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29th Annual Rotary International District 5300
Peace Conference

Saturday, February 23, 2019
University of La Verne
Ann and Steve Morgan Auditorium
Founders Hall
1950 3rd St, La Verne, CA 91750  Map
Conference: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

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Become a Peace Conference Sponsor

Peace Conference Sponsorships

Rotary Champions for Peace Program

To recognize and honor youth who have brought peace into the world by their demeanor and actions.

More Information and Application Instructions

Application

Application Deadline, February 12, 2019

2019 Art for Peace Competition

Art & Photography Theme: 
“Peacebuilding: One Person at a Time”

Entries are no longer being accepted.

More Information

Last Year’s Peace Conference

at the
Huntington Library, Art Gallery and Botanical Gardens

Video Recordings of the District 5300 Peace Conference

Rotary D5300 2017 Peace Conference’s theme was “From Traditional to Social Media: Their Impact on Peacebuilding.” We have made available links to individual video recordings of each of the major speeches and the panel discussion.

Day of Peace
Gina Moga (Upland Rotary) commenced the conference with a song urging all of us to pray and work for peace. This moving composition is written by Janet Sullivan Whitaker. Mrs. Moga is accompanied by Mike Kunz.

The Transition from Print Media to New Forms of Communication and Implications for Promoting Peace
 Mr. Steve Lambert is a partner in The 20/20 Network. He is a national award-winning reporter, editor and publisher. He previously served as editor of The San Bernardino Sun and The Inland Valley Daily News Bulletin, publisher of the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group, and as vice-president for news for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group.

The Uses and Impacts of Visual Media to Build Peace
 Mr. Gavin Sullivan is a principal at Seattle-based media production house, The Madrona Bureau, and current writer, producer, and moderator of the current affairs TV series, Inside Outlook. He began as a foreign correspondent with posts in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Bogota, Columbia. He is a past US Fulbright Scholar and a Rotary World Peace Fellow.

The Uses and Impacts of Social Media on Peace Building
Mr. Zeb Welborn is the president of Welborn Media and has created and launched Defining Success Podcasts, Welborn Media University, and 19th Hole Media. Zeb is the 2017-18 president of the Rotary Club of Chino, California.

 

Journalistic Responsibilities to Counter Misinformation and "Fake News" Related to Peace Messaging
 Ms. Georgia Houston Webb, born and raised in the “Jim Crow” culture of Alabama, developed a strong love for justice and felt compelled to work for freedom and equality. She spent thirty-four years as a counselor and administrator in colleges and universities in the Big Ten, the Ivy League, the Claremont Colleges, and UC Berkeley.

Speakers’ Panel: From Traditional to Social Media: Their Impact on Peacebuilding
 After the four speakers addressed various aspects of the conference theme, they participated in a panel discussion answering questions from the audience. The four speakers were Steve Lambert, Gavin Sullivan, Zeb Welborn and Georgia Houston Webb. The moderators of the panel were Gene Hernandez and Michael Driebe.

Peace Maker of the Year – Rudy Westervelt
Each year Rotary District 5300 selects an individual as a Peacemaker of the Year. David Kramer presented this year’s award to Rudy Westervelt for his numerous efforts through Rotary to encourage peace building activities.

Peace Projects and Programs Rotarians and Others Can Implement
At the conclusion of the conference, Conference Chair Roger Schulte shared a number of peace projects and programs which Rotary clubs and others might consider adapting related to building awareness for peace building in one’s community and the world.

2017 Peace Conference Photos

 Photos by Jill Dolan,  Pomona Rotary Club

Rotary Youth Ambassadors for Peace

Five Rotary Youth Ambassadors for Peace were honored at the 28th Peace Conference on October 21st. They were selected by their Rotary clubs for demonstrating an overall concern for peace in society, being sensitive to promoting justice and compassion, effectively dealing with conflict among peers, and leading or participating in outreach programs that address sexual harassment, LGBTQ rights, cultural understanding, and promote the well-being of others.

Olivia Pinocci-Wrightsman
8th Grader – Henderson Middle School
Sponsor: Rotary Club of Las Vegas WON
“Being unique is a quality that all people should learn to accept and embrace.”

Baxton Chen
11th Grader – San Marino High School
Sponsor: Rotary Club of San Marino
“Each act of kindness we show each other through acts in conversation or on-line is a step for peace.”

Tiffany Han
12th Grader – Walnut Valley High School
Sponsor: Rotary Club of Walnut Valley
“Ignite the passions of young leaders, as well as promote peace.”

Naomi Venugopal
11th Grader – Ruben J. Ayala High School
Sponsor: Rotary Club of Walnut Valley
“Be a servant leader who builds a better sense of community and support system for those who need it.”

Aaron Sabredo Venugopal
8th Grader – Canyon Hills Middle School
Sponsor: Rotary Club of Rancho del Chino
“Stick up for the little guys and try to eliminate bullying.”

Speakers

This year’s theme is: Traditional and Social Media: Their Impact on Peace Building. Speakers all have backgrounds related to the topic and will address this timely theme in light of building peace in our world.

Steve Lambert is a partner in The 20/20 Network, a Southern California-based strategic communications firm specializing in messaging, media relations, reputation management and social media. He is a national award-winning reporter, editor and publisher at newspapers across the country. Steve ran newsrooms and newspapers throughout Southern California – as editor of The San Bernardino Sun and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, as publisher of the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group, and as vice president for news for the parent Los Angeles Newspaper Group. He has earned national acclaim for his innovative approach to digital storytelling, his civic leadership and business acumen that led to audience and revenue growth in these companies.

Zeb Welborn is the president of Welborn Media offering internet marketing, website design, search engine optimization, and social media solutions to help businesses achieve their goals. He has created Defining Success Podcasts, interview-style shows interviewing successful people who are helping others, and he has launched Welborn Media University to teach small and medium-sized business owners how to improve their online marketing efforts. An avid golfer, he is also president 19th Hole Media which helps local golf courses manage their online marketing efforts. His book, The Social Golf Course, shows golf courses how they can use social media to attract more golfers. His company offers scholarships to students who demonstrate why they are passionate, what they are passionate about, and how they plan on using their passion to help others. Zeb is also the current president of the Rotary Club of Chino in Chino, California.

Gavin Sullivan is the principal at Seattle-based media production house, The Madrona Bureau, and current writer, producer, and moderator of the current affairs TV series, Inside Outlook. He has written and produced two feature documentary films, and is  wrapping up production on a forthcoming feature documentary alongside Academy Award winning directors TJ Martin and Dan Lindsay. He began as a foreign correspondent with posts in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Bogotá, Colombia. He is a past US Fulbright Scholar, and as a Rotary World Peace Fellow, Gavin holds a Master’s in International Relations and Conflict Resolution from the Universidad del Salvador Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Georgia Houston Webb’s life is a tapestry of a search for peace and justice. She was born and raised in the “Jim Crow” culture of Alabama. Subsequently, she developed a strong love for justice and felt compelled to work for freedom and equality for all. She spent thirty-four years as a counselor and administrator in colleges and universities in the Big Ten, the Ivy League, the Claremont Colleges and the University of California, Berkeley where she retired as the Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions. In that capacity she was particularly passionate about helping first generation collegiate students navigate the admissions process and how to have a successful college experience. Currently, Georgia is utilizing her experiences and marketing skills to empower people and organizations by building teams to market products that improve both health and wealth, particularly in under-resourced communities. From writing plays to running for political office, she has sought to increase equity, peace and justice in our world.

Peacemaker of the Year

On October 21, 2017, Rudy Westervelt will be honored at the 28th Annual Rotary District 5300 Peace Conference as the Peacemaker of the Year.

Rudy and Karyn Westervelt

Rudy Westervelt is a member of the Rotary E-Club of World Peace and a former member and president of the Rotary Club of Lake Arrowhead Mountain Sunrise. In 2015-16 he served as governor for Rotary District 5330 during which time he started the E-Club of World Peace. Through this club one of his goals is to connect members around the globe in order to undertake potential peace efforts in the Middle East. Rudy and his wife, Karyn, co-chaired PRYDE (Personal Rotary Youth Development Experience – a RYLA type camp for 7th grade students) for two years. He also started a vocational training program for continuation high school students.

He was the chair and convener of the Rotary World Peace Conference 2016. He was the programs chair for the Presidential Pre-Convention Peace Conference in Atlanta prior to last June’s Rotary International Convention. This year he serves as one of two advisors to Rotary International President Ian Riseley’s series of six Presidential Peace Conferences around the world. He currently is the programs chair for Zone 25/26 Institute which will feature peace projects and initiatives in a Pathways to Peace venue.

 

 

 

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District Calendar

29th Annual Peace Conference
February 23rd 2019
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District 5300 Foundation Gala 2019
March 16th 2019
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Sponsors - District 5300 Foundation Gala 2019
March 16th 2019
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RYLA 2019
Mar 29th - Mar 31st 2019
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Rotary Youth Leadership Awards 2019
Mar 29th - Mar 31st 2019
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District Assembly 2019-2020
April 6th 2019
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2018-19 ANNUAL DISTRICT 5300 CONFERENCE 05/3 - 05/4/2019
May 3rd - May 4th 2019
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Budget and Finance Committee and BOD Meetings
May 17th - May 7th 2019
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Corazon Super Build
May 18th 2019
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