Peace Summit 2026 Recap

Peace Begins With Knowing One Another

Peace did not begin with a keynote address.

It began with a greeting.

At the opening of the Rotary District 6600 Peace Summit, held at Lorain County Community College, Summit Chair Jeanine Donaldson set the tone with a simple but powerful invitation. Drawing from her experience in the Black Baptist church tradition, she asked attendees to turn to those around them — right, left, even behind them — and greet one another.

“Let’s know who our people are.”

Her message was clear: peace does not begin with programs or policies. It begins with people seeing one another.

That opening moment grounded the entire day in connection, humility, and shared humanity — a tone carried throughout a Summit thoughtfully and beautifully assembled by Jeanine Donaldson and co-organizer Laura Malone. Their leadership created not simply a conference, but a meaningful experience of learning, reflection, and relationship.

From that beginning of connection, the Summit unfolded into a powerful exploration of courage, reconciliation, dialogue, and service.

Moral Courage: The Foundation of Peace

Professor David Orr of Oberlin College challenged attendees to consider a quieter, more demanding form of courage — moral courage.

Rather than dramatic acts, he focused on the everyday courage required to speak thoughtfully, stand apart when necessary, and act in service of the common good. Moral courage, he reminded Rotarians, underlies all other virtues and is most often practiced through citizenship, community engagement, and service.

He spoke of staying awake and engaged during difficult times, organizing communities before they are tested, and committing to nonviolent action as a disciplined and effective force for change. Language matters. Participation matters. Vision matters.

Rotary, he emphasized, is uniquely positioned for this moment — bringing people together across differences and advancing peace through Service Above Self.

From Conflict to Compassion: The Legacy of DOVE

The Summit also reflected on Rotary’s long history of peacebuilding through service.

Founded by Past District Governor Do Nguyen and presented by Past District Governor Chuck Stocking, the story of DOVE — Development of Vietnam Endeavors — illustrated how Rotary can transform the wounds of war into acts of reconciliation.

When Vietnam veterans asked, “Is there something we can do?” Rotary answered with long-term commitment.

More than $7 million was invested through Rotary clubs, individual Rotarians, and The Rotary Foundation to fund:

• Schools and medical clinics

• Clean water and sanitation systems

• Microfinance initiatives empowering women

• Employment opportunities for people with disabilities

But DOVE’s deepest impact cannot be measured in dollars.

It lives in veterans who returned to serve in healing rather than conflict.
It lives in communities rebuilt with dignity.
It lives in the establishment of Rotary clubs in Vietnam — where Rotary once had no presence.

As DOVE concludes, it leaves behind a living legacy — one that continues through Vietnamese Rotarians extending service throughout Southeast Asia.

It is a powerful reminder that Rotary does not simply talk about peace. Rotary builds it.

Building Peace One Conversation at a Time

Peacebuilding also happens in smaller, quieter spaces — including how we speak to one another when we disagree.

One breakout session, inspired by the work of Braver Angels, focused on reducing polarization and strengthening civic trust. Participants explored how to move from persuasion to understanding — shifting the goal from “winning” an argument to listening deeply and engaging with humility.

Many acknowledged a shared reality: conversations across political or social divides can feel risky. It can seem easier to avoid them altogether.

Yet avoidance carries its own cost.

Through guided practice, Rotarians developed practical skills in listening, curiosity, and respectful dialogue — strengthening their ability to serve as bridges within families, workplaces, and communities.

Peace, the session reinforced, is cultivated in everyday interactions.

The Heart of a Champion

Elyria Rotary’s own Chase Ferris brought energy and inspiration to the Summit with his message on “The Heart of a Champion.”

His central theme was competitive excellence — being ready when your number is called, regardless of recognition or role. Through stories of perseverance, injury, and unexpected opportunity, he reminded attendees that leadership is often demonstrated behind the scenes.

Every role matters.

He concluded by tying his message directly to Rotary’s peacebuilding mission: peace may be the outcome, but courage is the choice that leads us there. By preparing ourselves, staying connected, and choosing restraint over reaction, we strengthen our teams, our communities, and our world.