From the March 2016 issue of The Rotarian The fierce July sun beat down on us as we approached the field where the match was to take place. It wasn’t much of a soccer pitch, with its uneven terrain and rusty poles for goalposts, but the local teens we had met came ready to play. They guided us over the piles of bricks and broken tiles that separate their neighborhood community center from the field behind it and took their positions. Much like any schoolyard competitors, incursions from grazing cows notwithstanding, players stretched and warmed up, took turns retrieving out-of-bounds balls,...

Interact clubs are making a positive difference in schools and communities around the world. Leaders of sponsor Rotary clubs and districts should make sure their Interact clubs get the recognition they deserve by verifying that they qualify for a Presidential Citation. First, ensure that the Interact club status is active in Rotary's database by checking the Listing of Club-Sponsored Organizations report in Rotary Club Central. If a sponsored club is not listed, submit the Interact Club Certification Form by 1 March. Then, verify by 15 April that your Interact clubs have qualified for the...

Rotary members worldwide are invited to join President K.R. Ravindran in Rome on 30 April to celebrate the Jubilee of Rotarians, a special event hosted by District 2080 and the Vatican. His Holiness Pope Francis will celebrate a Jubilee mass in St. Peter's Square, where 8,000 seats will be reserved for Rotary members, friends, and family. This Jubilee, as established by Pope Francis, is a commitment to serve with joy and in peace across the world. More information is available on the Jubilee of Rotarians website. The registration deadline is 15 March.

Rotary members, their families and friends can support Rotary’s work by bidding on antiques, artwork, jewelry, and collectibles through eBay Live Auctions events. Each month, Rotary will promote on its social media outlets a set of upcoming Live Auctions events, and eBay, the world’s largest auction website, will donate a portion of all sale proceeds from those events to Rotary. Live Auctions events enable buyers to participate in auctions across the United States -- held at such auction houses as Sotheby’s, Swann, and Freeman’s -- without leaving home. Under this proceeds-sharing...

Are you seeking inspiration for ways to mark Rotary’s 111th anniversary on 23 February? Here are some thought-starter ideas: Host a celebration party at your next club meeting. Inform your social media followers on 23 February that it’s Rotary’s anniversary by changing your Facebook cover photo to a birthday cake.  Encourage club members to bring a friend to your next meeting or to hear your next guest speaker. Plan a project and invite community members to volunteer their help. Sponsor a local event and use the opportunity to tell people about Rotary and about the work your club is doing in...