In a world often fraught with conflict and discord, there emerges a beacon of hope in the form of individuals dedicated to fostering peace and understanding. We proudly celebrate Jonathan “Jon” Ward, a retired U.S. diplomat, for his acceptance into the esteemed second cohort of Rotary Positive Peace Activators. Jon’s illustrious career, spanning diplomatic missions across diverse regions and his unwavering commitment to service, exemplifies the spirit of peacebuilding that lies at the heart of this transformative initiative.

Jon’s journey embodies the essence of Rotary’s mission to promote goodwill and peace worldwide. From his service in Saudi Arabia to his diplomatic postings in Papua New Guinea, Iraq, and beyond, Jon has represented his country and has also become a steadfast advocate for diplomacy and conflict resolution. His rich experiences, coupled with his educational background and military service, equip him with a unique perspective and invaluable insights into the complexities of global peace and security.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, Rotarian Fran Wargolet felt compelled to help those impacted by the escalating conflict.

As a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Fran went to Rotary.org to explore ways to provide aid. She soon learned about ShelterBox, a disaster relief charity founded in 2000 by Rotary Clubs in the UK. ShelterBox was already on the ground in Ukraine, providing vital shelter and supplies to displaced families.

Though retired, 76-year-old Fran was determined to get involved. She contacted ShelterBox and asked, "How can I help spread awareness about your relief efforts?" Soon after, Fran became a ShelterBox Ambassador. She began traveling around Wisconsin giving presentations at Rotary Club meetings to share ShelterBox’s mission. To date, she has spoken to over a dozen clubs, garnering support and funding for ShelterBox initiatives.

How ShelterBox Works

ShelterBox has grown from its humble beginnings helping just 10 families into an independent charity that partners closely with Rotary International. When disaster strikes worldwide, ShelterBox is often one of the first organizations to

Rotary International Districts 6270 and 6220 from Eastern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan recently funded and delivered a customized trailer outfitted as a mobile emergency room to the Mykolaiv region. This area has faced heavy attacks during Russia's invasion, damaging healthcare infrastructure and cutting off access to essential medical services.

The sturdy mobile unit serves as a rapid-response platform to directly bring urgently needed trauma care to communities near the front lines. A Mobile Emergency Clinic (MEC) is staffed by military doctors and equipped to handle minor injuries, infections, childbirth, dental procedures, and other emergencies. The MEC contains an exam table, monitors, medications, surgical tools, testing supplies, and

In the pursuit of polio eradication, a remarkable initiative called the World's Greatest Meal to Help End Polio (WGM) has emerged. This initiative is aiming to raise both funds and awareness. The concept behind WGM is simple yet impactful: people come together to share a meal, raising much-needed resources to combat polio.