Bulletin 2024-12-26 (Dec 24, 2024)

Rotary Rose Bowl Parade on January 1, 2025

As we usher in the New Year, I am excited to continue our cherished tradition of participating in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, CA. This year’s Tournament of Roses Parade theme is “Best Day Ever,” perfectly aligning with the new Rotary International theme for 2024-25, “The Magic of Rotary.” Our float theme will be “On the Road With Rotary.”

With a vibrant spirit and creative vision, we come together to design, build, and showcase an awe-inspiring parade float that embodies the power of service and uplifts communities worldwide. Together, we celebrate Rotary’s core values of service above self, goodwill, and friendship, while creating lasting memories and exemplifying the essence of being People of Action.

Join me on this magical journey this New Year’s Day and become part of the Rotary Rose Parade. Together, we will continue making a difference—one float at a time.

**PARADE DETAILS:**

- Start Time: 8:00 am PST / 11:00 am EST
- Rotary Float Line Up: #46
- Tune In On Channel:

https://tournamentofroses.com/about/where-to-watch/

Yours in service,

Stephanie A. Urchick
Rotary International President 2024-25

Guest Speaker Bruce Davis spoke about "Maryland Tackles Climate Change"at the Rotary Club Meeting on December 19, 2024

Merry Christmas! No meetings on December 26 and January 2

Potomac-Bethesda Rotary Club Donated Toys and Funds to Toys for Tots on December 16, 2024

Lou and Jacob delivered all the toys (4 boxes) to the Toys For Tots warehouse and presented Elizabeth Scott with a $750 donation from donations collected. Thanks to Bretton Woods, Porsche Club of America Potomac Region and our members for all their contributions.

Musa Kamara was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club meeting on December 12, 2024

Krishna Gudipati from ExpediteInfoTech was the Guest Speaker on November 21, 2024 on the Topic "Artificial Intelligence"

Potomac-Bethesda Rotary Club Sponsors Toys For Tots

Maria Guisbert, Phoenix Computers, spoke about providing affordable computers to low income and disabled users on November 7, 2024

Koo Yuen returned from his international trip with a banner from Hong Kong Rotary Club.

Rowda Olad, Founder, Maandeeq Mental Health, was the Guest Speaker on
Oct 24, 2024

Potomac-Bethesda is a Top Club in the District in Per-Capita Donations to The Rotary Foundation

Lou Bartolo Received the Rotarian of the Year Award

President Jake Matysek presented the Rotarian of the Year Cup to Lou Bartolo.

Lucy Bedewi was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club meeting at Chef Tony's on October 3, 2024

On October 3, 2024, the club met at Chef Tony’s.

Our guest speaker was Lucy Bedewi and she spoke on her experiences as a digital nomad.

Our newest member, Steven Hwang, joined officially.

Iryna Lujan Gave a Presentation on Helping Ukranian Children During the War at the Rotary Club Meeting on October 17, 2024

Iryna and Eliseo Lujan from Universal Aid for Children and the Rockville Rotary Club.

https://uacukraine.org/

Nancy Mason with autumn decorations at Bretton Woods.

Koo and Pat Yuen Visit Rotary Club in Hong Kong

David LeDuc, Director of Global Oncology Policy at AstraZeneca, was the Guest Speaker on October 10, 2024

Rotary Club Meeting at Bretton Woods on September 12, 2024

Rotary Club Social on August 29, 2024

Potomac-Bethesda Rotary Club Received the Club Excellence Award

Congratulations to the nine (9) Rotary Clubs and one (1) Rotaract Club in Rotary District 7620 on being awarded the Club Excellence Award, formerly the Rotary Citation award in the 2023-2024 Rotary year! The Rotary Citation is the most significant award a Rotary club can receive and recognizes the hard work clubs do throughout the year, and taking action to achieve the goals can help clubs engage their members, stay relevant in their communities, and run more efficiently. We also thank iPDG Delores Edwards Harding for her leadership as the then District Governor, as she helped inspire these clubs in their efforts. Congrats!