By: D7780 Governor Peggy Belanger
Like many other Rotary Districts, D7780 virtually celebrated World Understanding and Peace on February 23, 2021, the Rotary's 116th birthday.
As a humanitarian organization, peace is a cornerstone of Rotary’s Mission. Rotarians believe when people work to create peace in their communities, that change can have global effects. "As “People of Action”, Rotarians Support Peace Fellowships & Scholarships; address Poverty, Discrimination, Ethnic Tension, Lack of Access to Education; and address the Unequal Distribution of Resources”.
Our celebration included great speakers - Brenda Cressy, TRF (The Rotary Foundation) Board of Trustees; Rebecca Crall, Area of Focus Manager for Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention; and Shannon O’Rourke Kasali, a 2016 Rotary Peace Fellow and Founder and Executive Director of Books for Congo, a non-profit organization that creates libraries and promotes reading in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The evening ended with a performance by the Pihcintu Multicultural Chorus, a Portland ME based choral group.
Among several highlights of the evening included the recognition of Bath Sunrise RC Rotarian Bob Gravino and his wife Kathy as they became new members of the Arch Klumph Society. This lifelong membership, deemed as one of the “highest tiers of Foundation Donors”, is given for lifetime donations of $250,000 +. The Gravino’s are passionate about the Rotary Foundation and have targeted their generous contribution to support Peace & Conflict Resolution efforts and Centers. Bob and Kathy, D7780 extends our sincerest thanks and appreciation for your extraordinary generosity.
Another highlight was the introduction of what we anticipate will be a newly chartered D7780 Rotary Club, The RC of Education & Children’s Issues. Currently led by PDG Carolyn Johnson, Yarmouth RC, the members from the USA, Canada, Africa, and Guatemala, meet virtually on the 2nd/4th Tuesday of the month. The Rotarians primary focus is to develop and implement networking opportunities for educators and meaningful educational projects. For more information, please contact Carolyn Johnson at cfj2@icloud.com.
Watch the celebration here: https://youtu.be/9cnathYoHNQ
Watch the celebration here: https://youtu.be/9cnathYoHNQ