The Rotarian Action Group for Peace is currently electing Directors to fill four vacancies on our Board. The term of office is three years, commencing July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018. The open positions are:
- Chair, Rotary Peace Fellow Integration Committee
- Chair, Communications and Social Media Committee
- Chair, Partnerships Committee
- Chair, Global Grants Committee
Rotarian Action Group for Peace Election information: All “Members in Good Standing” (i.e. current on membership dues) were sent a ballot on April 3, and voting will conclude on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 (Midnight, Pacific Standard Time USA). The results of the vote will be announced on Thursday, April 30, 2015.
The candidates indicated with an *asterisk by their names have been endorsed by the Rotarian Action Group for Peace Nominations Committee.
Board of Directors Nomination Process
Chair, Rotary Peace Fellow Integration Committee
- Ann Frisch, PhD
- Charlotte Bennett Schoen
- Vasanthi Ranganathan
*Ann Frisch, PhD Rotary Club of St. Paul (Minnesota, USA), District 5960
My interest in being a Board member of Rotarian Action Group for Peace is in promoting the active presence and nonpartisan involvement of Rotarians in civilian based peace processes responding to armed conflict in their own communities, as well as encouraging Rotarians to support human rights defenders and to do conflict sensitive development.
My work in coordinating the first District Grant to train Rotarians in the armed conflict in Southern Thailand was greatly facilitated by members of Rotarian Action Group for Peace. I am very much interested in further deepening that work; and in building models for other Rotarians to do nonviolent, nonpartisan and grassroots based peacemaking. My presentation at the upcoming Rotary International Convention in Sao Paulo with RAGFP Members Brian Farr, Erin Thomas and Gustavo Vallejo, is a move in that direction.
If elected to the role of Rotary Peace Fellow Integration chair, I would work to bring Peace Fellows into this work.
Charlotte Bennett Schoen – Rotary Club of Englewood (New Jersey, USA), District 7490
Currently I am serving as District 7490 Chair of Peace and Conflict Resolution (2013-15) where I have linked the peacebuilding program I designed for our district interact clubs with peacebuilding programs in Yangon Myanmar (Burma) at SMILE NGO. The Burma based peacebuilding workshops highlighted RI and were presented around the country. RI has recently returned to Burma after many years of exclusion and I attended several Rotary meetings there.
Global justice initiatives have been part of my life since 2011 when I started to personally work part of the year for NGOs such as Lucknow India/Community Change Agents, Chiang Mai Thailand/Women’s Empowerment, and Yangon Burma/Peace Builders.
Previous to that time, I was elected to two terms on the Englewood City Council and served as Council President. My community service includes being founding president of a local community mental health organization that served multiple towns in NJ. My employment includes 14 years of working with Bergen County domestic violence agency (ADV) as part of Dept of Human Services where I trained local volunteers to be advocates for victims at domestic violence court hearings.
My home is on the East Coast, just outside of New York City. I have family in Portland, Oregon and have visited RAGFP offices multiple times. RAGFP is the ideal avenue for increasing Rotary International as a force in expanding peace education and initiatives. My educational background includes a MS Ed.
Vasanthi Ranganathan – Rotary Club of Ambattur (India), District 3230
Vasanthi Ranganathan, Rotary Ambassadorial scholar, Rotary Club of Ambattur, commended for visiting clubs, addressing schools and communities by Governor of Connecticut and Mayor of Hartford, host club, Connecticut, Rtn. Richard Hamilton.
Won outstanding president award, District 3230, opened a wing at Ambattur Rotary Hospital, long term project of RCA, by RI president KR Ravindran.
Well travelled in India, China, US, UK, Indonesia, Fulbright scholar, an active alumna in Rotary and East West Center, has addressed many Rotary forums, offered sessions for RYLA 2980, 3000, 3012, was conference speaker twice.
Consultant, Learning and Development, worked with Dr. Abdul Kalam former president in career education in schools, is Teacher Support, RILM, District.
Has put teams of excellence together. Her “What next” programs were presented at Literacy summit Pune. April 7th, World Health Day, coordinating Rotary and Fulbright Alumni, with DG Nazar and US consul as chief guests, workshop for teachers on student health. Video conferencing between youth in Pakistan and India, for sharing history of both nations, planned. Discussions with PDG at Bangladesh and Germany for VTT as Chair 15-16.
Chair, Communications and Social Media Committee
- Marilyn Axler
- Nurul Kabir
- Nosherwan Khan
Marilyn Axler Rotary e-Club of South Jersey (New Jersey, USA), District 7640
My Rotary mission is to connect Rotarians Worldwide and reach Rotarians in all Avenues of Service. I believe in the younger generation, maintaining the History of Rotary and to Promote Peace through Social Media. I am currently an active member of the RAGFP Social Media Committee.
As District 7640 Public Relations Chair, I manage the District’s Facebook page. I also include Zone 32 members and share the District clubs’ activities. I am also responsible for contacting club presidents so that they include their activities in the local media.
I am a Board Member of the Rotary Global History Fellowship. RGHF publishes the histories, values, and philosophies on the internet, as well as other forms of media. I am currently on the History Library committee. As membership chair I was responsible for contacting and energizing Global Zone Board Members.
This year I assisted with planning and implementation of Rotary Strike-Out Hunger. This annual event sells Philadelphia Phillies game tickets directly to Rotary clubs in seven districts (USA). Since 1985 it has raised over $900K for the RI Foundation to eradicate Polio and collected tons of food for local food banks. This year we hosted RI President Gary Huang.
I traveled to Moradabad, India with District 7640 Polio NID team to inoculate children against polio in February 2011 and am Interact Advisor to Cherry Hill West High School for Garden State Rotary Club. I also spearhead the Rotary-UN Day at the UN and made arrangements with the District for transportation.
*Nurul Kabir Rotary Club of Dhaka (Bangladesh), District 3281
Nurul Kabir has been involved in Rotary in Bangladesh and Global forums since October 2001 focusing on information & communications technology (ICT), websites, social media, peace and club building. He led the premier Rotary club of Bangladesh as its 75th President.
Nurul was Chairman of District 3281 Website, ICT and Social Media Committee 2007-2015. He serves RI District 3281 as Assistant Governor 2014-15; Assistant Board Member of RGHF for Zone 6B and Member of the Global technology team of RGHF. He is the District Coordinator for Rotary Club Central and Chairman District web portal, Showcase and Social Media 2015-16; Deputy Governor, Strategic Planning 2015-16; and Additional District Secretary & District Training Team Member 2013-14. He was awarded RI Club Builders Award for organizing a new club 2014-15.
Nurul was Chief Coordinator of Rotary Peace Conference Bangladesh 2015. He is Senior Adviser to the World Cafe Committee at 2015 Rotary Peace Symposium; and Demonstrator of Rotary PeaceHub at 2015 RI Convention’s Building Peace With Economic Development breakout session.
Apart from Rotary, Mr. Kabir serves on Global Advisory Council of Your Public Interest Registry (operator of .org, .ngo & .ong domain names) for 2012-2015. He has 26+ years of experience with a leading role in the fields of e-Development, Telecom, ICT4D, Software & IT services development. He is a national ICT expert and contributed to Bangladesh’s National ICT & Telecom Policy.
Nosherwan Khan – Rotary Club of Rawalpindi (Pakistan), District 3272
Rtn. Nosherwan Khalil Khan is a highly motivated and inspiring individual who as a Rotarian has worked tirelessly for a wide spectrum of humanitarian objectives. He strongly believes in the philosophy of ‘Service above Self.’ Rtn. Khan joined Rotary Club of Rawalpindi in 2008 and has been serving the District in various capacities since 2010, such as Member Pakistan National Polio Plus Committee, District Chair Social Media Promotion, Member District Polio Plus Committee, Member District Website Committee, etc. Nosherwan Khan is administrator of the Club Website and Social Media since their creation.
He has completed 10 certificate courses from Rotary E-Learning Center and has portrayed his Club’s Projects in Rotary Show Case. Rtn. Khan during his tenure as Club President was awarded Best Club President’s Award along with many other Awards. He is recipient of Regional service Award for a Polio Free World 2014-15.
Rtn. Nosherwan Khalil Khan received his early education from Saint Mary’s Academy, Rawalpindi. He did his Intermediate from PAF Inter College, Murree Hills and his Masters in Computer Sciences from SZABIST, Pakistan. After completing his studies, Mr. Khan is successfully running his own business in the field of Transportation. His Grand Father’s Elder Brother and his Uncle were Past Presidents, his Brother is President Elect of RC Rawalpindi and his Aunt was National Representative of Inner Wheel District 340.
Chair, Partnerships Committee
- Fred Gregory
Fred Gregory – Rotary Club of Newberg (Oregon, USA), District 5100
I have been a member of Rotary in Newberg, Oregon since 2009. Prior to accepting a position and George Fox University in 2009, most of my adult life has been spent in international humanitarian work, working on finding ways to create safe, self-sustaining communities of people in some of the most difficult places in the world. I began my career in 1966 as a conscientious objector to war working for an NGO consortium in Vietnam working with war affected people.
After receiving a Masters of Education degree from the University of Oregon, I returned to humanitarian work working both in inner city work in Portland and internationally.
My work in headquarter’s leadership positions of International NGOs has always focused on finding ways to collaborate with other like-minded organizations in order to maximize the desired outcomes that we each sought. I was a Peace Corps Country Director in Uzbekistan and Bangladesh where I was known for creating positive relationships with program partners, be they local NGOs or government bodies. Currently, I am working as the director an international summit on nutrition sponsored by OHSU bringing world class scientists together with international nutrition field practitioners for the first time to have a conversation as to how to better work together.
Chair, Global Grants Committee
- Warren Banks
- Frances Jeffries
*Warren Banks – Member of United Services Rotary Club (e-Club originates in Southern California, and candidate lives in Portland, Oregon USA), District 5340
Member of the Rotary Club of Portland (OR) and the International Service Committee since August 5, 2002. From 2006-2010 served as Chair of this committee. During tenure, the committee originated or participated in Matching Grants totaling over US $1 million, with an average leverage of club funds of more than 8:1. Rotary Club of Portland has led or participated in grants in more than 10 countries.
From 2007-2010 led District Training Assembly module for International Service for 4 District Assemblies. Continues to serve as a District resource for Matching Grants (now Global Grants) and District Grant writing.
Attended all District Training Assemblies and District Conferences from 2003 to date and led a very popular international service module at the 2009 District Conference. Participated in two District Partners in Service conferences and in the training available to me as spouse of a District Governor (GNATS, GETS and International Assembly), and prior to that, as club president. Accompanied spouse, DG Deniel Banks, on all club visits and functions during 2012-13. Have attended Rotary International Conventions in Copenhagen, New Orleans, Thailand and Lisbon.
Involved in District 5100 peace activities from 2012. Provided introduction to Portland Police Bureau through Commander of the Central Precinct, which led to 2 Portland Police Bureau officers being chosen to attend Rotary Peace Certificate program. Wrote summary of District peace activities.
2006-2015: Have travelled annually to Central American countries for Uniendo America Project fairs, and follow up on grants and projects by the Rotary Club of Portland (Guatemala, Costa Rica and Honduras).
Frances Jefferies, PhD – Rotary Club of Bridgewater, (Massachusetts, USA), District 7950
Frances Jeffries, a member of the Rotary International since 1987, was first a member of the Turlock (CA, USA) Club, and later of the Bridgewaters (MA, USA) Club. In 2010-2013, she lived in St. Louis, where she was a member of the Rotary Clubs of Chesterfield and of Clayton Ladue (MO).
Her Rotary activities include Club President; District 7950 World Peace Fellows Program Committee; District 6060 Visioning Team; District Literacy Coordinator; Rotarians Action Group for Peace member; Cadre of Technical Advisors; and Rotary Volunteer.
As a Rotary Volunteer she served as a Proposal Review Site Visitor and Project Monitor for the Rotary International 3-H project, Literacy in South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. In 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2010, she served that project as a Rotary Volunteer assisting with staff and organizational development, and organizing the first adult literacy information exchange to be held on the continent of Africa. In 1996 and 2002, she served as a Rotary Volunteer with the Tigray Development Association in Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia. In 2005, she worked with the Water for Cambodia project.
She is presently a pro bono consultant to non-profit organizations focused on peace initiatives in developing countries. She completed a Ph.D. in counseling at Kent State University (OH) and has worked professionally in all types of educational settings (public and private, K-Graduate School), as well as in several community-based organizations. In addition, she has shared her home with nine children.
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