The Americus Rotary Club erected a peace pole in Rylander Park on February 26. One of Rotary’s seven areas of focus globally is peace and conflict resolution. Rotary District Governor Gordon Owens spoke of Rotary’s reason for placing the polls. “The peace polls are a place where folks can gather around in the community and have a meditative or reflective moment, if you will. Because if you don’t have inner peace, it’s hard to achieve peace in the community.”

In addition to Rylander Park, Rotary has planted peace poles in a variety of locations, such as free clinics or mental health facilities. “One of the most impactful places we planted one was at a home that takes addicts. So these are homeless addicts that are now off the street, going in recovery.”

The peace poles offer a place for reflection. “If Rotary Clubs in the community can rally around and give people hope and give people a path to a better life, then your community as a whole is better.” The peace poles are logged in the world peace map, and thousands have been set up around the world. “It becomes a really symbolic gesture in your community to remind folks that peace can be achieved, but it starts within, and ripples out.”

Laura McConatha, Chair of the new Peace Committee at Americus Rotary, also spoke of the pole’s significance. “Peace polls are just an outward way that we can show that we care about all humankind. We want to alleviate suffering in the world.” McConatha also sees the poll as a reminder of those lost from violence, as well as a reminder to commit to their efforts to stop further violence.

She spoke of her role on the Peace Committee. “The Americas Rotary Club has recently formed a Peace Committee, and a lot of. Rotary clubs all over the world have a Peace Committee. So we thought that by doing that, it would help us really do some concrete things to support efforts to promote peace in our own community. What our committee wants to focus on is the youth.” Forming the Peace Committee is the first step for Americus Rotary in earning a designation as a Peace Builder Club.

McConatha believes that focusing on providing positive experiences for youth will help promote peace. “What’s important to a lot of kids is just to have somebody that’s a positive role model to them in their life.”