INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Rotary is a global network of more than 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
One of the many things that makes Rotary great is our very own members. We have members with such interesting backgrounds and who bring those experiences with them. We want to tell these stories and celebrate them! Is there someone in your club you wish other Rotarians knew about? Drop us a short note and let us know about that special someone we all should know better!
Our Amazing Members – Vaughn Seegers, North Mecklenburg County
Submitted by Kevin Kendrick
Born and raised in South Africa, Vaughn first encountered Rotary at a young age while playing in a children’s park donated by the local Rotary club—an early experience that left a lasting impression. He later built a successful career with a Fortune 100 rubber company before relocating to the United States, where he entered the HVAC industry in 2012. After more than a decade of hands-on experience and industry growth, he launched his own company, OBV Service, in 2023, continuing his commitment to quality service and innovation.
He joined the Rotary Club of North Mecklenburg County in 2021 and quickly became an active and committed member. After serving two years as Membership Chair, he now leads the club as its current President. Known for keeping meetings upbeat and energetic, he ends every gathering with a light-hearted, comical toast—a club tradition that highlights Rotary fellowship at its best.
Most recently, when PDG Kevin Kendrick visited the club, and fellow Rotarian Michelle Schaefer-Old spoke on behalf of the NC Diaper Bank, he closed the meeting with the following toast: “Let’s raise a glass—to the Diaper Bank of North Carolina! Because let’s be honest—keeping North Carolina clean, dry, and happy is no small doody. You all wipe away worries, one diaper at a time. Here’s to fewer leaks, more laughs, and a whole lot of love. Cheers to the Diaper Bank—truly the bottom line in community care.”
District 7680 IS the birthplace of Rotaract!
Wingate University Rotaract Club Hosts Movie Night to Support Local Veterans
By Destiny Urdaneta, Club Secretary
Wingate University’s Rotaract Club recently hosted a warm and welcoming movie night that brought students together for relaxation, community, and service. The event was planned by the organization’s executive board members: Victor Quintanilla, Joshua Valadez-Rios, Destiny Urdaneta, Yahimar Medina, Celina Tovar-Castro, Alyssa Santiago, and Dustin Alvarado. During the event, members settled in with snacks while watching The Nightmare Before Christmas and creating cards for veterans in honor of Veterans Day and the veterans who have served our country. By the end of the night, dozens of cards had been created, each one filled with messages of gratitude, appreciation, and encouragement for those who have served. The event not only strengthened connections within the Rotaract community, campus, and community but also reinforced the club’s mission of service above self.
The Rotaract Club plans to continue hosting similar service-focused gatherings throughout the semester, inviting more students to get involved and make a difference.
Update from District 7680 Rotaract Chair Rocky Cabagnot
Looking for new leaders in our Rotary district? Look no further than Monroe, and Wingate University to be exact. I had the pleasure to meet with the executive board of the revamped and revitalized Wingate U Rotaract Club a few weeks ago (the team is pictured here). They are all very motivated student leaders, and all have expressed keen interest with continuing with Rotary International after graduation. Also, after I get the official blessing from Governor Donna, I’m going to install Destiny Urdaneta, the Club Secretary (who penned this month’s Rotaract update) as this year’s Rotaract Representative. I believe she (and the Wingate group) are going to be very helpful with the mission of revitalizing Rotaract throughout our entire district.
Rocky Cabagnot
President – Rotary Club of Salisbury
Rotaract Chair – Rotary District 7680
980-395-2354
“Districts: Elevating Clubs, Empowering Members, Advancing Rotary”
In a word—SUPPORT. Districts exist to support clubs, and clubs shape their own direction, impact, and future. Nowhere is that more evident than in the VISIONING Initiative offered to Rotary clubs in District 7680 and around the world.
VISIONING helps your members define where you want your club to be three years from now. Because every club is unique, each VISIONING session produces a distinct set of priorities and goals. A trained team of District 7680 facilitators—Rotarians just like you—guides your members through a structured, energizing process to determine where YOU want to go and how YOU want to get there.
One powerful common thread?
Clubs that have completed VISIONING experience double the membership growth of those that haven’t. Growing clubs share key qualities: active engagement, meaningful service, strong governance, a vibrant public image, and true diversity.
Here’s how club members who have gone through Visioning describe the experience:
“The Visioning Exercise reminded me that the future of our club is truly in our own hands. The process gave our members a voice, united our ideas, and helped us build a shared path forward.” LP – Queen City Rotary
“Our club knew we needed a clear plan for the future. The Visioning process didn’t just help us create that plan—it guided us in shaping it around our members’ own aspirations for where they want the club to be. As Past President Marty McInerney reminds us, ‘If you aren’t following a map, how do you know when you’ve arrived?’ Visioning helped us draw that map—together.” MI – Matthews Rotary Club
If your club is ready to strengthen engagement, focus your energy, and build momentum for the future, VISIONING is the perfect next step. For more information contact Marcia Scheideman (mscheideman.ms@gmail.com)
A Tribute from The Tenors
Submitted by Kevin Kendrick
Members of our District were among a few dozen from several Districts who were invited to attend a recent concert in Greenville, SC. Director Patrick Eakes shared with District leadership that PRIP Jennifer Jones had been contacted by the musical group, The Tenors, who shared that they wanted to have some Rotarians at an upcoming concert and to acknowledge the work that Rotary is doing around the world and especially, in western NC following Hurricane Helene. The concert will be held on 12/2 and by all accounts from those who attended, it was fantastic!
WANTED: District Communications Officer / District Executive Secretary
Attention Rotarians!
Current District Communications Officer (DCO) and District Executive Secretary (ES), Wallace (Wally Olson), has shared with District leadership that he intends to retire during 2027. We want to ensure his successor has ample time to work alongside Wally to ensure a seamless transition.
The duties of a DCO and ES are many and varied. Below is a brief overview of the job requirements.
District 7680 Secretary’s responsibilities include:
- Support the District Governor: Assist with correspondence and administrative tasks, including maintaining district records and databases.
- Train Club Secretaries: Teach Club Secretaries how to use DACdb to perform their duties
- Maintain records: Help members keep their My Data up to date with current email, phone, and address information. Twice each year, check Pmail tracking to identify members not receiving Pmail, those who have opted out, or those who have marked Pmail as spam and are unable to receive communications.
- Complete special assignments: Carry out special assignments requested by the District Governor, such as the Installation Event, Foundation Banquet, Mid-Year Assembly, District Conference, Closing Events, and Finance Committee meetings.
- Assist the District Treasurer:Handle correspondence with clubs regarding dues payments; check the PO Box weekly; deposit checks; send updated spreadsheets to the District Treasurer; and manage related correspondence.
- Post meetings: Post District Governor official visits for all clubs in DACdb.
- Serve on committees: Serve as a member of the District Conference Committee and remain available to all District Committee Chairs.
- Maintain Rotary standards: Keep all minutes up to date and filed in Secure District Files within DACdb. Assist the District Governor chain in locating information needed to function effectively during their year.
- Keep records of club conformance: Review each club annually to confirm that the website is active, club information is current, the contact email and phone number are accurate, and the club officer listings are up to date.
- Stay current with technology: Remain informed about changes in technology and applications from Rotary International, DACdb, and Ignite.
- Attend training: Participate in training sessions or meetings for District Secretaries that support effective job performance. Numerous classes are available through DACdb and the RI Learning Center.
- Manage DACdb database responsibilities: Run a member compare weekly to keep the RI & DACdb records in sync. Correct errors and notify Club Secretaries and Presidents of member data issues. Perform regular duties associated with DACdb.
- Support Members: Serve as the primary contact listed on the DACdb homepage. Respond to questions in a timely manner.
- DCO: Attend the DACdb DCO meetings to learn about the latest updates and enhancements.
- Club Presentations: Attend club meetings when invited to demonstrate DACdb or ignite to members.
Some required skills for a Rotary District Secretary include:
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- strong computer skills, including DACdb, Zoom, Ignite, Excel, Word, and Adobe PDF
- Knowledge of or ability to learn new technologies
- Ability and willingness to collaborate
- Ability to self-motivate and demonstrate self-discipline
- Strong desire to keep things on track (a must-have)
- Personal commitment to maintaining integrity
- Proficiency with Zoom.us, including running meetings effectively
A more in-depth job description is available upon request. Please email us at newsletterd7680@gmail.com, and we will ensure you receive it.
Rotary Youth Exchange – A Life-Changing Experience!
Pictures courtesy of Host Parents David Lynn and Ming Qi
Our Youth Exchange student, Marius from France, had an awesome Thanksgiving holiday in the company of his first host family, David Lynn and Ming Qi and their children! With visits to Philadelphia, New York and Washington DC, Marius had a fantastic time seeing and learning about America and our culture! If you have never experienced Youth Exchange as a host family or any other kind of volunteer and you have an interest, please contact either PDG Kam Chandan or PDG Kevin Kendrick, Rotary Youth Exchange co-chairs.
Rotary Youth Exchange Conference!
Submitted by RYE Co-chairs Kam Chandan and Kevin Kendrick
Rotary Youth Exchange is one of the most consequential programs Rotary has offered! If your Club is considering participation in Rotary Youth Exchange, we heartily recommend you attend this upcoming session at Black Mountain, NC!
The Fastest Way To Grow Your Club
Submitted by Mike Walker, Membership Chair
Rotary typically grows when one member invites one guest at a time. But, what if you could leverage our efforts and add new members at a faster pace. There is a way to do that that’s worked well for many clubs. We call it Discover Rotary.
Discover Rotary is a meeting your club hosts, specifically designed to share your club with as many guests as you’d like to invite. Unlike a regular meeting or service project, it is centered around your guests. A typical Discover Rotary meeting can take place as the program for a regular meeting, before or after a regular meeting, or on a different day & time. Simpler seems to work better.
A typical meeting lasts 25-45 minutes.
- brief presentation about your club, Rotary and The Rotary Foundation. Focus on what you’re proud of. This could be a PowerPoint presentation we can help with (see below).
- short “why I joined & stayed” from 1 or 2 newer members, & 1 or 2 more seasoned members.
- some Q & A time.
- some time for guests to begin forming relationships with members at their table.
The #1 key: acts of caring – persistent follow up, ideally, by a club leader and who invited them. How do I know? I was pestered, I mean asked, a half dozen times before I joined Rotary.
Where do you start? Dianne Little, Taylorsville Rotary Past President, is our Discover Rotary guru and a member of our District Membership Team. She has PowerPoint templates, and good ideas from our District and beyond. Reach out to her to help plan and execute a Discover Rotary meeting that jumpstarts your club for the second half of the Rotary year.
Your club can have some exciting new members sooner than you think. Just reach out to Dianne at diannelittle71@yahoo.com.
Rotary Foundation: Paul Harris Society Update
Submitted by Foundation Chair Kam Chandan
You can learn more information about the Paul Harris Society by visiting this link: Paul Harris Society | Rotary International
Charity Navigator Recognition
Submitted by Kam Chandan, Foundation Chair
Rotary Foundation receives highest rating from
Charity Navigator for 17th consecutive year
By Rotary International
For the 17th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating — four stars — from Charity Navigator, the largest and most utilized independent charity evaluator in the United States.
The Foundation earned the recognition for adhering to sector best practices and executing its mission in a financially efficient way, demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.
“We are delighted to provide the Rotary Foundation with third-party accreditation that validates their operational excellence,” said Michael Thatcher, president and CEO of Charity Navigator. “The Four-Star Rating is the highest possible rating an organization can achieve. We are eager to see the good work that the Rotary Foundation can accomplish in the years ahead.”
Charity Navigator analyzes overall nonprofit health and performance based on four key areas: Leadership & Adaptability to help donors understand if a charity has clarity of purpose, Accountability & Finance to explain if they are transparent and fiscally capable, Culture & Community to show how they engage with their constituents, and Impact & Results to explain what they have accomplished.
— Oct 2025
Interested in participating in an NID?
Submitted by Nancy Barbee
JOIN ME IN INDIA! I STILL HAVE SEATS TO FILL.
From February 2–11, I’m leading a life-changing group trip into the heart of India’s polio eradication effort—and you’re invited to be part of something extraordinary.
This journey takes us far beyond sightseeing. We’ll stand shoulder-to-shoulder with local health workers, visit bustling immunization booths, and place two precious drops into the mouths of children whose futures will be forever changed. You’ll witness the energy, the color, the emotion, and the pure humanity of a nation still fighting to keep polio gone.
Along the way, we’ll explore remarkable places—Delhi’s history, the Taj Mahal, vibrant markets, Rotary offices and WHO.
If you’ve ever wanted to understand the heart of Rotary’s work… if you’ve dreamed of making a difference with your own hands… this is your moment.
- Dates: February 2–11, 2026
- Purpose: Polio eradication service + cultural experience
- Interest: Comment below or message me for details! Or email me: nbarbee@gmail.com
Let’s change lives together—one child at a time.
Polio Update December 1, 2025
Submitted by PDG Tom Smith, Polio Chair
As 2025 comes rapidly to a close our efforts to eradicate Polio have made significant progress. Total cases as of November 25 were 39 compared to 99 for 2024. There were 9 cases year to date in Afghanistan and 30 in Pakistan.
Cases of Vaccine Derived Polio have continued their decline as use of the NOPV2 vaccine has expanded in use in effected areas. Cases as of November 25,2025 were 177 versus 448 for 2024. The cases are primarily in the Lake Chad region of Africa and Yemen. Immunization efforts this year have proven to be more robust than in 2024 especially in Pakistan. As we enter the winter months it is expected that cases will decline seasonally as Polio is a water born disease. At a recent meeting of Scientist and Polio experts in Karachi Pakistan it was announced that Polio cases have been reduced 99.6% from the start of efforts and eradication is within reach. Cases have come down considerably from 2024, confirming that the current regime of surveillance and vaccination is working and can eradicate Polio.
We celebrate 40 years of Polio Plus and its efforts to rid the world of Polio and keep our promise to the children of the world to do so. In doing so I ask every Rotarian to donate $40 or more to the Polio Plus Fund at The Rotary Foundation. Encourage members to Join the Polio Plus Society with an annual donation of $100 a year or sponsor a pet for the Kennel club with a $100 donation. If we all donate, we will exceed our giving Goal of $100,000.
I want to recognize the Top Giving Clubs through November 30.
| 1.Mecklenburg County South | $12,650 |
| 2.Charlotte International | $ 6,610 |
| 3.North Wilkesboro | $ 5,936 |
| 4.Charlotte South | $ 4,628 |
| 5.Cabarrus County | $ 4,258 |
| Total District Giving | $56,556 |
I want to also recognize the Taylorsville club with 28 members donating $3,407.
All clubs large and small can make a difference and I encourage all clubs to set a Polio giving goal and exceed it. There are still clubs with $0 giving year to date and I certainly hope that all members and clubs support Rotary’s singular project.
I have attached the District Giving report for your review, the Polio Plus Society pledge form and the Kennel Club form. Please encourage all your members to make a year-end donation to the Rotary Foundation- Polio Plus Fund. If we all give, we will make our goal.
Rotary Branding
Making sure we use consistent Rotary branding is such an important part of telling our story in a way in which others will remember it. This simple article from Rotary International’s “Basics of Rotary” presentation says it best. Learn more at Brand Center
United Nations and Rotary celebrate 80th anniversary of UN Charter
Members of Rotary International joined representatives of the United Nations on 11 December to observe a key milestone in the quest for global solidarity: The 80th anniversary of the signing of the UN charter. Leaders from both organizations reflected on and reaffirmed the principles the UN stands for.
“In the 1940s, when the world was torn apart by war, visionary people began to ask the most urgent questions of all: ‘How could trust be rebuilt across borders where violence had reigned? And how would humanity guard itself against repeating its own worst mistakes?’” said Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo. “In that pivotal moment, Rotary was one of the few organizations in the world that stepped forward with both hope and ideas.”
Rotary members served as official observers at the UN Charter Conference in 1945. They helped create agendas, proposed wording for resolutions, and mediated disputes between delegates.
The event, which took place in the building where the charter was signed in San Francisco, California, USA, was a moment to acknowledge a long-standing relationship and inspire future efforts. Committing to collective action has never been more crucial, said Melissa Fleming, UN/United Nations under-secretary-general for global communications. With the 2030 deadline for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals fast approaching, she said, there’s still a long way to go.
“Raging conflicts, deepening inequality, runaway technologies, and a burning planet: None of these problems will fix themselves. And no one nation can fix them alone,” she said.
Cyril Noirtin, dean of the Rotary Representative Network, said the values that the UN and Rotary share are threatened as never before.
“Today, multilateralism faces serious challenges,” he said. “Political tensions, declining funding, and weak commitments threaten global cooperation when it is needed most.”
But there are signs of progress and hope, Fleming said. She noted that the number of girls in school is at a record high, and graduation rates for all students are rising. HIV infection rates are down, as are maternal and child mortality rates. And 1.5 billion people have been lifted out of extreme poverty since 1990.
“Momentum is building,” she said. “When we boost education, we boost gender equality. When we stabilize the climate, we strengthen food security. When we fight famine, we pave the way for peace. This progress doesn’t happen by accident. It is the result of hard work, by real people, day in, day out.”
That’s the kind of work Rotary members can do, Noirtin said.
“A Rotary club working on literacy can align with UNESCO’s global education standards,” he said. “A health initiative can benefit from the World Health Organization’s technical guidance. A peace-building project can draw on expert knowledge from UN agencies.”
Rotary’s relationship with the UN has been strong since Rotary members were invited to participate in the charter conference.
“The invitation to Rotary International was not merely a gesture of goodwill and respect toward a great organization,” said Edward Stettinius Jr., then U.S. secretary of state, at the time. “It was a simple recognition of the practical part Rotary’s members have played and will continue to play in the development of understanding among nations.”
Stettinius’ prediction was fulfilled, and Rotary’s unique relationship with the UN has endured. Through the decades, Rotary members have worked alongside UN agencies in areas ranging from global health to peacebuilding to environmental protection. Rotary’s quest to eradicate polio has received crucial support from the UN, with the World Health Organization and UNICEF serving with Rotary as partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. In 2023, a new collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme empowered Rotary and Rotaract members to clean up, protect, and monitor their local waterways.
The UN’s wide-ranging impact may be taken for granted today, but there was a time when it was difficult to imagine. Arezzo asked attendees to put themselves in the place of those who were present at the charter signing. Those men audaciously insisted that lasting peace was possible amid the ashes of a worldwide war.
“Imagine those early Rotarians in San Francisco trying to articulate what a peaceful world might look like. Their words were fragile but powerful, as if they were lighting a lantern in a world still full of smoke,” Arezzo said. “And yet they saw beyond the ruins. They believed that peace could be built, not only by treaties, but by the quiet, steady courage of people who chose connection over division.”
Happiness is within Your Reach!
Excerpted From rotary.org
Jeff Ruby spoke with Rotary members around the world to learn what happiness looked like for them. These are his observations:
What if a happy life isn’t so elusive after all? Maybe the answers are in plain view, sitting there in the World Happiness Report just waiting to be plucked. Hoping that was true, I reached out to Rotary members from five different countries around the world — and across the spectrum of national rankings — and asked each one how they define happiness in their lives. The goal was to collect not just big-picture philosophies, but also smaller, more concrete advice I could apply to my own life.
I started near the bottom. Likely affected by political instability and an ongoing economic crisis that has led to shortages of goods and services, Lebanon’s happiness rating ranks 145th among the 147 countries included on the happiness report. “To find someone happy rather than resilient in Lebanon is very difficult,” says Michel Jazzar, a 74-year-old dentist and past governor of District 2452 who lives in Jounieh, roughly 10 miles northeast of Beirut. “Lebanese are the happiest depressed people in the world.”
A sincere grandfatherly type, Jazzar thinks in Arabic, mentally translates those thoughts into French, and speaks them in English. He possesses a sincere positivity that cannot be faked; in his mouth, potential platitudes such as “We have to be citizens of the world” become profound calls to action. He offered me plenty of familiar advice — live in service to others; surround yourself with people you love; don’t let your ego run wild — but one phrase stuck out: He spoke of having a “giddy sense of humanity.” When I asked what that meant, he said that hope can lead to happiness, but one can practice being happy in a much more tangible way: through laughter. “I go on Facebook and listen to jokes,” he says. “I like to watch Steve Harvey to find out how Americans laugh.”
Steve Harvey? The key to happiness is Steve Harvey?
I dug up an old YouTube clip of Harvey onstage in his most ridiculous maroon suit riffing on the joys of driving a “raggedy-ass car.” It wasn’t really my thing, but there was something about the eager enthusiasm of stand-up comedy that felt comforting. Every morning, during the 20 minutes I used to meditate, I decided to watch a comedy set instead. Each time, it established a clear mood for my day. With John Mulaney and Sarah Silverman, I began to appreciate the humor in the most trivial situations of my life; watching Dave Chappelle helped me cut through the autopilot formality in my interactions with people — and I began to approach people with an openness that surprised even me.
Next, I connected with Ambalavanan Muruganathan, the CEO of a manufacturing company in Chennai, India, and a member of the Rotary Club of Madras Mid-Town. Judging the overall happiness of a country with a population of 1.45 billion seems particularly difficult, but India raised eyebrows by landing at 118. This was nine spots below its neighbor and political sparring partner, Pakistan, prompting an outraged Times of India to sourly complain, “India just sent a spacecraft to the Moon.” As if that mattered. Muruganathan didn’t wade into his country’s low ranking other than to say, “We’ve got a long way to go in stillness of mind.”
A yogi and fitness nut, Muruganathan, 58, repeatedly stressed the importance of working out and mindfulness, having “360 vision” and being fully aware of your surroundings. You can reach this state, he claims, not from seeking happiness but rather stability. And the best way to cultivate stability is through self-confidence, which must be instilled in children at a young age. “Schools need to identify the specialty in each child and help them achieve it,” he says. “Children have not been allowed to understand their greatness.” Only when people learn to understand themselves, Muruganathan says, will they embrace humanity — and their own potential.
I wasn’t able to fix the flaws in America’s educational system before this story was due, so I asked Avi, my self-assured 13-year-old, if Muruganathan’s statement rang true. “It’s not other people’s job to make me feel good,” she replied. “I have to do it myself.”
Avi explained that her confidence didn’t originate in school, but rather from horseback riding. I had been to a few of the kid’s lessons over the years and found them difficult to watch. Her tough instructor always seemed to be barking at her to keep her shoulders back. At 13, I would have fallen apart under the constant criticism; Avi sees it as the quickest way to improve at something that matters deeply to her. During the past school year, when a gym teacher chastised her for her gymnastic ineptitude, Avi simply shrugged. “I can control a 1,000-pound horse,” she said later. “Who cares if I know how to jump rope?”
“We tend to wait for happiness to show up,” says Sapna Jaggeshar Mudhoo. “It is there already if you learn to know what signals your body and brain are giving you.”
A psychologist and, fittingly, a charter member of the Rotary Club of Helvetia Happiness, her sunny disposition mirrors her surroundings in Mauritius (ranked 78th), a tropical African island nation in the Indian Ocean known for stunning beaches, coral reefs, and, somehow, an underwater waterfall. But climate change and the economic impacts of the pandemic hit the island hard, and Jaggeshar Mudhoo says that Mauritians are busy “working for peace around us, and not within us.” In her practice, by teaching their brains to expect joy again — even in small moments — Jaggeshar Mudhoo instills in patients a feeling that their lives matter.
This I knew something about. As a therapist in private practice, I spend my days working with clients dealing with drugs, sexual abuse, health issues, and complex trauma. My preferred approach of psychotherapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, is built on the idea that our general notions of happiness are flawed. We’ve been conditioned to believe that happiness is our natural state, and if we’re not happy, something is wrong with us. What’s actually normal is an ever-changing flow of emotions, pleasant, painful, and boring. If we can learn to acknowledge our own thoughts — even uncomfortable ones — without judgment, then we can open ourselves up to a life with a broader range of emotions: peace, conflict, contentment, sadness. Think of it like painting with every color in the palette after trying the same shade of yellow over and over.
Per Jaggeshar Mudhoo’s advice, I spent a week keeping a “happiness journal,” noting moments of emotion in my life and their corresponding sensations. One came while my wife and I watched Avi compete in a horseback riding competition on a farm on a punishingly hot day. The mosquitos had a surprising bloodlust, and I had chosen the wrong shirt for the occasion. As the afternoon progressed, I could feel an itchy rash spreading across my back.
Our child got last place. But as I chatted with my wife and listened to the cicadas humming the end of summer, I felt a light feeling in my stomach and a gentle tingling in my neck. And when those sensations faded, I was left with a startling clarity that my brain, my body, and my surroundings had locked into place, like some kind of cosmic Tetris. I didn’t need air conditioning or a cold drink when I had a warm reassurance in my gut that the moment made sense, and I would remember it. That’s when I suspected Jaggeshar Mudhoo was onto something.
Allen Sellers, a member of the Rotary Club of Panamá Nordeste in Panama City for 44 years, says that Panamanians tend to think of happiness in a more goal-oriented framework. “Many times I’ve heard that Panamanians are some of the happiest people in the world,” he says. (The country’s happiness ranking is No. 41 overall.) “I think that this possibly is due to the fact that we enjoy specific, immediate objectives.”
This resonated with me. For years, I believed “to-do” lists were a big waste of time (Don’t write about doing it! Just do it!), but lately, I have found the act of crossing off tasks immensely satisfying. It’s proof of progress, a chance to allow myself to celebrate small victories.
Sellers, a soft-spoken 76-year-old with a military and corporate background, says this is a sign of something larger: a general sense of inner peace. “Happiness,” he says, “comes from many small, seemingly insignificant things that, when added together, become uppercase ‘HAPPINESS.’ And that is a feeling of satisfaction and well-being with the status of things and how we fit into them.” In other words, pay attention to the usual factors, such as health, and economic conditions, but don’t overlook the emotional aspects: relations with your family, friends, and, most importantly, with yourself.
I channeled Sellers by “checking in” on myself at odd times: What am I feeling? Why am I feeling it? Am I being as kind to myself as I am to the people I love? One day, I sat down and listed 50 things I am proud of, an exercise that went from self-indulgent to uplifting to, ultimately, profound. Not a bad way to spend an hour. In the days since, I have routinely pulled out that list and added to it. Every time, it feels good.
So what did I learn from all this? In the end, the small advice ended up making the biggest difference — any lesson I could practice daily to create enough moments of grace and mindfulness that happiness began to seep in without my realizing it. Particularly helpful was a “happiness calendar” Michel Jazzar shared featuring a different prompt for each day, none of them terribly complicated (“Take a step towards an important goal, however small”) but crucial reminders in the daily rush of my life. In the month I followed Jazzar’s calendar, I reconnected with an old friend, let go of a long-held grudge, and finished writing a novel I have been tinkering with for years. After 30 days, I saw a world filled with possibilities.
During that month, one other thing happened. I also dropped off my son for his freshman year at college. He had worked hard to get to that day, showing a steadfast dedication to schoolwork and personal growth that, in all honesty, I didn’t see coming. Predictably, there were a lot of big feelings. After saying goodbye to him in his dorm room, the skies cracked open, rain poured down, and I bawled my head off in the car. It was terrible and wonderful and probably more authentic than any moment I had ever experienced in my 53 years. It was not happiness, nor was it sadness. It was life.
A Busy Month in Ashe County!
Submitted by Kelly Carson
The Rotary Club of Ashe County has been very busy this last month! We presented the West Jefferson Christmas Parade on November 15th, raising over $1000 for CART with parade participants entry donations (we had over 100 participants) as well as donations from the parade spectators. Our annual Wreath sales are looking good for 2025 also.
Cabarrus County Collaboration
Submitted by AG Dana Ritchie
Representatives from Cabarrus County Rotary clubs met on November 15th at a local gathering place to solicit new Rotary members.
Clubs will plan to follow up with individuals who expressed an interest in learning more about Rotary!
Celebrating a Centennial!
Submitted by Kevin Kendrick
Congratulations are due to David Hodgkins and his family on the recent recognition of his mother on the occasion of her 100th birthday!
Shirley M. Hodgkins- Born November 08, 1925- just celebrated her 100th Birthday- November 08, 2025. She lives in Independent Living in Worcester, Mass. In honor of the event, she was presented a Massachusetts State Citation from State Senator, Robyn Kennedy who is one of David’s nieces!
Bingo Bash in the Burg
Submitted by Dana Ritchie
The Rotary Club of Harrisburg held its second annual bingo fundraiser “Bingo Bash in the ‘Burg” at the brand new YMCA in Harrisburg recently, continuing a long-standing partnership between the two organizations. Approximately 150 were in attendance and the event included a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, dinner and Bingo!
Virtual Presentation on Nuclear Disarmament
Submitted by Quanta Dawn Light
The Rotary Club of Inner Peace, a companion club of Charlotte International Rotary, is pleased to sponsor a virtual presentation from Dr. Ira Helfand on achieving peace through nuclear disarmament. Dr. Helfand is a member of Rotary and a two-time recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Dear Friends of Peace and Honorable Dignitaries,
The Rotary Club for Inner Peace –
Satellite of Charlotte International Rotary Club
cordially invites you to a virtual presentation by
Dr Ira Helfand
☮️ 🌍 Nobel Peace Recipient- 1985 and 2017 🌍 ☮️
about how we can save our beloved humanity and prevent destruction of our beautiful planet earth.
Also, use our economic resources for the healthy development of people by focusing on peace.
Saturday, January 10, 2026
1 – 2:30 PM EST (New York)
Moderated by Marc Friedland and Quanta Dawn-Light
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81990893530?pwd=cXv3K4E26HDq5ewtaC7X5F0EkJ8CeF.1
Meeting ID: 819 9089 3530 Passcode: Helfand26
Dr Ira Helfand, MD, is a member of the International Steering Group of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the recipient of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. He is also immediate past president of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), the founding partner of ICAN and itself the recipient of the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize. He is also co-founder and past president of Physicians for Social Responsibility, IPPNW’s US affiliate.
https://peaceconference2020.org/ira-helfand-md/
Honorary Consul Roundtable Event – 2/9/26 – HOLD THE DATE!
Submitted by Helen Honeycutt, Charlotte International
The Charlotte International Rotary Club envisions a welcoming and inclusive community where people of all cultures come together to build friendships, exchange ideas, and create solutions in a judgment-free environment. By fostering mutual respect and cultural understanding—and by embracing Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus—we strengthen our impact locally in Charlotte and across the world.
The Charolotte International Rotary Club will hold its inaugural Honorary Consul Roundtable Event on February 9, 2026 at Queens University. It will be moderated by our Club Member Reinhard von Hennigs who is the Honorary Consul of Germany here in Charlotte. There will be a small reception before the event and a Q&A afterward. Timing is tentatively set for 5 pm-8 pm.
More information to come but please SAVE THE DATE!!
Matthews Rotary Club News
Submitted by Marty McInerney
The Matthews Rotary Club and the Matthews Athletic and Recreation Association (MARA) hosted our Matthews Police Chief and Fire Chief for lunch and to award donations from the proceeds of the first annual Fire vs. Police Department Softball Game. Fire Chief Robert Kinneburgh accepted the trophy for 2025 as his department won the first game. Police Chief James Avens, Jr. challenged him for the next game in 2026.
In addition to bragging rights, both chiefs were given checks for $2,500 for their departments, which were shared proceeds from the event.
On December 8th, 23 members of the United Methodist Church of Matthews choir joined us singing holiday carols in the Lobby of Atrium Union West Hospital under the direction of the church’s Choir Director, Caig Estep.
Atrium’s lobby is three stories high allowing patients who are able to join us at the railings and sing along with us. The singing was heard throughout the public areas of the hospital. Afterwards, everyone retired to the conference room for a holiday luncheon. This is the second year for the event and is becoming a very popular Holiday Tradition and a great way to kick off the Holiday Season!
Mooresville-Lake Norman Supports France-USA Intercountry Committee
Submitted by Cathy Johansen
The Mooresville-LKN Rotary Club proudly sponsored Lexia Gianopoulos as an ambassador to the 2025 Rotary France-USA Intercountry Committee (ICC) Positive Peace Seminar held in Orleans, France this past October. The seminar gave 10 young people from the United States and 10 from France, the opportunity to gain skills needed to serve as peace builders and world leaders. It was made possible through the cooperation of the French and American Rotary Districts with the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), www.economicsandpeace.org, and the Rotary France-USA ICC.
During her stay, Lexia attended 2 ½ days of roundtable talks around the Eight Pillars of Positive Peace constructed by the IEP – 1) Low Levels of Corruption; 2) Sound Business Environment; 3) Well-Functioning Government; 4) Acceptance of the Rights of Others; 5) Equitable Distribution of Resources; 6) Free Flow of Information; 7) Good Relations with Neighbors; 8) High Levels of Human Capital. Lexia learned that peace can be viewed through practice as distinguished from theory: from agreeing to a ceasefire, maintaining it, and rebuilding trust. Also, polarization does not need to be negative. By allowing diversity to be engaged in a healthy manner rather than an “us vs them’ mentality, the toxicity will be diminished. Countries across the globe are rated for their positive involvement in these pillars. For further, in-depth information, please visit their website at www.economicsandpeace.org.
Lexia, fresh from her amazing experience overseas, gave the club a rundown of her activities and impressive background in peace building dating back to when she was only fourteen years old. She is a senior now at Furman University, majoring in Broadcast Journalism and plans to continue with her peace building activities.
Lexia is pictured with
President Ann Nivens (center)
and sponsor Assaad Mounzer (far right).
A Warm Season’s Greetings from Charlotte South Park!
Submitted by Erika Hudson
Welcome to December, my Rotary Family—a month wrapped in light, renewal, and divine possibility.
As we enter this sacred season, may your spirit feel the shimmer of December’s magic—the soft glow of candles, the harmony of gathering with loved ones, and the quiet moments where gratitude fills the heart. This is the time of year when the world slows down just enough for us to notice the beauty around us and the miracles unfolding within us.
December invites us to reflect on the journey we’ve walked, the people we’ve touched, and the ways we’ve chosen service over self. It reminds us that our personal power is not defined by status or circumstance, but by the love we give, the peace we create, and the hope we inspire. Rotary teaches us that service is a sacred act—an offering of the heart. With each smile shared, each helping hand extended, each kindness offered freely, we become instruments of grace in a world that needs more warmth.
May this season awaken your inner light. May you feel empowered to choose joy even in busy moments, to choose peace when life feels heavy, and to choose compassion as your guiding star. Your presence is a gift. Your actions create ripples. Your spirit makes a difference that only you can make.
Let December be a celebration of everything you’ve overcome and everything you are becoming. Let it be a reminder that divine timing is at work in your life, guiding every step and opening doors meant for you.
As we gather with family, friends, and our Rotary community, may we carry the true meaning of this season in our hearts—faith, fellowship, generosity, and hope. Let us move forward with renewed intention, ready to share the magic of service, the joy of connection, and the transformative power of love.
Here’s to a festive, joyful, spirit-filled December—a month of miracles, meaning, and the beautiful work we do together as Rotarians.
Happy December! May your days be blessed, bright, and overflowing with purpose. 🎄✨🕯️🕊️
