Dear fellow Rotarians,
This new issue of our newsletter is reaching you after a break of several months. On behalf of the Editorial Board and personally, I sincerely apologise for the delay. At the same time, I feel that we owe you an open and honest explanation.
The Editorial Board has been working on the newsletter in the same composition for more than three years. Throughout this time, we have sought to bring you news about the activities of our clubs, showcase inspiring projects and create a space that connects the Slovak and Czech Rotary communities. We have done so gladly and with the firm belief that it is worthwhile to document and share all the good work taking place within our clubs.
After three years, however, we must honestly admit that we are tired. Our energy, ideas and motivation have gradually diminished. We do not feel that there is sufficient support or willingness within the wider Rotary community to become involved in preparing the newsletter, contribute new ideas and help shape its future direction. As a result, work that was intended to be a collective effort has long remained on the shoulders of a very small group of people. This small team has now reached its limits.
Rotary is built on rotation. Office-holders generally change every year and, in some positions, after three years. This is more than an organisational rule. Rotation brings fresh perspectives, ideas and momentum, while ensuring that no one remains in the same role for too long. After more than three years, the time has therefore come to renew the Editorial Board as well.
I am reaching out to everyone who cares about the future of our newsletter: please step forward and take the baton. You do not need journalistic experience or a complete understanding of the production process. We will gladly offer advice, share our experience, show you how the newsletter is created and support you through the first few issues. What we need, however, are people who will bring new energy and be willing to take responsibility for its future.
This is not merely a formal call for volunteers. It is both serious and sincere. The current Editorial Board is no longer able to continue working as it has until now. If no new volunteers come forward to take over the newsletter, we must be honest: this may be its final issue.
I sincerely hope it will not be. After all, Rotary is not only about what we receive, but above all about what we are willing to create and pass on to others.
We have carried the newsletter for more than three years. Now it is your turn.
Yours sincerely,
The Editorial Board of the D2240 Newsletter
PDG Katarína Čechová
Mária Smrčková
Radúz Dula
Rotary Club Bratislava Danube brought an exhibition of photographs from Ukraine and the dance performance Our Mariupol, performed by children from a children’s home originally from Mariupol, to the Primate’s Palace. The Angels of Light event became a powerful testimony to their courage, creativity and unwavering hope.
The twelfth edition of the traditional Little Danube Paddle brought together 101 Rotarians, family members, friends and guests from Slovakia and Hungary. The event was particularly meaningful for eleven new Rotary Youth Exchange students, who experienced the friendship and international spirit of Rotary together for the first time on the Little Danube.
Education and development are shared priorities of our district’s incoming Governor, Ivana Lengová, and her successor, Theodor Petřík. To help turn these priorities into reality, the Rotary Academy was established, and we would now like to introduce it to you.
Rotary Club Bratislava Danube invited members of neighbouring Rotary clubs and Rotary Youth Exchange students to join a cycling tour of the city. The nearly 38-kilometre route across Bratislava’s bridges combined exercise, discovery and an enjoyable gathering of Rotary friends.
One of the first sunny May afternoons was used by the Martin Rotarians to carry out one of the final phases of the project to build an outdoor classroom for children from the special primary school. They picked up shovels, wheelbarrows and rakes, sifted and transported soil in order to level the ground around the gazebo, which will serve as a classroom for the children.
From 22 to 24 May 2026, the 21st annual traditional Rotary event, “By Bicycle or on Foot Around the Lednice-Valtice Area”, took place. Participants gathered and were accommodated in Velké Pavlovice, from where they set out into the surrounding wine-growing countryside and the Lednice-Valtice cultural landscape for the individual parts of the programme.
The gathering, organised by the Rotary Club Valtice-Břeclav, which operates across the wider region, once again confirmed that the combination of physical activity, friendship, discovering the landscape, and informal Rotary fellowship creates an exceptional programme to which participants are always happy to return.
Rotary Club Bratislava Danube donated fully functional laptops to ten primary school pupils in Holíč. Through this targeted assistance, the Club aims to improve access to education for children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and encourage them to continue learning and developing their potential.
From 18 to 20 September 2026, the first Inbound Orientation Meeting of the new exchange year will take place in Kroměříž. The event, organised by Rotary Youth Exchange Czechia together with Rotex, is intended for all newly arrived international students in the Rotary Youth Exchange programme, and attendance is compulsory.
During the weekend, students will have the opportunity to get to know one another and take part in team-building activities. Above all, they will receive important information to help them navigate their exchange year in the Czech Republic. They will learn more about exchange rules, travel, staying with host families, school and cooperation with Rotary clubs. The programme will also cover culture shock, Czech language lessons, experiences and practical advice from former inbound students in Rotex, as well as information on visas and insurance.
Dear Club YEOs,
I would like to invite you to a working meeting for Club Youth Exchange Officers (YEOs), organised by Rotary Youth Exchange Czechia, z.ú. (hereinafter referred to as “RYE CZ”) for its cooperating clubs.
The meeting will take place on Saturday, 19 September 2026, in Kroměříž, alongside Orientation Meeting I for international students arriving for long-term exchanges (inbounds) in the 2026-27 season.
It has only been two weeks since I arrived in Japan, but so much has happened in that time that I feel as though I have been here much longer. Every day I experience something new, meet new people, try new foods and, most importantly, slowly learn how to manage in a country whose language I can hardly speak yet. So I decided to write down everything that has happened from my arrival until now. And there has been quite a lot.
Looking back today on the last four months of my exchange stay in Australia, I realise how many incredible experiences, new opportunities and exceptional people this period has brought into my life. Each month was different, but they all had one thing in common - they will stay with me for a very long time.
From 8–10 May 2026, the international Rotary conference “Peace & Earth” took place in Kraków, Poland, organised by District 2231 Poland in cooperation with the ICC Committees of Poland and Spain.
The event brought together Rotarians, experts, academics and guests from many countries around the world in the historic city to discuss topics of peace, security, environmental protection and responsibility towards future generations.
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🕊️ Greetings Rotarian and Peace Advocate, |
SPECIAL INVITATIONROTARY 100 ONLINE INTERNATIONAL MEGA MEETING THE PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY 2026. You are warmly invited as a Special Guest to the Rotary 100 Online International Mega Meeting – The People’s Assembly 2026, a global gathering being held in recognition of the United Nations International Day of Peace and during the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81). This special international gathering will bring together leaders, peacebuilders, humanitarians, changemakers and advocates from around the world for meaningful dialogue, connection and collective action towards a more peaceful, inclusive and resilient world. |
Discover India in a different way - not as ordinary tourists, but as guests and friends of local Rotarians. Incredible India Rotary Tours offers Rotary members, their families and friends the opportunity to explore India together in the spirit of Rotary Friendship Exchange.
The project has been running since 2018, and more than 250 Rotarians and their friends from 20 countries have taken part in the tours. The organisers, Rotarians Divya and Bhanu, guide their guests through India in accordance with the traditional Indian principle of Atithi Devo Bhava - “The guest is like God”.
On 18 September 2026, Rotary Club Klatovy will celebrate 30 years since its founding. Club members, friends and guests are warmly invited to join this special anniversary event and look back together on three decades of Rotary friendship, service and activities.
On Tuesday, 22 September 2026, Jičín Municipal Athletics Stadium will come alive with the World Marathon Challenge. This traditional Rotary sports project brings together exercise, team spirit and support for a good cause.
Children’s relay teams from primary schools in Jičín, Nymburk, Mladá Boleslav, Nová Paka and other towns will take to the start line, united by the challenge of completing the marathon distance.
This year’s event is organised by the Rotary Club Jičín-Nymburk in cooperation with the town of Jičín. It also carries the important message, “Rotary for the Eradication of Polio”, highlighting Rotary’s global efforts through the End Polio Now initiative to eradicate polio once and for all.
The event is held under the patronage of Senator Tomáš Czernin and the Mayor of Jičín, Dr Jan Malý.
Come along on 22 September from 10.00 am to support the young runners and show with Rotary that sport can make a difference!
Dear Rotarians and Friends of Rotary,
We warmly invite you to a charity golf tournament - the 19th Rotary International Slovak Golf Championship 2026, jointly organised by the Rotary Clubs of Banská Bystrica and Nitra.
The event will take place on Saturday, 26 September 2026, in the beautiful surroundings of the Tri Duby Golf Resort Sliač.
Dear Rotary Friends,
On behalf of the Rotary Club Valtice-Břeclav, I am pleased to invite you to the Club’s traditional extraordinary meeting, to be held on Friday, 6 November 2026, from 7.00 pm at Hotel Kraví Hora in Bořetice.
This year’s evening will be held in the spirit of the motto “Service Above Self” and will offer an enjoyable gathering of Rotarians, a tasting of young wine, a culinary experience featuring traditional roast goose, and an auction of vintage and award-winning wines.
The event also has a charitable purpose: as in previous years, the net proceeds will be donated to support Diakonie ČCE - the BETLÉM Centre.
Dear Rotarians,
We are pleased to invite you to the 5th annual shooting competition of Rotary Club Stupava Záhorie, to be held on Saturday, 17 October 2026, at the Gajary shooting range.
We look forward to an enjoyable sporting gathering in a friendly Rotary atmosphere, where we can take part in a little competition, meet friends from other clubs and spend a pleasant day together. Both women and men may compete, and participation is not restricted to Rotary members - every participant is welcome to invite friends and acquaintances.
Your suggestions and feedback are welcomed and will assist us in enhancing our newsletter. Please send them to us at news@rotary2240.org.
