INSIDE THIS ISSUE 

Thank You from District Governor Donna Moffett

District 7680 Rotarians,

Another year of Rotary has concluded, and I am filled with gratitude, pride, and hope. Serving as your District Governor is a great honor, and I will cherish the friendships, partnerships, and memories we have created together.

As I reflect on this extraordinary year, one thought stays with me. Each of us has a choice every day about how we spend our time, our energy, and our resources.

It is not lost on me that, time and again, you chose Rotary.

You chose Rotary when you opened one more email, made one more phone call, attended one more meeting, joined another service project, mentored a young leader, chaired a committee, or simply showed up when your community needed you. Those choices may seem small in the moment, but together they have created an extraordinary impact.

Every act of service, every hour volunteered, and every dollar invested represents a decision to place “Service Above Self.”

Because you chose Rotary, lives are being changed, hope is being restored, and our communities are becoming stronger. Thank you for making those choices so faithfully throughout this year.

I hope you will continue to choose Rotary, not because the calendar says it’s a new year, but because you have seen firsthand the impact we can have when we work together toward a common goal.

One chapter closes, and another begins. Even though I personally feel the emotions of the end of a District Governor journey, the reality is that my work, our work, to serve others must continue.

Rotary is not defined by a single year or a single leader.

Rotary is sustained by people who continue to answer the call to make a difference. The needs in our communities and around the world do not end, and neither does our commitment to meeting them.

As you welcome our new District Governor Jerry and his leadership team, I encourage you to continue saying “yes” to service, “yes” to fellowship, and “yes” to the opportunities that Rotary places before us. Support them with the same generosity, enthusiasm, and commitment that you have shown throughout this year.

Thank you for believing in Rotary’s vision, for giving your time and talents so selflessly. You have inspired me beyond words, and I will always be grateful to be a member of this incredible Rotary family.

Always, Yours in Service,

Donna Moffett
District Governor 2025–2026
Rotary District 7680

DG Jerry’s Focus for 2026-2027

Submitted by DG Jerry Coughter

#Hunger2Hope

I chose the fight against food insecurity as the focus for my year as District Governor because it touches every community in District 7680. Across North Carolina, more than 1.6 million people struggle with hunger, including about 438,000 children. Whether you live in a rural county like Ashe or Alleghany, or a growing area like Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, or Union County, the need is there.

This focus gives our clubs a chance to make a real difference right away, while also building stronger partnerships with schools, food banks, churches, and other local partners already doing this work. Some clubs may support backpack meal programs; others may volunteer with local pantries, organize food drives, help stock community refrigerators, or support programs for seniors and veterans. Projects may look different from club to club, but the goal is the same: help people in our communities move from Hunger2Hope.

To me, addressing food insecurity is one of the clearest ways we can Create Lasting Impact. Food is a basic need, and meeting that need can change lives. When children are well-fed, they perform better in school. When seniors and families have consistent access to healthy meals, they’re in a better position to stay healthy and manage day-to-day life. – YIRS, Jerry

Rotary International President Visits Rotary District 7680

Submitted by PDG Kevin Kendrick

Rotary District 7680 members were honored to welcome Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo and his wife, Anna Maria, during their visit to the Charlotte area.  After the tree planting, Francesco and Anna Marie were honored at the Rotary Club of Charlotte’s Presidential transition event. President Francesco ended the meeting with an inspiring ask of all members, and that is, not just go to Rotary but to “do” Rotary in an intentional and impactful way.

Next on the agenda was a visit to Thompson Park in Charlotte to dedicate a new Peace Pole containing eight languages, including President Francesco’s native Italian. The Charlotte Club recently facilitated the establishment of a beautiful Rotary garden at Thompson Park with the help of a District grant, and the Peace Pole is a beautiful addition. Thanks to Joe Morris for spearheading this part of Francesco’s visit.

Following the Peace Pole dedication, Francesco and Anna Maria took a leisurely tour of the Trail of History, in the company of Dr. Tony Zeiss, Catherine Bracey, and William Bradley. They thoroughly enjoyed learning about important individuals who have contributed to the history and growth of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.

Wednesday of President Francesco’s visit here in District 7680 began with a tour of the Mint Museum. There, accompanied by Todd Herman of the Mint and William Bradley, Francesco and Anna Maria were treated to a personal tour of the Caravaggio Exhibit. Francesco was thoroughly impressed with the exhibit and spoke glowingly of it as we drove them to the Peninsula Club for a meeting with members of that Club and Presidents from around the District. Here, as his last official presentation, he reminded us that growing our impact by expanding our membership is paramount. He also implored us, as Rotarians, to always keep in mind the needs of others in international locales, who often face extremely harsh realities.

We next visited several organizations in the North Mecklenburg area with whom the North Meck Club has successfully collaborated to improve the lives of literally thousands of people. These included the Neighborhood C.A.R.E. Center in Cornelius, which focuses on addressing situational and intergenerational poverty across multiple demographics; the Cain Center for the Arts; the Veterans Memorial Monument and the 911 Memorial, both supported by the club; and finally the incredible Ada Jenkins Center, which provides educational programs and food needs for hundreds of people in the community. President Francesco was truly impressed with the number of people served by all of these organizations and the extensive collaboration occurring between these organizations.

We ended the day with an incredible dinner cruise on Lake Norman with a few dozen Rotarians and friends. We were even provided with a very informative overview of Lake Norman and the Catawba River Basin by fellow Rotarian Greg Nance who is employed by our friends at the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation.

In summary, this was an absolutely incredible experience for so many in our District, and based on his comments, we’re certain Francesco and Anna Maria felt very much the same. We were grateful that Charlotte Rotarian Herb Harriss was able to safely escort our RIP to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport and see them off on their journey to pack up in Evanston and head home.

 Arrivederci, President Francesco and viaggi sicuri!

To upload the additional photos, scan the QR code.

Installation of DGE Jerry Coughter

Submitted by iPDG Kevin Kendrick (taken from his social media post)

Late June of every year is like Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve to a Rotarian! We are on the cusp of a brand,  new year, beginning on July 1st, and with that, a new District Governor and club leaders and a time planning new initiatives and projects to assist our communities.

On Saturday, we celebrated the installation of Jerry Coughter, District Governor-Elect, in RotaryD7680, as our new District Governor, succeeding the incredible Donna Mater Moffett who did an exemplary job this year!

We feted Jerry and Donna at the Mt. Holly Civic Center and we had representatives from at least 30 of our clubs from around the District!

Jerry’s focus will be on food security this year, a problem growing in each of our District’s 14 counties. Jerry challenged us to step up our activity and to do more. And we will.

A very special thanks to the amazing Angie White Rikard, Mike Purvis and the The Angie Rikard Band for providing music and sound today!! Absolutely flawless and beautiful! 💜

Congratulations to Kim Brattain, Charlotte Rotary Club 

Award-winning recognition for Operation Helo in Western NC

OPERATION HELO

CLIENT: Rotary District 7680 INDUSTRY: Nonprofit YEAR: 2025

Our second Gold Telly-winning project this year, Operation Helo, spotlighted the ongoing recovery challenges following Hurricane Helene in the North Carolina mountains.

This story came to life because of two people.

Artist Jay-Paul Thibault shared incredibly powerful iPhone footage from the region, capturing both the devastation and resilience of the community.

Former Rotary District 7680 President Kevin Kendrick helped drive the vision behind the project, determined to keep the impact of Helene in the public eye long after national attention faded.

Kevin understood something important: storytelling sustains momentum. It keeps pressure on lawmakers. It inspires action. It reminds people not to look away.

That’s what happens when real people tell real stories.

And no matter how advanced technology becomes, that human connection will always matter most.

Pee Dee Area News – June 2026

Submitted by Bob Remsburg, Assistant Governor

All four Pee Dee Area Clubs have scholarship programs for High School Seniors and have been busy awarding these in the past month. The Albemarle Club funds their scholarships through the annual golf tournament held at Tillery Tradition Golf Club near Lake Tillery.  Over $16,000 was raised to use for the 8 scholarships they present.

New Presidents will take over their roles in June starting with President Stephanie Wilson at Wadesboro.  She’ll honor outgoing President Ashley Scarborough at a nice function on June 11.  Ethan Edwards will replace Pam Carrick as President at West Stanly on June 25 at their regular breakfast meeting.  The Rockingham Club will see President Ben Mercer step down as new President Jeremy Dewberry takes over at their year-end celebration on June 22 at the Rotary Lodge adjacent to Hinson Lake.  In Albemarle, President George Crooker will pass the gavel to President Louisa Jane Hartsell at their noon meeting on June 25.

The Albemarle Club has one more fundraising event for FY26 with the 5th Annual Race to Remember.  This is scheduled for Saturday, June 13th at 8:00 AM and raises money for The CART Fund.  All profits from the race will be used for Alzheimer’s and related dementia disease research. As this is being written over 130 are registered to participate in the 5K and 1 mile and virtual race events. Each year, the Albemarle Club has been able to donate at least $10,000 to The CART Fund.  Working together, we can help find a cure and treatment for Alzheimer’s!  The Albemarle Club was greatly honored at the recent District 7680 Conference when they received the Lois Crumpler Outstanding Large Club of the Year award.

Mandi Rogers, Past-President of the Albemarle Club will be taking over as the PeeDee Area Assistant Governor beginning in July.  Mandi is a Senior Vice-President with Uwharrie Bank in Albemarle and is a member of the NC Air National Guard.  She was named Distinguished Rotarian for the Albemarle Club this year and has been responsible for the annual Rotary Gala which raises funds for Gift of Life International.

The District Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee is thrilled to announce that we have extended the eligibility period for the Art of Peace Youth Art Competition! Please note that submissions are open to youth in all 14 of our counties, specifically those in Middle School and High School! Please contact Kevin Kendrick with any questions!

CONGRATULATIONS Terri Latta, Rotary Club of Lake Norman Huntersville

Captures Rotary International Photography Award!

Submitted by Kam Chandan, PDG and Foundation Chair

 2026 Photo Awards: The extraordinary ordinary

The pictures featured in this year’s photo awards are simply sublime

The English poet and printmaker William Blake saw angels in the treetops, spoke with his fellow poet John Milton — who died 83 years before Blake was born — and received insightful tips about engraving from his brother Robert, also dead.

As evidenced by his luminous poetry and prints, Blake was a visionary, someone with an eye for the miraculous, even when mired in the mundane. The photographers featured in this issue possess a comparable talent, but rather than rely on an assist from the seraphim, they use a camera to detect the wonders of daily life that are hiding in plain sight.

In Vienna, Luca Venturi lowered his lens and trained it on two pairs of poised legs, a wheel of yellow daffodils, and a child contemplating whatever it is children see when left alone with their thoughts.

Walking down a busy street in Taiwan, Yuan-Lung Hsieh strolled by a department store window; unlike other passersby, he stopped, pointed his camera, and caught the image of a shimmering wedding gown half hidden behind silken drapes.

In Oregon, JoEllen Reif turned a camera toward her granddaughter Willa standing wide-eyed in a doorway and immortalized an angel imbued with golden light.

William Blake celebrated that rare ability “to see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wild flower.” The 13 photographs gathered here demonstrate that it’s not only visionary poets who can capture the magic of everyday moments that might have otherwise gone unobserved.

Here’s what Rotary International said about Terri’s photo:

Indifferent to the riot of color that surrounds it, a determined duck paddles across the lake that lies at the base of the majestic, 14,000-foot-tall Maroon Bells. Situated within the White River National Forest about 10 miles southwest of Aspen, Colorado, the twin peaks get their distinctive reddish-purple coloring from iron-bearing rocks that have oxidized over millions of years. 

TERRI LATTA, Rotary Club of Lake Norman/Huntersville, North Carolina 

Link to all pictures: https://www.rotary.org/en/2026-photo-awards-the-extraordinary-ordinary

Club Visioning

Submitted by Marcia Scheideman, District Leadership Facilitator

Your Club’s Best Future Starts Now

We’re just getting started—and the momentum is growing.

District 7680 is helping clubs move from good to great through the power of Visioning. Planning is already underway, with one club scheduled for a June Visioning event and two more clubs in the queue.

Imagine What’s Possible

What do you want your club to look like three years from now?

A thriving club doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when members come together, share ideas, align around a common purpose, and create a roadmap for the future.

Every Voice. Every Perspective. Every Member.

Club Visioning is an engaging, facilitated process that brings members together to dream, discuss, and decide what’s next. It creates space for every voice to be heard and every perspective to help shape the club’s future.

More Than a Plan—A Shared Vision

Visioning isn’t just another planning exercise. It’s a catalyst for action. Clubs leave with greater clarity, stronger engagement, and a practical path forward that inspires members and strengthens impact.

Ready to Take Your Club to the Next Level?

The District 7680 Visioning Team is ready to help your club create a future that excites and energizes its members.

To learn more or schedule a Club Visioning session, contact Marcia Scheideman, District Visioning Team Lead, at mscheideman.ms@gmail.com.

Your club’s future is waiting. Let’s build it together.

 “Dances of India” Cultural Presentation

Submitted by Dr. Maha Gingrich, QCI

The Charlotte Queen City Impact Club and the Matthews Rotary Club, recently partnered to provide tickets for the Crown Point Elementary School in Matthews to Queen City Impact member Dr. Maha Gingrich’s “Dances of India” performance in Matthews. The students had a wonderful time as did several members of the QCI Club as featured below: Holly Or, Dawn Peterson and Allison Burkett.

Rotary Club of Greater Statesville Celebrates!

Submitted by AG Maureen Moore

The Rotary Club of Greater Statesville held their annual year-end celebration of the year recently where they feted their many accomplishments this past year, including the addition of eight new members!!

The Rotary Club of Statesville: A Century of Service and Leadership!

Submitted by David L. Bullins, President of the Rotary Club of Statesville

For more than a century, the Rotary Club of Statesville has stood as a cornerstone of civic leadership and community service in Iredell County. Chartered on November 22, 1921, the club emerged during a transformative era in American civic life and quickly became one of the community’s first organized service organizations. Its founding traces to a moment of inspiration. While traveling on business in Chicago earlier that year, W.A. Thomas attended a Rotary meeting and was struck by the organization’s commitment to fellowship and service. Determined to bring that spirit home, he worked with the Rotary Club of Charlotte and a group of local leaders to establish the Statesville club. From its earliest days, the Rotary Club of Statesville reflected the values that continue to define Rotary worldwide—service above self, ethical leadership, and community engagement. The club’s first meeting was held on May 2, 1921, and within a few years, membership had grown to approximately 50, signaling both strong interest and immediate impact. Like many institutions shaped by history, the club experienced both growth and challenge. Membership declined during the Great Depression and again during World War II, yet the organization endured, sustained by a shared commitment to service and fellowship. The post-war years brought renewed momentum. By the 1950s, Statesville’s expanding business and industrial base contributed to a resurgence in both membership and civic engagement. During this period, the club also began developing structured fundraising initiatives to support its growing service efforts.

Among these efforts was “Rotary Jollies,” introduced in 1958—a community-based production that not only raised funds but also strengthened local connections and engagement. Throughout its history, the Rotary Club of Statesville has translated leadership into tangible community benefit. In 1966, the club played a key role in furnishing and equipping an auditorium within Mitchell College’s library building, just one example of its lasting contributions to local education and civic life. That commitment to impact continues across generations.

In 1974, the club helped launch the Statesville Farmers Market, an initiative that continues today—supporting local agriculture, strengthening community connections, and contributing to downtown vitality. In 1991, Rotarians Dr. Ralph Bentley and Chester Middlesworth spearheaded the creation of the club’s Endowment Fund, establishing a lasting financial foundation to sustain service projects and expand the club’s long-term impact. More recently, in 2020, the club contributed to the community through the development of the Jennings Park Picnic Shelter, enhancing public space and creating a gathering place for families and residents to enjoy for years to come. The club has also supported grant-funded park improvements, further advancing quality of life across Statesville.

By the mid-1970s, the club had grown to approximately 115 members, reflecting its prominence and influence. This growth ultimately led to the formation of a second club, the Rotary Club of Greater Statesville, expanding Rotary’s reach and impact across the community. Over the decades, the club’s meeting locations have evolved—from early gatherings in a community house on Meeting Street to local landmarks such as the Carolina Hotel, the Statesville Country Club, and today The Gatherings Event Center. While locations have changed, the core of the Rotary experience in Statesville, weekly fellowship, shared purpose, and community leadership, has remained constant. The Rotary Club of Statesville’s legacy is best reflected in its leadership. Over 108 presidents have guided the club, each contributing to its enduring impact. Among them are milestone leaders who represent both progress and community influence. Gloria Hager (1998–1999) made history as the club’s first female president, while William Jones (2005–2006) became the club’s first African American president, marking important steps in the club’s evolution and inclusiveness. Other distinguished presidents include Dr. Hannah Kutteh, J.C. Steele, Andy Pendleton, Tom Wilson, and General James Mallory, each recognized for their leadership and contributions to the club and the broader Statesville community. Together, these leaders represent more than a succession of officers; they reflect a century-long commitment to service, leadership, and community stewardship.

In 2021, the Rotary Club of Statesville celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking a century of service, leadership, and adaptability. Today, the club continues to bring together dedicated professionals committed to improving their community and contributing to Rotary’s global mission. The story of the Rotary Club of Statesville is not only one of longevity but of continued relevance. Across generations, it has adapted to meet the evolving needs of its community while remaining grounded in Rotary’s enduring ideals. As the club moves into its second century, its legacy offers a powerful example: consistent leadership, strong community partnerships, and a commitment to service can create lasting impact—both locally and beyond.

Source: Rotary Club of Statesville Historical Records/Archives. Document formatting and design support provided using Microsoft Copilot (AI).

Wadesboro Rotary Club Honors Local Students at Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon

Submitted by Bob Remsburg, Assistant Governor

WADESBORO, N.C. — The Wadesboro Rotary Club hosted its annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 14, at Twin Valley Golf Club, recognizing outstanding local students for their academic achievements, leadership, and commitment to their communities.

Each year, the Wadesboro Rotary Club invests in local students through scholarship opportunities designed to help young scholars pursue higher education and achieve their goals. Rooted in the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self,” the club believes that supporting education is one of the most meaningful ways to strengthen the future of the community.

“These students represent the future of our communities, and we are honored to support them as they continue their educational journeys,” said Ashley Scarborough, Club President. “Their hard work, character, and dedication are truly inspiring.”

During the luncheon, scholarship recipients were recognized alongside family members, educators, Rotarians, and community leaders. Students were congratulated for their accomplishments and thanked for participating in the scholarship program.

The Wadesboro Rotary Club remains committed to encouraging academic excellence, leadership development, and community service through its continued investment in local students and educational initiatives.

Scholarship recipients pictured left to right: Kyndall Gaddy, Trinity Sellers, Breanna Cox, Dylan Kiser, Dock Hyatt, Madalyn Carpenter, Brooklyn Mile, Elizabeth Stegall, and Delaney Taylor

DISTRICT 7680 COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

District Public Image/Public Relations Chair: Mark Daniels, Contact here.

For newsletter or social media submissions, email NewsletterD7680@gmail.com