With Gratitude, Hope, and an Enduring Belief in the Magic of Peace

As my year as District Governor of Rotary Southern Connecticut comes to a close, my heart is full. Full of gratitude for each and every Rotarian, full of awe at what we’ve achieved together, and full of hope as I pass the torch to our remarkable incoming District Governor, Stephanie Philips.

This year, we dreamed boldly—and then we turned those dreams into impact. Our district embraced “The Magic of Rotary” and manifested it through a shared commitment to peace, community, and celebration. At the center of this journey was our signature initiative, Opus for Peace, a movement that brought harmony to our mission through the universal language of the arts.

Our District Conference—The Magical Mystery Tour—was a breathtaking crescendo. We welcomed globally renowned peacebuilders and artists whose voices and performances inspired us deeply:

• David LaMotte, Peace Fellow, Rotarian, and truth-teller in song
• Diego Carneiro, master cellist and Peace Fellow, whose music crossed borders and softened hearts
• Daisy Jopling, classical and rock violinist, whose work with youth is building the next generation of peacebuilders
• And our distinguished international guest from India, Sam Movva, representing District 3020 and reminding us of Rotary’s boundless reach

Adding a joyful and unexpected harmony to this celebration was the debut of Whirled Peas—an all-Rotarian musical ensemble organically created through the spirit of Opus for Peace. Inspired by the vision of Peace Committee Co-Chair, and Abraham Gordon Award recipient, Dennis Wong and brought to life by passionate Rotarian musicians from across the district, The Whirled Peas captured our collective desire to unite through music. Their debut performance was more than entertainment—it was a rallying call for harmony, inclusion, and unity in service.

But beyond the spotlight, the true magic was in you. Every Rotarian, in every club, played a vital role in raising Rotary’s voice—loud and clear—for peace. From youth initiatives to an abundance of community support, from district-managed fundraising to global grants—all rooted in a shared mission of creating and building Positive Peace.

This year, Rotary District 7980 made history by leading the charge to establish the state of Connecticut as the fifth U.S. chapter to join the Rotary Action Group for Peace—a milestone that underscores our district’s steadfast commitment to building a more peaceful world.

Uniting our district’s vision of Opus for Peace with the global platform of the Rotary Action Group for Peace illuminates a powerful opportunity to continue advancing peace through the fusion of the arts.

This summer, our impact expands across the globe through two powerful cultural expressions of peace:

• In Israel, Opus for Peace will be highlighted through a one-woman play titled “Picking Up Stones: An American Jew Wakes to a Nightmare”, written and conceived by Sandra Laub and produced by New London Rotarian Jerry Fischer. The production boldly engages with the Israel-Hamas conflict and invites audiences to reflect on reconciliation, identity, and the experience of American Jews in a polarized world.
• In Quito, Ecuador, our District Peace Committee Co-Chair and Abraham Gordon Award recipient, John Waller, will travel with his wife, Lithuanian soprano Jurate Švedaite Waller, to collaborate with Rotary Peace Fellow Diego Carneiro and his youth orchestra. Their concert will be broadcast live through Rotary’s global network—celebrating the unifying power of music to inspire peace.

To all of you—Rotarians, community members, partners, and supporters—thank you. Thank you for believing in the power of Rotary. Thank you for opening your hearts to the possibility of peace through food security, through literacy, through fellowship and creativity. Thank you for reminding the world that Connecticut cares—and that Rotary leads with love and action.

As we now shift into the visionary leadership of District Governor Stephanie Philips, I know our district is in the most capable of hands. Her focus on food insecurity and literacy will continue to build on our peace foundation—expanding our reach and deepening our impact.

The District Peace Committee will continue to meet monthly, on the first or second Tuesday. I invite everyone—Rotarians, neighbors, and newcomers—to check our District Calendar and join us as we expand our collective role in building peace, nourishing communities, and empowering minds.

This is not goodbye. It is the next verse in a shared Rotary song—written together, sung in harmony, and echoing through generations to come.

With heartfelt thanks and boundless affection,

Robert B. Friend
District Governor, 2024-2025
Rotary Southern Connecticut
District 7980