4 Rotary DR. GEETHA JAYARAM INSTALLED District 7620 AS ROTARY DISTRICT GOVERNOR By Bob Nelson, Newsletter Editor new energy and committment along with a blending of cultures. 2020-21 Newsletter It was a bright, sunny and very warm, Governor Jimmie Gorski who has been Sunday afternoon experiencing health July 2021 for 130 Rotarians challenges provided a and guests to finally written statement that INSIDE THIS ISSUE: assemble in-person was shared by Master District Governor’s Installation 1 at Kings Contrivance of Ceremonies Nancy in Columbia to Upcoming Events 2 Mason. Past President celebrate the Strategic Plan: 4 M’s 2 Andy Colevas from the installation of Dr. Membership: #1 Priority 3 Upper Marlboro Rotary Geetha Jayaram Jason Browne Seminar 4 Club presented the as our 2021-2022 “Home Club Banner” Copperbelt Malaria Project 4 Rotary District to the President of the Illuminating Rotary 5 7620 Governor. [Above L-R] DGN Delores Edwards Harding, DG Howard West Rotary Rotary Ride Poker Run 6 The invocation was Geetha Jayaram, RI Director Peter Kyle and DGE Club Khalid Abedin. given by Jim Narron Sean McAllster [Below L-R] MC Nancy Mason, Organization of American States 7 Governor Geetha shared from the Howard Governor Geetha Jayaram and her husband PDG Gaithersburg Rotary Service 7 Jay Kumar. her Rotary history West Rotary Club, Interact Club News 8 going back to being a followed by the Columbia Town Center Service 9 member of a Rotaract Pledge of Allegiance. Club in India where her Juneteenth Project in DC 10 Rotary International husband-to-be was Rotaract Club News 10 Director Peter Kyle the President. PDG Jay Rotary Leadership Month 11 expressed the Kumar and Governor Interact Club News 12 sentiments of so Geetha are the first many about how Environment Committee 13 couple in District 7620 privileged we are Disaster Aid for India 14 [Below L-R] Past President Andy Colevas from to have both served as to have such a Education Resource 15 the Upper Marlboro Rotary Club presented District Governors (PDG well-qualifed and the “Home Club Banner” to the President of Membership Star 16 Jay served in 2010-2011). dedicated Governor the Howard West Rotary Club Khalid Abedin Their son Nikhil Jayaram Quote of the Month 16 to serve us in the gave remarks via Zoom 2021-2022 Rotary from Los Angeles where year with the RI he is a screenwriter in the theme “Serve to entertainment industry. Change Lives.” Attending were many Governor Geetha past Governors and was attired in a 2021-22 leadership team traditional Indian sari members. Governor and the lighting of a Geetha shared her lamp by the DG, DGE strategic plan, the four M’s and DGN reflected that follow on page 2. =

UPCOMING GOVERNOR GEETHA JAYARAM SHARES EVENTS HER STRATEGIC PLAN: THE FOUR M’S and high school dropouts; promote self reliance. Goal is to deliver 100 scholarships in the year to girls and women Magnify Visibility and Influence of Rotary • Include climate change and environmental protection (new area of Membership focus) August 7 1pm to 6pm • Include publicity on Global and “Rotary Crabs to Go” • Each one reach one each year (can Peace Scholars; identify a news source Navy-Marine Corps Memorial increase membership by at least 1000 and media support in each area with Stadium, Annapolis persons in the District) simultaneous broadcasting of all efforts • Increase diversity and community via digital marketing September 28 to October 3, representation; increase women in Rotary; 2021 Leadership Seminar & each woman brings in one more; currently • Disaster planning network and liaisons Summit women are slightly more than half of men in each Area with medical teams Naples Grande Beach Resort • Increase Eclubs, Satellite clubs, passport • Rotary Innovation lab for new ideas for each goal of strategic plan for Rotaractors November 21 6pm to 9pm clubs, clubs with causes, include youth and early career professionals Members’ and Clubs’ and Rotaractors in all efforts Recognition Foundation Dinner Maternal and Child Health • News in each Area should have a Rotary Turf Valley Resort and day simultaneously advertised in all Conference Center, Ellicott City • Polio eradication efforts; education on counties - not just our newsletter handwashing, water and sanitation April 29 to May 1, 2022 • TV and digital marketing, social media • Grants for wellbeing and support Rotary District Conference marketing of mothers and children; economic Turf Valley Resort and wellbeing such as microlending, women Modernize Rotary Conference Center, Ellicott City support networks; preventing domestic Support your stellar interactors and violence June 4-8, 2022 Rotaractors to submit ideas to the Rotary Rotary International Convention • Childhood and youth hunger; promote Innovation Lab by August 1, 2021; ideas to Houston, TX literacy for women in low income areas be rolled out to the entire District

2 | ILLUMINATOR | JULY 2021 [Above, L-R] District Governor Rich Glover initiated Brock Messenger as the newest member of the Crofton Rotary alongside incoming President James

MEMBERSHIP: OUR #1 INTERNAL PRIORITY Chris Jones & Patrick Eakes, Rotary just walked in. They’d heard about it on Zone 33 Innovative Club Advocates MEMBERSHIP social media or from a friend. Everything that we do in Rotary starts SUCCESS STORY It was obvious that we had tapped into with a member. We are a Membership people who were already volunteering Organization that provides service to By Raymond Streib, District 7620 in their community and saw the benefits Innovative Clubs Chair our communities, local and global. Rotary could add. Our Rotary Foundation is an essential If Andrew Had Known Better...none of I’ve been a Rotarian since 1996, and in tool, but it is our members that fund this would have happened. a District position since 2018. My years it and utilize it to do good in the Andrew is the current president of training told me, simply based on world. But without our members, of Morgantown North Rotary, in population, this wouldn’t work. The Rotary Foundation would not Morgantown, WV. Last June he and exist. Rotary’s Public Image (Brand Andrew has been in Rotary since 2018 I were meeting in a picnic pavilion at Awareness) is critical for us to publicize with little training, but he knew his Mason Dixon Park near his house when the magnificent work that we do, and community. he said, “Why couldn’t we start a Rotary it also serves to attract others to join Club out here?” He knew there were strong, caring us in our humanitarian endeavors. But families with deep roots; he saw the again, it’s our members that do the “Out here” was where he was born and volunteer hours they gave to their amazing work. How could the world raised on a six-hundred-acre farm. “Out schools and community projects; and he have ever brought Polio to its knees here” was a thirty mile, east-west stretch knew there were no other active service without our MEMBERS? of road in rural West Virginia with only organizations. one significant municipality – Blacksville. All of this to say that Membership Blacksville logged in at 171 people in the We now have thirteen applications is our NUMBER ONE INTERNAL 2010 census so “significant” is relative. for the Mason Dixon Rotary satellite PRIORITY! And based on that, we club, and more are on the way. We must demonstrate that increasing I replied that I thought we could, when have educators, a lawyer, a state membership is our number one I was really thinking there were too few representative, an agricultural priority by also making it the top people stretched over too big an area. economist, bankers, and business article in our monthly district But I rolled with it. owners. We’re rolling. newsletters. We asked the new breed of District Governors to not only talk Our goal was a Satellite Club under But here’s one more thing Andrew didn’t the talk but also walk the walk and Morgantown Rotary because they had know -- as president of one club, he prominently place membership articles worked with Clay Battelle High School in shouldn’t work so hard to add members in the District’s newsletter. If we do Blacksville for over a decade. Their board to the rolls of another club. not, our clubs will think that we speak gave the go-ahead, so we joined forces In the 1980’s and 90’s, that other club, about membership as a top priority, to make a list of potential members. Morgantown Rotary, very impressively but when we publish our newsletter, There were eight prospects at our first launched three new Rotary Clubs in it says something completely different meeting in April. One person offered Morgantown, including the club Andrew when a membership article is not front to be chair and another took over social and I belong to. And they’ll soon be the and center. media. official sponsoring club of Mason Dixon Rotary. That’s a record to be proud of. Will you take us up on this challenge? In May, we again had eight people, three We all know that anytime a Rotarian is from the first meeting and five new ones. Maybe it’s time to “unlearn” a few things, asked to do something, the answer is We ask them to start discussing potential shed our preconceived ideas, and rise always “YES”! Thank you in advance for projects and, from that point on, the above our club cultures to grasp the an outstanding Rotary year in 2021-22 room was on fire. I passed out eight tremendous potential of Rotary’s future. as we Serve to Change Lives by applications and got eight applications For more information contact Raymond bringing in more Rotarians to help us back! accomplish this. Streib, District 7620 Innovative Clubs At the June meeting, five new people Chair, at [email protected]

ILLUMINATOR | JULY 2021 | 3 JASON BROWNE CREATES M & M’S IN DISTRICT 7620 By PDG Jimie Gorski Jason Browne, also known as the M COPPERBELT MALARIA and M man, is no stranger to the Rotary stage as he informs and entertains with ELIMINATION () his original program Make Membership Memorable. Jason is highly active with UPDATE Rotary public image on the local and The DC Rotary Club invested $10,000 to this national levels and has inspired Rotarians at global grant, which was matched by D7620, District Conferences, PETS, and the Rotary and The Rotary Foundation, all of which International Convention. I saw Jason in was matched by the Gates Foundation – so operation when I attended my International the original DC club gift was multiplied 6.5 Assembly week-long training session in San times! The Power of Rotary ! Diego in preparation for my year as District Governor and experienced his M and M Dear Rotarian Supporters of Copperbelt speech there. Malaria Elimination (GG2095385): As our District 7620 DEI program gained Wonderful news – we’ve launched! This momentum, I invited Jason to share his ideas Global Grant project which will train and on membership and DEI with Rotarians in equip 1,055 community health workers our district. He graciously accepted the offer. With the help of program sponsor, (CHWs) to provide malaria health care at the PDG and New Club Advocate Raymond household level for 550,000 people in three Streib, Jason joined us for a webinar on ’s June 26, 2021. Joining me in the planning was launched today in , overcoming were Membership Chair for 2021-2022, the many challenges and delays posed by Dawn Wittfelt; DGE Geetha Jayaram; DEI the COVID-19 pandemic. committee chair Kashonna Holland, and co-chair Michael Larson; Area Governors; Two seven-day sessions of 30 CHW trainees and others in our district and in Zone 33. began Monday, May 17th, in adjacent Jason presented a thoughtful and interactive classrooms assisted by Rotarians from the event, full of excellent examples of how we Mufulira Rotary Club and Project Manager, can “Unmute Rotary” for ourselves and for Ms Maudy Lwenje. The opening ceremonies our clubs, just as Rotary prepares to open up were attended by dignitaries from all levels for full service. Jason addressed members of of government, the participating Rotary the audience and asked us specific questions Clubs of Mufulira, Kalulushi and Luanshya, about membership to involve us and gauge and Malaria Partners Zambia. Media our understanding. At the end, Jason included his audience further in a Question coverage was provided by national and local and Answer session. TV/radio as well as newspapers. Photos in the left column document this important Jason’s passions and successes are rooted milestone. [Above] Your club’s and district’s support in his diverse interests and experiences. have made this life-saving and life-changing Jason co-owns the streaming media By late July, all 387 CHWs for Mufulira District project possible! Every $1,000 contributed company AWRebels, charms the airwaves will have been trained and deployed--first was matched by TRF and the Bill & Melinda as a radio personality on WBHV B94.5 FM, Gates Foundation, as well as by District to the rural health posts closest to their DDF in most cases. Thus, in most cases, and captivates audiences as a member and villages for 6 weeks of supervised practice, every $1,000 of club contributions became performer with Happy Valley Improv, a local and then to their home villages. After a five- improv company. A Past President of the $6,500 and will train and equip 7 CHWs for week break for Zambia’s national elections, two years, protecting an average of 3,500 Downtown Rotary Club of State College, Zambians in rural villages where the burden PA, and a Rollin’ with Rotary founding training will continue with 255 CHWs in of malaria has been the highest. member, he is also an IT professional, , followed by 413 CHWs in . The current schedule calls To Rotarians in each of the 27 clubs and 7 and entrepreneur. Jason loves to create districts that supported Copperbelt 2, we meaningful change and have fun along the for all 1,055 CHWs will have been trained thank you from the bottom of our hearts. way. His motto is as follows: Use what you and equipped by the end of the 3rd week in love to fight what you hate. December 2021. 4 | ILLUMINATOR | JULY 2021 “ILLUMINATING ROTARY” - GOVERNOR GEETHA’S TESTIMONY By Governor Geetha Jayaram do. It is these friendships and networks residents, junior faculty but most that enable us to implement grants in importantly, village women with We can all remember our first “Rotary the 7 areas of focus. a high school education to serve moment” when the enormous as caseworkers. The project influence and impact of Rotary first Once ignited, the Rotary spirit enabled encompassed many mini projects: made a mark on us. My first such me to work with the poor both in India donation of vehicles, blankets, EKG moment was as a Rotaractor/ premed and in East Baltimore as a physician machines, furniture, a tailoring center student, when 15 or so of us worked and community psychiatrist. The for rehabilitated patients; teaching on raising funds and building a national award winning successful village women about mental illness in pump house to install the first motor model that I built as a newly graduated women’s cooperatives, outreach, free operated water pump for the village resident was duplicated in many areas medications, and data entry training. of Bapagram which had about 400 in the State of Maryland. Finally we are working on a cloud residents. Jay Kumar, my club founder Meanwhile, women were not allowed based database to be used by all low President, later my husband and the to join Rotary. When I asked to join, I and middle income countries that is PDG of our District, led the effort. To was told that the clubs did not allow worthy of emulation, all supported by see the faces of the villagers light up female membership. On May 5, 1987, Rotary. as the water was pumped out, a novel the Supreme Court ruled in a 7-to-0 experience for them, left an indelible When we first did a door to door decision that stated it would outlaw mark on me, as it did on the rest of our epidemiological survey of 17,000 discrimination against women by group. We are friends to this day, many households as a needs assessment, Rotary Clubs. I became a Rotarian in still helping others. Rotary creates we had not anticipated that word 1996. lifelong friendships. would spread and our success would bring people from beyond I was fortunate to have a Rotarian a core of 35 villages around the father. As children we accompanied clinic. We now draw patients from him on Rotary outings, made friends As it was, when interviewing for my 212 villages, a population reach of 2 with other children, acted in plays with residency at Hopkins, I had been million households, and have around Rotarians, and had picnics and fun asked if people like me left my country 2,000 active patients. The clinic is days that we began looking forward (of origin) what would happen to now practicing telemedicine during to. It was not all fun of course. Visits to my country? That question affected COVID, not ever shutting down. It has see handicapped and slum children, me deeply. I planned to help the attracted the attention of WHO as a those that were blind, other families people of India in 1997. Working with low cost model. (The cost of running who struggled to make a living, all of Rotarians both here in Howard County a clinic of that magnitude would be whom my father helped, impressed and in rural India, we established the several million dollars annually in upon my siblings and myself that we Maanasi (meaning of sound mind) the US). We have many visitors from were indeed privileged in this world project for the rural mentally ill. It is other countries who come to do their where so many were desperate to have an integrated care program, a one public health rotations in Bangalore. their basic needs met, let alone afford stop shop for the poor mentally ill. The latest group was from Northwell schooling to be employed. Common to both the rural poor in University in New York. Exposure to Group Study Exchange Mugalur and in East Baltimore were We have since duplicated the model participants who stayed with us and low literacy, lack of access to care, lack for the country of Lithuania of 2+ were from Japan, UK, USA, South of knowledge of what mental illness million persons, with a marvelous Africa, France, to name a few, in a world was, and severe poverty, with an effort of all Rotarians in 5 countries, without television or the Internet, income level among villagers that left many activists and stakeholders who opened doors to a larger world within little choice between paying for school were determined to lower their very which interactions, learning together or foregoing meals. high suicide rates. They just finished and networking within Rotary were I duplicated the tripartite mission their Global Grant submission. Their possible. Rotary helps build global of Hopkins of patient care, research work was indeed laudable. frameworks for taking action, a matter and teaching of medical students, that fractious countries are not able to (continued on page 6)

ILLUMINATOR | JULY 2021 | 5 PRINCE FREDERICK ROTARY RIDE POKER RUN By Pastor Albert K. Lane, III, Prince Frederick something that cannot be easily replicated. Rotary Club My strategic plan is derived from my Rotary The inaugural Rotary Ride Poker Run on experience, as well as from the goals of my June 5 was a great success. 71 motorcycles Rotary President, Shekhar Mehta. Women are and Jeeps left the parking lot of the PF Elks crucial to the life of Rotary; women are crucial Club and went on a fun, 100 mile scenic to the life of children and their welfare. ride through Southern Maryland, making 5 Education is the single solution to lift women stops along the way to pick up poker cards. out of poverty and enable employment. After the ride, there was a wonderful beach party with raffles, a live band, and food I have a 4 M plan: the first M is and drink at the Rod n Reel in Chesapeake Mothers and children. I am Beach. Evoke Purpose was a coordinating encouraging grants that support women partner. Proceeds were more than $18,000. and children and youth, scholarships for A large portion of the proceeds allowed women and girls; the second M is [Above] Motorcycles gathering and the club to finance the costs of vocational membership, which is critical. We are departing the PF Elks Club Parking Lot on a a leading district in membership growth. beautiful Saturday morning, June 5. It was certification exams for 71 students at the inaugural Rotary Ride Poker Run. Calvert County’s Career and Technology However, we have only half the women as Academy. compared to men. Each woman must bring in another woman in the next 6 months. Each Rotarian needs to bring in just one ILLUMINATING ROTARY more member. More members means more giving, more projects, and more fellowship. (continued from page 5) We will be teaching more about cause-based In the last 2 years we have concentrated on clubs, satellite clubs, E-clubs and so on. The establishing a similar model in Bungoma attrition of membership is 2% in Rotary. So county of around 300,000, in Kenya, where membership must grow by 4% to net an Jay, my husband helped form a new Rotary increase. The 3rd M is marketing. club to partner with us. Our Global Grant has Maximizing/ magnifying our efforts and been approved, and work should begin in sending our message out continuously [Above] Gaithersburg Rotary Club’s Flags throughout our 12 Areas, our wonderful for Heroes the late fall. Hopkins nurses who came with us gave their time and expertise without newsletter out to our communities via [Below] Gaithersburg Rotary Club’builds a any financial support. One of them, Moses, newspapers, social media, & TV stations, butterfly garden became a Rotarian in our club. His Rotary ‘aha’ which should attract members. The last moment came when he saw an educated M is for Modernizing Rotary, with man who was psychotic and aggressive, had inclusion of Rotaract and particularly Interact. been chained for 15 years walk free in the Ideas should filter up from your youth. We village, back to normal when we treated him have set up a Rotary Innovation Lab that is with one simple medication! The villagers monitored by Rotaractors, with ideas being thought it was a miracle! posted by our youth on a platform called Slack. The best ideas will be rewarded. Invite Rotary repeatedly addresses the needs of the youth to your committees. Aim to double poor who are hungry, underserved, suffer your membership. Aim for 100 Paul Harris from poor health, poor water supply and Fellows. Aim for 100 scholarships for girls absent sanitation, a basic need that we the and women. Aim for more Global Grants with privileged take for granted. multiple clubs and Rotaractors. In my lifetime, hosting scores of visiting In the words of the Poet Laureate of India, Rotarians and learning about their Rabindranath Tagore: “I slept and dreamt lives, attending at least 16 international that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was conventions, enjoying host hospitality in many countries, & visiting clubs while service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” traveling clearly tells me how Rotary leaders Illuminate and Enjoy Rotary. make thoughtful, impactful decisions, teach leadership, offer fellowship and warmth,

6 | ILLUMINATOR | JULY 2021 OAS AND ROTARIANS OF CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE UNITED STATES TO HELP MIGRANTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE By PDG Rich Carson, Rotary basis. Representative to the OAS Toward the end of May, the The Organization of American States Gaithersburg club provided Easter (OAS) and Rotary Clubs of Central baskets to make youngsters happy America and the United States on June on that holiday. They were combined 4 agreed to promote partnerships with hundreds of others collected with the private sector to train and and distributed by the Upcounty promote the employability of at-risk Consolidation Center in Germantown. returned migrants and internally In April and May, the Club planned displaced youth, within the framework and planted a garden to help preserve of the Regional Integrated Framework Representative of Guatemala, Rita crops and the environment. It will feed for Protection and Solutions (MIRPS). Claverie Diaz, whose country holds the temporary presidency of MIRPS, Monarch butterflies and pollinating OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro highlighted the inclusive spirit of the bees, without which much of our recalled the Organization’s long-standing agreement signed. “The objective agriculture could not exist. relationship with Rotarians and welcomed of this agreement is to establish a Then, the Gaithersburg, Montgomery this new initiative aimed at providing cooperation framework for the creation Village, and Historic Emory Grove economic opportunities to a key sector of a comprehensive initiative for Rotaries combined to place a huge of the Central American population. “The the inclusion and labor insertion of display of American flags in a park OAS and Rotarians have a long tradition unaccompanied young Guatemalan beside Route 355, a very busy roadway. of working on multiple challenges in the returnees, and to promote other Besides earning money for the clubs, Americas. In particular, on the issue of activities related to the implementation this patriotic event was a morale forced displacement of people in Central of the MIRPS,” added the Guatemalan booster for a community emerging America, our organizations are called to diplomat. from the disasterous pandemic. orchestrate immediate action to address the unprecedented crisis affecting the The initiative will be implemented first in In addition the Club’s Foundation region,” said Secretary General Almagro. Guatemala and then extended to other helped with grants to, for example, Central American countries. Filipino American Cancer Care, For his part, the Governor of Rotary which facilitates cancer education District 4250 - which covers Guatemala, and treatment in the U.S. and the Honduras and Belize - Orlando Burns, ROTARY MAKES Philippines. The Foundation also gave said the signing of the agreement financial help to outstanding high creates a “strategic alliance” to provide THE WORLD BETTER school seniors via the Sam and Ester Eig economic solutions for vulnerable By Ken Weiss, Gaithersburg Rotary and the Linda M. Hanson Scholarships. populations. “Rotarians have a long Rotary definitely makes the world history of facilitating strategic alliances better. How? Here is what one small As we all emerge from the pandemic, between public, private and civil society club in Gaithersburg is doing this year. the Gaithersburg Club is moving to organizations for the development of To begin, it has helped people eat by other activities such as Youth & Peace innovative initiatives. We have long providing grants and direct service in Action, a Rotary Zone program to forged real and lasting solutions to to four food banks. One member involve students in the vital task of support needy communities and we have works in an organization named building peace. been providing a better future for at-risk Nourish Now. Another is a director Thousands of other Rotary clubs are youth in our communities,” said Governor of the Montgomery County Muslim Burns. making the world better through Foundation, which provides food to service. That is what we, as Rotarians, For her part, the Permanent anyone on a first come – first served are dedicated to do.

ILLUMINATOR | JULY 2021 | 7 INTERACT CLUBS NEWS By Marilyn Nevy Cruz, District 7620 Interact of arriving as an immigrant from San Miguel, Chair and District 7260 RYLA Chair El Salvador, becoming a U.S. citizen and a veteran of the force. Assistant EMS/Fire Chief Rotary District 7620’s Innovation Edward Mills accompanied by Battalion Chief Lab of Recruiting Willis Thomas also spoke. Our own Join the Rotary District 7620’s Innovation Lab Rotarian, author, motivational speaker, world (June 2021-2022) to work with like-minded boxing champion and entrepreneur, Lisa Cohen peers on a platform to implement youth- urged the students to vision themselves as empowered projects to be implemented at the winners! District level. This is a special youth committee Students went into eight breakout rooms where that will implement projects with a bottom-up they heard presentations from a group of 27 approach mindset with members from diverse Presenters, almost half were Club Members. backgrounds and skillsets. The Innovation There were nine categories of the professions Lab provides an opportunity that is open to ranging from Sports and Entertainment to all members of Interact and Rotaract Clubs Business and Consulting. Students were able to interested in pursuing a leadership role while ask questions of the Keynote Speakers and the working collaboratively as a team to implement Presenters. game-changing innovation ideas. We are actively looking for project ideas and would love The Career Fair ended with a presentation from to hear yours! If you are interested, please fill CHEC’S Principal Maria Tukeva. out the form at https://docs.google.com/forms/ Finally, the Career Fair was fancied up with d/e/1FAIpQLSdwu4UklFUhZ3aG-nZRZmG1Tf_ music by CHEC’s “Dj Dean Boone.” Students won ewhPA0jDAQ82VQE_9_LrdHQ/viewform by raffle prizes: iPads Minis, Giant Food gift cards, August 30th, 2021. Thanks in advance for your Chipotle and Chick-fil-A gift cards. And to top interest -- we look forward to hearing from you! it off, Grammy nominated singer, songwriter For more information, please contact and producer Eric Roberson made a surprise Georgetown University Rotaract President at visit and wowed the audience with his words of [email protected]. encouragement and his signature participatory performance. The Chat lit up! Presenters and 2021 Virtual Rotary Foundation students alike were asked to submit random Career Fair at the Columbia Heights words on the Chat and Eric Roberson instantly Educational Campus (CHEC) made a song using their words before their very In three words, the 2021 Virtual Rotary eyes. The Chat remained lit up. He responded to Foundation Career Fair at Columbia a barrage of comments. Heights Educational Campus (CHEC) was On a final note, we had another successful unprecedented, challenging, and rewarding. Rotary Foundation Career Fair thanks to Zoom For the first time, the Career Fair used a virtual Producer Carlisle Sealy, who patiently and Zoom platform due to the 2020-21 Pandemic. thoroughly produced and orchestrated the The Career Fair ran from 11am-3pm, with a first 2021 Virtual Rotary Foundation Career little bit of sticking around at the end. Over a Fair. Rotarian Committee Members Donnie hundred students of CHEC’S middle and high Shaw, Kenneth Brown, Marilyn Nevy Cruz, Dr. schools Zoomed in. Alexander Tu, David Krucoff, Rotaract Walter The Career Fair began with Former WHUR Radio Marlatt, CHEC’S Mila Lopez Elmore and MCIP Mr. and Steve Harvey Show Host, Tony Richards, Robin Winer rounded out this amazing team. as our opener and host. Tony was followed Thanks to all our exceptional DC Rotary Club by a video presentation and compelling members whose significant time investment and speakers during the first hour: Michael Walton, talents made this year’s Career Fair a SUCCESS! Olympian world class sprinter and Founder & CEO of The Michael Walton Foundation; an 2021 Virtual Rotary Foundation Career Fair encouraging video presentation by recently Recording link: appointed Police Chief Robert J. Contee, along Access Passcode: .jQ2#ei* (note with live presentations from the highest-ranking a period in the front of the code) female DC police officer Assistant Chief Chanel Dickerson. A DC police officer shared his story 8 | ILLUMINATOR | JULY 2021 COLUMBIA TOWN CENTER ROTARY SERVES MONTHLY IN CRITICAL ROLES TO HELP FEED HUNGRY FAMILIES IN HOWARD COUNTY By Sharon Waligora, CTC Rotary into the loading area. Each family typically receives 4 bags On the 3rd Saturday of every of canned foods and soups, dry month, you will find members goods, and breakfast foods, a of the Columbia Town Center bag of frozen meat and a box Rotary Club volunteering at of produce. At Thanksgiving the Open Doors Food Pantry and Christmas, each family also (ODFP) located at Mt. Zion received a holiday dinner box. United Methodist Church in Highland MD. Rotarian CTC Rotary also delivers food volunteers have become monthly to 25-30 food-insecure essential workers in the successful drive in and pre-packed grocery bags families in Columbia Town Center monthly distribution of food to food- are loaded into the trunks of their cars. neighborhoods who do not have insecure families in Howard County. CTC Rotary stepped up to organize transportation to come pick up the and lead the outside activities, food. Rotary members and volunteer CTC Rotary has been partnering with including traffic management and car teachers use their own cars to pick the ODFP for several years to help loading. up and deliver food to 2-3 students and families at Running families on distribution Brook Elementary School who are On a typical food Saturdays. dealing with food insecurity. Over pantry Saturday, half of the Running Brook students cars start lining CTC Rotary has truly made a qualify for the Free and Reduced up as early as difference to many struggling Meals (FARM) Program. CTC Rotary 5am. Often by families this past year. Our and ODFP recently extended this 9am, when they club provided financial partnership to include Bryant Woods start loading support for the pantry to Elementary and Homewood High cars, there can help buy over 27,000 pounds of School. be as many as 130 cars already in line food needed to meet the significant waiting for food. CTC Rotarians greet increase in food-insecure families During the Pandemic, CTC Rotary the clients and carefully direct the cars seeking food each month. The number stepped up their hands-on and to line up in side-by-side queues to of families served monthly grew from financial support to help the ODFP maximize the space in the parking lot. 85 to over 300 in 2020, currently deal with the increased need for food ranging 150-200 per month in 2021. and the change in logistics demanded After cars are checked in, Rotarians by COVID-19 restrictions and safety in safety vests organize and lead Donations are greatly appreciated measures. community and church volunteers to help with this continuous service (often students) in loading shopping project. Visit ctcrotary2021.givesmart. In April 2020, the food pantry shifted carts full of pre-packed groceries into com to make a donation. to a drive-thru pantry, where clients the trunks of the cars as they drive

ILLUMINATOR | JULY 2021 | 9 MT. ZION CEMETERY JUNETEENTH PROJECT By Marilyn Nevy Cruz, President- Rotaract Chair for the last few years. Nominee, Community Service Grants Throughout these years I have worked Chair, Membership Co- alongside Alexander Tu, who will be Chair, Rotary Club of assuming the role of District Rotaract Washington, D.C. and Chair as I head off to pursue my doctoral Sheldon Ray studies. Alex has transitioned from a Rotaractor and is now a Rotarian at the The Rotarians for Rotary Club of DC. Before coming to Equality for Black DC, Alex served as a former Interact People Committee President, Interact Area Governor, had a great turnout Rotaract Charter President, District on June 19 of over Rotaract Representative (DRR), and then 30 people, including became the DRR for D7620. He has done mothers, children, and a tremendous job supporting first Marilyn grandchildren. Nevy Cruz and then me to ensure that We pulled/uprooted weeds (some over the Rotaractors in this District have what 5 ft. tall), did other work, and toured they need to be successful and remain historic Mt. Zion/Female Union Band in compliance with Rotary International. Society Cemetery in the interest of I am confident that Alex will excel in this preserving and maintaining Black history role and I ask that you give him your full in the nation’s capital. Most of the support. volunteers were from our club, but we Joining Alex on the District level is had a member of the Capitol Hill Club Kristina Clarke, the Immediate Past and several members of 100 Fathers and President from the Rotaract Club of others. Howard University. Kristina successfully This sacred ground hosts over led her club throughout Covid-19 and 6,000 burials from between 1805 had not one, but two, inductions with and 1950 of slaves, as well as a total of 17 new members joining free Black Washington residents. while being virtual this school year. Only about 300 markers have Additionally, she was a Charter Member, been recovered thus far, so Membership Chair and former Interactor. there is much work to do in This dynamic leader will serve as the recovering others and repairing District Rotaract Representative and and identifying also. Many Black liaison to all Rotaract Club Presidents. D.C. residents think of “Black I have worked with Kristina personally Georgetown” as some sort of as her Rotaract Advisor and I am also myth, but one visit here dispels confident that she will work well with that thought permanently. Alex to lead the Rotaractors in our [Above] The Rotarians for Equality for Black www.mtzion-fubs.org Donations District. Once again, I would like to People Committee had a great turnout thank you for your continual support on June 19 of over 30 people, including welcome! And thank you Mary Beth Ray mothers, children, and grandchildren. for providing lunch for all. and encourage you all to be intentional about how to work with Rotaractors and build a pathway for future Rotarians. I ROTARACT CLUBS am excited to see how much more this By Monique S. Toussaint, District Rotaract District can do to create a space where Chair Rotaractors are engaged and can thrive personally and professionally. Dear Rotarians and Rotaractors, It has been my pleasure to serve as 10 | ILLUMINATOR | JULY 2021

DISC CALENDAR: CELEBRATE ROTARY LEADERSHIP MONTH By May Yoneyama O’Brien, District to resolving the major problems and today, it stands at about 7.7 billion, International Service Committee (DISC) addressed by the United Nations. and it’s expected to grow to around Co-Chair 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, Co-operatives are associations and and 10.9 billion in 2100. . . .By 2007, Expand your international horizons! enterprises through which citizens can more than half the world’s population effectively improve their lives while 1 July to 2 August – The Rotary lived in towns and cities than in rural contributing to the economic, social, Foundation – Programs of Scale areas, and by 2050 about 66 per cent cultural and political advancement $2M Grant Program –The first step begins of the world population will be living of their community and nation. The with “Concept Notes” being submitted in cities. These megatrends have far- co-operative movement has been online on TRF’s Embark application reaching implications. They affect also recognized as a distinct and tool. The deadline for concept notes is economic development, employment, major stakeholder August 2. The TRF income distribution, poverty and social in both national and Cadre of Technical protections. They also affect efforts to international affairs. Advisors and TRF ensure universal access to health care, area of focus experts Co-operatives also education, housing, sanitation, water, will determine foster external food and energy. To sustainably address the strongest concept notes. Then TRF equality. As they are community- the needs of individuals, policymakers will invite the strongest concept notes based, they are committed to the must understand the demographics of to submit proposals from October to sustainable development of their population growth and needs. – UN December. A POS project must be a communities - environmentally, socially Rotarian-led, evidence-based program and economically. Despite their local 12 July-- 8:00-9:00 PM – Rotary /RAP-C that is ready to scale up over 3-5 years in community focus, co-operatives also Caribbean Partnership Monthly Meeting (2d Mondays). Contact one of TRF’s Areas of Focus. aspire to bring the benefits of their Phil Lustig, [email protected], for economic and social model to all people To learn more about “Increasing our Zoom link. in the world. Impact” on international service projects, TRF hosted three webinars in The cooperative movement is highly 14 July – 9:00 AM -- ESRAG – Karin May. In them, experts on international democratic, locally autonomous, Biodiversity Task Force Tome – Reuse Repurpose Recycle – development strategy and scaling and but internationally integrated, and a Karin served as Mayor of Brunswick, program evaluation explained how to form of organization of associations MD, is the founder of the Rotary Club of make change successfully on a larger and enterprises whereby citizens Smoketown, MD and serves on the D7620 scale and how to design programs that themselves rely on self-help and their Environment Committee. Contact ESRAG achieve results. Find the TRF webinar own responsibility to meet goals that Chair [email protected] for recordings at rotary.org or contact include not only economic, but also social registration and Zoom link. [email protected] for a link-- 1) and environmental objectives, such as

Scaling for Transformative Change; 2) overcoming poverty, securing productive 14 July 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM – What is a Theory of Change? (a tool for employment and encouraging social PeaceConnect Conversation, successful project and program design); integration. Sound familiar? “Indigenous Ways of Knowing and 3) How to use a Theory of Change to Everyday Peacebuilding.” Speaker: More than 12% of humanity is part of Strengthen Program Design and Delivery. Lorelei Higgins, a Metis Canadian Cultural any of the 3 million cooperatives in the Mediator, a Rotary Peace Fellow, Positive 3 July – UN International Day of world…--UN Peace Activator, Community Lead for Cooperatives - The International Day 11 July – World Population the Calgary’s Anti-Racism Program. of Cooperatives is an annual celebration Day -- The world is undergoing the will speak about indigenous practice of the cooperative movement that takes largest wave of urban growth in history. and knowledge sharing. Sponsored place on the first Saturday of July since It took hundreds of thousands of years by Mediators Beyond Borders, a Rotary 1923. Since 1995, the United Nations for the world population to grow to 1 International Service Partner. Register and the International Cooperative billion – then in just another 200 years, online at mediatorsbeyondborders.org. Alliance joined together to underscore it grew sevenfold. In 2011, the global the contributions of the cooperative (continued on page 14) population reached the 7 billion mark, movement (people-centered enterprises) ILLUMINATOR | JULY 2021 | 11 INTERACT CLUBS NEWS By Marilyn Nevy Cruz, A Message to Interact Club District 7620 Interact Chair l Advisers and Club Sponsors District 7260 RYLA Chair Congratulations, you should feel CHEC Interact proud of completing a year of service, leadership development, fellowship Congratulations to our and fun during a global pandemic. CHEC Interact Club We thank you for your service to your President Tania Hernandez Interact club and its members. You, for earning a scholarship your Interactors, and countless other to the Naval Academy Interact club advisers, mentors, and Preparatory School. This sponsors have demonstrated resiliency, is true testimony of her [Above] Congratulations to CHEC Interact flexibility, and the ability to innovate Club President Tania Hernandez for earning dedication and hard work. We are very in the face of adversity. Let’s keep that a scholarship to the Naval Academy proud of her! Preparatory School. momentum going as we move to a new For more information about her [Below] Congratulations to our Richard Rotary year. Below you will find updates Wright PCS Charter President, Amora scholarship please visit the CHEC from Rotary International on important Campbell on her recent graduation. Amora website or view this video. administrative reminders and upcoming was awarded a full ride scholarship to The Ohio State University this fall. Richard Wright PCS opportunities for your Interact club. Congratulations to our Richard Wright Earn the Citation PCS Charter President, Amora Campbell, The Rotary Citation recognizes Interact on her recent graduation. Amora was clubs and Rotaract clubs that are taking awarded a full ride scholarship to The action to make a positive difference. Ohio State University this fall. This is Club sponsors, Rotaract club presidents, an amazing accomplishment and true and Interact club advisers can nominate testimony of her dedication and hard qualifying clubs no later than 15 August. work. Nominate a Rotaract club or nominate At the DC Rotary Club’s June 2nd club an Interact club. For any questions meeting, Amora was given a $500 regarding the Citation process, please Amazon e-card and special award on email [email protected]. behalf of their club for her outstanding Take Administrative Action leadership as Chartering Interact Report an adviser. Interact club sponsors President. We wish her the best of luck are required to report the name and as she starts this new chapter in her life! contact information of an adult adviser A special thank you to the following DC to Rotary every year to maintain the Rotary Club members for contributing active status of their Interact clubs. Even towards her gift card: if the same adviser is continuing for next President Nancy Riker, President-elect year, their role needs to be reported by 1 Bill Dent, Immediate Past President Lynn July. Reporting these roles allows them Holec, President-Nominee Marilyn Nevy to receive important communications Cruz, Past President Ross Grantham, from RI. Use the Interact club adviser Lisa Cohen, Buz Gorman, Dr. Mireille online reporting form with the Interact Kanda, Catherine Pociask, Khaled Sabah, club sponsors in your District. Linda Keene Solomon, Donnie Shaw, Alexander Tu 12 | ILLUMINATOR | JULY 2021 ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE - CARBON AND NET ZERO PLEDGE AND ZERO WASTE FOR A CIRCULAR ECONOMY by Dr. Christopher F. Puttock, ESRAG Inherently, there are problems in any This summer Southern Frederick Chair 2019-2021, esrag.org, District recycling system, but the main one, Rotary and members of several Environment Committee Chair in my opinion, is a misunderstanding Interact clubs will be working with of what is truly recyclable (or school administrations, teachers, As mentioned in the last two “Open compostable) and the contamination and green teams to double the Forums” the Environment Committee that ensues as a result. The recycling/ total number of schools in the LOOL is launching a campaign to get a composting industries rely on “clean” program in Frederick County. The baseline of our District’s carbon material to use as feedstock in the success of the LOOL program has footprint. production of new materials. When inspired the Montgomery County May was for Recycling contamination occurs, the monetary SERT team to seek to institute the The Environment Committee had the value of that commodity decreases LOOL program in all their schools in theme of “Recycling” in May and we and markets stall. This is a problem a systematic rollout of this behavior had two Rotarians from our District that IS being solved through plastics changing waste diversion program. re-labeling and educational apps. to bring us their perspectives and More than just an activity, this Understanding how a recycling club activities and to bring us closer will be a daily exercise in civic sorting facility works improves the to dealing with our waste footprint. responsibility, educating the public likelihood that a person will place Karin Tome (RC Smoketown) and creating a fundamental change the proper materials into their confronted us with the fact that the in our understanding of the adverse recycling bin, but the Covid virus has ideas, practices, and policies around impact of excessive consumption prevented in-person tours. A short “recycling” in today’s society can be and irresponsible disposal practices. video, however, provides an excellent a bit confusing, but it is critical for For more information about the substitution. citizens around the world to actively LOOL program, please contact Joe explore and solve these issues in Joe Richardson (RC Southern Richardson at [email protected] order to lessen the waste that we Frederick) brought us the RC Coming up next produce and the amount of finite Southern Frederick’s Lunch out of raw materials that we use in the Landfills (LOOL) program that is These days we have a continual drum manufacture of goods. reducing landfill-destined waste beat of Climate Change and Carbon. This month’s PIER meeting will be The term “Zero Waste” incorporates by recovering uneaten food and focusing on Carbon, presented by the practices and policies that are transporting it to food banks and Jeff Turner in conjunction with the being used by a growing number soup kitchens, eliminating organic Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL). On July of people in order to conserve waste from the trash, improving 30th we will be bringing you Energy resources through the production, recycling, and extracting liquids and our theme for August 27th will use, and recovery of materials from the waste stream. Prior to be tree-planting and reforestation; by without harming our environment or the pandemic shutdown LOOL was then the Brood 10 periodical cicadas other humans. It is a goal to guide reducing landfill-designated waste in will have gone away to suck on tree people in changing their lifestyles fourteen Frederick County and four roots for 17-years. and practices to emulate natural Montgomery County schools. Over cycles, where waste is minimal and 85% of trash was reduced in schools The April 30th PIER Program on discarded materials are designed to that had an inspired staff leader, Pollinator Gardening can be found at become resources for others to use. a strong student green team and https://youtu.be/6j52K5KImU4 Our circular economy, a framework support from school administration Measure Your Carbon for an economy that is restorative and and building services and Rotary Footprint! regenerative by design, relies upon club members who rolled up their minimizing waste through rethinking sleeves, instructed students in proper Take the pledge coming design, reducing amounts, reusing disposal and worked with the school soon at rotary7620.org products, and recycling materials. PTA’s.

ILLUMINATOR | JULY 2021 | 13 DISASTER AID UPDATE: HELPING COVID-RAVAGED INDIA By Bob Grill, President of Disaster Aid Please help us deliver small oxygen further information and updates, see USA; and Paul Mahata, Chair, District concentrators to India, visit our web our website at www.big-books.org, or Disaster Relief Committee site www.DisasterAidUSA.org and contact us via email at 4bigbooks@gmail. click the “donate link and then choose com. Most of you know by now, India went “India Covid response or International through a devastating second peak deployments”. We thank the Rotarians 18 July – UN Nelson Mandela of COVID-19 disease; and on May 15, and Rotary clubs in the USA for International Day daily death toll reached a record high of responding rapidly to this urgent appeal 4,500. Crematoriums were working day 18 July – 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – by DAUSA and for fighting the COVID and night, and even funeral pyres were DISC Pot-Luck Brainstorming disease in India. . This is a burning in the city parks and lighting Brunch in Annapolis planning meeting for the year ahead up the night sky. One news channel DAUSA in coordination with the District for the D7620 District International reporter called the situation, “hell on 7620 Disaster Relief Committee will Service Committee. Hosted by Sharon earth”. have a domestic disaster response Taylor & May O’Brien, DISC co-chairs. training for its volunteers this summer, Disaster Aid USA (DAUSA) working in Must be vaccinated. Space is limited. late August or early September, for all partnership with PDG Nancy Barbee RSVP to Sharon Taylor, DISC co-chair, interested Rotarians. The training will and Rotary District 7770 in South [email protected]. be a two-day event (Saturday/Sunday) Carolina raised $250,000 within a held here in District 7620 (location to be month to fight the disease in India. This July 30 – 10:00 AM – Rotary determined). We depend on volunteers is being matched one-to-one by an Russia-USA Intercountry for all our disaster response. So, all – monthly meeting. Indian company (SEWA). We continue Committee able-bodied persons are encouraged to Contact Stanley Miner for Zoom link, to raise funds for procuring small attend this training. which will be available a couple of days oxygen concentrators ($550 each) to be before the meeting, JStanleyMiner@ delivered to the rural areas in India. We To sign up for this training contact gmail.com. are working with Rotary clubs here in Paul Mahata: [email protected] the USA (zone 33 and 34) and in India. or Dr. William Du-Boyce: billydubes@ 28 July -- 9:00 AM -- ESRAG DAUSA and our International Partners hotmail.com or Bob Grill: bob.grill@ Biodiversity Task Force – Nilam (Canada, UK, Australia and others) have disasteraidusa.org. Bedi – GLOBAL FOOTPRINT CALCULATOR. close connections to the Rotary clubs in Founder, Public Policy Innovations, Inc.; India who will be distributing these units DISC CALENDAR VP Environment, Energy & the New to the Rural areas where oxygen supply Economy, Econometric Research Ltd.; is the worst. Constant transportation of (continued from page 11) PP Toronto Eglinton Rotary Club; Chair, the oxygen bottles (when available) is 16 July – B.I.G. Book Sale Rotary Toronto Eglinton Foundation. a logistical nightmare and having small – Books for International Goodwill - Contact ESRAG Chair Christopher. oxygen concentrators in these areas is a sponsored by the Parole Rotary Club of [email protected] for registration and solution that is needed now! We already Annapolis – July 16, 3-5pm on Friday; the Zoom link. have them sourced. We need more July 17, 8am-2pm on Saturday. The B.I.G. funds to purchase additional units. BBC 30 July – 6:30 pm – ENERGY – warehouse is located at 451 Defense D7620 Environment Committee recently reported, “Typically, healthcare Highway in Annapolis (1.7 miles west facilities consume about 15% of oxygen – Planning and Implementing of the Annapolis Mall on the south side Environmental Resources (PIER) monthly supply, leaving the rest for industrial use. of the road). Books are priced at $3 for But amid India’s second wave nearly meeting (last Fridays). Register online at hardbacks, $2 for trade soft bound, and rotary7620.org. 90% of the country’s oxygen supply $1 for pocket paperbacks. You may fill a - 7,500 metric tonnes daily - is being provided grocery shopping bag for $35. 30 July – UN International Day diverted for medical use, according to All profits go toward shipping books of Friendship Rajesh Bhushan, a senior health official.” to underserved populations in the U.S. 30 July – UN World Day against However, rural areas still do not have and abroad. All participants MUST wear Trafficking in Persons enough oxygen supply. masks and practice distancing. For

14 | ILLUMINATOR | JULY 2021 BELRAG INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE A QUALITY EDUCATION RESOURCE By Past RI Director John Thorne • The Basic Education & Literacy Rotary Action Group (BELRAG) is offering an exceptional opportunity for Rotarians to support education your local communities or enhance your international projects. Through want to have an impact on education. Access to engaging, well researched, use books as awards for literacy a partnership the world renowned projects supported by your club Encyclopedia Britannica, Rotarians can and interesting information is key acquire the new, one volume Britannica to gaining the attention of readers, • donate to local shelters for families Illustrated Encyclopedia: What We key to inviting them to read more who are homeless or family-oriented Know and What We Don’t. and to learn more. These books are a women’s shelters perfect education to support your own The book is a valuable resource for community programs or to supplement • request District Grants to support all learners, age 8-108. Enhanced by education resources for international club funds to implement a District-wide engaging photos and graphics, the text projects. project with greater impact guides the reader through topics on the Universe, Earth, Matter, Life, Humans, • encourage parents and grandparents Ancient & Medieval Times, Modern to purchase as a holiday gifts for Times, and Today & Tomorrow. children in their lives This special edition is BRANDED FOR The basics: ROTARY- including a Rotary logo • Cost: $20 (USD) per copy - a on the cover and, inside, a special substantial discount from retail price message by RI President Shekhar Mehta and information about Rotary • Each book is specially branded for our world-wide commitment to Rotary - includes an endorsement by RI service. Space will be available President Shekhar Mehta for your club or district to include • Supplemental lessons will be offered a bookplate acknowledging your by BELRAG on a monthly basis - a great support. Every order will include a resource for classroom teachers or donation to our Rotary Foundation! independent learning RI President Shekhar Mehta shared: • Each purchase includes a donation to “Basic educaton and literacy is directly the Rotary Foundation linked to Supportng Education - one of Rotary’s seven areas of focus - that • Purchases must be in lots of 100 (or expands and creates opportunities more) books for addressing other socioeconomic issues. By improving available basic • Free shipping anywhere in the world education and literacy rates in our • Orders must be received by communities, Rotarians are able to 15 August 2021 (delivery in late have a broader impact by helping September) to reduce poverty, improve health, Consider: encourage community and economic • donate copies to local schools for use • To order: https://www.litrag.org/ development, and promote peace. in classrooms or to supplement library encyclopedia Rotarians are encouraged to be people resources We challenge each club or district of action and support actvities and to get involved in this unique training to improve education for all • include as resources for school or library international projects opportunity to support education children and literacy for children and in your community or enhance your adults.” • substitute this encyclopedia project international projects. For more This incredible opportunity is offered to for an existing dictionary project to information, contact Past RI Director Rotarians in all clubs and districts who enhance learning and Past BELRAG Chair John Thorne [email protected] 15 | ILLUMINATOR | JULY 2021 who have cumulatively sponsored 25 or more new members. MEMBERSHIP STAR: According to our records, and in recognition of your efforts, I am pleased to share that you are a charter member of Rotary’s MARILYN NEVY CRUZ Membership Society. Marilyn was the only Rotarian in the District to In the coming months, the virtual gallery will be accessible through qualify as a Charter Member of the Society. My Rotary, and will list People of Action, like you, who have Dear Rotarian Marilyn, expanded Rotary’s reach by sponsoring 25 or more new members. The Rotary International Board of Directors have recently adopted Congratulations on your achievement and thank you for all you do a new recognition program called the Membership Society, to to grow Rotary. recognize those members who have demonstrated extraordinary Sincerely, dedication and commitment in sharing the gift of Rotary with others. Brian King, Director A new virtual gallery is being designed to honor those members Membership Development, RI

“The biggest gift we are given Is the power to touch a life To change, To make a difference In the circle of life. If we can reach out With our hands, heart and soul The magic will begin to happen As the wheel begins to roll ... Let us all turn the wheel together So that all humanity thrives We have the power and the magic To serve ... to change lives ...” - Shekhar Mehta, 2021-2022 President, Rotary International

District Governor Geetha Jayaram Executive Secretary Deborah Burgess Newsletter Editor Bob Nelson Phone: 410-812-6783 Phone: 301-848-9803 Phone: 301-254-7620 email: districtgovernor2122@gmail. [email protected] email: [email protected] com Please send articles and photos by 15 July.

ILLUMINATOR | JULY 2021 | 16