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Together, we are nearly 2000 community and business leaders and many more young adults located in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Together, we are members of 46 Rotary Clubs, 3 Rotaract Clubs and 33 Interact Clubs in Berks, Bucks, Lehigh, Montgomery, and Northampton Counties.  

Together, we are People of Action and part of a global network of 1.2 million like-minded individuals.  

Together, we unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves. 

Together, we focus on promoting peace, supporting the environment, fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, saving mothers and children, supporting education and growing local economies.  

If you would like to know more, please feel free to use the Contact Us button.  We'd love you to join us!

DG Bob Hobaugh

2021-2022
Home Page Stories
District Governor Message - October is Community and Economic Development Month
Welcome to October. This is Community and Economic Development month for Rotary International. Rotary has targeted poverty by setting a goal to create productive employment opportunities. Those opportunities can (1) reduce poverty, (2) achieve social and economic development, and (3) provide income security and empowerment.
Our Project Showcase shows Economic and Community Development in District 7430. Theme projects this month focus on poverty, job creation and the quality of place in our community. Featured is Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary Club sharing its “Game of Rent” which teaches participants about the challenges faced by low-income people in finding affordable housing. The West Reading-Wyomissing Club shares its work at the West Reading Fall Fest where Rotarians distributed 500 saplings. Those trees will help provide a quality of place, an economic driver to retain talented residents and attract good employers.
On October 12th, our Showcase Tuesday features Matthew Kane sharing “LaunchRALEIGH.” This program trains successful entrepreneurs who otherwise would have limited access to financial and business resources. Raleigh borrowed the program from Detroit. It includes business training, microloans, mentors and networking opportunities. Maybe your Club can replicate LaunchRALEIGH in a city within our District or otherwise undertake a community and economic development project.
We recently enjoyed two successful District events: Stock-the-Box to benefit ShelterBox USA and the Yvette Palmer Purple Pinkie Race to Zero and Octoberfest to support PolioPlus. Each of these events is projected to raise about $50,000. If you have not donated, please give to these programs even though the events have already occurred. Please look for our District Foundation Seminar on November 7, 2021, at De Sales University.
Chart Your Course and Set Your Sails for the District Conference scheduled April 22-24, 2022 at the Hershey Lodge. You can register on our website at Rotaryathershey2022.org. Catch the discount before the end of the year! This is about Rotary fellowship with friends from Districts 7450 and 7475.
Rotary works in partnership with other organizations having similar mission statements. These include the Gates Foundation and the United Nations. Rotarians say, “Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.” October 24th is World Polio Day and the UN General Assembly is presently in session. Former Secretary General Bon-Ki Moon said, “We must work closely together to make this year a year of global action, one that will be remembered as the dawn of a new era of sustainable development.” Let your economic and community development project be one to remember!
Governor's Message: Sept is Basic Education and Literacy Month
Posted by Robert Hobaugh on Sep 01, 2021
September is Basic Education & Literacy Month in the Rotary calendar. We observed it with two Project Showcases featuring Bethlehem’s Dictionary Project and Nazareth’s Josh the Otter.  Mandy Helwig of the Springfield Township-Flourtown Club shared the “Teach Rwanda” proposed bakery and kitchen on Showcase Tuesday. Bob Mallon told us about the Warrington Rotary Club’s innovative “I Like Me” project during that Showcase Tuesday on September 14th. Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan told us that “literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.” How will your Rotary Club bring hope to others through a literacy service project?
 
District 7430 has three events for your enjoyment. First, the ShelterBox Stock the Box event is slated at the Steel Club on September 10th. We want each Club to contribute some amount so we can continue to lead in the critical disaster assistance provided by ShelterBox. Second, we seek fellowship and to support the Rotary Foundation through the District 7430 Golf Tournament at Brookside Country Club on September 20th.  Third, please join us to have fun and eradicate Polio at the Purple Pinkie Race to Zero and Octoberfest at the Schnecksville Community Fair on October 2nd. You can register for these events on the District website or in this edition of “Welcome Aboard.”
 
The District circulated a COVID-19 update. I thank Dr. Michael Seidner for becoming our District 7430 COVID-19 Advisor. Please allow him to address your in-person assembly questions and refer back to our July Showcase Tuesday for tips on conducting virtual and hybrid meetings. 
 
We said goodbye to our past District Administrator Sharon Rittenhouse on August 28th. Sharon served the District with cheerful willingness for approximately eight years, beginning with our Youth Exchange program. She epitomized the “service above self” motto for the District and the West Reading-Wyomissing Club. If you are inclined to make a financial gift in Sharon’s memory, you might give a check payable to “District 7430 Foundation” for the benefit of our District Youth Programs by mailing to Treasurer Tom Hartzell, HMK Insurance, 54 S. Commerce Way, Suite 150, Bethlehem, PA 18017.
 
Thanks to our Rotary Club Presidents for welcoming me during “official” visits. I will continue these meetings through October. The North Penn Club drew me to a prospective member mixer at the Lansdale Tavern. Tell me about your special Club events so I can join, if possible. Let’s be our best selves through Rotary!
Haiti Shelter Box Relief
Posted on Sep 01, 2021
 For more information about Shelter Box use this link www.ShelterBoxUSA.org.
 
   To make a donation, send your check to:
    Shelter Box USA
    PO Box 5055 
    Santa Barbara, CA 93150
 
Charting Our Membership Course
Posted by Diane Donaher on Aug 19, 2021
Hello !  
 
While we all Chart Our Course for an exciting Rotary year, I’d like to draw your attention to the “sail” of our ship.  The sail uses wind power to propel a ship.  Membership is the sail that propels Rotary.  We need a strong sail made of existing and new members and the wind of exciting service projects, meaningful friendships and foundation funding to propel Rotary forward.  District 7430 is a leader among districts throughout our zone because of the commitment and positive energy created by YOU, the members in our clubs.  
 
Being able to zoom in to club meetings across our district during the last year , I’ve been amazed by the quality of speakers, the genuine fun and caring members demonstrate for one another and the touching stories of the impactful projects being conducted throughout our district.   
 
The District Membership Committee acts as a consulting company made up of Rotarians from throughout our district who have experience in growing Rotary.  We also have goals that we will work on together as a committee:
  1. Be a resource for clubs to meet the membership goal they have set for the year
  2. Add 2 new clubs and 2 satellite clubs to our District
  3. Help clubs asses their membership challenges and create opportunities for growth through intentional efforts to be welcoming
  4. Deliver Diversity,Equity & Inclusion training in 13 clubs
  5. Build an understanding of “Alternative Club Models” so clubs can grow through new and creative ways.
Whether your sail is strong or it has a few holes or you are losing wind in your sail and membership is dropping, contact me and let’s talk about how the District Membership Committee can help your club enjoy the open waters and grow! I look forward to hearing from you!  
 
Diane Donaher, Membership Chair
610-442-8589
Race to Zero - Fight Polio

Sign up Today for the 11th Annual Race to ZERO! New this year, we will have the Race to Zero and Oktoberfest on the same day and place. The Race and Oktoberfest will be on October 2nd, 2021 at the Schnecksville Fair Grounds.

The location is right next to the prior year's location of LCCC.   This year’s route includes Packhouse Road down and a covered bridge, then back to the start. There are also options for 1 mile, kids race and biking. In the afternoon we will be celebrating our District’s commitment to Ending Polio by celebrating Oktoberfest with food, beverages and entertainment!. 

Join us on October 2nd and Let's End Polio!! Sign up to Run, Walk, Bike and Join us afterwards  for Oktoberfest! All Proceeds go to the Rotary Foundation Polio Plus!

           Walk, Run, Bike: 

Registration opens at 8:00 am

Childrens Race at 9:00 am

10K Bike Ride (not timed) at 9:15 am

5k Runners & walker leading at 9:30 am

1 Mile and all others immediately after

         Oktoberfest Celebration: 11:30 - 2 pm

Join us after the run for a catered Oktoberfest celebration event at the Fairgrounds Pavilion. Oktoberfest Themed Food: Sausage, Grilled Fish, Pretzels, Potato Dumplings and/or Pancakes, Sauerkraut, Salad, Soft Drinks, Beer, Wine, Mixers, Selfie Booth, Entertainment. Silly Hats

Please join with Rotarians from throughout our district to raise awareness at this year's Race to Zero event

Both Events are Located at the Schnecksville Fair Grounds, Pavilion

4550 Old Packhouse Rd

Schnecksville, PA 18078

 

Race Contact:

John Scott - email

610-653-7730

Facebook Page

Event Page - Registration and Fundraising (direct link)

Tickets only (direct link)

Governor's Message - August is Membership Month
 
Posted by Robert Hobaugh on Aug 16, 2021

August is Membership month in the Rotary calendar. We observed it with three Project Showcases featuring younger members and a Showcase Tuesday with Membership Committee Chair Diane Donaher. Keeping and retaining members is our first order of business. Rotary International President urges “Each one bring one.” Rotary International’s goal is to reach 1.3 million members and our District goal is to add net 30 new members by June 30, 2022.  What is your Club’s membership goal?

On July 1st, Rotary International made environmental sustainability our seventh area of focus. District 7430 has chartered an Environmental Sustainability Committee, chaired by Terry Reed of the West Reading/Wyomissing Rotary Club. Please contact Terry or me if you care to join this Environmental Sustainability Committee whose mission will be to make a positive difference in our world.

District 7430 has three events scheduled soon. First, the ShelterBox Stock the Box event will held at the Steel Club on September 10th. We want each Club to contribute some amount so we can continue to lead in the critical disaster assistance provided by ShelterBox. Second, please join us for fellowship and to support the Rotary Foundation by playing in the District 7430 Golf Tournament at Brookside Country Club on September 20th.  Third, please join us to have fun and eradicate Polio at the Purple Pinkie Race to Zero and Octoberfest at the Schnecksville Community Fair on October 2nd. You can register for these events on the District website or in this edition of “Welcome Aboard.”

Thanks to our Rotary Club Presidents for welcoming me during “official” visits. I will continue these meetings through October. The Allentown Rotary Club drew me into “Romper Day” to feed children participating in Allentown’s summer playground program. Tell me about your special Club events so I can join, if possible. Let’s be our best selves through Rotary!

Club Membership Growth – Where to focus our efforts?
Posted by Herb Klotz on Aug 16, 2021

Growing Membership in your club is a key initiative throughout Rotary this year and every year.  More members mean more ideas, more fellowship and of course, more service.  Growing membership involves both attracting new members and engaging our existing members so that they stay in Rotary.  Each club has its own culture and its primary focus for membership growth may be different.  Where should we start?

Over the next month, we will provide each club data on its 3-year historical attraction and attrition rates.  This will provide an unbiased indicator of what has been happening in your club over the last several years.  A recent comprehensive analysis of about 850 clubs in eastern United States has shown that clubs that are growing tend to continue to grow, and clubs that are declining tend to continue to decline in membership, unless the club members and its leadership change the club experience.

Now to the question “Where to focus our efforts?”  Let’s break it down into four areas:

  • Low Attrition Rate, High Attraction Rate – Your club has a growth culture.  Keep doing what you are doing and keep experimenting with new ways to grow your membership.

  • Low Attrition, Low Attraction – Your club is stable, but needs to focus on attraction activities because your club is likely getting older every year.

  • High Attrition, High Attraction – Your club has a revolving door and needs to focus on engaging your club members.  Keep up your attraction activities.

  • High Attrition, Low Attraction – Your club is in the Danger Zone.  The initial focus should be on engagement, and then focus on attraction.  

If you are interested in learning more, please contact District Membership Chair, Diane Donaher (donaher2@ptd.net) for a club presentation which will be customized for your club’s needs.