The Rotary Foundation of Washington DC Supports Disaster Relief in Turkey and Syria

Monday, March 27, 2023 By: Lisa Glodine McCurdy
Our support of disaster relief in Turkey and Syria was one of our most comprehensive to date. 

On February 22, 2023, the Board of our Club’s Foundation, the Rotary Foundation of Washington, DC, voted to accept the recommendation of the Foundation’s Disaster Working Group to support a proposal providing funding for Turkey and Syria, specifically to provide “emergency shelter and essential household items depending on what is needed”—tents and shelter kits, stoves, thermal blankets, clothing to keep people warm through the freezing winter nights, and solar lights that help people when there is no electricity, or cash to help people buy what they need to survive. A donation of $1000 was distributed to each of two organizations known to be Rotary International partners — Disaster Aid USA and ShelterBox USA



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Meeting in Review - March 15, 2023

Monday, March 27, 2023 By: Dylan J. White
On March 15, 2023, the Rotary Club of Washington, DC, held its regular weekly meeting in person at the University Club of Washington, D.C. and via Zoom and welcomed the Rotaract Club of Washington, D.C. who conducted the meeting.  

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Meeting in Review - March 8, 2023

Saturday, March 11, 2023 By: W Todd Miller
On March 8, 2023, the Rotary Club of Washington, DC, held its regular weekly meeting in person at the University Club of Washington, D.C. and via Zoom and welcomed guest speaker the Honorable H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze, the African Union Ambassador to the United States of America

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Meeting in Review - February 22, 2023

Saturday, March 4, 2023 By: Sofia DeMartino
On February 22, 2023, the Rotary Club of Washington, DC, held its regular weekly meeting in person at the University Club of Washington, D.C. and via Zoom, and welcomed guest speaker Celeste Marinelli  Minister Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Guatemala to the United States.

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Meeting in Review - March 1, 2023

Friday, March 3, 2023 By: W Todd Miller
On March 1, 2023, the Rotary Club of Washington, DC, held its regular weekly meeting as a hybrid live/Zoom meeting, and welcomed the former President of Rotary International, our District Governor Dr. Sean McAllister, Rotary Club Presidents, and other distinguished Rotarians to a Presidential Assembly to introduce Club Members to the Club’s Twin Clubs. 

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The Rotary Foundation Appeal Update

Wednesday, March 1, 2023 By: Sterling Cecil Hoffman

Greetings fellow Rotarians,

As you know, I am the committee Chair for the Rotary International Foundation fundraiser for this fiscal year.

We had a very successful initial drive this past October and November and are starting a fiscal year-end drive in March and April.

Our motto is “Every Club, Every Member, Every Year”.

The beauty of being a part of such a large club, is we can raise a lot of money, even with small donations! Some can afford to give $25,000, some $2500, some $500, and others maybe only $25. It’s all good, appreciated and it all adds up.

Why is it so critically important to donate?



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Dr. Shahbaz Khan's visit to Pakistan

Wednesday, March 1, 2023 By: Shahbaz Khan

Dear DC Rotary Club Members,

Wanted to report about my visit to Rotary Club in Pakistan. Last week I visited Lahore Pakistan my birth country and visited two rotary clubs in Lahore- Rotary Club Lahore Garrison and Rotary Club of Lahore- 



With Rotary Club Lahore Garrison member Shehzad, I visited Aabroo school and learned that Rotary Club Lahore Garrison has been supporting Aabroo school for some time in various projects. Aabroo school provides education for children who are not able to afford an education and toured the school library and computer labs and classrooms and met with school teachers and students and members of the Aabroo school Rotaract members. Rotary Club Lahore Garrison has helped Aabroo school with books, computers, school supplies. 



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Membership Avenue Report

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 By: William Harold Dent
First of all, I wish to thank President Marilyn Nevy Cruz for her proactive and supportive role this year in the Membership arena, even as she serves as Club President.

Membership Development. As you know, we continue to have a steady stream of new membership applications and, as a result, our membership numbers are up. Our total Club membership as of the January Board meeting stood at 127. We could call this a “post-pandemic” phenomenon but what I continue to hear when I do a "Past President’s Interview” of membership applicants is the interest of today’s young professionals to “give back” and be engaged in the community and community service.

 

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Our own Past President Jennifer introduces today's speaker Ms. Gabrielle Webster.<br />Gabrielle Webster is a visionary thought leader and youth development expert who is sparking positive change as President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW).  As a skilled convener who engages communities, business leaders, philanthropists and partners in service of capital area youth and their families, Gabrielle has put to use her strategic planning, management abilities and development skills to fuel unprecedented growth for BGCGW.  Under her leadership, BGCGW, which serves more than 21,000 youth, is exceeding financial goals and achieving record accomplishments. Gabrielle is the driving force behind a first-ever $30 million comprehensive campaign.  Gabrielle also tripled the number of Clubs in the metro area, earning BGCGW the distinction of being among the top 5% of BGCA (Boys & Girls Clubs of America) affiliates in the nation. In 2022, BGCGW celebrated its first National Youth of the Year in 75 years.  Gabrielle is further blazing new trails with plans for a flagship Center of Transformation at the Nation’s Boys & Girls Club, which will serve as an incubator to pilot and implement innovative programs across local sites and ideally the BGCA movement.<br /><br />Gabrielle has a depth of leadership experience as a nonprofit and public sector professional with a track record of growth and exceeding expectations.  Prior to BGCGW, she raised more than $220 million as part of her leadership roles at three large non-profit organizations, which operate in the Washington metropolitan area, the Mid-Atlantic region and at the national level.  Gabrielle served as the Chief Development Officer at the United Way of the National Capital Area as well as National Vice President for the American Heart Association, where she was charged with the development, implementation, and execution of a new national business to consumer campaign. Prior to that role, she was Vice President of the Mid-Atlantic Region’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society where she managed a $36 million budget across nine states. Before her career in the nonprofit sector, Gabrielle spent more than a decade with the Eastman Kodak Company and she held several leadership positions in marketing, sales, university relations, and engineering technology.<br /><br />Gabrielle was selected by Washingtonian Magazine as a 2022 Washingtonian of the Year. She was also a National Science Foundation Fellow, a National Biomedical Symposium Fellow and a Polaroid Scholar.  She was chosen to attend the Center for Creative Leadership in 2009 as one of the top executive directors at the American Heart Association.<br /><br />Gabrielle earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Xavier University and a Master of Physical Chemistry degree from Atlanta University. Gabrielle is also a graduate of the Leadership Greater Washington program and was recently awarded a Harvard Business School Executive Education Certificate for Strategic Agility and Inclusive Leadership.

Our own Past President Jennifer introduces today's speaker Ms. Gabrielle Webster.
Gabrielle Webster is a visionary thought leader and youth development expert who is sparking positive change as President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW). As a skilled convener who engages communities, business leaders, philanthropists and partners in service of capital area youth and their families, Gabrielle has put to use her strategic planning, management abilities and development skills to fuel unprecedented growth for BGCGW. Under her leadership, BGCGW, which serves more than 21,000 youth, is exceeding financial goals and achieving record accomplishments. Gabrielle is the driving force behind a first-ever $30 million comprehensive campaign. Gabrielle also tripled the number of Clubs in the metro area, earning BGCGW the distinction of being among the top 5% of BGCA (Boys & Girls Clubs of America) affiliates in the nation. In 2022, BGCGW celebrated its first National Youth of the Year in 75 years. Gabrielle is further blazing new trails with plans for a flagship Center of Transformation at the Nation’s Boys & Girls Club, which will serve as an incubator to pilot and implement innovative programs across local sites and ideally the BGCA movement.

Gabrielle has a depth of leadership experience as a nonprofit and public sector professional with a track record of growth and exceeding expectations. Prior to BGCGW, she raised more than $220 million as part of her leadership roles at three large non-profit organizations, which operate in the Washington metropolitan area, the Mid-Atlantic region and at the national level. Gabrielle served as the Chief Development Officer at the United Way of the National Capital Area as well as National Vice President for the American Heart Association, where she was charged with the development, implementation, and execution of a new national business to consumer campaign. Prior to that role, she was Vice President of the Mid-Atlantic Region’s Leukemia & Lymphoma Society where she managed a $36 million budget across nine states. Before her career in the nonprofit sector, Gabrielle spent more than a decade with the Eastman Kodak Company and she held several leadership positions in marketing, sales, university relations, and engineering technology.

Gabrielle was selected by Washingtonian Magazine as a 2022 Washingtonian of the Year. She was also a National Science Foundation Fellow, a National Biomedical Symposium Fellow and a Polaroid Scholar. She was chosen to attend the Center for Creative Leadership in 2009 as one of the top executive directors at the American Heart Association.

Gabrielle earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Xavier University and a Master of Physical Chemistry degree from Atlanta University. Gabrielle is also a graduate of the Leadership Greater Washington program and was recently awarded a Harvard Business School Executive Education Certificate for Strategic Agility and Inclusive Leadership.

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YouTube Video VVUzZ3NNSUxRdzR0S1hwZTI4bGZTd1ZBLnFKQTlKcE0ybng0

Gabrielle Webster | President & CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington | March 29, 2023

Rotary Club Washington DC 6 views March 29, 2023 3:37 pm

Shahbaz Kahn

Rotary Club Washington DC 46 views March 29, 2023 2:22 pm

"Transforming Lives Through Service" is what the DC Rotary Club is committed to and Richard Wright Schools is honored and privileged to be a longtime partner with such an incredible organization. The leadership, the members, and the service their members dedicate their time and energies to are truly transformative, and Richard Wright students were recently a recipient of that through the Inaugural Richard Wright Schools Career Fair sponsored by the DC Rotary Foundation.<br /><br />Over 40 members, professionals in an array of fields, shared their knowledge, experience, and resources with our students seeking more information on potential careers and career paths. Full of questions and curiosity, Richard Wright students gained invaluable insight and perspective about possibilities for their bright futures. Combined with the openness and excitement from the DC Rotary members about their chosen professions, the vibrant exchange between generations was the visual definition of synergy.<br /><br />Richard Wright Schools and DC Rotary Club are aligned as service is a cornerstone to their foundation and growth. To partner with role models genuinely interested in supporting the positive growth of future generations is an integral part of who we are. We truly appreciate the DC Rotary Club, the organizers, the leadership, and the members for your time and efforts to help our students with their goals for the future consistently and continually over many years. Thank you. We are Richard Wright and we are transforming lives together.

"Transforming Lives Through Service" is what the DC Rotary Club is committed to and Richard Wright Schools is honored and privileged to be a longtime partner with such an incredible organization. The leadership, the members, and the service their members dedicate their time and energies to are truly transformative, and Richard Wright students were recently a recipient of that through the Inaugural Richard Wright Schools Career Fair sponsored by the DC Rotary Foundation.

Over 40 members, professionals in an array of fields, shared their knowledge, experience, and resources with our students seeking more information on potential careers and career paths. Full of questions and curiosity, Richard Wright students gained invaluable insight and perspective about possibilities for their bright futures. Combined with the openness and excitement from the DC Rotary members about their chosen professions, the vibrant exchange between generations was the visual definition of synergy.

Richard Wright Schools and DC Rotary Club are aligned as service is a cornerstone to their foundation and growth. To partner with role models genuinely interested in supporting the positive growth of future generations is an integral part of who we are. We truly appreciate the DC Rotary Club, the organizers, the leadership, and the members for your time and efforts to help our students with their goals for the future consistently and continually over many years. Thank you. We are Richard Wright and we are transforming lives together.

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Career Fair 2023 at Richard Wright Schools

Rotary Club Washington DC 3 views March 23, 2023 1:15 pm

Our own Debbie Peters introduces today's speaker African Union Ambassador to the U.S., Hilda Suka-Mafudze.<br />Her Excellency Hilda Suka-Mafudze has been the African Union Ambassador to the United States of America since October 2021.  She was nominated by H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to lead the African Union Mission in the USA, the first bilateral diplomatic Mission opened by the AU in 2007.<br /><br />Ambassador Hilda Suka-Mafudze is the Permanent Representative of the African Union to the United States of America.  Her core mandate is to enhance and maintain existing bilateral ties.  These ties strengthen democratic institutions, advance trade and investment, knowledge sharing, promote peace and security, mutual relationships between the U.S and all 55 AU member countries based on culture and shared values.<br /><br />A career diplomat with experience that spans the African continent, Ambassador Suka-Mafudze assumed her most recent duties on November 2, 2020.  Prior to coming to the U.S., she helped lead diplomacy for more than two decades in a variety of top government positions in her home country, Zimbabwe. Wellknown as a “quiet champion of democracy,” Ambassador SukaMafudze held ambassadorial positions representing her country in Khartoum Sudan and South Sudan between 2010 and 2019, and most recently, in the Republic of Malawi.<br /><br />With a staunch commitment to democracy and the will of the people, Ambassador Suka-Mafudze worked fastidiously with the 55 AU member countries to promote and deepen democracy and democratic elections on the African continent. While Ambassador to Malawi, she chaired the group of regional ambassadors representing the South African Development Community (SADC), a regional Economic Community comprising 16 member states.  With an agreed objective to coordinate efforts and settle issues of a contested national election, the Ambassadors engaged deeply with the African Union Election Observers and other international observers.  Ambassador Suka-Mafudze herself was serving as an international observer.  In Khartoum, Sudan and South Sudan, she led important high-level political processes that continue to move the entire region toward greater peace and security.  In 2007, Ambassador Suka-Mafudze was the Executive Director of Community Development where she was responsible for the day-to-day running of an organization and technical professional staff who interfaced with the government, civil society, and private sector.  She worked to ensure civil society's needs were articulated and streamlined in public policies and programs.<br /><br />From 2000 to 2005, Ambassador Suka-Mafudze served as an elected member of Zimbabwe’s Parliament. As one of the few women parliamentarians, she was an influential voice committed to ensuring Zimbabwe’s laws were balanced and served the interests of the poor and other marginalized groups – women, youth, the elderly and children.<br /><br />Ambassador Suka-Mafudze has a Master of Arts degree in International Relations and World Order from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Gender Development from the Women’s University in Africa (WUA).  Located in Marondera, Zimbabwe, WUA is a private university that works to address gender disparity and foster equity in tertiary education while developing knowledge and skills in areas of vital importance for women.<br /><br />Ambassador Suka-Mafudze’s other professional and academic training include: The United Nations Senior Mission Leaders’ Course, Interaction Leadership from the British Council, a professional certificate in Networking Leadership, Diplomacy, and Mediation Skills, Leading in Conflict Environments and Skills for Conflict Transformation. Ambassador SukaMafudze is fluent in English, with working knowledge of French and some Southern African languages, including Shona and Ndebele.

Our own Debbie Peters introduces today's speaker African Union Ambassador to the U.S., Hilda Suka-Mafudze.
Her Excellency Hilda Suka-Mafudze has been the African Union Ambassador to the United States of America since October 2021. She was nominated by H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to lead the African Union Mission in the USA, the first bilateral diplomatic Mission opened by the AU in 2007.

Ambassador Hilda Suka-Mafudze is the Permanent Representative of the African Union to the United States of America. Her core mandate is to enhance and maintain existing bilateral ties. These ties strengthen democratic institutions, advance trade and investment, knowledge sharing, promote peace and security, mutual relationships between the U.S and all 55 AU member countries based on culture and shared values.

A career diplomat with experience that spans the African continent, Ambassador Suka-Mafudze assumed her most recent duties on November 2, 2020. Prior to coming to the U.S., she helped lead diplomacy for more than two decades in a variety of top government positions in her home country, Zimbabwe. Wellknown as a “quiet champion of democracy,” Ambassador SukaMafudze held ambassadorial positions representing her country in Khartoum Sudan and South Sudan between 2010 and 2019, and most recently, in the Republic of Malawi.

With a staunch commitment to democracy and the will of the people, Ambassador Suka-Mafudze worked fastidiously with the 55 AU member countries to promote and deepen democracy and democratic elections on the African continent. While Ambassador to Malawi, she chaired the group of regional ambassadors representing the South African Development Community (SADC), a regional Economic Community comprising 16 member states. With an agreed objective to coordinate efforts and settle issues of a contested national election, the Ambassadors engaged deeply with the African Union Election Observers and other international observers. Ambassador Suka-Mafudze herself was serving as an international observer. In Khartoum, Sudan and South Sudan, she led important high-level political processes that continue to move the entire region toward greater peace and security. In 2007, Ambassador Suka-Mafudze was the Executive Director of Community Development where she was responsible for the day-to-day running of an organization and technical professional staff who interfaced with the government, civil society, and private sector. She worked to ensure civil society's needs were articulated and streamlined in public policies and programs.

From 2000 to 2005, Ambassador Suka-Mafudze served as an elected member of Zimbabwe’s Parliament. As one of the few women parliamentarians, she was an influential voice committed to ensuring Zimbabwe’s laws were balanced and served the interests of the poor and other marginalized groups – women, youth, the elderly and children.

Ambassador Suka-Mafudze has a Master of Arts degree in International Relations and World Order from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Gender Development from the Women’s University in Africa (WUA). Located in Marondera, Zimbabwe, WUA is a private university that works to address gender disparity and foster equity in tertiary education while developing knowledge and skills in areas of vital importance for women.

Ambassador Suka-Mafudze’s other professional and academic training include: The United Nations Senior Mission Leaders’ Course, Interaction Leadership from the British Council, a professional certificate in Networking Leadership, Diplomacy, and Mediation Skills, Leading in Conflict Environments and Skills for Conflict Transformation. Ambassador SukaMafudze is fluent in English, with working knowledge of French and some Southern African languages, including Shona and Ndebele.

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H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze | African Union Ambassador to the U.S.| March 8, 2023

Rotary Club Washington DC 171 views March 9, 2023 8:54 pm

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