Dear Rotarians, dear friends,
Time flies inexorably, and with the arrival of July the new Rotary year 2025-26 begins. In many clubs, the ceremonial handover of presidential chains and other offices—so-called “changing over”—has already taken place, or is currently under way. To all colleagues taking up their new roles, I wish you success and responsibility in leading your clubs, so that in a year’s time you may look back with pride on your achievements. A similar wish applies to our incoming District Governor, Mr Jan Bílek!
To all those who actively served in Rotary roles during the 2024-25 Rotary year and are now handing over the proverbial reins to their successors, please accept our heartfelt thanks for your dedication, time and energy!
In the coming days, most of our inbound exchange students, who have spent the 2024/25 academic year in District 2240, will be departing. They concluded their year together at Farewell Week in Lednice from 9 to 15 June. I trust they are taking home unforgettable experiences and lifelong friendships.
Likewise, our outbound exchange students, who spent the 2024/25 academic year abroad, are returning home. I hope this year has brought them new insights, experiences and friendships that will accompany them on their future paths.
I cannot fail to highlight the enormous wave of solidarity from clubs and individuals who have swiftly answered Bára Sládková’s (RC Valtice-Břeclav) appeal in support of HandiCamp. Thanks to your financial contributions, we hope to secure all the necessary funds and ensure that HandiCamp takes place—THANKS TO YOU!
Finally, I would like to ask for your support for the FOUNDATION project: two global grants that are currently being established in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. You can find all the essential information about the project and how to help in the Rotary Foundation’s appeal; the contact person is Michal Sláma.
On behalf of myself and the editorial board, I wish you all a most enjoyable summer—full of rest, family happiness and gatherings with friends! We look forward to receiving your contributions and suggestions at news@rotary2240.org.
With kind regards,
Marie Smrčková
Greetings from the Rotary International Convention in Calgary, where the new President of Rotary International for 2025–26 was officially introduced and confirmed. Following the unexpected resignation of Mário César Martins de Camargo, the RI Board has appointed Francesco Arezzo of Italy as our incoming President.
The year 2025 marks a significant milestone for the Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) program — its 50th anniversary. At the Rotary International Convention in Calgary (June 21–25, 2025), which welcomed over 15,000 Rotarians from around the world, the anniversary was being celebrated with special events, alumni stories, recognitions, and global networking among RYE officers, returned exchange students, and even Rotary members who are considering launching the program in their districts.
“The Rotary Fellowship for Beekeeping (District 2240) was established in Banská Bystrica.”
Mission
The Rotary Fellowship for Beekeeping (RFV), established within Rotary International District 2240, comprises Rotarians who are engaged in beekeeping and keen to exchange experiences, share information and pursue further learning. It is an informal association initiated by the Rotary Club of Banská Bystrica, founded on Rotary friendship, mutual respect and a readiness to support one another, as well as other beekeepers and those interested in apiculture. Activities will also include promoting beekeeping as a meaningful endeavour for the benefit of the community.
A summer camp for young people with disabilities is just around the corner - and we still need a little help to make it happen.
For 19 years, thanks to our volunteers and donors, we’ve created a place where disability makes no difference, friendships blossom, adventures unfold and everyone can be themselves.
This year, however, rising costs mean we’re short of funds for participants’ accommodation and meals. Please help us ensure HandiCamp can go ahead as we know it - with open arms for all.
Bank details for donations
Account number: 131-1876600267/0100
Payment reference: HandiCamp 2025
We are a registered association and can provide a donation agreement on request.
Thank you for joining us on this journey!
HandiCamp
On the weekend of 23-25 May 2025, the twentieth edition of the social‐sporting event “Cycling or Walking around the LVA”, organised by Rotary Club Valtice-Břeclav, took place in the stunning landscape of the Lednice-Valtice Area (LVA) and the Blue Mountains.
Around ten keen Rotarians, most accompanied by their partners, joined the cycling peloton. Over the course of two days we covered roughly 120 kilometres along the picturesque lanes of the Velké Pavlovice wine sub-region.
RC Prague City donated forty copies of the book "How Not to Go Crazy with the Internet" to primary schools in Prague 1.
This comic-style publication entertainingly and wittily shows children how to recognise the risks of the online world, resist manipulation and use technology in a meaningful and responsible way. The gift was presented on the occasion of Rotary International Day and in the year that Rotary marks its centenary of service in the Czech Republic. RC Prague City is headquartered in Prague 1 and has enjoyed a long-term partnership with the municipal district.
RC Praha City
Between 20 and 22 June, the inaugural Rotary Tatry Cykloutour 2025 took place, and it was well worth it!
Ondrej Kollár, a member of RC Poprad and the event organiser, continued last year’s series of cycle rides, which took place in Hradec Králové, Znojmo and, traditionally, in Valtice (around the LVA).
“This edition is the first one, and thus something of a trial for cycling in the Tatras, my native region. I was aware that mountain biking might be more challenging for some, so I prepared two cycling routes (one noticeably less demanding) and a hiking tour. In the end, however, we all agreed to cycle through the Čierny Váh valley to the Čierny Váh pumped-storage hydropower plant (PSP). We faced 97,8 km and an ascent of 1 078 metres https://mapy.com/s/hosuvagumo.” Ondrej Kollár, event organiser.
Singing in every language of the world, dancing in Rotary blazers and laughter round the campfire - this weekend had it all.
A year later, we gathered once again on the DRAK grounds in Křížanov for Orientation Meeting IV. This year’s event saw 47 Inbounds and 46 prospective Outbounds from the Czech Republic and Slovakia taking part - nearly one hundred young people from all corners of the globe, united by Rotary Youth Exchange.
In April, I had the most intense experience of my entire exchange programme - an expedition into the Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest. On that trip, I experienced so much! I stayed on a boat that sailed along the Amazon’s largest tributary, the Rio Negro. I went piranha fishing, stroked a pink river dolphin, visited an Indigenous community, saw crocodiles and sloths as well as Amazonian monkeys. I helped care for freshwater turtles and planted a tree. I made memories to last a lifetime!
Dear Rotary friends,
I am writing to you with an appeal for our joint support of two exceptionally meaningful global grants currently being established in Dnipro, Ukraine—a city that has become a key healthcare hub close to the front line.
The new issue RGN 3/2025 can be found here: https://www.rotary2240.org/files/good-news/3c/rgn_3_2025_flowie.pdf
The deadline for contributions to RGN 4/2025 is 23 June 2025.
Editor-in-Chief: František Ryneš, frantisek.rynes@rotary2240.org
Dear Presidents and Secretaries,
Thank you for everything you have done for Rotary during this Rotary year. I truly appreciate your hard work, dedication and support - Rotary would not be what it is without you.
With the Rotary year drawing to a close, may I kindly ask you to verify whether your club has made a contribution to the Rotary Foundation - Annual Fund this year?
President:
Secretary / Executive Secretary:
Treasurer:
1. New wording of the RI statutory documents
Rotary International Headquarters has already published on its website www.rotary.org the new texts of the RI statutory documents, in which the results of the 2025 RI Legislative Assembly vote have been incorporated:
Dear Rotarians and Friends,
We are delighted to invite you to the 30th anniversary celebration of the Rotary Club of Třebíč, which will take place from 17 to 19 October 2025.
Programme of celebrations marking three decades of service and fellowship:
Dear friends,
We are pleased to share a film about the Romanesque Church of St James in Bedřichov Světci, restored thanks to RC Most (and partly RC Freiberg) during the period 2006-2025.
The film was made to mark the completion of the restoration and as a token of gratitude to everyone involved in the project.
I am sending the link to the film: https://youtu.be/N732kc26pqE?si=0BQsgiSUDNqK38F3
Yours sincerely,
Milan Machovec
Past President, RC Most 2024/25
milan@machovec.eu
www.machovec.eu
+420 603 214 399
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