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A New Rotary District is
Born in Russia
by
PDG Jon Eiche, Rotary District 5890
Houston, Texas
After 15 years of existence, 48 Rotary clubs in Western Russia
were united into the newest Rotary district in the Rotary
world—District 2220. I was privileged to be a part of this
historic ceremony by representing my Rotary District 5890 and
serving as the Conference Co-Chair at the 12th Annual
Rotary in Russia Conference in Moscow, Russia. The conference
was attended by approximately 400 Rotarians and Rotaractors from
over 18 countries of Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.
In my view, this conference will be looked upon by Rotary
historians as a seminal event in the development of the
worldwide Rotary movement. But this is only the beginning of
the next chapter of Rotary in Russia.
Background
A great deal of credit must be given to those who worked
diligently for the previous fifteen
years in the training and development of Rotary clubs over the
whole of Russia from St. Petersburg in the west to the Kamchatka
peninsula in the East. It is difficult for an American to
understand the vastness and the complexities of the country now
known as the Russian Federation. Until now, development of the
Rotary clubs in Russia has been the responsibility of four
Rotary districts: clubs in the area of St. Petersburg in
District 1430 (Finland), clubs in the area of Moscow in District
2350 (Sweden), clubs in the area of Volgograd in District 2370
(Sweden) and clubs from the Ural Mountains to the Pacific Ocean
in District 5010 (Alaska and the Yukon Territory). The sheer
geography of the territory could place the continental United
States side by side two and one half times inside the boundaries
of the Russian Federation.
The creation of this new district was the culmination of a
process that took shape over a number of years. Past Rotary
International Director Jorma Lampen from Finland deserves much
of the credit for the development of the clubs in western
Russia. And each of the governors from the three districts
(1430, 2350 and 2370) that included the Rotary clubs in western
Russia have spent countless hours over the last fifteen years in
providing support, training and counsel to the clubs which now
m ake up the new District 2220.
As a student of Russian and East European affairs for over 40
years, I have encouraged the senior leaders of Rotary
International for several years to consider the creation of a
single district made up of the clubs in western Russia, because
language and cultural differences have slowed the growth and
effectiveness of the Rotary movement in western Russia.
Traditional districts in Rotary are made up of more clubs and a
higher membership number than clubs in western Russia. But the
geography and the need to create a national identity for Rotary
in Russia were major considerations in the analysis of the
future possibilities for growth. A plan of action for the
expansion and growth of Rotary in western Russia was presented,
and last year, the Board of Directors of Rotary International
decided that it was time for the Rotary clubs in western Russia
to stand on their own feet as an equal partner with the
remaining 529 districts in the world. And so, on the morning of
June 17, 2006, RI President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar installed
Andrei Danilenko as Governor of the newly created District 2220.
Rotary International President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar
installs Andrei Danilenko as the first Governor of District
2220.
Many senior Rotary dignitaries were on hand to view and
participate in the inaugural ceremonies of the new district.
Governors Britta Wallgren (District 2350), Per Gunner Volberg
(District 2370), Kaapo Pulkkinen (District 1430) and Skip Cook
(District 5010) gave welcoming remarks to the assembled crowd.
Past Rotary International President Rick King, current
Vice-President of RI Serge Gouteyron, and Director Bob Stuart
attended the entire conference, which lasted for two days. At
the conclusion, many gifts and banners were exchanged with the
new governor.
PDG Jon Eiche of District 5890 exchanges banners with newly
installed Governor Danilenko of District 2220 of Western
Russia.
The New District
District 2220 includes 48 Rotary clubs in western Russia grouped
around three major population centers: St. Petersburg in the
northwest region, Moscow in the central region and Volgograd in
the southern region. Governor Danilenko has selected seven
Assistant Governors that will assist him in the development and
expansion of the Rotary movement in western Russia. The
leadership of the district will move from the Moscow area to the
southern area next year under Governor-elect Anatoly Voloshin
from the Rotary Club of Togliatti. In 2008-2009 the district
will be led by DGN Vladimir Vasilkov from the Rotary Club of St.
Petersburg The creation of this new district will face many
challenges in the near term that are unique in nature to a
traditional Rotary district. The membership of most of the
clubs is small ranging from 10 members to a high of 47 members.
However, the territory for the district is quite large (roughly
˝ of the continental United States). And they are in a country
that is still suffering tremendous economic hardships. The
conference was focused on the needs and prospects for the
expansion of the Rotary movement in Russia.
Conference Program
The first plenary session of the conference had presentations on
the historical development of Rotary in Russia over the past 15
years. The second plenary session dealt with the special needs
of the new district as they applied to the Russian social
experience. Youth programs are especially important in the new
district, which has some very strong Rotaract clubs throughout
both eastern and western Russia. About 25% of the conference
attendees were Rotaractors. One of the highlights of the
conference was a mini-concert by the winners of the musical
competition for talented youth by the Moscow-Renaissance and
Moscow-International Rotary Clubs.
 This young violinist was one of three winners of the musical
competition and has traveled extensively in Europe because of
this Rotary project.
A great deal of time during the conference was devoted to
breakout sessions using panel discussions on topics relating to
use of the mass media, promoting a positive image of Rotary,
Rotary Foundation grants, youth programs and development of
relationships with clubs all over the world. I was the
moderator of a breakout session on the Development of
International Contacts by Russian Rotary Clubs. This session
was attended by Rotarians from over 15 countries. It was
interesting to note how many countries have had longstanding
relationships with the Rotary clubs in Russia and have developed
formal Inter-Country Committees with Russia. One of the first
such committee was begun by France and Germany in 1950. It has
since expanded to include most of the countries of Europe, the
Middle-East and some countries of Africa.
The use of Inter-Country Committees offer opportunities for
strengthening the effectiveness of Rotary clubs in Russia.
Throughout the conference I was approached by Rotarians from
around the world to encourage the development of joint projects
with all Rotary clubs in Russia and to promote the creation of
an Inter-Country Committee between North America and Russia.
At the Sunday plenary session, delegates were briefed on the
recently approved 3-H Grant for the establishment of Health Fair
Centers in several key population centers of Russia. This
project was developed by District 5010 based on the experiences
of conducting health fairs in Siberia. This concept offers
great possibilities for presenting a positive image of Rotary to
the general population and to improve the establishment of good
health practices by Russians.
After the wrap-up of the conference, delegates were invited to
the opening ceremony of the All-Russian Equestrian Sports
Championship for Physically Challenged People. The ceremony was
held at the Planernoe Sports Facility. This facility is the
Olympic Training Facility for Equestrian Sports north of Moscow
and houses about 500 horses.
Parade of Disabled Children at the opening ceremony of the
All-Russian Equestrian Sports Championship for Physically
Challenged People.
 The horse “Beslan” wears a horsecloth with the Rotary emblem
together with the emblem of the two donors, the Franco-Russian
ICC and the Rotary Club Moscow Renaissance.
Cultural Activities
Throughout the conference delegates were treated to some of the
aspects for which Russia is famous. The entertainment at the
banquet on Saturday evening included a performance by young
people in contemporary dance, and at the concluding luncheon on
Sunday, a troup of Russian senior citizens dressed in native
costume performed some of the traditional Russian dances.
Russian Youth Dancers
 Traditional Russian Dance Troup
Friends of Rotary in Russia
The Friends of Rotary in Russia is an ad-hoc committee made up
of Rotarians from over 18 districts in the United States and
more than 12 countries in Europe and Asia. The goals of this
organization have been to promote a spirit of cooperation and
understanding among these clubs and districts with the growing
Rotary movement within Russia. The Friends of Rotary in Russia,
through contributions from Districts 5450,5790, 5890,6840, and
7620 assisted with the operational expenses of this conference
held in Moscow. And many Rotaractors from eastern Russia
received financial assistance from District 5010 to make the
long trip to attend this conference. Plans are now underway to
change this committee into a Rotary Inter-Country Committee
using the European model.
Next Steps
The future of the effectiveness of the Rotary movement in Russia
lies in the ability of Rotary clubs throughout Russia to attract
commitment from clubs and districts in all parts of the world
that are interested in international cooperation. This can be
fostered through Friendship Exchanges, the use of Rotary
Fellowships, Group Study Exchanges, Twin-Club affiliations and
joint World Community Service projects. For this reason a
conference is being planned to take place at Rotary
International Headquarters from May 26-28, 2007. The focus of
the conference will be to develop the organizational structure
for a North America-Russia Inter-Country Committee. Interested
participants from Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia will
also be invited to attend. There will be a special pre or post
conference meeting for Rotaractors.
While the agenda is still in the early stages of development, it
is anticipated that sessions will be devoted to the development
of an organizational structure, methods to identify major
collaborative World Community Service projects in educational
and humanitarian fields, membership development and expansion,
younger generations programs, Rotary Foundation programs,
Friendship, GSE and Youth Exchange Programs.
I am asking members of the Friends of Rotary in Russia and other
interested Rotarians in North America to approach their sitting
Governors and request that they or another Rotarian in their
district be appointed as District Representative to a North
America-Russia Inter-Country Committee for a period of three
years. These District Representatives will act as advisors to
their District Governors on matters relating to cooperative
activities between their district and it’s clubs with districts
or clubs in the whole of the Russian Federation.
Representatives should be willing to attend the Chartering
Ceremony in Evanston from May 26-28, 2007, and will sign the
charter for their District Governor. Because the organization
and functioning of such committees are the independent
activities of Rotarians, Inter-Country Committees function at no
cost to Rotary International. Therefore, I am also asking each
district interested in becoming a Charter District to commit
$2,000 of seed money from their district reserve funds to help
with the startup expenses, the first year budget for the
committee and operational expenses for the Evanston conference.
Charter districts will receive a copy of the original charter
suitable for framing for their historical files.
I hope to produce an informational brochure about the conference
in time for the Zone Institutes to publicize this effort, but I
am counting on each of you to give wide dissemination of this
information to your circle of Rotary friends. If you have
questions regarding the establishment of the North America
–Russia Inter-Country Committee or the conference, please feel
free to contact me by e-mail or telephone.
I remain yours in Rotary service,
PDG Jon Eiche, Rotary District 5890
Houston, Texas
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