Then I thought back to 1992 when The Rotary Foundation sent me to Brazil for a 6-week Group Study Exchange.  By that time, I had made my wife a Paul Harris Fellow and had accumulated some more credits. 
 
Rotary's original motto, "He Profits Most Who Serves Best," was approved in August 1911 at the second Rotary convention in Portland, Oregon. Thinking about all The Rotary Foundation has given me with that Group Studay Exchange trip, I decided to pay back The Rotary Foundation by making all of my team members Paul Harris Fellows.
 
If you have read this far, I appreciate your indulging this old guy. But the moral of my story is this: Rotary and The Rotary Foundation give us so much.  Friendships with our club members, satisfaction with a well-executed community service project, or a matching grant to supply fresh water in a village that did not have a well.  So, I ask you to consider what Rotary has given you, and perhaps you would consider giving a little back for all the good times you have had with your club and/or District 7450.
 
Now all that said, here is the invitation I mentioned back at the beginning, to an event this month that will inspire you even more.  Follow this link and join me and many other Rotarians at The Rotary Foundation Celebration Dinner on November 19th. Register HERE. 

To make a contribution to our Foundation, visit my.rotary.org/en/donate

Pictured above, at Ikosi Health Center in Lagos, Nigeria, nurse Victoria Olunike Adeoye holds Shawn Ireoluwa Olojo, who was vaccinated against polio. 

Public Image Grant: Increase Your Club’s Visibility in the Community

Has your club been thinking about buying new road signage to increase your club’s Rotary visibility? What about a new pop-up banner? A branded table cover? Or maybe even some "Rotarians at Work" T-shirts and hats for new members!

If so, the District Public Image Committee is here to help!

This year, the district has allocated Public Image funds of up to $200 per club toward the purchase of any one of these Rotary brand awareness items.

How It Works

1. Decide what you need. Discuss your signage or visibility needs with your club and determine what you would like to purchase.

2. Use The Russell Hampton Company, a licensed rotary vendor, to order your product. By using a Rotary licensed vendor, you ensure that your materials will be on brand and that your club will receive hassle-free reimbursement.*

3. Make your purchase. The club will pay for the purchase up front, and the district will reimburse the club.

4. Submit your receipt for reimbursement. When you receive your receipt, complete the Club Public Image Reimbursement Form and submit it along with a copy of your receipt to PublicImage@RotaryDistrict7450.org.

Reimbursement

• Purchases of $200 or more will be reimbursed up to $200.

• Purchases of less than $200 will be reimbursed for the full amount of the purchase.

• Reimbursement is limited to one grant of up to $200 per club.

Deadline
The signs or other materials do not need to be installed or used immediately. However, the purchase must be made and the completed reimbursement form and receipt submitted no later than January 1, 2027.


Important Reminder
*Please note: if you do not use a licensed Rotary vendor such as Russell Hampton, your artwork and designs must be submitted to the District Public Image Committee at PublicImage@RotaryDistrict7450.org for approval before ordering. This ensures that your club’s materials are consistent with Rotary International Brand guidelines and present a strong, recognizable Rotary image throughout our district.

Let’s make Rotary visible and expand our reach!

This grant is an opportunity for every club to strengthen its public image, increase community awareness, and showcase the difference Rotarians are making every day!

Rotary Youth Exchange Builds Global Connections in District 7450

Rotary District 7450 is proud to participate in Rotary Youth Exchange, a program that gives young people the opportunity to experience another culture firsthand. Through long-term and short-term exchanges, students and host families build lasting relationships, develop language skills, and advance Rotary’s commitment to international understanding and peace.

This year, District 7450 is welcoming two inbound students. Emme, from Belgium, is being hosted by the Northeast Philadelphia–Cheltenham–Rockledge Club, while Hestia, from Taiwan, is being hosted by the Upper Darby–Lansdowne Club. The district also has one outbound student: Patrick, sponsored by the Abington at Edge Hill Club, is spending his exchange in Belgium.

Host a student for 4 months or the entire school year

District 7450 is seeking host families for inbound students during the 2027–2028 school year. Families generally host a student for about four months, making the experience accessible while still allowing time for meaningful bonds to form. Hosting is a rewarding way to share everyday life, learn about another culture, and make cultural exchange personal.

Applications are also open for the 2027–2028 long-term exchange. American students accepted into the program live abroad with local families for the school year, gaining independence, learning a new language or deepening one they already study, and contributing to peacebuilding through cross-cultural understanding. Program costs typically range from $6,000 to $10,000. Students and families interested in applying can contact Sarah Tuberty, District 7450 Youth Exchange Chair and Outbound Coordinator at sarah.tuberty.rotary@gmail.com or go to ExchangeStudent.org.

Host a summer exchange

Applications are open for the Short-Term Exchange Program (STEP) as well. A recent exchange paired Vee, an American student, with Selin from Germany. Vee’s family welcomed Selin into their home for three weeks during the summer, and the students explored the Shore and took part in a Fourth of July apple pie-making contest. Vee then traveled to Selin’s home in Germany, where they explored local destinations and traveled in the Netherlands. STEP takes place during the summer and uses a one-to-one match of same-gender teens, who spend approximately six to eight weeks together while sharing life in each other’s countries.

Help spread the word

Every Rotary club in District 7450 can help expand the reach of Youth Exchange. Share the program with club members and affiliated Interact clubs, encourage eligible students to apply, and identify families who may be willing to host. Each introduction, application, and open home helps young people discover the world—and helps Rotary District 7450 strengthen peace and friendship across borders.