Don't monkey around. Save the dates now!

Save the Date: Saturday January 23, 11:00 AM Eastern Time via Zoom.

December is Rotary’s Disease Prevention and Treatment Month, so we’re showcasing a healthcare project initiated by David Ehrenkrantz, a doctor of public health, and member of the Rotary Club of Northeast Philly, Cheltenham, Rockledge.

In Haiti, more than half of the population lacks access to health services and there is a dire need for skilled health workers, so Ehrenkrantz initiated a program that trains nurses and recent graduates of nursing school in Haiti. He now oversees the clinical component of HEAL Pignon, an offshoot of HEAL HAITI, the Health Education Action League for Haiti.

“A lot of the people graduating from Haitian nursing schools get jobs in the real world and they feel ill-equipped to handle clinical situations on the ground,” says Ehrenkrantz.

“In May, we sent five nurse trainers to Haiti. They came from New Jersey and New York. They completed their trainings in June and now do quarterly follow ups with trainees in Pignon.”

Helping the training project come to fruition were former Rotary International President Barry Rassin, leaders of the Rotary Club of Pignon, and from our District, Peter and Sue Mardinly and Bob and Holly Lankin.

In the new year, Rotary District 7450 will be launching "Rotary 101" sessions via Zoom. They will be informative hour-long presentations about Rotary that will cover some of the basics, such as our Seven Areas of Focus, the Rotary Foundation, Gundaker Foundation, and service opportunities.

Upper Main Line Rotary member Stacey Ballard experienced a similar program that neighboring District 7430 did, and she thought it would be helpful for Rotarians in our District as well. She says "Rotary 101" will be especially helpful for new members, but hopes existing members will also attend. "Sometimes it's good to go back to basics and remind people of the many ways Rotary impacts our communities and in our world," says Ballard.

Rotary 101 will consist of a one-hour-long session. "One and done!," says Ballard. "But since it will be offered every month, to accommodate new members who join throughout the year, we're looking to build a team of presenters.

If you're comfortable speaking on Zoom, consider volunteering to be an online instructor. It won't require a big time commitment and it's a great way to get more involved with Rotary at a District level. For more information, contact staceyballard@eadeh.com.