Stories
Koo Yuen will share his life story at the Rotary Club Meeting on February 6, 2020, at the Normandie Farm Restaurant. 

Fightingkids South Africa Patched -

Partnerships are central to the initiative’s operations. Collaboration with schools enables after-school programs that occupy high-risk time periods; links with local NGOs and social services provide referral pathways for children who need additional psychological or material support; and engagement with municipal authorities can help secure access to facilities and funding. Fundraising strategies commonly combine small local grants, corporate sponsorships, and community-driven events, while program evaluation relies on both qualitative testimony from participants and measurable indicators such as attendance rates, school performance, and reported behavioral incidents.

The program’s core philosophy centers on transforming aggression and insecurity into discipline, self-control, and constructive goals. Martial arts serve not merely as combat training but as a vehicle for teaching respect, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation. Classes incorporate scenarios that emphasize de-escalation, situational awareness, and the legal and ethical consequences of violence. Complementary sessions address communication skills, goal-setting, substance-abuse prevention, and vocational guidance, giving participants practical tools to navigate everyday challenges. fightingkids south africa patched

FightingKids South Africa is a grassroots youth development initiative that uses martial arts and structured physical training to empower vulnerable children and adolescents across South Africa. Its programs combine practical self-defence instruction with life-skills education, mentorship, and community engagement, aiming to reduce violence, build resilience, and offer positive alternatives for young people at risk. Over time the organization has developed curricula tailored to local contexts, trained volunteer coaches, and partnered with schools and community centers to reach participants in both urban townships and rural areas. Partnerships are central to the initiative’s operations

Successful scaling prospects depend on several strategic steps: securing multi-year funding commitments to ensure program stability; investing in coach training and certification pathways to professionalize delivery; strengthening partnerships with education and health services; embedding data collection systems to demonstrate impact to stakeholders; and involving alumni in mentorship roles to reinforce positive cycles. Advocacy and public communication that clearly frame martial arts as a tool for personal development and violence prevention—supported by participant stories and evaluation data—can build broader community buy-in. trained volunteer coaches

First Rotary Club Social of 2020 was held on Thursday, January 30, at Bretton Woods Recreation Center.
Duane Carey, President of the Maryland Free Enterprise Foundation, was the Guest Speaker at the Rotary Club Meeting on January 23, 2020.
 
The January 9, 2020, Rotary Club Meeting featured Rotarian Alan H. Grant sharing his life's story
The January 9, 2020, Rotary Club Meeting featured Rotarian Alan H. Grant sharing his life's story. We welcomed Steph Moundongo on his first visit to the Rotary Club sitting next to Past President Phil Meade.
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Rotarians distributed dictionaries to third graders at St. Elizabeth Elementary School on January 9, 2020.
 
Alan Grant, Koo Yuen and Bob Nelson distributed dictionaries to third graders at St. Elizabeth Elementary School on January 9, 2020.
 
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On January 2, 2020, Maryland Senator Brian Feldman was the Guest Speaker for our first Rotary Club Meeting in 2020, our Club's 40th Anniversary Year.  
On January 2, 2020, Maryland Senator Brian Feldman was the Guest Speaker for our first Rotary Club Meeting in 2020, our Club's 40th Anniversary Year.  He covered a number of topics and presented an overview of the legislative session that begins on January 8, 2020.
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Family and Friends Enjoyed the Rotary Club Holiday Party on December 12, 2019
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Dictionaries Have Been Distributed to Area Elementary Schools Under the Leadership of Alan Grant
Alan Grant and Bob Nelson distributed dictionaries to third graders at Seven Locks Elementary School on November 25, 2019.
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Nancy Mason and Bob Nelson returned from their trip to South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe and shared a PowerPoint Presentation at the Rotary Club Meeting on November 21, 2019
 
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Guest Speaker Adrian Mikeliunas from the IMF gave a presentation on cybersecurity at the Rotary Club meeting on November 14, 2019
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After a special meeting to label dictionaries for this school year Dictionary Project on November 7, 2019, Rotarians dined at the Rio Silver Diner.
Potomac-Bethesda Rotary Donates Bench to Interfaith Works Women's Center
 
[November 6, 2019] The beautiful bench from the Potomac Bethesda Rotary Club was delivered to our shelter today!  The bench was placed  in our non-smoking area for our ladies.  Thank you so much for the lovely, thoughtful and useful donation to our center! Please send our deepest gratitude to the members of the Potomac Rotary Club for this generous donation! We will also post the donation on our Center's Facebook. Regards, Josiane Makon, LCSW-C, Program Director, Interfaith Works Women's Center, 2 Taft Court Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850. www.iworksmc.org

 
 
Marilyn Balcombe, Ph.D., President and CEO, Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce was our Rotary Club Guest Speaker on October 3, 2019
 
Photos by Caesar Kavadoy
Billy Louis spoke on "Living With Polio" at the Rotary Club Meeting on September 26, 2019.
 
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Rotarians Celebrate the Last Rotary Club Meeting of Summer on the Deck at Bretton Woods on September 19, 2019
 
 
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Nabil Bedewi presented an update on "Believe in Belize" at the Rotary Club meeting on September 12, 2019
 
Social at Bretton Woods Featured Special Supper, Fabulous Fellowship and Sensational Sunset on August 29, 2019 
Club Assembly on August 22, 2019, Discussed the Latest Potomac-Bethesda Rotary Project: A Bench to Honor Sander Cohen
Jake Matysek, Vice President - Financial Consultant, Charles Schwab, gave his New Member Classification Talk on August 8, 2019.
 
Sponsor Caesar Kavadoy introduced new member Jake Matysek who gave his classification talk.
Rotary Foundation Chair Jon Van Winkle presented Phil Meade with an additional Paul Harris Fellow pin.
Program Chair Alan Grant received ideas for future programs and projects.
Caesar Kavadoy introduced his guest and neighbor, Saud Zafar.
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Crystal Townsend, President & CEO, Healthcare Initiative Foundation, spoke about supporting organizations that offer solutions to improve the quality and delivery of healthcare on July 18, 2019.
 
 
2019-20 Club Leadership Selected at Club Assembly on June 13, 2019
Potomac-Bethesda Rotary Club Leadership
for the 2019-20 Rotary Year
President Dr. Todd Nitkin
Vice President Juan Carlos Peirano
Secretary Dr. Noel Howard
Treasurer Phil Meade
Rotary Foundation Chair Jon Van Winkle
Program Chair Alan Grant
Bulletin Editor Bob Nelson
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Matching Paul Harris Credits for Rotary Foundation Donations
There are Paul Harris (PH) credits available for members to make up the $1000 donation required.  It works this way: If you pay half of the amount you need for a PH fellowship, then the club will use available credits to make up the balance.  So for instance say you already have PH credits amounting to $ 600.  If you donate another $200, then the club will match your amount with some of those credits bringing the total to $ 1000 and bringing you a PH fellowship!  And Rotary benefits, too!
Rotarians Packed Food Boxes at Manna Food Center on June 11, 2019
Next Four Meetings
Sep 17, 2020 6:30 PM
Sep 24, 2020 6:30 PM
Social Security…Securing Today and Tomorrow
Oct 01, 2020 6:30 PM
Oct 08, 2020 6:30 PM
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