Peacebuilder Network
 
On September 20th, at the highly successful Pursuing Peace Conference and other peace-related venues many D5495 Rotarians had opportunities to consider the question, “Are you a peace lover or are you a peace maker?” It’s a great question and has such strong ramifications for a peaceful, yet impactful, life. It’s also a question that Rotarians – People of Action– should never hesitate to answer. Are you…
 
                  - Supporting Rotary Youth Exchange, Rotaract, Interact?
                  - Providing dictionaries, backpacks or school supplies to young students or their teachers?
                  - Partnering with Rotarians around the world to improve the lives and opportunities of others?
                  - Volunteering at a food bank, Andre House, Billy’s Place or the like?
                  - Building clean water systems at homes in the Navajo Nations?
                          …the list goes on and on!
 
If you are…then YOU ARE A PEACE MAKER. By definition, you’re also a Peacebuilder
 
 
So… now is the time to congratulate yourself…and also to talk with your club about becoming an official Peacebuilder Club and joining the District’s Peacebuilder Network. 
 
Your District Peacebuilder Network (https://rotary5495.org/page/2018-11-01-pbc-home) is an “e-network of Rotarians and Peacebuilder Club representatives.  We e-conference monthly to share ideas, report on our clubs’ activities, and collaborate on projects that benefit the members and clubs in our District and our communities, both local and international.”
 
As Rotarians, we all recognize that there is strength, knowledge and greater wisdom in numbers. As we create a strong Peacebuilder Network, we’ll find that we are encouraging peace to grow in our lives and in our communities. Join today!
 
A unique Peace Pole dedication event was held in Surprise on Saturday morning, September 21st. Surprise Rotarians were joined by civic and community leaders, Arizona state legislators, Surprise residents and other Rotarians from around the district to unveil an amazing custom-made peace pole and to dedicate it to the cause of peace throughout the city of Surprise. We definitely recommend that you put this peace pole on your must-see short list. It is located at Statler Plaza city park, across the street from the main entrance to the Surprise Police Department. Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Surprise!