February is Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution Month, one of Rotary International's key Areas of Focus.
This month reminds us that peace is not just the absence of conflict—it’s the presence of understanding, compassion, and collaboration.
As Rotarians, we support peace by strengthening communities, fostering dialogue, and addressing the root causes of conflict through service, education, and partnerships. As community members, we can honor this theme by listening with empathy, engaging respectfully across differences, supporting organizations that promote justice and inclusion, and choosing kindness in our daily interactions. Together, small actions—taken locally—can help build a more peaceful world.
Mark Your Calendars for the 2026 4 Way Test Speech Contest
The annual 4 Way Test Speech Contest allows our club to partner with local high schools and offer high school students the opportunity to develop critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and public speaking skills. Feedback about this program from teachers, students, and parents has been consistently positive, with strengthened ties to the local community.
We have selected March 4, 2026, for our local club contest. It will be held at Westlake High School in the Red Brick Room. Speeches start at 6:00pm.
The purpose of the five to seven-minute speech is to apply the principles of Rotary International’s 4 Way Test to a current ethical issue. Students are challenged to identify a topic they feel passionate about and to adopt a point of view from which they will seek to persuade others. In doing so, they are required to evaluate their recommendation by answering the following questions: ● Is it the Truth? ● Is it Fair to all concerned? ● Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships? ● Is it Beneficial to all concerned?
Contestants compete at the Club level, and the top winner from each school advances to the District level. In addition to recognition, students can also win cash prizes at the Club and District levels of the contest. District-level prizes range from $200 to $1200. The Contest Guide is available on www.rotarydistrict6630.org under the 4 Way Test Speech Contest tab.
<p style="text-align:center;"><span style="text-align:center;"><strong>Mark Your Calendars for the 2026 4 Way Test Speech Contest</strong></span></p>
Joel’s Place for Children is a FREE peer-based grief support group for children and their families who have experienced the death of someone close. They are based in Bay Village, but provide support for children & families all over northeast Ohio
