PIIRKONNA UUDISED – KUUKIRI – MAI 2025

DISTRICT NEWS

MAY 2025

GOVERNOR’S MONTHLY LETTER

May is Youth Service Month. Youth Exchange is one of Rotary International’s most important areas of activity. Many thanks to Erik Rosenlew and the entire Youth Exchange Committee!

RYLA

A quick call to action for young people and those working with youth: 2–3 young people from each country bordering the Baltic Sea can participate in the youth leadership camp in Roskilde. Participants are nominated by clubs and supported with €400. The age of participants must be between 18–30 years.

Program info: Read more.

Application Form: Apply here!

WE INVITE YOU TO DONATE BLOOD!

Tallinn International Rotaract Club invites everyone to participate in the blood donation campaign! The project aims to promote blood donation and encourage people to become regular donors. Donating blood is an easy way to contribute positively to society – the process is quick, safe, and each donation directly helps three people, as the blood is divided into three components.

How to participate?

• Choose a suitable day in May and go donate blood – alone, with friends, or fellow club members.
• You can replace a regular club meeting with a joint blood donation event.
• After donating, please fill out the Google form and share your experience and impressions. You can also add pictures if you wish!
  Google form: https://forms.gle/7XVsG6Y2EaGfpdZc7

Rotaract members will donate blood together, and everyone is welcome to join! Join us on May 20 at 16:00. Location: Ülemiste Blood Donation Center (Valukoja 7, Karl Papello Building).

MAY IS A MONTH FULL OF EVENTS IN OUR DISTRICT!

May 23 – Joint Meeting of Tartu South Estonia Clubs
All Rotarians in the district are invited to participate in a joint meeting in Tartu. We’ll share ideas, strengthen collaboration, and celebrate the spring Rotary season.

May 24 – Rotary International 120th Anniversary Celebration in Tampere
Tampere invites all Rotarians worldwide to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Rotary movement! A daytime international seminar and an evening gala offer meaningful discussions and inspiring speakers.

Featured in the Rotary Future Panel:

• RI President Stephanie A. Urchick
• RI Director Suzan Stenberg
• D1420 Rotarian from Tallinn Reval RC Christina Daous
• D1385 Rotarian from Rovaniemi Santa Claus RC Jaana Koskela

Travel and registration:

• Registration and payment of participation fee conveniently online.
• Travel arrangements for Estonian Rotarians are coordinated by DGN Heldur Allese.
• Hotel bookings must be made independently. While event-specific hotel rooms are full, many hotel websites still have availability.

More info about the seminar and speakers:
https://rotary.fi/ajankohtaista/rotary-120

Let’s meet in Tartu and Tampere – celebrate, discuss, and shape the future together!

LET’S MAKE HISTORY TOGETHER!

When something happens for the first time in over 20 years, it can be called historic. Such a moment is the visit of Rotary International President Stephanie A. Urchick and Rotary Director 2020–2022 Virpi Honkala to Estonia on May 26–27, 2025.

Monday, May 26 – Tallinn Program

• Welcoming guests at Tallinn Port D-terminal with the Tallinn RC mixed choir.
• RI President meets Estonian President Alar Karis to discuss Rotary’s role in society and Rotary’s work as the world’s largest organization of highly qualified professional volunteers.
• At 16:30, a tree will be planted in Kanuti Garden. There already grows an oak planted by Rotary founder Paul Harris.
• Then, a joint meeting and dinner for all Estonian clubs at the Radisson Collection Hotel. RI President Stephanie Urchick will speak about the organization’s activities and plans during turbulent times. Virpi Honkala will deliver a humorous talk titled: “Women in Rotary? What will happen to traditional men’s clubs?” Our clubs will present their projects. Viktor Hütt is compiling an overview of Estonian Rotary clubs’ support activities for Ukraine.
• Historic awards ceremony. For the first time, the Rotary Service (SVRP) high honor will be awarded to an Estonian woman – Sirje Somelar (Tallinn Hansa RC).
  This is only the third time this honor is awarded to an Estonian.
  Additionally, Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) recognitions will be given.
• The event will be captured by a professional photographer.

Participation and registration

• The meeting and dinner are a single seamless event. Please reserve your dinner seat here: https://dinnerbooking.com/ee/et-EE/eventbooking/event/13954
• Dinner price is €54 + booking fee. Price does not include alcohol.
• Welcome drink offered by Ain Käpp (Tallinn RC).

Tuesday, May 27 – Collaboration and Meetings

• Stephanie Urchick visits the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) and learns about cooperation in support projects for Ukraine.
• She will also meet with Minister of Health Karmen Joller to introduce the Polio project and discuss international cooperation in hygiene, disease prevention, and maternal and child health. Projects supporting youth mental health will also be discussed.

“In my 20 years as a Rotarian, this is the first time an RI Director’s visit is taking place in Estonia, open to all Rotarians. Together we will have an exciting evening.”

Wishing everyone a beautiful and eventful May!

Rotary IS Magic
DG Aune Past
District Governor D1420
2024–2025

RI COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION 2025: WHAT’S CHANGING?

On April 13–17, 2025, the Rotary world gathered in Chicago to discuss updates to the organization’s rules. Nearly 480 delegates participated, including representatives from Estonia and Finland. Membership fees, member status, Rotaract, communication, and many other important topics were discussed.

• What decisions were made?
• How do they affect our clubs?
• What takes effect from July 1, 2025?

Read the full summary of COL discussions and decisions.

CALENDAR

• 10.05 – Põlva RC tree planting
• 20.05 – Rotaract blood donation – 16:00, Ülemiste Blood Center (Valukoja 7, Tallinn)
• 23.05 – South Estonia joint meeting
• 24.05 – Rotary International 120th anniversary seminar and gala – Tampere
• 26–27.05 – Visit of RI President and Director – Tallinn
• Tree planting – 16:30, Kanuti Garden
• Joint meeting and dinner – 18:00–21:00, Radisson Collection 
• 31.05 – Rae Club charter celebration 
• 01.06 – RYLA camp application deadline – Roskilde
• 06.06 – RotaryGolf XX Championship – Valgeranna Golf Course 
• 07.06 – Rotary Summer Days – Pärnu
• 26.06 – Chain of office ceremony – 15:00, Kadriorg Park, hosted by Tallinn RC 
• 30.06 – Chain of office handover – Lohja

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

Representatives from Finland and Estonia (Mikko Heikkilä, Sakari Karjalainen, Mikko Hörkkö, Risto Suviala, Jaakko Panula) with RI President Stephanie Urchick during the COL session break.

D1420 COL representative PDG Sakari Karjalainen presents visual tools for the session.

On April 15, Hannele Kauranne and DG Aune Past held a long and thorough meeting about BASRAN and RULA. It is high time to find young people interested in attending the Roskilde camp. A second Estonian representative for the BASRAN Council is also being sought. Environmental protection is an important part of Rotary’s mission.

From our district, the BASRAN board includes Päivi Kippo-Edlund (Helsinki Finlandia Hall RC) and Ulf Rosen (Tallinn RC).