York East Rotary Club Passes the Gavel

June 23, 2026 - At its annual changing of the guard ceremony, the York East Rotary Club celebrated a year of service and leadership as outgoing President Kris Pollick officially passed the gavel to incoming President Diane Yocum. The event marked a moment of reflection, recognition, and renewed commitment to Rotary's motto: Service Above Self. Kris was applauded for her dedicated leadership throughout the 2025–2026 Rotary year. Under her guidance, the club strengthened its membership and the local impact through service projects, scholarships, and fundraising efforts such as the club’s successful golf outing, which raised over $20,000 for local charities. Kris thanked fellow Rotarians for their teamwork and passion, and expressed confidence in the club’s continued momentum under Diane’s leadership. Incoming President Diane Yocum shared her enthusiasm and goals for the year ahead, emphasizing youth engagement, community partnerships, and member involvement. “This club has such a strong foundation,” she said. “I’m honored to build on that and lead us into another impactful year.”

In addition to the change in leadership, members welcomed Sean Melhorn, a junior at York Catholic High School, who shared highlights of his experience attending the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Conference held at Messiah College. Sean attended the annual leadership conference through a scholarship provided by the Rotary Club as part of its ongoing commitment to developing future community leaders. The multi-day program brings together outstanding high school students from throughout the region to strengthen their leadership skills, build confidence, and foster a spirit of service. During his presentation, Sean described RYLA as one of the most rewarding experiences of his young life. He spoke about participating in team-building exercises, leadership workshops, and problem-solving activities that challenged students to work together while developing effective communication and decision-making skills. Sean also reflected on the friendships he formed with students from other schools and backgrounds. He explained that working alongside peers with different perspectives broadened his understanding of leadership and reinforced the importance of listening, collaboration, and respect.

Paul Harris Fellows

to view meeting:  https://youtu.be/-S7fEHjbjmg  

June 2, 2026 - The East York Rotary Club recently celebrated the spirit of Service Above Self by recognizing five outstanding members with Paul Harris Fellow awards during a special presentation at the club's weekly meeting. Receiving the prestigious recognition were Adriane Sparks, Kris Pollick, Karen Comery, Todd King, and Jim Norton. The awards were presented by Rotary District Governor M.B. Brunski and Kathleen Stoup, representing the District Rotary Foundation. The Paul Harris Fellow recognition is one of Rotary International's highest honors. Named after Rotary founder Paul Harris, the award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to The Rotary Foundation or who exemplify Rotary's mission of promoting goodwill, peace, and service to communities both locally and around the world. District Governor Brunski congratulated the recipients for their dedication to Rotary's ideals and their commitment to serving others. Stoup highlighted the important role that Rotarians play in supporting The Rotary Foundation, which funds humanitarian projects, educational programs, disaster relief efforts, and the global campaign to eradicate polio.

In addition to the award presentations, Elizabeth Wolf provided members with an update on the impact of Rotary International's work across the globe. Wolf shared examples of Rotary's ongoing efforts to improve access to clean water, support maternal and child health, promote education, foster economic development, and advance peace initiatives. She also highlighted the tremendous progress Rotary and its partners have made in the fight against polio, noting that the organization remains committed to achieving a polio-free world through its End Polio Now campaign.

The meeting served as both a celebration of local service and a reminder of Rotary's far-reaching impact. Through the dedication of members like the Paul Harris Fellow recipients and the support of The Rotary Foundation, Rotary continues to make a meaningful difference in communities around the world.

In Our Father's Footsteps

Elizabeth Wolf, Assistant District Governor and John Bailey

to view meeting (limited video):  https://youtu.be/PeQXzfYzOrE

May 19, 2026 - Members of the York East Rotary Club were treated to a fascinating and emotional presentation by John Bailey of the Bailey Bus Company during the club’s weekly breakfast meeting. Bailey shared the remarkable story of his father, Capt. Fred J. Bailey, whose service during World War II placed him at the center of some of the war’s most historic and solemn moments. Following in his father’s footsteps of service and dedication, John Bailey spoke about the difficult and often-overlooked role of the military’s Graves Registration Service during wartime. He explained how the unit was responsible for recovering, identifying, documenting, and burying fallen American soldiers with dignity and respect under often dangerous battlefield conditions. Capt. Fred J. Bailey served as the Graves Registration Officer for both the 1st and 9th Armies during World War II. During his service, he played a major role in establishing the American Cemetery in Margraten, Holland, where thousands of American servicemen are buried. The cemetery remains a lasting tribute to those who gave their lives during the liberation of Europe. John Bailey also recounted several extraordinary historical moments connected to his father’s service. Among them was Capt. Bailey’s involvement in the burial of General George S. Patton following Patton’s death in December 1945. He also described his father’s role following the Nuremberg Trials, where Nazi war criminals who had been executed were cremated to prevent their graves from becoming gathering places for Nazi sympathizers. Bailey’s presentation provided Rotarians with a unique historical perspective on the human side of war and the importance of honoring those who served and sacrificed. Members expressed appreciation for the deeply personal stories and historical insights shared during the program.

TEC Centro York

to view meeting: https://youtu.be/urri6VzfdBs

May 5, 2026 - York East Rotary Club welcomed Alice-Anne Frost as the guest speaker at its weekly breakfast meeting, where she shared the history, mission and future plans for Tec Centro York. Frost explained that Tec Centro York, a division of the York Community Resource Center located on East Market Street in York City, was created to provide educational opportunities and workforce training for individuals in historically underserved communities. The organization’s mission is to empower people to discover their potential, create opportunities and celebrate cultural diversity. She told Rotarians that Tec Centro York has become a leading provider of bilingual education and skills training programs, helping individuals gain the tools needed to improve their careers and strengthen their families. Programs are designed to remove barriers for participants while providing practical workforce skills and educational support. Frost also discussed the organization’s continued growth and future expansion plans. In addition to its current educational offerings, Tec Centro York hopes to expand into construction and medical trades training to meet workforce demands in the York community. She noted that these additional programs would create new pathways to employment and economic stability for local residents. Tec Centro York continues to make a positive impact throughout York by opening doors of opportunity and supporting a diverse and growing community.