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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.
CART Earns Four Stars From Charity Navigator
THANK YOU for your continued support and trusting us to help find a prevention, treatment or cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. We are proud to have awarded more than $15 million in research grants and be recognized by charity Navigator as a FOUR-STAR CHARITY!
Youth Protection
Submitted by Kevin Kendrick, Immediate Past District Governor
Did you know that Rotary has a “Statement of Conduct for Working with Youth”? This is what it says:
“Rotary International strives to create and maintain a safe environment for all youth who participate in Rotary activities. To the best of their ability, Rotary members, their partners, and other volunteers must safeguard the children and young people with whom they come into contact and protect them from physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.”
This applies to every program involving youth in our District. Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA and formerly known as SFTL), Rotary Youth Exchange, and any project we may be participating in that involves youth. Rotary has produced a comprehensive document called the “Rotary Youth Protection Guide”, which clearly spells out District and Club requirements:
“Rotary reinforces the Statement of Conduct for Working With Youth with additional policies that set the safety of young people as our first priority. They require districts and clubs to adhere to local youth protection laws and procedures and to set expectations for responding to any concerns or allegations that arise.”
All Club Presidents and members involved in any capacity with youth should review the Rotary Youth Protection Guide to understand club and role responsibilities. The contents of this guide include the following sections:
- Introduction to Youth Protection
- Leadership and Positions of Responsibility for District and Club Members
- Youth Protection Procedures, including volunteer screening, volunteer training, online safety, and document retention
- Awareness and Prevention, including creating a culture of awareness, recognizing abuse, and understanding grooming
- Responding and Reporting of Incidents
If you have any questions about the Guide, please email our Youth Protection Officer, Kristen Hayden. Click here for her email. Or any of the current Youth Service Chairpersons:
Interact – Kathy Crothers
Interact – Kevin Boyle
RYLA – Scott Van Der Linden
RYE – Kevin Kendrick
RYE – Kam Chandan
What Is Rotary Youth Exchange?
Originally presented at Mid-Year Assembly
Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) is a global exchange program that places young people into host families and schools in another country for an extended period—most often a full academic year.
For more than 50 years, it has been one of Rotary’s most effective tools for building international understanding. RYE is Peace Work. Peace is not built only through treaties and diplomacy; it is built when people know one another, trust one another, and see each other as human beings. Rotary Youth Exchange does exactly that. Over the course of its existence, RYE is estimated to have helped 300,000 young people build relationships throughout the world.
For additional information, please visit our District website at https://core-update-test-rotary7680-stg.wsite.dev/youth-exchange/
In addition, as co-chairs, Kam Chandan and Kevin Kendrick are available to speak to your clubs about how you can become more involved with this amazing and transformational program.
If you believe that fostering peace in our communities and in our world is important, here is how you can help:
- Consider becoming a host family.
- Please consider joining the District 7680 RYE team. We need your help.
For additional information, please contact Committee Co-Chairs:
Kevin Kendrick. kevin.dg7680.2425@gmail.com 703-431-3340
Kam Chandan. kamleshchandan@gmail.com 704-785-7887
Club Visioning in District 7680’s Flagship Club
Submitted by Patrick Baker, President, Charlotte Rotary
Serving as president of the Charlotte Rotary Club has been an honor, particularly given our club’s long history in Charlotte since 1917 and its status as the largest in District 7680. Like many civic organizations, we’ve experienced a steady decline in membership over the past 15 years, a trend made worse by the COVID pandemic. Our demographic data reveals that nearly 70% of members are at least 60 years old, with almost double the number of members aged 80+ compared to those under 50. Women now make up 23% of our membership, a significant rise over the past decade, but there is room for growth.
Recognizing the need to sustain our club’s legacy, the Board determined we must be more strategic in bringing in and keeping new members, leading us to pursue a long-term vision. We began this process in Fall 2025 with a comprehensive member survey covering every aspect of club life, from meeting locations and frequency to service projects and dues. Using the valuable insights gathered, our Board enlisted help from District 7680 leaders for a half-day visioning retreat—a four-hour event designed to help club leaders and interested members build consensus about our direction three years into the future and map out steps to achieve it.
The session, led by Marcia Scheideman along with facilitators Chris Jones and Barbara Belon, and supported by scribes Georgia Oakes and Lorena Garza Prince, proved inspiring and impactful. A key benefit was how it involved all members, giving everyone the opportunity to contribute ideas and influence the club’s future. This inclusive approach fostered an environment of open discussion and thoughtful engagement, demonstrating that our best path comes from collective input.
The retreat also promoted continuity within the club; through dialogue and collaboration, members reached consensus on priorities, laying a strong foundation for current and future leaders to stay focused and aligned.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Members called the experience “fantastic” and valued the clarity it brought to our planning. Instead of feeling daunting, the process delivered a clear, practical roadmap that unified our goals and efforts.
Ultimately, this effort went beyond traditional planning—it reinforced our identity as a club that thrives through engagement, collaboration, and a shared vision. There’s more work ahead to fully realize our strategy, but thanks to the Rotary Club Visioning Team, we’ve made a strong beginning.
Harlem Wizards + Rotary: Turning Trick Hoops into Community Impact
Submitted by Hayden Kramer, AG for Union County and President Union West
What happens when high-flying basketball, music, laughter, and service come together under one banner? In our district, it looks like packed gyms, energized communities, and thousands of dollars raised for local causes — all powered by Rotary.
This past year, three Rotary clubs — Albemarle, Waxhaw-Weddington, and Union West — partnered with their local communities to host Harlem Wizards fundraising games. Each event transformed a school gym into a full-scale, high-energy experience featuring trick shots, alley-oops, audience participation, dancing, and nonstop entertainment. The result was more than just a show — it was a shared community moment built around service and generosity.
Across the three events, more than 2,000 people gathered under the Rotary name to experience the Wizards’ brand of interactive basketball. For many attendees, it was their first direct exposure to Rotary. For our clubs, it was a powerful opportunity to demonstrate that service organizations can be both impactful and fun.
A Modern Fundraiser That Works
Traditional fundraising events can sometimes feel predictable. The Harlem Wizards model flips that script. By combining entertainment with purpose, the games create a turnkey community event that attracts families, students, educators, and local leaders alike. The format encourages school and community participation, generates strong advance ticket sales, and builds excitement through player visits and local promotions.
Over the past several years, Wizards partnerships within the district have generated more than $100,000 in total fundraising support.
Just as important as the dollars raised is how those dollars are used. Funds generated from these events are intentionally directed back into the community through Rotary club initiatives and partnerships, including:
- Student scholarships
- Service Above Self leadership programs
- Youth development initiatives
- Scout organizations
- Girls on the Run and similar youth wellness programs
- Local community needs and charitable projects
Every ticket purchased translates into tangible local impact.
A True Team Effort
These events succeed because of collaboration. Rotary members, school administrators, teachers, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners all play essential roles — from organizing logistics and promotions to coaching the hometown teams that take the court against the Wizards. The games are not just Rotary events; they are community-wide partnerships.
Volunteers manage ticketing, sponsorships, concessions, merchandise, and crowd engagement. Local businesses step up as sponsors. Schools open their doors and rally their families. The shared ownership creates deeper connections and a broader reach.
Service with Energy and Visibility
Beyond fundraising, the Wizards events significantly expand Rotary’s visibility. Thousands of attendees see Rotary in action — not as a logo on a banner, but as an organization creating memorable experiences and delivering real community benefit. The events generate social media engagement, school communications, word-of-mouth promotion, and positive press — all reinforcing Rotary’s relevance and accessibility.
Most importantly, the events embody a core truth: service can be joyful. Communities unite, laughter fills the gym, and generosity follows.
The Harlem Wizards partnership has proven that when Rotary embraces creative, high-engagement fundraising, we don’t just raise money — we raise awareness, relationships, and community spirit.
It’s more than a game. It’s Rotary in motion — uniting for good!
MIKE’S MEMBERSHIP MINUTE
Submitted by Mike Walker, District Membership Chair
WHO WOULD YOU INVITE, IF IT COULD ONLY BE ONE PERSON?
If you could only invite one person to a meeting or club event in the next 45 days, who would it be?
Would it be a longtime friend? A neighbor? A co-worker? A family member? A local business owner?
Do you think they’d be a great Rotarian? How might you invite them in the next 45 days?
Put yourself in their shoes to ask, “What’s in it for them?” People join and stay in Rotary for a combination of four reasons. Just like you did.
- Relationships – what high-quality person wouldn’t want relationships with other high-quality people who recite (and hopefully live) the Four Way Test?
- Service – they can bring or find their passion. And serve locally or internationally, with support from The Rotary Foundation. And do it with fun Rotarians.
- Growth – we’re leaders by mindset as much as position, opening Rotary to those of all ages. It’s a place to use and improve speaking, organizing, and leadership skills.
- Learning – don’t discount the value of learning about your community through speakers, projects, and fellow members.
Invite them until they attend. Once there, introduce them to club members, explain the four reasons above, talk about what you are proud of, and let them decide for themselves. With your excellent, persistent follow-up, that is.
Strengthen Your PI/PR with The Learning Center!
The Learning Center offers a number of courses on Public Image and Public Relations topics. Your Club can benefit by having a few members who are versed in these areas. Remember that telling our stories is one of the most important activities we can undertake to attract new members and ensure a better understanding of all the good things we do in our communities!
Here’s a quick snapshot of the offerings:
District Grant Training!
Please save this date for District Grants Training: March 28, 2026.
Training will be ONLINE.
Please check the DACdb calendar for more information soon!
🔵 SAVE THE DATE 🔵
Rotary District Grants Training
📅 March 28, 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Milk banks provide a lifeline to vulnerable newborns
Submitted by Kam Chandan, District Rotary Foundation Chair
Find candidates for Rotary Peace Fellowships
Submitted by Kam Chandan, Rotary Foundation Chair
Applications are now open for 2026-27 Rotary Peace Fellowships. If you know any peace and development leaders in your community, encourage them to apply for a fully funded master’s degree or professional development certificate program offered through one of our Rotary Peace Centers at partner universities around the world. The possibilities include our new centers in Istanbul, Türkiye, and Pune, India. You can use the referral form to send information to potential candidates.
Since 2002, more than 1,800 peace fellows have graduated from our Rotary Peace Centers. They now work in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and development roles in more than 140 countries. Follow the Rotary Peace Centers Facebook page to learn more, or write to rotarypeacecenters@rotary.org
So what can YOU do to help us further develop our network of Peace Fellows?
You can help promote peace in the world by encouraging peace and development leaders in your community to apply for the Rotary Peace Fellowship.
Rotary Peace Fellows use their training to amplify their work at the local, regional, or global level. Together, we can advance peace by encouraging our local peacebuilders to learn about Rotary and apply for this unique fellowship.
Rotary and Rotaract members can help find candidates within their networks and community organizations. If you know of someone who might be a good candidate, please use the referral form provided above.
Polio Update – February 2026
Submitted by Tom Smith, Rotary Foundation District Polio Chair
The effort to eradicate Polio continues with a significant decrease in the cases reported in 2025 versus 2024. Afghanistan reported three additional cases late in the year, putting them at 13 for the year and 31 for Pakistan, for a total of 44 cases last year. This is a decrease from 99 total cases reported in 2024. There have been no cases reported in 2026.
Pakistan will be having a large immunization campaign shortly, with 45 million children targeted. I am attaching the “Polio News “, which gives a lot of information and insight into our efforts. Please share it with your club members.
District giving of $77,767 has been donated through the end of January. Our Goal is $100,00, which we need to exceed this year.
The Top Giving clubs are:
- Mecklenburg County South $12,650
- Charlotte International $ 7,631
- North Wilkesboro $ 7,030
- Charlotte South $ 5,542
- Charlotte $ 5,375
I want to mention several small clubs with outsized giving: Charlotte Dilworth with $4,047 and Taylorsville with $3,407. I want to thank the above clubs for their efforts, and I sincerely hope and expect every club will support this, the sole program of Rotary.
I will note that several clubs have not entered their giving goals for the year or recorded any giving. Let’s all support this program so we can finish the job of Eradicating Polio from the world and, in doing so, keep our promise to the children of the world.
Please see the accompanying District Giving Report, Polio News, Polio Plus Society, and the Kennel Klub forms for your and your members’ review. Please encourage your members to support Polio Plus. If we all give, we will exceed our goal.
Click the thumbnails below to explore more about Polio and Rotary’s work to end it.
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Peace Committee Announces “Peace Through Art” Competition
Submitted by Ashmi Trivedi, District 7680 Peace Committee Chair
The Art of Peace: A Youth Creative Expression Competition
Overview & Purpose
Peace Through Art is an art youth competition designed to engage middle and high school students in exploring peacebuilding through creative expression throughout Rotary District 7680. By inviting students to respond artistically to real challenges in their communities, this initiative positions art as both a reflective practice and a catalyst for empathy, dialogue, and social understanding. The competition centers peace not as the absence of conflict, but as an active, imaginative process grounded in awareness, compassion, and possibility.
The program will serve students from Mecklenburg, Union, Stanly, Anson, Richmond, Cabarrus, Gaston, Cleveland, Rowan, Iredell, Alleghany, Wilkes, Alexander, and Ashe Counties.
Prompt
Choose one issue, conflict, or challenge your community is facing, either internally or externally.
Your work should:
- Name or show the conflict
- Explore who or what is affected
- Imagine a path toward understanding, repair, change, or peacebuilding
The submission does not need to solve the problem. Instead, it should offer a shift in perspective, a moment of recognition, or a vision where peace becomes possible.
Artist Statement (Required | 50–70 words): Why did you choose this issue, and what kind of peaceful change does your work imagine?
Competition Categories
Students may submit work in one of the following three categories:
- Film / Videography
- Short films, documentaries, or visual narratives (5 minutes max)
- May include live action, animation, or mixed media
- One original piece per student
- Focus on storytelling that explores conflict and peacebuilding
- Visual Art
- Painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, or digital art
- One original piece per student
- Artwork should visually interpret peace, conflict, or reconciliation
- Poetry
Winners will be selected/featured at our District Conference in May!
Duke-UNC Peace Center Annual Spring Conference
Submitted by Sharon Heinrich, DGN and Peace Committee
Spring Conference 2026: April 11 @ 7:45 am – 3:30 pm
Each spring, the graduating Fellows from the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center host Rotarians, faculty, staff, students, and local participants as they give presentations on peacebuilding, international development, and conflict transformation from around the globe.
Mark your calendars for our 23rd Annual Spring Conference, which will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026. The conference is organized by the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center. Click here to learn more and register!
New Peace Center!
Reproduced from Rotary International Facebook
A new space for peacebuilding opened at Symbiosis International Deemed University in Pune, India, in January.
This addition to Rotary Peace Centers will expand opportunities for learning, leadership, and collaboration across Asia. Through a one-year fellowship, professionals will deepen their skills and turn learning into action in their communities.
Charlotte North Rotary:
Building Hope, Serving Locally, Impacting Globally
Submitted by Adolphys Bethune, Charlotte North Rotary
From housing and youth programs to global outreach and arts education, Charlotte North Rotary continues to lead with heart, impact, and innovation – demonstrating what it truly means to serve above self.
The Charlotte North Rotary Club is proud to share how our members continue to make a meaningful difference in our community and beyond. Through hands-on service, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to leadership, our club embodies Rotary’s mission of Service Above Self.
One of our cornerstone initiatives is our partnership with Heal Charlotte, where members provide both fundraising and hands-on service to support homeless and underprivileged youth. Our current focus is on Community Campus 1, a housing initiative designed to offer stability, safety, and hope to families in need.
We are also deeply committed to child wellness through our support of Cribs for Kids. Each year, Charlotte North Rotary sponsors the Breath of Life Stroll at Freedom Park, helping raise awareness and funds to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Proceeds go toward educational seminars for new parents and the distribution of free cribs to families who need them most.
Education and dignity remain at the heart of our work. Through Samaritan’s Feet, our club provides shoes to students at Hidden Valley Elementary School—ensuring that for every pair donated locally, another pair is given to a child internationally. This program not only meets a physical need but restores confidence and self-esteem.
Our club is also passionate about preserving and expanding access to the arts. In partnership with Opera Carolina and Opera Express, we bring cultural enrichment to elementary school students—many experiencing live opera for the first time. These programs broaden horizons and ignite creativity.
Charlotte North Rotary further recognizes excellence through our Community Service Awards, honoring a Police Officer, Firefighter, Teacher, and Healthcare Worker of the Year. These awards celebrate unsung heroes who serve our community daily with dedication and courage.
We proudly support Rotary Youth Exchange, sponsoring international students and local youth, helping build tomorrow’s global leaders through cultural immersion and lifelong friendships.
Our members believe that service is not just something we do—it is who we are.
We invite other clubs across District 7680 to collaborate, share ideas, and join us in expanding Rotary’s impact. Together, we can build stronger communities and brighter futures.
Charlotte International Hosts Inaugural Honorary consul Roundtable
Submitted by Kevin Kendrick
A huge round of applause to the Charlotte International Rotary Club on their inaugural “Honorary Consul Roundtable” event. The International Club has a history of including people from all over the world who are calling Charlotte home and bring a willingness to serve with Rotary.
This effort marked the beginning of an effort to re-engage this community and grow the Club in a meaningful and sustainable way. We heard a robust discussion on the role of Honorary Consul from three members of this community, including Germany, Spain and Hungary.
Many thanks to President Helen Honeycutt and all the club members who worked on tonight’s event, attended by at least 130 people, a huge success!
Charlotte Dilworth South End Pickleball Event!
Submitted by Amarja Webb, Past President
We hope you can join us for our second annual Pickleball for a Purpose event on March 28, 2026, at the Cornwell Center in Charlotte! Your support in helping us to do good in the community is greatly appreciated!
Two ways to support us: Register at the link below OR consider becoming a Sponsor!! Or do both!
LINK TO REGISTER: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/pickleball-for-a-purpose
Lake Norman Men That Cook – A Wonderful Community Event!
Submitted by Eileen Solomon, AG North Mecklenburg County and Huntersville Happy Hour
The Huntersville Happy Hour Rotary Club is pleased to announce a “title sponsor” for its signature event, Lake Norman Men That Cook. Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital has taken the lead for this year’s event with a contribution of $25,000.
The fundraiser, now in its 7th year, supports 15 local charities with cooking teams competing for prize money in five different food categories. Prize money is awarded by a panel of judges from the local community. Last year, sponsorship totaled $40,000 through monetary and in-kind donations.
Lake Norman Men That Cook is made possible with local business support and community involvement. Chris Boukedes, Owner of the Venues in Langtree, Mooresville, has been donating this exclusive wedding venue since the event’s inception in 2017.
Lake Norman Men That Cook will be held on Sunday, March 22 from 11 am to 2 pm at the Venues in Langtree, Mooresville. There will be two sessions. The AM session is from 11 am to 12 noon and the PM session is from 12:30 pm to 2 pm. Tickets are $25. Children aged 5 – 10 are $10. Children under 5 are free. Participants can sample the cuisine and vote for their favorite dishes with their entry ticket, adding more prize money to each charitable organization.
Rotary Clubs are encouraged to cook for a charity or raise funds for their district grant project. Sponsorship is also welcome. If you would like to have your Rotary Club’s logo placed on one of the guest tables, please contact Eileen Solomon, 516-383-5310. The $300 table sponsorship is available exclusively to Rotary Clubs in District 7680. Your sponsorship does not include tickets to the event. lease help our club spread the word and don’t forget to buy your lunch tickets. For more information, visit our website at https://lakenormanmenthatcook.info/.
