In Rotary, we have no tolerance for racism. Rotary values diversity and celebrates the contributions of
people of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, ethnicity, race, color, abilities, religion,
socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Rotary strives to build a world
where people unite and take action to create lasting change.
The Rotary Club of White Plains is part of Rotary International, an organization of 1.2 million
individuals from around the world and, consistent with RI's principles, is a multicultural, multiethnic
organization welcoming all people. The Club has long been committed to diversity in its membership and leadership.
Our Club supports the recent, peaceful protests addressed to racial injustice and encourages authorities
and community leaders to recognize the message being conveyed by these protests and to take all necessary
actions to address that message.
Our members acknowledge that racial justice cannot co-exist with systemic racism in our institutions
including policing, housing, education, access to affordable healthcare, incarceration and the justice
system. We agree the time is now for consistent and concerted efforts to make fundamental changes toward
finishing the work of achieving racial equality for everyone.
"To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try."
- Rosa Parks
Our letter was addressed to R.I. President Jennifer Jones. This is the link to the PDF letter.
WAR and PEACE (Our Letter on Ukraine)
We also hosted a public seminar on November 22, 2022, at the White Plains Public Library, with presentations from distinguished officials
including the Consul General of Ukraine and the Worldwide Chair of UN Affairs at the Ukrainian World Congress.
During their presentations, a sad video was played, describing the dire conditions in Ukraine currently:
https://youtu.be/E7jY4MSnI-E [duration 4:19]