Peace Service 2021-22 | District 5495

Peace Building in District 5495

Submitted by Robert Wertz
District 5495 Peacebuilder Chair

Dear Friends of Peace,

As believers in world Peace, we are prepared to practice the:

109th Ripple of Peace: Develop the courage to discover how you reflect and contribute to discord in the world.

It can be easy to sit in judgement about the violent actions of others, especially when they seem so far removed from how we see ourselves. On the other hand, if we have the courage to consider our own connection, however small, to a given situation, we may find that we are harboring some of the same thoughts or feelings that led others to act.

Understanding that each person, to varying degrees, both reflects and contributes to the state of the world may be difficult to accept. If true, however, this reflexive interconnectivity provides us with the perfect means to create Peace on earth. In essence, we can help heal the world by healing ourselves.

Whenever you are tempted to condemn an act of violence or hatred, ask yourself these questions:

In what ways have I hurt somebody recently?

How often do I fail to listen to someone I care about?

What thoughts of words of anger, fear, hatred, or despair have I recently entertained or expressed?

Is there any emotion within me that counteracts Peace and am I willing to transform it into something constructive?

From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World, by Rae Thompson

May you know and be Peace.

***

Dear Friends of Peace,

Now that we have developed the courage to discover how you reflect and contribute to discord in the world, we are prepared to practice the:

110th Ripple of Peace: Imagine world Peace

Untold millions of young people around the globe have no personal experience of Peace. Having grown up in war-torn countries, these children and young adults have no conceptual framework from which to build images of Peace. It is essential, therefore, for those of us who can do so to generate and hold within our hearts the sights, sounds, and sensations of Peace.

The imagination is a powerful vehicle for Peace. It is especially effective in a group setting. The shared intention and focus of a group imagination session, raises the energy and magnifies the probability of Peace.

In a small or large group, guide participants to imagine Peace in a predetermined situation. First, focus on the identified conflict. Second, go forward in time and imagine that Peace exists in the situation, making it real by imagining what you see, hear, smell and feel. Third, go even further forward in time and notice how life is different now that Peace has prevailed for years. Next, feel grateful for the Peace that you are experiencing. Finally, come back to your imagined outcome. Believe that what you have imagined is true and carry the feelings of Peace with you, while allowing for the actual results to be even better than you imagined.

Consider organizing youth groups to imagine world Peace.

From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World, by Rae Thompson

May you know and be Peace.

Robert

Special Invitation to D5495 Rotarians for Rotary Foundation Month

On Nov. 19 Rotary Peace Centers Program Director Laura Descher visits with us at our D5495 Rotary Peace Fellowships Zoom meeting

We are very fortunate this month to have Laura join our meeting. Laura has been with the Rotary Peace Centers for 8 years, and will update us on the Rotary Peace Fellowship.

You are all peacebuilders in your service to others. Thanks for all you do. To be inspired by Laura, and learn more, join us Nov. 19 at 10:00am. Please contact Tony Cerato at 719-351-6616, or tcerato@aol.com to sign up for the meeting.

The Rotary Peace Fellowship is a program within The Rotary Foundation. It is fully-funded at no cost to our Rotary Clubs or Rotary Districts. Only 50 Master’s degree applicants are selected each year, and D5495 has had 3 applicants selected since November 2021.

Think of someone you personally know, or in your social and professional network who are working in any of Rotary’s 7 Areas of Focus (locally, nationally, or overseas), already has a bachelor’s degree, and would be interested in a master’s degree or Professional Development Certificate. Our D5495 committee can assist you and them in this process.

D5495 Rotary Peace Fellow begins program at Bradley University

Our most recent D5495 Rotary Peace Fellow Khadim Fayez, from Afghanistan, has arrived at Bradford University. Fayez was selected in November 2024, and is now beginning his Master's program at Bradford University in England.

Rotarians can follow Fayez's journey by visiting his Facebook page where he recently posted a nice "thank you" to many people - including Rotarians in our district.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CKhmSkX5y/

Congratulations to Fayez as he starts his Master’s degree program this September.

Thanks for the continued support of D5495 Rotarians for the Rotary Peace Fellowship program.

Please see the D5495 website, and click on the “Peacebuilding” tab, and go to the “Peace Fellowship/Peace Centers” section to learn more.

Our D5495 committee is available to share more with your members. Please contact Tony Cerato tcerato@aol.com or at 719-351-6616.

Ripples of Peace, No. 105, 106, 107 and 108

Submitted by Robert Wertz
District 5495 Peacebuilder Chair

Dear Friends of Peace,

Now that we have become advocates for nonviolence, consider practicing the:

105th Ripple of Peace: Organize a Peace project

Some things are easier to do with others. Plus, it can be fun to work for a common cause with people we care about.

Organize a meeting with friends, co-workers, neighbors, and others who share your passion for Peace. Explain your desire to contribute to some way to Peace in your community or regional area and solicit ideas for projects from everyone.

Be sure to follow up on what the group decides.

From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World, by Rae Thompson

May you know and be Peace.

***

Promote peace through Rotary

Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,800 Rotary Peace Fellows since 2002. In June, Rotary announced its next peace center, to be located at Symbiosis International University in Pune, Maharashtra, India. The center will offer a one-year professional development certificate program to train peace and development professionals from across Asia in peace studies, conflict transformation, and sustainable development. For International Peace Day, 21 September, support Rotary’s peace efforts and the peace centers in any of these ways:

Designate a district Rotary Peace Fellowship subcommittee chair for 2025-26 to recruit and mentor peace and development candidates from local communities to apply for Rotary Peace Fellowships.
Become a Global Peacebuilder District by contributing US$25,000 in District Designated Funds (DDF) or district cash this Rotary year to support the Rotary Peace Centers or the area of focus in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
Download these graphics and use them on your social channels.

Download and share the Rotary Builds Peace brochure, which highlights ways members can advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace.

Ripples of Peace No. 102, 103 and 104

Submitted by Robert Wertz
District 5495 Peacebuilder Chair

Dear Friends of Peace,

Now that we have supported changes in government that we believe will facilitate Peace, consider practicing the:

102^nd Ripple of Peace: Encourage children to become pen pals with their peers in other countries

The earlier children learn about people in other countries and cultures, the less likely they are to develop prejudices that contribute to distrust and enmity that thwart Peacemaking efforts. Helping today's children develop understanding, acceptance, and respect for other lifestyles and viewpoints is essential for tomorrow's Peace.

Encourage the children in your family, neighborhood and local schools to correspond with their peers from around the world. To get started, check out the Peace Pals program for children ages five to fifteen, sponsored by the World Peace Prayer Society or look for other legitimate programs on the Internet.

You may choose to read the letters and e-mails of younger children, to make sure the communication remains appropriate and positive.

From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World, by Rae Thompson

May you know and be Peace.

Robert

Ripples of Peace: 99, 100 and 101

submitted by Robert Wertz
District 5495 Peacebuilder Chair

Dear Friends of Peace,

If you are able, please consider practicing the:

99th Ripple of Peace: Host an exchange student in your home.

Having someone from another country live with us provides us with an exceptional opportunity to learn about that person and her or his homeland. The experience also gives us a chance to promote Peace and understanding on a personal level.

Inquire about exchange student programs in your area. Read available literature and talk to others who have hosted a foreign student in their homes to clarify what you might expect and what is expected of you.

When you are ready, open your door and your heart to an exchange student.

From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World, by Rae Thompson

May you know and be Peace.

Robert

Ripples of Peace, No. 96, 97 and 98

Submitted by Robert Wertz
District 5495 Peacebuilder Chair

96th Ripple of Peace: Use self-knowledge to foster Peace.

Self-knowledge is an important element in sustaining Peace, both within ourselves and in our relationships with others. The more we are aware of our whole selves, including both the shadow and the soul, the more able we are to make conscious choices about interacting with others that are consistent with our visions of Peace.

Make it a habit to identify your motives for acting in certain ways in your life. Look for patterns and seek to understand your underlying thoughts and feelings. Accept and love both the negative and the positive that exist within you. And learn to listen and respond to the deepest, truest aspect of yourself.

You may choose to seek professional counseling to more fully know yourself.

Use your knowledge of your true self to deepen your relationships with others in your community and to further your work for Peace.

From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World, by Rae Thompson

May you know and be Peace.

Ripples of Peace, No. 93, 94 and 95

Submitted by Robert Wertz
District 5495 Peacebuilder Chair

93rd Ripple of Peace: Have a "Peace-in" at work or in your community or neighborhood.

In the 1960's, many college students held sit-ins to make their views known to school administrators. They took a stand for a specific issue, or set of issues, by remaining in one place for a prolonged period of time, counting on their solidarity to call public and media attention to the topic at hand. This approach, when non=violent, continues to have merit today.

Meet with the people in your neighborhood or from a local school to discuss having a "Peace-in" for a day, a week or longer. During that time consider demonstrating your commitment to Peace.

Be Creative. Have fun. Advertise Peace/

From Ripples of Peace: 111 Ways You Can Help Create Peace in the World, by Rae Thompson

May you know and be Peace.

Message from Outgoing Chair of Rotary Action Group for Peace

By Grace Van Zyl

Chair, Rotary Action Group for Peace

Dear Peacemakers:

As I prepare to step down as Chair of the Rotary Action Group for Peace, I do so with immense gratitude and pride in all we have accomplished together.

At the start of this Rotary year, we had just over 1,000 members, 11 Peace Chapters, and 400 Peacebuilder Clubs. Today, we celebrate remarkable growth—over 1,700 members, 17 Peace Chapters, and more than 650 Peacebuilder Clubs—all united in our mission to take action for sustainable peace around the globe.

One of the highlights of this year has been the Rotary Peace Park at the Rotary International Convention—made possible through the vision and generosity of our founder, Al Jubitz, and the Al Jubitz Foundation.