Longtime Rotary Club of Philadelphia members leave a $250,000 gift for Rotary’s peace efforts around the world
By Jay Pennie
Club members Joan and Joe Batory put their money where their hearts are — in peace-building.
Joan and Joe Batory receiving commemorative book in recognition of their combined 58 years of service to Rotary (2019)
The bequest was announced at a recent Rotary Club of Philadelphia virtual meeting by Dawn deFuria, Rotary International District Foundation Chair, and her husband, Russ deFuria, Regional Foundation Coordinator. “This is such a remarkable gift for Rotary’s efforts to promote peace around the world,” said Dawn deFuria. “Russ and I have known Joe and Joan for many years and have served together in various Rotary roles and activities, making this gift even more meaningful to us.”
Once realized, each year a world-competitive selection process will take place and a Joan and Joseph P. Batory Endowed Certificate Fellow will be identified. “The bequest will provide ample funding for one Rotary Peace Fellowship Certificate winner in perpetuity,” said Russ deFuria. “It will also place Joe and Joan in the Arch Klumph Society posthumously.” The high honor is in recognition of Klumph, who started the Rotary Foundation in 1928 with an initial contribution of $26.50. In 2018, the Foundation issued more than $86 million for grant projects around the world, which along with peace-building encompassed supporting education, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, and growing local economies.
“For what could be more important in our turbulent and dangerous world than providing expertise and insights to those who wish to dedicate their lives and careers to violence prevention, mediation, compromise and peace-building.”
Rotary International awards up to 130 fully-funded fellowships annually for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of their peace centers. Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals or practitioners to become experienced and effective catalysts for peace. The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses.
“Joan and I believe that the Peace Fellowship program has become a flagship for Rotary International,” according to Joe Batory. “For what could be more important in our turbulent and dangerous world than providing expertise and insights to those who wish to dedicate their lives and careers to violence prevention, mediation, compromise and peace-building.”
Rotary Bequest Society Level 5 award pins.
Joe and Joan are no strangers to supporting Rotary’s causes in Philadelphia and around the world. Joan served in numerous roles including Rotary International District 7450 Governor encompassing 50 clubs in Southeastern Pennsylvania and as the first female President of the Rotary Club of Philadelphia. In addition to serving as club President, Joe has successfully advanced four Peace Fellows — two Lieutenants from the Philadelphia Police Department and two Philadelphia Assistant District Attorneys — who studied violence prevention, peace building, mediation and compromise in Rotary’s intensive three-month professional certificate program at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.
“Almost all of those who have completed Rotary’s Peace Fellowship programs are now in key leadership positions worldwide, applying what they have learned practically to real world situations, “ said Joe Batory. “This will be a living legacy for us…and a very meaningful one.”
They have also supported scholarly and academic pursuits and have mentored 23 Rotary Scholars from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Korea. “It has been tremendously rewarding to our hearts to give something back. We continue to have close relationships with the scholars and their families.”
Dan King, Rotary Club of Philadelphia’s Foundation Chair, who led the meeting, also recognized Joe Batory as a Paul Harris Fellow +4. Named after the founder of Rotary, this is an honor given to those who currently contribute to the Foundation at $1,000 or more.
A ceremony is being planned to be held in the coming months recognizing major donors in the Philadelphia area.
Find out how you can become a member of the Rotary Club of Philadelphia.
Learn how you can transform your gift into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. Visit The Rotary Foundation.