Paul Shmotolokha: Bridging Continents with Rotary's Global Impact
In our September 5th meeting, we were honored to welcome Paul Shmotolokha, recently featured in the August edition of Rotary magazine. Paul, a resident of Bellingham with business ties in Anacortes, WA, shared his profound connection with Rotary and his impactful work through his company, New Use Energy (NUE). His initiative, Power Up Ukraine, aims to bring renewable energy solutions to hospitals and communities in Ukraine, particularly in these challenging times.
Paul's journey with Rotary began in high school when he first joined Interact at the age of 15. His long-standing involvement with Rotary continued as he became an Ambassadorial Scholar in 1991, attending a master's program in Chile during a pivotal time of political transition in the country. His experiences in Chile not only enhanced his educational and linguistic skills but also deepened his understanding of international relations, particularly between the US, USSR, and Latin America during the early '90s.
Today, Paul’s efforts are focused on the Power Up Ukraine initiative, spearheaded by Rotarian Heidi Rickel from Rotary Evergreen Colorado. This project is part of a broader Rotary goal to support conflict zones with sustainable energy solutions, securing a global grant to expand these critical efforts.
Paul's presentation was not only inspiring but also a reminder of how Rotary members can leverage their skills and connections to make a significant impact globally. His personal story of connecting his Ukrainian heritage and professional expertise to help those in need truly embodies the Rotary spirit of service above self.
We are encouraged by Paul’s work and look forward to exploring ways our district can support and participate in the Power Up Ukraine initiative. His talk was a compelling call to action for all of us to consider how we can contribute to Rotary’s global efforts.
