Rock Island Rotary

06/16/2026

2026 Rotary International Convention | Taipei, Taiwan continues to provide meaningful learning experiences, networking, and celebration of friendship!

Yesterday was filled with inspiring breakout sessions, more time exploring the House of Friendship and Rotary Village, and countless opportunities to connect with incredible , from around the world. Every conversation seems to spark a new idea, a new perspective, or a new friendship.

One of the things that has struck me most is the sense of camaraderie. You meet someone for the very first time, yet somehow it feels like you've known them forever. Rotary truly has a way of bringing people together across cultures, languages, and continents through a shared commitment to service.

The fellowship continued over some memorable Taiwanese cuisine, including shrimp soup dumplings, shrimp pancakes, and even the famous stinky tofu! (Let's just say some culinary adventures are more adventurous than others. 😄)

We wrapped up the evening exploring the vibrant Shilin Night Market, taking in the sights, sounds, flavors, and energy that make this city so special.
My heart and mind are full from the experiences, friendships, and conversations happening here in Taipei. Rotary's ability to connect people from every corner of the world is something truly remarkable.

The world feels a whole lot smaller when you're surrounded by Rotary friends from every corner of it. And yet, at the same time, the possibilities for doing good together feel bigger than ever. 🌎💙

Amber Wood
2025-26 President-Elect
Rock Island Rotary

06/14/2026

🌏💙 2026 Rotary International Convention | Taipei, Taiwan – Day 3 of Amber Wood's Rock Island Rotary Facebook Takeover

Another epic day!

One of the things that continues to amaze me about is that friendship can begin anywhere. At breakfast this morning, we found ourselves visiting with Rotarians from Colorado and Peru (the country). By now, it feels completely normal to sit down at a table with strangers and leave having made new friends from different corners of the world. That's the magic of Rotary.

We spent hours exploring the House of Friendship, and what an adventure it was! One of my favorite experiences was spending time with Catherine Chou, a local Rotarian from Taipei, who transformed my arm into her canvas with a beautiful hand-painted flower and opened the door for a budding new friendship! 🌸

The cultural experiences were amazing. We learned about the symbolism behind the colors and characters of traditional Chinese Opera costumes before painting our own opera masks, practiced our own calligraphy after a brief lesson, watched a magic show, received beautiful scarves, and discovered countless exhibits, projects, and opportunities from around the world. Every turn seemed to reveal something new—and every conversation led to a new friendship.

In Rotary Village, I had the opportunity to connect with Rotary International staff and learn more about , one of the pillars of Rotary's Action Plan. Yesterday's focus was . ADAPT & IMPACT are yet to come!

The Convention Opening Ceremony was nothing short of inspiring. One of the most impactful moments was the presentation of the flags. Watching the flags of nations from around the world enter the arena was a powerful visual reminder that Rotary truly transcends borders, languages, and cultures. Seeing thousands of Rotarians rise in celebration of our global fellowship was a moment I'll never forget. Different countries, different customs, different perspectives—but united by a shared commitment to .

And the Rotary connections didn't stop when the convention activities ended. While enjoying dinner away from the convention center, we struck up a conversation with a District Governor Nominee from Thailand and his family, which included two Rotarians from Taiwan - one with 35 years in his club! What started as a simple dinner became another memorable Rotary fellowship experience.

One thing that continues to stand out is the warmth and kindness of the people of Taipei. Everywhere we go, we've encountered generous, welcoming people eager to help, share their culture, and make visitors feel at home. Taiwan has been an amazing host, and the hospitality has been second to none.

Today reinforced something I've always loved about Rotary: friendships don't require introductions when you're among Rotarians. Whether it's breakfast with friends from Colorado and Peru, learning about Taiwanese culture in the House of Friendship, celebrating alongside thousands during the Opening Ceremony, or meeting new friends over dinner, Rotary has a way of turning the world into a much smaller—and much friendlier—place.

What will tomorrow bring? At this point, I've learned that at the Rotary International Convention, you never quite know what incredible experience is waiting around the next corner! 😊

Tomorrow, I'm looking forward to attending breakout sessions, learning from Rotary leaders and innovators, and continuing to meet Rotarians from around the world. Every conversation, every session, and every experience seems to offer a new perspective and a new idea to bring home.

Stay tuned—there's more convention adventure ahead!

🌎🤝💙💛🌸

06/13/2026

🌏⚾ Rotary International Convention 2026 – Day 2 in Taipei!

Day 2 was all about settling in, shaking off the last of the jet lag, and getting ready for an incredible week ahead!

The morning gave me a chance to focus on some Rotary planning for 2026-27, including committee assignments, club meeting schedules, and other preparations as I get ready to serve as President of Rock Island Rotary, starting in July 2026.

In the afternoon, we headed back to 2026 Rotary International Convention | Taipei, Taiwan at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center 2 for an orientation session designed for first-time Rotary International Convention attendees. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the week ahead and connect with fellow Rotarians from around the world.

The evening brought a uniquely Taiwanese experience as we joined fellow Rotarians from Rotary D6440 and Chris Van Speybroeck from Rotary Club of East Moline - Silvis (a fellow Illinois QC club from Rotary District 6420), for a professional baseball game at Tianmu Baseball Stadium, Taipei ⚾ Wei Chuan Dragons vs. Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions. The game drew an enthusiastic crowd and created an incredible atmosphere. Even without understanding every cheer, it was impossible not to get caught up in the energy of the fans! The ceremonial first pitch even made it across the plate—a reminder that if Rotary ever asks me to throw another one, I'd better start practicing now! ⚾🤣

We also met several Rotarians from Japan at the game. Of all the seats in all the stadiums in Taipei, Rotarians somehow find each other! 😂🌏⚾
Now the question is whether we'll spot them again tomorrow at the Opening Ceremony. The odds seem low with 37,000 from around the globe—but if there's one thing I've learned about Rotary, it's that you never know when you'll run into a friend, even one you met just a few hours earlier on the other side of the world. 🤝💙💛

After the game, we explored the neighborhood around the stadium, enjoyed some local sights, grabbed a bubble tea on our walk back to the Metro, and returned to the hotel with a deeper appreciation for the culture, community, and hospitality of Taipei.

Another unexpected and inspiring discovery was FastBook, an automated library kiosk operated by the Taipei Public Library and located right inside the Metro station. 📚🚇 As Rotarians, we know that literacy and education are foundational to stronger communities, making this a particularly meaningful find. I couldn't help but think of Rock Island Public Library Director and fellow Rotarian Angela Campbell and her passion for literacy. She would have loved this! Imagine being able to borrow a book as easily as grabbing a snack from a vending machine. It's a creative way to put books and learning within reach of more people—and a wonderful reminder that promoting literacy can take many forms around the world. 🌎📖💙💛

Every day here has been a reminder that Rotary truly connects people across cultures, languages, and continents. Looking forward to the official opening of the convention and all the learning, inspiration, and friendships still to come!

~Amber Wood
President-Elect
Rock Island Rotary

🌎💙💛

06/12/2026

🌏✈️ Rock Island Rotary page Takeover – Greetings from Taipei! 💙💛

Hello, Rotary friends!

This week, I have the incredible privilege of representing our club at the Rotary International Convention 2026 in Taipei ( ) alongside tens of thousands of Rotarians from around the world. https://facebook.com/events/s/2026-rotary-international-conv/1078252530880861/

Lucian and I arrived in Taipei early Friday morning after a 15 hour flight from Chicago O'Hare International Airport and have already begun taking in the sights, sounds, and culture of this amazing city.

We spent part of our first day exploring the world-famous Taipei Zoo 臺北市立動物園 and officially checked in for the main event at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. While the convention officially kicks off on Sunday, we're enjoying the opportunity to experience Taiwan, meet fellow travelers/Rotarians, and prepare for what promises to be an incredible few days of learning, inspiration, and fellowship.

Over the coming days, I'll share photos, stories, and highlights from the convention - and examples of how Rotary is making a difference across the globe. I look forward to bringing new ideas and fresh perspectives back to Rock Island as we continue to strengthen our club and expand our impact.

One of the most remarkable things about Rotary is that no matter where you are in the world, you immediately find yourself among friends. Seeing thousands of Rotarians gathering from countries across the globe is a powerful reminder that while our communities may be different, our commitment to service unites us - Rotarians are truly !

Thank you for the opportunity to represent the Rock Island Rotary at this international gathering. It is truly an honor, and I can't wait to share this experience with all of you over the next several days.

Until then—greetings from Taiwan!

~Amber Wood
Rotary Club of Rock Island
2025-2026 Club President-Elect

06/08/2026

Help support Moline Rotary by getting your tickets today!

🥃 Bourbon Lovers — This One’s for You! 🥃

The Moline Rotary Club is excited to launch our Bourbon Gift Basket Raffle Fundraiser — and these are some incredible collections!

🎟 Choose your chance to win:

🔴 Red Ticket Basket featuring Kentucky Owl Takumi Edition, Weller Special Reserve & more
⚪ White Ticket Basket featuring Blanton’s, E.H. Taylor, Buffalo Trace & more
🔵 Blue Ticket Basket featuring Blanton’s, WhistlePig, Angel’s Envy & more

💵 Tickets are just $10 each or 3 for $25 — giving you 3 chances to win!

📅 Drawing: June 15, 2026 (during our regular lunch meeting)
📍 Winners do NOT need to be present
✔ Must be 21 or older

Every ticket supports the Moline Rotary Foundation, helping fund local literacy efforts and community projects right here in the Quad Cities.

Only 1,000 tickets available — don’t wait!

06/08/2026

We agree, North Scott Rotary Club!

✨

06/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1H9Gs3V1j3/

Here's a few facts about Rotary's founder Paul Harris, that you not have known.

06/03/2026

Five Quad Cities-area organizations have been awarded a combined total of $8,025 in community grants from the Rock Island Rotary club. The grants were presented at the club’s regular weekly meeting on June 2.

The organizations receiving Rock Island Rotary grants and the projects funded were:

— $1,500 to SAL Community Services for their Skip-a-Long Childhood Centers in Rock
Island to provide edcational supplies.

— $1,700 to the New Kingdom Trailriders based in Sherrard, Illinois, to support their therapeutic horse riding programs. The grant will be used to
construct a lean-to in the program’s pasture, so horses will have shelter from the weather when the need arises.

— $2,000 to the Nahant Marsh Education Center, a 382-acre preserve with the mission of protecting, enhancing, and restoring the marsh through education, research, and conservation. The grants provide free education programs for children.

— $1,325 to the Earl Hanson Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), to revive an annual Culture Night event, which had not happened since the pandemic. The grants will provide for food and supplies for the event, where students and their parents will display their native culture through clothing, items, and food, and have the opportunity to experience other cultures displayed by fellow students and their families.

— $1,500 to Two Rivers United Methodist Church of Rock Island for their weekly Saturday meal site. In addition to the hot meal, recipients are given a bag of fresh produce to take home. The grant will help defray the cost of the take-home nutritional items.

This was the second and final round of community grants in 2026 from the Rock Island Rotary Foundation. The club’s foundation giving for the two rounds of grants this year has exceeded $15,000.

05/22/2026

Young Professionals - Join us! Find out about making connections and Service Above Self with this special offer from Moline Rotary!

05/20/2026

ROCK ISLAND ROTARY CLUB PRESENTS
MARY L. FISLAR COMMUNITY SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP

LaRayah Carroll, a senior at Rock Island High School, is the 2026 recipient of the Mary Fislar Community Service Scholarship from the Rock Island Rotary Club.

The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior based on academic achievement, involvement in extracurricular activities, and a 500-word essay about the student’s community and school service.

LaRayah Carroll has an impressive record at Rock Island High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society and carries a 4.0 GPA. She has been enrolled in Honors and AP classes throughout her high school career.

She participated in Orchestra, Student Council, the AVID Program, and Grey Matters. LaRayah earned a varsity letter as a member of the cheerleading squad, which she served as captain during her Junior year.

She has been actively involved in the work of Second Baptist Church, Rock Island, where she has volunteered for community service events such as the MLK Fish Fry.

LaRayah has volunteered for the Rock Island High School Blood Drive, the Quad Cities Heart Walk, and the Quad Cities Marathon.

She has been accepted to the School of Engineering at Iowa State University, where she will major in Construction Engineering.

Mary Fislar was a member of the Rock Island Rotary Club for 28 years, serving as Club President in 2004-2005. She was active in the work of Rotary District 6420, and in 2017 was named District Rotarian of the Year.

Members of the Rock Island Rotary Club established the scholarship as a tribute to Mary’s commitment to service to others.