Dear Readers,
It is with great pleasure that I present to you the February issue of our NEWSLETTER, which I have prepared together with Katarina and Radúz.
A new feature for this year is the section "Listen In", which we have placed at the end of the newsletter, where you will find interviews with our esteemed guests. The first of these is our colleague Ondrej Kollár, to whom I extend my gratitude for having the courage to take the "first step into the unknown" with me.
Soon, on 21st - 22nd March 2025, many of us will meet at PETS and DŠS in Olomouc. Detailed information and the programme prepared for us by Jan Bílek - the governor for the year 2025/2026, can be found in the "Important Dates and Information" section.
Please also remember that you can submit nominations for the Paul Harris Fellow and Tomáš J. Baťa district awards no later than 28th February. Our district is home to many individuals who are dedicated to doing good and useful work or who significantly support the Rotary Foundation. This is one way we can express our gratitude to them.
Special attention should be given to the Call to Clubs of District 2240 for the nomination of candidates for the position of Governor of District 2240 for the 2027/2028 term. From the selection of candidates, one will be elected. It is therefore very important to carefully consider the qualifications required for the role of Governor for each nominee.
On behalf of the entire editorial team, I wish you enjoyable reading and listening!
Marie Smrčková
Call to Clubs in District 2240 for the Nomination of Candidates for the Position of Governor of District 2240 for the Rotary Year 2027-2028
Dear Members of the Rotary Clubs in District 2240,
On behalf of the Nominating Committee, I would like to request that you, in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation of Rotary International and the rules of the nomination process, submit proposals for candidates for the position of District Governor for the period 2027-2028 on behalf of your clubs.
You can submit your club nominations for the district awards by 28th February:
Paul Harris Fellow Award - an award for individual charitable contributions or collective support of the Rotary Foundation, recognising the achievement of project goals and other commendable acts in favour of the Rotary Foundation within RI or District 2240;
Tomáš J. Baťa Award - an award for merits in club or inter-club cooperation, for work on significant projects, for lasting and effective support of ethical principles, mutual trust, and integrity, and for significant quantifiable assistance to the Rotary club, district, or RI.
The rules and nomination forms can be found after logging into the members' section at: www.rotary2240.org/en/about-rotary/downloads/internal-regulations-district-2240/.
This trip to Switzerland was more than just a tourist stop for me – it was a month filled with adventures, challenges, and new experiences that I will never forget.
Right upon my arrival, it was clear that the family I would be staying with was anything but ordinary. One of the first questions they asked me after welcoming me was, “Are you going to cycle with us from our city, Solothurn, to Geneva, where we will be camping for 10 days?” My first thought was, “What?!”, but being the true adventurer that I am, I enthusiastically replied, “Yes, why not!” I was only informed later that we would be covering 200 kilometres in just two days…
Read the full article by Annabela: https://rye2240.org/silena-cyklisticka-vyzva-ve-svycarsku/
During the first of five trips organised by Rotary 3330 for this year's exchange students in Thailand, we had a unique opportunity to explore many of the attractions in the tourist centre of Phuket. As one of these students, I would like to take you on a retrospective journey through the remarkable places we visited during our 5-day trip to this island, known for its vibrant nightlife and natural wonders.
The centre of Phuket – I dare say, a foundational experience – is lively and colourful, filled with places that capture the rich culture of the island. My favourite spots included the Surin Clock Tower, Saeng Tham Shrine, and Thanon Talang Street. The main clock tower of Old Phuket Town is located at a roundabout in the heart of the city and serves as a popular meeting point and a charming reminder of Phuket's colonial heritage.
Full article: https://rye2240.org/najlepsie-miesta-na-phukete-tipy-od-studenta-na-vymennom-pobyte/
Among the youth services provided by RYE is the organisation of summer camps. From a wide range of options, Jana Krajčovič from RC Praha City chose "From North to South Türkiye." She describes each day of her camp experience in her article:
FIRST DAY: When I arrived at the airport, the leaders welcomed me. They were very kind, but almost didn’t speak English. They took me to a restaurant where we waited for the others. After a few hours of waiting, a bus arrived to take us to Eregli, where we were assigned to families and went straight to bed.
SECOND DAY: Right in the morning, we met the mayor of Eregli, who was celebrating his birthday. Afterwards, we went for lunch at a restaurant. After lunch, we headed straight to row on the river. Unfortunately, there was only one boat available for three people, so we waited a long time for our turn. After rowing, we took a walk to a museum that was on a boat and focused on maritime history. There, we watched a film about Turkey's navy. After the museum visit, we each received a Rotary T-shirt and cap. In the evening, there was a big football match, so we watched the large screening with the local residents.
Full article: https://rye2240.org/from-north-to-south-turkiye/
The last weekend of January (24th - 26th, 2025) saw the inbound students of our district gather in the Vysočina region, where they enjoyed yet another joint meeting, this time at the event "Zimmní Třebíč".
As the name suggests, the programme included a guided tour of the town of Třebíč, sporting activities such as bowling or swimming in the hotel pool, language tests, but above all, an evening Talent Show that was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone present!
There is no doubt about the talents of our inbound students. A small showcase from Saturday evening can be found in the links provided.
All preparations began in the autumn of 2023 when a group of organisers was assembled under the leadership of Jakub Machovec, consisting of Alexia Klie, Hleb Tkachenko, Yelizaveta Tereschenko, Zuzana Matějková, and Bhautik Chavda. An application was submitted to host the Rotaract European Meeting (REM) 2025 in Prague from 23rd to 26th January 2025. The application was successful, and preparations commenced, leading to the participation of 500 people from 37 countries. Approximately 30 volunteers from Rotaract clubs across the District, as well as Rotarians from Prague clubs, took part in the entire event.
Join us for the Open European Championship in Rotary Golf from June 30, 2025, to July 4, 2025, in Brno and its surroundings.
We already have 87 registered golfers, and with non-golfing participants, the total number of registered attendees has reached 100, representing not only Europe but also countries such as the USA, Australia, Africa, India, and Bangladesh.
All useful information and registration details can be found on the IGFR Europe website: https://igfr-europe.com/brno-2025/
Katarína Čechová
Chair of the Organizing Committee EOC Brno 2025
RC Bratislava International
On February 12, 2025, Rotaract Club Hradec Králové had the pleasure of participating in the Welcome Presentation organized by Erasmus Student Network Hradec Králové at the University of Hradec Králové. This inspiring event marked the beginning of the new semester and warmly welcomed international students arriving to study in our city - Hradec Králové.
Our presentation introduced the mission, values, and activities of Rotaract Club Hradec Králové, highlighting our dedication to community service, cultural exchange, and leadership development. We shared details about our ongoing projects and invited students to join us in making a positive impact both locally and globally.
This event provided a meaningful opportunity to connect with international students, university representatives, and ESN. It allowed us to strengthen relationships within the university community while promoting unity, collaboration, and mutual understanding.
We are grateful to Erasmus Student Network Hradec Králové for organizing this wonderful event and wish all students a successful semester filled with enriching experiences, new friendships, and academic achievements!
The District Training Assembly (DŠS) and the President Elect Training Seminar (PETS) will take place on 21st and 22nd March 2025, traditionally at the Flora Hotel in Olomouc (Krapkova 439/34, 779 00 Olomouc).
SKI WEEK for inbound participants will take place from the 16th to the 22nd of March 2025 at the Nature School Detský raj, Tatranská Lesná 7, Tatranská Lesná, Slovakia.
The online meeting will take place on the 27th of March from 18:00 to 21:00.
PRELIMINARY PROGRAM: Hosting a foreign student - advice and recommendations, experiences of host parents; instructions for the exchange stay - travel, visas, exchange rules, adaptation to a new environment, etc. Discussion on all topics covered.
The District Conference will take place from the 16th to the 17th of May 2025 in Ostrava.
The current issue of Rotary Good News can be found here: https://www.rotary2240.org/files/good-news/d6/rgn_1_2025_flowie.pdf.
The deadline for contributions for RGN 2/2025 is 24th February 2025.
RYLA 2025 will take place from October 15 to 19, 2025, in Kopřivnice.
Theme: "If not me, then who?"
Accommodation: Penzion Pod Bílou horou and the Scout Center Vanaivan.
Participant age: 18 to 30 years
Capacity: Approximately 16 participants and 4 counselors
The program details will be finalized in May.
Blažena Mačáková
Chair RYLA D2240
RC Přerov
Dear Rotarians,
We cordially invite you to the XXII Rotary Representative Charity Ball, which will take place on 8th March 2025. The ticket price is 700 CZK per person. The proceeds from the ball will be used for charitable activities in Prostějov and the surrounding area.
If anyone is interested, tickets can be ordered at chamsy@mymail.cz. This year, the folk ensemble Klas will perform to inaugurate the ball. The theme of the ball is "female," as it will be held on International Women's Day :)
Further details can be found in the attached invitation.
We look forward to seeing you.
Jean Marc Chammas, President of RC Prostějov
The ICC Czech-Slovak-Armenia invites all Rotarians and non-Rotarians to an extraordinary journey to explore the beauty, history, wine, and gastronomy of Armenia.
The itinerary includes visits to the most interesting historical landmarks of Armenia and exceptional culinary experiences.
Arrival in Yerevan is on 27th April 2025, and departure is on 6th May 2025.
Dear Rotary friends and supporters of RC Valtice - Břeclav,
RC Valtice - Břeclav is pleased to invite you to the 20th edition of the social-sporting event "By Bicycle or on Foot around the LVA" (LVA = Lednice-Valtice Area).
The event will take place from 23rd to 25th May 2025 in the beautiful surroundings of the Lednice-Valtice Area and the Blue Hills, along the wine cycling routes around Velké Pavlovice. This year, we are also excited to include the "2nd edition of the district project CYKLOTOUR 2025 Rotary Club."
The route for cyclists will be along the cycling paths and forest roads of the LVA and the Velkopavlovice wine region.
Golf Tournament complemented by a gourmet dinner, organised by Maruška Jehličková on 23rd May 2025.
Golf Tournament for Žatecký Klokánek FOD, organised by Jiří Bureš on 13th June 2025.
Charity tournament in Terezín. Organised by Jindřich Vinkler on 19th August 2025.
Course: Golf Resort CIHELNY, Březová near Karlovy Vary on 12th September 2025.
Rotary Golf Hukvaldy 2025, organised by Ivo Franc on 19th September 2025.
Rotary Club Praga Ekumena invites you to a special thematic evening, "A Walk Through Kosher Cuisine," with insights into Jewish customs in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The evening will feature a twelve-course tasting menu accompanied by a selection of kosher wines.
Our first podcast features Ondrej Kollár: a long-standing member of RC Poprad and Deputy Director of Rotary Youth Exchange Czechia.
You can listen to the podcast here: https://youtu.be/78xenOHag_I
Your suggestions and feedback are welcomed and will assist us in enhancing our newsletter. Please send them to us at news@rotary2240.org.
