Please view and explore our new Rotary Peace Poles Map by clicking the image below!
What is the Peace Pole Map?
By using the map, you are able see the location where each of the 121 peace poles are planted.
You can use the map to enter in your own location and find the nearest peace pole to you!
Plan a peace pole walk with your friends and family by simply entering your starting location in the “direction tool” and the address of peace pole you’d like to visit, and the Map will give you directions! Then, check out the peace poles that are close to one another to visit multiple peace poles at once!
Fellowship Opportunity (Rotary Clubs)
You can also use the “grouping tool” to choose a specific Rotary club to see which Peace Poles they have sponsored! We encourage you to get familiar with the leading peacebuilder Rotary clubs in the Oregon/Washington area by exploring the Map and planning an activity with those clubs. Together you can visit their sponsored peace pole locations and get acquainted with the various Peace Pole communities!
We wish you fun adventures with your fellow Rotarians on the Peace Pole trails.
(A story from the Map): Elmonica Elementary School is a great example of a peacebuilding community hub. They are planting 6 peace poles that will represent 24 different languages! At the same time, they are also working with our staff member, Natalie Duchala, on her thesis project focusing on their immigrant and refugee population! Use the Map to learn about more stories that connect us all!
Peace Pole Report:
On Friday, April 21, 2017, Rotarians from around the northwest planted peace poles at locations throughout Oregon including dozens of schools, city offices, police precincts, houses of worship and other non profit organizations. The Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct had a peace pole planting ceremony Friday, April 21st at 11:45 am after their Community Peace Collaborative Meeting. The Portland Police Bureau’s North Precinct is located at 449 N.E. Emerson, Portland, Oregon 97211.
We set out with a goal to plant 100 peace poles around the Rotary District 5100 in conjunction with District 5030.
In the end we placed 121 orders for peace poles to be planted from Salem to Vancouver, Washington, Hermiston and Hood River Oregon to McMinnville.
What we learned…
For the most part Rotary clubs seemed to have a reasonably easy time finding locations to plant. Maybe one or two struggled with bureaucracy but for the most part it sounded like there was a great deal of buy in and most organizations were eager to partner with Rotarians to do this project.
This project provided a ground swell of excitement around the Peace Pole project. I expect there will be continued momentum from this project. I could easily see this project growing to hundreds of other Rotary clubs, schools, houses of worship, law enforcement organizations around the country to engage in a “build peace” movement. The key that helped the momentum is having a Rotarian in geographic area that is excited about the project.
Highlights from the project:
50 peace poles planted in the City of Newberg on Friday, April 14th.
6 poles at planted at Elmonica Elementary School in Beaverton. Poles will have 24 different languages on them.
19 poles to be planted in the city parks of Lake Oswego.
A new translation for “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in the Tualatin Valley Native American Language of Chinuk Wawa will be used on peace poles in Sherwood, McMinnville and Tigard.
The North Precinct Police Station will be planting a beautiful wooden peace pole after their Community Peace collaborative meeting on Friday, April 21st at 11:30pm.
Testimonials of 100 Peace Pole Project:
When asked, “ What will having a peace pole mean to your organization and what hopes do you have in terms of it’s impact on the community?’ Here’s what some of the organizations planting poles had to say…
“Having a visible pole will be a visible daily reminder to our staff, guests and passers-by that peace and understanding begins with empathy.” – Portland Children’s Museum – Portland Rotary
“The peace pole symbolizes the community’s diversity and reminds everyone that the library is a safe, peaceful environment for all.” Vancouver Washington Community Library Rotary of Vancouver
“We want to place a visual reminder to promote peace and understanding among all of humankind, regardless of our differences.” Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue – Sherwood Rotary
“We have struggled to find meaningful ways to bring peace to our communities and our belief is that this is a great way to connect and perhaps provide inroads for future peace cooperative activities.” Rotary club of Forest Grove Daybreak
“Our hope is that this peace pole will be an inspiration to staff and clients who see it every day, as well as to other people/organizations that may decide to join the peace pole movement. Our peace pole will stand as a reminder of an individual’s social responsibility as a community member.” Morrison child and Family Service – Portland Rotary
“We will be the first congregation that is a demonstration of the Kindness Commons initiative. The peace pole will be a concrete example of our values and our multifaceted work to strengthen civic bonds.” Congregation Neveh Shalom, Portland Oregon – Portland Rotary
“To show a unified message of peace and harmony. This supports the Districts “All Means All: initiative and sends a strong message.” Newberg School District – Newberg Rotary
“It will stand as a reminder that it takes action from each individual to create a peaceful community, nation and world. We all hold the responsibility to respect each other which is the foundation of peace.” Newberg School District – Newberg Rotary
“We hope our neighborhood will see us as hands of God.” Newberg Church of the Nazarene
“A peace pole shows determination to solve problems diplomatically and live peaceably.” Newberg Habitat for Humanity
“Visual commitment to a city wide effort for peace.” Newberg Frie
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