Dear Rotarians,
We trust you enjoyed the Christmas holidays surrounded by your loved ones and successfully celebrated the arrival of the New Year 2025. May this year be filled with health, joy, and inspiration for more wonderful projects in the spirit of Rotary values.
I am delighted to welcome you to the first edition of our Rotary Newsletter this year. This month, we bring you a wealth of interesting information and news, diligently prepared by Majka and Katka.
One of the main highlights is our new section, “Listen to This,” which you can find at the end of this edition. This section will gather podcasts and audio recordings of interviews or other media appearances by our members. This month, you can listen to an interview with our colleague Aleš Fojtik from RC Prague, who appeared on Radio Country. In addition to an intriguing salad recipe, he brought a refreshing touch of Rotary spirit to the broadcast.
We would like to invite you to the Rotaract European Meeting (REM) Prague 2025, taking place from January 23 to 26, 2025, in Prague. This event will offer a rich program of lectures, discussions, and workshops that reflect Rotary values. Participants can also look forward to a cultural program showcasing the beauty of Prague.
And don’t miss the unique opportunity to learn more about and participate in the European Rotary Open Golf Championship 2025 in Brno, which, for the first time in its nearly 50-year history, will take place in our District 2240, from June 30 to July 4, 2025.
In this issue, we also present Rotary Club Nitra and its president, Martin Svoreň. You’ll learn more about the club’s activities and projects contributing to community development and Rotary values.
We also bring you updates from our clubs. The Rotarians of Znojmo continued their long-standing tradition of selling charity punch at Christmas markets, RC Frýdek-Místek and Kopřivnice organized a New Year’s hike to Prašivá, and Rotary Club Prague Golf supported the Kaleidoscope organization, which assists people with personality disorders.
We haven’t forgotten our youth either. This month, we bring you experiences from summer camps in Finland and Belgium. Markéta Baštová from RC Plzeň Beseda shared her insights from a leadership program in Finland, and Klára Birtusová from RC Prague City described her impressions of Belgium, where she discovered much more than waffles and chocolate.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this issue, and we look forward to your further suggestions and ideas. Feel free to send them to news@rotary2240.org.
Wishing you enjoyable reading and inspiring moments with our newsletter!
Rotary regards,
Radúz
Rotaract European Meeting (REM) is a conference held twice a year, hosted by a district within the European region. And it is precisely from the 23rd to the 26th of January 2025 that REM will be held in Prague.
The full schedule, including the detailed programme, can be found on the official website: **[https://www.remprague2025.org/
The 49th European Rotary Golf Open Championship Brno 2025 will, for the first time in its nearly 50-year history, take place in our District 2240. This extraordinary event will be hosted in Brno and its surroundings from June 30 to July 4, 2025.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to meet new friends—Rotarians from various corners of the world. We warmly invite you to join us for this event, which promises an engaging program not only for golfers but also for non-golfers. As of this early date, more than 70 golfers have already registered, and with non-golfers included, the total number of participants has reached 100, coming from Europe and beyond—including countries like the USA, Australia, India, and Bangladesh.
To view the program, read further in our newsletter. All useful information and registration details can be found on our website: https://rotary.golf/event/49th-european-rotary-golf-open-championship-brno-2025/.
Dear Rotarians and Rotaractors,
This exceptional golf experience will be complemented by a rich accompanying program and opportunities for informal meetings and networking. Feel free to bring along your partners, friends, or even non-Rotarians.
An unforgettable four days of sports, fun, friendships, and Rotary spirit await you. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this unique event in our district.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Katarína Čechová
Chair, Organizing Committee EOC Brno 2025
RC Bratislava International
Rotarians, dear friends,
Nearly a year ago, the idea of founding a skiing fellowship in our district was born. Gradually, it took shape and gained substance. Today, we are reaching out to you for the first time to invite you to the inaugural meeting, which will culminate in the establishment of the Fellowship of Alpine Skiing Friends of District 2240.
Date: March 21–23, 2025
Location: Jasná, Liptovský Mikuláš
Accommodation: Penzión Drak
https://www.penziondrak.sk/sk/
Demänovská cesta 478/58, Demänová, 031 01 Liptovský Mikuláš
For many years, there has been a tradition of selling Rotary punch at the Znojmo Advent markets. The year 2024 was no exception. The punch, which helps, was once again sold by both club members and their friends and volunteers. They deserve a heartfelt thank you for that!
The start of the year is always marked by New Year’s resolutions. We often tell ourselves that we will start living healthily, quit smoking, limit unhealthy foods and drinks, and start exercising. Many people find that these resolutions last only a short time before they fall back into their old habits. Fitness trainers refer to such enthusiasts as "January gym-goers" because most give up after a month of working out.
At the RC Frýdek – Místek and Kopřivnice, we embrace a healthy lifestyle with a New Year’s hike up the mountain Prašivá, which has been taking place every first Saturday after the New Year for 21 years.
We are pleased to inform you about our club’s recent support for Kaleidoskop – Centrum terapie a vzdělávání, z.ú., a non-governmental, non-profit organization. Kaleidoskop helps individuals with personality disorders gain better self-understanding, discover opportunities for personal growth, acquire essential skills, and use them consciously. The organization also supports building and nurturing relationships, managing crises, and functioning effectively in the demands of everyday life.
In early August, I embarked on a Rotary camp adventure in Finland, hosted in the city of Turku. The camp was divided into two parts: the first spent with host families, and the second together in a camp setting, where we participated in lessons and workshops focused on leadership, organized under the Rotary RYLA program. The Nordic countries had long intrigued me, making Finland an obvious choice.
After arriving in Helsinki, my roommate Elza and I traveled to Turku, where our host family was waiting for us. Specifically, Tiina and her son Aalle, who were incredibly welcoming. They eagerly explained everything about Finnish history, gastronomy, and culture. Thanks to them, we also experienced a Finnish sauna, an essential part of every home. During the week, we explored the entire city of Turku, visited the local castle, and even ventured into nearby national parks.
You can find the full article here: https://rye2240.org/finske-dobrodruzstvi-s-leadershipem/
I apologise for taking so long to write another article, but the past month has been one of the most challenging I’ve experienced during my exchange. I’m now writing from my second host family’s home and am still adjusting to the changes it has brought. Looking back, I can’t even imagine how hard it would have been if my first family hadn’t welcomed me with so much love and care.
November was truly a crazy month. I came down with pneumonia, which was challenging enough on its own, and on top of that, I had an unexpected visit to the dentist, where I paid $350 for a five-minute procedure. Just as I was starting to recover from all of this, it was time to pack up and move to a new family. No one warned us that changing host families could be such a challenge, and no one prepared me for the overwhelming sense of sadness and loss when I had to say goodbye to the first family, who had become a true home for me.
Packing was emotionally exhausting. My room, which I had grown to love over three and a half months, suddenly turned into an empty, cold space. I couldn't believe how many things I had managed to accumulate. Every little item I placed into my suitcase reminded me of experiences, moments of laughter, and the feeling of belonging to this family. When moving day finally came, we all tried to delay the moment when I would have to leave. I cried, my host mum cried, and even the kids shed tears.
The Rotary Club of Janów Lubelski in Poland organised its traditional Advent meeting, Wigilia Bożego Narodzenia, on Saturday, 7th December 2024. We reflected on the customs associated with Advent and the Christmas Eve dinner, which included tasting homemade dishes made from fish and grains. The event was enhanced by Advent songs and Christmas carols performed by three young musical singers, graduates of the local art school. In a friendly atmosphere, we also sang Christmas songs together.
Friends from the Rotary clubs of Lublin Centrum, Opava, Ostrava International, Spišská Nová Ves, and the local club Janów Lubelski attended the dinner. From our district 2240, Governor Jozef Melecký and his wife Miroslava, Chair of the Committee for International Cooperation Czech Republic - Slovakia - Poland Blažej Pirkovský, and President of RC Spišská Nová Ves Pavol Čekovský with his wife Hana were also present at the event.
Dear friends,
We have received an offer for a partnership with District 3055 in India. This district covers half of the state of Gujarat, including the capital city Ahmedabad, the city of Bhuj, the desert region of Kutch near the western border with Pakistan, and the western part of the state of Rajasthan, including the cities of Jalore, Barmer, and Jaisalmer, also near the border with Pakistan. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=550668564612139&set=pcb.550668661278796.
This weekend, another activity for our INBOUNDS will take place, namely "Weekend in Třebíč".
Attendance is mandatory for all inbounds.
Organisers: RYE CZ, Rotex.
The mandatory training for Club YEOs and the submission of applications for the 2025/26 year will take place on 25th January 2025 in Třebíč.
Venue: Grant Hotel Třebíč, Karlovo náměstí 5, 674 01 Třebíč.
Participants' presentation: 9:30 - 10:00 am.
The first issue of the Rotary Good News magazine in 2025 will be available on 13th February.
The deadline to submit an application for the DISTRICT GRANT for the 2025/2026 year is 31st March 2025.
The application form: https://forms.gle/fSWshjSqmpa54ybi6
A ball where you have the opportunity to truly apply what you have learned in dance classes, while also contributing to a good cause. The proceeds from the event will be donated to equip the Arpida Centre in České Budějovice.
Date: 15th February 2025, from 20:00
Location: Metropol Cultural Centre, České Budějovice
Ticket price: 600 CZK
The contact person for tickets is the club president, Juraj Thoma.
Dear Rotarian Friends,
Warm greetings to you all! We are delighted to invite you to the 15th Charity Ball of the Rotary Club Trenčín.
Date: February 15, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM
Venue: The Café of Hotel Elizabeth, Trenčín
I hope you enjoyed the holidays and recharged for the New Year. To give us something to look forward to, our Gourmet Fellowship invites you to the amazing Sansho restaurant (https://www.sansho.cz) on February 18, 2025. The price for the menu is 990 CZK. If you’re interested, please let us know. Looking forward to it!
Vojtěch Havránek
Gourmet Fellowship D2240
Aleš Fojtík, a member of the oldest club in our district - RC Prague, was a guest on Country Radio.
You can listen to the interview (or rather, the recipe) here: https://youtu.be/n3DN543vHac?si=bKVbIKSKuYWaF9o3
Your suggestions and feedback are welcomed and will assist us in enhancing our newsletter. Please send them to us at news@rotary2240.org.
