A few years ago, prior to COVID, I attended the annual celebration of the creation of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park in East Glacier, Montana. Fun fact, the creation of this park, the first international peace park, in 1932 was orchestrated by Rotarians in Montana and Alberta.  It is a great example of Rotary’s international perspective and peaceful international cooperation.  A highlight was a presentation by Canadian Parks Service on the fire that had torn through Waterton Park the year earlier.  I bought a t-shirt with the Rotary logo and the words “The new peace symbol”.  The Montana Rotarian that sold it to me warned me that it might not be compliant with the Rotary International brand policy.  Oh well, that doesn’t mean it is wrong.

 

Reflecting on recent events in Ukraine, it seems that slogan is right.  Our own Rotary Club is an example.  Peace is not just the absence of war.  Two years ago we helped build a playground for children in Kyiv.  Now we provide support for refugees from an unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.  Our club is not alone.  Rotary is a peace building movement with over 1 million members in pretty much every country in the world.  To succeed in its mission, Rotary needs everyone of those members support, for international projects, for local initiatives and to keep clubs vibrant.  Thank you to our generous members for your ongoing support!