Service in Action

By Past Rotary Club President Brenda Pollock of Biddeford-Saco Club, Maine, United States

For United States-based Rotary clubs seeking service opportunities, an exceptional program awaits: Open World. Through the program, Rotary clubs host and curate a multi-day visit for emerging Eurasian leaders to gain immersive insight into the intricacies of the local government, business, and community dynamics in the U.S., fostering camaraderie and mutual understanding.

In 2023, my club was selected to host a delegation from Ukraine. The experience not only united us as Rotarians but also expanded our perspectives and deepened our compassion in ways unparalleled by any other endeavor we’ve embarked upon.

Our esteemed visitors included some of Ukraine’s brightest minds. Their objective: to delve into the intricacies of U.S. democracy with a specific focus on renewable energy and energy independence. After an immersive start to their program at the nation’s capital in Washington D.C., our club hosted the delegation for an informative, inspirational, and emotional eight-day visit.  A warm Rotarian reception commenced the program, attended by representatives from six Rotary clubs. Local media joined us, eager to engage our Ukrainian guests in discussions regarding their mission and the insights they hoped to glean from their U.S. experience. Following the inaugural celebration, our guests shared a meal with their newfound Rotary families, who generously hosted them for the duration of their stay, marking the commencement of a week filled with stimulating roundtable discussions and engaging events.

At a formal community reception, our Ukrainian guests took center stage. Our delegation received a special welcome video from Rotary International’s General Secretary, John Hewko. The event featured a flawless rendition of the national anthems of the United States and Ukraine by local choral singers. Keynote speaker, Independent Senator Angus King, drawing from his recent visit to Ukraine, offered encouraging remarks. The Mayor of Biddeford, Alan Cassavant, honored our guests with a Proclamation, further affirming our commitment to their cause. This gala occasion underscored our unwavering support for their mission and laid the groundwork for the forthcoming endeavors. Ten roundtable discussions featuring experts, business leaders, and state officials fostered profound conversations around renewable energy topics.

Amidst a series of engaging meetings, Rotarians graciously extended their hospitality, introducing our guests to a myriad of new experiences. These included exclusive box seats at a Seadogs baseball game, a memorable road trip to Boston for a tour of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Harvard University campuses, a comprehensive discussion on sustainable solutions during a visit to the University of New England, indulging in Mexican cuisine, savoring Maine lobster, relishing in the simple pleasures of s’mores (a popular U.S. confection) around a campfire, and immersing themselves in a transformative day at The Ecology School. This unique experience reshaped their perspectives on science, food, the environment, and self-discovery through interactive, hands-on learning.

Not only did Rotarians fully embrace this mission, but our communities rallied behind it as well. A generous donation of a twelve-passenger van facilitated transportation throughout the week, while The Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford served as the central hub for the eight-day mission, hosting various events and round-table discussions. On the last day of the program, Joseph’s By The Sea graciously hosted a private brunch for Rotarians and our Ukrainian guests, overlooking the majestic Atlantic Ocean. Guests arrived bearing gifts and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the courageous delegation. As we bid tearful farewells, it was clear that these eight days had etched themselves forever in our hearts.

The Open World Program surpassed all expectations, exceeding what we could have imagined. Throughout my years as a Rotarian, I’ve encountered nothing that more profoundly encapsulated the essence of Rotary International: the commitment to serving others, upholding integrity, and fostering global understanding, goodwill, and peace through the collective efforts of our business, professional, and community leaders.

2024 marks the 25th anniversary of Rotary’s participation in the Open World Program, offered by the Congressional Office for International Leadership, an independent U.S. federal agency, and tailored for Rotary and Rotaract clubs in the U.S. The unique program brings international experience to clubs’ local communities and directly engages Rotary members with visiting leaders from Eurasian countries. Additional information on the program can be found here (scroll to the bottom of the page). If your club would like to learn more, please contact Natalia Kunzer (Natalia.Kunzer@rotary.org), Open World Officer, Rotary International.