Rotary has from its beginnings set Peace and Conflict Resolution as an integral part of its organization and its identity. At its core, Rotary promotes peace by its very international nature, designed to create and nurture long-lasting personal relationships across nations and cultures. It has been involved in the creation and development of transnational peace-building structures such as the United Nations, and it has developed strong programs internal to Rotary that serve its peace-building purpose.

Rotary has recently produced an impressive, comprehensive, clear, colorful new brochure, “Rotary Builds Peace,” filled with 14 pages of summary descriptions of the many programs Rotary has in place to support its peace-building mission. Download a copy HERE.

At the top of its list is the premier Rotary Peace Fellowship program. Fittingly, the online application for Rotary Peace Fellowships opened February 1 – right on time for Rotary’s Peace and Conflict Resolution Month – and is due May 15.

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Do you want some great ideas on how to increase membership and transform your club into a growing, vibrant organization? This helpful and inspiring training session is now available for you to view on your own time!

The Club Transformation and Membership Summit, held on January 21, was led by Rotary International President Nominee Stephanie Urchick and Past District Governor Tom Gump and moderated by Past Rotary International Director Jeffry Cadorette. Learn some good ideas from other successful Rotary leaders about how to attract new members through change over time. This session is highly recommended for all members, and especially club leaders!

Click HERE to view the session on your own time.

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Do you know what people outside of Rotary think of your club? Rotary’s public image isn’t what we think of ourselves.

Our public image is shaped by how we talk — or don’t talk — about Rotary, and how often. If we are not telling the full and accurate story to the public, their impressions may not be truthful. This can cause great harm to Rotary and your club.

When people understand what your club does to make the world a better place, they’ll be motivated to support your efforts and get involved. Strengthening Rotary’s public image in your community will help you attract members, volunteers, partners, and donors.

District 7450 Public Image Committee members are available to conduct a FREE presentation at your club meeting either in person or via Zoom. Topics will cover ways to improve your club’s public image, and discuss websites, social media, branding, and communication to your members.

To inquire about booking a session, contact Jay Pennie at jaypennie649@gmail.com

The war in Ukraine has been raging on for almost a year now and has recently escalated after the U.S. and Germany pledged to send high-tech tanks to Kyiv.
A Ukrainian soldier, Anton Kovalchuk, who recently lost an arm in the war with Russia, visited several clubs in the area to speak about his experiences in his country.

Like many Ukrainian soldiers, Kovalchuk traveled to Philadelphia to be fitted with a prosthesis. He was often accompanied by Mia Kobuta, from the Ukrainian National Women's League of America, whose organization is actively helping soldiers acquire prosthetic arms and legs which are in short supply in Ukraine. Kobuta also served as his translator.

Read below how YOU can help.

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It's the one year anniversary of this e-bulletin we call District Dispatch, so we thought you might be interested in knowing how it all came to be, and what goes into its production every month. First, let us introduce ourselves. We are Lisa Leonard from Philadelphia Rotary and Jay Pennie from Chestnut Hill Rotary. Together we develop story ideas, aggregate content, write, edit, proofread articles and lay them all out in a way that looks professional and is easy to read. When creating the Dispatch, we had the following 3 goals in mind:

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Has your club ever volunteered for Caring for Friends? If not, the organization would welcome an opportunity to speak with you. Preparing and getting food for homebound elderly, veterans, and homeless people is a mission that Chairman Vince Schiavone feels strongly about. In THIS VIDEO, he expresses gratitude to all the Rotarians who have helped over the years, but he also describes a need for more help. Travelling to Northeast Philadelphia is not necessary, as some service projects can be done closer to your location.

A 50s-themed sock hop is happening at the Media Theatre and we're all invited! Mark your calendar for the Rotaplast Theatre Party on Thursday, April 27, 6 pm. Before the performance of the musical "Million Dollar Quartet," we'll enjoy complementary food and a cash bar as well as dessert during intermission. Proceeds will benefit Rotaplast missions for children.

Dressing in 50s garb is encouraged! Let's see some poodle skirts, saddle shoes, "greaser" style hair and leather jackets! There will be fun contests before the show so make plans to enjoy a fun night out in Media this spring. At 7pm we'll see the story of four music superstars coming together for an impromptu jam session. The show, which has had runs on Broadway and the West End, features music by Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Carl Perkins. A newspaper wrote, “This quartet could sell a million.” Shortly after, they were known as “The Million Dollar Quartet.”

For more information, contact Paul Quintavalla at Rotarian.Paul@Outlook.com or 484-343-8560.

We'd like to extend a warm welcome to all our new members who joined us in our District this past month.

Nauman Adil Philadelphia	Jeannette Barr Media	Crystal Cesari Chestnut Hill
Susan Czerwin Longwood	Scott Ely Kennett Square	Jeffrey Frazier Glenside
Rachel Kaufman Jenkintown	Yamilet Carmen Line Bryn Mawr	Shawn McGill Philadelphia
Janice Miller-Lion Media	Barbara Monegan Paoli=Malvern-Berwyn	Love Nosa-Omorogiuwa Philadelphia
Nina Patterson Chester	School District, Lower Merion Ardmore	John Schueler Philadelphia
Andrew Tomasetti Philadelphia	Peter Waterkotte Longwood	John Wilczynski, Jr. Longwood