Dear Rotarians,
The end of the year is approaching, and with it the season when our clubs devote themselves even more intensively to charitable activities. In this November issue, now arriving in your hands, you will find several remarkable reports on successful club projects, as well as coverage of the recent training for Assistant Governors, invitations to upcoming club events, and updates from RYE Czechia together with experiences shared by exchange students currently on their Rotary Youth Exchange.
Please also take note of important information for club officers and mark in your calendars the dates of PELS (formerly PETS), the District Training Assembly, and the District Conference 2026.
The Advent season is beginning. During this time, there is hardly a club that does not uphold traditions such as selling Christmas punch, organizing concerts and gatherings, or preparing small gifts, greetings, and surprises for people who are lonely or from socially vulnerable communities. Please remember to send us your updates on what your club is preparing or doing during Advent. The deadline for contributions to the December issue is 14 December 2025. We look forward to receiving your reports and articles.
I wish you pleasant reading.
With warm regards,
PDG Katarína Čechová
Editor-in-Chief, Rotary Newsletter District 2240
On 21–22 November 2025, the Assistant Governor Seminar of District 2240 was held in Velké Pavlovice with the participation of DG Jan Bílek, DGE Ivana Lengová, and DGN Theo Petřík. The event offered a well-balanced educational program, space for discussion, and the exchange of experience among district leaders and assistant governors. Participants focused on the responsibilities of AGs, cooperation with club presidents and secretaries, the potential of The Rotary Foundation, and the preparation of training within the Rotary Academy aimed at strengthening leadership skills among Rotarians in our district.
On the national holiday of 28 October, more than 250 participants - including dozens of Rotarians - gathered in Vestec near Prague to plant 100 trees, a living symbol of Rotary values. The event commemorated not only the founding of Czechoslovakia but also the centenary of Rotary clubs in our countries.
“This project is not merely a celebration of the past but a commitment to the future. We want it to become a tradition - for Rotary clubs to work together in creating living symbols of our values: service, friendship and responsibility,” said Jonathan Wootliff, President of Rotary Club Prague International.
Thanks to the excellent organization of the 49th Rotary European Golf Championship and the extraordinary commitment to fundraising activities, the Rotary Club Bratislava International secured sufficient funds to purchase a Mercedes-Benz ambulance, which was handed over on November 23, 2025, to the non-governmental organization EQUITA, which will provide healthcare to people experiencing homelessness in Bratislava.
ROTARY’S VISION STATEMENT
Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Since Rotary’s founding in 1905, building personal and professional connections and serving the needs of others have been at the heart of the Rotary experience. Our ability to deliver this experience in clubs worldwide is a testament to Rotary’s strength.
The world today is not the same as it was in 1905. Demographics have shifted, the pace of change has
accelerated, and technology has created new opportunities for connection and service. What hasn’t changed is a need for the values that define Rotary: fellowship, integrity, diversity, service, and leadership. By honoring our past and embracing our future, we can evolve and keep Rotary not only relevant, but thriving.
To achieve the vision of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation, Rotary’s Action Plan was
developed by members for members. As Rotary’s strategic plan, the Action Plan works to give us a sustainable approach to supporting healthy clubs and a healthy organization, providing a positive, engaging experience for members and participants, and creating lasting change in the world. Four priorities have been set that will direct our work over the next five years.
Dear friends,
Thank you very much for taking part in our District Rotary Foundation Seminar, which was held via Zoom on Saturday, 15 November 2025. Sixty-five representatives from 51 Rotary Clubs and one Rotaract Club attended.
I truly appreciate your dedication and interest. Above all, my thanks go to the clubs and to Rotary International (every PDG is the permanent representative of RI in their district) for the club projects through which you improve lives and change futures! I also wish to express heartfelt gratitude to my District Rotary Foundation team for all their hard work and devotion.
The Rotary Foundation of RI exists to help transform lives, supporting clubs and districts so they can undertake more and larger projects that have a greater, more effective impact. Yet the Foundation also needs your help: to assist you in your projects with the funds you donate—and to help people elsewhere around the world—we, as individuals and clubs, must contribute to the Rotary Foundation, our own foundation. It is equally important that we support the fight against polio and the other core funds as well.
In cooperation with Memory of Nations and the Czech International Hockey Camp, an ice-hockey camp was held in October 2025 in Benátky nad Jizerou for twenty 16-year-old boys from the war-torn Ukrainian city of Kherson. The project was initiated by Matěj Keka (RC Prague International) and Martin Kroupa (Memory of Nations) during their humanitarian visit to Ukraine in April this year.
This year, the Rotary Foundation and the Rotary Club of Zlín supported families with children with disabilities in the Zlín region by providing developmental aids, educational materials, and equipment for a yurt used during summer programmes of the Early Care Centre EDUCO Zlín. The total value of the support reached CZK 59,500.
On the evening of 7 November 2025, Bořetice was transformed into a vibrant hub of Rotary tradition. Guided by Jaroslav Benda, the Rotary Club Valtice-Břeclav hosted its now-traditional “St Martin’s Goose” feast, welcoming 72 guests drawn from members, friends and supporters alike.
The organisers greeted everyone in true Moravian fashion - with a warming welcome toast.
First Breath of America
Travelling has been my greatest passion since childhood, yet never before had I taken such a deep look beneath the surface of another culture as during my Rotary exchange in Texas in the summer of 2025. At the start of June, having completed my school exams early, I boarded a flight to Houston, full of anticipation about what the coming month would bring. After a long and tiring day in the air, I touched down at Houston Airport, where I was warmly greeted by my host family and three Rotarians. In that moment every worry I had been carrying simply melted away. Despite my overwhelming fatigue, I gazed out of the car window on the drive from the airport, happily absorbing my very first impressions of an entirely different continent.
In July I spent two weeks at a Rotary camp in Taiwan. Of that fortnight, I spent five days with a host family and the remaining nine days on a cycling camp attended by 30 other students from around the world. My host family looked after me beautifully, introducing me to local culture, cuisine, customs, notable landmarks and nature. The food was definitely a challenge, but I had anticipated this and made a point of trying everything.
Monday was a truly momentous day for me, as I had to deliver a presentation to the entire school. It only lasted four minutes, yet speaking alone in a foreign language I still don’t fully understand, in front of hundreds of people, really does take courage. I had absolutely no idea when it was scheduled, so I was stunned when I arrived at school and was immediately told to go to the theatre because we were about to begin. And, to top it all off, they introduced me as “Nina Daniela from the Dominican Republic.”
On Sunday, 9 November 2025, 61 prospective outbound students for the 2026/27 school year, 92 parents, 23 Rotex members and Rotarians, and 6 inbound students gathered at the Grand Hotel Třebíč.
The orientation meeting was organised by Rotary Club Třebíč, RYE CZ and Rotex.
Many thanks to everyone for their participation and hard work!
The next gathering for the 2026/27 outbounds will be OM II in Kroměříž, taking place from 28 to 30 November 2025.
President:
Secretary / Executive Secretary:
The Presidents-Elect Learning Seminar (PELS) and District Training Assembly (DŠS) will be held in the Hotel Flora in Olomouc on 20 and 21 March 2026.
Orientation Meeting II will take place from 28-30 November 2025 at the Dormitory of the Secondary School of Hotel Services and Trades in Kroměříž.
At this second gathering of applicants for a long-term stay abroad, a three-day programme has been prepared featuring: group discussions, games, role-plays, a review of exchange-programme rules, interviews with candidates before selection panels, the choice of students suitable for overseas placement, presentations by former exchange students, Skype sessions with current outbound students, detailed training in completing application forms, and instructions on the next steps.
The event is organised by Rotary Youth Exchange Czechia and Rotex.
Christmas Prague Weekend Programme
Traditional accommodation for participants is arranged at the a&o Hostel Prague Rhea, V Úžlabině 3068/19, Prague.
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
We look forward to sharing a weekend filled with Advent atmosphere in the heart of Prague!
Organised by Rotary Youth Exchange Czechia and Rotex
The District Conference 2026 will take place on 15–16 May 2026 at the Nymburk Sports Centre. Please save the date.
DG Jan Bílek
The Rotary Club of Opava invites Rotary Clubs of District 2240 to learn about an innovative educational project, Televize pro děti – KIKI STUDIO, developed over nearly two years by club member David Klímek. The project has strong educational and social impact and now requires support to be completed. RC Opava is therefore hosting an online presentation to introduce the project in detail and answer questions.
Attention all lovers of exquisite flavors and gourmet experiences! The Rotary Gourmet Fellowship once again invites you to the traditional truffle dinner, taking place on December 2 at the restaurant Le Grill. Those who are not fond of truffles are also welcome – the menu will feature excellent specialties, and truffles can simply be omitted.
The Rotary Club Poprad and the Parish of the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia, Poprad, cordially invite you to an Advent charity concert, to be held in the Evangelical Church on St Egidius Square on 30 November 2025 at 4:30 p.m.
Performers: Titusz Tóbisz, Soňa Godarská, Júlia Grejtáková
Admission: €8
All proceeds from the concert will be donated to the Slovak Red Cross, Poprad regional branch.
I am delighted to let you know that the next Rotary Golf Tournament for ICTUS has been scheduled for 29 May 2026 at the Beroun Golf Course.
Thank you all very much for your cooperation so far. I look forward to 2026 and to Golf for ICTUS, i.e. the Institute for Brain Injury.
Marie Jehličková
Your suggestions and feedback are welcomed and will assist us in enhancing our newsletter. Please send them to us at news@rotary2240.org.
