Stories

The PDGs Fellowship Speaker Series continues to connect past district governors with Rotary's current priorities and leadership through engaging, informative, and collaborative conversations.

On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the Fellowship will welcome Geeta Manek, Past Trustee of The Rotary Foundation and current Chair of the Rotary Peace Centers Committee, for a session titled Supporting the Rotary Peace Centers.

Geeta brings decades of Rotary leadership to the conversation, including her service as a Foundation Trustee from 2020 to 2024, where she chaired the Executive, Programs, and Stewardship Committees, and her long record of leadership in humanitarian and peacebuilding initiatives around the world. In this session, she will explore the vital role of the Rotary Peace Fellowship program, outline meaningful ways members can support the eight Rotary Peace Centers, and clarify the distinctions between the Master's Degree Program and the Professional Development Certificate Program. She will also walk attendees through the process for nominating candidates to the program – equipping past district governors with practical tools to expand Rotary's peacebuilding reach.

As with every Speaker Series event, the session will be interactive, giving past district governors the opportunity to ask questions and share their own perspectives and experiences directly with a respected Rotary leader.

Sessions like this one reflect what the PDGs Fellowship is all about: strengthening friendships among past district governors while keeping members engaged in Rotary's international initiatives and continued service to the organization's highest priorities.

The PDGs Fellowship Speaker Series continues its commitment to connecting past district governors with Rotary’s current priorities and leadership through engaging, informative, and collaborative conversations.

On May 21, the Fellowship welcomes back Brian King, Director of Membership Development at Rotary International, for an interactive session titled: Innovations to Reach Our Membership Goals by 2030.

King will share updates and slides on the latest efforts underway at Rotary International, with a focus on strategies and approaches to strengthen and grow membership worldwide as the organization works toward its 2030 goals.

True to the Fellowship's mission of fostering meaningful engagement among past district governors, the session is designed to be highly interactive. Participants are encouraged to come with questions and experiences to share as the group explores practical solutions together.

The PDGs Fellowship Speaker Series strengthens friendships among past district governors while providing opportunities for continued involvement in Rotary's international initiatives.

During the 2026 Rotary International Convention in Taipei, the Rotarian Fellowship of Past District Governors & Friends invites Rotarians from around the world to a signature gathering that blends tradition with fresh energy: PDGs and Friends Who Brunch with The RI Presidents.

Held at the Grand Hyatt Taipei from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (Taipei Standard Time), this year’s event marks a special milestone – the 15th anniversary of the Fellowship – and introduces a natural evolution of a beloved annual tradition.

This annual gathering brings together past, current, and incoming Rotary International Presidents, along with Rotary members at every stage of their journey. While rooted in the experience of Past District Governors, the event is intentionally inclusive – any member of Rotary is welcome to attend, creating a unique space where leadership, mentorship, and friendship intersect.

The timing and tone of this year’s brunch reflect Rotary’s evolving story. RI President Francesco Arezzo’s message encourages members to Unite for Good, a call that resonates strongly in a setting designed to connect generations of Rotary leaders and members. At the same time, the presence of RI President-Elect Olayinka “Yinka” Hakeem Babalola reinforces the forward-looking vision to Create Lasting Impact, highlighting how relationships built today can shape Rotary’s service tomorrow.