Join us on September 1, 6:00 - 7:30 pm, for the next Conversation About Rotary, open to all members of D7980. Rotary skills to promote your club as people of action and to understand how your club operates will be covered in the first part of the meeting. We will then explore the RI theme of the month, Basic Education and Literacy, with guest speakers Rotarian Beth Stoller and author Tish Rabe, who appeared on Channel 8 News in July with reporter Ann Nyberg to promote Rotary values for children. Breakout sessions follow to discuss best practices in designing projects that benefit children and create a peaceful world.
Deadline for registration: October 1, 2026
Meet your D7980 Leadership Team! Saturday, August 22, twenty-four members of D7980 representing Chairs of committees and sub-committees, PDGs, AGs, and the DG Track gathered on Laurel Island to debate their goals for the year and collaborate across the boundaries of their individual groupings. Engaging with topics on leadership, service, membership, public image, foundation, and the yearly theme, “For the Children,” groups brainstormed solutions to case-study problems and the support needed to create lasting impact for peace. All are available as speakers (except the dog, sorry) for your clubs, to conduct Club Health Checks, and to listen to your ideas during the next “Conversation About Rotary & Pre-PELS” (September 1) and the District Learning Assembly (October 3). [Julia Kushigian-Secor, DGE & AI, story; Andrew Stein, photo]
Purpose
Rotary International encourages member disputes to be resolved at the local club level whenever possible, guided by the Rotary Code of Conduct and the Four-Way Test. District 7980 is developing a Conflict Resolution Team to support Rotarians when concerns cannot be resolved within their club. The team’s purpose is to provide a safe, confidential, and neutral place for Rotarians to discuss concerns, better understand conflict, and identify constructive next steps that are “fair to all concerned.”
Stronger Together: The Power of Rotary Collaboration
Rotary clubs can accomplish a great deal on their own, but we can do even more when we work together. Across Southern Connecticut, collaboration between clubs and community organizations is helping us share resources, bring more people together, and expand the impact of our service.
The Power of Rotary Collaboration
More Volunteers, Ideas, Resources, and Connections
Many service organizations face the same challenges: finding enough volunteers, raising funds, developing new ideas, and responding to growing needs. Collaboration allows us to pool our strengths. One organization may have volunteers, another may have community connections, and another may bring resources or a new idea. Each partner brings something valuable to the table.
Collaboration Does Not Mean Losing Your Club’s Identity
Sometimes clubs hesitate to collaborate because they are concerned about losing recognition or their individual identity. Working together does not mean giving that up. Every Rotary club should be proud of what makes it unique. Collaboration simply gives us another way to serve, while introducing our clubs to new people and new communities.
“When you collaborate with another organization, there can be a concern about losing recognition. In my experience, the opposite happens. Working together expands what we can accomplish.” — Stephanie Philips, District Governor, Rotary District 7980
Stephanie Philips: Unlocking Rotary Global Grants for Southern Connecticut’s Clubs
When it comes to expanding the reach of community service projects, Rotary Global Grants remain one of the most powerful, yet misunderstood, tools available to clubs throughout Southern Connecticut and beyond. Under the stewardship of Stephanie Philips, 2025-2026 District Governor for Rotary District 7980, and a pillar of collaborative service, club leaders are discovering anew how these grants aren’t just additional funding—they’re transformative multipliers for humanitarian impact.
Stephanie’s journey is best described as one of persistent dedication and vision. With over a decade of experience uplifting clubs and a history of award-winning leadership marked by a calm, inclusive spirit, Stephanie knows firsthand that a global perspective drives local results. Her open approach, coupled with Rotary’s emphasis on both local and international collaboration, empowers club presidents, volunteer coordinators, and service chairs to maximize their resources and truly ‘think big’ with community projects. As she shares, clubs in District 7980 are uniquely positioned not only to serve their neighborhoods, but to rally for global change—provided they know how to tap into every resource available.
