Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.

District 5110 Rotarians have collectively put 220 families that lost their homes, work tools, and business establishments in the September wildfires back to work. Occupations ranging from carpentry, home remodel, landscaping, forestry, house cleaning, auto repair, electrical services, hardware stores, and more were re-tooled so that families could return to work to support their families.  Two District Fire Relief Funds have been established to collect and administer relief where most needed throughout Oregon: the D5110 Fire Relief Fund and the United Rotary Clubs of Southern Oregon Fire Relief Fund.  To learn more, support or donate, copy this link in your web browser -- https://www.district5110.org/district-fire-relief-funds-put-220-families-back-to-work/

DG Cindi

In Rotary, February is celebrated as “World Understanding Month.” And on February 23 we celebrate Rotary’s 116th birthday as “World Understanding and Peace Day.”
Service to others in need is an act of peace building. Serving others is a bridge to social justice. Service creates connection, empathy, friendship and understanding among the citizens of our home towns. Rotarians of District 5110 you are incredible peace builders and I thank you for your continued service this year, during COVID, during social unrest, and in the aftermath of devastating wildfires.

Our Clubs in District 5110 have served their communities in so many ways this past year and I am humbled and proud of our work to serve others in these challenging times. DG Cindi's message continues on the website with an awesome list of ALL 5110 has accomplished for our communities and beyond just in her tenure as District Governor--CLICK HERE TO READ MORE--and how you best shout it out!

February is Peace and Conflict Prevention / Resolution Month

Today, over 70 million people are displaced as a result of conflict, violence, persecution, and human rights violations. Half of them are children.

We refuse to accept conflict as a way of life. Rotary projects provide training that fosters understanding and provides communities with the skills to resolve conflicts.

Rotary creates environments of peace

As a humanitarian organization, peace is a cornerstone of our mission. We believe when people work to create peace in their communities, that change can have a global effect.

By carrying out service projects and supporting peace fellowships and scholarships, our members take action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.

Our commitment to peacebuilding today answers new challenges: how we can make the greatest possible impact and how we can achieve our vision of lasting change. We are approaching the concept of peace with greater cohesion and inclusivity, broadening the scope of what we mean by peacebuilding, and finding more ways for people to get involved.

Rotary creates environments where peace can happen. 

Rotary’s Four Roles in Promoting Peace 

Rotary and its members are:

• Practitioners: Our work fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, improving the health of mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local economies directly builds the optimal conditions for peaceful societies.
• Educators: Our Rotary Peace Centers have trained over 1,300 peace fellows to become effective catalysts for peace through careers in government, education, and international organizations. 
• Mediators: Our members have negotiated humanitarian ceasefires in areas of conflict to allow polio vaccinators to reach children who are at risk. 
• Advocates: Our members have an integral role as respected, impartial participants during peace processes and in post-conflict reconstruction. We focus on creating communities and convening groups that are connected, inclusive, and resilient.