Happy holidays! I cannot believe that it is December already and it is freezing outside. The year continues to fly by. Before we get to the news of the month, I wanted to thank each one of you for all you do for Rotary. Especially during the holidays. You help make the holidays special for those who need our help. You tirelessly donate, work on projects, donate gifts and food and more. You think of others during this special time. It takes a special person to go beyond themselves and think of others. There is a special name for all of you, it is called ROTARIANS. You make each day brighter for so many who need light in their lives. I am honored to be counted as one of you! Thank you again for all you do.
December is Disease Prevention and Treatment month, focusing on global health, especially polio eradication, mental health, and access to care. Our efforts targeting malaria, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, maternal health and improving clean water and sanitation are highlighted in December. Increased focus on recognizing and treating mental health issues including addiction to reduce stigma and increase awareness are in the forefront. December is a month to invite medical professionals to your meetings to learn more on how to help.
December is also traditionally “Family Month” for holiday events and features club elections for next year, combining service with community bonding and end of the year charity drives. Do not forget about Operation Full Plate!
Foundation Celebration
Congratulations to IPDG Dale Smith, Foundation Chair Dave Jones, and the entire team for an outstanding celebration of our Foundation giving. Our district made us proud as we had fifty-four new Paul Harris Society members (members who donated $1,000 during the Rotary year) in 2024-25. We had four clubs that attained Every Rotarian Every Year status for the year as well. We also had six graduates from our own Leadership 6630 class of 2025. Our top giving clubs per capita were:
Mentor $379.63
Westlake-Bay Village $324.57
Lakewood-Rocky River Sunrise $314.29
Our dessert dash raised over $3,400 for the Polio Plus campaign. We collected a significant amount of warm clothing we donated to warming centers in each county in our District. Thank you all for your generous contributions and support of the Rotary Foundation.
Interaction 2025
This is like a broken record with touting how well Interaction 2025 was celebrated this year at Aurora High School. If you have never been to this event, I highly recommend it as it shows that our youth are ready and able to take the baton of the future. We had over two hundred students from over twenty schools come together for celebration and planning for the coming year. The students picked assisting foster kids with supplies and care gifts as they move from one foster location to the next. We cannot imagine what these children go through, but the Interact Clubs want to be there to support and help them in their transitions. Stay tuned for more extras than we have planned for the district conference.
Peace Scholars
Did you notice the slide show on Rotary Peace Scholars at the Foundation Celebration? We hope so. Rick Pollak of the Rotary Club of Cuyahoga Falls is the chair of our Peace Scholars committee for the District. We have recently re-imagined the message that we want all in our district to hear. 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. Over 1,800 leaders have trained in this program since 1999. There are eight Peace Centers worldwide. District 6630 has always been a supporter, with our last candidate Wisdom Ado has focused on disability inclusion and women/youth in peacebuilding. We have shaken up the committee that now includes Rick Pollak, Elana Koh, and Tina Ingraham to market this wonderful program. Here is a taste of what you will be seeing:
Have you seen our social media postings yet? There will be many more, as well as a few follow up emails. We will not overburden you, but we would be remiss if we did not make you aware of this amazing Rotary Program!
Peace is so much more than an absence of war!
“Peace” is not just what happens when conflict stops; it is what happens when people feel safe, respected, and able to live with dignity. True peace includes:
• Emotional peace — a sense of calm, security, and trust.
• Social peace — fairness, justice, and healthy relationships between people.
• Economic peace — stability, opportunity, and freedom from constant worry.
• Inner peace — clarity, balance, and acceptance.
• Community peace — environments where people can thrive, not just survive.
It is the presence of conditions that allow life to flourish — not just the absence of violence.
Rotary’s Peace Fellowship Program has been training and uniting global leaders working to create lasting peace since 2002. Since that time, our district has trained seventeen successful Peace Fellows to date and we have the power/opportunity to send the next generation of changemakers into the world.
Rotary’s extremely competitive Peace Fellowship Program offers a no-cost master’s degree to up to ten candidates at each of the five Rotary Peace Centers around the globe annually. (A no cost professional development certificate program, at one of two different Rotary Peace Centers, is also an option.) Do you know of someone who has a passion for positive peace? Try Peace Fellowships | Rotary International or contact Rick Pollak (grantmakingservices@gmail.com) with questions.
PEACE,
District 6630 Peace Fellowships Committee
Stay tuned for more on Peace Scholars and Peacebuilding Clubs!
Peace Building Clubs
We are on a slow but steady path introducing clubs to the opportunity to be Peacebuilding Clubs within our District. Currently The Rotary Club of Stow-Munroe Falls has become the first member of the Rotary Action Group for Peace Ohio Chapter. We hope this grows exponentially in the next year. What club would not want to have the moniker Peacebuilding club next to their name? What does it mean? It means your club is dedicated to promoting and setting an example of peace in everything we do. We all do that now, but this gives us a chance to shout to the world that our goal is world peace and our actions each year demonstrate just that. From education with the dictionary project to our efforts to eliminate conflict, this is a great way to further our four-way test. I will be sending out in a separate email the steps to take to have the Peacebuilding logo next to your name. This aligns us with the Peace Scholars program and gives us a path moving forward! PLEASE discuss making your club a Peacebuilding club for our district. My goal is to have fifty clubs be Peacebuilding clubs at some point in the future. Reach out if this is something your club would like to do.
ALL OHIO Presidents Elect Training (AOP)
Is it that time of year again? Yes it is! Each Rotary Club is charged each year with naming and replacing their club leader. It is an honor and privilege to be nominated for this position to lead their club. Being a realist, there are several clubs that have not made that choice. Please look within yourself and step up to fill this important position. I can tell you it was one of the most gratifying and rewarding jobs I have ever had. Your club has your back and will support your leadership during the year. If your club does not have a President-Elect for next year, what about you? You will thank me if you throw your hat into the ring.
District Governor Elect Terri Speck has been working hard on making this a life changing experience for all our fifty Presidents-Elect. Terri was once a club President-Elect and her and her group of four other DGEs of our state has developed a great program. We are excited for you to attend. All Ohio PETS training is at the Renaissance hotel in Columbus from March 13-15th. Registration for the event starts on 1/1/26 at allohiopets.org. Hotel reservations are now open, but registration for the event opens January 1st. We have great speakers scheduled including our own Director Brian Hall, Rotary International President Elect Larry Lunsford, and internationally renowned speaker Michael Angelo Caruso. Remember, the District has allocated a $400 stipend for PE’s that attend to offset the cost of the event. Last year we had 57% of PEs attend. We added the stipend to get that number at 100%. Step up and register, your club needs you to be well prepared.
Youth Exchange
Let us talk about my favorite program of Rotary. What a concept. Let's find young adults who are willing to explore the world and have Rotary pay for it! We are looking for High School students, ages 14-19 that are looking to expand their horizons and travel to different lands. One year and 80-day programs are available for the asking. These programs usually cost over $40,000 on as a pay as you go, but Rotary makes those costs manageable. Rotary is usually ¼ of the cost of private programs. Not willing to commit to a one-year program? We have Youth Exchange Lite or a Short-Term Exchange program that your child spends 30 days in a different country and then brings back a fellow student from another country to spend with your family for a month. Come explore the opportunities for your children and grandchildren with the Rotary Exchange Program.
Youth Exchange Cavaliers Game
We have four international Youth Exchange Students along with five exchange candidates that will be attending the Cavaliers-Wizards game on February 1, 2026, 7pm at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. There is a reception with the students for all Rotarians to attend at the Clevelander (834 Huron Road) at 5:00PM. Come spend some time with our future world travelers and learn more about this tremendous program before an exciting Cav’s game as we march toward our next championship. Please see our website for more information or call Youth Exchange Chair Kevin Wermer at 330-592-1622. Sign up and see our future leaders (download the form here).
Operation Full Plate
I am so happy to report the support the district has shown for this much needed and exciting “competition” within our Zone. Each year, as clubs and districts, we strive to find ways to provide resources to those that need our help. This year Zones 30 & 31 has developed a way to quantify and celebrate what we do each year. Since the start of this program on December 10th, I have been amazed by what this District has done. The money, food, hours donated by Rotarians and hours worked by non-Rotarians have been phenomenal. We still have a long way to go until the “contest” ends January 10th. We are tracking money donated, hours spent and Public Image posts made to help end hunger and food insufficiency. Please CLICK HERE and log in any time or treasures donated to this cause. We will have totals after January 10th. Grand prize district winner will receive $5,000 toward a membership program. Do not just sit there, step up and help, your talent, time, and treasure are what makes Rotary great!
RYLA Camp
One of our best Leadership Programs to help build our future is being held at Hiram College June 21st-25th, 2026. District 6630 Camp RYLA is a 5-day leadership training camp which focuses on personal and professional development of high school students. Rotary Clubs throughout the world are committed to helping shape the leadership skills of today’s youth. Camp RYLA IS ONE WAY Rotarians achieve this goal. Do you want to give your child/grandchild the skills to exceed in life? Camp RYLA is a good start. This 5-day program only costs $600, but the benefits are immeasurable. We have less than 75 spots available so please reach out to Marc West bwmarcwest@gmail.com to learn more and to register. Trust me, this is an investment in your children you want to make.
Grant Management Seminars
Each year, the funds we donate to The Rotary Foundation come back and support our district. Fifty percent of the funds donated come back to our district to fund District and Global grants, as well as the Peace Scholarship Program and Polio Plus. This year we received over $45,000 to fund our local projects. To qualify for these grants, clubs must have an average per capita donation of over $40 and have two club members attend a grants management seminar. These seminars are important as they help clubs maneuver through the process of qualifying and applying for these grants. Grant totals are a match of up to $2,500 of a club amount for a district project. Two members must attend the seminars, which are zoom meetings on the following dates:
Saturday, February 21st – 9:30am
Wednesday March 4th – 6:30pm
Saturday, March 21st – 9:30am
These are the only three seminars scheduled to qualify for grants so make sure your club has two members signed up to attend. REMEMBER - GRANTS MUST BE FILED BY MAY 15th TO QUALIFY! Do not miss the seminars or the filing dates to qualify.
Membership Events
Remember, the District has allocated $9,000 to help clubs with membership events to attract new members. Clubs must complete three things:
- Have a membership committee of three or more people.
- Develop an action Plan to increase Membership.
- Implement a way to measure the success of the program.
Clubs that meet these goals are eligible for a match of up to $2,500 for a membership event for their club, neighboring clubs, or clusters. So far, we have four clubs that have either applied or are applying for this free money! Once the $9,000 is spent, it is gone so apply today. Please contact IPDG Dale Smith at D6630DGDale@gmail.com for more information and examples of the action plan for you to use. Please take advantage of these District programs!
District Conference
We are so excited about our Annual District Conference, which will be held at the Marriott East in Warrensville Heights starting at 2pm, Friday, April 24th through Saturday April 25th. We have so much planned for you! More information will be posted in our next newsletter along with the registration information and schedule of events. If you liked last year’s conference, you will love this year! We have shortened the conference to begin on Friday afternoon instead of morning to accommodate all those working and to be less expensive both monetarily and time wise. Please make plans to attend and celebrate with fellow Rotarians how we Unite for Good. I promise it will be a wise investment of your time.
Make that next step and register and attend many of our great events. We are only as good as our members, and we need to see your smiling faces at these events.
Whew, that was a lot! I hope I have informed you without boring you. We have a great District with so much going on! Please participate in any way you can.
Please let me know how I can make this newsletter more informative or anything that I can do to make your Rotary experiences greater.
Remember, I work for you and I want to make this year your best Rotary year ever! Happy Holidays, enjoy your family and friends and help your neighbors and friends whenever possible!
Yours in Rotary,
Bob Oborn
District Governor Rotary International District 6630
Stow-Munroe Falls Rotary Club
Tel: 330-801-0159
Email: rorotary20252026@gmail.com