVERY club in our District! Check out the video of these amazing leaders. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6h6dn1taf4 

SEPT 21st CLUB-CENTERED DISTRICT MEMBERSHIP GROWTH WORKSHOP 

We will again have Membership Growth Workshops in 5 locations, this time on Saturday, Sept. 21st from 8:30-12:30. All club Presidents and Membership Chairs, and up to 3 added club leaders, should attend. Those attending will create a Membership Growth Plan, so we want up to 5 key leaders attending to create it. Last years’ workshops really ignited some clubs to great years. More soon…

Mike Walker

District Membership Chair

The Power of Storytelling for Leaders

Embracing the Story Forward Leader Concept

In today’s world, being a leader isn’t just about making decisions and giving orders. It’s about connecting with people, inspiring them, and leading with heart. One of the most effective ways to do this is through storytelling. Kindra Hall, a storytelling expert, talks about the “Story Forward Leader” concept, which is all about using stories to lead more effectively.

What is a Story Forward Leader?

A Story Forward Leader is someone who uses stories to move their organization forward. This isn’t just about telling funny anecdotes or sharing random experiences. It’s about using stories strategically to convey important messages, build connections, and inspire change.

Why Storytelling is So Powerful

1. Creating Emotional Connections: Stories have a magical way of touching our hearts. When leaders share personal stories or highlight company milestones, they create a sense of shared experience. This emotional connection can motivate teams and strengthen the bond between leaders and their followers.
2. Making Complex Ideas Simple: Sometimes, the things leaders need to communicate can be really complicated. Stories help break down these complex ideas into something everyone can understand. By using relatable examples, leaders can make their vision clear and accessible.
3. Building Trust and Authenticity: People crave authenticity, especially from their leaders. Sharing real stories about successes, failures, and lessons learned builds trust. When leaders are open and honest about their journeys, it makes them more relatable and credible.
4. Encouraging Change and Innovation: Change can be scary, but stories can help ease that fear. By sharing stories that show the benefits of change and highlight past successes, leaders can inspire their teams to embrace new ideas and drive innovation.

How to Be a Story Forward Leader

If you want to harness the power of storytelling in your leadership, here’s how to get started:

1. Identify Your Key Messages: Figure out what core messages you want to communicate. Whether it’s about company values, strategic directions, or cultural shifts, be clear about the narrative you want to build.
2. Find Relevant Stories: Gather stories that support your key messages. These could be personal experiences, customer success stories, or even historical examples. Make sure they are relevant and reinforce the points you want to make.
3. Be Authentic: Authenticity is key. Share stories that are genuine and reflect your true experiences and values. Don’t embellish or fabricate, as authenticity builds trust.
4. Engage and Listen: Storytelling isn’t a one-way street. Encourage your team to share their stories too and listen actively. This fosters a culture of openness and provides valuable insights.
5. Use Different Platforms: Tell your stories through various channels. From team meetings and newsletters to social media and corporate events, make sure your narratives reach a wide audience.

The Impact of Being a Story Forward Leader

Leaders who master storytelling can transform their organizations. They create a cohesive narrative that aligns the team, drives engagement, and fosters a sense of purpose. Through stories, they navigate challenges, celebrate successes, and build a resilient and motivated workforce.

Sharing stories is a powerful skill in your public information toolbox because it allows you to connect with those outside of the Rotary organization and re-engage members who are moved by your message.

In conclusion, the power of storytelling for leaders is huge. By embracing the Story Forward Leader concept, you can harness the potential of narrative to inspire, connect, and lead with purpose. Stories are not just a tool but a powerful force that can shape the future of leadership and organizational success. Stories can motivate “People of Action”. Start sharing your stories and watch the Magic of Rotary happen in your clubs.

If we asked a non-Rotarian the same question, what would they say? I’ve been told by non-Rotarians “I don’t know”. Interestingly enough, non-Rotarians seem to care about service in many established polls. Rotary has been a service organization since its inception. We see this with our impact on polio worldwide and mid-year assembly highlights the service of many clubs. However, real need continues to grow in our communities. Personally, I’ve been shocked to learn:

• Charlotte (city) ranks dead last (50 out of 50) for Upward Mobility among America’s largest cities
• Almost half of American families reported diaper need in 2023
• 1 in 5 girls miss school in this country because they don’t have access to period products (yes, in 2024, and yes, in our communities)
• I haven’t brought up food insecurity, education or what will happen in 20 years if nothing changes

Are we making a dent in our communities with these issues? Bigger question, do we need to try to do this alone? If we involve others (non Rotarians) could it help us grow our clubs and impact?

This Rotary Year, the DEI Committee is planning on 4-5 District events with proven community partners, where Rotarians and their clubs can serve the community. We won’t be alone as business partners will join as well. If what we are doing districtwide appeals to you and your club, join and make a difference in the community. If you have business partners that care about what we are doing, invite them. If there is a different project that speaks to your club that is in your backyard, tackle that instead, And Don’t Do it Alone.

Last year we partnered with a grocery group on a local project. We also partnered with a worldwide Tech giant on a different local project. Not money. Hands. Thousands of people were impacted with the time Rotarians and community partners spent on those two events. The grocery partner is talking with us now to continue the partnership in 2024/25. The employees of the tech giant continue to ask when is the next event they can join. I don’t know if any of them really knew what Rotary was before the event. Its clear they are interested in what Rotary says it does, and they are willing to act with us.

If we were working with non-Rotarians with community service, would they understand Rotary then? Would they be interested in possibly joining your club after seeing you and your members impacting the same community we all live in.

What might your club’s membership look like in 3 years? How much of an impact could you club have then?

If you are interested, keep looking here for information in the months to come. If it makes sense for your club to plan a different project, do it the same weekend, just don’t do it alone. Get with partners that are already there and invite non-Rotarians that care about the project (and may have already been serving) to join. Marrying Rotary with the community makes both stronger and can make sure your club will have the membership continue making a difference 10 years from now.

Ask the community
Serve the community
Partner with the community
Be welcoming to the community
Strengthen yourself with the community

According to many researchers, a social isolation crisis has been unfolding in America for decades. The reason: dramatic declines in club, church, and civic group participation. At the District Conference in May 2024, the D7680 Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee announced a goal of bringing community members together to understand and reverse the trend. The effort will start with “Come Together!” – a series of screenings and discussions of the award-winning film Join or Die (Why You Should Join a Club). This is a documentary about why the fate of communities and the country depends on membership-based connections that build bonds, trust, and social capital. (https://www.joinordiefilm.com/). 

Rotary District 7680, NewGen Peacebuilders, and the Independent Picture House are collaborating to host the “Come Together!” series from September 20 – 24, 2024. The screening on September 21st will coincide with the International Day of Peace and include comments from the filmmakers, a panel of local experts, and a fair/festival of groups that people can join, including Rotary Clubs. Two other screenings will be for the general public; one will focus on the healthcare and mental health community; and one will focus on teachers and student club advisors. 

Learn more, including how to get tickets and support the events. Attend one of two available Zoom Information Sessions on July 24 and 25: 

• Register for Wednesday, July 24th at 7pm ET: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIld-2trj0pEtD0nuXCFFdOFA6pIphKMyA2
• Register for Thursday, July 25th at 7pm ET: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMldu-tpzooHNM7CynA7DDJNaIgl2ATfRbB

For more information: Spriha Manjigani, [email protected]

Collaboration. Community. Commitment.

A story of a club leveraging resources and making an impact. In the spring of 2023, Lake Norman Kiwanis club member John Aneralla reached out to members of local civic clubs to share a need of the Hope House Foundation which had been hit with unexpected costs related to a new three home building site in Huntersville NC.

Hope House Foundation is a local 501(c) organization with a long history of serving mothers and families in situational homelessness. Hope House focuses on providing a hand up, not a handout, providing transitional housing and financial education. Hope House had received a donation of land from the town and was intent on building an additional transitional housing site.

The ask – members of the Huntersville Happy Hour Rotary Club, Lake Norman Rotary Club, and Kiwanis if the clubs could fundraise to assist. Huntersville Happy Hour Club originally wrote a district grant to assist with landscaping at the new transitional housing site.

Fast forward to Spring/Summer 2024 – two homes are still behind schedule (three are planned, but zoning and inspections necessitated a different approach). Because of continued delays with the home construction, the Huntersville Happy Hour Club shifted emphasis from landscaping to building a shed and to stocking it full of landscaping tools. The club also learned that one of the first residents, a teenager, has an interest in being trained to do landscaping work as a career. It seemed like a good change in direction, allowing club members to assist in training, which is a core value of Hope House Foundation.

Rotarians and Kiwanis members, including John with arm in sling, came out to seal and paint the shed, install trellis and ready the shed and tools for use. HHH Rotarians purchased landscape tools, riding lawn mower, paint, trellis and trim. Altogether the clubs put in about 50 hours in sweat equity. The club is proud to see the efforts of collaboration with other local organizations.

The Huntersville Happy Hour Club grant request project for the current Rotary year has been submitted, and the club hopes to donate and build school playground equipment at the main Hope House Foundation property, continuing our commitment to providing a hand up to families facing situational homelessness in our community.

Words from President Stephanie

Rotary is at its best when we foster a sense of inclusion and belonging in our clubs. In fact, I would go so far as to say that belong-ing is The Magic of Rotary itself. With a focus on inclusivity and belonging, it is easier to be united in a common purpose. When we are committed to one another and focused on our goals, we are most effective.

Rotary’s Action Plan can help. The Action Plan comes with tools you can use to collect feedback, assess your club’s strengths and weaknesses, and address challenges.

The world is changing, and our clubs can’t afford to stand still. But the changes we make need to be consistent and strategic — building on one another toward a greater vision. The Action Plan can help you work toward that vision and create effective change within your club. Following the Action Plan and addressing suggestions from the community will go a long way to fostering the sense of belonging we want all Rotary members to feel in their clubs.

That’s why expanding our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is so important. Committing ourselves to each other’s well-being is the first step to expanding our reach, allowing us to spread Positive Peace in these troubled times.

Peacebuilding is one of our top priorities, and one of the most effective ways we can build peace is with our Rotary Peace Fellow-ships, through which peace and development professionals learn how to prevent and end conflict.

We offer the fellowships through our Rotary Peace Centers at leading universities around the globe, where more than 1,800 Rotary Peace Fellows have graduated. And thanks to a $15.5 million gift from the Otto and Fran Walter Foundation, we can continue sup-porting peacebuilders in more regions with the next peace center at Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul.

Opening another peace center is a monumental achievement, and it is my great honor to invite you to celebrate at next year’s Ro-tary Presidential Peace Conference at the Istanbul center. The three-day conference 20-22 February will highlight the many ways our family of Rotary advances peacebuilding. Registration for the conference is officially open. I hope to see you there.

The 2025 Rotary Presidential Peace Conference has great potential for our peacebuilding efforts — but only if we have your sup-port. The truth is, we’re not going to bring peace to the world, end polio, or grow membership by waving a wand and saying some funny words. It’s up to you. You create the magic with every project completed, every dollar donated, and every new member inducted.

I love my Rotary family and I know you do too. That’s why I know that together, we can make every club and district simply irresistible. This year, let us change the world by embracing The Magic of Rotary.

Our Action Plan

President Stephanie has said she wants clubs to utilize our Action Plan in helping them to understand the framework all of our clubs should be operating within. While there’s no requirement that clubs strictly adhere to it, doing so only improves the way in which we’re perceived by others. It also ensures that we’re fulfilling our mission in an aligned, comprehensive manner.