THE MINUTARIAN

April 28, 2024 | Issue 43

Rotary Peace Fellowships

Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of our peace centers.

Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals to become effective catalysts for peace. The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses.

Since the program began in 2002, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,700 fellows who now work in over 140 countries. Many serve as leaders in governments; NGOs; education and research institutions; peacekeeping and law enforcement agencies; and international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank.

The Rotary Peace Fellowship is designed for leaders with work experience in peace and development. Fellows are committed to community and international service and the pursuit of peace.

Each year, The Rotary Foundation awards up to 50 fellowships for master’s degrees and up to 80 for certificate studies at premier universities.

Rotary has seven Rotary Peace Centers at eight universities.

Five centers offer master’s degrees in disciplines related to peace and development:

A joint program at Duke University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, USA
International Christian University, Japan
University of Bradford, England
University of Queensland, Australia
Uppsala University, Sweden

The Master’s program is intended for individuals towards the start of their peacebuilding careers. Each year, 50 fellows are assigned to a master’s program (10 fellows per center) that lasts from 15-24 months.

The Center at Makerere University (Ma-KAY-ray-ray) in Uganda, offers a postgraduate diploma in peacebuilding and conflict transformation that is intended for mid-career working professionals. This one-year professional development certificate program blends online learning, classroom studies and field visits, and a nine-month social change initiative. Each year, 40 fellows (two classes of 20 fellows) are selected to participate in the program at Makerere University.

Starting in 2024, recruiting will begin for the newest Rotary Peace Center opening at Bahçeşehir University (BAH-che-she-hir) in Istanbul, Turkey – which will also offer the one-year professional development certificate program with a postgraduate diploma in peace and development studies. Realizing a vision that has been three years in the making, the new peace center at Bahçeşehir University makes progress toward The Rotary Foundation’s long-term goal of expanding Rotary Peace Centers in key geographic regions.

The Rotary Peace Fellowship application is now open.

The 2025-26 Rotary Peace Fellowship application is available online through 15 May 2024.

If you know a potential candidate, use our referral form so they can receive more information.

John

John Tabor | District Governor 2023-2024

Rotary District 6970

John Tabor

District Governor

DISTRICT CALENDAR

May 3 - 4, 2024

District Conference

University Center

UNF, Jacksonville

Rotary Peace Centers

RC Baker County Holds

Successful 2nd Annual Beast Feast

President Michele Hodges and

President-Elect Julie Johnson

Saturday April 20, the Rotary Club of Baker County held the 2nd annual Beast Feast at Crews Farm in Glen St. Mary. Two hundred participants had a fantastic time and the club raised over $23,000.

Proceeds are to be used to fund a large grant project in conjunction with Baker County Schools as well as a donation to the Baker County Sheriffs Office Explorers Club.

A live band provided entertainment and an auction was conducted. Dinner items included: bear, deer, pork, chicken, fish, shrimp, gator, camel, kangaroo, quail, frog legs, iguana, and raccoon.

The food was prepared by John Norton of Son of God catering, Brad Raulerson of Country Boyz, and First Federal Bank (Cyndi Ray and team). Dessert was provided by the Rotary Club. Auction items included guns, knives, watches, a recliner, portable AC unit, vacation packages, cakes, and a liquor basket. There were also a number of smaller gift items donated by individuals and local businesses used for the silent auction and door prizes.

The club is grateful for the major sponsors/donors that made the successful event possible: Tru-Fi Credit union, Jax Wealth, Julie Johnson, Wyatt Milton, Guerry Funeral Home, Muncy Contracting, Rack UP thrift Store, Baker Guns & Gold Pawn, Hagan Gun Gallery, Dinkins & Family Fund Jewelry, Terri’s Italian Kitchen, First Federal Bank, Kendall Lighting, the Powder room portable bathrooms, and Space Coast Armory.

Plans are already in the works for a bigger and better event next year.

Food Plant Solutions Rotary Action Group

Statistics show that approximately 5 children a minute, under the age of 5, die from malnutrition. Food Plant Solutions is taking an ‘EVERY CHILD MATTERS’ approach to this fact. One of the solutions to malnutrition is as simple as growing the right food plants in the right places.

The first 1000 days from conception are critical in a child’s development. If children do not receive adequate quantities of key micro-nutrients during this period, they can be permanently damaged for life. This can include blindness, intellectual disabilities and impaired growth.

THE OBJECTIVES OF FOOD PLANT SOLUTIONS ROTARY ACTION GROUP ARE TO:

End hunger, malnutrition and ensure food security for ALL.
Achieve the above by identifying highly nutritious local food plants and promoting their production using agroecological methods.
Promote food production practices that help to mitigate climate change.

To find out how you can get involved, visit: https://foodplantsolutions.org/

Let’s make history together!

Every donation this week helps obtain the vaccines, materials, transportation, and healthcare workers need to cross the finish line in the fight to #EndPolio

Last Chance!

2024 District Assembly and Conference

Please join us for the 2024 District Training Assembly and Conference May 3-4.

The venue is the Herbert University Center on the campus of the University of North Florida 12000 Alumni Drive, Bldg 43 Jacksonville, FL 32224.

For a full schedule of events please go to the Conference Page on the District website.

Scotch Whisky Tasting

Do you drink Scotch Whiskey? Maybe you have - once, but would like to give it another try. Do you know what peat is, where it comes from, and why anyone would use it to make something that you drink? Do you know the difference between Islay and Speyside? Do you know how to pronounce Bunnahabhain?

Please join PDG George Robertson Burnett on Friday, May 3 at 5pm as he takes us on an educational, entertaining, and tasty adventure through the wonderful world of the national drink of his homeland.

The event will take place at the opening cocktail reception for the District Conference at UNF.

You can register on DacDB as part of the Conference registration. The fee is $60 and all proceeds will go to Polio Plus.

Registration

Patrick Eakes

Rotary International Director Elect 2024-26

PDG District 7690

RC Crescent (Greensboro), NC

Conference Keynote Speaker (Breakfast)

"The Value of Your Rotary Membership"

Kenneth Schuppert

RI President's Rep

Past Rotary Foundation Trustee

Past Vice Pres. Rotary International

Past Rotary International Director

PDG District 6860

RC Decatur, AL

Conference Keynote Speaker (Lunch)

"Create Hope in The World"

Yohani Kayinamura

RC Daytona Beach West

Conference Keynote Speaker (Morning)

"Orphan Aid, A Story of Love, Faith, and Service"

Barbara Spengler

PDG District 5130 (Northern California)

RC Lakewood Ranch, FL

Conference Keynote Speaker (Afternoon)

'The Power of Rotary"

George Robertson Burnett

PDG District 6890

RC Bartow, FL

Conference Keynote Speaker (Dinner)

"It's Rotary...You Can't Be Serious!"

Interact Year End Celebration

Sunday May 5, 2pm - 4pm

River City Science Academy High School Gym

7565 Beach Blvd

Jacksonville, FL 32216

All Interactors from District 6970 are invited to experience guest speaker, Patric Young, ESPN studio host, radio host, and former professional and history-making Gator basketball player for an afternoon of motivation, inspiration, collaboration, and recognition.

Registration fee: $10.00 per student and Rotarian Interact Liaison. Teacher sponsors: Free

Rotarians - Please consider sponsoring this event for your Interact Clubs. This is an amazing opportunity for as many students as possible to experience a professional speaker of Patric Young's caliber.

We do not want finances to be a barrier to this experience. Club level and personal donations are very appreciated. Even if your Rotary or Rotaract club does not currently sponsor an Interact Club and would like to support the Interactors of District 6970, please consider mailing a check to:

Rotary District 6970 - Interact

Attn: Patti Chapman, Exec. Sect.

P.O. Box 47195

Jacksonville, FL 32247

Every attendee will receive a copy of Patric Young's book, Sit to Rise: Turning Your Darkest Pain into Your Brightest Victory.

For additional info, please contact GiGi Carroll, District 6970 Interact Chair

904-614-8409 or e-mail: interact.d6970@gmail.com