Website: www.fallschurchrotary.org Effective 7/1/16, we meet for dinner on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 6.30pm at Harvest Moon, 7260 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church VA 22042 (dinner $15). On other Thursdays, we may be out volunteering for a local cause, or doing a happy hour at an area restaurant. Check our schedule and program speakers at our website: www.fallschurchrotary.org. Or email us at [email protected]. Mailing address: PO Box 22, Falls Church VA 22040-22.
Website: www.fallschurchrotary.org Effective 7/1/16, we meet for dinner on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 6.30pm at Harvest Moon, 7260 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church VA 22042 (dinner $15). On other Thursdays, we may be out volunteering for a local cause, or doing a happy hour at an area restaurant. Check our schedule and program speakers at our website: www.fallschurchrotary.org. Or email us at [email protected]. Mailing address: PO Box 22, Falls Church VA 22040-22.
Mission: Service Above Self at http://www.rotary.org. We're a fun, diverse group, with club members from around the globe. We meet at 6.30pm on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays, for family-style Chinese dinner at Harvest Moon Restaurant & Lounge (only $15). Other Thursdays, you'll find us out in the community volunteering or enjoying a happy hour in the area. Guests and visiting Rotarians --- and prospective members -- always welcome! Check our website for our meeting program schedule: fallschurchrotary.org or email us at [email protected]. All our links at: https://linktr.ee/FallsChurchRotary #RotariansRock #SmallClubBigImpact #ServiceAboveSelf #WeAreRotary #PeopleOfAction #RotaryOpensOpportunities * * * * * Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. In more than 160 countries worldwide, approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 30,000 Rotary clubs. Local Rotary club membership represents a cross-section of every community's business and professional men and women. The world's Rotary clubs meet several times a month and are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. Mission: The main objective of Rotary is service -- in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotarians develop community service projects that address many of today's most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, and violence. We also support programs for youth, educational opportunities and international exchanges for students, teachers, and other professionals, and vocational and career development. The Rotary motto is Service Above Self. Our members build life-long friendships through fellowship, and obtain personal fulfillment through providing volunteer service to others. Object of Rotary: The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster: 1 - The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; 2 - High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society; 3 - The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business and community life, and 4 - The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service. More at www.rotary.org or for our Rotary District 7610: www.Rotary7610.org.
Some good ideas from District to our west
It's #FlamingoFriday! We know that a lot of our clubs are still meeting virtually right now and that is okay - our Chief Flamingo encourages you to embrace it! Virtual club meetings still provide an opportunity for you to invite a potential Rotarian to join you. Check out these benefits of online meetings...one of these just might entice someone new to join during August Membership Month! #Rotary
eFlashOnline
New personalized fundraising tool coming soon
Fundraising is about to get personal at Rotary with a new online and mobile-friendly program for members and supporters, called Raise for Rotary. Initially only available in English and U.S. currency, Raise for Rotary gives members, donors, and participants a new opportunity to create custom fundraising pages to share with their social networks and raise funds for The Rotary Foundation. The new platform will be promoted in September.
Make plans now to start a virtual fundraiser with Raise for Rotary to celebrate special occasions and share it with family members and friends. Athletic pursuits, tributes, and responses to current events are also popular reasons to garner support for a favorite Rotary cause. This new fundraising platform will help increase our impact with more contributions collected for Foundation funds, such as the World Fund, Polio Fund, Disaster Response Fund, and Rotary's areas of focus.
By sharing these fundraising pages widely on social media, email, or text messaging, more people will learn about and support the good work that Rotary and Rotaract clubs do in local communities and around the world.
Raise for Rotary will be available in more languages and support additional currencies in the coming year.
Contact us for questions.
- RI Announcement
Tiny Buddha
This Sunday 8/16 at 2pm via zoom ... club members invited to our Rotary District 7610 awards announcements and celebration of all our accomplishments from the past Rotary Year that ended 6.30.20:
District 7610
Recognitions & Awards Virtual Program
“Rotary Connects the World”
RY 2019/2020 Achievements
Sunday, August 16, 2020 | 2pm ET
Host: District Governor 19/20, Jonathan Lucus
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82192807724?pwd=RWJISDhja21xNk9oVXVGa1hXSFBWQT09
Meeting ID: 821 9280 7724
Passcode: 738500
Dial in by phone: +1 929 205 6099 US
What makes you proud to be a Rotarian? Chime in at the Comments ⤵️ Past President Diane C. Hill says : "#ServiceAboveSelf and inspiring others to get involved by sharing their talents."
What makes you proud to be a Rotary member?
Via Falls Church Community Service Council:
Another food drive in the neighborhood for FCS . Thanks, Rotary Club!
Many families are struggling in these challenging times. To help at least a bit: our Rotary Club of Falls Church VA is hosting a "𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲" -- now through Sat., Aug. 15 -- to benefit families who depend on our local food pantry, located at Knox Presbyterian Church, operated by the Falls Church Community Service Council.
Hᴇʀᴇ's ʜᴏᴡ ɪᴛ ᴡᴏʀᴋs ᴡɪᴛʜ 3 ᴡᴀʏs ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴅᴏɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ:
>> 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭: Drop off your donations at any time at your convenience by Aug. 15 at Past President Diane Hill's front porch (near our club's non-pandemic meeting location Harvest Moon) at: 6818 Kincaid Ave , Falls Church 22042.
>> 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮: Email us to coordinate a contactless pickup: [email protected].
>> 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟯: On afternoon of Sat. Aug. 15, stop by Diane's front yard with your donations to say hello and meet club members, other Rotarians and neighbors for some socially distanced refreshments!
>> 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲: Canned goods (tuna, fruits, vegetables, sauces). Rice, pasta, energy bars, cooking oil, low-sugar cereals. Giant grocery gift cards also welcome!
𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗻 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗥𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯𝘀: we welcome your help to spread the word to share our flyer and/or to collect donations to partner with us to help families in need. Comment below -- or email FC Club Pres. Rene Calandria at [email protected].
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 🙏 #WeAreRotary #PeopleOfAction #ServiceAboveSelf
Who is hoping it will be safe next June to travel to Taipei for the Rotary International convention?
2021 Taipei Convention - Program highlights
All events take place at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center (TaiNEX) unless otherwise indicated. This information is subject to change, so check back often for the latest updates.
See the events page for a schedule of ticketed events.(https://convention.rotary.org/en/taipei/events)
Friday, 11 June
Rotaract Preconvention
Youth Exchange Officers Preconvention
Intercountry Committees: Opening Opportunities for Peace
Saturday, 12 June
House of Friendship Grand Opening
House of Friendship
Rotaract Preconvention
Youth Exchange Officers Preconvention
Sunday, 13 June
House of Friendship
Opening Ceremony
Monday, 14 June
House of Friendship
General Session 2
Breakout sessions
Tuesday, 15 June
House of Friendship
General Session 3
Breakout sessions
Wednesday, 16 June
House of Friendship
General Session 4
Breakout sessions
Closing Ceremony
Check out our club's Linktree -- https://linktr.ee/FallsChurchRotary -- for easy links to all our digital channels and activities! We did it for Instagram bio -- since insta posts need to refer to 1 url there -- but it's so helpful for so many other reasons 🙃 (Linktree is free basic subscription for anyone, but pro upgrade is free for qualified nonprofit 501c3's, like our club foundation.)
#ServiceAboveSelf since 1952 in Falls Church VA! #WeAreRotary #PeopleOfAction
Share your #WhyRotary story -- and invite a friend, colleague, neighbor or family member to experience the benefits of Rotary membership at a local club in their community!
Rotary Club of Falls Church VA
Rotary Club of Bailey's Crossroads, VA
Bailey's Crossroads Rotary Club's
International Zoom Speakers Series for 2020
on Saturday, August 15th
at 7:00 pm
Our special guest speaker is Joel Kolker, an expert on water and sanitation for Africa and Asia.
Joel is the Program Manager for Global Water Security and Sanitation Partnership (GWSP) and Lead Water Supply and Sanitation specialist with the
World Bank Water Global Practice. Joel has worked on water and infrastructure issues in Asia and Africa for the last 25 years.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89493068884?pwd=ejQrOHFGUW9BY05maXFGVFhBV2NHZz09
Meeting ID: 894 9306 8884
Passcode: 707560
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,89493068884#,,,,,,0#,,707560# US (New York)
+13017158592,,89493068884#,,,,,,0#,,707560# US (Germantown)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 894 9306 8884
Passcode: 707560
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kt0ZMqCvYbe hosting an International Zoom Talk with Joel Kolker.
As with many things during this COVID period, we have had to modify and make changes but our hope is
that we will continue to enjoy, grow, learn and share these event with others within our community,
Sarah Shannon
International Service
,
Our new club brochure is a pdf download via our club website --> https://fallschurchrotary.org/Stories/club-brochure-for-rotary-year-20-21-now-online (front/back rack card) #WeAreRotary #PeopleOfAction #ServiceAboveSelf #RotaryOpensOpportunities #TogetherWeTransform #FallsChurchRotary
eFlashOnline
Jennifer E. Jones makes history, becomes first woman named Rotary president-nominee - Ryan Hyland in rotary.org
Jennifer E. Jones, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, has been nominated to become Rotary International’s president for 2022-23, a groundbreaking selection that will make her the first woman to hold that office in the organization’s 115-year history.
Jones will officially become president-nominee on 1 October if no other candidates challenge her.
Jones says she sees Rotary’s Action Plan as a catalyst for increasing Rotary’s impact.
“As we reflect upon our new strategic priorities, we could have never envisioned that our ability to adapt would become our North Star during what is inarguably the most profound time in recent history,” Jones said in her vision statement. “Silver linings rise out of the most challenging circumstances. Using metric-driven goals, I will harness this historic landscape to innovate, educate, and communicate opportunities that reflect today’s reality.”
As the first woman to be nominated to be president, Jones understands how important it is to follow through on Rotary’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Statement. “I believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion … begins at the top and for us to realize growth in female membership and members under the age of forty — these demographics need to see their own reflection in leadership,” Jones said. “I will champion double-digit growth in both categories while never losing sight of our entire family.”
Jones is founder and president of Media Street Productions Inc., an award-winning media company in Windsor. She was chair of the board of governors of the University of Windsor and chair of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. She has been recognized for her service with the YMCA Peace Medallion, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and Wayne State University’s Peacemaker of the Year Award, a first for a Canadian. Jones holds a Doctor of Laws (LL.D.).
A current Rotary Foundation trustee, Jones has been a Rotary member since 1997 and has served Rotary as RI vice president, director, training leader, committee chair, moderator, and district governor. She played a lead role in Rotary’s rebranding effort by serving as chair of the Strengthening Rotary’s Advisory Group. She is the co-chair of the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee, which aims to raise $150 million for polio eradication efforts.
Jones recently led the successful #RotaryResponds telethon, which raised critical funds for COVID-19 relief and was viewed by more than 65,000. Jones has also received Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service. She and her husband, Nick Krayacich, are members of The Rotary Foundation’s Arch Klumph Society, Paul Harris Society, and the Bequest Society.
The members of the Nominating Committee for the 2022-23 President of Rotary International are: Robert L. Hall, Dunwoody, Metro Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Bradford R. Howard Oakland Uptown, California, USA; Per Høyen, Aarup, Gelsted, Denmark; Peter Iblher, Nürnberg-Reichswald, Zirndorf, Germany; Ashok Mahajan, Mulund, Mah., India; Sam Okudzeto, Accra, Accra, Ghana; Eduardo San Martín Carreño, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Takeshi Matsumiya, Chigasaki-Shonan, Chigasaki Kanagawa, Japan; Michael K. McGovern (secretary), Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA; José Alfredo Pretoni, São Paulo-Sul, São Paulo, Brazil; Saowalak Rattanavich, Bang Rak, Bangkok, Thailand; Hendreen Dean Rohrs, Langley Central, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada; Kenneth M. Schuppert, Jr (chair)., Decatur, Alabama, USA; Ravindra P. Sehgal, Belur, West Bengal, India; Noel Trevaskis, Merimbula, Tura Beach, Australia; Giuseppe Viale, Genova, Genova, Italy; and Chang-Gon Yim, Daegu-West, Daegu, Korea.
- https://www.rotary.org/en/jennifer-e-jones-makes-history-becomes-first-woman-named-rotary-president-nominee
#RotariansRock! To celebrate August as Rotary Membership Month, we created a new slideshow video to highlight our commitment to #ServiceAboveSelf and our many projects and activities, both local and abroad. All welcome to join us via zoom for our meeting this Thursday --> Aug. 6 Program: Founder Of Givr, Mark Ferguson at 6.30pm! #WeAreRotary #PeopleOfAction #LeadersOfAction #ServiceAboveSelf #RotaryOpensOpportunities
Rotary District 7610
The National Rotarians World
The Rotarian Magazine Title Story August 2020
Clubs Made to Order
These clubs keep things fresh with new ideas and new members
By GEOFFREY JOHNSON
illustrations By SJOERD VAN LEEUWEN
What is Rotary?
It’s a whole community of people who are members of Rotary and Rotaract clubs, of course, but it’s also people who participate in programs such as Rotary Peace Fellowships and Rotary Youth Exchange. It’s non-Rotarian members of Rotary Action Groups and Fellowships and of Rotary Community Corps. It’s people who have volunteered on Rotary projects and people who are interested in Rotary’s work and causes.
Rotary is the hub that brings all these people together, each with their own set of skills and expertise, to do good in the world. Today’s Rotarians and Rotaractors continue to extend their reach beyond the boundaries of their clubs, their communities, and their countries. Their most ambitious endeavors invariably go beyond the organization to engage the participation of non-Rotarians. Each of those new affiliations has the potential to elevate Rotary’s profile, improve its opportunities for success, and, when paired with new approaches to club structure, attract new members. The clubs, people, and projects profiled here can serve as inspiration to existing clubs — or to clubs yet to be.
Clubs for a cause have a positive effect
Over the years, Tom Gump has been successful in attracting members to his Rotary Club of Edina/Morningside, Minnesota. But he found himself tapping into the same pool of friends and acquaintances. Lately, Gump, who is now governor of District 5950, has become adept at a new strategy: starting new clubs by harnessing people’s passions.
After learning that 88 percent of the members of new clubs were new to Rotary — which means those clubs weren’t poaching members from existing clubs — he realized that many potential members simply need to find a club that is right for them.
Gump was also concerned about keeping the members Rotary already has. He cites another study that shows people who leave Rotary usually do so within three years of joining. "How do we get them to stay?" he wondered. The answer: "Bring together people with a passion for a cause."
Over the past two years, Gump’s district has created four clubs. One of them is the Rotary Club of District 5950 Passport, which brings together members who had to leave their club because of a job change but wanted to stay with Rotary. The three others are cause-based clubs, beginning with the Rotary Club of Twin Cities Eco. "That was the club that got us started on the new club process," Gump says. "If we can do this with the environment, why not do it with other causes? That was right in front of us."
The next move was to help create the Rotary Club of Minnesota Veterans (District 5950), a first for Rotary. Chartered last fall, the club, with about 50 members, is thriving. Its first blood drive attracted 60 donors, and other projects help both veterans and people currently serving in the military. "Rotary is a perfect fit for veterans," says Brittany Ritchie Sievers, the club’s former membership chair, who spent 10 years in the U.S. Army. "They have an innate need to serve their brothers and sisters in arms and their community."
And in May, in another first for Rotary, the district chartered the Rotary Club of District 5950 Ending Human Trafficking, an e-club with Karen Walkowski as its charter president. Its members include not only Minnesotans but people across the United States and in Thailand and the United Kingdom. "Rotary is the magnet that brings these people together," says Gump, "and all because we’re reaching out to our community in a way we never did before."
The meteoric rise of a fun-focused satellite club
In May, amid the COVID-19 shutdown, the Rotary Satellite Club of London, Ontario, posted an invitation to its next online meeting. It read: "Are you missing human interaction? Do you want to meet new people who do good in the community? Not interested in putting on pants to do all this? Join us at 6:30 p.m."
The pants-optional post was typical for the Canadian club, which attracts new members with a cheeky attitude combined with technological savvy. It was chartered in 2016 as an offshoot of the Rotary Club of London that was meant to be more accessible to younger people. A satellite club, which allows for groups as small as eight people to start a club by tapping into an existing club’s infrastructure, was an ideal way for the Rotary Club of London to plant the seeds for a new, independent club.
"The London club is an older and quite traditional club," says Kirk Langford, a charter member of the satellite club. He means no disrespect. "The satellite model worked well because it provided us with the support and infrastructure of the Rotary Club of London, so we weren’t left to figure everything out on our own. Now we’re getting to the point where we’re ready to become our own club, which is exciting."
The club, which previously met in a local pub, has used events such as dance parties and trivia nights — which moved online during the pandemic — to raise money for projects. A recent raffle provided the winner a year’s supply of beer from a local craft brewer.
"We certainly do have a lot of fun together," says Langford. "After all, if people aren’t having fun and enjoying themselves, they aren’t going to stick around. It’s turned us from a club of strangers who want to do good in the community into a club of friends — people you enjoy spending time with and want to know better."
"We have a wonderful time together,
it doesn’t cost us much,
and we’re making the world a better place."
The club keeps things informal and economical. Heather Macdonald, the daughter of Rotarians and a recent college graduate, joined because it offered a low-cost avenue to lend a hand in her community. Now, she says, "I’m an active Rotarian and likely will be for life. I love my Rotary club and the people in it. We have a wonderful time together, it doesn’t cost us much, and we’re making the world a better place."
With an eye toward the future, the Rotary Satellite Club of London now partners on events with the University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe College Rotaract clubs. "It provides a good opportunity to talk to those members about joining our club after they’re done with school," says Langford.
Now who’s the old-timer?
Create the club you wish existed
Lisa Hunter spent 12 years in Rotaract, joining several clubs as she moved around England. She also served on Rotary International’s Rotaract Committee and as chair of Rotaract in Great Britain and Ireland. When she turned 30 in October 2011, she knew it was time to move on from Rotaract. "But I still wanted to be involved in the Rotary family," she says. "I’d given so much to it in the past and fundamentally believe in everything Rotary does and achieves."
The problem was that Hunter and her other friends in Rotaract couldn’t find a club that fit their lifestyles. Hunter gathered the group in her home in Maidenhead, about 30 miles west of London, to compile a list of reasons that none of them, despite their enthusiasm for Rotary, had yet joined a Rotary club. It was a familiar litany: high costs, inconvenient meeting times, unreasonable demands on young professionals with new careers and families. "This clearly showed there were issues that had to be addressed," says Hunter. "So we talked about what we would want from Rotary — and the Rotary Club of Maidenhead Bridge came to be."
The eight-year-old club meets twice a month on Sundays in a local coffee shop. "This fits in with the style of our club," Hunter says. "It’s relaxed and open to all, plus caffeine is needed on a Sunday morning. The meetings themselves are very informal: no toasts, no grace, not even a roll call. And you won’t see any jackets and ties." Children are welcome, including Hunter’s nine-year-old daughter, who has attended every club meeting and event.
"Our club is very hands-on," Hunter says. "We focus on community needs and how we can roll up our sleeves to help. We are keen to be seen doing things, showing Rotarians in action and shouting about it at the same time. This fits in with the fact that our members do not have large amounts of disposable income. It’s much easier to donate our time rather than hand over cash."
The club has nearly 50 members and continues to grow. "We attract members via our website and online marketing through Facebook, Twitter, Meetup.com, and Instagram," Hunter says. "Our posts are engaging and motivating, and, most importantly, they show our club in action." Members also work to establish and maintain relationships with local leaders in government and business. "They help us to promote our events and give us access to resources. We have proved ourselves as reliable and professional event organizers, and now we find those local leaders coming to our club and asking us to help them, which is wonderful."
The club’s first project, an Easter Family Fun Day in 2012, attracted 250 people and has become its signature annual event. The residents of Maidenhead appreciate that it is a free children’s activity that promotes healthy lifestyles, Hunter says. "It’s also a great event for the children of our members to help out at and put their ideas into play."
started a powerful movement within our communityOpens in modal lightbox
The club sets an annual goal of providing 1,700 hours of volunteer work — though last year, it surpassed the 2,400-hour mark. Among other things, it works with a local food bank, helping collect food donations each week. It has also boosted the profile of the food bank and other local charities through a program called (no kidding) Pimp My Community. "It’s a great hands-on project that our members are passionate about," says Hunter. Members donate their time and expertise to help these organizations improve their branding, marketing, events, and websites, thereby elevating their impact.
"We find local leaders coming to our club and asking us to help them, which is wonderful." "We’ve enjoyed pushing the boundaries of Rotary, changing opinions on what people think Rotary is and what a ‘normal’ Rotarian looks like," Hunter says. "I hope that other clubs consider sponsoring the formation of new Rotary clubs to attract younger people. And I want to see former Rotaractors take the lead to form new clubs. Be persistent and create change. Rotary really can be whatever you want it to be."
This club’s lifeblood is collaboration
Chartered in Addis Ababa in 2004, the Rotaract Club of Abugida indirectly derives its name from Ge‘ez, the classical language of Ethiopia, which includes the four characters ’ä, bu, gi, da. That may explain why the club, after 16 years, has so thoroughly mastered the ABCs of sustaining a healthy and productive club.
The club’s vigor springs in part from its blood drives, which began the same year Abugida was chartered. Recognizing a high demand for blood and a limited number of donors, club members turned to the Ethiopian Red Cross Society, with whom they formed what member Dawit Solomon calls a "collaborative network." The initial blood drive attracted about 30 donors, mainly "fellow Abugidans and the Rotaract family at large." Today the quarterly blood drives attract more than 500 donors — which has prompted the Red Cross to expand the event to two days.
"Our impact, although small at the beginning, started a powerful movement within our community," Solomon says. "The club’s initiative has motivated other groups and local celebrities to take part in the drive" — and the impulse has spread to other Ethiopian Rotaract clubs, who work on blood drives in conjunction with the Abugida Rotaractors. (The spring 2020 blood drive was canceled over concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, but the club encouraged donations to Ethiopia’s National Blood Bank.)
"Our club helped a great deal in meeting Ethiopia’s need for blood," Solomon says. The project has also infused a vitality into the Abugida club, helping it attract new members and retain current ones — the alpha and omega of ensuring Rotary’s future.
The ‘e’ is for expansive reach
Judith Neal has proven that to be a Rotarian, you don’t necessarily need to follow the laws of time and space: The 2019-20 president of the Rotary E-Club of Southern Scotland lives in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Neal comes from a family of dedicated Rotarians. In 1982, she was awarded a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship. Newly married, she and her husband, Richard, traveled from the United States to the United Kingdom, where Judith studied at the University of Bristol. Years later, the couple spent time in Botswana and in Scotland while Richard, a mathematics professor, was on sabbatical.
"Our far-flung members communicate
by email and video chat,
and we try to get together once a year."
In all those places, Neal attended Rotary club meetings. "I met people from all over the world, some of whom are now good friends," she says. But one club in Scotland, she says, was much more traditional than most she had visited, with most members men over the age of 60. "It wasn’t my cup of tea," she recalls.
One rainy day in Scotland, Neal met a woman who was walking her dog. The two got to talking, and Lynne Nelson told Neal about the E-Club of Southern Scotland. "The more she told me about it, the more it seemed like it would be a good fit."
Originally chartered in 2010 as the Rotary Club of Edinburgh Park, the club had changed to an e-club model in 2014 as its members began to disperse to London, Singapore, and other parts of the world. "My husband and I travel quite a bit, and as long as we have an internet connection, I can always attend a meeting," Neal says. "But the greatest appeal is the international aspect of our club.®Our far-flung members communicate by email and video chat, and we try to get together once a year, usually in Scotland" — where she is still friends with Nelson, the woman with the little dog who, on a rainy day, introduced her to Rotary’s ability to transcend space and time.
Interested in starting a new club or learning more about ways to connect through Rotary?
Visit rotary.org/start-club.
PO Box 22
Falls Church, VA
22040-0022
Service Above Self" - The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. More about Rotary and our NoVa district at www.rotary7610.org
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#RotariansRock! To celebrate August as Rotary Membership Month, we created a new slideshow video to highlight our commitment to #ServiceAboveSelf and our many projects and activities, both local and abroad. All welcome to join us via zoom for our meeting this Thursday --> Aug. 6 Program: Founder Of Givr, Mark Ferguson at 6.30pm! #WeAreRotary #PeopleOfAction #LeadersOfAction #ServiceAboveSelf #RotaryOpensOpportunities
More photos of our induction picnic of President Rene's leadership team, as a video collage
More photos from our club Holiday Dinner coming soon! Thanks for planning a fun evening, PP Carlota!
Reminder our club Holiday Party -- including the Ugly Sweater Contest -- is this Thursday the 19th at 6.30pm! Details -- including our collection drive for families at the pediatric oncology/ hematology unit at Children's National Medical Center -- are at: http://bit.ly/FCRotary_HolidayFete19 🎄
Mark your calendars & get ready now for the annual #UglySweaterContest at our club Holiday Dinner on Thursday, Dec. 19, 6.30pm at Harvest Moon Restaurant & Lounge!
More welcoming words about the #FamilyOfRotary and a #Rotary pin for new member Lindsay Barnes from DG Jonathan Lucus...
Welcome and congratulations to our newest club member, Lindsay Barnes! Here is short video oof his pinning ceremony with Rotary District 7610 Membership Chair Ralph Menzel of @rRotary Club of West Springfield-- thank you for your moving words! Dale Lazar of @Rotary Club of McLean, Virginia is a colleague of Linday and recommended he join Rotary .... and our club! #SmallClubBigImpact #WeAreRotary #PeopleOfAction #ServiceAboveSelve #RotaryConnectsTheWorld
Maybe you -- or someone you know -- have seen a need in our community and wondered how you could help. Maybe you want to use your professional skills to help others -- or even learn new skills. Maybe you're seeking connections with other service-minded professionals, locally and abroad. Then maybe #Rotary is for you!
The Rotary Club of Falls Church is a fun, diverse group of civic-minded professionals, with club members of various ages and professions, from around the globe. We are a close, small club -- often cited by our Rotary District 7610 with the “Best Small Club” citation. We are proud of the critical impact we make with our hands-on volunteer and financial support to make the world a better place. #SmallClubBigImpact We have been designated a district #PeaceBuilderClub.
During the #SaferAtHome pandemic period, we are meeting online via Zoom. We meet at 6.30pm on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays -- and in more “usual” times, enjoy family-style Chinese dinner at Harvest Moon Restaurant & Lounge (only $15): 7260 Arlington Blvd. (Rte. 50, across from Loehmans Plaza, now called Graham Park Center), Falls Church VA 22042.
Other Thursdays, you'll find us out in the community volunteering or enjoying a happy hour in the area. Guests and visiting Rotarians --- and prospective members -- always welcome! Check our page for our meeting program schedule or email us at [email protected] for the zoom meeting details. Our website and other digital channels are at linktr.ee/FallsChurchRotary.
Here are photos from some recent club volunteer projects:
The Rotary Club of Falls Church has been an integral part of the community since 1952. Our club was chartered by the Rotary Club of Arlington, and is part of Rotary International’s District 7610, the northern and eastern regions of Virginia (http://www.rotary7610.org), Zone 33. The club’s banner acquired its design from a small colonial Church in the 1700s -- The Falls Church -- which obtained its name from the nearby Little Falls of the Potomac River. Our Rotary Club of Falls Church Foundation was founding in the early 1990s to facilitate our support to the community.
#RotariansRock #SmallClubBigImpact #ServiceAboveSelf #WeAreRotary #PeopleOfAction #RotaryConnectstheWorld #RotaryOpensOpportunities
National Association of State EMS Officials
201 Park Washington CtFalls Church Education Foundation
800 W Broad StCity of Falls Church Government
300 Park AveCity of Falls Church Office of Voter Registra
300 Park Ave, Rm 101ECity of Falls Church Economic Development Off
300 Park Ave
Marshall Academy Automotive Technology
7731 Leesburg Pike
American Muslims for Palestine
6404 Seven Corners Pl
Watkins Community Action Group
2019 Burfoot St
Mary Riley Styles Public Library
120 N Virginia Ave
Falls Church High School Falls Church Virgini
7521 Jaguar Trl
Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch-AFHSB
7700 Arlington Boulevard
