District Governor's Message
By: DG Bob MacKenzie, Kennebunk RC
February is a short but mighty month for Rotary as it is Peace & Conflict Resolution month. With regard to Peace, Rotary’s mission is to create environments where peace can be built and maintained. As it relates to conflict, Rotary works to address the root causes of conflict, such as poverty, lack of education, and unequal distribution of resources.Peace & Conflict Resolution is certainly near to my heart considering what I do for work. I typically relate this to the work I do in law enforcement and on a smaller scale as it’s what I see in my community. At the same time our Rotary clubs in 7780 help our communities in many ways related to education, poverty and resources which lead to stronger, safer, more peaceful communities. We may not think about that when we embark on our local service projects. Once again I want to stress that we create positive experiences and help reduce conflict and help build peace in our own part of the world.
On a much larger scale, Rotary is vital to Peace and Conflict Resolution in our world. We hear every day about the instability in our world. We need the Magic of Rotary now, more than ever, to Create Hope in the World! There is hope on the horizon and we are embarking on an exciting era!
Huge shout out to our own Marty Helman, trustee of The Rotary Foundation and president of the Otto and Fran Walter Foundation. The Walter Foundation donated US$15.5 million to fund the center’s operations and fellowships for up to 40 students per year in perpetuity. Rotary International and administrators at Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul, Turkey, will begin recruiting fellowship candidates for a new peace center opening at the university. The Otto and Fran Walter Rotary Peace Center will offer experienced peacebuilders based in the Middle East and North Africa the opportunity to complete a one-year professional development certificate program, earning postgraduate diplomas in peace and development studies.
Smaller scale or larger scale, we are making a difference locally and globally with talented and dedicated Rotarians here in District 7780. All of what I’ve heard during my visits to clubs and seeing the work you do, seeing what Trustee Helman has facilitated in Turkey is a testament to our creating Peace and reducing Conflict, so kudos to you all. You should be proud of what you do as we collectively Create Hope in the World through the Magic of Rotary!