- Read about the Rotary Sunflower Discover Project in Decorah here.
- North Central President Elect Training will be held March 13-15, 2025 in Minneapolis. Early registration ends December 31, 2024. Register at www.northcentralpets.org.
- Student registration for RYLA 2025 is open. Register by completing the form at www.iowaryla.org/apply

ROTARY RUSH IS HERE! $1 for 1 Points to Dollars Match on Donations made to the Rotary Foundation – Annual Fund (only) - Our local communities benefit through district matching grants. For details on how to take advantage of Rotary Rush, click here. |
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Stephanie A. Urchick
President 2024-25
February 2025
This month, as we come together for the International Assembly and the Presidential Peace Conference, we celebrate The Magic of Rotary — a unique blend of global connection, vision, and action that empowers us to create lasting change.
One of the most inspiring examples is our Rotary Peace Fellowship program, a cornerstone of Rotary’s mission to build a more peaceful and just world.
For more than 23 years, Rotary Peace Fellowships have been transforming communities. Our Rotary Peace Centers, hosted at leading universities around the globe, have educated over 1,800 fellows who now work in more than 140 countries.
These centers cultivate expertise in fields like conflict resolution, sustainable development, and peacebuilding, preparing fellows to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. This program exemplifies how Rotary turns vision into action, creating a ripple effect of hope and change.
This month during the Presidential Peace Conference, we celebrate a significant milestone with the opening of our newest peace center in Istanbul. This center will focus on training leaders to address peacebuilding challenges in the Middle East and North Africa, further extending Rotary’s impact.
Peace fellows are dedicated champions of transformation, addressing critical issues such as refugee resettlement, youth and women’s empowerment, and reconciliation in conflict zones. Many founded vital organizations or hold leadership roles in governments, nongovernmental organizations, and international institutions like the United Nations and World Bank.
One inspiring story is that of Ntang Julius Meleng, a 2024 Rotary Peace Fellow at Makerere University in Uganda. Through his Social Change Initiative, Julius has worked to empower young people in Cameroon to take active roles in peacebuilding and leadership.
His project provided training in conflict prevention, civic engagement, and leadership to youths and community officials in areas affected by conflict, equipping people to drive sustainable peace efforts.
Julius harnessed Rotary’s global network to overcome obstacles, including limited funding and security risks, and make a meaningful impact.
The Rotary Peace Fellowship gave Julius the tools and support to turn his vision into reality. His work embodies The Magic of Rotary — the transformative power of connecting people, sharing resources, and uniting for a common purpose.
As we reflect on the achievements of our peace fellows and celebrate Rotary’s enduring commitment to peace, let us also recognize the role that everyone in our network of 1.2 million members plays in creating magic through service.
Together, we can amplify our impact, inspire new generations of leaders, and build a brighter, more peaceful future.

2024-25: The Magic of Rotary

RI President-elect Stephanie Urchick celebrates the magic of Rotary. She says members create that magic with every project completed, every dollar donated, and every new member of Rotary.