D-2452 DG' Newsletter - August 2022

District 2452 Issue #2 August - Membership Month Awards Rearranged, District Membership Vision for restructured and this Rotarian Year now revealed ! District Dues Remembrance & Budget Explained Page August 12: International Youth Day as Celebrated by Rotarians 1

CONTENT Please click on the link below to view the video https://youtu.be/V82vT8RdUpM 2

Presidential Message Jennifer Jones President 2022-23 August 2022 We’ve all taken our own path to become a member of Rotary. Some of you joined because your father was a Rotarian. Some of us signed up because an employer tapped us on the shoulder and asked us to attend a meeting. Others became members only after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling made it possible. Yet each of us entered through one mechanism — an invitation. An invitation that unlocks our imaginations and allows us to know that everything and anything is possible. Each one of us has that same Jennifer Jones opportunity — the honor to extend an invitation. It is awe-inspiring to imagine how we can look vibrant and relevant for decades to come. A out across our communities and identify our few years ago, our Rotary Board set the future leaders. It’s often tempting to attract ambitious goal of increasing the share of people who are exactly like us. It’s a special female members to 30 percent by 2023. We form of ingenuity to consider how people who have less than a year to go, but I believe we can are seemingly very different can, in fact, meet and exceed this share our values and target. We need Rotary have some of those leaders to rise from same talents, just every continent, waiting to be culture, and creed. We unleashed. It’s time for need young members Rotary to take our next and young thinkers to step in advancing take on larger roles Diversity, Equity, and and responsibilities. Inclusion (DEI) across We need to listen to our organization. Embracing an experience new Rotary members where people feel included is more than just just as keenly, and with as much respect, as making our membership numbers more those with many years of membership. During diverse. It’s about making our meetings and our recent convention in Houston, we heard events places where we can speak openly and from astronauts about their journeys into honestly with each other, where our members space. We reflected upon a time in the 1960s feel welcome and safe. This means removing when U.S. barriers for entry and opening doors for President John F. Kennedy urged the world to inclusion. Our values remain our strength — dream, with his declaration that we would “go and our commitment to excellence requires us to the moon [and do] other things, not because to maintain high standards for our members as they are easy, but because they are hard.” well. I believe we are all committed and Fully committing Rotary to DEI and meeting our determined to advancing DEI across Rotary. ambitious membership targets may seem as This is rooted in the deepest traditions of our unlikely as a moon shot. But I know that when organization, and it will ensure that we remain people of action are committed to a big goal, we make it worth every ounce of our energy. 3

Trustee Chair’s Message Ian H.S. Riseley Trustee Chair 2022-23 August 2022 Ian H.S. Riseley During my travels, Rotary often comes up in conversation. Most people associate us with local projects and fundraisers — which is great — but few know what a global force Rotary is. It’s easier to understand this aspect of Rotary through an example, such as how Rotary responded to the devastating bushfires in Australia in late 2019 and early 2020. The result of extreme drought, global warming, and adverse weather conditions, the fires caused catastrophic damage. The need for help was obvious and substantial. No stranger to forest fires themselves, Canadian Rotarians knew the best way to help was through The Rotary Foundation. They were soon joined by Rotary clubs and districts in other countries and Taiwan, resulting in three Foundation global grants totaling $280,000 to support the economic recovery of farmers affected by these fires. One farmer wrote a letter of thanks on behalf members. Everybody wins. To me, Rotary and of the remote communities we helped, saying its Foundation are inseparable — you can’t they “were in disbelief that Rotary clubs from have one without the other. They are two sides other countries would step up and help our of the same coin. I love the friendship and relatively small farming region” and adding that fellowship and projects I experience as a “they were very grateful and honored to be member of the Rotary Club of Sandringham, considered worthy of such aid.” Australia; but I am also thrilled to be part of a Friends, this is the kind of impact your global movement that is changing the lives of Foundation has every single day around the countless people through The Rotary world and why it deserves the support of all Foundation. Remember that other side of the Rotary members. The most significant projects Rotary coin and support your Foundation. By done in Rotary’s name are those accomplished doing so, you will also be supporting your through The Rotary Foundation. The list goes fellow members who are bringing to life the on and on. Think of the impact of our polio projects our world truly needs. eradication efforts, our peace education programs, and our Programs of Scale grants. All Think of the impact of our polio eradication these efforts to make the world a better place efforts, our peace education programs, and our emanate from our Foundation. The Foundation Programs of Scale grants. All these efforts to also impacts our club experience, membership, make the world a better place emanate from partnerships, and so much more. The more our Foundation. visibility and impact we have through Foundation projects; the more people want to be part of what we are doing as partners or as 4

District Governor’s Message George Azar August 2022 “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” Pablo Picasso District Governor Rotarians’ gift is humanity & goodwill! Dear Fellow Rotarians, George Azar Impact starts with our members and within our Rotary Clubs. Change makers like you see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change! Rotary today, is 1.4 million passionate individuals in 46,000+ clubs worldwide because together we lead change in our own backyards and across the world. August is Membership month, and in Rotary’s world, everyone’s a winner! We are reaching the end of the month, I felt that we like: age, religion, faith, sexual orientation and gender should all remind ourselves that membership is an identity, age, languages spoken, culture, disability, ongoing part of being a Rotarian, so we do not confine marital status, and socioeconomic status, as well as ourselves to making an effort on membership during differences in ideas, thoughts, values, and beliefs. August only. When we look at the data available to us, according to I am urging each Rotary Club in our District to Rotary Club Central, we don’t have a full picture of the implement the below plan throughout the Rotary Year: demographic composition of Rotarians worldwide, or • Assess and Adapt in our District. However, from the information • Engage current members available, we can deduce that women constitute 27% • Connect with prospective members of our membership. • Make new members feel welcome The other metric that we have through Rotary Club • Create an inclusive club culture Central is age. This is limited by the number of • Strengthen your club members who have actually reported their birthdates All of the above practices will help in elevating your in Club-Runner, however, of the 25% of Rotarians who Rotary Club and most importantly you will have a more have reported their age, only 44 are under the age of innovative union with new membership categories that 29, 448 are between the ages of 30 & 49 and 1,473 are will attract new members. over the age of 50. Moreover, Rotary International; recognizes the value Looking at the numbers in both the Gender and Age of diversity within individual clubs, especially clubs categories, there is a lot of work to be done to have a that reflect their community in terms of professional more diverse membership in our district. and business classification, gender, age, religion and If you look at the membership in a typical Rotary club ethnicity are the clubs with the keys to the future. in our District, it might look like it reflects the Potential club members are everywhere. But to get demographics in that community; however, there is them to join Rotary, clubs must use creativity and not enough information to reflect the actual situation. imagination; and cultivate a diverse, equitable, and When we talk about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, it inclusive culture to attract these members. is important for us to look at equity when opening our By recognizing that individuals from certain groups doors for membership. We need to ask ourselves two have experienced barriers to membership, questions: “Are we giving each person who might wish participation, and leadership, we can commit to to join Rotary an equal chance?” and “Are we giving advancing equity in all aspects of Rotary, starting with each Rotarian in our club the necessary access to membership, so that through Rotary, each person has resources, opportunities, networks and support to the necessary access to resources, opportunities, thrive?” in considering these questions we can networks and support to thrive. Rotary is committed to continue to advance on DEI. being honest and transparent about where we are in DEI is not just about demographics, it’s about our DEI journey and continues to learn and do better. everyone and Rotary needs everyone. We live in a very diverse district, not only in terms of ethnicity, race and color, but also in all other areas, Thank you. 5

Editor’s Word It’s August again! The month Rotary dedicated as membership month, a reminder that we need to promote Rotary recruit new members and make sure our club members are satisfied with their experience in Rotary. But beyond that, for me, it is the month where I reflect back on all the members I got to meet in Rotary and all the marvelous experiences I got the chance to live with Is it that those my fellows in service. Is it that those moments we share that moments we share that make us make us family, or is it the family, or is it the feeling that feeling that we’re family that we’re family that make those Rita Imad make those moment so special? moment so special? Throughout the years, I got to acknowledge As well as the passionate District Newsletter that the stairway to a real Rotary experience team who worked so hard all month long to depends, not solely, but greatly, on our ability bring this issue together: to accept new positions and diving all in Nancy Mjally, Elise Nassif, Elie Gharios, Jessy throughout a Rotarian year. It’s only by doing Neim, Zina Yassine, Martine Demerjian, this, that new doors open and behind every Rayan Tahtouh, Johnny Assaf, Sarah Ghaleb& door awaits new people that we get the Sabine Mirza chance to meet and work with closely with. And don’t we all agree that inside every new Without you, none of this would have been human being we meet, lies endless possible! opportunities to grow and learn? As this year’s editor of the District Newsletter, I’d also like to thank every member who’s I got the chance to meet many beautiful souls taking the time to create the content and and hardworkers that I’d like to thank on this sending them via their respected Country occasion! Chair, and thank you Rotary for all the The driven Country Chairs: endless embedded opportunities we get the Yousif Al-Najjar(Bahrain) chance to grab as we’re busy coming Amany Dahir(Palestine) together to try and make this world a better DDG Rola Hamdan(UAE) place! DDG Rajai Kamel (Sudan) Manal El-Nammari(Jordan) Good reading everyone! Eva Slika (Lebanon) Nada Panaviotti(Cyprus) Anahit Markosyan&Lilya Organova(Armenia) Pavle Tvaliashvili(Georgia) 6

MEMBERSHIP It’s membership month! And this Rotarian Year, three leaders from our district are handling membership, District Chairs: Farid Mcharbech, Kamal Ahmadieh, Rana Salhab (listed by alphabetical order) This umbrella has been split into three committees that work independantly but together they form the bigger picture. We interviewed* them all three to get to know what are their plans for this year . * The interviews are also presented following their first names’ alphabetical order Throughout the past few years, We also highlighted the importance of creating a positive Rotary International has never experience for the first contact of any prospective member joining stopped adopting new club models clubs by invitation or through RI membership leads. That’s when and further exhibited very creative, entrance interviews are vital to understanding prospective innovative, and flexible ways to members’ expectations and reasons for joining our tackle the most challenging topic in organization to ultimately be able to give them the Rotary Rotary; Membership. experience they look for. “Gaining and Retaining” counterpart We need to keep reminding and drive each other in a continuous interrelated process. ourselves that Membership is District and Country leaders are all facilitators dedicated to guiding Membership and Engagement driven by ongoing club clubs in setting their membership District Committee Chair experiences. Comfort and care priorities, helping them build a are major pillars for members’ strategy, and driving them toward PP Farid Musharbash an action plan to achieve goals; Rotary Club of Amman satisfaction, but without listening however, without the vibrancy, Citadel – Jordan to our members, we won’t commitment, and teamwork of our Club leaders, committees and understand why they joined, their members, we will miss the key success factors of Membership expectations, their needs, and and the center of the health and strength of our clubs. why some want to leave. District 2452 Member This year as “District and Satisfaction Mass Survey Results will be announced in the Countries Membership and District Membership Seminar Engagement Committee” we unquestionably set our main priority to motivate all clubs to fill the member satisfaction survey, a wonderful and efficient tool that allows us all to learn more about our clubs’ environment, our members and their experiences. This survey will help clubs identify areas that Comfort and care are major pillars require action and for members’ satisfaction, but improvement so without listening to our members, we members can always won’t understand why they joined, value their membership their expectations, their needs, and and continue to build a why some want to leave. stronger Rotary. https://forms.gle/7qNQ1MgUA2zE3qb88 7

MEMBERSHIP Membership Growth Kamal Ahmadieh, Membership Growth District Chair Membership growth is the main concept that every Rotary International and club president face. Despite all activities in growing membership, we didn’t achieve our goals and that’s why Rotary created some fundamental changes stated as below : 1- Flexibility to maintain current and attract potential members. 2- A new path in Rotary membership is opened with New membership types and Club models. Kamal Ahmadieh 3- Encourage growth in membership by having new Clubs with new models to expand our reach to new communities with diverse groups of individuals, enhance participant engagement, and increase the ability to adapt. Despite the belief that every new club is a competitor to existing clubs, it’s an added value because no Rotary Club in the world can possibly serve all leaders in the community at the same time. Let’s be creative and flexible by sponsoring the above stated changes in order to enhance participants and increase the ability to change lives. With active and potential members Rotary can and will. To sum up, As we promise you to always deliver superior experiments, we will strive our best to stay up to and exceed your expectations here at Rotary. In your faith we trust. https://fb.watch/ffiJ9hh8Cb/ 8

MEMBERSHIP Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Rana Ghandour Salhab By Rana Ghandour Salhab, chair of the District Committee for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 1. Could you please explain the 2. What’s your action plan for this year as a newly introduced pillar for committee to reach your final target? membership: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion The new DEI district committee’s ultimate aim is (DEI)? And why was it created? to have a diverse, equitable, and inclusive Cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture at the district and clubs’ levels, and also culture is essential for Rotary to realize our grow Rotary in our district, and diversify clubs to vision of a world where people unite and take better represent communities by reaching action to create lasting change. Rotarians and underrepresented groups of potential new all people hold visible and invisible qualities that Rotarians such as women and younger inherently make them unique, and we need to generations. This will be realized when all strive to create an inclusive culture where each Rotarians in our district exemplify the Rotary person knows they are valued and belong. code of conduct, be aware of behaviors and Historically, individuals from certain groups processes that hinder such a culture, and experienced barriers to membership, contribute to a positive environment in which all participation, and leadership, hence our current are respected and valued. Such a culture will focus on DEI as we need to commit to greatly contribute to attracting and retaining advancing equity in all aspects of Rotary, members. including in our community partnerships, so The action plan is focused on a number of that each Rotarian has the necessary access to streams to include running DEI awareness resources, opportunities, networks, and workshops and webinars, integrating DEI in support to thrive. It is thus necessary to commit external and internal engagement and to the DEI journey as an organization and its communications, tracking DEI metrics, members, raise awareness not only on the why, surveying members and clubs to support them but also on the how, set goals and be in their plans, and encouraging clubs to put DEI accountable for enhancing our inclusive culture, goals in their strategy. Ultimately it is about one and all. making DEI best practices and processes part of the DNA of our district and clubs. 9

MEMBERSHIP Committee members Diversity, Equity & Inclusion RTN RANA GHANDOUR SALHAB By Rana Ghandour Salhab, chair of District Committee Chair RY22-23 the District Committee for LEBANON Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (continued) Beirut Cosmopolitan 3. Rotary has been known for the past PP MAHER AL-KHAIYAT decades to be a “classified” NGO, it was Vice Chair & Country Chair- Jordan ‘prestigious” to be accepted in Rotary, now we’re JORDAN going in a totally different direction. Do you think Amman Jerash there will be any kind of resistance from clubs towards this change in Rotary’s school of thought? RTN RAFFY DIKIJIAN Embracing equitable and inclusive practices is not Country Chair- UAE going to a totally different direction. It is part of the UAE evolution of Rotary to grow and prosper and better Palm Dubai impact our communities. But let me address the concern of some that by admitting more diverse RTN ARTEM HAKOBYAN groups, we lose some of the coveted features of Country Chair- Armenia Rotary. Firstly, DEI is not only about prospective ARMENIA members; it is about retaining current Rotarians Yerevan Panarmenia and Rotaracts by giving equitable opportunities to all to grow, lead and prosper. Secondly, while PP NADEEN aiming for better representation of classifications, BABOUN HANNA age groups and others in each community, we will Country Chair- Palestine & continue to apply strict but equitable screening Committee Coordinator criteria to ensure that any candidate is a fit for the PALESTINE mission of Rotary, has similar values, and is able Bethlehem and willing to exert effort, skills and time to exemplify service beyond self. RTN NOORA AL HADDAD 4. As a member of District 2452, how can my club Country Chair- Bahrain & me as a member be aligned with your vision as BAHRAIN District Chair of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion? Seef Bahrain It is all about awareness of personal biases and accountability to address them. I would start with all PP NICOLE of us acknowledging that there is more for us to learn PHINOPOULOU and do in order to ensure that our culture reflects Country Chair- Cyprus and exemplifies wider diversity, equity and inclusion CYPRUS in all ways. We need to understand that the behavior Nicosia-Lefkothea and action of each participant contributes to the culture of Rotary, and that making lasting change will RTN DIANA COTRAN take time and effort. DEI is a journey not a sprint. Country Chair- Lebanon LEBANON 5. Do you believe this new direction will affect Beirut Cosmopolitan Rotary’s image and branding? Yes, I do and for the better. The DEI district 10 committee will be working with other district committees, namely the membership, and image district committees towards realizing the DEI goals.

District Awards: Rearranged, Restructured and now Revealed! District Awards Vice Chair, “Connect To Change” RY 22-23 The district awards committee under the leadership of our District Governor George Azar, is delighted to announce an additional award Amal Shams ceremony during this year’s District Conference. This year we introduced new changes through merging different award categories. Our aim is to encourage more participation, simplify the application process, and ensure all clubs are given an equal opportunity to qualify and win. Individuals, Non-Rotarians, and Rotarian awards are all considered Rotary International Awards, while Club awards are District Awards. Click the link below to access all District Award forms District Awards Google Drive Stay tuned!!! You will be receiving the forms by email within the next few days as well! Did you know? About the Toastmasters& Rotary’s Collaboration _ How to get involved? After decades of avoiding public speaking, Rotarian Terry Beard decided to confront his fears head on. A friend introduced him to Toastmasters, where he learned to be comfortable in front of an audience, while also enhancing his leadership skills. Wanting to create a safe harbor for others to grow as he had, Beard launched the Portland Rotary Toastmasters club which includes members of the Rotary Club of Portland, Oregon, USA but is also open to the public. “We started it to help members develop their voice and grow in leadership skills,” he says. “But we got so much more than we anticipated. “ Rotary International and Toastmasters International are now collaborating to give Rotary members increased opportunities for personal and professional growth. Rotary members have access to explore public speaking tips, videos, podcasts, and more from Toastmasters. Here’s how you and your Rotary club can get involved in this collaboration: 1. Visit a local Toastmasters club to learn more about the organization. Toastmasters has 16,800 clubs in 143 countries, so you’re likely to find one near you. Go to toastmasters.org/find-a-club 2. Ask a member of Toastmasters to visit or speak at your club. 3. Invite a Toastmasters member to participate in a club service activity or attend a social event. 4. Work with your local Toastmasters club to hold a joint event so your members can discuss potential collaboration opportunities. If you have any news related to you collaborating with Toastmasters in any way, please share with your District Newsletter Country Chair to get it featured in our upcoming publications. 11

SNEAK PEAK INTO ROTARACT’S WORLD A message from DRR Maggie Poposka To Rotaractors: This year we are Accelerating Our Vision - aiming to catch up the Maggie Poposka novelties by Rotary, as we are elevated for the purpose of having more tools and resources and better journey in this amazing organization. All to make higher impact on society. To Rotarians: - Thank you for Elevating Rotaract. Let’s learn from each other from a smooth transition. Let’s still appreciate our own authenticities. We are only bringing more boost to the existing success of Rotary. All to make higher impact on society. Let’s get to know each other: 12

SNEAK PEAK INTO ROTARACT’S WORLD Let’s shed the lights on a random Rotaractor! Anhal Kozhaya Anhal Kozhaya I am Anhal Kozhaya, senior in Political Science 2- What pushed you into launching and International Affairs with a minor in Legal a new club? Studies at the Lebanese American University. I The reason behind having this club is because am the founder and Immediate Past President of Maghdoûché has been forgotten for several Rotaract Beirut Cedars and the current years and haven’t received proper attention and international services director. In fact, I reactivate development from social entities and Rotaract Saginaw Valley State University in International organizations. Therefore, having a Michigan and received my first Paul Harris Rotary Club in Maghdoûché can provide its Fellowship pin. I have been in the Rotary/Rotaract people and communities with the needed family for one year, yet I have managed to grow development on the professional, communal, stronger simply because I had the support I societal, and environmental levels. Without needed. Therefore, increasing membership and further ado, Rotary is resembling the vitamins developing new clubs is my new mission in Rotary needed for a land to become fertile; hence, and Rotaract for Rotary is recognized to be the Maghdoûché and the regions needs a rotary club catalyst of change and development in the world, to nurture and develop more. and that’s what we need for a better reality. 4- How was the process? 1-Can you introduce your club? Was it smooth or tough? The Rotary Club that is being established is in Starting this club was somehow easy having the Maghdoûché. This club has around 20 members fact that the people in Maghdoûché are always that are young relatively to others in other Rotary ready to serve their village and commit to their Clubs in Lebanon. In this club, the people are passion. However, the situation in Lebanon was between 27 and 40 years old and have aligned not that helpful especially given the various mindsets with unique and different ideas and crises. Despite all odds, establishing a Rotary Club concepts. Indeed, what unites them is the love in Maghdoûché and the region is a must and the for Maghdoûché, their hometown, and the case in today’s reality. Indeed, the responsibility passion of community service. In brief, this club of the people and commitment of the members signals excitement, development, passion, and in this club, made the work much easier! most importantly, commitment. 13

Rotary Supports the Youth Rotary Youth Talk The Rotary Club of Adliya conducted two “Youth Talks” during July and August. The first was titled “Jobs of the future”, presented by Ms. Hala Karmustaji, Acting Manager, Digital Transformation Centre at Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance. She introduced 32 youth attendees to potential jobs and highlighted the skills required based on studies conducted by the World Economic Forum. The second youth talk titled “Preparing for University” was presented by Ms. Maryam AlRazqi, Head Counsellor at Education Zone. The talk covered the process and steps needed for planning university applications efficiently to guarantee acceptance, contest for scholarships, and strive for the most trending jobs in. The talk was followed by one-to-one sessions with counsellors to answer any queries. Rotary Youth Talks are part of Rotary Club of Adliya’s objectives of youth and economic empowerment by spreading awareness amongst youth and encouraging productivity as members of society. RCSB Padel Tournament The Sustainable School Bag project Rotary Club of Seef Bahrain organized its first The Rotary Clubs of Salmaniya, Adliya, Rotaract sports event, RCSB Padel Tournament on July Club of Bahrain and Rotary Satellite Club of 15th 2022 at the Let’s Padel Court in Ritz Carlton. Manama Youth jointly sorted school bags as part The Tournament targeted both Categories of the Sustainable School Bag project on C and D (Semi-Professionals and Beginners) Wednesday 13th July 2022. The Clubs collected 188 and had 16 teams of doubles for each School bags, with lunch boxes from very generous category. The participants in the families all over Bahrain. All collected items have competition were 64 enthusiastic players been cleaned up and sorted into tidy boxes. The and came from different age groups. aim of the project is to promote sustainable living The proceeds will primarily contribute by donating used bags to charity rather than towards sponsoring the educational costs of throwing them away creating waste. The bags will disadvantaged students in addition to be donated to two charity societies, Tree of Life various community development initiatives. Society in Saar and Al Sanabel Orphan Care The Club aims to organize the padel Society in Busaiteen. The venue was provided by tournament annually as a signature Club. the Juma family Majles in Jeblat Hebshi. 14

Youth Service Project - The Young Volunteer The Rotary Club of Salmaniya organized the “Little Volunteers” a one-day interactive program for ages 10 - 15 years with the Bahrain Deaf Society on July 30th, 2022. The Program aims to develop participant team building, leadership, communication, and presentation skills in addition to creating awareness about Rotary - SDGs and taking the lead in initiating innovative service projects. The participants were encouraged to contribute plastic waste towards the overall Green July campaign the Club is organizing. Youth Service Project - The Little Container of books Volunteers AlSanabel from Guadeloupe The Rotary Club of Salmaniya organized an A 20 foot container of books in French interactive program in collaboration with Al Sanabel collected and shipped by the Rotary Orphan Care Society “The Little Volunteers” over a Club of Pointe-a-Pitre Doyen in period of two days ( 24th - 26th) July 2022. Guadeloupe is in Beirut port since Aug The Programme Evolved in Developing Participants 7 ready to be unloaded and Team Building & Leadership, communication, and distributed to all Public Libraries in presentation skills in addition to creating awareness need of books in French. All clubs are among the participants about rotary - SDGs & taking welcome to take a part. the lead in initiating service projects. Day one was completed on July 24th, 2022, topics covered were: Introduction to Rotary and SDGs, leadership & team building skills Day two was completed on the 26th of July 2022 which covered the topics of Functional Leadership, Team Building & presentation skills through a number of activities and tasks organized by the team. The children were asked to present their creative initiatives & service projects at the end of the program in front of a panel of judges. All were passionate to promote the ideals of Rotary especially supporting the environment by collecting plastic waste for recycling 15

UAE & Sudan Calling Updates from District Disaster Relief Chair PP Hagop The Disaster Relief of District 2452 has been in action since the H. Dantziguian, beginning of this Rotary Year 2022-23. Two main meetings, and many minor ones were conducted with the Disaster Relief District country chairs who will be forwarding a form to be filled by all club presidents. Chair(RY 2022-2023) Our purpose is to assess the risks of every country in the district as well as the readiness of every Rotary family member to face a disaster. We thank you very much for filling it up if you haven’t yet done so, at the following link: https://bit.ly/3AAZZtV https://youtu.be/ Unfortunately, we had 2 major disasters meanwhile in our district: NzCkj3Pty5A The floods that occurred from 27 to 29 July 2022 were the result of UAE’s heaviest rainfall recorded in 27 years. These took the lives of seven people, 870 people were rescued and 3,897 individuals were placed in temporary shelters. Economically, traders in the Emirate of Fujairah lost nearly AED 1 million worth of goods. Disaster Relief Country Chair PP Sanjeef Krishna (RC Dubai Downtown) is pushing on establishing a virtual meeting with The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (https://www. ncema.gov.ae/) to raise awareness. All Rotarians and Rotaractors will be invited to attend NCEMA’s experience to learn how to be ready. Details will follow by mail to the Presidents and Secretaries. Another flood hit Sudan killing 79 people and damaging more than 50,000 homes at the time of writing this article. Luckily, all Rotarians and their families are safe. While all our thoughts are with our Fellow Rotarians who have a big mission to support their population, the Disaster Response team already engaged partners around the World, such as Disaster Aid Europe, ShelterBox while connecting with Zone 21 (our zone) and Zone 22 (Africa) Directors to provide a first level response. An assessment on the ground is ongoing to provide more visibility on our action plan. This will be a big opportunity to support each other on international projects. More details will follow next month. In the meantime you can always reach us by sending us an email to [email protected] if you would like to support the disaster in the district actions, quoting Michael W. Hawkins (American Red Cross) “Each of us as human beings has a responsibility to reach out to help our brothers and sisters affected by disasters. One day it may be us or our loved ones needing someone to reach out and help.” 16

Kamal Katra Annual District 2452 Dues and Budget for the District Treasurer 2022/202 Rotary Year 2022/2023 Why do we need to collect the annual district dues on a yearly basis? For an organization to grow and prosper, a budget is needed. All incomes and expenses need to be carefully noted, as well as its required annual dues- to maintain constant transparency and growth. What is the Rotary annual district dues? It’s an annual payment required from every registered Rotarian due by July 1 st . It’s usually set by the District Governor and approved by all clubs during the General Assembly at the last district conference. It happens that this year, it took place in Yerevan, Armenia. The amount is 28 US Dollars per Rotarian. The referred amount is required to meet the following expenses: 1- District Awards How are these annual dues collected? 2- District secretariat and The district secretary sends the total amount of other administration needs dues to each club by July 1 st. The fees are 3- DTTS District Assembly cost collected by the DDG before the Governors visit or 4- Training and seminars directly to the Governor during his/her visit. 5- Website cost 6- Public Image 7- Contingencies Challenge of the month 8- Bank Charges and various expenses 9- Rolling Seed Fund In an attempt to promote Rotary, we’ll be challenging you every month Who talked behind your back Revealed There will be prizes on Christmas for the people who participate ! Last month, we reached out to 6 Rotarians. Are you ready for this one? They were picked up randomly from our 1- Get a sticky note District Database and we asked them to 2- Write on it the following: choose one remarkable Rotarian they know “ The world becomes happier when YOU are from the District and describe them in a few happy, Smile! words. Their names remained anonymous #RotaryD2452MonthlyChallenge “ and here below we’ll list them as promised ! 3) Go to the nearest BUSY elevator you can think PP Mona Kanaan: PP Samir Kannaan of and stick it on its mirror PP Hani Bidawi: PP Dina Sidany 4) Send us the photo on this email address: Lara Ahmadieh: P Mohammad El-Haddad [email protected] PP Shehade Ansari- Amjad Nicholas CC: [email protected] PP Michel Davoudian - Nicholas Paillart And tag @rotarydistrict2452 in your social media IPP Sona Kourtian – PDG Kevork Mahdessian posts for a chnace to win ! Goodluck 17

Fellowship Presidents of the RY 20-21 Reunite After 2 years since their last reunion, the Rotary Presidents of Lebanon who worked together after August fourth’s explosion decided it was about time they gather over dinner and reflect back on that year. During dinner, Presidents of the RY 2020-2021 also celebrated the anniversary of PP Jean Khalife & his wife , as well as PPs Randa Zaouk & Imane Jaffal. It was a year to remember indeed ! We also asked the Presidents how they remember that Rotarian year Follow the link below to see their answers https://youtu.be/8rnFMnc7WsU Printable coupons for this month 18

August 4 Memorial Remember August 4 Remembrance of late PP Antoine Barmaki Young at heart, lively and energetic in “Our outlook on life changed, we are nature, 75-year-old Antoine Barmaki starting to hate the life we live. We miss seemed to his family that life would his presence a lot so we try to not meet never up too much so that his absence isn’t get enough of him. Until it did. amplified. But we need to remember His daughter, Carole Kozah, described that he’s looking down on us and he her late father as being the life of the would want us to be party. His presence was necessary for happy,” the disheartened daughter said. every family event as he would be the first on the dance floor and the one who always encouraged his kids to enjoy life and let go of financial hangups. He was passionate about travelling and service for others. “He was more than just a father” his 2 daughter stated. “He cared not only for his kids but for his children’s children too. Everyone in the family and outside called him Daddy for a reason” Carole told The New Arab. After his death, the entire family was hit with a strong wave of sadness and misery. Carole explained that their lives do not feel the same anymore. Despite their efforts to remain strong for their families, even the grandchildren weren’t able to cope and found it hard to move on as if nothing happened. The event did not only steal the life and heart of the Barmaki family, but it also made life intolerable. 19

Remembrance page Samer Dheif Rotary club of Amman Citadel sadly announced the passing away of fellow Rotarian Samer Dheif loving husband of fellow Rotarian Inas Bekeirat after a struggle with a terminal illness. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and fellow club members. “Samer you will be missed! You always brought joy & positive energy to our club. Rest in peace”, President Mahfouz Said, Rotary Club of Amman Citadel Taymour Abboudi Abdelrahman We savagely mine for diamonds but Last photo of Taymour with his family before he passed away humanity should have looked for you, a soul of rare purity and intense brilliance. it away before the slightest pain could We plant all kinds of useless seeds but we make its way. should have multiplied you, so you would Ô death, where now do you live? never be extinct, so the world could have A dark and heavy blanket plummeted on plenty of you, an endless stock of love, those you left behind. By the thousands purity, intelligence and integrity. they testified: please rewind. If you were a kingdom, white would be your We ache. flag, unstained, unwavering, a land of Taymour Abboudi Abdelrahman passed mercy and rarity. Angels would be your away in a car accident the night of proud subjects and they would chaAnt your Saturday the 30th of July 2022 by the fault anthem daily, loudly... TAYMOUR. of a truck driver. You filled this earth with your genuine He leaves behind a grieving mother, Mira humanity, you rocked many worlds with Al Khalil, a devastated sister, Laya and you engraved hearts eternally. Abdelrahman, a shattered brother in law, You never conformed not even to yourself, Stephane Ravion, and hundreds of ravaged your mind was a place for quest, not for family and friends. rest. You looked at mirrors and you May his soul rest and send us its bright light. demanded truth upon yourself. Your heart was a warm place of acceptance and gentle guidance. You redifined loyalty, soaring it up to towering heights, a vertigo of trust and goodness that was a pilar to your chosen ones. A painfully vacant crater now, your fire went suddenly extinct. They say an Angel blew on it one night, tired of missing you up there in his heavens. He picked up your soul and stole 20

Ralph Beyrouti When PP Rita Imad contacted me to write few words about the passing away of a very fine young man, Ralph George Beyrouti, I felt a great burden coupled with enormous sadness to write about such a loss. Our friendship with George and Lola goes back many years when we met through RC Beirut Cosmopolitan. We were part of each other’s lives, sharing the different milestones of graduations and weddings. When Ralph was diagnosed with cancer five years ago, we were all devastated. But Ralph decided then that every day, every week and every month will be enriched with experiences and realizing his dreams. He got married to beautiful Sarah Walker, traveled the world with her, bought his dream house and continued working successfully. And through all this, he never questioned, never lamented, on the contrary he was the ray of hope and sunshine to all his family. Then came little Charlie, four months ago, a gift from God, who now is Ralph’s legacy. Ralph loved Lebanon and loved the friends he made the few years he lived here. He was always the life of every party and every gathering! In the words of his Uncle Jay and wife Sarah, Ralph accomplished in the past five years more than anyone can do in a lifetime. The sadness will linger on in our hearts but the consolation is he is in a better place, free of pain and with God’s choir of Angels. These words from the Prophet by Khalil Gibran provide lots of comfort. “For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? Only when you drink from the Mona Jarudi river of silence shall you indeed Rotary Club sing. of Beirut Cosmopolitan And when you have reached the Country Membership Chair mountain top, then you shall begin to climb. 2020-21 Past President 2018-19 And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.” 21

Cultural Exchange & Fellowship A new InterCountry Committee is born: India and Cyprus Every month, we’ll be featuring a recipe On the 4th of August, 2022, an MOU was agreed between Cyprus from one of the 9 countries in our District. and India for the establishment of an Inter Country Committee to This time it’s Armenia, next it will be encourage contact between the Rotarians, Rotary Clubs and District Palestine! of both countries to promote fellowship and intercultural To be featured in this section for next understanding between India and Cyprus. The India – Cyprus Inter month you can either: Country Committee (ICC), is between Rotary International Districts 1)try the recipe and share it with us by 3012 and 3090 of India and Rotary International District 2452 of sending an email to which Cyprus is part of. [email protected] The first meeting was held virtually and the members from both CC: [email protected] national committees agreed and voted on the signing of the - Subject: I tried the Recipe! - New Content agreement. ICC National Coordinators for India and Cyprus, PDG - District Newsletter Deepak Talwar and PDDG George Papaleontiou expressed their joy 2) Send us the recipe of your choice by for this wonderful collaboration. The President of ICC India - Cyprus, contacting your Newsletter Country Chair from India will be Rtn.Rajnish Mittal (3011) and from Cyprus, Bon appétit everyone! President will be Rtn. George Papaleontiou. Present were also DG Lalit Khanna of district 3012, DG Gulbahar A recipe for you to try! Singh Retole of district 3090, DG George Azar of district 2452, DDG Cyprus Emilios Tannousis, District PI Chair PDDG Peter Ashdjian, Recipe sent by PE Anahit Markosyan President Maria Kapari, PAG Vural Vural and PP Gultac Ozsan. for you to try Lahmajoon (Armenian Pizza) The ICC will open new horizons of collaboration and friendship Total Time between the two countries. Prep: 25 min. Bake: 10 min. Makes 6 servings Rotary Club of Bur Dubai Starts the Saturday Breakfast Ingredients 3/4 cup drained petite diced tomatoes 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 garlic clove, minced 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 3/4 pound extra-lean ground beef 12 flour tortillas (8 inches) Lemon to squeeze before eating Directions Every Saturday, RC Bur Dubai hosts a breakfast welcoming all In a large bowl, combine the all Rotarians and Rotaracts in UAE at the offices of the Association of ingredients, but the beef. Crumble Rotary Clubs UAE. Since June 2022, 9 events were held and attended beef over mixture and mix well. by more than 300 Rotarians & Guests. Place tortillas on greased baking Amazingly, the Breakfast has become a ritual for our Rotary family to sheets. Spread 1/4 cup of meat meet, connect and exchange ideas in a cozy relaxed atmosphere. mixture onto each tortilla (tortillas Finally, we would like to extend our thanks to our President Yaseen will not be completely covered). Jaffer for sponsoring this remarkable initiative. Bake at 425° for 9-12 minutes or until meat is no longer pink and edges of tortillas begin to brown. we usually eat it with squeezed lemon on top and drink “tan”(1/2 water, salt, 1/2 yoghurt) 22

Calendar Events for the Rotarian Year 2022-2023 August 2022 December 2022 Saturday 27th Friday 2nd Topic: Rotary Public Image in the Face of Diversity, Equity, Zone Institute Inclusion, Manual of Master Brand Signature, Success Stories Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE and People of Action Campaign among others Time: 11:00 to 17:00 Saturday 3rd Location: Bahçeşehir University Future Campus, Istanbul, Turkey Zone Institute Via Zoom Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE Meeting ID: 542 611 0606 Passcode: Rotary Sunday 4th Zone Institute September 2022 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE Thursday 1st May 2023 RLI District Seminar Time: 18:00 Thursday 11th District 2452 Conference Saturday 10th District Membership Seminar Friday 12th (hybrid): Time: 9:00 to 14:00 District 2452 Conference Location: Rotana Hotel, Amman, Jordan Saturday 13th November 2022 District 2452 Conference Thursday 10th Sunday 14th RI Zone 21 Institute District 2452 Conference Opening ceremony & celebration dinner Location: old Carob Mill Limassol Castle, Cyprus Saturday 27th Rotary Intl Convention Friday 11th Location: Melbourne, Australia RI Zone 21 Institute Rotarians Institute Business Sunday 28th Partners & Guests - Optional Excursion Rotary Intl Convention Free program Location: Melbourne, Australia Private Major Donor Dinner Location: Limassol, Cyprus Monday 29th Rotary Intl Convention Saturday 12th Location: Melbourne, Australia RI Zone 21 Institute Rotarians Institute Business Tuesday 30th Festive Farewell Dinner - celebrities ballroom Rotary Intl Convention Location: Limassol, Cyprus Location: Melbourne, Australia Sunday 13th Wednesday 31st RI Zone 21 Institute Rotary Intl Convention Fellowship Optional Excursion Location: Melbourne, Australia Location: Limassol, Cyprus 23

1OTH ROTARY DISTRICT 2452 CONFERENCE 11, 12, 13, 14 MAY 11-14 MAY 2023BEIRUT- LEBANON 2023 FOR REGISTRATION PLEASE CLICK: HTTPS://FORMS.GLE/CSASAYT6OE3NA6DM6 OR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: PP. Rym Dada-Husseini M: +961 3 262446, E: [email protected] District Governor 22-23 District Conference Chair GEORGES AZAR AHMAD HUSSEINI 24

ROTARY 10TH DISTRICT 2452 CONFERENCE, 11-14 MAY BEIRUT 2023 REGISTRATION FORM 1. First Name and Last name: Gender: 2. Name on Badge: District/Zone: 3. Rotary Club of:  Rotarian ✔ Rotaractor  Guest E-mail: 4. Your Rotary Position in 2022-2023: Mobile Number: 5. Country: Expiry Date: 6. Passport Number: PARTNER/GUEST INFORMATION: 1. First Name and Last name: Gender: 2. Name on Badge: District/Zone: 3. Rotary Club of:  Rotarian  Rotaractor  Guest. E-mail: 4. Your Rotary Position in 2022-2023: Mobile Number: 5. Country: Expiry Date: 6. Passport Number: Hotel rates B/B including all taxes and transportation Hotels Room Type Package Number of nights Total in USD Phoenicia Hotel Superior City View 225$ (Venue Hotel) Single/Double Phoenicia Hotel Premium Sea View 280$ (Venue Hotel) Single/Double Phoenicia Hotel Grand Deluxe with 300$ (Venue Hotel) balcony Single/Double Radisson Blu Standard Single 145$ 165$ Radisson Blu Standard Double You can now register online by following this link: www.rotarydcbeirut2023.org 25